first least the suddain and unforeseen Accident should disturb you To which words she replied I told you before Sir and now I repeat it to you I can neither will or refuse any thing but what you please to have me do I have no share in those Children but the pain of bringing them into the World you are my Lord and theirs dispose of your own as you think fit and ask not my Consent for the same moment I put my Feet into your House as I put off my Raggs so I did my Will and Affections and put on yours therefore in all things whatever you will I will also If I could fore-know your Will I would desire the same and execute it before you should declare it to me but since I cannot do that tell what your pleasure is I 'll willingly perform it say 't is your pleasure I should be put to Death I 'll go to it with a good will for nothing at all not even Death shall diminish my Love and Obedience The Marquess admiring his Wifes constancy went from her with a stern and troubled Countenance and presently sent to her the same Officer whom he sent before who begun with a great preamble of the necessity of Soldiers obeying their Prince tho the Actions were never so ungrateful to those who did them and hurtful to those who suffer'd by them and much begging Pardon and desiring her not to have hard thoughts of him for he was but a Servant and came unwillingly to disturb her Highness Having made such an harangue as if he was about to put in execution some cruel and wicked unheard of Vilany which he durst not mention he demanded the Child of the intrepid and patient Mother who without changing her Countenance took the Child from the Nurse into her own Arms it was very beautiful and shew'd early hopes of excellent Endowments of mind and was not only belov'd by the Mother but by all that saw it she sign'd it with the sign of the Cross bless'd it and kiss'd it as she had her Daughter before then looking a little while upon it without discovering any sign of Grief she put it into the hands of the Officer Here said she take the Child and do with it as thou art commanded but one thing I desire of thee suffer not the Flesh of this beautiful and innocent Infant to be devour'd by wild Beasts and the Birds of the Air. The Officer return'd to his Master giving him an account of the execution of his Commands which caus'd wonder and amazement in the Marquess that had not he known that she tenderly and passionately lov'd her Children he would have suspected this female Constancy to have proceeded from a rugged and fierce Nature or at least from an apathie and want of Passion and maternal Affection but he knew well she was compassionate and lov'd every one but lov'd her Husband above all things The Officer was commanded to dispose of the Son as he had done before of the Daughter to carry him to Bolonia to be taken care of by the Marquess's Sister which he did One would have thought that these trials of his Wifes Patience Fidelity and Obedience might have been sufficient to have satisfied the most cruel and rigorous Husband But there are some who when they have once begun never know when 't is enouf and when 't is time to leave off of this number was he who resolv'd to proceed and push farther this cruel Experiment fixing his Eyes therefore upon his Wife to try whether he could discover any change in her and doing this daily and continually he could perceive none at all but that she was still more faithful and more obedient if it could be possible than before she had suffer'd such cruel and inhuman usage It seem'd that they two had both but one Will or rather that she had none at all but his was hers The Marquess began insensibly to loose his Reputation and to be accounted a cruel and unjust Person thus to make away his Children born of so vertuous obedient and every way accomplish'd Wife All his Subjects admired and pitied her and did not stick to say that tho she was the Daughter of a Labourer yet she was too good for him and that the worst Wife that ever was in the World did not deserve such usage This discontent and murmuring of the People came to the Marquess's ears but were not prevalent enouf to turn him from prosecuting his Experiment The Children did not appear and no body knew what was become of them which made him who before this act was belov'd and dear to all become infamous and hated Twelve years after the birth of his Daughter he sent Messengers to Rome who were to bring thence the Popes pretended Bull or Licence to be divorc'd from his Wife and spread a report amongst his Subjects that he had obtain'd leave of the Pope to annull the first Marriage and to marry again for his own quiet and the satisfaction of his People for it was not an hard matter for him to make this believ'd by the ignorant Mountainers especially so far distant from Rome this news mightily disgusted them but they were forc'd to submit to the will of their Prince tho not without grumbling and hard thoughts When this report came to Grissels ears tho I believe she was sad yet she was unshaken being resolv'd to undergo with an undaunted courage whatever the Marquess should inflict upon her she patiently expected the event and what he would do to whom she had unchangeably submitted her self and all her concerns The Marquess wrote to his Brother in law at Bolonia to send back his Children and gave out a report that he had made choice of the young Lady to be his Wife A few days after the receipt of this Letter the young beautiful Maid now