IN the time when Spain was divided, not only amongst several Kings, but divers Nations; the Goths, the Moores, and the Spaniards, having each of them a Share: Arragon was ruled by one, who in the midst of those Wars that trou­bled his Neighbours, had just abilities e­nough to keep his own Subjects in Peace; and was Famous only for being the Fa­ther of him, who is the Subject of this [Page 2] History. His Wife after having brought him one Son, dyed: At the same time the Dutchess of Barcellona, a Young and Beautiful Princess, had newly lost her Husband, though he was already old. His Council thought it very necessary▪ he should have more Heirs then one, for his own as well as his peoples Security; and therefore in behalf of all his Subjects, desired him to choose a Wife to his like­ing, either in his own, or his Neigh­bours Dominions. The Beauty of this Dutchess was well known further then Arragon; and besides that in Policy, the occasion was not to be let slip of unwrit­ing to his Kingdom so considerable a Town as Barcellona; the Kings own incli­nation made him conceive that Policy the better. Though Rosalava had great Beauty, she had yet more Wit than Beauty, so that being already absolute; nothing less then a Crown could have tempted her to think of a second Mar­riage; but having an only Daughter as well as he an only Son; She thought this Ma [...]ch would not make herself only Queen of Arragon, but her Daughter too, and that she could not be blamed, [Page 3] if being in the midst of ambitious Neigh­bours, she secured her self by a way so advantagious and Honourable. She easily then consented, instead of Dutchess of Barcellona, to be called the Queen of Arragon; where she was received with the usual joy and Magnificence upon such occasions: Being Young, Agreeable and Discreet, She soon governed her Husband, and consequently the King­dom. Now no business of Importance was done without her Consent, whose Satisfaction was the Kings only care; but this great authority she made use of most, in that design of Marrying her Daughter to the Prince, which she was much more desirous of, since she knew what kind of one he was like to be. Alcidalis was born so propitiously, and with so many natural advantages; That being a Kings Son, was the least considerable: He had a Beauty which won the Hearts of all that saw him, a Wit in his very Child­hood not to be equalled, and a great­ness of Mind that made every body re­spect and fear him: The first years of Alexander were not more Miraculous than his; and there was not a day in [Page 4] which he did not say, or do something to the astonishment of all about him. Those that pretended to skill in Phi­sognomy, by looking on his Face, fore­told glorious and incredible actions; and they that took surer measures by those he had done already, foresaw the Crown of Arragon would prove too little for such a head: The Queen observed his Per­fections better than any body, and there­fore grew extreamly Fond of him, and impatient to bring about her Daughters happiness; which she thought consist­ed less in being Queen of Arragon, than Wife to Alcidalis. But how slightly so­ever we speak of Fortune, we must al­low hers to be the only Wisdom, and consequently count our own but folly▪ Her designs are layed so far off, and car­ried on by ways so impossible to be per­ceived, that they never fail to succeed in spite of all our endeavours to the con­trary; and she allows us sometimes to throw in her way our vain oppositions only to have the pleasure of making then so: Thus far she dallied with Rosalva but [...]e [...]o [...]ving to be at length too har [...] for he [...] ▪ brings from another Country [...] [Page 5] young Child, who though both a stranger and an Orphan) was to ruine all the de­signs of this powerful and politick Queen. The Prince of Tenara of a family in Ca­labria, so Illustrious, as formerly to have given Kings to Naples and Sicily, had so considerable an Estate newly fallen to him in Arragon, that he resolved to take himself Possession of a Right which was a little disputed▪ and loving his Wife extreamly, who was as fond of an only Daughter they had about six years old, they could not think of parting; and therefore transported their whole Fa­mily to Arragon, where they were re­ceived by the King and Queen with all the civility and kindness due to Strangers of so great Merit and Quality. But soon after the Prince of Tenara grew sick of a disease that in a few dayes ended him, and left his afflicted wife in so dispairing a condition, as made her not only wil­ling, but likely to follow him. She re­ceived from the Queens kindness, (who began to love her,) all the comfort and assistance which either her afflictions, or affairs were capable of: The Queen had always liked her, but since this misfor­tune, [Page 6] Pity increasing her affection, she loved her tenderly. Fate seldom ra­vishing our joyes from us, till we have set upon them the highest value, or ra­ther we never prize them enough, till the danger of their being lost makes us do it too much: She lodged her in her own Palace, and took such care to be perpe­tually, with her that she seemed to miss a part of her self when they were asunder. However, all this indulgence of the Queens, (enough to have cured her of any other Disease) only allayed this, by making her bear it with less despair and impatience: And yet nevertheless, her Husbands death, with the sad circum­stances of time and place, was so great a blow, and made so deep an impression, that all the Queens care and kindness was unable to preserve her from a dan­gerous Sickness; which proceeded for want of Sleep and Nourishment. The Queens trouble was proportionable, who besides her Grief for the loss of such a friend, was not a little concern'd to see two such fatal accidents happen in her Dominions, to a Family newly come to dwell there. Physitians were conjured [Page 7] to use their utmost endeavours; but al­though they did so, her Disease was too strong for their strongest Remedies; and therefore her own Judgment as well as theirs, giving the fatal warning, she resolved to quit the World with as much tranquility, as that dear pledge she left in it would allow her, which sure could not be great, when she reflected upon the age and place she left her in; An Infant in a strangers Country: While Camilla's thoughts were thus sadly imployed, the Queen once asking her how she▪ did? She gently look't up upon her, and taking her by the hand, kissed it several times before she was able to speak a word; but at last told her she was very sensible of the obligations she had to so indulgent a Queen that since she enquired of her health so kindly, she would presume to tell her, that though she knew death so near, it was not her greatest apprehension, and that her Daughters helpless condition was the reason why she could not but leave the World uncomfortably; and there­fore beg'd leave to manage to the best her few remaining hours, by easing her self of a heavy burden, and powring out or [Page 8] her own breast into the Queens her dear­est and most tender thoughts: She told her she should thank Heaven for giving her leave so soon to follow the Prince her Husband, if she were only sure the present she now made her would be ac­ceptable; a present of all she held dear and precious in the World: Then having dryed her eyes of tears which those last words had drawn from her, she went on to assure her that amongst all her mise­ries, she could scarce think Fortune her enemy, that had brought her to the honour of such a Friendship, by a journey which she should think prosperous, were it not for her Lords death, though it proved her own too, since her kindness, was a Jewel she could not pay too dear for, and the only thing in the World she valued: But was more comforted with the hopes of her Daughters succeeding her in that, then in all the Fortunes she left her; and therefore conjured her to look upon her always as the dying pre­sent of one she esteem'd, and not dis­dain to prove a Mother to the Daughter of a friend, whom she should think in that better provided for, then in the two [Page 9] Principalities she was Heir to. And then her death would not be unwel­come, since not unhappy; for Zelinda, who by this change would have the ad­vantage, of being Bred by a Queen every way so extraordinary: Having said this, she took from under her Pillow a little Box of Jewels, which for her Daughters sake she had always taken care of, and accordingly now put into the Queens hands. Camilla's afflicted con­dition, and the manner she expressed it in, were both so moving, that the Queen had not been able to refuse her request, though sure of its fatal consequence. She threw her Arms about her, and assured her she received her present with joy, and upon condition she should never revoke it, which she hoped her recove­ry would give her leisure, though not unkindness to do: That from that mo­ment she reckoned her self to have two Daughters, between whom she should no more distinguish than Twins, of which she did not dispair to have her a Witness: This cured Camilla's mind, though not her body, and made her life easier, though not longer; for two [Page 10] days after she left the World with that Cheerfulness which the Queens promises gave her; and the Queen capable of no comfort but the hopes of perform­ing them. Thus we see Zelinda in less then three Months become a perfect Or­phan, by burying both her Parents in their Graves, whose Inheritance they came to enjoy; We see her but six years old, in a strange Countrey, a thousand Miles from her own; and what is yet worse in the absolute power of one who was in time to prove her greatest enemy, and the cause of all her Miseries. But none are so safe as those in the hands of Fortune, who never fails such as relie upon her either by choice or necessity: She took into her charge this distressed Orphan, and so ordered this disastrous beginning, as to make it a means of set­ting her in the Throne of two mighty Kingdoms. Zelinda was the most per­fect creature Heaven ever made; her Person was as miraculous as her life, and this Story, though very natural in every other part, is incredible where it speaks of her. Since the Sun went round the World he never saw so exact a Beauty, and in [Page 11] this Beautiful body, there was a Wit a­bove the imagination of ours, and such a one as no other body but hers had been worthy of: In the age when others scarce spake Words, she spoke Sense, and such as might have become any mouth. At her Birth all the Stars were agreed to contribute their best influences; And she appeared so Divine a thing, as one could not but imagine her fallen from Heaven by a Miracle: She was so natural­ly inclined to Good, that doing it, in her was scarce a Virtue; and it was not in her power, at least not without great self-denyal, to avoid the practice of all things commendable; If we could look into the minds of the most extraordi­nary, we should not find them so fault­less as their lives; and though their ver­tue at last gets the better, 'tis a victory like those in Civil Wars by which they must needs suffer, since their Resolutions are no more their own, then the inclina­tions that opposed them. But in this per­fect Creature, Vertue reigned by Birth, and not by Conquest; and therefore she could never fail of doing well, while she did what she liked best: Besides these [Page 12] perfections which are to be described, those Names, Charms, and Secret graces, which make us love so often we know not why, Zelinda possest in such abundance; that she was the general inclination of every man and woman. All her moti­ons were so agreeable, that no others Beauty was half so Charming, and in her gentle Voice there was somthing like Enchantment. Perhaps this is not all that might be, but 'tis certain, all she de­served cannot be exprest, and it will be easily much imagined that where there was so much, there must be a great deal more. And since, Madam, by this Descrip­tion she appears so very like you, I had as good confess ingenuously, that in the story there were so many remarkable things of her, that though I minded it extreamly, I could never have drawn so good a Picture if you had not sat before me. These were the Arms with which Zelinda was to be victorious, and there needed no other, since they were enough to Conquer▪ Alcidalis, who would easily conquer the rest: She was received into Court with so general a joy, that it seemed an Omen of her future Greatness there, of [Page 13] which she then took possession. The Queen who thought her self uncapable of any comfort since her Mothers death, found the contrary whenever she was with her, and the Kings affections scarce knew a difference between her and his only Son.

Alcidalis and Zelinda, were of that Age in which Painters represent Cupids, and had all the agreeable Beauties, the greatest Masters in that Art could give them; Their Charms were so equally taking, though extreamly different, and their very childhood was so extraordi­nary, that none saw them without con­cluding them Born for one another, and each had been an unparallel'd wonder of the World, if it had not seen them to­gether. Indeed though they had the hearts of all that saw them, they could never have been loved equally to their Merit by any but themselves; no Souls but their own being capable of a Passion great enough to deserve theirs. Ac­cordingly the God of love, intending to make his power remarkable by shew­ing it in persons so extraordinary, settled it in their hearts so very early, that [Page 14] they felt it long before they knew it, and were not suffered to pass in quiet that first part of life, which Nature seems to allow undisturbed by Passions: Thus the first sight of Zelinda wrought the same effect upon Alcidalis which it was wont to do upon others, and he made some impression upon the heart of Zelin­da, which she had never felt before. The Queen in pursuance of her great de­sign, had bred up this Prince with all the artifice imaginable, that might in­cline him to love her Daughter. His first pratling was taken advantage of, that he might be used to call her his Mistris: he was dayly brought to see her, and those about him still took all occasions to com­mend before him either her Face or Fashion. But his inclinations were not the same with the Queens, he that had Softness and Complaisance for all the World, seemed to want it only for her Daughter, and was no where so con­strained as in her company: Whether his high Spirit disdained to be thus given a­way without his own consent, or that his Stars, which brought him into the World, for Zelinda gave him a natural [Page 15] aversion to whosoever would usurp that place they had designed her. But from the first moment she came to Court, and was by the Queen made her Daughters Companion, his mind appeared imme­diately changed, he was perpetually in the Dutchess's apartment, and no where so well pleased as there. Love to intro­duce himself easily into our souls, at first comes alwayes accompanied with De­light and Beauty; and makes no shew of violence or Cruelty, till he knows himself Master of the place, and too strongly fixed to fear being dispossest. At first these young lovers felt his power in nothing, but an extream pleasure in see­ing one another, and then such a sweet­ness mixt with joy, spred it self about their Countenance, that it was very vi­sible their love made them appear more lovely. Zelinda had still then been like o­thers of her age, but now began to be more lively; and Alcidalis when he saw her, was so gay and agreeable, that it look't as if he had reserved for her com­pany some particular Grace, and the best of his humour. In that innocent age they enjoyed a pleasant tranquillity of mind [Page 16] for some Months, in which they were much happier, then in many more that followed.

