no man can see them without dying for love of them but now 't is too late to conceal them from me I have seen more than any heart is able to bear without yielding it self and it would be extream cruelty in you not to compleat what is so happily begun As the Count was speaking to her in this manner she look'd upon him with eyes so tender and piercing that she seemed willing to execute what he desired The crafty Count having seiz'd one of her hands to which as he look'd upon it he gave a thousand amorous kisses by little and little drew it out so far on his side with so feeble resistance from the Sultaness that she came at last to lean her head on the Ballistre just over against the head of the Count. Then it was he had full liberty to take a view at his leasure of those Beauties that put him to amazement and ravished him with such joy as he had never before been sensible of As ill luck would have it the Ballistres were so close that not any two of them stood half the head distance one from the other However the two Lovers meeting half way made a shift to slip through a great number of Kisses the most charming and sweet that Lovers e're tasted The Count being naturally bold made one Liberty but a step to another and seeing what he was permitted to do and the pleasure she took in it he press'd his amorous temerity so far that what he did may pass for half an enjoyment Till then their entertainment was made up of dumb engagements a thousand times more eloquent than the finest expressions in the World Their eyes their sighs their actions their toyes had spoken a Language intelligible enough to perswade both they loved one another intirely They had no need of other conversation yet Laura arriving they changed it a little but they spoke before her the most tender and most passionate things you can imagine The Sultaness who had that confidence in her as to conceal nothing from her was not troubled at her coming But the Count who took not so much pleasure in these discourses though very obliging as in those dumb entertainments made a sign to Laura to take the other turn at which the Saltaness seeming a little angry let down the Curtain and so fastned it behind that he could not take it up But this being in Jest and to provoke his Passion the more her rigour was short lived and Peace presently made more firm than ever The first favours give a priviledge for others and a kind of right not only to hope but demand them The Count to be reveng'd of his Mistress for the piece of spite she had done him thrust both his Arms between the Ballistres and embracing her on the sudden kissed her with that violence that he forced Blood out of her lips The Sultaness was so far from complaining of the rudeness of his Caresses that being charm'd with the pleasure of them she carefully saved all the Blood on her Handkerchief to preserve it as a Trophy to shew Laura as a most sensible mark of the extream Passion her dear Alexander had for her Let me acquaint you by the way with a rarity of those parts that for a Woman to have been beaten by a Man she loves is esteemed in that Country a great evidence of affection to the party beaten I confess such favours are somewhat rude but 't is the temper of the Country and such is their custom As for the Blood that came from the lips of the Amorous Sultaness we may believe it proceeded from a transport of Love With us one may be bitten but not beaten through extremity of this Passion but blows exceed the limits of Gallantry and that Woman must be an African that loves to be so Courted 'T is a fashion will never pass in Europe and though they use it sometimes yet never to oblige Women none of whom that I know of were ever pleased with a bastinade The rest of this visit having been spent in foolery and toys though sometimes of much moment in matters of Love I will not trouble you with the particulars Laura who was not far distant from the Lovers appeared at the least sign of their pleasure to have her attend The Count and the Sultaness bid each other adieu with the greatest kindness imaginable And Laura brought him to the Door of the Apartment so deep in Love he scarce knew where he was He went directly from thence to the Bassa who instantly observed the visible change of the Count 's former Sadness and Melancholy into a tender and languishing air at which the Bassa taking occasion to laugh said Well Alexander hath Love plaid his part well Is it your pain or your pleasure hath so charm'd you to day I confess Sir said he with a sigh it is the pleasure I have met with but pleasure I fear which may cost me much pain The Bassa believing that to be the Confident of the Count's Passion might be of some use took him by the hand and led him to the Garden to take a turn in the Walks He fell presently upon the subject of his good Fortune and prayed him to tell him truly how his Affairs stood The Count having his Heart and his Fancy all full of Love with very great ease gave him such a ravishing description of his tenderest affections and painted the pleasures he had taken that Evening so much to the life adding his sighs and exclamations with gestures and looks so eloquent and passionate that he awaked in the Soul of the Bassa the affection he had formerly for Laura and lately laid asleep What care soever is taken to cure one of this Passion still there remains enough in the Heart of a Lover to set it on fire by the least spark that falls on it The insensibility and resistance of Laura had not Ice enough in them to quench all the heat of the Bassa's affection She had only covered it with ashes to preserve it the better against another time Had the Count acted like a Politick Lover he had easily foreseen how ticklish and dangerous a business it is to make such representations before Persons who are Amorously inclined and especially before a Man whom he had reason to consider as a Rival and in whose Power it was to dispose of him as he pleased But the truth is that in speaking thus of Laura he thought he hazarded nothing of his own he had really no kindness for her but hoped to do his own business the better in making the Bassa believe that he lov'd her which is the reason he did not carry himself in this with so much caution as he would have done in another conjuncture The Bassa slept not that Night Laura appear'd a thousand times more handsom and charming in the description of the Count than ever she had done in his Eye at full sight He esteemed himself the most
not very well The Bassa gave her his hand and would have led her into a private Chamber Laura perceiving it and that he was in good earnest Prayed him to let her go that her Lady was not well and he knew well enough she could not endure her being a moment out of her sight I I replied the Bassa the Sultaness is sick and cannot be a moment without you but 't is because 't is I desire to pass that moment with you had it been Alexander you could have staid a little longer The Bassa said this with so pleasant a tone she could not forbear laughing You know Sir replied she 't is another case when you are with the Sultaness Besides Sir added she smiling one would venture a little for a Sweet-heart Well well said he pressing her to go along with him 't is Love hath brought me hither I Sir answer'd she striving to get away from him and 't is Love obliges me to avoid the occasion of being found alone in your company for though I know you a most accomplished Person you will allow me to tell you you have not too much respect for our Sex and 't is very hard trusting you witness your assaults last night in the Garden the Bassa made her a thousand Oaths he would keep within the bounds of that respect and discretion she might expect from the severest vertue and protested he desired only one quarter of an hours discourse Laura who knew the violence and obstinacy of his humour when denyed any thing he held reasonable to be granted him disposed her self to entertain him that quarter of an hour He reproached her a thousand times for her hardness and cruelty against him and gave her withall the kindest words and the most tender and passionate expressions imaginable Laura to defend her self pleaded her Honour her Religion and her Duty to the Sultaness her Mistress three things she would not betray for the World Had you but a little Love for me said the Bassa with a sigh you would not find so many reasons for defence I have my Religion as you have yours and the Precepts of it perhaps as severe as yours but Love is stronger than all the Precepts the Laws the Religions of the World and those who serve him worship no other God As for the Sultaness how are you concerned that is my business not yours and it shall be your fault if ever she know it But what do you tell me of Honour Surely 't is more for your Honour to love a Man as I am than to love such a one as Alexander You mistake your self Sir answered Laura if you think that in the visits he hath made me there hath any thing pass'd contrary to my duty 'T is not with those of our Nation as with the People of this Country We may be together and no body by yet my Honour secure I swear to you Sir Alexander never received that favour from me which I could not afford the Person for whom I am the least concerned in the World The Bassa interrupted her what not in the Garden Neither in the Garden nor any where else replyed she had he ever any other advantage than a sight of me which with us is accounted for nothing Can you make me believe answered the Bassa what you say Laura told him there was nothing more true and he might rest assured of it But Sir said she for your better satisfaction bring him no more hither and you shall see whether I make my complaint for it 'T were pitty replyed the Bassa to destroy so fair a friendship and I do protest to you that were it in my power I would give you no trouble but I am not so much Master of my self to gain this point on my heart to be unconcerned in your Love But since you love Alexander with so much indifference that you can so easily resolve not to see him more I have no cause to afflict my self but rather to hope you may one day love me perhaps as much as you do him After these words the Bassa retired with a heart a little better at ease than when he came in but as deeply in Love as before He gave not an intire and firm credit to what Laura had told him of her indifference and small concernment for Alexander but did believe her passion for the Christian not so great as he had imagined or that their Love had been cooled by some quarrel for he had observed on the one side and the other more indifference than is usually consistent with that passion But then reflecting suddenly on himself may not this be said he resuming his jealousie and diffidence an effect of their policy may they not be agreed to deceive me and being already sufficiently assured of one anothers affections may they not pretend they have no Love for one another that they may Love one another with greater security No no adds he this cannot be there is no hiding of Love it will appear if not smothered to death She love not Alexander at all or loves him but indifferently thus he the more easily perswaded himself to be so in that he did most passionately desire it might be so and thence-forward his passion increased so fast it became greater than ever Hope being a passion that more than any other foments that of Love easily promises it self happy events and flatters it self with expectation of good fortune and success Laura gave the Sultaness an accompt of all the pleasant discourse and the Sultaness could have wished Laura had not been altogether so severe to the Bassa but a little more kind and complaisant without which she thought they could not see Alexander so often as she desired Laura on the contrary told her that to have been complaisant would have spoyl'd all for that the Bassa would then have entertained some hopes of favour from her and so become more amorous than before and consequently more jealous of his supposed Rival than ever What shall I do then said the poor Sultaness who can do nothing but fear and cannot expect any thing but crosses and misfortunes Laura told her things were not in so desperate a condition that she need trouble her self for it for the Bassa had promised to send Alexander on the morrow and that they would consider with him how to order their business The Count did not know that the Bassa had been with the Sultaness but having not heard from him that day he went on the morrow to wait on him at his rising He found him abed so dejected and melancholy that he might by his countenance easily discover the heaviness of his heart Yet he received him with that air of kindness and friendship might well assure the Count he was not displeased with him The Bassa was silent a while and then looking on the Count with an air of friendship and confidence Alexander said he I am the most unfortunate of men especially in Love Laura added
expression or look but against her inclination forced her self to appear harsh and act the cruel against him Assen who thought one night at least necessary to be afforded Laura to dispose her self for an intire Reconciliation and that being upon the point of executing so hazardous a design care should be had to take their measures aright asked the Aga whether he thought it not fit to retire lest being seen to come from Laura so late he might give cause of suspition The Aga answered he need fear nothing the Dey having given him full power to stay as long as he pleased But Laura who had more reason to be of Assen's than of the Aga's opinion who was wholly led by his passion spoke to him though somewhat against her will to withdraw The Aga ready to obey this order begged the favour of her to give him hopes at least she would pardon him if he made it appear he was altogether innocent as to the matter of Alphonso and that her hatred of him should be at an end She made him no answer but her eyes betrayed her heart and spoke clearer in his favour than her voice could have done Beyran kissed one of her hands which she could not refuse him and left her full of that evenings adventures which found her entertainment The rest of that night not knowing what to think of Beyran's fortune whom she believed turned Turk for despair at the thought of this the tears trickled down her Cheeks and she perceived that if what he told her was true of her having been betrayed by her Maid and that he had not any hand in Alphonso's base action as in truth it was scarce credible he had she would love him more than ever and pardon his being found with the Vice-Queen though this was a tender point and not to be remembred without a volley of sighs Assen found the Aga's news true and not able to get out of the Castle went with him to his apartment where the pretended Renegado caused a Bed to be provided him but they spent the whole night in discourse Assen you may believe had an itching curiosity to hear the story of Marquess Hippolito having heard Laura's Assen as soon as they were private fell into that discourse The Aga who knew how much he wanted Assen's help to plead for him to Laura was ready to pleasure him with the relation and having understood Laura had told him part of what concern'd her he was willing to acquaint him with what came not to her knowledge and began thus When I arrived at Naples I found there the Vice-Roys Son whom I was acquainted with in my younger days and renew'd our friendship establish'd rather in the conformity of our age than of our Inclinations he brought me to Court and esteemed it necessary a new-comer should be a little instructed in the passages there he took the pains to tell me all the principal Intrigues and Affairs of Love and made me the Confident of his Passion for the fair Eleanor expecting from the fair friendship between us I would when acquainted with her do him the best service in my power I had a sight of her and by the first effects of that view could easily foresee there was no continuing Alphonso 's Friend without becoming his Rival I was troubled at it and reproached my self for my unfaithfulness but what signified that when there was love in the case There was no resisting Eleanors charms and I had instantly taken the resolution to love her had not the Vice-Queen used all possible arts to divert me she express'd no small complaisance for me which I attributed to the friendship between her Son and me But having found me one day in deep meditation she asked me whether I would freely acknowledge the cause of my melancholy if she could guess what it was and might serve me in the business I assur'd her I would she adds I was under the Fate of many other unfortunate Lovers who could not see Eleanor without being affected with the excellency of her Beauty I was strangely surpriz'd to find a passion scarce entertained in my Soul already known to the Vice-Queen and could not imagine how she came by the discovery of a secret I had resolved to keep close as long as possibly I could it was not in my power to deny it the trouble in my face and change of my colour having given her sufficient evidence how truly she had guessed I told her I found my self too weak to resist the Charms of that beautiful Maid and was sorry only Don Alphonso her Son and my Friend was concern'd she answered that a passion we cannot master was not to be complain'd of nor blam'd and that her Son could not be so unreasonable as not to pardon my falling into a distemper himself had been afflicted with But she believed I should prove as unfortunate as her Son but to keep her word with me she would let me see my concerns were more dear to her than the Interest of her Son but I must not blame her if her endeavours should prove ineffectual which she had too much cause to expect from the strange and unparallel'd insensibility of that fair Maid that she would speak for me that very day and see what hopes of a favourable reception and whether she defi'd Love out of a general aversion for Mankind or a particular disgust against some of that Sex The same time she assigned me Ten a Clock at night to meet her in the great Walk in the Garden to receive an account of her Negotiation I was there to wait for her and she kept her Assignation I saw her come with one of her Maids who was her Confident and having given her my hand to lead her into a Bower I went in with her trembling for fear of having ill News which I presently apprehended from her Countenance Poor Marquess says she you have no better fortune than others this Girls heart is proof to all Essays and did you but know that ill-favoured description and scurvy character she gave of you you would soon judge it to no purpose to apply your self to her but I would have you believe I say not this to discourage you but should be sorry to see a young Gentleman as you have qualities worthy the esteem of a fair Lady should imploy them where there is not any hopes to prevail I had certainly suspected this extraordinary condescension and goodness of the Vice-Queen had not what she said been agreeable to the report of the whole Court that the fair Eleanor was the most insensible person in the World I knew well enough 't was not any concern she had for the passion of her Son made her speak as she did she loved him very little and the complaisance she had express'd for me secured me on that side I might have been so sagacious and quick-sighted as to see she spoke for her self and advised me to quit the thoughts of Eleanor
