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<DATE>2011-01-03</DATE>
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<NAME>Kayla Ondracek</NAME>
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<DIV1 TYPE="title page">
<PB REF="1" MS="y">
<P>THE Inhumane CARDINAL, OR, Innocence Betray'd.</P>
<P>A NOVEL.</P>
<P>Written <HI>By a Gentlewoman, for the Entertainment of the Sex.</HI></P>
<P><HI>LONDON,</HI> Printed for <HI>John Harding,</HI> at the <HI>Bible</HI> and <HI>Anchor</HI> in <HI>Newport-&s;treet,</HI> and <HI>Richard Wilkin,</HI> at the <HI>King's-Head</HI> in St. <HI>Paul</HI>'s <HI>Church-Yard,</HI> 1696.</P>
</DIV1>
<DIV1 TYPE="dedication">
<PB REF="2">
<PB REF="2">
<HEAD>TO HER Royal Highne&s;s THE PRINCESS <HI>ANN,</HI> OF <HI>DENMARK.</HI></HEAD>
<OPENER><SALUTE>MADAM,</SALUTE></OPENER>
<P>GReat is my Confu&s;ion when I wou'd ap|proach; an humble Awe checks my Ambition; and I am afraid to lay &s;o mean
<PB REF="3">
a Trifle at the Feet of Your <HI>Royal Highne&s;s.</HI> But as with Heaven, a devoted Heart at|tones for a worthle&s;s Offering; &s;o Mo&s;t Excellent <HI>Prince&s;s,</HI> let the fervent Zeal, which in|clines me towards your Ser|vice, excu&s;e this too too bold an Undertaking.</P>
<P>You are a <HI>Prince&s;s</HI> who&s;e Pre&s;ence creates an Univer&s;al Joy and Veneration in all your pleas'd Beholders. We view in your Maje&s;tick Lineaments, the Augu&s;t Air of <HI>Royal Ance&s;tors:</HI> Whil&s;t with this be|coming Maje&s;ty, &s;omething &s;o agreeably affable is join'd, that your humble Creatures find their Acce&s;s both ea&s;y and de|lightful:
<PB REF="3">
And tho&s;e who have the Honour and Happyne&s;s to attend your <HI>Royal Per&s;on,</HI> plain|ly di&s;cover tho&s;e Moral and Princely Virtues, refin'd with &s;incere Chri&s;tian Piety, which Beautify and Reign in your <HI>Heroick Soul:</HI> and the unequal'd Character they give, rai&s;es the love of Virtue in the Brea&s;t of the mo&s;t &s;tupid.</P>
<P>'Tis &s;aid Example goes be|fore Precept; and that of all Examples we are fonde&s;t of tho&s;e our Princes &s;et before us. How incorrigible then are the&s;e polluted Times, when <HI>You, Illu&s;trious Madam,</HI> &s;tand a Pattern mo&s;t Excellently Glo|rious?</P>
<P><PB REF="4">The Prayers of all good Men daily importune Heaven on your behalf, nor are their Prayers in vain; nor do the bounteous Powers barely be|hold &s;uch worth, without re|ward; Ble&s;&s;ings crowd around, and leave (I hope) no wi&s;h un&s;atisfied.</P>
<P>Ble&s;t in the Royal Partner of your Bed, that Great Good Man; words that but &s;eldom truly join; Ble&s;t your Self, and ble&s;&s;ing all, in that Lovely Blooming Prince, the <HI>Duke of Gloce&s;ter;</HI> who&s;e forward Youth Wings the breath of Fame; and were her Tongues innumerable, when &s;he reports of him, &s;ome wonder mu&s;t be
<PB REF="4">
left untold. Joy of the Pre|&s;ent Age, and Darling hopes, on which the future one de|pends. Oh may he Inherit the Extracted Virtues of all our <HI>Britti&s;h Kings;</HI> the Courage of our Pre&s;ent Soveraign; but a Fortune peculiarly Great, pe|culiarly his own; Con&s;picu|ous, and far above whatever went before: that Succeeding Worlds, may to his Glorious Name, ju&s;tly add the Epithet of Happy.</P>
<P>I ought now to &s;ay &s;ome|thing, in reference to the fol|lowing Sheets; but my ra|vi&s;h'd Pen hath been enter|tain'd upon &s;o &s;ublime a Theme, that it di&s;dains to de&s;cend;
<PB REF="5">
and my heart full of Rapture, that is, full of your <HI>Royal Hig|ne&s;s,</HI> will only give me leave to endeavour the expre&s;&s;ing, how much I am,</P>
<CLOSER><SALUTE>Madam,</SALUTE>
<SIGNED>Your Royal Highne&s;s's Devoted humble Servant, <HI>Mary Pix.</HI></SIGNED></CLOSER>
<PB REF="5">
</DIV1>
</FRONT>
<BODY>
<DIV1 TYPE="text">
<PB REF="6">
<PB N="1" REF="6">
<HEAD>THE <HI>Inhumane Cardinal,</HI> OR Innocence Betray'd.</HEAD>
<P>ALL that are conver&s;ant in Hi&s;tory, mu&s;t remember the unbecoming Sway <HI>Donna Olimpia</HI> held in the Court of <HI>Rome,</HI> during the Papacy of <HI>Innocent</HI> the Tenth. The Fiction of <HI>Hercules</HI>'s changing Cloaths with his beloved Mi&s;tre&s;s, ought here to have been practis'd; for that Pope gave him|felf wholly up to Lazine&s;s and Effe|minacy, whil&s;t <HI>Olimpia</HI> govern'd both in Church and State.</P>
<P><PB N="2" REF="7">If any per&s;on wanted Eccle&s;ia&s;tical preferment, <HI>Donna Olimpia</HI> receiv'd their Pre&s;ents and Addre&s;s; if an Amba&s;&s;ador was earne&s;t for di&s;patch, her Intere&s;t alone could obtain it. Thus &s;he remain'd courted, adored by all; Care&s;&s;ing few, unle&s;s it were the Cardinals. Tho&s;e &s;he was very fond of making her Creatures, that her Power might rule in all their Councils.</P>
<P>And among&s;t that Scarlet Frater|nity, <HI>Antonio Barbarino</HI> was the Man &s;he mo&s;t affected. He was wicked, as her vile&s;t Wi&s;hes; and cunning as her &s;ubtle&s;t Thoughts, when they formed Revenge; <HI>Revenge</HI> which was her darling Plea&s;ure; Witne&s;s the Rage &s;he, for years, maintain'd again&s;t her own Son, only becau&s;e his Wife was great and beautiful.</P>
<P>But to return to our matter: This Cardinal <HI>Antonio</HI> was &s;omething cold, and did not follow her Mea&s;ures &s;o exactly as &s;he de&s;ired; much &s;he would have done, to have obtained
<PB N="3" REF="7">
the ab&s;olute A&s;cendant over him; and Fortune, at la&s;t, became obli|ging to her Wi&s;h: She had ob&s;erv'd the Cardinal, in &s;ome of his late Vi|&s;its, to appear very &s;ad and thought|ful; &s;he often pre&s;s'd him to know the Cau&s;e, whil&s;t he for &s;ome time continued to evade her Importunity; at length, being alone with her, and &s;he becoming again inqui&s;itive, he u&s;h|ering his Di&s;cour&s;e with a Sigh, began thus.</P>
<P><Q>Madam, the fear that I &s;hall &s;tand wholly corrected, and condemned, by your &s;everer Vertue, has thus long deterr'd me from di&s;clo&s;ing my Tortures. I know, Madam, you have De&s;igns which you would give the World to effect; prove but then indulgent to tho&s;e dear guilty Wi&s;hes I am going to di&s;cover: and here I &s;olemnly &s;wear to a&s;&s;i&s;t you with my utmo&s;t power, in all your Commands, of what nature &s;oever.</Q> This Promi&s;e was too kind, not to gain the like A&s;&s;urance from <HI>Donna
<PB N="4" REF="8">
Olimpia;</HI> and the Cardinal proceed|ed.</P>
<P><Q>Ambition only fired my Youth, and led me on to Greatne&s;s; but now a gentler Flame hath filled my Heart, yet more tormenting. I am in Love, O <HI>Olimpia;</HI> raging mad with Love, to that degree po&s;&s;e&s;s'd, that if I enjoy not the Object of the&s;e violent De&s;ires, life it &s;elf will become a burthen in&s;upportable.</Q></P>
<P>Though <HI>Olimpia</HI> was declining in Age, and never any exact Beauty, yet &s;o vain is Woman; that &s;he be|gan to hope for a declaration of Love; &s;ets her Face in the be&s;t order; puts on affected Looks; turns her Eyes from <HI>Antonio's:</HI> and &s;eems in great expectation. But he quickly unde|ceiv'd her, by adding: <Q>It is the beautiful <HI>Melora,</HI> Daughter to the Marque&s;s of <HI>Coure,</HI> now Amba&s;&s;a|dor from <HI>France.</HI> Fair, charming as an Angel; her Eyes &s;hoot amo|rous Fire, yet are repleat with Mo|de&s;ty; and much I fear, no Temp|tation,
<PB N="5" REF="8">
though dre&s;s'd with allu|ring Plea&s;ure, or dazling Wealth, will o'recome her. 'The vicious, an&s;wer'd wicked <HI>Olimpia,</HI> yield of them&s;elves; <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="2 letters">or were it worth your care or mine, were &s;he not virtuous. 'Leave this bu&s;ine&s;s, ad|ded &s;he, to my conduct; and, provi|ded your &s;poil not my De&s;ign with un&s;ea&s;onable Frugality; I'le ingage to bring <HI>Melora</HI> to your Arms.</Q> The pa&s;&s;ionate Prie&s;t was tran&s;ported, fell at her Feet, embraced her Knees, and promi&s;ed her ine&s;timable Trea|&s;ures, if &s;he made good her Word. She asked him, if <HI>Melora</HI> knew him: he a&s;&s;ur'd her, No; for there had been a mi&s;under&s;tanding betwixt her Father and him; and he was the on|ly Per&s;on of his Rank, that did not frequent the Amba&s;&s;ador's Hou&s;e, nor had ever &s;een her but at Church; where, added he, tho&s;e lovely un|heeding Eyes have never mark'd me with a fixt regard; the brighter Stars that now alone mu&s;t rule my
<PB N="6" REF="9">
Fate. After other Di&s;cour&s;es to the &s;ame purpo&s;e, the Cardinal took his leave, and that night &s;ent <HI>Olimpia</HI> a Dre&s;&s;ing-table cover'd with Plate, valu'd at eight Thou&s;and Crowns; for he knew <HI>that Woman</HI> avari|cious, and took the right way to ha|&s;ten her Endeavours for his &s;atisfacti|on. Soon after, this bribed De&s;igner did the French Amba&s;&s;ador a &s;ignal piece of Service, in a bu&s;ine&s;s of im|portance; and when he would have made her a Pre&s;ent for that Favour: &s;he refus'd it, &s;aying, all &s;he de&s;ired in return, was: That he would &s;end his Daughter, the fair <HI>Melora,</HI> to &s;ee her; for though a Woman, that Lady's Face had &s;o charm'd her: &s;he even long'd to contract a Friend&s;hip with her. The good Marque&s;s was tran&s;ported to hear what an Honour was de&s;ign'd his dear lov'd Daugh|ter; and delay'd not &s;ending her to wait upon <HI>Olimpia,</HI> who care&s;s'd her at an unu&s;ual rate; di&s;cover'd all her little in&s;inuating Arts of Fondne&s;s,
<PB N="7" REF="9">
whil&s;t the deluded Maid was, beyond expre&s;&s;ion, plea&s;ed to hear her talk &s;o kindly; to &s;ee all her rich Cabinets, and tho&s;e Millions of Curio&s;ities &s;he was Mi&s;tre&s;s of. Many pretty Pre|&s;ents, (at the fir&s;t Vi&s;it) <HI>Olim|pia</HI> forc'd <HI>Melora</HI> to accept; nor would &s;he part with her without a firm Promi&s;e of her coming every day to &s;ee her; which this innocent Virgin mo&s;t willingly agreed to, and perform'd. Nothing now was more talk'd of, or envy'd among&s;t the La|dies, then this new Friend&s;hip: they appear'd at every publick place toge|ther; and <HI>Melora</HI> having a Garb &s;ui|table to that Greatne&s;s, quickly add|ed to the number of her Adorers: but that was the only Re&s;triction <HI>Olim|pia</HI> gave her, not to entertain the Addre&s;&s;es of any, &s;till hinting at &s;ome wonderful De&s;ign &s;he had for her; and always &s;aying to her, That Heaven had &s;ure ordain'd that lovely Face, that augu&s;t Mien, for Sove|raignty. Nor could <HI>Olimpia</HI> (as much
<PB N="8" REF="10">
as &s;he was inclin'd to it) flatter, in commending her, for &s;he was really amiable to a Miracle.</P>
<P>She was of &s;tature tall, &s;hap'd be|yond the Art of a De&s;cription, and mov'd with a Maje&s;tick Air. Her Eyes were black and &s;hining; and aw'd the trembling Lover from ga|zing long. Her Hair &s;eem'd to vie with them for Charms and Lu&s;tre; then her Skin was of that amazing whitene&s;s, 'twould rai&s;e emotions in the mo&s;t retired Reclu&s;e. In fine, her Hands, Arms, and every agree|able Lineament of that exact Frame, her Body, forc'd from the mo&s;t envi|ous of her own Sex, the Appellation of a perfect Beauty. Nor did the bounteous Powers &s;top with the&s;e Graces; but gave al&s;o a Mind com|po&s;ed of Harmony: wi&s;e, as experi|enced Age; witty, as Youth, in&s;pired with Poetry: and innocent, as harm|le&s;s Childhood.</P>
<P>Oh <HI>Melora!</HI> after-Ages &s;hall with pity read, even to the end of Time,
<PB N="9" REF="10">
that &s;uch an Angel &s;hould be given to the Guardian&s;hip of a Devil; for &s;o cur&s;t <HI>Olimpia</HI> prov'd.</P>
<P><HI>Olimpia</HI> us'd a mo&s;t ingaging way to all Per&s;ons, where her Intere&s;t was concern'd; and though to the indifferent World, and tho&s;e beneath her, &s;he &s;eem'd haughty, and full of pride; yet her inward Conver&s;ation was affable, and to a wonder plea|&s;ing; the highe&s;t Charms of which &s;he had even indu&s;triou&s;ly be&s;tow'd upon <HI>Melora;</HI> and &s;o perfectly was that young Creature indear'd to her, that &s;he would as &s;oon have dy'd, and as willingly, as di&s;oblig'd her.</P>
<P>The impatient Cardinal complain|ed, and told <HI>Olimpia,</HI> &s;he mov'd not half &s;o fa&s;t as his De&s;ires. But this cunning Artificer re&s;olv'd to lay a &s;ure Foundation before &s;he began &s;o difficult a work. And the fir&s;t &s;tep towards it, was the de&s;iring <HI>Melora</HI> to let a famous Florentine Painter take her Picture in Miniature; which was granted, as &s;oon as asked. The
<PB N="10" REF="11">
Piece was exqui&s;itely done, and pre|&s;ented to <HI>Olimpia.</HI> All &s;eem'd now to favour her De&s;igns; and &s;he only wanted an obliging Opportunity to introduce her well-laid Story to <HI>Me|lora.</HI> Which thus happen'd: <HI>Olim|pia</HI> coming from the Pope's Palace, call'd for her dear Companion (as &s;he term'd <HI>Melora</HI>) who was at her Father's Hou&s;e, entertaining <HI>Donna Brandina,</HI> a Roman Lady of Quali|ty; but of a fanta&s;tick Humor: the chief Bu&s;ine&s;s of her Life, being to find out all the loving Affairs among&s;t the great Ones, either in Court or City. Nay, &s;o eager was &s;he at this in&s;ignificant Curio&s;ity, that &s;he kept a Corre&s;pondency even with Chamber-maids. After <HI>Olimpia</HI> came in, <HI>Brandina</HI> began again to tell over all the impertinent amorous Adventures &s;he had lately heard; but perceiving them not much delighted with her fooli&s;h Relations: &s;he, at length, took her leave, to the wi&s;h'd de&s;ire
<PB N="11" REF="11">
of the two friendly Ladies, who long'd to enjoy them&s;elves privately. For the accompli&s;hment of which <HI>Donna Olimpia</HI> propos'd taking the Air a few miles out of Town: <HI>Me|lora</HI> being her perfect Devotee, with chearfulne&s;s agreed. As &s;oon as their Coach was di&s;engag'd from the Hur|ry of <HI>Rome,</HI> that &s;weet French Wo|man, looking upon <HI>Olimpia</HI> with a Smile: Madam, &s;aid &s;he, <HI>Donna Brandina</HI> came to me to day with im|portant News; and hath told me a Story, which hath extreamly diver|ted me. What is't, for Heavens &s;ake, an&s;wer'd <HI>Olimpia,</HI> that talka|tive Creature could &s;ay to plea&s;e thee, my Dear? It &s;eems, reply'd the fair one, your Highne&s;s, out of your immen&s;e Goodne&s;s, &s;etting a value upon the Trifle you command|ed (my Picture) has order'd a La|pidary to &s;et it in Diamonds; which this inqui&s;itive Lady finding out, concludes a piece of Gallantry done by &s;ome Lover; and has plac'd me
<PB N="12" REF="12">
among&s;t her Virgins, that are con|cern'd in Heroick Amours, as yet to her undi&s;cover'd. For (continu'd <HI>Melora</HI> laughing) &s;he keeps a dai|ly Journal of all the Intrigues that pa&s;s, and is now almo&s;t di&s;tracted to know my humble Servant.</P>
<P><Q>It is &s;trange, &s;aid <HI>Olimpia, that</HI> empty Creature &s;hould gue&s;s at hidden Truths; for &s;ince Chance hath broke the Ice, I will own to thee, my deare&s;t Girl, 'tis an illu|&s;trious Lover, is giving that de&s;er|ved Ornament to thy charming Pi|cture. 'How, Madam, &s;aid <HI>Me|lora!</HI> nay, if you re&s;olve to rally your Servant, I mu&s;t remain dumb, and only an&s;wer with confu&s;ion and Blu&s;hes.</Q></P>
<P><Q>No, reply'd <HI>Olimpia,</HI> in a grave Tone, this is as true as you are fair and good; there is a Per&s;on in the World is in Love with you. In Love with you! Oh weak Expre&s;&s;ion! added &s;he vehemently; is dying for you; &s;uffers all the violent
<PB N="13" REF="12">
pangs, Poetry e're feigned, or man e're felt.</Q></P>
<P>His Quality is Supream; yet his Ambition terminates in being your Slave; then be not angry that I have given him your Picture: For though you are bright as an Angel, and Mi|&s;tre&s;s of unequal'd Charms; yet he de&s;erves, my Faire&s;t, even you, end|ed <HI>Olimpia,</HI> embracing her. <Q>What|&s;oever is acted by my Divine&s;t Pa|trone&s;s, &s;aid <HI>Melora,</HI> bowing low, by me, with &s;tricte&s;t Obedience and highe&s;t Plea&s;ure &s;hall be ob&s;er|ved; and when you, my ever ho|noured Friend, grow weary of my faithful Heart: di&s;po&s;e of it as you plea&s;e, your Commands mu&s;t needs be ea&s;ie. 'Be a&s;&s;ured, Charmer (an&s;wer'd this de&s;igning Lady) I will never part with that ine&s;tima|ble Jewel, but upon Terms that &s;hall wholly redound to your Advantage.</Q></P>
<P>She paus'd upon this, and left the Subject for <HI>Melora</HI> to con&s;ider &s;ome few days without farther explaining
<PB N="14" REF="13">
her &s;elf. <HI>Then</HI> &s;eeming in a very plea&s;ant Humor, &s;he takes <HI>Melora</HI> into her Cabinet, and ask'd her &s;mi|ling, if &s;ince their la&s;t private Confe|rence, &s;he had not dream'd of an ac|compli&s;h'd Cavalier &s;ighing at her Feet, and dying for her Love? <Q>My Thoughts, reply'd that mode&s;t Maid, &s;o &s;eldom frame an Idea of Mankind, that it is almo&s;t impo&s;&s;ible that they &s;hould di&s;turb my Dreams.</Q></P>
<P><Q>But methinks, &s;aid <HI>Olimpia,</HI> one recommended by me, &s;hould make a little deeper impre&s;&s;ion on that frigid Heart. of yours. 'Behold here, added &s;he, (taking out a gold Box, and opening it) your Picture which with much ado I obtain'd from the Amorous Prince for an hour or two.</Q> <HI>Melora</HI> took it in her hand, and view'd it with wonder; nor could &s;he chu&s;e; for it was a dazling Object, being &s;et Oval fa|&s;hion in large Diamonds: Round the faire&s;t, which was uppermo&s;t, the&s;e words were ingraven;</P>
<PB N="15" REF="13">
<Q>Dim, to the Lu&s;tre of her Eyes.</Q>
<P><Q>Now, Madam, cry'd <HI>Melora</HI> ea|gerly, you mu&s;t forgive my Curio|&s;ity, and permit me, like my Sex, to be wondrous inqui&s;itive: For the Title of Prince, which you have given this <HI>unknown,</HI> and the bright|ne&s;s of the&s;e Jewels, &s;trike me in|to amazement; I cannot believe your Goodne&s;s would abu&s;e my Credulity with fictitious Stories; nor can I have Pride enough to ima|gine a Prince my Lover. 'What I told you before, I &s;olemnly confirm, &s;ays <HI>Olimpia,</HI> he is not only your Lover, but Slave; yet over part of the World an Ab&s;olute Soveraign: All this is truth; but 'tis a Truth of &s;uch a con&s;equence, that I mu&s;t lay upon you wonderful Injunctions e're I venture to unravel it, your faithful Brea&s;t mu&s;t lock this Secret up as &s;afe as if my Life depended upon di&s;|clo&s;ing it; or if there is any thing
<PB N="16" REF="14">
you hold dearer, by <HI>that</HI> I conjure you, let not your own Father now the lea&s;t Circum&s;tance of this Di&s;|covery; and if you dare tru&s;t me wholly with the Management of your Fortune, which 'twould break my Heart to doubt; in earne&s;t you &s;hall &s;uddenly appear the mo&s;t glo|rious, as well as the mo&s;t beautiful Prince&s;s in <HI>Europe.</HI></Q></P>
<P>So perfectly did <HI>Melora</HI> confide in <HI>Olimpia,</HI> that &s;he made no &s;cruple to rely upon her Conduct, and promis'd even with Imprecations, a mo&s;t &s;in|cere and exact Secrecy, to what&s;oever &s;he would relate.</P>
<P><HI>Olimpia</HI> gave order not to be di|&s;turb'd, and began thus: <Q>You mu&s;t arm your &s;elf with Patience to hear a Story, that will be of a long conti|nuance before it points at <HI>you. Me|lora,</HI> by a graceful bow, and conti|nuing &s;ilent, let <HI>Olimpia</HI> know her Expectation, and Attention; when that cruel Prince&s;s, &s;eeming a while to recollect her &s;elf, dre&s;s'd up a true Story in the following words.</Q></P>
<DIV2 TYPE="history">
<PB N="17" REF="14">
<HEAD>The Hi&s;tory of <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> and <HI>Cordelia.</HI></HEAD>
<P><HI>Otho</HI> Duke of <HI>Ferrara</HI> and <HI>Modena</HI> had an only Son nam'd <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> who was above what I am able to de|&s;cribe; all the World acknowledging him accompli&s;h'd to the highe&s;t De|gree. His Father was yet lu&s;ty, and &s;tirring in State-affairs, which gave <HI>Al|phon&s;us</HI> liberty to follow many youth|ful Adventures.</P>
<P>Among&s;t the re&s;t, he propos'd to a Favourite of his, call'd <HI>Don Ca&s;tro</HI> (the beginning of a glorious Sum|mer) taking a Ramble in the adja|cent Countries under borrow'd Names: the Prince was very young and very brisk, when this was men|tion'd, and his Companion being &s;ui|table for years and Temper, they &s;oon agreed, and put their De&s;ign into Action. <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> calling him|&s;elf <HI>Don Pedro;</HI> and <HI>Castro, Philippo.</HI> The morning they began their Fro|lick,
<PB N="18" REF="15">
<HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> left a Letter upon his Table for his Father, the Contents of which, only wi&s;hed him long life, health, and happine&s;s, begging his Pardon for a youthful Excur&s;ion; which &s;hould tend neither to his own, nor any per&s;ons prejudice, <HI>&amp;c.</HI></P>
<P>The Court was at fir&s;t mightily alarm'd; but <HI>Otho</HI> recollecting the Humors of his own Youth, was at length content to hope this was only an innocent Folly.</P>
<P>The&s;e noble Rovers had pa&s;t &s;ome weeks, and were got a great di&s;tance from <HI>Ferrara,</HI> before any extraordi|nary Occurrence happen'd to them. They had vi&s;ited &s;ome Cities; but were now retir'd into the Country, where <HI>Don Pedro</HI> (for by that Name you mu&s;t under&s;tand the Prince) be|gan to complain to his Friend of the dulne&s;s of their Ramble, and inveigh again&s;t the fair Sex, for their Civili|ty in &s;paring them their Hearts and Liberty. <Q>It was &s;uch melancholy
<PB N="19" REF="15">
Reflections as the&s;e, reply'd <HI>Philippo,</HI> caus'd me, at break of day, to fetch a pen&s;ive Walk &s;ome di&s;tance from hence, where I met with a &s;mall Intrigue that gave me a proportio|nable Diver&s;ion. 'Oh Churl, cry'd out <HI>Don Pedro,</HI> how could you con|ceal it one moment; Be not &s;o im|patient, an&s;wers the other; for I think it &s;carce worth your hearing: however thus it was, I enter'd a large Fore&s;t, and after I had walk'd &s;ome time, li&s;tning only to the Harmony of the Birds, and viewing the Verdure of tho&s;e plea|&s;ant Shades, I &s;aw through the Trees, walking a &s;wift pace, a Ca|valier well dre&s;s'd. After I had a while ob&s;erv'd him, I fancy'd by his ha&s;te, and the time of the day, he was upon &s;ome private De&s;ign; therefore not to interrupt him, I left the path that led me after him, and wandred into another. But Fortune re&s;olv'd <HI>that</HI> &s;hould not be my la&s;t interview; for in a quarter of
<PB N="20" REF="16">
an hour's &s;pace, I was come to a high Wall where I percev'd my Spark &s;ome yards from me, waiting in a di&s;con&s;olate po&s;ture, and &s;eem|ing to expect &s;omething from thence. I &s;hould he had not di&s;|cover'd me; and my curio&s;ity was &s;uch, I could not forbear ob&s;erving the Event. To that end I conceal'd my &s;elf behind a Shrub, where I could with ea&s;e view what pa&s;s'd. The Gentleman began to grow ve|ry impatient, as I perceiv'd by his Ge&s;tures: &s;ometimes he whi&s;tled, which I gue&s;s'd to be the &s;ign; then walk'd with a perturbed pace. At length, quite tyr'd, he cry'd out: Perfidious Creature! fal&s;e as thou art fooli&s;h! to &s;quander away thy Patrimony only to &s;atisfie thy cur&s;t curio&s;ity! After he had rav'd thus, and vex'd him&s;elf above an hour: away he walks, &s;till cur&s;ing his un|au&s;picious Stars, and tho&s;e greater Plagues, deceitful Women. I laugh|ed, and hug'd my &s;elf, for being
<PB N="21" REF="16">
free from all the Snares of that in&s;i|nuating Sex. Entertain'd with the&s;e plea&s;ing Thoughts I ha&s;ten'd home|wards; but e're I was got half way, a Fancy &s;eiz'd my Noddle to return back, and vi&s;it the afore-mention'd Wall again, making &s;uch a &s;ign as I had already heard. The Whim pleas'd me; and methought I was a&s;&s;ur'd, I &s;hould fini&s;h the Adven|ture which this too ha&s;ty Gallant had left. Accordingly I turn'd my &s;teps, and having reach'd the place, I had no &s;ooner whi&s;tl'd, but my expectation was an&s;wer'd; for over the Wall came a Key ty'd to this Billet, which he gave to the Prince who read the&s;e words.</Q></P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<HEAD>The LETTER.</HEAD>
<P>THE &s;ight this Key procures you, I doubt not, will amply recom|<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">en&s;e your Bounty and long Waiting; <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">ome before day, and creep clo&s;e along <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">he thick Arbours; if through any &s;ini|&s;ter
<PB N="22" REF="17">
accident, you &s;hould be di&s;cover|ed: rather &s;ay, you &s;cal'd the Walls, or dropt from the Clouds, than own a Corre&s;pondency with</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED><HI>Your humble Servant</HI> Lu&s;etta.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
<P>There was a Po&s;t&s;cript to this ef|fect:
<Q><HI>I</HI> Suppo&s;e you have been &s;o long view+ing the Wall, that I need not in form you the little door, whereof this <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 word"> the Key, is on the West &s;ide.</Q></P>
<P><Q>Well, &s;aid <HI>Don Pedro</HI> &s;miling, and what Advantage do you intend to reap by this pretty Mi&s;take? 'Tru+ly, an&s;wer'd <HI>Philippo,</HI> I heartily wi&s;h the Gentleman, it belongs to had it; for I have no mind to ha+zard my Life in our Italian Fami+lies to &s;ee novel Sights. 'Nay, if yo<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> are &s;o indifferent, reply'd the Princ<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">
<PB N="23" REF="17">
you &s;hall quit your Right in this Adventure to me; for I am confi|dent there is a fair Lady in the Ca&s;e, and am re&s;olv'd, if you de&s;i&s;t, to &s;ee her.</Q></P>
<P>In vain <HI>Philippo</HI> us'd a thou&s;and Arguments, and talk'd till the Prince commanded his &s;ilence. He was ob&s;tinate, nor could a fond Bride|groom long more for the night's ap|proach, than this ra&s;h Noble Youth did for the morning. As &s;oon as ever the fir&s;t &s;treaks of day appear'd, he begins his Walk. Poor <HI>Philip|po</HI> parts with much reluctancy and fear, re&s;olving to follow him, and watch thereabouts, till his Return. <HI>Don Pedro</HI> carefully ob&s;erv'd the Di|rections he had forc'd from his Friend, whom he would not &s;uffer to go with him; his Fate &s;eeming to whi&s;per the Prize he was to gain, would admit no Sharers. When he had found the place, he &s;oftly un|locks the door, which he perceiv'd was left unbor'd on purpo&s;e, and en|ters
<PB N="24" REF="18">
a lovely place, beholding both to Art and Nature for its beauty. He takes the fir&s;t clo&s;e Walk, which brought him to the plea&s;ante&s;t Grotto, your Fancy can po&s;&s;ibly repre&s;ent. It was exactly four &s;quare; and in every corner the knots of Trees were thick, mingling their Boughs over delicate Marble Seats, who&s;e backs were painted with &s;everal Hi&s;tories. Long Walks, with leavy Screens, that &s;hut out the Sun's fierce Beams, conducted you from every of the&s;e delightful Seats to the other. In the mid&s;t was a large &s;pace adorn'd with a curious Fountain; that which made this Fountain &s;o admirable, was the Statue of <HI>Venus:</HI> at the head of it there was the Godde&s;s figur'd in Marble, with <HI>Adonis</HI> &s;lain at her Feet, whil&s;t from her Eyes &s;treams ince&s;&s;antly ran down, bath'd the lov'd Youth, and &s;eem'd to fill the va&s;t Ci&s;tern underneath, which with an agreeable murmur &s;till receiv'd them. Beyond all this was an exqui|&s;ite
<PB N="25" REF="18">
Garden enamel'd with choi&s;e&s;t Flowers and Fruits.</P>
<P>The Prince had entertain'd him&s;elf a con&s;iderable time in this Charming place, and began to fear the Sight the Letter promis'd, was only the&s;e Rarities; though, to comfort him, he could at a great di&s;tance e&s;py a fair well built Hou&s;e; and hop'd a fairer i&s;&s;ue from it. Nor was he di&s;appointed; for e're he had waited much longer, he through the Trees, di&s;covers a Woman bringing four crim&s;on Velvet Cu&s;hions, which &s;he lays, two upon the ground, and two upon one of the Marble Seats. After &s;he was gone, our Hero &s;eeks out a place, as near this Arbour as he could that would conceal him. There was no po&s;&s;ibility of looking into it, with|out being &s;een; &s;o that he is forc'd to go behind, and be a Hearer only of what the Per&s;ons would &s;ay, that were to po&s;&s;e&s;s tho&s;e Seats.</P>
<P>He had &s;carce time to fix him&s;elf before he heard the ru&s;ling of Silks,
<PB N="26" REF="19">
and &s;weet &s;mall Voices: which made him conclude his Neighbours, Ladies. After general Di&s;cour&s;es, not material, one of them &s;aid: <Q>I cannot but wonder, my charming Cou&s;in, that the wi&s;e <HI>Sulpitia</HI> &s;hould take delight to bury &s;o much Beauty as yours in ob&s;curity, and confine your Youth to the&s;e melancholy Shades; when but appearing at Court with you, would &s;oon rai&s;e your ancient Noble Family to its pri&s;tine Splendour. For I am con|vinc'd no Prince, of what Rank &s;o|ever, could look upon &s;o lovely a Creature, without laying his Heart and Crown at her Feet. 'Fy, Cou|&s;in, &s;aid the other, with a charm|ing Voice, I mu&s;t needs chide you for your flattery, and condemn your blaming my Mother's conduct. You are &s;en&s;ible, the riotous living of &s;ome of my Ance&s;tors has &s;o impai|red our Fortunes, that this Seat and a &s;mall Revenue, is all remains. In this deprav'd Age, without Gold,
<PB N="27" REF="19">
what can I expect by this little &s;tock of Beauty, which you talk &s;o much of but vicious Adorers? Would you have my Mother then expo&s;e me to Courts? The thought &s;hocks my Virgin Soul, and makes me &s;tart when no danger's near. Oh! rather, let <HI>Cordelia</HI>'s Name pa&s;s ob|&s;curely to the Grave, forgotten, than be remembred, and Di&s;honour affix'd to it.</Q></P>
<P>A noble Re&s;olution, thought our Li&s;tener, who now long'd to &s;ee her Face. Some time after, they ro&s;e to walk, the Prince then crept near as po&s;&s;ible, and putting the leaves a|&s;ide, beheld the brighte&s;t Beauty upon Earth. He &s;tood immoveable, and if the Ladies had look'd that way, with half his Attention, they mu&s;t have di&s;cover'd him. <HI>Cordelia</HI> was dre&s;s'd in a Gown of green Da|mask; the Sleeves were becomingly tucked up to her Shoulders; and trim'd round with white and red Knots, like Ro&s;es. Her &s;hining Hair, in
<PB N="28" REF="20">
carele&s;s Curls, partly cover'd her lovely Neck; the re&s;t exactly puff'd: adorn'd with many pretty Ribons, and &s;ome Jewels.</P>
<P><Q>I have de&s;crib'd her Garb (&s;aid <HI>Olimpia</HI> &s;miling, and pointing to a large Looking-gla&s;s that hung in the Clo&s;et) but you mu&s;t look in yon|der Mirrour to &s;ee her Per&s;on. <HI>Me|lora</HI> blu&s;h'd, and <HI>Olimpia</HI> went on.</Q> The Prince, at this moment, ba|ni&s;h'd from his Brea&s;t the Idea of all the Court-Beauties he had ever &s;een, and gaz'd on this Ma&s;ter-piece of Nature &s;o long, till he had imprint|ed <HI>Cordelia</HI>'s Image too deep for time ever to deface. Whil&s;t the Ladies, far from gue&s;&s;ing at an Ob&s;erver, fi|ni&s;h'd their Walk, and went in, lea|ving <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> like one who had &s;een a Vi&s;ion, all &s;urpriz'd. When he began to think, he &s;ummons his ram|bling Humour to his aid, and the improbability of obtaining his de|&s;ires. This, and much more, he thought, but all in vain; her Shape,
<PB N="29" REF="20">
her Mien, her charming Face; then her noble Mind &s;urpa&s;&s;ing all, &s;ecu|red him her Slave for ever. He re|&s;olv'd a thou&s;and Projects in his working Brain, which way to ob|tain acce&s;s to her. Sometimes he tormented him&s;elf, becau&s;e he had not &s;poke to her when &s;he was there; now pleas'd with the hopes &s;he would return. In the&s;e re&s;tle&s;s Cogitations he &s;pent mo&s;t part of the day. As the Evening began to ap|proach, <HI>Don Ca&s;tro</HI> who had often vi&s;ited the out&s;ide of the Wall, was in a great Con&s;ternation; he fear'd &s;ome mi&s;chief had befaln the Prince; and knew not what Method to take to be &s;atisfy'd. At la&s;t not being a|ble to remain longer in &s;u&s;pence of his &s;afety, he went boldly to the Front of the Hou&s;e, and knock'd at the Gate: the Porter came, and when he had open'd it, &s;ays <HI>Don Ca&s;tro;</HI> <Q>Pray, Friend, what is be|come of a Gentleman that came this morning into your Garden? If you
<PB N="30" REF="21">
have done mi&s;chief to him, all your Lives, even to the highe&s;t of your Family, mu&s;t an&s;wer it.</Q></P>
<P>The Fellow all amaz'd, cry'd out; <Q>I &s;uppo&s;e, Sir, you are either mad, or have mi&s;took the Hou&s;e; for we have no Gentlemen ever come with|in the&s;e Walls, &s;ince my Honour'd Lord is gone to Heaven (at the mention of whom, the Lowt began to make a Face, as though Tears would follow). <HI>Don Ca&s;tro,</HI> who&s;e Fears were augmented by this Fel|low's, as he thought, pretended ig|norance: charged him in a furious Tone, to be his Conductor to his Friend, or he would &s;end him to a place ju&s;t contrary to that he &s;aid his Ma&s;ter was in. At this Noi&s;e the other Servants came about them. One di&s;creeter than the re&s;t, ran and acquainted <HI>Sulpitia</HI> with this &s;trange &s;tory. <HI>Sulpitia,</HI> who&s;e Daugh|ter was the deare&s;t Jewel &s;he had on Earth, hearkned to it with an emotion of Spirit, and de&s;ir'd the
<PB N="31" REF="21">
Gentleman might be brought to her. When <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> came, he told the whole matter, ju&s;t as I have be|fore related, as much as po&s;&s;ible, excu&s;ing the Curio&s;ity of his youth|ful Friend. <HI>Lu&s;etta</HI> was in&s;tantly call'd, who when &s;he had heard her Accu&s;ation, trembling confe&s;s'd, That &s;he was &s;educ'd by a Kin&s;wo|man for a Summ of Money, to let one <HI>Don Ferado</HI> &s;ee the beautiful <HI>Cor|delia: Sulpitia</HI> only bid her retire, deferring her puni&s;hment to another time, and ha&s;tened into the Gar|den.</Q></P>
<P>Now whil&s;t this had been acting in the Hou&s;e, the Ladies who were gone to take their evening Walk, were not free from their &s;urprize; for <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> &s;eeing them return, re|&s;olv'd to appear and &s;ay, what his fierce Love &s;hould dictate. Accord|ingly he walk'd towards them, <HI>Cor|delia</HI> lifting up her Eyes at the noi&s;e he made in walking, and &s;eeing &s;o brave a Cavalier in that prohibited