marriageable richly apparell'd and her Brother a Youth seven years old attended upon with a great troop of Nobility and Gentry with much pomp and solemnity set forwards from Bolonia in order to make their public entry into Saluzzo upon a day appointed The Marquess according as he had done before to sound his Wife and try whether her patience would hold out against so many cruel and repeated assaults and to heap upon her shame and grief sent for her and in the presence of a great number of by-standers he spoke thus for a good while Grissel I delighted in having you for my Wife but 't was before I was thorowly acquainted with your temper but now I can endure you no longer I perceive that all great fortune is a great slavery and that it is not lawful for me to do that which every poor man may My Subjects compel me to divorce you and the Pope has granted me his Dispensation to marry again my Bride is upon the Road and will be here to morrow carry your self magnanimously then and deliver up your place take back your Portion and return to your
said to her Speak Spanish Madam for I understand it and shall be pleased to hear you pronounce it then turning to Captain Manly she said Captain you deserve blame for having so long hid this Treasure from me yet I confess that you had reason to guard her with Care You must restore her to me for she is mine by right Madam reply'd the Captain I confess my Error if it was an Error to have kept her till she was fit to appear before your Majesty I humbly petition your Majesty to consent that she may be my Sons Wife so that in presenting her to your Majesty I may give all that I have in the World with Izabella Is she my Namesake said the Queen 't is what I desired and I now see nothing wanting in her but Captain how is it that without my license you have promised her to your Son Madam replied he I trusted that the Services my Ancestors and my self had done the Crown might obtain of your Majesty Favours of greater moment than this but however I have not yet much transgress'd for my Son is not married Nor shall be said the Queen till he has deserved her your Services and those of your Ancestors shall not prevail for your Son if he does not put himself in a way to serve me and merit this Beautiful Prisoner whom I look upon as my Daughter Izabella had scarce heard her Majesty pronounce these last Words but she drew nearer fell upon her knees and spoke thus in Spanish The Disgraces Misfortunes and Changes which have happened to me most serene and most potent Queen I shall now look upon as Favours from Heaven since your Majesty has vouchsafed to give me the honourable Title of your Daughter having this Pledge what Ill can I fear what Good may I not hope for Izabella pronounc'd this with such a grace that the Queen took a great affection to her and entertained her in her Service recommending her to the chief Lady of the Bed-chamber to instruct her Ferdinando who reckon'd they had taken away his Life was ready to sink down void of Sense and Judgment all in confusion and trembling cast himself at her Majestys feet and said 'T is not necessary Madam that I should be invited to serve your Majesty with any other rewards than what my Ancestors have received for having faithfully served your Majesty and your glorious Predecessors yet since your Majesty commands I should render you some new and signal Service I most humbly crave you would vouchsafe to tell me wherein it is that I may obey your Royal Commands Two of my Ships said the Queen are going out a Cruising under the command of the Baron of Tinmouth I 'll make you Captain of one of them and if he should miscarry for he is fat and not very healthful you shall command them both in confidence that the Blood from which you proceed will supply your want of Experience and Years You ought to consider that I do you a favour in giving you this opportunity to serve your Queen and to shew what you are what and you can do and that your Valour is answerable to the opinion I have of it this is the way to obtain the greatest Reward you can desire I will take care of Izabella tho she is safe enough under the guardianship of her Vertues of which her Looks and Actions give sufficient proof Go God preserve you and because you are in Love I expect great things from your Valour happy is that Prince who has in his Army ten thousand Lovers who propose to themselves for a reward of their Service the Glory of Victory and the Enjoyment of their Loves Rise continued the Queen and dispatch what you have to say to Izabella for I intend you shall be separated to morrow Ferdinando kiss'd the hemm of the Queens Garment and went presently and kneel'd before Izabella designing to speak to her but he was dumb and Tears trickled down his Cheeks which he could not so well dissemble but that the Queen took notice of them Be not asham'd said she of those Tears for 't is an easier thing to meet an Enemy than to part with a Mistress You Izabella embrace Ferdinando and bid him adieu for he well deserves your Love Izabella surpriz'd to see Ferdinando in that posture did not attend to what the Queen said but fell a weeping so bitterly that she could not stir from the Place but seem'd a sweating or weeping Statue of Marble This Tenderness of the two Lovers drew Tears from the Eyes of most of the Spectators In this manner they parted without speaking one word Captain Manly and his Company making an humble Bow to the Queen departed full of Compassion and