But their passions increased daily with their understandings, and Love became so powerful, that he quickly made him­self be both felt and understood; Alci­dalis now grew more thoughtful then ordinary, and when Zelinda was absent, with an unusual sadness paid dear for the pleasure of having seen her, there was no sport for him in any diversions, but those he took with her, for seeing her was his only pleasure; or if any thing else was not indifferent to him, it was talking himself, and hearing others talk of her. That heart which even from his Childhood was set upon con­quering the World, now hath no hopes nor thoughts but of gaining Zelinda; or if sometimes those of his former am­bition return, it is but with design of rendring himself more worthy of her, by laying at her feet as many Crowns as she deserved. When ever she quitted the room, he was as if fallen from Hea­ven, and next to her company he loved none best. When alone (which for her [Page 17] sake he was often) he was perpetually reflecting upon all her words and actions; and having considered them the several wayes, they were capable of being tur­ned, drew from them accordingly either hopes or fears; then remembring his own expressions of kindness, was never satisfied with himself; sometimes he thought he was too timerous, some­times too bold, and remained alwayes at last as much displeased with himself, as pleased with her: He begun by de­grees to give over all those recreations he was wont to be fond of, Hunting, which he loved best, became a dull thing to him when she was not there, and if he still minded his Exercises, it was but to appear more agreeable to her: In a word, he considered Zelinda as if there had been no Body in the World be­sides.

Love on the other side had got into the heart of Zelinda, but had not made so great a progress; whether it were that fearing her high spirit, he durst not make himself known to her at first, or that she being the younger by two years, was less sensible of that [Page 18] passion: Yet she was not altogether un­concerned, for when ever she saw the young Prince, she had more care of her beauty and dress than ordinary; she lo­ved the Countess the less, because she was designed for him, and every little respect that out of decencie he paid her, took somewhat from the satisfaction of the fair Zelinda. Yet as she had a Soul, generous, resolute, and infinitely sensi­ble, and by consequence capable of none but passions of the same nature, the me­rit of Alcidalis formed in it an affection as fair and perfect as it self.

Love between Persons of so eminent quality (like fire upon a Beacon) is so impossible to be concealed, that it is seen a great way off. The affections of Alci­dalis and Zelinda was soon observed by all the World, and a great many per­ceived they were in Love one with ano­ther, before they discover'd it themselves. In the beginning when Childishness made their actions less observable, though they saw one another with great joy, no body thought there was any other Love between them, then that of the innocent diversions they took together. [Page 19] But as by degrees Zelinda grew more serious, and Alcidalis began to shew himself master of a judgment fit to go­vern his Fathers Kingdom, and a cou­rage capable of conquering any other. There was scarce any body in the whole Court, but judged their Souls to be uni­ted by so strong a passion, that it would be almost an equal difficulty to part'em from their bodies, or from each other. The Queen who was politick beyond her Sex, and designed nothing so much as marrying her Daughter to Alcidalis, was the earlyest jealous of Zelinda's beauty, and consequently the first that took notice of this amour; But having a great confidence in her Interest, and more in her self, she thought they at last would be the only Sufferers, and feared no stubborn resistance from minds so tender.

In the mean time the beauty of Ze­linda increased daily; and though it dawned but a while ago, now shone with such light and lustre, that she seemed to proclaim open War against the Queen, and all her designs. On the other side the young Prince sensible of [Page 20] his birth and parts, began to be weary of living under the slavery of a Gover­nour, and the conduct of a Woman. That heart great and Royal by Nature, when filled with Love, disdained any other Empire but Zelinda's; He began to carry his inclinations for her a little more openly, and favoured none but such as she recommended: He run at the Ring only in her colours, all his motto's spoke of her, and he was so proud of her Chains, that he hated all the World should not see them; There were none who in their hearts did not favour their affection. The Queen soon began to fear she had dallyed too long with a flame so fatal to all her purposes, & which now required her utmost care and endeavours to extinguish it: Yet she resolved to trie violent remedies at last; and strove by all fair means to win upon the disposi­tion of Alcidales, which she perceived to grow less tractable to her every day than other: She used all the Arts she could to Eclipse the beauties of Zelinda, and to advance those of her own Daugh­ter, whom she daily instructed, both what to say and do, never suffering her [Page 21] to appear but with pompe and luster But Zelinda trusting still to Nature, whom she had been so much obliged to already, neglected by her self, was more admired by others, and without any Pearl but those of her teeth, or any Ru­bies but those of her lips, and such other Jewels as a waiting Woman Muse, dresses a Poetical Mistress in, out-shone the other, though adorned with all the glories of the East; so much the wealth that Heaven bestows, Ecclipses what­ever the Earth can lend her Favourites.

The Queen seeing the danger of their continuing any longer in the same place, and dispairing of all other wayes to in­terrupt their increasing affection, re­solves to trye if absence (though it be the greatest torment of a settled) might not prove the cure of a growing incli­nation: And to that purpose, under pre­tence of some indisposition, desires leave of the King her Husband to pass two or three Months in Catalonia, and having gained his consent, she commanded all things to be in readiness for her journey, and said, she would have none attend her but the Ladies. This news extreamly [Page 22] surprised our Lovers, who had never felt the sting, and been only acquainted with the sweets of Love, and except some few apprehensions for the future; which makes but slight impressions in minds so young, and full of confidence, their joy had been without trouble, and their inclination without the least check. Alcidalis was most concerned, or at least could worst dissemble; there was nothing he would not have attempted to divert this journey, & a thousand extravigances past through his imagination about it, but seeing the time drawn on, and the Queens resolution invincible, he resol­ved, at least not to let Zelinda part without a full and open declaration of his passion for her, which till then, (though all his actions continually pro­claimed to her) his words had never presumed to offer the least hint of: Whether it were that he wanted confi­sidence, or thought it needless to de­clare a passion that none could ever hide. The last night being come, he went on the Queens side; where, after some time, he found an opportunity of entertaining Zelinda alone, it was the first minute [Page 23] that ever Alcidales knew what fear was. He attempted once or twice to discover his passion; but having not resolution enough to go on, was fain to turn his discourse to something else, and though at other times he was the gayest Man in the World, near Zelinda he was then the most perplext. But at last his heart beating, and his colour perpetually changing, he with a confused and trem­bling voyce, said: I do not doubt Ze-Linda; But that you know I love you but; how well, after I have said all I can, must still be left to your imaginati­on: I tell you this, that if you find me kill'd by your absence, you may know the nature of your loss▪ though your Jour­ney be compos'd but of a few dayes to the rest of the World; they will to me seem many Years, and may perhaps out­last me. If you consider me and your self, you will find the one too Charming to give a moderate affection, and the other incapable of a weak impression: From the first moment I saw you, my passion was at the same height, that time, or favours ever advanc't any other to: And since every Look, every Word, every [Page 24] Motion of yours has added somewhat to it; whilst I was a Child, I cou'd not express it to you; and since I never durst; and now I tremble only in saying, I adore you; and if I read not suddenly, something favourable in your eyes for me, I shall soon want the power to let you know the greater part of that I have to say. At those words, she who had till then kept her eyes upon the ground, look't gently up at him; Alcidalis seem'd to have received a new life, and thus continued. Though inclination be but a blind guide; I must needs confess my self infinitely fortunate, in that which led me to adore the incomparable Ze­linda; in whom I hourly discover such eminent perfections, as may change even an Aversion to its contrary: Judge then what a passion I must have conceived for her, since it was so advantagiously born, and has been so continually im­prov'd: I confess freely, Humility is a vertue that you alone have made me ac­quainted with, I ever thought the whole world too narrow for me; but now I think my self, and that world infinitely below you; I know the last [Page 25] thing that you consider in me, is my Quality; If I possess any thing worthy of you, 'tis my heart, which I offer to you; and which I can say with confi­dence, to be Great and Generous e­nough to merit a place in yours. I would not praise it thus, were it any longer my own: But now I think ad­vantagiously of it, as I must ever do of all things that belong to you. It never had but two designes, whereof the first, and that which entertained its Childhood, was the Conquest of the World: But since it has been more aspiring, and more reasonable, it has desired Zelinda. Here he stopt, and waited for her answer, who in the condition she was in, had much a do to get out these few words. Sir, I am so astonisht at a diseourse of this na­ture from you; and to find the eyes of the whole Court upon us, that I de­sire you will give till my return to make you an answer: Which I beg of you to believe, I wish may he very sudden: Every body observed some­what extraordinary between them, but the Queen especially, whom their Con­versation [Page 26] made very uneasie; she rose from her place, and Smiling upon Al­cidalis▪ say'd, Sir you entertain Ze­linda so seriously and with so much concern in your face, that I doubt you have had some little quarrel; if it be so, make me Judge, and i'le see her do you reason before she goes. Alcidalis having overcome the first difficulty of declaring his Passion to Zelinda, was impatient of being interrupted, so that without almost looking toward the Queen; he answered her carelessly▪ Madam I injured Zelinda so just, that i [...] she had required me, I would yet de­sire no Judge but her self, and what quarrel soever we have, I shall still have a worse to them that go about to part us. This sharp reply was observed by all the Court; but the Queen who was concerned at it▪ seemed lea [...] to mind it, and chang'd the Discouse. The next morning Zelinda was hurri'd away before Alcidalis could spea [...] to her, and left him in the first great affliction he ever knew; it was all as great to her, and more insuppor [...] able, in that she was forced to disgui [...] [Page 27] her sense of it, and cover also with a cheerful Face a discontented Mind, hiding her misfortune in publick with as many Smiles, as she lamented it in private with Teares.

Of all the troubles that love brings with it, absence is one of the most sensible, there are some violent; some sharper pains, as that of jealousy, but none so hard to bear; and that so oppresses all sort of vigour.

