to your body that he deserved to lose both together He who doth now possesse your body is not worthy to have your heart wherfore neither is your Body his nor can it properly appertain unto him But I Madam for the continued space of five or six years have endured so much love and travel for you that you cannot be ignorant that both your heart and your body do pertain to me for which I have so often hazarded my own And if you think to defend your self by Conscience be you assured that those who have proved the power of Love will lay all the blame upon you who have so ravished my liberty from me and by your divine perfections blinded my understanding that for the time to come not knowing what to do I am constrained to be gone from you without any hope of ever seeing you again Neverthelesse you may be most confident that in any part of the World wheresoever I shall be whether it be on the Sea or on the Land or in the hands of my most cruel Enemies you shall have my heart which shall continue for ever yours And if before my departure I could have that assurance from you which my great love doth merit I should be made strong to endure with patience the affliction of my long absence And if you please not to grant me my request you will quickly hear it spoken that your cruelty hath given me an unhappy Death Florinda being transported with as much sorrow as amazement to hear these words to proceed from him of whom she had never the least suspition did reply in tears unto him And woe is me now Amadour Are these the effects of the virtuous Discourses which from my Youth hither to we have had together Is this the Honour of Conscience which so oftentimes you have counselled me rather to die than to abandon Have you forgotten the great Examples you have instanced to me of so many excellent Ladies who have resisted that foolish Love Have you forgotten the neglect which you your self have had of light and inconstant Ladies I cannot beleeve O Amadour that you should be so far from your self or that God your Conscience and my Honour should be all dead in you But if it be accordingly as you speak I blesse the Divine goodnesse which hath prevented the mischief into which I headlong was falling by shewing me by your words your heart of which I was so much ignorant for having lost the Son of the Infant Fortunate not only by being married my self unto another but because I found and sufficiently understood that he loved another Lady and seeing my self married to one whom I cannot love and that let me do what I can he cannot be agreeable unto me I considered and intirely resolved with my self to love you with all my heart and affections grounding my love upon the Virtue which I have found in you and which by your means I have in some measure attain'd my self which is to love my Honour and my Conscience more than my life To this rock of Honour I am come where I was confident I should find a most sure foundation but in one moment Amadour you have shewn me that in the place of a Rock sure as I thought and beautifull the foundation of the building is upon loose and uncertain Sands or upon a soft and ruinous Bogg And although I had already begun a great part of the building where I resolved to have made my perpetual residence you on the sudden have overthrown it Wherefore you ought by degrees to forsake all hopes which you have promised to your self of me and to resolve with your self that in whatsoever place you see me not to court me at all either by words or countenance And be not so vain to hope that I either can or will ever change my thoughts I speak them to you with so much sorrow that it is impossible it should be greater but if I had proceeded so far as to have sworn unto you perfect love I do well perceive my heart to be such that it would have been dead within me in this rupture although the amazement that is upon me to be deceived by you is so great that I am confident it will render my life either short or dolorous And on these words I do bid you Adieu for ever I will not here undertake to tell you the grief which entred into the heart of Amadour hearing these words for it is not only impossible for a pen to expresse it but for a heart to conceive it unlesse it be such a heart who by experience hath found the like And observing on that â—â—el conclusion that she was going away he did stay her by the arm knowing very well that if he should not take from her again that evil opinion of him which he had caused her to entertain he should lose her for ever wherefore he said unto her with the most dejected countenance that he could put on Madam Through the whole travels of my life I have desired to love a virtuous Lady and because I have found so few I thought good to make experience to see if by your virtue you were as worthy to be esteemed as you are to be loved which now I understand for certain and I thank God who hath put it into my heart to love such great perfection beseeching you to pardon that foolish and presumptuous enterpise and the rather because it turns to your honour and to my great contentment Florinda who by him did begin to understand the subtility of men as she was difficult to believe the Evil in which he was so she was more difficult to believe the Good in which he was not did say unto him I would to God that you did speak the truth but I am not so ignorant but the estate of Mariage in which I am doth make me clearly enough to understand that a blind and a violent passion did make you to do that which you have done for if God had suffered me to let loose my hand I am sure enough that you would have gone away with the bridle Those Signior Amadour who make it their businesse to follow virtue must not tread in that path in which you would go But it is enough that heretofore I have lightly believed any Good in you it is now time that I should know the truth which doth deliver me from you And speaking those words she departed out of the Chamber and did weep away that night finding so great a grief in this change that her heart had enough to do to sustain the assaults of sorrow which love had given her For although according to her Reason she resolved never to love him more yet he heart which now was not subject to the rules of Reason would not consent unto it wherefore being not able to love him lesse than she was accustomed to do and knowing that love was the occasion of that defect she determined with
any other and was so intimate with her that she concealed not from her her most private thoughts and declared to her all tho love which she did bear to the Son of the Infant Fortunate and she who did hope to gain him intirely did speak of him incessantly and on any Discourse where mention was made of him she would with delight take hold of it and a long time entertain it Amadour after his Marriage with Avanturade stayed not above one moneth with this Company but was constrained to return to the War where he continued above two years without seeing of his Wife who kept alwayes with her with whom she was brought up During this time Amadour did often write unto her but the greatest part of his Letter was Commendations to Florinda Avanturade did not fail to show the Letters to Florinda who returned him thanks for it and sometimes with her own hand would signifie as much unto him in the Letters which Avanturade answered which was the occasion that made her Husband more carefull to write more often unto her But in all this Florinda knew nothing but only that she loved and respected him as her own Brother This was the Intercourse of Letters betwixt Amadour and Avanturade and Amadour who in the space of five years had hardly seen Florinda two whole moneths yet neverthelesse his Love in despite of absence did continually encrease But now the time was come that he made a voyage to see his Wife and found the Countesse of Arand a great way from the Court. For the King of Spain was gone to Vandelusia and had taken with him the young Count of Arand who already did begin to bear arms His Mother the Countesse was retired to a House of pleasure which she had upon the Frontires of Arragon and Navarre she was very joyfull to see Amadour returned who almost for three years together had been absent He was very welcom to them all and the Countesse of Arand commanded that he should be entertained as her own Son As long as he was with her she declared to him the whole state of her affairs and committed the greatest part of the Government of her House to his discretion He gained so great an estimation that in all places thereof wheresoever he came they opened the doors unto him believing him to be so able and so wise a personage that in all things they did put their confidence in him as if in some Saint or Angel Florinda for the love which she did bear to his Wife and to himself did give great respect unto him in all the places wheresoever she did see him not knowing any thing of his Intention wherefore she minded not what countenance she gave him for her heart felt not any heat of a violent passion but onely she received a great contentment when she was near Amadour and no other thought of love possessed her Amadour to avoid the Judgement of those who are experienced in the looks of Lovers in comparison of others was in a great perplexity For when Florinda came familiarly to speak unto him as one who thought no hurt the fire concealed in his heart did so violently inflame it that do what he could his colour would rise in his checks and the sparkles of Desire would fly from his eyes And to the end that in their daily conversation it might not be discerned he pretended to court a very fair Lady called Paulina a Lady who in her time was esteemed so beautifull that few men that ever saw her did escape her bonds This Paulina understanding how well Amadour had deported himself at Barcelona and Perpignan insomuch that he was beloved by all the most beautifull and virtuons Ladies of that Country and above all by the Countesse of Palamons who in beauty was esteemed the chiefest in all Spain told him That she much pityed him that after so many great fortunes he had married so ill-favoured a woman Amadour apprehending by those words that she had a desire to remedy her own necessity did entertain her with the best Language that possibly he could thinking by making her to beleeve a pretence that she should serve to be a coverture for the truth but she being cunning and experienced in love was not contented with words but conceiving to her self that his heart was not satisfyed with her Love she doubted lest he did not make her serve for a cloak only whereupon she did so closely observe him that her eyes were always fastened upon his but he did so well dissemble it that she could not make any certain judgment of any thing but only had an obscure suspition which was a great torment to this Gentleman But Florinda who was ignorant of all those Jealousies did speak oftentimes before Paulina so familiarly to Amadour that he put himself to an extraordinary task to command his eys against his heart And to prevent the falling into an Inconvenience speaking one day to Florinda and leaning both upon the Window he said unto her Madam I beseech you that you will be pleased to advise me which is the best to speak or to die Florinda readily made answer to him I shall alwayes advise my friends that it is best to speak and not die for a few words may be mended but life being lost can never be recovered You shall promise me then said Amadour that you shall neither be offended nor be astonished at the words I shall speak untill you shall understand the end for which I speak them She replyed to him Speak what you please for if you shall astonish me no man else shall recover me to my senses I assure you He then began to speak Madam I have not yet expressed unto you the great affection which I bear you for two Reasons First That I intended by my long service to give you an experience of it and Secondly because I doubted you would conceive it to be an unpardonable arrogance to addresse my self unto you who were I a Prince as your self yet the loyalty of your heart would not suffer any other but he who hath taken possession of it the Son of the Infant Fortunate to hold any discourse of Love with you But Madam as in great wars Necessity doth constrain us to make a wast of our own goods and oftentimes to spoil the Corn in the blade that the Enemy may make no advantage of it so have I made an adventure to hazard the fruit which in time I did hope to gather that neither your nor my Enemies might make to themselves any profit by our Damage Understand Madam that since you were scarce twelve years of age I have been so devoted to your service that I have never ceased from searching out the means to obtain your favour and for that occasion I married her whom I thought that you loved best And understanding the love which you bear to the Son of the Infant Fortunate I have endeavoured to serve and honour him as you
