Majesty intends him Is that all you have to say to me said I Ah Madam answers he with a Sigh which made me expect something more Pleasing I should have more to say to you for my self than the Earl of Liecester What hinders you said I. The respect I have for your Majesty answered he I am in Love Madam but 't is not a thing fitting to make my Queen my Confident I Blush'd at those Words and was in a Mind not to proceed further But I look'd upon him and there needed no more to declare my Weakness I have that esteem for you added I that I am not unwilling to be of your Council Well Madam since you will have it so continues he I must acquaint You I am desperately in Love with the Countess of Rutland and that I cannot Live if Your Majesty consent not that she shall make me happy You may easily guess what an Astonishment I was in at this Explication having upon so good Grounds expected to have heard My Self named it was well for me I had not altogether lost the Haughtiness of my Nature the Poor Remains of it were my only Help to preserve me from discovering more Weakness to the Earl then he had discover'd Love for his Mistress His Transports help'd me to cover mine He perceiv'd not the Blow he had given me And sacrificing my Grief to my Glory I affected to appear calm and unconcern'd when my Soul was full of Trouble and Confusion You have made a good Choice said I and the Countess of Rutland will very well deserve the Kindness you profess for her Madam replies he with Satisfaction in his Looks which heightned my Grief You have done more for me in approving the Passion I have for the Countess of Rutland than You could have done had You procur'd me the Empire of the Universe It is your Desire then added I with a Sigh my Despair forc'd from me that I should give her to you I desire any thing says he that may preserve me from dying for Love of her Go your way then said I to be rid of him and ease my self of the intollerable Constraint I was under Be assured I will concern my self in your Amour You shall know it in time But take heed you give not the Earl of Leicester the least intimation of the Secret I have imparted to you Not before I have Order from your Majesty answer'd he to congratulate his Happiness and pay him the Devoirs of an Affectionate Subject Had you seen with what an Ayr he pronounced these words you would have abhorr'd him for his Ingratitude As for me I was left in so desperate a Condition it was long e're I could recover my Reason out of the Entanglements of Love Anger and Jealousie I was partly the Author of my Misfortune by calling to Court the Countess of Rutland after her Husband's Death without considering she was one of the handsomest Ladies on Earth and but Sixteen Years old I have not observed any particular Kindness the Earl of Essex had for her He visited her as other Ladies of the Court But their Intreague was mysterious and the more secretly it was carry'd the Engagement was the stronger and the Affection more tender It is impossible to express the Trouble I was in when Anger seiz'd the Place Grief had possest in my Heart Though the Earl of Essex had been ignorant of his good Fortune I could not forbear reproaching him for slighting it as he did and forgot not to charge him with Treachery and Ingratitude But when I consider'd he was so far from apprehending my meaning that he was gone directly to make a solemn Tender of his Love to another and carry her the joyful News of his Success with me I resolved at least to delay the Pleasure of it for a time and went out of my Closet into my Chamber to call him back I thought I heard the Earl of Liecester's Voice and his in the Anti-Chamber and going to the Door found I was not mistaken Leicester's Jealousie had in all probability made him watch Essex as he entered my Chamber and when he saw him return with Satisfaction in his Looks You are happy says he in a Priveledge to entertain the Queen as long as you please when others who as passionately desire it cannot obtain that Happiness for a moment I am perswaded replies Essex you better deserve it and make no doubt but you will find more pleasure in it I will leave you at liberty to go in Search of it and you may do me a Favour not to stay me being call'd another way on a very pressing Occasion He had no sooner said so but he went his way and I was so confounded with this new Sight I scarce knew where I stood Having at length recover'd my Reason I had the Discretion to hide my Weakness Presently my Anger would have vented it self on the Countess of Rutland But I consider'd her only Crime was her Beauty and that she knew not my Concern for her Servant The Earl of Leicester having at his Entrance perceiv'd me in Disorder durst not take notice of it but after a short Visit withdrew A little before I had sent to Congratulate the King of Navarre upon his coming to the Crown of France and having intelligence he wanted Aid to secure his Government I resolv'd to send him some under the Conduct of the Earl of Essex in hopes his Absence might Cure me I would have perswaded my self the Cause of my removing him on that Occasion was my Desire to forget him but upon second Thoughts I must confess it was rather the Desire of removing him out of the Sight of a beloved Rival Being resolv'd on the Point I hastened the Execution and having ordered the Earl of Essex to attend me You love Honour said I to him and I cannot think you will prefer the Pleasure of Sighing before a Mistress to the Opportunities of acquiring Glory I have provided One for you and am resolv'd you shall Command the Troops I am sending to the French King And to fortifie your self against the Troubles of Absence you need only think of the Pleasures of a Return His Answer was only in Sighs and that passionate Language made me hasten his Departure Soon after the Countess of Rutland whom I could not forbear using very coldly desir'd leave to go into the Country a considerable distance from London I had then so little Love for her I did not desire to have her near me but readily consented she should retire The Hopes she had to see the Earl of Essex return supported her so that she with much moderation saw him take his leave But I am assur'd by Experience the Grief for his Departure equall'd at least the Hopes for his Return When he was arrived in France Fame spoke aloud in Commendation of him his Absence alter'd not my Affection and in spite of all I could do to the contrary I had a sensible Pleasure