<PB N="32" REF="22">
place, &s;hriek'd aloud, and would have fled: but he putting one Knee to the Ground, took hold of her Gar|ment, viewing her with a piercing Air: <Q>Divine&s;t Creature, &s;aid he, Heaven e're made, or Man e're wor&s;hipp'd! Fly not; your Guar|dian Angel as &s;oon will hurt you as your kneeling Slave. Fate, prodi|gious Fate, brought me hither, and now a greater Power tyes me at your Feet for ever.</Q></P>
<P>As he would have proceeded, they heard people talking, and <HI>Cordelia</HI> &s;aw <HI>Sulpitia</HI> ju&s;t by her: <Q>Oh Hea|vens, cry'd that lovely Maid, my Mother will think me culpable, and that with con&s;ent I have entertain|ed Di&s;cour&s;e with this Intruder.</Q> <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> ro&s;e a&s;toni&s;h'd to &s;ee his Friend there, and turning his Eyes with anger upon him, was about to &s;peak, when <HI>Sulpitia</HI> interrupted him, in &s;aying: <Q>Whatever your De&s;igns were, this Gentleman (pointing to <HI>Castro</HI>) hath told &s;uch
<PB N="33" REF="22">
a plau&s;ible &s;tory, that I am content to di&s;mi&s;s you without farther Ex|amination, provided you in&s;tantly retire, and trouble our Repo&s;e no more.</Q></P>
<P><Q>Though you were a Godde&s;s, an|&s;wer'd <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> as being Mother to this Lady, I e&s;teemm you little le&s;s (bowing to <HI>Cordelia</HI>) I would not &s;tir till this bright Fair com|manded; let her but &s;peak; let her but &s;ay my Pre&s;ence is an Offence, and I'le fly fa&s;t as I would do, if Ho|nour call'd; &s;wift, as Cowards fly, when Death pur&s;ues, el&s;e I am root|ed here.</Q> <HI>Cordelia</HI> blu&s;h'd; but the curious might perceive it was not with anger. Her Mother bid her command him thence, and &s;he obey|ed; yet not quite &s;o readily as was expected. He re&s;pectfully took his leave, told <HI>Cordelia,</HI> with his Eyes that he had left his Heart; turn'd back, and &s;eem'd to wi&s;h &s;he would u&s;e it kindly.</P>
<P><Q>Oh, <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> &s;aid the Prince, when
<PB N="34" REF="23">
they were di&s;engag'd, and walking homewards, Thou ha&s;t undone me. Thy officious Love hath prov'd my ruine; rob'd me of the only happy moments my life will ever know: now I mu&s;t wander o're the World the verie&s;t Wretch that eye of time e'er &s;aw, whil&s;t this bright Image I have thus tran&s;itorily view'd, wracks my captivated Heart, and takes repo&s;e for ever from my Soul.</Q></P>
<P><Q>I hope, &s;ays <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> this Roman|tick &s;peech is only to &s;how your Highne&s;s's Parts, and amu&s;e me; for certainly no Idea, how beautiful &s;oever, can ruffle the calmne&s;s of your Royal Temper. 'Dull Crea|ture, reply'd the Prince, could&s;t thou behold the Miracle, and after that remain &s;o &s;tupid, to believe I am in Je&s;t? No, I &s;wear it is unal|terably fix'd by Fate. I mu&s;t neg|lect Intere&s;t, Ambition, Glory, and all the noi&s;y Pomp the World af|fords, &s;ince now the &s;tudy and bu&s;i|ne&s;s
<PB N="35" REF="23">
of my life is only to obtain the ador'd <HI>Cordelia.</HI></Q> <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> &s;eeing him in this Rapture, thought 'twas to no purpo&s;e to interrupt him; and de&s;i|red to hear the &s;tory of the day, which the Prince related, and concluding with new Prote&s;tations of his endle&s;s Love, they went to their Lodgings. But no Re&s;t had the amorous <HI>Alphon|&s;us,</HI> plainly telling his Friend, if he did not contrive &s;ome means, that he might &s;ee her again, he mu&s;t expect to &s;ee him dead. <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> at la&s;t began to believe it; for he &s;carce eat or &s;lept, nor ever &s;eem'd pleas'd, but when he was talking of <HI>Cordelia.</HI> In vain did his faithful Servant remon&s;trate the nece&s;&s;ity of returning to Court: nay, he could not mention it without putting the Prince in a pa&s;&s;ion; who &s;olemnly vow'd he would never &s;ee <HI>that,</HI> or his Father more, till he had again ble&s;t his longing Eyes with the &s;ight of the beloved charming <HI>Cordelia.</HI> When <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> &s;aw all Argu|ments, all Endeavours to reduce his
<PB N="36" REF="24">
Rea&s;on, fruitle&s;s: he thought the only Expedient mu&s;t be, to procure this much de&s;ir'd Happine&s;s; and in order to it, made inquiry very &s;trict|ly about the Village, what Per&s;ons re&s;orted to <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s Hou&s;e. But could hear of none, except a Fryar who was a con&s;tant Gue&s;t there. He then examin'd into the Temper of that Holy man; heard it was jolly, free from care; that he liv'd the life of Sen&s;e him&s;elf, how &s;evere &s;oever his Doctrine was; though before <HI>Sul|pitia</HI> he carry'd him&s;elf with a be|coming Gravity.</P>
<P>This Man <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> re&s;olves to get ac|quainted with; and under&s;tood the way was ea&s;ie, only two or three good Treats, and he was yours for ever: he &s;oon effects his fir&s;t de&s;ign; grows wondrous intimate with the Fryar, his only Favourite; and ta|king his opportunity, cunningly in|terweaves his Di&s;cour&s;e with many particular Que&s;tions: among&s;t the re&s;t, becoming inqui&s;itive about <HI>Sul|pitia</HI>'s
<PB N="37" REF="24">
Family, asking what her Re|&s;olutions were, concerning her beaute|ous Daughter the fair <HI>Cordelia;</HI> At which the Fryar ble&s;t him&s;elf, won|dring how he had &s;o much as learnt that Lady's name; in &s;uch &s;ecure Retirement her Mother kept her; nay even he, who&s;e Tongue &s;ome|times run of all things, &s;eldom men|tion'd them. However this was too dear a Friend to be deny'd any &s;atis|faction his Knowledge would afford; and he immediately, at large, ac|quaints <HI>Castro,</HI> how nicely vertuous; and withal, how high <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s Tem|per was; that &s;he rather cho&s;e to keep the unimitable Maid immur'd in the mo&s;t &s;ecret privacy, than marry her below her Birth, though equal to her &s;canty Fortunes. Next that, &s;he carefully avoided Courts and publick Places, fearing the cen&s;orious World, which always fixes its fa&s;cinating Eyes on the mo&s;t lovely Faces.</P>
<P>This Information <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> commu|nicates to the Prince; yet both their
<PB N="38" REF="25">
indu&s;try could imagine no advantage by it. At the&s;e difficulties <HI>Alphon|&s;us</HI> abandons him&s;elf to De&s;pair; threatens to be rid of life, &s;ince no fairer Pro&s;pect was in view to ea&s;e his Heart of Love's tormenting Fires. The young compa&s;&s;ionate Lord, di|&s;tracted with his Ma&s;ter's griefs, propos'd the Fryar's making the mo|tion of a Marriage, under the bor|row'd Name of <HI>Don Pedro.</HI> But the Heroick Prince declin'd that Offer; re&s;olving fir&s;t to endeavour the inga|ging <HI>Cordelia</HI>'s Heart, and not force the gentle Maid to Bonds, &s;he might think unea&s;ie. He told <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> he di&s;cover'd &s;mall incouragement from his Acquaintance with the Fryar; unle&s;s his Intere&s;t could prevail &s;o far, as to ingage the &s;ociable Gown|man to introduce him in &s;ome Di&s;|gui&s;e into the Family: then he might hope to &s;ound <HI>Cordelia</HI>'s Inclinations, and al&s;o tell his own, in Terms mo|ving enough to touch her. <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> promis'd to undertake it, though he
<PB N="39" REF="25">
fear'd the Task would prove hard to accompli&s;h. In order to this De|&s;ign, he de&s;ires privacy with that Fryar, and in the fir&s;t place genteely forces a con&s;iderable Summ of Gold upon him, beginning his Di&s;cour&s;e with the Merit, Riches, and an in|vented Title of Quality for his Friend; adding his de&s;perate Condition a&s;&s;ures him, unle&s;s he inclines to pity, and a&s;&s;i&s;t, Death mu&s;t certainly be the Cata&s;trophe of his Mi&s;ery. The Fryar con&s;ider'd all the&s;e Rea&s;ons, and chiefly the Pre&s;ent; yet &s;hrug'd, and &s;aid, 'Twas difficult, 'twas dan|gerou&s;ly difficult, de&s;iring time for his An&s;wer; which <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> allow'd.</P>
<P>When they met next, the Prie&s;t tells him, there was but one po&s;&s;ibi|lity of obtaining the Freedom of the Hou&s;e, and that did neither agree with the good Man's Con&s;cience, nor was con&s;i&s;tent with his Friend's &s;afety. <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> &s;tarts at this; how|ever was eager to know the dange|rous Contrivance. You mu&s;t under|&s;tand
<PB N="40" REF="26">
then (thee obliging Fryar goes on) I have often mention'd, at <HI>Sul|pitia</HI>'s, that I expected a Relation of the Dominican Order very &s;uddenly. Now if <HI>Don Pedro</HI> could per&s;onate him, which is Death by the Law, if di&s;cover'd, he may have admit|tance with me as often as I plea&s;e; and I think it is impo&s;&s;ible, they, ha|ving had &s;o &s;hort an Interview, as you &s;peak of, can ever remember him in the di&s;gui&s;e of a Hood. <HI>Ca|&s;tro</HI> agreed to that; but could give no further An&s;wer, till he had ac|quainted the Prince, who &s;eems to &s;wallow his words, and with &s;wifte&s;t ha&s;te returns with him to the Fryar: gives the Prie&s;t more Gold to molli|fie his Scruple of Con&s;cience: and in&s;tantly prepares for his Di&s;gui&s;e.</P>
<P><Q>In my Opinion (&s;aid <HI>Melora,</HI> in|terrupting <HI>Olimpia</HI>) a religious Ha|bit is both unhand&s;om and unfit to carry on an amorous Intrigue.</Q>
<Q>It is &s;o, my pious Maid (an&s;wers that Di&s;&s;embler) and, for ought I know,
<PB N="41" REF="26">
the many Troubles that are inflict|ed on their Po&s;terity, may be pu|ni&s;hments for this fir&s;t mockery of the Divinity.</Q></P>
<P>However the De&s;ign &s;ucceeded to their Wi&s;h; for <HI>Don Pedro</HI> was with the Fryar, receiv'd free from all &s;u|&s;picion, and enjoy'd often the agree|able Conver&s;ation of the amiable <HI>Cordelia.</HI> Their Di&s;cour&s;e was of various Subjects; he never having had opportunity to &s;peak to her a|lone. All Occa&s;ions he watches, which may in the lea&s;t advance his de&s;ires: and Love being mention'd by chance, our di&s;guis'd Prince falls into a Rap|ture, calling it, if a vertuous Flame, the highe&s;t Perfection humane Na|ture is capable of; a re&s;emblance of Heaven; adding a thou&s;and Fineries on that delightful Theme.</P>
<P><Q>You always &s;peak with much Rhetorick (&s;ays the fair <HI>Cordelia</HI> &s;miling) but on this Subject &s;eem in&s;pir'd, and I &s;hould gue&s;s, did not your Habit contradict it, Love has
<PB N="42" REF="27">
been no Stranger to your Heart; 'tis &s;o familiar on your Tongue.</Q> He only fetch'd a deep &s;igh, and &s;tole an amorous Glance towards her; which &s;he not ob&s;erving, went on. <Q>Pray, &s;ince you under&s;tand this pa&s;&s;ion &s;o well, oblige me with a de&s;cription of it; tell me in what manner people are, when po&s;&s;e&s;s'd with the Frenzy: for the grave and wi&s;e give it no better Title.</Q></P>
<P><Q>The Task you enjoyn (Madam) &s;aid the Prince, is none of the ea&s;i|e&s;t; for divers ineffectually, tho' they felt its Torments, have e&s;&s;ay|ed. I have the greate&s;t Rea&s;on then to fear falling among&s;t that num|ber, being the mo&s;t incompetent. However I will venture, rather than di&s;obey your Commands.</Q></P>
<P><Q>It is an Inclination, which being throughly fix'd in the Heart, gets predominant over all others. 'Tis the whole Employment of our Thoughts; for the pa&s;&s;ionate Lover has not one intervening moment;
<PB N="43" REF="27">
his brea&s;t is for ever fill'd with the beloved Idea. If they are a&s;under, a violent de&s;ire is join'd to this Incli|nation to be with the charming Ob|ject. The&s;e eager Wi&s;hes render nights and days in&s;upportable. If they are together, a trembling Fear, le&s;t any word or action &s;hould di&s;|plea&s;e is ever pre&s;ent. Then too of|ten Jealou&s;ie &s;teps in. Thus ab&s;ent or pre&s;ent, &s;till in fears. Such unea|&s;ine&s;s attends the mo&s;t happy Lovers. But what Wrecks, what Tortures unexpre&s;&s;ible &s;eize the Wretch who loves, and yet de&s;pairs! Who doats, yet has no room for hope.</Q> <HI>Cordelia</HI> &s;ighed, and cry'd, <Q>Alas! that's &s;ad indeed.</Q></P>
<P><Q>Why, Madam, &s;aid the Prince, ha&s;tily; I hope &s;uch Mi&s;ery hath no relation to your &s;ofter hours; 'Not much, &s;he an&s;wer'd, with a Blu&s;h that increas'd our Lover's fears to di&s;traction.</Q> He was eager to pur|&s;ue the Di&s;cour&s;e, though it might di&s;cover what he mo&s;t dreaded; but
<PB N="44" REF="28">
&s;he prevented him, by going to the Company.</P>
<P>His Re&s;entment and Grief was too great not to be perceiv'd; therefore he took his leave &s;omewhat abrupt|ly; and when he had &s;hifted his Dif|gui&s;e (which he always did at the Fryar's) he ha&s;tens to his dear Con|fident <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> immediately tells him his Misfortune, how <HI>Cordelia</HI> was prepo&s;&s;e&s;s'd, had given that ine&s;tima|ble Jewel her Heart to a Rival, a Rival belov'd: there was the wound! This obliging Friend &s;aid all that might a&s;&s;wage his Sorrows; yet no|thing could allay them: he pa&s;s'd that night in terrible Inquietudes, goes the next day, without re&s;olving any thing, to <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s: his inward vexations had made a vi&s;ible altera|tion in his Countenance, and he ap|pear'd with an Air of melancholy di&s;order. <HI>Cordelia,</HI> who was allow|ed but little Conver&s;ation, finding the Prince very ingenious, took great delight in it. She immediately ob|&s;erv'd
<PB N="45" REF="28">
this alteration, and ask'd him the occa&s;ion. <Q>Herein, Madam, &s;aid he with a Sigh, forgive the forfei|ture of my devoir, and permit me to di&s;obey you. 'I will, reply'd <HI>Cordelia</HI> plea&s;antly, provided you quickly rea&s;&s;ume your good Hu|mor, and thereby give me cau&s;e to think, that this fit of Dulne&s;s pro|ceeds from &s;ome &s;light Affliction of &s;mall moment. 'Of far le&s;s moment is my Life, return'd the Prince pa&s;|&s;ionately, ob&s;erving none near them, nor, if my fears be true, can Time obliterate the&s;e Sentiments of woe, though it were po&s;&s;ible that I were forc'd to live ten Thou&s;and years. Since nothing can mitigate your &s;or|rows, reply'd that Charmer, the be&s;t Wi&s;h your Friends can make is, your fears may prove fal&s;e.</Q> <HI>Alphon|&s;us</HI> had neither courage nor opportu|nity to &s;ay more; for the Fryar and <HI>Aminda</HI> came up to them. <HI>Aminda</HI> was of a facetious humour; <HI>Cordelia</HI>'s Relation left to <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s care; The
<PB N="46" REF="29">
&s;ame Lady that was in the Garden, when the Prince fir&s;t &s;aw the lovely Idol of his fond De&s;ires. <HI>Aminda</HI> briskly challenges the Fryar, and bid him maintain his Opinion, if he could. <Q>What novel Di&s;pute is it, for Hea|ven's &s;ake, cryes <HI>Cordelia,</HI> you two are ingag'd in? 'I aver, an&s;wers her Cou&s;in, that no where but in Romances, Per&s;ons fall in Love at the fir&s;t &s;ight; and only Conver&s;a|tion and a long Acquaintance can produce a violent Affection. 'I grant you, replies the Fryar, that Love increa&s;es, and grows to a height by continual Conver&s;ation; but &s;till I &s;ay, a beautiful Idea &s;een once, may make an impre&s;&s;ion ei|ther in Man or Woman, &s;ufficient to take away their Repo&s;e. 'Ay, take their Hearts away al&s;o, to my knowledge, &s;aid the Prince earne&s;t|ly.</Q> The Ladies both laughed at that; and <HI>Cordelia</HI> told <HI>Aminda,</HI> &s;he mu&s;t now acquie&s;ce, &s;ince the Gen|tleman declar'd again&s;t her Argu|ment,
<PB N="47" REF="29">
upon his own knowledge.</P>
<P>The Fryar ha&s;tened the Prince to take his leave, &s;eeming impatient to talk with him. When they were walking homewards, his Introducer told him, that the time he had limi|ted for his Kin&s;man's &s;tay, was al|mo&s;t expir'd; and ask'd what pro|gre&s;s he had made with this de&s;ir'd Freedom, which his Indu&s;try had procur'd? <Q>Alas! &s;aid the Prince &s;ighing, Love hath made a far grea|ter progre&s;s in my Heart, than I in my De&s;igns.</Q> Adding his Rea&s;ons, to believe <HI>Cordelia</HI> was already in Love with another, which was a Thought oppre&s;s'd him more than he could expre&s;s. <Q>I believe you are mi&s;taken, reply'd the Fryar; for I have this day heard from <HI>A|minda</HI> the whole &s;tory of the Garden-Rencounter. She tells me her beau|teous Cou&s;in hath often &s;igh'd &s;ince, and mention'd the Cavalier, &s;he there &s;aw, with advantageous com|mendations.</Q> This Di&s;cour&s;e occa|&s;ion'd
<PB N="48" REF="30">
the beginning of that Di&s;pute you heard part of, of loving at fir&s;t &s;ight.</P>
<P>No News ever &s;urpriz'd, and pleas'd <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> like this Kind hope, which, like its contrary, de&s;pair, is a Lover's attendant; began now to give him great a&s;&s;urances. He em|brac'd, care&s;s'd, and bounteou&s;ly re|wards the Fryar; then flies to com|municate his Joyes to his Friend. When <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> had heard him out, and di&s;cover'd there would be no great ob&s;tructions to a Marriage: he be|gan to con&s;ider the weight of the Concern, and take the freedom his friend&s;hip allow'd to tell the Prince, that though, when he &s;aw him &s;o pa&s;&s;ionate, that his life &s;eem'd to be at &s;take, he had fooli&s;hly enough talk'd of a Marriage; yet now, in cooler thoughts, reflecting upon <HI>Otho</HI>'s Temper, who was ambitious beyond mea&s;ure: it mu&s;t needs in|volve him in endle&s;s troubles. Be|&s;ides, his long ab&s;ence from Court
<PB N="49" REF="30">
would give nouri&s;hment to &s;uch Fa|ctions, who&s;e growth might entan|gle him, pa&s;t his be&s;t skill to di&s;en|gage him&s;elf. But <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI>'s heart was too deeply prepo&s;&s;e&s;s'd by Love, for &s;uch &s;aving Coun&s;el to enter; and if the lo&s;s of one mu&s;t be ventu|red, the Dukedom would be in dan|ger of running the hazard before <HI>Cordelia.</HI> However to &s;ooth his Fa|vourite, he alledged &s;ome State-Rea|&s;ons for his ab&s;ence, minding him of his Father's jealous Nature, who abhorr'd his Subjects &s;hould make their Court to his Son, whil&s;t him|&s;elf was &s;o well able to wield the Reins of Government.</P>
<P><Q>This you know (went the Prince on) broke the heart of my elder Bro|ther, who&s;e Actions &s;till our Royal Parent frown'd on, becau&s;e the peo|ple admir'd them too much. Then it follows; whil&s;t I am ab&s;ent from <HI>Otho,</HI> I am nearer in his Affection; Therefore, dear Friend, &s;ays the Prince, embracing him tenderly,
<PB N="50" REF="31">
a&s;&s;i&s;t me to obtain my Mi&s;tre&s;s; and I will return time enough to my Father.</Q> Princes ea&s;ily per&s;wade, though their Rea&s;ons are weak; be|cau&s;e all are willing to oblige them.</P>
<P>He found it hard to &s;peak alone with <HI>Cordelia,</HI> &s;o that he re&s;olves to write, and get the Fryar to deliver it. The way was ea&s;ie to purcha&s;e his con&s;ent; Gold and noble Enter|tainments did all things with him. After a thou&s;and alterations, <HI>Alphon|&s;us,</HI> under the borrow'd Name of <HI>Pedro,</HI> &s;ent the&s;e words.</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<HEAD>To the Charming <HI>Cordelia.</HI></HEAD>
<P><HI>O</HI> Love! plead my Cau&s;e, and tell the Charming cruel Fair, &s;he mu&s;t forgive the Effects of the mo&s;t violent Pa&s;&s;ion Mortal ever felt! If I have took a Di&s;gui&s;e, which becomes me not, ado|r'd <HI>Cordelia,</HI> impute it to Love's boundle&s;s force; and wonder only at the Influence of your Eyes; that with their fir&s;t Glances, could wound &s;o &s;ure, as to fix
<PB N="51" REF="31">
me your Slave for ever. The &s;ame per|&s;on who beheld you in the Garden, long|ed to gaze nearer at that re&s;plendent Light; and now, like the Moth, my liberty is lo&s;t, to fly. Since then my lovely Captivator, you have laid me in &s;uch fa&s;t Fetters, make them ea&s;ie with your Smiles; lest your Rigour de&s;troy one, who only lives to approve him&s;elf the</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED><HI>Faithfulle&s;t of your Servants,</HI> Pedro.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
<P>The Fryar takes charge of it; and as &s;oon as he comes to <HI>Sulpitia: Cor|delia</HI> ask'd him, if his Kin&s;man was return'd to the Mona&s;tery? He an&s;wer'd her only with a &s;ign to &s;peak with her unob&s;erv'd: &s;he un|der&s;tanding what he meant, goes to a bay Window, and beckon'd to him to follow her, examining what he had to &s;ay. That Kin&s;man is not the
<PB N="52" REF="32">
<Q>Per&s;on you take him for, nor in|deed any Kin to me, begins the Fryar, though in you he repo&s;es a mighty Tru&s;t, when he ventures his Life in your hands. 'Tis true, he has prevailed with me, to con|nive at things which neither ought to have been done; nor, when done, reveal'd; as I &s;uppo&s;e this Paper will inform you, giving her the Letter.</Q> She paus'd at fir&s;t, and was about not to receive it, till con|&s;idering her Gho&s;tly Father was the Deliverer: &s;he conde&s;cended, and with an amazing Look retir'd into her Clo&s;et to peru&s;e it. When &s;he came back, &s;he told the Fryar, with a compos'd Countenance, he was culpable in a high degree, and that his guilt tran&s;cended the Genleman's; for the &s;evere&s;t part of the World &s;ometimes winks at youthful Extra|vagance: but that <HI>He,</HI> who&s;e bu&s;i|ne&s;s it ought to have been to deterr men from folly, &s;hould incourage them in it, was unpardonable. Then
<PB N="53" REF="32">
&s;he urg'd his Infidelity, in &s;o horri|bly betraying that great Tru&s;t her Mother repos'd in him.</P>
<P>When the poor Prie&s;t had patiently heard his Charge; for his Excu&s;e he alledged the danger the Cavalier was in, of making &s;ome de&s;perate At|tempt upon his Life; how a&s;&s;ured he was of the Honour of his Intenti|ons, and the &s;incerity of his Affecti|on. Then he fell to extolling the Noblene&s;s of his Temper, the &s;weet|ne&s;s of his Nature; not forgetting the greatne&s;s of his E&s;tate: and in conclu&s;ion, pre&s;s'd hard for a favou|rable An&s;wer. But <HI>Cordelia,</HI> who&s;e Wi&s;|dom far exceeded her years, would return none; only &s;aid, &s;he was con|tent to conceal their Crime, becau&s;e they had made Love of <HI>Her,</HI> the pre|text for it. With this cold Comfort, the Fryar returns to the impatient Prince; who with a Diamond had ju&s;t wrote this Di&s;tich in the Win|dow.</P>
<Q><PB N="54" REF="33">
<L>How &s;lowly do the tedious minutes pa&s;s,</L>
<L>That drop through expectation's nar|row gla&s;s!</L></Q>
<P>Our Me&s;&s;enger out of breath with ha&s;te, and heart-broken, his News was no better, in a &s;orrowful Tone delivers his &s;tory. But the Prince, who receiv'd it more contentedly than the Fryar dur&s;t hope for; &s;ince his Mi&s;tre&s;s neither bani&s;h'd him her &s;ight for ever, nor was inrag'd to exce&s;s, did not wholly de&s;pair of kinder moments. Then in his Arms he hug'd the dear Procurer of his Happine&s;s, and told him he long'd again to view that fair one's Eyes, now &s;he knew their Power. <Q>That Longing &s;hall &s;oon be &s;atisfy'd an|&s;wers the pleas'd F<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">yar, con&s;ult your Pillow what to &s;ay, and to+morrow we will be &s;ure to attend her.</Q> When they came the next day, the young Ladies were both in
<PB N="55" REF="33">
the Garden, and they, being privi|ledg'd Per&s;ons, went both to them. <HI>Cordelia</HI> blu&s;h'd at the &s;ight of the Prince, yet in her heart could &s;carce harbour wrath, when &s;he &s;aw his Countenance turn pale, and the vi&s;i|ble pangs his fears put him into; &s;o that in &s;pight of all his Courage, he had like to have fallen.</P>
<P>There was a &s;ilent Meeting; eve|ry one being bu&s;ily entertain'd with|in. The obliging Fryar call'd <HI>A|minda</HI> a&s;ide, to behold the growth of a young Orange-tree they had plant|ed &s;ome time before. She ob&s;erv'd the hint, having under&s;tood the &s;to|ry from her Cou&s;in: and knowing that, however &s;he di&s;&s;embled, &s;he had an inclination to hear him. <HI>Al|phon&s;us</HI> took this opportunity to ca&s;t him&s;elf at her feet, and tell her with what a zeal he wor&s;hipp'd her; that &s;he was the perpetual Image of his thoughts, the Object of his deare&s;t Wi&s;hes, the Center of all his earthly Happine&s;s. Whil&s;t he &s;poke, Love
<PB N="56" REF="34">
trembl'd in his Eyes, and falter'd on his Tongue, giving greater power to his broken Language, than choi|&s;e&s;t Eloquence. <HI>Cordelia</HI> forc'd him to ri&s;e; then told him he had already been an Impo&s;tor, and that in the mo&s;t &s;erious matter in the World; therefore he mu&s;t give her leave to doubt him long; and al&s;o be very cautious of ingaging in an Amour, which &s;he could hardly ever think would be fortunate: it being begun with prophaning a Habit that ought only to be wore by &s;acred Per&s;ons. Be&s;ides, &s;he added, &s;he gave up her Will and Actions in a perfect re&s;igna|tion to her Mother, and without her approbation &s;hould never proceed in &s;o weighty a matter, having no other Friend &s;he dur&s;t rely upon.</P>
<P>In his Excu&s;e for his Habit, he &s;aid, he hop'd the purity of his Affe|ction, with came near to Religion, would in &s;ome mea&s;ure extenuate his Crime; and for her Mother's content, Heaven had &s;o largely en|dow'd
<PB N="57" REF="34">
him with the Goods of For|tune, he had great rea&s;on not to de|&s;pair of it: But her Love was wha<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> he beg'd to obtain, &s;ince withou<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> that, even injoying the World o<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> Beauty &s;he po&s;&s;e&s;s'd, would prove un&s;atisfactory; and though no thoughts were &s;o terrible, as tho&s;e which repre&s;ented living withou<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> her; yet he would &s;ooner undergo<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> that exqui&s;ite Torment, than endea+vour to procure <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s con&s;ent without fir&s;t knowing, whether he gentle Brea&s;t was compa&s;&s;ionate e|nough to receive &s;entiments of Kind|ne&s;s for him.</P>
<P><HI>Cordelia</HI> gave him a Look, which &s;everely check'd him, for prying &s;o narrowly into her &s;ecret Thougths and told him, &s;he had already im|pair'd her Duty in li&s;tening to &s;uch &s;tories from a Stranger; nor could &s;he, under much time, dige&s;t thi<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> odd beginning, if ever per&s;wad<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> her &s;elf to proceed further. At <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 word"> end of the&s;e words &s;he went to <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 word">
<PB N="58" REF="35">
Company, not giving <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> time to an&s;wer. All the day after, the Prince could not perceive one favou|rable Regard, which terrify'd him to a high degree; and returning to <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> he unloads his Bo&s;ome with Complaint. Tells him how cold that Sun of Beauty &s;hone upon his hopes, and &s;uch Romantick &s;tuff, as Lovers talk. <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> the rai&s;ing of who&s;e Fortunes depended upon the favour of his Prince, &s;eeing he was too po&s;itively bent to be per&s;waded, re&s;olv'd to concur with him, and contrive all means po&s;&s;ible for the obtaining his de&s;ires. The fir&s;t Ad|vice in order thereunto (becau&s;e the Prince would not di&s;cover him&s;elf even to <HI>Cordelia;</HI> &s;o fearful was he, le&s;t his Greatne&s;s &s;hould tempt her, without Love, to be his Wife) was the buying an E&s;tate &s;ome miles di|&s;tant, to &s;atisfie the Mother. This <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> approv'd of; and he al&s;o <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">hought it convenient the Fryar <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="4 letters">ld go alone, to give <HI>Cordelia</HI> op|portunity
<PB N="59" REF="35">
to examine him, whil&s;t his In&s;tructions were often repeated to him, That he &s;hould &s;ay <HI>Don Pedro</HI> (as the Prince call'd him&s;elf) was of a noble Family in <HI>Ferrara;</HI> had an honourable Place in the Duke's Court, and came into that Country to view an E&s;tate he had lately pur|chas'd. All This for much lov'd Gold, the Fryar went and affirm'd with the greate&s;t confidence imaginable. <HI>Cordelia</HI> li&s;ten'd to it with much at|tention, and, blu&s;hing, &s;aid, the Stranger had the A&s;pect of a Gentle|man, and mu&s;t make his Addre&s;s like one, if his De&s;ires were &s;o vio|lent as he expre&s;s'd: that being the only way to obtain them. Great were the A&s;&s;urances the Fryar gave <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> at his Return, of the good Inclinations <HI>Cordelia</HI> had for him.</P>
<P>But 'twas impo&s;&s;ible at pre&s;ent the Prince &s;hould follow her Advice, in appearing undi&s;guis'd at <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s, both for want of Money to purcha&s;e an E&s;tate, as al&s;o his returning to
<PB N="60" REF="36">
Court, which was now grown ab&s;o|lutely nece&s;&s;ary. Therefore he re|&s;olves to leave <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> with Commi&s;|&s;ion to inquire out an E&s;tate; vi&s;it <HI>Cordelia</HI> once more, then ha&s;te to <HI>Ferrara.</HI> When <HI>Cordelia</HI> &s;aw him come again in Prie&s;t's habit, notwith|&s;tanding the item &s;he had &s;ent him, &s;he turn'd pale, and fear'd he had deceiv'd her. He gue&s;s'd the cau&s;e why her countenance chang'd, and blu&s;h'd, which augmented her Jea|lou&s;ie. The Fryar ob&s;erv'd their di&s;order, and quickly &s;et all right again, by taking <HI>Sulpitia</HI> away to con&s;ult of bu&s;ine&s;s, whil&s;t <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> told <HI>Cordelia,</HI> &s;uch pre&s;&s;ing occa&s;ions call'd him to Court, that he could not po&s;&s;ibly evade, without hazarding his utter ruine. He expre&s;s'd this, and the inviolable Affection he had for her, with &s;o becoming a tenderne&s;s, that he obtain'd from the charming Maid many words and looks of kind|ne&s;s; and as an in&s;tance of it, &s;he promis'd to repair early to a Lodge
<PB N="61" REF="36">
over the Gate, that &s;he might &s;ee him pa&s;s Mounted, <HI>en Cavalier.</HI> He &s;aid, the longe&s;t time of his &s;tay &s;hould not exceed a Month. Obligingly &s;he gave her lovely hand, to pre&s;erve him in her Memory, which he having ar|dently ki&s;t, took his leave. The next Morning he appear'd, attended by <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> before the Lodge; and <HI>Cor|delia</HI> at a little Window; a place pro|hibited her; though now by &s;ome contrivance, &s;he had &s;tollen to it.</P>
<P>The Prince look'd extreamly grace|ful; being a Man of an extraordinary make. He &s;ent up whole Volleys of Sighs to his fair Spectator; who in pitty return'd many; and kindly re|&s;olving to be&s;tow a mark of her Fa|vour; took a blue Ribbon from her Wa&s;t, that Colour being the Emblem of Con&s;tancy; and threw down to him. He pa&s;&s;ionately ki&s;s'd it; re|turning his Obei&s;ance with an admi|rable mien, and fixing his Eyes upon her, full of Love and Tears, he &s;eem'd immoveable; till &s;he, fearing &s;ome
<PB N="62" REF="37">
mi&s;hap, fir&s;t held up her hands to Heaven, for his &s;afety: then wav'd them in &s;ign &s;he would have him go; her &s;elf al&s;o retiring, forc'd him un|willingly to move forward. <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> accompanied him part of the way, and taking all needful In&s;tructions, return'd, vi&s;ited the Friar; and lea|ving what money with him he could conveniently &s;pare, gave him a great Charge to ob&s;erve all proceedings at <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s: and if any thing happen'd prejudicial, to give <HI>Don Pedro</HI> notice at <HI>Ferrara,</HI> by directions they had contriv'd; which &s;till kept them con|ceal'd. The grateful Friar faithfully promis'd his utmo&s;t a&s;&s;i&s;tance, and <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> began his Perigrination, to &s;eek an E&s;tate that wanted a Purcha&s;er. In this time of ab&s;ence, there happen'd a Contrivance at <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s, that was very near ruining all their De&s;igns.</P>
<P><HI>Lu&s;etta,</HI> whom I mention'd at the beginning of the &s;tory, being di&s;car|ded for her infidelity, repairs to the Kin&s;woman who had &s;et her at
<PB N="63" REF="37">
work, and meets again with <HI>Don Fe|rado;</HI> where di&s;cour&s;ing of the&s;e di&s;|appointments, &s;he gives &s;uch a lively De&s;cription of the Beautiful <HI>Cordelia,</HI> that rekindles his Curio&s;ity. So no|thing now will &s;atisfy him, without &s;eeing her. But the means, there was the difficulty. After many ir|re&s;olutions, <HI>Lu&s;etta</HI> remember'd a humour of <HI>Cordelia</HI>'s, how &s;he was always very fond of &s;eeing the Tri|fles, &s;tragling Women carry about to &s;ell.</P>
<P>In this dre&s;s <HI>Don Ferado</HI> is di&s;|guis'd; buys a world of litte Pi|ctures, fine Beads, and &s;uch Trin|kets; goes with them, and hath im|mediately admittance into the Hou&s;e. The young Ladies, having notice, come about him; the was not a mo|ment to &s;eek, which was <HI>Cordelia,</HI> but &s;o amaz'd at her Beauty, that he &s;tood gazing without power to move. <HI>Cordelia</HI> blu&s;h'd to &s;ee the Woman, as &s;he took her to be, look &s;o earn|e&s;tly, and minded her of her Things.
