learned were combated by the wisdom of her mother whom I have alwayes called the fair Slave because my memory could not give you her name This woman was good and vertuous and did all that she could to make Roxelana resemble her as well in the qualities of the soul as in the features of the face which Bajazet perceiving and having in vain forbidden her to reprehend her daughter for her bad conditions he fell into such a hatred of her as he could not indure her and having looked upon her in former times as the object of his love he considered her no longer but as an obstacle of his ambition But to keep her from destroying that which he had established in the young heart of Roxelana he thought it would be requisite to make her hate her And to that end he dextrously perswaded her that her mother standing yet upon her beauty was jealous of seeing hers surpass it that her reproving her was an effect rather of hatred than affection and that therefore she should beware of hearkning to her Remonstrances there needed no more to stifle all the motions of Nature in so depraved a spirit and to carry her to insolency Roxelana to obey her father was to do no more than follow her own humour but to content her mother she was to fight with all her inclinations The first was the easier and made her hope that it would produce great things and the other being harder and without other recompence than that which gives us the satisfaction to do what we ought she had not much adoe to resolve upon the despising of vertue and imbracing of vice Behold her then abandoned to her own sense and to the evill counsells of Bajazet and the fair Slave almost reduced to be a Slave to her daughter who within a while used her so cruelly that she fell sick with grief upon it Now to make a tryall of what she could do in dissimulation as long as there was any company with her mother she seemed respectfull affectionate and obedient but as soon as they were gone she mocked openly at her goodness and with an hundred bitter jeers struck a dagger into the heart of her that had given her life This prudent woman was for all that so good as not to publish the cruelty of her daughter who in the opinion of all them which saw her was as vertuous as beautifull Bajazet seeing so fair a beginning in Roxelana caressed her extraordinarily and by this cruell proceeding still advanced the death of her whom he had loved so much before At last that deadly moment wherein she was to leave this life being arrived this infortunate one called to her the Slave who hath recounted all these things unto me and that had wit and some vertue and secretly commanded her not to abandon her daughter after her death because it might happen that this first heat of youth being over she might peradventure be capable of following the counsell which she had given her that for this effect she prayed her to doe two things the one was not to bewail her death for fear it should oblige Roxelana to turn her away and the other that she should not directly oppose her will for fear of incensing rather than correcting her but to wait upon her till she was of a more reasonable age This Sâ—ave promised to perform all that she desired and indeed kept her word with her Presently thereupon this woman dyed and left Bajazet in full possession of Roxelanaes heart who with feigned tears testified so much grief for the loss of her mother as she moved all them to pity that saw her though in her mind she was very joyfull She lived two years in this sort after the death of her mother being then about fifteen during which time she was beloved of all the young Gallants where she dwelt she perswaded them all that she loved them without ingaging her self for all that in any thing and taking delight in giving them great hopes to put them into despair afterwards she made some dye with grief others killed one another by means of the hatred that she sowed amongst them and the jealousie which she her self gave them when as they importuned her and that she would be rid of them And all this with so much address as all the world believed her to be innocent of all these crimes and attributed iâ— to nothing but the excess of love which her extreme beauty had begot in the heartâ— of all those that beheld her But at length being arrived at the age which I have noted unto you Bajazet called her to him one day in private and after he had told her that the time was then come wherein he was to reap the fruit of his travells and she to put in practise that which he had so often taught her to the end she might that way become the chief of all the Orient Roxelana answered him that he was but to explane his intention unto her and then he should be sure to have it executed Whereupon he recounted all his History to her which she had never understood well before and after that elevating his voice and taking her by the hand Thou seest then my dear child said he unto her that love did heretofore undo my fortune and that a Slave which I took from the grand Signior took from me all my hopes and banished me from my Country But to find out my re-establishment by the same way that caused my undoing love and a voluntary Slave shall restore me into grace with Soliman And not to conceal my thoughts from thee I purpose to present and give thee to the Grand Signior leaving the rest to fortune and thy address I know that this Prince being advanced in age is become yet more sensible of love than he was fifteen years ago when as he was but nineteen for out of the design which a long time I have had I have carefully informed my self thereof He is still young he is handsome he is full of spirit he is couragious he is liberall and what is most considerable he is one of the greatest Princes of the world If thou makest good use of the lessons which I have given thee continued he and of those which I will give thee thou mayest become Sultanâ— and crown the rest of my days both with honor and wealth Bajazet stopping here Roxelana answered him according to his desire and assured him that if she couâ—d be received into the Seraglio she would make no doubt of the rest and for a conclusion she so prest him to part away that in a little after having found out a Vessell which was bound for Constantinople he imbarqued himself in her with his daughter and the slave to whom her mother had recommended her who had so insinuated her self into her affection as she had often believed her in things which contraried her inclinations At length they arrived at Constantinople and went to the