Disgust Izabella was left behind like an Orfan who had newly buried her Parents full of Fear lest her new Mistress should force her to quit the Religion wherein she had been educated Two days after Ferdinando put to Sea being combated amongst other troublesome thoughts with two especially one was that he ought to give such proof of himself as to deserve Izabella the other how he could do this and not offend his Religion which forbad him to draw his Sword against Roman Catholics if he did not he should be reputed a Coward and lose the hopes of obtaining his Mistress tho he determined to prefer his Religion before his Love He therefore earnestly beg'd of Heaven to afford him an Opportunity wherein he might shew his Valour and not expose his Religion serve the Queen and not offend his Conscience They sailed six days with a fair wind towards the Isle of Terceras where they doubted not but to meet with some Portugal Ships which usually touch there in there return from the East-Indies or going to the West After six days there arose a South Wind and blow'd so strong and continued so long that they could not make to the Land but were driven towards the Coasts of Spain near the Streights mouth when they discovered three Vessels one great and two smaller Ferdinando made up to the Commander to receive his Orders but coming near he perceived a black Flag and heard Trumpets and Fifes sound dolefully clear signs some Person of Note was dead in the Ship being come up to her they desired him to come Aboard and take possession of her for the Baron dyed the day before of an Appoplexy This accident inwardly rejoyced Ferdinando not that the Barons death was pleasant to him but because he was now at his own disposing having none to be a Spy upon his Actions he presently went Aboard and was received with huzzas He put all things in order for a fight when he perceived two of these Ships to make up to him and by the Half Moons which they bore he knew them to be the Turkish Vessels which caused in him great joy and to thank Heaven that had afforded him an opportunity of shewing his courage without offending his Religion The Turks imagin'd
it from falling foul upon the Rocks All that were in ours did the same but with more Vigour and Advantage as the Event demonstrated for those of the other Vessel tired with the Fatigue and overcome by the obstinate Fury of the Wind and Fortune abandon'd their Oars and making no more resistance committed themselves to the disposal of Fate But that having no pity for them we saw her strike upon the Rocks and break into a hundred Pieces Now the Night began to cast her black Veil over the Horizon and so great were the Shreeks and Cries of the drowning Persons together with the Fright Confusion and Apprehension of those of our Galley who having before their Eyes the horror of Death could neither hear nor execute the Commands which the Captain gave only they did not quit their Oars and for our last refuge we turned the Poop of our Ship to the Wind and cast two Anchors into the Sea to put off if it were possible a little farther from us the Death which seemed very nigh Thus every one besides my self were in the fear of Death but I who desired nothing more for the false hope of seeing her again in another Life who had but just now lost this worked so much upon me that every moment the Galley deferred sinking or striking against the Rocks was to me an Age of suffering the Agonies of Death When the foaming Waves came over our Deck and often wash'd my Head I stood attentive to contemplate and see if the Corps of the unfortunate Leonisa should be cast up with them I will not hold you longer Friend Mahomet in telling you part by part the Fears the Anxieties the Imaginations the Thoughts which I had in that bitter and long night Not to break my promise to couch in few Words my sad Story Let it suffice that my Misfortunes were so many and great that if Death had come it should have been very welcome The day broke with appearance of a greater Storm and we found we had made a great way and had got clear from the Rock and were near a Point or head Land of the Island which the Turks and Christians seeing took Courage and renewing their Strength and Labour in six hours they weather'd it when we found a calmer Sea wherein we could make use of our Oars When we were got under the shelter of the Island the Turks took the opportunity and landed to see if there were any Wreck of the Galley which was dash'd to pieces the Night before But Heavens would not grant me the Favour which I hoped for in seeing in my Arms the Corps of Leonisa which tho dead I should have been glad to have embraced but the ill influence of my unfortunate Stars hinder'd my joyning with that so beloved Body I also entreated a Christian Renegado that he would search whether she had been cast up on the shoar but herein also Fortune grew adverse to me for the Wind being stronger and stronger at last was so furious that we could no longer abide there Fetala considering this resolved no longer to strive with Fortune She was presently so far from Land that he was secure that no Impediment could put him out of his design'd way The Oars were laid two and two upon the Deck the Rowers sat upon the Benches the Souldiers were under Deck so that tho' there were so many Persons in the Galley there appear'd none but the Steer-man who for greater security had caus'd himself to be tied fast The Galley sail'd with such swiftness that in