to speak better which wounded my Soul hath not bereav'd you Signor Marc-Antonio of the memory of her whom not long since you was pleas'd to stile your Glory and your Heaven upon Earth you may call to mind Leonora and the Promise and Oath you gave her and confirm'd with a writing subscrib'd with your own Hand and if you have not forgot the Quality of her Parents the Integrity of her Honour and Obligations she has laid upon you by her readiness to comply with your Desires you would easily know altho I am in a Habit different from what I usually wear and in which you have lately seen me that I am Leonora who doubting or rather fearing least some new accident might take from me that to which I have so just a Title immediately upon knowledge that you were gone from your House not valuing any inconveniences or difficulties resolv'd to follow you in this disguise and to search all the World over till I had found you and you ought not to wonder at it if ever you felt the force of true Love or the fury and rage of a deceiv'd and neglected Woman In this search I have endur'd many troubles which now I esteem pleasant because I see you again but that pleasure is imbitter'd by finding you in this Condition if it shall please God to call you to a better Life if you before your departure will do what becomes you and me and what you are oblig'd to do I shall esteem my self the most contented and happy Woman in the World And I promise you that after your Death I will lead such a Life that it shall not be long before I follow you Therefore I pray you for the Love of God to whom all my Desires and Intentions are directed and by what you owe to your Quality and to me to whom you are more oblig'd than to any Person in the World that now and in this place you would accept of me for your lawful Wife and not tarry till you are forc'd to it by Law Here ended Leonora and all those in the Chamber having attended to her with great silence kept it still expecting Marc-Antonios answer which was to this purpose I do not deny Madam that I know you your Voice and your Face will not permit it neither do I deny the Obligations I have to you nor that your Honesty is unblemish'd and you Family Noble and of great worth neither do I esteem you less that you are come to search me in a Habit so different from which you use to wear I admire you for it and shall as long as I live And since my ill Fortune has reduc'd me to this Condition and I am as you said near my Death in this time I ought to declare the Truth and I will tell you one which tho at present it may not be pleasant to you it may be another Day I confess fair Leonora I have lov'd you and was belov'd by you I farther acknowledge I gave you a Promise in writing and subscrib'd with my Hand and all this rather to please you than my self for many Days before I had given my Soul to one of the same place nam'd Theodosia whom I believe you know Daughter of Parents not less illustrious than yours and if I gave you a Note subscrib'd with my Hand to her I gave the Hand it self confirming it with such Deeds and Testimonies that greater could not be I am so far engag'd that I can marry no other Woman in the World The Love which I had to you was only to pass away the time and I had from you some superficial Kindnesses which did you no hurt then nor can now From Theodosia I had the Fruits which she could give me and I desire under the Obligation to be her Husband as I own my self now to be and if I left you both in the same time you in doubt and her in fear she had lost her Honour it must be attributed to the sickleness and inconstancy of Youth not considering what I had done but hurried on by other thoughts I imagin'd I might without any scruple go into Italy to see which I had a great desire and spend there a few of my youthful Years after which I design'd to return and enquire what was become of you and of Theodosia my lawful and true Wife But the just Heaven has permitted this Accident to fall upon me without doubt being displeas'd at my Infidelity and that I might confess this Truth and this my Error and pay in this Life what I owe and that you should remain undeceiv'd and free to dispose of your self as you please And when Theodosia shall know I am dead she may likewise know from you and the rest of the by standers that dying I fulfill'd the Promise which I made her in my Life But in the little time which I have to live if I can do you any service Signora Leonora I pray you freely command me for I will do any thing for you except being your Husband which I cannot possibly be Whilst Marc-Antonio spoke these words he lean'd his Head upon his Hand and having ended them his Hand fell away and he fainted Then Don Rafael run to him and closely embrac'd him saying Courage dear Sir here is your Friend and your Brother as you have pleas'd