my Lord thou seest before thine eyes sayd she shewing Osman two of the most infortunate persons that ever were we have enemies whom we cannot whom we ought not hate to whom we ow respect to whom we ow obedience to whom we ow affection enemies I say to whom we ow our lives and for whom also we would lose them with joy if there vvere occasion for it Nevertheless it is against such dear persons my Lord that I am to speak at this time and for obtaining the justice which we demand of thee and whereupon depends the happiness or unhappiness of our lives I must discover the cruelties of my father and Osman must accuse his Judge then my Lord whether my tears be not just and whether loving our enemies as we do we be not exposed to an extreme misfortune in being thus constrained to publish their shame to accuse them and to demand justice against them Alibech found her self so oppressed vvith sorrow that she stood a good while unable to speak But Soliman having commended so sweet a resentment in her and having commanded her once again to let him understand their differences she continued her discourse Since I must sayd she obey and that I cannot conserve my husband without discovering the misfortunes of my father I must I say let thy Highness know that his name is Arsalon that he was born the subject of the Sophy of Persia and that in the time he was in that Court he was Satrap of Aderbion and so considerable vvith Tachmas as there was not any person in that Empire vvho vvas more than he but whereas his humour hath been alwayes violent in every thing being become desperately in love with a maid of excellent beauty of great vertue and of much spirit he espoused her though she were of base condition And whereas the Laws of the State do not permit a Gentleman to mary a wife that is not noble they also will that the great ones which commit such like offences shall lose the honors and charges they possess and be declared ignoble and uncapable of all manner of dignities My father was not ignorant of this custom and law but he was perswaded that Tachmas would have infringed it for his sake and if he would not that want of affection would be a reason strong enough to oblige him to make the Province revolt where he commanded and whereof he believed he was absolutely the Master howbeit the matter succeeded not so for the enemies which my Father had made him by his violences meeting with so fair an occasion to hurt him they represented unto the Sophy that if he pardoned him this fault it would make him the more insolent for the future yea and that it would even overthrow all that Empire the glory and force whereof consisted in the valour of noble persons wherewith it is replenished at length they wrote in such manner that my Father was declared guilty as contravening the fundamentall Laws of the State and constrained to undergo the chastisement which I shall come to speak of by reason that the Province where he commanded so absolutely when he was in grace revolted against him and left him not scarcely the liberty to seek a refuge otherwhere for I forgot to tell thy Highness that the same Law which commanded the utter ruine of my Father commanded also that he should pass his life in a perpetuall prison and the person whom he had maried in another for fear that living together and having children it might one day cause disorders in the State My Father seeing himself in so pitifull a fortune went not about to move the heart of Tachmas with payers and submission but contrarily sent him word that deserving not to be served by a man of his courage and valor he vvould go out of his Estates vvith an intention never to re-enter into them again but to bring war along with him Being then in Mingrelia he bought a Man of War wherein he imbarqued himself on Mare major with his vvife who as she was the cause of his misfortune so would she not abandon him in his exile They continued some time in this sort not knowing what resolution to take nor having any other design in the course that they held than to cloign themselves from Persia my Fathers great heart not permitting him to go and seek unto the enemies of Tachmas for a place of retreat for though he be somewhat cruell yet is he notwithstanding generous neither would he likewise address himself to the Princes that were allied to our Empire for fear he should not be favourably received by them In the mean time these irresolutions having no end the provisions of the ship diminished daily The Pilot was well hoped up to ask him where he would land vvhen as he found no place in the vvhole universall Map vvhither ro go Six moneths past avvay in this sort in running over all the Seas of the Levant and whereas my mother was with child of me at such time as she imbarqued her self she was not far from the term wherein I was to see the light when as Arsalons victualls utterly failed him and having imployed all his money in the buying of the Vessell and such provisions of War and for the mouth as he had laid into her he knew not what part to repair unto for the supplying of himself in so adverse an adventure The souldiers and Mariners consulted together and having gained the Pilot they wrought so with him that maugre the command my Father had given him to the contrary he steered directly to an Iland which they had discovered whereupon Arsalon being in a rage to see his authority contemned went and pushed away the Pilot so rudely for to make him abandon the helm as the poor wretch fell into the Sea and my Father becoming his own Pilot he took his scimitar in his right hand and the whip of the rudder in his left and menacing them that would oppose his will he made his Vessell take a quite contrary course choosing rather to die by famine than expose his misery to the eyes of the world fearing nothing so much as that Tachmas should come to understand his misfortunes He had already lost sight of that Hand which he had beheld as a rock and his souldiers being no longer retained but by the tears of my Mother might at length peradventure have been carried to some strange resolution without an adventure that befell them which was that my Father discovered a Vessell comming towards his which bare a Flag of Persia in her top as he thought and as indeed it proved to be Upon the sight of her he began to think that he should be revenged of Tachmas in revenging himself upon his Subjects and this desire of revenge joyned to the present necessity made him propound to his souldiers the attacquing of that Vessell who animated more by the fear of famine than by their courage resolved to obey his pleasure
and to dissipate the fear that masters thee know that I am resolved to place thee in our illustrious alliance by making thee mary Asteria and to leave thee yet a more precious gage receive the word which now I give thee thou knowst being what I am that it is inviolable and sacred remember then that I swear to thee by ALLA that as long as Soliman shall be living thou shalt not die a violent death judge now whether I can doe more and whether thou hast not been too blame to doubt of the firmness of my affection It is true my Lord said Ibrahim that I am the most ingratefull and the most faulty of all men but my Lord and as he would have proceeded he was suffocated in such sort with grief as it was impossible for him to speak in a long time The Sultan surprised with this unexpected emotion knew not whereunto to attribute the cause of it In the mean while Ibrahim being somewhat come to himself again resolved no longer to conceal the truth of his History casting himself then once again at the feet of great Soliman I know well my Lord said he unto him that if thy Highness be just thou wilt hate me as much as thou hast loved me for after I have been so daring as to disguise my thoughts unto thee after I have been yet more in now telling thee that I am not in a condition to accept of the honor which thou presentest unto me I dare not hope for so much patience from thy moderation as to hear that which might render me excusable It seemes to me Ibrahim ansvvered the Sulttn that after all the graces vvhich I have conferred on thee thou oughtest to expect any thing from me and yet to add one more to that which thou hast craved of me I promise thee to suspend my judgement and not