easily extricate my self I shall content my self in telling you that the two Shepherds obstinately disputed that they could not agree and that in their contest they publish'd all the King's Virtues both Civil and Military Belise I do not doubt but you expect that I should Praise in my turn and instead of excusing my self through modesty I am willing to do it provided my memory furnishes me with the Subject and Expressions It is then the Elogium of a Victorious Prince which I undertake with the assistance of a delicate Wit whose Works to my great misfortue you too well know to thank me for what I recite out of ' em This Author writes to the Prince after the winning of a considerable Battel and makes him certain reproaches and forms a kind of Quarrel in a manner infinitely more agreeable than the most regular Congratulation You may judge by several passages which I remember Hew joyful I am my Lord to be at a distance from your Highness that I may the better say what I have long since thought of you I dared not declare it lest I should fall into the inconveniencies wherein I have beheld Persons who had taken the like Liberties But my Lord you do too much to be past over in silence and you will be unjust if performing the Actions you do it remained there and no mention were made to you of ' em If you knew in what manner all the World talks of you you would be astonish'd to see with how little fear of displeasing you they speak of what you have done In truth my Lord I know not what you have thought of for it was a great boldness in you to have at your Age topt two or three old Captains whom you ought to respect if it were only for their Age. To have taken sixteen pieces of Cannon which belonged to a Prince who is the King's Uncle and the Queen's Brother with whom too you never had any difference To have put into disorder the best Spanish Troops who so kindly let you pass All this is contrary to good manners and matter enough I think for your Confessor I have heard indeed that you were obstinate and that it was not good contending with you but I did not think you would have been transported so far and if you continue you will render your self insupportable to all Europe Neither the Emperour nor King of Spain will have any thing to do with you You know the Letter is longer but the Author speaking openly what he pleases in the rest of it I confess I would not charge my memory with it Cleonice I have the same rellish and I had rather a thousand times know how to praise in this lusory manner than to be able to compose those long and serious Panegyricks which are very laborious to those that make them and very troublesom to those who are oblig'd to hear them Philemon I wonder that Dorante has said nothing yet Does he think to be quit for having given us a Supper Let him not be mistaken we have now praised a valiant Man let him make an Elogium of a liberal one Dorante I shall recount to you the tour of a gallant Man whose inclinations you 'll find led him to liberality I doubt not but you have heard that Voiture was a great Gamester and that he lost in one Day 1400 Lewis's at the deceased Monsieurs where he had the Office of introducer of Embassadors Being an Honest Man as well as a Man of Wit he would send away the next morning the Sum he had lost and finding at home only 1200 Lewis's he sent to demand 200 of Costar his intimate Friend Send them to me spedily wrote he to him you know I play no less on your credit than mine own If you have them not borrow 'em If you find no hody that will lend 'em you sell all that you have even to your good Friend Monsieur Pauquet For I must not fail of having 200 Pistols You see with what imperiousness my Friendship speaks the reason is because it is vehement Yours would say I entreat you to lend me 200 Lewis's if you can without putting your self to any inconvenience I beg your pardon that I should be so free with you Costar sent the 200 Pistols and answered he never believed he could have so much pleasure for so little Money Seeing you play on my credit says he I will always keep a stock to preserve it I can moreover assure you that a near Kinsman of mine has always a 1000 Lewis's as much at my diposal as if they were in your Coffer However I would not here by expose you to any considerable loss One of my neighbours told one yesterday that his lost Pecunia would have proved the best Friend in the World to him could he have kept him by him and I advise you to keep yours I send you back your Note but am surprised you should deal thus with me having taken such a different course with Monsieur Balsac I will add then that Balsac having need of Money sent to entreat Voiture to lend him 1200 Livers and charged the Porter to give him a Note for the like Summ Voiture told the Money and took the Note wherein were these words I underwritten confess to owe to Monsieur Voiture the Summ of 400 Crowns which he has lent me for c. Voiture takes the Note and subscribes these Words I underwritten confess to owe to Monsieur de Balsac the Summ of 800 Crowns for the pleasure he has done me in borrowing of me 400. After this he gives the Note to Mr. Balsac's Valet de Chambre to carry to his Master The Company was very well satisfied with this Recital and could not but entertain themselves with it all the Supper time Scarce were they risen ftom Table but Cleonice reassumed the discourse I am charmed said she with the contents of Voiture's Obligation written under that which Balsac sent him Belise I like very well too the manner after which he sent for 200 Pistols grounding this sort of boldness on the firmness of this Friendship Philemon Nothing but a strict familiarity could authorise this liberty without this there had been neither discretion nor civility in this proceeding and you know what would become of Societies without these two so necessary qualities Cleonice They are so necessary that we cannot better spend our time than in treating of them ENTERTAINMENT X. That to please in Conversation one must be discreet and keep an exact decorum Philemon HAve you not observed that it is not young people who generally please in Conversation whatever agreeableness their youth may give them Dorante I do not wonder at it for besides that they have not a sufficient stock of experiences for Conversation they be commonly too hot in speaking and shew in what they say more impetuosity than reservedness But that which is most considerable is that they seldom consider what they
