A true tragical history of two illustrious Italian families, couched under the names of Alcimus and Vannoza written in French by the learned J.P. Bishop of Belley ; done into English by a person of quality.

ALCIMUS AND VANNOZA. LIB. I.

IN one of the moſt famous Cities of Italy (the name of which I conceal for certain important reaſons) a Lord of great Quality, and an Illuſtrious houſe, which by many Generations had derived down to him the title of Marqueſs, had two Sons beſides Daughters, and as it ordinarily happens in great Families, the Children are deſigned to ſeveral Vocations before they have years enough to make them fit to be judged of to what they are moſt proper; the younger of a more ſprightly and active temper than the elder, was by the deſignation of earthly intereſt more than ſound judgment, or a reaſonable examen, deſigned for the Altar, to ſuffer the Spiritual Circumciſion of the Evangelical Eunuchs, and to have Dina for his Hire, that is, to be maintained at the expences of the Daughter of Jacob and Sion the Church: Thus were our two Brethren born like Lycurgus his two dogs, upon one cuſhion, but deſtined to as different ways, and as far ſeparated as Earth from Heaven. Happy younger Brother, if he had continued in the poſſeſſion of Mary's portion! but it was afterwards taken from him as much againſt his will as it was at firſt impoſed upon him. The Elder Brother was ſent to the Academy, there to learn the Exerciſes proper for a Gentleman, that was to be bred to the Profeſſion of Arms, to which he was flexible enough, not that his diſpoſition (which was rather lumpiſh than active) was much inclined to ſo robuſt an imployment, which beſides a manly body required a ſtout and martial Soul; but having as pliable and docile a temper as was requiſite for a compliance with the Authority and Commands of his Parents, he rendered his will ſo agreeable to their deſires, that his chief ſtudy was Obedience. But as it is impoſſible for the endeavours of Art to vanquiſh the inclinations of Nature, or to give a hard and impregnable temper to that which is compoſed of a brittle clay, inſtead of growing hardy and vigorous amongſt his exerciſes of Arms and Horſemanſhip, he daily grew more weak and unactive, ſo that to all appearance this Plant required a tranſplantation to ſome other ſoil, I mean to another more agreeable courſe of life: But that was a thing which he might rather deſire than hope for from his inflexible Parents, who more regarding in him his Age than Inclination, his Elder Brotherhood more than his Natural temper and diſpoſition, forced his Genius to bend to what they deſired, conſtraining him to pitch upon a courſe of life, which he accorded to with ſuch reluctancy that it was more likely to ſhorten his days than to advance his reputation.

Vain are their hopes, who think that they Can bring anothers will in all things theirs t'obey; Or bend anothers inclinations To ſuit deſigns, and humour all their paſſions.

Our younger Brother, of a more vigorous Body and active Spirit, was by a violent reſtraint upon them both, put into an Academy more reſerved, more peaceable and more retired, which at firſt he could look upon no otherwiſe but as a Priſon, but was forced to bend his neck under the yoke of a Superior Authority; a yoke too ſtrong to be broken by the weakneſs of his tender years, in which his Parents had ſo great an aſcendant over his youthful affections: He was confined (as a ſacrifice to the Church and Muſes) to be educated amongſt a Seminary of Jeſuits: And as there is no yoke ſo hard, no burthen ſo heavy, but Cuſtom (which is another Nature) makes the one eaſie and the other light, time by continual and inſenſible drops hollowing by degrees the reſiſtance of his Spirit, at length gained ſuch footing, that what was before conſtrained, now became voluntary, he making a Vertue of neceſſity, which is a harſh and imperious Miſtreſs: Like the Horſe, which at firſt being forced by traces to pace, is ready to fall at every ſtep, but once having learnt what they are deſigned, they go as nimbly as if they had no reſtraint upon their legs; ſo the Gally-ſlave, when once accuſtomed to the bank and chain, the Oar which was before ſo inſupportable, is at laſt eaſily managed. So he by little and little tempered and moderated the boilings and emotions of his haughty courage, and as the Italian ſpirits are naturally pliable to any form, and are like wax, ſuſceptible of any impreſſion, he ſo far moderated the contrariety of his Palate, that what was Phyſick before, now became Natural food; and being Catechized there by his Tutors, which are the rareſt in the World to range unruly ſpirits to their terms of Duty, he became of ſo ſweet, humble, modeſt and tractable a temper, ſo fitted for the reception of Learning, to which he had the accompliſhment of an excellent Memory, that all theſe added together rendred him a youth of great expectation. His Reaſon too begun to come over to that Party, and aſſiſted the deſign, by forming theſe conſiderations in his Fancy, that his Parents better adviſed than himſelf, knew better the bent of his inclinations, and that aſpiring to the Eccleſiaſtick Scarlet (a colour whoſe ſplendor does uſually dazzle the eyes of thoſe of that Nation) he might at laſt arrive to the higheſt Degree of Honour amongſt Men, and make a plus ultra to the Pillars of Hercules; and that it would be far more advantageous to him to be a rich Beneficiary than a poor Gentleman; that his Brother by the tyranny of Cuſtome, inheriting all the Eſtate of his Anceſtors, to keep up in him the ſplendour of the Family, there remained nought to him but Alexander's portion, Hope: Finally, the bread of the Church ſeemed to him hearty and pleaſing, delighting his Palate with a Royal guſto. He was not deceived in his conceits, for his Parents ſeeing him take the bridle in his teeth, reſolving vigorouſly to proceed to an accompliſhment in his Profeſſion, did ſoon after obtain for him a Priory and Abby, beſides a rich Penſion; here ſee him in a high degree of opulency, and juſt upon the ſteps to further Preferment. The Religious of this great and holy Fraternity, under whoſe directions he ſucked in Learning with his Letters, ſeeing him deſtined by the determinations of his Parents to an Eccleſiaſtick Profeſſion, as well as by his own Inclinations, ſpared no care nor diligence for his inſtruction in Sciences as well as Morality, fitting for a ſubject whoſe later ſeaſon promiſed great fruits to the Church: For though theſe Devout and Learned Fathers have an Univerſal care without acceptation of Perſons, to water diligently the young Plants committed to their charge, yet both by their Pious Inclination and Religious Inſtitution, they have a nearer attention to thoſe who are more particularly dedicated to the Service of the Altar, who muſt one day be the Light of the World, the Salt of the Earth, and the pilled rods with which the great Jacob will imprint his colours upon the Lambs of his Sheep-fold: So that not contented to inſtill into their Souls an ordinary and common Piety, they bring them by more lofty and elevated paths to the top of an exemplary Devotion; making them oftner frequent Spiritual exerciſes, and the holy Sacrament the Spiritual food, which nouriſheth to a great growth in Vertue ſuch as feed upon it: For them theſe holy Labourers in God's Vineyard have many other ways and holy induſtries, amongſt whom the Congregations devoted to particular Servies, and under the eſpecial protection of the Bleſſed Virgin, hold a high Rank, for there the leaſt Devout are inſtigated to Devotion by the exemplary Piety of thoſe Profeſſors, and the deadeſt coals take fire at their Charity, and flame with Celeſtial Love, in imitation of the great fervency that appears there: For there the works of Piety ſhine the more bright, the ſecreter they are kept, and their Piety and Charity on all occaſions are ready with their flames to warm all that approach them. Our younger Brother remained ſeven or eight years in this Seminary of Learning and Godlineſs, being every day more accompliſht than other, that it ſeemed he might juſtly ſay with David, The chiefeſt Good I ſeek t'obtain Of him who firſt did give me Breath, Is in his houſe to ſpend the ſame Until he call me thence by Death.

This young Plant daily grew and ſpread ſo faſt, that it gave great hope of proving at laſt a ſtately Tree, and one of the top branches of Lebanon. He became very expert in Humane Learning, and skilful in the Mathematicks; the knowledge of Philoſophy had long ſince ſtrengthned and confirmed his Judgment, and having ſaluted the Queen of Sciences, and his principal Miſtreſs, Divinity, he had already been imployed ſix months in her ſervice amongſt an Eccleſiaſtick order, which by their conſtitution were to be preſent in their Habits at the Celebrating Divine Service, and known by the names of Minors; to this he was obliged, for the large Revenues he received from the Church, where he had made himſelf ſufficiently known by publick diſputes in Philoſophy, and had reaped a great commendation by reading Divinity in the Congregation of our Lady. The Fathers of the Company took great joy in his Education, receiving infinite ſatisfaction that they had ſown their Doctrine in ſo good a ſoil: he ſtill proceeded from good to better, and the region of his ſpirit grew white towards a compleat Harveſt, when on a ſuddain an impetuous whirlwind, an unexpected tempeſt ſwept away the fruits of ſo grand an expectation. His Elder Brother had for a great while quitted the Academy, for to learn the Arts of Horſemanſhip, Fencing and Dancing require not ſo long a ſtudy as the Sciences; he remained in his Fathers houſe as Heir apparent, and led a life honeſt and modeſt enough, but ſoft and tender and effeminate, according to the cuſtom of great Perſons, not only of that Nation but moſt others, as if idleneſs were an inheritance intailed upon Nobility. We have nothing to ſay of him, having nothing come to our knowledge pertinent to this Hiſtory, only this, that though this Tree brought not much Fruit, yet its Leaves being ſhaken with the winds of but few Paſſions, made little noiſe; thus quietly ſlipt away the few years which he paſſed upon Earth, till at laſt he paid his tribute to the Tomb, not as the Great Alexander, in the middle of his Courſe, but even in the firſt mounting from his Orient, a lingring Fever taking hold of this heavy Melancholy humour, which in a ſhort time brought him quietly to his Grave: Some ſay that too violent exerciſe had ſhortned his days, and that if he had been deſtined to Letters and a repoſed life, he might have lived longer; but how vain is it to deſcant upon the Decrees of Divine Providence? our weak reaſons of that ſort being like ſoft wax before the Sun. Proceed ye Parents in this courſe, and found the total of your hopes upon your Eldeſt, but conſider how far different the deſigns of heaven are from terreſtrial determinations.

He who on Earthly glories ſets his eyes, And fixeth them on ſplendid vanities; Who in proud Palaces rules without fear Of the diſaſters that attend him there; Here let him fix a while, and contemplate On the weak frailty of a humane ſtate.

To expreſs the regrets and ſorrows of his Parents, is a thing impoſſible; you may a little gueſs at them, by comparing them to thoſe of a laborious Husbandman, who after much toilſome labour, and weariſom expectation, ſees an impetuous Tempeſt deſtroy all the Fruits of his labour and the means of his ſubſiſtence, juſt as it is ready to be reaped: for juſt as they were upon the deſign of placing richly and honourably in the World this Prop of their houſe, and repoſitory of their hopes, by matching him into a Family ſuitable to theirs in Wealth and Dignity, thereby to tranſmit their Name to poſterity, they ſee themſelves on a ſuddain deprived of that happineſs which they had ſo ardently deſired, ſo long expected, and ſo vainly hoped. But conſidering how vain it was to lament ſo irreparable a loſs, they began to turn their eyes from him that was now nought but duſt in the Grave, to the other who though alive was buried as to the World, thinking now to tranſplant the care of their Poſterity to that onely remaining ſoil, as if they had lived under the old Moſaical Law, where the living Brother ſhall raiſe up ſeed to the dead, to retrieve his Name and Memory from the Tomb of oblivion. It is hard to tell you how the younger Brother received this news, for he found his ſoul ſo divided, and ſo moved on all ſides by ſeveral paſſions, that he needed a ſtrong clew of Reaſon to conduct him out of that Labyrinth: He ſaw himſelf called to a large Inheritance, but having levelled his deſigns a quite contrary way, he was ill troubled to change his intentions, ſeeing himſelf ſo far advanced into that Vocation, which he had at firſt ſupported with as great trouble and reluctancy as Simon the Cyrenean did the Croſs of our Saviour, and was now more unwilling to part with it, and did paſſionately declare that his deſire was to leave the dead to bury the dead, and purſue his former enterprize, to avoid the reproach of having laid his hand to the plough and then looked back, and begun a building which he could not finiſh: But he had ſtill been educated with ſo much ſubjection to his Imperious Parents, who ſo rigorouſly exerciſed their power over him, that as he durſt not gainſay them when they imbarked him into a profeſſion ſo contrary to his inclination, no more durſt he now thwart them when they would bring him into another ſo contrary to the habits he had contracted amongſt ſo many contrarieties. Auſtere and ſavage Parents, who make Tables of your Families and uſe your Children as you do your Table-men at Cheſs or Tables, place and diſplace them without regard to any thing but your temporal advantage, learn not to violate the Will which God has created free, and upon whom he who hath formed the Soul hath reſerved to himſelf no conſtraint over it, but is contented to conduct it by inſtructions and inſpirations.

We will leave this Elder Brother without troubling our ſelves with his Name, becauſe falling Stars have none, but only thoſe that continue fixed to their Spheres; and ſince it is not neceſſary to our Hiſtory, let us leave him to the enjoyment of that Name which God had given him in a better life, and return to the now eldeſt, and only remaining Son Alcimus, who is the chief ſubject of our enſuing Narrative. He expreſſed a thouſand regrets to his Religious Fathers, to whom he was indebted for his Education, that he muſt now be forced to quit that habit which ſate ſo eaſily upon his body after it had been unwillingly put on; and would far rather have choſen (had it been in his power) to be an abject ſervant in the Houſe of God, than to poſſeſs at pleaſure both Riches and Honour in the Tabernacles of the World: But let him think or ſpeak what he will, he has neither liberty to deliberate nor conſult; and though a grave and Pious Father, who had a good while been his Tutor, remonſtrated to his Parents the ſignal diſaſters which uſually attend ſuch changes, he was as little liſtened to or believed As fam'd Caſſandra, who of old The ruine of proud Troy foretold; That flames of Luſt which firſt did burn, At laſt would all to aſhes turn.

They contemned his admonitions with the ſcurrilous appellation of Cloiſter-Maxims; But Divine Truth is unchangeable, which has threatned to forſake thoſe that abandon it, and that their Names ſhall be blotted out of Heaven, whoſe only care is to have them written upon Earth; who for their own broken Ciſterns quit and forſake thoſe of living water: Thoſe who have once quitted the burning City of the World for Zoar, ought not to look back, for fear leſt they become Pillars of Salt, a Spectacle to Paſſengers, and a fearful teſtimony of Divine Vengeance. Alcimus having quitted his former fetters, which were now to him grown golden ones, (for the Yoke of God has this property, that it every day grows more ſoft than other by the right application of the Oyl of Grace) and now brought into the liberty of a Child of the World, begun by degrees to efface his former impreſſions, and the Genius he had ſucked in with his Milk; ſo true is that of the Poet, Though Nature be ſuppreſt by force, 'Twill ſtill return t'its former courſe.

So much eaſier is it to deſcend than aſcend. His Fathers houſe was for him formed into an Academy, where in a ſhort time he learnt (ſo well did his active body ſuit his docil wit) the exerciſes fitting for a Man that had changed the Caſſock for a Corſelet, the Book for a Sword. See here the Metamorphoſes incident to a Human ſtate; He thought no more of the continuation of his daily devotion, as if the management of a Horſe were of greater importance than a communication with God: To quit his Eccleſiaſtical revenues was the leaſt of his thoughts, for that fat morſel was too delicious to his taſte, like Ruth's Kinſman, who was willing to redeem the eſtate but not to be troubled with the Woman; there are many willing to receive the benefice, few to diſcharge the office, though the one was deſigned only for a recompence for the other, and that they are or ought to be as inſeparable as the ſhadow and the ſubſtance, the acceſſory and principal. He alledged that it would not be long e're by Marriage he ſhould quite thoſe revenues with his coelibate; but the truth is, he was wholly ruled by his Parents, whoſe deſign was he ſhould keep them till they could light on ſome old Kinſman or ancient Friend on whom they might have them beſtowed, by whoſe hands they might one day be tranſmitted to the Children yet unborn: See here the ordinary deſigns of thoſe who ſay, Let th' heritage with us remain, Which only doth to God pertain.

Not conſidering the Flames which are uſually created by theſe Sacrilegious Morſels in the neſts of ſuch rapacious Eagles: finally he continued in this ſecular courſe of life to enjoy theſe Spiritual revenues, without the ſmall Tribute of ever officiating in Divine Service: The learned Fathers who had cultivated his Spirit carefully ſo long as his Parents intentions or his own inclinations deſign'd him for the Church, begun to treat him ſo ſharply, and with ſuch irreſiſtible ſhocks to ſhake the Foundation of his conſcience, as were enough to tear up this impiety by the Roots, which nevertheleſs like a young Tree ſhaken by the wind took faſter footing, till he began to prove to them as a ſtranger & a Publican, and reject the practice of the maxims of true Chriſtian Piety and Religion; for to ſpeak truth, what is this but to halt between two opinions? to ſwear by God and by Milcom? to joyn God with Baal, Chriſt with Belial, and light with darkneſs? to mix the Eagles feathers with thoſe of the Dove? to make one Sacrifice to God and to Idols? to be at once cold and hot? to eat the fat of the Altar, and never officiate at it? Is not this I ſay to ſow the Earth with two ſorts of grain? to weave a piece of two ſtuffs: and to plough with an Oxe, and an Aſs? They, who admitted not into their congregations of Devotion any Souls of a mixt Metal, and conſciences which would not endure the touch, did forthwith exclude him, or rather Alcimus ſeparated from them of his own accord, prodigally rejecting the ſubſtance of his Heavenly Father; not altogether ſo ſhamefully as the young Man in the Goſpel, who fooliſhly and ſottiſhly waſted his Portion in a far Countrey; but yet very unworthily for a Man of his Condition, he turned out of the ways of Sion, no more frequenting her ſolemnities. But the Proverb ſaith, there are no pots ſo ill but there is a cover to fit them; there are no conſciences ſo large for commiſſion, but there are others big enough to fit them with an abſolution, there are enow that will praiſe to the wicked the deſires of his Soul, and bleſs him in his iniquity; there are but too many guides that are as little judicious, as infinitly blind, and are not content to be ſo themſelves unleſs they bring others into the ſame predicament: There are flatterers enough, whoſe intereſt makes them ſpeak the Language of ſlaves, and with ſmooth words bring thoſe to ſleep in an aſſured repoſe who have the greateſt ſubject in the World to fear, to whom there is nothing more eaſie than to forge cauſes apparently ſufficient for the unjuſt deteinure of the goods of the Altar: And an Erroneous conſcience having once taken footing in the Soul, it is then ready to receive all Vice and wickedneſs, which being once rooted there, is as firm as the club in the hand of Hercules, it lyes not there, as a paſſenger, but in Garriſon, ingarriſoned in an impenetrable, impregnable fort: It is a great ſin to call good evill, but a monſtrous wickedneſs to call evil good, and to cloath Vice in Virtues livery; This is to mix Wormwood with Sugar, and poiſon with Honey, it is in one word to reverſe reaſon and the Laws, and under falſe appearances, to maintain the Sinner in his irregular deſires. We ought not raſhly to judge of any thing: Who knows the ſecrets of God, or who has ever been his Counſellour? who has ever read in the great Book of deſtinies, or ſounded the abyſs of the Heart of Man? Who I ſay, but God, who knows our thoughts afar off, and who judgeth the ways and paths of all, to whom all things are naked and open, and nothing cloſe or ſecret? But if we may give a conjecture to Humane actions and Earthly events, it is very probable, that the abuſe of the Churches goods, apply'd to an uſe quite contrary to what they were deſigned for were the cauſes of the misfortunes of that Family; as the Prince of the Affyrians, who ſaw the Sentence of Condemnation written on the wall for imploying the Sacred Veſſels to prophane uſes. However it were, our younger Brother was ſucceeding the Elder, went very pompouſly both in habit and attendance, which was maintained by an allowance out of his Fathers Patrimony added to his Church Revenues. Behold him here withdrawn from his former innocency, and turned from the paths of his ancient conducters, and now put for the direction of his Soul into the hands of Perſons who had no further care but of the Body. The wit of Man hath ſubtilties and devices to colour over the worſt of actions; Alcimus had ſtill remaining a ſweetneſs of Temper and ſhew of Piety, and not being able ſo ſoon to extinguiſh The Sacred warmth which in his Breaſt Had th' firſt and chiefeſt room poſieſt, Felt in himſelf ſome remainder of his former devotion, as a Cinder continues warm ſometime after the extinction of the fire. He frequented the Church and Sacraments, and continued his former acts of Piety: briefly, he ſeemed to all that ſaw him the moſt ſage and noble Cavalier in the whole City. O! how dangerous are thoſe remainders of Celeſtial Love; ſince they not only deceive others but ſeduce them in whom they reſide, who thinking themſelves the ſame that others believe and publiſh them to be, do thereupon continue ſleeping in a Mortal Lethargy, for as the Poet ſings, To what end ſerve Temples and Vows, Injuſtice being lodg'd within? Who pious ſeems and vice allows Is guilty of the higheſt ſin.