to think any thing to thy disadvantage till I am forced therunto by thine own confession prepare thy self then no longer to conceal any thing from me that concernes thee Thou knowst that I have divers times endeavoured to oblige thee punctually to recount unto me both thy birth and thy adventures but having alwaies observed how that discourse did not please thee I have had so much goodness as to speak to thee no further of it but now that there is question of thy rest and my satisfaction thou must make a recitall to me of it with as much truth as thou hast used dissimulation heretofore It is true my Lord replyed Ibrahim that all that I have told thee hitherto is but a fable but it is true also that all that which thy Highness is now to understand is the very truth I cannot chuse but blush to think how I am going to discover all my weaknesses and if I did not know that Love doth oftentimes become the tyrant of the greatest spirits and that thy Highness hath not been alwaies insensible of that passion I should not be so inconsiderate as to acquaint thee with my miseries The Sultan desiring that none should come to interrupt this narration went from his chamber into his Cabinet where siting down on Cushions of cloth of Gold Ibrahim began to speak in these tearmes The History of Iustiniano and Isabella THe City where I took beginning and that gives name to our Republique is situated on the bank of the Sea which the antient Romanes called Ligustique and is at this day termed the River of Genoua this goodly City I say whereunto for the magnificence of Palaces of marble Jasper and Porphirie is given and that with reason the title of Superb by all the people of Italy is built on the bending of certain high and barren Mountains which are so unfruitful as all the industry of agriculture joyned to the heat of the Sun the serenity of the air and the sweetness of the dew cannot make one tree to grow one flower to spring or so much as one herb to come up there But if as nature had taken pleasure to shew contraries opposed there is leading toward France a Coast all alongst the which Final Savonna Saint Reme and Monaco are seen whose fertility is so great that it produceth abundantly Dates Oranges Pomegranads Iasemine and Mirtle The many Rivers and Fountaines which are there make not the lest beauty of those places for those waters are so pure and quick as they furnish sufficient coolness to temper the extreme heat of the Sun It is on that Coast about tvvo miles from Genoua in going out of a Gate called the Lanterna that a Borough stands by the Italians named Arena where one may say that winter never comes since it is certain that the spring and Autum reign there alwaies together the first causing flowers continually to spring and the other fruites to ripen in it But before I ingage my self to a more particular description of the deliciousness of a place that hath been the occasion of so much misfortune unto me it vvill not be from the purpose to make an abridgment of the Government of Genoua to thy Highness to the end thou maist the more easily comprehend what the persons are of vvhom I am to speak in my History It is to be knovvn then that about two hundred yeares since the Genoneses elected a Duke according to the manner of the Venetians who after he had conquered the Island of Ciprus taken the King and Queen thereof prisoners and performed many other brave exploits died at length in the warres After him they elected two more whereof the first acquired by his valor the Isle of Meteline to the Genoueses but at length after the death of the last they put themselves into the protection of Charles the seaventh King of France of whom being weary they not long after chose the Duke of Milan for their Defendor who having not given them full satisfaction it obliged them to chuse a Duke once again but that proceeding being not equally agreeable unto all because some held the party of France and others that of Milan it hapned that this disorder returned them absolutly under the Dominion of the French which commanded them untill the time that Andrea Doria who is of one of the most illustrious races of Genoua put our City into the estate which now it is namely under the Government of the Nobility I have made known unto thy Highness the divers mutations which have befallen our Republique to the end thou maist with the less difficulty comprehend that which hath made all this Commonalty be divived a long while since into two principall factions the Heades of these two parties are the Fregozes and the Adornes ingaged as well as all the rest of Italy in two opposite factions so known and famous under the name of the Gnelphes and Gibelius with whom the Fiesques the Doriaes the Spinolaes the Grimaldies the Justinianoes and all the other illustrious Families of Genoua have taken part But to come to that which regards me directly I
rumor in Genoua that you had been seen at Naples whereupon she sent the Lieutenant of her guard unto you who as you know found you in a place far from that where he vvent to seek you It vvas much about that time vvhen as having lost my mother I came against the Princesses mind to shut up my self vvith her she being unvvilling as she said that I should be made unhappy for her sake But do vvhat she could my intreaties vvere stronger than her reasons so that she vvas contented to accord me that which I demanded of her with so much affection That false newes which had been reported of you gave her a true joy and made her with the more case constrain herself and not seem to be so melancholy as before But to the end her retiredness might be the more supportable to me she walked oftner than she was wont to doe she retired less into her Cabinet for the entertaining of her thoughts and her compliance for me together with the secret hope she had of seeing you again wrought so powerfully upon her mind as they dissipated a part of her grief and put her soul into a more peaceable estate She took pleasure in recounting to me your first adventures she shewed me your letters and the verses which you had made for her and by the praises which I gave them I quickly got more esteem and love from her than I had before She suffered me also sometimes to sing an ayr unto her and whereas she called to mind the passion which you had ever had for musick I dare say how it was more for the love of you than for the love of me that she retained one of your Rivalls in her service Aemilia perceiving that this discourse had made Justiniano change colour could not forbear laughing at it and desiring to draw him out of the pain whereinto she had put him Be patient said she unto him and judge not precipitously of a matter for which you will afterwards without doubt repent you I know answered Justiniano that I should be unjust in desiring to be a judge of Isabella but I know withall that fear is inseparable from love and that in this occasion I ought to give you some marks of it I vvill soon make it cease continued Aemilia but prepare your self to understand the most fantastick adventure and the strangest incounter that ever you heard off You are to know then said she going on how that great reputation of beauty which the Princess had all over Italy begot a curiosity at one and the same time in the mindes of the young Prince of Salerno and Don Fernando de Mendoza vvho for a long time had been in the War of Milan under the Marquis