upon you with indifference Prince Mahomet who was no longer observed by you and who feared only his Father's Jealousie resolved to venture any thing to see me and the cunning Musselman got also into the Seraglio after the way I shall relate to you Amurat thought that having no hope left of your return I should never be able to resist him but seeing all his moderation was to no purpose after he had sighed he began to threaten and shew'd me all that cruel Pride natural to the Ottoman Blood You try my patience too far cruel and ungrateful Arianissa said he one day to me and you do not regard at all my kindness for you Do you think I spare you by reason of my own weakness No sure but my Heart protects you against my Reason you ought therefore to own your self obliged to me otherwise I swear by all the Powers above that I shall make use of all mine Authority if your unkindness forces me to it This Discourse had been proceeded by so many of the like nature that I did not look upon it as a new thing but Amurat's countenance was quite changed Thou knowest well that I never abused thy Highness reply'd I and that I never promised thee any thing I am sensible both of thy Power and Dignity But my Lord thou oughtest to know That thou canst not require from me but the respect due to thy Rank I am no person of a mean Birth and the Chains I am loaded with cannot depress my Courage those Countries which are subject to thy Power afford thee Beauty's enough whose only desire is to please thee thy Religion allows them that liberty and their Inclinations are agreeable with the condition as for me Fortune only had made me thy Slave I am not thy Subject if thou art just and there are Laws above thine which forbid me to favour a Mahometan If Scanderberg did sit upon the Ottoman Throne reply'd the angry Sultan you would not be likely so nice and all your Reasons about Independance and Constancy would not prove so strong as you pretend them Well Arianissa said he proudly persist in your resolution but expect no longer from me any moderation since I will have no more regard to your Sex your Religion or your Birth Being in such a humour he left me Selimana exasperated him by her Reproaches and both the Seraglio's were witnesses of his violent Rage Since the Conversation I had had with the Sultaness in the Garden and which you heard Our Friendship had not been great because Amurat's love changed soon after and for reason of the new rank which he forced me to take she judged by what had happen'd in the Garden where she had desir'd me to walk with her when the Emperour met us that you were no indifferent Person to me she had look'd upon the Sultaness love as upon a thing which authorized in some manner her freedom with me and her in constancy But when she knew that you lov'd me and that I had some gratitude for you she fell in a Rage against me and call'd me perfidious and treacherous because she had trusted me with the Secret of her own Heart Jealousie had soon inspir'd her with an immortal hatred against me and I was like to feel its cruel Effects You have deprived me of all my comfort dangerous Arianissa said she one day to me and you have rewarded the sincere confidence of my Heart with Perfidiousness but believe what I say this place in spires no moderation and whatever kindness I am forced to shew you may be soon changed into hatred Fear mine since you have so basely served me I am so far from deserving these Reproaches reply'd I with a sedate mind that I feel neither remorses of Conscience nor terrour at the hearing of them My Behaviour had been always innocent I never endeavoured to please the Sultan and as for your confidence Heaven knows whether I have abused it But you loved Scanderberg reply'd she and when I acquainted you with my passion you hid your Sentiments from me with a criminal Dissimulation Suppose what you say was true answer'd I you have yet no reason to accuse me did not your Jealousie blind you Was I obliged to open my heart to you by reason of your confidence which I so little desired And instead of complaining of me ought you not to commend my prudence for not declaring my self your Rival But Selimana let us not trouble our selves any longer about what is past or what is to come Let us consider that Scanderberg is like to be King of Albania that we are Slaves and that I would willingly give most of my Blood to regain you the Sultan's love if you are acquainted with my endeavour you may know how I deal with him Alas reply'd she your only desire is to see Scanderberg again and that Crown you talk of renders him more lovely to your Eyes But tho' Fortune confines me here you are also like to share the same Fate The Emperour who went by interrupted us he was that day in a rage that cannot be expressed having heard of the new progress of your Valour he upbraided me for it without considering the pleasure he gave me by telling me of these News But my Lord 't is time to acquaint you with a more remarkable passage I was one night upon a little Terrass which rendred mine Apartment very pleasant the Emperour kept his Bed by reason of a violent Feaver which proceeded from his Anger I was thinking upon your Advantages and I had spent part of the night in that pleasing Occupation had I not been interrupted I heard at the foot of the Terrass a Voice which I knew presently to be Amaldan's because there was none sweeter than his in the Seraglio and by reason we had sung often together to divert Selimana he sung but these four Verses likely of his own making Awake prepare for gentle Love's Alarm No prying Argus now can do you harm And whilst all things are here by sleep possest May you in sweet Delights of Love be blest I hearkned to Amaldan thinking he had no design but turning my head at a little noise I saw a Slave whom I took to be one of those Women that waited upon me but it proved the bold Musselman in that Disguise I cannot express my amazement and my wrath this way going to break out against the Bostangi Bachi when another Woman as I thought drew near me as rash as the first and in the same Disguise this was Prince Mahomet Had I followed my first passion I had ruined them both and drawn likely upon my self the suspition of favouring one or the other they were as much amazed as I at the Conformity of their Adventures After I had look'd upon them a long while to be the better assured that I was not mistaken at last I told them that they hazarded more than I and that their Enterprizes which rendred them so guilty
