ACMAT (the Grand Signior) who succeed­ed Mahomet III. was the best-made Man in his whole Empire. He was tall, had a goodly Meen, full of Majesty and Grandeur; his Eyes were black, large, and roll'd with a sparkling Fire: The Air of his Face was noble and commanding. [Page 2]and whenever he spoke, it softned in­to a thousand Sweetnesses; His Soul was much more agreeable than his Person, though it was a receiv'd opi­nion, it was not to his Quality he owed the number of those that called him the goodliest Man that had been formed. He was exactly made for a great Lover and a fine Gentleman; his Success amongst the Ladies made it evident, and the care he took to make his Court to the fair Sex had been seldom in vain.

Indamora, by him created Sultana of Barbary, had found how to fix his Heart; for though he had continued some years amorous of the fair Ho­mira, to whom he gave the Title of Sultana, yet had a thousand Passions intervened, and she was constrained to suffer Rivals; yet she retained the Sovereignity, and the great Acmat held himself obliged to be constant to none but her; till Time, which perfects all things, let him see that Homira did not deserve so much from him, and that Amurath, a private [Page 3]Gentleman, but beautiful as an Angel; possest the favourable Inclinations of that Sultana, whilest the Sultan had nothing but her Person, and that too but in part.

She was tall, and had an unexpres­sible Grandeur accompanied all she did; her Eyes were beyond the power of being defined, her whole Features admirable, and one of the finest made Faces that had perhaps ever been seen. She deserved the Epithet of a great Beauty, and exceeded what is pro­perly called so.

'Tis a truth, she had loved the Sul­tan before he was so; but Ambition, which was her predominant Passion, (whilest she yet set some bounds to her Luxury) did not permit her to tell it him; but as soon as Destiny had determined the Fate of Mahomet III. and that Acmat was actual Possessor of the Ottoman Empire, she made appear that the first day he could call the Scepter his, she became his also.

Acmat very well saw he owed the Possession of the Person of Homira (though not to her Inclinations) to his Crowns; and though he was ac­customed never to let those niceties disturb him, yet he could have wisht she had not let the World see she gave the Monarch what she denied the Lo­ver, since it carried this disadvantage with it, an encouragement to all that adored her. It was very well seen her transporting desires to please her self; she was extream sensual, and sacrifi­ced all things to Pleasure; her Am­bition was crowned, and all she en­deavours is to persuade the Grand Signior of her tenderness, and to gra­tifie her Inclinations.

But that Restraint which she for some years had put upon them, on purpose to secure the Esteem of the Sultan, she began to grow weary of; and she abandoned her self to almost all the vast number that adored her.

The Sultan, who passionately lov'd her, passed over Faults too gross for any to continue in his favour that had [Page 5]been guilty of them, and was, beyond her expectation, (infinitely beyond her deserts) indulgent, would be­lieve nothing to her disadvantage, and if he at all minded her of her ill conduct, it was after a manner so obliging as if he believed she could do nothing that deserved reproving.

It was much about this time when the young Amurath came to Court. He had received from the Sultan that extream Grace, to kiss the Hand of the Sultana Queen; he came to her Appartments in the Seraglio in order to it. The Queen was not yet come into the Chamber of Presence. Ho­mira attended her there; and when the young Amurath appeared, she presently had designs upon his Heart. As for what concerned him, he was wholly amazed to see a Woman so perfectly beautiful as Homira: She was dress'd gloriously, and in so at­tractive a manner, that Amurath, ha­stily advancing, fell before her on his Knees, and treated her as if he had believed her the Sultana Queen, [Page 6](by the Majesty of her Meen.) This so very well satisfied Homira's humour, that she was going to say something very obliging to him, when that the Sultana Queen entring prevented her: She withdrew from the presence; and Amurath (when he came to Court, came with a design to establish an in­terest there,) followed her as soon as he had ended his Court to the Sulta­na Queen.

This mistake made a great noise, and was much for Amurath's Advan­tage, Homira not much valuing a dis­creet Lover, but a passionate and a brave: 'tis true, he ran the risque of the Sultan's displeasure, but he was of opinion he ought to do no less, before he could be called to the pos­session of so beautiful a Princess as Homira. He believed Writing to her was what he ought to do, and in that Consideration he sent her this Letter.

Considering the Fame Homira had in the world, this Letter was not writ with too much precaution; but she was of a great Quality (having mar­ried a very noble Turk) before she had the Title of Sultana, which her being Mistress to the Grand Signior acquired her, had she been less kind she had certainly been just to her Mo­narch; but her inclinations were fa­vourable, [Page 8]and her Ruin inevitable. She received the Letter with an un­expressible Joy, and with her accu­stomed manner of Writing when she designs to oblige, she made this return.

Amurath failed not to be at the Assignation at the pointed hour; he found the Sultana as meltingly kind as she had been to a great many others, but Amurath is more happy than all; she will abandon those she before treated favourably, and will give her self up entirely to her Sultan and her dear Amurath.

Whilest Homira had thus dispo­sed of her self, Mustapha, Brother to the Sultan, (matchless for Valour and Conduct) returned from gaining a glorious Victory. His Success was a­lone derived from his Governing; and never was a great Prince a bet­ter Soldier: He had early all the ex­perience of a brave General, and ne­ver could the great Acmat commit the Sasety and the Glory of his Em­pires to a better Manager. Success constantly followed all his Designs, and it was said of him He was the best of Soldiers and the best of Subjects; nor did his warlike humour render him unfit for other things, he was a great Courtier and a great States­man. Homira believed it her Interest to make him hers; she employed all her Cunning to effect it, and though at first she only designed him her Friend, she at length (maugre her Passion for Amurath, and common Policy) resolved him her Lover. It was impossible for her to fail, when she endeavoured any thing of that na­ture; [Page 10]yet the Prince was easily ore­come with an opinion of her Love to him, and her dazling Charms: He took her to his Arms, and suffered himself to bury there the reflection of the Crime he committed in injuring a Brother such as Acmat (and in such a sensible manner.) In all probabi­lity Mustapha had ever loved her, had he not learned by some what a Repu­tation she had. His Inclinations are virtuous, and he could not endure to see himself fond of a Woman that de­served rather Contempt. He lost his steem for her, and was seeking for some Pretext to break with her with­out her seeing he desired it: He be­lieved it was best the Quarrel should begin on her part, but whilest he is at a loss how to give her an occasion of it, as if undesignedly, there was an accident fell out that ever after made her his Enemy.

He was once in her Cabinet, and caressing her with all the sweetness imaginable, and on the point of re­ceiving some testimonies of her Pas­sion, [Page 11]when the Sultan entred. Mu­stapha was surprized, and in a confu­sed manner retired. Aomat was ex­treamly disordered: He did not ex­pect to find a Rival in the Prince his Brother; he said little to the Sulta­na, but retired ill-humoured and irre­solved.

Mustapha saw his Ruin inevitable, but endeavours must be used to pre­vent it, if possible: Either the Prince or the Sultana must be disgraced. It was easy to be resolved who ought to suffer. Mustapha hated an ill Action, and yet unwilling as he was to sacri­fice Homira, he acknowledged her un­worthy a place in the Sultan's esteem, (how then one so large as she possest in his heart?) He calls to his aid Mahomet Bassa, Grand Visier, who had raised Homira to what she was; the Title of Sultana was given at his Desire; she had promised him her Favours if he could procure it for her. He was passionately in Love, and did what she commanded; she is the [Page 12]Sultana Homira, but very treacherous; she denies to reward his Love and his Care, contemns him, and in a word uses him so, that from her passionate Lover he became her most mortal E­nemy. Amurath had been brought to Court by him, with a design to ruin this ungrateful: He had placed Spies on all her Actions, and was extream­ly pleased, he could save Mustapha from ruin by exposing her. He bids the Prince endeavour his own safety; that if he were so fatally generous as to offer his own Life for ransoming a faithless Womans, after such a Sa­crifice she would but triumph over his Weakness. In short, he disposes the Prince to a Preservation of him­self. He was once informed by the Grand visier, that Amurath was then with Homira, Mahomet Bassa tells him, that he ought not to neglect so favourable an opportunity of reconciling himself to the Sul­tan: Mustapha goes then to the great Acmat, lets him see how ill he did to disgrace him for an in­famous [Page 13]Woman, and pursuing that Point, brought the Grand Signior to listen to him at length, and fol­lowing that Advantage, with ano­ther, made him pass to the Sulta­na's Lodgings, where Amurath was found with Homira, in a place the Sultan allowed none besides him­self to be in.

She being thus discovered, cast her self at the feet of her injured Mo­narch, but he was too sensibly touched at her perfidiousness, to be moved at any thing she could say or do: He left her drowned in despair, in anger and Grief, he carried Mustapha with him from her Apartments, and began there to acquiesce with the Prince, and blame himself for loving an infamous Woman, and one that abandoned her self to all sorts of Criminal and Scan­dalous Passions; his Resentments ter­minated in having no more esteem for Homira, and in disgracing Amu­rath.

The Grand Visier was revenged on the Sultana Homira, the Sultan has left loving her, and, to all appearance, has intirely abandoned her, but he was not assured he should do so for ever; Mahomet Bassa was acquainted perfect­ly with his Humour, he forgets Inju­ries the soonest of any Man alive, and might, perhaps, in favour of Homira, lose the Remembrance of her Infamy. But Mahomet Bassa will prevent that by all the ways can be thought on, there is a very fair Christian Slave ta­ken, he ransoms her, and places her with the Sultana Queen, in a Station so advantageous for his Designs, that as often as the Sultan came out of that side, he must of necessity see her; she was of a good Stature, finely shaped, prettily turn'd and Gentile, her Face little, but all over Charms, fine sweet Eyes, a pretty Mouth, good Teeth, and an Air so peculiar to herself, that tho' Detraction had very little to say of the rest, yet that engaged beyond all things, so innocently sweet, so guiltless of Cunning and design, and [Page 15]yet none has more than she, that the Sultan would often say, she was a Miracle in nature; he loses his Li­berty as soon as he sees her; he em­ploys Mahomet Bassa to tell her of the Conquest, and that she might be as­sured the Ottoman Emperor was rea­dy to lay his Crowns at her Feet, (as great a Monarch as he was,) if she commanded it.