of Gnast and albeit they knevv not one another though the one vvas of Italy and the other of Spain though the first vvas at Naples and the other at Milan yet took they both of them the same resolution The Prince of Salerno vvas handsom of a good mine and full of spirit and whereas in studying the Mathematicks he had learned to design he had afterwards applyed himself to painting and was become so excellent in that art as few Masters in Italy had done braver things than he This young Prince being resolved to see whether fame did not flatter the Princess and knowing by the example of others that it would be no boot for him to present himself at Monaco with an equipage proportionable to his condition he concluded to go thither disguised and that he might the easilier find out the meanes to approch unto the Princess he purposed to say that he was a Painter Don Fernando de Mendozo as I have already declared having a like desire and a like curiosity used also the same meanes to content it For as the Prince of Salerno would pass for a Painter so would Don Fernando who understood musick perfectly pass for a Musician They disguised themselves then after the manner they had resolved on and without knowing ought of one another they came to Monaco at the time which I have noted and when as the hope of seeing you again and the Princesses compliance for me had rendred her melancholy more sociable The first that arrived at Monaco was Don Fernando who retained this name onely leaving that of Mendoza as too illustrious for him whom he pretended to be And whereas the Princess had ordained a long time before that no stranger should enter into the Town without first advertising her of it they came presently and told her that a man which gave himself out to be a Musician desired to enter At first she thought not to have seen him but as for me who had no other design but to delight her I besought her to command he might be admitted to enter to the end we might see whether he were skillfull enough to keep me from forgetting that which I had already learned in Musick and to oblige her not to deny me I caused her to remember the passion which she had told me you had ever had for this excellent art and it was without doubt that in this sort the sole consideration of you introduced Don Fernando into the Castle although the Princess had the goodness to tell me that she should be very glad there could any thing be met withall which could keep me from being weary of Monaco But in the end Don Fernando appeared and albeit both the Princess and my self found something that was great in his countenance yet suspected we nothing of the truth attributing that lofty ayr to the Nation whereof he said he was for he did not conceal himself from being a Spaniard in regard though he spake Italian well enough he would yet have been known by his pronunciation The Princess demanded of him of whence he was whether he was going what he could doe and to all those particulars he answered exactly As for his science he desired the Princess that she would be the judge of it and hear him sing She would fain have referred her self to me but giving her no leisure to command me unto it I sent for a Violl and a Lute to the end he might shew us what he could doe I well observed how he beheld the Princess with a great deal of attention and also how he blushed two or three times But whereas the greatest beauties strike every one with admiration I took his blushing for a mark of his respect and his attention for an ordinary effect of Isabellaes beauty When that was brought which I had sent for he took a Lute and truly touched it reasonably well but when he had plaid on it and that to sing he had taken a Violl in his hand he perswaded us yet better by his play that he was a Spaniard than he had done by his pronunciation it being most certain that it is impossible to play better He sung also with a very good grace and with much art As for me I
would apply thereunto At length they ordain her to be laid in her bed that still they might gain time to think of that which they had to doe Justiniano out of respect retired all in dispair and without being able so much as to reason about his misfortune his sorrow became so strong as he felt it but confusedly The Princess was not long in her weakness and Nature doing her uttermost gave her spirits the liberty again which grief had arested But thereupon there was so great and suddain a revolution of all her humors as she fell into a violent feaver so that the Physicians knowing then the Princess disease albeit they were ignorant of the cause of it they began to treat her according to the precepts of their Art Justiniano was also desired by order from the Princess to repair unto her he obeyed and came into her chamber with a face wherein the grief of the mind so nearly resembled that of the body as he seemed to be sicker than the Princess He approches every one withdrawes and when the Physicians told her that after such an accident as this which had befallen her it was fit she should not speak much she assured them that their conversation should not be long as indeed all that she said to Justiniano was comfort your self for the love of me if you will have me live for the love of you and be mindfull not to speak of our misfortunes no not to Doria himself if he comes hither And whereas she saw that Justiniano could not answer her without discovering his grief she wrung him gently by the hand and calling Aemilia she commanded her to have a care of Justiniano untill her sickness was abated This infortunate Lover not daring to speak for fear of augmenting the Princesses distemper and making too much show of his dispair which she would not have him to do retired away without saying any more than Ah! Madam if you will have me comfort my self you must then recover of this sickness which I have been the cause of After that the Princess grew extremely worse and worse the feaver held her ten daies with so much violence and weakness together as the Physicians durst not warrant her life But it was nothing in comparison of the eleventh day for then Justiniano who scarcely had abandoned her all that time absolutely beleeved that she was a dead body The feaver was very much increased her strength diminished the remedies unprofitable Nature seemed to want power and to be so oppressed as it was impossible to hope that she should escape But in the midst of all those miseries and in so great an extremity the constancy of the Princess was admirable who notwithstanding Aemiliaes teares the cryes of her women and Justinianoes dispair who was no longer in the termes to suffer himself to be constrained by reason expressed such a tranquillity of mind as it might well be judged that life was not very dear unto her Yet could she not for all that indure Justinianoes lookes nor see his teares trickle down his cheekes without resentment and besides that deplorable object she was insensible to all things But whilst they were in these termes at Monaco there was nothing but rejoycing at Genoua where it was not known that the Princess was so sick as she was for from her first time of being ill she had given in charge that it should not be published to the end she might recover without molestation or at leastwise dye quietly It was onely then knowen at Genoua that she was not well but that kept them not from meeting almost every day according