Eleaner since I loved her She was in a loose dress but handsom and rich beyond expression I had not seen the like at Court and knew not what to think the Richness of the furniture as well as her dress declaring her to be a Lady of no ordinary quality but I was very much perplext to guess who she was I made up to her and spoke and the amorous impatience I had to know her not permitting the use of much Ceremony towards the Lady that stayed for me I put my knee to the Ground and laying Hold on one of her fair hands which she allowed me to kiss It was but reason Madam said I I should have languished all this day as I have done who could not expect this happiness without being put to the pain at least of longing for it I looked for an answer in hopes to know the voice but she said not a word I intreated her to ease me of the pain she might believe I was in and that if she resolved not to be seen she would however vouchsafe to speak to me that where I was directed to bring a heart of love I hoped to see a Lady that had Beauty and Wit that as yet she had only moved my curiosity but if she meant to reach my heart I must see her As I spoke thus I perceived her laugh which gave me the boldness to lift up her hood She put back my hand but so weakly I thought it would not displease her to press a little further there were but we two in the Room her Confident having doubtless received Orders to withdraw and I was ready to put her to the squeek when at last she threw off her hood But how was I surpriz'd to see 't was the Vice-Queen Well Sir says she blushing will you be content with your good fortune And will it not be presumption in me to fancy my self capable to make you forget all other Beauties I answered her more like a Gallant then a Lover she was satisfi'd however and without ingaging further in the relation of a discourse of which you may guess the consequence I will tell you only that having spent two or three hours in her company I return'd to my lodging the way I came and she to the Pallace I saw her on the morrow and our Correspondence held for some time but cur'd not my passion Her Son with whom I had particular as well as general reasons to maintain a fair Correspondence exprest more friendship for me then I could have wisht he was not content to make me the Confident of his affection but imploy'd me to speak for him to the fair Eleanor expecting more benefit from the Intercession of such a Friend than any addresses of his own I did and you have doubtless heard from her she let me understand I should speed better in speaking for my self then for him 't was then I thought my self the most unfortunate of men for believing so easily what the Vice-Queen had said to me whose conduct convinc'd me sufficiently how far she concern'd her self in my business I design'd that moment to abandon her favour and give my self up intirely to my first passion but to prevent the trouble I might expect from the Vice-Queen if she knew it I thought fit to dissemble a little and disingage my self by degrees without declaring on the sudden for Eleanor I observed the best I could the measures I had taken but 't is a difficult matter to conceal a passion from a jealous and a witty Woman The Vice-Queen perceived my relapse before I made Eleanor acquainted with it she punished my Apostacy with a thousand reproaches which were seconded with tears and I the better to manage her pretended a firm Re-ingagement to her But what will not a slighted Lady do or what more dangerous than a jealous Woman I was thenceforward more curious of seeing and speaking with the beautiful Eleanor and avoided the occasions of being found in her company which the Vice-Queen was by but all to no purpose the Vice-Queen knew all and so well discern'd what was true from what was feigned that she guessed exactly right of the privatest of my thoughts One day as I walked with her in the Garden she told me we had both lost time to no purpose I in forcing my self against my Inclination to pretend continuance of affection for her and she in endeavouring to make me love though against my will That she saw well enough what I now did was but the effect of my civility to a Lady of her quality who had exprest kindness for me But 't was time to put an end to our pain and to satisfie me she intended it She assured me she would no longer oppose my Inclination and that I would believe it upon the Confession she made me that I might expect from Eleanor not only a kind reception but something of love yet I put no great confidence in all these good words as coming from a party too lyable to suspition But when by an Excess of goodness she added that to convince me she was more my Friend then I could Imagine she would contribute more then any other to my satisfaction and procure a Letter from the Vice-Roy to Eleanor's Father to perswade him to consent I should have his Daughter I was so transported with joy I could not forbear making her very large acknowledgements She told me I should see by the answer to that Letter what good Service she had done me She did as she promised and after the Letter she procured from the Vice-Roy I doubted not of being compleatly happy in few days The news was confirmed by the beautiful Eleanor and I had the pleasure to see her glad of it as I was nothing troubled me then but the slow pace of time The Vice-Roy had sent an express to Genes but the Courier was scarce got a Horseback but I wish'd him return'd every moment seemed a year by my longing and impatience the only pleasure I had was the time I was in Eleanor's company who assur'd on her part of the success of the Vice-Roy's Recommendation who had great Interest with her Father and sensible of the pain I was in to have the matter confirmed had not the power to deny my passion the favour of a visit which I begged I might make her having ingaged my self to her with all the promises and oaths to be expected on such an occasion from a Lover belov'd The assignation was made and her Chamber agreed for the place of Rendezvous Pardon me my dear Assen for fetching a sigh at the remembance of that day which should have been a time of love and of joy but was the most dismal and unfortunate of my life Night was come and when I thought my self just ready to be possess'd of so great a happiness Clarice who waited on Eleanor in her Chamber and was her intimate Confident brought me a Billet I will shew you having by good
all that Countrey could afford for the Pleasures of Life and could not imagine the cause of the grief but fancied at last that to compleat his Divertisements Alexander might want the conversation of a Woman The Bassa being a Person much given to Gallantry was the more easily inclined to believe he had found the true cause of his Melancholy And looked upon it as no incurable Disease but presently resolved to find out a Remedy by furnishing him with a Mistress which was a high strain of complaisance in a Person of his Character but there were no limits to the Love he had for his Alexander The Law of Mahomet is very severe in this Point against Persons of another Religion though very indulgent to those of his own Those who fall into the hands of the Turks and will make love to their Women are under the necessity of changing their Religion or Burning these Extremities are hard yet of the many Christians reduced to those straits I know not one who hath thought Martyrdom so charming as not to prefer Circumcision before Burning the Bassa though no zealous observer of the Law was willing however to avoid the Scandal that might follow if the Intrigue were discovered and therefore design'd to marry him to a Christian There was with the Sultaness his Wife an Italian Slave a young Maid of good quality lovely and witty it was not long since the Bassa had been in love with her but without any success whether it proceeded from the respect she bore to the Sultaness her Mistress who loved her intirely or from scruple of Conscience in point of Religion with which she excused her self certain it is his addresses were vain and after three Months eager persuit of his design being not accustom'd to so much resistance he quitted her and cast his eyes on other less difficult conquests he hoped that one Christian with another might have better success and that Alexander being very lovely and young needed only to shew himself for gaining the love of a Maid of his Country professing the same Religion with him he endeavour'd to dispose her for the purpose by raising in her an esteem for the Gallant he provided her he had often spoken of him in the Chamber of the Sultaness where Laura the Slave we are discoursing of did constantly attend And having formed the design he seldom entertained them with any thing else but Alexander did this or Alexander said that of which he gave them so pleasant Descriptions that he could not fail of making some impressions of love for him in a Woman though never so little susceptible The Count knew nothing of all these good Offices the Bassa smiling sometimes at his sadness would tell him he should shortly see him in a different humor One having disposed all things on Laura 's side who had told him she would not be displeas'd to see this Christian he took him into the Garden of the Seraglio to walk and after a turn or two asked him if he had ever been in love The question did very much surprize him apprehending that being among a People naturally suspicious the Bassa might perhaps have had some Jealousie of him though he could not imagine the cause But to disabuse him he held it necessary to affect great indifference in the business of Women and the truth is to that day he had not been in love And though it were ill courtship to the Bassa who was an admirer of Women to tell him he had never been in Love yet he chose rather to commit a solaecism in courtship than to give him the least cause of suspition The Bassa advised him to have a care of himself lest Love should one day be revenged of him and told him he despaired not of seeing him a Lover in Barbary You are said he handsom and witty and there are here as in Europe dangerous Ladies who perhaps may have designs on your liberty and you are not yet got out of Tunis This Discourse unexpected and spoken with such an Air so troubled the Count he knew not what answer to make The Bassa much pleased at the disorder he had put him to What said he doth Love appear so terrible to you that you dare not encounter it can a Man of your bravery be afraid of a Passion Recollect your self and think it not so dreadful here as in Italy you arm your Cupid with weapons of War we dress ours with Flowers nothing is less cruel than Love among the Turks our Women are kind and good natured and never are the cause of any mans death by coyness and disdain the sole difficulty is in getting a sight of them gain but that point and nothing can be more easie than the rest your Ladies are scrupulous and shy of shewing favour to their Lovers and ours make a conscience of seeing their Languish it is not so odious to be fond and coming with you as 't is to be cruel and insensible here We follow in the first place the Law of nature preferring it to Mahomets as being Men before we are Mussulmans We hold our selves obliged to pay kind regard and affectionate tenderness to Female Beauty and expect from it a return of complacency And those who approve not these Maxims we esteem unworthy to taste the pleasures of Love I know that in Europe you use this Passion an extraordinary way making that Martyrdom which should be a delight but I would fain know what the design of that Woman can be who sees a man every day on his knees at her feet sighing for that which she also desires and it may be more passionately Why then must he be tormented Why so many sighs why so many tears expected from him when the passion of both Sexes is equal if that of the Female may not pass for the greater The Count having in this time recollected himself answered I believe Sir that in Love as in other matters every one may have his particular fancy and different Maxims for conduct but if I who was never in Love may be allow'd to deliver my opinion of it I conceive that Men born under a Law are insensibly disposed to bear it with ease And I dare confidently affirm there is more sweetness and charming delight in the torments we endure in our way of Loving than in those easie pleasures that cost you nothing think not Sir those torments so cruel as our Lovers represent them they aggravate them only to affect their Mistresses the more and to make them more sensible It would certainly surprize you to hear them cry Increase O love Increase so sweet a pain their sufferings are pleasures The Bassa was so charmed with hearing him speak that he would not interrupt him so that he proceeded What satisfaction can you find in a Love that is fulsom and dull without any pique to make it poynant and season it for relish What divertisement to be expected from an innocent Cupid a Child without wit without
in my judgment no man that sees her but must be in Love with her These Marriages of Policy and State-interest to which the Daughters of great ones are subject to be Sacrificed seldom prove Happy The Bassa Espoused Alhie and perhaps loved her a Week but after that returned to his former Engagements and for ordinary beauties quitted the greatest of the Kingdom 'T is true it often happens thus in this Country where Men abhor loving by Duty and Obligation and commonly love Mistresses better than Wives but this Lady in my Opinion ought to have been excepted as wanting nothing requisite to satisfie the Passion of any reasonable Man but she is as unfortunate as others The Bassa though otherwise a Person of much Gallantry visits her scarce once in a Month yet he pays her all the Respect in the World and she hath no cause of complaint but of his Love but take love from Marriage what signifies the rest What a trouble it is to a Young Lady who knows her own merit to see her self slighted in that whereof she is most sensible A Lady who would think her self happy in being belov'd and thinks she deserves it you must be a Woman before you can comprehend the rigor of this usage and the greatness of her misfortune But to come to what concerns you the Sultaness hath ever had a great inclination for Christians and the greatest pleasure she takes is in stories she makes me tell of my Country which surprize her so especially when I speak of the freedom Men have there with Women that she hath a thousand times wished her Fortune had been as mine and that she had fallen into the hands of a Christian who would have carried her into that Country 'T is certain a Woman had better be a Slave with us than free among the Turks where their Life is nothing but a perpetual Slavery The Adventures of Love and Gallantry have pleased her so well in the relation that she longs for a sight of one of those I called Persons of Quality and Merit who were so Gallant and Handsom as I represented You were no sooner arrived but she came with great joy to tell me the Bassa had newly bought a Christian of whom they spoke Wonders I fell a laughing and ask'd if it were not such a one she had often wish'd for her Slave She blushed and turning about with a sigh answered who knows what may happen and whether Fortune hath not designed him for me She made me her Bedfellow that Night to entertain her on that subject On the morrow the Bassa having confirmed the Reports of you and commended your Person she and I for several days had no discourse but of you The kindness she hath for me makes me somewhat familiar with her nor do we very strictly observe here our distance towards great ones this made me sometimes take the Liberty to quarrel with her for the longing she exprest for a Man she had not seen I confess said she this were falling in Love a little too soon if we managed our Love as the Christians do theirs But the Bassa having made such a description of this Man there is not a Woman in the Kingdom who would not have had a greater Passion for him than I have exprest And you may believe he would not have spoken so much in his praise before the meanest of his Empresses but though he slight me so that he cares not what I think my affections are free You would esteem your self happy Madam said I to have such a Christian in Love with you More happy reply'd she than you can imagine And I will assure you I could willingly change the state I am in for the condition of a private Christian Lady What good does it me to abound thus with Riches to receive so much Honour to be the Daughter of a King and the Wife of a Bassa if I cannot be content nor do as I would nor love where love is due In a word if I am nothing less than I am taken to be but a Slave more unhappy than those under Chains Poor Laura said she embracing me tenderly how I pity thee who hast tasted the Pleasures and Liberty of thy Country and hast unhappily fallen into their hands who use so unworthily all sorts of Women With such discourses as these did we entertain our selves ever since they spoke of you at Tunis The Bassa came oftner to visit the Sultaness though we knew not the reason and almost every day brought us the News of you And as he loves you entirely took pleasure in relating every thing you did Perhaps had he known the favourable inclinations the Sultaness had for you he had been more sparing in his expressions of you for I cannot believe he designed to prejudice himself in speaking obligingly of you But it was an oversight and most unpardonable in him who so well knew the temper of Women of this Country Judge you whether so good a report from so good a hand could want its effect The Sultaness was affected with them so much to the purpose that what at first was a bare inclination grew up by degrees to a settled Passion Her humour was suddenly chang'd from Merry and Jocund into Sadness and Melancholy and I who alone knew her Distemper could not but pity her sighs and complaints and was extreamly afraid she might fall into a Disease which they call Fantasie and is a kind of Melancholy that proves Mortal to many Men and Women of this Country I did my endeavour to cure her of this Passion by representing to her all the obstacles in her way to the happiness she desired But my Remedies came too late I did but trouble her to no purpose having said to her self all that I could possibly say to divert her from the affection she had taken So that despairing of Remedy on that side I apply'd my thoughts another way and flattered her hopes of bringing that to pass which I could not discover the least possibility to effect But to prevent the growth and increase of her Distemper it was necessary to deceive her by flatteries and hopes At last I know not how it fell out that the Bassa having spoken of you to me two days ago as he frequently does when he finds me alone I told him I should be very glad to see you if it might be done without noise and soandal I was extreamly astonish'd how easily he promised it And you may believe I had not waited here for you but that I very well knew him a Man of his word The Count having hearken'd to all this discourse with marvellous attention and thanked Laura for all her good Offices and answer'd all her obliging expressions in behalf of the Sultaness discovered to her the Bassa 's design and the reason of his being brought thither Laura was ravished to hear his discourse and though she foresaw her concern in the Affair was like to be small yet she