The Grand Visier was full of Joy at the Success that attended his Designs; he will know the History, and the Qua­lity, the Merit, as well as the Beauty, of his Captive, before he puts his In­terest with hers; not but the Sultan's Approbation and Passion for her was enough to secure him; but he will know if he finds her ready to follow all he shall advise, if she will, then he is the absolute Monarch of the Sultan, since it was the Humour of that Mo­narch to let himself be govern'd by the Woman he loves, the Grand Vi­sier believes it necessary for his De­signs, that he should be acquainted [Page 16]with the Life of Indamora, (for so was the fair Christian call'd,) she had confusedly related to him some of the particulars when he first ransomed her, but that does not satisfie, he goes to her then, conjures her to give him that Satisfaction, since he assured her it was for both their Interests, he should be ignorant of nothing that concerned her; after some Excuses and Denials, she assents, and gives him this following Relation.

THE Sultana of Barbary, during all these Trans­actions, was reflecting of the Assignation she had given the Prince Tiridate; the Sultan left her late that night, so that it was already morning, when Indamora came into the Gardens, agi­tated by a number of Disquiets and [Page 90]Fears, she would hear, what he would say to her, she would clear her self to him, and yet she does not know for what reason; she begins to fancy she loves him more than she does any, she desires he should believe, not Love but Interest made her what she then was; she apprehended a Passion for the amiable Agustus would ruin her, and yet she has not Power to suppress it; it was Tiridate had first taught her, how to love well, and it was he, that had, ever since (maugre her Passion for Alcander,) been very dear to her, and, further, it was he, that had been content, for her, to suffer an inglori­ous Exile, and though it was a hard Banishment, kindly meant, since it reprieved him from an ignominions Death, yet it was what lost him all his Fame, and all his Friends; the fair Sultana was sensible of this, and though she had had no concern for him, Gra­titude would make her acknowledge her self obliged, for perhaps there was not a Man in the World, would do so much for the Love of her; she was [Page 91]not at all displeased with the Murthe­rer of Alcander, because in the Person of Tiridate.

The Prince had all these Advantages on his side, the fair Sultana had an amorous Soul, a Receptacle of Ten­derness, and, in a word, she knew not how to be cruel to a Man she had been so intimately acquainted with, yet the Fate of Homira was a restraint to her for some moments, and but for some moments; she considered her Indiscre­tion lost the Sultan more than her Li­centiousness, she was not discreet, with­out which, a Woman is in a deplora­ble Condition.

The Sultana of Barbary was assured she wanted no cunning, nor an ascen­dant over the Great Acmat, to hinder him from seeing and believing what she did not give leave to, and perhaps she had some Apprehensions of Tiridate, should she be more cruel now, than in the Emperor's Court, he had Letters of hers, and, in short, it was in his Power to make a misunderstanding be­tween the Sultan and her, notwith­standing [Page 92]her boasted power over him; agitated, I say, by all these different Reflections, she entred the Gardens of the Seraglio, and immediately pas­sed to the covered Walks, where she expects to find the Religious Prince, not considering the Custom of the place, which permitted none (but those of the Seraglio, the Sultan and the chief Gardiner) upon pain of death, to tarry there after night. However she goes, she comes, she looks about, she enters all the Grottoes, and at length, in one of the most re­tir'd ones, she sees a Woman alone, wrapt up in her Barnus, supinely laid on one of the Banks, and reading a Letter by the help of the Moon, which lent her light enough.

The fair Sultana, disappointed as she was of seeing Tiridate resolved to amuse herself with the discovery of that person that was so closely con­ceal'd under a Barnus. She entred the Grotto with Caution, and obli­ged the other to look round her, by taking that Letter from her. Inda­mora [Page 93]had long since been above what ever any but the Qeeen Sultaness could say to her, and if she dreaded any thing besides, it was the Malice of Ho­mira; she prepared to read the Let­ter; but how was she surprized to see there the name of Tiridate Agustus? she testified her Amazement by a loud Cry, and addrest her self (after ha­ving thrown the Letter from her) to embrace the other she had taken it from: She believed it could be no other but the Religious Prince under that Disguise; how ingenious is Love, my Agustus! says she, and how am I [...]o ask thy Pardon for making thee wait thus long. The Sultan had but just left me as I entred these Gardens, where I had al­most lost all hope of seeing thee; he exacts all ones time, and one can find almost none to give to love. She ended here, and wondered the supposed Tiridate made her no Returns, but stoopt to take up the Letter, which when he had done, he infinitely surprized her, by owning himself to be the Grand Signior under the Disguise of a Woman Slave. In­damora, [Page 94]at this Confession, knew not what excuse to make; she believed her silence would plead best, and to pre­vent her from saying any thing, she swooned, but immediately recovered at the Assurance given her by him that held her, he was not the Sultan, but Mahomet Bassa; she is raised by this Assurance, and laught with him at that fear she expressed by his Fallacy. Had it been any other but the Grand Visier, she had been undoubtedly ruined by what she had said; but he it was to whom she was obliged for all her Grandeur, and one whom she had made acquainted with all her weak­nesses. She amazedly required of him the reason of his Disguise, and by what means that Letter had come into his hands, which she saw was addrest to her self, and which the Grand Vi­sier read thus to her,

After the reading of this Letter, which cost the fair Sultana some Blushes, she again conjured the Grand Visier to satisfie her when he receiv'd it, and from whom; Why he was dis­guised [Page 96]so? And, Why he was so care­less of his Safety, as to pass a night in the Garden of the Seraglio? To all which Mahomet Bassa answered by this following Relation.

I had no sooner heard, says the Visier, that it was a Revenge of Homi­ra, that Mustapha's Engagement, with Zayda, was made known to the Sultan, than I resolved to let her understand, by some Act, how I resented the ill effects of her inverate malice; the Love I had had formerly for her, no longer disquieted me, and if she was dear to me one hour, I hated her the next as much, for her unjust Usage of me, and all her Perjuries; she denied, after her Promise, to give to me what a thousand others possess'd; this, at first, was an unconsolable Affliction, but time, which conquers all Resent­ments, of what nature soever, taught me not to value, and at length, to de­spise, the Weaknesses of this unjust Sultaness; Morat, the chief Gardener, who is one of the greatest of my Friends, received my Orders, to make [Page 97]his Addresses to her, and, when en­joy'd, to expose her; this was, I thought, the greatest Revenge I could have, in that low Condition she was in; 'tis true, it was by my designs she became so, but she had sensibly injured me since her disgrace, and I must again revenge it: Morat made an effectual Address, enjoy'd her, and, in a word, received another Assignation (in the remotest Grotto in the covered Walks of the Garden of the Seraglio,) for this Night; he was to be, as you see me now, in the Dress of a Slave, for the more Security; the Grand Gardener (who held not himself so obliged, by the Sultana's Favours, as to neglect what he owed to me,) failed not to learn me all that he knew. It was then that I found my Passion for her not ex­tinct, and yet I hated her to the death, I thought it would be an infinite of Pleasure to me, to take Morat's place, and, by consequence, possess what she treacherously refused me; it was to me the highest Satisfaction in the World, to think, how she would resent this [Page 98]Affront, after I should disabuse her, when, in the room of the Grand Gar­dener, she should find the Grand Vi­sier, her most mortal Enemy; this (I say,) flattered my Love, and my Re­venge, so much, that I put on the Slaves Dress, and, conducted by Mo­rat, (who no longer valued the Sul­tana, since he had received from her all he could expect,) I entered the Gardens, and passed with silence to the covered Walks, I presently discovered the beautiful Homira advancing to­wards an Eunuch, that, as I have since apprehended, waited there, by the Order of the Christian Prince, for your arrival; however it were, the Sultana, who was also disguised, ap­proached the Eunuch, that attended there, made him believe she came from the Sultana of Barbary, with Orders to receive the Letter, which the Slave, without any farther Examination, put into her hands; I presently apprehend­ed some ill designs, from that inraged Spirit, and, quitting Morat, who re­tired at the first sight of her, doubled [Page 99]my pace, and was got up to her, be­fore she had opened the Letter; We are likely, my dear, said she to me, in believing me to be the chief Gardener, to make some Discoveries, here was, not long since, one of your Sex, though not so very much disguised as you, that put this Letter into the hands of an Eunuch, to de­liver to the Sultana of Barbary; thou knowest, my dear, what Reasons I have to hate her, I easily got it from the Slave: She then gave it to me to read; you may imagin the Joy I had to see it in my hands; we entered the Grotto, she would oblige me to let her hear what was in the Letter, I easily diverted her from it, I pretended the Passion I had for her, was too ardent to amuse the Heavenly Moments (which I bought with the hazard of my Life,) in Trifles, like those; (I told her,) that there was enough of other time, to give to things of that nature, and that Love would have reason to be angry, at me his glorious Favourite, if I lavish'd away the hasty happy hour, in such an unpardonable idle manner.

