and though she thought she had no cause of being in fear for her Shepherd yet she could not rid her self of the fear that follows things done in private Had the King taken notice of her looks they had all been undone She had not then learnt the Art of concealing or commanding her passion but by good fortune the King's Eyes were fixt on the Marchioness who assisted with the readiness of Wit which never fails an able Woman at need entreated him to stay a moment till she had put the Closet in a condition to receive them every thing being out of order there The King though in never so great haste believing Ladies Closets are often full of several things that belong to their dresses and they are very willing Men should not see and that this was the cause of her blushing gave her leave to put it in order She went into the Closet and not well knowing where to hide the poor Shepherd she put him under a bed of Repose where he lay coop'd up in a very narrow room This done she came out to make way for the King who entred with Dorothy and made her sit with him on the same Bed Well Dorothy says the King you will never love me The poor Girl who knew not what was become of Antonine surprised to miss him in the Closet looked all about sometimes this sometimes that way without answering the King who continued his discourse I may tell you I sigh and die for love of you you can give me the hearing without pittying my sufferings for you Dorothy heard not a word he said 't was kindness thrown away she was troubled for her Shepherd and her sense as well as mind was wholly taken up with thinking what was become of him The King thinking 't was the Ornaments the guilding and rarities of the Closet amused her took her by the hand to make her look towards him Look upon me and answer what I ask you you little Baggage will you never love me Yes Sir says she if you will promise me not to send away Antonine from Aranjuez And who told you replies the King I design to send him away No Sir says she I was not told so but I know not why they will not let me see him and I am afraid if I love you you would not have me love him too And if I allow you to love him answers the King will you love me in good earnest or at least as well as your Shepherd Dorothy made him no answer not knowing how to resolve that point without having Antonine's advice in that case The King fell a-laughing and pressing her farther Is it possible says he you should think it so hard a matter to allow a King a share with the Shepherd in your heart Any other but you would have quickly ended the difference and no other but my self would be content with what I ask You are not just Dorothy you demand of me what I ought not to grant you and you make a business and a difficulty to grant me what cannot but be for your Glory You are afraid I should send away Antonine you complain you cannot see him you would if you love me have me allow you to love him too these are strange conditions And yet if I ask you whether you will love me as much as him you will not answer me What are you afraid of I would not have you consider me as your King among Lovers matters should be equal at least Let 's come to Articles Dorothy addes he smiling and if I grant you yours you must not refuse to sign mine Antonine shall stay at Aranjuez you shall see him and love him This is for you Now for my part you must love me as well as him and do me the same favours you do him and if in time you find my care and my passion for you greater than the duties he pays you without bringing my Character or your duty to me into account you will be content to be intirely mine This Prince who was infinitely witty would not make use of a Court-gallantry to gain the affection of an innocent Countrey-Girl He was above it and made use only of plain native simplicity so much the more delicate as it suited her capacity and wrought more effectually on her The truth is it shook her So that the Monarch to take th' advantage of the agreement began with kisses which she could not refuse him after the promises he had made her in favour of Antonine But the Shepherd scarce heard the smack of 'em but all in a rage he pinch'd her by the Leg. This so frighted the poor Girl that she skrick'd which astonisht the King He ask'd her what the matter was she told him something had bit her By good luck for Antonine there stood between the King and Dorothy a little Bitch of the Marchioness's which came with them into the Closet the King thought her guilty of the assault and with great animosity drove her out of the Closet But Dorothy having had time to recover her self a little from the fear she had been in judg'd her hurt came by the hand of a Man rather than the teeth of the little Bitch And reflecting immediately on Antonine she made no doubt but 't was he and that he lay hid under the Bed of Repose The King having assur'd her she need not fear being bit any more would have been at his former sport but Dorothy would not agree to it having understood by her Shepherd's action what she had already done had not pleas'd him The Prince press'd her and ask'd why she would be so cruel but all was lost labour she would not be brought to 't for fear Antonine should bite her the second time You know our Agreement Dorothy says the King seeing her obstinacy I shall not be oblig'd to keep my promise with you if you refuse what I demand of you You must love me as well as you do Antonine and express the same complaisance for me as for him if you have a mind I should allow him a a sight of you and not send him away from Aranjuez Dorothy much troubled at these threats knew not what to answer In the mean time she granted nothing but defended her self still against the King's importunity who thinking her lightness an effect of her humour and attributing to it her refusing him so obstinately what she had granted at first without any difficulty he easily flatter'd himself with hopes to obtain it another time and without pressing her further that evening retir'd Antonine no sooner saw him gone but he crept out of his prison grievously tir'd with staying so long there Dorothy to make him amends was liberal of her caresses but found him not so well pleas'd with her as to return them His heart smarted still with the sound of the kisses the King had received of her or at least given her which made Antonine requite her caresses with reproaches