to me were true you would not find such a difficulty in it as to declare unto me her name but I believe the guilt of your offence doth secretly torment you The Gentleman being much provoked with these words and inforced also by the love which he did bear unto the Duke did determin with himself to speak the truth being consident that his Master was a Man so full of Virtue that he would not for any thing reveal the secret Wherefore kneeling down before him with hands joyned which he did lift up unto him he said Sir The obligation which I do bear unto you is such that it doth prevail upon me more than any fear of Death for I doe see you deluded by such a fancy and false opinion of me that I am determined to confesse that which no torment could draw from me beseeching you for the honour of God to swear unto me upon the faith of a Prince and of a Christian that you will never reveal the secret which since you are so pleased I am constrained to speak unto you The Duke immediately by all the Oathes that he could devise did oblige himself unto him that he would never discover the least notion thereof to any Creature in the world neither by word deed nor countenance The Gentleman holding himself assured on the multiplyed Oathes of so virtuous a Prince did begin to lay the foundation of his misfortune to come in confessing to him Sir It is now seven years since having known your Niece to be a Widdow I have endeavoured to obtain her favour And because I was not of a birth great enough to espouse her I was contented that she was pleased to acknowledge me for her Servant And God hath hitherto permitted that our Love hath been so wisely managed that neither Man or Woman but only She and my self hath known any thing of it unlesse it be You into whose hands I do commit my Life and Honour beseeching you that you would keep it private and to have Madam your Niece in no lesse esteem than heretofore for I do believe that under Heaven there is not a more accomplished or a chaster Creature Who was a glad Man now It was the Duke for knowing the incomparable Beauty of his Niece he did not doubt but that she was more agreeable to him than his Wife but being not able to collect how so great a Mystery could be carryed without a Second he did intreat him to acquaint him how he could come to the sight of her The Gentleman thereupon did declare unto him That the Chamber of his Niece did butt forth into the Garden and on that night when he was to wait upon her the little door of the Garden was left open through which he came and walked on foot until he heard a little Dogg bark which the young Lady his Niece had left on purpose in the Garden when all her Women were gone out of it and that on the barking of that Dogg being presently admitted he had the happinesse to discourse with her all that night and at parting they would agree upon the night when he was to return again wherein without making any dilatory excuses they would never fail to meet The Duke who was the most curious Man in the World and who in his Youth knew wisely enough how to carry his Loves as well to satisfie his suspition as to understand the particulars of so strange a story did intreat him to take him along with him the next time that he did addresse himself unto her and to give him then not the respects of a Master but of a Companion The Gentleman seeing the Duke did so presse him did accord unto it of which the Duke was more glad than if he had gained a Kingdom and dissembling that he would he for a hight or two in his Wardrobe did cause two horses to be made ready the one for himself and the other for the Gentleman and they travelled far that evening to arrive at his Nieces house The Gentleman caused the Duke to enter into the Garden at the little Door and desired him that entring into the house he would be pleased to stay behind the skreen where he might perceive if he had spoke the truth unto him or nor They were no sooner entred into the Garden but immediatly a little Dogg did bark and the Gentleman did go directly towards the house and the young Lady did not fail to meet him in the way and having saluted and unbraced him she said unto him That she was afraid he had been sick it was so long since she last saw him and speaking those words they entred into the House and the Duke privatly did follow them in the dark for there was no light in the Room and understanding the whole Discourse of their chast love he was satisfied beyond his desires and made no long stay there for the Gentleman told the Lady that he was constrained to return sooner than he was accustomed to do because that morning the Duke did intend very early to go on hunting and of necessity he must attend upon him The Lady who loved honour more than pleasure would not stay him for the greatest thing which she esteemed in her chast and honest love was that it was kept secret from the observation of the World Much about one of the clock in the morning the Gentleman departed and the Duke undiscovered by the young Lady did goe out before him and they took horse and returned from whence they came and oftentimes in the way the Duke did swear unto the Gentleman that he had rather die a thousand times than reveal the Mystery of his Love and he afterwards did so much respect him and did put such a confidence in him that there was none in all the Court that was in greater favour The Dutchesse was much incensed at it and continued her complaints against the Gentleman But the Duke did forbid her to speak any more unto him concerning that Subject for he was throughly satisfied with the truth thereof and said that he was so contented thereat that he did believe the Lady whom he loved was more amiable than her self That word did leave such an impression and did so deeply wound her heart that she fell into a malady greater than before The Duke did dayly resort unto her to visit her and to comfort her but it was impossible unlesse he would disclose unto her who that Lady was who was so much beloved And she so much importuned him to know who it was that the Duke going out of the Chamber did say unto her if you will not let me be at quiet I must depart from you Those words did increase the malady of the Dutchesse who pretended that she did feel her child to stir within her at which the Duke was so glad that to manifest his love and joy he did goe to bed to her And making use of that minute in which she found him most
the world concerning you but to your self onely You have done me so ill an office that I cannot reckon up unto you one moiety of the Injuries which you deserve For if there be any Man or Woman who dares affirm that I have ever spoken any thing in the dishonour of you I am come to prove them lyars before you She observing that there were many people in the Church and that he was attended with two servants well appointed did constrain herself to speak as gently to him as possibly she could saying That she made no doubt but that he spake the truth and that she conceived him to be so much a Gentleman as not to speak in the prejudice of any Woman in the world much lesse of her self who had born such respects of friendship to him But because her Husband had understood that some words had passed she desir'd him that he would declare himself before him to give him satisfaction that he had not spoken any thing in this nature and to take away from him the belief of it To this most willingly he agreed and having his hand under her arm to conduct her to her own Lodging she told him that it would not appear so well if he should go along with her for her Husband might believe that of her accord she had brought him to speak these words unto him She took hold therefore of one of his servants by the sleeve of his garment and said Let this man go along with me and on the first opportunity I will send for you in the mean time go take your repose in your own Lodging He not having the least thought of any design upon him did return unto his Lodging She bestowed a Supper on that servant whom she had deteined with her who oftentimes would ask when the hour would come that he should go for his Master she alwayes did make answer that it would come soon enough When it was Midnight she privatly sent one of her own servants to the Young-man who not thinking of the treachery that was prepared went with confidence to the house of St. Aignan in which the Gentlewoman deteined one of his servants so that he had then but one of them with him When he was at the entrance into the House the servant that was sent for him told him that his Mistresse would willingly speak with him alone before he should come to his Master for which purpose she did attend him in a private room where there was none with her but his own servant and that he should therefore doe well to send back his other servant which was with him which was done accordingly and coming up a little pair of stairs which were very dark Aignan who had placed an Ambuscado below in the Wardrobe did begin to hear the noise and demanded who was there It was answered A man who privately would enter into his house Immediately one named Thomas Guerin who made it his trade to be a Murcherer and who to execute this Murder was well rewarded by the Proctor did give with other of the Assassinates this Young-man so many cuts with their swords that what defence soever he could make it could not save him from falling down dead upon the stairs His servant who was in discourse with the Lady said I hear my Master talking on the stairs I will go to him The Lady with-held him and said unto him Take no care he will come time enough And not long aster hearing that his Master cried out I am a dead Man I commend my Spirit unto God he would have made hast to his assistance but she again restrained him and said Let him alone My Husband doth onely chastise him for some youthfull tricks of his We will go see how it is And leaning over the head of the Stair-case she spake unto her Husband What! is it done He made answer Come and see I have now revenged you on him who hath procured so much shame unto you And speaking these words he with his Poynado gave him ten or twelve thrusts into his Belly being dead whom living he durst never have assaulted After this homicide was committed and the two servants of this murdered Young man were fled to tell this sad News to his poor Father the said Aignan conceiving that this Murder could not be kept secret did take care that the servants of the young Gentleman that was slain might not be believed as Witnesses and finding besides that there were none in his house conscious to the fact but the Murtherers themselves and an antient Chambermaid and a young Girl of about fifteen yeers of Age he would privately have made sure of the old Woman but she contrived a way to escape out of his hands and lived in safety in the Jacobins and was the surest Witnesse that could be of this Murder The young Chamber-maid continued some days afterwards in the house but he found a means to suborn her by one of the Murderers and brought her unto Paris to the publick place there that her testimony might not be received And the more to conceal the Murder he caused the body of the poor dead Man to be burned and the bones which were not consumed with the fire he did throw into a Morter where some new buildings were raising in his house In great diligence he sent to the Court to obtain his pardon alleging That he had oftentimes forbidden a yong man to come into his house of whom he had a great suspition to have attempted the dishonor of his Wife who for all his prohibition came by night thither into a suspected place to communicat with her whereupon finding him at the entrance into the Chamber being filled more with Choler than with reason he did kill him But he could not so soon dispatch his Letter to the Chancery but the Duke and the Dutchesse were by the poor Father of the Dead advertised of the Case who had sent to the Chancellor to hinder the comming forth of the Pardon The wretched Proctor seeing he could not obtain it did flie into England and his Wife with him and some others of his Kinred But before his departure he told the Murderer who at his request had given this fatal blow That he had seen an Expresse from the King to apprehend him and have him put to Death but because of the service he had done him he said He would preserve his Life whereupon he gave him ten Crowns to go out of the Kingdom which accordingly he did and was never heard of afterwards This Murder was so throughly proved as well by the servants of the dead Young-man as by the Chamber-maid retired into the Jacobins as also by the Bones found in the Mortar that the Processe was made perfected in the absence of the said Aignan his wife who were both judged for their contumacy condemn'd to lose their lives to have their goods confiscated to the King 1500 Crowns to be awarded