'Tis easie for you to divine, con­tinued the Visier, with a Smile, (and looking fixedly on Indamora,) how we entertained one another, she believed me Morat, and I fancied her the Ho­mira I had once loved, above the hopes of a blessed Eternity: In short, I pos­sess'd what I had so long sigh'd for, and what she had so unjustly denied me, maugre my transporting desires of Revenge, I was forced to recollect all that could animate it, to be proof against this seducing Charmer; and I put a perfect violence on my Inclina­tions, by constraining my self to do a cruel Action, after so pleasing and so extastick a one, yet such was my Fate, I must triumph, or must be triumphed over, 'tis easie to resolve, which was the Choice I made, for when I had been this happy Man, for two hours, and had very often given, and received, Testimonies of a great and reciprocal Passion, I barbarously confessed my self to be Mahomet Bassa; certainly, all I could have contrived, in my whole Life, of Cruel, had not been so ill re­ceived [Page 101]by her, as this last Action of mine, yet she continued some time very calm, and confessed, that not my Embraces had disgusted her, but my former conduct to her, which was so base, that she should eternally re­member, and eternally endeavour to revenge; she caress'd me for the Let­ter, which, when she saw I was re­solved not to give her, she flew out into an extreme violent Passion, she threatned me with death, which she assured me she was resolved should be my Fate, for she would instantly inform the Grand Signior of my coming to that sacred place, in such an hour, and an hundred other ridiculous Cla­mors, which I put an end to, by an­swering her, Morat should suffer what­ever the Sultan ordained me of Punish­ment; Nay, persued I, either change your Resolution of discovering to Acmat my Crime, and your own Debauchery, or this ador'd Grand Gardener shall this hour be expiring by Poysons, or my Scimitan, or shall be strangled by Mutes: Consider, how you can bear this, and take your [Page 102]measures accordingly. These Threats had their desired Success, the Sultana retired, very much inraged at my man­ner of Revenge, and the more so, in that she durst not complain of me, with­out hazarding the Life of her dear Morat. You entered some moments after, the Letter you have, by a kind of Miracle; had Homira seen it, no­thing could have preuented your ruin, have a care how you carry your self, she will certainly have an account of all your Conduct, which will be rendered as criminal as her Wit and Malice can make it; perhaps she will too inform the Sultan of a Letter I had for you, and render us both suspected; he loyes you well enough to be jealous, (though none before could ever make him so;) the Sultaness Homira was an infamous Woman, and disgraced, because the Honour of Acmat required she should be so; he forgave her other Faults as Criminal, though not as publick as her favouring Amurath, and would not himself see, what the rest of the World easily discern'd; Tiridate and Homira [Page 103]may ruin Indamora with the same [...]ase, that Amurath and Mahomet Bassa ru­ined her; act then with Caution, and remember, when you have once lost the Sultan, all Endeavours will be in vain, to make him again love you; an Example of this we have in Homira, she is, beyond comparison, beautiful, so made to Charm, that it was almost a Miracle (great as her own Compo­ser,) to think, how Acmat, of the Tem­per he is, could ever cease from loving her, yet, nothing is more certain, than that he has: He cannot love Indamora more than he did Homira; you may, perhaps, have her Destiny, but all En­deavours must be used to hinder that fatal Curse, banish Agustus from your Heart, for as long as he reigns there, you will not fail of being unhappy; Monarchs, like Acmat, when they give a whole Heart, expect a suitable re­turn, and, as in Empire, so in Love, we can admit of no Compe­titors.

This I very well know (my Lord) replied the Sultana; but my auspici­ous Stars have inspired me with an un­fortunate Passion for Tiridate, before I ever knew the Sultan; I have, before now, assured you of my Passion for h [...]m; but when you placed me with the Sultana Queen, that did not disturb me so very much, I did not believe I should ever see him again, and am yet to learn how it comes that he is pro­tected here, in this Court. Possbly I had not consented to please my Am­bition, had I ever had any hope of be­ing happy again in my Love; but the Object of it had, for me, suffered a Banishment, and retired to a place, where I could never have come, after my being taken and made a Slave in Turky. But, my Lord, pursued the fair Sultana, with some great Sighs, and a Torrent of Tears, I love the Prince, and cannot cease from doing it, maugre all what you, my own Reason, or the whole World, can say to the contrary; and perhaps I had rather share his Banish­ment with him, than never see him again. [Page 105]I first gave him my Honour, when I had no Love for him, and sure, my Lord, now I have, 'tis not to be expected I should treat him worse than than: Ah! it is too cruel a Destiny, my capricious Fates will hurry me to a thousand things, but all my Resolves terminate in loving him eter­nally; and in this you must acquiesce, all our Sex has some weakness, this is mine, pity it then, (my Lord) and assist an un­fortunate Woman, whose Good wholly de­pends on your Management. I would not ask this from you, were I not as­sured it is your Interest I should live in the Favour of the Grand Signior; and further, (my Lord) you have hi­therto protected and assisted me, leave me not now, in the greatest moment of my life. I would, without your aid, leave the Seraglio, confess my Passion to the Sultan for Tiridate A­gustus, and declare to him the desire I should have of passing my whole life with him, remote from every thing but Love; but I flatter my self, that with your assistance, and by the As­cendent I have over Acmat, I may con­tinue [Page 106]as I am. I have some Ambition with me, the Sultan gratifies it, and I must acknowledge it, though he is a Monarch very indifferent to me; and I know not what I could be capable of doing against him, should he make my life uneasie by disturbing my love. To prevent it, I must endeavour to preserve my selfe, in his Opinion, as guiltless of persidiousness as I am now in it.

She stopt here, to make room for the Returns of the Grand Visier, who represented to her all she had to fear from that manner of Conduct, the Life of the Christian Religious, and her own; (but those are things which Love renders but little persuasive, and we very often hazard them to satisfie the humours of the God.) Mahomet Bassa at least persuaded the Sultana to carry her self with more Caution than usual, and to pretend more Passion and Tenderness for Acmat than ever. Af­ter this the Grand Visier retired, the day began to break, and to tarry lon­ger [Page 107]would be hazardous, if he were known.

The fair Sultana was agitated by unexpressible Disquiets; she returned to the Seraglio, and with a Resolu­tion to write to the Religious Prince, which she did, but then she knows not how to have it safely delivered to him. What the Grand Visier had said to her, alarmed her; she had reason to apprehend all things from Homira, who, upon very good Considerations, she could not believe any thing but ill Of­fices could proceed from.

She must then use as much precau­tion as could be consistent with her Love for the Prince, that being dearer to her than her Ambition; she belie­ved Acmat was secure in the Opinion of her sincerity, her truth, and the Protestations she had made him, and that more than suspicions would be ne­cessary to ruin her, it was her fault if Indiscretion did it; she has a thousand Designs forming for the Conveyance of this Letter she had writ; she knows not whom to trust, she fears all things [Page 108]from every one in the Seraglio. Acmat was the most beloved by his Subjects of any Prince under the Heavens; all that had the Grace to approach him were charmed with his easie Conversa­tion, in which he always exprest a­bundance of Wit; and for those that were not permitted to be so nearly serviceable, they were retained by a thousand Liberalities He was the most Generous of all men, and never in his life denied any thing that was asked him, though it was the same thing by several persons; he gave it to all, and let them agree whose it were. All those in the Seraglio seem­ed so devoted to his particular Inter­est, that it was an emulation amongst them who should serve him most, even in indifferent things; and whatever was newly acted or said, was instantly recounted to him. The Sultana of Barbary was not to learn this; she once resolved to take her self Eunuch's Ha­bit, and pass to the Apartment of Ti­ridate under that Disguise; but all her people being affected, as I have obser­ved, [Page 109]she found none in whom she might place a Confidence; her Dis­guise was not possible to be assumed so privately as none was to know of it, and she does not see where to find that one, so that by consequence she could not tell how to escape Censure and Ruin. She must then quit that Reso­lution, and resolve on somthing more possible; she has greater designs than the Delivery of a Letter; that is but an imperfect Happiness: She then tears that she writ, resolves on another Stratagem. She feigns herself all on a sudden desperately ill, commands the Sultan to be told of it in such a man­ner as should express the greatest dan­ger. Acmat lov'd her beyond his Em­pires, and flies with all the haste and terror of a passionate Lover, who would see his Mistress before she left the World. Indamora was assured of his Approach, and prepared to receive him in a condition the most moving of all, by terrible Swoonings and Con­vulsions, that Acmat, all desperate at her appearance of so eminent danger, [Page 110]gave a very loud Cry; this she pre­tends to hear, and, as if raised by it from a deep Lethargy which her faint­ings had left her in, she called those about her, Barbarous, in disturbing that Repose she was going to find in Death. Acmat, at her pronouncing that name, fell on his Knees by her Bed, and conjured her not to think yet of any thing but Life: She turn­ed to the Sultan, and with that little Force that was left her, endeavour'd to raise him from the Ground, and made him sit by her on the Bed: Then she ordered all in the Room to retire, and addrest herself thus to him, in a very low Voice,

You and Heaven, Sir, are sensible with how much Faithfulness I have loved you, and how much I was beloved again; I see my self possess a Rank which would satisfie the most immense Ambition: But, Ah! my dear Sultan, added she with tenderness, it was not to gratifie that D [...]sire I became what I am; it was to sa­tisfie a more refin'd Passion; you inspir'd me with too tender Sentiments to deny [Page 111]yours and my own happiness; but, Oh! how have I served my God by this grati­fying my Criminal Passions? I must dy [...], Sir, and be accountable for all my weak­nesses; nay, my Sin is more, I am so ob­stinate that I cannot repent of what gave us so much Pleasure as our Engagements; I call Heaven to Witness, they bounded all my Felicities and all my Ambition, my Wishes and Desires of satisfying Love and Glory were there terminated: But in the Condition I am in now, 'tis requisite, I banish the memory of that Happiness, and apply my self after the Pursuit of a more durable, though not a more transporting one, of another nature. In all appearance, I have not many hours to survive this, in which I speak to you. Here she lost her Voice again, and swooned in the Arms of the Sultan: He called the Attendants to her Aid, and yet suf­fered none to touch her; he fancied that Service, which was requisite to be rendred her, ought to be accom­plished by none but himself; he then chaffed her, prest her in his Arms, sigh'd, wept, and in short, commit­ted [Page 112]a thousand Extravagancies, which were notwithstanding pardonable in a Lover. In such extremity of An­guish, Ah! too lovely, and too dear In­damora, (would he cry, all trans­ported with despair) you must not leave your Monarch thus, but I shall shortly follow; my Life is inseparable with hers; Hear me, Mahomet, and if thou hast a design to continue me thy Friend, restore me to Life and Health my dear Sultana. Indamora would now rise from her Swoon, she believed she had remained long enough in it, so that fetching two great Sighs, she opened her Eyes with a dead Languor, and, in a Mo­ment after, closed 'em again. Acmat was not able to suffer this cruelty; he repeated his Outcry, and snatched her with great violence nearer him, as if by that Action he designed to hinder her from expiring. This gave her a good Pretence; she seemed startled at this emotion, and opening her Eyes, she clos'd 'em no more again for that time. The Sultan, transported at so pleasing an Object, ordered the At­tendants [Page 113]Absence, till he should call them again; and turning to her with symptoms of joy for her Recovery, which did not however last long; for asking of her, How she was now, and receiving no Answer, absolutely be­lieved she was Speechless; he was now despairing, and in a very little of be­ing in earnest, what she feign'd.