never be pardoned me I said that Virgil went too far when he set forth the lightness of Camilla and that I knew not whether in so great a Poem one might make a Princess run over the tops of Corn without bending them and over the Waves of the Sea without wetting the soles of her Feet These are in truth glistering expressions but I think 'em not so well placed in a serious stile as they would be in a light Poem There are also Authors who think they carry not their Exageration far enough if they do not heap Hyperbole upon Hyperbole Now although there are infinite Hyperbolies in the Writings of witty Men who are pleased to sport ingeniously with them yet we must not think this Figure ought to be only used in raillery and that it cannot well be seen in the most serious matters One of our Authors praising Cardinal Richlieu addresses himself to him in these Terms in an Epistle Dedicatory But my Lord as there was heretofore a Valiant Man who could not receive any wounds but on the fears of those he had already received so you cannot be praised but by Repetitions seeing that truth which has its bounds has said for you whatever falshood which knows none has invented for others I may add that Hyperboles make a great impression in a Tragical Subject This Monster having not sufficiently glutted his Cruelty and being not satisfied with the Rivers of Blood which he made run down this desolate City put all to Fire and Sword before him He foam'd with Rage and his Eyes more ardent and dismal than two Comets c. But before we end methinks we should not forget Voiture who is so full of agreeable Hyperboles Have you not observed How many Towns he discovers which are in no Maps How many Mountains which Geographers know nothing of How many Terra's Incognita's and how many Rivers and Seas which the World never before heard of He ingenuously confesses in another Letter that he makes use of the Figure we speak of He makes the description of a Feast and says if I be not mistaken That the Skie appeared on Fire that all the places round about shined like Stars and that it seemed as if the whole Universe was turning into a flame He afterwards coldly adds that these are 3 Hyperboles which reduced to their just value are just worth nothing I know not Erastus whether what I now said satisfies you You I say to whom the Hyperbole was so familiar before you had espoused Cleonice Perhaps you have not as yet forgot how you set this Figure at work when you came to find me to impart to me your Joy or relate to me your Griefs It is not above six Months since That one minute without seeing Cleonice was an Age of Trouble to you and I am certain that if you could Entertain her an Age you would look on this Age but as a Moment Erastus I confess in those days I made more often use of the Hyperbole than the Irony but seeing I find my self at present in a calmer condition I should be more disposed to Gaiety than the Figure requires which you would have me speak of You know better than I what a great relish she yields to Raillery and I believe that Lisidor is not to be taught that an Irony consists in learning neatly to be understood the contrary of what we say I saw yesterday at a Lady of Quality's a Marquess who this day was to set out for his Province where he goes to confine himself He came to Paris on occasion of a Law suit and I believe he returns less out of humour for having parted with a great deal of money to Solicitors and Lawyers than to have remain'd three or four Months from his Seat and his Farms He took a great delight in recounting how he busied himself in the Country and being my near Kinsman I could no more suffer what he said than his manner of living A Lady of the Company took notice of the Pain I was in and represented to the Marquess That in France a Person of Quality thought it more becoming him to serve in the Wars than to amuse himself in feeding Ducks and Pigeons Our Country Gentleman smiled and shewed by his answer That he pitied those Persons that serv'd in the Wars I could not then forbear speaking and directing my discourse to this Lady My Lord has reason said I to her a little roughly and I assure you that the Conde's the Turenne's and the Crequi's are to be blamed for not following his Example Their lives would have been Glorious far from Armies whereas they determined to spend them in beating their Enemies gaining Battles and taking Cities I know not what they thought in embracing a profession which so greatly lessens their Memory It 's true they had the mishap of not consulting a Wit so solid as that of my Lord the Marquess I uttered these words with a serious Air the Company smiled and my Kinsman lost his Countenance and could not get it again all the Dinner time I do not doubt but Lisidor knows That we comprehend the sense of an Irony either by a tone of Pronunciation which discovers that we are not in earnest or by the apparent opposition there is between the words and the thing spoken of It was by this last means that I was understood for they saw nothing but what was serious in my Discourse and on my Countenance But seeing that you have cited Authors methinks it is lawful for me to say That an Irony glisters throughout all the Works of Voiture and Sarasin You are not surprised at this but I am in seeing in Malherbe's Letters a Raillery ingeniously turn'd which I may take for a kind of Irony I was so content with several passages of this famous Author's Rhime that I dared not read his Prose so greatly was I afraid of losing the Esteem I would preserve for him Lisidor will not be displeased in hearing how ingeniously Malherbe relates the News of the Siege of Vertue The Spaniards are always before Verue it 's a place that is a little more worth than Chaliot but is far from being so good as Lagny However the Duke de Feria lies starving there with cold notwithstanding the Dog-days The Marshal de Crequi has lodg'd himself between the Besieged and the Besiegers and does wonders according as he is went If you ask me what I expect I believe that the Spaniards will see the Steeples and Chimneys of this Town but as for the Streets of it they must get their notices of them in the Map I would advise them if they pretend still to the Universal Monarchy either that they would proceed more quick in their work or beg of Heaven to put a stop to the end of the World that they may have time enough to finish it c. I shall not expatiate any longer on this matter I find it large and I like it I am afraid lest it
all the Quiet of her Soul and Happiness of her Days 'T is high time Madam to reveal the Mystery my Heart Madam is sensible and susceptible of the deepest Impressions And what I have in Appearance condemned most is perhaps the only thing has most Power over me The Earl of Essex is no less famous for the Victorg gain'd over my Heart than for his Treasons against me And I who have maintain'd the Freedom of my Soul and preserv'd the Liberty of my Affection from submitting to the Efforts of all the Princes of Europe and the Greatest of my Subjects have now the Misfortune to find my Inclinations violently sway'd in Favour of a Person as ungrateful as faithless You know what I have done to raise him nor can you be ignorant how ill he hath requited me by his Crimes A Man who being Governour of Ireland General of my Army in quiet Possession of the best Offices of my Kingdom and Master of my Affection yet could not forbear conspiring against that Authority I was but too much inclin'd to give him a Share of and perhaps against a Life I took no other Pleasure in but the Opportunities I had by it to make his happy It was not in the Queen's Power to say a Word more And the Countess more than ordinarily concern'd at the Discourse grew so much the more curious and pretending to comfort the Queen engag'd her dexterously to a further Discovery No Madam replies the Queen there 's no Hope of Comfort for me if the Earl of Essex dye By the Condition you see his Imprisonment hath put me in you may guess what I am like to be reduc'd to by his Death His Crimes I abhor but am in Love with his Person and find