He much frequented a holy and famous fraternity in a Monaſtery near his Houſe, very eminent and much frequented, where he pitcht upon a Ghoſtly Father that ſuted his deſire, whether according to God's own heart I refer it to him, but according to his own he ſeemed to be very agreeable; for he confirmed his conſcience in his former Courſes, and undertook to bail him from the arreſt of thoſe Terrours which his former guides had ſeaſonably imprinted in his Soul, which now ſeemed at laſt but the effects of ſcrupulous conceited old Men; by little and little the fear of God's Judgments vaniſht from his Soul, which cauſed his ways to be every day more defiled, and his heart more hardned; for as an ancient Father ſaith, It is the property of Sin not ſpeedily effaced by repentance, by its heavineſs to weigh a Man down to more, till the multiplication of weights at laſt preſs him to the abyſs of miſery, the addition of ſin, like an increaſing burthen growing at length inſupportable; thus he paſſed ſome years, even ſleeping in the multitude of riches, and ſplendour of abundance; daily as much increaſing in exteriour accompliſhments befitting a Cavalier, as he impaired in the inward ones of a Chriſtian. He became a moſt admirable Horſe-Man, or rather changed from a Man to a Horſe, ſo delighting himſelf with that exerciſe, that if it be true that the Lover transforms himſelf into the thing beloved, he loving nothing equal to this Animal, it might in ſome ſort be ſaid that he was himſelf become a Brute, as the Pſalmiſt ſaith, like the Horſe or Mule that have no underſtanding; for having no care but to aggrandiſe himſelf in riches and honour upon Earth, he ſo fixed his regards upon that point, that he had none left for Heaven, whoſe rules he daily tranſgreſſed: But I think I may juſtly ſay by the way, that it ſeldome happens that thoſe who quit God's ſervice for Earthly conſiderations (how juſt and honeſt ſoever) and proſper long in their undertakings, for God loves not thoſe who ſo ſlightly abandon Levi's Portion: Examples are ſo frequent upon this Subject, that the very Stones would ſpeak if Tongues and Pens ſhould be ſilent; ſo that I conclude this grand proſperity to be this young Lords great misfortune: He was now grown brave, active, ſprightly, and in the greateſt worldly eſteem imaginable; accounted valiant, handſome, generous, of noble deportment, learned, rich, compleatly gentile and agreeable, his converſation full of attractions, principally amongſt Women, and which crowned all his other perfections, he was reputed very devout, and of a religious behaviour, ſo that there could not one point be found wherein he was not fully accompliſht: inſomuch that every ones doors ſtood open to him, being welcome and deſired in all companies: Nothing was talk't of but Alcimus his admirable and commendable qualities, as the Miracle of Courteſie, Generoſity and Civility: his name paſſed through all mouths, who ſeemed by their infinite praiſes of him, all to conſpire to elevate his Honour above the Clouds. But ordinarily the Apple that ripens faſteſt rots the ſooneſt, and that which is moſt yellow is the moſt wormeaten, the faireſt outſide hiding a worm within which in ſhort time conſumes it. The Vulgar who, as the wiſe Man ſaith, hath his eyes only in his head, and ſeeing a magnificent expence, paſs no further nor prie into the bottom from whence ſhould proceed the ſubſtance that ſupplies it; and ſo they ſee but a generous uſage of them, mind not whether they were well or ill acquired; but the more ſober ſort, who content not themſelves with the out-ſide of the bone, unleſs they come to feed upon the marrow, pierce with Lynx's eyes the ſecreteſt darkneſs, and ſound the moſt hidden reſorts which move the ſtately Machins which ſo dazzle the Eyes of the beholders; to thoſe Alcimus his ſplendid accoutrements ſeemed compoſed of Copes and Chalices, ſhameful ornaments for a Man of Honour: But gain is ſweet whenceſoever it comes, ſaid that baſe minded Emperour, who made the very excrements tributary, and threatned to impoſe a tax upon the Elements themſelves. It is no novelty in the World to ſee ſeveral Men brave it at the expences of the Crucifix, who, one may juſtly ſay, do again daily crucifie the Son of God; ſelling him at a price as vile as that was precious which he paid for their redemption. Thus you ſee that all is not praiſe worthy which the World applauds. Happy is the Man, faith the Pſalmiſt, that may be praiſed in God, and whoſe worthy commendations God will not ſuffer to be concealed; for to what ſerves the praiſe of all the World without that of Heaven? What advantage is it to be highly prized of all Men, and deſpiſed by the great Creator of all things? The favourites of Princes make little reckoning of the Courtiers envy or the Peoples hatred, provided they preſerve their Maſters Friendſhip, on which depends their welfare and preferment: I value not, ſaith St. Paul, the Judgment of Men, he that judgeth me is God; I ſhould not be his faithful Servant if I ſhould ſtrive to pleaſe the world: I ſpeak not this to detract from the Merits of Alcimus, nor detain truth the priſoner of Injuſtice; but as a ſpot of Oil makes the greateſt blemiſh in the moſt rich and curious ſtuff, even ſo, Greatneſs in him who does amiſs The greateſt aggravation is.

And this might juſtly appear to be a ſpot of Oyl upon white Sattin, it being the Oyl of the ſacred Lamp which fullyed his conſcience, till from it's former colour which exceeded the Milk or Snow in whiteneſs, it changed to a Vermillion, deeper than the Carbuncle, by the abuſe of Goods deſtined to a better purpoſe. This was not but that he was furniſhed (as we had ſaid) with all recommendable qualities, and which is more (as a thing rare in one of his youth, and licentious courſe of life) he was accounted to be very Chaſt, and by a good habit which he had contracted in the Seminary, he had a great Antipathy againſt that unclean vice; but his vanity, ſplendidneſs of Habit, train of Servants, ſtately Horſes, too much frequenting the World, too much Gaming, and keeping looſe Company, were the weights that remarkably weighed down the other Scale. He paſſed ſome time in this courſe of life, being ſo highly eſteemed through all the City, that none but thought themſelves happy to enjoy his Converſation, and no aſſembly could be compleat unleſs it were ſet off with his admired preſence: he charmed the Eyes of moſt of the Female Sex, as much as he excelled moſt of his own, and if their deſires could have been effected, he had been the object of a great many affections. Not a Mother but deſired him for a Son-in-law, as much as her Daughter coveted him for a Husband: mean while he remained free amongſt ſo many Charms, no Engaging his affection upon any one object, leaving ſo many flames to waſte themſelves, which like coals by little and little dye, if the blaſt's of hope and converſation do not inliven them. He bore Milk and Honey upon his Tongue, (for having much learning he had yet more Art to expreſs it, and it appeared more excellent, the more Ignorant the Auditors were) but under it he had none, for his diſcourſes had little coherence with his heart: his pleaſure was to breed love in others, but none in himſelf, knowing that a little ſpark of this fire is quickly by degrees blown into a flame, and that the little pleaſure that is reaped thence, is clogged with a thouſand diſcontents: His Parents who deſired nothing more than to ſee him honourably matcht, would have been glad that he could have pitcht upon an object capable to reſtrain his wandring affections, and to make his Neck pliable to the Yoke of marriage, which he ſhunned as much as was poſſible, being more enamoured of his liberty than of all the Beauties in the World, not conſidering what horrible wracks thoſe Ships are ſubject to, who thus without either Compaſs or Ballaſt expoſe themſelves to the treacherous rocks and winds, and dreadful waves: Thus pleaſantly did he paſs his time, in the height of all Earthly delights, and Worldly pleaſures, without conſidering that, Who higheſt ſtands ſhould take moſt care, The falls of ſuch ſtill fatal are.

Amongſt his other vanities the chiefeſt were to be richly habited, bravely mounted, and nobly attended, in ſo much that prancing through the ſtreets, he ſeemed to be the chiefeſt ornament of them, attracted the eyes of all the inhabitants: It is publickly known by all men that the Nobility of Italy, principally during the heats of Summer, do uſually every Evening ride out to take the Air and make many turns and returns through the ſtreets, upon the gallant Italian Horſes, or the ſtately Neapolitan Courſers, which may well be accounted the moſt excellent Animals upon Earth; this was Alcimus his chiefeſt delight. He was exceeding comely and of good grace and behaviour; but it was nothing to ſee him on foot or in a Hall, in compariſon of the gallantry he ſhewed on Horſeback, where, like a compleat Horſeman, he performed all the Feats which the moſt expert in that Art had ever found out, he having a marvellous excellency that way: The Windows of the ſtreets where he paſſed were crouded with as many Admirers as Spectators of his active motions, all giving him the vogue for the moſt compleat Horſe-man living. All that offended him was, that thoſe wicked and infamous Creatures to whom we give the too ſpecious names of Which in French ſignifies a Courtier. Courtizans, deſirous to pleaſe themſelves with ſight of him diſpleaſed him with the ſight of them, for he took no delight to pleaſe them at that time, whom he ſcorned to think on at another; for which reaſon he ſhunned thoſe ſtreets which I ſhould call infamous, if the windows abounded with none but Women of ſuch boundleſs wickedneſs, the too frequent meeting of whom is the cauſe of great ſcandal amongſt ſtrangers, by their having ſo much countenance in this Country: This made him reſolve to ſhun the Eyes of theſe Baſilisks, by making his rounds in other leſs frequented ſtreets. O how hard it is to eſcape miſfortunes deſtined to us; how ſhort-ſighted is man into future Affairs and Occurrences: Thinking to avoid the rock of Scylla he plunged into the gulf of Charibdis, and is taken in a ſnare pitcht in the place where he fled for ſecurity: A ſtreet as large and ſpacious as fair and ſtately was now the Ordinary ſtage where, upon a proud Courſer, he exerciſed all the leſſons he had formerly Learnt, his grace and addreſs at this exerciſe drawing people thither from many quarters of the Town to behold him; Here by chance in a broad part of the ſtreet, he often uſed to make a ſtop, over againſt the Gate of a ſumptuous Houſe that ſtood there, which will prove the Theatre on which we ſhall ſee acted a great part of the enſuing Tragedy; For the underſtanding of which we muſt know, that a young Damſel called Vannoza, had at a very tender Age been very unequally matcht with a man who ſeemed rather her Grand-father then her Husband, which marriage was brought about as I ſhall tell you by and by. We ſhall preſent him to you under the name of Capoleon, who being rich, and well deſcended, had been married at a ſeaſon ſo young, as was enough to diſpence with the moſt haſty from joyning themſelves ſo ſoon in the yoke of marriage; and that by the diſpoſal of his Parents, who to agree a ſuit in which a great part of their eſtate lay at ſtake, had Sollicited this marriage with a maid much older then himſelf, who had as great redundancy of years, lack of Beauty, having features leſs apt to breed love than hatred: This Cup though finely gilded, was very bitter to Capoleon's taſt, but the aſcendant that his friends had over his affections, & the fear of ruining his fortune, & leading a miſerable life under the afflictions of Poverty, & his Parents diſpleaſure, made him do like thoſe who ſhut their eyes & ſwallow a loathſom potion, having more regard to the ſweetneſs of Health, than the bitterneſs of the Medicine, the loathſomeneſs of which begun to appear ſtill worſe when he was come to the age to diſtinguiſh Beauty from Deformity; then did the hook begin to pierce deep, which he had ſwallowed under ſo gilded a bait, but it was not enough that this Leah was blear-ey'd, but for a Crown to her other imperfections, ſhe was Ill-natured, Churliſh, Melancholy, and Proud, and would carry her ſelf more like a Mother to a Son, then a Wife to a Husband, which redoubled Capoleon's vexation, who ſeeing himſelf from a Maſter become a Slave, finding as little kindneſs from her, as ſhe deſerved love from him, turned his regard from ſo diſagreeable an Object, to others more pleaſing; a folly ſcarce taken notice of in a Country where it is ſo frequent: This haughty ill tempered woman finding her ſelf in this manner ſlighted by her Husband, was tranſported with ſuch extremities of rage and jealouſie, that her words were not able to expreſs her reſentments. What did ſhe leave unſaid or undone, agitated by this frantick paſſion? ſhe both ſaid and did ſo much as eſſaying too far the patience of his young courage, ſhe ſtirred up a paſſion in him which proved little advantageous to her ſhoulders: this brought her to all the deſperateſt vows and menaces imaginable to take a ſevere Revenge either by Force or Treachery; So that in one word, never was a more diſtracted Family or unhappy marriage ſince the firſt Sacred Inſtitution of it: the Parents on both ſides endeavoured a reconciliation, but they were Natives of a Country where as quarrel is like a malignant Ulcer, which may be healed outwardly, but will ſtill have matter within to deſtroy the former endeavours of the Chirurgion, or though throughly healed, will leave a ſcarre which time can never efface: Capoleon did not ſo much fear her cruell fury, as her feigned affection, knowing that this Sex has ſome reſemblance with thoſe Creatures, who Flatter when they intend to bite, or of thoſe which kick when one leaſt diſtruſt them: both ſtood upon their Guards, which often bred a miſ-conſtruction of what was never meant amiſs, it being impoſſible for them to draw evenly in that Yoke, which was compoſed of ſuch inequalities. Capoleon amongſt the women paſt for a bad Husband, though all men had juſt occaſion to take his part againſt a wicked Wife: indeed both of them had been wronged by a marriage without eſpouſals, I mean by the conjunction of two Body's whoſe Souls were ſo divided, and humours ſo diſ-joynted; for thoſe marriages which are founded only upon intereſt, ſeldome come to a happy building; and now who could expect any Children from ſo notorious an Antipathy and ſo rare a Commerce. Finally, after having continued ſome time in this Hell (for how can I better term this Fire-brand of diviſion?) it pleaſed Heaven to throw down his Gantlet of death to part the Combat, ſhe firſt leaving the World who firſt entred into it, not without ſuſpition of ſome indigeſtible Morcel, with which it was judged that Capoleon transferred the War into the Country of the Enemy, who ſo loudly threatned an invaſion: But this ſuſpition proved like a little miſty vapour, which is no ſooner exhaled but diſſipated; for juſtice could diſcover nothing to Capoleon's prejudice, and the calumnies were buried ſoon after the body. But the moſt favourable opinion was, That her hard uſage had abridged her Life, and that the vexation to ſee her ſelf deſpiſed by him whom ſhe thought to be ſo obliged to her, for the fortune ſhe brought him, had been the chief weight that had preſt her into her Coffin: And we muſt confeſs that Jealouſie infuſes a Poiſon into the heart, which is not ſo eaſily cured by the remedy of reaſon, as by that of death; ſo that it may juſtly be applyed to this paſſion, which the Poet appropriates to that of love, If time nor abſence quench the heat, Cold Death alone can do the feat.

Capoleon was Maſter of a joy at the breaking of this marriage knot, which he could never hope for at the tying of it, his preſent happineſs equalling his former misfortune; So that his preſent raviſhing contentments, having eſcaped ſo Fatal a ſhipwrack, extracted from him a thouſand proteſtations never to engage himſelf again upon a Sea, where he was ſo ſubject to the ſecret Treaſons of the Rocks, and the open Hoſtilities of Storms and Tempeſts: but his Manners were ſo far from amending with his Fortune that his freedome made him a perfect Libertine, and he led ſuch a courſe of life in his preſent opulency, which he injoyed by the death of her who had left him in the double poſſeſſion of himſelf and her fortune, that might juſtly be ſaid of him, which the Holy Scripture ſaid of an execrable City, That his Iniquity proceeded from his abundance, and that the extremity of his bitterneſs (which is that of his vices) was the product of is quietneſs and eaſe: he now went like a Son of Belial, with his head erected, being ſubject to no Yoke, if he may be ſaid to be free from the Yoke, who is Slave to his Paſſions and inordinate deſires: It was far more eaſie to number the faults he was free from, than thoſe into which he daily precipitated himſelf; for his Soul was a Sea, a receptacle for all the Rivers of ſenſual pleaſures, or rather a ſtinking Lake, receptive of all ſorts of filth and impurity; and though his Sins merited a ſevere chaſtiſement from Heaven, yet the indulgence of the Soveraign bounty of him who is long-ſuffering and of great mercy, was ſuch towards him, that it might well be ſaid that he indured not the troubles of other men, nor was ſubject to the ſcourges of impious ſinners; contrarily, all things ſucceeded proſperouſly to him, the gale of good fortune filled his Sail with a thouſand delicious blaſts, and the ſucceſs of his Affairs did far ſurpaſs both his hopes and deſires, but his wicked inclinations and impenitent heart deſpiſing the Treaſures of Divine bounty, heaped up to him a Treaſure of wrath againſt the day of vengeance, and the laſt retribution: But the wheels of Gods anger grind ſmall, though they turn but ſlowly.

Any Man's happineſs to praiſe Before his Mortal race be run, Is crowning Generals with bayes E're the fields fought or Battle won.