from him according to his Counsel but also that there was some ill opinion which was an Adjunct to it One afternoon going with her to hear Vespers in the Monastery he said unto her Madam with what countenance do you look upon me Florinda made answer With such a one I think as you would have me Amadour suspecting what she meant and the better to find out the Truth said unto her Madam I have prevailed so much by my daily Indeavours that Paulina hath no longer any suspition concerning you She replyed to him You cannot do better for your self and for me for in doing a Pleasure to your self you do Honour to me By these words Amadour was assured that she believed that he took a pleasure to be in communication with Paulina whereat he was so passionate that he could not contain himself but in a great choler said unto her Madam It is well begun to torment your Servant for I never suffered any trouble that was more afflicting to me than the constraint to speak unto her whom I love not And because that which I have done for your service is taken in another sense I will speak no more unto her let come what will come and to the end to dissemble as well my indignation as I have done my contentment I will retire unto some other place untill this Fancy of yours be passed over But I hope I shall receive some news from my Captain to return unto the wars where I will so long continue that you shall understand that not any in the world but your self could have detained me in this place and in speaking those words without attending any answer he immediately departed and she remained alone so sad and so disconsolate that it was impossible to be more Love now being beaten by a contrary wind did begin to shew his overcoming power insomuch that she acknowledged the Injury and immediatly did write to Amadour and besought him that he would be pleased to return which some days being expired when his great choler was abated he did accordingly I know not in this place how to undertake to give you the least account of the words that passed betwixt them to break this jealousie but he did gain the day insomuch that she promised him that she would never believe any more that he loved Paulina and withall that she would remain assured that it was a Martyrdom insupportable to him to speak either to Paulina or to any other unlesse it were to do her self service After that love had overcome this present suspition and the two Lovers did begin to take more delight than ever to converse together there arrived intelligence that the King of Spain had commanded all his Army into Saulce He therefore who was accustomed to be the foremost failed not to be present where honor was to be purchased but true it is it was with some grief of heart which he was not accustomed to feel as well to be deprived of his delight as for fear that he should find some great change at his return because that he saw Florinda was courted by great Princes and Lords and was now arrived to the age of fifteen years He considered with himself that if in his absence she should be married he should have no more occasion to see her unlesse her mother the Countesse of Arand were pleased so far to honour his wife as to make her her Companion And he so well ordered this affair among all her friends that both the Countess Florinda promised him that into whatsoever Country she was married his wife Avanturade should go with her And although the question was that Florinda should be married into Portugal it was resolv'd howsoever that his wife should never abandon her In this assurance but not without an unspeakable grief Amadour departed and left his wife with the Countesse When Florinda after the departure of her Servant did find herself to be alone she exercised her self in all good and vertuous imployments hoping thereby to attain the honour of the most absolute Lady in that age and to be reputed worthy to have such a Servant Amadour being arrived at Barcelona was feasted by the Ladies as he was accustomed heretofore but they found him so much changed that they thought that Marriage could never have such power upon any as it had upon him for he seemed unwilling to look on those things which heretofore he delighted to behold and the Countesse of Palamons her self who had so intirely loved him could not find any means to perswade him to go so far as her own house with her Amadour made as little stay at Barcelona as possibly he could for the Hours seemed tedious to him until he were in the place where honour might be obtained Being atrived at Saulce there began a great and crucl war betwixt the two Kings of which I will give you no account in this place nor of the brave at chievments which Amadour performed for if I should give you a just account of them it would make a large Volume But you may understand that he was more renowned than all his Companions The Duke of Naygueres not long after came to Perpignan and brought with him two Thousand men and desired Amadour to be his Licutenant who with that Brigade did so well his Devoir that in all the skirmishes there were none other cryed up but the Naygueres It so fell out that the King of Tunis who for a long time made War with the Spaniards understanding that the Kings of France and Spain were in War one with another upon the Frontires of Perpignan and Narbon conceived that he never in a better season could do a displeasure to the King of Spain he therefore sent a great number of Frigots and other Vessels to pillage and destroy that which they should find to be ill guarded upon the confines of Spain They of Barcelona observing a great Fleet to passe by them did advertise the King of it who was then at Saulce and immediatly commanded the Duke of Naygueres to march with all speed to Palamons When the Turkes understood that the place was so well guarded they pretented to sail beyond it but upon the hour of midnight they returned and laid so many of the Defendants upon the ground that the Duke of Naygueres being surprised by his Enemies was led away prisoner Amadour who was very watchfull heard the Alarum and on a sudden did draw into a body as many of his Souldiers as he could and defended himself so well that the whole power of his Enemies could not for a long time be prejudicial to him But in the end understanding that the Duke of Naygueres was taken and that the Turks were resolved to set Palamons on fire and to burn him in the house where he defended himself against them he thought it safer to surrender himself than to be the cause of the destruction of so many gallant Souldiers who were in his Company and
of her self He determined therefore with himself since she used dissimulation to practise the same art himself and from that hour did forbear to Court he and so narrowly enquired after her conversation that he found at last she loved an Italian Gentleman who was very young and wise and lovely Signior Bonninet by little and little acquainted himself with that Gentleman with such cunning and sweetnesse that he perceived not the occasion and the Gentleman loved him so intirely that next unto his Mistresse who was this Lady there was not any in the world whom he tendred more affectionately Signior Bonninet to pluck his secret from his heart did counterfeit to tell him all his own and amongst other things told him That he loved such a Lady when indeed he scarce ever thought of her and desired him to keep it private because that they two had but one heart and but one thought The poor Gentleman to shew him a reciprocal Love did declare unto him all along the affection which he did bear to that Dame on whose disdain Bonninet would revenge himself Once a day they met together to acquaint one another with the fortunes which on that day they incounter'd which the Gentleman did in Truth and the other in Dissimulation The Gentleman confessed unto him That he had loved this Lady three years without receiving any thing but good words from her and an assurance to be beloved Bonninet did counsel and instruct him in all the ways that possibly he could by which he might arrive to the fruition of his Desires which the Gentleman found so effectual that in a few dayes she consented to all that he desired there nothing remained but to find out the opportunity which by the means of Signior Bonninet was brought about One day a little before Supper the Gentleman said unto him I am more obliged to you than to all the Gentlemen in the world for by your good Directions I hope to enjoy that this night which so many years I have desired I pray you said Bonninet tell me the manner of your enterprize to see if there be any deceit or danger in it that I may assist and serve you according to the obligations of our friendship Whereupon the Gentleman did particularly account unto him that the Lady had got the opportunity to have the great gate of her House left open in pretence of an Infirmity which one of her Brothers had by reason whereof every hour in the night they must send into the City to help him with some remedy in his necessities she informed him that he might safely come into the Court but advised him to have a care how he went up the stairs and that he might more safely passe another way and on lesse stairs which were on the right hand and that being come into the first gallery where were the chambers of her Father-in-law and her Brother-in-law he should come to the third Chamber next to the little stairs and knocking at the door gently if he should find it latched that then he should be gone for he might assure himself that her Husband was come home but if he found the door open that he should softly come in and latch the door fast being confident that there was none in the Chamber but her self and above all things that he should not forget to come to her with shooes made of Felt for fear of making a noise and withall that he should have a great care that he came not till two of the clock after Midnight because her Brothers-in-law who were much given to play did seldome go to bed till after one Bonninet said unto him Go my Friend God be thy guide whom I beseech to guard thee from all Inconveniences if my Company may do thee any good I will not spare any thing that lies in my power The Gentleman did thank him very heartily and told him That in that affair he could not be too secure and that he would go to prepare himself But Signior Bonninet would not hear on that ear and seeing it was the only hour to revenge himself on that cruel Lady he retired to his own Lodging betimes and caused his beard to be cut after the same length and largenesse as was the Gentlemans he also commanded in the same manner the hair of his head to be cut that by her touch she might not find any difference He did remember also the shooes of Felt and did put on such cloaths as were most like unto those which the Gentleman was accustomed to wear when he would be most gallant And because he was very well beloved by the Father-in-law of the Lady he feared not to go thither before the appointed hour conceiving with himself that if he was perceived he would go directly to his Chamber with whom he had some businesse About twelve of the clock he came into the House where he found many servants and some others comming and going amongst whom he passed without being known and came into the gallery And thrusting against the two first doors he found them shut but the third not having softly knocked at which he entred into it and having latched fast the door he found all the Chamber hung with white Linnen and the floor and the feeling with the same and a bed of Needlework excellently wrought all in white that it was impossible to have it better and the Lady alone within it having on a most rich Coyf and a Smock all covered with pearls and precious stones which he saw through one corner of the Curtain being not himself perceived by her for there was burning in the Chamber a great Candle of white Wâ—x which made the Chamber as bright as day And for fear he should be known by her he first of all put out the light which was burning in the Chamber afterwards he put off his cloaths and came into the bed to her who thinking it was he whom so long she loved did receive him with all the Love that possibly she could But he who knew well enough that it was in the Name of another did not speak one word and thought on nothing but thoroughly to put his vengeance into execution which was to take away from her her honour and her chastity against her will But the Lady was so well contented with that vengeance that she thought she had recompenced him for his long sufferings The clock had now struck one which was the time to bid her Farewel And speaking to her as softly as he could he asked her If she was as well contented with him as he was with her She thinking that it was her Friend made answer That she was not only contented but also marvelled at the greatnesse of his Love which had held him a whole hour without speaking to her At that he began to laugh outright and said unto her Now Madam will you refuse me another time as you have been accustomed to do untill this present She knowing