from your Goodness These Words effected partly what she aim'd at The Queen blush'd sigh'd and was silent a while It must be confest proceeds she That to do all for him without putting him to the cost of one Sign of Repentance is to approve of his Pride and encourage him to carry it on to the highest Extremities He would have my Kindness do all and without any Reflection on the Outrages he hath done me he believes I shall think my self too happy in beholding the Executioner's Hand Never doubt Madam says the Countess but he makes account to triumph still over that Goodness your Majesty hath always made appear towards him Had he been carried from Westminster to the Scaffold had you given him a Sight of that Sence of Death and pardon'd Southampton without respiting the other's Execution he would have been glad to make use of any means in his Power to move you to Mercy But he knows the Power he hath over you and pretends that by receiving a Pardon he vouchsafes not to Petition for all the World will believe him innocent But Madam if matters be carried on thus What will the World judge of your Majesty There is not a Person ignorant of this Adventure And if the Earl of Essex without acknowledging his Crimes sees himself at Liberty Will it not be said That England is govern'd by a Queen not so discreet as Fame reports her to be At this Cecil arriv'd and fortify'd extreamly the Countess of Nottingham's Parly He seconded her with all the Art of a cruel Eloquence to perswade the Queen She was concern'd in Honour the Earl of Essex should die The Queen in a Pet consented he should be executed suddenly and Cecil lost no time in carrying her Orders to those who were to be Actors in the Execution The Earl of Essex as the Countess of Nottingham had shrewdly guess'd had no Thoughts of petitioning for a Favour which in all Probability the Queen's Kindness would of it self freely grant him But when he saw himself on the point of being carry'd to the Place of Execution he thought it his Duty not to neglect the Medicines he had in his power to bring about the Queen Then he resolv'd to implore Her Mercy and put her in mind of her Promises and Oaths And knowing the Countess of Nottingham was her Favorite and Confident though he had Cause to believe she had no great Kindness for him he was perswaded she might have Generosity enough to serve him in this important Meditation He sent to desire the Favour of a Visit from her The Countess impatient to know the Cause went directly to him without acquainting the Queen Who but a Barbarian could have seen the Earl of Essex's Person and at the same time know his Misfortune without being melted into Compassion Yet the Countess of Nottingham at the sight of him was all Cruelty and Revenge But feigning some sweetness she gave him away to declare himself thus Can you Madam pardon the most unfortunate of Men the Trouble he gives you at a time when he hath no cause to flatter himself you have any Remains of Kindness for him Yet nothing can be now of greater Advantage to me than your Protection I know the Power you have over the Queen and would you be pleas'd to joyn it to my Sorrow and Repentance for having offended Her I doubt not but we may prevail much Tell Her then Madam continues he putting his Knee to the Ground That you have seen me in this suppliant Posture full of Grief for having deserv'd Her Hatred Restore her this RING which I have kept and entreat Her to remember the Promises She made when She gave it me I beg my Life by this PLEDGE and She cannot deny it me without forgeting Her Oaths I can no longer look on Life as a thing pleasing to me but a miserable Wife and the Interest of a Son press me to continue it as long as I can I cannot think the Innocence of the One or the Infancy of the Other needs my Justification The Favour to be begg'd of the Queen is for me alone The Countess of Nottingham was transported with Joy to see the Earl trust her with the RING which had so often Alarm'd her and whose Power Cecil was still afraid of She frankly promis'd what she had not the least intent to do for Essex added feign'd Tears to her false Promises and assur'd him she would directly go use her utmost Interest with the Queen in his Favour But instead of going to the Queen to give Her an Acccunt of her Visit she went to Cecil who waited for her prais'd her Cruelty and had the Pleasure to see in his power the sole Obstacle against Essex's Death They went together to the Queen who asking How Essex receiv'd Her last Orders He was never observ'd so haughty Madam answer's Cecil he cannot prevail with himself to shew the least Sign of Repentance He thinks of nothing but his Wife and she is the whole Subject of his discourse to those who go to him Let him die then let him perish says the Queen very angry since he