that as I have been so weak to let him know it I shall again be so weak to pardon him all You do not know his Carriage towards me And perhaps my Affection will as easily find Excuses for his Ingratitude as it did for my Kindness I will give you the Relation of it but conjure you to reproach me so plainly with the Shame I expose my self to that I may at last prevail with my self to abandon the ingratefullest of Men to the Rigour of his Fate I Shall not give you an Account of the Interests of England otherwise than what the Earl of Essex stands concern'd in I will pass by the Obstacles rais'd against my Establishment and tell you only I quickly gain'd Possession of the Throne was ador'd of my People and happy beyond the Hopes of a Person of my Sex But Elevation is not always attended with the Pleasure of Life and that smooth Gale of Felicity and Repose in the Beginning of my Reign quickly blew over at least in my Opinion Being settled in my Government I found my Court throng'd with Suitors of soveraign Grandeur striving to merit the Choice it was in my Power at once to make of a Husband and a King The Earls of Somerset Leicester Arundel and Hertford had most Right to pretend to it But finding my self disturbed by their Importunities in my most serious Affairs and not at all inclin'd to entertain their Suits I formally declar'd to them I design'd to live single and endeavoured to make them amends by considerable Imployments and Allyances I bestow'd on them Three of them openly quitted the Hopes they had conceived Only the Earl of Leicester more ambitious or more constant than the rest kept afoot his Pretensions and publickly continued his Services But it was not ordain'd his Perseverance should be crown'd with the Reward of my Affection The Earl of Essex having signaliz'd himself against the rebellious Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland made about this Time his first Appearance at Court and found with more Ease the Secret to please me Those who presented him to me spoke much in Commendation of him And I was too much an Eye-witness of the Merit of his Person I look'd upon him as an extraordinary Man Nor could I but think it equally extraordinary to find my self so strangely affected with him at the first Sight The Reception I gave him was very obliging and the Acknowledgments he made me were full of Repsect So that for the Time I saw no Cause to check my Inclination I may date from this first View the Loss of my Repose I presently fell into a Disquiet I had till then been altogether a Stranger to And in spight of my high Spirit I could not but inwardly acknowledge the Cause And all the Efforts of my haughty Humour against it serv'd only to make the Triumph of the Earl of Essex more Glorious You would better comprehend the Condition I was in did you know the Resentments of a great Soul jealous of its Reputation in Extremities of this Nature the Combats it undergoes and the Confusion that attends the Defence I fear'd my Eyes would discover the Pleasure I took in looking on the Earl of Essex and my Weakness occasion Discourses in the World to the Prejudice of my Glory I shun'd the Sight of him but to little purpose when I carry'd the Idea of him in my Heart I was angry with my self for it and summon'd my Reason to my Assistance to deface it But Love had so violently seiz'd my Heart that I struggle in vain to dispossess him By little and little I yielded my self Captive to that powerful Inclination which had at first Sight made me so much in Love with the Person of the Earl of Essex And pretending the Services he had done me against the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland and the Memory I had of the good Services of his Father as the Ground of my Favour I made him Knight of the Garter Master of the Horse and of the Privy-Council though under Age. Thus did I cherish and indulge the Weakness I had so long struggled with and condemn'd my self for The higher he grew in Office the dearer he was to my Person His Complaisance his Respect his Looks which to me appear'd all kind and languishing and especially my Affection which had Tenderness enough to give a favourable Construction to the least of his Actions conspir'd to betray me Envy rais'd him Enemies The Earl of Leicester concern'd to be jealous of him quickly suspected the Truth And looking on the Earl of Essex as a Person of Merit capable to cross his Pretensions he made it his Business to supplant him which I presently observ'd I easily foresaw the Trouble my Favour might cause between Persons so considerable And the better to countenance the Kindness I had for Essex I affected a little Complaisance for Leicester which somewhat abated the Edge of his Jealousie About that time the King of Sweden the Emperour for his Son and the Duke of Anjou made me their several Proposals of Marriage which I was forc'd to receive but wanted not Pretences to send home their Embassadours without any Fruit of their Negotiation How contrary to the real Motive of my
do you find that I have not perform'd my Duty well I am but now come from the Vice-queen I have been two long Hours with her in her Closet where I have sighed talkt of Love and feigned an Excess of Passion What would you desire more I know not what you have done since I saw you answers the Viceroy but a while since you made me conceive so ill an Opinion of you that I began to lay down all Hopes of finding any good Relief from you You were sad dejected and said not a Word is that the way to insinuate into the Hearts of the young Ladies That melancholy Air that I affected Sir answered the Count is none of the worst means to take some Hearts at least it was the means that perswaded your Lady the Vice-queen to lead me into her Closet to ask me what the matter was And there in private I told her what I had to say and I hope added he smiling you will find your desired Repose I wish I may answered the Viceroy not being overfond of entring into the Particulars of that Conversation and after having encouraged him to pursue the Design they each went away to their respective Apartments The Morrow following this new Lover who used always to go extream rich in Cloaths took a particular care to please his Mistress in his Habit. He found her as he had been told with the Viceroy's Lady and as soon as they saw him come into the Chamber they both fell a laughing at the different Thoughts they had of this Visit each looking upon the other as the pretended Mistress of this Gallant It was pleasant to observe the Care they both took to render themselves pleasing to him Do you not see Madam says Donna Angelica softly how delilicately he is shaped what a sweet Air he has how particularly graceful his Person is I observe it all says the Viceroy's Lady being overjoy'd to hear her speak in this manner and I confess if I were one of those Women that would entertain a Gallant I would make choice of Count Henry for Donna Angelica did judge by the gentile Behaviour of the Count and the Disposition of the Lady that if no Amour was yet a foot between them it would soon be begun And the Vice-queen was perswaded that Donna Angelica being perswaded as she was of the Merits of the Count either did already or would quickly be brought to love him The Count acquitted himself as