She was no sooner gone, but Alcida­lis shut himself up in his Chamber, threw himself upon the Bed; where­with a storme of Sighs, and a Sea of Tears, he grieved for her, rather as dead then Absent; not considering that love takes ever back with Interest the joyes be lends, and lets few of his Debtors rest so long as he had done him: Having continued seven or eight dayes without seeing any but the King, and him as seldom as his duty would permit, he resolved to follow Zelinda, and rather Perish in an attempt to­wards happiness, then tamely expect a certain death from her absenc [...] ▪ After Hebrius one of the most famous Rivers [Page 28] of Spain, has past along the Walls of Saragosa (as if there were nothing else worthy of him in Arragon) he takes the way of Catalonia, where receiv­ing in his passage many rivolets, to make his entry more stately into the Sea; he comes at last within half a League of Tortosa: The Countrey he waters is very Fruitful, and full of Trees, which is the more agreeable, in that the rest consists of dry naked Places, and Mountains scorcht up by the heat of the Sun, fifteen Leagues from his Mouth. He passes through a Valley two Leagues long, and pro­portionably broad on both sides, encom­past with Mountaines: Those of Ca­talonia keeps it from the North-Winds, so that it is always Green, and the Inhabitants never feel that Winter, which they see continually upon the neighbouring Hills: 'Twas in this Pa­radice that Zelinda past her Purgatory; and where the Pallace of the Queen stood; She alone was sad where all nature appeared to smile; and lost hourly [...]hat luster, which every thing there abouts seem'd to have borrowed [Page 29] of her; The absence of Alcidalis troubled her continually, and her Me­lancholly was not confin'd to the pre­sent, but had likewise some presages of the ills to come, she saw her For­tune, and her self, and Alcidalis more dear then both, in the power of the Queen; She considered, that though the courage of the Prince was great, and his love greater, his Authority was yet but weak. That he would never be suffered to despise the Coun­trey of Barcelonia, which fortune of­fered him so opportunely with the Queens Daughter: To Marry an Or­phan, and a Stranger, who had no Fortune, no Support, but afar off, that he alone would not be able to resist the commands of the King, the good of the Kingdom, and the designes of the Queen, who governed both, that whilst they were Children, though all fa­vour'd their affection, yet none ap­prov'd their Marriage: That many look't upon her already as an enemy of the State, and the Torch that was sooner or later to set the whole King­dom on a Flame: These, and such [Page 30] thoughts continually tormented her, and the further she look't into the fu­ture, the more terrible her prospect grew. One day above the rest, as she was walking with the Queen in an ex­tream thick Wood, she slipt from the company, attended only with one Maid, 'twas no small ease to her to have the liberty of venting her Grief; which at other times she almost dou­bled by dissembling, and reflecting on various Accidents of her life, what she had already suffered, and what she was hourly threatned with: Her Me­lancholly possest her so entirely, that without thinking of the way she found her self by the Banks of Hebroes: The Charms of so delightful a place, the sweetness of the Air, and the plea­sure she took in being alone, invited her to continue her walk; but fearing the Queen might wonder at her ab­sence, she stopt when the noise of a Horne, which seemed not to be far off, made her turn her head towards a Neighbouring Mountain, where she saw as she thought, two men clos'd, and falling together from a Rock; but [Page 31] upon a second view, she found it was a Bear and a man; when immediatly on the place from whence the other fell, she saw a young man very well Horst, leap down after them, the strength of the Horse, the address of the Horseman, or the Fortune of both, was such, that they took no hurt; he immediately kills the Bear at one stroak, with his Javelin, and saves his friend. This generous Action so sur­prized Zelinda, that she was almost angry that any but Alcidalis had done it: But he that was on Horseback came towards her, and past the River in a place where it was Fordable. She began to think it was Alcidalis, but not being perfectly assured; she askt her Woman if she knew that Gentle­man; who answered: Madam, a far off we might have known him by his Action; but now we may see it is the Prince. As he came nearer, asto­nishment, fear, and joy, all at once, so seised Zelinda, that she could not readily find words to receive him with, The Prince who had a longer time to prepare himself, though not without [Page 32] some disorder, said; Madam, you are not to wonder at any confidence, from a man that is already guilty of that, of having declared he loves you; your last words gave me an impatiency, that turned every hour of your absence into an Age, and I had been unworthy of your return or answer, had I been able longer to expect either: What I said then, was but what I must always think, and if it were ever Criminal, am come to tell you, I am still Impenitent. Sir said she, if you will give me the leisure to make you the answer I promised you, when I left Saragosa: Then (finding her self Blush, and that he perceived it) she went on thus: This Colour that rises in my Face, proceeds rather from that I am going to say somewhat I never did before, then from a thought that I do therein any thing against my honour, I know not whether it be always a shame for a Maid to owne she loves, but if ever it were excusable, sure it is in me. I will not say that my Stars, or your eminent Qualities forc't me to it; those are pre­tences that any one may use; I will only urge such as are more peculiar to my [Page 33] case. I lov'd you Alcidalis before I knew it was a fault, and conceived an affection for you before I was cap­able, of those Laws that forhid it to our Sex. None can blame me for giv­ing entrance to a Passion, which I seem'd rather to have found there, then received into my heart, and which has been so long here; that I can no more remember its Birth more then my own. The first inclination I ever had, was for you, and self love so early, and so natural in all the world, came to me later, then my friendship for Alcidalis: My Reason (which appeared not in a great while after) found it so well settled that it al­most lookt like rebellion to attempt any thing against it; besides it seemed so innocent, and so just, that she rather en­deavoured to strengthen, then oppose it, I say all this to excuse it both to you and myself, and to make you know that the soul the freest from weakness, and most reasonable in the World, might have been surpris'd, as mine was: If you are pleased that I love you, thank not me, but Heaven that would have it so. If [Page 34] you are at all obliged to me, it is only for owning of it to you: Thus, though I had not the power of extinguishing my affecti­on, I had certainly that of concealing it, I could have dissembled it all my life time, or as most of our Sex do, have showne it you by little, and little; after having made you long desire it; were it not un­reasonable or unworthy either of you or me: It would never he time to discover it; but one the contrary, if it be only such as Ze­linda ought to have for Alcidalis. Why should I not from this Minute, give him the joy of knowing, and being assured of it. I tell you then I love you Alcidalis. and though I say it with Blushes, I do it without shame, I accept that heart which you gave me; which I esteem a Treasure far beyond the Crown you promised with it, I am pleased, to find all the quali­ties of your mind truly Royal; but I could wish your Birth were less so; for I fear Fortune to take that Crown away, which is the thing I least esteem in you, will rob me one day of all the rest. I see from this hour all the Misfortunes that threaten me, I know your love will cause the hatred of the Queen, but she that [Page 35] hath to her own the heart of Alcidalis can fear nothing: I will resist all with a re­solution that shall amaze you; and since Heaven decreed I should have affection, I will accompany it with such a Vertuous Constancy, that what is ordinarily re­procht in my Sex, shall be in me esteemed, and wondred at. Alcidalis from the very first Minut she began, had still hearkened to her as one whose fate depended on her Discourse, find­ing it much more to his advantage then he durst have hoped, was so far from being able to express his joy, that he even wanted words for an acknow­ledgment: But after a while coming to himself, & finding her that followed out of sight, he put one knee on the ground; but as he began to speak, the Queen appeared near; the thickness of the bushes having hid her approach, so that he arose again as soon as possible. Ze­linda was extreamly troubled to be so unluckily surprised: And said, Sir, you will I fear have cause to repent this un­necessary humility. Madam, said he, I do already, but 'tis only that 'twas no earlier adrest: Whilst they were talk­ing [Page 36] the Queen advanc't, and Alcidalis coming up to her, she received him with a Countenance so gay, and full of satisfaction, that Zelinda her self could do no more. After the first Complements were over, the Prince having told her how the Chace bring­ing him within seven or eight Leagues, he thought himself obliged to kiss her hands; the Queen seemed to thank Fortune, for having conducted him so near her. But Sir, said she, I believe you are already paid for all the trouble you have given yourself, for its to be imagined the favour that Zelinda granted you just now, was not inconsider­able: Since you thanked her upon your Knees for it, as we saw; truly it made me not know you at first, and I thought it had been some of your Servants, but I am very glad it was none but yourself who received that satisfaction: Pray let us know what it was, that we may partake in your Good-Fortune, and thank her with you. Zelinda did not grow red upon this, because she had conti­nued so, since her discourse with Al­cidalis, and fearing what the Queen [Page 37] said, might surprize him; womens Wits being ever readiest on such occasions; she answered and said. Madam, I was asking Alcidalis some News of Saracosa, he (who without doubt, was thinking of his Hunting) did not answer me, I then reproacing him with his heedlesseness and Silence, he kneel'd to me of a suddain, and thought by other excess of Civility to repair the neglect he had shew'd in not replying sooner to what I said. 'Twas very civil in him, said the Queen, and because you believe the Prince is think­ing of his Hunting still, you have taken care to answer for him. Zelinda seeing the Queen press her so hard quitted the Discourse. But Alcidalis perceiving the pain she was in, came to her as­sistance as she had done before to his, and began a relation of some little in­disposition, the King had suffered in her absence, so that the Discourse was quite changed. The good humour Zelinda had put him into, made him entertain the Queen with infinite com­plyance, and address himself more then formerly to her Daughter. But our young Lovers were not cunning e­nough [Page 38] to deceive her; she perceived the alteration and concluded the gayety of Alcidalis, and the respect he treat­ed her Daughter with, to be but effects of some obliging assurance he had ob­tained from Zelinda, and from that moment took the resolution of parting them. The Prince went the next day to Saragusa, whether the Queen was forced to return eight dayes after, this absence was much more supportable to him then the other, for he had in it the comfort of knowing he was be­lov'd by the person in the World he most esteem'd, they past some Months so well, and with such Tranquility, that Alcidalis could almost have forgot there was a happiness beyond it.

But there is a fatal point which no­thing can ever pass, and fortune is some­times as weary of the joyes of Lovers, as of the weight of Empires, the highest happiness has this fault that its then nearest its end. This was sure the only cause of all the misfortunes that perse­cuted so innocent an affection: The assu­rance that Alcidalis had of Zelindas kind­ness, made him live with more discreti­on, [Page 93] & more fear of displeasing the Queen, then ever he waited on her Daughter oftner, & converst less with Zelinda, she who from her Childhood had been ever serious, began to be more and more so▪ to see and speak to the Prince with great Caution and respect, and do all things that might make their af­fections less suspected; but this dis­cretion, as it did ever between Lovers, come too late, the Queen who could not be deceived, with much care, secre­cy and diligence, gave order for the exe­cuting a designe which she had in hand, as those which are in a place with their enemies▪ secretly undermine, for the most part fear least of all the ruine they must sink into, and live in security whilst men dig Graves under their feet; so our Lovers not imagining what was contriving against them, enjoyed a perfect Tranquility, and if they ap­prehended any mischief from the Queen, they neither apprehended it so great, so suddain, nor in that dreadful man­ner it was to befall them. Four Months after the Queen came back from Catalonia, she took an occasion to [Page 40] in the beginning of the Spring to re­turn, giving no notice of any such in­tention, till the day before. Alci­dalis and Zelinda were so surprised, that they had scarce leasure to take leave one of the other, as the Prince was expressing to her, the Grief he left her with. Sir, said she, Remember you promised me, never to complain or fear the combination of the whole World a­gainst you, whilst I was for you: Minds assured one of another, like Martyrs in the midst of all their Sufferings, have still their thoughts fixt together with joy, on their reward to come, we shall meet again, and even in absence, our Memo­ries shall make our past Satisfactions ever present to us, and our imagination shall entertain us with those to come: At that word she took a Ring from her fair hand; and bad him keep it with her heart. Alcidalis received it with all the joy his own was capable of, and was almost in love with the sad occa­sion▪ that drew so obliging a Dis­course from her; then taking another of the same inestimable value, since it came from him, he gave it her with [Page 41] the same words, at which they parted with as much Grief as ever they had met with Joy: Tears stole down both their Faces, which both strove to hid from each other, as ashamed of such a vulgar mark of Sorrow in so Trans­cendant a concern. The Queen went away next Morning, and staying but one day at her own house, she pre­tended to have received some News from Barcellona, which obliged her to go thither, leaving her Daughter with a great part of her Train: She took only Zelinda with her, who imagined there was somewhat extraor­dinary in it; but was not able to com­prehend the reason; so that knowing not what to fear, she feared every thing: The Queen spent the remainder of that day in seeing the Town, and the magnificent reception that was made for her; the next morning she was told that a Vessel bearing her own Name, which she had built not long ago, was newly come into the Port, there was then an hundred Vessels in the Port of Barcellona, which so soon as the Queen appeared, saluted her [Page 42] with all the Guns, so that for a while there was nothing to be seen but Fire and Smoak, the Ships being hid with a Cloud of their own making, they soon made themselves heard in a sound of Trumpets and Howboys: The Mu­sick and all the Naval Pompe, together with the sight of that Element, which at first seises the Eyes and Minds of all the World with Admiration, could not in the least divert Zelinda; her, heart presaged those ills at hand, she had so long foreseen. The Queen put her self into a Boat, to go and see this Vessel, and took Zelinda with her and some few Servants; She found in the Vessel, the Captain and his Wife, with whom she shut her self up a while, which extreamly increast the jealousies of Zelinda, she lookt to­ward Spain with Tears in her Eyes, and began to despair of seeing it again: An hour after, the Captain and his Wife came out of the Cabine, and told Zelinda, the Queen expected her there, her Blood straight Froze in her Veins, and she grew so Pale, that she seemed rather her own Ghost then her self; [Page 43] the Queen shutting the dore upon her, thus began. Though it be a long time Zelinda since we lost both; you the best Mother in the world, and I the best Friend; Neither the affection that I had for her, nor the last words she recommend­ed you to my care, with shall ever be for­gotten: And had these former conside­rations been wanting, your Beauty, your Wit, and Discretion, would have since obliged me to it. Having Bread you up so long, and having found all these Qua­lities that gained her my affection, shine­ing in you with more Luster: I were un­reasonable had I not the same Friend­ship for you, that I profest to her. Then say I have done more for you then ever she askt of me, she only desired me to love you as her Daughter, and I have loved you like my own; my Daughter lost the Title of an only Child from the day your Mother dyed. Since when I have consi­dered you both as equally my own, and consequently none of your actions or con­cerns have been indifferent to me, so that you may imagine it is impossible but I must have taken notice of that passion which your Beauty (though without [Page 44] leave) has raised in the heart of Alcida­lis: I have been no less then your self in pain for the injury it might do you. You know how little assurance there is in the the words of men of his age and conditi­on; both which gave him a license to de­ceive and falsifie his Promises: Be your own Judge, whether his affection can ever be any advantage to you, you see how many reasons oppose it, and should it ever come into his power and yours, you are too just, too grateful, to take him from the Daughter of one you are so much obliged to. I know your Vertue Ze­linda, but as great as it is you cannot hinder the Prince from seeing you, nor the World from Talking of it; your Ver­tue may avoid the ill, but cannot escape the noise; I know the prejudice such re­ports are to those of your Sex, and par­ticularly the discontent they give those of your Scrupulous Vertue: I thought it then my duty to lead you out of this dif­ficulty, and that it was now high time to fulfill the Promise I made your Mother. The Prince of Tarentum is Wise, Vertu­ous, and Valliant, one of the most con­siderable Princes in Italy; He has by his [Page 45] Letters and Ambassadors, made ad­dresses to me, that he might have you in Marriage; I would never acquaint you with particulars till all was settled▪ and the business ripe for Execution. I hear he expects suddainly to lay at your Feet his Person, and Dominions; the Cap­taine of this Vessel left him fifteen days ago, and obliged himself in as many more to bring you to him, according to my Orders, Diligence and Secrecy for some reasons which I cannot yet let you know, are very important to this Af­fair, therefore you must go away imme­diately, and without any Train. I doubt not but this your good nature finds some trouble in this suddain parting, but though the Sea separate us for a while, nothing shall divide our affections; and I hope one day to see you with a Luster and Magnificence, which shall recom­pence the private condition you leave us in▪ and sure you ought to be glad, you are returning into a Countrey where you shall find your Fortune, your Friends, and the place of your Birth. But although it were not your inclination, it is enough that I will have it so: Besides the power [Page 46] of a Queen; I claim also the interest of a Mother in you: Consent then willingly to a thing (which beside that it is a thing very just) is also no less necessary; in following readily what I counsel you, and perhaps command you, you will shew that Modesty that you owe to your self, and a respect no less due to me: At these words she embrac't her; pretending she would not take a formal leave of her, lest it should too much soften both their hearts, she left the Cabin.