And ſince 'tis onely the end that Crowns the action, what good iſſue could be expected of a man who ſeemed only born to be a ſhame to mankind, and to treſpaſs upon God's patience? Wherefore having long led a licentious life, and arrived to a well advanced Age, whether it were that his nature was changed by a long habit of vice, or that he ſought a means for Repentance, or moved with a deſire to tranſmit his Eſtate to a lawful Heir, or that he thought there was no paſſage from the ſin of uncleanneſs but through the gates of marriage, he reſolved upon the ſame Veſſel to venture another ſhipwrack, thereby ſhewing himſelf to be a man either of very little judgment, or born under a malignant Star for marriage; for at firſt being married too young to one that was old and deformed (two inſeparable adjuncts) and which was jealous of him becauſe he was young and luſty; He joyned himſelf the ſecond time, being old and wrinckled, to a Lady that was very young and incomparably fair, of whom he became enamoured as ſoon as he ſaw her, whom he poſſeſſed as ſoon as he demanded, and of whom he became jealous as ſoon as he enjoyed her; this was the fair Vannoza, whom he purchaſed by an artifice which I am about to diſcover.

She was born of Parents of very eminent quality, and indeed more Eminent for Nobility of Blood than abundance of Riches: he ſaw and fell in Love with her in a great aſſembly, and preſently ſounded her Parents, to whom he made the ordinary offer of amorous old Men, a great Joynture in recompence for a ſmall portion; His propoſition ſeemed ſo advantageous, that it dazled the Eyes of her avaritious Parents, ſo that according to the cruel cuſtome of the Countrey, they made him a promiſe without making her acquainted, it being there the barbarous Method, (often attended with Evil conſequences) for the Bride and Bride-groom not to ſee one another before the day of Marriage. And becauſe Capoleon knew himſelf to be gray and wrinckled, though he ſtill pretended to be very vigorous, and like the Plants in winter, who hide their vertue under the white ſnow, he was fearful leaſt his eyes ſhould ſtrike into her breaſt a remedy againſt Love, rather then an incentive to it, and therefore communicated this miſtruſt to the Parents, who (though they thought their authority ſtrong enough to vanquiſh the averſion of their Daughter) did not miſlike the expedient he propounded of Metamorphoſing himſelf, accounting this fraud a lawful one, which redounded to the profit of the deceived; ſo that they took part with the amorous doatard, in deceiving their innocent Daughter, and to intice this harmleſs young Dove into the ſnares. Capoleon without imploying Medea's arts, without caſting his skin like the Snake, or beak with the Eagle, got ſo compleat and handſome a Perruque, that one would have thought (that had not ſeen him before) but that it was his natural hair: he trimmed his beard very curiouſly, and that little that remained was ſo handſomly painted, that it would well have become a chin of thirty years old: he ſo painted and plaiſtered his face, that there remained neither lines nor wrinckles, to betray the age which time had ſtampt upon it. This was not all, for he pitcht upon a young Gentleman of his own ſtature, whoſe garb and faſhion he imitated the beſt he could in this transformation; him he procured to appear in an aſſembly of Gentlemen, amongſt which Vannoza and her Parents were: Him they made her believe to be her deſigned Husband; and ſhe, who ſaw him but by the dim light and ſmoke of Tapers, and amongſt a confuſed company, fancied him not to be very diſagreeable, for ſhe who was now as ripe for Marriage as deſirous of it, was willing to ſubſcribe to her Parents intentions, eſpecially in the Marriage of a young and handſome Gentleman: Thus they made an interview, without any private entertainments, diſcourſe or converſation; being but a meer fantome and illuſion, upon which the poor young Lady was to fix the remainder of her years, not being undeceived till it was too late to remedy the miſtake. Judge then whether this were an action becoming a Nation who account themſelves (and perhaps not untruly except in theſe affairs) the moſt ſage and prudent in the world. At their return home, her Mother asked her amongſt other diſcourſe, how ſhe approved her choice; ſhe who had remarked no default in him that they had ſhown her, with a diſſimulation proper to her ſex, prudently concealed her ſatisfaction, proteſting that ſhe only ſaw with her Mothers eyes, and that ſuitable to a Daughter of her Birth and Education, ſhe neither had nor ought to have a will diſſonant from that of her Parents. That ſhe would willingly accept of any that ſhe would willingly accept of any that was preſented her from their hand, adding to this tender ſubmiſſion the moſt obliging expreſſions befitting ſuch occaſions: Thus was our tender young Hind hunted into the ſnare; ſhe was no ſooner promiſed but affianced to Capoleon, at the twilight of the evening, hidden under the ſhade of a feigned artifice which diſguiſed his real imperfections: The entertainment was ſo ſhort, and the ſilence ſo deep, his voice never being elevated ſo far as to diſcover the deceit, that he, though an Eſau, was taken for a Jacob, being deformed with age, he was thought to poſſeſs the beauties of youth; his hoary old age being taken for ſprightly youthfulneſs by a prepoſſeſſed ſpirit. The Marriage was ſolemnized a few days after, but in the night time, where he appearing in ſumptuous apparel, more fitting for a far younger man, and ornaments ſo gaudy as were as unfitting to his ſex as age, paſſed by the out-ſide for a compleat young Gallant: In ſum, Vannoza thinking to have married a young Gentleman, wakened the next morning the wife of an old one, who having caſt off his youth over night with his Peruque, appearing in the morning as Leah formerly did to Jacob. None but ſouls aſſailed with ſuch ſurprizes, could imagine the greatneſs of theſe; Poor ſimple innocent! ſhe thought it had been Marriage which ſo ſoon made young perſons old; and trembling and fearful, ſhe run to her glaſs, to ſee if wrinckles had not made as bold with her forehead as with her husbands, and whether her hairs were not become as white as her face was pale with fear, in which ſhe thought ſhe ſaw the image of death ſtamped, the fright had ſo dazled her eyes, till by little and little ſhe begun to undeceive her ſelf, the remembrance of her changing ſo lately her Virgin ſtate, did alſo help to bring the blood into her face, and mixing the Roſes again amongſt the Lillies, and adding a lively colour to her cheeks, made her perceive that her flouriſhing beauty had not left her with her Virginity. The husband rallyed all his wit to charge her with excuſes, her Parents alſo running to aſſiſt him, dazling the eyes of this poor young Lady with the riches of her new married One who deſiring long life, lived ſo long that the Poets feigned he was turned into a Graſhopper. Ov. Met. Tithon, repreſenting to her the moſt advantageouſly they could the multitude of his wealth and opulency of his fortune, that this artifice was only intended for her good, and finally perſwaded her ſhe ſhould be the moſt fortunate and happy Lady in the City. Thus was ſhe brought from her firſt aſtoniſhment, into a courſe of life which however diſagreeable to her, ought to give all the content imaginable to Capoleon, and promiſed to recompence him with a free injoyment of thoſe felicities which his former nuptials had denied him: In a word, this affair was conducted with ſuch brevity and induſtry, that Capoleon was married before any ſuch thing was talked or thought of; and now every one begun to hope well of his future Converſation, and that the honourable bonds of Matrimony would tye him up from his former diſhonourable actions. But whether a diſordinate ſpirit carry inquietude along with it, as Devils do their hell, or whether by misfortune he had conſpired againſt his own happineſs, he who had firſt given all reaſonable liberty to his Wife that could be deſired, permitting her with her Mother to ſee and injoy the Company of their ancient friends and acquaintance, and to frequent what places of devotion ſhe pleaſed, being on a ſuddain inflamed with the fire of Jealouſie, which is as fierce as that of Hell, he begun like Laban to Jacob, to change his countenance toward her, and to change thoſe Sun-ſhiny days into obſcure nights, he found himſelf to be old and deformed, her young and beauteous; the perfections which he perceived in her, and the defaults which he remarked in himſelf, were the only faults of this young innocent; Nothing but adminiſtred fewel to this flame: If any one lookt upon her, it was with a luſtful eye; if any one ſpoke to her prejudice, he believed it; or if they praiſed her, it proceeded from deſigns prejudicial to his honour: The very rays of the Sun were too familiar with her, and Zephyrus took too much liberty to ſport about her breaſts, the flies that chanced to pearch upon her face kiſſed her, and the habits which ſhe wore touched her too nearly. He thought her ſo weak that any thing was able to corrupt her: The thoughts that every one was covetous of this Gold, wrought in him a deſign of burying ſo deſirable a Creature from all mens ſight, and the light of the day: But had he brought about this deſign with better conduct, and had by little and little reſtrained his liberty, and Eclipſed this Star by degrees from the eyes of the World by ſome condenſed vapours which time ſhould form into clouds; had he but gently accuſtomed this Bird to the reſtraints of a Cage, this ſlave to the chain, perhaps in a Country where Captivity is ſo ordinary amongſt Women, that it is even converted into Nature, he had not ſo violently exaſperated her ſpirit, and deſire of eſcaping, and had pluckt up the root of many hard conſtructions and evil ſpeeches againſt his unreaſonable ſeverity: But what is it but to expect freſh water from the Sea, for one to look for kind uſage from a man blinded with jealouſie? is it not to demand reaſon of one that has loſt it? to ſeek for grapes of thorns, or figs of thiſtles? Thoſe that ſay that this malady is an exceſs of Love, as the Fever is of natural heat, do therein confeſs that though it be a ſort of Love it is but a ſick one; and as a hot and burning Fever brings us even to the neighbourhood of death, ſo a hot and flaming jealouſie is eaſily brought to conſume the fewel of Love that feeds it: it turns the ſweet and gentle heat into a Calenture, from whence proceed the ſharpeſt effects of hatred, which will not ſtop ſhort of an attempt upon the life, or at leaſt of as precious liberty. Thus where this paſſion fixeth, being born of real love it does at laſt ruine it, as the moth eats the cloth in which it took its being. All Capoleon's deſire was to preſerve his Wife entirely to himſelf, and to perfect that deſign, he lodgeth her in a Chamber the fitteſt he could find out for a Priſon, not conſidering that in confining the body he disjoyns the ſoul of affection from it, which ſhould be the only guard to preſerve it to him.

How this vain paſſion blinds fond man, To think reſtraints which thus controll The actions of the body, can Confine the motions of the ſoul.

This unexpected whirlwind ſeized our new-married innocent, who finding her ſelf not guilty, could almoſt have wiſht her ſelf criminal to be revenged for ſo unjuſt a cruelty; Judge then if Capoleon did not do himſelf a real injury to ſhun an imaginary one; having pitcht upon the ſureſt way to make himſelf odious, by ingraffing this bitter ſlip of cruelty upon the large ſtock of his other deformities, which malicious age had planted in his face: The poor priſoner laments her condition, being earneſtly deſirous to underſtand the cauſe of her condemnation, ſhe would gladly know in what ſhe had given an occaſion of diſtruſt, that ſhe might clear her ſelf of the accuſation if falſe, or correct the fault if true: The Parents took this affront as hainouſly as the Daughter, but ſhewed not ſo much reſentment for fear of augmenting the puniſhment by provoking him, to the tyranny of whoſe power they had brought her to ſubmit: But though the clouds may be ſo thick as to conceal the Thunder-bolt from our ſight, yet ſtill they are eaſily penetrated by the Lightning, ſo that their diſcontents though diſſembled, were diſcovered by Capoleon, who gave no other reaſon (barbarous as he was) but that he might diſpoſe of his own as he pleaſed, and order and govern his Wife to his fancy: As if Wives which were given for Companions, not Slaves or Servants to Men, could or ought to be guided by any other bridle then that of love and gentleneſs: But what one would preſs him to diſcover what cauſe ſhe had given him for ſo ſtrict a confinement the force of truth compelled him to confeſs that he had none, and that this reſtraint and impriſonment was not for any fault already committed, but to prevent thoſe which the future bait of occaſions and opportunities might produce, ſo that ſhe muſt be forced to endure a preſent puniſhment for a future fault: Thus might Vannoza champ upon the but, but her Groom would be ſure to avoid the ſtrokes of her heels, for this miſtruſt did ſo far provoke her, that ſhe was not ſo much vexed at the loſs of her liberty as that ſhe could imagine no means to compaſs a revenge; but as winds incloſed in the bowels of the earth, do at laſt grow ſo inraged at their confinements as to ſhake whatever lies upon the ſurface; ſo her vexation meditated none but diſmal effects: In the mean time his teſtimony of her innocence ſomewhat alleviated her griefs, and ſeeming to agree with him in the care of keeping her undefiled from the world, She keeps that anger cloſe within her breaſt, Which tears her heart and robs her of her reſt.

Though ſhe was lodged like a Queen in an apartment behind the houſe, in a Chamber excellently furniſhed, and injoying a moſt pleaſant air, through the window of which ſhe had the proſpect of a pleaſant Garden, deckt with all ſorts of delightful flowers, yet ſtill the thoughts of a priſon made it diſagreeable, and that liberty which ſhe knew not the ſweetneſs of in the poſſeſſion, was now in the deprivation preſented to her eyes, in ſuch an equipage, and with ſuch attractions as rendred it the moſt ſoveraign bleſſing of life. All the Images of the moſt excellent rarities, and the moſt ſignal perſons ſhe had ever ſeen, now preſented themſelves to her eyes, and repaſſed through her fancy with ſuch advantage, that the effect they made upon her ſpirit almoſt hurried her to deſperation: ſometimes making compariſons of the ſweet converſations of her deareſt friends and companions, with the heavy ſolitude which now environed her, where there was not ſo much as an echo to anſwer her complaints: This ſolitarineſs ſeemed ſo much the more inſupportable, by recalling to her memory how ſhort the days ſeemed which ſhe uſed once to paſs in the entertainment of divers witty comrades, and comparing them with the length of theſe, which ſhe ſpent without any other company or comfort then that of her thoughts: It was with her as with Mills, which turning about empty, fire themſelves by their own motion: After this her imagination repreſenting to her the moſt fair and agreeable objects which had formerly been repreſented to her view amongſt the other Sex, and confronting the wrinckles, paleneſs, and deformities which age had drawn on the face of her husband, with the poliſht foreheads, vermillion cheeks, pleaſant eyes and guilded hairs, with the ſweet and gentle behaviour, the inſeparable companions of downy chins, O how intolerable did her old Capoleon appear! She a thouſand times repented of having ſuffered her ſelf like a ſilly Lark, to be drawn into the net by the ſhining of a glaſs, this guilded ice, the luſtre of fading riches. O how infinitely more pleaſing ſeemed a merry contented poverty than a wretched abundance, clogged with diſcontents, but void of pleaſure or ſatisfaction! And indeed he that deſires riches with ſo great a paſſion only to glut an inſatiate appetite, is ſtill the pooreſt man alive, and is not he that is contented and ſatisfied with a mediocrity far richer than he, who like Tantalus is choaked with thirſt and famiſht with hunger am ongſt floods of water and plenty of pleaſant fruits, or like Midas amidſt his heaps of Gold and Treaſures? So true is that of the Poet, The Covetous are always poor, He's only rich that craves no more.

For who ſees not that he that has ſuch unreaſonable deſires is troubled with a Dropſie, that never ſuffers him to be ſatiated? he is only healthful and rich that is ſatisfied with the little which he hath. But Alcimus, as we have ſaid before, ſurmounting in riches, pomp, behaviour, wit and gallantry, all thoſe of his age and quality in the City, it is not to be queſtioned whether his form did not pleaſingly poſſeſs the fancy of our fair Recluſe, whoſe repoſe rendered her like a ſtanding pool, in which the circle made by a ſtone thrown into it, does preſently multiply its ſelf to an infinite number; for this Idol adored by the eyes, and ſigh'd for by the hearts of ſo many Females, but all in vain; took up an immoveable habitation in her heart, and this Samſon ſo much beloved of ſo many of the Children of Iſrael, quickly ſurprized the affections of this Dalilah; but though amongſt other young Ladies, ſhe had ſuckt in this ſubtle poyſon at the eyes; yet the impoſſibility of ever enjoying him in the ſacred bonds of Marriage, like a heavy weight did • l • g the wings of her inconſiderate deſires, notwithſtanding which With her own heart ſhe nouriſhed The Vultur which was in it bred; Languiſhing for a happineſs Which ſhe could ne're hope to poſſeſs.

She judged rightly that this was no bird to be taken in a ſpider's net, and that her artifices would need great ſtrength to hold him. But, ſaid ſhe, were I Miſtreſs either of his affections or of ſome others, I would have recourſe to it for the recovery of my loſt liberty: In my happy days I was ſo little concerned for others misfortunes that now there is none trouble themſelves to to ſuccour me in the multitude of my own. Thus without any to counſel or aſſiſt her, ſhe wandered in a labyrinth of perturbations: Yet was ſhe reſolved to leave no ſtone unturned to retrieve her liberty, not conſidering how ſhe was likely to fall into a far worſe Captivity, the ſlavery of ſin, the moſt unfortunate and deteſtable ſervitude in the world, not caring ſo ſhe could eſcape a temporal puniſhment though ſhe lanched out into an eternal one; not conſidering the many ſad examples of Divine vengeance upon ſuch impieties which Should teach the wicked to eſcape the rod, (By ſound Repentance) of an angry God.

We have ſaid that amongſt the exerciſes in which Alcimus was moſt delighted, that of managing a Horſe was chief, and that prancing ordinarily through the ſtreets, advantageouſly mounted and accoutred, and ſtrutting in the pomp and gallantry of his habits, like the Peacock in the variety of his plumes, he paſſed often by Capoleon's houſe, this ſtreet pleaſing him the moſt, being very large and fair, and moſt commodious for his exerciſing his Horſe in thoſe motions he had learnt him; and, as we have ſaid, he did it with ſuch rare dexterity that he never wanted abundance of beholders both in the ſtreets and windows. Vannoza during her former liberty had often beheld him in theſe poſtures, through the bars and treillices of the windows, which by reaſon of their uſe are there called Jealouſies; but upon the entry of her new courſe of life, being wholly taken up in the cold affection and converſation of her Huſband, this Idea had ſcarce any room left in her ſpirit, much leſs to take up a lodging there. Capoleon himſelf took a ſingular pleaſure in ſeeing theſe gallantries of this young Cavalier, and with exceſſive praiſes, raiſed his excellency and dexterity to the very clouds: He had ſhut up his Wife in a remote apartment, this ſpectacle, as moſt others, being ſuſpected by him, and therefore reſerved it only to his own ſight. One evening as He and his Wife were taking the Air in the Garden, one of his Lacqueys came to tell him, that Alcimus was in the ſtreet at his uſual exerciſe, and that upon a ſtately Neapolitan Courſer he performed wonders, to the admiration of all beholders. Capoleon on a ſuddain left his Wife, to watering the flowers with her tears, to divert himſelf with this pleaſing ſpectacle. Vannoza though ſhe ſaid nothing, thought never the leſs; ſhe durſt neither follow him nor ask leave to do ſo, knowing that to his ſuſpicious brain this might bring ſome ſiniſter ombrage of her fidelity, and therefore ſitting very penſively down in a cloſe Arbour, bathing her ſelf in tears, ſhe diſcharged her ſelf of part of her ſorrows, in exhaling theſe following regrets, often interrupted with deep ſighs.