<PB N="64" REF="38">
This rous'd the Spark a little from his Contemplation; yet &s;till his Eyes could fix on no other Object. When &s;he had furni&s;h'd her &s;elf with the Toys &s;he fancy'd mo&s;t; he was di&s;|mi&s;s'd. He returns in love, to that degree, that he thought of nothing but propo&s;ing a Marriage; though it was ab&s;olutely inconvenient; his Circum&s;tances requiring a Fortune; having many Si&s;ters to Portion. Yet &s;o amiable, <HI>Cordelia</HI> appear'd; that whatever Con&s;ideration intere&s;t of|fer'd, Love turned the Scale; and he follows his de&s;ires, with precipitati|on; employing a Friend the very next day, to &s;olicite <HI>Sulpitia;</HI> who approves of the matter; gives leave to his Seranades; &s;everal of which were perform'd before <HI>Cordelia</HI> knew from whom, or &s;o much as gue&s;s'd her Mother was con&s;enting. Till that di&s;creet Lady, thinking it pro|per to &s;ound her Daughter's inclina|tions, began to break the de&s;ign to her. Fir&s;t commands her to follow
<PB N="65" REF="38">
into the Lodge, and &s;hows her <HI>Don Ferado,</HI> bravely accoutred; prancing upon his great Hor&s;e. Words cannot expre&s;s <HI>Cordelia</HI>'s &s;urprize; her Mind was already fill'd with an Idea, too admirable for <HI>Ferado</HI> ever to hope an Entrance; and compar'd to the Prince her partial Heart, being prepo&s;&s;e&s;s'd with Love; made him appear be|neath her regard; much le&s;s e&s;teem. She pretends indi&s;po&s;ition; and re|tires to her Chamber. <HI>Sulpitia</HI> &s;aw her much di&s;turb'd; but was wholly ignorant of the cau&s;e.</P>
<P><HI>Cordelia</HI> in&s;tantly acquaints the Friar with this affair; declares her aver&s;ion, and de&s;ires him to inform <HI>Don Pedro.</HI> The good Man goes a|bout it with &s;peed, and di&s;patches his Intelligence to <HI>Ferrara,</HI> according to his directions. This information comes to the Prince, ju&s;t as <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> had &s;ent word of an E&s;tate, he had pitch'd upon. The Prie&s;t's news heartily tormented <HI>Alphon&s;us;</HI> how|ever he was infinitely pleas'd, <HI>Corde|lia</HI>
<PB N="66" REF="39">
order'd he &s;hould know of it. The careful Friar had writ every circum|&s;tance of <HI>Don Ferado</HI>'s Fortunes; and the Prince, with rea&s;on, look'd up|on him, as a formidable Rival; being a Neighbour, which, in all probability would induce <HI>Sulpitia</HI> to embrace his Intere&s;t, before the Prince's; who mu&s;t of nece&s;&s;ity be often ab&s;ent, that is, if he kept his Quality conceal'd; which he could not, without running great hazards, avoid. Therefore he re&s;olves to re|move this <HI>Don Ferado;</HI> and to that end gets, by other hands, a Com|mi&s;&s;ion for a Regiment of Hor&s;e, and &s;ends to him; with Orders, that he &s;hould &s;peedily repair to Court. <HI>Ferado</HI> could not imagine what &s;ecret Friends had done him this favour; however he was advis'd by all his Acquaintance, to embrace it: they convincing him, how much it would conduce, both to his profit and ho|nour. Great was the Conflict; In|tere&s;t and Glory were powerful Ar|guments;
<PB N="67" REF="39">
but eager wi&s;hes, and fierce de&s;ires all centr'd in <HI>Cordelia,</HI> were more plea&s;ing. The&s;e dear tor|menting Flames he nouri&s;h'd; but <HI>Cordelia</HI> bla&s;ted; for there he could di&s;cover only frowns, di&s;dain, and freezing coldne&s;s. All that love him, urge his going; and flattering hope per&s;wades he may return Crown'd with Lawrel; at which the Cruel Maid, overcome by Con&s;tancy and Courage, may yield to longing love. Such thoughts at length prevail with him; and he &s;ets forward to the Court of <HI>Ferrara,</HI> ju&s;t as <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> had left it; who po&s;ts away to <HI>Ca&s;tro;</HI> takes care for the payment of the Money that was to be given for the E&s;tate; puts &s;ervants into it, with orders to furni&s;h the Hou&s;e neatly, and with riches, &s;uitable to his pre|tended Quality: though he &s;par'd Magnificence.</P>
<P>He had made him&s;elf very fine, and brought many con&s;iderable Pre&s;ents for <HI>Cordelia;</HI> and having put all
<PB N="68" REF="40">
things at his new Man&s;ion, in their de&s;ign'd Po&s;ture; he ha&s;tens, with <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> to his Belov'd Mi&s;tre&s;s. As &s;oon as ever they arriv'd at the Vil|lage, the Friar was acquainted with it, who flies with the news to <HI>Cor|delia;</HI> and humbly de&s;ires her from her Subject, yea and Slave, <HI>Don Pe|dro,</HI> to prepare <HI>Sulpitia</HI> with a full re|lation of all the foregoing adventure. The young Lady trembl'd at the Task; but Love mann'd her Re&s;olu|tion; and &s;he, on her Knees, relates the &s;tory to her Mother. <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s Amazement, when &s;he heard the&s;e unexpected Practices, is &s;carce to be conceiv'd; however being a Woman largely indowed with Wi&s;dome, and De&s;cretion; &s;he perceiv'd her Daugh|ter's Inclination, by her palliating the crime of his di&s;gui&s;e, and repre|&s;enting every action favourably of this cunning Lover's. Therefore &s;he con&s;ider'd, being ever indulgent to her Daughter, if &s;he &s;hould now in|terpo&s;e her Authority; &s;he might
<PB N="69" REF="40">
&s;ooner break her heart, than bend it. The&s;e thoughts induce her to give way to his coming; &s;etting her &s;elf to inquire after his E&s;tate; which finding according to his word, and being afterwards, by his Conver&s;ation, acquainted with his Merit, grew very fond of him; freely giving her con|&s;ent towards the obtaining his ador'd <HI>Cordelia.</HI> Whom he, with all love's Oratory, pur&s;ues; falls on his Knees, embraces hers, weeps, and talks till he forces a Confe&s;&s;ion; till &s;he, blu&s;h|ing, acknowledges her Affection; owns &s;he hath lov'd him from the fir&s;t moment &s;he &s;aw him. The Tran&s;ported Prince longs for the Con|&s;ummation of his de&s;ires, and pre&s;&s;es with his utmo&s;t Rhetorick a &s;peedy Marriage. Which is at length agreed to, and perform'd, in <HI>Sulpitia</HI>'s Chappel, by the often-mention'd Friar, before <HI>Sulpitia, Aminda,</HI> and <HI>Ca&s;tro.</HI></P>
<P>None ever appear'd over-joy'd or fond, like this Amorous Prince, his
<PB N="70" REF="41">
doting &s;till increas'd, every time he &s;aw her, he &s;eem'd captivated anew; and, as in a well drawn Piece, the longer we gaze, the more graces we e&s;py; &s;o her charms to the admiring <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> were endle&s;s; yet &s;till his intere&s;t bound him to keep his Qua|lity conceal'd being a &s;ecret, he dur&s;t not divulge to her. Thus privately they liv'd and enjoy'd them&s;elves for two years, the Prince being often ab&s;ent, and long; which he always &s;aid was occa&s;ion'd by his place at Court. Ju&s;t as the fir&s;t Year of Wedlock was expir'd, <HI>Cordelia</HI> Crown'd the en&s;uing, with the birth of a Son, to whom the plea&s;ed Prince gave his own Name <HI>Alphon&s;us.</HI> A continu'd &s;eries of uninterrupted Happine&s;s attended the&s;e Ladies for the preceeding years; <HI>Sulpitia</HI> never parting from her Daughter, and <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> the example of his Prince, Lov'd, Courted, and married <HI>Aminda;</HI> a Lady of a de&s;irable Beauty, and agreeable Conver&s;ation. By the
<PB N="71" REF="41">
borrow'd name of <HI>Phillipo,</HI> he wedded her, and &s;he &s;till continu'd with her much Lov'd Cou&s;in.</P>
<P>But Fortune now grew a&s;ham'd of longer confining &s;uch Illu&s;trious Per&s;ons to &s;o dull a Sphere, as the Country. For <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> coming to the Dukedome, by the death of <HI>Otho,</HI> after the fir&s;t hurry of his affairs was over; di&s;patches <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> to fetch the beloved <HI>Cordelia, Sulpitia,</HI> and his own Wife <HI>Aminda,</HI> to Court. The Faithful Friar, no doubt would have attended them, and been &s;ufficiently advanc'd but unkind Death prevented his preferment; he decea&s;ing, to all their griefs, a little before. <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> ar|rives acquaints <HI>Cordelia</HI> with her Husbands de&s;ires, to &s;ee her, and <HI>Sulpitia</HI> at <HI>Ferrara;</HI> &s;till concealing, by the Duke's Order, his Quality. The Ladies willingly embrace the offer, and a&s;&s;oon as po&s;&s;ible, begin their journey; and in good time con|cluded it. He brings his fair Travel|lers to a Hou&s;e, near the Court,
<PB N="72" REF="42">
where, at night, the new Duke comes; leaving the Court privately, and going to them in his u&s;ual dre&s;s, &s;o that they had not the lea&s;t umbrage of &s;u&s;pition.</P>
<P>The only de&s;ign the Duke had in this, was, the plea&s;ure of &s;urprizing <HI>Cordelia;</HI> which is thus effected. On the morrow, <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> leaves them betimes on pretence of extraordinary bu&s;ine&s;s, but he tells them, to make amends for his ab&s;ence, <HI>Don Phillipo,</HI> when they are dre&s;s'd, &s;hall have them to Court, and &s;how them the Duke's Palace; which they are much pleas'd with. They prepare for this fine &s;ight, and <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> attends them. Through all tho&s;e richly furni&s;h'd Apartments, he conducts his wandring &s;pectators; where they behold the Chairs of &s;tate, the Tables, Andirons, Pictures, Frames, Gla&s;s-Frames; all either Gold, or Silver. They admire this Magnificence, and al&s;o are a&s;toni&s;h'd to &s;ee, with what re&s;pect, all that pa&s;s &s;alute <HI>Ca&s;tro.</HI> After they had
<PB N="73" REF="42">
tir'd them&s;elves with viewing va|rious objects of Maje&s;tick Glorious Finery, he leads them to a Garden; where in a lovely Banqueting-Hou&s;e, a Breakfa&s;t is prepar'd of all manner of varieties, and delicate cool Wines; which, whil&s;t they are entertain'd at, <HI>Cordelia</HI> di&s;cour&s;es of the bravery they had &s;een; and &s;miling upon <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> &s;aid, <Q>I believe my husband, and you are Courtiers; but I begin to doubt yee for Politicians: for now you have di&s;cover'd to your Wife, and me, the gawdy &s;plendor of a Court: &s;uppo&s;e we &s;hould fall in love with it, and with reluctancy return to our Country habitations. We are prepar'd for that, an&s;wers <HI>Ca&s;tro;</HI> your &s;tation, Madam, being to Reign here; nor will <HI>Aminda,</HI> I hope, di&s;like hers. I know not what you mean &s;ays <HI>Cordelia,</HI> with a &s;urpriz'd look. I mean, he re|plies cunningly turning it; that where e'er Beauty, like yours, ap|pears, it, of nece&s;&s;ity, mu&s;t Reign,
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&s;ince all mu&s;t quit their claims, for &s;overaignity, when you approach. So, Daughter, cries <HI>Sulpitia</HI> plea&s;ant|ly, you believ'd <HI>Don Philippo</HI> a Courtier, and now I think he hath prov'd him&s;elf a great one, by his compliment.</Q> When their repa&s;t and di&s;cour&s;e was ended, <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> begins a|gen to endeavour &s;atisfying their un|wearied Curio&s;ity, in &s;howing them the delightful Gardens that belong to the Palace, which <HI>Italy</HI> can &s;carce equal; though <HI>Italy</HI> is the Garden of the World. He tells them, that he hath yet a &s;ight which exceeds all they have &s;een; that is the Duke at Dinner. This they are wondrous de&s;irous of, <HI>Cordelia</HI> grows very in|qui&s;itive, what mighty affair detains her Husband, grieving much that he doth not participate in this Plea|&s;ure, and Entertainment. <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> promis'd to &s;atisfy her in that al&s;o, in a little time. When Dinner was near, he brings them to a Clo&s;et, where, unob&s;erv'd, through a Win|dow,
<PB N="75" REF="43">
they might plainly &s;ee, all the Ceremony. After they had a while admir'd the melodious Mu&s;ick, and &s;tately order of the Preparations: the Duke appear'd inviron'd with Nobles, &s;o that at fir&s;t, they could not ea&s;ily di&s;tingui&s;h him.</P>
<P>But when they came to have their full views, each look'd amazedly on the other. At length, &s;aith <HI>Sulpitia,</HI> either we are in one of tho&s;e enchan|ted Ca&s;tles, we read of in Romances, where all &s;een is Illu&s;ion, or <HI>that Per|&s;on</HI> in the Duke's Chair is really my Son in Law <HI>Don Pedro.</HI> Did not I tell you, Madam, &s;aid <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> &s;miling, and addre&s;&s;ing to <HI>Cordelia,</HI> that I would &s;how you your Husband pre&s;ently? What does he mean, an|&s;wers that fair one gravely, to dazle thus ones Eyes, with Pageant-Great|ne&s;s? Why doth he u&s;urp the place of his Sovereign? It is no U&s;urpation, nor are you deceiv'd, replies <HI>Ca&s;tro,</HI> for the &s;ame Prince that has prov'd an indulgent Husband under the
<PB N="76" REF="44">
borrow'd name of <HI>Pedro,</HI> no doubt will continue &s;o; when he owns him|&s;elf to be <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> Duke of <HI>Ferrara,</HI> and <HI>Modena. Cordelia</HI> could not di|ge&s;t this unexpected &s;cene of great|ne&s;s, without a vi&s;ible alteration, both in her Countenance, and health; &s;o that <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> was forc'd to Conduct her back to her Lodging. <HI>Sulpitia</HI> and <HI>Aminda</HI> accompany'd her. When the &s;urprize was over, and they were all de&s;canting on the&s;e proceedings; <HI>Aminda</HI> comes up very &s;eriou&s;ly to <HI>Don Castro;</HI> pray my dear, &s;aid &s;he, what mu&s;t I call you? for I hope you have follow'd my Lord <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI>'s Example, and are &s;ome great per&s;on in di&s;gui&s;e? This &s;et them all a Laugh|ing; and <HI>Ca&s;tro</HI> told her &s;he would time enough know his Quality; his greate&s;t happine&s;s being to have &s;o kind a wife as her &s;elf, and &s;o good a Ma&s;ter as the Royal <HI>Alphon&s;us.</HI></P>
<P>That Afternoon, &s;everal rich &s;uits of Cloaths and Cabinets of Diamonds were brought to the young Dutche&s;s.
<PB N="77" REF="44">
The next day, &s;he was, with great Pomp, receiv'd at Court, and by <HI>Al|phon&s;us</HI> own'd, lov'd, carre&s;s'd be|yond mea&s;ure. That great re&s;pect and kindne&s;s, the Duke always ho|nour'd <HI>Cordelia</HI> with, taught all the Court to do the &s;ame. And this Beautiful Lady was &s;o fram'd, and compos'd for her greatne&s;s; that &s;he became it to a Miracle. Young <HI>Al|phon&s;us</HI> was quickly &s;ent for, and nurtur'd according to his Quality. Eighteen years <HI>Cordelia</HI> grac'd the Court of <HI>Ferrara,</HI> and ble&s;t the Arms of good <HI>Alphon&s;us.</HI> But then, to &s;how us that Worldly happine&s;s is &s;el|dom permanent, that In&s;atiate Ty|rant Death, who&s;e inhumanity &s;pares neither the Fair, the young, or brave, ravi&s;hes from the fond <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> this &s;oft Wife. Which irreparable lo&s;s, it being impo&s;&s;ible for time or nature to repay, the Duke mourns to that exce&s;&s;ive rate, that the en&s;uing Year he al&s;o dyes.</P>
<P><HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> the only Son and Heir
<PB N="78" REF="45">
to this departed Hero; the per&s;on who hath occa&s;ion'd this relation, is Proclaim'd Duke of <HI>Ferrara,</HI> and <HI>Modena.</HI> He had not long been in po&s;&s;e&s;&s;ion of it: before <HI>Ferado,</HI> who was now grown a popular Man, and had a &s;ettl'd picque again&s;t the Royal Family, for the lo&s;s of <HI>Cordelia,</HI> (&s;o implacable and immovable is the hatred which proceeds from love re|fus'd) &s;tarts a Que&s;tion concerning <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI>'s Legitimacy; and boldly affirms, the late Duke was never marry'd. He knew well, all the Witne&s;&s;es were dead, except <HI>Aminda;</HI> and one Woman's word, would never convince a World; that is generally fonder of lies than Truth. This &s;trange a&s;per&s;ion alarm'd the whole Court, and mo&s;t of the Neighbouring Princes. In all Courts there are factious per&s;ons, &amp; per&s;ons de&s;irous of change; though they were &s;ure 'twere for the wor&s;t. Many of the&s;e <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">oin with <HI>Don Ferado,</HI> and demand a clear proof of the Marriage, which <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> not
<PB N="79" REF="45">
being able to give, they appeal to Pope <HI>&V;rban</HI> the Eighth; Who, willing to ingro&s;s the Soveraignty him&s;elf, de|clares again&s;t the pre&s;ent Duke; ex|pels him to retire to his ancient Dutchy of <HI>Modena;</HI> which their utmo&s;t malice could not pretend to deprive him of.</P>
<P>This is the Prince, who, remaining privately at <HI>Rome,</HI> to &s;olicite his pre|&s;ent Holyne&s;s for the regaining his right in <HI>Ferrara,</HI> has &s;een you: and left his heart and liberty at your Feet. His many applications to me, for the furtherance of his affairs, have given me opportunity to be throughly ac|quainted with him: and I have di&s;|cover'd &s;uch a Noble goodne&s;s in his temper that he does truly excel all others of his Sex. From him I had the foregoing &s;tory, which perhaps to you might &s;ound Romantick, becau&s;e I &s;o punctually related each particular; but my hearing it often from this Prince <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> had deeply impre&s;s'd every circum&s;tance in my memory. I would not undertake to be his
<PB N="80" REF="46">
Advocate, e&s;pecially, my Dear to you, (went <HI>Olimpia</HI> on, with the kinde&s;t a&s;pect in the world:) did I not know him well; and al&s;o know that my intere&s;t with his Holyne&s;s, is of that large extent, as to Re|e&s;tabli&s;h this Prince, in the Throne of his Ance&s;tors. But I am convinc'd, he is in love to that degree; that all the Kingdoms of the Earth can never make him happy, without your fa|vour.</P>
<P>The Trouble his Father hath in|volved him in, (an&s;wers <HI>Melora</HI>) by matching privately, and below his dignity, ought, in common Prudence, to deterr this Gentleman, from any &s;uch de&s;ign. Oh, my fair one! (replies <HI>Olimpia</HI>) who can behold you and be deterr'd from loving, by the con|&s;ideration of intere&s;t? But however repugnant it is to his intere&s;t (&s;he pro|ceeded gravely) I am &s;ure it is very con&s;picuous, it agrees with yours, to li&s;ten kindly to the propo&s;als of a Prince, who offers his Heart and
<PB N="81" REF="46">
Crown, without any other conditions, than your acceptance of it. Yet with clo&s;e&s;t Secrecy, this mu&s;t be manag'd: for many of the Italian Princes will be drawn to a&s;&s;i&s;t him, in hopes of his Matching into their Families. And I believe you your &s;elf would tax any per&s;on with egre|gious folly, that &s;hould refu&s;e to ac|cept an ine&s;timable pre&s;ent, becau&s;e given in the dark: when afterwards they'd have privilege to make u&s;e of it before all the World.</P>
<P>A Scene of greatne&s;s &s;trait appear'd to <HI>Melora;</HI> and &s;he with the Eye of Fancy, beheld her &s;elf &s;eated in a Palace, attended by per&s;ons, born above her. Women are generally ambitious, and opinionated of their own merit; and though <HI>Melora</HI> might ju&s;tly boat &s;he had one of the large&s;t portions of Wit, and Di&s;cretion: yet &s;he was a woman pertook of the frailty of her Sex; was willing to believe this fine &s;tory; and let the&s;e Glorious thoughts appear plea&s;ing.