Sorrow, Rage, and Indignation, so overwhelmed the mind of Zelinda, that for a while she was neither able to speak nor move, so that she remained in the condition the Queen left here in▪ Which yet was the happiest she found her self in for many Months, since the greatness and suddainness of her mis­fortune, took from her all sense of it for the time. All our faculties are so limited, that they are only capable of moderate Objects▪ too much light blinds us, a great noise makes us deaf▪ great Joys oppress our Senses. After having been without any sign of life for half an hour, her Spirits began to re­turn, [Page 47] and with them her Fear, her Love, and all the passions of a trou­bled Mind; Her life came back to her in such a company that she hated it; her first thought was that of throwing her self at the Queens Feet, in hope to change her Cruel purpose; but she was gone, and the Ship so far ad­vanc't, that one could hardly see the tops of Houses of Barcelona, she turned her eyes that way, and reflecting on what she left, and what she was going to: And having seriously weighed them a while, she turned her self to­wards those that accompanied her with a Countenance more cheerful and Serene then ordinary: and seem­ing to have received some satisfaction from the consolation they gave her: See went to Bed, and entreated them to leave her to her Rest: Fear and hopes are the two contrary winds of Souls, which never cease, and there is no tempest, whereof one or other of them is not the Cause: The present is but a point, and would be inconsiderable to us, if one or other of these passions did not give us some feeling of the fu­ture: [Page 48] Zelinda thought that Fortune had plac't her below her own power of helping, or harming farther: And so was in that fatal Tranquility where­in men neither fear nor hope, but ex­pect the end of their Misfortune, with that of their lives, In all these Mise­ries, she had not that of trying seve­ral remedies, which is commonly the greatest paine of the unfortunate. Having well considered what she would do, and knowing it could not be long e're she should be freed from her afflictions, she past the night in thinking how Alcidalis would receive the News of her loss: And though she was infinitly grieved to part with him, she had some satisfaction when she thought of the eminent proof it, would give him of her love, and resolution. The Captain of the Vessel (besides that she was then their charge) had a par­ticular esteem of Zelinda▪ having known her at Court; as soon as they thought she was awake they went into her Chamber, and askt her what she would eat, she answered that not on­ly she would not eat then, but that [Page 49] she would never eat more; this reply amazed them extreamly; but they con­cluded she was relapsed into her former Melancholly, and a little Time, a pro­perer Remedy, then any discourse. Three or four hours after, finding that she called no body, they returned, and employed all Prayers, and per­swasions to make her receive a little Nourishment; to which she answer­ed only with a Sullen silence, and a Be­heaviour so cold, and so resolved, that she scarce seemed to have heard them: They left her this second time, but began to apprehend some Tragical event of this strange resolution. The next night they came again with a Neece of theirs, who was of the same age with Zelinda, and kneeling to her, begged her to have a care of her life, with as many Tears, and as much ear­nestness, as if they had askt their own of her, but all in vain; so that they re­tired, and left her to her self. Three dayes past thus whilst neither Pray­ers, Tears, or Perswasions, could pre­vail with Zelinda to speak one word; but the fourth day these good people [Page 50] with their Neece, came to make their last attempt: And desired her not to be her own Murderer, and commit a Cruelty upon a Person so excellent, as even the rudest Barbarians would both spare and Worship: Zelinda having hearkned a while to their Dis­course, fetcht a deep Sigh, and rising from her Seat, shewed her self plain to them▪ which made them the better perceive the extremity she was in; in the Beautifullest Face in the World, they beheld a frightful Image of dispair and approaching Death, and somewhat that gave at once horrour and pitty; having looked round upon them all, she thus broke the Silence, she so long had kept.

Then taking out a little Box the Queen had left her, where all the Jewels of her Mother were, she con­tinued.