To what has the rigorous influence of my unhappy ſtars reſerved me? muſt I thus dye before death's approach, and like a criminal Veſtal be buried alive? Certainly when one has by a bad deportment merited puniſhment, the rigour of the pain is ſomewhat moderated by the conſideration of the juſtneſs of it, but to ſuffer an unjuſt puniſhment, is the rudeſt eſſay can be made upon humane patience; and what patience ſo abuſed would not turn to fury? Why ſhould I beſtow ſo much time on my complaints, and none upon my revenge? Dye then, unfortunate Vannoza, and by one generous death cut off a thouſand daily renewing and languiſhing ones, which every hour afflict thee. The cold and pale-faced Moon cannot be more Icy than thy Husband, nor the ſhades more horrible than his preſence; They deſerve to live miſerable that know not how to eſcape afflictions by a courageous death. But, muſt I dye then unrevenged? ſince revenge to the heart of a Woman abuſed like me, is a pleaſure far ſweeter than life: Thus ſhall we ſet Furies upon our Cerberus, who ſhall ſufficiently torment him, and make him experiment the extremities to which he hath reduced us.

She had farther purſued this furious diſcourſe, if the fear of being heard, joined to the multitude of her ſighs, had not ſtopped the words that followed. But this interruption of her diſcourſe gave more liberty to her thoughts, which came to nettle her ſpirit with the words which the Lacquey had ſpoke before her, ſo much to Alcimus his advantage; words which were oil to the flames of her deſire: It is an inclination incident to humane nature, to deſire that moſt earneſtly which is moſt ſtrictly forbidden; And if this flame do ſeize ſo furiouſly on the green wood of man's ſpirit, what deſtruction will it make among the dry? In that of a Woman, who is more fiercely agitated the more unable ſhe is to reſiſt. She's quite averſe if you deſire, If you refuſe ſhe's all on fire.

Thus ſaid the Poet that beſt knew their diſpoſition; But if ſhe deſire a thing which ſhe wants power to obtain, then is it ſhe ſtrains the utmoſt of her ſubtilty, to invent crafts and artifices to compaſs her deſigns; and then God only knows what means ſhe will not uſe to plain the way to her pretenſions: The effects of Lightning which we ſo much admire, were never more ſubtile; for as that will melt the money without touching the purſe, and the ſword without prejudicing the ſcabbard, ſo they will paſs through bolted doors, and ſcale the walls of the greateſt obſtacles, by a moſt ſubtile ſort of penetration; Can any hope to fetter thus A crafty female Proteus? The guards and bonds which her confine, Will but help to aid her deſign.

And this indeed was ſufficient to whet her appetite, to call away Capoleon from her company to ſee the gallantries of Alcimus, it did indeed prick forward her deſire of taking her turn and leaving Capoleon's Company to enjoy the ſight of Alcimus her ſelf: Thus ſhe reſolved to feed her eyes with this lovely object, like the inconſiderate fly that raſhly approaching the candle, burns it ſelf in it: There was over the apartment, whoſe walls bounded her liberty, a Garret in which ſhe pretended to be deſirous of building a little Hermitage, there to make a retreat for the better contemplating on heavenly matters, like another Judith: ſhe conſidered that from thence ſhe might paſs to the main part of the Houſe which fronted the ſtreet, (and was kept from her approach) over the top of a Gallery which joined to her apartment, through which Gallery her husband uſually came to her. His project ſucceeded to her deſign; ſo that having made a Cabinet there of boards, ſhe made it be adorned and hung with Tapiſtry and Pictures; ſo ſeeming to be very devout, ſhe uſed to ſhut her ſelf in there, to attend more carefully the office of the pious Mary, though her heart bore the impreſſions of far worſe actions than thoſe of the buſie Martha. Being retired into this remote place, ſhe paſſed over the top of the Gallery we ſpoke of, into the Garret of the main body of the houſe which fronted towards the ſtreet, where through the window ſhe might eaſily ſee there all that paſſed to and fro; thus according to her deſire ſhe obtained the means of ſeeing the world. Amongſt others, Alcimus failed not in the evening to come out to take the air, richly habited, nobly attended, and compleatly mounted, making his ordinary corvets and managery; and as he bore innocency in his ſpirit, ſo did he ingenuity in his looks; and though he was not altogether clear of all faults, yet that of a little vanity was the chief, and he never harboured thoſe unclean and vile thoughts which now ſeized the breaſt of this bird that thus peeped at him through her cage. If according to cuſtome, he attracted the eyes of every one, he even raviſht and tranſported with admiration thoſe of Vannoza; Cephalus never appeared ſo lovely to Aurora, Endymion to Diana, nor Hippolytus to Phaedra.

To ſee and to deſire was but the ſame; To her whoſe ſoul did now ſo fiercely flame.

Alcimus whom ſhe had ſo often before conſidered, did never ſeem to have half ſo many attractions; The Eaſtern regions have fewer pearls, the Spring fewer flowers, and the Sun fewer rays than ſhe fancied him to have graces and accompliſhments; and certainly if Envy with her ſquint eyes were conſtrained to confeſs the advantages which ſhined in this Cavalier, what muſt that of Love do? that penetrating eye, which will often forge imaginary beauties in objects where there are none; How did ſhe blame the inconſideration of her eyes, which could formerly behold ſuch perfections with ſuch an indifferency, and not give a true report to her heart of the rarities they now too late diſcovered. But what have I to do to divine, much leſs to trace upon this paper the divers thoughts and paſſions which ſwell'd her breaſt, the ſecret diſcourſes of her ſpirit; the irreſolute determinations proceeding from her words, thoughts, diſcourſes and determinations, which made a Chaos of confuſed deſires and extravagant projects in her imagination.

With hope ſhe fed her ſelf in vain, Of what ſhe ſaw no means t'obtain.

Theſe views and paſſages as innocent in the one as pernicious to the other, continued ſome days, theſe being drops of water which ſtill made the Furnace flame more fiercely, and oil thrown upon the fire daily conſumed her: It muſt needs be great becauſe double, that of her new Love being augmented by that of the hatred ſhe bore to the unjuſt rigours, and real deformities of her husband, and the furious appetite ſhe had for a revenge for his outrages; which at laſt brought her to this reſolution: After the expence of many a Tear, Which daily flowed from her Eyes, If Heaven refuſe her Plaints to hear, She'll call Hell to her Enterprize.

But Heaven is too juſt to authorize ſuch execrable Deſigns, as render the enſuing Lines more black, by the wickendeſs they relate, than the Ink that forms them, enough to ſtrike a horror into Hell, to ſee Crimes invented by Female ſubtilty, which it can readily puniſh, but never invent.

Such Crimes proceeding from unlawfull Love, To which Medea's would but ſlight ones prove.

But for the preſent, what could ſhe do? for to die every day a thouſand tormenting deaths, in the ſight of the Remedy that was only able to cure her, to die unrevenged, and without complaining to him that is the cauſe; what is this but to put a Needle betwixt two Load-ſtones, and cauſe that, contrary to Nature, he that ſhe rejects in her Soul ſhould poſſeſs her Body; and that he to whom her very Heart and Inclinations bend, cannot be informed of her thoughts? So that ſhe muſt either evaporate this wind, or ſuffer an Earth-quake to ſhake her very Soul; ſhe muſt either ſpring this Mine, or be buried in it; but the way muſt be to do it with that kind of Powder which deſtroys without Report.

Were I not deſirous to find in the Viper and Scorpion the Antidote againſt their own Poyſon, I ſhould here cloſe up this rugged Clew I am about to follow; or if I continued in it, I ſhould deſire the Reader here to cloſe his Eyes for fear of defiling them, with the reading the moſt execrable Actions which humane Invention could produce; but I hope, the great heavenly Phyſitian will aſſiſt me ſo artificially to compound my Medicine, that the Antidote may furmount the Poyſon.

For in purſuing this Diſcourſe, I to my ſelf propoſe this end, That he who reads may feel remorſe, From that, by which he learns t'offend.

Thus the Rays of the Sun paſs upon the Dung-hill without infection, and a ſound Judgment through the knowledg of Evil, without receiving the leaſt Tincture: I fear not but to draw Light from this Darkneſs, and ſacred Fire (as the Children of Iſrael at their return from Babylon) out of a Pit, fill'd with Ordure. And who can blame for unfit or unprofitable the Hiſtory of the Great Whore in the Apocalyps? Since God propoſeth thoſe Examples for us, by ſeeing the Puniſhments, to avoid the Crimes; and oft for notorious Offences, he uſeth extraordinary Puniſhments; as in Thunder, the ſound affrights all, but the Bolt lights but upon few. And God has alſo Commanded his Prophets to declare unto his People their Crimes and Offences, and ſpit their ſhameful Actions in their Faces; to Preach upon the Roofs what is practiſed in the Chambers; and to bring into the Evidence of Light, that which hath been acted in the Cover of Darkneſs: And the Prophet has ſaid to an Idolatrous People, I will diſcover thy nakedneſs to the Nations. With this Intention I enter into the blackeſt Labyrinth imaginable; and into a Recital more horrible, than the Abomination of Deſolation, the Crimes of which are as worthy of deteſtation, as of puniſhment.

The End of the Firſt Book.

ALCIMUS AND VANNOZA. LIB. II.

IT cannot be denied, that thoſe Crimes are greateſt, in which God, who ought to be the Puniſher, is made a Party; and when the Sinner endeavours to make him a Servant to Iniquity; when Godlineſs ſerves for a veil to Impiety; this Wickedneſs may well be termed deplorable. 'Twas here that the deteſtable Vannoza began to warp her Web, and like the Silk-worm, digged her Tomb where ſhe thought to build a Houſe. She was now feignedly become extream devout, which infinitely pleaſed her Husband, who not being able to judge but by the out-ſide, imagined that her Honour was now fenced with a double Rampart, ſince the Exerciſes of Devotion would ſerve for a pleaſing entertainment in her ſolitude, and that the fear and love of God taking up her thoughts, would breed in her a horrour of ſin, and a deteſtation of all other than lawful affections, reſembling the Mother of Pearl, which in the middle of the ſalt waves of the Sea, receives no other moiſture than what proceeds from from the Dew. He could not refrain his praiſes of her, and extraordinary applauſes, to teſtifie his joy to ſee her mix together her devotion towards God, and her duty towards him: See here a Husband become a Preacher, a good Husband certainly, far more careful and curious of the Conſcience of his fair Companion, than of his own: Admirable Charity! Capoleon became the Trumpet of his Wives Devotion; he thought her imploy'd in her private Cloſet in the Gallery, in the ſame Exerciſes with the Valiant Bethulian Widow; believing that her Contemplations were wholly upon Heavenly Objects, which were continually fixed upon an earthly one, whilſt he managed his Horſe in the Street: Vannoza ſeeing that her Train had taken ſire, and that her Husband accounted her very devout, ceaſed not to beat this Iron whilſt it was hot, holding him in Diſcourſes of Piety and Heaven (though both as far diſtant from her heart, as the later is from the Earth) even unto Viſions and Revelations, ſometimes intermingling Sighs and Exclamations, with turning of her eyes almoſt in a feigned extaſie, ſpeaking nothing but of hair-Cloaths, and Mortification, heaping up abundance of Images, and Books of Devotion, recounting pieces of Sermons, which ſhe retained in her Memoty, and ſome Tracts of the Lives of Saints, which ſo raviſhed the ſpirit of the old Man, that he could not take her for leſs than a Saint, and termed her his Tutelary Angel, who inwardly accounted him her Guardian-Devil. Devil. Nothing ſo much pleaſeth the old Husband of a young Wife, as to ſee her piouſly inclined, imagining that ſhe will there find ſuch ſatisfactions of ſpirit, that ſhe will never eſteem thoſe of the fleſh. Thus Capoleon thought that this deſign in him of impriſoning his Wife, proceeded from Divine Inſpiration, God having uſed that means to accompliſh ſo good a Work. He begun to have more conſidence in her, and to teſtifie by ſome more than ordinary Careſſes, that ſhe ſhould never want his affections in recompence of thoſe ſhe had fixed upon God; and that his love ſhould ſtill increaſe towards her, as hers did towards Heaven. After this ſhe made her pious retreats laſt ſomewhat longer; but this was more to watch the paſſage of him who was the light of her eyes, than to content her ſpirit with Celeſtial Raptures. None in the Houſe knew of this Artifice, and had her very ſmock known it, it had been in eminent danger of burning; for ſhe knew how dangerous it would be to truſt either to a Maid, or Lacquey, who were ſo many Spies and Sentinels kept in Pay by her Husband, to keep a ſtrict watch on all her Actions. And now what was ſhe able to do, being alone confined, revengeful and amorous? She muſt uſe ſome means to eſcape from this perplexity, either through the window of Deſpair, or the door of Artifice. A religious Artifice, that was the door of the Temple, which ſhe thought to be ſpecious, but was very fallacious; wherefore ſhe reſolved, To try all wayes that Wit or Art could yield, Before ſhe to deſpair would quit the field.

One day as ſhe was Cajoling her aged Tithon, (according to the Cuſtome of Women when they mean to deceive) redoubling her toyings and careſſes, ſhe proteſted to him, That Impriſonment in his company was the higheſt happineſs ſhe coveted on Earth; and ſo ſhe enjoyed but the ſight of him, all others in the World were indifferent to her; ſo ſhe might but enjoy this ſhadow of liberty to go to the Churches in the Company and Conduct of her Mother, to procure Indulgences, to frequent the Sacraments and Confeſſions, and to hear Sermons: That all other Exerciſes beſides theſe and her domeſtique ones were as contrary to her temper, as fire to water, ſhe being no more concerned for the companies and converſations of the World, than if ſhe had never ſeen nor known it: She knew ſo well to colour this juſt requeſt with ſweet and plauſible words, and to accompany her diſſimulation with ſuch real tears, that Capoleon's heart was not ſo ſteely but to be ſoftened by them; or had it been of ſtone, the falling of theſe ſtreams had been enough to wear it: He took her inſide to be as lovely as her out, and that both ways though clothed with fleſh ſhe was altogether Spiritual; and that though yet on Earth, ſhe breathed nothing but what was Angelical: He thought that ſo holy a requeſt could not be rejected without impiety; And that he could not without meriting ſome ſevere Judgment from Heaven, reſiſt the motions of the holy Spirit, and ſtop the progreſs of Grace in this holy Soul. The Proverb ſaith, That it is hard to find a trick to catch the old one, ſince their long experience has armed them againſt all devices; Yet this young Wit, refined by a Paſſion which inſpires the moſt ſimple with ſubtlety, needed not to go to School to the moſt ancient Crafts-Maſters. Capoleon falls into the ſnare, and opening the door to a ſeeming Piety, he lets in the blackeſt miſchiefs. Wine taken after Hemlock, is a good Antidote againſt its poyſon, becauſe its gentle heat refreſhing the heart, tempers the mortal coldneſs of the other: but when they are both ſwallowed together, there remains no further remedy; for the one opening the pectoral veins, makes the deadly venom of the other a more eaſie entrance, and renders it ſo penetrating and active, that the vital heat is ſuddainly extinguiſh't. In like manner the moſt puiſſant remedy after the poiſon of ſin, is the ſupernatural heat of grace, (Grace which is the true enlivener of the ſpirits) which does temper the natural frigidity of the Soul; the Sacraments and other Divine Myſteries, are the Conduit-Pipes that convey this Divine Mercy from the Fountain of Salvation; but when one ſwallows them down mixed with the venome of Sin, then ſurely this iniquity is deplorable, which turns the Haven to a Whirl-pool, the Potion to a Poiſon.

Death into Sinners entring at this Gate, Hurries them headlong to a damned ſtate.

And this miſchievous invention of Vannoza was ſufficient to hurry her to the brink of Perdition; for ſhe thus obtained this favour of her husband, who thought this as great an act of prudence as of condeſcention, hereby ſtopping the mouths that were daily open to blame his former unreaſonable Severity; and ſo thought he might ſafely put his honour under the conduct of the Conſcience of ſo devout a Wife. Vannoza's Parents advertiſed of this good reſolution, came to viſit and thank Capoleon for it, and to congratulate with their Daughter thereupon; She knew ſo well how to win her Mother's affection, who had for her a heart truly Maternal, that inſtead of being conducted by her, ſhe brought her to accord to all that ſhe deſired. See here our Iſraelite under the rod of a Mothers direction, delivered from the Aegypt of her Priſon, and the Captivity of her Pharaoh, to go feed upon the Manna of abſolution, and the Word of God, in the deſarts of Penitence: But her intention was to paſs that way into a Land of Promiſe that flowed with Milk and Honey far from Coeleſtial. To render her Stratagem more Compleat, ſhe clothed her ſelf the meanlieſt that was poſſible, and promiſed her husband to veil her face ſo diligently, that none but a Lynx his eyes ſhould perceive it; all which he believed as Oracles: Her Mother aſtoniſht to ſee her in this equipage, became ſorrowful for her fixing upon ſo ſtrict a devotion, fearing it would end in a deſtructive Melancholy: Her Maids that followed her, fancied that they had an inviſible Miſtriſs, and that ſhe rather ſeemed a moving ſhadow, than a real ſubſtance. Capoleon who according to the cuſtome of the Jealous, watch'd her with Argus eyes, could eſpy nothing but moſt devout and modeſt; and as he loved nothing more then the ſight of her when ſhe was at home, he now cheriſht the thoughts of her, whil'ſt ſhe was abroad. Thus did ſhe dazzle the Eyes of all Men, and was ſo diligent a manager of her time, that in a few days ſhe had learnt all the Jubiliees, the Stations, Fraternities, Feaſts and Sermons that were in the whole City, and had all the Kalender by heart. She was ſeen to go from one Church to another, and from Monaſtery to Monaſtery ſtill at her Mothers heels, as if ſhe had ſtill continued an obedient young Daughter; which was a ſight commended by all the beholders: Mean while her deſigns were ſo ſecret, That the moſt Curious Imagination would not in the leaſt have ſuſpected the ſmalleſt part of them. All thought it was the Mother that conducted the Daughter; when indeed it was the Daughter was the Shepherdeſs, who though ſhe came behind, drove her Leader whither ſhe pleaſed; ſo deſirous was this good Woman of the Spiritual Conſolation of her beloved Daughter.

One would have thought ſhe had gone with violence and fervour to the Conqueſt of Heaven, when her Enterprizes were all fixed upon Earth; like Eagles, who when they tour aloft in the Air, have their thoughts ſtill fix'd below to fall upon the firſt prey they can eſpy. Her veil concealed her from the ſight of others, but hindered her not from the ſight of divers objects which preſented themſelves to her ſight, which above all deſired to ſatiate its ſelf with the ſight of Alcimus; This was the Butt of her pretenſions, her Indulgence and her Jubilee. Alas! She could ſee him ſometimes in Churches, but he paſſed out as ſwift from her ſight as lightning; or if he ſtood long enough for her to fix her Eyes upon him, this was to ſtir up a devouring flame within her ſelf, of which ſhe could not make him feel the leaſt ſpark, not being able to contrive a way to make him the leaſt ſign; for beſide that, he neither thought of her nor of any of her Sex, much leſs could he fix his attention on a Woman who had her face all covered with a veil; and beſides, ſhe had thoſe watchful Eyes about her, who look't but for an opportunity of her moving her Veil never ſo little, to make report of it to the jealous Ears of him, in whom a ſecond Error would be far worſe than the firſt.

What troubles ſtill deſtroy her peace! How her perplexities encreaſe! Her Soul's wrackt with inquietudes, And ſorrows which do never ceaſe. How plagues aſſault ſinners in multitudes!