her petticoat and her night-gown that was next to her hand and seeing that three or four of her Maids were all asleep she did go to the Chamber door and asking who was there she was answered by his Name whom she had sent for and whom so passionately she loved but to be more assured she opened the little Wicket saying If you are he that you do say you are give me your hand I shall readily know it And when she had taken her Husband by the hand she immediatly knew him and shutting suddenly the Wicket she began to cry out Ah Monsieur It is your hand Her Husband did answer her in a great Rage It is the same hand which is the pledge of the love and promises betwixt us wherefore fail not to come when I shall send for you And speaking those words he departed to his Lodging and she returned into her Chamber rather dead than alive and spake aloud unto her Women Rise my Friends you have slept too much for me for in thinking to deceive you I have been deceived first of all my self And speaking those words she swouned away in the middle of the Chamber The poor women did all rise at her cry so astonished to see their Mistresse as dead and lying on the ground and to hear those words she did speak that they knew not what to do but only to run for Remedies to revive her And when she had recovered speech she said unto them This Hour you see me my friends the most unfortunate creature upon the Earth and repeated to them all her fortune desiring them to be ready to perform their last service to her for she reckned her life as lost They indeavouring to comfort her behold one of the Grooms of her Husbands Chamber by whom he commanded to acquaint her incontinently to repair unto him She embracing two of her women began to weep and to lament desiring them that that they would not let her go for she was sure never to return again But the Groom of the Chamber assured her to the contrary and that upon the hazard of his own life he would undertake that she should receive no Ill. She seeing that there was no resistance did put her self into the arms of the Groom and said unto him Friend Since it must be so carry this unhappy body unto Death and being overcome with sorrow she was carried away by the Groom into his Masters Lodging at whose feet the poor Lady trembled down saying Sir I beseech you to have pity on me and I will swear unto you by the faith which I owe to God that I will tell you the truth of all Immediatly he said unto her as a Man transported And I vow unto you you shall tell me the truth of all and on those words commanded all his Servants to be gon And because he knew his wife to be religious he believed that she would not forswear her self if she did swear upon the Crosse wherefore he brought her a very fair one which he had borrowed and there being none present but themselves he made her swear upon the Crosse that she should tell him the plain truth of that which he demanded But she who had already passed over the first apprehensions of Death took heart and resolved with her self to conceal nothing from him seeing she was to die but so as not to reveal any thing that might bring any danger to the Gentleman whom she loved And having heard divers questions which he made unto her she made answer Sir I will not justisie my self nor make lesse unto you the Love which I have born unto the Gentleman of whom you have suspition but I have a desire to acquaint you with the occasion of that Love Sir you are to understand that never any Woman did love her Husband with such an entire affection as I have loved you for since I have been first married to you there never entred into my heart the love of any but of your self alone you know that in my Nonage my Parents would have married me to a personage of a far nobler Family than your self but they could never make me give the least consent unto it from the hour that you first spake unto me for I stood most firm against their perswasions for you without regarding your poverty or the Remonstrances which they made And you cannot be ignorant of the hard use which ever since I have received from you and how you have loved and esteemed me which hath brought so much sorrow and affliction on me that had it not been for the Lady under whose Government you did put me I had been sunk into the Bottom of Despair But in the end observing my self to grow into Age and to be esteemed to be beautiful by all the world but your self I began so vigorously to feel the Injury which you did me that the love I did bear unto you was turned into hatred and the Desire to please you into vengeance And in that resolution a Prince courted me who to obey his King more than his Love did love me on the same time when I began to feel some comfort and releasment from my torments by the honest love I did bear unto him And in leaving him I found this Gentleman who needed not to be intreated to love me Howsoever his Beauty his sweet Deportment and his Virtue did deserve to be sought after and esteemed by all women of a good understanding At my request and not his own he loved me and with so much honesty that never in his life he required any thing of me contrary to honour And because the little love which I have cause to bear unto you did give me the occasion to keep neither faith nor loyalty with you yet the love which I do bear unto God alone and to my honour hath hitherto preserved me from doing any thing for which I should either stand in need of Confession or of the fear of shame I will not deny unto you that as often possibly I could I have gone to speak with him in a Wardrobe pretending to go to my Devotions for I never trusted either Man or Woman for the managing of that affair I will not moreover deny but that being in a place so private and free from all suspition I have kissed him with a better heart than ever I kissed you but I desire no mercy of God if there were ever any other familiarities betwixt us or if ever he sollicited me for other by any hot Importunities or if ever my own heart had any desire thereunto although I was so glad to see him that it seemed to me that I could have no greater pleasure nor happinesse in the world And you Sir who are the only Cause of my misfortune will you take vengeance for a Deed which for so long a time you have given me the Example an Example which hath out-gon me in this that what you have done hath been without Honour
you have married her yes Sir said the Bastard but by words and a contract only and if you please the full period will be put unto it The King did hold down his head and without speaking any word returned directly unto the Castle and when he came neer unto it he called the Captain of the Guard and commanded him to take the Bastard prisoner Immediatly one of his friends who observed the countenance of the King did advise the Bastard to absent himself and to withdraw into a house of his not far from thence and if the King commanded him to be sought out as he suspected he would that immediatly he should have notice of it that he might provide for his own safety by his slight out of the Kingdom but if the King seemed not to be displeased he would send him word to return to the Court The Bastard did believe him and his diligence made such dispatch that the Captain of the Guard could not find him The King and the Queen did take counsel together what they should do with Rolandine who had the honour to be their Kinswoman and by the counsel of the Queen it was concluded that she should be sent unto her Father to whom the whole truth of the businesse was to be declared But before she did goe it was ordered that diverse of the Kings Counsel and some also of the Church should represent unto her that as yet there had passed nothing in her marriage but her word only and that she might easily recall herself if both one of them and the other would alter their opinions and their loves and disclaiming all interests make the contract of no effect This the King desired that she would do to preserve the honout of the house of which she was but she made answer that in all other things she was both obliged and ready to obey the King but in this only which so nearly concern'd her conscience she desired to be excused alleging that those whom God had put together ought not to be separated by men and desired that she might not be tempted to so unreasonable a thing for if love and good will grounded on the fear of God is the true and sure tye of Marriage she was tyed so fast that neither Steel nor Fire nor Water could either break or consume that bond but death only to whom alone and to none else she was resolved to surrender her oath and her ring beseeching them not to urge her to the contrary for she was so firm in her resolution that she had rather perish keeping her saith than live having infringed it Those who were deputed by the King made the report unto him of her constancy and when they saw they could provide no remedy to cause her to renounce her husband they carried her to her Father in that pitiful manner that wheresoever she passed they did all fall on weeping to behold her and although she had her failings in this contract yet so great was her punishment and so strong her constancy that she made her fault to be esteemed a virtue Her Father hearing this unwelcom news would not see her but sent her to a Castle of his in a Forrest which he had builded for another occasion worthy to be declared after this Novel He kept her there a long time in prison and sent her word oftentimes that if she would forsake her Husband he would account her for his daughter and set her at liberty Neverthelesse she always did hold firm in her determination loved better the place of her prison and the miseries she endured for her Husband than all the liberty of the world without him and it seemed to those who did behold her that all her punishments were but pleasant recreations because she suffered them for him whom so intirely she affected What shall I say in this place of men The Bastard who as you have heard was so much obliged to her did fly into Germany where he had many friends and shewed by his Inconstancy that not Truth and perfect Love but Avarice and Ambition did perswade him to the marriage of Rolandine Insomuch that in a short time after he grew so amorous of a German Lady that by his Letters he did forget to visit her who sustained so many tribulations for him For Fortune as rigorous as she was unto them did never take from them the means to write to one another but the heart of Rolandine had of its self the first apprehension of the foolish love into which the Bastard was fall'n so that she could not take any rest for she observed that the language in his Letters was so cold and so much altered that they nothing resembled those hearty expressions which she was accustomed to receive from him she therefore truly did suspect that some new love had diverted her Husband from her and when all the punishments and the torments she endured could nor work the least change in her at all and because her perfect love would not allow that she should ground her judgement upon a suspition she did contrive a way to send privatly a servant of hers in whom she trusted not to speak unto him or bring any Letters from him but strictly to observe him and to relate the truth He being returned from his Journey told her that for certain he found the Bastard passionatly amorous of a German Lady and the report was that he did court her in way of marriage for she was very rich This news did convey so extreme a grief to the heart of poor Rolandine that being unable to endure it she fell grievously sick Those who understood the occasion did acquaint her that since she perceived the great inconstancy of the Bastard she might now justly abandon him and did the uttermost they could to perswade her to it but notwithstanding she was thus tormented to the last they could find no means to make her change her resolution And in this last temptation to the great commendation of her virtue she did manifest the absolute love which she did bear him For as love did diminish on his side so it did increase on hers and did continue firm when he had no intire nor perfect love for love which failed on his side did turn on her side and when she knew that the love was intire in her alone which before was divided betwixt them both she resolved to preserve it to her death both for him and her self Wherefore the Divine bounty who is perfect charity and true love had pity on her griefs and did regard her patience insomuch that after a few days the Bastard dyed in pursute of another woman she being well advertised of his death by those who saw him laid in the earth did send unto her Father to beseech him that he would be pleased to come unto her who having not spoken to her since the time of her imprisonment did immediatly repair unto her and having all along understood