to the order which the Marquis had established either at the Counts or at Doriaes who after his return had taken an onely sister that he had to govern his house and who was associated with this fair Troop which had no other thought but of delighting themselves The most considerable of this assembly were the Count of Lauagna Leonora his wife Horatio of the illustrious house of Cibo the brother of Leonora Sophâ—onia her sister Hipolita Doriaes sister Alphonso Spinola Leonardo the widdow of Livia of the race of the Adornes the French Marquis and Doria whose love began to be somewhat violent for Sophronia who certainly was very capable of begetting an ardent passion she had not only a piercing and majestick beauty like her sister Leonora but a noble stateliness which rendred her least civilities so obliging that one of her looks touched more sensibly than the tenderest caresses of others The beauties of her soul were no less considerable than those of her face and the graces of her mind did not give place to all the other excellent qualities that she had it is not to be wondered then if Doria who was a man of much vertue and of much judgement suffered himself to be touched with such powerfull charms As for the Count it might be said that he loved Leonora his wife dearly but it may be said also that he was truly in love with nothing but glory His galantry his civilities and his liberality were not terminated with the conquesâ— of the good graces of one only Lady but with the esteem of all the world Horatio was of a less active humour but for all that very pleasing of a solid judgement of a gentle and complying spirit and that notwithstanding some coldness that appeared in his countenance had yet been a long time in a burning passion for the fair Hippolita whose jealous and distrustfull humor troubled him not a little Alphonso likewise had much spirit and Leonida whose beauty gave place to none of the rest added thereunto a gentileness and liveliness which rendred her the entertainment of a company There were many others besides which had also both wit and beauty so that the Marquis being joyned to so many excellent persons it might have been said that this Assembly had been perfect indeed had Justiniano and the Princess of Monaco been there The next day after that the Count Doria and the Marquis were returned to Genoua this illustrious company failed not to meet at the Counts Palace and whereas it was forbidden to speak in these occasions either of war or of generall affairs and that Verses Painting Musick Love Vertue and all other things that depend of an excellent wit were those onely wherewith one might entertain himself in this encounter the constancy of Isabella the merit and love of Justiniano made an overture to the conversation The beauty of the place also added something to the beauty of the Assembly for the more magnificence and making of the better and more glorious show of their jewells those dayes wherein the women decked and set forth themselves all the windows were shut up and torches served to light the room which this day Leonora caused to be sumptuously furnished because the company was to be more than ordinary The hangings were of Carnation Velvet imbroidered all over with tears and spangles of gold and
brought the matter about with so strange a justness of time that at the very same instant when as I was beseeching Soliman by the memory of the Princess Axiamira when as I was lamenting her untimely death and was all in tears with the grief that I said I was in for her loss I saw her come in followed by Sarraida and conducted by Rustan who at the very first named her to the Grand Signior To tell you generous Ibrahim what a case I was in and that which this sight effected both in Soliman's minde and mine is absolutely impossible for me the Sultan beheld me with an eye of indignation and fury and turning himself towards me he said unto me with a strong and impetuous voyce Is it in this sort then that thou justifiest Mustapha but know continued â—e that justice shall be done to thee as well as to him Sarraidâ— hearing her husband named cast her self at Soliman's feet to protest unto him that he was innocent but he without hearing or heeding her turned about to the Princess with a little more civility and said unto her with a countenance that yet resented the trouble of his soul It was then out for Soliman that the Princess of Persia suffered shipwrack It was but for Soliman that she was dead or to say better it is but for the happy Mustapha that she hath escaped the Sea and is living I know very well that the violence of the love which I was in for her beauty hath made me commit one against her which seems to make me unworthy of her affection but the tears which I have shed for her loss have throughly defaced that crime In the mean time O pitiless Enemy whil'st I sigh for her death whil'st I shed tears and consume my self with grief the happy Mustapha laughs at my tears and sighs becomes my Rival or to say better mine Enemy and the Enemy of mine Empire in retaining a person whom I loved or to regard the matter with another face in retaining the daughter of mine Enemy in making secret Treaties with him and in desiring without doubt to pull me out of my Throne for to place you and himself there For to think that Mustapha hath not understood from you by what adventure you suffered shipwrack is that which I will never be perswaded to To beleeve that he hath treated this marriage without intending to deprive me of my Crown is very improbable I have such proofs of it as cannot be destroyed and nothing can make me beleeve the contrary Yet I my Lord must undertake to do it said the generous Axiamira to whom he had still spoken in her own Tongue and with a discourse wherein the very truth shall appear make thee know that Mustapha is not culpable that Sarraida is innocent and that this maid whom thy Highness beholds with so much choller said she in speaking of me merits extream praise for exposing her self to the peril wherein I finde her onely to save me In fine my Lord I purpose to shew thee that if this tempest which I see is risen in thy soul cannot be appeased without falling on the head of some one it must be upon mine for that I am the only cause of the troubles of thy mind But do not believe that in hearing me acknowledg this innocent crime I have forgotten thine or that I am base enough to flatter thee no no I still remember that I am the Sophi's daughter and that with a usage unworthy of my condition one of thy Slaves carried me away by force But whereas the preservation of them that I love is dearer to me then mine own I will not speak to thee in this occasion but of those in favor of whom Nature speaks to thee as well as I. Rustan fearing then lest Soliman should be moved with the tears and discourse of Axiamira was so audacious as to interrupt her and demand of the Sultan what greater proof he would have against Mustapha then the supposition he had made him in bringing him Felixaâ—a for Axiamira but he would be sure out of the design he had to undo that deplorable Prince not to speak a word how he knew at the taking of Axiamira that Gianger alone was in love with her This discourse of his repossessed Soliman's mind with anger so that notwithstanding Sarraida's tears notwithstanding any reasons Axiamira could alledg or any supplications she could make we no longer saw