turned the Course of their Malice The next Morning hanging out a flag of Peace they anchor'd before Trepana as for the Night before how I imployed it you may better conceive than I express not so much for the care of my Wounds but to think on the danger wherein my cruel Enemy was amongst those Barbarous People Being come now well to the City one of the Galleys entred the Haven the other stood off All the Citizens flock'd to the Sea side and amongst the rest was Hippolito who stood â—…far off observing what pass'd in the Galley whilst my Steward was treating with the Turks but I had given him order not to â—…eat about my Liberty but of Graciana's and for her freedom to offer all I was worth either in Lands Goods or Chattels commanding him moreover to go on Shore and acquaint Graciana's Parents that they should leave it to him to treat about their Daughter's Liberty The chief Captain who was a Grecian but a Renegado demanded for Graciana six thousand Crowns and for my self four thousand declaring withal he would not sell the one without the other The setting so great a price as I understood afterwards was he was smitten with the Beauty of Graciana and was therefore unwilling she should be redeemed Graciana's Parents offer'd him nothing on their part relying on the promise my Steward had made them by my order neither did Hippolito make any Propositions towards her ransom And so after many demands and Capitulations my Steward concluded the Business giving for Graciana five thousand Crowns and for my self three thousand the Captain accepted this offer forced thereunto by the Perswasions of his Companion and all the rest of his Souldiers but because my Steward had not so much Money in cash he desired only three days time intending to sell so much of my Goods till he had made up the summ Rozak so was the Captain call'd was glad of this thinking in the mean while to find some Occasion to break off the Bargain and so sail'd back again to Fabiana with a promise to return at the end of three days and to receive his Money according to Agreement But it so unfortunately fell out at the same time the Turks discovered from the main Top-Mast six Italian Galleys and guess'd them as it was true to be either of Malta or Sicily so that the Captains immediately hoysting Sail and turning their Prowes towards Barbary in less than two hours lost the sight of those Galleys and by the help of approaching Night secured themselves from the danger that threatned them Now I leave it to your good Consideration Friend Pyrrhus how much my mind was troubled in this Voyage finding it to fall out so cross and contrary to that which I expected and much more when the next day the two Gallies reaching the Island of Pantanalea on the South part the Turks went to get Wood and fresh Victuals but most of all when I saw both the Captains Land and share between them all those prizes they had taken which was to me a lingring Death Rozak gave to Ledalbo for so was the other Captain call'd six Christians four for the Oar and two very Beautiful Boys both Born in Corso together with my self that he might have Graciana for his own 'T is true I could not understand what they said though I was not Ignorant what they did neither had I known then the manner of their sharings if Ledalbo had not come to me and told me in Italian Christian thou art now mine as my Captive rated at two thousand Crowns if thou wilt have thy Liberty thou must give me four thousand or resolve here to end thy days I then demanded of him whether the Christian Lady were his He told me No but that Rozak kept her for his own use with Intention to make her turn Moore and then marry her Whereupon I promised him if he would bring the Business so about that the Christian Lady might become his Captive I would give him ten thousand Crowns in good Gold for her ransom He reply'd it was impossible but he would acquaint Rozak with the great Sum which I offer'd for her Freedom perhaps said he considering the profit he will reap by it he may alter his purpose and accept of the ransom He did so and then presently commanded all those of his own Galley to embark themselves as soon as possible they could intending for Tripoli in Barbary where he was born Rozak likewise determined to go for Viserta and so imbarked with the same hast they used to do when they discover any Galleys which they fear or Vessels which they think to be a prize besides they saw the weather begun to change inclining to a Storm Graciana was on Land but not where I might see her save only at the time of her imbarking where we both met at the Sea-side This her new Lover led her by the hand and setting her foot upon the Plank which reached from the Land to the Galley she turned back to look upon me though my Eyes were never off from her looking upon her with so much tender Affection and languishing so long at length I was depriv'd of that little sence of seeing I had left and fainted away the like they afterwards told me befel Graciana who dropt from the Plank into the Sea where she had been drowned but that Rozak leapt in after her and brought her out in his Arms. But when I came again to my Senses and saw my self alone in one Galley and the other steering a contrary Course and sailed out of sight carrying away with them the one half of my Soul or to speak truth all of it new Clouds hovered over my Heart and I began again to curse my Misfortune and called aloud for Death to seize me such and so great was the Lamentation I made that it proved so offensive to my Master's Ears that he threatned if I did not hold my Peace he would severely punish me Whereupon I suppressed my Tears and smother'd my Sighs But froward Fortune not contented to have brought me into this so narrow straight took a course to overthrow all by taking from me all hope of Remedy for in an Instant the storm we so much feared overtook us and the Wind which blew strongly from the South blew full in the Teeth of us and began with such fury to re-inforce it self that we were forced to tack about and suffer our Galley to go which way the Wind would carry her Our Captain 's Design was to have put into Some part of the Island for shelter and more particularly on the North part thereof but it fell not out according to his Expectation but rather quite contrary to what he had design'd for the Wind blew so high that within little more than Fourteen hours we saw our selves within two Leagues or thereabouts of the same Island from whence we had put forth and now there was no remedy for hindring our being