<PB N="82" REF="47">
Which <HI>Olimpia</HI> perceiving, augments the&s;e towring Joys, de&s;cribing the plea&s;ures of Pomp, and Splendor; extolling the happine&s;s of being plac'd where Ten Thou&s;and admiring Eyes would be fix'd upon her; all watching the Motion of hers; to fly at her commands. Thus &s;he cunningly turns the gawdy &s;ide of greatne&s;s to this young Creature's view, hiding the thorns and fatal vici&s;&s;itudes, which too too often attend power, had her Lover been Duke of <HI>Modena.</HI> But (alas!) Unhappy Beauty, thy Malicious Stars have pointed Thee a &s;ad and gloomy Fate; which &s;he is thus conducted to. <HI>O|limpia</HI> takes <HI>Melora</HI> to a fine village of hers, near <HI>Rome,</HI> after &s;he had prevail'd with the deceiv'd Lady to &s;ee this pretended Prince. The Cardinal, who&s;e lu&s;t gave him Ideas, that every moment, put him into raptures, comes, by <HI>Olimpia</HI>'s ap|pointment, in the night, to this Country Hou&s;e, attended only by a
<PB N="83" REF="47">
young Gentleman, who&s;e &s;canty fortunes the Cardinal had augmented, and thereby indear'd him to his &s;er|vice. This Per&s;on is acquainted with the whole de&s;ign; which he brooks not well, being a Gentleman, and hating &s;uch di&s;honourable proceed|ings. But intere&s;t overcomes the&s;e Heroick &s;entiments; and <HI>Franci&s;co</HI> (for that was his name) promi&s;es his utmo&s;t a&s;&s;i&s;tance. <HI>Antonio Barbarino</HI> is adorn'd with a World of finery to appear amiable; his Hatband is of Diamonds of almo&s;t an ine&s;timable value, and every <HI>particular</HI> expre&s;&s;es as much magnificence, as po&s;&s;ible. He keeps him&s;elf conceal'd, by <HI>O|limpia</HI>'s advice, till next day; who thus contrives his appearance.</P>
<P>She takes this day to &s;how <HI>Melora</HI> the fineries of the Hou&s;e, and Gardens. In the mid&s;t of the Garden, &s;tood a Banqueting-Hou&s;e, painted by the mo&s;t famous of that ingenious Art. One &s;ide was <HI>Ida</HI>'s Plain, and <HI>Paris</HI> the lovelie&s;t youth, that pencil ever
<PB N="84" REF="48">
drew, &s;tanding with his &s;heephook, before three contending Godde&s;&s;es. He had ju&s;t pre&s;ented <HI>Venus</HI> with the Apple; who, by her plea&s;ing &s;miles, adds to the va&s;t Beauty the Painter had given her. Then in <HI>Juno,</HI> Envy, and threatning was &s;o plainly deline|ated, that you could &s;carce view her without fear. <HI>Pallas</HI> look'd with a noble &s;corn, as &s;he knew her own Merit, and de&s;pis'd the Opinion of her Judge. When the Painter pro|pos'd this &s;tory to me, &s;aid <HI>Olimpia,</HI> I forbad him doing it; remembring in the Fable, the Godde&s;&s;es appear'd naked. The Limner gue&s;s'd my &s;cruple, and told me, I was mi&s;taken in his de&s;ign: for he would dre&s;s them all in Garbs, &s;o becoming, that &s;hould &s;ooner bribe a Judg, than naked Beauties. I think he hath been as good as his word, an&s;wers <HI>Melora,</HI> for that loo&s;e Sky-colour'd Robe of <HI>Juno's</HI> is admirable, nor is <HI>Venus</HI>'s Crim&s;on of le&s;s finery; it gives a Lu&s;tre to her Skin. In my fancy, replies <HI>O|limpia</HI>
<PB N="85" REF="48">
the &s;ilver Armour of <HI>Pallas,</HI> which reaches to her knees, and tho&s;e &s;hining Buskins, that di&s;cover her Graceful Legs, exceed far the other. But behold here, added <HI>Olimpia,</HI> tur|ning to the other &s;ide of the room; and give me your opinion of this.</P>
<P>It was the Fable of <HI>Iphis</HI>'s mar|riage; who, by his Mother's Prayer, was Metamorphos'd into Man. Fir&s;t you beheld the Mother, devoutly kneeling; whil&s;t in <HI>Iphis,</HI> you began to di&s;cover the effects of her Prayer. His Looks &s;how'd amazement, and his lovely Hair turn'd upon one Cheek, in &s;hort Curls, the other hung down di&s;hevel'd a little farther. He appear'd jocund; his Face Manly; with his fair Bride, and all the &s;plendour of a &s;olemn Nuptial. The&s;e excellent pieces were incompa&s;s'd with Fe&s;toons of Flowers, incomparably done. After <HI>Melora</HI> had &s;ufficiently prais'd, and admir'd this &s;urprizingly fine Painting; <HI>Olimpia</HI> de&s;ires her to &s;it down, in this delightful place, and
<PB N="86" REF="49">
reque&s;ts her to &s;ing the &s;ong, &s;he lov'd; &s;aying there was an excellent Eccho; which mightily helpt the voice. <HI>Melora,</HI> among&s;t her numerous per|fections, had this in the highe&s;t de|gree: for all the judicious that ever heard her, own'd her skill and &s;weet|ne&s;s unequal'd. The Cardinal was conducted by <HI>Beatrice, Olimpia's</HI> woman, to the door of the Room; where he &s;tood. No Prince&s;s liv'd greater in <HI>Rome,</HI> than the Prince&s;s <HI>Olimpia,</HI> and the had &s;everal Per&s;ons of good Quality her Attendants: but this <HI>Beatrice</HI> &s;uited be&s;t her incli|nation, and was her chiefe&s;t Favorite. When the Friend&s;hip fir&s;t began between <HI>Olimpia</HI> and <HI>Melora,</HI> this &s;ubtile Woman grew very unea&s;y, fearing a Rival in her Lady's Heart. But when the Cruel <HI>Olimpia</HI> intru&s;ted her with the whole matter, and &s;he &s;aw this height was only the Prologue to her ruine, the malicious Wretch was infinitely pleas'd; and the Car|dinal's Pre&s;ents following, made her
<PB N="87" REF="49">
very a&s;&s;iduous in the&s;e wicked practi|ces. <HI>Melora,</HI> ignorant of any un&s;een hearer, immediately obey'd <HI>Olimpia</HI>'s Commands; and, with a charming Air, &s;ung the following words.</P>
<Q><TEXT LANG="eng">
<BODY>
<DIV1 TYPE="song">
<HEAD>A SONG.</HEAD>
<LG>
<L>AS young <HI>Aminta</HI> &s;tood and view'd</L>
<L>The Beauties of th' approaching Year,</L>
<L>She &s;igh'd to think how &s;oon they would</L>
<L>Wither, grow old, and di&s;appear.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L><HI>Strephon,</HI> who long had ask'd relief,</L>
<L>But always beg'd and pray'd in vain;</L>
<L>Hop'd more Advantage from her grief</L>
<L>Than he before could er'e obtain.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Beware &s;aid he, my Life, my All,</L>
<L>De&s;troying Time comes on apace</L>
<L>Your faire&s;t Charms mu&s;t one day fall,</L>
<L>And Age and Wrinkles fill their place.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Improve your Youth now that remains,</L>
<L>For Age does too too fa&s;t pur&s;ue;</L>
<L><PB N="88" REF="50">Be kind at la&s;t, requite my pains,</L>
<L>And give to Love, and me their due.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Then fly fair Nymph into any Arms,</L>
<L>Whilst Youth, and Wit, and Beauty la&s;t;</L>
<L>The Spring and Summer have no Charms,</L>
<L>Which envious Winter will not bla&s;t.</L>
</LG>
</DIV1>
</BODY>
</TEXT></Q>
<P>Ju&s;t as &s;he ended, the Cardinal &s;teps forth; only bowing to <HI>Olimpia,</HI> whil&s;t he eagerly addre&s;&s;es to <HI>Melora;</HI> and fixing his Eyes upon her, cries in a Pa&s;&s;ionate Tone; <Q>Ah Madam! I was enough your &s;lave before; and in my ravi&s;h'd fancy, call'd you all divine, but now I heard your Angelick Voice, I am convinc'd you came into the World &s;ome extraordi|nary way; and are really one of the bright Inhabitants of Heaven. There|fore, with Ju&s;tice, you may de&s;pi&s;e the &s;ighs of groveling Mortals.</Q> <HI>Me|lora</HI> was &s;trangely &s;urpriz'd at his ap|pearing without the lea&s;t warning; and turning to <HI>Olimpia,</HI> her face being
<PB N="89" REF="50">
cover'd with blu&s;hes &s;aid; <Q>This is unkind, dear Prince&s;s, to let a &s;tranger be Witne&s;s of your Servants fail|ings, and unprepar'd receive &s;uch palpable flattery. Nay, Madam, re|turns <HI>Olimpia,</HI> bend all anger again&s;t the Prince, and I will join with you; for I think 'tis inexcu&s;able in his Highne&s;s to &s;urprize us thus without notice.</Q></P>
<P><Q>All Me&s;&s;engers &s;eem'd too &s;low for my impatiency, replies that Impo&s;tor, nor could my own feet, though wing'd with de&s;ire, and love, conduct me half &s;o fa&s;t as my wi&s;hes, to throw my &s;elf before this ador'd Beauty. Cea&s;e Prince, in|terrupts <HI>Olimpia,</HI> for I read di&s;plea|&s;ure in <HI>Melora's</HI> Eyes; this new &s;trange Theme di&s;turbs her. Di|vert us with the news of Rome; &s;ure that great City cannot live a day without follies, ridiculous e|nough to make us laugh. If my Tongue mu&s;t, (an&s;wers <HI>Barbarino</HI>) leave the dear delightful &s;ubject of
<PB N="90" REF="51">
my Life <HI>my Love;</HI> I hope you'll give my Eyes and &s;ighs the liberty to &s;peak the Language of my Heart. That we may venture to allow, I think, replies <HI>Melora;</HI> becau&s;e wee can have the privilege, not to ob&s;erve them, and only li&s;ten to your news; which we both expect (adds <HI>Olimpia.</HI>) The fre&s;he&s;t; I know, (begins the Cardinal very gravely) is of a great judgment, that is lately fallen on a fair young Lady. This Lady had an humble &s;ervant, whom the World call'd very de&s;erving, but the Cruel Maid thought otherwi&s;e; and, notwith|&s;tanding Days, and Nights, and Months, &s;pent all in Sighs and Prayers and Tears; yet her obdurate Heart feels no compa&s;&s;ion. Nothing the Amorous Youth neglected, ei|ther to &s;ay, or act, that might have gain'd a kinder doom, though all in vain; which when he plainly found, o'rewhelm'd with love, and deep de&s;pair, he langui&s;h'd a
<PB N="91" REF="51">
&s;hort time; then made his Ever|la&s;ting Exit. Still the remor&s;ele&s;s Maid was unconcern'd; only Civility and Honour obliged her to attend him to his Grave. And le&s;t her Spectators &s;hould there cen&s;ure her guilty of Barbarity, &s;he cunningly conveys an Onion into her Hand|kerchief, to &s;upply the defect of Natural Tears. But now ob&s;erve the Ju&s;tice of her Fate; for, from that moment, &s;o violent a conflux of Rheum follow'd, that &s;he, for ever weeps, &s;pight of all the Phy&s;ician's Art. And if in any Company where Mirth prevails, then the &s;treams run down, enough to fright them with the apprehen&s;ions of a &s;econd Deluge.</Q> Is not <HI>this,</HI> Ladies, (concluded the Cardinal) a &s;ufficient warning to deterr you from Cruelty? They both laugh'd at the Roman|tick News, and <HI>Melora</HI> &s;aid plea&s;ant|ly, the greate&s;t Miracle &s;he found in the &s;tory, was, the Gallant dying for Love; that being, in the&s;e Ages,
<PB N="92" REF="52">
altogether unpractis'd, and out of fa&s;hion. In &s;uch Conver&s;ation they in &s;ecret pa&s;s'd their hours, whil&s;t the Cardinal forgot not to improve them; but by a Thou&s;and Glances, Sighs, and Whi&s;pers, told <HI>Melora,</HI> that he dy'd, unle&s;s &s;he in gentle pity &s;av'd him. Such great Per&s;ons wan|ted nothing, that either Art or Na|ture could afford, for their Plea&s;ure, and Diver&s;ion: What they had told <HI>Melora</HI> of the Duke's being <HI>incognito</HI> in <HI>Rome,</HI> took off her mi&s;tru&s;t when &s;he &s;aw him cautious to appear be|fore any, but <HI>Olimpia</HI> her &s;elf, <HI>Bea|trice,</HI> and <HI>Franci&s;co.</HI> Every thing contributed towards the deceiving this poor Lady; the general di&s;cour&s;e of <HI>Rome;</HI> which was, of the Duke of <HI>Modena</HI>'s preten&s;ions to the Dukedom of <HI>Ferrara;</HI> and that Princes ab&s;ence from his own Court, being often in the Courts of other Princes, &s;olliciting Aid, in ca&s;e the Pope deny'd him Ju|&s;tice: But the&s;e many circum&s;tances were needle&s;s; for though <HI>Melora</HI>
<PB N="93" REF="52">
had a Vivacity in her Wit, peculiar to her &s;elf; a Judgment per&s;picuous and clear; yet &s;o cunningly had <HI>O|limpia,</HI> by her &s;eeming Fondne&s;s, and artful In&s;inuations, wrought upon the goodne&s;s of her temper; that &s;he believ'd whatever that fal&s;e one af|firm'd, &s;tedfa&s;tly, as an Article of her Faith.</P>
<P>After two days the Cardinal takes leave with all the pa&s;&s;ionate dearne&s;s Man can expre&s;s; returns to <HI>Rome,</HI> whither the Ladies quickly follow: <HI>Olimpia</HI> &s;till pre&s;&s;ing her fair Favou|rite to be kind to this de&s;erving Prince, as &s;he always terms him.</P>
<P><HI>Melora</HI> was now wholly in the Prince&s;s <HI>Olimpia</HI>'s Palace, only going every day to vi&s;it her Father; and every Night the Love-&s;ick Cardinal paid his devoir to her. Yet &s;pight of all the&s;e con&s;tant Vi&s;its, and reitera|ted Oaths of continual Love; <HI>Melora</HI> appears but cold, and expre&s;&s;es her &s;elf with a World of caution and re|&s;ervation. This Torments the Amo|rous
<PB N="94" REF="53">
Prie&s;t beyond mea&s;ure. Now, though <HI>Melora</HI> ab&s;olutely confided in <HI>Olimpia,</HI> her good Education had perfectly taught her to obey her Fa|ther's Will; and to undertake &s;o great a Concern, without his Know|ledge, &s;hock'd all her re&s;olves, and da&s;h'd her with a Thou&s;and Fears. <HI>Olimpia</HI> &s;trives her utmo&s;t to incou|rage the beauteous trembling Maid; and in per&s;wa&s;ive Arguments lays down the inconveniency of acquaint|ing her, Father: for he being a Loyal Man, and in a publick &s;tation, would certainly di&s;cover it to the King his Ma&s;ter; which would at pre&s;ent ruine the Prince <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> in all his de&s;igns. <HI>Melora</HI> li&s;ten'd to whatever <HI>Olimpia</HI> urg'd; gave obliging An|&s;wers, but delay'd complying. No|thing was &s;o hateful to the Cardinal and <HI>Olimpia,</HI> as this protracting time, becau&s;e they lay liable to a hundred accidents that might betray them; by which the Cardinal would irrevo|cably lo&s;e his Fame; and, what
<PB N="95" REF="53">
was much dearer, <HI>Melora.</HI> Therefore the next time they are together, he pleads with all his Loves Eagerne&s;s and Oratory; tells his fair Mi&s;tre&s;s, his de|&s;ires were grown to &s;uch a height of Violence, that without her con&s;ent to the fulfilling them, they would cer|tainly prey upon his Life, and from her Adorer he &s;hould become her Martyr. <Q>Ah Madam! (went he on, &s;ighing pa&s;&s;ionately, and gra&s;p|ing her Knees) Why are you thus Cruel? Why do you force me to live in the&s;e In&s;upportable Agonies, when 'tis in your power to rai&s;e me to endle&s;s Worlds of Bli&s;s? Is not the Appellation of Kind and Pitiful more plea&s;ing to you, than the Sa|vage Names of Cruel and Rigorous? With what rea&s;on (reply'd that Charmer &s;weetly) My Lord, can you Complain, or ask me more? Have I not already broke the Sacred Laws of Duty, which I us'd to hold Inviolable, and receiv'd you here Clande&s;tinely: heard all the &s;tories
<PB N="96" REF="54">
of your Love, and only re&s;olv'd to take &s;uch time as may confirm the Con&s;tancy and Faith, which you, with &s;o much Rhetorick, have Vow'd.</Q></P>
<P><Q>In that re&s;olve you give me Death (&s;aid he, with a &s;ad Air) and e'er my probation ends, you'll be convinc'd, by the &s;ublime&s;t Proof, that I am yours.</Q> When he &s;aid this, he takes his leave, and before he left the Hou&s;e, relates all this to <HI>Franci&s;co;</HI> ordering him to &s;tay, till <HI>Olimpia</HI> was at lei&s;ure to hear it; and &s;end him her advice in the&s;e perplexities. Through the Gardens, and Walks of <HI>Donna Olimpia</HI>'s Palace, the Cardinal always went home, only pa&s;&s;ing a narrow Lane, he came to a back door of his own, where a Servant con|&s;tantly attended: <HI>One,</HI> who, many Years, had been acquainted with his Debauchees, and Night Rambles, though he was not tru&s;ted with the &s;tory of this Intrigue. <HI>Barbarino</HI> go|ing Melancholy through the before
<PB N="97" REF="54">
mention'd Lane was &s;urpriz'd, not|with&s;tanding the darkne&s;s of the Night, and latene&s;s of the hour, to perceive the glittering of Swords; and &s;tepping ha&s;tily to avoid them, one immediately ru&s;h'd upon him, and gave him a Wound in his Brea&s;t; at which the amaz'd Cardinal cry'd out, Villains! A&s;&s;a&s;&s;inates! Hearing his Voice they fled; only &s;aying, Damn it, we were mi&s;taken in our Man.</P>
<P>'Twas very near the Cardinal's private Door, this accident happen'd, and the Servant that waited for him, having skill in Surgery, he tru&s;ted him to &s;earch the Wound; who a&s;|&s;ur'd the frighted Prie&s;t, that there was no danger; only the lo&s;s of Blood would, for &s;ome Days, confine him to his Bed, and Chamber. He then began to revive his Courage, and Commanded the Servant to &s;ay, his Illne&s;s proceeded from a violent bleeding at the No&s;e; which took him in the Night: this pa&s;s'd upon
<PB N="98" REF="55">
his Phy&s;icians; who only order'd him comfortable Cordials to renew his Spirits.</P>
<P>The next Morning, the Cardinal found him&s;elf at ea&s;e enough, to con|&s;ider his Love affair, and accordingly di&s;patches <HI>Franci&s;co,</HI> to acquaint <HI>O|limpia</HI> with his Misfortune; and to beg, her Almighty Wit would make &s;ome advantage of it with his Mi|&s;tre&s;s. One would have thought, the Heavens &s;ending the Mi&s;chief, de|&s;ign'd another, on the Cardinal's Head, might have deterr'd them from pur|&s;uing further the ruine of that &s;oft <HI>In|nocent,</HI> the fair <HI>Melora;</HI> but they were harden'd, and <HI>Olimpia,</HI> re&s;olving to fulfil the de&s;ires of the Friend of her darling Lu&s;t, Ambition, manag'd with Woman's Cunning, her de|&s;ign.</P>
<P><HI>Melora</HI> ob&s;erv'd <HI>Olimpia</HI> Melan|choly; and her fondne&s;s and parti|cularity to her, laid a&s;ide; and for three days only Complacency, and cold Civility remain'd. This per|plex'd
<PB N="99" REF="55">
her &s;trangely; fain &s;he would have ask'd the rea&s;on; long'd to know the cau&s;e of the Duke's (as &s;he thought him) ab&s;ence; but Mode&s;ty, the Virgin's con&s;tant nece&s;&s;ary u&s;eful Gue&s;t, witheld her Que&s;tions a while. At length, impatiency prevail'd, and &s;he de&s;ir'd <HI>Beatrice</HI> to let her know, when the Prince&s;s <HI>Olimpia</HI> would be alone in her Clo&s;et. The &s;ame day, word was brought her &s;he was &s;o, and wi&s;h'd to &s;ee her. <HI>Melora</HI> attends her the very in&s;tant; and found that &s;ubtle Lady &s;itting upon a Couch, leaning her head upon her hand, with an unu&s;ual &s;adne&s;s in her Face. A&s;&s;oon as <HI>Melora</HI> enter'd, &s;he bid her &s;it down; then, fetching a deep Sigh, continu'd &s;ilent. The poor young Creature &s;urpriz'd with this counter|feited &s;orrow, remain'd al&s;o dumb, for &s;ome time, till her Tears made way for her words. She implor'd <HI>O|limpia</HI> to acquaint her, if through any inadvertency, &s;he had offended to that degree, as to lo&s;e the honour of
<PB N="100" REF="56">
her Friend&s;hip, and be bani&s;h'd that dear Bo&s;om, where all her Happine&s;s and Delight were Center'd; Adding, with a World of &s;weetne&s;s and real trouble, how willingly &s;he would abate, participate; or, if po&s;&s;ible, take off tho&s;e griefs, &s;he &s;aw o'er|whelm her beloved Prince&s;s, might &s;he but know the cau&s;e. <HI>Olimpia</HI> lift|ing up her head, an&s;wer'd very &s;eri|ou&s;ly; my Affliction will perhaps oc|ca&s;ion your rejoycing; I mourn the Prince <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> whom as a Friend I lov'd. Your inclination caus'd him to be your aver&s;ion; and con&s;equent|ly his Mi&s;eries will move no Pity; which made me forbear relating them.</P>
<P>Alas, Madam! (replies <HI>Melora</HI>) wherein has your Highne&s;s di&s;cover'd that aver&s;ion, you are pleas'd to charge me with? I have receiv'd the Prince's Addre&s;s, with all the Com|placency imaginable, at any time, or any hour. If this is hatred, I am mi&s;taken; and mu&s;t beg directions,
<PB N="101" REF="56">
how to expre&s;s my E&s;teem to my Lord <HI>Alphon&s;us;</HI> both as to his own merit, and what's yet more, a Per&s;on recommended by you, (en|ded &s;he, bowing.)</P>
<P>With &s;uch a height of Pa&s;&s;ion, &s;uch an exce&s;s of tenderne&s;s (returns <HI>Olimpia</HI>) the Prince adores you, that your fatal Coldne&s;s hath de|&s;troy'd him. Signore <HI>Franci&s;co</HI> acquaints me, that, ever &s;ince his la&s;t parting from you, he hath Langui&s;h'd of a Fever; which his Phy&s;icians &s;ay, is de&s;perate; whil&s;t he, Foe to him&s;elf, and Friend to his Di&s;ea&s;e, gives way to that, and &s;lights all their Applications.</P>
<P>Let me dye (cry'd out <HI>Melora</HI> eagerly; frighted with the apprehen|&s;ion of &s;uch a Per&s;on's Death) rather than have a guilt like this, imputed to me; Ah Madam! (went &s;he on) if you have any &s;parks of that generous love remaining, which you be&s;tow'd on this Ungrateful; teach me a way to expiate my Crime. I own what|e'er
<PB N="102" REF="57">
my inclination was, I err'd, to an extremity, in di&s;obeying your Commands; and to attone, I'll Vi&s;it him, I'll write, do what my nature hath mo&s;t abhorr'd; &s;o my Prince&s;s will again receive me into favour.</P>
<P>Do nothing again&s;t &s;tomach (An|&s;wers <HI>Olimpia</HI> coldly) and though I know a line or two might &s;ave his Life, yet a di&s;&s;embl'd kindne&s;s is but a Reprieve; and to relap&s;e into de|&s;pair, is irrecoverable, therefore I'll not ask it; 'tis to de&s;ire a pre&s;ent Cordial, that carries with it, a future Poi&s;on. When &s;he had &s;aid this, &s;he left <HI>Melora</HI> in the Clo&s;et, and went to Company, that &s;tay'd to ki&s;s her hand.</P>
<P>Nothing was more glorious, than the Friend&s;hip of Donna <HI>Olimpia;</HI> who enjoy'd it, participated of all the plea&s;ures and grandeur of <HI>Rome.</HI> Then, to be a Prince&s;s! Attractions, which may excu&s;e <HI>Melora,</HI> if &s;he committed an indecency in writing
<PB N="103" REF="57">
to the pretended Duke. For after many &s;truglings with her native re&s;ervedne&s;s, &s;he re&s;olv'd it, and wrote thus.</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<HEAD>To the Duke <HI>Alphon&s;us.</HI></HEAD>
<P>MY belov'd and ever honour'd Prin|ce&s;s tells me your Highne&s;s is un|fortunately &s;eiz'd with Sickne&s;s; and unkindly makes me the occa&s;ion of it. If I have that power over you, which my want of Charms per&s;wades me I am only flatter'd with; I charge you, u&s;e your be&s;t endeavours to recover Health, and ha&s;ten to us that I, through your medi|ation may be re-e&s;tabli&s;h'd in the heart of my dear Prince&s;s. Which Obligement can never &s;ufficiently be acknowledg'd, or return'd by</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED><HI>Your Servant</HI> Melora.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
<P><HI>Olimpia</HI> in ha&s;te di&s;patch'd her Vi&s;itants, tho&s;e of Ceremony, and
<PB N="104" REF="58">
tho&s;e of Bu&s;ine&s;s. Coming back to the Clo&s;et, &s;he found <HI>Melora</HI> reading; having left the Letter open upon the Table. <HI>Melora</HI> &s;tood up as <HI>Olimpia</HI> came in, and begg'd &s;he would plea&s;e to peru&s;e that &s;he had written; &s;ay|ing, &s;he was wholly ignorant of tho&s;e &s;ort of Letters, and humbly pray'd her approbation. When <HI>Olimpia</HI> had read it; &s;he, &s;miling, &s;aid; you have plaid the pretty Sophi&s;ter, my dear, and &s;o kindly expre&s;s'd your obliging &s;entiments of Friend&s;hip, that I know how to re&s;ent your Cruelty, in di&s;covering &s;o little Love to a Prince, who perhaps may want Life to receive it. <HI>Beatrice</HI> under|takes the conveyance, and with needful caution hath it deliver'd to the Cardinal; who began already to think of &s;peedily leaving his Chamber, and this favour added to his health, and his de&s;ires. He, all night, con|trives the kinde&s;t An&s;wer, words could frame, and the next Morning &s;ends it to <HI>Olimpia;</HI> who, with her
<PB N="105" REF="58">
u&s;ual cunning, pre&s;ented it; fir&s;t bewailing his weakne&s;s, then won|dering at Love's Power, which had given &s;trength to an&s;wer her Letter &s;o quickly. <HI>Melora,</HI> blu&s;hing, took it; and to <HI>Olimpia</HI> read as follows.</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<HEAD><HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> to the Divine <HI>Melora.</HI></HEAD>
<P>WEre I dying, I'd force my trembling hand to write <HI>Melora</HI> thanks, but I am better, returning from the grave. The charming Mandate, which brought me your Commands to live, brought likewi&s;e power to obey them. Yes my Adorable Mi&s;tre&s;s, I own you have &s;av'd my Life; and 'tis a mighty act of mercy. Yet Pardon me, fair Saint, if I pre&s;ume to &s;ay, there's Ju&s;tice in it too; for 'tis but just my Angel &s;hould pre&s;erve that Life, which is wholly de|dicated to her &s;ervice.</P>
</LETTER>
<P>How think you, Madam, cries <HI>Olimpia</HI> ha&s;tily; does he not write, as well as he &s;peaks; I own him
<PB N="106" REF="59">
Excellent at both, An&s;wers <HI>Melora;</HI> therefore &s;hould not I be guilty of Vanity, to imagine my &s;elf ble&s;t with perfections great enough, to Merit his endle&s;s Love?</P>
<P><HI>Olimpia</HI> reply'd, in Compliments of her worth, and care&s;s'd her with new Indearments. A few days after the Cardinal's Phy&s;icians advis'd him to the Country Air, for the perfect|ing his recovery; and he let his Friends know, that being weak, he de&s;ir'd privacy without Vi&s;iters, de|&s;igning to &s;pend this time at <HI>Olimpia</HI>'s <HI>Villa,</HI> (attended only with <HI>Franci&s;co</HI>) in&s;tead of his own; though the World was made believe he lay there retir'd.</P>
<P>A&s;&s;oon as <HI>Olimpia</HI> under&s;tood the matter, according to the Cardinal's wi&s;hes, &s;he asks <HI>Melora</HI> to leave <HI>Rome</HI> a &s;econd time with her; telling her al&s;o, that the Duke of <HI>Modena</HI> was advis'd to the Air for his Health; and &s;he had given him an invitation to her <HI>Villa;</HI> where he might remain
<PB N="107" REF="59">
undi&s;cover'd. I let you know this, &s;aid <HI>Olimpia;</HI> that you may not &s;eem &s;upriz'd or di&s;pleas'd at his coming to us. <HI>Melora</HI> receiv'd the News of his Company very agreeably; and they with much plea&s;ure began their Journey. Soon after the Cardinal ar|rives, and 'twas then, and not till then, that Pity, Loves &s;ure Forerun|ner, &s;eiz'd the Compa&s;&s;ionate Heart of that young &s;oft Maid; when &s;he beheld <HI>Antonio</HI> look as pale as Death, and tremble, as he mov'd, with weakne&s;s. This, &s;he thought, Al|mighty Love had been the only cau&s;e of, and that the World would Tax her of Barbarity, &s;hould &s;he refu&s;e to apply Cordials of Kindne&s;s, to &s;uch a con&s;uming Langui&s;hment. There|fore &s;he receives him with &s;miles; and &s;ays obliging things, that beyond mea&s;ure charm'd the Prie&s;t. They Supp'd together in <HI>Olimpia</HI>'s Clo&s;et; and being all pleas'd, their Conver|&s;ation was extraordinary. <HI>Barbarino</HI> had formerly been imploy'd in &s;eve|ral
<PB N="108" REF="60">
Negotiations, to the Courts of Fo|reign Princes; he had good natural parts, and all the Acquirements of Learning, that great Men are able to receive. No wonder then his Com|pany was agreeable to <HI>Melora;</HI> who was ingenious, and therefore under|&s;tood the wit he deliver'd in plea&s;ant relations and di&s;cour&s;e.</P>
<P>While they were at Supper, <HI>Bea|trice</HI> brought <HI>Olimpia</HI> word, that there was a Benedictine of the Neigh|bouring Mona&s;tery, waited to de&s;ire the honour of her Highne&s;&s;es Pre&s;ence at the Fea&s;t of their Patron; which was to be Celebrated on the Morrow. I &s;hall incur your di&s;plea&s;ure, &s;aid <HI>O|limpia</HI> &s;miling, my Lord Duke, if I take <HI>Melora</HI> with me; yet I would willingly have her &s;ee the Solemnity, becau&s;e I believe it will be very fine. I &s;hall mourn your Ab&s;ence, replies the Cardinal, but &s;hould grieve more to hinder the fair <HI>Melora</HI> participating the plea&s;ure of beholding the Cere|mony. We will endeavour to make
<PB N="109" REF="60">
my Lord amends, at our return, with a full relation of our Entertain|ment, &s;aid <HI>Melora.</HI></P>
<P>A De&s;cription from &s;o &s;weet an Oratrix will charm me far beyond the gaudy &s;how, an&s;wers the Car|dinal. Thus they talk'd away the Evening; and the next Morning, the Ladies ro&s;e early, to prepare for the Fe&s;tival. When they were dre&s;t, <HI>Barbarino</HI> was admitted to pay them a Vi&s;it in <HI>Olimpia</HI>'s Chamber. <HI>Melora</HI> lookt &s;urprizingly beautiful, and the Cardinal expre&s;s'd his admiration, in lavi&s;h Commendations; &s;eeming to come nearer to view her: he, in a moment, fix'd a Crociate of valuable Jewels upon her Brea&s;t. She went immediately to take them of; but <HI>Olimpia</HI> coming up forbade her; and &s;he, blu&s;hing, let them remain.</P>
<P>That Night &s;everal Per&s;ons of Quality conducted the Prince&s;s <HI>Olim|pia,</HI> from the Mona&s;tery home. The Ladies were oblig'd to &s;tay and en|tertain them, &s;o that they could not
<PB N="110" REF="61">
&s;ee the Cardinal. The next day <HI>O|limpia</HI> re&s;olv'd to have to her &s;elf; and gave her Servants order to &s;ay &s;he was indi&s;pos'd, and would re|ceive no Vi&s;its. They cho&s;e a retir'd Grotto to &s;pend the day in. This cool retreat was very delightful; for 'twas with wonderous pains cut in a Rock, the Lights were all cover'd with Vines; which look'd very a|greeable. One &s;ide of the Grotto was hang'd with Fore&s;t Tape&s;try, the other mo&s;t artificially adorn'd with Mo&s;s-work, which glitter'd with &s;hining Shells and Pebbles; who&s;e Lu&s;tre equal Diamonds. The Couch and Canopy was green Florence Sar|&s;enet; at the end, oppo&s;ite to the Door, a full Curtain of the &s;ame hung down to the ground: along the &s;ide of the Rock that was covered with Mo&s;s, a &s;mall Rivulet ran, who&s;e plea&s;ing Murmur was able to in&s;pire the mo&s;t &s;tupid, with tender Senti|ments. Whil&s;t <HI>Olimpia</HI> &s;aid &s;omething to the Cardinal, <HI>Melora</HI> fixt her Eyes
<PB N="111" REF="61">
upon the purling Stream; who&s;e tran&s;parent clearne&s;s &s;how'd the bot|tom, &s;tow'd with the Rock's Orna|ments, Shells, and Pebbles. The Car|dinal turning, ob&s;erving her &s;o in|tent, &s;toop'd nearer; and with an In|graving Pen, upon the Marble Pave|ment, wrote thus:
<Q><L>Should &s;ome &s;mall Water Deity to day</L>
<L>Be &s;porting here, and tho&s;e bright Eyes &s;urvey,</L>
<L>With eager ha&s;te he'd fly to <HI>Neptune</HI>'s Court,</L>
<L>And tell the God the Place of your Re&s;ort.</L>
<L>Then, turn away tho&s;e All-Command|ing Eyes,</L>
<L>Le&s;t this &s;mall Rill, &s;hould to an O|cean ri&s;e;</L>
<L>And <HI>Neptune</HI> vanqui&s;h'd by thy kill|ing Charms,</L>
<L>Should bear thee hence within his Wa|try Arms.</L></Q></P>
<P>See, Madam! &s;aid <HI>Olimpia,</HI> when
<PB N="112" REF="62">
&s;he had read 'em: the Prince's Pa&s;&s;ion penetrates the obdurate Marble; yet your harder heart &s;till denies acce&s;s.</P>
<P><HI>Melora</HI> was amaz'd to behold the lines at her Feet; thinking they had &s;till been di&s;cour&s;ing. She had, with blu&s;hes, ju&s;t perus'd what was writ|ten, when from behind the Curtain, they heard the agreeable charming found, both of Vocal, and In&s;tru|mental Mu&s;ick. Ha! cry'd <HI>Olimpia,</HI> &s;eemingly &s;urpriz'd, you mention'd the Watry Deity, and I believe he has &s;ent his Mermaids, to entertain you. I rather &s;u&s;pect an Earthly Godde&s;s, reply'd <HI>Melora,</HI> &s;milingly, looking upon <HI>Olimpia;</HI> and the be&s;t way to expre&s;s our thanks for the fa|vour, is &s;ilence. Whil&s;t the Italian &s;ongs, with the mo&s;t exqui&s;ite Mu|&s;ick, was perform'd, they din'd; and after <HI>that,</HI> the Prince&s;s <HI>Olimpia</HI> gave her Commands the Mu&s;ick &s;hould retire. The Curtain was drawn up, and the delicate Organs di&s;cover'd; which, from the Water
<PB N="113" REF="62">
receiv'd their incomparable Mu&s;ick; and all the glorious painted &s;eats, which held the tuneful Ma&s;ters, whom they had heard before.</P>
<P>In vain, cry'd <HI>Melora,</HI> in a plea|&s;ing tran&s;port, we hunt the World for plea&s;ures, when ran&s;ackt <HI>Italy,</HI> can never equal, what my charming Prince&s;s's <HI>Villa</HI> gives. Ay but, my Life, return'd the Cardinal, I expect the di&s;charge of your Promi&s;e, in de&s;cribing the Entertainment you re|ceiv'd Ye&s;terday.</P>
<P>Indeed, went the fair one on, &s;miling, I think the&s;e Saints Fe&s;tivals are fuller of diver&s;ion, than devotion. To &s;ee a fat Abbot walk in &s;tate, cover'd with Embroideries, and looking as great, as if the Triple Crown adorn'd his Head; and all their Ornaments &s;et forth in the greate&s;t Pomp and Lu&s;tre imagin|able; doth it not re&s;emble Pride, and Vanity? Be cautious, my dear, interrupted <HI>Olimpia,</HI> le&s;t you incline to the errour of the Hereticks; who
<PB N="114" REF="63">
care not how fine their Hou&s;es are, nor how plain their Churches; tacitely di&s;covering they love, and e&s;teem them&s;elves, better then the Deity, they Wor&s;hip.</P>
<P>I &s;ubmit, &s;aid <HI>Melora,</HI> and will admire their glories. But to what end &s;hould I de&s;cribe va&s;t Banquets of Sweet-meats, and delightful Mu|&s;ick; which is here every day excell'd. That only which de&s;erves perpetual remembrance, was the Lovely Duke and Dutche&s;s of <HI>Parma.</HI> Such a be|coming tenderne&s;s he expre&s;s'd, &s;uch a &s;ympathy of Souls there &s;eem'd, as if one cou'd not do, what the other did not like. How can you prai&s;e, what you refu&s;e to practice, cry'd the Cardinal in a Rapture; &s;o would I gaze all day on tho&s;e lov'd eyes; but then the Night; the Night; burning, raging, &s;ighing, cla&s;ping! Oh forbear my Lord! (<HI>Olimpia</HI> &s;tops him;) leave the&s;e &s;trong exta&s;ies; till that happy Night arrives: &s;ee how <HI>Melora</HI> blu&s;hes. Indeed &s;aid the
<PB N="115" REF="63">
Cardinal, cooling him&s;elf with a &s;igh, I ought to have patience, &s;ince that Duke, you mention'd, waited long for one, le&s;s fair, and through many hazards, at length was ble&s;t.</P>
<P><HI>Olimpia</HI> knew, <HI>Melora</HI> took delight in nothing more, then hearing the Hi&s;tories of Per&s;ons, where the Ca|pricio's of Fortune had been mo&s;t e|vident: and to oblige her, ask'd the Cardinal, if his Highne&s;s was acquainted with the particulars of their loves? He an&s;wer'd her that he could procure them a full relation, if they de&s;ir'd it; for <HI>Franci&s;co</HI> was bred, from a Child, in the Duke of <HI>Parma</HI>'s Court; &amp; inform'd of each minute cir|cum&s;tance. <HI>Melora</HI> expre&s;s'd great joy at the propo&s;al; and <HI>Franci&s;co</HI> being call'd, the Cardinal commanded him to &s;it down, and to the Ladies relate the Adventures of <HI>Emilius,</HI> and <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> Duke and Dutche&s;s of <HI>Par|ma. Franci&s;co,</HI> after a moment's recollection, with a &s;ubmi&s;&s;ive reve|rence, began thus.</P>
</DIV2>
<DIV2 TYPE="history">
<PB N="116" REF="64">
<HEAD>THE HISTORY OF <HI>Emilius</HI> and <HI>Lovi&s;a.</HI></HEAD>
<P>I Shall not attempt (mo&s;t Illu&s;tri|ous Auditors) to de&s;cribe the Per&s;ons of this Prince and Prince&s;s, becau&s;e my words cannot reach the height of their Perfections; as your own Eyes may be witne&s;s; but mu&s;t of nece&s;&s;ity go &s;o far back, as to take a view of the late Duke and Dutche&s;s, Parents to this. <HI>He</HI> was a great Soul|dier, and a great Politician, which of con&s;equence render'd him a great Man; yet of a humour &s;o po&s;itive and ab&s;olute, that neither Sons nor Subjects dur&s;t ever contradict his Re|&s;olution. Whil&s;t the Dutche&s;s was all
<PB N="117" REF="64">
&s;weetne&s;s and affability, as oft as po&s;|&s;ible mitigating the &s;ternne&s;s of her Lord, and obliging all the World with Offices of Kindne&s;s.</P>
<P>He had two Sons, one elder than the pre&s;ent Duke <HI>Emilius,</HI> over whom he exercis'd an Authority, wherein very little of the Father appear'd; whom&s;oever they favour'd he frown'd upon, always denying them whatever they coveted with eager|ne&s;s. Few therefore dur&s;t make their Court a&s;&s;iduou&s;ly to the young Prin|ces, le&s;t they incur'd the anger and jealou&s;ie of the Old Duke. Only Count <HI>Bileront</HI> broke all the&s;e Rules of Policy, and openly profe&s;t an in|tire Service, and humble unfeign'd Friend&s;hip for the Prince <HI>Emilius,</HI> with whom he had been nurtur'd. The Duke often &s;torm'd at that, of|ten chid the Lovely Youths for their &s;o &s;trict amity; and often Comman|ded <HI>Bileront</HI>'s Father to &s;end him farther from Court. Yet all the&s;e &s;hocks they &s;tood; for <HI>Emilius,</HI> who
<PB N="118" REF="65">
had a large &s;hare of his Mother's &s;weet nature, drooped &s;o when they went to part them, that before he reach'd at Manhood, they cou'd not do it, without vi&s;ible danger to the Prince's Health. By that time <HI>Emili|us</HI> had pa&s;t his Eighteenth Year, he grew quite tyr'd of the Court; the har&s;hne&s;s of his Father's temper abridging him of all tho&s;e Injoyments, whereunto his Inclinations led him. He &s;ets all Engines at work to obtain leave, that he may join the <HI>Venetians,</HI> as a Noble Voluntier, and &s;ee a Cam|paign; hoping to rai&s;e his Reputati|on in the World, and quit, for &s;ome time, a place that di&s;gu&s;ted him. Af|ter much oppo&s;ition, <HI>Emilius</HI> accom|pli&s;h'd his de&s;ires; but the Old Duke not finding in his heart to prove too indulgent, orders <HI>Bileront</HI> to &s;tay be|hind; and perceiving notwith&s;tand|ing that faithful Youth, covertly pre|par'd to follow him, he without hearkening to the intreaties of his Friends, Impri&s;on'd him under a
<PB N="119" REF="65">
&s;trict Guard. If <HI>Emilius</HI> re&s;ented this ill, he was very likely to meet with the &s;ame treatment. So that being a&s;&s;ur'd no other harm was de&s;ign'd him but to hinder his Accompanying him; he &s;mother'd his &s;marting griefs, and went on with his inten|tions. Several young Sparks, in whom the love of glory had kindled a Warlike Fire, for&s;ook the &s;oft plea&s;ures of the Palace, and waited on the Prince. This Noble Cavalcade having left <HI>Parma,</HI> directed their cour&s;e towards his Holine&s;s's Galleys, where they de&s;ign'd to imbark, after &s;taying &s;ome time at the Port, till the Fleet were ready to &s;ail. As the Prince, having all his things Em|bark'd, was walking on the &s;hore, he felt &s;omebody take him by the Cloak, and turning, he &s;aw one in the garb of a Common Souldier; but looking more heedfully, Oh how pleas'd was he to behold his lov'd <HI>Bi|leront;</HI> &s;uch Joy fill'd their delighted Souls, there was no room for words.