three Days and Nights we pass'd within sight of Trepani of Velasso and Palermo and came into the Fare of Messina with great fear of those who were in it and of those also who saw us from Land But because my Narration shall not be as long as the Storm I conclude we arrived at length in Tripoly hungry and tired by the long run we had made almost round Sicily where my Patron before he had divided to the Levantines their Part or paid the fifth to the King as the Custom is fell ill and died of a Pleurisie Immediately the Bassa of Tripoly and the Fiscal who has the inspection of Goods left by the Dead seiz'd upon all the Estate of Fetala in the Name of the Grand Signior who is the sole Heir of those who die without bequeathing him the fifth Part I fell to the Bassa of Tripoly who fifteen Days afterwards receiv'd Orders to be Bassa of Cyprus I am come hither but not with intention to redeem my self tho he has several times told me I might if I pleas'd for the Soldiers had inform'd him that I was rich but I assur'd him that they who had told him so were deceiv'd theirselves and had also deceiv'd him If thou desirest Mahomet to know my Intention I will tell it thee I will never return to any place which may afford me Comfort my desire is that the bitter Memory of Leonisas Death together with the misery of my Captivity should deprive me of all Pleasure or Gust as long as I live And if it is true that great Griefs must quickly have an end or they will bring them that suffer them to theirs I hope mine will not want that effect For I intend to give my self over to them that in a short time they may ease me of this troublesome Life which I so much hate This is Friend Mahomet the lamentable Story of my Misfortunes this is the cause of my Sighs and my Tears consider now whether this is not sufficient to draw them from the bottom of my Heart and cause a Drought in my afflicted Breast Leonisa died and with her all my hope tho that whilst she was living hung by a small Hair nevertheless nevertheless speaking this Word Nevertheless he became dumb and could not retain his Tears which fell in such abundance that they moisten'd the Ground neither could Mahomet abstain from weeping But as soon as Ricardo was recover'd out of the fainting Fit this Narration had put him in Mahomet endeavour'd to comfort him with the best Arguments he could think of but he interrupted him saying the best and most profitable advice you can give Friend Mahomet is to instruct me by what means I may come to be in my Patrons displeasure and be hated by all those with whom I must of necessity Converse that my ill Treatment may add Sorrow to my Sorrow and I arrive sooner at my desired Port which is to go out of this miserable Life Now I find 't is true replied Mahomet what is commonly said that that makes it self be felt will make it self also be express'd tho' sometimes Grief strikes those dumb upon whom it seizes But if your Pain do's equal your Expressions or exceed them you ought to believe that you shall always find in me a faithful Friend both to counsel and assist you And altho' my want of Years and my inconsiderateness in putting on this Habit may advise you
Alima who fed herself with hopes in the Air they prepared in twenty days a Brigantine and man'd it with some Christian Greeks and Moors he Embark'd therein all his Treasure and Alima left nothing of value behind and she pray'd her Husband to take her Father and Mother with him that they might see Constantinople The intention of Alima was the same with Ricardos and Mahomets in the Voyage to seize on the Brigantine but she did not discover it to either of them before they were Embark'd hoping to get into Christendom and there to be Married to Ricardo who she thought would not refuse her being so very rich and resolved to turn Christian In the mean time Ricardo spoke again to Leonisa and declared to her his whole design and she told it to Alima after having charged each other to be secret and recommending themselves to Heaven they stood in expectation when they should begin their Voyage That day being come Assan went out of the City to the Seashore and accompanied them with all his Souldiers neither could he leave them till he saw them Embark'd and under Sail neither did he ever take his Eyes from the Vessel till it was out of sight The wind of the Sighs of the inamour'd Moor seem'd to fill the Sails of the Brigantine which carried from him his Soul But he as one whom Love for so long time had deprived of repose stood thinking and pondering what was to be done to prevent his dying in the heat of his desires suddainly put that into effect which by a long train of Distcourse and a constant Resolution he had determined to do and it was this with a Vessel of seventeen Oars on a side which he had Armed in another Port and Man'd with sifty five Souldiers whom he had won with many gifts and promises he resolved to pursue with all speed and take the Cadys Brigantine with all his Riches and to kill all they should find therein except Leonisa whom he would only have for his share giving the rest to the Souldiers he commanded besides that they should sink it that it might be thought to have been casually lost The hopes of so great prey gave wings to his Men and redoubled their courage altho they knew the Vessel would make no great defence because it was not Arm'd and suspected not such an accident The Brigantine had now sayl'd two days and they seemed to the Cady so many Ages so