some what to roast and to take Cinnamon and Sugar out of the Shop to put in the Sauce which she did accordingly and did not forget the rest of the Powder which he had given before part of it to her Companion she put it in without regard either of Weight or Measure Her Husband eat heartily of the Meat she had prepar'd and lik'd it very well and not long afterwards found the Heat and Effects of it which he thought to qualifie with his Wife which was impossible for him to do for the Heat within him and the Instigation was so extraordinary that he did not know on which side to turn him Whereupon he perswaded his Wife she had poyson'd him and was very importunate to know of her what she had mixed with his Meat she confessed the truth unto him and withal assur'd him that she had as much Occasion of that Receipt as the Woman whom he prescrib'd it to for her Husband The poor Apothecary could not use any rigour to her for the wrong she had done him being at that time in so great an Extremity but commanded her to go out of his sight and send for his Brother Apothecary in the same City to desire him to take that Trouble upon him to give him a Visit who administred to him all the cooling things that were effectual for his Recovery In a short time he was well amended and his Brother Apothecary did reprehend him very sharply for his rashness that he should be guilty of so much folly as to advise another to take those Drugs which he would not make use of himself and that the good Woman his Wife had done no more than what she ought to do to procure to her self that Love from him which she so much desir'd At length the poor Man was forced to overcome his folly with Patience and to acknowledge it was but just to make that Ridiculous Experiment fall upon himself which he had prepared for another Now Madam said the Gentleman in my opinion the Love of this Woman was as indiscreet as it was great Do you call that Love Sir to her Husband reply'd the Lady to make him suffer so much torment in a fond hope that she might receive some pleasure from him I do believe Madam said the Gentleman that she had no other intention than to recover her Husband's love which she conceived if not to be altogether lost yet certainly to be gone astray for to obtain so great a blessing a Woman ought to leave nothing undone to accomplish it the Lady told him she thought it her Judgment that no Woman ought to give her Husband any thing either to eat or drink without advice from others or her own Experience whether it may prove hurtful but ignorance ought to be excus'd in regard it was a Woman that was blinded with the passion of Love and are allowed to be weaker Vessels they all laugh'd heartily at the Repartees between 'em and returned the Gentleman many thanks for his diverting of them and now being arriv'd at their Journeys end for that Stage they allighted and call'd for a Dinner where we will now leave 'em and return to Almeria Octavio had no resentments of what had past betwixt himself and Almeria but appear'd very Jocund and Merry while she in the interim led a sedentary Life in the House of her Parents with all possible retiredness not permitting any person to visit her least any discovery should be made of her misfortunes in this Solitariness within a few Months she perceived that she was oblig'd to confine her self and to be obscure from all Eyes except those which were continually with her She saw it was convenient to live Cloystered up finding to her sorrow her unhappy condition in having an Infant without any Husband a misfortune which occasion'd those many Tears which were before a little mitigated but now sprung forth a fresh like running Fountains those Sighs which for a while remain'd calm and quiet rise again like fierce and tempestuous winds that blow against each other her Mother us'd all the diligence that her Maternal care could furnish her with to allay the violence of her passion but all her gentle perswasions could not afford her sorrows any relief Time fled away with a swift Wing and the time of her Delivery was come which was carry'd with that Secrecy that she would not intrust any Midwife but her Mother taking that Office upon her soon performed it and brought into the World a little young Son one of the loveliest and beautifullest Babes that Nature could produce which as it was born with wariness and secrecy so it was conveyed with the like Circumspection to a Country Village where he continued four years at the end whereof under the denomination of Nephew his Grand-father brought him home to his own house where he was bred up very well in that which his Minority rendr'd him capable of Nicola for so was the Child call'd was of a fair Complexion a delightful Countenance and a sweet disposition together with a quick Wit that in all those Actions which he performed in that tender age he gave apparent demonstrations that his Extraction was of noble parentagâ—… so that his Wit Beauty and pretty Behaviour Created so great an affection in his Grand-father and Grand-mother that they esteem'd