Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n
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A29299
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The princess of Montserrat a novel containing her history and the amours of the Count of Saluces.
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Brémond, Gabriel de.; E. S.
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1680
(1680)
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Wing B4355; ESTC R24673
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50,514
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191
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Grace imaginable She had upon her Head a Coronet in form of a Helmet covered with Diamonds and shaded with a number of Feathers which had upon her a most Charming Effect All people were ravished to see her and those who had fancied there was only Briseida in the World were ready to unsay it and knew not who had the advantage She for her part was no less charmed to see with the Marquis so many young handsome Lords with Equipages and Trains so rich so neat and so pompous She easily judged that they were persons of the first rank the most part of whom were invited to Cazal by the Beauty of Briseida She considered them all the one after the other and asked their Names of the Marquess Gaspard de Saluces was one of those who was the least set off with Gold and Jewels yet whose Gracefulness immediately drew the Eyes of the Queen and of whom she first informed her self she took notice that he was extream thoughtful but his discourse appeared not less agreeable When she was about two hundred paces from the City Briseida met her with all the Principal Ladies of the Court splendidly drest That interview was fine and had something very singular between two such Beauties as they were for they caused admiration in one another and without doubt jealousie There was a Triumphant Chariot prepared for the Queen which had followed Briseida They both mounted into it and enter'd the City with the sound of an infinite number of Trumpets and a terrible noise of Canon But Gaspard de Saluces had neither Eyes nor Ears since he saw Briseida and though the Queen looked on him and spoke to him his answers were not like what they had been and had his Eyes still fixed upon that Divine Princess She came at length to the Palace where she was regalled with a noble Collation after which the Maquess conducted her to the Apartment he had prepared for her being the neatest and richest that ever had been there One part of the Night passed in Ceremonies and Compliments usual in such occasions after which all retired to leave the Queen in the liberty to go to Bed All people confessed she was one of the Fairest and one of the most amiable Princesses that was under the Heavens but there was none so well perswaded as the Marquess de Montferrat and though in an age something advanced Gallant as he was his heart was not impenetrable to such fair Charmes The Count Palatin in whose mind Ambition would have rais'd a revolt did likewise agree to this truth That engaging sweetness he found in the Queen and which he called the true Charm of Souls was in his Opinion capable of causing greater perfidies than he meditated Briseidia was a haughty Princess that treated with a coldness that proceeded to contempt She had not favoured him with one obliging look in two months he had served her and sighed for her and he saw that a Queen full of Charmes and of whom the Conquest would be the most glorious in the world honoured him at the first sight with a thousand goodnesses Vanity at least made him think so It is after this manner that these proud Minds treat Love They appear in the beginning all full of ardour but it is a fire which goes out at the lure of another that that passion which rules them counsels them to follow in the hopes of a better Success The Marquiss and this Count found themselves possessed with esteem for the Queen of Sicily but with an esteem which in so little time had advanced too far not to be quickly converted into Love Thus esteem ordinarily goes before or rather Love masks it self with the Figure of esteem the better to seduce us The fair Queen likewise on her side felt something new in her which she knew not how to name and which hindred her from sleeping It was neither for the love of the Marquess nor for the love of the Palatin she hardly thought of them So much honour she had received so much pomp so much magnificence that had been made for her in some manner contented her proud mind but in the heart she felt I know not what which troubled all the joy so glorious a day ought to have given her Briseida and the Count de Saluces were as two Stars which in entring Cazal foretold her a thousand Cruel pains she was to suffer there The Beauty of that Princess which she found yet more perfect than she could have imagined gave her troubles she had never tryed for any Woman and so many Charming qualities she had observed in that young Prince terribly allarmed her Heart which she feared to lose and to lose to no purpose near so fair a Princess She had brought with her Julia Daughter of Count Palamedes Who she tenderly loved and who lay ordinarily with her That Maid heard her often sigh and turn incessantly in the bed yet durst not ask her what she ailed but at length the disquiet she had geting the better of her Moderation I know not Madam says she to her what 's the matter but either you are not well or something vexes you that is not to come to my knowledge The Queen only answered her at first with a great sigh She wisht without doubt that Julia would divine her Disease without obliging her to declare it But seeing her self pressed more than once and having all manner of Confidence in her she could not conceal from her any longer that she had her mind something embarassed Have you well considerd Julia said she to her the Princess of Montferrat How do you find her Is she not the handsomest Person upon the Earth It is true Madam answered Julia something surpriz'd at that Question that she appeared to me pretty as in effect she is But I shall do her Beauty no injustice if I say that I know as perfect and which without lying is much more Charming For you know Madam that to be pretty and to please are two things and that one may possess the one and want the other and that misfortune is happened to the Princess of Montferrat who being otherwise a perfect Beauty has not at least in my Opinion that which most touches Peoples hearts which are particular Charms which often have the better of the greatest Beauty Would to God Julia said the Queen to her embracing her very tenderly as being pleased with what she had just said that all the World were as thou art I confess Madam replyed Julia that the Princess would not touch me But should she be to the Eyes of all others wholly different to what she is to mine and to say more than is possible to say that she had as many Charms as you have that Reputation of Beauty does it at this present give you so much disquiet that you lose your rest and though that Princess were as fair as you should not you be still above her one of the greatest Queens upon