to declare him Do you not know Don Rafael your Companion and who will be a true Witness of your Will and of the Favour and Honour you have done him in accepting Theodosia for your Wife Marc-Antonio recover'd his Senses and immediately knew Don Rafael whom he embrac'd and kiss'd saying Signor and dear Brother now I may say that the great Content I perceive in seeing you must fore-run some great Misfortune but nevertheless I shall not esteem it so let what can arrive comparing it with this Felicity I will yet make you more happy replied Don Rafael and present unto you your Wife and looking for Theodosia found her weeping and dubious betwixt the two extreams of Grief and Joy for what she saw and heard Her Brother took her by the Hand and she let herself be easily led where she had a mind to Marc Antonio who knew her and embrac'd her and with her the other two fell a weeping most bitterly All that were in the Room stood amaz'd at so strange an Accident and gaz'd upon one another without speaking a wâ—rd expecting what the end of these things would be But the unfortunate Leonora who had seen what pass'd betwixt Marc-Antonio and him whom she took to be Don Rafaels Brother inclos'd in his Arms whom she always believ'd would have been her Husband finding her designs disappointed and her hopes vanish'd stole privatly out of the Room not being taken notice of by the Company who were all attentive upon the wounded Person kissing and embracing the Page and went into the Street in great despair with intention to go far enouf off and run about the World or
Madam replied the Maid How comes it to pass then said Cornelia that you have chang'd his Cloaths these are not the same Cloaths or this is not the same Child That may be said the Maid Jesu What say you That may be answer'd Cornelia tell me dear Sister how can that be my Heart will burst if I am not saddainly inform'd how comes this change tell me whence and by what means you got those Swadling-Cloaths they are mine I am sure they are mine if I have not wholly lost my Sight and my Memory Don John and Don Antonio having heard these words would not permit her to proceed nor continue any longer in suspence wherefore Don John said These Cloaths Madam and this Child are yours and then he told her from point to point how he was the Person to whom the Woman gave it mistaking him for Fabio how he had brought it home and why he had chang'd its Garments And altho that they knew 't was her Child after that she had told them that she had been deliver'd they had not discover'd this before to make her joy the greater in knowing him after a suspension of knowing him not Infinite were the Tears of Cornelia infinite were the Thanks to her Protectors calling them her Guardian-Angels in the shape of Men and giving them many other Titles which made appear the Obligation she had for having by their means receiv'd so great a Benefaction Then they left her with the Maid commanding her to take great Care of the Lady and went to Bed to sleep the rest of the Night with intention to visit Cornelia no more unless she sent for them or upon some urgent occasion When 't was Day the Servant-Maid brought a Nurse secretly into the Chamber who suckl'd the Child in the dark the Windows being shut The Gentlemen ask'd how the Mother did and being answer'd she was asleep they went to the Schools passing by the Street wherein the Night before the Scuffle was and before Cornelias Door to learn what was said of her absence but they could not inform theirselves Being return'd Cornelia sent to call them they answer'd that they had thoughts not to enter any more into her Chamber to keep the decorum due to her But she answer'd with Prayers and Tears desiring them to continue their Visits as before that 't would if not remedy yet at least be a consolation in her misfortune They came and she receiv'd them with a chearful Countenance and desired them to take a turn about the City to try what they could hear concerning her They replied they had done so already with all diligence and punctually but they could not discover any thing In this interim behold one of their Pages comes crying out At the Gate below stays a Gentleman who says his Name is and desires to speak with Don John of Gamboa Hearing this Cornelia trembled and wrung her Hands and putting her Finger to her Mouth she said with a low and frighted voice my Brother Gentlemen it is my Brother without doubt he knows that I am here and now he is come to kill me Help me Gentlemen help me for Gods sake Trouble not your self Madam fear nothing said Don Antonio you are in such Hands who will not suffer that the least Affront shall be offer'd to you Go Signor Don John and see what the Gentlemans Business is I 'll stay here to defend the Lady if there should be occasion In the mean while he charg'd