their Daughters misfortune to be a happiness she having furnished them with such a Grand-child As he went through the Streets some praised his Beauty others bless'd the Mother that bare him some the Father that begat and others those that had brought him up and had bestowed upon him such good Education With this applause of those that knew him and of those which were Strangers the Child grew to be seven years of Age in which time he had learn'd to read Spanish and Latin and to write a very good hand and made so great improvement at his years that he was the admiration of all his instructours Now it happen'd one day that the Child was sent to visit a Kinswoman of his Grand-mothers and it was his chance to pass through a Street where some Gentlemen were running Careers with their Horses which the Child staying to look upon and for his better conveniency of seeing them ran cross the Street from one side to the other just in such an ill Conjuncture of time that he could not avoid a Horses running over him whose rider with all the strength he had was not able to stop in the Fury of his Career so that he left him sprawling on the Ground for dead much Blood issuing out of his Mouth This sad mischance had scarce happened when an Ancient Gentleman who was beholding the Career with extraordinary agility leapt from his Horse and taking the Child out of the Arms of him that held him into his own neither considering his own Grey-hairs nor regarding his Authority which was great he hastned home to his own House and sent his Servants immediately for a Chirurgeon
which the crafty Gentlewoman had made him â–ª of speaking to her in the Night and that it was only since Frederick's return from Madrid upon which communicating his Thoughts to his Friend they jointly concluded that Frederick must needs be in the House with her To be fully assured of it they ordered a Servant of Don Alonzo's to examine the Business and to continue in the Street till it were day and for further certainty another Servant was appointed to stand Centry in the other Street by which Frederick was wont to get in at a Back Door With this Precaution they went to Bed together but Principio was in such a Disturbance that he could not sleep a wink About half an hour before day one of the Servants brought Intelligence that he had seen Don Frederick going out of the House belonging to Iulietta's Friend and that about the same time he had seen Iulietta in one of the Windows that looked into that Street looking on him as he went out and that he was sure it was no other than she her self This Account satisfied Principio so fully that all the Love he formerly bore that impudent Woman immediately vanish'd 'T was not imaginable that Frederick frequented that House upon the account of the Mistress of it who being turn'd of fifty could not be courted by any Gallants Besides she had the Reputation of being a very Charitable Person in Love-Affairs and was wont to promote the Enjoyments of younger People and to give Excellent Directions how they might most Cautiously accomplish their Desires The Night following Principio would himself from the House of a certain Friend of his see Frederick getting into the Sanctuary of that Charitable Sollicitress and for his further Assurance he lay perdue upon the Roof whence he discovered That that favoured Gallant continued there till word was brought him that he might make his Entrance into Iulietta's that very Night The dissembling Gossip would needs endeavour to satisfie her Lover as to the Dissatisfaction he might justly have conceiv'd of her To leave nothing unattempted and to keep in as near as might be withal she sent Principio a Letter by her Servant-Maid in whom she reposed great Trust and who was not a Stranger to the Loves of both the Gallants and promoted the Design of her Mistress in abusing them for the Advantage she reaped thereby Hearing she staid to speak with him he called her up and receiv'd from her a Paper containing these Words Iulietta to Principio I Should not think the Resentment you justly have against me so great as I do were I able to express the Trouble I am in to have been the Occasion of it That I have not been so Compassionate as the Exigency required be pleased to attribute to the Tenderness I had for my own Honour the Consideration whereof made me inexorable I love you beyond my own Life but one of my Birth and Sex may be pardâ—…n'd if she Sacrifice all things to the security of her Reputation rather than expose her self to the Censures of ill Tongues You may well imagine when I denied you entrance into my House that my good Name must run a strange hazard with that troublesome Bed-Fellow whom to my unhappiness I was then forc'd to entertain Notwithstanding the Resentment wherewith you left me you could not but observe the Distraction I was in whence you may infer how thankfully I have since acknowledged the Indulgence of those higher Powers who rescued you out of a Danger which I thought unavoidable You could not have lost your Life in that Adventure but mine must have run the same hazard and I do not know any thing but Honour which I should prefer before two things I account so pretious Let me therefore Conjure you to smother your Resentment of it and to appease your Indignation which if I may obtain of you I shall think all the Devoirs your Love may require little enough to requite it Your Compliance with my Desires herein will inform me what Tenderness you have for her Satisfaction and Life who prays Heaven to preserve yours as she wishes it may her's who loves you with all her Soul JULIETTA Principio was extreamly incens'd at this Letter and though he did all he could to dissemble it yet the Maid looking on him very earnestly during the perusal sufficiently observ'd it in his Gestures