to his part well enough for a young Scholar He sigh'd sometimes to one sometimes to the other to the Satisfaction of both When the Viceroy's Lady made him a Sign he went to Donna Angelica and then returned to her upon the silent Commands of Donna Angelica Never was Man better diverted all was well received from him he had the Privilege to do what he pleas'd and they permitted him each for the others sake all the little Liberty he had a mind to take with them Some Days past in this manner during which time the Viceroy's Lady and Donna Angelica gave themselves this Diversion and where the Viceroy himself had no mind to be seen for fear of spoiling their Mirth The happy Count enjoy'd alone these fair Ladies Company and grew every Day more familiar with them He was very handsome as to his Figure and of so free and airy a Humour that it sparkled through all his Actions and his Company was very pleasant and delightful to them But Don Fernand who besides the little Advantage he had hitherto got by it began to fear that Mischief might happen to his Mistress which he intended only for his Wife grew weary of their Divertisements and gave Donna Angelica notice that she would do him an extream Kindness to forbear being seen there any more since she was unable further to contribute to that Design But she who by no means would permit the Viceroy to concern himself about the Measures of her Conduct and knowing from what Motive his Advice proceeded did but laugh at him and went immediately from dinner to the Vice-queen's Chamber where she was sure the Count would not fail to be What is it to me says she what the Viceroy desires I will not deny my self the Satisfaction of seeing the Count. I never pass'd my Time more pleasantly than since I was acquainted with him The Vice-queen was of the same Opinion They sought not so much now to please one another because possibly they both loved him and it may be already repented they had been so liberal and not endeavour'd to retain him each for her self But as both of them had a good Opinion of their own Power to charm him they flattered themselves with a Conceit that they could retrieve him at their pleasure The Count being with the Viceroy's Lady and the time of going to take the Air drawing on they propos d to walk in the Garden when there came in some Ladies to wait upon the Vice-queen and their Visit growing somewhat tedious Donna Angelica whispers the Viceroy's Lady that she would stay for her in the Garden with the Count in the Arbor near the Labyrinth and so they took their leave of her and went both together This Lady did most extreamly long to know which of them had the geatest Empire o're the Counts Affections though she did not much doubt but it was her self his Eyes and all his ways of Expressions as well as his Mouth had sufficiently confirm'd her in this Belief but to avoid the ordinary Mistake of Women who are willing to flatter themselves in this Particular she was resolv'd to have from him a clear Declaration of the Truth and they were no sooner in the Arbor but beginning to laugh after a very charming manner for a young Lover says she Count Henry you have made a great Progress in a little time You are but newly arrived in this Court and you have got already such an Esteem among all the Ladies that I I should not very much flatter you in saying it is arrived even to the point of Love You are obliging Madam answer'd the Count but I should be too happy were the Progress I have made capable of reaching your Heart My Heart says she with a kind of secret Joy that appear'd in her Eyes you have no Thoughts of it you questionless take me for the Vice-queen No Madam replies the Count I know to whom I speak and if either of us mistake it is you if you imagine my Wishes and Sighs are addressed to the Vice-queen It is you Madam that are their fair Object and they only aspire at your Heart And seeing she answer'd nothing for possibly she was then at a stand what to say to him he made use of her obliging Silence and having put one Knee to the Ground Madam says he most passionately taking one of her fair Hands and giving it a thousand Kisses I have a long while waited for an Opportunity to swear to you by all that is most powerful
ravished to hear his discourse and though she foresaw her concern in the Affair was like to be small yet she was pleas'd with the News she received being willing to sacrifice all Interests of her own to the satisfaction of her Lady But Sir to tell you all said she to the Count having paid my thanks to the Bassa for the favour I was in hopes of from him I went presently to bring the News to the Sultaness who could not sufficiently embrace me being so extreamly transported that nothing in the World could have made her more joyful she hath scarcely been able to sleep ever since She and I have laid a hundred designs and framed to our selves a thousand devices how she may have a sight of you but if the Bassa will not permit you to come alone hither I do not see how it may be effected The Sultaness in the mean time will be ravished with joy that I have seen you and that you know some part of her mind The happy Roman being charmed at the kindness a Lady of that beauty and quality had for him was very urgent with Laura to oblige him on this occasion and press'd her to say to the Sultaness from him all that a heart extreamly sensible of the favour she did him was capable to express That he would have esteem'd himself the happiest of men had it been in his power to have merited this honor and that it should be the business of his Life to deserve it by his Actions Sir reply'd Laura all she desires of you is that you will so manage the Liberty the Bassa doth afford you that she may once have a sight of you I find my self engaged to it by so many reasons said the Count that you may be assured I will not forget any thing that may gain this honour I must intreat you to assure the Sultaness accordingly and that I have at least as much passion as she He had no sooner said this but the Bassa came to them which made them change their discourse and the Bassa having condescended to make himself one of the company and very pleasantly rallied then said he perceived by their Countenances they were obliged to him for the Acquaintance he had procured between them and that they were very well pleased the one with the other The Count and Laura having returned the Complement the Bassa took his leave and he and the Count went out of the Seraglio The Bassa had observed such joy in Alexander's Countenance when he was with Laura it made him believe he was very well pleased with the visit he had given her But he had the curiosity to ask him how he liked her and whether she appeared so beautiful as he had represented her The Count answer'd it was certainly impossible to see a Lady more handsom or more witty And that he was charmed at her Beauty and Conversation The Bassa who desired nothing more than to see him in Love was extreamly glad at the confession he made and told him it should be his fault if he saw her not again and if he desired he might do it on the morrow that he would give him a Key to enter the Seraglio and that he might go alone lest if he brought him in the Sultaness might be jealous it being not his custom to visit her so