Fathers Cottage Constancy of good Fortune never attends any mortal To whom she thus replied I was always conscious my Lord and Master that I was so far from deserving to be your Wife that I did not think my self worthy to be your meanest Servant And I call God to witness that from the first moment I set my Foot in your Palace where for a great while I have lived with you with much honour and much more respect than I deserv'd or could hope for which I return thanks to God and you I say that from that moment I esteem'd my self no more than a Servant and now I am ready and prepar'd with a sedate and willing mind to return to my poor Fathers little House and there where I suck'd my first Milk end my Days and die and I shall always repute my self happy and an honourable Widow having been so great a Persons Wife I willingly give place to your new Bride and wish you both much Joy and willingly leave this place wherein I liv'd with so much pleasure and honour since you will have it so but I know not what you mean Sir by bidding me carry back with me my Portion I acknowledge and can never forget how at the Threshold of my Fathers House I put off all my old poor Cloaths and was dress'd with those you sent and that I brought no other Portion but Nakedness and Fidelity Behold Sir I put off these Cloaths and restore to you the Ring wherewith you espous'd me the rest of the Rings and Jewels and Cloaths which you heap'd upon me are all in your Bed-Chamber naked came I out of my Fathers House and naked will I return thither again but I think it would be an unworthy and horrid thing to expose my naked Belly to the public view this Belly which has born and brought forth Children begot by you therefore if it pleases you and not otherwise I most humbly and earnestly beg in lieu and recompence of my Virginity which you know I brought hither and do not carry back that you would command that I may have leave to take with me only one of those Smocks I wore when I was your Bed-fellow to cover the Belly of her who was once your Wife These words made the tears come into the Marquess's Eyes that 't was impossible for him to retain them and turning aside his Face he said with a trembling voice Be it as you will take one Smock with you and so went away weeping The patient Lady before all the Company strip'd herself to her Smock and without a covering of her Head or Shoes upon her Feet went out of the Palace and in the midst of a great Company that went with her all of them pitying her and blaming Fortune and cursing her Husband all of them full of tears she only had her Eyes dry and without speaking a word or shewing any sign of Grief she went chearfully to her Fathers House The poor old Man who never lik'd the unequal Match of his Daughter always suspecting some mischief would follow and that her Husband would soon be weary of a Wife so meanly born and as it is customary amongst great Men send her home to him again upon this fore-sight he carefully laid up her old coarse thred-bare Cloaths in a little corner of his poor House hearing then the noise of the People and perceiving they accompanied his Daughter home he met her at the Door and cover'd her with an old Garment She remain'd a few Days with her Father and behav'd herself with admirable equanimity and humanity there was in her no sign of sadness nor no marks that she ever had been a Princess And carried herself to her Father with the same Obedience Diligence and Carefulness as she did before her removal to the Palace Now the Count of Panico was upon his Journey and the report of the Wedding was in every ones mouth as he drew nearer he sent one before to the Marquess to appoint him what Day he thought convenient to have him make his public entry into the City which the Marquess assign'd but the Day before it was to be he sent for Grissel who came to him without any hesitation with all readiness and devotion Grissel said he to her my pleasure is that the young Lady who will be here to morrow at Dinner should be magnificently entertain'd as also the Gentlemen and Ladies who come with her I would have nothing wanting no dis-respect or affront put upon any of them either by word or not ranging them in their due place I would have all things performed according to the most polite and courtly Fashion and altho I have several Maid-Servants in the House yet I dare not trust any but you to do it according to my mind none of them having so much skill or diligence therefore I pray take the charge upon you to place the Guests and see them well serv'd and be not asham'd of your poor Cloaths I am not only willing Sir said she but very desirous to do you this service and whatsoever else you shall please at any time to impose upon me to serve you will never tire or weary me as long as I have Strength or Life she had no sooner said this but she began her work she took the Beasom and swept the House made the Beds and rubb'd down and cover'd