THE GREAT SCANDERBERG A NOVEL Done out of French LONDON Printed for R. Bentley at the Post-House in Russel-Street in Covent-Garden 1690. To the Honoured Madam JEPHSON COuld the exactness of this Performance but equal the greatness of my Subject or that Goodness that put me upon it I should then have done that out of Choice which I do now out of Obedience Nothing less than your Commands could have ingag'd me in the Attempt and nothing less than your Character could have protected me in it Indeed my Hero is all Glory and Triumph but yet he assures me this is his highest and that he is more warmly affected with the Dedication than with the Success of his Adventures But Madam what e're his Satisfactions may be mine must be allow'd to exceed them on whom you have lain so many Obligations that I must own them greater than all things but the Generosity that conferr'd them or the Humility that receiv'd them and which to acknowledge shall be as much the endeavours as 't is now the desires of MADAM Your most Oblig'd most humble and most devoted Servant N. V. TO THE READER IF Love is a Weakness one must confess there is none that ought sooner to be excused or that is Authorised by so many Examples It would be a hard matter to find a Man of any Note who has never been in Love The greatest Heroes could not defend themselves against its Power and they valued their Crowns of Myrtle no less than those of Laurel the Pleasures which arose to their Ambitious Minds from their many Exploits and Illustrious Conquests did not seem to them so sweet as those of Love Alexander and Cesar who had under their Command almost half the World thought it Glorious for themselves to obey that Sex which has always been the fairest part of it Hercules himself that Prodigy of Strength and Valour preferred the Fetters of a Woman to the Honour of upholding Heaven and the Gods themselves One of Omphala's threatning looks could make this invincible Hero tremble his Armour was no Proof against her Charms her Distaff easily took place of his Club and his Lyons Skin surrender'd to a Woman's Attire Mars himself the God of War could not resist the Charms of the Goddess of Love and he never thought himself so happy as when he shar'd with Vulcan the Favours of Venus Since then the greatest Heroes and the Gods themselves have been thus enamour'd how can any wonder that the Victorious Scanderberg should yield to the Charms of Arianissa This formidable Captain who never fought without Victory killed near two thousand Turks with his own hand without receiving the least wound but Love did what all his Enemies could not do and wounded the Heart of this Invulnerable Conquerour Arianissa tho' but a Slave loaded with Chains that Vanquisher of the most powerful Emperour in the World But how passionate soever this King of Albania was Love could never draw one word from him or compel him to an Action unworthy of himself The person who inspires him with these Discourses and these Designs is used to make Heroes both Speak and Act. And I am confident that the Amours of Scanderberg will be as pleasant to the Ladies as the great Transactions of his Life have seem'd wonderful to those who have read them in his History The Great Scanderberg A NOVEL VAlour and Virtue appeared never with more Splendour than in the Person of the Invincible Scanderberg This Prince was Bred up in the Seraglio of the Cruel Amurat preserv'd there his Manners uncorrupt and his Vertue may be proposed for an Example to all the Monarchs in the World After he had freed himself from a shameful Slavery recovered his Father's Dominions struck Terrour by his Immortal Actions into the heart of him who had Captivated his Youth he saw all his Lands Invaded by the Forces of the Ottoman Empire which the angry Sultan led in Person to the sight of the Walls of Croya a Famous City and the ordinary abode of the Kings of Albania Scanderberg since his return had led there a Life which might have been called happy if Love had not mixed its sad Displeasures with the advantage of reigning over the hearts of all his Subjects he had bore the dreadfullest brunts of War with unimaginable constancy he had won Battels conquered Provinces vanquished every where and given Matter enough to Posterity for celebrating his Praises there were still remaining some formidable Enemies powerful by their number and dreadful for their fury whose only intent was to oppress him but the fear of their Arms was not the thing that disturbed his rest Some more tender concerns cast him into a sorrowful Condition and if care of his Subjects by whom he was extreamly beloved had not kept him at Croya he had gone himself to the Camp of the Enemy to seek out the absent and unfortunate Arianissa all the moments which he gave to other Affairs seem'd to him as so many Crimes against his Love and Croya which he could not leave with Honour was a sorrowful abode for him by reason of Arianissa's Absence Notwithstanding the care of those that feared for his Liberty he did seek sometimes Solitary Places to sigh there with more Freedom and would go a considerable way from Croya One Morning going out with Vranus only he steer'd his course towards a Vally that seem'd more agreeable with his Melancholy The Turks had made already many Incursions and gain'd some small Advantages which the Sorrow of Scanderberg seem'd to neglect Vranus being solicitous for his Master's danger who was come so near his powerful Enemy and having given him a considerable while to think by himself stopt him at last and shewing him Amurat's Tents spake thus to him Do you intend My Lord to go to the Sultan's Camp and do you seriously reflect upon that numerous Army which bears such an ill will to your Person That Life for which thou art so solicitous answer'd the King of Albania is not dear enough to me to take any care of it and my Eyes deprived of the sight of Arianissa long to be deprived of that of the day What will you My Lord reply'd Vranus expose to a dreadful Fate a thing which is so dear to Arianissa I know what your Valour can do but in our present Condition In our present Condition said Scanderberg do you think that the Army of Amurat can make me tremble Was I but certain of seeing Arianissa again I would venture to fight it my self alone yes sure added he with one of those threatning looks which had been often the Presages of his Victories I would endeavour it As he was going on some groaning that he heard from behind the Trees interrupted him The Prince was Naturally bountiful and thinking that might be some oppressed Person who wanted help he run thither with haste and found a Man wallowing in his Blood this Man was a Turk but Scanderberg whom no prejudice could hinder