He intreated her to walk into the Garden and stay for an answer which was this To Julietta YOur Satisfactions hitherto have ever heightned my Love but this last has wrought in me a quite contrary effect for I know it to be as far from Truth as I am from Dissimulation I never thought my self a Person to be entertained only to pass away the tedious Interval of another Man's Absence nor to act the ridiculous part you have put me upon only to come upon the Stage between the several Acts of your Secret Prostitutions If it be any Satisfaction to you know I have disengaged all Resentments of your Hypocrisie and shall never complain of the frivolous Elusions wherein yâ—…u suffered my Love to Languish No I am more obliged to your Denials than ever I should have been to your Caresses My Life indeed would have been secured if you had received me into your House but my Honour would have been irrevocably lost if without my Discovery of it you could have exercised your Charity on two several Persons the sanie Night 'T is very probable you loved me beyond your own Life when being so closly engaged to another you thought me the fittest Person in the World to make your Diversion I am really obliged to those who intended to be my Murtherers since by their means I came to discover your Imposture Make sure of that Fortunate Gallant whom your Charitable Neighbour was ushering to your Bed while I was knocking at your Door Make sure of him perfidious Woman and henceforth keep all your Cares and all your Caresses only for him Live as happily with him as the Conscience of your inhumanity towards me will permit and never think more of Principio who for his part disclaims all future thoughts of you It was not long ere this Letter came to the hands of Iulietta whom the Maid found in that Neighbour's House of hers through which Frederick had access to her She receiv'd it with some Disturbance and asking the Maid what Humour she found him in she told her that he had made her a very cold Reception and that he express'd nothing of the Kindness he was wont to do at other times Iulietta a little cast down at that Discourse it seems then said she I am not to promise my self any great Satisfaction from this Letter Having opened and read it she was like one put into a fright not able to speak Her Friend ask'd her what it contained She thinking it too great a burthen to acquaint her by Word of Mouth gave her the Letter to peruse The old Croney no
you have entertain'd me with of your Miraculous Birth â—…nd Noble Education Had a Person less Illustrious than your self acquainted me therewith I should have mistrusted his Discourse and imagin'd he told me Fables But 〈◊〉 Person of your Worth and Quality ought to be credited in all things What further confirms me in the truth thereof is that he is no less than a Prince who speaks to me Believe me I have a great respect for your â—…are Qualities and such an Honour for your Person that I would assure you my own is wholly at your Service I have that esteem â—…or your Friendship that I shall endeavour the continuance of it while I live I wish my self a natural Inhabitant of this Kingdom that I might have the greater Opportunities â—…o further your satisfaction I shall stay here but till such time as his Imperial Majesty shall send order for my return but during the abode I shall make here command me in any thing that lies in my power As for the permission you desire to make your Addresses to my Daughter I from this time give it you and I allow her to accept of it and to entertain you kindly but she is already made sure to a Cousin of hers and I have sent to Rome for a Dispensation which once come the Marriage will be concluded This Obstacle lies in your way and you will find it a hard matter to remove it I am sorry I had not the happiness of your Acquaintance before for how gladly would I have embrac'd the honour of having a Son-in-Law of your Worth and Quality and to see my Family alli'd to the Blood-royal of Galicia The end of most Courtships is Marriage of yours you see it cannot be To address your self to my Daughter upon any other account I know you would not the Husband she expects is a person of so much Gallantry as not to receive any such Affront The disguis'd Extravagant broke forth into great Resentments upon his obliging Discourse which made excellent sport for all that were present But having laugh'd their fill the Marquess and his Daughter could not forbear making Charitable Reflections on that strange kind of Distraction It pitied them to see a Gentleman every way so Accomplished fallen into such unheard of Extravagances as to alledge himself descended from a River and brought up in it five hundred Years before While some that were present purposely to urge him to speak oppos'd the Stories he had told them and he endeavoured to give them satisfaction The Marquess acquainted his Daughter with a design that came into his mind which was to carry Don Pedro along with him to the Court it being likely he would find them excellent sport by the way They resolv'd to treat him as a Person of Eminent Quality having understood by his Servant that he was really such and that upon his recovery out of a great sickness that Madness had seiz'd him The Lady Eleanora was very well content leaving it to some other time to acquaint him therewith Don Pedro Blasco coming to take his leave of the Marquess said to him that since he was so unhappy as not to deserve his Fair Daughter's Hand in the Quality of a Husband he would allow him to Love her with a Vertuous Love such as even her Husband should not disapprove The Marquess gave way desiring him to honour him with his Company at Supper that Night by reason he had somewhat to Communicate unto him Don Philip gladly excepted the Proffer and thereupon