But all this had not effected what she aimed at; she thinks it's now time to begin, so that raising her head with an apparent Constraint, and in fainter Accents than before, with Interruptions and Tears, she pro­ceeds thus to the Grand Signior. I must now (Sir,) take my farewel of this World, or to speak more pro­perly of you, you being alone in the Room of all things to me; but as my time, (which I very well perceive is short) so must my Discourse be; I must employ some of my hasty mo­ments to the reconciling my self to my God, whom I have every way offend­ed. I know you love me, above your Crowns, above your own Life; and [Page 114]I flatter my self, were it possible to save mine, by the loss of yours, you would not fail to give me that Sacri­fice. Acmat having assur'd her with passionate Asseverations, of the cer­tainty of what she said, she proceeded thus: But as that could not fail of killing me with Grief and Sorrow, so I should not suffer it, this I say to as­sure you I know how dear I am to you; all I have now to recommend to your care, is the preservation of your own Person; next, Sir, I bear my loss with patience, the good. Gods will send another in my room, to possess the Affection, I could never merit, and she shall be as dear to you, as I am now. Ah! That is impossible, re­plied he, with a transporting sorrow. Well, my (dear Prince) continued she, since you say so, I will believe; but remember what I shall tell you, Deny not your self all the Diversions possible, I flatter my self, my Death may some sort make 'em necessary, since the only way, to expel a great Melancholy (such as yours) is by [Page 115]Pleasures. And next, Oh Heavens! cried she, as if torn with extremity of anguish, retire, and let me not die more full of torture by seeing, what a world of pain, my death will cost you; Ah, my dear Prince, fare­well. Here she gave way, for the Sultan to lament her in the tenderest manner of regret. You love me, says she, (just as if expiring) convince me of it, in Death; and as the last, and greatest service, you can render to a Woman so dear to you, take some care of my everlasting Welfare, send to me the Prince Tiridate Agu­stus, he is of my Religion, we were acquainted in the Emperors Court, I hear he is now in yours, I cannot die, but despairing, if I do not see him, 'tis necessary for my Eternal Happi­ness, I receive from him Absolution; 'tis long since, you allowed my Reli­gion, you have now no room for won­der, at a desire, so consistent with it.

Acmat believing Obedience was tho greatest Testimony of his Affection, went to the Anti-Chamber, where [Page 116]the Attendants were in waiting, and ordered one of the Eunuchs to fly to the Holy Christian Prince, and to com­mand him instantly to come to the dy­ing Sultana of Barbary, (to whom, af­ter these words given,) he return'd, she said no more, pretended to be faln into a deep Lethargy, he kneel'd by her, kiss'd her a thousand times, and uttered all, that a violent Sorrow, and a great Passion, could inspire, shed a torrent of Tears upon her Face, and flattered himself, (by the heat he found there,) she was not yet expiring: It is almost a Miracle, how the Sultana could deceive him, as she did; but the Bed-Chamber was wholly darkened, and he the most Amorous, and blind­est, of all Princes.

The Prince Agustus having received those Orders from the Ottoman Em­peror, was divided, if he should obey, (since the cruel Disappointment the night before,) but his Charity, and his Religion, (as it ought,) surmount­ed all particular Considerations, and he followed the Eunuch to her Apart­ments; [Page 117]the Sultan retired at the sight of him, and caused himself to be con­ducted to his own, where he passed his time the most deplorably imaginable; it is easie to imagin, the Sultana con­tinued not long in that appearance of danger, when she saw none present but her dear Prince, (for whom she had feign'd as she did,) he approach­ed the Bed with some amaze, The Great God is Just (said he,) to punish so im­mediately thy Perjuries to me! but this is not a time to upbraid you, 'tis convenient, for your eternal repose, you repent of them. But is it possible, cry'd he, some mo­ments after, that Indamora, that Charm­ing Creature, should be so near leaving this World; 'tis absurd to believe, so great a Miracle in Nature should cease to be, so early.

You prophesie right, return'd she, in raising her Head, and Indamora is not yet to leave this World, and her unjust Tiridate, for whom I have feigned this Indisposition. Do not you see I love you, I abandon my Sultan to assure you of it, and it is with some Difficulty, I have ob­tained [Page 118]your Presence here. Ah! inter­rupted he her, I am convinced, maugre all the former Appearances to the contrary: But, persued he a moment after, Why did you disappoint me in the Garden? And, Why did not you answer my Letter, I sent you? Indamora satisfied him of the Letter, recounted to him all that had happened in the Garden of the Serag­lio, the preceding night, and further assured him, that she recall'd and re­pented of all her Cruelty to him, in the Court of the German Emperor; that she forgave him the Death of Al­cander, since it was for the Love of her; and, in short, all his unjust Suspicions of her too.

The Prince had nothing now to doubt, but, made the most bless'd of all Men, had leisure to give, and re­ceive, Protestations of an inviolable Fidelity, and to compose their Quar­rel, in a Charming manner.

He assured her, that it was for the Love of her, that he came to Constan­tinople; learnt her the Sorrow of the Great Dutchess Dowager of Muscovy, [Page 119]when she had heard of her being made a Slave, and press'd her to take some measures for the seeing one ano­ther for the future; it was impossible for him to visit her again, unsuspected. Indamora's Malady was represented as a violent Poyson, and of consequence, since it was not to kill, she must reco­ver as soon as her pretended Distem­per required.

The fair Sultaness demanded some time to consider of what was to be done for their mutual repose, and as­sured him, she would find out some way, to give him Notice, when she had resolved what ought to be done; the Prince kiss'd her Hand, as a Pledge of his eternal Passion, and left her to go tell the Sultan something to satisfie him; he found him thrown on his Bed, drown'd in Tears and in despair; none, not the Grand Visier, so extremely in his Favour, was permitted to speak to him, a gloomy silence fill'd the whole Apartment; all the Eunuchs, Slaves, and Guards, had Orders not to let any enter, the Prince though found [Page 120]it not difficult, for one of the Atten­dants telling the Great Acmat, that the Prince Agustus was returned from the Sultana of Barbary, and implored Permission to speak to him; he was presently introduced, Acmat advanced to him very hastily, and, in expressive Language, enquired News of her, and Tiridate, with abundance of Gravity, gave him this Return.

It was some time, Sir, after I entered, ere I could possibly bring her to say any thing to me; 'till, at length, recovering from that Lethargy, wherein you left her, she discoursed me much to her Satisfaction, but in such intolerable Pains, and so weak a Voice, that I could not believe her destin'd to live an hour: Amid'st all her terrible Agonies, she often named you very tender­ly, she sighed, when she repeated the Name of the Sultan, and appeared to have no other regret, in her quitting this World, but as she left you behind her. Twice whil'st I was by her Bed, I believed her expiring, but the Physicians say now, there is no manner of danger, they knew not at the first what ailed her, but the horrid [Page 121]pains she suffered, her Agonies, her Swoon­ings and her Convulsions, has assured them she has been poisoned; but her Youth and Vigour has master'd the height of it: She is put to rest, and with great hopes of Re­covery, the extremity being already past, and we hope, most of the greatest dan­ger:

The Sultan was so sensibly pleas'd with this Relation, that from that Moment he began to treat the Prince in an extraordinary manner; he en­quired of him a thousand little things, would force him to stay with him, That we may (says the great Acmat) both together visit the dear Indamora, when she shall awake.

'Tis apparent, he had no Inclina­tions to Jealousie, not but that the most barbarous man would have ceas'd to have been so in that point, having seen the fair Sultana in that deplora­ble Condition the Grand Signior left her in. He attended with impatience till she should rise from her Sleep, which she really did not in two hours after the Physicians had been with [Page 122]her, and delivered their Opinions, (as the Prince Agustus had recourted them to the Sultan) who all impa­tient to be personally assured of her Recovery, passed to her Apartments. The Moment he was told, she awoke, it is beyond being desined the extreme Passion he exprest, the joy and plea­sure he took in seeing her freed from her pretended Malady. The Prince, (Jealous to Madness of so much Ar­dour,) could not but silently upbraid the unjust Sultaness for being false to a Monarch so accomplisht and so well made, as Acmat; but as it was in his advantage, he did not suffer that Reflection to disturb him long. He wish'd himself out of the Seraglio; he continued there in intolerable Dis­quiets; 'tis true, the Grand Signior brought him again to the Chamber of Indamora, but he had not the liber­ty to speak to that dear Princess, the Sultan so wholly applied himself to her, none could be heard besides; he pleas'd himself with recounting to her all that her appearance of danger had [Page 123]made him suffer, learnt her the Cares, the Sighs, the Tears he shed for her, and in short, was two hours by her Bed on his Knees, and would not be persuaded to rise, but amused the time with, I love; I feard for you; I could not survive you; and a hundred other things of the same nature.

The Prince, during all these foole­ries, was impatient enough; he con­sider'd he was there but as a Witness to a thousand Transports of his Rival; but he had no reason to complain; he had been more happy not long before, and if any had reason to be dissatisfied, it was the Sultan, Indamora was only grateful to this later, and she passio­nately loved the former.

After two hours, the Prince Tiri­date was call'd to share the Conver­sation with the Sultan and Sultana; he charm'd all with his pleasing Wit; and Acmat would often say, He regret­ted nothing so much, as his having not been intimately acquainted before then with a Prince of his merit. This was a Grace to the amorous Tiridate, and [Page 124]he saw every moment how much the Grand Signior favoured him, who, when he quitted the Apartment of Indamora, which could not be done without Reluctancy, being obliged to visit the Sultana Queen, he carried him with him, to present him to her, to do his Homage there.

The Sultana Homira was then in the Presence. Agustus had never before seen her, (nor none so beautiful as she) he was dazled with a thousand Graces, peculiar to her Divine Com­posure, her goodly Meen, and though she had lost much of what she was, when the Mrs. of the Sultan, yet she failed not of drawing from the Prince Agustus some fighs: He was wholly confounded when she first appeared, and it was of excellent use to him, the recollecting all his Love, and all the Beauties of Indamora, to resist the Power of Homira's. However it was, he was not Conquer'd, but retired with the Sultan only in Admiration of her.

The Grand Signior had very well observed the Change of Tiridate when the Sultana Homira appeared; he heard some tender sighs, which he believed could proceed from nothing but Ado­ration: Nothing could give this Mo­narch more Joy than Agustus's Passion for Homira; he had no longer any Interest in her. though he still admi­red her; he asked Tiridate's opinion of her, who answered so confusedly, that the great Acmat fell a laughing: this raised the Prince from his Con­templations, and gave him a sense of his Remisness; he would excuse him­self to the Sultan: No, no, (said that Monarch) it needs not that; I have my self more than Adored Homira; all that see her, see her with concern, and I should wonder if you, whose Soul is amorous and great, desponded.