a brace of Pistols commanding his Servants to take their Swords and be in a readiness The Maid seeing these Preparations fell a trembling as also did Cornelia But Don Antonio and Don John stood firm having resolv'd how to manage the Affair Don John went down the Stairs sedately and found the Gentleman at the Door who when he saw him spoke thus I desire you would do me the Favour to walk to the next Church hard by where I will declare to you the affair wherein my Life and Honour is deeply concern'd That I will do replied Don John le ts go Sir They went and setting upon a Bench at some distance from the People that they might not be over-heard the Gentleman thus began I am Sir if not of the richest Family yet of one of the Noblest of this City let Truth speak for me without my having any need to praise my self For some Years I have been an Orfan and have had under my Government a Sister whom if she was not so nearly related to me I might praise so much that I should be put to it to find words to do it according to her deserts my Honour and her being young and extreamly handsome obliged me to look after her with all possible Care but all the Diligence which I employed was not sufficient to preserve her she was too cunning for me and frustrated my Care and gave herself over to her unruly Desires But not to tire you with a tedious Story I 'll only tell you that the Duke of with the Eyes of Linceus was too hard for those of Argus and triumfed over my Industry conquering my Sister whom he has taken from her Lodging this Night and I am told she has been deliver'd of a Child As soon as I knew this I went in search of him all about the City I found him and assaulted him but some Angel assisted him and would not permit that with his Blood he should wash away the Stain which he has put upon my Honour My Cousin who told me this told me also That the Duke had drawn my Sister in with the promise of Marriage but I believe it not considering the inequality betwixt them as to the goods of Fortune For as to Blood all the World knows that the Family of is inferiour to none in Bolognia But I believe he like other Grandees when they would deceive any retir'd Maid they lay before their Eyes as a Bait the sweet Name of Husband And tell them for certain weighty Considerations they cannot Marry them yet and these are Lies which carry appearance of Truth and Falsities which cover a bad intent But be it as it will I find my self without a Sister and without Honour but I 'll not make a public Business of it till I have tried to remedy it some other way for 't is a lesser Evil that one should be presum'd infamous than publicly known to be so In fine I am resolv'd to go to the Duke and demand Satisfaction for the injury he has done me and if he denies it I 'll instantly defie him not to fight with Troops but Body to Body In which I shall need your Assistance if you are willing to accompany me I promise my self that you will favour me in this Occasion being a Spaniard and a Gentleman as I am inform'd I have not consulted my Kindred and Friends from whom I can expect nothing but Counsels and Diswasions to turn me from what I am resolv'd upon From you Sir I
Host went to take care of the Horse and to give order for a Supper least any other Guest should come that Night Presently after they beheld coming another Gentleman a little older than the first but not less handsome Upon which sight the Hostess began to cry out Jesu What do I see Do Angels come to Lodg this Night at my House Why say you so demanded the Gentleman I say it not without cause replied the Hostess but I say to you put not your self to the trouble of lighting for I have no Bed for you A Gentleman in that Chamber altho he is alone hath taken both and paid me for them that no body besides should enter the Chamber it seems he delights in solitude but I know not why for upon my Soul he has a not a Face or a Garb which ought to be hid but rather be seen and bless'd and admir'd by all the World Is he so very handsome replied the Gentleman Handsome says the Hostess yes handsomeness it self Ho Boy said the Gentleman here take my Horse I will see this Person you praise so much tho I lie upon the bare Ground all this Night Then bidding his Servant hold his Stirrup he lighted and enter'd and call'd for Supper A Sbirro enter'd and sitting down fell into discourse with him while he was at Supper and being unwilling to loose time drunk off three Bottles of Wine and eat the Breast and Body of a Partridge which the Gentleman gave him In recompence whereof the Sbirro ask'd the Court News and what was done in Flanders of the Motion and Descent of the Turks not forgetting the Affairs of Transilvania The Gentleman eat on in silence for he had no inclination to answer such Questions coming from such a Person the Host added