was pleas'd with the News she received being willing to sacrifice all Interests of her own to the satisfaction of her Lady But Sir to tell you all said she to the Count having paid my thanks to the Bassa for the favour I was in hopes of from him I went presently to bring the News to the Sultaness who could not sufficiently embrace me being so extreamly transported that nothing in the World could have made her more joyful she hath scarcely been able to sleep ever since she and I have laid a hundred designs and framed to our selves a thousand devices how she may have a sight of you but if the Bassa will not permit you to come alone hither I do not see how it may be effected the Sultaness in the mean time will be ravished with joy that I have seen you and that you know some part of her mind The happy Roman being charmed at the kindness a Lady of that beauty and quality had for him was very urgent with Laura to oblige him on this occasion and press'd her to say to the Sultaness from him all that a heart extreamly sensible of the favour she did him was capable to express That he would have esteem'd himself the happiest of men had it been in his power to have merited this honor and that it should be the business of his life to deserve it by his actions Sir reply'd Laura all she desires of you is that you will so manage the Liberty the Bassa doth afford you that she may once have a sight of you I find my self engaged to it by so many reasons said the Count that you may be assured I will not forget any thing that may gain this honour I must intreat you to assure the Sultaness accordingly and that I have at least as much passion as she He had no sooner said this but the Bassa came to them which made them change their discourse and the Bassa having condescended to make himself one of the company and very pleasantly rallied then said he perceived by their countenances they were obliged to him for the acquaintance he had procured between them and that they were very well pleased one with the other the Count and Laura having returned the complement the Bassa took his leave and he and the Count went out of the Seraglio The Bassa had observed such joy in Alexander's countenance when he was with Laura it made him believe he was very well pleased with the visit he had given her But he had the curiosity to ask him how he liked her and whether she appeared so beautiful as he had represented her the Count answered it was certainly impossible to see a Lady more handsom or more witty and that he was charmed at her Beauty and Conversation The Bassa who desired nothing more than to see him in Love was extreamly glad at the confession he made and told him it should be his fault if he saw her not again and if he desired he might do it on the morrow that he would give him a Key to enter the Seraglio and that he might go alone lest if he brought him in the Sultaness might be jealous it being not his custom to visit her so often the Count failed not to acquaint him how highly that favour would oblige him so that the Bassa bid him go to bed and take his rest and told him he should see Laura on the morrow about the time he had seen her that day Never was a night so restless to any man as this to the Count her inclination like that he had to marriage with the principal and most beautiful Lady of the Kingdom was a thing so rare and so tempting for a Man of his temper what Laura had said of those obliging thoughts that charming Person had for him did so ravish him with pleasure that in the depth of misfortune he could not imagine any man more fortunate than himself But when he considered that she was the Wife of the Bassa a Person to whom he was so strictly obliged he was troubled extreamly and sigh'd for sorrow these second thoughts prevailing at that time over the other he highly reproached himself for entertaining a thought of so base an ingratitude But it is a ticklish business to repent of a thing that extreamly delights us and men seldom charge themselves home for a fault so pleasing and lovely as the pleasure of being beloved those reproaches of the Count against himself were not altogether the most violent that might be and sometimes he would be angry with himself for making so much ado At last being assaulted by turns on the one side by Reason on the other by Passion by the Glory of that and the tenderness of this he got up in the Morning without having been able to take any other resolution than to yield himself up to be guided by his Destiny to be governed by Fate and be meerly passive in the management of the business that is to say to love in this particular like a Turk and to see the Sultaness if it were so predestinated but to do nothing in order to it though he had promised Laura to contribute on his part all that lay in his power and had told the Bassa he should be extreamly glad to go again to the Seraglio His resolution sometimes was very tottering and weak and to speak truth 't is almost vain to take one against love he wisht a thousand times that day that his Fate to whose conduct he had given himself up would incline to bring him to the Sultaness He waited the hour with a great deal of impatience however he would fain have perswaded himself to the contrary but a young heart cannot be insensible being so apt to take fire that it scarce requires any help to inflame it As soon as the Bassa saw the Count in the Evening he shew'd him smiling the Key of the Seraglio and he received it with the greatest joy in the World But I give it said the Bassa on condition that you make me your Confident And I think I have done enough to engage you to do me that pleasure The hour was come for his going to the Sultaness and the Count having put on his Eunuchs Habit his Patron every day more obliging than other would needs bear him company as far as the Seraglio Laura having notice of his coming had waited for him above an hour at the Gate and no sooner saw him arrived but ravished with joy she gave him her hand and told him You are either the most dextrous or else the most fortunate Person in the World you bring about things so difficult and in so short a time that all things seem to joyn in your favour I am obliged for it to my fortune answered the Count for as for Addresses I had no occasion to use any but if you would make me believe my self as happy as you say help me to a sight of the Sultaness Laura told him
discretion to deal with the Women of that Country whose passion of love is sometimes so violent that they observe no bounds that the Sultaness was indeed the most rational she had known amongst them and had the most wit yet tender and passionate as the rest That she and he would be immutably ruined if the Bassa who had no small experience in Amours should once have the least suspicion of the Intrigue That there was not in the Kingdom a man more tender of his honour than he and that all the kindness he had for him would not save him from his indignation if he once came to know he had seen his Wife As much taken as our young Roman was with the pleasant beginnings of his Amours and for all his rejoycings at those evident kindnesses he had received from the greatest Beauty under Heaven yet he could not forbear reflecting on Laura's good counsels but went musing along the Seraglio what course he should take what means he should use against so dangerous a Passion which would certainly bring him to ruin and confusion When the Bassa going to one of his Mistresses met him by the way and seeing him pass by without so much as saluting him he presently fell a laughing and taking him by the arm Now said he I see that you are in love The Count being confounded at his surprizing him in that case made excuses for his fault The Bassa made answer that if he desir'd to be pardon'd he must freely confess the truth and acknowledge himself extreamly disordered at the Merits and Beauty of Laura More Sir said the Count with a very deep sigh than you can possibly express or imagine But it being late and the Bassa not willing to stay he deferred the more particular inquiry to another opportunity and dismiss'd him to his Lodging This was a great happiness and no less pleasure to the young Lover who was not then in condition to give the Bassa an account of his Amours Part of that night he pass'd walking in his Chamber as if he had intended to come to a Resolution before he went to bed It was not the fear of death or misfortune that troubled him but the horrour of ingratitude and having received so much kindness from the Bassa thought it inexcusable in him to have any unjust designs on his Wife But then says he should I not be the most ungrateful of men should I slight the affection of so charming a Person to whom if I consider her Obligations according to their value I owe more than to the Bassa And is it not possible for me to see and to love her within bounds so as to be blameless on the one side and the other No no if there be ingratitude in that I cannot help it there is nothing in the World can excuse me to the Sultaness and love ought to make my excuse with the Bassa This was the last Combate between gratitude and love in the heart of the Count the last carried the day and going to bed thereupon he rested very well The Bassa who was extreamly desirous to see him so deeply in love that he should not be able to deny it was the first that spoke to him to return again that day to the Sultaness Lodgings he gave him the Key of the Seraglio and laughing told him he need not make such haste to come back if he found as much pleasure as he wisht him there but that he must have a care he did not engross all the love to himself but he should give Laura some part unless he were minded to languish as he had done a long time to no purpose The amorous Italian went straight to the Seraglio and Laura who waited for him told him at his arrival he might pass to the same Chamber he had been in and that she would give her Lady notice of his coming but she not having the patience of waiting so long was got already into the Alcove The Count having an extream curiosity and longing for a sight of that place thought it convenient for the purpose to make use of that time when he believed the Sultaness was absent and coming up to the Ballistre gently took up the Curtain But how was he surprized to see on the sudden that charming Person in a posture the most capable of any to make one in love I shall not trouble you with a description of the Alcove which being a Room of State for the Wife of so puissant a Lord you may easily believe was very noble and rich It was raised a foot higher than the Chamber the approach to it being by a space cover'd with a fair Turky Carpet checkquer'd with little squares of Damask wrought with Gold The Sultaness lay on a Bed of Damask of like work and having design'd to shew her self that day to the Count she had not forgot to put her self in an equipage and posture capable to charm him at first sight she had turned her face towards the Ballister leaning her head carelestly on her left arm which you might clearly see in her great Tiffany sleeve after the Turkish mode Her black hair was partly pleated with great ropes of Pearl parting down on her Breast and part on her shoulders and set off the clearness of her delicate Complexion vying with the Snow in whiteness to so much advantage that it wrought wonderful effects in the beholder She had about her body a small Gold Bodice only her bosom being half open and the rest cover'd with a piece of fine Tiffany like an Amazons Scarf all was visible from her Neck to her Breast and so admirable to behold that it had been impossible for an eye having seen it as the Count did to escape being enamour'd of it she had on her head plumes of several colours and in the midst of them a crescent of Silver Her Coat was of a light Stuff Imbroydered with Gold after the fashion of the Country with Diamond Buckles to tuck it up at the knee her Leg was half naked and the rest covered with Buskins all laid over with Diamonds and Pearls in a word she was all so Rich so Gallant so full of Charms that the poor Count was utterly undone at the sight His joy and astonishment were visible to her in that confusion of action and words in which he was so miserably plung'd that he knew not what was become of himself nor what he would say to her But falling into an Extasie and wholly swallowed up with admiration his Eyes and his Sighs were Orators for him The fair Sultaness as soon as she saw him would with a Handkerchief she had in her hand have covered her face and hid from him part of the confusion she was in But the happy Lover recovering courage by degrees passing his arm betwixt the Ballistres hindered her from it Once you might have had reason Madam said he to have kept from my sight those treasures of love as knowing full well that
unfortunate of Men not only for that he had quitted the pursuit but had contributed so much to see her in the Arms of another Hereupon jealousie presently possest him attended with a train of spite rage and peevishness to torment him What great shame thought he could ever happen to a Man as he was who never found resistance from a Woman than to have been slighted by a Slave who was his dependent and had yielded to another Slave as soon as she had seen him For after the passionate relation Alexander had made the Bassa made no doubt but all was concluded he had fancies of this kind that troubled him extreamly and if he did not then hate the Count 't is certain he retained not for him that kindness he had formerly exprest towards him And as for Laura though he was then more in Love with her than ever he had a pique against her and could not forbear reproaching her all Night for her want of discretion in making greater account of a mans kindness that could do her no Service than of his by whom she might have made her Fortune These thoughts were followed by others concerning his Person He accused himself of baseness and weakness of Heart to trouble himself with the thoughts of a Creature that so little deserved his esteem or to intend to hinder the satisfaction of two Lovers whose Love he himself had caused and promoted All this notwithstanding he went on the morrow with the Count to the Seraglio but for no other end but to observe the countenance of Laura who surprized to see him come This is extraordinary Sir said she laughing twice in one week What will People say of it As for you said the Bassa you will say no ill of it I come in so good Company and should others believe as formerly that I come for love of you you know t is not for my self and therefore you are the more obliged to me Laura very civilly thanked him for his goodness They fell then all three into a little discourse of Gallantry wherein the Bassa spoke so many kind things to Laura that she might understand part of that Amorous trouble he was in if she had mistrusted it but he delivered himself with such an air that his Complements and kind Expressions were taken for meer effects of his good humour But the Bassa's coming thither being under pretence of seeing the Sultaness he could not dispence without giving her a Visit but he was not long with her being not able to rest till he return'd to the two Lovers which he did with all the speed in his power He told Laura a thousand things more obliging than formerly and having highly caressed her gave her at parting such a look that if she had made the least reflection upon it she might have easily perceived the kindness he had formerly for her took fire afresh with more vehemence than ever but she could not suspect in the least he would trouble her any more after the kindness he had exprest for his Alexander and having been the instrument of the pretended Passion between her and the Count. She took all for Gallantry and made it the subject of raillery with the Sultaness to whom she gave an account of all that had past with the Bassa and with Alexander The fair Turk went that Evening to bed ill satisfied with her fate having been disappointed of an Entertainment she had expected as pleasant as that she had received the day before from her dear Christian she could not sufficiently lament the unluckiness of the Visit given her by a man who Courted other Women and seemed to have been born to incommode and give trouble only to her Laura answered in raillery She had little reason to complain of it to her to whose complaisance she was beholding for a