but marks of fury and jealousie in the eyes of Soliman He commanded guards to be set upon us without permitting Axiamira to undertake the justification of Mustapha and expresly forbad that any body should speak with us Rustan came himself to see this Order observed but when we went out of the Grand Signior's Tent to go to that whither they were conducting us we encountred Gianger whom the Capigis had not suffered to enter at such time as we were carried in This Prince seeing us all in tears approached to Axiamira Well then Madam said he unto her what am I to resolve of my life have you been ill-intreated and Mustapha is he convicted of my crimes Is it to the Serraglio or to prison that they are leading you In fine acquaint me with your dâ—stiny and that of my dear brother to the end I may regulate mine by yours and that thereupon I may form my designs and take my resolutions Rustan who would not suffer this conversation neither would incense the spirit of this young Prince before his intentions were accomplished for fear he should be carried to some violence answered him that Soliman's anger would be appeased that patience would overcome him and lest he should be offended if he came to know it that it was fit he should forbear speaking to Axiamira because he had expresly forbidden it and that without exception I am undone replyed Gianger love or choller hath been the cause of this Command and howsoever it be I am equally unhappy Comfort your self said the Princess to him and be sure that Axiamira will never do any thing unworthy of her birth of her courage and of the esteem which you have of her But in the mean time if it be possible endeavor to assist Prince Mustapha Rustan seeing this conversation continue still committed the Princesses and me to the custody of them that accompanied him but Sarraida intreated him that her son might at least be restored to her for he would not let Soliman see him for fear he should have been moved with it this cruel man granted her this grace out of the doubt he was in lest her cries and lamentations should have caused some tumult amongst the Soldiers if they had heard them As for him he stay'd with Gianger to whom he said so many things to pacifie him and to make him believe that the more patient he was the more submission he shewed and the more confidence he put in the goodness of Soliman the more would he make it appear in this
what hap they were arrived there told him that he should not know it till he had informed her what good or bad fortune had conducted them to Constantinople Hipolita and Horatio professed that that was the least thing they could pay her for the liberty which she had given them As for Sophronia she consented not without regret to this sad and pitiful relation well foreseeing that so lamentable a discourse would cost her many a tear howbeit she desired at least that Doria might be he who might recount their misfortunes it being impossible for her to do it Doria not using to resist Sophronia was preparing to obey her when as Horatio told his sister that it would be unjust to oblige him to this relation by reason of the name he bore and albeit that they which were mingled in this adventure were his Enemies yet were they still his Kinsmen Doria answered thereunto smiling that Lovers had no others but those of their Mistresses But in the end Alphonso was the man that contented the curiosity of Isabella As soon as for the honor of Ibrahim's Palace she had led them into his Cabinet and that they were set down there Alphonso addressing himself to Isabella began to speak in this manner The History of GIOVANNI LODOVICO Count of LAVAGNA SEeing our misfortunes and your retirement have made you almost a stranger in your own Country and that your absence hath kept you since from knowing our mishaps I will content your curiosity and recount all this story unto you as if you had not been born at Genoua and that all the persons of whom I am to speak were unknown to you Yet have you not forgotten as I think that the Family of the Fiesques being one of the noblest and most illustrious of all Italy as having twice furnished a head to all Christendom given so many Cardinals to Rome and so many great men to the world was that also which Andrea Doria had always most dreaded ever since that action which made him merit the having of a Statue at Genova They that intermeddle with the knowledg of things and that judg not of intentions by appearances and events will not have the designs of Andrea Doria to be always so dis-interessed as they have appeared unto us but in fine this is not a place where I am to tell you what the Count beleeved concerning him As for me that ever speaks sincerely of things I hold that his intentions were as fair as his enterprize But to come to that which I am to impart to you and to keep you from being too much surprized by the Counts last action I am to tell you that although in appearance he was the sweetest the civilest the gallantest and of the freest and most peaceable disposition that ever had been seen and that he gave himself to all the exercises of a man of his quality wherein he had profited admirably yet had he an imperious spirit and was always possest with some great design Ambition and the desire of glory were his predominant passions and the only things for which he did all others His education did not contribute ought to these thoughts for whereas he remained yet young enough under the government of his Mother who was the most ambitious woman that ever was she gave him a part of her inclinations He had had for his Governor one named Pensa by Simbaldo his fathers appointment whose manners were wholly noble and that had instructed him in all the fairest knowledges which a person of his condition might have But this man being too moderate for the bringing up of the Count according to his mothers designs she placed another about him but yet without removing the former to the end that if the one taught him the Sciences the other should teach him not to make use of them but to arrive at the height of soveraign greatness These two men being opposite in all things gave him also quite contrary counsels The first made him in the Roman History observe the noble actions of those who had exposed themselves for the safety of the Commonwealth and the other made him oftentimes read the Conspiracy of Catiline the lives of Tiberius and Nero Nevertheless whereas the Counts inclinations were too vertuous to love crimes he followed not the advice of this same but his Soul being withall too ambitious to be confined within the directions of Pensa he took a third way and loved nothing so much as the reading of the lives of Alexander and Caesar especially of this last and he was wont to say that they which had called him Tyrant were to blame since he can never be so that aspires not to the soveraign power but for the using of it well and they which found themselves capable of governing people were responable to Heaven for not imploying a Talent which might be advantagious to all the world These discourses were not at that time considered but by his Mother who took incredible delight therein but at length the Count being arrived at seventeen years of age saw Leonora the sister of Julio and Horatio Cibo in an assembly where Jannetin Doria the Nephew and Favorite of Andrea Doria was present as well as he You have without doubt observed