LICENSED RO. L'ESTRANGE October 11. 1677. THE Triumph OF LOVE OVER FORTUNE A Pleasant Novel Written in French by that Great Wit of France M. St. Bremond AND Translated into English by a Person of Quality LONDON Printed for James Magnes and Richard Bentley in Russel-Street in Covent-Garden near the Piazzas 1678. The Triumph of Love over Fortune THE Sun had newly past the vernal Aequinox the Earth breath'd Sweets the Air was mild and temperate the Face of Heaven smil'd and all the World look'd gay and youthful when a King of Spain whose Name History mentions not accepting readily the tempting invitation of that charming season resolv'd to take the Country-Air and please himself with those divertisements a short recess from Madrid fairly promis'd him He was a Prince fam'd for Gallantry and Magnificence and of his Courtiers who could pretend to either there was not one he took not with him to Aranjues where besides the pleasure they frequently took in Hunting they were entertain'd with Balls and Dances Opera's Races Tournaments and other rare divertisements wherein the Lords and Grandees of his Court wholly apply'd themselves to excel each other Aranjues is a House of pleasure seated most deliciously distant from Madrid a short days journey between that City and Toledo well built and neatly furnish'd but neither Furniture too rich nor Building too Magnifigent for a Palace-Royal and Residence of Majesty The curious who travel as far as Madrid never forget to take a turn to Aranjues to view the Walks and Gardens there as worth their sight where the Bowers the Water-works the Grottes the Fountains Labyrinths and other Ornaments entertain them with a pleasing verdure and by the joint favours of Art and Nature appears a charming Beauty To compleat all what can more delight the Eye than the fair Rows of Trees there of a prodigious height in a Country which for twenty Leagues about scarce produces those of ordinary growth The King took more delight in that house as fitted more for Liberty than his Palaces of Pradâ— del Campo and the Buen Retiro standing hard-by the Gates of Madrid The splendor he lived in there was attractive enough to bring thither all the Nobles of his Kingdom had they wanted inclination to follow him where e're he went But he was a Prince who to the height of State and Power added so many charming qualities of personal Excellency 't was difficult to judge whether his Subjects love or duty to him were the greater Never was Reign happier than his He was a comely Person handsom and witty to admiration Young tall nimble and capable of all that 's brave or great of noble inclinations worthy the Crown he wore Those leisure-hours his glory and cares of State allow'd him he bestow'd in Love and Gallantry and no Man ever acquitted himself better and came off with more applause The Spaniards have in all Ages been observed much inclin'd to jealousie the Women there are slaves to that passion before they know what 't is to love Hence it is they are such early Lovers 't is natural especially for Women to long for that which is forbidden them Revolt is with them a certain effect of Restraint and a Husband jealous though of the most honest Wife on Earth is upon the point of being made what he most fears to be In this King's time the Court of Spain had put on a new Face the course of things at least in matters of gallantry was wholly alter'd and Maxims introduc'd quite contrary to those formerly in vogue but in favour of the Gallants And their Party being strongest the jealous were forced to slacken a little the rigor and strictness of Ancient Customs to make way for New The Ladies had free access to all entertainments and needed not those subtil Intrigues and Multitude of Confidents they formerly us'd to carry on their Amours the Races the Walks and the Plays were the ordinary Rendezvous to make and appoint and sometimes to compleat and perform Assignations What a brave time was this for the Spanish Ladies they think of it to this day with sorrow 't is past and declare with indignation that the Name of this King which those of his time suffer'd to be bury'd in oblivion deserv'd to have been engraved in Letters of Gold over the Chamber-Doors of all the gallant Ladies of his Court and transmitted to Posterity to be had in perpetual Veneration Amidst the pleasures of Aranjues Love jealous perhaps to see this Prince so long free and not sensible of the power of his influence resolved to find him imployment by engaging him in an Amour the more difficult to manage as having in it no pretence from Ambition or Fortune to countenance the pursuit And the truth is it gave him more trouble than an hundred others he had been engag'd in This was not an Amour with the Daughter or Wife of any Grandee of his Kingdom He had already past through all the Degrees of his Nobility not a Lord in his Court but by a Wife a Daughter or a Kinswoman was related to the King But the present Engagement was more extraordinary as very remote from any thing of Pomp or of Grandeur 'T was in a Garden from among the Roses and Lilles Love pick'd out a Beauty to charm the King a Beauty to which Aranjues gave Birth Among the Courtiers who made it their business to find every day some new divertisement for the King one resolv'd to entertain him with a Shepherd who play'd excellently on the Flute The King a great Lover of Musick especially on those Country-Instruments took extreme delight in hearing him play And finding that the Shepherd besides his skill in Musick had in all his actions an Air and Grace free from any clownishness he was so taken with him that he admitted him of his Musick and gave him as the rest a Pension of two hundred Patacoons a year This generous bounty of the King had put another Shepherd into a transport of joy but was received by Antonine with a calmness and moderation which astonisht that Prince and forc'd him after a stricter examination of his Shepherd now his new Musician to say the Body of that plain Shepherd lodg'd a large and noble Soul Some Lords taking notice of the pleasure the King took in viewing him though they did not comprehend his thoughts of him told the King that to perfect the divertisement he must see dance to the Flute the Gardiner's Daughter of Aranjues the prettiest Maid of all the Neighbourhood The King immediately long'd to see her and commanded she should come before him She came drest like a Nymph and Antonine scarce began to play on his Flute but she fell a-dancing and with that grace that cadence those gestures so proper and so taking that she charm'd the whole Court She was a Girl about fifteen years of age having alittle of the Country Meen and Air but nothing rustick and a very pleasing Face The King none of