will have it so Let Me be eas'd of the tormenting Uncertainties and Disquiets I am under I am no longer against his Execution This Zealous Minister was unwilling to leave the Queen the least time of Reflection And while the Earl of Essex was in expectation of the Effect of the Promises of the unfaithful Countess of Nottingham provision was made for his Execution in the Tower to avoid a Rebellion among the People who lov'd him His Soul was naturally great and discover'd not the least Weakness in the last extremity Never did Man go to his Death with more Constancy and Firmness He did not murmur in the least against the Queen though he might have Reproacht her with Promises He mounted the Scaffold Resolutely Undrest himself Recommended his Family to those about him and having drawn Tears from all Eyes that were Spectators of that last Act of his Life he receiv'd his Death without so much as giving way his Eyes should be cover'd Thus Dy'd this famous Favourite of Queen Elizabeth One of the best Qualify'd Persons in the World and a Man who had been too happy had not Love had too great a Power over him Soon after the Queen had consented he should be Executed she Relaps'd into her former irresolutions and after a sharp Conflict within her self she resolv'd to Pardon him and sent an Officer of her Guards to forbid their proceeding further But it was too late Cecil had fore-seen what might happen and cruelly provided against the Effects of her relapse into former Kindness The Earl of Essex was already Executed and that was the Answer he carry'd the Queen Then it was she lost her ordinary Moderation then her Grief broke out publickly Cecil says she What Mischief hath your Barbarous Zeal and Impatience done me With that she burst out into Tears and would not endure the
Actions were the Interpretations Men made of my Refusal of Marriage with these Princes It redounded much to my Honour my Glory was increas'd by it and the World admir'd my Contempt of Love even then when my Soul was wholly possest by it The Aversion I exprest for Foreign Alliances rais'd the Hopes of the Earl of Leicester and Essex seem'd overjoyed at it Not said he as I heard afterwards but that the Queen is discreet in all her Actions and her Choice had she made one had been decent and just But that I think her so fit to reign alone that I could not without extream Trouble see her share her Authority with a Husband who perhaps would in time be her Master The Construction I made of the Earl of Essex's Zeal was suitable to my Affection and the Desire I had of gaining his Heart which I wish'd so passionately that I fancy'd it done and that the pretended Severity that made me slight Kings was the only thing that frightned his Respect and that he had declared his Love to me could he have thought he durst presume to do it The Duke of Alanson not discourag'd by my Refusal of his Brother began soon after to make Addresses for himself and it was not in my Power to deny my Consent for his Voyage to London But what Advantages soever he pleaded in his Favour certain it is the Earl of Essex lost not any he had gain'd over me The Stay of that Prince in England fortify'd the Earl's Interest He was constantly at my Elbow When the Duke of Alanson spoke to me methought I read Reproaches against my self in the Earl of Essex's Eyes The Earl of Leicester watched me as carefully though not with equal Regard from me I rais'd so many Difficulties against the Duke of Alanson's Design that he was forc'd to desist And I rid my Hands of his Person and his Suit without giving him Cause of Complaint You know that after the Death of the Queen of Scots the King of Spain who still makes himself indispensibly subject to a Necessity of opposing me enter'd into a League with the Pope against me And having fill'd the World with injurious Declarations against my Right to the Crown they joyn'd all their Forces to pull it off my Head The Spaniards made themselves on the sudden Masters of Daventer The Duke of Parma laid Seige to Sluys It was high Time to provide for Defence and the Earl of Leicester was sent away with all the Nobility of the Kingdom in the Head of a numerous Army The Earl of Essex was one of the first to follow him and as strongly inclin'd as I was to stay him yet I thought the Man I lov'd ought not to be idle when he had Opportunity by Glorious Actions to merit the Kindness I had for him I will not spend Time in giving you a Relation of a War which perhaps you are sufficiently inform'd of and concerns not the Secrets of my Life It tended to our Advantage all to the very Winds having favour'd our Side When the Generals of the Army arriv'd at London I was carry'd in Triumph to St. Pauls yet the Joy I had to see the Earl of Essex was greater than that for the signal Victory obtain'd Amongst an infinite Number of Persons of several Ranks my Eyes were fix'd only on him And much ado I had sometimes out of Policy to cast a Look on the Earl of Leicester Both of them had done very great Actions I commended them publickly and particularly joy'd the Earl of Essex for the Success of his Valour and Conduct who spoke so much in Praise of the Valour and Conduct of the Earl of Leicester that he was forc'd in Requital to do him Right in giving him openly the Elogies he deserv'd Not long after this Expedition the Earl of Essex fell into a very deep Melancholy I was the first that perceiv'd it and took it for an Effect of some secret Passion I wish'd now and then he would once take the Boldness to declare himself but presently my Reason upon second Thoughts set before my Eyes the Confusion would certainly follow an Explication