sight of her Lover Ah Laura said the Sultaness who knows for what reason he hath been so complaisant You may very well believe it was not to oblige me I believe so Madam replyed Laura but you are obliged to him however and ought to thank him for me After this little raillery they fell to discourse what could have brought the Bassa thither that evening and could not imagine but it was in Complement to the Count. The Bassa by this time was fallen into a deep Melancholy seldom appearing but when he walked in the Garden sometimes alone and sometimes with Alexander and then not a word of Laura nor any discourse of going again to the Apartment of the Sultaness This troubled our Lover who besides his affliction for being deprived of the sight of a Person he loved better than his Life and ceasing to see her must cease also to live had a thousand tormenting surmises and troublesome fancies upon the Bassa's change of humour which he could not attribute to any thing but his having taken some umbrage and jealousie of him on the account of the Sultaness The Sultaness and her Confident were no less tormented on the other hand they had seen a first a second a third and a fourth long day pass without a sight of their Alexander Lovers are very exact Accomptants and keep reckoning of the very moments but account nothing more tedious than a day of absence What should be the meaning of all this said they one to the other having a thousand fears upon them though they knew not of what 't is a difficult matter to keep any thing secret in places of that nature Yet they could not imagine they had given any occasion of discourse or that any Person in the Apartment had made the least discovery of their Intrigue At last on the fifth day after abundance of Affliction the Bassa came to see them but the mischief of it was that he came alone Besides he appeared so dull so musing and so much out of humour they made no more doubt but he had smelt out the Intelligence they held with the Count. But that which gave them the killing blow and raised their fears to the height was that Laura having according to her custom waited the Bassa out of the Chamber and asked him what he had done with her dear Eunuch I am jealous of him said the Bassa making no stay I need tell you no more Laura made hast to give her Mistress the Alarm and told her there was no more doubt to be made but jealousie was the cause of the Bassa's not bringing Alexander with him the Bassa himself having told her so that instant those who are guilty are easily frightned and fear hath this property that it so confounds the imagination that the lightest suspicions are taken for clear and unquestionable truths With what sighs what tears did the poor Sultaness afflict her self yet not so much for the ill consequences she might apprehend from the jealousie of the Bassa as for the fear she had that if he were really jealous of the Christian she should never have a sight of him more She did heartily
wish she could have written to him but there are few trusty Messengers to be found in those places where there is cause to distrust every one you converse with and every Eye that sees you is a spy on your actions at least if not gained by Money or Kindness wherein after all possible care you may be deceived as she was in this trouble Laura received a Note from the Count brought her by an Eunuch and carried it forthwith to shew it the Sultaness being in these words Madam the Bassa every day more obliging than other is pleased to grant me the honour of walking with you this Evening in the Garden of the Seraglio I know not whether you can dispense with your self till then Let us take the hour you think most proper He will be there with one of his Mistresses Send me word if you please if I may expect this favour from you The Bassa would never have thought of this walk but out of the extream desire he had to know certainly how Laura and Alexander stood affected one to the other and that he might inform himself of what they should discourse The Garden was a place very fit for his design especially by Night where he could hear without being seen He had made the proposal to the Count in confidence he would receive it with a great deal of joy which in appearance he did but without hope of any great satisfaction from the Adventure it being scarce probable the Sultaness would permit Laura to come But that which really troubled him was the opinion he had the Bassa was certainly jealous of his Wife since he gave him so clear proof of his unwillingness that he should see Laura at her Lodgings any more The Question then was how to write to the Slave to dispose her for the walk But the Count having written the Billet the Bassa sent it by an Eunuch and stay'd for the Answer The Sultaness read the Billet and was of opinion with her Gallant that it was for Love of her the Bassa was unwilling he should come any more to see Laura in her Apartment It was long ere they came to a resolution in the point whether Laura should agree to the assignation Laura very wisely thought it better not to go but the Sultaness wholly led by her Passion and too deeply in Love to act any thing with reason that concerned her affection notwithstanding any thing Laura could say made her write him this Answer It were to act the part of a very ill Person to be all alone in the Garden while others are diverting themselves there I consent for pity to come and bear you company but on condition that you will be wise and that we be at some distance from the Bassa because I would not be known by her that he brings with him If you can promise me these two things I am for you after the fourth Prayer when the Sultaness is a Bed Adieu This Answer was beyond the expectation of the Count who rejoyced extreamly at the pleasure he promised himself with the Slave from the discourse of the Sultaness while they should continue in the Garden Night being come and the fourth Prayer over the Bassa told him he might go and bring Laura to the Garden while he went for one of his Mistresses who was lodged on the other side It is the custom of the Grandees of that Country among a multitude of Women they have in their Seraglio when they have not a particular inclination for any one to take this to day and another to morrow and having lost the tast of Love to search for Pleasure in change and variety It may be easily imagined that Alexander received this Commission with a great deal of joy and was in no small haste to go to the Sultanesses Lodgings She who was charmed at the sight of him could not express her joy without a thousand transports of Love and the most tender caresses a most passionate Lady could possibly make her dearest Lover Alexander did his part to admiration not only returning transport for transport and caress for caress but excelling his pattern Love working in him or he in the Sultaness such things as gave her very great satisfaction It may be admired peradventure that two Persons so little acquainted should in so few days become so very good Friends But we must know Love in these hot Countries makes far quicker progress than in the cold where the Winds and the Snow and the Rain spoil his Wings and hinder his flight Whereas on the contrary the Sun is there almost still at the height and Love being a tender Infant and going always naked thrives there the better where he finds Hearts very well disposed and ready to take fire The Count who could not stay long there was willing to bestow the small time he had to spend with the Sultaness in gentle reproaches for her permitting Laura to come and walk with him You have said he a very good opinion of my Affection Madam or else you love me with a great deal of indifference that this does not in the least trouble you at all The Sultaness answered she relied not so much on his Fidelity as on Laura's Discretion whom she knew too well to think she would betray her Look you to your self as for her I place a confidence in her and if you do your Duty I am perswaded she will not be wanting in hers Having thus spoken she would not detain him longer for fear of the Bassa but retired to the Chamber The happy Lover very well pleas'd with the lucky moment he had past with the Sultaness asked Laura if she were ready She made him answer he should not stay for her longer than while she fetched her Barnus which is a kind of Hood that covers them from Head to Foot The Count seeing her return mufled up in that Garment went his way before according to their custom there and she followed He said not a word to her while they were in the Seraglio for fear of being over-heard and discovered but being arrived in the Garden where they had liberty enough Who will believe Madam said he but we made an Amorous assignation being come to a place of Rendezvouz so fit for the purpose And the Bassa will not fail to think us the happiest Lovers in the World Laura made him no answer but kept on her way till they came to the Bower that was assigned them at a convenient distance from the Bassa's as Laura had desired The Count gave her his hand and knowing very well every turn in those Walks which he visited almost every day he made her sit on a seat of green Turf made for the purpose Then said he this Madam is to try a mans Fidelity with a Witness to expose him to pass part of the Night in such a place as this with a Lady so beautiful as you Surely the Sultaness will hence-forward rest assured of my Passion The
his jealousie having spent some time in her company without any caress or giving her the least evidence of kindness though she had more than once given him occasion to shew it told her he had a longing desire to go hearken and know how the Christians in the Bower entertained one another she made him no answer but letting him go she the next minute after went another way towards the same Bower to observe the Bassa and see what he did there The Nights in that Country are very clear especially in Summer the Bassa notwithstanding all the caution he had used to post himself securely near Alexander's quarter under the favour of the Hedges that covered his approach was perceived by the counterfeit Laura in the Bower She had discovered him by his shadow and having made her lover aware of it he presently went out and ran to meet the Bassa to intreat him not to come any further but permit him to enjoy that moment of pleasure he had been pleased to procure him The Sultaness not knowing what wind had brought the Bassa to that side of the Garden and fearing he would come into the Bower would not be perswaded by any thing that Alexander could say to her to stay after him in the Bower but went presently out to hide herself in some corner of the Garden where she thought she might be in better security The mean time the jealous Bassa confounded at the discovery and having lost the opportunity of executing the design he had so unfortunately laid suffered himself to be prevail'd upon by the intreaties of his Rival and returned towards his Bower as Alexander to his where being arrived he was sufficiently amaz'd at missing the Sultaness but thought she had fled away for fear which troubled him extreamly but just as he was leaving the Bower to go in search of her he saw in the furthest and most retired part of it something that seem'd to have the shape of a Woman then going up thither and finding he had not been mistaken he fancied it only to be a trick of the Sultaness this pleased him extreamly and passionately imbracing her Madam said he are not you very waggish you would fain have made me run all about the Garden in search of you She answered not a word but getting out of his arms she went away briskly and withdrew into another corner of the Bower the Count was surprized at this manner of proceeding being not so gentle as he expected from the Sultaness who loved him so tenderly but to undeceive himself as soon as he could and to find out the cause of so sudden a change he went up to her the second time and taking her by the hand What may be the reason Madam said he that you run away and hide your self from me there is no fear of the Bassa he is withdrawn to his quarter and hath promised not to give us any further disturbance But all this could not make her answer a word so that not knowing what to think of this rigour he kneeled on the ground where she was sitting on a seat of green Turf and kissing her hand prayed her for loves sake to tell him the reason why she seemed angry with him he courted and imbraced her with great passion and tenderness and she as patiently took it but at last perceiving her laugh a laughter very different from that of the Sultaness he examined her more nearly and knew by the difference of her shape and her Cloaths that he was mistaken It was inconceivable what a trouble this put him in He thought himself arrived in Fairy-land to see the strangest sights in the World That Laura had been changed into the Sultaness was not so surprizing as pleasant but that the Sultaness should be turned into another Woman and perhaps a Mistress of the Bassa's this was the thing he could not comprehend that which troubled him most and extreamly disquieted him was the pain he was in for not knowing what was become of the Sultaness and the fear he had the Bassa might have met her in the Garden and known her this moved him again to go out in search of her but Chabania for it was she he had mistaken for the Sultaness held him fast by the sleeve and staid him telling him in the Moors Language it was not fit for him to quit in that manner a Lady for whom he had already express'd some affection The Count understood not her language prayed her to let him go for fear the Bassa should come and be offended at his being with her But all to no purpose she no more understood his Italian than he her Moresque and was so far from letting him go that she would have made him sit by her that she might revenge her self on the Bassa for the slight he had put upon her During this little contest which could not but be somewhat extraordinary between two Persons who understood not one another the Sultaness comes in quite out of breath and throws her self half dead into the arms of Alexander who happened to be in a place ready to receive her What frightful fancies had he then in his head He presently imagined they were utterly undone and that she had been discovered But the Bassa arriving presently after set him right again in saying you run away Madam speaking to the counterfeit Laura from a Person who wishes you no ill nor intends you any then turning towards Alexander he was about to excuse himself to him for breaking his word but seeing Chabania stand by him he suddenly altered both his mind and his Language asking her in Moresque what she was come thither for She answered him aloud and gave him a thousand reproaches for his unworthiness and weakness in quitting her to follow a Slave that run away from him This was a very rare Scene and the Dialogue not a little pleasing to the Sultaness but she had not long to laugh at it for Chabania being vext to the heart for the slight the Bassa had put upon her and for what he had said to her before her pretended rival flew like a Fury upon the Sultaness with that promptitude and swiftness that neither the Bassa nor Alexander who would have staid her were able to save the counterfeit Laura from being somewhat ill handled The Count was touched to the quick at this outrage and no consideration of life or of duty could have prevented him from having satisfaction had not his fear of losing the Sultaness prevailed more upon him than his resentment The Bassa was as angry as he and taking the enraged Chabania by the hand he drew her somewhat rudely out of the Bower and led her away The Count was no sooner alone with the Sultaness but embracing her tenderly Madam said he with a passionate tone what dangers have you gone through for love of me what a cruel assault have you but now endured The Sultaness did nothing but laugh at the last adventure she