Then she shewed them all her Jewels, which Charmed their Eyes, as much as her Discourses had done their Ears, so that they were no longer able to re­sist that double violence: The Cap­tain was a Souldierly man, and very Brave, who had run through divers Fortunes without ever making his own: He thought now was the time or never, so that straight computing how many Vessels he might set out with a good part of that Wealth he saw; immediatly all Zelinda had said to him appeared unanswerable, he thought himself oblidged in Honour to relieve so Lovely and Injured a Princess: Besides, that he might one day restore her to Alcidalis, and re­ceive from him as great a recompence, as he had done for her. He was a great while without speaking, so that Zelinda fearing his Silence, proceeded from his irresolution, doubled her intreaties, till at last he yielded, and vow'd to obey what ever she com­manded: She engaged to go into a Monastery, and never to leave it with­out his consent: Zelinda was so over­joyed [Page 56] at this deliverance from the Prince of Tarentum that she a while for­got she was also separated from Alcida­lis; this satisfaction soon restored her to Health and Beauty; but they let her appear as little as possible; and their Neece Crimina was every day in­structed to Personate Zelinda; when she had her Lesson perfect, they Landed her in Italy; though Zelinda saw all things go very well, and that the Captain and his Wife were very zealous to have this design succeed; yet her heart began to beat when she saw Land, and was extream impati­ent, till Crimina was settled with the Duke, that she might be gone: Not to expose the false Zelinda at first, to the eyes of too many People, under the pretence of some small Indisposition, they made her to be carryed in a Chair, into the very Pallace, and under the same pretence avoided seeing much Company, till she had confirmed her self in the Meen and Person of a Princes; so that she let none see her when she could well avoid it but the Duke; who though he did not find in her [Page 57] that Prodigious Beauty that had made so much noise, was very well Satis­fied with her, and attributed her Alteration partly to her Indispositi­on, partly to her Voyage, and allow­ed somewhat for the Extravagance of Report, which is ever in Extreams. The Captain and his Wife having re­ceived very considerable Presents, took their leave of the Duke, and put to Sea, pretending an Impatience they had to give the Queen an account of their happy Voyage. Zelinda stayed all this while in the Vessel, and when she saw the Captain and his Wife A­board, prest them to Hoyst Saile, and shed as many Tears of Joy at her leav­ing Italy, as she had of Sorrow at her quitting Spain: But what avails it, the unhappy to escape one Misfortune; or what Sanctuary is there for these whom Fortune is resolved to Perse­cute; all the earth is subject to her Empire, but the Sea seems to be particularly under her Dominion, it is there she excercises her Power most Tyrannically; and most Treacherous­ly, enriching her Favourites with the [Page 58] Spoiles of the Industrious: Yet as if there were nothing more to be feared, Zelinda thanked Heaven, and being on an Element the most deceiptful of the four, among people she could ex­pect nothing farther from, having nothing more to bribe them with. She imagined her self as secure as if she had been in a Pallace, and in the midst of her Friends: They made towards Sardignia, where the Captain design­ed to leave Zelinda; with a Sister of his, till he could find an opportunity to restore her to Alcidalis; they had Sailed three dayes with a Fair Wind, when two hours before the Sun set, he upon the Watch, from the top of the Mast, cryed he saw three Sailes making towards them; Men live no where with so little security, as upon that Element, The Water, Earth, Air, and Fire, are all Enemies of those that are at Sea; but Men most of all, and there is nothing that one Vessel apprehends so much, as the Meeting of another; not long after they looked again, and they saw the Tops of three Sailes, which seemed [Page 59] not to be above three Leagues off; an hour after they came more in View, so that they knew them to be Pyrates. Our Captain commanded his men to Hoist all their Sailes and run for't: The next Morning as soon as it was broad day, they perceived the Pirates were aside of them, and within six Miles, so that if they gained upon them in the Morning proportionably to what they had done in the Night be­fore, they judged that by Noon they would be within Cannon-Shot; those that were in the Vessel were a little apprehensive, the fearful took them­selves to Crying and Howling, the most resolved, to their Arms: And the most reasonable, concluded, that neither the one nor other were to any great purpose; Though the Captain had experience enough to know that he could not Defend himself long, yet he chose rather to die like a man of Honour, then to yield and loose that Wealth he was so lately and so luckily possest of. In this Alarum and gene­ral confusion, Zelinda alone was not astonisht, and whilst others feared for [Page 60] their Goods, and their Liberties, she to whom all these things were indiffe­rent, thought only for preserving her Honour: After having throughly considered the danger she was in, and the remedies it was capable of; She shut her self into her Chamber with the Captains Wife, where the first thing she did, was to throw all her Ornaments into the Sea, least they should discover her, then cutting off the Finest Haire in the World, she Wept a while in the consideration of what Fortune had reduced her to; but at last she called for a Suit of the Clo­thes of the Captains, and Disguised her self and Sex. In the mean time the three Vessels which they knew belong­ed to the Coast of Africa, came with­in Cannon-Shot of them, and Dis­charged a Gun, to see if they would Strike Saile, but finding they did not, but pretended to defend themselves, when they came within convenient distance they gave them a Broad-Side: those of the Vessel did the same, but with a very different success▪ for do­ing no harm at all to the Enemies, [Page 61] they had their Mast and two of their Sailes Shot in pieces, their Vessel ex­treamly Shattered, and many of the Souldiers killed; at this noise Zelinda came out of her Chamber, and put her self among the foremost, hoping that she should by that means either be killed the sooner, or disguise her self the better, the Combate was so un­equal that it was impossibie it should last long, and all the resistance they were able to make, could not hinder the Pirates from Boarding the Vessel; where after they had killed ten or twelve of the most Resolute, and amongst the rest the Captain, the Seamen threw down their Arms, and yeilded to Mercy The Captain of these Vessels was of the Kingdom of Barca, the people of it are very Bar­barous, they drive no Trade at all, what we call Robbing, they call Gain­ing from the Enemy, and whatever they purchase with their Blood, they count still the bravelier, and most Ho­nestly gotten; and would be ashamed of any other Title to it. This man being the most powerful in his Coun­try, [Page 62] Valliant and Skilfull in Sea Af­fairs, was a long time the Terrour of all the Coasts of Greece and Italy, he had Mercy, and Generosity more then his Country, or indeed his Profession allowed of, naturally and without knowing they were Vertues: As there are in the North, some Veins of Gold as perfect as those in the Indies, though not in so great quantity. So nature in all Climates does produce now and than an extraordinary Ge­nius, which she instructs and cul­tivates her self, and indues with all imaginable perfection without help of Art. As Orcantes (for so this Pyrate was called) was looking over his Captives and the Prize he had got­ten. The Majesty and Beauty that shin­ed in Zelindas Face, compelled him to ask her who she was, she answered she was a Spaniard, and her name was Ze­lidan, Nephew to the Captain of that Vessel, he had taken, that she wisht her self with him, and esteemed him happy to have preserved his Liberty with the loss of his Life: She said this with a meen worthy of a better [Page 63] Fortune, and with an assurance more usual in the Conquerours then the vanquisht, her Constancy, her Courage, prevailed more on the Generous Dis­position of the Captain, then all the mean Submission of the rest, he was charmed with the Greatness of her Mind, and Beauty of her Person, and desired her to be of good Courage, since she was fallen into the hands of one, who made Slaves of none but such as deserved to be so. That for himself he sought Glory more then Gain upon the Sea, and took more pleasure to give Liberty, then to make Slaves. That he left the rest of the Prize to his Souldiers, and desired only Zelidan for himself, and that the first brave Action they were in, should be his Ransome. And Sir, said he, If the advantages of your Mind, answer those of your Person, I shall soon be more a Captive to your Worth, then you are to my Arms. Zelinda, who ex­pected nothing of this nature from a Barbarian, and a Pyrate, was almost as much amazed as he was pleased; and the loss of Liberty, as a Slave to Orantes, [Page 64] was so much more supportable then it would have been to her▪ as Wife to the Prince of Tarentum, that she be­gan to bear it with some sort of satis­faction. She thought there was no misfortune but to be given to another, nor no Happiness but to be Married to Alcidalis: All things else were in­different to her. And so her great Soul worthy of the Empire of the World, submitted to her present con­dition with less concern then the meanest Seaman that was taken with her. But Zelidan for so we must here­after call her, besides that Heaven had given her all Advantagious Qua­lities, both of Mind and Body, was indued with all those Graces, which al­most insensibly create Love & Respect, born to command and not to obey: She soon got the ascendant over her new Master, the Slaves, Souldiers, Seamen, all loved her so well, that she Governed absolutely, in the Vessel where she was Prisoner; seeing the kindness Orantes had for her, she judged that it would turn to Love, if once she were discovered; and then his in­clination [Page 65] (which else would be of great advantage to her) would be infallibly her ruine▪ She took all the care imaginable to conceal her self con­tinually exercising her Courage, and all these Qualities that her Sex is least capable of. They past all that Summer without ever landing, but to take in Fresh-Water, in which time the new Zelidan signalized himself on all occa­sions: There was no Vessel taken where he was not the first Aboard▪ so that the Pirate found no difficulty to pay him the full esteem and friend­ship he had promised: The Winter coming on, and the Sea growing fuller of fears, then hopes even for Pyrates themselves, they laid up their Vessel in the first Port of Barca: Orantes gave Zelidan his Liberty with a great many Complements, and professions of perpetual Friendship: He desired to bring him to Court, saying he would shew the King the Richest Prize he ever took upon the Sea. In the mean while Alcidalis who was informed of the Queens whole proceeding, believed Zelinda in the Arms of the Prince of [Page 66] Tarentum, and thought her capable though not of loving, yet of suffering another, the generous resolution of starving her self to death, which Ze­linda was ready to have executed, Al­cidalis was not able to imagine: But after he had given some time to a help­less and a most speechless sorrow, he lost all fear, all respect, together with his hope, and had no other though but that of Revenging himself immediately upon the Queen, or of forcing Zelinda from the Arms of the Prince of Tarentum. But at last his Body being unequal to the violent Agi­tations of his Mind, he fell into a Feavour, accompanied with such Ra­ving Fits, as all that knew their true cause, had reason to believe he would never outlive them; he was in a short time without any strength, and which was happiest for him without any thought at all: thus Fortune can mock at all our Purposes, and confine him a whole Month to his Chamber; Who threatned straight to search the whole World for Zelinda. A Fea­vour, Love, and Jealousy, which are [Page 67] certainly the greatest ills of Mind and Body, raged at once in Alcidalis, every one of them with their most desperate Circumstances: So that each seemed incurable and altogether unsupport­able: But at length contrary to all expectation he recovered, but with his Health, his Grief, his Love, and all cares returned; so that without staying till he was perfectly recovered, or making any one acquainted with his designe, he stole out of Saragosa, and going a by way to the Kingdom of Valentia, he embarqued at the nearest Port, and past over into Italy: Where he hoped to see Zelinda, which ex­pectation was all the Happiness he was capable of in her absence; The false Zelinda had better Fortune then the true one, and her designes better success, she had, as observed, a mode­rate Beauty, and that kind of under­standing that gives us cunning and sub­tility for the Affairs of the World, seeing what a dangerous business she had undertaken, she endeavoured all she could to gaine the Prince her Hus­bands Heart, and so fortifie her self [Page 68] against all accidents: He was of those years wherein men begin to feel the approaches of Old Age, and to be somewhat less confident of themselves, and where the most reasonable and best deserving cannot hope to be loved by Women, but out of gratitude or duty: So that the Beauty, Conduct, and Kindness, of his Young Wife, gain­ed him intirely: As we are never so fond of Flowers, as in the beginning of the Spring, or towards the end of Autumne; the first for their Novelty, and the others because we think we shall see them no more: So the pleasures of love are at no time so dear to us, as in the buginning of our Youth, and the approaches of our Age: It is so great and unexpected a Happiness for an Old Man to be loved, that there is no folly they are not capable of in that condition, but the knowledge they have of themselves, scarce suf­fers them ever to be firmly perswaded of it. The Duke was no sooner in love, but he became Jealous; That passion which in other Countries is an acciden­tal effect of love, is there inseperable [Page 69] from it▪ they conclude there cannot be a great desire, without a great fear. Love and Jealousy are Twins with them, and ever born together. Were it then the excess of kindness, the Air of his Countrey, or his own natural distrust, or that he had heard some­what concerning Alcidalis, that had caused that effect; his Jealousy arrived to that height, that he never thought her safe but when she was with him, and even then had scarce patience she should be seen by any eyes but his own. She who for another reason cared not to be seen much, easily complied with his Humour, and told him she loved all the effects of his Passion equally, that his very fears were agreeable to her since they were marks of his Love: That her greatest content was to pro­cure his, that in having him, she thought she had all the World, and cared not if she was shut up for ever on these Tearms. He receives these offers of hers with great joy, and made use of the Liberty she gave him to take away all hers, so that cutting off dayly somwhat of her Attendants, and of a [Page 70] great Pallace, which before she had the freedom of, he reduced her to four or five Rooms, and a few necessary Servants, as the Duke gave her many marks of his Jealousy, he also gave her some of his Love. And strove to make her Prison as agreeable to her as possible, there was no part of the World that did not contribute its greatest varieties to her Closets. Art and nature seemed to strive which should most adorne her Retirement. And she saw all things she could wish, but men, and those she saw only out her Windows. The Duke bought the Lustiest and Handsomest Slaves that could be found which (to divert the Malancholy which must needs attend such a solitude) he caused to be taught to Fence, Ride, run at the Ring, and all the exercises of the Nobility, by the best Masters of Italy; these were called the Slaves of the Dutchess, thrice a Week they were brought into a Court all strewed with Sand, where they did all their Exercises: The Duke had two designs in this, one of divert­ing his Dutchess, and the other of [Page 71] making her despise all men; by letting her see in Slaves, the same Qualities which are admired in people of the highest Birth, and most advantagious Education. Alcidalis at his coming into Italy, was informed of all this, and judged that no Quality would so soon introduce him, as that of a Slave to the Dutchess; he communicated his designs to his Gentleman, who had always attended him; who Dis­guising himself like a Merchant, went to the Officers that had the Govern­ment of the Slaves, and exposed to sale Alcidalis; who having all the Qualities necessary in a very eminent degree; was soon Bought, and so one of the greatest and most accomplisht men in the World, became a Slave: A while he was fain to learn of them he might have taught▪ and seeming to learn every day somewhat of his exer­cises; he in a short time so advanced, that he was admired of all the World; if he were challenged to run, Wrestle, Fence, or Ride, he was so constant­ly successful, that at last he seemed but to be invited to so many Victories: [Page 72] There was no Prize that any one, or number of his Companions, durst dispute with him: Yet among all the commendations he obtained, he felt a secret shame in himself, that his Victories were gained only over a few Slaves, for he had a heart as Ge­nerous as that Prince, who scorned to Run with any but Kings, though he did all things with an incompa­rable Grace, it was with so much neg­lect and contempt of what he was a­bout, that it was no hard matter to see his thoughts were somewhere else: When ever he entered the Lists, for the Divertisement of the Dutchess, he came the first, and went away the last; In all his exercises he had his Eyes and Heart fixt upon the Window, he thought she stood at. For the Jealous Duke had so contrived it; that she could see without being seen: What Mistakes and Errors are not men cap­able of, the most Faithful Lover upon earth adores now a Beauty he has never seen, Sighs before her, and gives her at his eyes his heart: And being born a Slave to Zelinda, has blindly [Page 73] sold himself to another: Alcidalis who had been remarkable amongst the most accomplisht Princes, was easily so among these Slaves. The first day she saw him, his Beauty, and the Graces that accompanied all his Actions, attracted the eyes of the Dutchess; afterward he gained her esteem, and then her admiration; and having considered how through­ly she thought she saw in his Mine and Courage, somewhat worthy of a Nobler destiny, and much above his present Fortune: She took notice how fixtly he looked up at her Window, of the Paleness and Sadness of his Face, which all the applauses continually given him were never able to change for a Minute: All this together gave her at first Pity, then Curiosity, and at last Love.

One Night as this Illustrious Slave went out of the Palace of the Duke, in a dark Passage he felt himself pulled▪ by one, whom by that light he could only perceive to be a Woman; who taking him aside, said, Clariantes, [Page 74] (for that was the name he chose to be called by in this Disguise) If you are as truly Brave as you appear, come to morrow morning at two a Clock to the foot of the Greek-Tower, there you shall be put in a way of being the Happiest man living: She said this in great haste, and left him, without staying for his answer. But this was enough to set his Thoughts a work: Since Fortune began to persecute his love, this seem­ed to him the first Moment she began to remit of her usual Rigour; he made no question but this Message came from Zelinda, since to make him Happy was in the power of none but her: Yet whether it be that men so extra­ordinary hold some little intelligence with their destiny, or that the unfor­tunate entertain hope but Coldly, which has so oft deceiv'd them: he durst not be confident of his good Fortune, but expected the hour she had assign­ed him, successively agitated by Impa­tience, Hope, and Fear. The time so much longed for being come, as soon as it was dark he came to the foot of [Page 75] the Tower, which was an old Build­ing which entered some fifty Foot into the Sea; Alcidalis came in a small Fisher Boat, which having fastned to the Wall, he attended the success of his Adventure an hour before any body came to him: His Mind all the while no less toss'd between Hope and Fear, then the small Vessel he was in by the Waves of the Sea: Passions which though they are very contrary, are very often together; the Wind was so high, that there was small hope the Rope that held the Boat would endure much longer, so that every Minute he imagined it would break; at last, as he began to despair of his ex­pected Happiness, and entertain the dismalest thoughts the Night, the Sea, and rising Storm could furnish him with; he heard a noise from the top of the Tower, which he answe­red to, and immediatly somthing fell in­to his Boat, which he soon perceived to be a Ladder of Rope: Alcidalis then gave himself entirely into the Arms of a deceitful hope, and was confident he should once more behold his unfor­tunate [Page 76] Zelinda: which made him slight all dangers, and run up the Ladder as fast as he could have done the easiest Stairs in the World; when he was at the top, he found a Window open, and a Woman who gave him her Hand, and without saying any thing, brought him through a great many turnings into a Closet, the Rich­liest Furnisht that ever he had seen, lighted with three Lamps of Gold: He perceived then she was the same Wo­man had spoke to him before in the dark Passage; then putting all things to­gether, he concluded she came from Zelinda, and had now no fear but that of not staying long enough with her: He had a thousand several and some contrary Passions at once in his Mind, which cannot be represented on Paper, since the Soul of man, and amongst them, only the Lovers, is capable of such confusion: He was for an hour in the stillest Silence imagi­nable, but at last he heard, as he thought, the tread of a Woman, and the noise of a Key, to which turning his Head about, he saw a Door open, and the [Page 77] same person enter who gave him her hand at the Window; who Smiling upon him, said, Clariantes, I do not doubt but you will pardon me for ha­ving made you wait thus long, and confess the Honour you are going to receive, an abundant recompence for all you have suf­fered. The Prince thanked her; and de­sired she would inform him a little what this Honour was she meant; She paused a while, and then replyed, Were I not by the Greatness of your Meen and Courage, suf­ficiently assured of that of your Mind, I should not venture to let you know your good Fortune thus at once, lest excess of joy should overpower your Spirits; but it is to be supposed a man of your Merit can never be surprized at his good Fortune, whatever it be; know then, that you are now in Zelinda's Closet, and shall immediatly be brought into her Chamber; the Dutchess has taken notice of your good Qualities, and finding no­thing amiss in you but your Fortune, is resolved to better that her self; and to that end desires your acquaintance: On your part see you make good use of this occasion, and shew as much Discretion [Page 78] and Conduct hereafter, as you have hi­therto shewn Courage and Generosity. Having said this, she led him into the Dutchesses Chamber. How strangely are our Minds wrought upon? Alcida­lis, whom death it self would not have discomposed, trembles in a place where he knew there were none but Women; that heart which would have encountered a world of Enemies with­out fear, melts at the imaginary ap­proach of the only person upon earth he loves, and knows himself to be be­loved by: The Chamber had just the light that such affairs required, which was not much; the shame and disorder of a Young woman unpractis'd in the Thefts of Love, made her conceal her self so much, that had Alcidalis been less prepossest then indeed he was, he could not easily have found his mi­stake: He immediately fell upon his Knees to her, and after a few words confusedly uttered, and worse follow­ed, he stopt in the middle of his Dis­course; Amazement, Joy, and Love seised him so in an instant, that half▪ beside-himself he let fall his head upon [Page 79] the Bed of the young Princess, who lifting it up with her hand, brought him a little to himself; but a consci­ousness of his disorder kept him still in it, so that he could only say at last,