of that Nature to the Ruine of my Reputation and that high Esteem the World had for me Yet to speak Truth I could not resolve what to do or to wish I am in Love I desir'd to be lov'd again and that was all I could make of it The Earl of Essex in the mean time continu'd sad I was troubled to see him so and fancying my self the Cause I was desirous to know it and resolv'd to fetch it out of him He had full Liberty of Access to me and I enlarg'd it daily But not to expose my Reputation in forcing him to declare himself I pretended an Inclination to favour the Earl of Leicester who since his late Victories had entertain'd new Hopes One Day as the Earl of Essex came to thank me for the Government of Ireland I had bestow'd on him I was loth to lose the Opportuity and interrupting what he would have said in Acknowledgment You need not enlarge your self said I on a thing I am fully assur'd of I take Pleasure in raising your Fortune and wish I could as easily remove your Melancholy as I am pleas'd to give a new Proof of the Sense I have of your Service You may in your Turn oblige me added I who am fallen into a troublesome Conjuncture and find it very difficult to reduce my Affections into a Compliance with the Necessity of the State This presses me hard to provide England a King This Choice is difficult and I have not a mind to make it among Foreigners You are discreet and I have Reason to believe not the least loving of my Subjects I will take your Advice speak your Mind freely what Man in England you think best deserves this Fortune I look'd on him with that Kindness as would have inspir'd the most fearful with Boldness I observ'd in his Eyes extraordinary Emotions and all the Symptoms of a Secret ready to break out The Point appear'd Tender and My Imagination flatter'd Me all would be as I wish'd Your Majesties Resolution answers he will render a Man more Glorious by the Quality of Your Husband than of the Greatest Monarch on Earth Remember said I I expect not a Panegyrick but Advice from You And that your Business at present is to Nominate the Man I am to make King not to Commend his good Fortune in being so The Business is so nice Madam replyed he I dare not speak my mind though Your Majesty order it Did you know said I what moves me to this Confidence in you you would perhaps express your self with a great deal more Freedom But because to bring you to it I must proceed further tell me whether you think the Earl of Leicester deserves to be your Prince The Earl of Leicester answers he is Well Born and a Person of Great Merit and will answer the Honour your
to hear him Commended Had I been desired I should have call'd him home as soon as France was in Peace But I sent him new Orders to joyn Admiral Howard who was going for Spain And I gave him the like Commission for this Expedition as for that of France He did Wonders in Spain His single Valour frightned the Enemies And having taken Calis and pillag'd the Coast of Portugal he put again to Sea for England The Fleet was scattered by a Storm and we had News the Earl of Essex was lost Then it was I knew better than ever the Kindness I had for him I could no longer perswade my self that his indifference for me deserv'd mine for him I accus'd the Sea a Thousand Times for having taken too unreasonable a Revenge for me and was under Sufferings more cruel than Death when News was brought me that by the Assistance of the Admiral of Holland he was arrived at Plymouth from whence in few days he came to Court To shew you how little Reason we have when we are in Love and how fickle are the Resolutions of a tender Heart though provok'd by Slights and Contempts I had lamented the Death of the Earl of Essex and receiv'd the News of his being Alive with a Thousand Transports of Joy I was extreamly pleas'd with the Report of his Arrival at London But when I considered I should see him full of Love for another and that perhaps I should not be able to conceal my Jealousie I was tempted to order him to give the Council an Account of his Conduct and not admit him into my Presence I was sometimes of the Opinion I should be able to do so But this weak Heart of mine so prepossess'd in favour of him revolted against all my Resolutions I must follow my Inclinations and see the most dangerous Enemy of my Repose the Troubler of my Rest He came to Whitehall I admitted him to my Presence I look'd upon him and spight of all my high Spirit he saw nothing but Kindness in all my Actions You may imagine what an agreeable Surprize it was to me to find at our first Conference that Absence had wean'd his Affections from the Countess of Rutland He appear'd no longer in that Languishing Melancholy I observ'd him in before his Departure He had Satifaction in his Looks The Air of his Actions were smooth and calm and I fancy'd as much Joy in his Face tho' the Countess of Rutland was absent as I felt in my self at the Explication he made I see you again return'd with Victory said I But am sorry it is not in my Power to reward your Toil with a Sight of the Countess of Rutland But if any thing I can do can comfort you I am easily comforted for her Absence when I am permitted to see your Majesty answered he I have no passion now but for the Glory of Serving Your Majesty and the Countess of Rutland is now to me no more than other Ladies of the Court. Are you no longer in Love with the Countess of Rutland replyed I between Joy and Distrust You have spoken too fast When you see her again When I see her again says he interrupting me it shall be without those Transports I exprest for her not forgetting the Respects due to Your Majesty What