not permit him to take any Rest but he directed his Course to the Porter of the House and said unto him Friend Moâ—ensieur your Master hath commanded me to go immediatly to our Covent to make some prayers it being now the second hour of Devotion wherefore I pray you give me my Packet of Papers and open the Door but do it so softly that no body may hear it for my businesse is necessary and secret The Porter knowing very well that to obey the Frier was a service very agreeable to his Master did open the Door very softly for him and did let him forth The Gentleman at that instant did awake and finding that the hour did approach which was admitted to him by his Confessor to give a visit to his Wife he did arise from his bed and having put on his Night-Gown he made hast thither whither he lawfully might come by the Ordinance of God without any permission of Man When his Wife did hear him speak unto her being ignorant of her miscarriage she was possessed with such an amazement that she said unto him Is this your promise Sir which you have made to the Confessor to have such a care both of your Soul and mine was it not enough to come to me once before your hour but do you now return again The Gentleman was so troubled to hear this Interrogatory that he could not dissemble his affliction but said unto her What mean these words which you speak unto me I know for a truth that these three weeks I have not lain with you and do you reprove me for comming so often to you If you continue in this discourse you will make me to believe that my Company is hatefull to you and against my custom and desire you will constrain me to look for that pleasure from others which by the Law of God I am to receive from you The young Lady who thought that he had mocked her said unto him Sir I beseech you that in imagining me to be a deceiver you do not deceive your self for though you did not speak unto me about an hour ago when you were with me yet I am satisfied within my self that it was you The Gentleman immediatly understood that they were both deceived and added Oaths to his Protestations that he did not come unto her whereupon the Lady took so great a grief that with tears she besought him to make a diligent scrutiny to find who it was for none that night lay in her house but her Brother and the Frier The Gentleman being surprised with a Jealousie that it was the Frier did in all hast repair unto the Chamber where he lay and found him not there And the better to be assured what was become of him in an angry and a trembling speed he did go unto the Porter and demanded of him if he knew what was become of him who according to what the Frier told him did give him a full Relation of the Truth The Gentleman being fully assured that it was he who did commit this wickednesse did presently return to the Chamber of his Wise and said unto her Without all doubt Sweet-heart the Man who lay with you and did ring so well his Mattens Bell was our Father the Confessor The young Lady who all her life had loved her Honour as her Conscience did enter into such a Despair that forgetting all humanity and the nature of a woman she did on her knees beseech him to revenge that great Injury Wherefore on a sudden without any delay the Gentleman took horse and pursued the Frier The poor young Lady being alone in her Bed and as much without counsel as without comfort save only in her little Infant but newly born considered with her self the marvellous and horrible mischance that had befalln her and without excusing her own Ignorance did repute her self the most guilty and the most unfortunate Woman in the world and found her self so overcome in this assault of her Despair grounded on the enormity and greatnesse of her sin and the love of her Husband to her and on the honour of both their Families that she esteemed Death far more happy than Life and was suddenly transported with so violent a Melancholy that she fell into such a Despair that she not only lost that hope which every Christian ought to have in God but was quite estranged from common sense and forgat her own Nature Insomuch that being as far from all knowledge of God as from all knowledge of her self as a Woman quite bereft of sense and reason she took the cord of her Bed and with her own hands strangled her self and which is worse being in the agony of this cruel Death her body which combated against it did remove it self in such a sort that with her foot she struck against the poor Infant whose Innocence could not preserve it from following by her own Death her most afflicted and dolorous Mother But dying she made so great a noise that one of her Maids in the next Chamber being amazed at it did rise in great hast to light the Candle and on her Return having beheld her Mistresse hanging and strangled with the cord of the bed and her Infant dead and lying at her feet she afrighted did run into the Chamber where her Mistresses Brother did lye whom she took along with her to behold this lamentable spectacle The Brother crying out Woe and Alas and making so great a lamentation as such a Brother ought to do who loved his Sister with all his heart did demand of the Chambermaid Who it was that had committed so great a villany She made answer that she knew not who and that none but her Master came into the Chamber who was not long since gone out of it The Brother entring into the Chamber of the Gentleman and finding him not there did assuredly believe that it was he who was guilty of this horrible Murder and taking his horse without demanding any further did gallop after him and met him in the way returning from the pursute of the Frier being sad that he could not overtake him When ever his Brother-in-law did behold him he did cry out unto him Wicked and Wretched as thou art defend thy self for this day I doubt not but with this sword God will revenge me The Gentleman who would have excused himself did see the sword of his Brother-in-law so near unto his throat that he found he had more need to defend himself than to make any pause to demand the Cause of the Debate and drawing upon him they gave one another so many cuts and slashes that the effusion of their blood and their wearinesse together did constrain them to sit down upon the Ground both on the one side and on the other to take breath The Gentleman said unto him What occasion is it my Brother that hath converted the great love that hath been always between us into so cruel a Fight The Brother-in-law made
my Damnation before you Gentlemen and before you my Brother that never any Man hath touched me any more than you And speaking those words she received the Body of our Lord. The Master of the Request and the Almoner hearing those words departed with great Amazement believing that amongst such Protestations no Dissimulation could have place and made report thereof unto the King perswading him to believe that which they believed But he who was wise having thoroughly considered of it did cause them to repeat again unto him the words of the Oath and having well weighed them he said unto them She hath taken her Oath upon the Sacrament that never any Man hath touched her any more than her own Brother And I do believe it for a Truth that she is big with child by her Brother and would cover her sin with that dissimulation for we who believe in Jesus Christ already come ought not to expect any other wherefore they shall both suffer and be burned for their most horrible and blasphemous attempts And doe you but put the Curat in Prison I am confident that he will confesse the Truth This was performed according to his Commandement but not without the great offence of the People that so holy a man should so unjustly suffer The Priest had not been long under custody but he confessed his wickednesse and that he had counfelled his Sister to speak those words and to carry her self in so confident a posture as she did to cover the life which they did lead together not only by a light Excuse but also by a blasphemous one that they might be honoured by all the world And when it was objected to him how he could be so prophane as to take the body of the Lord to inforce her to swear upon it He made answer That he was not so bold and that the bread which he gave her was not consecrated The Report hereof was made unto the Count of Angoulesin who commanded that Justice should be executed on the Frier accordingly as belonged to such a blasphemous Imposter A little respite whereof there was untill his Sister was brought to bed who in the space of a few weeks was delivered of a lusty Boy and not long after they were both burned whereat the people were wonderfully amazed having under a religious mantle seen so horrible a Monster and under a life so holy and so commendable so detestable a Vice to reign Ladies You may here behold that the faith of this good Count was not overcome by signs nor exterior miracles knowing well enough that we have but one Saviour who in saying Consummatum est hath shewed that he left no place for any other to be his Successor in the work of our Salvation I promise you said Oysilla it was a great presumption under an extreme hypocrisie to cover so enormous a sin with the mantle of Religion and pretendings to the Holy Spirit I have heard said Hircan that those who under the Colour of the Kings Commission do exercise cruelties and tyrannies are doubly punished because they cover their Injustice with the Royal Justice So you may see that hypocrites although they prosper for a while under the covert of Religion yet so it is that when God shall take off that mantle he doth discover and set them open stark naked to all the world and then their nakednesse and enormities are found as loathsom as their Coverture was honourable There is nothing more pleasant said Nomerfide than to speak truly what the heart doth think It is the way indeed to grow fat said Longaren and I believe that you speak your opinion according to your Condition Why I will tell you said Nomerfide I do observe that Fools unlesse you kill them do live longer than those who are wise and I can find no other reason for it but because they do not dissemble their passions if they are angry they do strike if they are joyful they do laugh when those who do believe themselves to be wise do dissemble their Imperfections with the poyson whereof their heart is all over infected I do believe said Guebron that you speak the truth and that Hypocrisie whether it be towards God towards Men or towards Nature is the Cause of all the Evils which we suffer It would be a brave thing said Parlament if our hearts were so filled with Faith as to believe on him who is all Virtue and all Joy and that we might all and altogether enjoy him and freely communicate that Joy to one another That will be in the hour said Hircan when there shall be no more flesh on the Bones of Men. So it is said Oysilla that the Spirit of God which is stronger than Death can mortifie our hearts without any change of our body Madam said Saffredant you speak of the gift of God which is not common to Men. It is to those only who have Faith said Oysilla But because this cannot be understood by those who are carnal let us know to whom Simontault will give his voice I do give it said he to Nomerfide for because she hath a merry bea rt her discourse cannot be melancholy In good troth said Nomerfide because you have a desire to laugh I will give you the occasion And to shew you how much Fear and Ignorance are prejudicial to us and that the want of a good understanding is oftentimes the occasion of great trouble I will acquaint you with what happened to two Friers of Niort who by their ill understanding of the language of a Butcher had almost killed themselves by the only violence of their fear Two Friers too curious to listen to what did not belong unto them were so well recompenced for their vain curiosity that they thought they both should have dyed The fourth Novell THere is a Village betwixt Niort and Fo rs called Grip which belongeth to the Signiory of Fors. One day it fell out that two Friers comming from Niort did atrive very late in this village of Grip and lodged in the house of a Butcher and because betwixt their Chamber and their Hosts there was but a thin board ill nayled they had a great desire to listen to what the Husband did speak unto his Wife being in Bed together and they came up so close unto them that they both laid their ears directly against the Bedstead where their Host and his Wife lay who not suspecting the vigilance of his Guests did talk in private to his Wife of what belonged to his profession and said unto her Sweet-heart to morrow I must rise betimes to see my two Grey Friers whom I intend to kill and to sell them in the Market to make my profit of them And although by those words he did mean his two Hoggs whom he called Grey Friers so it was that the two poor Friers who heard that resolution did interpret that it was meant by them and in great fear and trembling they attended the break of