the Tables exhorting and encouraging the Maids to mind their work as if she had been one of them The next Day at Nine in the Morning the Count arriv'd and with him the young Lady and her Brother whose Beauty they all admir'd so much that they thought they could never look long enouf upon them or speak enouf in their praise There were some that said the Marquess had done wisely and chang'd much for the best because this Wife was younger and nobler and had besides so extraordinarily beautiful a Brother In the heat of the Preparation for this Feast Grissel was in every place and took the main care of every thing not dejected in her mind nor at all asham'd of her poor Cloaths she met the young Lady as she came in with a chearful and smiling Countenance kneeling upon her Knees and her Eyes cast down upon the Earth she humbly desir'd to kiss her Hand and said my Lady and Mistress you are heartily welcome and God give you long and continual Happiness she also with a chearful Face and wonderful Grace in her behaviour saluted all the rest of the Guests and set the whole House so in good Order that it caus'd in all but especially in the Strangers an amazement and admiration how it should come to pass that such Majesty of Manners and such exalted Prudence should proceed from a Person so meanly habited and she thought she could never extend herself enouf in the praises of the young Lady and her Brother but by turns now exalted the Virgins Beauty then the Youths handsome and manly Features Just as they
Queen would first be informed what made her so earnestly desire her to do that which was directly contrary to her word The Countess would not answer till the Queen had granted her Petition which she did being desirous to know the reason which forced the Countess upon such a demand Then the Countess told the Queen her Sons love and that she feared that if he did not obtain his desire it might make him desperate and that she hop'd in two days Her Majesty might find out some expedient to satisfie her inamoured Son The Queen reply'd That had she not engaged her word 't was possible she might find out some thread to guide him out of that labyrinth but she could not neither would she defraud Ferdinandos hopes for all the World This answer the Countess carried to her Son who immediately put on his armour and mounted upon a stately Horse rid to Captain Manlys House and with a loud voice call'd upon Ferdinando who was dress'd like a Bridegroom in order to go to White-Hall to be Married having heard the voice he went to the Window as soon as the Earl saw him he thus accosted him Ferdinando have patience and mind what I have to say the Queen our Mistress commanded you to go to Sea and give such proofs of your Valour that might make you deserve the incomparable Izabella you went and return'd with a Vessel freight with Gold and Spices and precious Stones by which Action you think you have deserved her and believe there is no body in the Court that merits her better than you in which you are much mistaken I am of opinion nay I affirm that you have not yet nor ever can do any thing that can make you worthy of Izabella If you say the contrary I defy you and shall make my words good with my Sword Thus the Earl ended and Ferdinando reply'd My Lord your Challenge concerns me not because I own that not only I am unworthy of Izabella but that there is no man living upon the face of the Earth does deserve her making this acknowledgment I do not see that your defiance touches me nevertheless I accept of it that I may chastise your insolence This said he call'd for his Arms whereat his Parents and the rest of the Company were much disturbed Some who saw the Earl and heard the Challenge went immediately and inform'd the Queen who commanded the Captain of Her Guard to go presently and Arrest the Earl The Captain was so expeditious that he arriv'd just as Ferdinando was coming out of his House on Horseback and Armed No sooner did the Earl see him but guessing what he came for he spoke thus with a loud voice to Ferdinando You see what hinders us at present from deciding our quarrel if you have any desire to see me you may search me out and I will not give over looking for you till I have found and chastized you Two Persons that hate one another may easily meet if they are inclined to it let us therefore put off the execution of our design till we meet I am contented reply'd Ferdinando In this instant the Captain arrived and told the Earl that he arrested him in Her Majestys Name The Earl desired him to carry him before Her Majesty which the Captain granted and putting him in the midst of his men guarded him to White-Hall and brought him into Her Majesties presence who had been informed by the Countess of Lundy also of what had happened and who earnestly petitioned for his pardon as one carried â—y the heat of Youth and Passion to commit this Fact The Earl was brought before the Queen