We have ſaid before that Alcimus his thoughts were not alſo ſet upon Vanities, but that he had ſome left for Heaven, that he frequented the Church and Sacraments, and was very punctual in his Devotions in a neighbouring Monaſtery. There was a certain Sunday in which an eminent Fraternity of the City cauſed a great Proceſſion to be made, the ſolemnity and Indulgences of which drew a great many people thither to be partakers. Our feigned Saint, who was very zealous for gaining Pardons, failed not to be there with her Mother. Alcimus, whether by his good or evil Genius I know not, was drawn thither. It was in this occurrence that Vannoza invented a ſtratagem as horrible as the end it was deſigned for was wicked. Alcimus in order to prepare himſelf for the holy Table, intending to examine his Conſcience, and diſcharge himſelf of the faults he ſhould find there, went to make his confeſſion at the feet of his ordinary Confeſſor, who was a Religious Father, and Brother of this Monaſtery, and who then diſcharged the Office of Confeſſor in that Solemnity: Vannoza whoſe head was filled with other deſigns then thoſe that ſeemed to bring her thither, conſidered attentively all his actions, remarking the place where he went to receive the benefit of Abſolution, intending, like a crafty venomous Spider, there to pitch her net to trap this innocent fly: She goes a little while after as if deſirous of the like Medicine from the ſame holy Phyſician, there accuſing her ſelf of ſome little feigned crimes, which made her admired by this holy Perſonage, who judging of the Bird by her note, thought he had met a ſoul made up of purity and perfection: Thus did ſhe caſt duſt, or rather ſeemingly divine rays in the eyes of this good man which dazled them ſo far as to take her for little leſs then a Saint: and as there is nothing of equal conſolation to thoſe that work in God's Vineyard, in this troubleſome office, which of Confeſſors makes them Martyrs, as to meet amongſt the thorns of a thouſand iniquities, with which their ears are daily peſtered, the roſes of ſome beauteous ſouls, moiſtned with the dew of grace, and which render a ſweet ſavour in Jeſus Chriſt; this good Father bleſſed God, and all that was within him did praiſe his holy name, that he had yet reſerved to himſelf in the world ſuch holy ſouls and faithful ſervants, who inſtead of bending the knee to Baal, and worſhipping the calves of Bethel, did endeavour to work out their ſalvation with fear and trembling. This crafty penitent finding by the good man's pious praiſes of heaven for the divine graces which he thought lodged in her Soul, that her diſſembled holineſs was rooted in his belief, having humbled her ſelf the beſt ſhe could, with the moſt artificial words ſhe could invent, like bladders puft full of wind, which bound the higher, the more forcibly they are thrown againſt the ground; ſo ſhe continuing ſtill a more zealous diſcourſe, and painting her ſelf with the colours of a Woman, moſt deſirous to pleaſe God, and preſerve her honour, ſent out a flood of Crocodile-tears, mixt with a ſigh which ſeemed to proceed from the bottom of her breaſt, which were followed with theſe following words;

Alas! Father, ſaid ſhe, may I without offending God, diſcover to you ſome of the imperfections of my Neighbour: God knows that it is for no ill will I bear him, for I deſire him as much happineſs as my ſelf; it is only for the avoiding a grand diſaſtre which hangs over his head, and which threatens no leſs then the loſs of his life, and the ruine of my honour.

Daughter, (anſwered the Confeſſor) you are not ignorant of the ſeal of Confeſſion, the ſame thing you think in your mind, you may as ſafely reveal here; for whatſoever is buried in the ears of Confeſſors, does never come to a reſurrection; Nor can I imagine you can think me ſo ignorant of the grand importance of theſe holy ſecrets, which cannot be revealed without my loſing both life and honour; nor ſo wicked as to outrage my conſcience ſo infinitely by ſo unworthy an action, upon which accounts you may aſſuredly confide in my fidelity, and freely commit this ſecret to my truſt, not diſtruſting the faithfulneſs to which all Laws both Divine and Humane oblige me: I am to the Soul what the Midwife is to the Body, aiding it in the diſcharge of that weight, which preſſeth it down with an inſupportable burthen: It belongs only to you to judge in what my interpoſition may be ſerviceable to your conſolation, and fear not but you have met in me a true Paternal affection.

Thus ſpoke this good old Father, whoſe Dove-like innocency well ſuited his name, which was Simplicius, comforting a ſoul whom he thought to have great need of his aſſiſtance: Finally, this crafty female having thus by her artifices prepoſſeſt his ſpirit, ſpoke with a great earneſtneſs to give the better colour to her diſſimulation, as followeth:

Holy Father, it is not my diſtruſt of your ſufficiency, piety or fidelity, which cauſes me to ſpeak theſe words, which I would more willingly have buried in a profound ſilence, the cauſe of it is the violence I muſt do to my ſelf to reveal the inconſideration and imprudence (I had almoſt ſaid the impudence) of another: Notwithſtanding which I will diſcover it, ſince you aſſure me there is no evil in laying open another's faults, provided it be not out of malice, or an intention to defame him: And moreover neceſſity conſtrains me to it, a neceſſity exempt from rules and laws of Ceremony.

Though, Father, you are dead to the World, and have few Concerns in Secular Companies and Converſations, yet do ſo much of them come under your knowledg, by the practice of your Office, that you cannot but have heard of the name of Alcimus, which has ſo much advantage in fame above thoſe of other Gentlemen of this City; and that you may the better remarque him, I am informed that he lives not far from your Monaſteſtery, and to point him out plainly with my finger, it is the young Gentleman, who came not long before me, to diſcharge (alas! I know not, whether as he ought) his Conſcience before you.

Hereupon Simplicius told her, That he had not more particular knowledge of, nor intimate acquaintance with any one in the City than with him; that he was a great Benefactor to their Convent; that he was one of the faireſt, moſt judicious and pious Souls that ever came under his acquaintance, nor did he ever know one of his Age more virtuous.

Ah! Father, ſaid this falſe Penitent, how eaſie it is to lye to men, but how hard to deceive God! (and in this, like Caiphas, ſhe ſpoke truer than ſhe intended.) Surely if his wickedneſs could increaſe ſo high as thus to impoſe upon you, I take his caſe to be moſt deplorable, and it is impoſſible but that he muſt thereby draw upon himſelf ſome grand diſaſtre.

What is it you tell me, Daughter? ſaid the amazed Simplicius, Can this man poſſibly be ſo like the Swan, as under an appearance of innocent whiteneſs, to conceal the black feet of ſo horrid an impiety, looſely abuſing the Sacraments for a Cloak to his wickedneſs.

I come not here, reply'd Vannoza, to ſearch into the ſecrets of his Conſcience, but only to diſcharge my own, by adviſing him by you, that he break off his ſearch of a Woman, who being loyal and faithful to her Husband, cannot without breach of both be enjoyed by him.

What! ſaid Simplicius, Alcimus covet another man's Wife! O execrable Sacriledge! O mighty God! where is thy Thunder? I have long governed the ſpirit of this man, but have never either perceived, or heard ſuch a thing of him; but truſt this to me, and if he come not to ſee me ſpeedily, I will go ſeek and find him out, and endeavour to waſh his Soul with ſo ſcouring a Sope, as with God's aſſiſtance ſhall lick away this odious ſpot: I feel zeal enough to dare to attempt, and hope I have influence enough upon him to perfect the plucking up ſo pernicious a root from his heart: And if you permit me to remark the particulars to him, it will be from you by me, or rather from God by us both, that he will obtain the ſalvation of his Soul; for it is written, That he that retrieves his Brothers ſoul from the path of ruine, 'tis delivering his Soul from death, does at the ſame time ſave his own: and is it not an excellent way of working ones own ſalvation in that of another, and this properly belongs to the Religious, who to Monaſtique Functions do joyn the Prieſtly.

I do not only allow, but intreat you to do ſo, holy Father (ſaid Vannoza) for to this ſole end have I revealed it to you; and that you may ſee with what truth and ſincerity I proceed in this Affair, know that I am the Wife of Seigneur Capoleon, a Gentleman well known in this Town: I tell you this, becauſe the obſcurity of this place, the Veil I have upon my face, and your Religious Order hinders me from being otherwiſe known to you than by word. I am the unhappy Woman, in whoſe face this raſh inconſiderate young man hath found that which pleaſeth him more than it ought, or I deſire. But there is no fire that is not accompanied with ſome ſmoke, and he does not only caſt out ſome ſparks, but ſo viſible a flame, as is known and taken notice of by all the Neighbourhood. Now you muſt know, Father, that Jealouſie (is almoſt an inſeparable Companion of old men, married to young wives) has ſo poſſeſt my Husbands heart, that excepting my walks to the Churches & places of Devotion, which yet is done in company of my Mother (which is the ancient Lady which you ſee here ſo near your Confeſſional) I am the reſt of my time priſoner in a remote Apartment of the Houſe, which only looks into the Garden, where I have no other entertainment, but that of Images, Books of Devotion, and my ſolitary thoughts; ſufficiently happy in this retreat, in which I have the happineſs of pleaſing my Husband, and converſing with God, if I did not fear, that ſo many follies which Alcimus commits before all the world, and particularly in the ſight of my Husband Capoleon, may force him to the extremity of laying an ambuſh for him, and take away his life in ſo unprovided a condition, as may render the hopes of his Salvation deſperate; for to die in the unchaſte purſuit of another's Wife, is but a crooked way to the eternity of Glory: I have already diſcovered ſome of my Husbands menaces, and perceiv'd him to plot with his Servants and ſome Bravo's, againſt this young Gentleman, which cannot be executed without a probability of bringing Capoleon to deſtruction, Alcimus to Hell, and me into the ſlanderous mouths of detracters, whoſe throat is an open ſepulchre; where I ſhould ſee my Honour unjuſtly buried. Judge then, Father, if I have not reaſon to advertiſe you of this miſchief which hangs over the head of Alcimus, that he may get into Harbour, to avoid this Tempeſt, and ſlip from the ſhot of this bended Bowe, and that by ſorſaking ſo unjuſt a Paſſion, he may ſave himſelf from ſo eminent a deſtruction.

In truth Daughter, reply'd Simplicius, you include many vertuous acts in one; for beſides the teſtimony of your honeſty, and your inviolable fidelity to your Spouſe, you uſe a grand and ſignal prudence, to prevent the many ſlanders which might ſucceed ſo pernicious a deſign; and principally you manifeſt an extream charity towards this wretched offender, who does juſtly merit to periſh in his iniquity: But we ought ſtill to hope well of Divine mercy and a ſinner's Converſion, above all when the iniquity is but in its Infancy, whiles the young man is yet within the gate, or Jairus his Tabitha within the houſe, without attending Lazarus his four days corruption, till an inveterate habit have rendred him incurable. But yet, continued he, may I not yet be further inſtructed (that I may more clearly carry my ſelf in this affair) of ſome particulars of the unhappy ſearch of this young inſolent? I queſtion not but that againſt the conſtancy of your honeſty, his ſighs and tears are but winds and waves ſpent upon a rock: but how far has his vanity proceeded? has your Husband yet perceived it? or is he yet come to open words, threats, and bravadoes, or only to ſmall ſuſpicions.

I thank God, ſaid ſhe, he is not yet come to the extremities you firſt ſpecified, but he is upon the eſſay you laſt mentioned; for Alcimus his purſuits are ſo evident, that none, except blind, but muſt needs remark him; for every evening, under pretences of taking the Air, and managing his Horſe (in which, and in his Attendance he has an extream vanity) he has pickt out our Street, which is fair and ſpacious, for the Theatre of his Exerciſes (ſhall I ſay) or Follies, and this to endeavour to draw me to the window, as many other inconſiderate young ones, there to ſee my face; from the Ice and coldneſs of which towards him, he hath raiſed ſuch a flame, as rages with ſo much more puiſſance, as it finds in him leſs reſiſtance; for this Paſſion is ſo voluntary an evil, that it torments us no longer than we pleaſe, and ſo no longer than we give it the Sovereignty of our Hearts. In the beginning of theſe paſſages, when I had the liberty to go into what parts of the Houſe I pleaſed, I became one of his beholders, and thereby the innocent cauſe of his Paſſion, without giving him any ſubject for it. Capoleon himſelf, who took great pleaſure in ſeeing him in theſe poſtures, and who in his time has been a good Horſeman, uſed to bring me to ſee him; but ſince his Jealouſie has confin'd me to a quarter of the Houſe far remote from the ſtreet, 'tis in vain for Alcimus to make his paſſings to and fro; for I am wholly eclipſed from his eyes: But he is of the number of thoſe fooliſh Lovers, who content themſelves with the ſight of thoſe Wells, which incloſe the Object of their flames; like Elephants, who not daring to ſwim in a water which has not depth enough to ſupport them, waſh themſelves by walking along the edge of a River, where they are oft either taken or ſlain: And I am ſo afraid, leſt this inconſiderate Bird, if it take not heed, be ſhot by an Arrow feathered from its own wing, or catcht in lime-twigs of its own pitching; for as every man is the Artificer of his own good, ſo is he of his own bad fortune: I hear the Winds riſe, the Waves roll, and the Tempeſt approach; my Husband, to whom all things bring cauſe of ſuſpition, yet knows that I am not at all deſirous of the ſight of this Cavalier, and is hugely offended that theſe paſſages are a common Table-talk amongſt the Neighbourhood, amongſt whom the murmur runs, that he makes all theſe turns for a Bird that Capoleon keeps encaged, meaning me. May it therefore pleaſe you, moſt holy Father, to do this charitable office to him, my Husband, and my ſelf, to prevent ſo great a miſchief and ſcandal, by advertiſing him for the future to leave off this unprofitable purſuit, which can neither be advantageous nor honourable, except he deſire to be continually in danger; till perhaps at laſt, amongſt theſe turns and paſſages, he may light on one, he neither ſought nor thought of, which is that which leads from life to death. I being ſo cloſe ſhut up as I am, could not have opportunity to give him any advice of this by any of my Servants, leſt they ſhould ſuſpect betwixt us ſome ſecret intelligence, and that my Husband, who ſets them as ſo many Spies about me, ſhould not have a pretext to treat me more rigorouſly; and as I was juſt going to truſt this important Secret to this ancient Lady you ſee here, (who though my Mother, is ſtill a woman, and my own frailty tells me, how bad a repoſitory our Sex is for ſuch privacies) God inſpired me juſt upon that inſtant to come to your holy Fatherhood, having ſeen him part from you; ſo that for the future, I ſhall rely upon your prudence and charity, to give a remedy to theſe threatning Misfortunes.

Daughter (reply'd the good Father Simplicius) ſince you not only permit, but enjoyn me to open my mouth upon this Subject, for the good and ſafety of ſo many Souls, I ſhall willingly obey you in ſo juſt an occaſion, which concerns the Glory and Service of God, whom I ſerve, therefore rely upon me, and I will apply my utmoſt diligence to cut the thread of his folly; be you only conſtant, devout, and faithful, and take this Maxime from me, That the beſt and greateſt Policy and Invention, is to keep a good Conſcience, and to walk uprightly before God; have a good courage and confidence in the Divine Bounty, and fear not but truth and purity will be your Safe-guard. Whereupon having given her his bleſſing, he diſmiſs'd her in peace.

Imagine with your ſelf, whether this ſubtle woman might not well be compared to a Rower that turns his Bark to the Port he aims at; whether to all outward appearance, her diſcarding of Alcimus, were not the ruine of her Deſign. But infinite are the Inventions of the heart, when it is infected with the Poyſon of the old Serpent, who was a Murtherer from the beginning, and by whom Sin entred into the World, with Death for its attendant. None make up directly and openly to Iniquity, there muſt be always ſome Colour or Leaves to hide it, or elſe it would appear too openly; it has always a ſpecious out-ſide, and though the in-ſide of the Coin be plain braſs, it will be ſure to be handſomly plated over. Vannoza being parted from Father Simplicius, told her Mother, that ſhe had found ſo much edification in his Remonſtrances, and ſuch profit in his Inſtructions, that for the future he ſhould be her only Confeſſor; which pleaſed her Mother very much, deſiring nothing more than the contentment of her Daughter, who in thoſe words only ſowed the Seed of a ſpeedy return, to know whether that Match which ſhe had lighted, had given fire to the Train of her wicked Intentions. Mean while, the good Religious Father, hurried on by his zeal, without attending Alcimus his coming, whoſe loſs he apprehended, went to viſit him in his houſe, as he did at other times before, as well in quality of a Neighbour, as to cultivate the benevolence of ſo good a Benefactor to the Fraternity, and to mix a little prudence with his plainneſs, knowing by common Opinion as well as Experience, that all the words of women are not Oracles: he made private inquiries if it were true that this Gentleman went ſo in the evening, prancing through the ſtreet where Capoleon's houſe was; which he found to be very true; and which was more (as every thing gives cauſe of ſuſpition in this jealous Nation) that he was much ſpoken of for his gallantry and brave Behaviour. Hence the good man conjectured, that Vannoza's report was but too true. Therefore being with Alcimus, after many Diſcourſes and ordinary Entertainments, he fell, as if by accident, upon the Diſcourſe of Serenades and Gallantries in the Streets, which this young Gentleman ingenuouſly acknowledged; and withal told him, That to avoid the eyes of ſo many infamous Courtizans as throng'd the Windows to behold him, he ſhunned as diligently as was poſſible the places affected with that accurſed Race, for that end paſſing through the more remote and leſs frequented ones; confeſſing further, the pleaſure he took in this exerciſe, in which he drew the Opinions of all Beholders to reckon him for excellent.

But Father, ſaid he, do you diſapprove of it as ſinful? or can this kind of vainglory, (for that is the worſt title it can merit) amount to a heinous offence? For to be ſeen, taken notice of, praiſed, eſteemed and admired, is a thing very ordinary amongſt Academies, which pleaſing applauſe does undeniably tickle the heart through the ear.

Then Simplicius thinking he had brought Alcimus to the point deſired, begun preſently to tell him, That this paſſing through the ſtreets, whether on foot or horſeback, was in it ſelf a thing indifferent; but that indifferent actions took the tincture either of good or evil form the deſigns and determinations which were intermixt with them; for there is nothing ſo good but may be corrupted by a malignant ſpirit, and from which, like a ſpider, it may not ſuck poiſon. Nor any thing ſo evil from which a well-diſpoſed ſpirit may not draw ſome advantage. That feaſts, banquets, aſſemblies, dancing, honeſt plays and recreations, habits, and ſuch like, were of this nature, and were neither to be praiſed or condemned, but according to the uſage or abuſe, the moderation or exceſs of thoſe that uſe them: But that humane nature and inclinations were ſo inclined and bent towards the vanities of youth, that as if our very touch were infectious, we are apt to corrupt the very beſt things by handling, much more indifferent ones. So wine and meats, which are given to ſuſtain the body, ſerve for objects of daintineſs to one, drunkenneſs to another, and gluttony to others, and amongſt • ſſemblies to bind the amity of the company, and confirm their friendſhip, which conſerve the union of all Societies: Many others are led by irregular affections, from whence ariſe many ſcandalous actions: And further, that theſe paſſings and repaſſings through the ſtreets with ſo great attendance, ſuch pomp, ſplendor and ſumptuouſneſs could not well be void, not only of exceſs, but of many dangers of taking or being caught, the world is every way ſo full of ſnares: For as the Peacocks in ſetting up their plumes, do thereby excite the females to pleaſure, ſo men when they make ſo ſplendid an appearance, are the cauſe of many inconſiderable Womens ſinning in wanton thoughts or unchaſte deſires: and what do you think (continued he) men are apt to ſay when they ſee a young Gallant, handſom, brave, well habited, and advantageouſly mounted, making turns and returns in a ſtreet, but that he has either love or deſign upon ſome object there; whence proceed murmures, curious inquiries, hard ſpeeches and ſcandals: And if the object be unlawful to be deſired, then the Woman is perſecuted with infamy, the Husband rackt with jealouſie, till he breathe out nothing but fury and revenge; for how can he otherwiſe contain himſelf, who ſees his wife courted before his face, and himſelf thereby ſubjected to the reproaches of the world, and laughter of the people: From this ſource ſpring great and dangerous accidents, which it is more eaſie to avoid then remedy, when arrived.