often the Count failed not to acquaint him how highly that favour would oblige him so that the Bassa bid him go to bed and take his rest and told him he should see Laura on the morrow about the time he had seen her that day Never was a night so restless to any man as this to the Count her inclination like that he had to marriage with the principal and most beautiful Lady of the Kingdom was a thing so rare and so tempting for a man of his temper what Laura had said of those obliging thoughts that charming Person had for him did so ravish him with Pleasure that in the depth of misfortune he could not imagine any man more fortunate than himself But when he considered that she was the Wife of the Bassa a Person to whom he was so strictly obliged he was troubled extreamly and sigh'd for sorrow these second thoughts prevailing at that time over the other he highly reproached himself for entertaining a thought of so base an ingratitude But it is a ticklish business to repent of a thing that extreamly delights us and men seldom charge themselves home for a fault so pleasing and lovely as the pleasure of being beloved Those reproaches of the Count against himself were not altogether the most violent that might be and sometimes he would be angry with himself for making so much ado At last being assaulted by turns on the one side by Reason on the other by Passion by the Glory of that and the tenderness of this he got up in the Morning without having been able to take any other resolution than to yield himself up to be guided by his Destiny to be governed by Fate and be meerly passive in the management of the business that is to say to love in this particular like a Turk and to see the Sultaness if it were so predestinated But to do nothing in order to it though he had promised Laura to contribute on his part all that lay in his power and had told the Bassa he should be extreamly glad to go again to the Seraglio His resolution sometimes was very tottering and weak and to speak truth 't is almost vain to take one against love He wisht a thousand times that day that his Fate to whose conduct he had given himself up would incline to bring him to the Sultaness He waited the Hour with a great deal of impatience however he would fain have perswaded himself to the contrary But a young heart cannot be insensible being so apt to take fire that it scarce requires any help to inflame it As soon as the Bassa saw the Count in the Evening he shew'd him smiling the Key of the Seraglio And he received it with the greatest joy in the World But I give it said the Bassa on condition that you make me your Confident And I think I have done enough to engage you to do me that pleasure The hour was come for his going to the Sultaness and the Count having put on his Eunuchs Habit his Patron every day more obliging than other would needs bear him company as far as the Seraglio Laura having notice of his coming had waited for him above an hour at the Gate and no sooner saw him arrived but ravished with joy she gave him her hand and told him You are either the most dexterous or else the most fortunate Person in the World you bring about things so difficult and in so short a time that all things seem to joyn in your favour I am obliged for it to my fortune answered the Count for as for Addresses I had no occasion to use any but if
do her some service To these expressions he added a thousand assurances on his part and civilities enough to oblige her extreamly This done he withdrew to avoid the suspicion her Guard might have of a longer discourse it being already very late but promised to see her again on the morrow and bring her News of all that past The Bassa being now at the Head of so many Moors thought himself strong enough to take the Field and as soon as it was day marched down towards the Town to favour the retreat of his Friends and of the Souldiers who came flocking in to him so that before noon he had an Army of Moors and Turks above ten thousand strong The Dey used all diligence possible to arm his people but found himself not strong enough that day to encounter the Bassa whose Arms were already grown terrible to his Enemies who from his just indignation against them apprehended a Siege But his quarrel being chiefly to the Dey and wanting Cannon to attack him in the Castle he was in the Bassa was forced to wait the arrival of the Artillery he had sent for to the Port whereof he was Master In the mean time having assembled the principal of his Friends to make his complaint to them of the unjust proceedings of the Dey and to demand their advice he was not a little amazed to hear them all maintain as the General of the Galleys that it was his Wife was gone away with the Christian and that Laura staid in the Seraglio and that the Dey had reason enough for what he had done in the belief he was in of the Bassa's intentions to make away his Daughter The Bassa who still fancied that they were abused would not vouchsafe to contradict them but calling in the Captain of his Guards asked him before them if he had not the day before spoken with the Sultaness Poor Aly shivering for fear fell down at his feet with his face to the ground and confessed he had thought the Bassa had sent him to the Seraglio on purpose to blind the world and that it was desired he should justifie before the General of the Galleys he had seen the Sultaness there but that in truth she was not there and that he found only Laura weeping for the departure of her Mistress The Bassa for all this would not be perswaded but said he must see the Slave before he could believe it having many Reasons to the contrary when he received a Billet from the Deys Secretary to this purpose My Lord Mahomet Bassa I know not whether it was your good Fortune or mine that ordered the Dey's making choice of me to take away and guard your fair Slave but you may be assured she could not have fallen into better hands she wants for nothing and you may believe I hold neither my Estate nor my Life too dear to bestow in your service and obliging of her If in the mean time I may be allowed the liberty of giving you Counsel I would advise you to endeavour the advantage and peace of your Countrey rather than that War and Ruine which will be inevitable unless you moderate your Passion There is no Man more sensible than I of the injury they have done you but I am sensible also that the appearances for which you are condemned have misled the Dey and that the blame of the departure of your Wife ought to be charged only on your Wife The rash Counsel of disaffected persons which the Dey hath followed in this affair hath put you both into this present disorder God grant it proceed no further and that we may not to the scandal of other Nations see our Countrey ruined by those who have it in charge to maintain and preserve it I hope both of you will be better advised and waiting your Answer I wish you all happiness Adieu Assen Secret The Bassa having read this Letter could no longer doubt of the truth of the thing knowing Assen to be a person of great Integrity and his very good Friend He was easily comforted for the loss of the Sultaness and laught at the adventure and could not believe she had had a design to follow the Christian if he had not given order to carry her aboard