Ladies I have no inclination to praise the conscience of the President for this but only to shew the lightnesse of a Woman and the prudence and great patience of a Man and I must â—â—â—eat you not to be offended at the Truth which speaketh sometimes as much against you as it doth against men for Women doe partake of the same Vices and Virtues with them If all those Women said Parlament who loved their Grooms were constrained to eat of such Sallads I doe believe they would not love their Gardens half so well as they doe but would root out all the berbs that they might avoid those which give honour to the Family by the death of the Mother of it Hircan who did well foresee to what end she did speak those words did answer her in choler A virtuous woman ought never to judge another concerning that which she never will doe her self Parlament did reply Knowledge is not judgement upon conjecture and sure it is this poor Gentlewoman did endure the punishment which divers have deserved and I doe believe that her Husband since he would be revenged on her did govern himself with wonderfull wisdom and patience and also with as much malice said Longaren and cruel Vengeance which sufficiently doth witness that he had neither God nor his Conscience before his eys And what would you have had him to have don said Hircan to revenge himself of the greatest injury that a Woman can do unto a Man I would said she that he had killed her in his choler for the Casuists say that such a sin is pardonable for the first motions of Wrath are so violent in themselves that they are not in the power of a Man to give a stop unto them and therefore he is in some capacity of pardon No said Guebron for although his Children and all his posterity had born the infamy of the Mothers fault he ought not to have killed her for after that his first and greatest choler was passed over we find that he lived with her as if she had never given any occasion of offence and as if that all thought thereof was quite blotted out of his Memory Do you believe said Saffredant that he was pacified because he did dissemble his choler For my self I do believe that on the last day wherein he made that salad he was the same Man as he was in the first when he found her in incontinency although there are some the first motions of whose choler have no respite at all until they have put their passion into act And you do me a great pleasure to affirm that the Divines do hold such sins are easie to be pardoned for I am of the same opinion with them We ought to take good heed said Parlament what we do speak before such dangerous persons as you are that which I have said is to be understood when the passion is so strong that it suddenly doth so seize upon the sense that there is no place left for Reason So so said Saffredant I rest my self well satisfied with what you say and will conclude by it That a man violently amorous doth more easily deserve pardon than any other who doth sin being not in love for if Love doth lay him bound in chains Reason cannot easily command him and if We will confess the truth there is not here present any â—â—e of us who at one time or other hath not had experience of his furious folly and which of us doth not now expect to have pardon for it For true love is a degree to mount to the love of God to which none can easily ascend who hath not first climbed up the Ladder of trials and who doth not love his Neighbour and wish him as much happiness as to himself which is a great step unto perfection for St. John saith How can you love God whom you have not seen if you love not your Neighbour whom you have seen There is no place nor passage in the Scripture said Oysilla that is so direct but you can turn it to your own purpose but take heed that you do not like the Spider which converteth all wholesom food into poyson and you ought to be advised how dang roas it is to allege the Holy Scripture without Necessity What do you call it said Saffredant to allege the Scripture without Necessity You will say that in speaking to such incredulous Creatures as your self and appealing to God to be our witness we do take his Name in vain but if it be a Sin you Women your selves ought altogether to endure the punishment for your incredulities do enforce us to seek out all the Protestations and make all the Oaths we can devise and yet for all that we cannot kindle any fire at all in your hearts of Ice It is a sign said Longaren that you are great dissemblers for if there were any truth in your words the truth would be so strong that it would enforce us to believe you but it is to be feared that the Daughters of Eve do too much believe the Serpent that doth tempt them I understand well enough said Saffredant that Women are invincible wherefore I will hold my peace and attend to whom Emarsuite will give her voice I do give it said she to Dagoucin for I believe that he will not speak any thing in the derogation of Ladies I would to God said he that they would carry a correspondence with me and be as favourable to me as I am ready to speak in the praise of them and to manifest unto you that I do make it my business to honour the virtuous in labouring to find out their good works I will give you a History of one of them that shall be remarkable enough Ladies I will not deny but that the patience of the Gentleman of Pampelona and of the President of Grenoble hath been very great but the vengeance they have taken hath been as great as was their patience When we do praise a virtuous Man we ought not to give all the glory to one single Virtue which he makes to serve only as a cloak to cover as great a Vice He is to be commended who for the love of Virtue only doth do a virtuous work as I hope I shall make apparent to you by the patience and the virtue of a young Lady who in her good work sought after nothing but the honour only of God and the salvation of her Husband The Discretion of a Lady to retire her Husband from a fond love which did too much torment him The seventh Novell THere was a Lady of an Illustrious Family in this Kingdom of France whose Name I will conceal so wise she was and virtuous that she was beloved and honoured of all her Neighbors Her Husband as he ought to do did trust her with all his affairs which so wisely she did manage that by her means her House became one of the richest and most accommodated with the best
most beautifull and bravest personage amongst all the Ladies of Flanders On the departure of this great Assembly this Countesse of Aiguemont did return to her own House and the time of Advent being come she sent to the Covent of Friers to demand a good Preacher and a Man of a godly Conversation as well to preach as to confesse her self and all her Company The Warden of the Friers did make choice of the most worthy in his Covent to perform this office in regard of the great benefits he had received from the House of Aiguemont and that of Pienne of which this Lady was and being more desirous than all others to gain the good Esteem and the Love of great Houses he did send the most remarkable Preacher which he had in the whole Covent who the Advent did his duty very well and gave the Countesse great Content The time being come in which the Countesse would receive her Creator she did send for her Confessor and was confessed in her Chapel the door being locked that the Confession might be the more private which being ended she resign'd her place to her Dame of Honor who being confessed did send her Daughter to passe under the handâ— of this goodly Confessor who after she had confessed to him all that she knew he found something as well by her Complexion as Confession which gave him the desire the boldnesse to impose upon her a penance which was not usual He therefore said unto her My Daughter your Sins are so great that to give satisfaction for them I impose this penance on you to wear my Cord on your naked Body The young Gentlewoman who would not be disobedient to him did reply Give it me my Ghostly Father and I will not fail to wear it Nâ— my good Child said the Frier you must not put it on with your own Hands It is necessary that my hands must first of all tye it about you and after wards absolve you 〈◊〉 all your sins The young Gentlewoman beginning to weep did tell him Tâ—â—â— she did not know what to think of that penance Say you so said the Pâ—eacher Are you a Heretick that you refuse the penance which God and our holy Mother the Church doth ordain I do use Confession said the young Gentlewoman as the Church doth command me and would willingly doe penance and receive absolution but I would not that you should put your hands upon my naked body for in that manner I shall refuse your penance Then said the Confessor I can never give you absolution On these words the Damosel did rise from her knees having her Conscience much troubled for she was so young that she was afraid she had sinned in refusing to doe what her Confessor had enjoyned her The Countesse of Aiguemont having received Corpus Domini her Dame of Honour desiring to be made partaker of it after her did demand of her Daughter if she were ready her Daughter weeping made answer No for she was not yet confessed and what did you so long then with the Preacher said the Mother her Daughter made answer nothing at all for refusing the penance which he imposed upon me he refused also to give me absolution Her Mother so discretly enquired of her what penance it was that at the last she understood the whole manner of it and causing her to confesse unto another they received the Eucharist both together As soon as the Countesse was returned from the Church her Dame of Honour did complain unto her of the Preacher at which she was possessed with equal sorrow and amazement having before entertained a very good opinion of him The novelty of the penance did turn her anger into laughter but her laughter did put on that authority as to command the Frier to be taken and beaten in her kitchin where by the force of Rods he confessed the Truth and being tyed hand and foot she sent him afterwards to the Warden of the Covent desiring him that for the time to come he would send more honest men to preach unto her the Word of God Ladies Consider with your selves if in so honourable a house as this they were not afraid to declare their follies what do they do in poor places where they ordinarily do make their requâ—sts and where the opportunities are so easily presenâ—ed to them that it is a miracle young women do escape without a scandal And this Ladies doth occasion me to intreat you that you would turn your bad Esteem of them into Compassion and to ponder with your selves that he who can thus blind the heart of Friers will not spaâ—e the hearts of Ladies when he shall make them his subjects We may here see said Oysilla a good wicked Frier to be religious a Prtest and a Preacher and yet to use such villany on so great a Fâ—stâ—val and in the Church under the pretence of Confession which are all Circumstances that do aggravate the Sin And what of all this said Hircan Do you think that Friers are not men and to be excused as well as we especially this Frier who in the Night-time saw himself all alone with so fair a young Gentlewoman Certainly said Parlament if he had thought on the Nativity of Jesus Christ which was at that time represented he could not have had so wicked a desire You do not observe his method said Saffredant for he would begin with the Incarnation before he did come to the Nativity Neverthelesse he was faulty enough seeing upon so high a day and on so fair a Creature he would have committed so foul a sin In my opinion said Oysilla the Countesse did give him such a punishment that his Companions may take Example by it But it is worth your observation said Nomerfide if she did well to bring a Scandal upon him and if it had not been better that she had privatly reproved him than thus openly to have divulged his fault I do believe said Guebron it had been indeed the best Course for we are commanded to reprove our Neighbour in private before we do declare his faults to any or to the Church it self for when a Man is become once shameless he is not without great difficulty brought to amendment and I am of opinion that it is Shame as much as Conscience that retireth many Men from Sin We must therefore said Parlament practise that Counsel of the Gospel to one another but not to those who preach one thing and who do another for we ought not to be afraid to scandalize those who do scandalize others And it seems to me to be a meritorious work to make them to understand themselves to be such as they are that we may take heed of their seducings and teach young Maids to do so too who are not alwayes so well advised But to whom will Hircan give his voice Because you do ask me I will give it to your self said Hircan Since you give it unto me said Parlament I will give
