Selected quad for the lemma: kingdom_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A88603
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Love in distress, or, The lucky discovery a novel / written by the honourable Lady ***
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Lady.
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1697
(1697)
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Wing L3210A; ESTC R43698
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57,727
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136
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satisfactory Reflections by Melantius who encountred no other Ideas but those of Love and Extasie he was transported with the many Charms he found in the beautiful Aspatia He fancy'd her his own not dreaming of any Obstacle that could oppose it he consider'd the Equality of their Birth and Fortune the Conveniency of the Match and indulged himself with all the transporting and delightful Raptures that proceed from thought The next day was that great Solemnity wherewith Alphonso Henery entertain'd his new Queen Beatrice Daughter to Alphonso the Tenth King of Castile by whom that Noble Dowry the Kingdom of Algaroes was added to the Crown of Portugal All the Nobility was there present to pay their Devoirs to the Queen In particular the illustrious Families of Almeyda and that of the Marquess de Leganes who was Father to our Cavalier Melantius The Celebration of these Nuptials would be too tedious to recite let it suffice never was any thing more glorious where Melantius made the most considerable Figure of the Beaux Esprits and Aspatia of the Belles The general approbation they receiv'd did not a little contribute to augment the favourable Sentiments they had entertained for one another And at the Tournament when Aspatia beheld her young Heroe enter the Lift with an Aspect that foretold the Miracles he perform'd it was easie to read her Wishes in her Eyes which were constantly fixed upon him and seem'd to move in the same Sphere with the Vicissitudes of his Fortune But oh how her Heart danc'd when he came of Conquerour the Air refounded with 10 Poeans to the Victor and ecchoing Triumphs filled the breath of Fame but his proudest Trophy was the Congratulation he receiv'd from the fair Aspatia and without doubt he was Gallant enough to attribute his good Fortune to the influence of her Eyes After some short Preliminaries these Diversions broke up to entertain the Ladies with a splendid Ball and it was there Melantius determin'd to make an Offering of his panting Heart to the Deity he Worship'd His kind Stars soon bless'd him with a lucky Opportunity for Aspatia being somewhat overheated with Dancing was in motion with her Fan which by chance she let fall Melantius was the fortunate Person that took it up and delivering it with a profound Bow in a soft dying Tone he said Ah! Madam could you as easily restore my Heart which I just now resign'd an Offering at your Feet She smil'd at the pretty Gallantry and reply'd I never retain any thing I cannot pretend a Property in and would have declin'd a farther Discourse But he continu'd That is as your Cruelty or Justice will determine This I can affirm it is no longer mine and if your Severity will not think it worth your Charitable Protection you shall behold it the most wretched Victim in the World He waited for no answer but taking hold of one corner of her Handkerchief which he dexterously convey'd into his own Hands 'T is but reasonable Madam said he to afford me some small Relick to guard that Breach which otherwise you expose to the greatest danger imaginable Altho' this did something displease her it was impossible to retrieve it without a publick view therefore not offering at a recovery she suffered him to carry it off tho' not without a great Resentment which appear'd in her angry Brow Melantius who was sensible of his fault engaged with the rest of the Company and appeared no more that Night before Aspatia but as a Criminal only she had the secret satisfaction of often seeing the Handkerchief display'd to his Lips and there most religiously saluted The Departure of the King and Queen put a period to that Days Entertainment and all the Company retired well disposed to sleep nor did a thought molest Aspatia who enjoyed a sweet Recruit for the last Night's Tribulation Phoebus had already mounted the Olympick Palace and made a considerable Progress in his Day 's Circuit when our lovely Fair awaked and called Laura to inquire how the Day had past After she receiv'd satisfaction to some such frivolous Questions Laura presents her with a Billet-doux which she had just receiv'd from a Page of Melantius who still waited for an Answer She took it with a panick fear in hope and doubt to find what it contain'd but who can tell her private Transport when she read what follows MELANTIUS to ASPATIA IF an Offender may have leave to plead for Mercy have pity on a true Penitent My Crime may be too Enormous to expect a Pardon but I am sure my Contrition is of as large a size You have already sufficiently punished me and that cruel Frown at parting stab'd deep into my Heart nor could Poyson Daggers or a thousand Deaths be half so terrible Let it suffice I only live to receive my Sentence from those dear Lips that can give Life even in the pronouncing of my Death My Life and Happiness are absolutely in your power and if to Love with the most sensible Tenderness imaginable can offend to Die would be but the least part of my Duty But if a Restoration of my petty Theft can any way contribute to a Pardon permit me this Afternoon to lay at your Feet both That and your Adoring Slave Melantius This passionate Declaration was so far from displeasing that it filled her with a Torrent of Joy to find a Man so entirely at her Dispose whom Fate had already destin'd her to Love to deny his Visit was to rack her own Inclination and to permit it too easily would make the Conquest too cheap however this Contest did not long last the irresistable God bore sway and she returned this Answer ASPATIA to MELANTIUS I Am Confirmed that in all points Melantius is the most Gallant of Men and where he offends he makes but too sufficient Reparation I can forgive without these Insinuations you use to bribe a Pardon but shall expect with the Return of my Handkerchief you desist a Suit too inglorious for a Heroe Aspatia Having dispatched the Page she began to reflect how barbarously she used Octavio in the mean time but who can resist the powerful influence of that little Tyrant who models us after his own Chimera's well may he be represented blind not only for the inequality of Persons that he wounds but whoever is possessed of the same Malady runs violently on pursues the Object of their Affections adheres to nothing but Almighty Love and cannot see an Errour Well she is resolv'd to let Octavio stay a little for an Answer being in some perplexity what to write to him she banished all troublesome Thoughts and wholly dedicated that Day to Melantius who came dress'd with all the Gaiety of a young Bridegroom enter'd the Room with ten thousand Graces and passionately flings himself at her Feet and having stole her Hand he gently raised it to his trembling Lips and stampt the Image of his Soul upon it Aspatia who simpathized too feelingly with this Extasie was