in the Basket He was not much troubled at the mistake he had been guilty of and thought that in matters of Love a Mistress of at least as good value as a Wife He never suspected any treachery in the Case but was willing to know what reason could have reduced her to disguise her self in that manner and go along with Alexander yet he could not but think Laura of the Plot but thought himself revenged of her and her sufficiently punished in having lost at once her Lover and the occasion of her liberty to pleasure a Mistress who might become a Rival He longed extreamly to see her to know the whole business and Love adding new flames to this curiosity made him so impatient of delay that how dangerous soever the enterprize might have been he would have gone that very day to Tunis if his presence with the Army had not been absolutely necessary to receive those who every moment came over to his party He sent his Friend this Answer Mr. Secretary You have in your hands a Treasure which if the Dey knew how much I value he would not have trusted you or any other therewith as being assured he might with it make his peace when and on what conditions he pleased Take care of her I conjure you as you would of my person and believe I will never forget a service of so much importance Send hither your Moor to morrow at the fourth Watch I shall want him for a business I cannot trust any other person withall nor write to you at present Mahomet Bassa Dey By that time he had written this Billet the night was far gone yet for more surety he would not let the Moor go till three or four a Clock in the Morning The Walls of Tunis are very low and in some places easie to get over True it is they were then very well guarded but the bearer of the Billet being known to belong to the Deys Secretary there was no danger of his being staid and accordingly he found his passage free as he could wish The generous Assen had been that Evening to visit his fair Prisoner according to promise and given her an account how matters stood with some hopes of accommodation between parties at difference for that it was clear by the confession of the Eunuch who had carried the Sultaness in the Basket that if the Bassa had a hand in sending away the Sultaness she had contributed not a little to her enlargement out of a criminal passion she had for Alexander by going to see him at his Lodging Laura well pleased with this News could not sufficiently thank Assen for the obliging care he had of her He had sent so many several sorts of
for current Security for your keeping your word But it could not secure her from strange inquietude and trouble of Mind She could not see you without shame nor come near your Father without trembling She buzz'd instantly in my Ears that there was a necessity of making you both a Sacrifice to her Repose and that till then she could not expect any Pleasure in her Life She told me I must help her to effect the design or expect to be the first that should feel the weight of her wrath I endeavoured the best I could to reduce her to Reason but for some time she would not hear any At last her ill humour desired only the satisfaction of your being put out of your Lodging and was content to find out several pretences to perswade your Father to put you into a Nunnery or at least out of his House Notwithstanding all the Arts of her Complaisance and Cunning she found it no easie matter to bring this about but for the quiet of the House it was necessary to please her and place you under Pension in a Nunnery Shortly after whether it were that you had discovered the business or that she fear'd you had done so or rather that she was willing to be rid of me by this Stratagem she came one Night to my Chamber while your Father was asleep and with a fright in her looks told me I was undone that my Master knew all and that I had no more but that Night for to save my self Whereupon she gave me Money and seeing me resolved to be gone bid me her last farewell I kept as you remember the Keys of the House and so got easily out I had for a Disguise taken a black Suit of your Fathers and as soon as it was day and the Port open I hired a Felucca which carried me to Legorne where I lay private three days staying for a Vessel of the Great Dukes which was to carry a Present to Mahomet Bassa my Ancient Friend who made use of his Interest with the Dey to restore me my Estate which since I was a Slave had been Confiscated upon a belief I was dead But having fail'd of his desire he procured me in recompence the Secretaries place which is no great matter here This Madam is the account of my Life since I left Italy You may oblige me in acquainting me with yours which I could not come to the knowledge of having never heard since from Genoa That which remains to be told you says Elinor whom we will yet call Laura is a story full of troubles and misfortunes the more difficult for me to relate that a Person of Quality cannot but be ashamed of them But I will be free with you Having spent two Years in the Covent I was placed in my Father moved with many tears took me home where for the time I stayed there I was under continual Persecution from my Mother-in-law who having got the Ascendent over the good Man made him believe what she pleased She had new designs in her Head which you may believe was the cause of the fear she put you in for my Father never had the least knowledge of your familiarity and was much troubled at your running away declaring he had lost in you the best Servant he had He had designed to have set you at Liberty which was the reason he sent not after you as he might have done I was by this time become somewhat clear sighted and what I knew of my Mother-in-law made me suspect every thing she did I watched her narrowly and in few days discovered a new Gallant You may believe that after the mischiefs she had done me I fail'd not to do her all the ill Offices in my power it is the nature of our Sex never to Pardon But besides the pleasure of Revenge I was engaged in Honour against her This raised a War between us more violent than ever and my Father had trouble enough to content us both At first she thought her self hard enough for me having once already turn'd me out of the House and afterwards sent you packing and putting on a bold face fear'd nothing as knowing I would not accuse her of any thing but her impudence could bring her off my Evidence being gone But when she perceived by my obstructing her new practices rallying her on all occasions and other cutting effects of my resentment that I understood her Secrets she spared nothing that Rage and Fury could suggest to her against me At last she fell heavy upon me with my Father and having not prevailed with him to return me into the Monastery forced him to turn me again out of his House and place me with his Relations where I passed six Months with one and six Months with another to the great displeasure of the Family Till at last a Grandee of Spain an old Friend of my Fathers having been created Viceroy of Naples and passing by Genoa to go and take Possession of his Government my Father intreated him to take me along with him which he readily did The Viceroy and his Lady received and entertained me not only as the Daughter of their intimate Friend but as their own