Here his Sighs interrupted his Dis­coutse, and as he would have con­tinued it, they heard a great noise in the Palace, which she that was intrusted came out of Breath to tell them it was the Duke, and that he was al­ready on the Dutchess Side: Who, good man, far from thinking what had happened, had designed to spend two [Page 80] or three days in Hunting; but whether it were Love, or Jealousie, or that he thought, that for being less ex­pected he should be the more welcome to the Dutchess; he returned the very day, and the first thing he did, came to visit her. I hate him for coming so unseasonably; for I would fain have seen what reply she would have found to a Discourse she so little compre­hended, and less expected; and had I made the Story, Alcidalis should have made him—what the Dutchess pleased: But as things were, there was no staying any longer, and the Lady that brought him, in all haste conducted him to the same Window he came in it. Seeing and detesting this last Treachery of Fortune, he had more mind to precipitate himself, then to make use of his Ladder of Ropes, and had done it, but for the hope of Climing up by it another time. The sweetness of that thought perswaded him to live a little longer, but with many rash Vows and deep Impreca­tions, not to survive such another Jilting trick; and brought him safe, [Page 81] and unobserved to his Lodging; for the Dukes unexpected arrival had raised all from sleep, and put the Court in such Confusion, that they ran against each other as if it had been at blind-mans-Buffe: (a Recreation much used at Courts in that Age, and not yet wholly disesteem'd.) To save the trouble of making doleful Speeches▪ and avoid the danger of speaking un­truths, or worse then he did, I will not presume to relate exactly how often Alcidalis Sighed, Tumbled, and Rouled in his Bed, somtimes Rayling at, and sometimes wheadling For­tune; or whether he tore his lovely Hair, which in a thousand Curls adorned his spreading Shoulders; for he being then under the qualification of a Slave, had no attending Esquire to hear and discover his Soliloquies. But let the ingenious Reader imagine, after a long and passionate Courtship of so Beautiful a Lady as Zelinda, if he was Kneeling by her Bed, ( the Altar of Love) pressing her soft Palm, lay­ing his amorous head on her panting Breast, in the height of extasie, just [Page 82] at the Minute of fruition, (for doubt­less they had been naught together, if the Dukes coming had not prevented them) how it would stir him to be disappointed: And then let him please his fancy with Speeches suitable to his own Humour.—Here some Ro­mantick Zealots may perhaps accuse me of a gross mistake, in supposing a Prince so subllmely Virtuous as Alci­dalis is Characteriz'd, could be guilty of the common Failings of meaner per­sons: But I refer my self to the Impar­tial Judgement of this ripe-witted Age, whether that Lover is not most per­fect, whose Passion has no Limits (maugre the Cruel examples of Ama­dis de Gaul, that flower of Chivalry, and all the Rabble of obsolete Heroes) but in persuance of its design, which is enjoyment one way or other, what­ever is pretended to the contrary; tramples all danger, or reason under Foot; I'le believe it granted, and proceed to my Story.—The same ex­cess of kindness, or Jealousie rather, which hurried the Old Duke from his Countrey diversions, hastened him to [Page 83] the Chamber of his Trembling Dut­chess; who received him with most extraordinary marks of unusual Ten­derness, the better to palliate her Errour; often renewing her strict Embraces, with a melting voice, she said,

Repeating her Caresses with such [Page 85] exquisite Artifice, and seeming Fond­ness, that the Duke, believing himself most egregiously Happy in a Kind and Faithful Spouse, when her heart was all that time inventing new Curses for him, committed all his cares to a sound sleep; which Age, and a little forc'd exercise to retaliate his Ladies kindness, soon brought upon him.

The next day was solemniz'd with more then usual Sports, where Al­cidalis, swelled with joyful hopes, performed such extravagant Deeds of Agility and Strength, as I dare not particularize, lest the incredulous Reader should distrust the truth of all the rest. The Duke unable to make good returns of Love two nights to­gether, shut up his Exchequer, and as an uncivil Debtor that cannot Pay, avoids the sight of his obliging Cre­ditor; he stole away as abruptly to his Country-House in the Evening, as he had come from thence the Night-be­fore; leaving a Letter to inform and comfort the poor Dutchess, with plentifull assurances of a speedy re­turn; [Page 86] adding, that he feared to bid her Farewell, lest her Grief should betray him to a weakness misbecoming a Prince. She had observed his close manner of retiring, and gladly gave him opportunity to Cheat himself, while he thought to deceive her: but could not read his Consolatory E­pistle, without downright Laugh­ing—Old Age, Flannell, and Brandy, said she, farewell! and im­mediately calling Florella, (for that was the Lady of her intrigue) sent her to Clariantes; concealing still from her, that it was the Prince Aleidalis, (whose Name and Actions the Court was well acquainted with) and re­solving to continue his mistake of her for the true Zelinda; ordered, that when he came, there should be no light at all in her Chamber. Florella found him walking where he had received the former Summons, and failed not to deliver the second Challenge; nor he to repair immediatly to the place appointed. Now Fortune seemed to fix her unsteady Wheel; Smooth and Gentle, as a Frozen River, did the [Page 87] Sea appear; and the amicable Moon, an indulgent cherisher of all Exploits of Love and Art, (like a well-wishing Procurer with a dark Lanthorn) from behind a sable Cloud, displayed just light enough to lead him on, and not betray him. Swift as a sealed Dove, and as blind too with his Passion, he mounted to his Heaven, the Window, and in one moment more prostrated himself at the Shrine, the Bed of his Saint. Like a gay plum'd Phoenix, wrapped in perfumes, and languishing in Flames of Love, she lay; yet trembled like a new yean'd Lamb upon a sheet of Snow, with eagerness of fierce de­sire. After his first assault of Kisses on her melting Hand, his Tongue got liberty to cry, Ye Gods! do I again behold the fair Zelinda? (a very pertinent Question, for it is to be re­membred there was no Light) then overcome with extasies of joy, his head sunk gently on her downy Breasts, which proudly swelled to welcom so desired a Guest, and meet his burning Kisses; while with her tender Arrms, more White then Alpine Snow, she [Page 88] kindly pressed him closer! Oh my ador'd Zelinda, (he panting cryed) to which she Ecchoed softly with a Sigh, Oh my much loved Alcidalis! I had been too happy had I been only thine.—Here their Speech was Smothered with reiterated Kisses and Embraces, till urged by opportunity, and stimulated with greatness of de­light, with a respective Boldness he continued— Why was the unfor­tunate Alcidalis permitted to see such dazling Glories, and hope for such un­expressible bliss, as Gods would quit again their Heaven for,—and not—En—j—! There with a Balmy Kiss, she put a period to his Words; and with a pretty kind of obliging violence, she checked his wandring hands, while he pursued his purpose thus— If my adored Princess thinks my Sufferings yet too inconsiderable to merit her esteem, if cuitting the powerful Charms of approach­ing Soveraignty, and forsaking an in­dulgent dying Father, to wear the despi­cable Garb, and do the mean▪ Offices of Common Slavery, deserve no Pity; in­vent [Page 89] new Chains, Tortures, Deaths, and see how readily I will imbrace them for Zelinda's sake—Too much, too much already, replyed the cunning yielding Dutchess, has my beloved Prince endured—But—But!—But what! cryed the impatient Alcida­lis—But you are anothers, you perhaps would say: Ah Madam! were you not first mine? were you not Basely, Treache­rously Ravished from my Arms? And if a Thief has Robbed me, shan't I seize my Treasure where I find it?—Con­cluding with a close imbrace,— Go, ye are an unkind naughty man, said she— and I wont love—you indeed—if—you offer—Sighing, and gently striving to defend, what she had rather have dyed then keep—What, oh powerful opportunity! may not be ef­fected by thy assistance? How sweet a re­compence did the mistaken Alcidalis think he had, for all his pains! and what a full revenge on Fortune for her Jilting Tricks, while he lay dying in the Arms of his supposed Deity!—But oh the shortness, and uncertainty of humane felicity! Who would not [Page 90] think the tired Duke now taking large Arrears of sleep, for his last nights Disturbance! Who would be­lieve, he should so soon a second time molest these Lovers! Yet so it was; for in the height of all their Bliss, Florella almost Breathless with her haste, rushed in; casting back such frightfull Looks, as if some ghastiy Phantasm had pursued her; and by the Blazing light of a great Wax Ta­per which she brought, discovered to the surprised Alcidalis, the false Ze­linda; and e're he could discharge his Senses, from the Amazement that object raised, she increased it by cry­ing out, The Duke! The Duke was privately returned, and just entered the Palace: which truth their ears imme­diatly confirmed, by the hasty Foot­steps which they heard.—The Dutchess, Pale and Trembling, had not power to speak, but with up-lifted Hands and Eyes, seemed to implore the assistance of Alcidalis; while Florella, whose Senses were more at liberty, threw a loose Robe and Head-Tyre of the Dutchesses on Alcidalis, hiding [Page 91] his Face as much as the Dress would permit. Scarce was this done, when the Duke entered, clasped him in his Arms, and spake the kindest things a doting Husband could invent, to oblige the best Wife in the World: To which he dar'd make no reply; but Florella freed him from that trouble, telling the Duke, a suddain Tooth-ach, got by a cold she took the preceding night, made speaking extreamly troublesome; and swelled her Face so, she dared not expose it to the Air, lest it increased her Malady. Alcidalis took the hint, and began to Groan so La­mentably, it put his Grace into such mortal apprehensions of her danger, that it was hard to judge who was in the greatest perplexity, He, the Prince, or the Dutchess, who lay quaking un­der the Bed-Cloathes, like a Child frighted with the Tale of Raw head and bloody Bones. Death was the least punishment the Lovers could expect, if they were discovered. A hundred times did Alcidalis resolve to force his Passage over the Dukes feeble Body: But the consideration of the [Page 92] Dutchesses danger, as a Woman in distress, though her imposture had much incensed him, diverted all those thoughts to a Generous re­solution of freeing her, or sharing in her destiny. Thus Affairs stood, when Fortune seemed weary of tormenting them, and gave some prospect of hope, for the Uxorious Duke would himself be the Messenger to call the Physitians; which gave all hopes of set­ting things right 'ere he returned; but their Joy vanished like a swift reflecti­on of the Sun cast from a moving Look­ing-Glasse; for the blind Quean, whose sole delight consists in Tantalizing those that trust her, thrust them the next Minuit on the very brink of Ruine. The Duke unable to leave his Dear Zelinda without a Kiss, found a strange unusual Roughness on his Chin, and surprised with a sudden fit of Jealousie, surveying him the same instant from Head to Foot, imagined his dimensions six times as big as his Ze­linda's (for Passion blinds the Under­standing, as some Diseases cheat the Sight) and rending off the Head-Dress, [Page 93] saw not only a man, but his Slave Cla­riantes, whose extraordinary valour had made him worthy of his particu­lar knowledge.—Immediatly running out, with loud Exclamations of Trea­son, Treason! the Guard repaired to his aid; when his back was turned, you may think Alcidalis was not idle, but casting off that faetal Robe, with a bravery of Spirit which never forsook him, he prepared, though unarmed, to dispute his Life▪ But e're he went, turning to the Dutchess who was al­most drowned in Tears, ‘Madam, ( says he) if extravagancy of Passion, had not wholly seized my Reason with my Senses, your Deportment, so contrary to her strict and spotless Vir­tue, had assured me you were not the ncomparable Zelinda; but if you give me not some account of that ex­cellent Princess, by all the Gods I swear! to unvail your imposture, and expose you to the just Cruelty of the deluded Duke, though my death accompany your Infamy.—Ah Sir, ( said the deplorable Dutchess) can you with such extream rigour [Page 94] pay my excess of Love? ingrateful man! the too happy Zelinda (since so esteemed by you) lives in the Isle of Sardignia; it was to save her life, I consented to become a Dutchess—'Tis not, Cruel Prince! to the care of my own safety you owe for this dis­covery, for with your self, you take from me all desire to live: But to preserve your Life, (notwithstanding all your unkind contempt) ten thousand times dearer to me then my own. I once more tell you, your too happy Zelinda lives yet in Sardig­nia; in obedience to her own desire, attended thither by my Father. Shortness of time forbids to tell you more: Now leave me to the severi­ty of an incensed Jealous Husband; but when you think of my failing, remember the Cause, and pity me.’—Here the noise of the Dukes re­turn stayed her Speech. Alcidalis had dyed in her defence, so graceful, and so moving was her grief, but hopes of seeing the true Zelinda banished all other sentiments. With Courage, even to rashness, he cast himself amidst [Page 95] the Guard, and got safely off; for their too much hast, (the Mortal enemy of most designs) brought the Guard [...] with so little light, that in the Confusion it was not difficult to pass without being discerned. The inra­ged Duke entring, found his Dutchess standing in that very Dress and Po­sture he left Clariantes, only the Head-Tyre he had disordered, was again put on, and by the advice of Florella (who was old excellent at sudden Shifts) she was so placed. Strait he cryes out to his Guard, There! There behold the audacious Traytor! take him, seize him, away with him to Tortures; let him be 100 Years dying. The Guard seeing none but the Dutchess, like Statues stood without motion; The Duke stormed, Vowed all were in the Plot, & should dye together; but first that Vil­lain Clariantes: Andrunning at the Dutchess with his Drawn Sword, had certainly killed her, if Florella's shriek at his first motion, had not made her start aside. Yet she escaped not with­out a Wound in her Side, which to­gether with her fright, cast her on [Page 99] the Bed in a swoun: and by the falling off of her Head-Tyre, shewed the Duke what he had done.—He did not (as some would expect) search round the Chamber, and the Palace for Clari­antes, but wholly submitted to his Uxorious Love; which like an im­petuous Tyde, bare down his Anger, Faith, and Reason; seeing his dear Dutchess Bleeding, and as he thought breathing out her Soul by his accursed hand, he threw himself at her Feet, beat his Head against the Ground, tore his Hair, and rooted up his Comely Beard (hold! let me not lye neither, perhaps Beards were as much out of Fashion then, as now, and con­sequently he wore none; I would not have Posterity imposed upon in mat­ters of such weight; truth will go through the World.) But I am sure he called himself a thousand thick sculled Ophes, Jealous Cox-combs, Villains, Murtherers, and turning to his Guard, begged them to Dispatch him, for he was a Tyrant, not wor­thy to live but among Beasts; from intreaties he proceeded to commands, [Page 97] and threats; but seeing them reverse their Faces, and hang their Heads at his strange Proposition. Why, said he, will you be cruel to your Prince? and deny him the only favour he ever begged from you, or that you can grant? I have most inhumanely pierced my own soul, what safety can you hope from me? My hearts blood stains the Floor, and I can gaze upon't without dying; can you expect Justice from such a Monster? Gods! Why do I desc [...]d to Petition so poorly, for what is in my power. Oh my Zelinda! the Blossoms that enriched the early Spring, and with their fragrant seent perfum'd the gentle Southern Wind, were not so sweet, nor half so Beautiful as thee: 'twould undoe the vast Ʋniverse to purchase so rich a Jewel as I have rash­ly thrown away—What ean my hated Carkasse, this dull Clod of earth do in the World, when my Sun that gave it warmth, and life, lyes here Eclipsed? Fool! Fool! Fool! that I am—Then he cast himself again on her Body, and striving in vain to find some signs of life, cryed out, Zelinda! Zelinda! She's gone;—for ever, for ever gone.—if [Page 98] thy injured soul is yet hovering in the ambient Air, as sure it is loth to go far from so rich, so beautiful a Cabinet, let it behold the Sacrifice I offer for its Peace.—Starting up, he endea­voured to cast himself on his Sword, but was prevented, & by the Physitians and Chyrurtgeons who were then arrived, the Dutchess was recovered from her swoun: and her life assured, if no new accidenr prevented their care.—The Duke begged a thousand pardons for his folly, and stirred not from her Bed till she was Cured;—bind­ing himself with many vows, never to be Jealous again; nor did I ever hear of any farther difference between them; therefore I will leave them, with the same farewell people give their departed Friend, who dyed with a Lord have mercy upon me in his Mouth, (though he lived impiously) doubtless they are Happy.—