The Prince, who found it not a­gainst his Inclinations, and who be­lieved that this pretended Passion would wholly engage the Sultan from any Jealousie of him and Indamora, an­swered so as made the Ottoman Em­peror [Page 126]believe he had divined rightly, and that the Prince was sensibly affe­cted with the Sultana Homira.

They were passing through a great Gallery, that divides the Womens A­partments from the Sultan's, when a Slave vail'd came up to the Prince, de­livered him a Letter, and retired with Precipitation.

The Grand Signior, who was the best bred man, and the most compli­sant, in the World, gave leave for the Prince to read it there: Who knows, says the Sultan, agreeably smiling, it may be of moment, and the Lady that sends it to you may be impatient of a Re­turn.

Tiridate trembled for Indamora, and for himself, he believed it was from her, and should he open it before the Sultan, he must observe a Civility that could not be dispensed with; Acmat must see it: The Prince then chose rather to suspend his Curiosity, and to tell the Sultan, He knew better what Respects were to be paid him, than to treat him after that manner, though he [Page 127]was so indulgent to permit him more than he durst make advantage of.

The Sultan wanted not Compre­hension to divine the cause that the Prince would not open the Letter, af­ter what he had said to him; and though he might have commanded it, he chose rather to oblige Tiridate, and remain himself unsatisfied: He rallied him for the Gallantry as must of ne­cessity be in the Billet, since it came from the Seraglio; You are a happy man, Prince, says the Sultan, you are no sooner seen than Engagements of heart follow; some of the Women you saw on the Queens side are certainly charmed, and from thence we are not at all to doubt but this Letter proceeds.

Agustus was confounded what An­swer to make, when the Sultan, who saw the Pain he was in, very obli­gingly order'd some of the Eunuchs to conduct him out of the Seraglio; Go, go, says Acmat, and see what Love has done for you; I expect you will be so just as to allow me some share in your Confi­dence; I think I ought to be told some­thing [Page 128]of this Amour, since it was I that conducted you to the Queen Sultaness's Apartment, from whence, as I said to you before, this Billet is certainly come. Nor was he deceived; for the impa­tient Prince was yet advanced no far­ther than the Limits of the Womens Apartments, when he tore open the Letter, and found this Language;

Agustus knew not whether he ought to be satisfied at his good for­tune, he strongly admired Homira, but then his Charming Intelligence, with Indamora, represented it self to him, whereas the other was a Lover in common, unconstant, a lightness of Humour unexpressible, however ex­tream Beautiful, and the Prince was not insensible, he believed it no in­justice at all, to his passion for In­damora, (since she was a president to him, in living with the Sultan in the Quality she did) if he amused himself some times with Homira, conditionally he reserved his Heart for the Sultana of Barbary, but his last Resolution is to be guided by the command of the Sultan, since it was in a thing so ab­solutely indifferent to his Passions, though not to his Pleasures, he re­turned then, under the conduct of the Eunuch, to the Grand Signior. As soon as the Sultan saw him, Are you come Prince (said he) to give me some man­ner of light into a Mystery, which I would fain fancy my self concerned in, [Page 130]since you are interess'd in it. The Prince did in return to these Obligements, give him the Letter, bowing low, and an assurance the whole was to be car­ried on as he pleased to order it. The Sultan had but just read the Letter, when (he cried out) Ah, Prince, you are a happy Man, I prophesied right, you must follow your Inclinations, and your better Fortune, you have con­fessed to me Homira does not displease you, and that Sultaness has given a Testimony of her Tenderness for you, we will this moment go to Indamora, you shall along with me, and relate to her this Adventure, possibly it may di­vert her, one tastes no true pleasure in any thing till one imparts it, and receives the approbation of our Friends, and in a more extraordinary manner, those we love so well, as I do the Sultana of Barbary.

Tiridate would have been very well pleased, to have been excused, from doing what the Sultan had then pro­posed, but in consideration that Inda­mora could not love him less, for Ho­mira's [Page 131]weakness, he resolv'd to follow the great Acmat to her Apartments, which in effect he did, some moments after.

The Sultana of Barbary not at all be­lieving the Sultan would have return'd so soon, quitted her Chamber, and de­scended the Gardens to walk: Acmat could not possibly believe it, till he was confirmed by her return; she used some slight pretence, which however satisfied the Sultan, desiring nothing beyond her health, he did perfectly drown all manner of reflection in a great joy, for the return of it, ex­press his satisfaction in the tenderest of Languages; from that he passed to a Relation of the Amour of Homira, and all along represented Tiridate A­gustus in Love with that Sultana. In­damora chang'd colour very often at what had been told her, but the pre­tence of indisposition took off all man­ner of suspition, and gave her a plau­sible excuse; she endeavour'd to ap­pear pleas'd at the good fortune of the Prince, and press'd him to declare [Page 132]what he had resolv'd on, the cruel, or the tender, part; But pursu'd she a moment after, I forget you are in Love, Prince, and I do ill to suspect you of Barbarity. I am in Love indeed, Madam, (replied he) my Chains are glorious, she whose Captive I am, and for whom I wear 'em, is so fair, that she is secure of the Conquest; I am flatter'd by her, she is not insensible, and I see nothing that can hinder me from loving her eternally; I have a passionate inclination for constancy, and think that vertue, above all others. She you love then, Prince, will be of necessity happy, (returned the fair Sultana) very well knowing Agustus spake of her self, but take heed lest I may one day accuse you, remember before whom you give your self such a marvellous Commendation, I assure you, if ever we are satisfied of your inconstancy, I will be with the first that shall upbraid you of it, I must de­fend our Sex (Sir) continued she, ad­dressing to the Sultan. The Prince will by his Actions, (replied Acmat) [Page 133](not at all suspecting they talk'd of themselves) and by his perseverance I do not question, take the part of ours better then all that can be said; to begin, he shall be at the Assignation, and my dear Sultana, since I see you dare this very day, wherein we all feared for you, venture to the Gra­den, you shall be there with me to morrow night, to see how the Prince will manage his disguise, he has my leave to go, and perhaps we shall find a great deal of diversion in the Ad­venture.

The Sultana at first resolv'd not to go there, but considering the thoughts of her being in the Garden, would possibly be an awe to inconstancy in Tiridate, she gave the Sultan an Assu­rance of her Obedience to all his Commands, who retired some mo­ments after with the Prince.

Indamora had now leisure to reflect on all she had learnt, she is sensibly af­flicted at it, she lov'd the Prince A­gustus more than ever she had done, and abhorr'd the Sultan for promot­ing [Page 134]an Amour which could not be for her advantage, and she was within little of taking resolutions to revenge it on him; she fears Tiridate could not be insensible to the most beautiful of all Women, melting into tenderness for him, but if her Charms could not move him to a return, she dreads the assistance of Gratitude, (which is in­separable from a Gallant-Man) add to all this a more prevailing Circum­stance, he is obliged to feign a Passion, or else the Grand Signior will be dis­abused in an opinion of his concern for the Sultana Homira; but to pre­vent, if possible, all these cruel Appre­hensions, she resolves to write to the Prince; The way of conveying it was no longer so difficult, he had been thrice in her Apartments that day, and once without the Sultan, she be­lieved none of her Slaves, her Eunuchs, Women of Guards, would make any reflection, should she write to him; which she did in this manner.

The Letter was given in charge to a faithful Eunuch, (with express Or­ders to deliver it into the Hands of the Prince and none other) mean time she busied her self in a thousand re­flections, she lov'd the Prince even to the committing Crimes for his sake, and she then took Resolutions, to make any serve her that could conduce to the better fortune of this Passion, but [Page 136]the return of the Eunuch rows'd her from those thoughts, he had sound Agustus with ease, who was impa­tient enough to satisfie the Sultana of Barbary; which he did by this Letter.

The Sultana Homira after the Ad­venture of Mahomet Bassa in the Gar­dens, was transported with Rage, with design of Revenge, and yet she is not [Page 137]displeased to find him still a Lover, yet that shall not save him from Ruin, she wants only power, and not incli­nations, or he had not liv'd till then, to triumph over her in such a sensible manner: Nothing more offends a haughty Beauty, than to find the Man that one hates, be in a possibility of boasting of the same Favours, we give to those that are beloved: This she re­gretted, and whilst bufie in contriving a Revenge, she let self reflect on that Billet the Eunuch had orders to deli­ver to the Sultana of Barbary; she fancies something advantageous for her designs could be gather'd from it, she saw Indamora was no longer what she had made the whole Seraglio be­lieve her, that she receiv'd Letters, and in short, that it was easie to ruin her.

She had all these Reflections in the Garden of the Seraglio, ere she return­ed to her Apartments, which she did, as incensed as she could possibly be, against a Man she so much esteem'd, under the Disguise of Morat the Grand [Page 138]Gardener; and will see, if she can ruin the Sultana of Barbary, and by that blow, put the Grand Visier from some of the Favour he retained: She begins with a Resolution of sounding the Inclinations of Indamera, she be­lieves them of the nature of her own, since they were of the same Sex; there wants nothing then, but to know whom she Graces, that must be satisfied by Zelida, (her chief Slave,) she sends for her, makes her believe, her ruin was inevitable, that Indamora would fall, and involve her in her Misfor­tunes, that it was her best course to take care of her self, since the Sultana of Barbary would not do it for her; that the only means was, to acquaint the Sultan with her Mistress's Iutrigues, which he would certainly know, by those that were wiser than she should be, if she neglected that opportunity of making her Fortune for ever: But, how was Homira disappointed, when the Slave assured her, she never saw Indamera commit the least Weakness, in Advantage of any Man; but re­tired, [Page 139]with a Promise to the Sultana, of observing her more narrowly, for the time to come, than she had yet done; which, too satally, she did, and the same day return'd to Homira, with an account of all that had pas'd in Indamora's Cham­ber; during her Indisposition, Zelida had concealed her self behind a Cano­py, over a State in the great Cabi­net joyning the Chamber the Sultana lay in, from whence, unperceived, and with abundance of ease, she saw all that was done, she recounted the Sul­tan's despair, her Swoonings, her Passion for the Religious Prince, and all she said and did of tender to him. Homira was pleased at this good For­tune, but there is something that stays her, from yielding to her passionate Desires of Revenge; her own Incli­nation, which was become tender, surmounted it; she had heard Tiridate Agustus was a since Prince, his Chara­cter was very Glorious, she would yet see him before she ruined him, which she must of necessity do, if the Ingage­ment between him and the fair Sulta­na [Page 140]of Barbary was related to the Grand Signior; she bids Zelida look for some Letters, telling the Slave, that what­ever they could say, without Authen­tick Testimonies to authorise it, would be of no use, and that they should themselves be the Persons exposed; this she does to divert Zelida, whom she had no mind should yet learn the Sultan any thing of the Prince Agustus, Homira knew not, if she should like him yet, or no, if her Inclinations are favourable, after seeing of him, he shall be saved; or, on the contrary, ruined with the Sultana of Barbary.