<PB N="120" REF="66">
At length, a hundred Que&s;tions throng together, which as confu&s;edly are an&s;wered. <HI>Bileront,</HI> who&s;e &s;weet Eloquence cou'd move things almo&s;t inanimate (for next to that I account the &s;tupid &s;ort of Men) had with his Promi&s;es and Pre&s;ents prevail'd upon a Centry to let him have his Cloaths, in which he dre&s;t him&s;elf, the Fellow putting on the young Lords, and over them his own Cloak, and thus they both e&s;cap'd. Now <HI>Emilius</HI>'s wi&s;hes were compleat; and the faithful happy Friends went in all ha&s;te aboard. I will not trouble your Honours with a de&s;cription of the War, only &s;ay of the&s;e, they were a &s;econd <HI>Pylades</HI> and <HI>Ore&s;tes;</HI> always fighting by each other, al|ways undertaking the greate&s;t dan|gers; and always Crown'd with Glo|ry. The Campaign ended, they with &s;everal of the French Nobility, Vo|luntiers likewi&s;e, went to <HI>France;</HI> and in that Court &s;pent their Win|ter. In the mean time, the Dutch|e&s;s
<PB N="121" REF="66">
of <HI>Parma</HI> long'd to &s;ee her Darling Son; and having at length, obtain'd <HI>Bileront's</HI> Pardon, &s;he writes earne&s;t|ly to her dear <HI>Emilius,</HI> that he would return. He obeys his indulgent Mo|ther's reiterated de&s;ires, and again, with his Favorite <HI>Bileront,</HI> graces the Court of <HI>Parma.</HI> His Travails had extreamly added to his natural per|fections, and though he was not Heir Apparent, yet his eminent accom|pli&s;hments drew all admiring Eyes towards him. Nothing now was to be &s;een in the Palace, on the Dutch|e&s;&s;e's &s;ide, but Balls, Ma&s;querades, and &s;uch other demon&s;trations of Royal Plea&s;ures. At one of the Balls, a young Lady, having danc'd in a Per&s;ian Habit, with a particular mien and charming &s;moothne&s;s; <HI>Emilius</HI> ask'd who &s;he was, &s;aying, he had not ob&s;erv'd her among&s;t the Beauteous Train before, though he thought &s;he excell'd them all. He was &s;traight inform'd her name was <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> Daughter to <HI>Don Hen|rique,</HI>
<PB N="122" REF="67">
and <HI>Donna Elvira,</HI> who were, as he knew, both great Courtiers and had, Dying, left this their only Child, to the care of the Dutche&s;s; that her Fortune was very opulent, and her Per&s;on very taking. For his not &s;eeing her, the rea&s;on was, &s;he had been &s;ome days in the Country, and return'd but the night before. This, adds the Prince's Informer, is an ac|count of the fair <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> who is call'd the Dutche&s;&s;e's Ward; and ador'd by all. <HI>Emilius,</HI> getting near her, told her in a whi&s;per that &s;he was unju&s;t, her Beauty being enough to fix all Eyes upon her, &s;he ought not to excel &s;o tran&s;cendantly in Dancing too; but let &s;ome more indifferent do <HI>that,</HI> and obtain a glance. <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> blu&s;hing at the Prince's prai&s;es, an|&s;wer'd him; we mu&s;t expect your Highne&s;s full of the French Gallantry, and whatever Object you are pleas'd to rally is oblig'd to bear it. That place was too publick, for a longer Conference, but the Prince was
<PB N="123" REF="67">
wonderfully pleas'd with her, and talk'd of nothing el&s;e all the night, to his dear <HI>Billeront.</HI> Soon after, he paid <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> a vi&s;it; and finding her Conver&s;ation as full of charms, as her lovely Face, he was never &s;o well pleas'd, as when with her. His Mother the Dutche&s;s, &s;aw this growing Friend&s;hip, but hating no|thing more than venturing <HI>Emilius</HI> in another Campaign; and con&s;ider|ing <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> was a great Heire&s;s, who&s;e Ance&s;tors &s;prung from a Branch of the Royal Family, he al&s;o being the &s;econd Son; &s;hould he fall in love with her, the match would not be &s;o di&s;proportionable. The&s;e rea&s;ons made the Dutche&s;s not only connive at his often Vi&s;its; but al&s;o conceal them from the Duke. <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s A|partment lying through the Dutch|e&s;&s;e's, the Duke thought he had been with his Mother, whil&s;t he and <HI>Bileront</HI> &s;pent their time more plea|&s;antly.</P>
<P>They had form'd a Party for their
<PB N="124" REF="68">
particular Conver&s;ation, which they call'd the Friendly Society, and made &s;everal pretty Laws among&s;t them|&s;elves, with &s;uitable Penalties, if they infring'd them. One was, to communicate to all the Campany, every Letter they receiv'd, be it Love, or Gallantry. Nay if it was bu&s;ine&s;s, &s;ome Per&s;on was to in&s;pect it cur&s;orily over, and witne&s;s to the re&s;t, that it afforded no diver&s;on. Happy was he, that could partake the &s;atisfaction of this ingenious com|pany; which was compos'd of the highe&s;t young Quality. Their di&s;|cour&s;e was made up of pithy relations; or viewing the newe&s;t works of the writing Wits; Cen&s;uring, or ex|tolling tho&s;e labours of the brain, according to their Merit. <HI>Emilius,</HI> coming one day, before the u&s;ual hour for their meeting, &s;urpriz'd <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> alone, reading a Letter, which &s;he blu&s;h'd at, and ha&s;tily put up, when the Prince came in. Ha, Ma|dam! cry'd he, eagerly running to|wards
<PB N="125" REF="68">
her, have I caught you break|ing one of our greate&s;t Laws? She blu&s;hing &s;till an&s;wer'd, 'twas bu&s;i|ne&s;s. This augmented the Prince's curio&s;ity; and he &s;aid very gravely, you know, Madam, our Statutes are, that if Letters are full only of bu&s;i|ne&s;s, one is ju&s;t to overlook that, and report it to the whole Body of our Society. Now I being here fir&s;t, claim the privilege of &s;eeing it, and &s;atisfy|ing the re&s;t. She in&s;i&s;ted, 'twas in her power, to chu&s;e the Per&s;on, &s;he de&s;ir'd &s;hould &s;ee it; but finding the Prince really earne&s;t, unwilling to di&s;|plea&s;e him, &s;he gave it him, which he read thus; (for &s;aid <HI>Franci&s;co,</HI> I having the happine&s;s to know each particular of this Intrigue, took Co|pies of all the Letters to help my Me|mory.)</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<PB N="126" REF="69">
<HEAD>Don <HI>Alvarez,</HI> to Donna <HI>Lovi&s;a.</HI></HEAD>
<OPENER><SALUTE>Madam, My Dear Niece,</SALUTE></OPENER>
<P>I Hope you will e&s;teem the propo&s;al I here &s;end you, as a te&s;timony of my Kindne&s;s; and believe, that my conti|nual &s;tudy is for your Advantage, and Honour. The young Count <HI>Lodowick</HI> is now preparing to ki&s;s the Duke's hand, and make a hand&s;ome appearance at Court, his E&s;tate is large; and the World ju&s;tly calls him a Gallant Man. He is already in love with the report Fame brings us of you. I don't Que&s;tion but your Sight &s;ecures your Conque&s;t; pray let me hear your Opinion of him. I am, <HI>My Dear Kin&s;woman,</HI></P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED><HI>Yours</HI> Alvarez.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
<P>The Prince &s;igh'd, and <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 span"> as he read this Letter; and giving <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 word">
<PB N="127" REF="69">
<HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> again, &s;aid, I don't like this Marrying, 'twill &s;poil our Society. I'll give my Vote, that it &s;hall be High Trea&s;on, for any of our Ladies to Marry. Nay then, returns <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> laughing, we &s;hall have a very pret|ty Character Twenty Years hence, a Company of Old Ill-natur'd Maids; better for&s;ake the World quite, and become holy Nuns. Well, an&s;wers the Prince, I find all my Joys are at an end. You mu&s;t be in Love now, and we bear all tho&s;e ab&s;ences of Mind, &s;o frequent in Lovers, Silent whole hours; or if you talk, Count <HI>Lodowick</HI> mu&s;t be brought in, by head and &s;houlders, at every Paragraph. You were the glory of our little Select World: your Wit and Eloquence gave Life to all was &s;aid; now you for&s;ake us, I'll for&s;ake the re&s;t, and leaving an in&s;ipid Court, i'th' Camp forget <HI>Lovi&s;a;</HI> if that be po&s;&s;ible; (ended he with a &s;igh.) My Lord, replies <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> I have indeavour'd to be rude, and interrupt your High|ne&s;s;
<PB N="128" REF="70">
you talk, as if I was to be Marry'd to Morrow. The World (went &s;he on, with a Maje&s;tick Air) knows little of <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Heart, if they imagine it &s;o ea&s;ily gain'd; and that but hearing of a Man, is likely to fall in love with me, I &s;hould begin fir&s;t to be &s;o with him. More of the ap|pointed Friends coming in, the Con|ver&s;ation became general; yet &s;till <HI>Emilius</HI> was harping on this (to him) ungrateful &s;tring, Count <HI>Lodowick</HI>'s coming. He ask'd <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> whether &s;he thought &s;he &s;hould fancy him, and what &s;ort of Man &s;he could like, begging her to expre&s;s what Qualifi|cations &s;he expected in the happy Slave, whom, among&s;t her numerous Adorers, &s;he wou'd ble&s;s with her Smiles.</P>
<P>My Lord, &s;aid that charming Maid, were I to behold a Man Ma&s;|culine, yet Beautiful, Great, yet truly Brave; A Prince who&s;e Virtues, brighter than his Diadems, appear; one more glorious than boundle&s;s
<PB N="129" REF="70">
Fancy can to the thinking Mind de|paint; and, not convinc'd by &s;ignal proofs, his heart inclin'd, his pa&s;&s;ion forc't him to my feet: I might gaze on &s;uch a Ma&s;ter-piece; but my Eyes &s;hould let him no farther in: He ne|ver &s;hou'd di&s;turb my Mind. You may, reply'd the Prince, love where|&s;oe'er you look; nor need to fear they'll not &s;igh for you; at lea&s;t, if I may judge the Soul of others by my own. <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> took this for raillery, and plea&s;antly return'd, &s;uch Hearts as yours will be mo&s;t glorious Trophies, and I &s;hall grow exceeding proud, but that, to humble me, I know Prince <HI>Emilius</HI>'s way, and my own Imperfections.</P>
<P>That night <HI>Bileront,</HI> who&s;e Apart|ments joined the Prince's, heard him, after all was gone to re&s;t, walking about his room. Fearing he was not well, he ro&s;e and went to him. Par|don, &s;aid <HI>Bileront,</HI> if I intrude, and fly uncall'd, to learn what di&s;turbs my Lord. Oh my Friend! (An&s;wers
<PB N="130" REF="71">
the Prince) I'm &s;ick at heart, the Di|&s;temper revels there; and gives me pains that I ne'er felt before. <HI>Bileront,</HI> who was really frighted, began to call the Servants for the Phy&s;icians; when <HI>Emilius</HI> ha&s;tily &s;tops him, &s;ay|ing, it lay not in the power of Art. None, none could heal his wounds, but the fair Cau&s;er. Then blu&s;hing, and hiding his Head in the Bo&s;om of his dear Friend, he told him he lov'd the glory of her Sex, the &s;weet <HI>Lovi&s;a.</HI> I mi&s;tru&s;ted long ago (went on the Amorous Prince) but dur&s;t not exa|mine my heart on that point, till Ye|&s;terday di&s;covering another like to po&s;&s;e&s;s her: love and de&s;pair at once &s;eiz'd me; broke the &s;oft Chains of &s;leep, and &s;et me here upon the Rack. <HI>Bileront</HI> &s;aid all, exce&s;&s;ive Friend&s;hip prompted, to calm the di&s;temper'd Mind of his lov'd Ma|&s;ter; but he, witty to torment him|&s;elf, &s;tudy'd impo&s;&s;ibilities that might ari&s;e, to bar his wi&s;hes, out of meer Chimera's: though indeed ob&s;tructi|ons
<PB N="131" REF="71">
there were enough. Thus &s;pent the re&s;tle&s;s Prince the tedious Night. Next day, he long'd till the fatigue of Ceremonious Duty, bu&s;ine&s;s, all was o'er; that he might find his darling Mi&s;tre&s;s, where all his thoughts were fix'd. He &s;aw her; thought her more charming than ever &s;ince to him&s;elf he had own'd he lov'd her. Then he gave no bounds to his admiring Eyes; but helping forward his di&s;ea&s;e &s;et every thought at work; what Happine&s;s, what Raptures &s;he could give. When he came near her, tremblings and &s;ighs turn'd him pale; then a ri&s;ing heart cover'd his face with blu&s;hes. He try'd to tell his love in whi&s;pers, but his courage fail'd him, for he, who truly loves, beholds his Mi&s;tre&s;s &s;tamp'd with &s;uch divinity as awes his pre&s;umption. Nor dares he tru&s;t his tongue, le&s;t that too boldly &s;hou'd offend; leaves to his Eyes the &s;ad &s;ilent Tale; and hopes the Charmer will read it there. <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI>
<PB N="132" REF="72">
who thought the minds of others like her own, free and gay, was brisk as Air; and often chid the Prince for his unu&s;ual Melancholy; nor could &s;he forbear asking <HI>Bileront</HI> if he knew the cau&s;e. He an&s;wer'd her ambgiuou&s;ly; &s;uppo&s;e &s;he her &s;elf was, wou'd &s;he promi&s;e a remedy? That's &s;o unlikely, &s;aid &s;he 'tis not worth my an&s;wering; for I never was chearfuller in my Life; and I hope my mirth is not &s;o ridiculous, as to work ju&s;t the contrary on the Prince. <HI>Bileront</HI> fear'd to &s;ay more; le&s;t he &s;hou'd incurr the danger of di&s;plea&s;ing both.</P>
<P>A few days after, this expected Count <HI>Lodowick</HI> came, was very well receiv'd by the Duke, the Elde&s;t Prince, and indeed all the Court, except <HI>Emilius;</HI> who notwith&s;tand|ing his natural &s;weetne&s;s, could not forbear looking cold on this young Nobleman; whil&s;t <HI>Lodowick's</HI> only care was to dre&s;s well, and make a Figure an&s;werable to his Quality.
<PB N="133" REF="72">
Finding <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> the hand&s;ome&s;t La|dy; he was mo&s;t particular to her though he had a general complacency for all the young and fair. Mean time <HI>Emilius</HI>'s melancholy &s;o vi&s;ibly increas'd that every body took notice of it. He complain'd to his faithful <HI>Bileront,</HI> that he thought <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> took more care in dre&s;&s;ing, &s;ince the ar|rival of <HI>Lodowick;</HI> and he fancy'd &s;he gave him favourable glances; then would he bur&s;t into a Pa&s;&s;ion, and ask that fond Friend, wherein <HI>Lodowick</HI> de&s;erv'd more than he? Thus, this impatient Prince nur&s;t up groundle&s;s terrours, till they rob'd his days of Joy, his Nights of re&s;t. When <HI>Bileront</HI> could get leave to &s;peak, he told the Prince, that for his part, he di&s;cover'd no &s;uch al|teration in the dre&s;s, or looks of <HI>Lovi&s;a;</HI> then you talk (went he on) of her preferring <HI>Lodowick</HI> before you: when ala&s;s, &s;he is wholly ignorant, knows not the va&s;t honour her Eyes have won; think you, my Lord,
<PB N="134" REF="73">
being po&s;&s;e&s;t of your Illu&s;trious Heart would not &s;atisfy her Ambi|tion; and were &s;he a&s;&s;ur'd of it, I dare believe <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> wou'd preferr you in her e&s;teem, not only to <HI>Lodo|wick</HI> but even to all the World. Yet &s;till either a favourable opportunity was wanting, or his fears how <HI>Lovi|&s;a</HI> might receive a Declaration of Love prevented him; and poor <HI>E|milius</HI> langui&s;h'd on.</P>
<P><HI>Bileront</HI> met, one day, <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> in a private Garden, belonging to the Palace, in que&s;t of a Favourite Fe|male Friend; who, &s;he was told, was gone to walk there. Meeting <HI>Bileront,</HI> &s;he ask'd him if he had &s;een her; <HI>Bileront</HI> had ju&s;t left the Prince <HI>Emilius</HI> alone, in a Grotto; and &s;traight re&s;olv'd, without much con|&s;ideration, to &s;end his Mi&s;tre&s;s to him. Accordingly he directed this fair Lady thither; tells her very con|fidently, her Friend was there. The Prince &s;tarted as &s;he enter'd the Grot|to, and <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> leapt back, with the
<PB N="135" REF="73">
&s;urprize; both blu&s;h'd at this unex|pected Rencounter; till <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> ta|king it only for a trick of that young Lord; recollected her &s;elf, and &s;mi|ling told <HI>Emilius;</HI> &s;he wou'd be re|veng'd on <HI>Bileront;</HI> nay, &s;aid &s;he, plea&s;antly, your Highne&s;s ought to join with me, &s;ince he occa&s;ion'd this interruption of your thoughts. Madam (return'd he bowing) you you might much more properly call it, an Elevation of thoughts, for I a&s;&s;ure they were full of you, in Courts, in Camps, in Cells, in Grotto's. An|&s;wer'd that fair one, in a pretty He|roick tone: <HI>Emilius</HI> is &s;till the &s;ame; all Compliment; all Rhetorick. Yet not &s;o to all, replies the Prince, looking pa&s;&s;ionately upon her, 'tis only <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> merits more, much more, then I can &s;ay were my tongue immortal and Tun'd to nought but prai&s;e. Ah! &s;it <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> and hear the State of poor <HI>Emilius</HI>'s Heart le&s;t you find too late how fatally I was in earne&s;t.</P>
<P><PB N="136" REF="74"><HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> &s;till &s;miling, &s;aid; <Q>Ha! it &s;eems the Plot lyes deeper than I imagin'd. I am to believe your Highne&s;s is in love, am I not, to help the Je&s;t?</Q> The Prince vex'd to &s;ee the real Language of his heart turn'd into raillery: threw him&s;elf at her feet; and &s;poke with a moving Air, thus. <Q>If to have you the perpetual Image of my waking thoughts; or when I &s;leep the charming Vi&s;ion of my Dreams: if it be greater plea&s;ure to hide me from the inquiring World, that I may &s;hut out all but you, to fancy joys in you beyond the Crowns the united Univer&s;e cou'd give: to draw it Hell without you: to &s;igh, and wi&s;h, and tremble, when I hear you named; if this be love, I'm &s;ure I am in love.</Q></P>
<P><HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> ri&s;ing, and viewing the kneeling Prince, with a becoming Maje&s;ty, &s;aid, <Q>Remember, Sir, as you are born a Prince, &s;o I de&s;cend from the &s;ame Line; my Soul as
<PB N="137" REF="74">
great as yours; therefore, if you vainly think, depending on your Birth, the conque&s;t ea&s;ie; and I with open Arms mu&s;t receive your offer'd love: I &s;ay you are much deceiv'd; for whil&s;t there are Mona&s;teries, or di&s;tant Kingdoms, to the Earth's Verge I'll fly, rather then meet with Arrogancy, in&s;tead of that re&s;pect, which humble Love Cre|ates. Am I arrogant? (reply'd the pa&s;&s;ionate Prince) when pro&s;trate at your feet I Lye? Carry the&s;e dying Eyes a look of pride? Bla&s;ted be the Honours of my Birth unle&s;s it helps me forward in my Love! And for yours to me, you are a Queen, a Godde&s;s.</Q> Ri&s;e, my Lord, <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> interrupts him; I have heard enough. This is a &s;trange Theme; forget it Prince; indulge not &s;uch de&s;ires, de&s;tructive to your Peace, and never like to be fulfill'd. 'Were I, &s;aid the Prince (as he lead her out of the Grove) <Q>&s;o wretched; convinc'd <HI>that</HI> de&s;tiny mu&s;t attend me; Life
<PB N="138" REF="75">
&s;o, tormenting I wou'd not bear too, long.</Q> They had walk'd but a few paces, when they met <HI>Bileront,</HI> and the Lady <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> wanted, whom <HI>Bi|leront</HI> had entertain'd, that &s;he might not di&s;turb <HI>Emilius.</HI> The Count &s;oon read in both their Faces, the Minutes had not been &s;pent in common talk. Many Weeks this Amorous Prince employ'd in trying to per&s;wade <HI>Lo|vi&s;a,</HI> that he lov'd her above all Earthly things; yet had obtain'd no more than a bare permi&s;&s;ion to tell her this, whenever opportunity fa|vour'd.</P>
<P>The Court was, all this while, ig|norant of the Amour; they knew there was a Cabal of Wits, and thought <HI>Emilius</HI> only went often for the &s;ake of the Conver&s;ation. Love's an unexhau&s;ted Spring; and &s;till hath &s;omething more to &s;ay; nor cou'd the Prince be &s;atisfy'd with &s;hort Di&s;|cour&s;es, &s;tollen at Windows, or got &s;ome moments, before other Com|pany came. He long'd for whole
<PB N="139" REF="75">
hours, and fancy'd, if he had time enough, he might move her heart to pity. To that end, he &s;ent <HI>Bileront</HI> (whom <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> had given him leave to make his Confident) with this Letter (&s;aid <HI>Franci&s;co,</HI> pulling out the Copy:)
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<HEAD><HI>Emilius</HI> to the fair <HI>Lovi&s;a.</HI></HEAD>
<P>IF you have not Cruelly re&s;olv'd my Death (thou dear unequall'd Charm|er) grant me an hour when my longing Eyes may gaze without Controul; where I may throw me at the feet of my adora|ble, and &s;ay a thou&s;and thou&s;and tender things, that Love, like mine, in&s;pires. I do not ask a pitying word, or a kind look, in an&s;wer to my &s;ighs; I only beg a hearing, that &s;ure the nice&s;t Vertue will allow; &s;ince Virtue guides, and ho|nour dictates every Wi&s;h that fills the heart of your poor wounded Slave</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED>Emilius.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER></P>
<P><PB N="140" REF="76"><HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> was hard to be prevail'd on, for this private interview; but the faithful Count pleaded, with &s;o much Zeal, for his Amorous Friend, that the fair one almo&s;t compell'd, yielded; and gave <HI>Emilius</HI> leave, after his for|mal good night, to return with <HI>Bile|ront</HI> a back way; into her Clo&s;et. <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> al&s;o brought the Partner of her heart, a dear lov'd Friend. When the Prince came, the Lady and <HI>Bile|ront</HI> retir'd to the farther end of the Clo&s;et. Cou'd any Man win a heart only with the &s;ilent Language of the Eyes, &s;ure 'twas <HI>Emilius;</HI> for, in his, <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> might plainly read Sparkling Joy, for the permi&s;&s;ion &s;he had given him to &s;ee her; yet intermix'd with &s;o much awe, and fear; that the charming confu&s;ion &s;how'd, her love had taught him, to forget he e'er was born a Prince. And Ambition's Le&s;|&s;ons prompted him no farther, than to become her Slave. His words were &s;oft as flakes of falling Snow, his per&s;on lovely; who then can
<PB N="141" REF="76">
blame that charming Maid, if &s;he forgot her rigour, and heard, with plea&s;ure. He kneel'd, and &s;natch'd her beauteous hand, and printed the&s;e his Vows. <Q>He &s;aid, he lov'd her more, much more than Life. Oh! (went he on) were all the plea&s;ures of my pa&s;t Years cramm'd into one happy hour, 'twould not reach the lea&s;t part of the Raptures, this ble&s;t Moment gives; this dear important <HI>Now.</HI> If then to have but one Minute, when I dare call you Mine, fills my Heart with &s;uch Content; what would a Week, what would a Year, an Age? Oh I fear the Cordial wou'd prove too &s;trong; and I &s;hou'd dye with Joy. The&s;e Imaginary Vi&s;ions (returns <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> gravely) exceed Love's real Joys. Love, like a Cour&s;e Picture &s;et in an advantageous light, at di|&s;tance we admire, and gaze with wonder, but when nearer to our view, a hundred unthought of faults appear; and the imperfect
<PB N="142" REF="77">
daubing's &s;een. Ah! No; there's nothing but perfection here, cry'd he tran&s;ported, and gra&s;ping her hand) I long, (&s;aid he, looking earne&s;tly on her) to break Conditi|ons. I promis'd not to ask a look or word of pity, yet my Soul is on the Rack, to know how your heart is towards me. If con&s;tant love can ever gain admittance there; if you can ever feel a warmth; I do not hope that it will burn and rage like mine. I mu&s;t not, dare not hear you (<HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> &s;tops him) yet I am well; but who knows not, 'tis dangerous, Prince, li&s;tening to words like the&s;e. Why (&s;aid <HI>Emilius</HI> in a moving tone;) where lies the dan|ger? Heaven grant they prove in|fectious; and you Catch but the &s;ame plea&s;ing Fever po&s;&s;e&s;&s;es me. If I &s;hou'd (returns <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> blu&s;h|ing) if I &s;hou'd (not that I do in|cline my Ear, to the &s;oft &s;tory of your Love) place you fir&s;t in my e&s;teem, and &s;uffer my Virgin
<PB N="143" REF="77">
thoughts &s;ometimes to be employ'd on you; and after this, an offer'd Prince&s;s (&s;tate intere&s;t) takes you from me: where &s;hou'd I hide my blu&s;hing face? For then, not An|gels Eloquence &s;hou'd e'er per&s;wade me to behold fal&s;e men again. <HI>E|milius</HI> an&s;wer'd with Vehemence, By all my hopes, were there an Em|pre&s;s, who brought the conquer'd World her dower; and beautiful as painted Deity; me &s;he wou'd not move. You do not know <HI>Emi|lius,</HI> nor Puni&s;hments, nor Plea&s;ures prevail, when I am re&s;olv'd.</Q> <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> wou'd hear no more, nor cou'd &s;he force him from her, till he obtain'd a Promi&s;e, in a little time, to receive the &s;ame favour, &s;uch another Audi|ence; and that procur'd another. In &s;hort, the Prince, a thou&s;and ways, &s;o tenderly expre&s;s'd his Love, that <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> was content he &s;hou'd di&s;co|ver his Pa&s;&s;ion was not di&s;agreeable, that her Sentiments were kind; though Nicety deny'd her words to expre&s;s it.</P>
<P><PB N="144" REF="78">Mean time, Count <HI>Lodowick</HI> laid clo&s;e Siege; the Dutche&s;s thought it a good Match; her Uncle pre&s;s'd her hard on his behalf; but &s;he was deaf to all; nor had &s;carce Patience to obey the Dutche&s;s, in letting him &s;ee her; Yet this di&s;turb'd <HI>Emilius;</HI> he hated, <HI>Lodowick</HI> &s;hou'd view her, with &s;uch greedy Eyes; or have the privilege to Vi&s;it her alone. As he was one Night in <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Clo&s;et, complaining of this, that fair one chid him, and &s;aid, <Q>She fear'd he was naturally Jealous; &s;ince he &s;aw <HI>Lo|dowick</HI> was her aver&s;ion, and that all &s;he did was by compul&s;ion, yet &s;till he was di&s;pleas'd. 'Tis that com|pul&s;ion, an&s;wer'd the Prince, with a &s;igh, I fear; if you &s;hould be forc'd to Marry him (Heaven avert that thought!) what would then become of wretched me? No, No, My Lord (return'd <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>) though I am not a Man, yet I am Mi&s;tre&s;s of &s;uch re&s;olutions, that I'll never Marry <HI>Lodowick.</HI></Q> There is one way
<PB N="145" REF="78">
(&s;aid the Prince kneeling, and turn|ing pale, for fear of Angring her) one way &s;ecures my fears, and makes me ble&s;t above all humane kind. What's that, &s;ays <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> &s;urpris'd? I dare not tell you'll promi&s;e not (returns the Prince) un|le&s;s you'll promi&s;e not to be di&s;pleas'd, nor think that I pre&s;um'd too far, and make too bold a Suit, incourag'd by the favours I to your pity owe. Since I know, &s;aid <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> (with a re|&s;erv'd look) Prince <HI>Emilius</HI> will not ask, but what's within the &s;tricte&s;t Rules of Honour; I give you free li|berty to &s;peak. <HI>Emilius</HI> trembled as he &s;poke, and cla&s;ping her lov'd Knees, <Q>Wou'd you, &s;aid he, but let the Prie&s;t before the&s;e two (pointing to the aforemention'd Lady and <HI>Billeront,</HI> who were in the Clo|&s;et) join our hands, knit that Sa|cred Knot, which only Death un|ties; then all my fears wou'd be re|mov'd. Know you the raging tem|per of the Duke (&s;aith <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> rai|&s;ing him) and ask you this without
<PB N="146" REF="79">
his con&s;ent, or knowledge? No, let it &s;uffice, I ne'er will be anothers; and let us wait till fate will &s;mile, and Crown our Wi&s;hes without danger.</Q></P>
<P><Q>Then my fair Life will venture nothing on the &s;core of Love, when I'd forego a Crown for her (&s;aid he pa&s;&s;ionately) Oh! &s;atisfy my fears; give me but the Marriage Vow; I'll beg no more: At this awful di|&s;tance &s;till remain; nor offer at the Crown of all my Joys, your Bed, till the Fate, you &s;peak of, &s;miles; till there's not the lea&s;t &s;hadow of a danger. <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> told him, &s;he dur&s;t not re&s;olve on a thing of &s;uch a Con&s;equence, le&s;t he, or &s;he, or both hereafter &s;hould repent; but again&s;t the next meeting &s;he would con&s;ider, and bad him re&s;t a&s;&s;ur'd, all <HI>Lodowick</HI>'s Efforts were vain.</Q> A few days after this there happen'd a &s;ad accident which alter'd the face of all things, in that Court; the Elde&s;t Prince of <HI>Parma</HI> dyed &s;uddenly, of an
<PB N="147" REF="79">
Impo&s;thume. You may imagine the fright and confu&s;ion the Court was in; and that decency confin'd <HI>Emili|us</HI> to his Clo&s;et; yet in the mid&s;t of his Grief, he was not unmindful of his Love; but &s;ent <HI>Bileront,</HI> with a Letter, which contain'd the&s;e words.</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<HEAD><HI>Emilius</HI> to his Deare&s;t Life <HI>Lovi&s;a.</HI></HEAD>
<P>THE Lamented untimely Fate of the departed Prince, my Brother, fills my Soul with Grief; and that I may not have a Glimp&s;e of Joy; I dare not yet &s;ee my faire&s;t Mistre&s;s. But, Oh! Be|lieve, <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> no vici&s;&s;itude of Fortune has power to le&s;&s;en Love. My Death only ends the Pa&s;&s;ion vowed by</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED><HI>Yours</HI> Emilius.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
<P>A &s;hort Po&s;t&s;cript beg'd a line to ble&s;s his Solitude: She taking her Pen, while <HI>Bileront</HI> &s;taid, wrote thus:
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<PB N="148" REF="80">
<HEAD><HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> to the Prince <HI>Emilius.</HI></HEAD>
<P>AH! Prince! why do you &s;till per&s;i&s;t in my &V;ndoing: the di&s;tance was too great before, now the Ducal Crown hangs near your Brow: Court Glory, that's the Brighter Mistre&s;s; and gives Reward beyond the Power of</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED>Poor <HI>Lovi&s;a.</HI></SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER></P>
<P>The Prince was tenderly touch'd with the kind Doubts of his Beloved, and in a &s;hort time vi&s;ited her, re|newed his ardent Vows of Con&s;tancy, and Endle&s;s Faith. Whil&s;t <HI>Lodowick,</HI> who&s;e Gla&s;s told him he was not Un|hand&s;ome; who Danc'd well, Dre&s;t well, had all the Perfections of a Young, Empty, Airy Courtier; and Ma&s;ter of a va&s;t E&s;tate; raged to be Repuls'd in his fir&s;t Amour. One day he grew &s;o importunate to know the Cau&s;e of her Aver&s;ion; that &s;he re|&s;ented it; and told him &s;harply, he
<PB N="149" REF="80">