further but returned towards the Palace He was pensive and melancholy and past those shady Walks musing of the happiness of a Shepherd which a King was forced to envy He acquainted the Marquess with his thoughts the Marquess told him the best way to quiet his Spirits was to send away the Shepherd But who can assure me replies the King that by removing him from Dorothy's Person I shall remove him from her affection A months absence Sir says the Marquess will assure you of it Absence answers the King too frequently strengthens affection and I am not now to learn opposition heightens Love But I am content for the pleasure of the Experiment to try the means you propose Give him a Place at Buen Retiro and let him be sent away this day Don Austin undertook the business And having put off his Disguise went about Antonine's Commission which was presently dispatch'd The Office they gave him was to be Porter of his Majesty's Palace of Buen Retiro as the most proper for a young Man of his Character They who carried him the order for it made him understand it as an effect of the King's Bounty to him though he did not take it so but answered those who congratulated his good Fortune that He knew not what belonged to being a Porter that the King might honour another with the Imployment who might deserve and perform it better As for him he had kept sheep all his Life and would do nothing else They prest him however to undertake the Imploy but the King having ordered no violence should be offered him and the Shepherd having desired to speak with the King before he should be sent away they let him go The Shepherd went to the King fell down at his feet and with all humility begg'd of him not to overload and oppress him with his Bounties but permit him to continue as he had found him a Shepherd and not force him to quit a Condition he had devoted his Life to and preserred before all others assuring His Majesty he was content he was satisfied with what he had and envy'd no Man The King as soon as he perceiv'd Antonine come towards him fell a-laughing but when he heard him speak he sigh'd not for Jealousie but for very trouble it was not in his power to be so happy as the Shepherd How happy thinks he is this Shepherd to have all the desires either of Love or Fortune As he made these Reflections he view'd him from top to toe And admiring a young Man of that Condition should have sentiments so extraordinary he had judged him to be quite other than he appear'd but that he lookt upon 't as an effect though a Miracle of Love This Prince had a Soul too Noble and Generous not to make his Jealousie vail to the merit of Antonine so that he could not prevail with himself to send him away He called for Dorothy and the better to penetrate the secrets of her heart told her She might now take her Leave of Antonine for he was sending him away to Buen Retiro where he had business for him and had given him a good Imployment The poor Innocent was thunder-struck at this her Blood flush'd into her face to compleat the Embellishment of the most Charming Beauty on Earth She suddenly made answer She was sure Antonine would not accept of the Employment because he had promis'd her he would die rather than part with her But I would have him go thither replyes the King it will be his advantage and the making of his Fortune And will you be against it No Sir sayes she but I humbly beseech your Majesty to command my Father to let me go along with him to look to the Garden there You love the Shepherd then I see sayes the King And Dorothy making him no answer he rose and not able to endure longer so tormenting a Dilogue left her with Antonine The Marquess who was present there follow'd the King admiring no less the patience of his Prince than charm'd at the passion of the two Countrey-Lovers Well Don Austin sayes the King to him when they got a little out of the Crowd was ever Lover so unfortunate as I Here is a Rival and a Rival belov'd I must of necessity either conquer my passion or send him packing Yet such is my weakness I cannot do the one or the other The Favourite complying with the humor of his Master answered 'T was in truth something rare to see a Prince in Love as he was express so much Goodness and Favour for a Shepherd who stood in his way and might cross his Designs But that sometimes particular Engagements require particular Conduct Hitherto Sir adds he you have lov'd like a King variety is pleasant and to change sometimes is very delightful Perhaps you may find pleasure in devesting your self of Majesty and addressing your self to a Countrey-Girl after the manner of those of her Character who court her The King was willing to do it and to let the Marquess see how kindly he took the overture he told him That in Love-Policy the first thing a Lover is to do is to accommodate himself to the Condition and humor of his Mistress And that those Charming bonds of Sympathy which link'd hearts into so close an union had their beginning from thence However they concluded Dorothy should be taken from her Parents and placed with some Lady of the Court where the King might see her with more convenience and less noise The Marquess willing to have the honour of managing the Intrigue and loth any other should pretend to the Advantage he promis'd himself from it proposed to the King That Dorothy should be placed with the Marchioness his Wife her Appartment being next the King 's who was every day there and the most convenient of any in the Palace The King had thought of it before but the Marchioness though young and handsom made great profession of Vertue and stood much upon her Honour which made the King fear she would be hardly induc'd to accept a share in that Confidence he was willing to repose in her No man knew her better than the King having been formerly in love with her though without any considerable success which had not a little contributed to the haughtiness of this Lady and gain'd her the Reputation of an Extraordinary Merit So rare are the Examples of Beauties whose Vertue is proof against the Passions of Kings we must seek them in former Ages In our days faults committed with Princes are so far from being reputed crimes that the offenders triumph in their weakness and make their Infirmity their Glory The Marchioness de las Torillas might have pretended to the honour of the Vertuous Ladies of Ancient Times and the King after the experience he had of her Vertue had reason to fear she would not be pleased with the Employment But the Marquess the most zealous of Favorites to do a Master service had that
know what the King would have with her They came to the Marchioness's Chamber where they found only Don Austin and his Lady which was no small help to make the Shepherd believe his first suspicions were not ill-grounded That the Marquess had a mind to Dorothy and would have got rid of him by sending him to Buen Retiro and had plac'd her with his Lady on no other design but to part him and Dorothy and to make the easier prey of her Innocence us'd the King's Name and Authority against him and her To compleat his trouble and convince him throughly of the misfortune he dreaded they were scarce entred the Chamber but the Marquess took Dorothy by the hand and led her into another Room where the King stay'd for her unseen by Antonine who was left alone with the Marchioness This Lady observing the countenance of the Shepherd fell a-laughing to see him look so pale and wan at his Mistriss being taken from him And to prevent the suspicion of being party to the design she resolved to divertise her self with discoursing of it and to clear her Reputation she came up to a window where Antonine was and ask'd him smiling how he durst trust Dorothy with the Marquess I know not Madam answers he but believe I must take my measures in that particular from you who are equally concern'd and I perswade my self have power enough to prevent any thing of that nature you had reason to fear The Marchioness surpriz'd