Distemper without fear of being infected with it how happy are you but how unfortunate is Selimana You are the Object of the Sultan 's most tender Affection answered Arianissa and that is the only thing that may well satisfie you in this Everlasting Retirement What can you desire more Madam since you are the Soveraign Mistress of him who can dispose of all Tho' Ambition is well pleased with that advantage continued Selimana sighing a Soul as nice as mine cannot be contented and if you had ever been in Love you would quickly apprehend my meaning Alas Madam I have had so many Misfortunes in my Life that I willingly renounce to that Experiment reply'd Arianissa with a Charming Sweetness well interrupted Selimana since you do not know the cause of my suffering at least do not condemn it A power which I cannot resist forces me to utter this Secret without blushing I love I love Arianissa the Prince Scanderberg and his Victory over the Tartar is not the only one he has got to day he has seem'd to my Eyes as Lovely as he was formidable to his Enemy and that short space of time has assured to him the possession of my heart for ever I cannot relate to you Selimana's Kindness without blushing But you must be acquainted with it that you may the better understand how amazed the young Sultan and I were I was loved without knowing by whom and such a man as I might have been well pleased with the Idea of this Adventure but besides that Selimana seem'd too passionate to deserve my Heart she was a Sacred Object for me being the beloved Sultaness of Amurat I was more taken with Arianissa's Modesty and tho' I did not wish her so passionate as the other I could have desired she had not been insensible Some noise made them retire the Prince drew nearer me when he heard them no longer and clasping his Arm about my Neck whatever good Opinion you entertain of your self said he did you think Scanderberg that Mars and Love should intend to bestow their Favours upon you at the same time My Lord reply'd I smiling if we had more Freedom at Adrianople I would tell you that this adventure is but a sham You see added Mahomet that there is nothing but what is Natural in it the hour the place and the person who spoke in a word all things witness your good Fortune and you have nothing to do but to rejoice Alas My Lord said I though my Heart was susceptible enough to fall so easily in Love I should never forget what I owe to the Sultan Selimana may be a charming Person what she said may flatter me but Amurat is Emperor and worthy of my Loyalty You think reply'd Mahomet that a great Zeal for his Passion will make me betray yours No My Lord interrupted I something hastily I know you are generous and discreet and I speak what I think We went then into the Seraglio and we parted at the same time I did never go to Bed without seeing Aradin that day pleased with the Honours I had received he did not fail to be in my Chamber as because I had no acquaintance in the Seraglio of the Women and all things were changed there since my Infancy I asked him several questions which surprised him I inquired of him concerning Selimana he answered me that she was always the dearest Object of Amurat's Love who had preferred her to all things and he drew her Picture with great carefulness After that I asked him about Arianissa and my Curiosity about a Slave who probably was unknown to me seem'd the more surprising to him I don't know Scanderberg said he to me what is your Design but I can assure you that among all the Women in the World I think there is none more Lovely than Arianissa with a perfect Beauty she possesses a wonderful Wit and Virtue and I cannot but wonder that the Emperour has not yet cast his Eyes upon her I hearken'd to Aradin with a trouble which I had never felt before what ever he said about Arianissa were â—â— many pleasant wounds to my heart and I may say I was in Love before I had seen whom I loved after a long Conversation I thought I could not hide it from Aradin he was afflicted at it and knowing how dear Selimana was to the Sultan and his jealous and violent Temper he used his utmost care to make me understand how dangerous to me such a concurrence would prove I assured him I had no disposition to love Selimana however I discovered not my thoughts concerning Arianissa but passed the whole night in fancying her to my self as lovely as the Eunuch had described her I found not my self the following day as I had been hitherto is it possible that Arianissa should be prepossessed with some tender Inclination said I sighing and can my Heart which she takes from me hope any comfort from her I had no sooner uttered those words but I found them unworthy of a man whose only Ambition was to be great I knew that violent Passions were look'd upon as a weakness and my Love for an unknown Object seem'd to me strange and worthy nevertheless it was formidable and I could not conquer it as I had done the Tartar I was forced to open my Heart to Aradin who condemned me to think never upon her since I could not hope to have any Conversation with her There happen'd then an extraordinary thing at Adrianople and which is seldome seen among the Turks The Sultan of Egypt had sent a magnificent Embassie and some rich Presents to Amurat who to shew his Grandure to Strangers in the seat of his Empire gave them a publick Audience that day the Women went from their Seraglio to that of the Sultan's adorned with the most precious things the East could afford Selimana the beloved as I told you before appeared shining with her Natural Beauty and abundance of Ornaments She was follow'd by a hundred in the same Splendour and by an infinite number of young Slaves dressed with less Art but certainly worthy of another Condition To make this Spectacle seem the greater they wore golden Chains and they had been loaded with Essences and Baskets full of Flowers which they spread in a great Hall at whose end the Sultanesses sat upon rich Cushions these Slaves stood round about them and the Emperour sate upon a Splendid Throne whose steps were occupy'd by his chiefest Officers After this manner Thopia we saw the Secret Court of Amurat when the Turks and Egyptians had a free access to the Hall Selimana sate in a higher place than the others and her Beauty as well as her Rank distinguish'd her from the rest But among the Slaves who were round about her the young Arianissa neglected and blushing for appearing before so many witnesses in a condition so unworthy of her was remarkable in spight of her self for her Charms I could not know her as being Arianissa but my