answered I are you not afraid of the Reproaches of a provoked Mistress No Madam said he in a free and unconcern'd manner All I am concern'd for is to do my Duty and approve my self worthy Your Majesties Favour This answer'd I deserves my Acknowledgment and time shall let you see I am not ungrateful Thus did the Earl of Essex assure me he was Cur'd of his first Passion And I was in Hopes it might be in my Power to see him one Day entertain another A Week after he desir'd leave to go into the Country about his private Affairs He was absent a Fortnight and return'd more calm and unconcern'd than ever The Earl of Leicester had doubled his importunities in this Absence of the Earl of Essex in France and Spain and obliged me at last to put him out of Hopes He is naturally Bold and was so blown up with the Opinion of the Glory he had gain'd by some late Atchievments that he proceeded to telling me plainly He was jealous of the Earl of Essex and would have made a Crime of the Discourse I told you of past between them as Essex left my Chamber The Answer I made him was an Absolute Command He should be silent Which was so far obey'd that after some days Murmuring he held his Peace Yet this put me in mind to observe some measures and not to follow openly my Inclinations Things continu'd in this State till the Troubles of Ireland I have often open'd my Mouth to let the Earl of Essex know the Advantges he had over me but Modesty shut it again Yet seeing him under a Necessity of going for Ireland when the Earl of Tyrone had rais'd a General Rebellion I had not the Power to let him take leave without acquainting him The Kingdom was at his Command Upon the first News of the Troubles he threw himself at my Feet begging the Honour of my Command to go Quiet those Disorders You have done enough said I and there 's no need you should by exposing your self to New Dangers oblige me to New Acknowledgments I doubt not Madam answer'd he but the Favour I beg of your Majesty will be envy'd me But I take the Boldness to say Your Majesty cannot refuse it me without doing your self Injury It being an occasion may contribute to meriting the Favour you have already honour'd me with The Ardour you express for undertaking Great Actions Reply'd I is not perhaps so Pleasing as you imagine And all the Good that may Redound to England through your Valour is less considerable than the Trouble is given me who take less Care of my Crown than your Life I am Ambitions Yet Ah! My Lord save me the Confusion of a more particular Explication of what you ought and might easily have long since understood I might perhaps presume too far in my Wishes says the Earl in some Disorder Wish boldly answered I I Love you and if I blush to tell you so 't is not that I am either Asham'd or Repent of it You may believe this Acknowledgment a very hard Task for a Person of my Humour who have seen you sigh for another when I slighted Kings for your Sake and would have Sacrificed more to your Satisfaction What Madam cryes he like a Man astonisht Have You lov'd me and I been so unfortunate to make my self unworthy Your Kindness by those Sighs I now disavow Did my Eyes never tell you what I look'd for in Yours said I. I never had the Boldness answered he to make any such Constructions of your Looks Your Fear was the effect of indifference said I but no more of what is past Tell me now can ye love me Rather ask
this purpose MY Mother died very Young leaving no Child but me My Father's Offices obliging him to a constant Attendance at Court he committed the care of my Infancy to a Sister of his settled about a hundred Miles from London He could not at thy Distance see me so often as he would so that when I came to Fourteen Years of Age he thought by disposing me in Marriage to bring me nearer him The Earl of Rutland had but one Son and the intimate Friendship between my Father and him induc'd them to think of a stricter Alliance Our Fortunes were equal and the Earl of Rutland's Son being Return'd out of Italy his Father acquainted him with his Design of Marrying him His Affection was no way engag'd to the contrary And the Business was agreed on without my Knowledge who was look'd upon as too Young to be Consulted with in a Cause of that Nature Yet Madam my Heart was sensible so early and capable of Discerning between Person and Person and made it appear by Experience Obedience and Affection do no not always agree The Equipage of the Young Gentleman was no sooner ready but he came where I was Being not in Love nor expecting much Pleasure in waiting on a Mistress he had never seen and was represented to him as a Child he pray'd Three of his Friends to Honour his Nuptails with there Presence The Earl of Essex was one of them When they arriv'd my Looks were divided between several Men all much of one Age and equally unknown to me I know well enough the Earl of Rutland's Son ws design'd my Husband and I presently wish'd he were the Man whom I afterwads knew to be the Earl of Essex at the first sight of whom all my Trouble for being Marry'd so Young was presently over He was the First spoke to me and look'd on me more earnestly than any of the others This made me believe it was as I wish'd But I was sadly undeceiv'd when the Young Earl of Rutland was presented to me I Blush'd and Sigh'd not knowing the Cause The Earl of Essex did also the like his Eyes went still in search of me and I was not reserv'd enough to avoid them The trouble I appear'd in was attributed to the Innocence of my Age and I quickly learnt to take care to hide it Our Parents being arriv'd we were Marry'd without being ask'd by them If we were