had been in and told him she took more pleasure to see Chabania's despair for whom she had ever a natural aversion than she had suffered of harm by her outrage and violence But she confessed the same time that she was in extream perplexity when she met the Bassa ranging over the Garden in search of that Woman and that it was the highest piece of good fortune imaginable that she had her Barnus with her to hide her self in She added that her dear Husband had said to her a thousand gallant things and had done also some things a little extraordinary but that it was her good fortune to be not far from the Bower and to make her escape she told him further that there remained no more doubt of the Bassa's being newly fallen in love with Laura and that she was very well assured of it by the kindness of his expressions and the transports she observed him in at this rencounter that this was the true cause of all their alarms and the reason why he brought him not into the Seraglio as formerly The Count was of the same judgment and both held it necessary to make good use of the occasion and that Laura who was to act the principal part should imploy her best address and complaisance in their favour The Bassa taking small pleasure in the Garden after the unhappy success of his amorous designs having done his endeavour to pacifie Chabania would bring her back to her Lodgings and pass'd by Alexander's Bower to let him understand it was time to with draw The Count followed him immediately being extreamly joyful to have come off so happily from a walk that had prov'd so full of adventures He bore his dear Sultaness company into her Apartment where he staid not long for fear of the Bassa but withdrew to his lodging He past the rest of the night very pleasantly though he slept not at all and the truth is he had reason enough to be well pleased though his Patron had not who was more labouring under mortal afflictions Laura whom he now was more deeply in Love with than ever put him in despair by her Rigours and Cruelties if no more pity from her then no more pleasure to be expected in his life His great affection for Alexander could not keep him from being his rival and wishing to share with him in the favours she did him His passion was arrived at a point which is the highest of sufferings that of not being loved and when he thought of the opportunity he had let slip the night before when he had Laura in his power he was so cruelly vext he could have found in his heart to be revenged of himself yet he had no great cause to blame his discretion for he had done enough and unless he would have driven his Gallantry to the last push of all he could not have done more He was not willing to declare himself to Alexander nor acquaint him with the thoughts he had newly entertained as well to prevent the displeasure he believed it would give him as for that he conceived the Count might be of use to him in the design and that the discovery might be to his prejudice In the Morning as soon as he was up he went as he sometimes was used to the Count's Chamber without any attendant and found him in Bed A Man said he must be as happy as Alexander in his Love before he can sleep as quietly as he If there be any answered the Count hath cause to commend his good fortune on that account it must without doubt be a Person of your comliness and Gallantry who to gain love need no more than say you are in love Yes replied the Bassa with a smile except it be to Laura who hath made me very sensible that I can sigh to no purpose and that the master of her person may not be the master of her heart It was necessary that Alexander should come from Europe to Africk to make that Conquest This Sir replyed the Count may be an instance of the Vagaries and Extravagancies of Love who often knows not where to fix but follows the effects of destiny or the Stars which are predominant over the affections And I believe Sir added he smiling as for the Love of Laura you are already very well satisfied and so little concerned where she bestows it that you never designed to make me in Love with her that you might be my Rival However said he observing the Bassa sigh I assure you should it so happen you cannot do me a greater favour than in letting me know it And you shall find that all the passion I can have for her shall not hinder any performance of the duty I owe you I will quit all my pretentions as I know you have the least design upon her that I may prevent all dispute with a Person to whom I am so deeply oblig'd that there can be nothing so dear to me but I will part with it for your sake Believe it Alexander answered the Bassa it is not so easie a matter to be disingaged from a passion like yours you may as well perswade me you cannot be in Love I am certainly in Love replied the Count and it may be as deeply as possible but having so many favours daily heaped on me from you there is nothing in the World I shall Love more than your repose and satisfaction And Sir if Laura appear now as amiable as formerly to you I must tell you again I love her no longer so easie a matter was it for the subtile Italian to be generous in parting with that in which he was so little concerned The Bassa asked him if he would say as much before Laura He answered he believed him too just and too gallant to desire him to make a declaration of that nature before one who had been his Mistress At last the Bassa proposed another walk in the Garden that very day and at the same time prayed him to write about it to Laura which the Count having not been able to avoid received this answer The burnt child dreads the fire we do not commonly expose our selves twice to the same danger The Bassa's usage of me last night gives me small encouragement to trust him the second time And you are an eye-witness how ill I was handled by her he had with him Let it satisfie you that if you come hither I will have the honour to see you But no more walking The Bassa much troubled at so unexpected an answer went out of the Counts Chamber without saying a word and pass'd in solitude the rest of the day But in the Evening he went to the Sultaness where he presently met Laura who inquiring of Alexander and why he had not brought him with him would it displease you said the Bassa if I supplied his place this Evening that were too great an honour for me replied Laura smiling but the Sultaness expects you and is
he sighing the cruel Laura hath not the least tenderness for me no not the least pity for the torments she sees me suffer for her and unless you will be a little kind to me I know not what will become of me Ah Sir answered the Count let me but know what you desire of me and what I can do for you you know it is not in my power to dispose of others hearts but if I may contribute to your satisfaction if you would have me speak to her if How happy should I be said the Bassa interrupting him would you do what you can Sir replyed the Count if it depend upon me you may promise your self success The Bassa held his peace for a little time as if he studied what to say but Alexander pressing him to declare himself he told him with some trouble that he should appoint an assignation with Laura in a Chamber in the Apartment of-the Sultaness where the Bassa might meet her in his stead The Proposal was so unworthy and unfit for Alexander to consent to that it astonish'd him on the sudden so extreamly that having blush'd at it very much he knew not what answer to make The Bassa observed the disorder he was in and was more out of countenance at it than the Count but for fear he should interpret it otherwise than intended and taking his blushing for no very good Omen he told him to be rid of him that he might go think of it and that if he gave him any answer it should be a favourable one The Count went out of the Chamber and made a thousand reflections on his ill Fortune which had reduced him to the extremity of making him serve such a person not but that he was fully perswaded Laura would not come and that he should be little concerned though she should entertain the motion and favour the passion of his amorous Patron but besides the baseness of the imployment he put him upon he was mad to think he took him for such a Villain that loving a Maid as the Bassa believed he did Laura could betray her so basely This was the only thing troubled him nor would he have done it though he died for it The Bassa having seen him leave his Chamber in that manner thought there was small hope of effecting his design that way yet being a person of great reason and worth he was so far from thinking the worse of the Count or being offended with him on this occasion that he esteemed of him the better and considered of other means to gain satisfaction to his love in the enjoyment of Laura His passion was now arrived at a height beyond the power of reason to manage and capable to put him on any enterprize whatever The most vertuous of men when changed into a desperate Lover become the most furious and extravagant of all being so much more sensible of slights put upon him as he conceives himself a person of merit This transported Lover having failed of his design to make Alexander of his Party to serve his ends in a Proposal that included Treachery resolved to deceive Laura himself by going to see her that night disguised as an Eunuch The design was not very well laid but it took as shall appear by the sequel He had not the patience to stay till his ordinary hour of going to the Sultaness but as soon as 't was night he went away disguised like an Eunuch and came to the apartment where he found one old Moor at the gate who not taking so much notice of him as to know him he sent her to Laura to tell her that an Eunuch of her acquaintance desired to speak with her in the Chamber of repose so called because it was retired and far from noise and the place where they used to take some hours rest after dinner in Summer He made choice of this Chamber as the most proper for his design and the old Woman was no sooner gone about her message but he went to hide him there Laura was then busie and the Sultaness having casually met the old Woman in search of Laura asked her what she would have with her the old Woman having had no order to keep private her business told her freely there was an Eunuch desired to speak with her in the Chamber of Repose The Sultaness hearing of an Eunuch who would speak with Laura made no question at all but Alexander was the Man and without further enquiry what kind of Man the Eunuch was or any other consideration she takes Laura's Barnus and goes to the place of assignation had she made the least reflection on the message she could not have been so deceived nor have exposed her self so easily to the danger she went into It was not the custom of her Gallant to use her thus or to see her any where but in the Alcove-chamber he scarce knew the name of the Chamber where she was told he staid for Laura and knowing what she did of the Bassa she had reason to mistrust him But those who are in Love as the Sultaness was are subject to greater over-sights than these She knew that Alexander was not to see her but by night yet she waited for him from the first moment she awoke in the morning and in this amorous expectation which tantalized her extreamly and kept her in a mortal inquietude whether he came or came not there needed no help to hurry her away when the time drew near Women who have been in Love will easily confess there is nothing so hard as to be prudent on such occasions and that the name of their Gallant when expected hath made them start up for joy and run to meet him e're they knew whether he were come The passionate Sultaness having given up her self to be led blind-fold where she thought Love waited for her borrowed wings of that God to carry her the sooner into that Chamber there was not any light there but this did not surprize her it being not usual to place any in that Chamber She pleased her self with the fancy of putting a Love-trick on Alexander by making him take her once more for Laura this made her resolve to be silent a while as she had been in the Garden and to divert her self that way But as she was entring she was taken with a shivering all over and such a sudden fear that she was on the point of going back again But the Gallant who waited for her having taken her by the Hand she began to recollect her self and went along with him where he pleas'd he led her away to the further end of the Chamber where he was so loth to lose time for making use of the occasion that embracing her with some transport though trembling withal he had almost put it out of her power to defend her self The Sultaness thinking this action too violent to be Alexander's began to mistrust and having given him his liberty till then she did the
utmost in her power to resist him and knew though a little too late that she was abused and that this Man had neither the shape nor the stature nor face of her Alexander and that it must be the Bassa which some marks she knew about him soon put out of question she changed her method and stood upon her guard The resistance she made after the kindness she exprest at the first was observed by the Gallant and made him perceive that the cheat was discovered and no hopes of hiding himself So that without further dallying he made his last efforts and rendred those of the Sultaness so useless that he obtained his design This transported Lover was happy at least in conceit which sufficiently proves the power of imagination and that our greatest pleasures proceed from it I am sure there is no unfortunate Lover but may envy his mistake and that chance could not put a greater obligation on any Man than this on the Bassa His passion thus satisfied he withdrew without saying a word and the Lady made all the haste she could to her Chamber for fear the passionate Bassa should renew the assault Laura who had been much troubled at missing of her was no less amazed to see her come in the condition she was in which made her throw her self on the Bed where half weeping half laughing she told her the story of the adventure At which Laura did nothing but laugh expecting very pleasant conclusions from so comical beginnings The Count had been at the Bassa's in the Evening and not finding him within came on the Morrow to acquaint him with the resolution he had taken on the proposal As he entred the apartment he was told that the Bassa had been ill that night and had not slept at all and that he had forbidden any entrance into his Chamber but the Count having more priviledg than others they let him pass and he found him abed and writing with so sad a meen and so dejected a countenance that the Count presently concluded he had had a very ill night seeing Alexander on the sudden he coloured a little but the Count laying one knee to the ground I come Sir said he to beg one favour more of you You are the principal Author of all the Love I am engaged in it is my misfortune that you feel the same passion Accept I beseech you the sacrifice I make you Sir I will never love and if you will have it so I will never see Laura more Bless me cryed the Bassa what Lovers are these is it possible that two persons who began to love one another with so tender affection can part with such ease and that I who am not beloved cannot bring my self to this speak Alexander and tell me whether it proceeds from any distast you have taken or that you do it for my sake No Sir answered the Count Laura is this day as amiable in my eyes as the first day I saw her but rather than see you in the condition I find you in I will not spare the doing my self any violence I am capable of and for your quiet and my own I heartily wish I never had seen her This example is so rare replyed the Bassa that nothing less than the esteem I have for you can make it credible In the mean time this Billet will let you see that I have not staid for you to set me a President but that I know in my turn how to give Presidents for others to imitate but not to out-do It is written to Laura read it And there it will appear to you that if I have done you wrong I know how to punish my self for it I should be heartily sorry so virtuous and excellent a person as you should part from us with an ill opinion of me The Count extreamly surprized at this discourse not comprehending the reason of it after an answer full of respect and acknowledgment to his dear Patron took the Billet and there read these words If all the passion Man can have for a Woman is not capable to justifie the crime I committed against you you ought to pardon me at least having suffered in one night all the torments and afflictions of a cruel repentance which yet fills my soul with grief and confusion And if by giving you and your Lover your Liberty I may in some measure make amends for my faults you may make you ready for your voyage for to morrow morning you shall go both together Farewel and think of the violence I did my self in forcing from my bosom two persons whom of all I ever saw I loved most entirely and then you will find me not altogether unworthy of pardon The Count was so confounded at reading the Billet as never was Man and had much ado to hide the disorder it put him in he kneeled the second time as it were to give the Bassa thanks for this last favour which before his engagement in Love with the Sultaness had been the greatest he could have done him but now after his passion it was certainly the greatest misfortune could befal him He was willing by this action to hide from the Bassa the trouble he was in But the Bassa took him up and told him he could not see him in that posture for a business where he had more cause to complain of him than to thank him that he should know at leisure the whole matter from Laura and that in the mean time he had nothing to do but prepare for his voyage that he had given order to stay a Christian Vessel which should have gone off that very day for Italy and should land them at Legorn that the weather was fair and that without fail he should embark with Laura on the morrow for all which he gave him his word The Count having taken leave of the Bassa went out of the Chamber with a heart so full of trouble and affliction for the News he had received that he wanted a more proper place to comfort himself and to vent his thoughts of the resolution the Bassa had taken to give him his Liberty and to send Laura with him He knew not what might have obliged him to a resolution of this nature though upon reading the Billet he did imagine the Bassa had committed some outrage on Laura but this was not the thing troubled him it was the Sultaness from whom he must part and must bid her adieu for ever to part with a Woman one loved so tenderly to part with her for ever and to part with her in the height of his passion sounds very harsh and where is the Lover could take such a resolution for any reason what-ever Yet Liberty which to a Man who knows what 't is to be a Slave to a Man of Alexander's quality is a thing so attractive to return to his Countrey after eight or nine months absence the pleasure of Rome and the consideration that if he lost this opportunity