Sultan but I protest to thy Highness I shall come hither no more A third man who did steal behind the Hedge more slily than we had done hinder'd the Sultan's reply he did go towards the Womens Lodgings a place which had always seem'd suspicious to Amurat but chiesly now in the beginning of his new Passion but his fear and vexation increased when he heard Arianissa's fine voice with which he was already acquainted sing these words Go on observe the Dictates of your Love The Favours of the shady night improve Suppress these sighs which from disorders flow And let your noble Flame yet higher grow Yield him your heart his pleasing rules obey Who is a God and does direct your way The Sultan felt then all the powers of jealousie esteeming that Song to be the signal we were guilty all three and never did an innocent Adventure afford greater cause of suspicion to a passionate Lover He ran to the third Adventurer and knew him presently to be Musselman whom Arianissa's voice had stopt None of us was a contemptible person and tho' Mahomet and I had some advantages above Musselman by reason of our Youth and natural parts yet his Authority in the Gardens might be of a great use to a forward man Tho' the Bostangi Bassa had some priviledges and few set hours yet Amurat thought him more guilty than us Musselman said he to him with that pride which is natural to all the Sultans what brings you hither at an hour when no duty requires your presence Was it to introduce you to the Sultanesses that a Slave sung just now and do you leave your house only to come and trouble me in mine Musselman was not amazed at this upbraiding he is Naturally bold and answering without any commotion I thought my Lord reply'd he I could not have too much Zeal for thine Highness and that all the hours of the day and night were free for my Loyalty by thy Kindness I command in the Gardens but I know how to stay in mine as soon as I shall perceive that my Services are suspected I believe said the Emperor I shall not be able to unriddle this Mistery I will moderate my own Temper let us retire and let us be more careful for the future So we retired into the Seraglio I don't question but Musselman suspected both the Prince's Love and mine Amurat whom his reflect thoughts had brought to the Garden at that hour against his Custome doubled the Guards towards the Seraglio of the Women and gave more severe orders to the Eunuchs which some faithfully observed Aradin upbraided me the next day for my wandring We concluded Mahomet and Musselman were my Rivals and hoping to cure me he assured me the Emperour was deeply in Love with Arianissa That Passion could not destroy mine tho' it ruined all my hopes I feared neither the Prince nor Musselman whose condition was not better than mine But I ought to fear all things from the Sultan whose inclinations were violent and whose will nothing was able to resist I sighed for this with Aradin I became more circumspect before the Prince and avoiding the Gardens contented my self with the Entertainment my Melancholy Thoughts enjoy'd upon the Sea Shoar I understood one day that the Emperour was going to bathe with some Sultanesses in a little Island from Adrianople about an hours journey he was used to take secretly such Pastimes and then he would put off for a while all sorts of Gravity his Galley was so shut that the Sultanesses could neither see nor be seen it was led by some Bostangi's and Musselman by vertue of his place was at the head of them but that honour procured him no advantage since he could see nothing but his Bostangi's But my Jealousie was so strong that I went all along the Sea a very great way from Adrianople and casting my looks as far as they could reach I saw something over the water carryed away by the stream I thought I perceived a Vail and believing it might be a Woman ready to be drowned I threw my self presently into the water and using my little Skill I swam with all possible diligence and took really into my Arms a woman who was almost choak'd I doubled my efforts to get to the Shore and as soon as I was there I perceived it was Arianissa You may judge Dear Thopia what was my grief when I saw the only thing that was dear to me in such a lamentable condition Merciless Fate cry'd I ought you to have offered her to me in such a condition O fair but unwise Arianissa why did you seek your death in so little important a Pleasure This transport of mine did not hinder me from assisting her I lifted her head and bending a little the rest of her body abundance of water rushed out of it and within a short while she recovered her Breath this relief called again the natural heat which seem'd to have forsaken her and drove away part of my Allarms after a deep sigh she open'd her Eyes and seeing her self alone with a man having but a thin gown on she was willing to change her posture Knowing her Design and desirous to please her I let her set down upon the Grass and seeing she was able to understand me Fair Arianissa said I that Fate which hath exposed your Life hath been favourable to my Affection but let not this adventure trouble you since Scanderberg would sooner lose his Life than his respect towards your Person Arianissa sighed twice or thrice and was some while without answering me but at last she reply'd Tho' my Life be not dear to me My Lord I am not the less beholding to you if you had not been so generous you had freed me from many Misfortunes but you could not have guest my condition I was as much moved with Arianissa's words as with her languishing Charms I know not what Fate Heaven designs for you but I shall think my self happy for ever since I have been serviceable to you in another time and under another Government I should take other measures and should not let you know my Love till my Services and Respect had sufficiently demonstrated it and deserved your consent but as things stand now how is it possible to see you in a Palace where we can have no admission and how can one speak with you since it is in vain to hope to come near you I Love you I am forced to acquaint you with it and if this free Confession renders me guilty I shall never repine at my Punishment I was the same before I had seen you and I adored your Vertue without knowing your Person What Discourse is this My Lord interrupted Arianissa with a charming Sweetness Is this to try me Do you consider that I am a Slave subject to the Emperour of the Turks loaded with Chains by Selimana and who likely shall not see you any more in all her life time as for your present