at the answer would try a little further telling him Don Austin was Master there and his will was a law to her I may replyes the Shepherd say as much of Dorothy and with a great deal more reason For I have not any right over her nor is she oblig'd to give me an account of her actions But you love her answers the Lady and Lovers have great rights to their Mistresss Don Austin Madam replyes Antonine is your Husband and Marriage hath higher rights than Love can pretend to The Marchioness charmed with these reparties so much above the capacity of a Shepherd look'd upon him with admiration viewing him a pretty while without saying a word But to bring him in play again Don Austin sayes she has found a pretty young Girl he likes better than me and if he loves her must I take it ill No Madam answers Antonine if you love him not But I who love this Girl with an unparallel'd passion should I confess be at my Wit 's end to see another partake with me the happiness of being lov'd by her You are jealous then Antonine sayes the Lady not able to forbear laughing I really am so Madam answers he not that I think I have any reason for 't on this occasion but that in truth I cannot forbear it on any And should Don Austin design no more than divertisement and do all this in jest as I am perswaded he does yet is he guilty of the highest Cruelty imaginable in tormenting a poor Shepherd who hath no pleasure of Life but the Love of his Shepherdess wherein Don Austin gives us disturbance without any reason The more the Marchioness heard Antonine speak the more willing she was to give him occasion of speaking She had heard say he was very gentile in his Expressions and had a particular grace in speaking which was reported the reason of the Kings loving him as he did but she would never have believ'd he had the Wit she perceiv'd in him his discourse having more than surpriz'd her Don Austin coming out of the King's Chamber took his Lady aside praying her to send away the Shepherd for if the King found him there he would think she had kept him with her of purpose to cross his designs Antonine seeing the Marquess come out thought Dorothy was alone and asked the Lady whether he might not be allow'd to see her She told him No And that if he might she would not advise him to'r It seems then Madam sayes Antonine Don Austin hath forbid it and came in for that purpose being jealous I would endeavour it and you are willing to comply with him No no answers she ready to burst with laughing I 'le secure you from Don Austin He 's not the Man y' are to fear But 't is enough Antonine withdraw What say you Madam you will secure me from the Marquess and would have me withdraw Can I be so unfortunate addes he with a lamentable tone to have any other to fear I know not answers she but should it fall out so as possible it may you must be chearful as you can 'T is no news for Lovers to have Rivals and you may have a Rival may be more for your advantage than misfortune The Marchioness let fall these last words out of negligence and meer carelessness to manage as she might an affair which procur'd at once her vexation and her scorn These haughty Ladies who glory in loving no body and not admitting love from any are jealous of all the World when others are jealous only of those they love The Shepherd fix'd his Eye on her awhile as if he would have read in her Countenance the truth of what she had said More for my advantage Madam replyes he Can it be for my advantage to be robb'd of all I love in the World The more potent the Rival the greater the misfortune and I should be very sorry he should prove such as you say Oh Heavens cryes he not giving her time to answer should he be the Man I imagin and should I have been born to so much misfortune He pronounced these words with so vehement action and so loud a voice the Lady was afraid the King had heard him and that she might be charg'd with having spoken too much the Shepherd having fully discover'd what she thought she had not half told him She took him by the hand and mov'd with the tears she saw him shed bid him with an air of Complaisance trouble himself no further but come again and he should speak with Dorothy who could better inform him Ah! Madam answers he I am undone I know too much from you With that he went out so opprest with grief he was scarce able to stand The Marchioness was troubl'd to see him gone because she had not given him more comfort at parting but she was so astonisht at what she had heard that she could hardly believe her senses She had not only never seen a Shepherd who could discourse as he had done but never known any so tender a Lover She could do no other all day than think with what grace and what transports he exprest his passion And she observ'd in his sentiments something so noble so rare and so moving that without being guilty of downright inhumanity she thought it impossible not to be affected with them But by perswading her self of this truth she found her heart unquiet and did nothing but sigh all the night long She saw not the consequence
of it or at least would not see it She who had the haughtiness and height of Spirit to despise and reject the addresses of a Crown'd Head could not fancy her self capable of the weakness to make account of a poor Shepherd She had indeed pitty'd his tears but she thought that was all The King the hottest Lover in the World being never at ease but when Dorothy was in sight yet unwilling notice should be taken of his violent inclinations for her gave order for some days all the Divertisements of the Court should be in the Marchioness's Apartment where very few had entrance and of those few who were admitted poor Antonine could never make one though he endeavour'd to get in all the wayes in his power This troubled him the more as having not been able to rest day or night since his last discourse with the Marchioness nor ever likely to be at ease till he could speak with his Mistress The Marchioness who would have been very glad to see him admiring he was not come to her for many days knew not what to think on 't She spy'd him one morning walking under her windows and having made signs to him to come up presently gave order to an old House-keeper her Confident to let him into her Chamber as privately as possible Antonine says the Marchioness methinks of a Lover so passionate as you y' are soon comforted for the loss of your Mistress I cannot yet think her altogether lost Madam answers he nor guess at the reason they were so cruel to deny me the favour of seeing her You must look you out another Mistress Antonine says the Lady and such a Shepherd as you are may have your choice Look out another Madam replyes Antonine with a tone that sufficiently evidenced his grief and surprize she must be first false to me and I very clearly convinc'd of it Besides I know not wheâ—â—â—â— after all I should not rather choose ceasing to live than to love her But Madam adds he like a Man in afright is it from her you give me this advice and has she no more mind to