And afterwards taking his opportunity he proceeded thus,

It is not without ſome cauſe, Seigneur Alcimus, that I make you this diſcourſe, for I have from good hands received a bad report of you, and I aſſure you I could never have thought or believed, that a ſoul ſo ſeemingly fair as yours, would by the eaſie way of deceiving men, paſs ſo unworthily to the dangerous one of offending God: but deceive not your ſelf, for none can mock God with impunity, if he withold his vengeance, it is but to redouble his ſtroke. I ſhould be a traitor not only to the obligations I have to your amity and to the diligent care I ought to have of your ſafety and ſalvation, and my own, but alſo to the Maſter whom I ſerve, if I did not advertiſe and admoniſh you of your danger of both temporal and eternal deſtruction: the ſword of divine vengeance hangs over your head, and like that of Damocles, but in a ſlender thread: Both God and Man have bent their bows, and made ready both arrows of fire and death againſt you, except you avoid the blow by repentance, and arm your ſelf by a ſerious penitence: all things conſpire againſt you whileſt you continue in your wickedneſs, unleſs you turn from your evil way, I cannot ſay within forty days, which was the ſpace that Jonas allotted Niniveh, but within a far ſhorter term: Think no longer to impoſe upon me by feigned confeſſions, for God will one day lay open your diſſimulations and my intentions, when he ſhall diſcover what is hidden in the heart, and ſhall open the ſecrets of darkneſs.

If ever man were ſurprized or aſtoniſh'd, it was Alcimus, who ſeeing his innocence burthened with a Crime which the other did not name, nor he imagine, did at once change colour an hundred times; and theſe alterations, cauſed by his ſincerity and ingenuity, were by Simplicius, who ſtedfaſtly regarded him, taken for the effects of guilt, and remorſe of Conſcience; and therefore ſaid, Take Courage, Seigneur Alcimus, all will be well, that skarlet of your bluſhes does elevate my hopes, and makes me attend your ingenuous and free Confeſſion. Alcimus, who felt his Conſcience clogged with nothing but the deteinure of his Church-Revenues, of which we have amply treated in the beginning of this Narrative, did like thoſe that are ſtruck, preſently lay his hand on the bruiſed ſpot, where he felt the pain. And after calling to mind how he had often conferred about this Affair with this good Father, who had found him certain Expedients, if not to remove the ſting from his Conſcience, yet at leaſt to lay the pain aſleep, till he had found an Expedient to aſſure theſe Benefices to his Family.

My good Father (ſaid he) as amongſt the Bees, ſhe that makes the Honey ſtings moſt ſeverely, ſo now this Aſſault is the more inſupportable from that mouth which hath hitherto diſtilled unto me nothing but ſweets and Conſolations; God is my witneſs, that I have never concealed any thing from you, at the Tribunal where accuſing ones ſelf is the beſt excuſe; and if you have not known any thing of me there, it muſt be becauſe I am ignorant of it my ſelf. It is true, I dare not reckon my ſelf for an extraordinary good man; for if I ſhould juſtifie my ſelf, my own mouth would condemn me; and if I have offended God, and ſinned againſt him, it is, that he may be juſtified in his ſaying, and what he judgeth: I confeſs, I was born in iniquity, and in ſin did my Mother conceive me; but yet I have ever loved the truth, by and through which I have accuſed my ſelf of the moſt hidden faults I could remarque, and without fraud or mincing, I have freely diſcover'd my ſecrets to you; but if God have by ſome extraordinary means revealed any to you, that have ſlipt out of my remembrance, tell it me, and reprove me in the ſpirit of meekneſs and gentleneſs, and I am ready to amend it; for I every day heartily beſeech God (with the Royal Prophet) to cleanſe me from my ſecret faults, and from thoſe ſins which I may be guilty of, by the participation of thoſe of others. At this preſent, I can boldly ſay, that nothing lies heavy on my heart, but the enjoyment of theſe Church Benefices, without intention of being a Church-man; but they being of that nature, that they may be poſſeſſed by a Secular perſon, and I being unmarried, and not able to quit them abſolutely, without breach of that reſpect which I owe to my Parents, I think I hold them by no ſuch unjuſt Title; add to this the many conſolations I have received from you, when I have revealed to you the cauſes of my Scruples; and yet I am ready at the diſpoſition of thoſe from whom I hold what I have, to do any thing that ſhall be adjudged fitting by any ſober and grave Perſons.

Simplicius thinking that Alcimus would dextrouſly thus have warded the blow, and changed his purpoſe, to avoid anſwering to that which he thought he had plainly enough propoſed.

No, no, ſaid he, Seigneur Alcimus, you muſt not thus think to eſcape me, I have fig-leaves in my hands to prevent the glidings of the Snake; I ſhould be very indiſcreet to ſpeak in this extravagant manner of that which we have ſo often diſcourſed of before, and which puts me to as much trouble as your ſelf, ſince the Confeſſor and Penitent are both faſtened with the ſame Chain; there is another far different Myſtery, a Myſtery of Iniquity which you have not yet diſcovered, and which is come to my knowledge by a way which you would ſcarce ever divine; and aſſure your ſelf it will be to your good to make a right uſe of my Remonſtrance, and to the diſcharge of my Soul if you reject it: what I ſay may ſerve you for correction, if you take it as you ought, and for advertiſement, though you have no deſire to profit by it: Now you muſt know, there is a grand difference, betwixt the Laws poſitive and common, and thoſe that are Divine; for as men have made the Laws poſitive, ſo may they diſpenſe with them; but for Divine Ordinances, they are indiſpenſable, and whoever ſeeks excuſes to palliate iniquity, doubles the Crime, and is doubly culpable. For Example, as to the uſe of Eccleſiaſtical goods, the Holy Father, who is Supreme and Sovereign Diſpoſer of them, may favour thoſe with them, whom he judges fit and deſerving; but there is no earthly Authority that can diſpenſe with theſe Divine Commandments, Thou ſhalt not kill: Thou ſhalt not ſteal: Thou ſhalt not commit adultery.

This the good man ſpake confuſedly, that he might not ſuddenly touch the ſore of him, whom he thought wounded. To this Alcimus reply'd:

Father, If I were as innocent upon the Hypotheſis, which you have made touching the poſitive Right, as upon the three laſt Articles of the Divine, which you mentioned, my Soul would enjoy a profound peace, and I ſhould have but little cauſe to doubt of Divine Grace: For, as for Murther, my hands are very clear from blood, and I deſire not the death of any man. As for other Men's Goods, I am ſo far from having my hands ſullied with them, or my deſires therewith touched, that thoſe which I already poſſeſs, lie ſomeſomewhat too heavy on me. And as for the Wife of another, God preſerve me from deſiring her, ſince I never caſt my eyes upon any lawful Subject, which I would be willing to take to my ſelf; and this is the only point of difference that ever happens betwixt me and my Parents, who deſire nothing ſo much as to ſee me married; nor is there any thing I fly from more, being more deſirous of the benefit of the Field, than the confinement of the Cage: And my Soul being thus eſtranged, even from honeſt and lawful affections, what is it from unjuſt and unlawful ones? For, beſides my averſion from all Women in general, I have a particular abhorrency againſt the worſer ſort of them; and as for thoſe that are engaged in Marriage, I cannot have the confidence ſo much as to look on them, for fear, not only of the ſecret adultery of a wanton look, but of violating ſo holy a Sacrament, which is the moſt Sacred Bond of Humane Society.

O Adam, where art thou? cryed Simplicius (thinking that theſe fair words were only deſigned as a Looking-Glaſs moved againſt the Sun, to caſt the Rayes in his eyes) What Seigneur Alcimus, think you thus to lead an old Man by the Noſe, who though he may come ſhort of you in quick wit and fancy, is as much beyond you in Experience? Once more, Where art thou Adam? Do you think thus to hide your nakedneſs from my ſight with Fig-leaves? I may juſtly threaten you, if you perſevere in this courſe, to ſhew your impiety to the people, and caſt your ſhame in your own face: conceal not your ſelf ſo vainly therefore, O Infant of my Soul; Prevaricator of the Laws of God: Look back into your own heart, and retake your former Virtue; fall again to your former good Works, and by a ſound Repentance, regain your loſt Robe of Innocence: Return, O Shunamite return. Come back thou Prodigal to thy Fathers houſe, whilſt his arms are yet open to receive thee, and the acceptable day of Salvation is yet in the dawning: O fly and meet the beauteous Orient of the Sun of Mercy, which if once declined, can never be regained; and then it will be too late to caſt off the works of darkneſs, when the whole Armour of Light is got beyond your reach.

Alcimus more aſtoniſht then before, knew not what to anſwer to this diſcourſe ſo full of obſcurity, the words of which were as ſo many Aenigma's. Good Father (reply'd he) ſpeak more plainly that I may underſtand and anſwer you, for how long will you hold me in ſuſpence? tell me but my offence and I am ready for the chaſtiſement; and may all the arrows of heaven's vengeance make a butt of my head, if I know my ſelf guilty of more then I have already confeſt to you: Have I committed murther, theft, or adultery? I ſpeak not of either of the two firſt (replyed Simplicius) nor of the effects of the third, but who knows not that as in good deeds God accepts the will for the deed, ſo evils but deſigned by a determined reſolution, are as much as executed before him, ſince we have to do with a God who ſearcheth the hearts and tryeth the reins; before whom all things are open, and nothing hid, who ſeeth our thoughts afar off, and underſtandeth our deſigns before they be diſcloſed: he will not hold him innocent, who performs not an evil if he have but once deſigned it; for his own mouth hath declared, that he who looks upon his neighbour's wife with a luſtful eye, hath committed Adultery with her in his heart already: And to what ſerve all your ſerenades, your prancings, carreers, turns and returns (it being the property of evil to have a circular motion) your amorous looks and glances, and other ſuch like actions which are daily remarkable in your deportment, the eye of the world which you think bleared, is far more piercing then you imagine; yet we have it from good authority how malicious it is withall; Our ſinful Parents did us breed, We them in wickedneſs exceed; Our children will more Vices love, And theirs will worſe then Vipers prove: Thus Ages change, thus the World worſe does grow, Till he that made both, both doth overthrow.

The world has as much advantage of you in craft as age: It is hard for you, though never ſo ſubtle, to charm the ſight of this many-eyed Argus: If the malicious oft ſee (by falſe conjectures) the things that are not, how much more eaſily will they ſee viſible, yea palpable ones: believe me, your fire cannot burn without ſome ſmoke, and who can keep a fire in his breaſt, and conceal all the ſparks from the ſight of the world: So many corvets and gallantries are not made without ſome deſign, ſome unhappy one, which perhaps, unleſs you take heed of your ſelf, will invelope you in grand diſaſters, and though your deſigns may be built up to their full perfection, will at laſt intomb you in your own ruines. I ſpeak this without any other intereſt then the deſire of your good, and fear of your misfortune; I ſhould not love, you if I ſhould diſſemble that which would be ſo prejudicial to you; friendſhip and flattery are two diſtinct things, too remote to be comprehended in the circumference of one breaſt: Finally, return unto your ſelf, and turn from what is bad, ceaſe from what is evil, and practice what is good: God has given you too good talents both of wit and body, to be miſerably imployed, as upon the ſearch of what is forbidden by the giver, and the poſſeſſion of which cannot be but pernicious to you. Pardon me if by this touch of my lancet, I have opened the impoſthume, which might elſe prove mortal, in reſpect not only of a temporal life, but alſo of an eternal one, and take theſe remonſtrances of coming originally from a heart which makes its own ſafety a partaker in yours.

This oblique way of ſpeaking plunged Alcimus in a greater trouble then before; and not able to divine who it was that had given him ſo charitable an admonition by the means of this good Father, whom he greatly honoured and eſteemed, as a faithful ſervant to God, as well as a friend to him, he begun to call heaven and earth to his party, and firmly to defend his own innocence; but the more he ſtrove to perſwade Simplicius that the report he had heard was falſe, the more did he believe it true: which brought him to ſuch profound oaths and imprecations, as the ears of this Religious Father could not endure, they approached ſo near (as he thought) to blaſphemy; upon which he ſaid,

And think you, Alcimus, that adultery is a crime to be purged by oaths, or that the crime of perjury (as two pellets) can drive away and clear you of that of Sacriledge? if this were admitted, the moſt wicked villains would ſoon be diſcharged of their crimes, and the accuſed would quickly be ſet free: But I ſee how the caſe ſtands, and that you who have not had confidence in me in a ſacred Tribunal, where my life is bound up with my fidelity, will be much further from revealing your ſecrets to me now, when we are but upon the terms of ordinary diſcourſe; remember only this, That it is as eaſie to beguile man, as impoſſible to deceive God; and he who ſtrives to do either, does fool himſelf in the firſt place, and then, as the wiſe man ſaith, Who will not deride the charmer that is bitten by his own Serpent?

Father, (replyed Alcimus) I know you ſpeak all this but to eſſay the patience of your Penitent, and I wiſh that heaven may never pardon it, but contrarily invent ſome unheard of puniſhment for me, ſhowring down all its Anathema's upon my head, if I have knowingly concealed any thing from you, which I thought my ſelf bound in conſcience to diſcover, or the concealment of which might in the leaſt render me culpable; God preſerve me from ſo double, deceitful and ſacrilegious a thought, and I do ſolemnly aſſure you, by whatever is moſt ſacred in earth or heaven, that I have no deſign upon any Woman whatſoever, much leſs upon the Wife of another man. All that I can ſay is, that this muſt either be jealouſie, which often ſees that which is not, or calumny, that has contrived this accuſation againſt me, and with which I ſee your ſpirit ſo prepoſſeſt, that unleſs it pleaſe God to interpoſe his hand, I know not how you will ever be diſabuſed: I know the reſpect I owe to your character, and how much I am obliged to the wholſome remonſtrances that proceed from your Fatherhood, and whatever you ſhall pleaſe to ſay or do to me, ſhall find a ready obſervance from me, knowing what aſcendant both our ſpiritual and temporal Fathers ought to have over us: I ſhall only patiently attend, till time (which is the Father of Truth) bring forth light out of darkneſs, and witneſs my ſincerity and integrity to the world; I confeſs my ſelf a grievous ſinner before God, but not to be ranged amongſt Adultererers, Lyars, and Sacrilegious: and if ever you have thought me worthy either of your belief or friendſhip, you will clear your ſelf of this Opinion.

Simplicius, who believed that this fair Language reſembled thoſe delicate Viands, which turn either into exquiſite nouriſhment, or extreme putrefaction, thinking that this young man ſo fallen into, and ſtrengthned in iniquity, that it was impoſſible to draw him to an acknowledgment of it, having briefly declared to him the deſperate condition (as he thought) his Soul ſtood in, and that he was upon the brink of deſtruction, deſired him for the future to provide himſelf of another Guide to accompany him in ſo perillous a Voyage; for him, he was reſolved to ſave himſelf, and ſo quitted himſelf of his Office: After having given him this charitable advice, That if he left not his former Courſes and Gallantries, accompanied with his too evident ſollicitations of a Lady of Honour and Quality, he would find himſelf into the Grave, when he thought himſelf furtheſt from it; not in the midſt, but even upon the point of his beſt days, by an accident, as miſerable as unſuſpected: And thereupon left him, without ſuffering Alcimus his inſtant entreaties to extract from him a more particular declaration. This Gentleman remained in no little confuſion of thoughts; for though fear (the ordinary tormentor of the guilty) changed not his courage; yet the apprehenſions of death (ſo • atural to all men) and that too of a ſuddain and unprovided one, did nearly touch his ſpirit joining to this his juſt curioſity, to know who could thus have ſeaſoned the belief of this good Father, with ſo falſe a calumny: he paſſed all the night without cloſing his eyes, and in ſtrange interior convulſions, agitated with a continual remorſe that he had not yet abandoned the Church-revenues, which he detained and ſpent ſo unjuſtly. Perhaps (ſaid he within himſelf) this imaginary adultery which I never thought of, ſerves for a colour to that true one which I daily commit; adulterating, that is to ſay, abuſing the goods of the Spouſe of the Son of God; applying to profane uſes and ornaments, what ought only to be imployed in pious and holy functions: The height of riches and wiſdom of God is extream, his Judgments incomprehenſible, and his ways inſcrutable: How many malefactors have we ſeen dragged to puniſhment for crimes which they never acted, and yet had other-ways merited death, for more black and wicked Villanies, which had been hid till revealed by their own diſcovery • Sure God is juſt, and his Judgment is right, and he knows both how and why he puniſheth.

Who can the Sun of darkneſs blame, Or who 'gainſt God complaints can frame? Or ſay his Judgments are not right, Who's of Juſtice made up as t'other is of light.

The Sun had ſcarce reſtored his face all crowned with Rayes, to our Horizon, when Alcimus, who had never cloſed his eye-lids, but tormented with divers fancres, leapt from his bed, whoſe Feathers were more pungent than ſo many Thorns; not able to find reſt till he had reduced his Soul to its Centre, that is to God, who is it's true place, and his Grace, the Tabernacle of the God of Jacob; he went ſtreight-away to Father Simplicius, to be cleared of all theſe Aenigma's, which had overwhelmed him with ſo many inquietudes: Simplicius ſuffered himſelf to be long preſs'd, and intreated before he would grant him audience; but the double force of obedience and condeſcention, render'd exorable the charity which animated him. Alcimus having declared to him the torment in which he had left him, and the inquietudes which had robb'd him of that nights ſleep.

I queſtion it not (reply'd Simplicus) for a bad Conſcience is an executioner to him that has not quite loſt the ſence of his Crime. It is a good ſign when one awakes from a lethargick ſlumber; this gives ſome appearance of recovery; but when one continues ſleeping in the Regions of the ſhadow of death, 'tis a ſign that the enemy of our Salvation prevails againſt Grace. God be praiſed, who by the healing Eye-ſalve of my Remonſtrance, hath reſtored you your ſight, and made you ſee the deplorable and dangerous ſtate in which you before did ſleep ſo ſupinely. Be of good courage, you ſhall not die but live, to ſing eternally the marvellous operations of divine Mercy.