to deny him his request in such a conjuncture what cause soever she might have had of quarrel against him Besides he was particularly concerned to press her to shew her self for the last refuge he had was his hope that the Bassa's cenderness for her would perhaps at the moment of parting take fire afresh and make him change his resolution with these thoughts he went to her and gave her all the reasons he could invent to be reconciled to the Bassa and let him see her a moment but all to no purpose He had not one word of answer which angered him so that having taken her twice or thrice by the arm to make her rise he was just going to force up her Barnus and threatned to do it but the Bassa would not suffer it bidding him force her no further that she had cause enough to complain without doing her new violence for love of him But says he let us make use of the time and since she is brought hither to our hands and you have no more to do but embark let us finish what we have begun and perform what we have undertaken there never can be a fairer opportunity and I cannot think that Laura will be sorry to leave such a Country as this or part with us to go along with you The Sultaness in all probability is yet asleep let us not stay till she awake We must presently carry Laura as she is in the Basket into the Ship you shall bear her company and as soon as you arrive you shall hoise sail and away as for me I will pass the rest of the day at Bardou and give out such orders as may be necessary that in case the Sultaness miss Laura and find she is escaped you may not be staid Having said this he sent a Moor to the Port with order to have a Shallop in readiness to carry Laura and Alexander aboard the Christian Vessel riding at Gouletta This done he sent for the Captain of his Guards and bid him accompany the Count and commend the care of that Basket to the Moors who were to carry it along Having given these orders he had no more to do but bid his dear Alexander adieu and having embraced him with tears in his eyes he bore him company to the Shallop and from thence went to Bardou with a heart full of grief The poor Count was more to be pittied He was not much concerned to express how sorry he was to part with the Bassa but as for the Sultaness whom he could have wished to have seen once more at least his trouble to leave her was so great that he felt not the grief he should have shewed when he bid the Bassa adieu who had so highly obliged him When he saw he must part and no hopes of seeing her his heart was so full he could not speak a word the tears ran down his cheeks which much moved the good Bassa who thought they were shed for him and was not displeased to see himself outdone by a Man who was not ungrateful and cordially loved him At last he saw him embarked and bid him the last adieu The afflicted Count was so oppress'd with grief that from the Haven to Gouletta having given his heart a little more liberty than he durst have done in presence of the Bassa he let fall such lamentable expressions looking towards the Town that the Captain of the Guard and the rest that accompanied him were extreamly astonished and moved to compassion By good luck they understood not Italian but his gestures his tears his looks and the colour of his countenance expressed an unparallel'd trouble and affliction He no sooner got aboard the Ship but he threw himself on a Bed and was so much beside himself that he did not as much as think of his Basket but the Captain of the Guard had eased him of that care and caused it to be carried into his Cabbin after which he took leave of him and having commanded the Captain of the Vessel to hoise up his Sails he went into the Shallop and returned to Tunis then was it that Alexander finding himself alone in his Cabbin abandoned himself to the torment of his grief Ah Fate said he unjust Fate what have I done that you use me so cruelly that you force me away from a Person without whom I cannot live Ah my Sultaness dear Sultaness must I leave you must I absent my self from you for ever For ever said he again rising up Ah Heavens let me rather be set ashore I shall find pretence enough with the Bassa let me rather trust Love than Fortune she hath betray'd me Whatever happen I must die and I had rather die at her feet whom I love than at this cruel distance Having said this he went to see if they were still at Anchor but found they were already a great way from Land and sailing with a favourable wind had almost lost sight of Gouletta What despair was he in Ah my heart said he there is no remedy now I must perish Dear Sultaness added he taking his Sword in his hand see whether I am guilty of this absence and receive the Sacrifice I make you of my Life with that he drew his Sword and was going to thrust himself through when on a sudden the Person in the Basket who had thus far hearkened to all he had said threw her self upon him to prevent further mischief Let me alone to finish a Life which cannot but be unhappy at this distance from all that I love Ah dear Alexander answered the Lady embracing him with all tenderness her joy not permitting her to say any more The Count finding immediately notwithstanding the trouble and transport he was in some difference between this voice and Laura's looked behind him on the Lady who held him in her arms But what an astonishment what a charming surprize was it for a heart like his and in the condition he was in to see that it was the Sultaness her self THE HAPPY SLAVE The Second Part. OH Heavens Is it you Madam cry'd the Fortunate Lover Is it you says he again overwhelmed with a full Tide of Joy flowing so fast it had almost made him speechless may I believe that I see you the moment I thought I had utterly lost you Oh happiness unparallel'd and beyond expectation But Madam direct me I beseech you where to pay my Devotion am I obliged to Love or to Fortune Your thanks are due dear Alexander said the Sultaness for the Design to Love and to Fortune for the Success The Happy Lover extreamly amazed at so surprizing an Adventure found in himself so sudden an alteration from the depth of Grief to the height of Joy that to enjoy more fully the present pleasure of so blessed a change he thought his moments too precious to be employ'd in satisfying the curiosity of knowing by what means he was so unexpectedly arrived at so compleat a Felicity The Vessel under sail with a
get satisfaction for so cruel an outrage Women and Eunuchs were sent from the Dey to the Bassa's Seraglio on purpose to know the truth and particulars of this Affair who made their report that the Sultaness was not there that no body knew what was become of her and that you only were able to give us any news of her A Messenger was presently dispatched to Gouletta to enquire at the Castle if there were not a Woman in the Christian Vessel that sail'd away this Morning the answer he gave was that the Vessel was sail'd away without being search'd and that the Bassa had sent order to that purpose by the Captain of his Guards who accompanied the Christian aboard the Ship These Circumstances so clear and apparent did but too much confirm what Chabania had said Hereupon divers Councils were held and the Assembly consisting of Persons ill-affected to the Bassa or at least too Zealous for the Dey the Result was that Revenge should be taken I cannot conceive how it was possible the Bassa had no news what past the report having been presently noised over the Town It was designed he should be surprized at Bardou where it was believed he would have lain this Night But News being brought that he was on his way hither the Dey's Aga had Order if deny'd entrance to set upon the Palace and seize his Person living or dead And I at the same time was to go to the Seraglio and to carry you away They miss'd of him and it was well for you he escaped for had he been taken both he and you had been by this time dead But having so luckily made his escape and being Master of the Militia and Moors of the Kingdom he may become formidable to the Dey and be in a capacity to deliver you from danger The unfortunate Laura too much acquainted with the unkindness of her Stars did nothing but sigh and groan at the apprehensions of the new storms that threatned her She knew better than any the little reason they had to charge the Bassa with the flight of the Sultaness and being of Opinion that by justifying the Bassa her cause would appear better before the Dey she told this Turk that her Patron was not perhaps so guilty as they thought I know not continued she what is become of the Sultaness since she left the Seraglio this Morning but the confidence you have exprest in me in the freedom of your speech to me and your generous carriage obliging me not to be so reserv'd to you as I would to another and seeing the extremity matters are reduced to I must acquaint you that if the Bassa sent away the Sultaness with the Christian as is reported she was very willing to go And because it is probable you will hardly believe me without telling you more I shall be forced to relate part of a story which may serve at least to excuse if not justifie the Bassa You know Sir said she that the Sultaness loved Alexander and that she loved him entirely the occasion was this The Bassa whom every one knows to have had a mighty affection for that Christian had a longing desire whether for Divertisement or to fasten him more closely to his Person to see him Love with some Lady and was of Opinion I might be fit for the purpose if he could but contrive how to bring us together But because I stirred not out of the Seraglio and that it would have been a very scandalous thing to see a Christian enter a Palace where none of your Religion but Eunuchs have access he put the stranger into the habit of an Eunuch and having prevailed with me to accept of a Visit from him brought him to me one Evening The Sultaness already full of good thoughts for the Christian whom the Bassa had a thousand times spoke to her of was extreamly glad to hear of the design to bring him to her very Apartment and with very great earnestness prayed me if possible to procure her the pleasure of seeing him This proved no hard task for me to perform The Bassa who seldom came to visit the Sultaness sending him almost every day disguised like an Eunuch into the Seraglio so that I had no more to do but provide for the Secrecy of the interview between my Mistress and Alexander They had a sight of each other and if Alexander was so handsom as to please the Sultaness you may imagine that so Beautiful a Lady could not displease him Their Love increased day by day to that height that they saw one another very often The Bassa seeing his Christian in Love and thinking me the object of it took singular pleasure in it The Bassa had formerly had some kindness for me which cool'd by my resistance but having one day for Divertisement caused Alexander to give him an account of the progress of his Amour the fire of his Love so long raked up and smothered kindled afresh into a flame and gathering from the success of Alexander's Address that I was not insensible as I pretended to him he renewed his Courtship intermingled now and then with Reproaches for the little esteem I had for him in preferring the affection of a Slave before his I fore-saw the danger but was unwilling to make him sensible of his mistake to save the two Lovers from the inconveniences which would certainly attend the discovery And making my self a Sacrifice to the pleasure of the Sultaness I let him believe I was not insensible of the Merit of Alexander The affair thus managed there followed many pleasant Adventures and Intrigues which for fear of troubing you too much at present I shall defer the relation of it to a better Opportunity The mean time the Bassa extreamly pressed me and reproached me daily for slighting his Passion and at the same time favouring a Christian far less worthy of my affection He left no stone unturned to compass his Amorous designs insomuch as at last he found the means to have a private and dumb interview in the dark with his Wife whom he mistook for me and did her all the violence imaginable to be revenged of the insensibility I had for him Having satisfied himself he parted with her without knowing her blessing himself for the good Fortune of having obtained that which he might have commanded every day But grieved at last for the outrage he thought he had done me and not knowing how to excuse himself to a Mistress extreamly offended he judg'd no better amends could be made for his fault than setting at Liberty two Lovers whose Passion he had so unjustly injured after having been not only the promoter but first Author of their Love He sent me the News of his Resolution by a Billet he writ to me wherein he pleaded in excuse the great Passion he had for me that to expiate his fault he would deprive himself for ever of the sight of me and send me back with my Love to my
Country being all could be desired from a generous Rival And that if I were sensible of the pain and regret my absence would cost him I should find him punished beyond his desert My joy was not greater than the trouble of the Sultaness upon receiving this News which put her into an unspeakable affliction Her Nights and her Days were wholly spent in Tears she used all means possible to prevent the misfortune she apprehended from Alexander's return into Italy I gave her way choosing rather to renounce my Liberty than see her die for grief in the condition she was in But the Bassa the firmest of men in what he resolves on not perceiving the reason she had to oppose a design she had more reason than he to promote considering the Passion she knew he had for me which must needs trouble her was true to his Resolution and knowing there was in the Port a Christian Vessel ready to Sail for Italy he caused it to be staid for our Embarking therein What a trouble was it to the Sultaness to see the Bassa so obstinate and us on the point of departing Never was a Person so plunged in a Sea of despair never were sighs so lamentable as hers I was resolved to entreat the Bassa to put off our departure to another occasion that I might gain time to dispose her to grant me the favour but whether it were for the shame to see me or for fear that the sight of me might melt him into a tenderness that might alter the Resolution he had taken he appear'd not at the Seraglio The Morning we were to be gone the desolate Sultaness resolved to die or to follow us she had long studied to contrive a way how to do it I was her Bed-fellow but neither of us slept a wink Laura says she having considered well what she would do thou knowest the affection I ever had for thee that I have used thee more like a Sister than a Slave Thou knowest my heart and I need not tell thee I cannot live without Alexander I desire no acknowledgment of what I have done for thee added she kissing me with her face all bath'd in tears but for pity sake forsake me not in the most desperate condition that a Woman in Love as I am can be reduced to but do something to save my Life had she desired mine with such melting expressions I could not have denied it her which she might perceive by the tears I shed to accompany hers Then she told me of an intention she had thought of whereby get aboard with us and that she doubted not of the success if Alexander had the Passion he pretended to have for her and if he had not she would comfort herself and find pleasure in Rage for the absence of so ingrate a Person that without the knowledge of any one in the Seraglio she would be carried to his Lodging and thence aboard the Vessel we were to Embark in and that the Bassa sending for me to be gone we might all three get aboard before any Discovery could be made of her departure To give her content I approved of what she said but did really apprehend the sucess of this affair and presage I know not how that I should be the sufferer 'T is a dangerous business to yield ones self up to the conduct of Lovers in that which concerns the interest of their affections they are apt to flatter themselves to puff themselves up with hope and admit of no fear When the day began to appear in our Chamber we thought it high time to set about and take order for what we thought necessary for accomplishing our desires We got up and the Sultaness having put on a Suit of mine commanded me to call her one of the Eunuchs who was Purveyor for Alexander and ready to Sacrifice his Life for the Service of the Sultaness she sent him for the basket wherein he used to carry the Provision and placing her self in it wrapt up in my Barnus commanded him to carry her to Alexander's Lodging I saw her go away in this manner waiting with fear and impatience enough to hear the success of this contrivance of the Sultaness and expecting every moment Orders from the Bassa for my going away At last the time of Embarking being over and the Sultaness not returned I was desirous to be informed how matters past and understood with astonishment and displeasure enough that Alexander was gone and that the Bassa having brought him to the Port returned for Bardon Then it was Sir I felt the stroke of my ill Fortune in losing not only the hope of returning to my Country which might have given me some comfort but of ever seeing the Sultaness the Person of the World I had most kindness for and one who rendred my Captivity pleasing I could not doubt but her flight would be laid to my charge but the consideration of a Life so unhappy as mine had produced in me so clear resolutions for death that had you taken notice at your arrival you could not observe any trouble in my countenance And in good earnest the loss of my dear Sultaness afflicted me so that the appearance of death could not have done more They asked me oftentimes what was become of her the answer I made was that I knew not But having been long taken for her Confident I was shrewdly suspected As for the rest of her Servants you might have read in their countenances the trouble of their minds This is that Sir I had to say to you of the Sultaness and if you think this Story may be of use to the Bassa and conduce to the procuring peace between him and the Dey I should be very glad you would relate it to him though I may appear guilty of having committed a crime against the one and the other But they have prudence enough to be sensible of the condition of a poor Slave whose happiness consisted in her complaisance to a Mistress who loved her so well as to make her confident in affairs of this consequence The Turk made answer that the Bassa had so much kindness for her and so little for the Sultaness that he would easily pardon the Treason she was guilty of and as for the Dey he could not be much offended with her for having done his Daughter so eminent a service in assisting her in a piece of unfaithfulness to a Husband who the Dey knows had not any Love for her and that he would make use of the particulars of this Story to reconcile them that he would manage this business with some Friends of the Divan and particularly with the Aga the Deys favourite who had great influence over him and though a Renegade loved the Christians very well and might do her some service To these expressions he added a thousand assurances on his part and civilities enough to oblige her extreamly This done he withdrew to avoid the suspicion her Guard might have of