me I do not say so answers the Lady I believe Dorothy loves you But 't were better for you to think of another in time and I tell it you as a Friend As long as Dorothy loves me replyes the Shepherd 't will be impossible for me to change And did you but know what 't is for a Lover like me to quit his Mistress you are too generous Madam to advise me to 't But if Dorothy adds he in a very pressing and curious manner be not false to me why should I quit her Madam unless you take it ill I should make love to her in your Family No Antonine answers the Lady you are too expert and disscreet a Lover to be found fault with for making Love I will give you no trouble in 't But She stopt there Ah! Madam says the Shepherd seeing her make a stop what torment have you put me to for three or four days that you have left me in doubt whom I am to fear The Marchioness bid him come again at nine a clock at night when the King went to Councel and she would let him see Dorothy who would tell him what she was loath to let him know being very unwilling to be the first should give him so ill news Antonine content with this hope though rack'd with suspicion returned home to wait with impatience the hour was assign'd him The Marchioness was more charmed than ever with the merit of the Shepherd She found in him the Character of so tender and passionate a Lover she confest no heart could be so insensible not to be affected with him And for her part her haughtiness in slighting Love must own an abligation to the Court for producing no Lovers but what were corrupt And she doubted now and then whether it were not pardonable in a Lady of her Quality and Honour to love a Shepherd as Antonine These doubts and Reflections were so strong and so piercing her heart which at first felt only the point of them found it self at length very deeply wounded But she would not yet complain of it because the wound though dnagerous had something of pleasure in 't which charm'd away the pain In these vertuous Souls so little accustom'd to love 〈…〉 touch proves an incurable 〈◊〉 they rely upon their haughtinâ—â—â— and their Greatness of Spirit which often abuses them is sometimes the instrument which betrays them to Love The fair Marchioness full of her New Ideas was drown'd in an Amorous amusement from morning till night when the King entred her Chamber with Dorothy by the hand and pray'd her she would for a little while take his little Mistress into her care and he would presently return The Lady's thoughts were at that time so distracted she heard not a word the King said and knew not what to answer him He was not well pleased with it and discovering a coldness and melancholy in her countenance he would have ask'd her the reason but was hastned into the Councel by business of extraordinary importance Dorothy remain'd with the Marchioness who taking an exacter view of her than formerly thought her handsomer than ever or that she appeared so at least to her who already began to be jealous She ask'd her if she had not a desire to see Antonine to which Dorothy having answered with a blush 't was long since she saw him and she would be very glad to see him Now the Lady reply'd she should see him that evening but the King must not know it she had hardly done speaking but Alice the House-keeper came in to let her know Antonine was at the door The Marchioness bid Dorothy go into the Closet to surprize him the more She was willing to have the pleasure of seeing him a moment in private and make him sensible the obligation he had to her for the goodness she express'd towards him And it was no small favour for a Lady who in point of honour had refus'd to intermeddle with the Amours of a King to make her self the Confident of a Shepherd and a Gardiner's Daughter So much do we differ from our selves as occasions moves us so easy a matter is it to dispense with scruples our passion are inclin'd to remove You are very punctual Antonine says she as he came in and if I mistake not are come a little sooner than I appointed you Time seems long to those in Love Madam answers he and they are so fearful of coming too late to see their Mistresses they are always the first at the place of Rendez-vous I have promis'd you says the Lady to let you see your Mistress this evening but do you know what a hazard I run what trouble I shall create my self if this should be known Get you into that Closet for fear of being seen and if Dorothy comes to you think very much your Friend Antonine
not to lose moments so precious exprest more by actions than words how sensible he was of the favours she did him and opening the Closet-door was extremly surpris'd at the sight of the fair Dorothy drest all over with Jewels The young Lover ravish'd with joy run presently to him But he received her with that coldness and sadness her heart was almost froz'n with fear And she forbore her caresses to quarrel him for expressing no more joy at the sight of her after so tedious an absence He sigh'd and made no other answer Dorothy more troubled than before ask'd him as one affrighted what the matter was he us'd her so The Shepherd was unwilling to be the first should reproach her for what she perhaps did not yet know and and he had need enough to be better inform'd of not to accuse her without cause He ask'd her first whence she had all those Jewels he saw about her Dorothy answer'd the King had given them her and very ingenuously told him all the Visits and fine promises he had made her and in a word all that past since her coming to the Marchioness Antonine heard her out without saying a word then turning another way in a mortal affliction he lift up his eyes and hands to Heaven without further explaining himself But Dorothy frightned at the action pray'd him so earnestly adding so many caresses and tears to her prayers that the Shepherd could no longer deny her the explication she begg'd of him who was sufficiently concerned without her intreaty to ease his heart a little by speaking his mind Dorothy says he the King is in love with you Well I know it answers she but if he loves me he loves you too and what harm in that What harm replyes the dejected Antonine with a deep sigh None but that I shall never see you more but die with despair And why should you die says she alarmed at these words and why see me no more when the King who loves you takes so much pleasure to see us together Yes replyes Antonine do not you see that these three or four days I am not allow'd the liberty to enter this Appartment But 't is over I am undone and you are to expect no more of me but my death Poor Dorothy opprest with grief at this Discourse gave free course to her tears and embracing him tenderly ask'd him what reason he had to wish for death since she loved him above her Life What am I the better for your Love answers the Shepherd when my Rival is possessed of you all day and courts you and is a King and can do what he pleases Ah! how unfortunate am I Never fear the King says the innocent Dorothy for he hath promised me he will