behind them an Apothecaries Boy a close and a cunning knave and one to whom the Advocate did bear a long time a splean and by no means could endure him The Boy thought with himself that he had now found a good opportunity to revenge himself and going aside not above ten paces he found behind a house a great Excrement frozen all over which he did put into a paper and did wrap it up so artificially that it seemed to be a piece of Naple bisket He observed where the two Companions were and passing in great hast before them he entred into a house and at the door did as it were by negligence let fall his Naple-bisket which was so handsomly made up The Advocate took it up with great Joy and said unto his Companion Monsieur de la Tyrelier this cunning knave shall this day pay for our Breakfast but let us make hast lest the knave should find us in our larceny And entring into a Tavern he said unto the Maid make us a good fire and give us good Bread and good Wine and some good salt bit to relish our Mouths this Morning we have enough wherewith to discharge the house The Maid did serve them according to their defire but the Advocate having eat and drunk and sufficiently warmed himself before the fire the suger'd bread which the Advocate had put into his Brest did begin to melt and the smell thereof was so strong that not thinking from what place it came he said unto the Maid you have brought us into the filthiest and most stinking room that ever I did come into I doe believe that you doe let your Children doe their businesse upon the place The Signior de la Tyrelier who had his part of the perfume was of the same opinion with the Advocate But the Maid being angry that they should lay so foul an imputation to her charge did reply unto them in a great choler By Saint Peter Gentlemen the house is an honest house and the room so clean that there is nothing stinking in it unlesse you have brought it with you The two Companions did rise from the table and did goe again unto the fire to warm them and the Advocate taking his handkerchief out of his Brest he found it to be full of the Sirrop of the melted Suger which being a bit preserved to sweeten their mouths he did at the last bring forth to light You may well imagine how the Maid of the Tavern that did attend upon them did mock them who was before upbraided by them and what a shame it was to the Advocat to see himself over-reached by an Apothecaries boy in the same trade of deceit in which he himself had all his life been conversant But the Maid of the Tavern had not the least compassion on them but made them pay their shot to a Denier telling them that they could not chuse but be drunk having received such a fragrancy as well into their Noses as their Mouths The poor Gentlemen departed with as much shame as cost and were no sooner come into the street but they saw the Apothecaries boy asking every one who passed by if they had not taken up a quantity of Suger'd bread made up in a white paper and they could not so readily turn aside from him but he cryed out to the Advocate Sir if you have my bread made with Suger I beseech you that you will restore it for such losses are not profitable to such a poor Servant as I am At that word the people stood still in the street and others came out of their houses to understand the debate And the Act was so apparently justified that the Apothecaries boy was as glad that he had been robbed of his Suger'd bread as the Advocate was sorry being guilty of the larceny that he had took it up but hoping to be even with him another time he for the present did content himself Ladies we commonly observe that oftentimes they are cajoled themselves who make it their profession to cajole others If this Gentleman would not have eaten at the expence of another his Nose had not drank so strong a perfume It is true my Account is none of the sweetest but you did give me leave to speak the truth which I have acquainted you with to represent unto you that when a Deceiver is deceived there is no man that is sorry It is proverbially spoken said Hircan that words in themselves are never unsavoury but those things by which they are spoken cannot be so easily acquitted but they may smell strong enough It is true said Oysilla that such words stinck not but there are other words which we call filthy words that are of so bad a smell that the Soul is as much troubled to hear them as the Body was with the evil smell of the Sugar Bread of which you have spoken Tell me I pray you said Hircan what words are those which be so unclean that they leave such a filthy favour behind them in the heart of an honest Woman Would it be good do you think said Oysilla that I should tel you that which as yet I have not asked counsel of any Woman whether I should speak or no By that word said Saffredant I understand what terms they are by which Women would be reputed to be wise in the concealing of them But I ask in earnest of all the Ladies that are present wherfor it is that since they dare not speak such words that they do laugh so readily when they are spoken before them for 't is not in my understanding to believe that a thing which is so greatly displeasing to them should make them laugh We doe not laugh said Parlament because we do hear such wanton or filthy words spoken but there is a natural inclination in every one to laugh as when we see a man to stumble or when a word is spoke out of season or to no purpose as it often falleth out that the tongue doth trip and one word is spoken commonly for another by the wisest and the best speakers But when you men in your sensualness do on set purpose utter unclean words I know no Woman of worth who doth not abhor them and who will not only forbear to lend an ear unto you but will avoid your Company It is true said Guebron I have seen diverse Women make the sign of the Crosse having heard such words spoken but they have taken a delight immediatly afterwards to have heard them repeated again Nay said Simontault how often have they pulled down their Masks that they might laugh in earnest with the greater liberty which shews their displeasure was but feigned And it were better by far to do so said Parlament than to give you to understand that such a discourse was pleasing to us You praise then said Dagoucin as much the Hypocrisie as the virtue of Women It would be better said Longaren to praise their virtue but when that is
to Toby to procure an accomplished Husband for your Daughter for I dare assure you that I have now in hand one of the most honest young Gentlemen in all Italy who hath somewhere seen your Daughter and is so much taken with her that this day being in Prayer God did send him to me and of his own accord he declared unto me the passionate desire he had unto this marriage I who doe well know his Family and his Kinred and what is the conversation of his own life did promise him to acquaint you with it True it is there is one inconvenience in it and it is all which I doe know that ingaging himself to assist one of his friends whom another would have killed he did draw his Sword thinking to part them but it so fell out that his friend did kill his Enemy wherefore he although he did strike no blow at all was constrained to fly out of the Town because he was present at the Man-slaughter and by the counsel of his Parents he is come to this Town in the Habit of a Scholar where he doth live unknown until his Parents doe give satisfaction unto Justice which he hopeth will be in a very few days For this cause the marriage ought to be as private as possibly you can and you must be content to have him goe every day to the publick Lectures and every night he may come home to Supper and lie in your house The Lady being over-joyed did say unto him Sir in that which you speak I doe find a great advantage for by this means I shall have him near unto me and every night in my house which I desire above any thing in the world To accomplish this the Frier brought him to her in a very good Habit having on a Crimzen Satten doublet at which she was very glad After he was come the preparations for the Wedding immediatly began and when ever the midnight was passed Masse was said and the young couple were married and afterwards did goe to bed together About the break of day the Bridegroom said unto the Bride that because he must not be missing at the Lecture he was constrained to goe unto the College and having put on his doublet of Crimson Satten and his Scholars Gown not forgetting his square Cap he came to bid his Bride good morrow who was in bed and assured her that in the Evening he would come to Supper to her but at dinner he desired her that she would not expect him and so having kissed her he took his leave of his Wife who thought her self to be the happiest Woman in the World having got so good a Husband And the young married Frier returned to his old Father to whom he brought the two thousand Duckets accordingly as they had covenanted between themselves at the agreement of the mariage and at Evening he failed not to return to Supper unto her who did believe he was her Husband who preserved himself so well in hers and her Mâ—thers love that they would not have changed him for the greatest Prince in the World This life continued a certain time but as God hath pity on those who out of the simplicity of a good intent are deceived it so fell out that one morning this young Gentlewoman and her Mother had a great Devotion to hear Masse at the Covent of St Francis and to give a visit to their Father the Confessor by whose means they were so well provided the one with a Son-in-law and the other with an Husband and by fortune not finding their Confessor nor any other of their acquaintance they were resolved to hear high Masse which was then beginning expecting the coming of their Confessor The young Gentlewoman being attentive to the Divine Service and the Mysteries therein contained when the Priest turned towards the common people to say Dominus Vobiscum was struck with a sudden amazement for she thought with her self that it was her Husband or one very like him but she would not speak one word but attended until he turned once more towards them when she looked upon him more advisedly with the sharpest discretion of her eye and she did then assure her self that it was he wherefore she took her Mother by the Arm who was in a great contemplation and said unto her Woe is me Madam Who is that whom I see yonder Her Mother being startled at it said Who She replyed unto her it is my own Husband who says Masse it is impossible that any one in the world should so much resemble him Her Mother who had not well observed him did say unto her Daughter I pray you suffer not such a thought to invade your fancy for it is a thing absolutely impossible that those who are religious and holy men should be guilty of such a trompery you doe greatly Sin against God to believe such an opinion Neverthelesse her Mother did more stedfastly fasten her eyes upon him And when he turned again to say Ite Missa est she confessed that truly never two Brothers that came out of one Belly were more like for all this she was so innocent that lifting up her eyes she said My God assist me that I may not believe what I see but because it so much concerned her Daughter she determined to examin the businesse further and to be resolved in her self of the truth thereof When the Evening came her Husband who did not see them at Masse did return according to his Custom and the Mother coming to the Daughter said unto her We may now know the truth if you will whether he who said Masse be your Husband or no For as soon as he shall be in bed I will come to you and he not thinking of it you shall pluck his Cap from off his head and we shall both see if he hath such a Crown as he had who said Masse this day This resolution being taken was accordingly put in execution for as soon as the ungracious Husband was in bed the old Woman came into the Chamher and taking him by both his hands as it were in sport her Daugher pulled off his Cap and beheld his shaven Crown whereat they were so much astonished that it is impossible to be more And immediatly they called their Servants who did take him and bind him until it were morning the many excuses and the fair words he made being all in vain The morning appearing the Lady sent to seek her Confessor pretending that she had a great Secret to impart to him who immediatly did come unto her and she caused him to be taken and bound as was the younger Frier reproaching them for the horrible abuse they had committed And presently afterwards she delivered them unto Justice into whose hands she did commit them both where you may judge if any of understanding be present to judge that they did not goe unpunished Here Ladies by demonstration you may find that all those who do vow poverty