was Trouble&s;ome; and were it not for the Commands of tho&s;e, whom Reverence taught her to Obey; &s;he had, long e'er that, forbid him her &s;ight. He An&s;wer'd warmly, with an Air too haughty for a Lover: I &s;ee too well your &s;corn; but I fain would find (what 'tis &s;aid, we can't in Wo|man) a Rea&s;on for't. Is your heart made of that impenetrable Mould, that Sighs and Prayers are vain Bat|teries; or doth &s;ome hidden happy Youth rob me of my de&s;ir'd Prize? She blu&s;ht at that, and he ob&s;erv'd it. Ah! 'tis &s;o; (went he on) your con&s;cious Blu&s;hes reveal it. If I blu&s;h (return'd &s;he, with a look full of An|ger and Di&s;dain) 'tis at your Rude|ne&s;s. Go&mdash; You are In&s;olent! Dur&s;t your conceal'd Lover call me &s;o (&s;aid he, throughly nettl'd;) I cou'd An|&s;wer him. As he &s;poke the la&s;t words <HI>Emilius</HI> enter'd, and hearing 'em &s;o loud, he &s;topt. When <HI>Lodowick</HI> turn'd to go away, <HI>Emilius</HI> came up to him, and looking fiercely on him,
<PB N="150" REF="81">
&s;aid, <Q>Is this like a Man of Honour, to be Noi&s;y in a Ladies Chamber! I &s;ay 'tis In&s;olent, and Brutal.&mdash; Now your An&s;wer you threaten'd&mdash; Not to my Country's Heir (return'd he, Bowing) nor dare I contend for a Jewel, my Prince lays Claim to.</Q> Soon as he had &s;aid this, he went out. <Q>Ah! what have you done? (Cry'd <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> looking with a Melancholy &s;weetne&s;s on him) this flies like Lightening, through the Court, and I mu&s;t never &s;ee you more! Never &s;ee me more (an&s;wer'd he eagerly) Oh! I mu&s;t ever &s;ee you; nor can it be conceal'd! My Eyes, my Tongue betray it. How often, un|awares, I &s;tart; mi&s;taking every Name for yours! My longing looks devour your Charms; my Sighs re|double at your &s;ight; and every Motion &s;hows the Fires of my Soul! Oh! I'll ca&s;t me at my Obdurate Father's Feet; nor leave his Sacred Knee, 'till he has given you to my Wi&s;hes. Flatter not your &s;elf with
<PB N="151" REF="81">
vain Idea's (&s;aid &s;he, &s;adly;) The Duke, I know, will never yield; and my Foreboding Heart whi&s;|pers, this is the la&s;t time we e'er &s;hall meet in Peace.</Q></P>
<P>Am I thus Ble&s;t (cry'd the Tran|&s;ported Prince) to perceive &s;uch a concern at the dete&s;ted Thoughts of Parting! My, once &s;evere, but now more Charming Fair! What &s;hall I &s;ay, or how Expre&s;s my Joys! <HI>Lo|vi&s;a,</HI> who had ha&s;tily di&s;cover'd more of her Heart, than &s;he de&s;ign'd; felt her lovely Face glow with Blu&s;hes; and walking from the Prince, a great Gla&s;s more plainly &s;how'd her this di&s;order. <HI>Emilius</HI> following, &s;mil'd to &s;ee the becoming Confu&s;ion that Excellent Maid was in. And forget|ting that it was the publick Room of State, and the hour of Vi&s;iting; Caught her hand, and ki&s;t it with a happy Lover's Ardency; whil&s;t two or three Ladies enter'd. The equal &s;urprize of that Amorous Pair, con|firm'd it to be more than a common
<PB N="152" REF="82">
piece of Gallantry. However the Ladies, out of Re&s;pect, took no notice of it there; but once re|mov'd, the Blaze was &s;et abroad which <HI>Lodowick</HI> began; and it was grown the only News the Court was full of. Every Body had got the &s;to|ry, Prince <HI>Emilius</HI> Ador'd <HI>Lovi&s;a;</HI> and happy was &s;he could fir&s;t Com|municate it to her Friend. The Duke was la&s;t inform'd, becau&s;e all lov'd the Prince, and fear'd his being di&s;|pleas'd. At length an old Courtier, one who had liv'd even pa&s;t the re|membrance of his Youth, thought this Match inconvenient, and poli|tickly re&s;olv'd to tell him. He heard the Relation with a fiercene&s;s beyond that which his own rugged nature gave. <Q>Unthinking, Unambitious Boy! &s;aid he (ju&s;t as the other fini&s;ht) have I, for this, with pains obtain'd to ble&s;s his Nuptial Bed with <HI>I&s;abella,</HI> the wealthy Prince&s;s of <HI>Mantua;</HI> and doth the idle Slave to his Pa&s;&s;i|ons, wor&s;hip the fading Beauties of a
<PB N="153" REF="82">
Bauble; whil&s;t the choi&s;e&s;t Jewel of a Crown is offer'd?</Q> With this, he flew to the Apartment of the Dutche&s;s. His Eyes carried Rage, that every cringing Courtier &s;hrunk into a Corner; and dur&s;t not meet their Fury. The mild, and ever gen|tle Dutche&s;s, trembled at his &s;ight, be|fore &s;he heard the &s;tory. When with Frowns u&s;hering in his words, he thus began: <Q>You, Madam, I &s;up|po&s;e, have fondl'd up your Son to this, like a true Mother; but un|like my Wife indulg'd his humours, 'till inevitable ruine has got within his gra&s;p. Nor wou'd you yet cry hold! rather than your Child &s;hou'd grow unea&s;y, give it the Poy&s;on. I thought your Son haunted your A|partments not to learn the Rudi|ments of Honour; they are &s;eldom to be found among&s;t the Women! Alas, my Lord! (interrupts him the Affrighted Dutche&s;s) I know not what you mean! No, no; (went he on) you have not conniv'd, nay,
<PB N="154" REF="83">
perhaps, de&s;ir'd that Rebellious Boy <HI>Emilius,</HI> to make Love to your fair Favourite <HI>Lovi&s;a!</HI> But, mark me, Madam! For by Heaven I &s;wear, let this be remedy'd, or you will find the con&s;equence will give you cau&s;e to tremble! I know the Maid is Virtuous (&s;aid that good Lady, with all imaginable Mildne&s;s;) her Birth is Noble, &s;ince her Blood is mixt with yours: but, that my Son, or <HI>Loves,</HI> or Courts her, witne&s;s the Heaven you &s;wore by, I know not. My Blood! (replies he, all in|rag'd) the &s;tream has run too far; and all that's Royal is lo&s;t! But were &s;he my Brother's Daughter, and a Bar to my de&s;igns made me retrench my words, or promi&s;e gi|ven: Cloy&s;ter, or Death &s;hou'd force the &s;tubborn Girl; and &s;et the way clear before me. Therefore I charge you, School your Son, and di&s;po&s;e of her; el&s;e I, who have been the Partner of your Bed the&s;e Thirty Years, will ever after prove
<PB N="155" REF="83">
a Stranger and a Foe!</Q> This &s;aid, he left the weeping Dutche&s;s.</P>
<P>Poor <HI>Emilius</HI> was ju&s;t going to his Mother, there to open all his heart; and beg her kind A&s;&s;i&s;tance to mollify his Father. He &s;ent <HI>Bileront</HI> before humbly to pray the Dutche&s;s; &s;he wou'd, in her Cabinet, hear him on a &s;ubject, that was to him important. <HI>Bileront</HI> &s;treight return'd, and told the expecting Prince, the Duke was gone thither with an angry Brow. <HI>Emilius</HI> fear'd the wor&s;t, and &s;taid conceal'd till the Duke return'd; then going to the Dutche&s;s, in her melting Eyes, he reads his Fate; and &s;tood a while immoveable. That &s;weet Prin|ce&s;s no &s;ooner beheld her Son look &s;o pale, and deeply &s;ad, but her Tears increas'd. For the Duke had rightly charg'd her in that particular: She excelling mo&s;t Mothers in Fondne&s;s. The Prince fir&s;t broke &s;ilence; and re&s;pectfully askt her, if he might know what his Father had done, to cau&s;e tho&s;e Sorrows? Fir&s;t An&s;wer
<PB N="156" REF="84">
me (&s;ays the Mourning Dutche&s;s) are you &s;o Unhappy to love <HI>Lovi&s;a?</HI> Pardon me, my Mother (&s;aid <HI>Emi|lius</HI> in a moving tone) nor call me Unhappy, in loving, and being be|lov'd, by that Virtuous, all-de&s;erving, Noble&s;t Maid! This Declaration touched the Dutche&s;s nearly; and &s;he, word for word, told that de&s;|pairing Prince, what his Incen&s;ed Fa|ther had &s;worn. <Q>Therefore (added that Wi&s;e, yet tender Mother) quit thou thy unau&s;picious Love, before the threatn'd &s;torm comes on: it hangs ju&s;t breaking o'er our Heads; and if thou per&s;i&s;t, falls upon all. Quit my Love! (an&s;wers the Prince pa&s;&s;ionately) Ah! Madam! E'er you re&s;olve to be obey'd, plea&s;e to hear, how great a Villain you wou'd make your then abject Son! <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> mo&s;t perfect of her Sex, by nature re&s;erv'd and cold, unapt to Love; One, who lays not out her wondrous &s;tock of Charms, to catch at Hearts; but declines
<PB N="157" REF="84">
her mode&s;t Eyes; nor Triumphs, nor rejoices in her Conque&s;ts. This I &s;aw, and lov'd her for't; pur&s;u'd her with a Pa&s;&s;ion violent and un|feign'd: I &s;igh'd, I kneel'd, I pray'd; nay, quite Unmann'd, I even Wept before her. She &s;aw, I joy'd in nothing but her &s;ight: My alter'd Face &s;how'd the pangs, my aching heart indur'd. Mov'd at la&s;t, &s;he kindly heal'd my Suffering with gentle pity. And &s;hall I quit the dear relenting Saint? I, who drew her to love's bewitching Mi&s;chiefs, again&s;t her Inclinations, almo&s;t for|cing her tender heart, guarded with an aver&s;ion to Mankind, now &s;hall I quit her? Oh! never! &s;ooner I'd quit my Birthright, turn Lunatick, Naked travail the inho&s;pitable World; feel fir&s;t the di&s;tracting grief needs mu&s;t &s;eize my Dear one, &s;hou'd I prove &s;o ba&s;ely Wicked to for&s;ake her? Leave me (&s;aid that tormented Mother) for this but in|crea&s;es the Woe, that my heart is
<PB N="158" REF="85">
already too full of.</Q> The Dutche&s;s &s;eeing the Prince thus ob&s;tinate, re|&s;olves to try a gentler &s;ubject. He be|ing gone, &s;he &s;ent a Page of Honour, to call <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> to her. That Noble Maid had heard nothing of the&s;e Di|&s;turbances; and readily obey'd; en|tering the Cabinet with a chearful Countenance. But when &s;he &s;aw the Dutche&s;&s;es &s;orrow, her heart &s;unk downwards, and &s;he appear'd ju&s;t &s;uch another Statue, as the Unfortu|nate <HI>Emilius</HI> did before. <Q>Come near, my Charming Charge (&s;aid the Di&s;con&s;olate Dutche&s;s;) thy dying Mother left thee to my Care. Have I not been careful of thee? Speak boldly, <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> and accu&s;e me if I utter any untruth! Royal Madam (an&s;wer'd the kneeling fair) were I to recount the Favours you have done, and I receiv'd, long hours wou'd unheeded pa&s;s; and yet the obliging &s;tory not half be fini&s;hed. Here, near your own Apartments, Lodg'd, Honour'd, Lov'd, and
<PB N="159" REF="85">
&s;mil'd upon, as if I had been your Daughter. Ri&s;e (reply'd the Dutch|e&s;s) and if your Soul is grateful, now's the time that you, by one great Act, may Cancel all the&s;e Ob|ligations, and leave me eternally your Debtor. Then conclude it done (return'd <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>) were it to Sacri|fice the quiet of my future days, I'd live my &s;elf in Torment to give my Prince&s;s Ea&s;e. My Son &mdash; Nay blu&s;h not my <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> I know it all, nor, were I di&s;po&s;er of his Fate, wou'd hinder the Alliance. Thy Beauty, and Brighter Virtue, de|&s;erves a Crown; de&s;erves <HI>Emilius:</HI> But, Oh! his Father, who&s;e Rage like Madne&s;s, cur&s;t with Power, knows no Bounds; whil&s;t the poor Youth fixt to thy Charms, and fond to Death of Thee, never will Obey. Think then the end of this Rebelli|on's Murder; thy ravag'd Country's Bowels torn; Thou the fatal <HI>Hellen</HI> that &s;ets the World on Fire. Reply not (went the Dutche&s;s on) I know
<PB N="160" REF="86">
you did not fore&s;ee all this, when fir&s;t <HI>Emilius,</HI> with a Lover's Eager|ne&s;s, breathed his warm &s;ighs a|round you, woed to the &s;weets of Love&mdash;Thou Weep&s;t, <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> and I pity thee; I my &s;elf have felt thy Sorrows; torn from my Virgin Wi&s;hes; Compell'd by Parents to wed this Duke; I took my rea&s;on to aid, and time o'ercame it; &s;o may you, if you will hotly &s;trive. In&s;truct me, Madam, (all drown'd in tears, <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> cry'd) In&s;truct me, Madam, for I am at a lo&s;s. The Heart of my <HI>Emilius</HI> is Heroick (&s;aid the Dutche&s;s) and force is lo&s;t up|on him: 'tis you only have Power to charm him to Obedience. Take then your choice, be greater than a Soveraign Prince&s;s; Rule your Pa&s;|&s;ions, let your looks deny what's acting in your heart; and tell <HI>Emi|lius,</HI> that your alter'd Soul abhors his Love; el&s;e unite with my Un|happy Son, and meet de&s;tructive ruine both. <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> wiping her fair
<PB N="161" REF="86">
Eyes, and looking as if &s;he cou'd accu&s;e the cruel Powers: No &mdash; the Prince &s;hall not for me be ruin'd; at lea&s;t I'll do my be&s;t, he &s;han't (&s;aid &s;he.) To morrow, with your Highne&s;&s;es leave, I'll &s;ee him; and after that, I hope, you'll have no ju&s;t cau&s;e to blame me. Go, my be&s;t Girl, (return'd the Dutch|e&s;s) and as an earne&s;t of thy truth, &s;ee not my Son to night; I know he'll long to tell thee all his Woes, but li&s;ten not to the &s;ad &s;tory, 'twill melt thy be&s;t re&s;olve, and leave thee Spiritle&s;s.</Q> <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> took her leave, and promis'd the Dutche&s;s what &s;he de&s;ir'd. At the u&s;ual hour, Di&s;tre&s;s'd <HI>Emilius</HI> &s;ent Count <HI>Bileront</HI> the well known way to gain admittance to his Beloved; but was &s;urpriz'd when he brought him back word, &s;he was not to be &s;een; not well, and gone to Bed. Not well; and gone to Bed (repeated the Prince) return, my Friend, and tell her I have Bu&s;ine&s;s of Importance. Oh! &s;he has heard
<PB N="162" REF="87">
the Unlucky Story; and now, in Anger will not &s;ee me! Tell her I am Innocent; tell her I cannot live beneath my Griefs, unle&s;s the dear &s;ight of her &s;upport me. To plea&s;e the Prince, that faithful Friend went, and came again with the &s;ame An|&s;wer. The Prince was vex'd, only he comforted him&s;elf, that, if &s;he wou'd not &s;ee him privately, he be|fore the World, re&s;olv'd to profe&s;s his Endle&s;s Love. Next day, as he and <HI>Bileront</HI> were walking in the pri|vate Grove, his &s;urprize was aug|mented, when <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Page acco&s;ted them, and &s;aid his Lady de&s;ir'd in|&s;tantly to &s;peak with them both. As they cro&s;s'd the Court which leads to <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Lodgings, the Prince ob|&s;erv'd her Coach and Attendance &s;tand ready. His Heart mi&s;gave him, though he knew not why. When they came up, they found her &s;itting in her Clo&s;et, with her fair Friend, who was always her lov'd Compa|nion; both dre&s;s'd in Habits for a
<PB N="163" REF="87">
Journey. <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Eyes were full of Maje&s;ty and Re&s;olution. Love, over|aw'd dur&s;t not peep, nor &s;how a beam of pity. <Q>I &s;ent for you (began the Life of all <HI>Emilius</HI>'s Joys, in a tone far different from the u&s;ual &s;weetne&s;s:) I &s;ent for you here be|fore the&s;e two the con&s;tant Witne&s;|&s;es of all our Follies pa&s;t; to give you back your Vows, to free you from the luckle&s;s Chains you cho&s;e. Recal your ill-plac'd Love, the ha&s;ty errour of your Youth, and think of it no more.</Q> <HI>Emilius</HI> view'd her with a piercing air, and falling at her feet; the po&s;ture his humble Love had often us'd him to: <Q>In vain, &s;aid he, in vain you give me back, what I can never take. What have I done? Why am I doubly puni&s;h'd, with my Father's frowns, and yours? When I, but in thought, con&s;ent to what he offers, may &s;ome God to you reveal that thought; and may you then for ever, ju&s;tly look as cruelly as now. I &s;tand prepar'd
<PB N="164" REF="88">
(&s;aid <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>) for all that you can &s;ay, fore&s;eeing the horrid ills that may accrew, if we &s;hould follow the blind track, ra&s;h, incon&s;iderate Love wou'd lead us. Therefore, obey your Father, E&s;pou&s;e the Prin|ce&s;s <HI>I&s;abella</HI> &mdash; Ha! (begun the Prince) I beg you &mdash; interrupt me not (went &s;he on) If you'll do this, I in&s;tantly will go and remain with my Uncle, <HI>Don Alvarez,</HI> till this di&s;cour&s;e, which buzzes thus in every bu&s;y Mouth, is hu&s;h'd. I'll &s;till pre&s;erve you in my heart; I'll &s;ee you when I may with honour; and my Friend&s;hip &s;hall excel vul|gar Love &mdash; Yet I have not done (&s;he perceiving him go to &s;peak) if you agree not to what I've &s;aid, at lea&s;t con&s;ent; then I, this very moment, will drive directly to St. <HI>Clare,</HI> the next adjacent Mona&s;tery, be &s;traight immur'd, Probation year and all; nor will I ever hear, &s;ee, or, if po&s;&s;ible, think of <HI>Emilius</HI> more. Do not hope Prayers or
<PB N="165" REF="88">
Tears can &s;tir me &mdash; May Poverty, Di&s;ea&s;es, lo&s;s of Fame attend me, if one jot I vary or change from what I've vow'd! This is not &s;ure, the ever gentle Godde&s;s, I thus long have Wor&s;hipt (&s;aid the Prince with Eyes all langui&s;hing) &s;ome Tygre&s;s hath u&s;urpt the Face of my Adora|ble; and form'd tho&s;e cruel words, I la&s;t have heard!</Q> <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> ri&s;ing, and making a &s;ign to the other Lady, who was to go with her, to be ready, ha&s;tily catching hold of her Gown, <Q><HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> (&s;ays he) my Life! See, <HI>Bi|leront!</HI> See! How have I Dreamt! not worth a Look! a Sigh, a part|ing Word to think upon! Ah, Prince! (return'd that Self-con|&s;training Maid) &s;hou'd I give the Deluge way, it would o'erwhelm me! Go, inexorable, go; (&s;aid the Prince, letting loo&s;e his hold) my Death I'm &s;ure you'll bear as Un|concern'd as this! For I feel greater Pangs, than bittere&s;t Death could bring; though dre&s;t in new inven|ted
<PB N="166" REF="89">
Tortures; exceeding all the old. Oh! Wrong me not (&s;aid &s;he pa&s;&s;ionately) to that degree! Be|lieve&s;t thou I am unconcern'd? Oh! No! I &s;hare thy Agony, my Dear; my lov'd <HI>Emilius!</HI> Take from my Arms, the fir&s;t, the la&s;t Embrace, that e'er you'll receive from your <HI>Lovi&s;a!</HI></Q> He cla&s;pt her to his heart, and wou'd have &s;poke, but &s;tifling Joys o'ercame, and left him almo&s;t Breathle&s;s on her Bo&s;om: When, &s;he, fearing her Virgin Mode&s;ty had yielded too far, work'd by the Prin|ce's Sorrows, and her Love; &s;tart|ed from his Arms; and, &s;wift as an Arrow, pa&s;s'd the Chambers towards the Coach. Scarce cou'd <HI>Bileront,</HI> and 'the Lady o'ertake her.</P>
<P>Thus <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> left the Court of <HI>Par|ma,</HI> and went directly towards the Palace of her Uncle <HI>Don Alvarez,</HI> which was many Leagues from thence. When <HI>Bileront</HI> had put her into the Coach, he return'd to the Prince; who, like one &s;tupify'd,
<PB N="167" REF="89">
leant again&s;t a Cabinet. <HI>Bileront</HI> rous'd him, and begg'd he'd go; be|cau&s;e the Servants wou'd ob&s;erve him. He, by his Friend's per&s;wa&s;ion, almo&s;t in&s;en&s;ibly remov'd from her Clo&s;et to his own; then throwing him&s;elf upon the Floor, he &s;aid all a violent de&s;pair cou'd prompt. <Q>Prin|ces harder brook to have their wi&s;hes cro&s;t than other Men; their Birth, their Education flatter 'em; the World was made for them. <HI>Emi|milius</HI> was young, his de&s;ires fierce, his Mi&s;tre&s;s fair; and, what pierc'd deepe&s;t, willing, on Honourable Terms, to grant the long'd for Bli&s;s.</Q> The old Duke, who thought a great point gain'd in <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s being remov'd; left him to him&s;elf a while, in hopes he'd Conquer the&s;e Relu|ctancies, and prove Obedient: but he, wholly given up to Melancholy, found the Pa&s;&s;ionate Thoughts, that po&s;&s;e&s;s'd his Love &s;ick Mind, too en|tertaining to be di&s;mi&s;s'd. His Cabi|net and Clo&s;et-walks, where none
<PB N="168" REF="90">
but Faithful <HI>Bileront</HI> gain'd admit|tance, took up mo&s;t of his hours. When he was forc'd to appear, his Eyes carry'd the marks of his di&s;con|tent; his words were few, and &s;po|ken, as if his Mind was &s;till on &s;ome|thing el&s;e.</P>
<P>The Duke perceiving <HI>Emilius</HI> in|dulg'd his Pa&s;&s;ion, and yielded to his Bonds, in&s;tead of &s;trugling to get loo&s;e, &s;ent for him, and beginning mildly &s;aid, <Q>I well hop'd, my Son, that before this, reduc'd by rea&s;on, you wou'd have acknowledg'd your Failings; rendr'd me ju&s;t Gratitude, in a thankful Obedience. &mdash; Open your blinded Eyes, and view the dazling glory of an Illu&s;trious Birth, and Royal Fortune. Is a &s;ubject to be prefer'd to Her? Far be it from me (reply'd the Prince, re&s;pectful|ly) to derogate from the Prince&s;s of <HI>Mantua:</HI> She may be, for ought I know, a Miracle. Wou'd my Royal Father permit me not to injoy my Wi&s;hes, that were too mighty for
<PB N="169" REF="90">
my hopes; only leave me but free from others, as I am debarr'd from her I love: That's the humble All I ask!</Q></P>
<P>This was not what the Duke ex|pected; and as it was con&s;traint on him, to make u&s;e of Mildne&s;s, like a Bow bent backwards, he impetu|ou&s;ly returns to Rage. <Q>Says he (looking &s;ternly) Am I to be thus dallyed with, Fooli&s;h Boy? Pre|pare to Execute what I Command, with readine&s;s; le&s;t my Re&s;ent|ment, great as thy Folly, reach thee! An Extraordinary Amba&s;&s;a|dour is now di&s;patching, with my la&s;t Orders for the Court of <HI>Mantua;</HI> I'll &s;end the Articles to be by you perus'd, and expect your Letters; Letters fit for <HI>Emilius</HI> to write, and <HI>I&s;abella</HI> to receive. 'Command my Life, (An&s;wers that Afflicted Prince, kneeling) and without a murmur, I'll Obey. Alas! Sir, I re&s;pect the Prince&s;s <HI>I&s;abella</HI> more than you; I wou'd not betray her to Faithle&s;s
<PB N="170" REF="91">
Arms, where &s;he mu&s;t ever meet with Coldne&s;s, Neglect, nay Ha|tred, in&s;tead of Conjugal Affection. Thou &s;tubborn Fool (retorts the Duke, in a furious tone) born for my Cur&s;e, and thy own Undoing!&mdash; but I &s;hall find a way, at lea&s;t, to Plague thee, if thou dar&s;t refu&s;e the offer'd Ble&s;&s;ing. By Heaven! &mdash; I'll have thy Mi&s;tre&s;s Poy&s;on'd, or el&s;e try'd for a Witch, and &s;o Con|demn'd! Her Sorceries have ruin'd thee! Do&s;t thou not fear me! As I am a Man, (reply'd the Prince, ri|&s;ing and looking with a becoming Bravery) and (what'd yet more) your Son; my Soul has &s;till a &s;tran|ger been to fear! heap tortures on my di&s;obedient Head! Ca&s;t me from your &s;ight, and Throne: nought that's Unmanly; nought that's Se|ditious &s;hall appear in all my Suf|ferings. With Patience, I'll renounce all the glorious Honours that my Birth provides; for&s;aking all at your Command: all but my Unhappy
<PB N="171" REF="91">
Love; whom I am &s;ure, what e'er you have &s;aid, you will not wrong. Princes &s;hou'd not extend their Power to hurt the Innocent, or force their Laws Interpreters to find out Crimes where there are none; and puni&s;h where they &s;hou'd reward! Go from my &s;ight (cries the Angry Duke!) Blot and Contagion of my Blood! &mdash; And if thou do&s;t not Re|pent, and with my Will comply; unheard of Cur&s;es o'er take you! &mdash; You, and your dear De&s;truction, <HI>Lovi&s;a!</HI></Q></P>
<P>The Lords, that &s;aw the Prince pa&s;s through the Anti-Chambers, from his Father, perceiv'd additional Vexations in his Face. Many, who lov'd him, wou'd have follow'd; but he forbad them all, and enter'd his Cabinet alone.</P>
<P><HI>Bileront</HI> no &s;ooner heard of his new Di&s;contents; but making u&s;e of what the Prince's Favour had al|low'd, a Key he had of the Clo&s;et; without Commi&s;&s;ion ventur'd to di|&s;turb
<PB N="172" REF="92">
him. Good Heavens! what &s;orrows touch'd that Compa&s;&s;ionate Lord; when he beheld the &s;ame Hero, whom he had &s;een foremo&s;t Charge the Turki&s;h Troops, and la&s;t Retreat; now extended on the ground; giving way to Griefs &s;carce fit to be recited of the great <HI>Emilius!</HI> See here (&s;ay'd he, ca&s;ting his &s;ad Eyes on <HI>Bileront</HI>) the de&s;tin'd Bride|groom! the de&s;tin'd &s;lave! the Peo|ple's Property! Who for their pre|tended Intere&s;t, and a cruel Father's Arbitrary Will, mu&s;t be, for ever, join'd to what he hates; and lo&s;e the Brighte&s;t Ble&s;&s;ing, the &s;ofte&s;t Good, that e'er Adorn'd the World! Many, and tender were the Complaints <HI>E|milius</HI> pour'd into the Bo&s;om of his lov'd Friend; who comforted him with all the &s;weetne&s;s faithful Friend|&s;hip cou'd In&s;pire.</P>
<P>Next day, the Duke &s;ent the Ar|ticles of Marriage to his Son; with Command that he &s;hou'd examine them, and return his An&s;wer. But
<PB N="173" REF="92">
<HI>Emilius</HI> ab&s;olutely refus'd to look upon 'em. This gave fre&s;h Rage to the already Incens'd Duke; and he re&s;olv'd the Dutche&s;s &s;hou'd not lo&s;e her &s;hare of the vexation. Again he &s;torms at her; reiterates the cruel Vows of deep Revenge; whil&s;t that Di&s;tre&s;s'd Lady &s;eeks to her lov'd Son in vain; who only An&s;wers her In|treaties with far fetch'd Sighs, and looks of wild de&s;pair. She writes to <HI>Lovi&s;a;</HI> and conjures her to &s;tudy &s;ome means to oblige <HI>Emilius</HI> to yield.</P>
<P>The retir'd <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> who po&s;&s;e&s;s'd her fill of Melancholy (though her Indulgent Uncle, fond as a Father, &s;tudy'd to divert her) receiv'd this Letter, as the extended Malice of her Fate, that knew no end. And, far from joying at the Prince's Con|&s;tancy, wept at the Mi&s;chiefs her re&s;i&s;tle&s;s Eyes had caus'd. <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> knew <HI>Emilius</HI> was not naturally &s;tub|born or Di&s;obedient; therefore in the movinge&s;t terms her Soul cou'd di|ctate;
<PB N="174" REF="93">
(her de&s;ire and wi&s;hes for his real Good o'ercoming Love) &s;he writ to him.</P>
<P>The Prince might more properly be &s;aid to be Immur'd, than Retir'd. For he permitted none to &s;ee him, ex|cept <HI>Bileront,</HI> and Servants, ju&s;t ne|ce&s;&s;ary to wait on him. The Dutch|e&s;s fir&s;t receiv'd <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Letter; and having perus'd it was pleas'd. She Seal'd it again, and gave it <HI>Bileront</HI> to deliver.</P>
<P>When <HI>Emilius</HI> &s;aw <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s hand, he ki&s;s'd it eagerly; and tran&s;ported, cry'd, <Q>What Summons hath my Godde&s;s &s;ent? Has &s;he kindly re|vers'd my Doom; and given me leave to &s;hare her Bani&s;hment? Oh! <HI>Bileront</HI> (went he on, his Eyes &s;parkling with the &s;ame Pa&s;&s;ion, his heart was full of) Methinks I cou'd do wonders for my Love, wou'd &s;he con&s;ent! With her, fly the ri|<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="3 letters">urs of an Inexorable Father! Fly Ungrateful <HI>Parma!</HI> And in &s;ome peaceful Corner of the Globe, fix my
<PB N="175" REF="93">
unimitable Fair; whil&s;t for the lo&s;s of Crowns, Glory, Ambition, All, bewitching, dear, delightful Love makes up, and far excels.</Q> He open'd the Letter, and <HI>Bileront</HI> &s;aw his Coun|tenance alter, as he read it; that &s;hort Beam of Joy which &s;o lately &s;hone through his Face, Eclips'd with blacker Clouds of &s;adne&s;s, than before. <Q>Read, my Lord, &s;aid the Prince, for &s;ure my Eyes, only us'd to &s;orrow, transform the words of Kindne&s;s into Cruelty; even from her.</Q></P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<HEAD><HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> to the Prince <HI>Emilius.</HI></HEAD>
<P>WHen will my Malignant Stars have &s;hed their Baneful Venome? Re|mor&s;le&s;s Heaven! Mu&s;t I with Justice complain of <HI>Emilius?</HI> Mu&s;t he become my greate&s;t Per&s;ecutor? And, by his cruel Ob&s;tinacy, draw down the Cur&s;es of late Posterity upon me? Will no Retire|ment but a Monastery, though never &s;o remote, prove an <HI>A&s;ylum</HI> for this Tor|tur'd
<PB N="176" REF="94">
Wretch? I've cau&s;e to think you wi&s;h me in a Cloyster! Now Prince, you &s;hall have your de&s;ire! Conclude, within few days, I am a Votare&s;s! Since you di&s;like the offers I made at parting; &s;ince my Eternal Love promis'd as far as Honour wou'd allow, on the Condition of your Obedience, is not acceptable: My next Task &s;hall be, to bani&s;h you my Heart! This is the last unalterable Re|&s;olve of</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED><HI>The Unfortunate</HI> Lovi&s;a.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
<P>After <HI>Bileront</HI> had ended the Let|ter, the Prince remain'd half an hour &s;ilent; then ri&s;ing ha&s;tily from the Couch, where he had thrown him|&s;elf, he took his Pen and wrote; and giving it to his Favourite, bid him carry it to the Dutche&s;s; &s;aying, he &s;uppos'd <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Letter came by her Approbation; and he hop'd &s;he wou'd like the An&s;wer. <HI>Bileront</HI> did as Com|manded, and the Dutche&s;s found the&s;e words.</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<PB N="177" REF="94">
<HEAD>Emilius <HI>to</HI> Lovi&s;a.</HEAD>
<P>BAni&s;h'd <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Heart! That's a puni&s;hment I cannot bear: Believe me, Madam, I'd &s;ooner cho&s;e to Reign Ab&s;olute Monarch there, than over half the &V;niver&s;e. But &s;ince the unrelenting Fates deny, rather than be totally Ex|pell'd, give me that cold Corner allow'd for Friend&s;hip. Change your unju&s;t De&s;ign of Quitting the World, as I mu&s;t do the happy Name of your Adorer; to that of</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED><HI>Your Eternal Friend and Servant,</HI> Emilius.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
<P>Think you my Son is real in this, &s;aid the Dutche&s;s; I know not, Ma|dam, (an&s;wer'd that young Lord) Indeed, in my Opinion, his looks di&s;cover a new Re&s;olution. The Dutche&s;s di&s;patch'd away her Letter; and &s;traight put the Duke upon &s;end|ing the Articles again to the Prince;
<PB N="178" REF="95">
which he did; and <HI>Emilius</HI> imme|diately &s;ign'd them; and &s;aid his Let|ters to the Prince&s;s, &s;hou'd be ready, in a day or two. He appear'd pub|lickly, look'd plea&s;antly; and all, except <HI>Bileront,</HI> thought the Altera|tion unfeign'd. The eyes of Friend|&s;hip, next to Love, are the mo&s;t Pry|ing. <HI>Bileront</HI> alone ob&s;erv'd his &s;tolen Sighs; and tho&s;e Ab&s;ences of Mind, which &s;o oft po&s;&s;e&s;s'd him. And meeting him opportunely, he with a concern'd obliging Air, began. <Q>What Breach of Faith have I been guilty of; wherein offended, that my Lov'd Royal Ma&s;ter hides from me his Soul; conceals from me, as well as all the World, the Griefs that Prey upon his Noble Heart! Griefs (re|ply'd the Prince Ironically) I've none; Am I not to Marry the <HI>In|fanta!</HI> There, Beauty, Wealth and Merit join to Ble&s;s my future Reign. Ah! Prince (return'd <HI>Bileront</HI>) why will you u&s;e your Faithful &s;ervant thus? I wou'd not pre&s;s, nor wi&s;h
<PB N="179" REF="95">
to know your &s;ecret thoughts, but only in hopes to a&s;&s;i&s;t, to &s;erve you. Be &s;atisfy'd (&s;ay'd the Prince, going towards &s;ome Company, he &s;aw:) I conceal nothing from you, or if I do; 'tis becau&s;e I'll not In|volve my Friend in the inevitable Woes, ordain'd for me.</Q> <HI>Bileront,</HI> cou'd not an&s;wer then; but he re|&s;olv'd to Watch him. That night Letters for <HI>I&s;abella</HI> were to be deli|ver'd to the Duke; on the Pretext of writing them, <HI>Emilius</HI> di&s;mi&s;s'd his Attendance; and &s;hutting him|&s;elf up in his Clo&s;et, &s;aid, when his writing was over, he'd &s;leep the re|maining part of the Night, upon his Couch. <HI>Bileront,</HI> who heard the&s;e Orders, hid him&s;elf behind a loo&s;e piece of hanging, till the &s;er|vants were all gone. Then &s;teal|ing along, he &s;oftly Unlock'd the Clo&s;et Door. The Prince was wri|ting, though not to <HI>I&s;abella;</HI> he heard <HI>Bileront</HI> &s;tir and turning with a fu|rious A&s;pect, ask'd who was there!