never do any thing to displease me Antonine asked her on what account he made her that promise she told him it was upon occasion of some little Favours he would have obtained of her A cruel explication for one so deeply in Love He look'd upon her with a languishing Eye and dying away for fear of hearing more than he desired to know he fell into a mournful and sad silence he was just expiring for grief when on the sudden he heard the King's voice in the Marchionesses Chamber Nothing could have happened more effectual to fetch him again than the approach of his Rival jealousie being the passion that best quickens and most heightens the courage of a Lover This Prince was under an Amorous impatience too strong to permit him to stay long in the Councel Affairs of State and of Love never agree well not that they are incompatible or that a Great Genius is incapable to bear at once the burthen of both But this is very rare and 't is commonly seen he that acquits himself well of the one is a little negligent of the other This Prince having very able Ministers rely'd on them for the conduct of the State that he might intirely apply himself to his affairs of Love He was much addicted to that passion and more sensible of the Pleasure that attended it than ambitious of the Glory of good Government while they treated in his Closet of the most important affairs of his Crown his mind was in the Marchionesses Chamber where he had left his Heart with his Mistriss but he was not a little surprized not to find her there at his return He asked the Lady what was become of her she answered very coldly she knew not I thought Madam answers the King having left her to your Care a few minutes I might have had a better account from you I desir'd it of you 't is an innocent Creature and knows not how to behave her self you might without wrong to your self have instructed her a little and told her she was to wait my coming But I perceive what the matter is I did not think Sir replies the Lady that in leaving with me a Gardiners Daughter you desir'd I should be her Governess No indeed says the King but if you should be her Governess think you that to be employ'd so on my account could be a dishonour to you Ah Sir answers she with an affected smile I come of a Blood And you might have come says the King interrupting her angrily of the best Blood of Castile and have esteemed it an Honour to serve a King as I am in any manner whateever With that he went out very little satisfied with the proceedings of the Marchioness and sent for Don Austin to make his complaints to him Antonin and Dorothy were in very great perplexity having heard part of the discourse but the Shepherd was the more troubled of the two The Lady bid Dorothy come into the Chamber that if the King came back again as she feared he would he might find her there As for Antonin she thought it not convenient to let him come out for fear of being seen and perhaps met by the King who was not far off the mean time she fell to instructing Dorothy what to say to the King if he should question her for the little Eclipse she had been under but she was forc'd to cut off her Lesson short for the Amorous Prince impatiently desirous to know if she were returned came presently back and entred the Chamber with anger in his Face and much discomposed but at the sight of Dorothy his Choler vanisht and he recovered his good humour The Marchioness would have helped Dorothy to make her excuse and at the same time make her own peace with the King But he could not hear her but said he was satisfied but entreated her to lend him her Closet to pass a few minutes with Dorothy there This put the Lady into an extraordinary perplexity with all her coldness and indifferency she could not forbear blushing she knew not on what pretence to deny him the key was in the door and she was ruin'd if the King found Antonin in the Closet Poor Dorothy was no less disordered
to answer the Master's expectation as Don Augustin had He sent that very day in search of Dorothy's Father and after several discourses about his Family let him know he was in a fair way to come to as good fortune as a Man of his condition could wish He ask'd him if he knew Antonine and was fully inform'd by the Gardiner concerning that Shepherd then he bid him have a care of his Daughter whom he was to look upon as the Author of his good fortune without giving further light whether the Marquess or any other were concern'd in the advice This was so managed by order from the King And the Expressions like infallible Oracles coming from the Mouth of the Marquess de las Torrillas whose Countenance was sufficient to raise the fortune of the greatest Subject of Spain so transported the Good Man that he knew not how to make his acknowledgment for joy The Marquess to make good his words by suitable effects put into his hand a Purse of an hundred Pistols the most certain confirmation he could possibly have given the Gardiner of the News he had told him He return'd home so fully assur'd by what he had in his hand of the favourable influence of his Stars that he thought himself the happiest if not the richest Man upon Earth The Favourite having executed his Commission like a worthy Confident goes to give his Master an account and acquainting him with the Particulars of the Gardiner's Family told him he was fully inform'd he was a very honest Man who lived very privately not admitting into his House any one might bring a scandal upon him And that his Daughter Dorothy had the Reputation of a Maid so free from intrigue that she had never been suspected to have been engag'd in one And what of Antonine says the King Antonine Sir says the Marquess is the Son of a rich Shepherd near Tolledo who was recommended to the Gardiner and lodges at his House Antonine replys the King sighing doth he Lodge at Dorothy's Father's Yes Sir said the Marquess very much surpriz'd to see how the King received the News of it but I believe there 's no cause to fear him More cause replys the King more a great deal than you think What a Shepherd answers the Marquess Yes a Shepherd says the King a Shepherd who hath all the good qualities requisite to gain the love of a Shepherdess Had you view'd him with the Eyes of a Lover you would have quickly discovered what 't is to be such a Shepherd Don Augustin adds he no Rival is contemptible to slight him is to lose all But Sir says the Marquess you are his Master and may rid your hands of him when you please These sort of Lovers have not so strong inclinations as we Give him but a better Employment in another place than he hath here he 'll yield up his Shepherdess to you and quit all his pretensions to her You think so replys the King but I do not But should I comply with my affection in taking your advice what will the World say of my removing the Shepherd after the favour I have shew'd him will they not say I have banish'd him And the Wits who claim a soveraign jurisdiction to censure all actions when they see me court this Girl will they not say presently