they parted The Marquess and his Company talked very much of Don Pedro wondring at the strange kind of Madness he was fallen into He acquainted them with the design he had to take him along with him to the Court The Master of the House where he was Lodg'd happening to be then present told him that he doubted Don Pedro Blasco would hardly be perswaded thereto if the Marquess treated him as an Inferiour for he was mighty self-conceited and stood much upon his Honour but if he were willing there would arise another difficulty in the manner of his Travelling In regard said he to him your Excellency going by Litter I think he would be loath to go by Horse We 'll find an Expedient for that says the Marquess which is that my Daughter as his Mistress shall command him to entertain her at the side of her Litter for if his Love continues he will be glad of the opportunity and he shall have an excellent Horse richly Harnass'd which I have led after me to ride on when I am a weary of the Litter Don Philip who had been acquainted with all these Discourses fail'd not to come to Supper to which he had been Invited The Marquess receiv'd him very civilly and caus'd a Chair to be set for him near his Daughter which he thought a very signal Favour They Talk'd of divers things the Marquess finding he had an excellent Wit in his Intervals which he ever clos'd with some pleasant Extravagance They were very Merry at Supper and were oblig'd for their Diversion to the Merry Discourses of Don Philip. At last the Cloth being taken away the Marquess broke his Mind to him in these Words 'T is a thousand Pities most Renowned Knight that a Person so Accomplish'd as you are and one furnish'd with all the Excellent Endowments that recommend men to the Favour and Esteem of Princes should as it were defie their Courts and spend your time and Talents in such an obscure place as this is I have heard that the reason of this your Retirement is that you have not means to live suitably to your Condition and the Rank you should maintain If it be so give me leave to propose an Expedient to you out of the particular Esteem I have for your Seignory I shall take it for a very great favour if you will be pleas'd to go along with me to Villadolid where you shall be treated in my Quarters with all the Submissions and Respects due to a Person of your Quality yet so as that it shall not cost you any thing By this means coming to be known and your Worth spreading it self you may meet with a rich Wife of some Illustrious Family wherein my Daughter may do you a kindness in regard she having occasion to see many of them will advance you into her favour for whom you have most Inclination Let me obtain of your Knight-hood the Favour I desire of you Live freely with us since you would have me believe that the Love you bear my Daughter is pure and sincere I will undertake it shall be kindly taken by the Husband she hopes to have I expect your Answer to this particular and I desire it may be Consonant to the Esteem I have for your Worth Don Philip was extreamly satisfied that the Imposture had taken so well and immediately apprehended that living in the House with the Marquess he should be near her whom he Ador'd which was the main
have so high an esteem for whatsoever this fair Lady is concerned in that I shall make it my Business to Sacrifice all you think most Excellent in me to her Satisfaction and yours as long as it shall please his Excellency to give me leave to be of his retinue How replies Henrick may we expect that farther Happiness as to enjoy your Company for some time I see no Reason you have to be so glad of it replies the Marquess for you must know that Don Peter Blasco is fallen deeply in Love with your Cousin and that it is his Affection hath occasion'd this Acquaintance though he hath assur'd me that since he understood she was design'd for you that Love is turn'd into a pure fraternal Friendship and under that Innocent Passion he endeavours to oblige her what lies in his Power Be pleased to take my further Assurance of it says Don Philip that no thought of that may break your rest for that Consideration laid aside I should think my self capable to raise a Jealousie even in Narcissus himself were he now alive For I dare without any vanity affirm it that there is not a Person in the World may be compared to me either as to Gracefulness of Body or Accomplishments of Mind I am sufficiently convinced of the Truth of what you say says Henrick though I have not known you long And therefore wholly relying on the promise you make me I shall fear nothing as to your Pretentions which were they any other Persons I should not be guilty of so great an Indifference With these Discourses they got to the Court and the Ambassador being alighted at his House he there found many Ladies impatiently expecting the Arrival of the fair Lady Eleanora who was receiv'd out of her Litter into the Arms of her design'd Husband whereat Don Philip could do no less than conceive a little Jealousie Henrick to begin the Demonstrations of his Love had prepared a magnificent Supper to which were invited all those of both Sexes who were come thither to receive the Ambassadour and his Daughter Don Philip went to Bed presently after Supper extreamly troubled in mind that he had engag'd himself in an Enterprize wherein he found so great difficulties He could not imagine any means to bring it about so that as that he might come off with Credit he met with too many Obstacles and what afflicted him most of all was the Resolution the Lady had taken to satisfie her Father's Desire who was desirous the Marriage should be concluded with Henrick though he had been acquainted as well as she with his Miscarriages Marco could not forbear grumbling at the Resolution of his Master which must