See then, on what a slender thing the Life of Agustus depended; but it was his own Fault, he was not happy, the Sultana Homira was charmed with him at the Queen Sultana's Apart­ments, where, as has been related, the Sultan carried him: She writ that Letter (which he received in the Presence of the Great Acmat,) with a design of gaining an opportunity of entertaining him singly; she was not accustomed to be cruel, and without [Page 141]the Inclination she had for Tiridate, the desire she had of Revenge, would have made her endeavour to oblige the Prince, as powerfully as she could, she will use all her Arts, to make him quit Indamora for her, without which they shall both fall; she will now be­come more nice than ever, she thinks of ingaging the Heart, and will not be satisfied without the intire Possession of it, she cannot support the thought of sharing with Indamora, whom she mor­tally hated, and whom she does not question but to ruin, if once deserted by the Prince: She is impatient to know the success of her Billet, Zelida had delivered it, and return'd to give her an account, that she had obey'd her Orders, (though not without terrible Apprehensions of the Sultan;) from thence the Slave passed to the Lodgings of the Sultana of Barbary, where the Sultan and the Prince Tiridate were al­ready come, Zelida absconds her self, as before, and with the same ease heard all that was said; the Letter of the Sultana Homira was read aloud by In­damora, [Page 142]and those Resolutions taken as has been before related; all which Zelida very perfectly remembered, the Slave had store of Sense, she had been placed by Acmat in the Service of the Sultana of Barbary, and was very true to his Interest; it was from Homira's Discourse she took a resolution to ob­serve the Conduct of Indamora, which, if criminal, she believed it her Duty, to (at once,) let the Sultan see, how faithful she was, and, how undeserving of his Heart and Favours the Sultana rendered her self; she saw her write a Letter, and heard the Orders she gave the Eunuch, she contrives, how she might read it, but the diligence of the Slave, that had it in charge, prevented her, so that all she could possibly effect, was to secure the Answer, which she did thus.

Zelida had the charge of the War­drobe, and, as Indamora had left the Letter, it was easie to get it, she had loosed her self to be put to Bed, some short time after receiving it, Zelida be­ing very diligent, waited so effectu­ally, [Page 143]that the Robes the Sultana wore that day, (and which the Letter was in,) were immediately put into her hands, she retired with it to the Sul­tana Homira; 'tis beyond expression the Passion of this Princess, at the reading it; Ah, Traytor! (says she,) Perjured Villain! Unhappy Homira— but I will be revenged— And yet, (per­sued she, a moment after,) Who knows, and, who dare trust, Appearances; not­withstanding this Letter, this Prince, per­haps, loves me, and it is writ but to sa­tisfie the Sultana of Barbary, he can do no less, we must appease her — To morrow will put a Period to all these Disputes, and then I shall see, which it is he loves. With these Reflections and Irresolu­tions, she pass'd the night, and the following day, 'till the hour came of the Assignation; she failed not to ren­der her self at the Grotto of the Laby­rinth, much sooner than Agustus did, and had thrown her self on one of the Seats of Turf, and, leaning her Head upon her Arm, scarce raised it up when the Prince entered, disguised, [Page 144]like a Woman Slave, the Sultana re­solved yet to dissemble, ('till it should be of use to her,) she having seen the Letter he had writ to Indamora.

Homira believed, she had already made Advances enough, she would now dissemble a Modesty, very unne­cessary, after what Incouragement she had given, and took a Pleasure in per­plexing him, which she did, by not speaking, or, pretending to know him, at first; he was surprised at this Usage, and let fall some words, as expressed his mistake, and his Fear of displeasing her, by his Intrusion, and was going to use that pretext for retiring; this put an end to all the Comedy in Play, she hastily rose, and reiterating, Stay, Stay; and after his return, Ah, Prince, (crys she,) Must one do all ones self? And, Are you stupid? What has Respect to do with Love? — Agustus knew not what to answer her, he repented him of the Promise he had made to Inda­mora, and wished he had not obeyed the Sultana's Orders, by coming to the Gardens, where he had nothing to do, [Page 145]but to hear himself reproved, up­braided, and railed at.

Homira seeing him muse so much, divined the Cause, and no longer slat­tering her self, that he loved her, in a languishing despair, she let her self sink into his Arms, Ah, ingrateful (says she, with some great sighs,) Must Homira be then treated after this manner? Why do you torture me thus, by a scornful Silence?

Tiridate, at that Action of hers, felt a remorse for his Cruelty, and ha­ving in his Arms a Woman of the most Beauty, that had been ever pos­sess'd by any, found it not in his Power, to continue that restraint to his Desires; he spoke tenderly to her, excused his Silence, and bid her attri­bute it to his great Passion for her; press'd her in his Arms, (where she lay,) sighed a thousand times to her, the most passionate of Transports, and was at the point of being very faithless to the Promise he had made Indamora.

The Sultana Homira seeing Tiridate no longer insensible, was first resolved to see, if he would sacrifice Indamora to her, before she favoured him, and using some very obliging Reproaches to him, at length exposed the Letter he had writ to the Sultana of Barbary, and, in a more serious Air, read it to him; after she had done, she rose from him, and taking still more Cold­ness, mingled with some Rage, See there, says she, has not Homira all the reason in the World, to revenge the Injury thou dost her? Oughtest thou, Barbarian, to have exposed me, and the truest of Passions, to the scorn of that Sultaness? Nothing thou can'st do can merit a Pardon. Ingrateful Prince, (persued she, drying some Tears that fell from her fine Eyes,) What wilt thou say to excuse this, so cruel a Crime? But (interrupted the Prince,) and kneeling before her, Do not you see you have such an Ascen­dant over me, as to make me break through all the Oppositions, the Vows, and the Resolutions, made in this fa­tal [Page 147]Letter, to your Arms? Yes, says Homira, more calmly, (and with some Tenderness,) I do see it, and am plea­sed enough at it; there is one thing you must do, to attone for your Sin to me, 'tis wholly in your Power to deface as much as the remembrance of it, yield to me the Interest the Sul­tana of Barbary has in thee, assist me to ruin her, and then you may be happy, in the Possession of a Princess, who tenderly loves you.

The Prince rose from before her, (where he was kneeling,) very coldly, 'tis true, she had pleased him, as a Mistress, that one is not obliged to be constant to, and for whom we will do very little, beyond loving them when we are with them; yet, after what she had said of Indamora, he looked on her with Contempt and Indignation, and though he knew ve­ry well, that (for his Preservation,) he ought to dissemble with her, yet she had startled him, by so cruel a Proposition, that it was not in his Power to answer her any thing; she [Page 148]knew what to attribute his silence to, and, becoming extremely incensed against him, she lost, in a moment, all the Tenderness she had for him, to give place to the Emotions of Anger and revenge, she pass'd from a warm Passion to a violent hatred, and (as a Testimony of it,) she stamp'd fu­riously; You shall both dye, (says she,) Homira will have it so; you shall know what it is to scorn a Woman, haughty, like me, and one that can revenge her self; I will instantly inform the abused Sultan of your guilty commerce with Indamcra, he is this moment in the Gardens, as I am assured, and if he does not order thy Death, he will be more merciful than thou deservest. At the end of this she hastily ran out of the Labyrinth, Agustus persued her, to throw himself at her Feet, and to endeavour to mitigate her Anger; she had reason for it, and he could not much condemn her; he resolved to dissemble with her, and to make her a Sacrifice, to appease her, of his Pas­sion to Indamcra; this he would do to [Page 149]Appearance, any thing rather than see his dear Sultana expire, (by the Orders of the Sultan,) for his sake, he will then feign, and flatter the Pride, the Revenge, and Passion of Homira, but it is to prevent the ruin and death of himself, and his Charm­ing Indamora.

He look'd, he ran, he searched, he goes, he comes, but all in vain, she was lost in the Labyrinth, and the Prince, being utterly unacquainted with it, despaired of finding her, and growing extremely weary with seek­ing, he threw himself down, (on the border of a little Rivulet, at the En­trance of a retired Grotto, he had not been there long, agitated with all the Horrors of despair, than that he is seized behind, he startled at the Acti­on, and was more surprized, when he saw it was the Sultan, that held him, he did not doubt, but that he was their to dye, and that Homira had conduct­ed Acmat there, to give him the death which she threatened him with; he was at a loss, how to speak to the Grand [Page 150]Signior, in such a Conjuncture, when that Monarch banish'd all his Fears, (by a Charming Smile peculiar to him,) Where have you left the Sultana Homira? (says he,) If I mistake not, this manner of Carriage is not at all obliging to a Princess of her Sentiments. Agustus was reassured, by what the Sultan had said, and taking an Air that expressed his Resentments; Ah, (Sir,) return'd he, You have exposed me; I know not the man­ner, how Love was made in Turky, I believed it the same as in Germany, where, after receiving such a Letter, ( as I did from Homira,) we expected all should be given, and, if we stay'd to ask it, it is only to save the Blushes of the fair one, not that those Formalities are neces­sary.