willing The Earl of Rutland's Son appear'd pleas'd with his Fortune and perhaps found me more amiable than he expected I Madam was so in Love with the Earl of Essex all I could do was not to hate my Husband Yet I had the good luck my Kindness for my Lord of Essex was not so much as suspected 'T was believ'd I was then sensible of no other Pleasures but what Children delight in but no Age is a stranger to Love I quickly knew what it was to have a Kindness and soon complain'd the Liberty of my Inclination had been usurp'd upon I had little joy in being so far Mistress of my self as to wish I could love my Husband and endeavour it and to have an indifference for the Earl of Essex for all my Efforts to that purpose were vain The first Resolution I took was to avoid the sight of a Man who could only contribute to make me more unhappy And when he had taken his leave with the rest of my Lord of Rutland's Friends I pray'd my Father to spare my Youth for some time and not to expose me so early to the Court where I never had been My Desire was granted and when my Father return'd for London to satisfie me they took me to Rutland But the Course I took produc'd not the Effect I propos'd The Idea of the Earl of Essex accompanied me in my Solitude And my Father-in-Law being dead we were forc'd to go to London after a Years stay in the Country I trembled to think I should see the Earl of Essex again and resolv'd with my self I would be the most retir'd Person on Earth to avoid all Occasions of meeting him when News was brought me he was gone with the Earl of Leicester into the Low-Countries The Queen receiv'd me with that Kindness she usually expresses to those she intends to Honour I admir'd her Merit and the Pleasure to see my self respected by her suspended a while my secret inquietudes But within less than half a Year my Father died and soon after my Husband I was much afflicted at these losses I bewail'd my Father's Death a long time And if I had not for my Husband that great Kindness which is rarely met with in Marriages of Obedience my Reason and his Complaisance had forc'd me to esteem him and to express Acknowledgments sincere enough to save me the Trouble of any just Reproach from my self or any other The Queen having told me she desir'd to have me near her I quitted my House for an Apartment in this Palace and my Fortune which was very considerable gave me such Charms as drew about me a number of Suitors who pretended mighty Kindness for me but were really rather a Trouble than Pleasure to me In this condition was I when the Earl of Essex returned to London The Queen's Army had been Victorious and she order'd a publick Thanksgiving when the Generals arriv'd I waited on her to St. Pauls and had not the Power by any Consideration to be so reserv'd as not single out from all the Nobility of the Kingdom the Earl of Essex alone to fix my Eyes on The morrow he was one of the first to wait on the Queen I was with her before I was mov'd at the sight of him we looked on one another several times with equal Concern Madam said he as soon as he could speak to me I have not had a moments liberty to signifie to you how great a share I bear in your Losses I believe answered I you are sorry for my Misfortune 'T is natural for every one to be concern'd for such a Person as you are adds he But Madam I am much more concern'd than any other The Queen interrupted us But in all the respects the Earl of Essex paid her I would not but observe his Eye was towards me I confess I was glad to see him so eager and perhaps I answered him a little too soon but I was young tender and Independent His Merits were then extraordinary and he had the advantage of my first inclination He came the same day to see me in my Apartment and fail'd not to do it constantly afterwards All his Actions perswaded me at length that he lov'd me and it was not long e're he let me know it Madam said he one Evening having brought me to my Chamber after I had left the Queen Do you remember the time we accompany'd the Earl of Rutland to your Country-House I have not forgot Sir answered I that you were one of them that did him that Honour Is that all you
your Eyes have done me is of this nature If I have committed a fault in entertaining thoughts of breaking my Chains I smart for it more cruelly than you can desire I know not to what extremity my grief would drive me for the time I have lost were it not for the hope I have to redeem it Be pleased Madam to give me leave to wait upon you with more Love than ever and by serious Repentance to deface those ill impressions my error have wrought on you concerning the constancy of my Affection For should you be more haughty and insensible than you have been represented yet I am resolved to die altogether yours Hippolito Ah Traytor cry'd the Viceroy's Lady as soon as I had done reading the Billet is it possible he should have the Confidence to justifie the most visible inconstancy man was ever guilty of and to accuse others of it Madam said I without any Passion 't is fit we should hear him speak for himself and if you please to stay we will send for him and see how he will defend himself against you Alas says she what should I stay for I am not otherwise concerned than on your account You may now do as you please but if you will be advised by me see him no more That must not be Madam replyed I though it were but to know who they are he speaks of in the Billet I must see him once more and then I shall understand what measures to take I had hardly done speaking but the Murquess came in He thought without doubt the Viceroy's Lady would not have favoured me so long