that without any farther delay he resolved to put his intention into execution But the two Slaves advised him that first he ought to give out that Leonisa was sick and that this Report should continue for some days in order to prepare the way for the belief of her death This Counsel did not please him He was of opinion that it should be given out that she dy'd suddainly that he might the sooner be rid of his Wife for he could not longer suffer the amorous Fire which by little and little had reduced his Soul to Ashes Notwithstanding this he was forc'd to acquiesce in the opinion of the Slaves Already Alima had declared her thoughts to Mahomet and Ricardo and they prepared to execute their designs as they passed by the Crosses of Alexandria or in entering into the Castles of Natolia so great was the impatience of the Cady and hastening the Slaves to effect what they had promised and what he so much desired with the first occasion The day being now come which was the sixth from the time of their setting out the Cady was of opinion that Leonisas sickness had been long enough that therefore the next day they should throw Alima into the Sea wrapt up into a sheet and give out that that was the Slave of the Grand Signior Upon the break of that day in which Mahomet and Ricardo ought to have fulfilled the Cadys desires or send him out of this World they discovered a Vessel Sayling and Rowing towards them in order to attack them They were affraid it might be some Christian Pyrate from which neither Turks nor Christians could hope any good the Turks and Moors fear'd to be Slaves and the Christians tho they should get their liberty to be plunder'd and spoyl'd However Mahomet and Ricardo comforted themselves in hopes to obtain Leonisas and their own liberty but this hope did not exempt them from the fear which they had of the insolency of these Pyrats who of what ever Nation and Religion they are as soon as they turn Pyrats become insolent and cruel wherefore all of them put themselves into a posture of defence still plying their Oars neglecting nothing which they hop'd might conduce to their safety After two hours the Vessel by the force of its Oars fetch'd them up and was within Canon shot upon which they quitted their Oars and furl'd their Sails and betook themselves to their Arms tho the Cady cryed out they should fear nothing because it was a Turkish Ship He commanded that they should presently hang out a white Flag a signal of Peace but they being instigated with desire of prey came on with great fury to attack the weak and ill defended Brigantine In this instant Mahomet looking Westward spy'd a Galley with Twenty Benches of Oars make towards them of which he advised the Cady and some Christians who were at the Oars said that the Vessel which they saw approaching was a Christian this News increas'd the fear and confusion wherein they were they stood astonish'd and not knowing what to do hoping and fearing the Success In this pinch the Cady would willingly have renounced all his hope of pleasure that he might be safe again in Nicosia so great was his fear but the first Vessel suddainly rob'd him of that hope for without having any respect to the white Flag nor their Religion assaulted that wherein the Cady was with so much Fury that they wanted but little of sinking of it At their first coming within ken the Cady knew them to be Soldiers of Nicosia and gave himself over for a dead Man There would not have escaped one Man of the assaulted Brigantine had not the Soldiers been more greedy of plundering than killing whilst they were thus busied a Turk began to cry out To Arms to your Arms Soldiers a Christian Vessel approaches for that which they discover'd carried a Cross in her Standard and came with great impetuousness to attack the Brigantine of Assan but he first hal'd her demanding in the Turkish Language whence the Ship was it was answer'd it belong'd to Assan Bassa Vice-Roy of Cyprus How said the Turk are you Mussulmans and assault and attack the Brigantine upon which you know the Cady of Nicosia is They replied that they knew nothing of that matter only they had Order from their Commander to take it and as Soldiers they were obedient to their superiour-Officer The Captain of the second Vessel having receiv'd Satisfaction to what he requir'd he left Assans Vessel and attack'd the Cadys and
word in that small Cottage she exercis'd the whole Duty of filial Piety and Obedience The Marquess having occasion frequently to pass that way when he was Hunting and Hawking by chance fix'd his Eyes upon this poor Girle not with youthful Lasciviousness but with mature and considerate Gravity and perceiv'd in her greater Vertue than could be expected in her Sex and her Age which the obscurity of her Condition hid from the Eyes of the Vulgar which wrought such an effect in him as to make him resolve to marry which till that time he was averse from and preferring her before all the rest of her Sex to marry none but her The Wedding-Day drew near but none of his Court could guess from what corner of the World the Bride should come In the mean time he order'd the Wedding Ring and Coronet and Scarves and rich Cloaths to be made the Taylor taking measure by another Woman who was near the same heighth and make with Grissel The Wedding-Day was come and no noise of the Bride was heard which increas'd the admiration of them all a great Dinner was provided and Dinner time was come and the Muscians were in