But I am yet to learn, what is to be done with the Ladies in Turky, what Court, what Address, to charm: The Sultana Homira laughed at me, ridi­culed me, and, in a word, is fled from me, I persued her, 'till I had no longer any hopes of finding her; and see too plain­ly, I serve only to divert you, and that [Page 151]fantastical Sultaness; but 'tis very well I am capable of doing that. Acmat smiled all the while as Agustus was talking to him, and seeing him appear so concerned, made him laugh more than ever; but that pass'd, He ex­amined the Prince seriously, the occa­casion of Homira's Flight, after the tender Letter she had writ; Tiridate would be more and more in a pet, at what the Sultan said; You laugh, (Sir,) replied he, and you inquire into a thing, which you already understand much better than I, and you must give me leave to think, you press me, only, that you believe it more diverting recounted by him, that ought not to be without Resentment, but I am ready to give you that Satisfaction. Homira, amid'st all my Protestations of Love, would shew, how well she could act a part enjoyn'd her; she pre­tends then to be jealous of me and the Sultana of Barbary (whom I have not seen but once since my arrival to Turky,) protests it is true, and that I am be­loved again; and she left me, as she said, in order to find you, that my [Page 152]death should immediately follow the Discovery. This ramble, as the Sul­tan believed it, delivered in the Dress and Anger the Prince was in, made Acmat laugh more than ever he had done. To satisfie you, (said that Mo­narch,) I will my self go search the Gar­dens, and bring the Sultana Homira to you, and we will endeavour to make you Friends; you shall go into this Grotto, where Indamora is alone, and entertain her with the Relation of this nights Ad­venture, while I shall do as I promised. Homira may then indeed, (Sir,) return'd Agustus, pretend some colour for her Jea­lousie. Oh, ridiculous! (replied the Sultan,) Do as I command, I am assured of Indamora; and, as for Homira, I will go this moment, and bring that Sulta­ness to you, as I said.

Whil'st the Grand Signior was in persuit of Homira, the Prince entered the Grotto, where Indamora was, he had just leisure to assure her he had been constant, learnt her what they had to fear from Homira, the Letter she had, and the design, and the de­sire, [Page 153]she express'd to ruin them; at the end of this hasty Relation, Aomat entered the Grotto alone; I have found Homira, says he, but it is impossible for me to persuade her to come hither, she still persists in the same Story, and has given me the greatest Satisfaction of Laughing extremely at her ridiculous ramble; she is Obstinacy it self; tells me, that your dan­gerous Malady yesterday was all feign'd, that it was only to favour Tiridate A­gustus, and more, as impertinent as this.

'Tis very necessary, Sir, replied the Sultana of Barbary, I clear my self from that Aspersion; the Sultaness thinks all her Sex of her own Inclina­tions, because the Religious cannot escape her Conquest; she believes, (and she has perhaps some reason,) that I would no more scruple to have a Gallant Intrigue with the Prince Ti­ridate, than she with the Mufty; but ah! all Religons will not allow it, Turky and Germany differ in nothing more, than in that point; when we ingage our selves once, it is for ever, [Page 154]and though nothing can be more ar­dent and constant, than our Loves, yet do we not proceed to Poysonings, and Death; the Sultan apprehends the occasion the Sultana of Barbary said this from, she had insinuated to him her Fears, that was grounded on Cir­cumstances convincing, of Hemira's inveterate malice; she believed (she said,) and not without reason, that the Poyson, she had taken, proceeded from her, and I am not to wonder at this last effect of her Malice, (persued Inda­mora;) and, ah! Sir, should you suffer these Outrages so near the Throne, it is time for the unhappy Sultana of Barbary to retire her self, when she is no longer loved; for what can be more cruel, than your unjust Suspitions; and if Homira, by rendering me cul­pable, can advance her own Interest, how cruel Apprehensions ought I to have, she will pause at nothing to ruin me, and to regain your Heart, give it her then, Sir, if I no longer merit it, I had much rather be unhappy, than render you so; Is your Passion for [Page 155]me dead? Or, Is it become so lan­guid, that you can possibly calmly hear my Innocence, and my best Acti­ons, aspersed with the blackest of Ca­lumnies, and not shew your Resent­ments? Good Heavens! How unhap­py is Indamora, in losing her dear Sul­tan, so tenderly, a showre of Tears succeeded; it was a long time before she could be appeased, the Great Ac­mat endeavoured it very unsuccess­fully, 'till he protested to her, he would never believe to her disadvan­tage, whatever Homira could say; I have more than once fear'd for you, says he, and that haughty Spirit can­not bear Injuries without revenging them; it is possible the Poyson that you took, and which had almost cost me my Life, was the effect of her ma­licious Humor, but we know what Reasons she has to hate you, and her Resentments must be pardoned, since they have such a motive.

After this, they retired out of the Gardens, the Sultana Homira had actually related to the Sultan all she [Page 156]knew of the Intrigue of Indamora and Agustus, but the Relation that that Prince had before made to Acmat, hin­dered her designs from taking effect, he believed her fantastically mad, and used her accordingly, by ridiculing all she said; No, (Sir,) says she, you will never believe, though you should find her in the Arms of the Religious, which is easie enough to be seen. Good Heavens! (persued she,) How could I love that ingrateful Prince, that sacrifices me to Indamora. This last Expression made an end of ruining her designs, the Sul­tan believed, he had then found the rise of all her Extravagancies, and that it was Jealousie disordered her, and that Agustus having given the Letter she had written to Indamora, had created all these Chimera's. Thus he returns, (as has been observed, af­ter pitying the distracted Sultana, (as he call'd her,) and all the Absurdities she had been guilty of: This made an end of inraging Homira, she saw the Sultan was so prepossess'd to the con­trary, that she deferred giving him [Page 157]the Letter Agustus had sent to the Sultana of Barbary, she assured her self, if she should shew it him, he would scarcely read it, and, at best, believe it a thing feign'd on purpose, to give credit to all what she had said, which Tiridate had address enough to improve, by disowning he had ever writ it, and the Sultan who so passionately desired to find the sair Indamora innocent, would not indea­vour to disapprove him, this Homira sees, her rage had left her sense e­nough to give the success the Letter should find to Zelida, to order most advantageous, and she is going to in­struct her, in the part she is to Act, for the ruin of the Sultana of Barbary, and the Prince Tiridate.

Zelida, fully persuaded of the faith­lessness of Indamora, prepared to dis­charge her Conscience, by telling the Grand Signior all she knew, Homira animated her the most she could, re­turned her the Letter, Iearnt her the unsuccessfulness of the discovery she had made, and, in short, concluded, [Page 158]that a great deal of Cunning would be necessary to convince the Sultan of a truth obvious to all the Seraglio, and that it would be more discreet for Zelida to defer yet some five days longer the Relation of that they had resolved on; that mean time, they should perhaps make some other dis­coveries, but if they failed of that, Zelida said she did not at all question but that the Sultan would believe one that had been ever so just to him, as she had been.

The Sultana of Barbary was become deplorably Melancholy, and after what the Prince had related to her in the Garden of the Seraglio, she began to consider to what unhappiness her trans­porting Passion for him did expose her, yet she cannot repent of what she had done, she loves too ardently for such a weakness; on the contrary she will add to her Favours, her Tenderness con­quers her Ambition, and she resolves with her self, that it is better to live retired and happy, than the most glo­ricus Princess in the World, to suffer [Page 159]such inquietude and constraints as she did, she casts her self then at the Sul­tans Feet, begs his leave for her to re­tire from the Seraglio, and from Turky, pretends Religion and Remorse of Conscience, her late dreadful Malady, which had given her a prospect of Death, and of an Everlasting Estate, and said she should employ the re­mainder of her Life, to attain a Blest Eternity, and that the Ingagements she was in with him were not at all con­sistent with it; that it was very true, it was the greatest Temporal Felicity she could have, but then her Eternal Happiness was sacrific'd to him; And, added she, I will never believe you love me, if you can so easily for some short moments of Satisfactions, and those of so Criminal a Nature, doom your Indamora to an Everlasting rest of Tor­ments; Remember I have hitherto neglected all reflections of this nature, and suffer'd all my remorse of Con­science to be calm'd by your Love, but my late miraculous preservation has awakned me, and let me see, I cannot [Page 160]continue in the same station, without appearing highly Criminal to my God; My Religion has suffered all manner of persecution for my Love, and I may say, it has even dy'd in your Arms, it is time then for me to alter so deadly and so charming a manner of living; And, Oh Gods! (added she, as if transported) Why were we born with Inclinations proper to distinguish and affect the Pleasures of this Life, and not have the liberty of Soul (given us) to enjoy 'em, without such endless Rewards of Torment? I would fain persuade my self, there are none of these things to fear, but my babling Conscience cries alowd against all these Endeavours, and in a moment crushes my Objections into nothing, and as­sures me too fatally of the certainty of it; You your self, nor all your Love (call'd to your aid) could not boast of more Eloquence, (towards the con­suting of these Truths) than I have suggested (by favour of those Inter­vals, I would forcibly allow my self to snatch from Religion) to the advan­tage [Page 161]of you, (Sir) and to the advan­tage of our Passion; but alas, must I pronounce the Sentence of my own Death, death of Love and Joy? Ah! 'tis too cruel a destiny, unhappy Indamo­ra, in that she must obey; Oh, never, never, cry'd the Sultan, taking her in his Arms, Would you destroy (not only the Repose) but Life of Acmat? You take the way that will certainly do it, and if the sacrifice of it can be pleasing, bring me Poysons, offer me Poniards, or whatever way you com­mand for dying, and you shall be sa­tisfied, that it is necessary for me to ex­pire by one of them, 'ere quit the pos­session of you; It is a truth, that per­haps this Action will be accounted Bar­barous, but who is it that the Otto­man Emperor can fear, but Indamora, that Charming Cruelty; Ah, what is it you cause me of torture, I am greatly miserable, it is not out of sentiments of Religion, but your aversion to me, that you would leave me, how vastly unfortunate I am, but though I were assur'd you no longer lov'd me, yet [Page 162]should not that be of any advantage to you, you should see what a wretched Monarch, and in love like me, were ca­pable of, I would not be unhappy a­lone, I would detain you in the Sera­glio, and constrain you to Embrace a Monarch indifferent to you, while I shall share your Afflictions, by consi­dering that I am so; Let me then once forget the tenderness of a Lover, and assume to me the Majesty of a King, by assuring you, I will hear no more of any thing of such a cruel nature, 'tis altogether in vain ever to reassume your Desires, and be satisfied Love has render'd it impossible for me to live without you. This restraint serves to make the Sultana of Barbary hate the Love, and the Person, of the Grand Signior, and after that what Crimes is not she capable of committing, she endeavours secretly to escape, and with her dear Agustus to retire into some part of the World, where they might uncontrouledly be happy in their Love, but she finds it impossible for her to fly, and then began to take more fatal Resolutions.

Acmat fearing she should endeavour her escape (for Conscience sake) af­ter he had denied her her liberty, he put the ways of it so wholly out of her power, and yet not as immediately proceeding from him, but as a thing barely customary, that she must sus­pend that design, he had sent her some moments after the refusal of her li­berty, immense Presents, and a Letter all tenderness, which you may see here.