Oh Woman! Woman! thou dark abysse of Subtilty; 'tis easier to trace a wandring Swallow through the pathless Air, then to explicate the [Page 99] crafty wyndings of thy Love, or Ma­lice: Thy swift excuses, and evasions, still like the Hydra's Heads increase: As Wizzards, in a moment y'are transformed to various Shapes, and when the injur'd Friend, or Husband, thinks to crush a Serpent that has poisoned all his Health and Peace, strait in the form of a Dove-like inno­cence you Baffle and Betray his just­est Rage. Angels would emulate the perfect Glory, and the Blest estate of man, were he not subject to the subtil Snares of your frail deceiving Sex▪

The Reader ought to pardon this Satyrick excursion to the Author, who has been more Injured by Wo­man, then e're the Duke or Alcidalis was.—That Prince, it may be concluded, soon found his Gentleman which lay incognito receive his com­mands; and taking his Jewels, re­paired immediatly to the Sea side, where a Ship being just ready to leave the Port, (for that must never be wanting to a Hero upon the Ramble) without asking whither she was [Page 100] Bound, they went Aboard, and soon lost sight of that unfortunate Coast. With a prosperous Wind let them proceed, while we return to the distressed real Zelinda, whom we unkindly left in mans Habit, under the name of Zelidan, in a strange place, at Barcha in Africa. By the favourable assistance of that same generous Pyrate Orcantes, that gave her liberty, she obtained a Passage for Spain; and without meeting any extraordinary adventure, safely landed at the same Port of Barcelona, from whence she had been forced away by the contri­ving Jealous Queen.—The sight of that Fatal place, presenting all past Fortune freshly to her Memory, op­pressed her Breast with Sighs; which Tempest was allay'd by a shower of Chrystal drops from her fair Eyes; Ah Alcidalis, said she, if you do still pre­serve your vowed affection for the faith­ful Zelinda, what reason will she have to glory in her Sufferings? Here she paused a while, pleasing her self with that delightful thought; but on a sudden breaking silence, she went [Page 101] on;— No! wretched Zelinda, no! never hope such Blessings were ordained for thee; doubtless the Authority of a King, and Father, managed by the in­sinuating artifice of the Prudent design­ing Queen, the interest of State, and the Beauties of the too charming Princess, to which adde his belief of my being Mar­ried to the Prince of Tarentum, have prevailed, and he is now for ever chain­ed to the imbrace of that fortunate Princess.—Die! die Zelinda! let not the imperious Queen insult ore thy Distress. Already was her hand upon her Sword, when Heaven, that never quite forsakes the Virtuous, in­spired her with more reasonable thoughts—That death was the extremest refuge of the miserable; and might safely be deferred as a re­medy always in her power, since no earthly Tyranny could compel the Wretched to live longer then they pleased, if they had courage enough to die.—She pleased her self with the fancy, that to die in his sight (which she vowed if he were false to her) would extract remorse, and [Page 102] pity from him; so much does Love misguide the Judgement of the most prudent, that even in death they cheat themselves with vain hopes of a future satisfaction they can never be sensible of.—In this humour she posted towards Saracusa, but near the Gates was stopped by a great press of people? some driving Beasts of Car­riage, laden with variety of Goods; others carrying on their backs, those whom Infancy or Age rendred un­capable to assist themselves; as if they fled from the fury of some Foreign In­vader, or from the mercilcss rage of a devouring flame. Loud Sighs, and doleful Groans, were all the answers she could gain to her enquiry of the cause; long use of Arms, and Virile exercise, had added much to her courage, in which she naturally out­striped her Sex: That (with a deter­mined purpose to behold the reason of this Consternation) carried her through the smoaking bloody Streets, which were strewed with dead and mangled Bodies (the sad marks of a Civil War) strait to the Pallace, amidst a thousand [Page 103] Swords, and other Instruments of Death.—There she beheld the Gates shut, and the Queen and Princess out of a large Window, with begging Eyes, Hands, and Voices, in vain striving to infuse compassion into the enra­ged Rabble, who roared incessantly, Give us our King! restore us our Prince! down with the Murtherers Zelidan not knowing the occasion of their Mutiny, nor enquiring now, but led by a generous principle of as­sisting the distressed, made her way through the Croud, beckoning with her hands (for their noise made all speech useless) for silence, and liberty to passe; having attained to their Front, she faced them; and turning up her Beaver, shewed them a Coun­tenance which never failed of gaining a respect from the most Barbarous: The Grandeur of her Meen, and the Majestick sweetness of her Eyes, soon converted their confused Bauling to a silent admiration: which she, whose greatness of Spirit was ever present in the extremest' danger, strait im­proved to the advancement of her de­signe, [Page 104] the relief of the besieged Queen and Princess. Bowing her body then, with a charming resistless Grace pecu­liar only to her self, thus she harangu'd them.—

‘Methinks I see a noble Indignati­on in your eyes, and a true remorse in Blushes rise upon your Cheeks; how generous, how becoming does it look! Oh make haste to perfect your Repentance; let not future Chro­nicles deliver to succeeding Ages, the Saracusans Swords were stained with the Slaughter of Poor, for­saken, helpless Women: But follow me to Safety, Wealth, and Honour: All that love their Liberty, their Countrys Peace, and the Honour of the great Gods, follow me!—’ Then casting her self from her Horse, with her drawn Sword she began to lead them off.— [Page 107] When one, that sought his particular Advantage from the general Ruine; that had fomented the Rebellion, as some set Houses on fire, to Steal with more advantage and safety; cryed out, Companions! Friends! and Brothers! whither are you going, like Beasts to the Sacrifice? And what is this bold imper­tinent Stranger that dares—There Zelidan put a full stop to his Seditious Oration, and his Life together, by a thrust which pierced his heart: An Acti­on which might have branded her with rashness, (so boldly to hazard the Fury of a yet discontented Multitude) but the Success justified its Prudence; (in such extreams no middle paths are safe) for without a murmur all the rest followed her, marching over his body she had killed, to the Market-place; where with another Speech, she sent them pacified to their several houses;—and by one of the most understanding, was informed, That the long absence and supposed loss of Alcidalis, and the late death of the King, were charged as Crimes upon the Ambiti­ous Queen; and the Commonalty [Page 108] stirred up by some discontented Spi­rits, had sought revenge by force of Armes: which caused that dreadful noise and destruction which he so hap­pily had stopped. Scarce was this in­formation finished, when a Messenger from the Queen entreated, That by his presence at the Court, he would as­sure that Life and Honour he had so ge­nerously repriev'd. The joy Zelidan conceived to find the Prince absent, and as she believed constant to his Vows, (for the nimble faith of Lovers keeps equal pace with their wishes) obtained an easie Pardon for all other injuries, and hasten'd her to the service of the Queen: whom she found with the Princess her Daughter, and all the Train that distracted time would allow, ready to receive her in the first Court. The troubled thoughts that filled their Breasts at their meeting, darted through their trembling Eyes, and in unsettled colours spread them­selves upon their Cheeks; though the causes were different, and a secret to all but themselves. Zelidan (maugre all her goodness) could not see the fa­tal [Page 109] instrument of her sorrows; with­out some strange emotion in her heart; nor could the Queen behold Zelidan, (whose believed residence at Tarentum, and her disguise, secured Zelinda from the most prying eyes) notwithstand­ing her Prudence, and experienced conduct, without displaying to the strict observer, some symptoms of that passion which had newly seized her: For the little audacious God of Love, had hovered still round Ze­lidan, and while he appeased the mu­tinous Rabble, began a new and more dangerous insurrection in her Breast; sending from every word and action of this charming Amazon, a Golden Arrow to her heart, which her present Dangers, nor the Grief for her yet scarce breathless Husband, could de­fend her from. But the constraint she imposed upon her self, in striving to conceal her Passion, exposed it more openly, especially to Zelidan, who marked it with much satisfaction: hoping from thence an opportunity of a full and innocent revenge.—In short, the amorous Queen received [Page 110] him as a Messenger of Happiness from Heaven: What recompence, (said she) Illustrious Stranger! can we offer you, to whose miraculous Relief we owe our Lives, and all we have to give? If the sacred powers could admit a Rival in their worship, our adoration to you were a just debt. Madam, answered the seigned Zelidan (bowing with a pro­found Reverence) to your own un­equalled Virtues you owe your safety, and I the glory of my success; had not my indulgent Stars sent me to your aid, the Gods had by some Miracle preserved in you the brightest Ornament of their Crea­tion. (Many fine things were said on this occasion, for they were both ex­cellent at reparties and rejoynders, but my treacherous memory has lost them: Besides, I believe the repeti­tion would be as tedious to the Reader, as to my self; therefore I'le on to the matter, which was thus.) Ze­lidan was treated with all the Magni­ficence and Honour, gratitude and love could invent: and failed not by her dis­creet conduct, to settle a perfect cor­respondence again between the Court [Page 111] and City; but her thoughts were still hankering after Alcidalis; purposing after a little rest, and what light she could get by enquiry, to guide her on,—to search the World, till she found him.—The Queen gave every hour new marks of her Passion, and sought occasion of discovering it more plain­ly to Zelidan; who by all returns his different Quality would petmit, added Fewel to augment the Flame: And by the Sighs and Torments he observed her suffer, (for her great heart was loath to make the first address; and he as positively determined, as he had good reason not to ease her by ma­king the first Courtship) received some compensation for her former injuri­ous treatment. The poor Princess was as unable to defend her self from the assault of this Victorious Amazon, as the Queen, and with deep­resentment observed her Mothers Pas­sion. Thus did the feigned Zelidan revenge, what the true Zelinda had endured: Love and Jealousie, was the business of the Court; and the Queens supposed Marriage with Zeli­dan, [Page 112] the discourse of the City. For the blind fears, or unreasonable wishes of the inconsiderate Multitude, al­ways anticipate the intentions of their Princes; transforming their very sup­posed thoughts into Acts, which re­ceive their publick censure, or ap­plause, e're they have Being. The Queen observing how carefully Zeli­dan declined all occasions of being at­taqu'd, resolved to push on her destiny, by a naked Declaration of her Love. In pursuance of her inten­tion, having commanded her Atten­dants to convenient distance, while Zelidan was leading her in a walk of Oessamine, whose interwoven Branches made so thick a Shade, that the Sun in its Meridian strength and lustre could not pierce them; with the gentle pressings of his hand, reite­rated Sighs, and speaking looks, ha­ving strove in vain, to prevent the shame of a plainer discovery, at last with broken interrupted Language, thus she spake;—