have ended amidst those Difficulties He exposed himself as an Extravagant Person in a Court where he might have raised himself into Esteem and out of a hope not likely to be brought to any Effect he ran himself dayly into new Inconveniences The Master and Servant spent some part of the Night in discoursing about the Business till at last Don Philip fell a sleep with a Resolution to discover himself to his Mistress and if his Addresses were not well entertain'd by her to return immediately into Galicia The visits of the Cavaliers and Ladies continued six days during which time the Marquess and his Daughter were often seen both of them taking much Pleasure in the pleasant Demeanour of Don Philip who acted the part he had undertaken so admirably well that his Extravagances became the Discourse of the whole Court all speaking of him as one of the most Humorous Fools that had come upon the Stage of a long time insomuch that some advised the Ambassadour to bring him to the Palace assuring him the King would be much pleased with his Behaviour Don Philip coming to hear of it seemed to be very angry and excused himself out of a fear his Majesty might not entertain him suitably to his Quality and Extraction that he would not run the hazard of receiving an affront and that the least dis-respect shewn him would force him to violent Resentments thereof The Ambassadour press'd him no further lest he might put him out of Humour perceiving he liked not the Proposal and put it off to some other time when perhaps he might find him more inclin'd to Compliance Henrick who was also lodg'd in the Ambassadour's House had only two Servants to wait on him whom he trusted with the Knowledge of all his Love Adventures It happen'd that both these fell sick at the same time a time when he should have shewn more Reservedness in his Amours to raise himself into a better Esteem with his Mistress but he on the contrary minded his own Enjoyments above all things and never considering the present posture of his Affairs he continued his Night-Visits as he was wont to do before her Arrival Being thus disappointed of their Attendance who were best acquainted with his Humours he conceiv'd he could not pitch upon a fitter Person to accompany him than Marco who with the leave of his Master Don Philip went along with him finding him a subtle Fellow and experienced in such Affairs he thought him a Person fit for his Purpose and accordingly that he might trust him with any thing He took him along with him three or four Nights together to a certain House out of which he came at a very unseasonable hour Though Marco went in with him yet durst he not be so impertinently inquisitive as to ask who was the Mistress of the House till the third or fourth Night that he had accompanied him thither and then being alone with the Servant-Maid who taking Example by her Mistress began to express some Kindness towards Marco he asked her whose House that was and to whom Henrick made his Visits Love and Secrecy are seldom found in the same Lodging She was a Servant and in Love with Marco there needs no more to be said to make it appear that she satisfied him in whatever he desir'd to know Marco understood from her that that House belong'd to his Master Don Philip's Aunt and that his own Sister was the Person whom Henrick had at rack and manger upon a Promise of Marriage she had gotten from him a little before under his hand she by reason of her Retiredness being innocently Ignorant of the Treaty of Marriage between him and his Cousin the Lady Eleanora Marco having pump'd out all these particulars fail'd not to give his Master an account thereof the next day Don Philip was extreamly surpriz'd thereat not without Indignation against his Sister though that procedure of Henrick raised him into some hopes of effecting his Design presuming the more upon it in that being equal as to Birth to Henrick he was resolv'd he should never Marry any other than her whom he had so highly dishonour'd He thereupon commanded Marco to acquaint the Maid who had made those discoveries to him that the Marriage of Henrick and his Cousin was agreed upon
hath about her and you shall see how this perfidious Person became thereby Master of her Honour Coming hither to speak with you and Complain of the affront intended her she met him who giving her fair words lock'd her into Don Philip's Chamber under pretence that you were busie and that it would require some time to stay ere she could see you some little curiosity occasion'd my my going to that door which is between my Lodgings and his and there I came to the knowledge of this Business having over-heard some part of their discourse I thought fit to bring this Lady to my Chamber to give you further satisfaction of so pressing a truth her quality is great since she is of the House of Gamboa and Toledo two of the most Illustrious Families in Spain She is resolved to make the Case known to her Friends who are very Noble and of great Credit in this Court that they may oppose my Marriage and prevent our common Affront I have hitherto obey'd you as a Father I now appeal to you my Judge and I beseech you discharge me of so unjust an obedience for the future for I am resolv'd rather to confine my self the remainder of my days in the most Austere Monastery about this City than ever be Wife to a man so insensible of Worth and Honour The Ambassadour was extremely astonished at both what he saw and what he had heard he examin'd the promise made to Donna Cornelia and found that that discovery alone was sufficient to prevent his Daughters Marriage with Henrick he immediately resolv'd to break all to pieces and to dismiss his Nephew that there might be no more talk of the business he caused the Ladies to withdraw and sent for his Nephew whom he