instantly in my Ears that there was a necessity of making you both a Sacrifice to her Repose and that till then she could not expect any Pleasure in her Life She told me I must help her to effect the design or expect to be the first that should feel the weight of her wrath I endeavoured the best I could to reduce her to Reason but for some time she would not hear any At last her ill humour desired only the satisfaction of your being put out of your Lodging and was content to find out several pretences to perswade your Father to put you into a Nunnery or at least out of his House Notwithstanding all the Arts of her Complaisance and Cunning she found it no easie matter to bring this about but for the quiet of the House it was necessary to please her and place you under Pension in a Nunnery Shortly after whether it were that you had discovered the business or that she fear'd you had done so or rather that she was willing to be rid of me by this Stratagem she came one Night to my Chamber while your Father was asleep and with a fright in her looks told me I was undone that my Master knew all and that I had no more but that Night for to save my self Whereupon she gave me Money and seeing me resolved to be gone bid me her last farewel I kept as you remember the Keys of the House and so got easily out I had for a Disguise taken a black Suit of your Fathers and as soon as it was day and the Port open I hired a Felucca which carried me to Legorne where I lay private three days staying for a Vessel of the Great Dukes which was to carry a Present to Mahomet Bassa my Ancient Friend who made use of his Interest with the Dey to restore me my Estate which since I was a Slave had been Confiscated upon a belief I was dead But having fail'd of his desire he procured me in recompence the Secretaries place which is no great matter here This Madam is the account of my Life since I left Italy You may oblige me in acquainting me with yours which I could not come to the knowledge of having never heard since from Genoa That which remains to be told you says Elinor whom we will yet call Laura is a story full of troubles and misfortunes the more difficult for me to relate that a Person of Quality cannot but be ashamed of them But I will be free with you Having spent two Years in the Covent I was placed in my Father moved with many tears took me home where for the time I stayed there I was under continual Persecution from my Mother-in-Law who having got the Ascendent over the good Man made him believe what she pleased She had new designs in her Head which you may believe was the cause of the fear she put you in for my Father never had the least knowledge of your familiarity and was much troubled at your running away declaring he had lost in you the best Servant he had He had designed to have set you at Liberty which was the reason he sent not after you as he might have done I was by this time become somewhat clear sighted and what I knew of my Mother-in-Law made me suspect every thing she did I watched her narrowly and in few days discovered a new Gallant You may believe that after the mischiefs she had done me I fail'd not to do her all the ill Offices in my power it is the nature of our Sex never to Pardon But besides the pleasure of Revenge I was engaged in Honour against her This raised a War between us more violent than ever and my Father had trouble enough to content us both At first she thought her self hard enough for me having once already turn'd me out of the House and afterwards sent you packing and putting on a bold face fear'd nothing as knowing I would not accuse her of any thing but her impudence could bring her off my Evidence being gone But when she perceived by my obstructing her new practices rallying her on all occasions and other cutting effects of my resentment that I understood her Secrets she spared nothing that Rage and Fury could suggest to her against me At last she fell heavy upon me with my Father and having not prevailed with him to return me into the Monastery forced him to turn me again out of his House and place me with his Relations where I passed six Months with one and six Months with another to the great displeasure of the Family Till at last a Grandee of Spain an old Friend of my Fathers having been created Viceroy of Naples and passing by Genoa to go and take Possession of his Government my Father intreated him to take me along with him which he readily did The Viceroy and his Lady received and entertained me not only as the Daughter of their intimate Friend but as their own and honoured me with such expressions of Civility and Bounty that I thought my self too happy in being of their Train And the truth is I was not deceived these beginnings of kindness growing every day to greater perfection especially on the part of the Viceroy's Lady who appeared not able to live a moment without me She had been a great Beauty and was not then unhandsome though not very young She kept nothing from me but imparted to me her most private thoughts and made me the Confident of her dearest affections This lasted as long as I was disinteress'd but there is no trusting one another of our Sex especially in matters of Love I was reputed not unhandsom and having a full Purse at command I lived at that Court with Splendor enough It was presently known I was not the most inconsiderable of Genoa and this advantage set off with a little Beauty raised so great a number of Pretenders to me that I could not pass a day without treats and addresses of Love The Court of Naples hath always pass'd for the most Gallant of Italy by reason of the multitude of Persons of Quality in the Kingdom but was never so pleasant as then I was so young that I knew not what Love was and was not concerned to make haste to learn it but made the Cares and Sighs of those in Love my sport and divertisement But Love will in time be revenged and make sport of us that made sport of him I had not yet seen the man who had the secret to affect my heart no not one who could please though that Court had of all sorts and some very handsome The Son of the Viceroy being a young Lord very well accomplished and not a little concerned for me did but give me trouble But as I hinted before I pay'd dear for that indifference and those slights I gloried so much in Five or six months after our arrival at Naples there appeared at Court a young Gentleman whom Love
her I did not desire it that she might do her pleasure but that I desired to be unconcerned And the truth is the pains I endured would I believe by degrees have made me insensible and cured me at last But on a day the Viceroy treated us in the Garden I quitted the Company and walking aside to muse in a dark and solitary place I met with the Marquess I thought it an effect of the Ladies care and that she had made use of this occasion to reconcile us I know not whether he took the haughtiness and seriousness of the Looks I entertain'd him with for an ill Omen or not but sure I am he trembled as he approached me and with a very settled tone told me it was very strange to see a person of my Humour finding out so solitary a Walk there being so much good company in the Garden it had been said he excusable in any other as an effect of some amorous thoughts but for you Madam for me replied I interrupting him and who hath told you but I may have been led hither by Love Ah Madam answered he we know you too well to entertain any such suspicion and I am sure if you can love any thing it must be only your self 'T is well replied I if it be true as you say that I love nothing at all but as for what you reproach me with 't is reported you are not altogether indifferent there is some ground for the report Madam indifference being a Quality I never stood much upon especially towards you of all the people in the World What not towards me replied I when you knew me insensible 'T is true Madam answered he I was told so but submitted however to the destiny of those many unfortunate Lovers you have made such in this Court. In matter of affection said I we are not to be led by example some have more merit or at least better Fortune than others we are sensible towards some when we are not so towards others One person shall please without knowing wherefore amongst an infinite of others who shall not have that advantage though equally handsom In a word every one hath his lucky moment you may believe I could not have said all this without blushing The Marquess having heard me with such attention as clearly discovered him surpriz'd at my discourse was just going to answer me when the Viceroys Lady who would never with her good will have us both out of her sight unhappily interrupted us and surprizing us on the sudden said I dare lay a good wager you were speaking of Love 't is true answered I smiling we were discoursing of a very pleasant question occasioned by being reproached by the Marquess for my insensibility He hath reason Madam replied the Lady to prevent an answer from the Marquess he who is so deeply in Love may justly reproach you if you know it not I can assure you of it and will in time tell you more I thought said I we had not been so great strangers but I might have known it from himself without being obliged to another for the News and if we two were alone I know how I would quarrel with him for it All this was spoken with an air of raillery which wrought very effectually on the inclinations of the Marquess which the Lady discoursed of I applied to my self imagining what she spoke of it was done for my honour and to engage me to an obliging answer which I gave She presently fell into other discourse and led us insensibly towards the company On the morrow the Marquess having mused all night on what I had said found me alone looking out at a window of the Palace and falling insensibly on the discourse of the day before asked me though I had no inclination to love whether I would be displeased at one who loved me with the greatest passion in the World I answered there were but few I would allow that liberty to and that in the whole Kingdom I knew but one I could permit to use that priviledge I believe he could not but understand I meant him and my looks did but too much confirm him in the opinion he though he observ'd it but would not take notice of it I know Madam says he it is extreamly imprudent to propose a person of a meaner rank than yours or one of small merit or not Master of Qualities worthy your esteem but the person I speak of is beyond all exception Finding him take a course so contrary to what I expected I had not patience to permit him to make an end having ground enough to believe it was not for himself he made this Declaration and interrupting him briskly A Lover said I blushing with anger and shame perhaps would not displease provided he were like the Marquess Hippolito any other may come too late I had scarce spoken these words but I repented me of them and unwilling to hear any more in the confusion the torrent of my Passion had put me in I withdrew Oh Heavens cry'd he running after to stay me How unfortunate am I Unfortunate said I turning toward him Is the esteem I have for you a means to make you unfortunate Yes Madam replied he with a sigh that precious and charming esteem I was made believe could never be gain'd which I would have purchased with all I have dear in the World He stopped there Well said I what of that esteem Ah Madam answered he they have made me renounce it I had no sooner heard these words but I went on my way having given him some looks full of indignation but seeing him follow me and not able for very grief to speak to him I made signs to him with my hand that he should come no further It is beyond imagination what a desperate condition I was in that night Rage shame spite fury repentance in a word all the Vexations of a Lover mock'd betrayed assaulted me by turns I fell so sick that for many days I kept my Bed however I resolved to speak to him once more to know who had caused him to renounce my esteem as he had told me I presently fancied it was Don Alphonso but was very desirous to learn how the matter had been managed and expected every day to see him with his Friend or with the Viceroys Lady and that I should find an opportunity to speak to him of it In the mean time he came not to my Chamber though all the Court did me that honour for the short time I continued indisposed this surprized me extreamly and hearing one day he was in my Anti-chamber I sent Clarice my Servant to desire him to come and see me having something to say to him He would have come instantly as the Maid brought me word but the Viceroys Lady with whom he was discoursing stay'd him at which I was not a little astonished but much more when soon after I saw him come in in the company of that Lady
held his peace in expectation of Romadan's answer who having for some time fixt his eyes on the ground lift them up on the sudden saying God preserve you Sir from the mischief you run into but if it be so ordained you cannot avoid your destiny Then he shewed him the many obstacles and dangers he should meet with before he could get to Assen How impossible it was to effect some of the things he desired that he could not enter the Castle without being discovered and that for a sight of a Christian Girl his Slave he hazarded the ruin of himself his friend and his party that a little patience would make him master of his designs without pains or danger The Bassa instead of being perswaded by Romadan's reasons express'd by his countenance a visible impatience to hear a discourse so unnecessary and useless after the resolution he had taken His passion tempted him to try his fortune and deprived him of patience as incompatible with love The night being pretty well advanced he disguised himself the best he could and having given Romadan such orders as were necessary that his absence might not be perceived he went away with the Moor who led him a way he came the night before they entred the Town without meeting any but being heard by Assen's House they fell among a company of People belonging to the Divan the Bassa's sworn Enemies But by good fortune he pass'd undiscovered for which he was obliged to the Moor who being a witty fellow told those who would have staid them that he was one sick of the Plague whom he had in charge to carry to the Pest-house This made them stand at a distance and give them free passage though that disease be not so dreadful there as in other places being very common and ordinary in those parts The Bassa was glad of so easie an escape and when he got to Assen's he rewarded the Moor according to the merit of so considerable a service Assen was abroad at the Bassa 's arrival but was extreamly surprized at his return to see the Bassa there Ah! Sir said he embracing him is it possible you would hazard your self thus it might have been excusable in a hare-brain'd young fellow who had nothing to lose but his life but for a man of your prudence and conduct being the second Person of the Kingdom to come without design perhaps at least without necessity to throw your self into your Enemies hands and expose your life to a thousand dangers This Sir how ill soever you take it is a thing I can never pardon you For Sir adds he what could have oblig'd you to hazard your self thus The Bassa fell a laughing and taking all in good part that was spoken by Assen whose kindness he was assured of asked him if he had ever been in love and whether he knew not that love had made the greatest of men guilty of faults and that those faults had always their pardon But Sir said Assen what have you to do with love is it not Laura you are in love with and is not she in the Castle Yes replies the Bassa but being in your custody it cannot be impossible to have a sight of her Assen would have dissuaded him from the design as the most extravagant and rash he had ever enterprized but prevailed no more than the master of the Gallies Strength of reason and fear of dangers are obstacles too weak to stop the progress of a passionate Lover Love feeds upon hope and death is not half so formidable as the happiness of seeing a Mistress is charming and pleasant The Bassa resolved whatever befell him to go into the Castle But it was impossible to do it by Night the Gates being then open only for Assen and others the Dey's principal Officers So that it must of necessity be between Nine in the Morning and Six at Night and the strict Examination they used in that time would have cool'd any Man but the Bassa from proceeding in so desperate a design But those Southern Lovers are too hot to be cold by Obstructions that appears invincible to others Assen told him he had no better way than to put him into one of the Meal-sacks he had order to send into the Castle on the morrow in a Cart. The Bassa was content and thought it an excellent invention and that there could be no danger in it at all Having resolved on this they past part of the Night in Discourse of the present posture of Affairs what past at the Divan what designs the Dey had what Forces were raised and such other particulars as were necessary for the Bassa to know After this they went to Bed where Assen took his rest but as for Mahomet he had no mind to sleep he dreamt waking of the happiness of seeing the fair Laura on the morrow At length the day appear'd and the Cart was loaded with Meal-sacks for the Castle and among them the Bag with the Bassa in 't was so plac'd that he lay pretty conveniently The Moor led the Horses and Assen walked at some distance before the Castle-gate was opened and no search made in the Cart the Dey's Secretary was Personally Convoy to They past freely to the Magazin of Victuals where several Moors instantly attended to unload but Assen very dextrously got rid of them sending them away on several Errands This was well for the Bassa who having been almost stifled in the Bag had untyed it to take a little breath and had certainly been discovered had those Moors staid in the Magazin Assen left him there all that day not thinking it fit to bring him to Laura till Night so that he locked him up there took the Key in his Pocket and went to the Dey's Palace to learn what News Poor Laura being all day alone thought it very long and with great impatience wish'd for the Night that she might have a sight of her dear Friend Assen At length the hour came he usually visited her but no news of Assen which troubled her extreamly At last she heard the Door open and rising to meet him Did you but know Assen says she the Sufferings I lye under in the condition I am in having no Friend but you you would not have made me pine so long for a sight of you for in good truth I am half dead with staying for you Assen fell a laughing and turning about to the Bassa who followed him here is one says he knows how to bring you to Life again and I doubt not but for his sake you will pardon my long stay Assen had not told the Bassa of the Ancient intimate Acquaintance he had with Laura this made him interrupt her so quickly to make her take notice of him But he was so white all over with lying in the Meal-sack that she took him for one of Assen's Men but seeing him laugh she viewed him more narrowly and knew him Oh Heavens is it you Sir says she Oh!