and honoured me with such expressions of Civility and Bounty that I thought my self too happy in being of their Train And the truth is I was not deceived these beginnings of kindness growing every day to greater perfection especially on the part of the Viceroy's Lady who appeared not able to live a moment without me She had been a great Beauty and was not then unhandsome though not very young She kept nothing from me but imparted to me her most private thoughts and made me the Confident of her dearest affections This lasted as long as I was disinteress'd but there is no trusting one another of our Sex especially in matters of Love I was reputed not unhandsome and having a full Purse at command I lived at that Court with Splendor enough It was presently known I was not the most inconsiderable of Genoa and this advantage set off with a little Beauty raised so great a number of Pretenders to me that I could not pass a day without treats and addresses of Love The Court of Naples hath always pass'd for the most Gallant of Italy by reason of the multitude of Persons of Quality in the Kingdom but was never so pleasant as then I was so young that I knew not what Love was and was not concerned to make haste to learn it but made the Cares and Sighs of those in Love my sport and divertisement But Love will in time be revenged and make sport of us that make sport of him I had not yet seen the man who had the secret to affect my heart no not one who could please though that Court had of all sorts and some very handsome The Son of the Viceroy being a young Lord very well accomplished and not a little concerned for me did but give me trouble
they had some regard for a Woman which appeared of more than ordinary Quality I may truly say that setting aside the haughtiness and rudeness of their first approach in forcing open the door of my Cabbin with their feet I was better used than the rest and more favourably than I expected As soon the Souldiers saw me not one of them entred only the Captain of the Galley took that liberty and very civilly asked me in Italian who I was and for what place I was bound I hid from him both my Name and my Quality telling him I was called Laura and went for Barcellona to my Father then in the service of the King of Spain Then I put into his hand a little Box in which were my Money and my Jewels and the more to oblige him I told him I made him a Present worth above twenty thousand Crowns as in truth it was and that I might have thrown it overboard as most of the Sea-men had done their Cloaths and their Merchandize The acknowledgment I desired of him was that I might be civilly used which he promised me and the same time told me I should say nothing of the Box assuring me of a share at our arrival at Tunis I was ravished at this Conjuncture not so much for the hopes he gave me of restoring part of my Jewels but because this secret rendred me useful and necessary to the Captain and obliged him to a greater care of me And the truth is I had no reason to complain he caused me to be presently carried aboard his Galley and gave me his own Cabbin and never came into it till we arrived at Biserti Our Voyage was not long we had a great Calm and having in three days gain'd the Cape of Carthage we got safe into the Port of Biserti where being landed I was put into a kind of Litter carried by a Camel and so carried to Tunis under a Guard of five or six Horse-men I fell to the Bassa's share who joyful of it made a Present of me to his Lady Thus you have dear Assen the fortune of a Maid born of an illustrious Family and to a plentiful Estate as you very well know The Turk being perfectly acquainted with the condition of her Family could not sufficiently admire the strangeness of her fate and assured her of his best endeavours to make her more happy for the future and to gain her liberty to return to her Countrey which she had no cause to scruple That the Accident at Naples was a disaster to be remedied by her Marriage with the Son of the Viceroy who doubtless would be glad of it That if it should fall out otherwise she had many excellencies and advantages to comfort her against all the disasters of her life That her misfortune in the Neapolitan Court could not be laid to her fault but the infamous Treason of a Man who sooner or later was sure to be punished for his Crime In a word after long discourse to this purpose he renewed protestations of his readiness to serve her and to leave no stone unturned to free her from her misery That he had many good Friends about the Dey and was very well assured he could not take any sinister resolution against her but he must have notice of it time enough to prevent or escape it Laura was not wanting to her duty of gratitude for these signal testimonies of Affection to her Family and her and could not sufficiently thank Heaven that in the midst of her misfortunes she had met a Man so devoted to her Service and of unquestionable fidelity Thus Assen left her a little comforted against the malignity of her destiny and promised to come again and pass part of the night following with her being obliged that day to wait on the Dey to see how Matters were carried The End of the Second Part. THE HAPPY SLAVE The Third Part ASSEN got home but was extreamly astonish'd the Moor was not return'd he went to Bed but had very bad rest fearing some ill accident had befallen the Moor. And considering of what dangerous consequence it might be to him in the present conjuncture to be found to have held correspondence with Mahomet he began to repent he had so rashly exposed himself to discovery The thought of this kept him from sleeping but at length the Moor arriv'd and having given him an account what had staid him so long dissipated his fears and quieted his Spirits Assen was satisfied took the Bassa's Letter read it and instantly dispatched the Moor back again it being a pretty while before Day and a fitter time than at the fourth Watch as the Bassa had appointed by his Letter The Bassa was surpriz'd to see the Moor so quickly returned but having heard the reason he was not displeased but hid him in his Tent and as soon as it was night sent him in search of his General confident and dearest Friend the Master of the Gallies Romadan says he to him with some disorder in his looks what think you of me when I tell you I intend to lye at Tunis to night I must tell you Sir says Romadan the Master of the Gallies I think you too wise to expose your self to that hazard without assurance from our Friends there that they will open you the Gates nor do I believe you can take pleasure in putting your Country to Fire and Sword You understand me not replies the Bassa when I tell you I design to lye at Tunis to night 't is not to execute my just vengeance against it I am too tender of the Blood of my Friends to revenge my self by night when I cannot distinguish my Friend from my Foe I speak of going thither only attended by a Moor I have here to speak with Assen to learn what pass'd at the Divan to enter the Castle see Laura and return Romadan heard him with that attention and silence which sufficiently express'd his wonder and astonishment He thought it unnecessary to use reasons to dissuade him from a design so rash and extravagant The Bassa who read in his looks the substance of what he might have said to him I confess says he I expose my self to some hazard and that it is imprudence or you may call it folly to run such a risque but that matters not and to ease you of the fear of being charg'd for not telling me what you think of the business I declare to you I sent not for you to ehav your advice whether I ought to put it in execution or not for that 's already resolved The story they tell me of my Wife that she is gone away with the Christian and that Laura is at home with the Dey are the things that prevail with me nothing but a sight of her can convince me 't is true the more I think of it the more it perplexes me I would be satisfied at least how the business was carried and there is no knowing it but by