After this, he visited her again; she had learnt, That it was best to dissem­ble her Rage and her Aversion, and that without it she could I not be able to effect any thing considerable, so that it was not difficult for the great Acmat to reconcile her in appearance to his Love; he is so well satisfied with it, that nothing could make him more, [Page 165]and he leaves her with greater Testi­monies of his Passion, than ever he had yet done.

But the fatal time was now come, that Zelida was to make those Disco­veries to Acmat. Agustus (that amo­rous Prelate) had not seen Indamora since the night in the Garden of the Seraglio, which was an Age in Love, and which render'd her impatient, and confirm'd her in the Resolves of Sacrificing all things to her love for him. Zelida had no more testimony of their Commercce than before; but with that she adventures to the Sultan, prostrates her self at his feet, (as the custom of those Slaves is,) gave him a full account of what Homira had be­fore confusedly related to him, put the Letter of the Christian Prince in­to his hands, and retired.

The Sultan read it with an infinite surprize, he weigh'd all Circumstan­ces, and could conclude nothing; he endeavoured to clear the Sultana of Barbary, and his Passion inspir'd him with Eloquence in her Defence; but [Page 166]then he would say her desire of quit­ting the Seraglio was a Proof of her Indifferencie to him, and Zelida's Words, when she recounted Indamo­ra's Indisposition, disturb'd him more than all. Says that Slave, I will not tell your Highness she feigned, I am not sure of that, but this I am very certain of, she treated the Prelate very different from what you expected; and had I not known to the contrary, I should have believed it Acmat, and no other, especially a Reli­gious Prince. This, and the Letter he had, and which was found by Zelida in the Sultana of Barbary's Robes, confus'd him; he did not at all suspect the Fidelity of that Slave, however he will have the Opinion of Mahomet Bassa; some of the Eunuchs are sent in search of him, whom they return with. Acmat bids him be just and free with him, (as he was his Monarch and his Friend) and advise him in what he should believe, and what he ought to do. He then read the Letter, and recounted all to him, and in short re­ceived his Opinion, That there was no­thing [Page 167]in it, and that the Sultana Homi­ra had bribed the Slave to act as she did.

The Grand Signior was enclined e­nough to believe this; but consider­ing the Grand Visier was the greatest Friend the Sultana of Barbary had in Turky, he sent him away without re­solving on any thing.

The Grand Visier was no sooner out of the Seraglio, than that he sends for his Daughter to him, (who was returned to Constantinople, and had e­spoused Amurath.) Mahomet Bassa commands her to go to the Sultana of Barbary, and give her an account of all, and to advise her to throw her self at the Sultan's Feet, tell of A­gustus's Love to her, and make a false Confession of her Cruelty, her Reso­lutions of not returning his Passion, and an Order she must desire from the great Acmat for his Banishment, as a Reward for his Presumption. She must not consider her Love for the Prince (says the Grand Visier) any farther than it shall be necessary to save his Life: They [Page 168]must both die, if she does not take that Course I advise her to.

Zayda fail'd not of obeying the Orders of Mahomet Bassa, and in short dispos'd the Sultaness Indamora to make that Relation to the Emperour. She hastens then to the Sultan's Apartment, agitated by a thousand Fears; and had not a thousand things diverted her from so horrid a Resolution, she would have Ponyarded him, rather than make a Confession of that nature. How­ever she comes, casts herself at his Feet, covers her Face with a Vail, sheds a torrent of tears, confesses the Presumption of the Prince Agustus, his Writing to her in a manner so arro­gant, her Grief for losing the Letter before the Sultan had seen it, and in a word, her desires of having him Ba­nished; nothing else, she said, could satisfie her, or atone for his Crimes.

Notwithstanding the improbability of this Relation of her Cruelty, (since the Letter Acmat had of Tiridate's was writ in a different style) yet the Sul­tan, who loved her tenderly, and all [Page 169]easie as he was to those Impressions, he took her up from the ground, spake such tender things to her, as none but one so much in Love as he could, af­ter a suspicion of that nature; howe­ver he lost for some Moments all man­ner of Reflection, and abandoned him­self entirely to a great Joy, which was the more sensible since it succeeded such cruel Apprehensions; and whether he wholly believed her or no, yet certain it is he assured her he did: He return'd her the Letter of Prince Tiridate, recounted to her all that had been told him, caresses her more than ever, conducted her back to her Apart­ment, and assured her, He had not quitted her so soon, but that he was going to put her Orders in execution for the ba­nishing that ingrateful Prince; which he immediately did, and caused the oc­casion of it to be made publick.

The Prince was transported with Despair and Rage at this accident; he came to Zayda, threw all the Letters he had received from Indamora to her, and desired she would do him that Justice to expose them to the abused [Page 170]Sultan, especially the last he had re­ceived from her, since their Interview in the Grotto, which he obliged Zay­da to read; it was thus.

See there, says the Prince, detesting Indamora's Crimes, (and after Zayda had read it) see how she deserves to be treated. Zayda used her Endea­vours [Page 171]to calm him, and it was with much difficulty she persuaded him to continue at the Grand Visier's Palace, till she should return from the Seraglio, where she was going.

The Interests of Indamora were too near hers, to neglect serving her in this point; she came then to the Sul­tana of Barbary, who was drowned in rage; nothing (she said) but the life of the Sultan, should satisfie her: Her Designs of Revenge (she added) were noble, and she would, for once, be greatly cruel. Zayda did not much reflect on what she heard, she only minded the Sultana of Barbary, how much her Friend she was, restor'd her the Letters, and in this served the Prince Agustus better than by obeying his Orders; Indamora immediately threw 'em to the flames, tenderly Em­braced Zayda, and yielded to go to the Grand Visiers Palace with her, there to see the unfortunate Agustus; she hated her self for what she had done, and the Sultan much more for it; she wept to Tiridate, calm'd his rage, by as­suring him, that nothing but to save [Page 172]him from expiring, by the Orders of the unjust Sultan, could have made her guilty of such a sin; she assures him she will attone for it by an action worthy her Love, and that she was going to endeavour, by one blow, to attain to her own Liberty, and share his Banishment with him. Mean time, till she should be able to effect what she had promised, he must submit to the Orders that had been given for his Exile; that he should retire him­self to Italy, till she should order his Return. As for her, she said, after her departure from Turky, she would go to Germany, and to the Emperor's Court, and use all her endeavours for his Return from that Exile, or if she should not be able to effect it, she would however end her Life with him, since nothing but Death was of force enough to extinguish the Passion she had for him. Agustus returned this tenderness; and after having given reciprocally their Vows of Loving for ever, they prepared to leave one another, but with so many transports of Sorrow, Grief and Passion, that they were not [Page 173]capable of speaking; and the Prince, who was hurried away by his cruel Destiny, left the Sultana swooning in the Arms of Zayda, to whom he ren­der'd a thousand Expressions of Gra­titude, and left Constantinople and Tur­ky, with an inconceivable Regret.

The Sultana of Barbary (after her Recovery from her Swoon) learnt the Departure of the Prince with a vexatious Sorrow; but she must dry her Tears, and prepare for her Re­turn to the Seraglio: She will be fatal­ly revenged, but not yet, she has not an opportunity of doing it without Noise; she is constrained (to take off all suspicion) to render her Acknow­ledgments to the Sultan, for banishing Agustus; she is also forc'd to dissemble more than ever; she appears gay when she is mortally afflicted, and tender to the Sultan, while she is searching for a way to be reveng'd on him. She be­comes cruel, and, Oh, Horror! at last resolves on the most barbarous of Mur­ders; her Resentments have a fatal ter­mination, and her Rage suggested to her, that nothing but his Death could [Page 174]repair the Injuries he had done her, and render her again happy in her Love; she did not reflect on the Great­ness of her Crime, (her dear Prelate had Power to absolve her of it,) and those in Love never believe that thing a Sin, which is so highly serviceable to their Passion.

The Sultana Homira (mean time,) was full enough of Rage, to see how Indamora had prevented her designs, but she has address to pass over her regret, she resolves now no more to endeavour the revenging her self, since she has so continually failed in it, but she will invert all to a design of grati­fying her tender Inclinations, and that she will care for nothing beyond ma­king new Conquests; and she does not now seem to be sorry, the Grand Vi­sier had the last Revenge, since she saw by it his Love for her was not ex­tinguish'd, and those of a passionate Character, had very seldom an ill Re­ception from her in the end.

But whil'st she has thus disposed of her self, and that the whole Ottoman Empire enjoy'd a Tranquility beyond [Page 175]all Example, the Sultana of Barbary will disturb it; and having got a slow Poyson, she conveys it into a Glass where the Sultan was to drink, he sup­ped with her that fatal Night, and whil'st he is more admired than ever by all the World, he falls by the ex­treme malice of a Woman, and a Woman so dear to him; he drank the Poyson, and returned very well to his own Apartment, and does not feel the effects of it 'till the following day, then it was that he was torn with ex­tremity of Torture, and that all the Court despaired of his Life, but he linguered yet some few days longer; there was none, that durst say, he was poysoned, and if any suspected it, they did not make their opinion publick, it passed for a dreadful Malady, which he had before been afflicted with, and he died (in the opinion of all,) of that Distemper.

During his Sickness, he express'd a tender regret for parting with his dear Sultana, (as he would call her,) but his great Weakness, and the publick Affairs, together with that of his Soul, so em­ploy'd [Page 176]his hasty time, that he saw the Sultana of Barbary but very seldom.

By his Death Mustapha was Grand Signior, (a thing never before known in Turky,) the Brothers being always Slain, but Acmat having no Children, and being one of the best of Princes, preserved him to succeed him; and at his quitting the World, he tenderly required from his Kindness, a Prote­ction for the Sultana of Barbary.

Mustapha (now the Sultan,) had not long possess'd the Crowns and Title, then that his Nephew Osmen re­bels against him; but that being not my Business, I must pass it over to come to the Sultana of Barbary, she mourned strictly for Acmat, and was very well pleased, that she was no man­ner of way suspected (nor, in a word, any else,) for the murdering of him.

After her first mourning, she implo­red, and received, Permission of Musta­pha to retire from Turky; which, in effect, she did, not long after, with those de­signs which we have already related, in her Orders to the Prince Tiridate Agustus at his departure from Constantinople.