to gain her self Advantage but I was so opprest with grief at the News that I was utterly incapable of making any reflection she was a Lady the most dexterous and insinuating on Earth and made so good use of the power she had over me that she not only shook the passion I was under but help'd me to take resolution to rid my self of it though with the loss of my life To bring this about I thought it necessary to find another Beauty to amuse my Affections but where-ever I cast my eyes in the Court or out of it I could discover nothing capable to make me forget one moment the Charms of the beautiful Eleanor The Vice-Queen having after that evening said nothing to me of it saw me one morning alone in her Chamber where her Son had newly left me she asked me smiling Whether I had taken her advice and followed her Counsels Madam answered I that cannot be done without my having equal command over my Affections as you have over yours or finding at least in another Lady those Excellencies I admire in the fair Eleanor This Discourse had not pleased her could she have thought her self of the number of those others I mentioned not comparable to Eleanor But the good opinion she had of her self and the respect due to her quality contributed to the good construction she made of my expressions so that my words gave no offence but on the contrary being extreamly glad no Beauty at Court but Eleanor's pleased me she told me smiling She would find me out a Person that wanted nothing of what might engage the affections of a gallant man and that she was very well assur'd I would not deny it I gave her a thousand thanks not doubting in the least of the good success of her choice but was very unwilling to abuse her great goodness that as to Eleanor she had done her pleasure but that the respect due to her would not permit me to give away she should be at the trouble to find me a Mistress She told me she took delight in 't that she was loth any ones Affections should be lost for want of being engag'd and that knowing my merit she would think it a pleasure to serve me and take care I wanted nothing in her Court All this she said with an air so free so full of goodness it charm'd me And I had almost answered She might without further search find in her self what she promised me elsewhere The truth is setting aside her Age she might have pass'd for one of the fairest and best humoured Women of the Kingdom but I was not willing to venture so far for fear of miscarriage and was content to wait for a sight of her she would provide for me I desired her not to make me languish being an impatient Lover and in a condition required present remedy She assur'd me I should hear from her that day and that I had no more to do but prepare my self to be deeply in Love At this we were interrupted by company coming in which oblig'd me to withdraw I spent the rest of the morning in musing of what pass'd between us guessing sometimes she meant one Lady sometimes another of those I knew most intimate with her and most proper for the design but could not fix my judgment on any This gave me some disquiet and trouble with an impatient desire to see the Vice-Queen again I made in the afternoon forty journeys to Court to see if she had any thing to say to me she laughed at my haste and at length told me my hour was not yet come nor the day gone that I should go home and have patience and when the time came she would send me news Night came but no news from the Vice-Queen which made me believe she fool'd me so that I could not forbear returning to the Palace where I heard she was gone to visit a Lady her Friend I was so ready to imagine it was the Lady she spoke of that I enquired her name and where she lived but could not learn either The caution she had used in that particular fully convinc'd me she was gone about my business and that she made the visit private that my love might be as secret and the Court kept ignorant how far her complaisance had carried her to serve me I return'd in all haste to my Lodging as assur'd of all this nor was I much mistaken for I was scarce got thither but I received from her a Billet brought me by a Lady attended with two Chairs and express'd as follows I have done what you desired and I think found out the person you wanted you will easily confess I am very much your friend the sole acknowledgment I expect is you would not make me a Lyar having promised the Lady that upon the bare description I made you of her you would bring her a heart full of love See you do it for it you deceive me in this I shall never pardon you the fault You have no more to do but follow her that brings you this Billet without noise or attendance for you are to come into a place of safety Had it come from any other I should not have gone without a Guard at distance but coming from the Vice-Queen I could not suspect danger All I thought of it was that being a jovial and pleasant Lady she had a frollick in her head and resolved to put on me some pleasant trick without more ado I made me ready to laugh with her in good earnest I went into one of the Chairs and followed her who brought the Billet and was got into the other They carried us a great way into a private part of the Town and there set down the Chairs which my Guide sent away and we marched a little further till we came to a house which made a fair shew I learnt afterwards it belong'd to a Lady of her Bed-Chamber her Confident who indeed was my Guide and having open'd the door made me go in without noise I saw neither lacquey nor light This surpriz'd me and made me the more confident some frollick intended I sald not a word but prepar'd in case things went not as I could wish to have my share of the mirth with them who came to laugh at my cost At last the Lady took me by the hand to lead me up a pair of stairs in the dark which brought us to a room no lighter then the stairs and thence into a Chamber where were two Flamboys lighted It appeared a good room but what pleased me most was the sight of a fair Lady who carelesly laid on a very rich bed seemed asleep with her hood over her face I began to repent my censure of the Vice-Queen whom I then thought to have written in good earnest I say nothing in this Lady but what pleased me extreamly and to speak the truth it was the sole moment I may be said to have forgot the fair
fortune kept it safe to this minute With that he took out a little Purse from his pocket and out of the Purse the Billet which he read to Assen in these words I am heartily sorry my dear Hippolito I must fail my assignation But an unhappy accident I must not now tell you of will for a few days retard our happiness you may believe me as sensible of it as you are but love me as you have done Love will furnish us with opportunity enough Adieu I had never received a Letter from Eleanor nor knew her Character so that it was easie for Clarice to make me believe that Billet came from her I asked her what her Mistress ail'd Nothing says she laughing but that she is not very well this evening I fancied I understood her meaning and examin'd her no further but withdrew sufficiently displeased with my ill fortune that night when a Page of the Vice-Queens met me coming down stairs and told me his Lady desired to speak with me In the humour I was in I could have wish'd a Dispensation from waiting upon her but not knowing what excuse to make being so near her and fearing she might have something to tell me from Eleanor being the common subject of her discourse with me I followed the Page into her Chamber where I found her expecting my coming she was at her Toilet and the Vice-Roy being out of Town as soon as she saw me she reproached me for deserting her so she could of late scarce see me in the croud that if I would not out of Gallantry I should at least out of civility have afforded her my company when destitute of other I was not disposed for giving her so pleasing an answer as I would have done another time however I said not any thing to disoblige her I was melancholy and vext but so deeply in love I had a stock of kindness and complaisance which abundantly furnished me with pleasing expressions which the Vice-Queen did not disapprove of I had not seen her in a better humour and falling into discourse she kept me with her a great part of that night but she thought me out of humour and quarrelled with me upon 't I excused my self as having sat up all the night before at play Hereupon she invited me to lye on her Bed I was priviledg'd to be familiar and without further intreaty made use of my liberty for the truth is I was almost dead for want of sleep within less than two hours I was awak'd on the sudden by the light of a Flam-boy held before my eyes and the first object I saw was Eleanor with a Ponyard in her hand to take away my life had not Don Alphonso laid hold on her arm and prevented the stroke Judge you what amazement I was in I might with some reason have suspected all this a Dream But my Rival having seized the Ponyard to execute what he had hindered Eleanor to do had she not done me in her turn the like Service I thought it high time to take care of my life and running to my Arms put my self in a posture of defence The Vice-Queen half dead with the fright came running to part us but was like to have been kill'd by her Son who seemed as eager to dispatch her as me I happily saved her two or three times and at last standing before her the fury Don Alphonso was in made him run on my Weapon and kill himself rather than be killed by me I saw him fall which troubled me extreamly foreseeing the dreadful Consequence of such a misfortune I turn'd towards the unhappy Mother to ask her what she would do and found her swoun away and lying without motion I was so much afflicted with the spectacle I wish'd my self dead at last necessity pressing me to withdraw I entred Eleanor's Chamber to see her once more and dye at her feet if she desired my life to expiate my fault but I found her not and so left the Pallace without any obstacle My design was to pass into Sicily and being in search of a Felucca to embark in found Clarice almost drown'd in tears at the Port. I knew her and asked whither she went and what she would have Ah Sir said she I have been looking for my Mistress who the Mariners tell me is embarqued not a quarter of an hour since for Barcellona I was strangely surprized at the news and without further deliberation took the first Felucca I met and Clarice being very willing to go with me in search of her Mistress or rather to get away from a Court where she had reason to fear the severest extremities after the disorder lately happen'd wherein she knew her self concern'd I put her aboard and had the weather so favourable we hoped to reach Barcellona before Eleanor could be there I took care to inquire the Name of the Felucca she was embarqued in and the Masters I was till then so distracted and oppress'd with grief and despair it was not in my power to make any resolution on all these misfortunes but being got to Sea I recollected my self and considered all those disasters but the more I thought on them the more was I perplex'd about them I could not imagine by what accident Don Alphonso and Eleanor should be altogether to surprize me in the Vice-Queens Chamber unless we had been betray'd or Don Alphonso more in favour with Eleanor than I believed and if that were so why should my Rival prevent my death as he did and why did she take her turn too to save my life from Alphonso unless both were ambitious of the hour to have killed me However I must confess I deserv'd death and wish I had received it at Eleanor's hand I should not then have had the displeasure of imbrewing my hands in the Blood of a Person who had all the reason in the World to be reveng'd of me Clarice was very ill in the Felucca of the fright she had taken or else Sea-sick I had not seen her all the time of the disaster at Naples I told her part of the story and found it so much afflicted her especially when I acquainted her with the death of Alphonso she grew worse and worse I asked her several questions which she answered with a great deal of trouble pretending Ignorance but in such a manner as gave me cause enough to suspect the contrary and believe she was more concerned in this business than I was aware of I was unwilling to press her in the condition she was in to reveal the secret though I was curious of a discovery but hoped to make it when she should be a little better We arriv'd at Barcellona but no news of the Bark Eleanor went aboard of I resolved to have patience a while as well as the Merchants who had effects in it of great value But how careful soever I was of Clarice she grew worse than at Sea and all the Physicians could do for her
on the sudden they heard the noise of Horses making towards them Assen hid Eleanor and Hippolito under an old Wall and advanced with some of his people towards the Horse-men They marched apace and quickly asked who is there Assen told them who he was and by good fortune found it was Romadan the Master of the Gallies coming from Port-farm with a Guard He told him the Bassa's Sophies had taken from his people some Horses he had in readiness to go for Cape-Carthage to see a Brigandine he was sending out to Sea Romadan who knew the respect the Bassa had for Assen was angry for what was done by the Sophies and to remedy the inconvenience told Assen he might take his choice of what Horses he pleased out of his Troop and not trouble himself for his own they should be sent him where he pleased to order Assen glad of the opportunity accepted his offer and Romadan taking him aside told him The Bassa had a design to come again to him and by any means to get Laura out of the Castle and that he would do well in his return from Cape-Carthage to take the Camp in his way and endeavour to divert the Bassa from so dangerous an Enterprize Assen having promised it dis-engaged himself from Romadan as soon as he could but Romadan would oblige him at parting with two of his Horse-men to accompany him and serve him from the Parties that were abroad and might set upon him unknown This put Assen into a little perplexity but he would not refuse the kindness for fear of giving cause of suspition And having taken his leave he advanced towards his company and acquainted the two Lovers in few words what fortune he had met with All mounted and Eleanor in Boys Cloaths pass'd for a young Slave of Assen's the night helping to cover the disguise they made all the haste possible Hippolito being still at Eleanor's elbow the Master of the Gallies Horse-men led the Van to answer those they met and Assen as Commander in chief sometimes on one side sometimes on the other without affecting much to be near Hippolito or Eleanor by the help of the Horse-men they had free passage and were several times saved from being taken and carried before the Bassa At last being come to the Brigandine they delivered the Horses to be restor'd to the owners and having rewarded them well for their pains Assen sent them back with this Letter to the Bassa Sir Be not displeased with me for endeavouring the liberty of a Maid to whose Family I owe mine you have often heard me speak of my obligations to my Patron when I lived among the Christians I have met with an occasion to satisfie them in the Person of his Daughter being that same Laura the Dey kept Prisoner Wonder not my gratitude hath prevailed with me to expose my life for those who saved mine The Dey perhaps may have as much reason as you to excuse me but in actions that honour and reason inspire I fear no reproach Laura was the cause of the difference betwixt you the Peace will be easier made now she is gone Thus doing my duty I procure the good of my Country which every honest man wishes and will certainly thank me for Adieu live content and prosper in your designs and be so just as not to condemn Assen They instantly hoised sail and the Weather being favourable they doubled the Cape pass'd Port-Farine and were got a great way to Sea before the Horse-men could have come to the Bassa whom we will leave foaming with rage and fury against Assen and return to the happy company now beginning to take pleasure in seeing themselves out of danger at least from Land for as to the Sea while you are on it there is no security against it Hippolito sat sighing by his beautiful Eleanor and she feasted her self with the sweetness of liberty to enjoy in safety the conversation of a Lover she had given over for lost Assen was busie giving orders in the Brigandine but being becalmed on the sudden and no way to be made but by rowing he sate by them to congratulate their happiness 'T is true says Eleanor I should esteem my self the most fortunate person on Earth if after what you have assur'd me of the Marquess you could ease me of the scruples the Turks habit he wears raises within me Was it possible adds she blushing you should change your Religion 'T is the very thing I longed to know of him Madam and how he came to Barbary for he hath not yet told me No Madam answers Hippolito I am still a Christian and had I been threatned with Death or with Torments I should not have changed my Religion but 't is true I have been long thought a Turk Assen who could not conceive how it could be so in a Country like his where in matters of Religion there are Formalities not to be counterfeited pray'd him to declare what course he had taken and how it was possible for him to escape Circumcision being the first of the Ceremonies used in that case Hippolito to satisfie him knowing he should at the same time do Eleanor a pleasure went on with his story I told you formerly of the resolution I took of searching every Creek of the Mediterranean for the Vessel this Lady embarqued in I did so for seven or eight months in a little Frigat with six pieces of Ordinance wherein I was at last taken by a Vessel of Tripoly of no less than thirty Guns after six hours Fight and the loss of almost all our men I was carried to Tripoly where they presented me to the Bassa who upon the good report they gave of my behaviour in the Fight used me very civilly and having in few days express'd no small affection for me wished I would turn Turk and sent me for the purpose to a famous Cady to be instructed in their Faith this Mahometan Doctor was a very honest man and witty he was the Son of a Renegado and had less Faith than his Father in what he taught others he spoke very freely to me and I opened my self to him and pray'd him to make the Bassa believe I was turn'd Turk he did so the Bassa believed it on his word and express'd for me more kindness than ever but he had a Nephew who was jealous of it and often quarrelled with me on that score which might afterwards have produced further inconvenience The Bassa who had a tender love for this Nephew foresaw what might follow and resolved to part us for some time till this Nephew were cured of his jealous and tempestuous humour he sent me with great Presents to the Dey of Tunis his intimate Friend recommending me very earnestly and affectionately to him The Dey within a week after my arrival made me his Aga You know Assen what a sad life I led but who would have thought says he addressing himself to Eleanor I was so near what I