himself a third to their Company and tasted his Wine with such Draughts as the Sbirro had done before and at the end of every Glass he distorted his Body and turn'd his Head to his left Shoulder praising the Wine and giving to it so many attributes and epithets that he exalted it to the Clouds In the circle of his discourse he return'd to the praises of his Guest who was lock'd in telling how he fainted and that he lock'd himself in his Chamber without any Supper he told that his Portmantue was well furnish'd as he guess'd by the weight of it he prais'd the goodness of his Horse and the fashion and richness of his Cloaths which were too good to be worn by one who was not attended by a Servant for he came only with the Vetturin All these exaggerations doubled the Gentlemans desires to get a sight of him and to that end he pray'd the Host to find some means to let him lie in the other Bed for which he would give him a Crown The greediness of Money inclin'd the Host to comply with him but it seem'd impossible because the Door was lock'd in the inside and that he durst not disturb him But to all this the Sbirro undertook to find a remedy in this manner I will go said he and knock at the Door saying 't is the Constable who by order of a Justice of Peace commands that they Lodge this Gentleman To which the Host should answer That they would do him injury because that Chamber and both the Beds were taken and paid for by him who was in it by this the Host shall be disoblig'd from his promise and you Sir will obtain you desire This Invention was approv'd and put presently in effect and the Sbirro receiv'd from the Gentleman half a Crown with which he was well contented The first Guest was much troubled hearing he must open to the Constable the second ask'd him pardon for interrupting his repose and went immediately into the void Bed The other replied not one word nor would not permit him to see his Face for as soon as he had open'd the Door he went to Bed turning his Face towards the Wall and pretended to fall asleep Now the second Guest was got into his Bed but with this hope that the next Morning he should have a view of his Chamber-Fellow at his rising It was December wherein the long tedious dark and cold Nights adds to weariness usually invites Sleep But the first Guest could not get that benefit a little after mid-night he began to sigh so bitterly as if with every one of them he was breathing out his Soul so that he waken'd the other who admiring the Sobs which accompanied his dolorous Sighs hearken'd to understand the Lamentations which this afflicted Person murmur'd to himself The Beds were at some distance nevertheless he heard amongst others these words pronounc'd with a weak and mournful Voice Ah wretch that I am Whether does the invincible force of my Destiny hurry me What Path do I take What Thred will guide me out of the Labyrinth in which I am Ah few Years and small Experience incapable of Consideration and Counsel At what end will this my vagabond wandring arrive Ah despised Honour Ah sincere Love ill recompenc'd Ah respect of my Kindred laid aside and trod under foot wo is me that have thus let loose the Reins and suffer'd my self to be carried away by my desires Oh false and flattering words which have oblig'd me to answer in Deeds But of whom do I complain Am not I she that would cheat my self Am not I she who took the Knife to assassinate with my own Hands my Honour my Reputation and the good Opinion which my Parents had of my Vertue Oh perjur'd Marc Antonio How is it possible that the gall of Ingratitude should be mingled with the sweetness of those Words which thou spokest to me Where art ungrateful Whether art thou fled answer for I speak to thee stay for I follow thee hold me up for thou hast made me fall pay what thou owest me succour me because I have obliged then After these Words she was silent expressing her Sorrow only with Sighs and Tears The second Guest listned to all this with great silence and concluded that 't was a Woman that thus lamented which increas'd his desire to know her and often resolv'd to rise and go to her Bed-side and would have done so had he not perceiv'd she was got up and had open'd the Chamber Door calling the Host to saddle her Pad for she would be going The Host let her call a good while and then answer'd That 't was scarce Midnight and so dark 't would be madness to set out This answer satisfi'd her and she lock'd the Door and return'd to Bed bitterly sighing It appear'd then to the Gentleman who heard her that 't would not be amiss to speak to her and offer her all Service and Aid and to oblige her to discover her Misfortune therefore he spoke thus to her In truth Sir if your Sighs and the Words which you have spoke had not mov'd me to Compassion I should think I had a Soul of Stone in a Body