resist the Emperour let him pray or threaten 't is all one I embraced then Arianissa's Knees and could not refrain Tears I swore an inviolable Constancy to her and I bade her Adieu for the last time I went away according to her Command for fear of being surprized with her I went to Aradin and to Bassa Acomat and I acquainted them with what had pass'd The fire was put out the Sultanesses shut up again and Arianissa more closely than the rest At last I departed from Andrinople recommending my Amorous concerns to Aradin and instead of going to the place appointed to me by Amurat I entered Albania with three hundred men who came over to my party There I performed those happy Atchievements which have amazed the whole world I turned the Ottoman Power out of Croya and other places of Albania where I was proclaimed King the Valiant Aradin Loyal to Our Blood and concerned for his dear Arianissa did for me all that I could expect from an affectionate Father Vranus Illustrious both for his Birth and Merit stuck very close to me I did not enjoy the pleasure of seeing my Mother again who was dead for grief she had given three Illustrious Husbands to three of my Sisters and Amissa only was not marry'd Amurat fell into a rage as soon as he heard my advantages and saw himself deprived in few days of a great number of fine Provinces He sent a prodigious Army to regain them But first I defeated Sebasia and afterwards Alibeg who commanded fourty thousand Men. After this I won an immortal Fame in Varna's Battel Amurat wrote to me like a Master and I answer'd him like a King who despised him In one word without mentioning all other passages Amurat came in person followed by a numberless Army after I had defeated Mustapha his Bassa I could never learn since Arianissa's condition tho' I have done all my endeavours to be instructed by those Turks who are faln into our hands because they know but little what Amurat does I have been told only that she is loved still that Musulman is disgraced and absent and that Mahomet does not well agree with his Father You know Thopia what has past since we saw Amurat about Croya and by my last cruel adventure you may judge of my grief Here the King of Albania made an end of his Discourse and sighed after such a manner that Thopia who really loved him could not but pity him Scanderberg was not concerned alone for Arianissa's misfortunes Aranit her loving Father had been extreamly sensible of her Captivity and coming to see Scanderberg he heard the cause of his extraordinary sadness We must all die my Lord said he to Arianissa's Father but before we die let us render our Arms formidable to Amurat let us return on him that terrour he strikes into our hearts and let whole Torrents of Turkish blood wash off the Crime committed against the innocent Arianissa Scanderberg was not able to go on Thopia informed Prince Aranit what was the reason of his cruel rage he was amazed at it but could not believe what he feared was true My Lord said he to the King Amurat's Note â—â— a sign of his rage but it is likely an Command hath not been executed And I cannot imagine Heavens Justice could permit such a Sacrifice If Arianissa is dead we shall have time enough to be wail her loss in the mean time let us inform our selves about her Destiny Aranit's Constancy who could not be accused of loving coldly the most amiable Daughter in the World pacified iâ— little Scanderberg Well said he let us get some instructions about that but let it be with our Arms and all out Forces If our Subjects desire to see a glorious Battel let them come to this Go Thopia said he to the young Prince encourage the Army to do its duty carry there mine Orders and the News of my Displeasure do not lessen to them the height of my grief Animate the Captains and Souldiers and help me to go in a Conquest Thopia obey'd the King's Orders and within a short time Scanderberg's Apartment was filled with Persons of Quality who were ready to signalize their Valour seeing him resolved to attack the Turks in their Retrenchments in what time and posture soever Thopia's Commotion did not differ much from that of Scanderberg And Aranit in spight of Age shew'd all the vigour desired in a man of younger years The famous Ducagins the renowned Spani Dusmani Zacharia Cernoniqui and many others appeared at the head of their Albanian Forces The orders having been given every where the invincible Scanderberg appeared at the head of his Army wearing black Feathers there was to be seen such a mixture of grief and pride in his Eyes that his sight would move some to pity and strike terror into Others Having cast his looks upon his Forces and having observed the constancy which appeared in the least of his Souldiers Arianissa said he sighing your precious blood will be expiated by that of your barbarous murthers After that he spake thus to them Generous Princes Valliant Captains brave Souldiers Loyal Subjects of Epirus and Albania he that speaks to you is going to lead you against an Enemy who might affright another Nation and trusts your noble Courage with his Glory and Revenge Arianissa was born amongst you you know her illustrious Family and Aranit's actions have made him famous all the World over you are to fight to day for the innocent blood of that illustrious but unfortunate Princess let the Daughters Condition the Fathers Sorrow and the Lover's Dispair inspire you with an extraordinary Bravery You want no examples but had you need of any Scanderberg may shew you some worthy to be follow'd come Freinds let us vanquish or dye for Arianissa When he had said these words he let his Horse go and the rest of that mighty Body followed his motions The Scouts of the Sultan's Camp soon discovered Scanderberg's March and brought word to Amurat. He was well experienced in Warlike Matters and knew well what he ought to do Orcan brought his orders to the rest of his Officers Every one went where his presence was required and Sultan Mahomet hating Scanderberg and desiring to keep in his Fathers favour appeared the readiest and the willingest to fight Aconot the King of Albania's generous Friend did not go there to fight against him There was as many Souldiers left in the Camp as were necessary to secure it and all the other Forces which were to encounter Scanderberg went out As soon as he perceived their Standard he sent forth a Cry which was answered by all his Men and with a threatning Look and naked Sword he went to meet the Enemy The Turks who had seen him vanquish so often trembled at his first sight Amurat himself notwithstanding all his Pride and Cruelty was much concerned Mahomet jealous of Scanderberg's Glory and of the other advantages he had above him aspired