that Leonora though gentle and civil had for all that a majestick reservedness which shewed in her behavior that she had something of great in her Soul I tell you this Madam to let you know withall that it was with this charm rather then with her beauty that she began to please the Count. He regarded and observed her with care and seeing nothing in all her actions that was not both extream civil and a little imperious he began to love her and so much the more ardently because he knew that this alliance would not be disadvantageous to him if he sought after either nobility of race or commodity of riches for that being born of a first wife of her fathers she was her only heir But if Leonora was agreeable to the eyes of the Count it may be said that he seemed charming to Leonora's and verily I must acknowledg that I never saw him so amiable as in this assembly and if I must speak the truth I do not beleeve that there can scarce be found in one only person greater quality then he had And for agreeable things it may be well assured that never man was more proper to make himself be beloved His beauty his good aspect his conversation his compliance his merry and jovial humor his address in dancing in playing on the Lute in singing in riding and all other things that can give any liking rendred him incomparable You may judg after this whether Leonora who had not her heart engaged otherwhere could refuse the affection of a man in whom she found all that she could wish for This springing affection was soon known of every one but especially of Andrea Doria who was advertised thereof in a time when as
he should be obliged to perswade Soliman to this voyage and howsoever though the stars did not concur with our intentions yet would he be sure to keep his word with me I parted with him in this manner having first intreated him to make a shew of the best effects of his Science at the Port that so the Emperor might give the more credit to that which he was to say unto him Mulé Aral failed not in obeying me for he had not been a week at Constantinople but every one spoke of the prodigies he did and whereas he was a great Physiognimist he got a world of reputation in a short time He foretold to some that they should die the next day which failed not to fall out accordingly to others he revealed the most secret adventures of their lives and he was so happy that of all the things which he assured none mist or at leastwise might receive a favorable interpretation so that the report hereof being come to Soliman he sent for Mulé Aral who in his presence told the Bassa of the Sea such things as extremely surprized him for he confessed that every particular of that which he had told him had befallen him accordingly The grand Signior commanded him to follow him into his Cabinet where as I knew afterwards he declared unto him the most special passages of his life principally his love to Axiamira upon the sight of her picture although I had not spoken to him of it so as Soliman being mightily perswaded of the Science of this man asked him whether he thought that the war against the Persians would be prosperous But Mulé who desired to finish his figures and observations to give the more weight to that which he should say answered Soliman that things past were seen with more certainty in the physiognomy than things to come that for an affair of so great importance he demanded of him only six days to satisfie him fully and for the better carrying of the matter he besought him to let him know the precise point of his nativity albeit he had been acquainted with it before by me Soliman accorded him his desire and having given him leave to depart rested so satisfied of him as he was already disposed to govern his designs by Mulé Aral's answer who after he had made his observations came one evening to me with a contented look and assured me that his Science was false or I should Crown Soliman King of Persia It is certain Madam that I did not believe the discourse of this man but onely seemed to give credit to his words to the end I might not disoblige him although the success of things afterwards made it good The next day he went to Soliman and with a confident countenance told him that the war of Hungary would prove unlucky to him if he undertook it but that of Persia glorious and assured him further that if he entred first into the Enemies Countrey one of his Slaves whom he very much loved should Crown him King of Persia Mulé accompanied this discourse with so many circumstances which would be too long to repeat as at length Soliman who was very scrupulous in all things which he believed came from above prepared himself for this war with as much precipitation as he had had repugnancy to it before As soon as Mulé was gone he sent for me to command me to alter all the directions which he had given and to cause all the Troops to be inrolled for Persia And whereas this Prince carried an unmeasurable affection to me he had charged Mulé not to discover any thing of that to me which he had said to him desiring to make me believe how it was in consideration of me that he with-drew his Arms from Christendom thereby to ingage me the more to his service Whilst things were in this estate an accident fell out which began to give great hope of this voyage of Persia and to confirm Soliman in the good opinion which he had of Mulé Aral for it hapned that one Ulama Satrape of Caramania a man of great account with the Sophy who had maried one of his sisters to him and though she dyed a little after this Mariage yet did this alliance render him more considerable than before This man I say having received some out-rage from that Prince after he had served him in divers incounters with the expence of his blood requested of me that I would obtain some place of safety for him within Solimans Dominions I will not tell you Madam what this excellent man did in this war since it is certain that his generous actions doe well deserve a relation in particular neither will I stand to recount this voyage exactly unto you wherefore that I may not abuse your patience and make the best use of the rest of the day I will only tell you Madam that having had a Commandment to conduct the Vant-Guard with Ulama I was so fortunate as I surprized Tauris without any resistance which at the first astonished the Enemies who nevertheless left not to defend themselves couragiously in all other incounters Tachmas performed wonders in his own person and so did also one Deliment but at length fortune in two ranged battels declared her self for us so that as soon as Soliman was arrived in person he had almost no other imployment than to receive the Deputies of Townes which submitted to his obedience A part of Assyria and Mesopotamia were subjected unto him but in such sort and so absolutely that from the Mart of Balzera which stands at the mouth of Euphrates entring into the Gulf of Persia even to the last Town they rendred all unto him The most notable of this great number were Caramida Medinum Orfa and Ancefa but that which Soliman rejoyced most at was the reduction of Bagdet where he was Crowned King of Persia by the hands of the Caliph who to do me honor and to testifie that I had contributed somewhat to the happy success of this war would needs have me serve in the Ceremony and help him to set the Crown on the head of Soliman so that by this circumstance nothing was more to be added to Mulé Arals Predictions who at our return was recompenced sufficiently After this his Highness bestowed some time in giving directions for all things before his return to Constantinople where he was resolved to be received in triumph but a little sickness that he fell into by the way deferred this publique rejoycing which nevertheless was performed within a while after and I may say that this Triumph was as happy for me as it was glorious for Soliman seeing it was there that I came to know Doria in the habit of a Slave who can recount unto you Madam that fortunate dayes passage more agreeably than I could Justiniano having said this became so confused as if one of the Princesses Gentlemen had not advertised her that the Count of Lavagna accompanied