with her company after he had been gone and the impatience he had to know how I took what he wrote in the Billet or perhaps to tell me what made me so earnest to be informed of made him presently return He was not a little surprized to find us together He was just stepping back to be gone but I prayed him to come in The Viceroy's Lady seeing him and confounded at the sight of him or for fear I would put him upon making the discovery before her as I had certainly done in the condition things were in stood up and taking him by the hand turning towards me I have something said she to tell him after which you may satisfie your self This action of hers moved more my pity than my jealousie I know very well she was not a Woman of the best conduct in the World but I should never have imagined her Passion could have carried her so far after all she had said to me as to make her give in my presence such an instance of her weakness I let them go without saying a word to one or other but expected to see the Marquess again and assured my self of very pleasant divertisement by what he should tell me of the Lady But he came not at all that day which anger'd me not a little On the morrow I perfectly recovered My malady was a pure effect of jealousie and vexation and when I knew how matters stood I was soon cured of both Not but that I had reason to fear the Viceroy's Lady But the sorry course I saw her take and her pitiful conduct secured me from the apprehension of any harm she could do me I was well enough to appear at Court but hearing there was a Ball at night I resolved to be sick one day more that I might steal at night in Masquerade to the Ball and there speak with the Marquess My design took not for he came not thither all the while I stayed But by reason of my going to and fro to seek him out the Viceroy's Lady knew me and being Alarm'd at my Disguise followed me to my Chamber where I was amazed to see her and could not believe it was she Well and what News of the Marquess said she I must know that of you Madam answered I for I have not seen him since yesterday when you denied me the pleasure to discourse him one moment in a business you and I were sufficiently concern'd to be satisfied in I believe reply'd she you are not now to seek for satisfaction How can that be reply'd I when I have not spoken with him ever since It is reported however answer'd she you were this Evening together in Masquerade Those said I who report it are very much mistaken but I must beg your pardon Madam if I tell you there is not any one but you capable of such a mistake I know what becomes me and there are but few who make a doubt of it Persons of my Honour are seldom guilty of such faults The Viceroy's Lady having a desire to vex and fall out with me never gave over till I had told her part of my mind and let her understand I was not to be fool'd by her The truths I told her madded her to that degree that she broke out into expressions so cruelly offensive I could not forbear crying and unwilling she should have the pleasure to see the Tears run down my Cheeks I rose up to retire into my Closet What says she I interrupt your Meditations in the Charms of your fine Marquess is not that the cause of your withdrawing Or rather continued she to provoke me yet more are you going to seek him in your Closet where you have hid him That which you say Madam doth so little become you that nothing but extream madness could have made you think so unworthy of me but I see what pleads your excuse What reply'd she I hope I have no great reason to trust her that will not trust me And the right I have to over-see and regulate your Conduct gives me the priviledge to visit any place I suspect With that she took up a Flambeau that lay lighted on my Table and went up towards my Closet I looked upon her with that slight and indifference as wholly unconcern'd at her Action which angred her more than any thing I could have said to her I do not yet know what was her design for she knew me too well to have the least suspicion of what she charged me with but it seems she was resolv'd to try me to the utmost and be reveng'd of me that way In the mean time by very ill Fortune for me the Marquess was in the Closet and she was the first that discovered him she shrieked out with the surprize of it which made me turn about that way and put me into such a fright that together with the displeasure that accident gave me cast me into a swoon and made me fall as dead upon the Bed near which I then stood The Marquess seized with true or feigned grief for his being the cause of so unhappy an accident begged my pardon on his Knees with Tears in his Eyes What the Lady said to this I know not but one of my Chamber-Maids who came to help me told me she saw her go out so angry that fire seemed to sparkle out of