full of sorrow and indignation what hath my Father done against thee Is this the use thou oughtest to make of what Power the chance of War hath given thee over him Alass he is falln into this danger only to deliver me Endeavour then on your side his Deliverance reply'd Amurat since I am resolv'd to be cruel except you favour me either you must love or see Aranit dye Is this thy way of gaining love reply'd the fair Arianissa is Cruelty such a pleasing Charm and must we offend the Person by whom we desire to be loved Give some occasion to my Heart to be grateful boast sooner of thy Services than thy Rage to the end thou may'st upbraid me with some reason You have taken so little notice of my Sufferings reply'd the Sultan that I intend to follow no more that course If you are still the same I will not warrant you of my Fury but if you change you may expect any thing from me and dispose at your pleasure of my Soul and Empire Well answered Arianissa let me see my Father Tho' I ought to refuse this Favour to a person who never granted me any yet interrupted Amurat I give you leave to see him but do not forget when you embrace him that his Life depends upon this interview Take together such Resolutions as may be agreeable with my Designs The Sultan went away without speaking any more and ordered Arianissa should be brought to Aranit's Tent not far from her's Four Years absence had made but an advantagious alteration in the Princess And Aranit who knew well her Suffering wondred to find her so fair Presently she embraced her Fathers Knees and weeped there abundantly He embraced her a thousand times and took her up very lovingly After he had satisfied the first motions of Nature I see you again at last said he dear Arianissa after I have so long bewailed your loss and lived in a sorrow proportioned to the cause thereof If I have taken any care of my days it was only to the end they might be serviceable to you I have seen the Emperour of the Turks I have heard but I find not my self dispos'd to do what he desir'd Forgive me my Lord if I interrupt you to praise your Constancy it is worthy of your self but shall I see you dye rather than give my self to Amurat And ought I not to sacrifice the Peace of my Life to the safety of yours What Arianissa reply'd Aranit could you resolve your self to be the Mistress of a Turkish Prince How sorrowful would this sign of your love prove to me and by preserving my life how intollerable would you render it I can lose it a thousand ways without glory and you ought not to preserve it by so base means since should I consent to it I cannot but lose my good Fame amongst all honest Men. In a word Arianissa forsake sooner both my Life and yours if there is any need I tremble giving you this advice but I should blush should I do otherwise Remember what you owe to the King of Albania to that Prince who before he knew you had served you with so much respect Alass My Lord I have forgotten neither his Valour nor his Services Consider to what dreadful pass I am brought Shall my love upbraid for ever my severe Vertue by reason I have not saved your life when I could do it And if I grant Amurat's desire will not the whole World look upon me as upon a Princess perfidious both to Heaven and Scanderberg Alass my Lord what shall I do That which I have advised to answered the constant Aranit But then I shall see you dye said the Princess no matter for that reply'd Aranit I shall dye without shame Then both began to weep in a sad manner The Eunuch's Witnesses of this sorrowful Conversation put an end to it and Arianissa was like to dye taking her last leave from her Father Did I see you only my Lord to bid you an eternal farewell cry'd the desolate Princess Cruel Amurat let me dye with Aranit Moderate your Grief reply'd the Prince softly We are not so far from Scanderberg you know what his Valour can do go away my dear Arianissa and never despair as long as he lives 'T is impossible to express Amurat's Rage when he heard in what manner the Father and Daughter had spoke one to another Am I Soveraign only said he to be hector'd by my Enemies And shall I always see my Power insulted over Let them dye sooner and tho' I cannot quench a Flame which I abhor let my Reason at least condemn to an everlasting Grief the person that causes it let the World see what Revenge I will take of a Captive who does but increase Arianissa's hatred against me Let him dye I don't question but Scanderberg whom my Arms shall punish as a Fugitive Rebel will resent this loss Let Arianissa have a just reason to complain of me heretofore she had only been the witness of my weakness but now she shall see me spill her own Blood As soon as he had resolved this he thought upon the means of bringing it to execution He chose his Camp to be the Stage where that Tragedy was to be acted The most usual kind of Death among the Turks is Strangling but such Executions are frequently very private That would not serve the Sultan's turn who intended to shew publickly his Cruelty that Arianissa might be the witness thereof The next day all things were prepared for Aranit's death a Scaffold was erected in the middle of the Camp which was encompassed by the Janissary's and other Souldiers of the Guard Amurat took a convenient place to see his Orders executed and the desolate Arianissa was brought near him The Sultan kept always his dreadful looks upon her but she turned hers towards Heaven to implore its Assistance A strange Spectacle was offer'd to their sight Aranit appeared in such a miserable condition that it could not but shake his Daughter's Constancy He was loaded with huge Chains had his hands tyed and his head uncovered but he seemed neither cast down nor affrighted at this barbarous usage He walk't with a sedate countenance as despising his Enemies but when he saw Arianissa so frighted almost drowned in her Tears and almost dead for Grief he grew pale and pityed the deplorable condition of that lovely Princess who had always been the dearest Object of his Hopes and Love he wept but his great courage could not allow of such Tears and presently he wiped them off He was no more discountenanced then than if he had been at the head of his Army and recovering his former Tranquillity he lifted up his Voice that he might be heard by the Sultan the Princess and the rest of the Assistance Arianissa said he to her do not think this seems either cruel or shameful to me I find therein both glory and pleasure since you see there an Example of which you can make