My dear Father (reply'd Alcimus) I am now blinder than ever, and more ignorant, of what (as I am your ſpiritual Son) I ſuppoſe you ought to tell me more plainly; 'cauſe that I may ſee, (as the blind man ſaid to our Saviour) for certainly however it be, you ought more plainly to lay open to me the particulars of this report, that if it be true, I may ſay as David did to Nathan, I have ſinned; or if it be otherwiſe, with Joſeph falſely accuſed, and unjuſtly impriſoned, I am innocent of what is laid to my charge.

Seigneur Alcimus (ſaid Simplicius) pray ſpeak no more of your innocence, being ſo notoriouſly convinced; otherwiſe you will make me believe you are one of thoſe whom Solomon ſpeaks of, who think themſelves clean and pure, and yet are filled with filth and iniquity. If the Infant but one day old is not exempt from ſin (as the Scripture tell: us) one of your age, accompliſhments, and liberty, that is free and diſ-intangled from all ſorts of love both lawful and unlawful, may well be accounted A Bird as rare, As black Swans are. But think not to feed me now as yeſterday you did with aery words, for I have more ſerious affairs to look after, and which do more juſtly merit the time which we imploy here in cajolleries and vain conteſtations: I have have ſaid enough to you, therefore as Joſhuah ſaid to Achan, Give glory to God in confeſſing your fault, and reconciling your ſelf by a true Repentance, to him whom you have ſo grievouſly offended. I know how unſerviceable I am to you in any Function but this, and you may find Companions enough in the World amongſt whom to eaſe your itch of talking, without troubling the repoſe and ſilence of a Cloiſter with the ſame: Father, (replied Alcimus) the giving glory to God by a true Confeſſion, is the ſole ſcope of my intention; for I ſee well the little credit which my words can obtain, if not ſupported by this prop of Penitence, and mixed with a Sacrament, the profaning of which by a Lye merits no leſs the eternal Damnation; for which cauſe I am more firmly reſolved than ever to disburthen my Soul to you in a ſincere and hearty Confeſſion.

Simplicius knowing that there are twelve hours in the day, and that the Sinner ought to be ſeiz'd on in the critical minute, without further delay accepted this condition, thinking this the only means to withdraw this Soul from the jaws of the infernal Wolf, and from the open Gates of eternal perdition: At this Sacred Tribunal, from whence Lyes are baniſh'd under ſo ſevere Penalties, the innocent Alcimus diſcovered the ſecrets of his heart to his Ghoſtly Father, who yet took all this for nought but artifices; wherefore after many menaces of the wrath of God, if he remained obſtinate in his will; and after having preſſed home to him this Sentence of Tertullian, If thou hideſt thy ſelf in Confeſſion here, thou ſhalt be hid in the eternal Dungeons hereafter.

Alcimus anſwered, Holy Father, if the gaping jaws of Hell were now ready to receive me, and all its diſmal Inhabitants fitted to receive me, I am able to ſay no more than I have done, I only deſire this favour (which thoſe that like you do mannage and direct our Conſciences, ought not to deny to the moſt miſerable) that you would pleaſe to endeavour to ſupply by your Interrogatories, what you think wanting in my Confeſſion. David could not have forgot his Murther and Adultery, yet he remain'd a whole year without conſideration or diſcovery of it; till the Prophet laying his hand upon the ſore, preſently made him feel the ſmart, and look out for a remedy.

Certainly (reply'd Simplicius) I may anſwer you as St. Ambroſe did Theodoſius, who alledged this Example, That you that have followed him in his ſin, if not in effect, yet at leaſt in intention (which is the ſame Crime in the ſight of God) ſhould likewiſe anſwer him in repentance.

And you, Father (anſwered Alcimus) be pleas'd to follow Nathan's ſteps, in drawing this thorn gently out of my heart.

Simplicius thinking at this word that he had won the Town, without loſing time, and deſigning to accommodate himſelf to this tender ſpirit, which he thought to be ſick of the moſt dangerous of all Feavers, which is that of Love; after having by many circumlocutions imitated the Chyrurgion, who ſeeming only to anoint with Cotton dipt in Oyl, the apoſthumed breaſt of a delicate Lady, does dextrouſly open it with a hidden Lancet; ſo he by degrees at laſt brought Alcimus upon the point of his evening airings and motions on Horſeback; all which Alcimus confeſſed, exaggerating (like a true Penitent) the exceſs and ſuperfluity of his Habits and Attendance, the pleaſure he took in hearing the praiſes and applauſes of thoſe that beheld him, and the extreme vanity with which his Soul was this way ſwelled. Thence Simplicius proceeded to the ſtreet where Capoleon lived, a Gentleman for Eſtate and Quality, well known throughout the whole City; asking him, why he went there ſo often, and made a longer ſtay there than any where elſe; particularly before that houſe?

At this word Alcimus perceived the ſubject of this long Diſcourſe, and anſwered briskly,

Certainly Father, we are as much deceiv'd in what we ſee through jealous eyes, as through a falſe Proſpective.

Upon which Simplicius recounted to him that which (elſe he thought) all the Town talked and took notice of, the jealouſie of Capoleon, the violence of which had made him become a common Proverb. And is not this (ſaid he) a juſt cauſe of Jealouſie to a man of his age, who is Husband to a young and fair Lady; though certainly as virtuous as beautiful, to ſee one ſo openly ſeek her, to court and careſs her by words, and actions, glances and countenances which are neither juſt nor honeſt?

This is the property of the jealous (ſaid Alcimus) to believe that all things conſpire the ruine of their Honour: the Days, the Nights, the Stars, the Elements, the very Animals are ſuſpected by them, much more reaſonable Creatures; they fear where there is not the leaſt ſubject of ſuſpition, the Shadows to them are Subſtances, & their vain Suſpitions palpable Convictions, and their falſe imaginations evident and undoubted Verities: But be pleaſed to tell me (Reverend Father) of whom in particular Capoleon is jealous; for there is no appearance it ſhould be of me, who know his Wife ſo little, that I ſtould not diſtinguiſh her amongſt a Troop of others. I have ſeen her amongſt other young Ladies before ſhe was made his; but beheld her only as an Object which never obliged me to a particular regard: I think I have ſeen her too amongſt other women ſince her Marriage, whilſt ſhe appeared in Companies; but ſince her Husband has given her Angelica's Ring, and by a ſtreit Impriſonment has rendred her inviſible, even to the Eyes of Heaven, certainly I muſt have more than a Lynx his ſight, to penetrate thoſe Walls which incloſe her: If the good Mans Feaver burn only on this ſide, it is very eaſie to be healed.

Here Simplicius believing that Alcimus ſtill perſiſted in his diſſimulation, lifting up his voice with a more ſtrong and piercing Tone than formerly, with a violent impetuoſity, vehemence of ſpirit, he ſaid,

Do you conſider what it is you do, or that you ſtand in the preſence of an Almighty God? Or have you ever read or heard of the terrible Judgment that light upon Ananias and Saphira; it is not now a mortal man, but an Eternal God that you impoſe upon: Whereupon he began to uſe the Word, as the Apoſtle ſaith, In ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, with opportunity, and even with importunity, to reprove, pray, conjure, to cry in all patience and ſoundneſs of Doctrine: Have you forgot (ſaid he) that the excuſe of Adam, and that of Cain, were worſe than their faults? or that the Royal Prophet begged of God to ſet a watch before the door of his lips, leſt he offended with his tongue, in ſeeking excuſes or ſpecious pretences, to palliate or extenuate his iniquity? for when once it is come to this point (from which God preſerve you) to ſin not only with impunity, but therefore to think they do it with Reaſon, then is one arrived to the higheſt pitch of wickedneſs; and if this be your caſe, it is no better than deſperate and deplorable.

By this I underſtand (reply'd Alcimus) that Capoleon is jealous of me, thinking that my paſſages and managements in his ſtreet, and ſometimes before his Gate, are Incenſe and Perfumes which I offer to that Idol, which ought to be adored by none but himſelf. O God! was ever ſeen ſuch a profound diſſimulation? I can affirm, that there is no perſon, I will not ſay, in that Quarter, but even in the whole Town, that has ſo much applauded me upon this ſubject as himſelf, nor any that has ſo much puffed up my fancy thereby. To whom hereafter ſhall we truſt? ſince by flatteries and careſſes one is ſo baſely deceived? Certainly, the Wiſe man ſpoke with much reaſon, when he ſaid, My Son, thoſe that feed thee with fair ſpeeches and artificial prayſes, are thoſe that do decline or would ſeduce thee: But this man has given me as juſt cauſe for the future to diſtruſt him, as his was unjuſt for ſuſpecting me, who had never the leaſt thought of attempting the Honour of his Wife, whom I hold to be as virtuous as fair: And if my judgment fail me not, worthy of a better chance than falling into his cruel hands.

My dear Father (continued he) I give you my humbleſt thanks for your charitable admonition, and promiſe you for the future to ſtand upon my guard, and to cauſe (without prejudice to my Honour) that he ſhall loſe his evil opinion of me.

Simplicius then ſeeing that the Maſque was taken off, and that it was now time to ſpeak plainly, proteſted to him (as the truth was) that Capoleon had never ſpoke word to him of this Affair, but that he had learnt it from a pious Soul (for ſuch he eſteemed Vannoza to be) and one deſirous both of his temporal and eternal welfare.

Father (ſaid Alcimus) It is a thing ſo ſhameful to a jealous Husband to diſcover his own baſeneſs, that I believe Capoleon would not make you this report himſelf; but has for that purpoſe made uſe of a third perſon, who under the pretext of Piety (a virtue, which opens the ears and hearts of Religious Souls) has informed you of this falſe relation, to the prejudice of Truth, and the ſincerity of my own Conſcience: I ſtand here in the preſence of God, and in a place where I had rather die, than be like Ananias; but I do aſſure you, and ſacredly affirm upon the ſalvation of my Soul (which I value as a good Chriſtian ought) that I never had any adulterous deſign upon the Wife of Capoleon; and of this you may aſſure this charitable Soul; and withal (leſt I ſhould leave any of my Honour diſadvantageouſly engaged) that if I were as well aſſured of my Salvaon, and as little afraid of the Divine Juſtice, as I am of the weak efforts of the jealous-pated Capoleon, I might well put my ſelf into the number of the Elect; and I fear not, but by Gods aſſiſtance, to ſhelter my ſelf, not only from his menaces, but alſo from the wicked and pernicious effects of his unjuſt and vain ſuſpicion; I would gladly love him, becauſe God has commanded it, but will alſo endeavour to ſafe my ſelf from the ſurprize of ſo treacherous an Enemy.

Simplicius judging by theſe words of this Gentleman, whoſe heart he had long known the very ſecrets of, that he ſpoke the real truth, and that with an unfeigned Charity he accuſed himſelf of that in which he found himſelf innocent; would inſiſt no longer upon that ſubject, for fear of drawing blood from the nipple or the noſe, by too much ſucking the one, or wringing the other, and imagining that Vannoza had diſcovered to him the real Jealouſy of her Husband, founded upon the falſe opinion of Alcimus his purſuits, he contented himſelf with what his Penitent had already diſcover'd; but to prevent all future miſhaps, and to pluck up by the roots the hatred from his heart which he had conceived againſt Capoleon, whom he had already named his Enemy, (a word of war and defiance in this ſpleenatique Country) he again proteſted to him, that Capoleon neither by himſelf nor Deputy had given him this advertiſement, or made theſe menaces, but that it was a religious and timorous Soul, which perhaps had too far exaggerated the matter, and according to the Proverb, had painted the Lyon fiercer than he was; that he deſired him not to look upon Capoleon with the worſe eye for this, nor to do any thing, further to promote his Malady, which was of the nature of thoſe artificial Fires, which every thing would nouriſh; but nothing extinguiſh: That he ought to have compaſſion of ſuch infirmities of ſpirit, according to the Apoſtles advice, who would that Spiritual Perſons, and thoſe who are fortified within, ſhould bear with greater fortitude and patience the faults and inſolencies of the weak, to accompliſh the Law, which would that we ſhould bear with one another's infirmities: Adding, that the only remedy he perceived for this miſunderſtanding, was to abſtain for the future from theſe paſſes in the Street, at leaſt till time with his inſenſible Spunge had effaced from the ſpirit of this offended Husband the impreſſions which his evil humour might perhaps have engraved there, it being no part of a prudent man to exaſperate the Waſp, or to provoke the Bee; which laſt though naturally of a ſweet and gentle temper, as being born and bred amongſt Honey, knew well enough how to manage its Sting to defend its Comb: And further, That a true Penitent was not only oblig'd to part from the Territories, but from the Confines of Evil; for to what purpoſe is it to quit the unfortunate City of Iniquity, and take up Quarters in the Suburbs? I mean within thoſe of the occaſions of Evil, to fly to Zoar and look back to Sodom? It is not enough for the true Nazarites to drink no Wine nor ſtrong Drink, unleſs they alſo abſtain too from the very Grape, leaſt the taſte of the one breed a deſire of the other. With theſe Reaſons Simplicius ſtrengthened his Remonſtrances, without aſſuming the power of commanding, but certainly with Counſel accompanied with the Spirit of God, he advis'd Alcimus to turn away his courſe from the frequentation Of thoſe ſo dreadful Rocks and Shelves, Where multitudes had ſplit themſelves. Alcimus found it very difficult to ſubmit to theſe Injunctions, alledging that the Laws of Cloiſters and thoſe of the World were very far different; that the one preſcribed to honour a blind ſubmiſſion, and a renunciation of all Earthly enjoyments, but that in the World it was one of the greateſt marks of Infamy to receive Laws from the will of the Enemy; and that Couragious ſouls, like an unſhaken Rock Undauntedly ſhould brave the rudeſt ſhoock. Nothing's more baſe than to bad men to yield, Or to their proud attempts to quit the field. Hereby Simplicius perceiving that this was a ſpark of that hidden fire which would not ſuddainly be extinguiſht, Seigneur Alcimus (ſaid he) if you find this remedy too difficult, you will conſtrain me to ſay, that you chain your ſelf to the Bank of Iniquity, and tug at the oar of violence, and then feign obſtacles for your obeying of wholeſome Precepts. Remember Saul's malediction for diſobeying Samuel; t'is a Crime, to disbelieve, but a kind of Witchcraft to diſobey; to ſpeak plainly, you would hereby perſwade me to that which I am unwilling to believe, and under pretext of oppoſing your wrath to the hatred of the Husband, make me ſuſpect a ſecret affection for the Wife: For, Who often'ſt ſaith I hate, does prove Moſt commonly deepeſt in Love. Moreover, you are bound in Conſcience to give no occaſion of offence or ſcandal in your deportments; for if the great Apoſtle declare, that he would eat no fleſh ſo long as he lived, rather than by eating to offend the weakeſt of his Brethren; How much more ought you to avoid the Actions and Occaſions which might give ſuſpicion of the works of the fleſh, unjuſtly deſired or purſued after? And if the ſame Apoſtle would not that the leaſt mention of Fornication ſhould be made amongſt Chriſtians, how much more odious and deteſtable ought Adultery to be, either in action or affection?

Father (ſaid Alcimus) your diſcourſes are backt with Reaſon, and ſpeak you both a Chriſtian and Religious Perſon; but be pleas'd to conſider, that I am not of your Religious Orders, but yet a Chriſtian like you, although a ſecular and mundain one; and though there be no more agreement betwixt the rules of Piety and thoſe of the World, than betwixt light and darkneſs, the Ark and Dagon, or God and Mammon, yet are we obliged in performing the one, not to omit the other, if we intend to preſerve our Reputation, without which we render our ſelves the reproach of the World, and the moſt abject dregs or ſcum of the People. Conſider that I am now a Sword-man, and that formerly ſtudying Caſes of Conſcience, I have learnt that when an Enemy ſhall attacque me, I am not bound to fly, and ſave my life with the loſs of my Honour; and though the Evangelical precept of turning the other cheek to him that ſmites him on the one, extend its ſelf to ſecular perſons as well as regular, yet we ſee it otherwiſe practiſed by both: Our bleſſed Saviour asked that Wretch who ſhamefully ſtruck him, Why he did ſo? and though he did not call Legions of Angels to his ſuccour, or employed Thunder and Tempeſts to revenge ſuch injuries (as he might have done) yet did he mix this point of ſeverity amongſt his admirable meekneſs, and incomparable humility. If Capoleon attack me, I think it will be lawful to reſiſt him, and perhaps with the ſame weapons I ſhall turn the miſchief upon him, which he deſigned for me, and confound this Conjurer with his own Devil; for I am reſolved not to ſuffer my ſelf to be aſſaſſinated by his treacherous hands.

Here Simplicius interrupted this Diſcourſe, fearing that if he let Alcimus proceed, he would excite that choler in himſelf which he ſhould be ill troubled to allay, and perhaps according to the promptitude of his youthful inclination, proceed at laſt from words to execution: He therefore ſmooth'd and flatter'd this generous courage, proteſting (indeed too truly) Capoleons innocence, and that the report which had been made him, might perhaps be falſe (too truly falſe) but that this his Paternal zeal and care made him not only worthy of Pardon, but of Praiſe and Affection; ſaying, O Alcimus, Alcimus, you know not what it is to be a Father, a ſpiritual Father, had you but experimented how the bowels of the Soul yern after the Infants of the Spirit, you might be capable to judge of that ardour which made thoſe words boyl over from the mouths of Moſes and St. Paul, when they deſired to be accurſed for the good of their dear Children and Brethren in righteouſneſs; the day will come when you will know this verity, and look upon that in me with a good eye, which perhaps does now appear otherwiſe to you.

Your heart, dear Father (anſwer'd Alcimus) is too right towards me, to do or ſay any thing amiſs; what ever comes from you to me can never be received otherwiſe than well; but withal, I once more intreat you not to condemn me without hearing, for judgment without preindication, and prejudice without judgment is the high way to errour; it is eaſie to impeach, but not to convince; to ſay, not to produce witneſſes; to declare, but not to prove; if accuſing will ſuffice, who can be innocent, what ſhelter for the good, if the ſtorms of the wicked be Oracles. And, Father ſince God inj ••• it, to obey him, I am willing to walk i • an unpleaſant path, and ſhall gladly look •• on Capoleon as my friend, and dear Chriſtian Brother, and I am ſo far from wiſhing him any evil, that I deſire him all ſorts of good; but ſince diſtruſt is the Mother of ſecurity, you muſt allow me to beware of my ſelf, and that not only of my life, but of my Honour, which every noble mind will eſteem more than life. In this temper of mind, and having disburthened my Soul to you of all that laid upon it, I hope you will not deny me the benefit of abſolution.

Here Simplicius found himſelf ſurprized, having to deal with a Souldier, who knew as well how to feign with his Tongue as Sword, one thing only he required of him in the Name of the Lord, which was, To ſhun all raſh attempts in his juſt hate, And make his wrath way to evaporate. And principally for ſome days to avoid his accuſtommed paſſages in that ſtreet; and at laſt by much conjuring and intreaty he extorted this Promiſe, rather violently from his mouth, than voluntarily from his heart; this was not the firſt and free droppings of the Myrrhe; but rather the ſecond gathering, extracted from the Tree, by ſcratching it with Iron Inſtruments.