who without entering into any discourse with him commanded that his Sword should be takâ—n away and he carried to the Tower All these things caused great inquietude in Izabella and her Parents who in so little time found their affairs so much embroyl'd the Countess endeavour'd to persuade the Queen to send Izabella to Spain and so taking away the cause put an end to the bad consequences which migâ—t arise she added that Izabella was so stiff a Roman Catholic that no body could prevail with her to quit that Religion I have reply'd the Queen a greater esteem for her because she is stedfast in the Religion wherein she was educated neither can I think of sending her to Spain for that would be to deprive my self of the pleasure which her company her virtues and her beauty afford me Instead of that I intend either this day or to morrow at farthest to see her marryed to Ferdinando This answer afflicted the Countess with so much sorrow that she was not able to reply one word and believing there was no other remedy for her Sons Malady but to remove Izabella out of the way she resolv'd to put in practise one of the greatest wickednesses and cruelties that ever entred into the thoughts of a Person of her Quality which was to Poyson her and as it is natural to all Women when they have fix'd their resolutions especially if they are bad ones not to defer the execution of them that very night she gave her the Poyson in Câ—…serve of Roses forcing her to take it telling her 't was a soveraign Remedy for the Heart-beating and Qualmes to which Izabella was subject presently upon taking of it she began to swell her Tongue her Neck and her Lips grew black her Voice hoarse her Eyes dim and she was short-breath'd all which were evident sign of her being poysoned The Ladies repaired presently to the Queen and inform'd her that the Countess of Lundy had poisoned Izabella The Queen went immediately to visit her whom she found senseless and at the point of death she presently sent for her Fysicians but before they came she gave her Powder of Unicorns horn and other Antidotes which Princes are usually well stored with when the Fysicians came they applied the same again and pray'd the Queen to ask the Countess what sort of Poison she gave her which when she had declared they now knowing the Cause prescribed so many and so efficacious Remedies that by their means and Gods help Izabella remained alive or at least in some hopes of Living The Queen committed the Countess to the Tower who to excuse her fact alledg'd that She thought in removing Izabella any way it would be a grateful Service to Heaven in ridding the World of a Roman Catholic and the Cause of difference betwixt her and her Son When Ferdinando heard this News it almost distracted him he did extravagant things raved and lamented immoderately Izabella did not die but the Hair came off from her Head Eybrows and Eylids her Head and her Face swelled her Colour became squalid her Skin scurfy and yellow her Eyes red running in a word the Poison left her so ugly that whereas before she was a Miracle of Beauty she was now become a Monster of Deformity those that saw her in this plight thought that she lost more by her
than ordinary Kindness and Respect besides the Bill of Exchange which she put into Izabellas hands she made them Presents of Money and Provisions for their Voyage Izabella returned her Majesty Thanks in so judicious and discreet Words that her Majesty resolved to continue her Favour to her and to seek occasions of doing her more good Izabella took her leave also of the Court-Ladies who now wished heartily she would stay amongst them her Beauty being gone their Envy was dead also The Queen embraced them all three recommending them to Gods Protection and the Care of the Master of the Ship desiring Izabella to send her a Letter as soon as she should arrive in Spain That very Evening they embarqu'd not without Tears of Captain Manly and his Wife and all the Family by whom Izabella was very much respected and beloved Ferdinando would not be present at the parting but went that day with some Friends a hunting the better to conceal his Thoughts The Regales which Madam Manly gave Izabella were many the Embraces infinite the Tears in abundance and the Prayers that she would write to her numberless The Thanks of Izabella and her Parents were not inferior to these Courtesies and tho they left them in Tears yet they were well satisfied That Evening the Vessel put to Sea with a prosperous gale and touched at France to get the necessary Attestation and within less than a Month they reached Cales and there landed Izabellas Parents were known by most of the City and were received with great Joy which was made the greater when they understood that they had found their Daughter in whom now there appeared great hopes that she would recover her former Beauty They congratulated them also for their deliverance from the Turks and English for they had been informed of this by the Slaves which Ferdinando set free They staid something more than a Month at Cales to recover the Fatigue of their Voyage Afterwards they went to Sevil to get the Money due upon their Bill the Merchant said he knew the Hand but could not safely pay it till he had received Letters of Advice which he expected daily Izabellas Parents hired a Palace over against Santa Paula in which Nunnery they had a Niece to whom they desired to be near she was remarkable for having the sweetest Voice and being the best skill'd in singing of them all but especially because Izabella had told Ferdinando He should enquire for her of that Nun. 