look upon him as my Rival yet I had no love for him he had may be no greater share in the Victories we got than I and the others that served but he was rewarded a great deal better Arriving to Croya I found the Princess Amissa afflicted for Arianissa's loss whom a Caravanne of Turks had stoln away in a Voyage which her Father had imposed upon her without any necessity About that time My Lord the whole world spake of you with admiration and your Conquests both in Asia and Africa amazed the most experienced Souldiers Castriot had then good reason to sigh seeing that what Services you did for an Infidel might have proved so useful for Christendom The Princess wished your return and when I would commend you in her presence Pity that Illustrious Brother would she say that his valour should be engaged to serve a man of a barbarous extraction and who knows little what belongs to gratitude and friendship Pity me at the same time for loving him as much as I do and for having no hopes to see him again But My Lord 't is time to relate to you my Sorrows the King your Father who thought he was mightily beholding to Balsé prepared to do any thing for him This formidable Rival for reason of Castriot's protection began to court the Princess in such a manner that I was deprived of the liberty I had before As soon as I saw he had declared himself I was sensible of my misfortune and tho' he was a King's Favourite yet I defired my Father to do something for my love He loved me too tenderly to deny me any thing I asked and without objecting to me all that I ought to fear he did partly what I desired I went to expect with the Princess the event of my Father's design I sound her sorrowful and melancholy You are afflicted Madam said I to her and that trouble which appears in your eyes signifies as much Yes Prince replyed she with a sad Countenance I am cruelly perplexed Can I without offending you ask you the Cause thereof replyed I You will know it too soon and if you are a little concerned for me what will you say when you hear I am near to marry Balsé This discourse like a thunder struck me almost dead and I was so little prepared for it that this surprise stopt my blood and one could see upon my Face the signs of a real despair The Princess was moved at it Alas Thopia said she looking sadly upon me how dear am I like to pay for my Obedience to my Fathers Commands Madam said I are you then resolved to marry Balsé and by a Scruple of Virtue will you sooner renounce your own happiness than resist Castriot's will Would you have me replyed she incur his indignation by a rebellious resistance Tho' you might love me the better for it yet I am sure you would esteem me the less and you know your self well enough that a Daughter of my rank cannot dispose of her own Fate I know I adore you Madam said I and I shall dye for grief if Balsé injoy a Fortune he has never deserved What great advantages above me can that Fortunate Rival boast of I am certain I give him none interrupted Amissa and were you only to strive with my inclination you would soon be a Conqueror But Thopia you know Castriot is my Father and what power he has over me What shall I do replyed I if you marry Balsé you shall see me no more or at most You shall see me only in publick places replyed the Princess And if I live I shall live the most unfortunate person in the World Can you Madam give your self to him replyed I somewhat angry Yes without doubt interrupted Amissa and I see nothing can dispense me from that Duty if Castriot requires it of me Cruel Princess said I you know well enough I cannot live after that must I also adore your Fortunate Husband as I do every thing that belongs to you Did you know my hearts Condition replyed she you would not be so passionate and you would sooner endeavour to comfort it My trouble does not proceed from any affectation However you are more fortunate then I since you are not forced to give your self to one you hate and since you may sigh without crime In my present confusion I know not said I what to say nor what to think All things seem guilty to me and I cannot but accuse my self believing heaven would never punish me undeservedly After that I asked the Princess how she came to know Balsé's good Fortune And she told me that after he had often spoke to her about his love but in vain the King at last had declared himself for him notwithstanding the Queen's aversion to it and that he had commanded the Princess to look upon Balsé as upon a Prince whom he designed for her future Husband I perceived then that all my Father's endeavours would prove fruitless and I was grievously afflicted at this Amissa seemed also very sensible of my sorrow and her kindness did but give me a greater sense of my loss Against my custom I was glad to leave her intending to go to the Queen who had always been kind to me to implore her assistance I was told she was in the Gardens therefore going that way I met my Father whose melancholy Countenance did but increase my trouble He confirm'd unto me the King's resolution in Balse's behalf and exhorted me to take patiently a misfortune which could not be helpt In the same minute I saw my Rival appear follow'd by many Courtiers drawn there by his fair hopes my colour chang'd and my Father sensible of my violent commotion forbad me to enter into any conversation with Balsé what could I have promised him since I was mastered by a Passion I could no longer bridle It was well I did not attack my Rival in his presence but as soon as he disappear'd I abandoned my self to Wrath and Jealousie I found Balsé in the Garden where I was looking for the Queen Could I speak one word with you said I Yes replyed he without any apparent amazement I know said I that you are design'd to possess the only thing that may render you the most glorious Man in the World But you don't know it may be that I sigh for the Princess Amissa these many years ago and that you must deprive me of my life sooner than obtain her I did not think replyed Balsé in a scornful manner which vexed me to the very heart that the designs of a great King were to be cross'd thus For my part I who know how I am to obey ought to take the greatest care to perform my duty Do not conclude from hence that I don't care to fight with you you shall have that satisfaction But Thopia you will not take it ill if I defer it till Marriage hath given me a full possession of Amissa Having thus spoke