I was jealous of Antonine No no I am concern'd in Reputation to let him stay with her at the peril of having my passion made publick by removal of him if he be a profest Lover of her 't is my part to endeavour gaining her from him But I must first know how far he is advanc'd whether she is pleas'd with his addresses or barely permits them or loves him in good earnest These Mysteries are never well discovered but by those who have been in Love a meer Confident cannot penetrate them Therefore get two Suits made me after the Country-Fashion and let them be brought me to-morrow at my rising I will go in Person to the Gardiner's to observe Dorothy and Antonine Any Man but the Marquess would have boggled and been scandaliz'd at a design so contrary to the Spanish Gravity and unsuitable to Majesty but he was so well acquainted with the Gallantries of his Prince and so verst in the management of them for the King who loved adventures and disguises that he was ready to fall a laughing at the Frolick but reflecting they had no acquaintance nor correspondence at the Gardiner's he apprehended some mischance which might be laid to his charge He represented it to the King as he carried him the Habits on the Morrow telling him he expos'd the Majesty of his Person to affront by adventuring disguis'd into a Man's House he was not acquainted with The King who lov'd not to be cross'd made him a short answer that in matters of Love he expected from a Person of his Character a great deal of Complaisance but no Counsel and that the advice he commonly took in those Cases was only such as his affection suggested him He put on one of those Suits and the Marquess having taken the other they went down a privy Stair which brought them to a Walk in the Garden where they were no sooner entred but they saw Dorothy picking Flowers The jealous Prince ravish'd with joy made signs to Don Augustin to follow him without noise and went with him into the Muses Bower at the corner of the Walk where they hid themselves from her T is an excellent opportunity says the King to his Confident we must follow her to see who the Nosegay is made for The patience of the Monarch on this occasion was admirable but must be considered as an effect of his Love At last Dorothy goes out taking the way of the Long Walks to the astonishment of the Parties concern'd especially the Amorous Prince who more curious than ever to know whither she went follow'd her with no small perplexity and agitation of heart It was not long but he might guess at her design for they were scarce past the second Walk but they heard Antonine's Flute which the King thought not half so sweet then as formerly He looked twice or thrice on Don Augustin without saying a word but not able to conceal his jealousie longer You see now says he whether I have not reason enough to fear this Rival Ah Don Augustin my Curiosity is like to cost me dear but 't is no matter let 's go and see all They went beside the Walks to avoid being seen by her at last they saw Dorothy making up to Antonine and presenting him with the Nosegay which the Shepherd receiving with actions full of Love and of Joy took her by the hand which she permitted him to kiss a great Favour in Spain and signifies something more This vext the Jealous King at the heart to that degree of Impatience he was just making up to them But Dorothy having not stay'd a moment longer with the Shepherd the King advanced no
but she went very joyfully to the Tower where Antonine was prisoner And having shew'd the Officer the King's Ring entred without difficulty Antonine was surprized to see her she fell presently to complain of him but the Cunning Shepherd quickly appeased her And having real kindness for her and seeing she slighted the passion of a Great King for love of him he resolved to marry her and not part with her till she had engaged her self to be his Wife and received his engagement to be her Husband lest the King taking advantage of his Imprisonment as he had reason to fear should rob him of her They were quickly agreed and past that night like Fortunate Lovers The King slept soundly and little dreamt of the designs against him of which he was likely to be the more sensible as the hopes of obtaining his desires were more probable than ever when he parted with his Mistress At his rising they told him a Gentleman pray'd Audience upon business of importance The King ordered him admittance The Gentleman falling presently on his knees Great Sir says he I come to beg Pardon for a Gentleman whose Youth hath made him commit a fault pardonable in those of riper Years You beg my Pardon Friend says the King bidding him stand up for a Gentleman I know no more than the Fault you have mentioned Sir answers he the Shepherd you committed yesterday to Prison is Don Alphonso de Leon. Antonine says the King interrupting him much surpriz'd at the news Is he of the House of Leon Yes replyes the Gentleman he is a Younger-Brother of that Illustrious Family who arriv'd incognito at your Court came to take a turn at Aranjuez And as he was walking in the Garden the Master as the custom is presented him with a Nosegay by his Daughter whom Don Alphonso found so charming he fell that moment passionately in love with her We were engag'd that very day for Toledo but he feigned himself indispos'd and having taken no rest that night he look'd very ill the next Morning We would have perswaded him to return to Madrid where he might have the help of able Physicians rather than stay at a Place where he could scarce have one pittiful Chirurgeon to let him Blood For three or four days he obstinately insisted the Air at Aranjuez would be enough to recover him And that he should not want Physician or Chyrurgeon In the mean time he could neither eat nor sleep he was so tormented with his Love which was his only Distemper and at length much prejudiced his health But fearing the business would at last come to light and having ever had confidence in me who am his Governour he took me one day aside to acquaint me with the Secret praying me if I lov'd him I would be so kind to him as to find out the means to stay some time at Aranjuez I omitted nothing that could be said to divert him from the pursuit of so extravagant a Passion I represented to him a thousand inconveniences would attend it I minded him of the Glory of his Birth and the blemish it would be to him to amuse himself with an Engagement so much beneath him and at last threatned to write of it to his Parents But all to no purpose He fell down at my feet begg'd of me upon his knees and with tears in his Eyes that for a Month or two I would permit him to please himself in his folly swearing he would die or kill himself if I forced him from Aranjuez I knew not what to do I was almost distracted and wisht I had never been concern'd with him At last after long resistance I yielded to his prayers and tears and consented to one Months stay at Aranjuez and that he should play what part he pleased there but not under the Name or Character