tenderness for me and that he thinks of nothing but Briseida whom he has left against his will Notwithstanding she had all these reasons to be dissatisfied with the Prince perceiving he pass'd without seeing her though she had placed her self at the entrance of the Arbour where she was yet she could not help calling of him What advances for a Queen and a heart must needs be strangely seiz'd by Love to resist so much Confusion Count de Saluces said she to him blushing Is it thus you seek me What do you dream of Ah Madam cryed the Count much astonished to see her you surprize me and I did not think my self so happy Yes very happy without doubt replyed the Queen but to whom do you believe you owe this happiness It is true replyed the Count that it is not to Fortune at least without I call thus the Grace you do me which is certainly very great and your Goodness Yes my Goodness interrupted she allow one has a great deal for people that do not deserve it I should easily answered the Count agree to what you say Madam at least in what concerns me If I was to have deserved that goodness by my Cares and by my Services the time having been so short since I had the honour to be known by you but if a great desire of rendring you them by all the actions of my life joyned with the extream respect I have already for you might be considered as meritorious I should not dispair of one day rendring my self worthy You might hope sooner replyed the Queen in whom the Counts last words had something sweetned the bitterness of heart some people are more able continued she than others I know not of which number you reckon your self but I very well know that I have done to day for you what I never did for any body Nothing could be said more obliging and words so advantagious from the mouth of so fair a Queen ought to make some impression upon the Spirit of the Count but the time was too short since he had quitted Briseida yet his action had something so passionate since he was fallen in Love with the Princess that his least word seemed to be full of Love Thus the Queen who could not so well penetrate into the bottom of his Heart entertained some hopes and was contented with this tender out-side How easy it is to deceive our selves when one loves one gives a favourable interpretation to the least appearances and one takes all for kindness That Charming Queen contented with those of the Count gave him her Scarf but after the most gallant manner possible and would needs tye it her self on his Arm. The Marquis and the Count Palatin run at the noise there was made in the Arbour and came both there almost at the same time and found the Queen tying the Scarf on the happy Count de Saluces The Marquis could not see the Fortune of his Rival without conceiving a cruel jealousie but the Count Palatin more malicious and naturally more mistrustful immediately guessed into the truth of the adventure extreamly vexed to see that the Count de Saluces every where triumphed over him The Queen was not at all confused at their sight and preventing what they might say you see My Lords said she to them I am true to my promise and that it is not to no purpose that one has taken pains to seek me We see it very well Madam answered the Palatin and what is more that one needs not when you please go very far to find you They are the usual hits of Fortune replyed the Queen who quickly comprehended what he meant and if made us buy what it gives us we should be but little obliged to it for its presents One attributes sometimes to Fortune replyed the Count favours which do not belong to it Yet it is true continued he with something of sweetness that it would be more easie to comfort ones self for having failed on that side than of the other which I imagine The Queen who perceived whither these words tended had no mind to answer him but turning towards the Marquess whom she saw pensive and melancholly she gave him her hand with a smile which was some comfort to him in his misfortune and they went all together out of that Labyrinth Briseida amused her self during that time with gathering Flowers in a plot of which she made a Nosegay for the Count de Saluces It was a gallantry she thought her self indebted to him after the trouble he had shewed to quit her to run after another which obligation she was resolved to repay But what a vexation and what a surprize was hers to see him return with the Queens Scarf She blushed and her jealousie then excited so great a disorder in her Soul that it almost ruin'd all that Love had there advanced I am played upon said â—he the Traytor abuses me by his Actions and by his looks he had reason not to be in haste the Queen had given him the Word and he very well knew where she was otherwise he would not have found her so soon Yet to render Justice to the Count there was seen in his Face and by the air with which he carried the Scarf the joy he had The Princess notwithstanding all her anger observed it and to tell the truth that manner of indifference too visible in the Count was a great succour to her heart But the Queen who had that time prepared her self to observe heâ— had no sooner seen her change Colour than that she was assured of her tender sentiments for that Prince and therefore considering her as her declared Rival she took pleasure in augmenting her trouble You see Madam said she to her with an air of raillery that the Count de Saluces is a lucky man he was the last that run after me to seek me and yet is the most fortunate That happens sometimes the Princess answered her smiling but I know not from whence it comes that he appears not very proud of so fair a Fortune for he seems not to have the more joy The Queen had remarked it as well as the Princess for the Love of whom she believed the Count affected that Coldness She would willingly have seen what he would have answered to that himself but finding he did not speak not to â—em in without an answer I am sâ—iâ— she regarding him with an obliging â—ir so content with what he said to me thereupon in particular that I willingly pardon him the moderation he shews in publick Discreet people continued she are used to do thus It is to be very much replyed the Princess and perhaps a little more than ought Briseida in that little dispute she had with the Queen doing the business of the two amorous and discontented Princes they did not interrupt her nay they desired that the discourse might have proceeded but I believe neither the one nor the other found pleasure in it