shew'd the Schedule he had made to Donna Cornelia asking him whether he knew the Hand he not a little troubled and changing Colour began to deny it but the Ambassadour told him that as he could not do it sincerely so it would be very unhandsomly proffer'd since the truth would be prov'd by several of his Letters written with the same hand at last Don Henrick not without extreme Confusion acknowledg'd that blinded by Love he had indeed made that promise but he would lose his Life ere he performed it Don Philip having quitted his Fool 's Coat and put on a very rich suit with the Cross of Alcantara on his Coat and Cloak heard this Discourse from a corner of the Room where he was dispos'd and not able to contain himself any longer Seignior Henrick said he coming up to him have a better care what you say and consider her quality whom you injure her Birth is at least as Noble as yours she is my Sister and as such I am oblig'd to vindicate and protect her if you perform not the promise you have made her I wear a Sword by my side which shall force you to do it if Honour will not I have already consider'd what I am in Duty oblig'd too as to that point replies Don Henrick and no Man shall force me by menaces to do any thing against my Will This so enrag'd Don Philip that he gave Don Henrick a Challenge the Dispute grew higher and higher which oblig'd the Ladies to come in between them and to give orders the doors should be shut least they should put the Challenge in Execution While these things pass'd the Ambassadour minded not the Person of Don Philip but imagin'd him some other Person come thither after his Sister for seeing him so well habited with the Cross of Alcantara and without Spectacles which he constantly wore he knew him not but having consider'd him better he found that he who challeng'd his Nephew was the same person who by his pleasant Extravagances had found him so much sport the Lady Eleanora perceiving her Father had his Eyes fasten'd on him with some astonishment imagin'd the cause of it and gave it a check in these Words He Sir whom you see in a Habit so different from that he was wont to wear and who seem'd so ridiculous to you is Don Philip de Gamboa and Toledo when this dispute is over you shall know the motives oblig'd him to that disguise The Ambassadour was the more astonish'd at that and would have press'd his Daughter to make a further discovery of that Secret had he not seen the two Cavaliers with Swords drawn ready to make that Room the place of their Duel he ran in between them and endeavour'd by mildness to perswade his Nephew not to contest in a business which was not to his advantage that if he satisfi'd not the injur'd Cavalier mischief would attend it that he should not rely on any protection he might hope for from him inasmuch as seeing the little reason he had on his side and the affront he intended that Lady he should rather be against him by assisting his adversary than countenance him in so unjust a Cause that as to his Daughter he might quit all hope of her that he should never be her Husband and that it would discover a great poorness of Spirit in her if she had any thoughts of kindness for him after he had so unworthily treated her Don Henrick finding himself press'd with reproaches on all sides and withal harkning to the Advice of his Conscience thought it best to follow his Vncle's Counsel he thereupon went with open Arms to his true Wife to whom he once more gave his Hand as a Husband and then Embrac'd his Brother-in-Law whom he yet knew not the Lady Eleanora thought it a good opportunity before the whole Company to give her Father an Account how Don Philip had fallen in Love with her how he got into his retinue in the Quality of a Jester that she conceived her self oblig'd to requite the Extraordinary demonstration of his Affection to her by an Exchange of hers to him if her Father approv'd of it the Old Gentleman had so much Mettle left as to admire the strange Conducts of Love in all its Operations and particularly how it made the wisest Man Mad and the Mad Wise making its Advantages of Extravagance it self to compass its design without any further demurring he gave his Consent Whereupon the Lady Eleanora took him by the hand and Don Philip was so happy as by odd and unlikely means to see all his desires accomplished The Solemnities of both the Marriages were put off till eight days after all the Grandees about the Court came to them the Balls thereat and the Tiltings were Extraordinary but what more nearly touches the Story is that the King Honor'd these two Cavaliers with great advantages wherewith Don Philip had also those of a numerous Issue for which Don Henrick needed not much to have envi'd him being the most satisfi'd man in the World with his choice whom he infinitly Lov'd and thereby made it appear that the inclinations of two person before they are United by Matrimony though by some intervening