to live with this Monster How blame-worthy is your faint-heartedness Must my own example encourage you If you do not come to me I will go meet either Death or you then she attempted to get loose out of Musselman's hands but her strength was not sufficient Musselman foresaw then his certain ruine Love said he without any more ado guide mine Arm Then he lifted it up to stab Aranissa in the breast and he had certainly done it if the affectionate Thopia whose mind was more sedate than Scanderberg's foreseeing the effects of Musselman's rage had not taken secretly a by way and got in that critical minute so near him that he struck him and sent both his Arm and Dagger to Arianissa's Feet another blow divided Musselman's Face in two so that he gave up his unclean Soul with his cruel Blood Those that were there present were so amazed at this wonderful Action that they took Thopia for a Man sent down from Heaven But Scanderberg whose terrour was converted into a sudden joy ran to embrace Arianissa's Deliverer before he went to her self 'T is impossible for us to relate all the obliging things they told one another Scanderberg to shew his great passion prostrated himself at Arianissa's Feet and uttered the most passionate expressions that his heart could invent She embraced him obligingly at which favour Mahomet was sorely vexed Thopia received from Arianissa such Praises and Elogiums as his Action well deserved and Scanderberg shewed him all the imaginable demonstrations of joy and friendship The Turks who had follow'd Musselman fled away but they were not pursued Mahomet did sigh having no hope left him and seeing there was now no likelihood to paâ—â— Arianissa from Scanderberg Cruâ—â— Fortune cryed he why must I be the witness of their Felicity Must I forsake for ever a Beauty whom I have so long ador'd Having made this sorrowful reflection he came near Scanderberg with as much freedom as he might have done at Andrianople Tho' we are both Enemies and Rivals said he to him I fear nothing from thee which might be unworthy of a Prince whom all the World admires and without any base submission I must tell thee I esteem thee tho' without love Compare my condition to think own and grant that I am an unfortunate Man since neither in my Father's Dominions nor in this place I have any hopes left me Could a reasonably expect to fight for her with success and gain her favour the Ottoman Blood which runs in my veine should never be allarmed at thy valour I see you must remain Conquerour and since thou hast triumphed over Amurat you can never be vanquished and I cannot but be unfortunate for ever These words which could not proceed but from a noble heart made a deep impression upon Scanderberg he had always been sensible of Mahomet's excellent Virtues which answered well his Illustrious Birth and seeing that he could not in reason upbraid him of his Pride My Lord said he to him I shall never hate you tho' you can never love me and I would willingly part with any thing besides Arianissa for your satisfaction Time interrupted Mahomet will without doubt afford us some occasions to see one another again In the mean time enjoy your Arianissa whom I cannot take away from you Having spoke these words away he rode and was soon out of sight with his Men. Scanderberg resolved to tarry no longer in a place where Arianissa had been so sadly allarmed and which was like to have proved fatal to her They told one another a thousand obliging things and they chose the fairest Horse for the beautiful Princess who rode towards Croya with her illustrious Lover leaving Musselman's Corps to be devoured by wild Beasts wherewith those Desarts were full Tho' Arianissa was not used to any hard exercise yet she rode a long way within a short time and she couâ—â— hardly be perswaded to take any 〈◊〉 at night the strong desire she 〈◊〉 to see Aranit Amissa and her other dear Relations made her long to arrive at Croya During that Journey which lasted two days and a night Scanderberg had now the opportunity â—â— knowing his own good fortune and Arianissa's tender love Thopia was as well pleased as he and never did â—â— greater tranquillity succeed trouble which were thought endless In fine Scanderberg brought into Croya without meeting with any opposition his fair Princess All the People of the City went in great crowds to see her and to congratulate him upon his return Aranit then the most fortunate of Fathers told Scanderberg That since he had deserved so well his Daughter she belonged by right to him Amissa and Arianissa kissed and embraced one another for a long while and Thopia who had been so glorious an Instrument in procuring Scanderberg's Happiness receiv'd from Amissa such protestations of Love as he deserved Croya where Sorrow had reigned during the War and Scanderberg's Grief then quite alter'd Pleasures and Sports had now their time and all possible endeavours were made to divert Arianissa who had led before such a sorrowful life Among all these pleasing Diversions Scanderberg neglected nothing concerning his important Affairs and whilst Amurat was hearing what had pass'd and was taking new resolutions both against the Life and Fortune of the King of Albania this Prince who now enjoy'd his dear Arianissa kept his Army in a capacity of resisting all the Ottoman Forces He knew not what had pass'd at Andrinople since his departure thence Arianissa who had seen Acomat and bewailed the Death of the Loyal Aradin was willing to satisfy Scanderberg's Curiosity one Evening being with Amissa and Thopia who had heard her former Adventures she thus related the last to the King of Albania The History of ARIANISSA AS I had passionately wished for your departure from Andrinople so was I overjoy'd at the News of it since you ought not to expect there any favour and tho' I could not absolutely flatter my self with the Idea of a future Liberty yet I had some glimmering hope still left me Aradin and I congratulated one another upon this occasion but the fearful Sultan fell into an exceeding Rage when he heard you had been proclaimed King by the Albanians As his wrath increased so did his troublesome and imperious Sollicitations He did not question but I had some secret Intelligence with you and he suspected Aradin of having favour'd our Designs he threatned him with Death and me with the utmost Severity and so cast me often into dreadful Fears Selimana seeing she had lost you for ever endeavoured to regain the Sultan's Love I did what I could to facilitate that Conquest unto her yet she hated me as a dangerous Rival who deprived her of the Sultan's Affection and who likely had hindred you from loving her She conjectured from the words which you heard me sing and which truly proceeded from my heart that since the day you fought the Tartar I had not look't