of what he really was least if that came to be known it might prove an indelible stain to him and to me The fifth day we left Aranjuez with design according to my Promise to return both together in a very short time We went to Toledo and having sent away all our People to wait our coming at Cordova in the way to Sevile where we designed to go we bought us two Habits of Shepherds and returned to Aranjuez Our design was to send him to the Gardiner's to live with him and offer him very good terms in hopes he would not know him in that disguise In our way to Aranjuez we lay at an Inn within two leagues of this Place where the Host was a friend of the Gardiner's and very ready to serve us after a small present I made him This Man recommended him under the Name of Antonine the Son of a Rich Shepherd near Toledo who desired to have his Son kept at some distance from him and offer'd a very good allowance for his maintenance Antonine was very well received by the Gardiner I stay'd at that Inn and came two or three times a-week to see the young Shepherd but could never prevail with him to come away putting me off still from one Month to another till yesterday in the evening the Gardiner sent me an Express to bring me the news of his misfortune I will not trouble your Majesty with the surprise and grief it put me to I stay'd no longer than while I could put off my disguise as no longer useful and resume my former Habit and came immediately away to the Gardiner's last night where I was told all the passages The King no less charm'd than astonisht at the circumstances of this Story resolved to do Justice to the prejudice of his Affections and to declare that Don Alphonso de Leon whose passion was so strong and so tender deserv'd better than he to enjoy the fair Dorothy he took the resolution from that moment not to cross him in his Amour He got himself drest to go carry the news to that Charming Maid and to give her full liberty to dispose of her Heart as she pleased thinking himself obliged by such a Sacrifice to repair all the trouble and injury he had done that young Gentleman But he was strangely astonisht when coming to Dorothy's Chamber he was told she lay not there that night and that they knew not what was become of her He thought first she was gone to see Antonine but then finding little reason for that he fancied she was gone to her Father's but could not guess for what end Yet the jealousie he was not yet rid of for all his resolution against it had made that impression within him It perswaded him against all appearance his first thoughts were true and that she was certainly gone to Antonine And to satisfie himself he must go to the Prison to know the news He asked the Officer who had been to see the Shepherd He told him Not any but the Marchioness's Maid so they called Dorothy who had been all Night with him and was there still The King redden'd to hear
him and asked him in some heat if he had not given him order no body should see the Shepherd Except those Sir answers the Officer who should shew me your Signet which that Maid brought me My Signet says the King putting his Hand in his Pocket he found it was gone And being highly offended with the boldness of the little Lasse he went into the Prison to complain of her where he saw the two tender Lovers falling presently at his feet Antonine was the Speaker and begg'd the King's Pardon for two Loving Youths who placing all their happiness in the Enjoyment of each other had united by indissoluble Bonds what Love had already strongly chained together You should not answers the King making them both stand up by desiring my Pardon have robb'd me of the the glory I designed my self by preventing your Petition with my Bounty I am not come hither as a Rival jealous of your Happiness to cross your Love any more but I come as a Prince to do Justice to the most tender Passion in the World which however it trouble me I must own to have charm'd me You shall be married Don Alphonso adds he embracing him and I shall be very sorry having the esteem I have for Dorothy to hinder her good Fortune Antonine hearing these last words could no longer doubt but the King had been fully informed who he was and falling the second time on his knees would have excused what his excess of love made him do The King embracing him again answered He could not condemn a passion himself had been subject to that the Beauty and merit of Dorothy deserved better fortune than her Birth promised her That it was no news to see not Genlemen but Princes to choose Consorts out of Cottages That Love wrought far greater miracles and as for Birth it was no obstacle in their Case who are in a condition to bestow Honours and Dignities This Discourse was received with thanks and acknowledgments from Don Alphonso and Dorothy After which the King having sent for rich Cloaths for the one and the other he led them to the Palace where he was pleased to have their Nuptials celebrated with all the splendour and Magnificence due to the Quality of a Gentleman of the Ancient and Illustrious Family of Leon. The King Honoured Dorothie's Parents with Titles of Nobility and made her Father Governour of Aranjuez The poor Marchioness was put into a Nunnery and after two years pennance her Husband who notwithstanding the accident at Aranjuez had a love for her still set her at liberty and took her home to himself where they liv'd the rest of their days in a fair correspondence if you consider with how much reason they had been parted FINIS Books Printed for J. Magnes and R. Bentley in Russel-street in Covent-Garden PLAYS TArtuff or the French Puritan a Comedy written in French by the famed Wit of France Monsieur Moliere and made English by Mr. M. Medburne Plays written by Madam Behn Forc'd Marriage or the Jealous Bridegroom Abdelazar or the Moor's Revenge The Town Fop or Sir Timothy Taudry Plays written by Mr. Howard All Mistaken or the Mad Couple The English Monsieur Plays written by Mr. Crown Calisto or the Chast Nymph a Masque Acted at the Court. The Countrey Wit The Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus Vespatian In two Parts Andromache a Tragedy Plays written by Mr. Lee. The Tragedy of Nero. Sophonisba or Hannibat's Overthrow Gloriana or the Court of Augustus Caesar The Rival Queens or the Death of Alexander the Great The Plain Dealer written by Mr. Wicherly The Mistaken Husband part of it written by John Dryden Esq Dryden's Notes of Morocco Madam Fickle or the Witty False One written by Mr. Dursey The Fond Husband or the Plotting Sisters by Mr. Dursey Generous Enemies Some Engslâ—â—â— Novels Happy Slave in Three Parts Compleat Count Brion or the Cheating Gallant Zelinda a Romance by Monsieur Sidery in 12. Covent Garden Drollery in 8. The Disorders of Love in 12. Mayer's Letters Some Books of Devotion Dr. Andrews Devotions Dr. Hatten's Psalter in 12. Moral Essays on many Importunate Duties in 12. Thomas a Kempis Lipsions of Constancy The Education of a Prince in 12. The Triumphs of Love over Fortune a Novel FINIS