extreamly desirous to improve so happy a beginning by a suitable progress to an intire pacification But though she saw him much troubled and very penitent she gave him not the comfort of a kind expression or look but against her inclination forced her self to appear harsh and act the cruel against him Assen who thought one night at least necessary to be afforded Laura to dispose her self for an intire Reconciliation and that being upon the point of executing so hazardous a design care should be had to take their measures aright asked the Aga whether he thought it not fit to retire lest being seen to come from Laura so late he might give cause of suspicion The Aga answered he need fear nothing the Dey having given him full power to stay as long as he pleased But Laura who had more reason to be of Assen's than of the Aga's opinion who was wholly led by his passion spoke to him though somewhat against her will to withdraw The Aga ready to obey this order begged the favour of her to give him hopes at least she would pardon him if he made it appear he was altogether innocent as to the matter of Alphonso and that her hatred of him should be at an end She made him no answer but her eyes betrayed her heart and spoke clearer in his favour than her voice could have done Beyran kissed one of her hands which she could not refuse him and left her full of that evenings adventures which found her entertainment The rest of that night not knowing what to think of Beyran's fortune whom she believed turned Turk for despair at the thought of this the tears trickled down her Cheeks and she perceived that if what he told her was true of her having been betrayed by her Maid and that he had not any hand in Alphonso's base action as in truth it was scarce credible he had she would love him more than ever and pardon his being found with the Vice Queen though this was a tender point and not to be remembred without a volly of sighs Assen found the Aga's news true and not able to get out of the Castle went with him to his apartment where the pretended Renegado caused a Bed to be provided him but they spent the whole night in discourse Assen you may believe had an itching curiosity to hear the story of Marquess Hippolito having heard Laura's Assen as soon as they were private fell into that discourse The Aga who knew how much he wanted Assen's help to plead for him to Laura was ready to pleasure him with the relation and having understood Laura had told him part of What concern d her he was willing to acquaint him with what came not to her knowledge and began thus When I arrived at Naples I found there the Viceroys Son whom I was acquainted with in my younger days and renew'd our friendship establish'd rather in the conformity of our age than of our Inclinations he brought me to Court and esteemed it necessary a new comer should be a little instructed in the passages there he took the pains to tell me all the principal Intrigues and â—ffairs of Love and made me the Confident of his Passion for the fair Eleanor expecting from the fair friendship between us I would when acquainted with her do him the best service in my power I had a sight of her and by the first effects of that view could easily fore-see there was no continuing Alphonso 's Friend without becoming his Rival I was troubled at it and reproached my self for my unfaithfulness but what signified that when there was love in the case There was no resisting Eleanors charms and I had instantly taken the resolution to love her had not the Vice Queen used all possible arts to divert me she express'd no small complaisance for me which I attributed to the friendship between her Son and me But having found me one day in deep meditation she asked me whether I would freely acknowledge the cause of my melancholy if she could guess what it was and might serve me in the business I assur'd her I would she adds I was under the Fate of many other unfortunate Lovers who could not see Eleanor without being affected with the excellency of her Beauty I was strangely surpriz'd to find a passion scarce entertained in my Soul already known to the Vice Queen and could not imagine how she came by the discovery of a secret I had resolved to keep close as long as possibly I could it was not in my power to deny it the trouble in my face and change of my colour having given her sufficient evidence how truly she had guessed I told her I found my self too weak to resist the Charms of that beautiful Maid and was sorry only Don Alphonso her Son and my Friend was concern'd she answered that a passion we cannot master was not to be complain'd of nor blam'd and that her Son could not be so unreasonable as not to pardon my falling into a distemper himself had been afflicted with But she believed I should prove as unfortunate as her Son but to keep her word with me she would let me see my concerns were more dear to her than the Interest of her Son but I must not blame her if her endeavours should prove ineffectual which she had too much cause to expect from the strange and unparallel'd insensibility of that fair Maid that she would speak for me that very day and see what hopes of a favourable reception and whether she defi'd love out of a general aversion for Mankind or a particular disgust against some of that Sex The same time she assigned me Ten a Clock at night to meet her in the great Walk in the Garden to receive an account of her Negotiation I was there to wait for her and she keept her Assignation I saw her come with one of her Maids who was her Confident and having given her my hand to lead her into a Bower I went in with her trembling for fear of having ill News which I presently apprehended from her Countenance Poor Marquess says she you have no better fortune than others this Girls heart is proof to all Essays and did you but know that ill-favoured description and scurvy character she gave of you you would soon judge it to no purpose to apply your self to her but I would have you believe I say not this to discourage you but should be sorry to see a young Gentleman as you having qualities worthy the esteem of a fair Lady should imploy them where there is not any hopes to prevail I had certainly suspected this extraordinary condescension and goodness of the Vice-Queen had not what she said been agreeable to the report of the whole Court that the fair Eleanor was the most insensible person in the World I knew well enough 't was not any concern she had for the Passion of her Son made her speak as she did she loved