unto it and said unto her Ah Madam Receive the heart which will break through my Brest to leap into your hand from whom I doe hope for Grace Life and Mercy which now constrains me to declare unto you that love which for so long a time I have concealed from you for neither you nor I are Masters of that puissant God When she understood the words which I did speak unto her she found them very strange and would have drawn back her hand but I did hold it so fast to my heart that at last although she plucked away her cruel hand yet the gentle Glove stayed behind And because I had not then nor had ever since any greater familiarity with her I have fastned this Glove near unto my wounded heart it being the most propper Plaster which I could give unto it And I have adorned this Glove as you see with all the fairest Rings and the most pretious things which are in my possession and I will not leave it for the Kingdom of England for there is nothing in the World which doth me more good than to feell it near my Heart The Earl of Montmorancy who had rather kisse the Hand than love the Glove of a Lady did much extol him for his gerat honesty and assured him that he was the truest Lover that ever he beheld and seeing he made so much of so little what would he have done he told him if he had received a greater favour from her than a Glove It may be he would have dyed through the excesse and violence of his Joy My Lord did readily acknowledge what the Earl of Montmorancy said not suspecting that he did speak it out of mockery If all Gentlemen in the World were of my Lords honesty Ladies might well repose their confidence in them seeing it would cost them no more than the losse of a Glove I know so well the Earl of Montmorancy of whom you speak said Guebron that I am confident he would not have lived in that torment and if he would have been contented with so little he would never have received those great fortunes which he hath enjoyed by Love for the old Song says The Amorous Coward is unsuccesseful Do you think said Saffredant that the poor Lady did not discreetly draw back her hand when she found his heart to beat so violently for she might think with her self that he would have dyed and there is nothing in the World which Women doe hate more than to touch the dead If you had so much haunted the Hospitals as you have done the Taverns said Emarsuite you would not have spoken those words for you shall find Women there to bury the dead which is an office that Men oftentimes as hardy as they pretend themselves to be are afraid to perform It is true said Simontault that there are none who do penance but do clean contrary to that in which they have taken pleasure as the Gentlewoman whom I have seen in a great house in this Kingdom who to satisfie for the pleasure which she had to kisse one whom she loved was seen in a morning four hours together to kisse the dead body of a Gentleman who was slain the day before whom she loved no lesse than the other whereby it was known that she did penance for her passed pleasures We may see said Oysilla how all the good deeds which Women do receive a sinister interpretation amongst Men. I am of opinion that neither the dead nor the living ought to be kissed if God bad not commanded it As for my self said Hircan I do care so little for kissing any Woman but my own that I shall willingly accord to all the Laws that shall prohibit it only I shall pitty young people from whom you would take that little contentment and nullifie the Commandment of Saint Paul who doth give us order that we should kisse in osculo sancto If you were such a Man as Saint Paul said Nomerfide we should find it by the operation of that Spirit which did speak in him You had rather said Guebron doubt of the Truth of the Holy Scripture than fail in one of your petty Ceremonies We do not therefore doubt of the Truth of the Holy Scripture said Oysilla because we do not believe your Fables There is no Woman here but knoweth well enough what she ought to believe and what she ought to doe which is not to doubt of the truth of the Word of God but to give no belief to the vanities of men who would turn us aside from the truth I am of a firm belief said Simontault that there are more Men deceived by Women than Women by Men for the little Love which they bear to us doth keep them from believing the truth and the great Love which we do bear to them doth make us to repose confidence in their falshoods and their slatteries insomuch that we are deceived before we do suspect our selves to be so I believe said Parlament that you have heard the Complaint of the Fool who was deceived by his own folly for your Discourse is of so small authority that iâ— had need to be fortified by Example wherefore if you know any one I will give you my Place to account it to us And think not that for one word or two we will be subject to believe you but in listning to you to speak evil of us our Novels shall find no prejudice at all Since I have the place said Simontault I will rehearse unto you my History A Lady of the Court did pleasantly revenge her self of her Servant for his Love The eighth Novell IN the Court of King Francis the first there was a Lady of a gallant Spirit who by her civility gracefulness and good language had gained the hearts of many Servants with whom she knew very well to passe away the time for her Honour being reserved she entertained them all so pleasantly that they knew not what to think of themselves for those who were most assured were in some despair and those who wer most desperat did take some â—ssurance Neverthelesse making sport with all the rest she loved one of them intirely whom she called Cosin which gave a colour to his better entertainment But as there is nothing permanent their love oftentimes did turn into Discontent and not long afterwards they would renew their affections more than ever insomuch that almost not any of the Court were ignorant of it One day this Lady as well to make him understand that she took not so much delight in any thing as to put him to some perplexity for whose Love she had endured so much she contrived with her self to give him better respects than ever she had done heretofore Wherefore he who neither in Arms or in Love did want for boldnesse did begin vigorously to purchase that which so often he in vain had desired and she protending that out of meer pity she was no longer able to deny him
almost without intermission for I believe that such a Malady cannot proceed only from your great Belly The Dutchesse perceiving her Husband to be so kind unto her as that she could not have desired him to be more thinking that now was the time to revenge her self on the denying Gentleman she imbraced the Duke and beginning to weep abundantly she said unto him Alas my Lord The greatest grief which I have is to see you deceived by those who are so much obliged to maintain your Honour and your welfare The Duke understanding those wordâ— had a great desire to know by whom it was she spoke them and with much importunity did intreat her without fear to declare unto him all the Truth She having made many denyals the better to colour her pretence did at the last say unto him I do not wonder much if Strangers make Warr on Princes when those who are most obliged to them do enterprise so wicked a Deed that the losse of Goods is nothing in comparison of it Sir I will tell you the Gentleman and speaking those words she gave him the name of him whom she hated He said she being nourished by your own hand advanced and treated more like a kinsman or a Son than a Servant hath dared to undertake so cruel and so wretched an enterprise as to procure the losse of the honour of your Wife in which consists the honour of your House and of your Children And although for a long time he hath made many covert Invitations of Allurement tending to the Accomplishment of his wicked Design yet my heart which hath regarded none but your self would understand nothing at all untill that at the last he declared himself by his words To which I returned such an answer as my heart and my chastity did command me Neverthelesse I have ever since born such a hatred to him that I cannot endure to look on him which is the cause that I have kept my Chamber and lost the happinesse of your Company beseeching you that you will no longer keep any such Servant near unto your Person For after so great a crime he fearing that I may acquaint you with it may yet commit a greater Sir I have here given you the cause of my affliction which seems to me to be so just that it is worthy you should give a sudden redresse unto it The Duke who loved his Wife and according to her accusation did find her to be much injured and himself also to be interested in it and on the other side loved his Servant of whose fidelity he had so great experience that he could hardly believe this Fable to be a truth was in a great perplexity and being filled with choler and amazement did command his Servant not to appear in his presence but for a certain time to withdraw himself from the Court The Gentleman being altogether ignorant of the occasion was as much grieved as possibly could be being conscious to himself that his uprightnesse and fidelity did deserve a far better construction And being well assured of his loyalty and demeanour he sent one of his Companions to speak unto the Duke and to present his Letter to him most humbly beseeching him that if by any false instigation he was removed from his presence he would be pleased to suspend his Judgement until he had been examined and the truth of the accusation had been understood and that he would then find that he had not given him the least occasion of offence The Duke reading the Letter did a little rebate the edge of his fury and privately sent for him to come into his Chamber to him the Gentleman being come he look'd upon him with a furious countenance and said I never thought that the care I taken to bring you up from your infancy as my own Child should be turned into a repentance to have so highly advanced you Since you have endeavoured to bring that upon me which would be more prejudicial to me than the losse of my life and fortunes in seeking by corrupting the Honour of her who is half of my self to render my House and my posterlty infamous throughout all ages You may well conceive that such an injury doth leave such an impression in my heart that if it were not for the doubt I entertain whether the report be true or no you had been before this in the bottom of the Sea and had in secret received a punishment for that offence which secretly you would have committed against me The Gentleman was not much amazed at his words for his innocence did cause him to speak with confidence unto him and did beseech him that he would be pleased to tell him who was his Accuser for such words said he ought rather to be justified by the Lance than by the tongue Your Accuser said the Duke doth bear no other Arms but her own Chastity for I assure you that no other Woman but my own Wife did disclose it to me and withal hath besought me to take vengeance on you The poor Gentleman observing the great malice of the Lady would not altogether accuse her but said unto him Sir Madam the Dutchesse may say what she pleaseth and what already she hath spoken you doe know far better than my self but believe me Sir I did never see her out of your company but once or twice at the most at which time she did not expresse her self in many words unto me God hath indued you with as much Judgement as any Prince that I doe know in Christendom wherefore Sir I beseech you to tell me if you did ever observe in me the least Countenance which might beget the least suspition for Love is a Fire which cannot so long he concealed but it will be sometimes discovered by those who languish in the same malady I beseech you Sir that you would believe two things in me the one is that I am so loyal to you that if your Wife were the most beautiful and the most accomplished Lady in the World yet Love should never so much overcome me as to stain my honour and my fidelity the other is that if she were not your Wife yet of all the Women which I have seen she is that Lady of whom I should be the least amorous and there are besides her in your Court many other Ladies on whom more readily I could fix my fancy The Duke began to soften himself into a mercy having heard these words of truth said unto him I do believe what you have represented to me wherfore continue your place in your attendance on me as you have been accustomed for I assure you that if I shall find the truth to be on your side I shall love you yet better than ever I have done and if I shall find to the contrary Know that your life doth ly in my hands The Gentleman did humbly thank him and did submit himself to all punishment if he were found guilty The Dutchesse