'T was fourty days before the Letter of Advise came two days after the Merchant sent to Izabellas Parents and paid the Value of Ten Thousand Nobles with this Money and what her Jewels were sold for her Father set up again and traded very considerably to the great admiration of those who knew what Losses he had susteined In few Months Izabella recovered her Beauty and in two Years successful Trading her Father was as good a Man as before the Sack of Cales and Izabella bore away the Bell from all the Beauties of Sevil being called by all the fair SPANISH-ENGLISH LADY Izabella and her Parents wrote to the Queen of England giving her Majesty Advice of their Arrival and thanking her in a most humble and submissive manner for the many Favours they had received from her Royal Bounty She wrote also to Captain Manly and his Wife calling them Father and Mother They had no Answer from the Queen to the other Letters they had which imported that the day after they departed their Son began his Journey adding many kind Expressions of their Love to which they returned as courteous Answers Immediately Izabella imagined that Ferdinando had left England to find her out with this hope she lived the most contented Person in the World and took care to behave her self so that at his Arrival he should hear the Report of her Virtues before he knew where she dwelt She never went out of doors but to the Monastery and that seldom never confess'd any where else every Friday in Lent and in the holy Week she went to the most holy Station of the Cross she never walked to the River or to the Triana nor to the Feast in the Field of Tablada nor to the Gate of Xeres upon S. Sebastians Day whether so many People resort that they are in apperrance numberless In a word she went to no Ball or public meeting but staid at home retired and virtuously employing her time in expectation of Ferdinandos Arrival This Demeanour procured her many Admirers every day some passed on Horseback before her Window others serenaded her but she never shewed her self many Bawds attempted her but in vain she stood like a Rock beaten by the Winds and Waves but not moved Now one and an half of the two Years were expired and she began to be in great trouble sometimes she imagined Ferdinando was come and made Excuses for his so long delay and that she approved of them and pardoned him Whilst she was in this confusion of Thoughts there comes a Letter from Captain Manlys Wife dated at London Fifty days before in these words Dear Daughter You cannot but remember my Sons Valet de Chambre who waited upon him in his Voyage as I informed you in my last and that they left London the day after you embarqued 'T is a Year and four Months since we heard from him yesterday his Servant returned with the sad News that the Earl of Lundy had treacherously murderd him You may easily imagin with what Sorrow his Father and I and his Spouse received these Tidings Prithee my Dear pray to God for his Soul who hath merited that pious Office by the Love thou knowest he had for thee Pray to God also to give us Patience and a happy Death and we will supplicate him to give thee and thy Parents a long and prosperous Life Izabella knew the Hand and doubted not of the truth of the Contents she knew his Servant was no Lyar and would not forge this News and that Ferdinandos Mother had no reason to invent it she concluded therefore that Ferdinando was dead After she had read the Letter without shedding Tears or shewing any Signs of Grief with a constant Countenance and a quiet Heart in appearance she rose from her Chair and retired to her Oratory then kneeling before a Crucifix she made a Solemn Vow to take on her the Habit and strict profession of a Nun her Parents with great Discretion conceal'd their Grief that they might comfort Izabella who as if she had disgested and overcome hers by that Holy and Christian Resolution was more able to comfort them than they her Having told them her Intent they advised her not to put it in Execution before the end of two Years for she was engaged to expect Ferdinando so long She was obedient to their Counsel and spent the six Months and a half which were wanting to compleat the two Years in Prayers and Religious Exercises as if she were already a