readiness and the Palace richly set out and adorn'd the Marquess went out to meet his Bride accompanied with a great Train of Noble Men and Ladies Grissel knowing that to be the wedding-Wedding-Day rose earlier than ordinary that morning and fetch'd a Bucket of Water from a neighbouring Spring made clean her little House gave her old Father his Breakfast and having set in order her small Affairs dress'd herself in poor but clean Cloaths and in the Company of some other Maids of the same Condition and Village was going to the Palace to see the Ceremony The Marquess walking towards her House full of Thoughts saw her and calling her by her Name Grissel said he where is your Father She making a low reverence answer'd respectively and humbly If it please your Highness he is at home Bid him said the Marquess come to me presently she went and call'd him when the poor old Man was come the Marquess taking him by the Hand led him a little aside and with a low voice spoke thus to him Friend Janicola I know you Love and Honour me and that you are Honest and Loyal and I believe that what pleases me will not be unpleasant to you I have a mind to try you in one instance whether you will consent that I should marry your Daughter and of your Prince become your Son The old Man was struck with such amazement at his unexspected Question that he almost lost his Senses and was scarce able to speak but at last being a little recover'd he answer'd with a broken and disturb'd voice I ought not said he will or refuse any thing but what shall please your Highness who are my Lord and Master Let us go into a private Room and send for her said the Marquess and when only we three are together that I may ask her some Questions in your presence they two retir'd and order'd Grissel to be sent for whom they found expecting when her Father would come out and admiring what the Marquess's business should be with him but her admiration was increas'd when she understood that she was sent for to go to them As soon as she was enter'd Grissel said the Marquess it is my Will and I have your Fathers Consent that you should be my Wife and I believe you will not be against it but I must ask you some Questions before we are married which shall be presently Are you prepar'd and resolv'd willingly to do whatever I shall order you And that your Will shall never vary from mine in any thing and whatever I have a mind you shall do you shall perform willingly without the least grumbling or any shew of dislike in your Words and Countenance These Words made her tremble from top to toe but collecting up her Spirits I acknowledge my self said she my Lord and Master altogether unworthy of this Honour but if it is your Pleasure and my Fortune I vow that I will never knowingly do or think any thing which shall be against your mind neither will I think ill of whatsoever you shall do tho it be to take away my Life It is enouf said the Marquess I am contented then taking her by the Hand he led her out and shew'd her to the Nobles and the great Concourse of People of all Conditions who were congregated there to see the Wedding This is my Wife said the Marquess Respect Reverence and Love her and shew your dutiful Affections to her as you hope to have me Loving and Gracious to you Afterwards he commanded That she should be strip'd to her Skin and carry no reliques of her former Condition into her new Habitation 't was done and she was dress'd from Head to Heel in new Apparel which was done by the Ladies of the Court every one striving who should be most forward in obeying the Marquess's Command they took her into their Arms and heartily express'd their Joy for her exaltation to this Degree of Honour they put her into a Bagnio wash'd her clean pour'd upon her Oyl of Jessamin and Mirtle and other sweet Perfumes they cleans'd comb'd powder'd and curl'd her Hair took off her patch'd Cloaths and habited her with new ones rich costly embroider'd and fashionable They adorn'd her with Ribbands and Jewels so that when the People saw her again they could scarce believe it was the same the Marquess caus'd a Coronet to be put upon her Head and a Ring upon her Finger and solemnly espous'd her and setting her upon a snow white Horse made her be conducted with Pomp to the Palace a great Concourse of People following and applauding her After this manner was the Wedding celebrated and the Day ended with all possible demonstrations of Joy In a little time there appear'd so much Grace and Majesty in this poor and humble Bride that she seem'd to have been Born and Bred in some great Court and not in a poor Shepherds Cottage and 't is beyond belief how dear she was to all and what Respect and Veneration was paid her and even those who knew her Original could scarcely perswade theirselves that she was Janicolas Daughter so eminent were her Life and her Manners so grave and graceful was her Speech so modest and obliging her Behaviour her Fame was not confin'd to Piedmont and Savoy but extended it self to all the bordering Countries so that many came from Provinces at a great distance to have a sight of her of whom they had heard so much And the Marquess was so far from being blam'd for making Choice of this poor but vertuous and illustrious Wife that all his Neighbours esteem'd him not only a Wise but a Happy Prince enjoying such a firm Peace at home and the Love and Favour of all the confining Princes neither did his prudent Wife mind only what belongs to Women and