<PB N="180" REF="96">
That Faithful Lord, affrighted to &s;ee his Prince look &s;o &s;tern, ca&s;t him&s;elf at his Feet; and, with Tears, im|plor'd he might &s;hare his Fate. For (&s;aid he) I'm &s;ure you have deter|min'd to abandon <HI>Parma,</HI> rather than your Fair Mi&s;tre&s;s. The Prince cou'd not but be &s;en&s;ibly touch'd to &s;ee the &s;incere Affection of the Count; and Rai&s;ing him, &s;aid with a &s;igh, why wilt thou not with Fortune, leave the Wretched lo&s;t <HI>Emilius?</HI> I am a Barque, that's Bound for &s;ure De|&s;truction! All near mu&s;t &s;hare the Tempe&s;t; and meet the Face of horrid Ruine! Did I like a Coward, (An&s;wer'd <HI>Bileront</HI>) &s;tart from your &s;ide in War; that I am now Di&s;|carded? No, No! (return'd <HI>E|milius</HI>) nor did I then Deny thy Go|ing. Alas, Alas! It is not now the Field of Honour, <HI>Emilius</HI> &s;eeks! Lethargick Love hath &s;eiz'd my Soul; and in a Cell I mean to Dream away my Life! Endeavour not di|&s;wading me (went he on) &s;howing
<PB N="181" REF="96">
him a <HI>Cordelier</HI>'s Habit; near the&s;e, the only Robes, that I &s;hall ever wear, a Dagger lies; if I'm preven|ted, that &s;ends me to a long Eter|nal Sleep! Therefore, if, out of Zeal to my advantage, as thou think'&s;t it, this gets air, before I am pa&s;t their reach, they take me dead, my <HI>Bile|ront,</HI> unalterable truth is in my words; thou may'&s;t believe me. <Q>I do believe (&s;aid that Troubl'd Con|fident;) and only beg to partici|pate. I can brook the &s;olitude of a Cell, as well as my dear Lord; nay the Court wou'd &s;eem to me a De|&s;art, were you ab&s;ent. No; by our pa&s;t Friend&s;hip, I conjure you, &s;tay (returns the Prince) on that condition, I'll, to you alone, unfold what I've de&s;ign'd. I'm inform'd, near the Palace of <HI>Don Alvarez,</HI> there &s;tands a Mona&s;tery of the <HI>Cordelier</HI>'s, thither I direct my &s;teps; &s;peak once to my <HI>Lovi&s;a;</HI> then leaving <HI>Parma,</HI> Imbarque for <HI>France;</HI> and in &s;ome Cloy&s;ter, I be&s;t &s;hall like,
<PB N="182" REF="97">
end my wretched Days. I tell you this (continu'd he, with a re&s;olv'd Countenance) and you know, what I have &s;worn, if you di&s;cover it. I am not us'd to faulter or break my word, therefore, Dear <HI>Bileront,</HI> now retire. I'll &s;end you word of my abode in <HI>France;</HI> and &s;hall accept a Vi&s;it kindly.</Q> <HI>Bileront</HI> &s;aw it then in vain to di&s;wade him, and having learnt where he went, de&s;ign|ing to follow him, &s;aid nothing again&s;t it; only ask'd him, how he thought to get admittance among&s;t the Fathers. That Contrivance is Comical enough (returns the Prince; forcing a &s;mile) for I have here (&s;howing him a Letter) with my own Hand and Signet, recommended my &s;elf, as a Fryar of my Acquaintance. I have al&s;o a Compound to turn my Complexion Yellow; and a Powder to black my Eye-brows. All is ready; the Letter for the Duke my Father, and the Dutche&s;s; who&s;e troubles for this concern me neare&s;t. Once
<PB N="183" REF="97">
more, my Faithful Friend, Farewel, &s;aid he, Embracing <HI>Bileront;</HI> who unwillingly left him; &s;atisfy'd in no|thing, but his de&s;ign to &s;ee him again before he parted from the Mona&s;tery of the <HI>Cordeliers.</HI> He gone, the Prince, about three a Clock in the Morning, taking the Habit with him, le&s;t any of the Centry, &s;eeing him like a <HI>Cordelier,</HI> &s;hou'd give Information, when the hunt was made for him. He pa&s;s'd unob&s;erv'd; or if any did &s;ee him, he was &s;o us'd to walk ear|ly, and alone, that there was no no|tice taken of it. The fir&s;t Thicket he reach'd, he pull'd off his own Upper Cloaths, and put on the Ve&s;tments of a Fryar, and tying a &s;tone to his Coat, threw it into an adjacent River. You know, my Illu&s;trious Auditors, (&s;aid <HI>Franci&s;co) Emilius</HI> is a very Fair Man, his Eyes &s;weet, and his Hair very light; to alter which, he took his Compound, and wa&s;hing his Face, and delicate Hands in it; appear'd ju&s;t of a Sun-burnt Yellow. Then
<PB N="184" REF="98">
blacking his Eyebrows, he lookt &s;o chang'd, his mo&s;t intimate Friends cou'd not have known him. He had put up a con&s;iderable quantity of Gold; &s;o, the fir&s;t conveniency of ri|ding he met with, he made u&s;e of; and pa&s;s'd &s;ecurely; not &s;o much as hearing any inquiry made after him. Being arriv'd at the Cloy&s;ter, and &s;howing Prince <HI>Emilius</HI>'s Letter, the good Fathers receiv'd him with infi|nite Civility. They ob&s;erv'd him Me|lancholy, and unwilling to &s;peak; and, out of Re&s;pect; askt him few Que&s;tions. He &s;aw the Turrets of <HI>Don Alvarez</HI>'s Palace; and after a repa&s;t had refre&s;ht him, he cou'd not forbear asking one of the Fathers to walk. He cho&s;e to go that way; and when near the Hou&s;e, the Palpitation of his Heart inform'd him how <HI>Dear Lovi&s;a</HI> was. He ask'd the Father, who that Palace belong'd to; and being an|&s;wer'd, as he expected, to <HI>Don Alva|rez:</HI> I was told (&s;aid he) <HI>Don Alva|rez</HI> was your Neighbour, and have a
<PB N="185" REF="98">
Me&s;&s;age from the Prince to him, which I de&s;ign to Morrow to deliver. We have a nearer way than this (&s;aid the Fryar) which leads us from our Orchard-Walls, through his Groves of Oranges and Je&s;&s;amin, to his door. This pleas'd the Prince, and he &s;oon retir'd; all Night revolving in his Love-po&s;&s;e&s;s'd Mind, how he &s;hou'd &s;peak with <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> alone. He, at length, concludes to deliver a Letter, as from <HI>Emilius</HI> to <HI>Alvarez;</HI> wherein the Prince &s;hou'd de&s;ire him to let the <HI>Cordelier</HI> &s;peak alone with <HI>Lovi&s;a.</HI> Wi&s;ht Morning being come, our Royal <HI>Cordelier</HI> ro&s;e, and being by one of the Society directed, entred tho&s;e Fragrant Groves: who&s;e &s;weets, wafted by the early breeze, wou'd have Banquetted Sen&s;es, le&s;s imploy'd; but <HI>Emilius</HI> thought on nothing but <HI>Lovi&s;a.</HI> When he was got pretty near the Gates of the Hou&s;e, he heard a Clock &s;trike Four; which as it were awak'd him out of his Contemplati|on; and made him con&s;ider, how
<PB N="186" REF="99">
improper a time it was, to di&s;turb a Nobleman's Family. This thought turn'd him again into the Grove, and &s;eeking out of the direct path, &s;ome Grotto &s;uitable to his Melancholy, he ob&s;erv'd a part of the Grove in|clos'd; which lookt extream &s;hady; he, without much trouble, got over this Inclo&s;ure, and found the thick gloomy &s;hade, dark as he cou'd wi&s;h. Va&s;t aged Trees form'd the grand Walk; who&s;e high meeting tops, and &s;trait Trunks, lookt Maje&s;tick; and a Myrtle Hedge grew thick and even about their Roots, which added to the Beauty of the Place. Behind this Hedge, upon high Gra&s;s, <HI>Emilius</HI> threw him&s;elf along. His Anxious Thoughts, tho&s;e u&s;ual Torments, a while imploy'd him; till Nature's Reliever, &s;oft refre&s;hing &s;leep, the effect of re&s;tle&s;s Nights, &s;eiz'd him. This prov'd the very walk <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> lov'd; nor had the Prince repos'd long, before the Voice of that perpe|tual Object of his Soul wak'd him.
<PB N="187" REF="99">
He found 'twas &s;he, and her Com|panion: Love made him curious to li&s;ten if their di&s;cour&s;e related to him; and concealing him&s;elf, he heard the Lady, that was with her &s;ay, When, Madam, will the&s;e De|&s;tructive Griefs leave your di&s;con&s;o|late hours. You &s;hun the fond Indear|ments of your Uncle, that you may take your fill alone of heart-breaking &s;orrow: Your Eyes have lo&s;t their wonted Vigour; and your lovely Cheeks, like gather'd Ro&s;es, Fade; and in their prime, for&s;ake their Na|tive Lu&s;tre. You promis'd, when the Prince obeyed his Father, and in&s;tead of burning Love, embrac'd cool Friend&s;hip: You wou'd mourn no more. His Letter a&s;&s;ures you this is done; yet I behold no alteration. Still the days are tedious, and the Nights are wor&s;e. <HI>When</HI> (I beg to know!) will your Woes have End? <Q>With my Life (an&s;wer'd that Sigh|ing Afflicted Fair.) Though, wit|ne&s;s ye Powers (&s;aid &s;he, looking
<PB N="188" REF="100">
up;) who, with ea&s;e can view the inmo&s;t Rece&s;&s;es of my Soul; and plainly &s;ee what's Acted there: Wit|ne&s;s, I &s;ay, if I not rejoice, that Prince <HI>Emilius</HI> to Duty, and to Rea|&s;on yields; quitting the Weight, the Burthen in&s;upportable of Blind im|petuous Pa&s;&s;ion; that &s;inks <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> down to Ruine. Mutual Love cre|ates a plea&s;ing Habitude of Joy; wherein the Mind tran&s;cendently is Ble&s;t: and which Time, that with Oblivion buries all things, can &s;carce blot out. 'Twas not with ea&s;e the U&s;urper got Po&s;&s;e&s;&s;ion here (went &s;he on; pointing to her Heart) nor will he be with ea&s;e di&s;lodg'd. All the Sighs and Tears it co&s;t <HI>Emilius</HI> to gain this Virgin Heart, to bind it in the Inchanting Chains of Tyran|nick Love; I mu&s;t, with Intere&s;t, pay back, e'er I can &s;et the Throb|bing Pri&s;oner free. Perhaps i' th' Conflict too the Rebel, ingag'd too far, may break. I have al&s;o a part of Fal&s;hood to Act: Think'&s;t thou
<PB N="189" REF="100">
continu'd &s;he, looking on her Com|panion;) I de&s;ign never to &s;ee <HI>Emi|lius</HI> more? No, no: &s;pight of the Promi&s;es, wherewith I've flatter'd him; &s;oon as he is happy in the Arms of <HI>I&s;abella;</HI> the Cloy&s;ter, to which I've only &s;eem'd aver&s;e, hides me for ever.</Q> The Prince, who cou'd no longer bear his Mi&s;tre&s;s &s;hou'd think him guilty of breaking Vows, he left a Crown to keep, met her at the end of the walk, and fall|ing at her Feet, he Embrac'd her Knees, and &s;aid, <Q>If <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> never became a Reclu&s;e, till <HI>Emilius</HI> is happy in the Arms of <HI>I&s;abella,</HI> the Church will lo&s;e its Faire&s;t Votary.</Q> Who can expre&s;s the &s;urprize of <HI>Lovi|&s;a</HI> and the other Lady! The Voice was the Prince's, but the Face, the Habit, contradicted that thought. <Q>Hea|vens! (cry'd <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> in rai&s;ing him) it cannot be Prince <HI>Emilius!</HI> Why &s;hou'd my Life (&s;aid he; looking pa&s;&s;ionately on her) wonder at the Metamorpho&s;is? Was this the
<PB N="190" REF="101">
harde&s;t Task my cruel Love injoin'd; My Fate revers'd, I &s;hou'd only talk of Joys and Ble&s;&s;ings. Ah! Prince, (&s;aid <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> in a moving tone and air) was this well done? Did&s;t thou fear I &s;hou'd too &s;oon forget thee. Cruel Man, thus to in|terrupt the Peace I am &s;triving for! Go to the Royal Nuptials, thy Fate prepares; and leave me! Leave me <HI>Emilius,</HI> to my Belov'd, and cho&s;en Solitude. I do de&s;ign to leave thee, (reply'd the Prince,) Thou Dear, thou only Charmer! Excellent Wo|man! The Fir&s;t, the La&s;t, that e'er po&s;&s;e&s;t <HI>Emilius</HI>'s Heart! I'm for ever going; pu&s;h me not from thee, with precipitated ha&s;te; Let me but gaze a moment, gra&s;p thy lov'd hand, and bear it to my trembling Lips; print my la&s;t Ki&s;&s;es there: I'll then pur&s;ue what, &s;ure as Death and Fate, I have re&s;olv'd. What, dear Bewitching Talker, (returns <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> her Eyes &s;wimming in Love and Tears) What ha&s;t thou re&s;olv'd?
<PB N="191" REF="101">
Even in the&s;e very Weeds to be for ever &s;hrowded (&s;aid <HI>Emilius</HI>) and far, far hence removed; at once for&s;aking, what to Death I loath; and what more than Life I lov'd! This mu&s;t not be (<HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> interrupts him): Rob not the World, and your Unhappy Country, of Virtues, which as they are Exemplary, &s;hou'd be Con&s;picuous: that the Great Exam|ple may incourage a degenerate Age; and make the Subject blu&s;h at Vices which his Prince abhors. Ah! Do not vainly wa&s;t the la&s;t, and only precious moments of my Life (cry'd <HI>Emilius.</HI>) Death, or a Cell, I've &s;wore, by all that's Sacred! There|fore no more, my Love; look on me, as a Wretch that's dying, as one Condemn'd; without the po&s;|&s;ibility of a Reprieve; with gentle pity &s;ooth the rugged'&s;t blow of Fate, Eternal Parting. And for the Ea&s;e of my divided Heart, which with unbated Pa&s;&s;ion &s;till will heave and &s;well, and pant at thought of
<PB N="192" REF="102">
thee, give me thy Promi&s;e to keep thy Faith inviolate. When, I, low as the Du&s;t, &s;hall grovel in my di|&s;tant humble Cell; let me hug this thought; not Crowns, nor Youth, or Beauty, tempts <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> to enter|tain another Love; and blot the lo&s;t <HI>Emilius</HI> from her con&s;tant Mind. Is this all, thou dear De&s;erver (&s;aid <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> looking on him with the kinde&s;t a&s;pect in the World?) Ah! poor return for &s;o much worth; for &s;o much Love, I'd be lavi&s;h in my Prote&s;tations, were there need; but &s;ure <HI>Emilius</HI> neither knows him&s;elf, nor me, when he requires one. You are for a Cell, and where, think you, I am to be di&s;pos'd? Not in a Court, I'll promi&s;e ye! Di&s;tant, in|deed, our Cells will be; but the thinking Mind can travail, in one moment, many Leagues. I'll beg of Heaven, it may be no Offence to dedicate, each Day, &s;ome lov'd pe|culiar hours to thee. I'll think of every tender word, and look, and
<PB N="193" REF="102">
Blu&s;h, as it were Acting o'er again. This &s;hall be the Banquet of my Mind, all Times, be&s;ides tho&s;e De|voted to my Sighs, and Sadne&s;s! Oh! unequal'd Charmer (an&s;wer'd the Tran&s;ported Prince) why do&s;t thou talk thus? Why did I beg for Kindne&s;s, when my fooli&s;h nature cannot bear it! That I cou'd now, this in&s;tant, fall a Victim at thy Feet; and thereby Eternalize the greate&s;t Flame, that e'er po&s;&s;e&s;t the Heart of Man! But I will live; and &s;uffer for thee! Yes, my Fair Saint! Judge thou thy &s;elf, if 'tis not grea|ter Pain to live than dye; to live without the <HI>Wretched'&s;t</HI> la&s;t Com|fort, <HI>Hope;</HI> to rave; to love like me; even to Madne&s;s Love. And in all the&s;e heights, to leave Thee! Parted by Seas, and Wilds, and Alps, and what's yet a greater Bar, a Father's Cur&s;e! Thou Cold Be|numming Hand of all-de&s;troying Death, &s;eize me. Embalm'd by my <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Tears! At her Feet Expi|ring
<PB N="194" REF="103">
is a quick Conveyance to a qui|et Grave; a Ble&s;&s;ing I wou'd court with the &s;ame Eagerne&s;s, as others &s;hun approaching Fate.</Q> His looks, which the very Image and Impre&s;s of unartificial &s;orrow bore, gave terror to his words, and wou'd have pierc't Souls more in&s;en&s;ible than <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s, or her fair Friend's. That Friend, a &s;or|rowful Spectator of this di&s;mal Meet|ing, told <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> &s;he heard the Gates open; and believ'd it was for <HI>Don Al|varez,</HI> who was coming to &s;eek her. <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> Conducted <HI>Emilius</HI> away, to avoid her Uncle, out of this Inner Grove. At parting, Grief grew too big for Words: A &s;trict Embrace, and mingl'd Tears, conclude the cruel Se|paration. Not that <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> fear'd <HI>Don Alvarez</HI>'s knowing the Prince in his Di&s;gui&s;e: only the mutual Trouble, and Confu&s;ion they were in, was too vi&s;ible, and of nece&s;&s;ity mu&s;t have been perceiv'd. This occa&s;ion'd her to ha&s;ten him away, before her Un|cle reacht the Place.</P>
<P><PB N="195" REF="103">Di&s;con&s;olate <HI>Emilius</HI> return'd to the Mona&s;tery, inwardly bewailing his Condition; e&s;teeming him&s;elf the mo&s;t deplorable of human kind. His Body yielded beneath the Fatigues of the&s;e perplexing Inquietudes; &s;o that he was taken very ill. The careful Fryars did their be&s;t to comfort, and refre&s;h him. He de&s;ir'd to be left alone to his Repo&s;e; though, in rea|lity, 'twas only to enjoy the Melan|choly Cogitation, his di&s;appointed Love &s;ugge&s;ted.</P>
<P>In the Evening, one came and told him, a Gentleman inquir'd for the <HI>Cordelier,</HI> that came the night before. This put the Prince upon his Guard; he bid 'em Conduct the Stranger to him; and contriv'd his Fatal Dagger in a readine&s;s, to give him liberty, if they offer'd to &s;eize him. But he found tho&s;e Thoughts needle&s;s, when he &s;aw <HI>Bileront</HI> enter. <HI>Emilius,</HI> with a &s;ad Air, turn'd from him; and &s;aid, Why do&s;t thou follow me? Thy of|ficious Love is grown trouble&s;ome of
<PB N="196" REF="104">
late. Condemn me not, till you have heard what I have to &s;ay (reply'd <HI>Bileront:</HI>) <Q>Alas! there's an altera|tion of a fatal wondrous &s;ort, &s;ince your Departure. Our Duke&mdash;Cruel though he be (interrupted <HI>Emi|lius</HI>) Heaven pre&s;erve him ever from approaching Danger</Q> &mdash; The Prince &s;ilent, <HI>Bileront</HI> rea&s;&s;umed his Di&s;cour&s;e. <Q>The Morning your High|ne&s;s left the Court, the Duke pre|par'd to hunt, and inquiring for you, was told, that out of re&s;pect to the Prince&s;s <HI>I&s;abella,</HI> with your own hand, you had been mo&s;t part of the night writing. This pleas' him, and he &s;aid, you &s;hou'd not be di|&s;turb'd. He had not rode far, before his Hor&s;e unfortunately threw him, and he receiv'd a dangerous wound in his Head. He was brought back to the Palace, ju&s;t as the Dutche&s;s was inform'd of your being gone. This Completion of Misfortunes o'er-whelm'd her. The Duke fain|ted &s;everal times at the dre&s;&s;ing of
<PB N="197" REF="104">
his hurt; yet knows not of your Ab&s;ence; though, when he cou'd for his intolerable pain &s;peak, he has often ask'd for you.</Q> <HI>Emilius</HI> lookt earne&s;tly in <HI>Bileront</HI>'s Face; trying to di&s;cover whether this &s;ad Narra|tion was Truth. <HI>Bileront</HI> perceiving his Doubts, with earne&s;t A&s;&s;everati|ons confirm'd what he had &s;aid, and convinc'd the Prince. He al&s;o told him, how he had contriv'd to leave &s;ome Servants, with Cloaths for him, and directed him the way to enter the place privately; and get &s;hifted without di&s;covery. <HI>Emilius,</HI> though indi&s;pos'd, prepar'd to &s;ee his Dying Father; his Nature was Tender; and notwith&s;tanding Almighty Love, this &s;ad accident toucht him nearly. Yet wou'd he not forget his Mourn|ing Fair, but contriv'd a Letter, which being of nece&s;&s;ity to be &s;ent by one of the <HI>Cordelier</HI>'s, he wou'd not u&s;e his own hand or name, but de|&s;ir'd <HI>Bileront</HI> to write the following words.</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<PB N="198" REF="105">
<OPENER><SALUTE>Madam,</SALUTE></OPENER>
<P>THE <HI>Cordelier,</HI> you &s;aw to Day, in the Garden, begs you wou'd defer all ha&s;ty Re&s;olutions. An Affair of weighty moment calls him back to Court; in a few Days this &s;hall be Explain'd. What I have &s;aid, is by directions from the&mdash; What remains, is only that I am</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED><HI>Your mo&s;t Humble, and Obedient Servant,</HI> Bileront.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
<P><HI>Emilius</HI> gave a Fryar this Letter, and charg'd him to deliver it that Night. Then he took his leave of tho&s;e Ho&s;pitable Fathers; &s;aying, he was &s;ent for in great ha&s;te, to Court; and promis'd that he wou'd acquaint the Prince, how Courteous, upon his Account, they had been. <HI>Emilius</HI> fancy'd his Deportment &s;o odd in the Convent, that their Cu|rio&s;ity might prompt them to open
<PB N="199" REF="105">
the Letter; which caus'd him to have it writ &s;o ambiguou&s;ly. But they, without the lea&s;t thought of &s;uch rudene&s;s, accompli&s;ht his de|&s;ires.</P>
<P><HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> had, the remainder of that Day, been di&s;cour&s;ing with her Un|cle of her re&s;olution to enter the Nun|nery of St. <HI>Clare.</HI> That good Man us'd all the Arguments, a tender Af|fection cou'd In&s;pire, again&s;t it. Told her, that being Childle&s;s, he had de|&s;ign'd her for his Heir; which, &s;aid he, added to your own Fortune, will, as to E&s;tate, render you a Match for any Prince in Chri&s;tendom. And Beauty, Virtue, or whatever Graces el&s;e adorn your Sex, the World, that is, the Happy World which knows you, with Ju&s;tice, owns you, in Per|fection, Mi&s;tre&s;s of.</P>
<P><HI>Alvarez</HI> &s;aid this, and a thou&s;and more kind things, to no purpo&s;e. Gratitude and Love po&s;&s;e&s;t her Noble Soul; nor cou'd &s;he in honour act le&s;s; when brave <HI>Emilius</HI> &s;et the
<PB N="200" REF="106">
great Example. The Arrival of the <HI>Cordelier,</HI> with the Letter of <HI>Bileront,</HI> &s;urpriz'd her extreamly; and for the time de&s;ir'd, &s;he remain'd in won|drous Expectation; framing many Conjectures wide of the matter.</P>
<P>Prince <HI>Emilius</HI> and <HI>Bileront</HI> reacht the Court, ju&s;t as the old Duke had been in another &s;wooning Fit. <HI>Emi|lius</HI> went directly to the Dutche&s;s; who almo&s;t Di&s;tracted with her Un|expre&s;&s;ible Sorrow, beheld him as a Vi&s;ion. After the Dutche&s;s had chid him for his Di&s;obedience; &s;he, in Mourning Terms of real Concern, re|lated the Misfortune and Danger his Father lay under; adding, that he had been, that Day, &s;o earne&s;t to &s;ee him; that they were forc'd to own his Ab&s;ence. Which News the Duke receiv'd with le&s;s Pa&s;&s;ion than was expected. The next Interval, when his fainting Spirits were a little re|triev'd, <HI>Emilius</HI> enter'd his Chamber, and going towards the Bed, he kneel'd. Silence and a &s;adne&s;s un|feign'd
<PB N="201" REF="106">
&s;tampt his Face, with hum|ble Duty; and pleaded more in his Excu&s;e, than if he had offer'd at ex|tenuating words. The Duke beheld him, but with no &s;igns of Rage, and with a weak Voice, &s;aid, <Q><HI>Emilius,</HI> I know my pa&s;t Severity, rough U|&s;age, and my po&s;itive Commands, thy tender Nature cou'd not kindly brook. Believe me, Son, 'twas well meant; I wou'd have form'd thee, Youth, a perfect Souldier; but thy Mother's &s;oftne&s;s hangs about thy Soul; and &s;he hath &s;tampt thee all a Lover. And &s;ince I'm going to the Land of Peace; I will not ruffle the Calmne&s;s I've &s;o late obtain'd, in &s;trugling with De&s;ires violent as yours. With my Ble&s;&s;ing Po&s;&s;e&s;s the Mi&s;tre&s;s, you with &s;uch an Eager|ne&s;s have Lov'd; and do not hate the Memory of your Departing Fa|ther, who only for your Intere&s;t, oppos'd this Pa&s;&s;ion: too great, it &s;eems, to be remov'd. Oh! Hea|vens! (cries the poor Prince, o'er|come
<PB N="202" REF="107">
with Filial Sorrow) mu&s;t I ne'er aim at Joys &s;incere! Live, my dear Father, live; though to conti|nue Cruel, divided ever from my Unhappy Fair, I fancy I cou'd bear it now! No more, no more, (the Duke &s;tops him) on this Theme! Come nearer, receive and remem|ber the la&s;t In&s;tructions of thy Dy|ing Father.</Q> The Prince, being &s;ea|ted by him, he gave him &s;uch Poli|tick Rules, as he, by long Practice had found mo&s;t u&s;eful; the con&s;tant ob&s;erving of which, has inlarg'd his Dominions, and augmented his Power.</P>
<P>That Night the Duke Expir'd, <HI>E|milius</HI> was immediately Proclaim'd, according to his Right, Succe&s;&s;or. The Young Duke manag'd his Af|fairs with a mo&s;t uncommon Pru|dence; being Affectionately Dutiful to his Weeping Mother; and obli|ging all whom his Father had lov'd, and favour'd. <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> was, by his Order, acquainted with all the&s;e Par|ticulars;
<PB N="203" REF="107">
yet &s;o fearful was he of committing any undecency, that he deny'd him&s;elf the &s;atisfaction of &s;ee|ing her, for three Months. The de|light of reciprocal Love, being the highe&s;t Ab&s;tract of Joy, he ju&s;tly judg'd it improper to po&s;&s;e&s;s at a time, which in Duty, he ought to de|dicate wholly to Affliction.</P>
<P>All the Court look'd on <HI>Lovi&s;a,</HI> as a Per&s;on ordain'd for their Dutch|e&s;s; and already gave her a profound Re&s;pect. <HI>Don Alvarez,</HI> who lov'd her entirely, was &s;o pleas'd with her Exalted Fortune, that he &s;ettl'd all his Lands and Lord&s;hips on her, after his Decea&s;e. This render'd it Policy as well as Plea&s;ure, for the Duke to E&s;pou&s;e her; the E&s;tate being too Opulent for a Subject, without dan|ger, to injoy. The Dutche&s;s Dowager prevails with <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI> to return to Court, and the time of &s;trict Mourn|ing being over <HI>Emilius</HI> con&s;tantly Vi&s;its her; his Love, if po&s;&s;ible, &s;till &s;eeming to Increa&s;e. At length, the
<PB N="204" REF="108">
Nuptials are concluded; and with great Solemnity perform'd. <HI>Billeront</HI> de&s;ervedly remaining his deare&s;t end|le&s;s Favourite.</P>
<P>I think, I &s;afely may affirm (added <HI>Franci&s;co</HI>) Prince <HI>Emilius</HI> a happy Man. His publick Affairs are Pro&s;|perous, his Beauteous Dutche&s;s Fruit|ful in I&s;&s;ue, as well as Charms; in|dearingly kind to him; and naturally good to all. Whatever progre&s;s he undertakes, &s;he, by his de&s;ire, &s;till accompany's him, except to the Camp; where he hath done won|ders, &s;ince his Acce&s;&s;ion to the Throne. Demon&s;trating that a per|fect Lover may be a compleat Soul|dier.</P>
<P>Thus ends <HI>Franci&s;co;</HI> By the Com|mands of your Highne&s;s (bowing to <HI>Olympia:</HI>) I have, to the utmo&s;t of my knowledge, di&s;cover'd each par|ticular relating to the Loves of that Incomparable Pair.</P>
<P>The Ladies were liberal in their thanks to <HI>Franci&s;co;</HI> and infinitely
<PB N="205" REF="108">
pleas'd with the Narration; e&s;peci|ally <HI>Melora;</HI> her Sentiments were Delicate; and by a Sympathetic Power, the Misfortunes or Ble&s;&s;ings of others &s;en&s;ibly mov'd her Pa&s;&s;ions. This the Cardinal ob&s;erves, and im|proves by a thou&s;and new Prote&s;tati|ons of everla&s;ting Fidelity. <HI>Melora</HI> was &s;o full of the foregoing Hi&s;tory, &s;he did not &s;eem to li&s;ten much to the Cardinal's Complements. <HI>Olympia</HI> took notice of it, and &s;aid <Q>My Dear, you are mightily delighted with <HI>Lovi&s;a;</HI> but I don't perceive you intend to follow her Example: She did not maintain her rigour half &s;o long. True (added <HI>Barberino) E|milius,</HI> in all his Sufferings, had the rich Cordial of <HI>Lovi&s;a</HI>'s Love for his &s;upport; but I pay all my Vows to an obdurate Rock; to a fair Marble Statue; Deaf to my Prayers, and with my Sighs unmov'd. I thought reply'd <HI>Melora,</HI> (Blu&s;hing and look|ing on <HI>Olympia</HI>) my Royal Gover|ne&s;s wou'd have chid me, as di&s;co|vering
<PB N="206" REF="109">
my Weakne&s;s too far: and I a&s;&s;ure you, my Lord (went &s;he on &s;miling) you cannot oblige me more than in comparing me to Rocks and Marbles, and &s;uch impenetra|ble &s;tuff: for I have a great vanity to be thought Inexorable.</Q> <HI>Melora</HI> deliver'd this with an unu&s;ual chear|ful air; infinitely charming the amorous Prie&s;t. He &s;natcht her lovely Hand, and moulding it with burning Ki&s;&s;es, cry'd pa&s;&s;ionately, this warm &s;oftne&s;s is, I'm &s;ure, no Kin to Mar|ble.</P>
<P>Unavoidable Bu&s;ine&s;s call'd <HI>Olym|pia</HI> next Day to the Court of <HI>Rome.</HI> For this Politick Niece of the Pope's was as bu&s;y in the Eccle&s;ia&s;tical Af|fairs, as any Favourite Nephew, be|fore, or &s;ince. Mo&s;t part of the la&s;t Night at the <HI>Villa,</HI> they &s;pent in wo|ing <HI>Melora,</HI> that the next Journey to this convenient Solitude &s;hou'd com|plete the Happyne&s;s of the pretended Prince <HI>Alphon&s;us.</HI> Reiterated Prayers prevail'd; and that Fair Sacrifice, by
<PB N="207" REF="109">
her &s;weet blu&s;hing &s;ilence, gives con|&s;ent. Tran&s;ported with their Fatal Succe&s;s, they all return to <HI>Rome;</HI> the Ladies by them&s;elves, and the Car|dinal another way.</P>
<P>Fate, as if not fully re&s;olv'd to de|&s;troy &s;uch Perfection and Innocence as &s;weet <HI>Melora</HI>'s, made offers at a Di&s;covery; offers only they prov'd, and the black contrivance went on. The fir&s;t Pro&s;pect of undeceiving her, was <HI>Franci&s;co</HI>'s falling in love with her. His being privy to the De&s;ign, gave him often Opportunities of her Conver&s;ation. And you may as well &s;uppo&s;e it ea&s;y to dwell in Flames and not be &s;corch'd; as to be often near <HI>Melora,</HI> hear her talk, and view her Charms, yet feel no warmth. Stifl'd Fire can never be long con|ceal'd; much le&s;s the Hotte&s;t Flame, <HI>Smother'd Love.</HI> Cunning <HI>Olympia</HI> catcht his unwary Eyes Rivetted to her fair Face; ob&s;erv'd his frequent Sighs, his Tremblings, and his change of Colour, when &s;he talk'd to him,
<PB N="208" REF="110">
or he, by accident, was near. This in the fir&s;t beginnings of his Love, <HI>Olym|pia</HI> informs the Cardinal. He con&s;i|der'd it as dangerous, and being &s;end|ing di&s;patches into <HI>Spain,</HI> makes him the Chief Commi&s;&s;ioner, and hurries him away; giving him no opportu|nity again to &s;ee <HI>Melora.</HI></P>
<P><HI>Franci&s;co</HI> gue&s;s'd the Cau&s;e of this new Employ, and was upon the rack. He knew &s;hou'd he di&s;obey, or give <HI>Melora</HI> caution of her approaching Ruine; if there were Daggers or Poy|&s;ons to be bought in <HI>Rome,</HI> his Life mu&s;t &s;atisfy the revengeful Cardinal. Then, he ju&s;tly thought <HI>Melora</HI>'s hate would fall on him, as well as all the re&s;t of her Deceivers. He vainly hop'd, diver&s;ity of bus'ne&s;s wou'd efface her Charming Image from his Brea&s;t. He knew his Fortunes de|&s;troy'd for ever, &s;hou'd he for&s;ake a Prince Cardinal, who&s;e Power was &s;o va&s;t to rai&s;e him. Yet again&s;t the&s;e, gentle Compa&s;&s;ion, increas'd by Love, pleaded &s;trongly; and always whi&s;|per'd
<PB N="209" REF="110">
him to &s;ave &s;uch Matchle&s;s In|nocence. But e'er he had determin'd, the Impatient Cardinal forces him on Board. When <HI>Melora</HI> ask'd for him, <HI>Barberino</HI> told her he was gone to <HI>Modena,</HI> by his Order. <HI>Olympia</HI> now began to pre&s;s her earne&s;tly, for this de&s;ign'd Journey to the <HI>Villa. Melora</HI> knew what they expected from her there; and her Virgin Fears repre|&s;enting Marriage, without her Fa|ther's Knowledge, terrible &s;till, caus'd her to put it off, delaying with many excu&s;es. <HI>Olympia</HI> had procur'd a Prie&s;t, &s;he having a hundred of them at her &s;ervice; Preferment lying &s;o greatly in her Power. The Prie&s;t knew not the bottom of the de&s;ign; was only told it was two Friends of <HI>Donna Olympia</HI>'s, who de&s;ir'd to be Marry'd privately.</P>