to comply with that of her Father and consequently she could not quit the Ill-impression she had receiv'd of Don Antonio till she were better inform'd of the truth that her Father would come in ere long and she could take no resolution without his Orders in a business of so great importance While they were engag'd in this discourse Don Alonzo comes in from the visit he had made to Donna Olivia Don Martinio made him a short relation of what had happen'd and renew'd to him the just complaint which his Cousin had reason to make of the Crime laid to his charge Whereupon both desiring him to hold his hand at least till there were an Exact enquiry made into the business he desir'd them to sit down and gave them this Answer Gentlemen I went out in hopes to be inform'd by some Friends of Sevil now here whether that which is imputed to Don Antonio were true and I could not meet with them but if I had found them it 's possible they might know nothing of the business for Sevil is a great City and some parts of it lye at such a distance from others that they may well be accounted different places What I found most certain is that Don Antonio hath made a promise of Marriage to a Lady of Toledo who entertain'd him at a Country-House of her's after he had been Robb'd by certain Thieves and what is yet more to be consider'd she thought it not much to secure his affection by the forfeiture of her Honor. I have it from the Lady her self who sent for me and shew'd me the promise under his Hand which since we all know there can be no evasion He thereupon shew'd it both the Cousins who were both at such a loss that they knew not what to say especially Don Antonio who sufficiently betray'd his guilt by his astonishment but swore withal that he had not made that promise under his own Name but under a feigned But Don Martinio knowing all the Circumstance of the business was most Liberal of his reproaches to his Cousin which raising a certain compassion in Don Alonzo forc'd this Discourse from him Signior Don Antonio we find by many Experiences that a young man once fallen in Love will do any thing to obtain his desires that Love should overcome you I wonder not at all but what occasions my astonishment is that you should have the confidence to Address your self to a Person of the Quality this Lady is of and dishonour her without ever considering that in time she might acquaint her Friends therewith who would be sure to revenge the affront and what adds to this astonishment is that you durst do such an Action when you were coming hither purposely in order to your matching with my Daughter for whom if any credit may be given to your Letters you pretended to have a passionate affection I see not how your Heart could be capable of such a Competition of Passions that you should pretend the greatest inclinations imaginable for one and treat of a Marriage with another being a Person of Honor I doubt not but you will make it appear in you Actions and that is that you stand to the Promise you made to the Lady Olivia though it were only out of this Confideration that it argues a more Generous Nature to do that willingly which must otherwise unwillingly be done The Lady is not so destitute of Friends as you perhaps imagin she is now at Madrid come expressly to recover her debt which no doubt she will and her cause being so just 't is not likely she will want Assistance My Advice is that you endeavour to prevent the ill reports which the business must raise of you perform what you have promis'd and let not your Love to my Daughter blind you any further for I am resolv'd to shut her up in a Cloyster for the remainder of her Life rather than she shall ever be your Wife With that he rose up and without any Complements went into another Room Donna Catharina follow'd him and the two Cousins without so much as a word exchanged went home where Don Martinio fell into bitter expostulations with his Cousin for his engaging himself in so unworthy an Action Don Antonio had nothing to reply but that he was astonish'd how that promise came to be sign'd with his own Name having made it only out of a supposititious Leaving them in that Confusion making several Reflections on the Adventure let us return to the feign'd Waiting-woman who was got back to Don Alonzo's and had deliver'd Don Valerio's Letter to Donna Catharina She was infinitely satisfy'd with it as fearing he would not have been so easily retriv'd into her Service Donna Catharina acquainted her how that Don Antonio and his Cousin had been there what had pass'd between them and her Father and that he had absolutely dismiss'd them it being discover'd that Don Antonio had committed another impertinence and had made a promise of Marriage to a Lady of Toledo who was come express to Madrid to obstruct his pretensions to her Donna Olivia pretended the greatest astonishment in the World and burst forth into imprecations against Don Antonio In the mean time there came a Message to Donna Catharina from a She-Cousin of hers â—…nviting her to a Comedy which was to be â—…epresented at her House that Night whereâ—…o she sent Answer that she would come Donna Olivia having made so successful a progress in her business bethought her self of an â—…nvention that should bring it to an absolute Period for she had the Management of all She told Donna Catharina that if she pleas'd â—…o wave her going to the Comedy she might â—…ave a meeting that Night with Don Valerio â—…n a secure place to wit at her Father's House â—…here she might do what she pleas'd her self â—…he Lady had a great kindness for Don Valeâ—…io and was desirous to prevent the reproaches he might make upon her former discardâ—…ng of him and so she accepted the proffer made by her Woman She immediately sent for Granatus and gave him a Letter for Don Valerio whereby he was desired to come that Night at Eight to Donna Olivia's House He was sent with another to Don Antonio de Mendoza acquainting him that Donna Cathaâ—…ina notwithstanding the Indignation of her Father and what she her self had said was resolved secretly to Marry him and desir'd to meet him that Night at a house whither the Bearer would bring him and that he should not fail to be there at Nine The two Cavaliers kindly receiv'd their Letters especially Don Antonio who being but a little before dismiss'd was recall'd to joyn Hands with Donna Catharina and imagin'd it done by the intercession of the Waiting-Gentlewoman to whom he thought himself infinitely obliged and the present he had made her well bestow'd the two Gallants fail'd not to be there at the time appointed and in the mean Donna Catharina and her Woman took Coach leaving Don