discovery of the Mystery Yet being himself streightned in time and that they were fallen into a deep silence using only expressions of mutual sighs He thought fit to say to the Aga whom he sufficiently perceived no Enemy of Laura's Had my former acquaintance with you been too small to give me hopes you would not cross the design we have in hand yet Sir what I have but now seen and heard were enough to perswade me you will be so far from obstructing it that I assure my self we shall have your assistance to compass it By my request to you yesterday you know my endeavours for the Liberty of this Slave those proved ineffectual but I have thought of other means which if you please we will execute this evening You know well enough the Bassa is passionately in love with her if we give him time to see her once more it will not be in our power to get her out of his hands If a War be resolved on it will be equally difficult to save her And who knows but she may be put to death here the People being already extreamly incensed against her as the cause of all this disorder and upon the noise of a War they will be too apt to make her a Sacrifice Let us be wise in time all things are in readiness and if you will make use of them presently I do warrant the success The Aga looked upon him as a man newly out of a Trance and oppress'd with grief Let us do Dear Assen says he whatever you think fit for in the condition that I am in I am not capable to give you any reasonable Counsel but will do all you shall desire of me and imploy my whole power in the Castle to favour your design and help this Lady out of danger Ingrateful man answers Laura do you speak of helping me out of danger you who are the cause of all my misfortunes Go wretch go I 'le never be so much obliged to you but chuse rather to dye here in Prison than not to have still just cause to reproach you This is not time Madam says Assen whose conceptions were too gross to apprehend the delicacy of her Sentiments to refuse any help especially the Aga's who being Captain of the Guard can give order for opening us the Gates when we please without stop or examination What confidence can we repose answers she in the most perfidious of men No no Assen were it possible for him to be more honest on this occasion then he was faithful in his love I will rather dye than make use of his assistance after the double Treason he committed against me The very thought of it adds she with tears is more cruel than Death 'T is true Madam says Beyran with the most moving action imaginable I have deserved death yet peradventure I am not so guilty as you think me Don Alphonso and Clarice who betrayed us both have expiated their Crimes with Death and if mine must be punished with equal rigor my life is at your dispose You see me in a Country Madam whither nothing but despair on the news of your death occasioned my coming for after diligent search of the way you had taken having been told you were embarqued for Barcellona I took the same road and arrived at that City where soon after it was reported the Vessel you embarqued in was cast away and not one Person saved Never was grief equal to mine every one pitied me nor had I escaped death but that Heaven moved at my tears reserved me the happiness of seeing you again to justifie my self before you and not to dye in your ill opinion the thing next the loss of you I was most of all troubled for The life I have since led hath been full of afflictions sufficient to expiate any Crime if not committed against you Laura took pleasure to hear him and heartily wished to find it true He was not so much to blame as she believed But the evidence was so apparent against him that the very thought of what she had seen made her more angry than ever so that she commanded him out of her sight bid him quit the Town and never see her more Poor Beyran be-being still on his knees endeavoured with the kindest and most tender expressions imaginable to pacifie her Assen who by this time was sufficiently assured he was the Marquess Hippolito under the name of Beyran moved with his tears took his part against Laura whom he thought not inflexible and intreated her to have some regard to the penitence of so tender a Lover ready to deliver her out of all her troubles and free her from Slavery which he had occasioned but perhaps without any fault of his and so against his will But Laura more angry than before at least in appearance answered she valued not her Slavery but would choose rather to return to the Bassa than go away with a man she hated worse than Death This troubled Assen but he could not despair to see the fair Lady yield at last to the pains and tears of a Lover though she appear'd unwilling to be overcome by the perswasions of a Friend For anger in a Ladies heart Is but short liv'd though it may be smart Against their Crimes who have the Art To please For these No sooner at the Bar appear Kneel sigh look sad and drop a tear But they with ease A pardon for the offence obtain And are admitted into Grace again While the fair Judge whose angry brow Lowr'd and look'd terrible but now To the poor Lover there below Finding her tender heart relent Begins her Anger to repent Thinks her self Criminal that she So rigorous to him could be Owns her Severity a fault And that she may it expiate Submits his Prisoner to remain bound in her own affections Chain Laura's heart was of this temper she thought her self concerned in honour not to yield too soon Assen did her no small pleasure in taking the part of Marquess Hippolito whom we will yet call Beyran And she was very willing Assen should have the honour of obtaining from her a pardon for the ungrateful Beyran if he could plead any thing to justifie himself or extenuate the Treason he was guilty of but that would have ushered in a Discourse too long for the present conjuncture and Assen told the Aga if he had a mind to execute the design he had told him of he must be at the Cape of Carthage before day for there the Brigandine waited their coming Beyran answered it was impossible to get that night out of the Castle the Dey having not above two hours since had news from the Spies he maintained about the Bassa that the night before the Bassa entred the Town whereupon the Dey gave strict order no Person should go out or in but by day Laura and Assen were surprized at the news and perceived the Bassa had been in danger Beyran seeing Laura a little mollified was