with the Marquis of Touraine was come to visit her in the behalf of the Senate she had perceived the disorder of his spirit After she had heard the message that was brought her she rose up and giving her hand to Justiniano she said unto him with a very well satisfied countenance Doe not think to lay upon your friend the trouble to acquaint me with the rest of your Adventures he hath had enough already in going to Constantinople to justifie me unto you besides what he is to be at in relating to me that which hath arrived to himself in particular but to let you see continued she that I am not tyrannicall I will give you time to content my curiosity in the mean space I think it fit we should go and receive the Civilities of the Senate Thir said she suffred her self to be lead in one hand by Justiniano and in the other by Doria whom she had retained as he was about to with-draw and the rest of the troop followed after All the way Isabella continually admired the marvellous effects of Justiniano's fortune but in what manner soever she considered them she still returned to speak of the obligation wherein he stood ingaged to Soliman I must confess said she to Justiniano that if this Prince be such as you have delivered him he may be stiled the wonder of our Age and if my Religion did not forbid it me I would quit my Countrey with joy to live under his Dominion This discourse made Justiniano to tremble but Doria laying hold on her speech confirmed her yet more in the advantagious opinion which she had of Soliman and Justiniano being come to himself again assured her that all which he had said of him was very far short of the truth This fair Troop entertained themselves in this sort untill that being arrived neer to the Castle the Count and the Marquis came to meet the Princess who entertained them with a great deal of respect The Count to acquit himself of the Commission which the Senate had given him said unto her that he was not come only to congratulate with her for the happy return of Justiniano but also to give her thanks for it as the most important service that ever she could have rendred to the Republique that this favour from Heaven was doubtless due to her vertue and to the vowes she had made for him rather than to the desires of the Senate who had rendred themselves unworthy of it how to testifie unto her that the present had utterly defaced the remembrance of the past he intreated her that she would honor Genoua with her presence whenas she had resolved upon the triumph of Justiniano to the end that by the pomp and magnificence which they would bring unto it they might at leastwise testifie their joy although they could not testifie their acknowledgement This discourse made Justinianoes heart to pant and the Princess to change colour for she understood well enough that the triumph he spake of was to be her mariage She answered with very much modesty that generall causes being without doubt more favoured of Heaven than particular interests it was to be certainly believed that Justiniano had been restored to his Countrey for the only glory of the Republick and that having nevertheless encountred her particular felicity in this generall happiness she had more reason to give thanks unto the Senate than to receive any from them but continued she interrupting Justiniano who would have answered that which she had said of him it will be more convenient for us to enter into the Castle for to tell you there what I thinke of it than to stay any longer in a place which the night that is now at hand would render incommodious The Count then presented the Marquis of Touraine unto her whom they called at Genoua the French Marquis and assured her that he was a man whose condition and merit were not unworthy of her knowledge and esteem There needs no more said the Princess to commend and render him agreeable to me than that he is your friend and that you esteem of him whereupon she entertained him with a great deal of curtesie and the Marquis saluting her with very much respect besought her to judge of him by the Counts opinion rather than by his own whenas he should have the honour to be known of her After this complement the Princess presented her hand to the Count and looking on Justiniano Doria and the French Marquis as though she had been sorry that she could not share her Civilities amongst them universall beauties were the object of their entertainment during the little way that remained for them to goe The situation of this place is so delicate the prospect of it so pleasant and the setting of the Sun was that evening so glorious with the diversity of vive and rich colours which the gold of his Rayes imprinted on the Clouds and reflected on the Sea as it is not to be thought strange that a discourse so common should make up the conversation of such extraordinary persons As for Doria he went along talking to the French Marquis who led Aemilia by the arm that seemed not unpleasing to him And in this manner they entred into the Castle where the Princess treated them as magnificently as if she had been prepared of a long time to receive them Here ends the first Part. IBRAHIM OR THE ILLUSTRIOUS BASSA The second part The first BOOK PResently after supper the Princess perceiving that the Marquis was gon from the company demanded of the Count whether it were true that he had brought the French liberty into Genoua as he had formerly told her during the time of her solitariness It is so true answered the Count that if you knew in what fashion we live you would be surprised with it Howbeit your amazement would cease as soon as you should know the wit humour and address of the French Marquis And seeing his precepts are not opposite to pleasure but yet conserving Vertue with a great deal of respect he was not much troubled to find out followers both amongst the men and the Ladies But is it possible said Justiniano that he could vanquish that jelousie which is so naturall to those of our Nation He hath for that replied the Count made use of an artifice which he alone was able to invent He observed within a little time after I had made him known to all the persons of quality every love in Genoua and wrought so well by his address that in a short while he was the universall confident thereof When as he saw himself master of all mens secrets he began to perswade us all in particular to the French liberty to call us Tyrants over our wives and to make us comprehend that there was extreme injustice in prohibiting conversation unto Ladies who alone could render it agreeable That as for him he was resolved to make them happy whether they would or no