<P>Whil&s;t things remain'd thus, with no other &s;top, but <HI>Melora</HI>'s delays; &s;he happen'd, pa&s;&s;ing through her Father's Hall, to drop a Letter of the Cardinal's; which her Father, fol|lowing
<PB N="210" REF="111">
her, took up, and read the&s;e words.</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<OPENER><SALUTE>Divine Prince&s;s,</SALUTE></OPENER>
<P>Each moment, that I &s;ee you not, &s;eems to drag a heavy Chain. To live another Day and Night without you, wou'd be a Torment wholly In&s;upportable. When I &s;ee you next, to read a little An|ger in your lovely Eyes, for my long &s;tay, will plea&s;e me more than the &s;miles of Empre&s;&s;es. So much is every word and look priz'd by the Humble&s;t of your Ser|vants.</P>
</LETTER>
<P>The Emba&s;&s;adour &s;trait calls for his Daughter, and &s;howing the Pa|per in his Hand, ask'd her from whom that Piece of Gallantry came? It is ob&s;ervable that Women are &s;o ingenious and quick at nothing, as the Affairs of Love. And the mo&s;t ignorant and illiterate, commonly have cunning enough to manage an Intrigue. I believe, the Rea&s;on is, Love being the mo&s;t agreeable Pa&s;&s;ion
<PB N="211" REF="111">
of their Minds, employs every Fa|culty of their Soul readily; no won|der then <HI>Melora</HI> was &s;o quick at an excu&s;e. For &s;he, without any he&s;ita|tion, an&s;wers her Father, it was a Letter of her own compo&s;ing, and de&s;ign'd for <HI>Olympia.</HI> He &s;uddenly returns upon her, but how comes it then in a Man's hand? I have it al|ways drawn over by one of her Pa|ges (replies <HI>Melora,</HI> without any vi|&s;ible di&s;compo&s;ure) to divert her the more. Though this &s;ounded a little &s;trangely, yet &s;o unblemi&s;h'd was the Carriage and Conver&s;ation of this Young Lady, that her Father gave her back the Letter, without the lea&s;t mi&s;tru&s;t. Glad was <HI>Melora</HI> thus ea&s;ily to recover it, and going to <HI>O|lympia</HI> acquaints her with the &s;tory. Who, thereupon pre&s;&s;es her again for the Marriage; a&s;&s;uring her that the Duke's Bus'ne&s;s went on &s;ucce&s;s|fully; and that &s;he wou'd quickly be Proclaim'd Dutche&s;s of <HI>Ferrara</HI> and <HI>Modena;</HI> will you then (adds &s;he
<PB N="212" REF="112">
earne&s;tly) neglect the opportunity of this proffer'd Glory; and by back|wardne&s;s delay time, till &s;ome &s;ini|&s;ter accident occur, that may fru&s;trate all our de&s;igns? The&s;e Arguments, deliver'd by &s;o faithful a Friend, as <HI>Melora</HI> took <HI>Olympia</HI> to be; mov'd her to yield.</P>
<P>This joyful News is communica|ted to the Cardinal, who came that Night, and expre&s;&s;es his tran&s;ports by a thou&s;and Extravagancies of Fond|ne&s;s. Now the third Journey is made to the <HI>Villa,</HI> where the&s;e Un|happy Nuptials are Celebrated; at which <HI>Hymen</HI> ought to have hid his Face; and only <HI>Portentous Omens</HI> ap|pear'd.</P>
<P><HI>Melora</HI>'s Genius &s;till whi&s;pers &s;he has done ill; which foreboding Thoughts take from her Eyes their chearful Lu|&s;tre. Innumerable were their Prayers before they cou'd obtain a full Con|&s;ummation: at length powerful im|portunity overcomes; and the Car|dinal has &s;acrific'd to his Lu&s;t Na|ture's
<PB N="213" REF="112">
Ma&s;ter-piece. Who, if her Fate had equall'd her Beauty, and other rare Indowments, might ju&s;tly have expected in reality, as much Greatne&s;s, as <HI>Olympia</HI> only flatter'd her with.</P>
<P>Six Months this In&s;atiate Prie&s;t Revels on that Luxurious Banquet, Blooming Youth, and yielding Beau|ty. By which time his fierce de&s;ires begin to cool in that certain Cure for Love full Enjoyment. Then he, with vexation reflects on the almo&s;t unac|countable &s;ums, this &s;hort-liv'd Plea|&s;ure hath co&s;t him; be&s;ides <HI>Melora</HI>'s Pregnancy; which, &s;pight of their utmo&s;t indeavours, wou'd, in a &s;hort time, appear; adds infinitely to his Terrors. The&s;e Thoughts take from his Conver&s;ation that Vivacity and Livelyne&s;s which before made it plea|&s;ing. <HI>Melora</HI> quickly perceives this alteration; and &s;en&s;ibly re&s;ents it. Her demeanour was replete with Duty and Love; nor can &s;he but with in|expre&s;&s;ible regret, indure this cold
<PB N="214" REF="113">
return. He excu&s;es it with the cro&s;s|ne&s;s of his Affairs; which <HI>Melora</HI> in part believes: for by the publick Di|&s;cour&s;e at her Father's, &s;he under|&s;tands the real Duke of <HI>Modena</HI> was near a Rupture, with the Pope; and that a War was like to follow. She repre&s;ents this to <HI>Olympia;</HI> who puts her off with fair words only.</P>
<P>Whil&s;t the&s;e unhappy things were Acted in and near <HI>Rome,</HI> the fore|mention'd <HI>Franci&s;co,</HI> who&s;e Soul was agitated with a hundred different Re|&s;olutions, arrives in <HI>Spain.</HI> But nei|ther the Sea, nor di&s;tant Climates, can Efface <HI>Melora</HI> from his Memory. Slight Wounds, Ab&s;ence and Time may heal, but this Charming Beauty gives no &s;uch; and his pains aug|ment. Then he Cur&s;es his Cowar|di&s;e, and calls him&s;elf a thou&s;and Villains, for leaving the Lady ex|pos'd; fir&s;t to the Lu&s;t, and then the Cruelty of the Cardinal. For he knew <HI>Antonio</HI>'s Temper too well, to doubt Barbarity would follow his &s;atiated
<PB N="215" REF="113">
Love. The&s;e Apprehen&s;ions di&s;tract him to that degree, that he re&s;olves to leave unfini&s;h'd all his Bus'ne&s;s, and return di&s;guis'd to <HI>Rome;</HI> and re&s;cue, if po&s;&s;ible, the Guiltle&s;s Maid from the Jaws of Ruine.</P>
<P>Pur&s;uant to this de&s;ign, he imme|diately goes on Board; but is unfor|tunately, by contrary Winds, kept on the Seas, till the time is Elaps'd for his doing any &s;ervice to <HI>Melora.</HI> At length, he lands, comes to <HI>Rome</HI> in the Habit of a Pilgrim; di&s;colour|ing his Face to that degree, that 'twas impo&s;&s;ible any Body &s;hou'd know him. He rejoices in his &s;afe Arrival at <HI>Rome;</HI> and vainly hopes, &s;ome|thing hath hitherto di&s;appointed the Cardinal's Con&s;ummating his Wi&s;hes. Then Love pre&s;ents him, with the fal&s;e flattering Joy (it being natural for that Pa&s;&s;ion to deceive us:) that he, &s;aving <HI>Melora</HI> from the dire Fate that hung over her; &s;he might, in recompen&s;e give him leave to own his Flame. Not then con&s;idering,
<PB N="216" REF="114">
that, when <HI>Melora</HI> was convinc'd of the Treachery de&s;ign'd again&s;t her, &s;he mu&s;t needs dete&s;t every In&s;tru|ment of the Trea&s;on. Now the diffi|culty that remain'd, was the getting an Opportunity to &s;peak with <HI>Melora,</HI> &s;he being perpetually almo&s;t at <HI>Olym|pia</HI>'s, where he not daring to venture, was in a great Perplexity. He lurks in the Evening near <HI>Olympia</HI>'s Hou&s;e; di&s;covers the Cardinal go in, by an u&s;ual door of the Garden, and re&s;olv'd to watch his return; but was amaz'd to find it not till the Morning's ap|proach. Then his fears began to in|form him, all help was pa&s;t; how|ever delays mu&s;t certainly make it &s;o. Therefore he de&s;igns the next time <HI>Olympia</HI> went to the Pope's Palace, to ask boldly for <HI>Melora,</HI> and tru&s;t to his Di&s;gui&s;e. But he was prevented in this, by &s;eeing <HI>Melora</HI> take Coach in the Afternoon, accompany'd only by <HI>Olympia</HI>'s Woman; and inquiring whither the Coach was going, he was inform'd to <HI>Olympia</HI>'s <HI>Villa.</HI> He
<PB N="217" REF="114">
immediately follows them; and the next day, with a Key he had pre|&s;erv'd, got into the Garden; hoping he might find <HI>Melora</HI> there; if he did not, he knew his Habit would pro|tect him from Violence, &s;hou'd any of the Family &s;ee him. But here his Wi&s;hes were an&s;wer'd; for e'er he had &s;earcht far, he beheld that &s;weet Lady lying on a Bed of Gra&s;s, near a Fountain, who&s;e murmurs joining with her own Sorrows, had lull'd her into a &s;lumber. For &s;orrowful he perceiv'd &s;he had been, by the rich dew which wet her Handker|chief, and yet hung upon her fair Cheeks. He cou'd &s;carce view this Mourning Fair, without joining in the Womani&s;h Grief. After he had gaz'd, and &s;igh'd, and talkt things, &s;ad as de&s;pair cou'd utter; he &s;pies her Table-Book open; where &s;ome|thing &s;eem'd to have been ju&s;t writ|ten. Taking it up, finds the&s;e lines.</P>
<Q><PB N="218" REF="115">
<L>Happy's the Nymph born in a homely Seat,</L>
<L>Nor knows the troubles of the rich and great.</L>
<L>Wrapt in th' Embraces of her faithful Swain,</L>
<L>Feels &s;till new Joys with no allay of pain.</L>
<L>Ambition ne'er di&s;turbs their gentle Love,</L>
<L>Nor Cares, nor Fears, their harmle&s;s Mirth remove.</L>
<L>In Huts as humble as their Minds they lye,</L>
<L>And lofty Roofs de&s;pi&s;e that reach the Sky.</L>
<L>To the&s;e alone does Heaven true Joys di|&s;pence,</L>
<L>And with content rewards their Innocence.</L>
<L>Content a Jewel that is &s;eldom known</L>
<L>To ble&s;s or beautify a Regal Crown.</L>
<L>Ah! How have my unwary Foot&s;teps &s;traid,</L>
<L>While noi&s;e and glory my &s;oft hours be|tray'd.</L>
<L>My purchas'd Pomp my Happyne&s;s has co&s;t,</L>
<L>So in pur&s;uit of Toys the Gem is lo&s;t.</L></Q>
<P>Alas! Unhappy Beauty, &s;aid he, with a &s;igh: (as he had done reading) if thou art already &s;ad, how wilt thou mourn with endle&s;s Wailings, when the bottom of thy Fate is known! all the woful truth di&s;cover'd. This, <HI>Franci&s;co,</HI> Tran&s;ported with his Pa&s;|&s;ion,
<PB N="219" REF="115">
&s;poke &s;o loud, that he wak'd the &s;leeping Fair; who &s;eeing a Man &s;o near her, &s;tarts up and cry'd, who art thou, that thus rudely pre&s;&s;e&s;t on my &s;olitude, and di&s;turb'&s;t my quiet Moments? A Wretch (he an&s;wer'd, putting one Knee to the ground) that's born to Cur&s;e him&s;elf; nay wor&s;e, one whom you are bound to Cur&s;e, with dire&s;t Imprecations pur&s;ue, nor ever mention, but when an Invective of the bitter &s;ort mu&s;t follow. Sure (replies <HI>Melora</HI> calmly) you take me for &s;ome other Per&s;on, &s;ince I dare boldly &s;ay, my Con&s;cience, my Soul's faithful Regi&s;ter, does not accu&s;e me with &s;o much Inju&s;tice, as ever to have an Inclination to Cur&s;e a Stranger, much le&s;s one who bears the Religi|ous Show; which I, in all Per&s;ons, venerate. Is this Voice wholly a Stranger to you (he return'd pa&s;&s;io|nately.) Oh that it were; or that the Name of <HI>Franci&s;co</HI> had been blotted with Eternal Oblivion, rather than have reacht the Ears of the Ador'd
<PB N="220" REF="116">
<HI>Melora!</HI> Or that an avenging Bolt had &s;truck me to the Center, before I had been made the dete&s;ted In&s;tru|ment of deceiving you! Why do you perplex me thus with Riddles, (&s;ays <HI>Melora;</HI> the Blood beginning to for|&s;ake her Cheeks) if you are <HI>Franci&s;co,</HI> my Lord's Chief Favourite, whom he &s;ent to <HI>Modena:</HI> what means this Ha|bit? And why this &s;trange Addre&s;s? Your Lord (an&s;wers this feign'd Pil|grim ha&s;tily)&mdash;then all my fears are true; and you mu&s;t prepare to hear a &s;tory, at which my Bleeding Heart &s;inks down, and my faultring Tongue almo&s;t denies me power to relate. What does <HI>Alphon&s;us</HI> then de&s;ign to abandon me? (interrupts the fearful Creature, falling upon a Bank, her trembling Knees not being able to &s;upport her:) has he cruelly re&s;olv'd (went &s;he on, all in Tears) to deny his Marriage, and expo&s;e me, and his Off-&s;pring to endle&s;s Infamy? Oh! ha&s;te! Deliver me from the&s;e Fears; or &s;ee me dead! And is (&s;aid
<PB N="221" REF="116">
&s;he, before he cou'd &s;peak) <HI>Olympia</HI> join'd with him, in my undoing? Why do you not an&s;wer me, and ea&s;e my Throbbing Heart? If the Duke and &s;he are both fal&s;e to Love, and Sacred Friend&s;hip, pronounce my Doom, at once; let me not linger long in Torments. Since Providence has Ordain'd you &s;o unkind a Fate (replies <HI>Franci&s;co</HI>) take to you, Ma|dam, the re&s;olution, your Innocence affords: Let your Injuries di&s;robe your Soul of Tenderne&s;s: Arm your &s;elf with a noble &s;corn; and make your ju&s;t Re&s;entments overcome your Sorrows. Oh! Do not pau&s;e (cries that weeping Fair) go on; though it give me Death. Heaven is my Wit|ne&s;s (&s;ays he, &s;till delaying) I wou'd not undeceive you, &s;o &s;ad's the task, did not I fear a farther Mi&s;chief. But, to prevent that, know, Madam, your Husband is not <HI>Alphon&s;us,</HI> nor Duke of <HI>Modena;</HI> but <HI>Antonio Barbarino,</HI> the Pope's Nephew. He a&s;&s;umes mo&s;t unju&s;tly, the Title of Cardinal Pa|tron;
<PB N="222" REF="117">
when in reality he is a De|&s;troyer of his Country, and an utter Enemy to all Goodne&s;s. As <HI>Franci&s;co</HI> was about to proceed, he perceiv'd a deadly palene&s;s to o'er&s;pread <HI>Melora</HI>'s Beauties; and after &s;ome Efforts of &s;trugling Nature, &s;he fell into a Swoon. Never any perplexity equall'd this poor Lover's; he was unwilling to call any of the Hou&s;e to her a&s;&s;i&s;t|ance, becau&s;e he had not fini&s;h'd his Di&s;covery; nor given her a Caution of <HI>Barbarino</HI>'s Cruelty. He runs to the Fountain, &s;prinkles &s;ome of it's Waters on her Face, bows her Body gently forwards; at la&s;t &s;he revives. Ca&s;ting her lovely Eyes, o'erwhelm'd with Sorrows, upon him, &s;he &s;aid with a Sigh: <Q>Ah! Cruel Man! why have you brought me back to this dete&s;ted Light; which, I mu&s;t never more view with Chearful|ne&s;s! Yet, how know I (adds &s;he, recollecting her &s;elf:) but you may be an Impo&s;tor, and forge this Story, to abu&s;e my Friend, and
<PB N="223" REF="117">
Lord. On that condition I wou'd part with my right hand replies this guilty Informer: No, Madam; what I averr, is too &s;ad a Truth: <HI>Antonio</HI> is the Man: I can bring you, where you &s;hall &s;ee him in his Scarlet Robes going to the Con&s;i&s;tory. Be|hold here (went he on, pulling Pa|pers out of his Pocket) Di&s;patches written with his own hand; which, I believe you know. <HI>Melora</HI> cou'd not but own &s;he did; having re|ceiv'd a hundred Billets-Doux's, in the &s;ame Character. Fly then Madam, (proceeds <HI>Franci&s;co</HI>) from this mo&s;t abhor'd of Men, and Ba&s;e&s;t of Wo|men, who&s;e degenerate Souls cou'd Betray &s;uch Matchle&s;s Virtue, to Un|parallel'd Ruine. I am certain their wicked de&s;igns will not end thus. For when the Cardinal who knows not to put a true E&s;timate on Beauty, has &s;atiated his Luxurious Ap|petite: your Death (Ah di&s;mal Thought! cries he, in a Tone wholly Pa&s;&s;ionate) your Death will follow:
<PB N="224" REF="118">
I have heard them &s;o re&s;olve. Whither &s;hall I fly (replies the Di&s;|con&s;olate Lady) with this Guilty Load! Not to my Incens'd Father; he will upbraid me with my Di&s;o|bedience, and &s;ay, my Puni&s;hment is a ju&s;t Reward for my crime. Oh! Heavens! (&s;ay'd &s;he) may I not murmur, may I not Complain: that the&s;e Probations are too &s;evere for my Frailer Sex to bear! Con&s;ider, Madam, (replies the truly Afflicted <HI>Franci&s;co</HI>) Parents are Indulgent; and when he &s;hall hear the Truth; which I will al&s;o, with my Life at|te&s;t; your Innocency, and Nature pleading in your behalf; will force him to receive you with Paternal Tenderne&s;s: Therefore ha&s;ten from this Di&s;&s;olute Prie&s;t; who&s;e many Lu&s;ts and Impieties to relate, wou'd die your cheeks in a mode&s;t Crim&s;on: <HI>La Cecca Buffona</HI> was once his Mi|&s;tre&s;s, and Glory'd in her &s;hame. Then to a Courte&s;an, who dwelt in the <HI>Julian-&s;treet,</HI> he gave, to
<PB N="225" REF="118">
&s;atisfy his Lu&s;t but once, a Thou&s;and Crowns: not to mention the more than Brutal Pa&s;&s;ion he hath oft had for his own Sex.</Q></P>
<P><Q>My Soul &s;ickens at the&s;e Black Relations; (&s;ay'd <HI>Melora</HI>) and Un|born Innocence Dy's in my Womb.</Q> As &s;he was &s;peaking; a Page enters the Garden, and tells her <HI>Donna O|limpia</HI> was ju&s;t Arriv'd; at which <HI>Melora,</HI> compo&s;ing her &s;elf as much as po&s;&s;ibly &s;he cou'd, prepares to go and receive her. But fir&s;t &s;he de&s;ires <HI>Franci&s;co</HI> to make her Father's Hou&s;e his Sanctuary; and tells him &s;he will E&s;cape thither, if by none of their &s;tratagems prevented, the next Day; adding, that till &s;he came, he &s;hou'd not mention any thing of the&s;e Un|happy Circum&s;tances. <Q>I will, in every particular, obey you, (an|&s;wers that Dejected Man) but e'er I go, I wou'd, on my Knees, im|plore what will, in you, be an Act of Mercy, almo&s;t above a Mortal; and bring to my de&s;pairing Soul, the
<PB N="226" REF="119">
only Bal&s;am, that can heal it's ran|corous Wounds, and deter my De&s;|perate Hand, from Committing on my Body the Violence, my Guilty Thoughts &s;ugge&s;t: I mean, Forgive|ne&s;s. Madam, if from your fair Mouth I hear my Pardon Seal'd, I &s;hall embolden'd grow, and look towards Heaven for Mercy; el&s;e, I mu&s;t &s;ink to the di&s;mal Grave, co|ver'd o'er with trembling horror, and never hope with Joy to ri&s;e.</Q></P>
<P><Q>Bear Witne&s;s Heaven (replies that lovely Creature; her intermingling Tears almo&s;t hindering her Speech) I forgive you, and may that bound|le&s;s &s;tore, from whence Eternal Mercy flows, forgive you too! Yet give me leave, <HI>Franci&s;co</HI> to add, it was unkind, mighty unkind, thus to betray a harmle&s;s Maid; who never &s;o much as in thought har|bour'd a wrong to you. 'Twas Bar|barous; &mdash; 'twas &s;omething wor&s;e than I can give a name to (replies her Idolater, almo&s;t-raving).</Q> <HI>Melora</HI>
<PB N="227" REF="119">
interrupts him, and Commands him to ri&s;e, and fly to his intended refuge: &s;aying, &s;he knew <HI>Olympia</HI> wou'd im|mediately be there. He obeys, and departs with the &s;adde&s;t a&s;pect in the World. A&s;&s;oon as <HI>Olympia</HI> had con|vers'd with <HI>Melora,</HI> &s;he di&s;cover'd the pre&s;&s;ure upon her Spirits; and plainly &s;aw &s;he put a great con&s;traint upon her &s;elf, to appear chearful. At fir&s;t <HI>Olympia</HI> imputed it only to the Cardinal's Ab&s;ence, and told her, in a gay &s;train, &s;he mu&s;t not be &s;o fond; but however to &s;atisfy her longing, the Duke would be there that Night. Will he, Madam, (An&s;wers the o|ther, with an Air of &s;corn) and when &s;hall we injoy this glorious Splendor, my dazl'd Eyes have but in Fancy &s;een? Methinks I wi&s;h my Lord wou'd quit his preten&s;ions to <HI>Ferrara,</HI> and be content with <HI>Modena;</HI> that will &s;atisfy my Ambition. <HI>Melora</HI> de|liver'd this in a tone &s;o different from that &s;he us'd to di&s;cour&s;e of his Af|fairs in, that the cunning <HI>Olympia</HI>
<PB N="228" REF="120">
fixing her Eyes upon her, immedi|ately gue&s;s'd, &s;he had &s;ome Informa|tion of the Deceit; and making her a &s;light An&s;wer, goes to inquire who had been there; and under&s;tands by the Page that went into the Garden, a Pilgrim was &s;een talking with her. Whil&s;t &s;he was bu&s;y'd in this Exa|mination, her Woman brings her word the Cardinal was in her Clo&s;et, and de&s;ir'd to &s;peak with her before he &s;aw <HI>Melora. Olympia</HI> flies to him, but e'er &s;he cou'd deliver her News, <HI>Barbarino</HI> greets her with this: <Q>Ma|dam (&s;ays he) I have this day had Intelligence from <HI>Spain,</HI> that <HI>Fran|ci&s;co</HI> has quitted the Negotiation, I imploy'd him in there, in a di&s;gui&s;e.</Q> Nay then the Riddle's Explain'd, re|plies <HI>Olympia,</HI> and relates all the fore|going Pa&s;&s;ages. Upon this, they both agree to &s;end a couple of Tru&s;ty Ser|vants in &s;earch of this Feign'd Pil|grim; who &s;hould &s;eize him, and lay him fa&s;t; rightly conjecturing his de&s;ign was to publi&s;h their Crime.
<PB N="229" REF="120">
The&s;e Fellows o'ertake the wretched Man, before he was got half way to <HI>Rome;</HI> his Afflictions hindering his &s;wift travelling: They &s;traight bind, gag, and hall him back to <HI>Olympia</HI>'s; where he is committed clo&s;e Pri&s;oner to a remote Chamber. Now the&s;e two wicked ones, the Cardinal and <HI>Olympia,</HI> begin to con&s;ult farther, and take <HI>Melora</HI> into their Con&s;ideration. After a thou&s;and Arguments and Rea|&s;ons urg'd backwards and forwards, her doom is &s;eal'd.</P>
<P>Thus this Lovely Ro&s;e, the won|derful exce&s;s of extravagant Nature, who&s;e blooming &s;weetne&s;s wou'd have given years of Rapture, to an hone&s;t, honourable Husband: is <HI>now,</HI> by the very Po&s;&s;e&s;&s;or, Condemn'd to Fade, and wither in the Thoughtle&s;s Du&s;t. Nor cou'd her Pregnancy, even by <HI>him</HI> (which wou'd have made Barbarians to have Melted;) move this Inhuman Cardinal. No; his Re|putation is concern'd, and &s;he mu&s;t dy. That en&s;uing Night accordingly
<PB N="230" REF="121">
<HI>Olympia</HI> deliver'd to this mo&s;t Cruel Man a Powder, who&s;e fatal Power wou'd, in Twelve hours time, cer|tainly di&s;&s;olve that well appointed Union of the Soul and Body. At Sup|per they conclude to give it her in a Gla&s;s of Wine and Water; they three always eating in <HI>Olympia</HI>'s Clo|&s;et, without Attendance, except <HI>Bea|trice,</HI> becau&s;e the pretended Duke was not to be &s;een by the Servants.</P>
<P>Full of the&s;e Helli&s;h Re&s;olutions <HI>Olympia</HI> goes to &s;eek the intended Vi|ctim; finds her in her Clo&s;et de|voutly kneeling, directing her Pious Prayers to a place, where Per&s;ons guilty of <HI>Olympia</HI>'s Crimes, mu&s;t ne|ver enter. A &s;ight, one wou'd have thought, &s;hou'd have &s;truck that Bar|barous Woman with remor&s;e. But &s;he, unmov'd, proceeds, and with a &s;eeming chearfulne&s;s, asks <HI>Melora</HI> to go with her to the Duke. This di&s;|con&s;olate Lady's Face was deckt in Sorrow's chiefe&s;t Robes; yet, through all that Clouded Sadne&s;s, &s;uch a
<PB N="231" REF="121">
World of Beauty &s;hone, as wou'd have turn'd a Tyrant's Rage; di&s;|arm'd the Fury of Irrational Crea|tures; and pre&s;erv'd her in the very Paws of Lyons. But the Bloody <HI>Bar|barino</HI> views her with relentle&s;s Eyes; and with his own hand pre&s;ents her the poi&s;onous Draught, which the trembling Lady drinks: For every thing &s;he fear'd; yet hop'd they were ignorant of her Information. Now, the Plot for the Cardinal's re|moval to <HI>Rome</HI> mu&s;t be Executed. To that end <HI>Olympia</HI>'s Woman brings her a Pacquet, &s;aying a Gentleman, in great ha&s;te, had ju&s;t brought it. In this Pacquet, there is a Letter direct|ed to the Duke of <HI>Modena;</HI> which he reads with &s;how of great concern, and tells the Ladies he mu&s;t needs leave them in&s;tantly, and po&s;t back to <HI>Rome.</HI> Poor <HI>Melora</HI> inwardly rejoi|ces at his de&s;ign; having re&s;olv'd to deny him her Bed, which &s;he fear'd might betray her knowledge of their Treachery. He takes his leave with
<PB N="232" REF="122">
&s;eeming Reluctancy, and returns to <HI>Rome,</HI> jocund that his Lu&s;t is &s;ati&s;|fy'd, and his Crime like to remain un|di&s;cover'd. <HI>Melora</HI> retires to her Chamber betimes; de&s;igning to make her E&s;cape early the next Morning; and then thinking her &s;elf out of dan|ger, &s;he re&s;olves to leave a Letter, that &s;hall accu&s;e <HI>Olympia</HI> of that per|fidious dealing &s;he hath us'd towards her. She writes the following Let|ter, and lays it upon her Table in the Clo&s;et; and intends to leave, the next day, the Key in the Door.</P>
<LETTER LANG="eng">
<HEAD><HI>To</HI> Donna Olympia.</HEAD>
<P>IF Providence favour my Innocence, before this come to your hands, I &s;hall have e&s;caped your Power. Think then, Madam, how the judging World, when they know my Wrongs, and hear my Story, will Condemn you of &V;nexam|pl'd Perfidy, that you mu&s;t for ever hide your guilty head; lest, as you pa&s;s, the Virgins Cur&s;es catch you, and bring
<PB N="233" REF="122">
down &s;wift De&s;truction. You have be|tray'd the mo&s;t tru&s;ting Maid Breathing: one, who wou'd willingly have laid down that Life you &s;o unkindly pur&s;ue, for your &s;ervice; and for that Lu&s;tful Satyr, who&s;e Crimes no Age can parallel. Tell him, when I appear, his con&s;cious Cheeks &s;hall outvy his Scarlet. But if that un|au&s;picious Fate, which has led me to this heavy Misfortune, &s;hou'd &s;till conti|nue its Malignity; and let your Crimes Center in my Death: know, I can meet that with undaunted Bravery; being a&s;|&s;ur'd at the la&s;t day, I &s;hall appear in|compa&s;s'd with Myriads of glorious Spi|rits; whil&s;t I behold you, and your black Accomplice, rouling beneath in Sulphu|rous Flames; howling out dire Lamen|tations, for the Cruelties practis'd on the mo&s;t Injur'd</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED>Melora.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
</LETTER>
<P>The next Morning <HI>Olympia</HI> goes into her Chamber, and finds the young Creature, according to her wi&s;h, dead; &s;he makes a di&s;mal
<PB N="234" REF="123">
Outcry; and having drawn all the Hou&s;e about her, Counterfeits Sor|rows almo&s;t to a Frenzy. The Mar|que&s;s of <HI>Cour,</HI> her Father, is immedi|ately &s;ent for; to whom &s;he continues her Grief at &s;uch an immoderate rate, that he is forc'd to neglect his own Sorrows, and turn Comforter. Soon after is <HI>Melora</HI>'s private Interment; where the poor Emba&s;&s;ador left all his Joys; Mourning to that Exce&s;s, as wou'd have mov'd a heart of &s;tone. She being his only Daughter, and a Per&s;on of that Beauty and Parts, I mu&s;t leave Indulgent Fathers to judge the Sorrows I cannot de&s;cribe.</P>
<P>Now the Cardinal's next Bu&s;ine&s;s is to di&s;po&s;e of <HI>Franci&s;co,</HI> which he does to the Galleys; where he may tell his de&s;pair, and prate of <HI>Barbari|no</HI>'s Cruelty, to the Winds and Seas for they a&s;&s;oon will hear him, as his Robu&s;t Companions. The unu&s;ual Toils, and the intolerable Ba&s;tinado's which the Cardinal orders to be gi|ven him, quickly end his days.</P>
<P><PB N="235" REF="123">Yet the&s;e dark Practi&s;es are doom'd to be brought to light, and that by one of the Actors, <HI>Olympia</HI>'s Woman <HI>Beatrice;</HI> who taking &s;ome deep di&s;|gu&s;t, flies to the Emba&s;&s;ador, and re|lates to that Di&s;con&s;olate Father, each particular of this &s;ad &s;tory. The un|happy Marque&s;s then remembers a hundred circum&s;tances, that convince him of the di&s;mal Truth. He imme|diately Petitions the Pope, lays open plainly the Fact, brings the Maid to atte&s;t it; but all in vain. <HI>Antonio</HI> and <HI>Olympia</HI> are Per&s;ons too Great, for him to obtain Ju&s;tice again&s;t, in the Court of <HI>Rome.</HI> So that he is forc'd to leave the la&s;t mention'd to the Ter|rors of her own Con&s;cience for her Puni&s;hment, and enter him&s;elf a Soul|dier in the Duke of <HI>Parma</HI>'s Army; who then made War again&s;t the Hou&s;e of the <HI>Barbarino</HI>'s; to be re|veng'd of the fir&s;t. But Heaven's Vengeance &s;lept not long; the Suc|ceeding Pope Bani&s;hing <HI>Olympia</HI> to <HI>Orvieto,</HI> a City Twenty Leagues
<PB N="236" REF="124">
from <HI>Rome;</HI> where &s;he dy'd mi&s;er|ably of the Plague, abandon'd even by her own Dome&s;ticks; and the Cardinal &s;oon after, loaded with Di|&s;ea&s;es, and Infamy, &s;unk to the Grave; by all unpity'd.</P>
<P>Thus, Ladies, you are brought to the deplorable end of the Beauteous <HI>Melora.</HI> And as her Misfortunes mu&s;t rai&s;e Compa&s;&s;ion in the tender Bo&s;oms of the Young and Fair; &s;o they may &s;tand a la&s;ting Caution to beware the In&s;inuations of the de&s;ign|ing part of your own Sex; who hav|ing them&s;elves lo&s;t that ine&s;timable and never to be recover'd Jewel, <HI>Reputation:</HI> endeavour to de&s;troy Blooming Innocence. Beauty, as we may call it, is but the Paint of Nature; which, though it outla&s;t the Lilly and the Ro&s;e; yet, &s;ure as they, mu&s;t Fade: whil&s;t a Fra|grant Fame never dies. <HI>Melora</HI> can|not ju&s;tly be taxed with any Mi&s;car|riage, but venturing to Act weighty things, without her Father's Know|ledge
<PB N="237" REF="124">
Yet her hard Fate may fright all from Entertaining Motions of a Marriage, how &s;pecious &s;oever they appear; till they have taken the Ad|vice and Con&s;ent of tho&s;e, whom God and Nature have appointed their Governors and Directors.</P>
</DIV2>
<TRAILER>THE END.</TRAILER>
</DIV1>
</BODY>
<BACK>
<DIV1 TYPE="publisher's note">
<PB REF="125">
<HEAD>Books Printed for <HI>Richard Wilkin,</HI> at the <HI>King's-Head</HI> in St. <HI>Paul</HI>'s <HI>Church-Yard.</HI></HEAD>
<P>A Propo&s;al to the Ladies for the Advancement of their true and greate&s;t Intere&s;t. By a Lover of her Sex, 12<HI>o.</HI></P>
<P>Letters concerning the Love of GOD, between the Author of the Propo&s;al to the Ladies, and Mr. <HI>John Norris;</HI> wherein his late Di&s;cour&s;e, &s;hewing that it ought to be intire and Exclu&s;ive of all other Loves, is far|ther clear'd and Ju&s;tified, 8<HI>vo.</HI></P>
<P>An E&s;&s;ay toward a natural Hi&s;tory of the Earth and Terre&s;trial Bodies, e&s;pecially Minerals: As al&s;o of the Sea, Rivers and Springs. With an Account of the Univer&s;al Deluges. And of the Effects that it had upon the Earth. By <HI>John Woodward,</HI> M. D. Profe&s;&s;or of Phy&s;ick in <HI>Gre&s;ham</HI>-Col|lege,
<PB REF="125">
and Fellow of the Royal So|ciety, 8<HI>vo.</HI></P>
<P>A Vindication of the Truth of Chri&s;tian Religion again&s;t the Obje|ctions of all Modern Oppo&s;ers. By <HI>James Abbadie,</HI> D. D. 8<HI>vo.</HI></P>
<P>A &s;econd Part of the Enquiry into &s;everal Remarkable Texts of the Old and New Te&s;tament, which contain &s;ome difficulty in them: with a pro|bable re&s;olution of them. The &s;econd Edit. 8<HI>vo.</HI></P>
<P>A Di&s;cour&s;e concerning the Au|thority, Style, and Perfection of the Books of the Old and New Te&s;ta|ment; with a continued Illu&s;tration of &s;everal difficult Texts of Scripture <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">hroughout the whole Work. Both by <HI>John Edwards,</HI> B. D. &s;ometime Fellow of St. <HI>John</HI>'s <HI>College</HI> in <HI>Cam|bridge,</HI> 8<HI>vo.</HI></P>
<P>The Glorious Epiphany, with the Devout Chri&s;tians Love to it. <HI>The Second Edition</HI> 8<HI>vo.</HI></P>
<P>Search the Scriptures. A Treati&s;e <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">hewing that all Chri&s;tians ought to
<PB REF="126">
read the Holy Books; with Directi|ons to them therein.</P>
<P>A Di&s;cour&s;e concerning Prayer, e&s;pecially of frequenting the daily Publick Prayers. All three by the Reverend <HI>Sym. Patrick,</HI> D. D.</P>
<P>The Old Religion demon&s;trated in the Principles, and de&s;cribed in the Life and Practice thereof. By <HI>J. Good|man,</HI> D. D. <HI>The Second Edition.</HI> 12<HI>o.</HI></P>
<TRAILER>The End of the Catalogue.</TRAILER>
<PB REF="126">
</DIV1>
</BACK>
</TEXT>
</EEBO>
</ETS>