Is it possible, that the owner of so many [Page 113] accomplishments as wait on the Illustri­ous Zelidan, should be insensible of that noble Passion, which is to others the very cause of all hrave Actions, and the great reward at which they aim? has Love, that reigns o're all the World be­sides, no power in our Court? or is there no Object worthy of your Sighs? cast­ing her eyes on those of Zelidan, which were fixed on the earth, she paused, and in a restless Agony waited his Answer: which he had just began, when a Gentleman, whose earnest bu­siness might well warrant his rude interruption of their Privacy, relieved him, by crying to the Queen, Save your self, Madam! Save your self by sudden Flight, the Rebellious Citizens are again in Arms, and Headed by a desperate Stranger, like an impetuous Torrent that has o'reflowed its Banks, are rouling to the Palace, overthrowing all opposition with their resistless Fury. Ju­stice and Liberty is Ecchoed through the Streets, but Blood & Mischief is their aim. E're his unwelcome Message was finish­ed, the scattered Courtiers came throng­ing about the Queen, and Zelidan, like [Page 114] frighted Chickens seeking shelter from the ravenous Kite. He strait attended the Queen into the Pallace▪ assuring her by the way, That his sw [...] victory or death, should evince the great desire he had to serve her. And staying not for her answer, (which doubtless, would have been, That if he had any respect to her safety, he should preserve it in that of his own; for her fate was so inseparably linked to his, that she could not survive his death; or some such obliging thing) snatched what Arms he soonest found, and ran to the Palace Gate, followed by a small, but resolute Company of faithful Ser­vants to the Queen. The Princess, who till then had smothered her Passion for Zelidan in the narrow limits of her Breast, despairing of success against a Rival, which Duty forbad her to op­pose; and seeing what she prized dearer then her soul, hasting to ap­parent death; took a Sword from the nearest Attendant, and followed Ze­lidan, hoping some Fatal Blow would in his sight end her hopeless Passion, with her life. The brave Stranger [Page 115] (for so his Acts declared him) that led on the Citizens, conquered all opposition; till Zelidans arrival put a cheque to his growing victory. With an undaunted Meen she met him, and by her resolute Action, gave proof of a Courage far above her strength; but the invincible Alcidalis (for he it was) who had before conquered her in her own Province of Love, found but small danger from her Arms. He received her first charge on his Shield, and by several marks taking her for Zelidan the famous Stranger, and as he thought pretender to his Crown; cry­ed out, If thou wilt be a King, go Reign among the shades! and boast thou dyedst by the hand of Alcidalis. At the beloved name of Alcidalis, Zelidan endeavoured to retreat, and discover her self; but in vain, for with such fierce Blows he pursued his Speech, that she fell Breathless at his Feet. The unhappy amorous Princess, striving with her feeble Arms to defend the fallen Zelidan, notwithstanding all Alcidalis could do to preserve her, fell a deplorable Sacrifice to the in­censed [Page 116] Rabble, and dyed imbracing of Zelidan. The Queen, who from a Window beheld all this Action, at first lamented not the death of her Daughter; but considering her as a Rival, Sacrificed all sentiments of Nature to the satisfaction of her jea­lousy. But seeing her beloved Zelidan Bleeding on the ground, extremity of Grief made her so insensible of all o­ther considerations, that she was about to precipitate her self from the Window: But hope, which is the last thing that leaves the unfortunate, made her still think it not impossible to recover him. She was running out to that purpose, when Alcidalis, now a compleat Victor, was entring the Pallace: with all the submission of a Pious Son, he met her; and de­clared, He would take all for Enemies, that failed to render her the Honour due to the Widow, and Mother of their King. Without staying, or answer­ing him at all; but with an upbraiding look, (where Rage and Compassion strove for Superiority) which seemed to call him a thousand Cruel Murthe­reres; [Page 117] she abandoned her self whol­ly to the impulse of her Passion, and casting her body on those of Zelidan and the Princess her Daughter, she divided her Kisses and Lamentations between them: 'Till excessive sorrow, like a Tyrannical Usurper, seized and oppressed all her Vitals: By its sad weight reducing her to a state as de­plorable, and void of life, as theirs whom she grieved for. Never had Love and Grief a greater Sacrifice then here, nor misery more powerful Ar­guments to gain compassion from the most obdurate hearts: (here is a large Field for the Author to expatiate on the vicissitude of humane things; but the Gentle Reader would think him very inhumane, nay in my Conscience accessary to their Murthers, if he suffered three of the most Illustrious Persons in the World, to lye neglect­ed on the ground, and dye for want of careful attendance, while he was shewing his Common-place Wit; therefore he hastens to their relief, with resolution to save them all if he can:) Alcidalis took the Queen in his [Page 118] Arms, while others performed the same service to the Princess and Zeli­dan; conveying them to their several apartments; the uncertain Multi­tude, that some few Minutes before breathed nothing but death and dam­nation against them; now followed them Houling and Groaning. All the Arts and strength of Physick were diligently applyed, which restored some weak symptoms of life in Zelidan; and those were carefully Cherished; but the unfortunate Princess was irre­vocably dead. The Queens Swouning being only the effect of a vehement surprizing Passion, death soon was beaten off, and his pale spreading En­signs rufled up by her returning Senses: But life came accompanied with all those killing Griefs that wait­ed on its exile, which like the envyed Favourites of some weak unhappy Prince (for forrows soon insinuate themselves into the hearts affection) raised new Commotions among the souls discontented faculties, and the oppressed Senses, (those necessary Sub­jects and support of Life) which were [Page 119] like to prove as fatal as the former; had not the News of Zelidans hopeful Recovery repressed their Violence, by the removal of the cause.—Weak as she was, she caused her self to be re­moved to his apartment.—But, Gods! what a universal amazement seized the Queen, and all the Atten­dants, to find their Champion was a Woman? For so her swelling Breasts declared, which by undressing her, the better to apyly their necessary aid, were discovered. Her Senses in a little time▪ were perfectly restored; and 'twas difficult for the most curious ob­server to determine, whether the Queen or Zelinda (for so we must call her, now shes discovered) was in the greatest confusion; after they had a long time gazed upon each other, the Queen finding in the transformed Zelidan, the well known Beauty and Meen of the persecuted Zelinda; lift­ing her eyes to Heaven cryed out; I yeild! just Gods, I yeild to my inexorable destiny! Ab Zelinda! thy injuries have been too well revenged.—Having said this, e'r Zelinda could answer, she re­tired. [Page 11] Love being now wholly ex­extinct, Nature resumed her power, and carried her to the apartment of the Princess, where with such moving passion she deplored her loss, that the most inssible were forced to sympathize with her. The News of Zelidans Transformation, flew straight through the Pallace, and the extraordinari­ness of the change, raised a▪ Curiosity in Alcidalis to behold her, for he had not heard that it was Zelinda. The Messengrr he sent to obtain that li­berty, entered her Chamber, just as one was going from her to entreat the favour which he sought. The Prince full of shame for his Victory over a Woman, hastened to beg her pardon; When he entered, his Atten­dants respectively withdrew to the furthest part of the Room. Neither the Paleness her loss of Blood had planted on her Cheeks, nor their long sepa­ration, could hinder the discovery of the true Zelinda at first sight:—So perfectly had love engraven her Image in his heart. What Pen can describe the Violence of their differnt Passions [Page 121] which then Tyrannized in this Princes Breast? Shame and grief for wound­ing her he prized above his Life, and joy that she survived, and was in a place where he was now sole Master▪ and able to give and receive the high­est proofs of a mutual, unalterable Love, (like meeting Tydes, whose oppos­ed forces change swift running▪ Streams a while into a fixed Calme) reduced him to a state of insensibility:—With­out Speech or motion, he beheld her▪ Such extasies are the usual effects of sudden Joys or Grief; the heart be­ing surprized, and oppressed with unexpected Events, all the Vital Spi­rits croud so fast to its assistance, that they often cause that ruine Nature sends them to prevent. As some, whose Animal Spirits are obstructed, and as it were smothered by the in­digested Vapours, which from the Stomach fume into the Brain, and a while deprive them of the benefits of Life, (as interposing Clouds obscure the Suns lustre) retain their Senses, but want power to imploy them; such the present State of Alcidalis was, [Page 122] he knew what he ought to speak, and act, but the greatness of his Love, and violence of his desires, took from him all ability of utterance; till Zelinda, whose condition much resembled his, fearing his silence proceeded from some change in his affection, thus began.—

Here casting himself on the Bed, and imbracing her, he could get out no more but, Oh my dearest Zelinda! and was relapsing again into his former extasie; which overcoming, with much difficulty he proceeded.—

[Page 124] ‘State! (cryed Alcidalis) my Ze­linda is all all to me, I would not thank the Gods for a Crown, but to lay it at her Feet.’ Then turning to the Attendants which had now filled the Room, (impatience of beholding their long lost Prince, bringing them thither from all parts) raising his voice, he cryed out: ‘He is a Traytor, and the Mortal Enemy of Alcidalis, that will not kneel and Petition the excellent Zelinda to be his Queen; whose Beauty and Virtues, merit the Empire of the Universe. The Gods (to whom I pay all reverence) shall never, but by death, Divorce me from thy Arms.—Were I Racked to ten thousand peices, as every part of a broken Mirrour presents an entire face, in every part of Alcidalis, would appear the bright Image of my adored Zelinda.’

Then they renewed their Embraces and mutual Vows; asking and an­swearing twenty several Question [...] at once. She related all her Adventures from her departure from Barcelona [Page] till that instant: which Alcidalis re­quited with his Story, how he sought her in Italy, (but omitted his intrigue with the Dutchess of Taren­tum) and at Sardignia, where meet­ing the News of his Fathers death, the preservation of his Crown hastened him to Spain; But with a resolute deter­mination to imploy all his new power, in search of Zelinda: How, near Sara­cusa, by some faithful Nobility to whom he made himself known, and who received him with marks of un­exepressible satisfaction, he was in­formed of the Actions of Zelidan, his interest with the Queen, and his sup­posed design of Marrying her, and u­surping the Crown. This gave Ho­nour a while the preheminence of Love, and led him in the Head of those Friends the shortness of the time could get together, to this mistaken Revenge, and real Happi­ness.—

The Queen▪ notwithstanding all the submissive importunity of Alcidalis▪ and all the assurances of Power and [Page 126] Honour he could give her, would not be diverted from a resolution she had made, of retiring to a Religi­ous House, there to pass the remain­der of her now hated life.

After the Funeral of the Princess her Daughter was with all Cere­monious, Pomp celebrated she per­formed her Vow, and was accom­panied to the place of her retirememt, with a Magnificence becoming that Solemn occasion.

To that solemnity immediatly suc­ceeded the Coronation, and Marriag­of Alcidalis and Zelinda.

The day with all imaginable Cir­cumstances of an universal joy was finished.

After which, Gentle Reader! (I may safely call you so now, for I am sure you are tyr'd as well as I) you may suppose the long-wished night are riv'd, though very lazily in the Opi­nion of the King and Queen: And you [Page 127] may suppose their impatient Love hastened them to Bed; And what fol­lowed, you may suppose too, if you please; for I have more Civility then to speak what I think: but as the most Ingenious Sir John Suckling said.

I have naturally so much kindness for Lovers, that I will without fur­ther disturbance leave them to their private Banquet; and if no other Pen raises them, they shall lye there till Dooms, day.