Alcimus left Simplicius, more ſatisfied with his having diſabuſed him, than with his ſimplicity in ſo ſlightly believing the report; and troubled withal, that he could not learn from him whence he had had this advice; for he would rather have ſuſpected any perſon in the world, than Vannoza, whom he held for dead amongſt its obſcurities. In what darkneſs and ignorance do we ſpin out the thread of a frail life!

Mean while Vannoza, who ſleeps little, and the Devil much leſs, are hatching miſchiefs on all hands; for whilſt the one as ſubtle as invinſible, blows wrath and malice into the ears of Alcimus, the other as dangerous as viſible, preſents her ſelf to thoſe of Simplicius, to know the ſucceſs of her falſe report; for it was her principal deſign (like another Eve) to open the eyes of Alcimus, by taſting the forbidden Fruit, and to procure him to look diligently in his paſſage towards every part of her houſe, from whence he was otherwiſe regarded than ſhe pretended, he ſuſpected, or Simplicius believed; that ſhe might thereby find means to make ſigns to him, as Veſſels ſtuck faſt upon a Shelve, or in other diſtreſs, do for help to thoſe Ships that paſs by. But ſhe was infinitely aſtoniſh'd, when ſhe found by Father Simplicius his recital, that ſhe had ruined her own project, and wounded her ſelf by her own Weapon, and by an ill-temper'd Plaiſter, brought her Sore from an Ulcer to a Gangrene; and further when ſhe learnt that Alcimus had not the leaſt thought or affection for her; this conſideration made her deſpair of ſucceſs; but to thoſe who are irremediably overthrown, it is a kind of comfort that they can fear no further miſchief: She took new vigour, when ſhe underſtood from Simplicius the indifferency he had for all her Sex, judging that the purity and whiteneſs of this Paper would eaſily be ſuſceptible of the firſt impreſſion, and that this green Wood once lighted, would burn moſt fiercely; Love being a Myſtery, in which the Apprentices are Maſters; She begun to project new Deſignes how to bring down that untamed Courage, which was yet proof againſt all Loves Aſſaults; and to recal this wild and untaught Hawk to the Lure; At preſent ſhe only told Simplicius, that his Monaſtick life and Relious innocence, rendred him leſs ſubtle in ſearching into the ſecrets of the heart, and the ſpiritual wickedneſs of worldly thoughts; and of thoſe, who under pretence of affection, make it their glory to deceive: believing that Heaven laughs at their Perjuries and Oaths, which are only writ on running waters; who hold for a Maxime, That Love, Wine, and Secrets are worth nothing when they have taken the Air; and that it ſeemed in our Age, men had effaced this practice from the number of ſins; it being not only common but commendable: finally that it was the ſhuttle-cock of Courts, but the ruinous Arrow of hearts; ſhe only, wiſht him to beware of a ſurprize, and ſince he had drawn from Alcimus a promiſe not to paſs through that quarter of a good while, that he ſhould take care that he found a firm performance and long continuance. See here how this ſubtile crafty Female ſpoke what was as far from her deſire as intention. In the mean time having painted her face with a lively joy, ſhe returned home rather dead than living, with ſadneſs ſo deeply rooted in her Soul, or rather her Soul ſo deeply plunged in ſorrow, that ſhe knew not whether it were fitteſt to reckon herſelf amongſt the dead or living. She had now loſt the ſight of her North-Star, her days were now become but nights, and the very ſight of the Sun was diſagreeable; overwhelm'd with ſadneſs, ſorrow, and melancholy, ſhe did nothing elſe but ſigh and groan like the ſolitary widowed Turtle, bewailing nothing but the loſs of the ſight of her amiable Alcimus. Was not I (ſaid ſhe) ſufficiently miſerable without adding more to my misfortunes? To what new miſchief do the Heavens reſerve me, having thus condemned me to perpetual darkneſs? O thou Light of my Eyes how art thou clouded! thoſe ſhort and little glances of thee which I once enjoyed, did give me ſome ſort of conſolation, but this ſad Eclipſe is inſupportable, which for ever deprives me of ſo dear an Object, and which to me does ſeem the pleaſanteſt in the World; But come what will, I muſt once more have a ſight of my deareſt Alcimus, and I will never leave any way unattempted, though never ſo dangerous, before I reſolve to periſh.

Mean time the days ſlipt away, and this Star never appeared. O Nights! far longer than thoſe of Norway; She oft ſtood Sentinel like another Hero, but never could ſet eye on her Leander: The confuſion of her thoughts robbed her of Diſcourſe as well as of Invention, which made her become lean and pale, her Huſband believing that it was the auſterity of Religion, and her continual contemplation that wrought this change: He did what he could to divert her, but his troubleſome Careſſes did but inflame her ſorrow. She kiſſes and embraces intermix'd, But on her abſent Love her thoughts were fix'd. She had once like to have imitated Potiphar's Wife, who accuſed the innocent Joſeph of a Crime of which ſhe alone was culpable; but reſerving this deſperate means for the laſt extremity, ſhe was unwilling to betray one who had never offended her, and on whoſe affection only depended all her contentment. See here the ſubtility of this wicked Woman, who thought by ſowing an irreconcileable quarrel betwixt Alcimus and her Husband, to heal her paſſion which way ſoever the chance fell: for Alcimus once ſlain, her flames would be extinguiſht with his funeral Torches, and her inſupportable Paſſion buried in his Grave; but if Capoleon ſhould fall under his misfortune, ſhe ſaw her way made plain over his Grave to the end of her deſigns, and by her Widowhood put into poſſeſſion of her ſelf, and left to a free purſuit after the ſatisfaction of her ardent deſires. A ſtrange fetch of female ſubtility. But ſtill ſhe diſſembled her thoughts, and made no outward ſhew but of Sadneſs and Devotion, as if theſe two qualities were inſeparable, and thereby ſhe ſunk deeper into her Husband's belief the opinion that it was only her Devotion that procured this Melancholy; and the truth is, a feigned, falſe, conſtrained Piety (if ſuch deep Hypocriſie may bear ſo fair a Title) does oftentimes ingender this ſort of ſadneſs which is begot by the interiour worm of a cauteriz'd Conſcience, which does inceſſantly gnaw upon the heart: She was however much pleaſed to ſee her old Man ſo much concerned at her ſeeming Melancholy; and the more he ſeem'd to be troubled at it, the more cauſe ſhe ſtill gave him to be ſo.

Whileſt ſhe ſo dully paſt her time, like a Hunter upon a cold Scent, the Devil, who like a roaring Lyon, has his eyes and mouth ſtill open for a prey, way-laying his ſtratagems in the ſpirit of Alcimus, and fanning his deluſions into his head, and ſo diligently blew up this ſpark of anger which he had againſt Capoleon, that at laſt he ſtirred up a devouring flame in his heart; He repreſented to him the deſpicable Age, and ridiculous weakneſs of his Enemy, together with the baſe puſillanimity of fearing ſo inconſiderable an Antagoniſt, who was ſo far below his birth and quality; that he would derogate from both, if he did not turn his treacherous deſigns upon his own head, who durſt not have undertaken ſuch villanous enterprizes, had he not believed that he who ought to be a Gentleman of courage and gallantry, had quitted both for the Counſel of a timerous Monk; that theſe Cloiſter-ſpirits are never ſuſceptible of generous reſolutions, that like Reeds, they cannot reſiſt a Tempeſt but by compliance; that gallant Souls ought to imitate the Cedars of Lebanon, that can be ſhaken by nought but thunder; that going out well accompanied, he might bid defiance to his Enemy, and paſs his Horſes hoofs over his belly, if he durſt aſſault him; that there needed nothing but a good Armour to defend him againſt treachery, and that he ought to embrace ſuch occurrences which might manifeſt his courage and gallantry; for amongſt Men of the Sword, nothing but danger can ſhew what a Man is made of: Theſe were the Remonſtrances of the Enemy both of his Soul and Body, who ſeemed ſo diligent a Preſerver of the honour of the one, and the ſafety of the other, though his deſign was only to bring them both to deſtruction. Alcimus puft up by the vanity of theſe thoughts, did like the Lyon ſtir up his rage by beating his own ſides, and fancying to himſelf, that his imaginary Enemy would too gloriouſly triumph at his too eaſy retreat, if upon the meer advertiſement of a Religious Father, he forced himſelf to humour a jealous Coxcomb, thoſe few days which his promiſe had bound him to abſtain from his ordinary courſes ſeem'd ſo many ages to him, and this ſhort retreat did but whet his Appetite, and his going back was but to take the greater leap; Therefore at length he return'd to tread over again his former ſteps, more proudly and nobly accompanied, mounted and accountred than before, becoming a new Spectacle of pomp and gallantry to all Beholders; his Lacqueys were well armed with good ſwords, and daggers, and private piſtols, reſolved (though ignorant of the deſign and quarrel) to ſell their skins dearly to thoſe that ſhould prove Chapmen for their bodies; he had alſo ſome diſguiſed Bravo's to accompany him, which are a ſort of People that will kill a man there as cheap as Bailiffs will arreſt him in other places: As for himſelf, he wore under his Clothes a Skirt of Male, and carried one of his beſt Swords, not forgetting his Fire-arms, and private head-piece, reſolved in this Equipage, To be reveng'd of this affront, Or hazard Life and Soul upon't. Thus did this innocent young Gentleman arm himſelf to encounter ſhadows, Chimera's conceived in a Woman's brain, and diſtill'd through the Alimbeck of a Monaſtick ſimplicity. What inward joy ſurprized Vannoza, when through her uſual Watch-tower, ſhe ſaw this beauteous Star mount the Horizon of her Street, he muſt needs be a moſt accompliſht Oratour that can expreſs the frozen North, which after a Night of ſix Months long ſees the firſt rayes of the Sun appear to viſit her, but not more joy than ſhe had now to feed her eyes with ſo raviſhing an Object; her only unhappineſs amidſt this bliſs was, that ſhe could not communicate her ſentiments to him that caus'd them; but taking occaſion by the fore-lock, ſhe reſolved to diſcover her face through the caſement, and to talk to him in a Language of looks and ſigns, a cuſtome ſo common in this Countrey, (born to nothing but dumb ſhows and ſuch refined inventions) that if he were not altogether ſtupid, he could not chuſe but thereby perceive the Flame he had unwillingly kindled in her Soul. Alcimus turning his Eyes with a proud and menacing look towards the houſe, wondering that he could perceive no body at the windows, at laſt attentively regarding it every way, he ſaw a little caſement open at the top of the houſe, from whence he preſently expected a treacherous ſhot; Alas! too true a one which pierced not his body but his Hea • t: David, of old, a King ſo Holy, and (till then) ſo innocent, looking from the lofty top of his Palace, ſaw within a Garden a Bird, or rather a Fiſh within a Fountain, which at one glance of the Eye foiled all his holy reſolutions to the ground: Alcimus who was made of no better a mould, looking up from the ſtreet, and expecting nothing but the levelling of a Harquebuz at his body, felt the blow of a more dangerous one than he expected, I mean a Baſilisk's Eyes in a beautious face, which ſoon grinded to duſt all his Virtuous intentions: During this interview he made his Horſe corvet and bound, and exerciſed all his moſt excellent poſtures; till ſeeing ſo many attractious circumſcribed in ſo ſmall a compaſs, and ſo many charms contracted in one face, he thought the windows of Heaven had been opened, and that he ſaw not a Star, but rather an Angel or beauty of Paradiſe; For Vannoza appeared in ſuch an equipage as was capable to make an impreſſion upon the beſt fenced heart of a young Cavalier principally on one which lay expoſed to the airy paſſions, which make them prefer a ſhameful ſlavery before a Glorious liberty. Why ſhould I trouble my ſelf to paint out theſe follies? He ſaw and fell, and Vannoza might as juſtly as Caeſar bear the Motto of, Veni, Vidi, Viſi, upon her Triumphant Banners. Alcimus was not ſo much a novice but he knew the Language of his own Country, which is that of love, and knew well enough that it ſignified that he was better beloved in that houſe then he expected, and that the hatred of the Husband was ſufficiently balanced by the affection of the Wife; And as love is the onely attraction of love, beſides ſo many charms that rendred this beauty recommendable, he thought himſelf obliged in honour to render a reciprocal affection, ſo that he quickly anſwer'd her in her own language, which ſomewhat reſembled that of Angels, or rather of Demons, which ſpeak to one another in thoughts, and there needed no Interpreter to make them underſtand one another; thus paſſed this firſt interview. The next day the Sun had ſcarce begun by bending Weſtward to lengthen the ſhadows, when Alcimus (whoſe coming was attended by his faithful Sentinel long before his approach) returned to his uſual practice, to draw in through his Eyes the poyſon, not of hatred but of love, a paſſion more pernicious to his Heart, where he ſaw her hold up a letter in her hand, with ſign to come and receive it at night, which he diligently performed, with no other company then his valour; ſee here the firſt thread of this Web of iniquity which theſe two Spiders went craftily to weave. This note in few words, diſcovered Wonders, wonders that are fitteſt to be veiled in ſilence, and interred in oblivion; yet why in oblivion? ſince this paper undertakes to tranſmit unto poſterity the blackeſt miſchiefs, to make them be ſo far ſhunned in like occurences, as the Reader ſhall abhor them by reading this recital: Let us onely ſay then, that ſhe advertiſed Alcimus as followeth.

Noble Alcimus,

I Am not ignorant of the Alarms you received from your mouth of your Confeſſour, nor can you be ſo of their meaning, when I tell you 'twas I that cauſed them: that was the onely means with which love could inſpire me to bring about my deſign of acquainting you with a malady which none elſe can cure; If this general propoſition may be worthy of your anſwer, you may find means to convey it over the Garden wall, by which I ſhall underſtand whether you eſteem worthy of acceptance which is intended onely for your ſervice, and any own ſatisfaction.

Vannoza.

Alcimus was all inflamed by the many fire-bals which the Evil ſpirit caſt into his Soul by means of this crafty woman, and netled to the very Heart with curioſity of knowing the effect of this ſtrange adventure, he returned that night, and caſt the following letter over the Gardenwall, where ſhe ſtood ready to receive it;

Faireſt Vannoza,

I Know not whether I may more juſtly extol your worth and ingenuity, or condemn my own ſtupidity in not perceiving it before, the one being as far beyond the reach of applauſe, as the other is beyond that of abhorrency; but ſince you are pleaſed to make your goodneſs as conſpicuous as your merits, by pardoning a crime, which a modeſt offender durſt ſcarce excuſe, know, (fair one) that I value your undeſerved affection at ſo high a rate, that my chief ſtudy ſhall be to merit and preſerve it with my life and fortunes. My tranſport is ſo great at preſent, that I know not how to expreſs my ſelf further, but ſhall impatiently attend the bleſſed revolution of my happy Stars to produce an occaſion, in which I may better teſtifie the ardour of my unbounded Love, and inexpreſſible gratitude.

Alcimus.

Mean while the Boutefeu, which ſets both Heaven and Earth on a flame, ſtuck his heart quite full of Arrows; and as it is his unhoſpitable cuſtome to ſet that Lodging on fire, which gives him entertainment; he in a ſhort time made a Furnace in the Breaſt of Alcimus, who feeling the pungency of this new ardour, could find no further repoſe, but in the meditation of his ſweet inquietude; he now accuſed himſelf of his former blindneſs, and it was then that he ſaw clearly through theſe Intrigues, and now that the Cataracts were fallen on his eyes, he thought himſelf like Harpaſtus, the only Argus: O God! How preſently does a ſmall errour ſpread it ſelf into an unbounded bigneſs!

One ſpark of evil having ſeiz'd the Soul, Soon ſpreads ſuch flames as nothing can controul.

The more difficulty and reſiſtance he found in this purſuit, the more was the pleaſure of winning the Prizes, as Simplicius his Commands to the contrary, had infinitely whetted the edge of his appetite of returning to his former paſſages through the ſtreet, there being nothing more deſired by humane Nature than that which is forbidden.

What lawful is does baſeſt ſeem, Not worth acceptance, or eſteem; But what's forbid by Law and Right, We ſeek with raging appetite.

So theſe obſtacles which ſeemed to ſtop his carreer (it ſeeming as impoſſible to attempt this Sun inveloped in ſo many Clouds, as the true Celeſtial one) were ſo many ſpurs in his ſides, to hurry him head-long upon this dangerous attempt; yet he found this Current of Contentment interrupted by a troubleſome conſideration, which was a ſuſpition, leſt this ſudden and unexpected gratious invitation were not a bait to ſome hidden ſnare that was pitcht for his deſtruction; and whether the jealouſie of the Husband by a ſecret intelligence with his Wife, had not found out this means to ruine him: So that tormented on one hand by the charm of ſo many irreſiſtible attractions, and on the other with the importunity of his diſtruſt (for wicked women are like thoſe Africans, which are ſaid to bewitch and ſlay thoſe before whom they laugh; or like Apes, whoſe embraces ſerve only to ſmother,) for theſe Reaſons he earneſtly deſired to be ſatisfied from whence proceeded this advertiſement which Simplicius had given him. He went and found this good Man, whom he conjured and intreated to tell him from whence he had received this advice, proteſting not to take up any reſentment againſt the perſon he ſhould name; not queſtioning but that it proceeded from the mouth of one that was very deſirous of his welfare. Simplicius unwilling to reveal it, invented all the excuſes he could, none of which would content this Gentleman; who proteſted to retract his Promiſe, and retake his former paſſages through the ſtreets (which he had already done, with the addition of far worſe Errours) for fear of leaving his Honour engaged, and making himſelf a ſcorn and laughingſtock to his Enemies. Simplicius continued firm in his reſolution; but for fear of ſending him away angry and diſcontented, he deſired him, to give him time to beg permiſſion of the Perſon who had informed him; which was agreed to, and the next day came Vannoza (in her uſual manner) to renew her antient Complaints, and to tell Simplicius, that Alcimus having for ſome days followed his advice, and kept his Promiſe, had now renewed his wonted Courſes and Carreers, with more pride and inſolency than before, better accoutred and accompanied, and with greater variety of actions, which drove her Husband into deſperation, and would at laſt provoke him into action, which could not but produce ſome tragical and diſmal Event. Simplicius proteſted to her, that Alcimus had not the leaſt deſign upon her, but only ſtood upon a Punctilio of Honour, ſcorning to give this advantage to his Adverſary, of bragging, that he frighted him out of the publique ſtreet: That he was no man to make love to ſtone walls, who never did it to any woman living, who indeed are living walls; but plaiſter'd with ſo unſlaked lime, as is eaſily fired by the Tears of a Lover. All he could ſay, was, That he was a young Cavalier, and ſo head-ſtrong, that it was hard for a holy Father to guide him by the Bridle of Religion: That if Capoleon attacque him, he will bring himſelf in danger of undergoing a great part of the miſchief. That her Husbands Paſſion was as full of injuſtice, as the other was of candour and ingenuity in his proceedings.

For this (ſaid the ſubtle Female) I ſee but one remedy: That is (ſaid the holy Father) to ſatisfie him in his extreme curioſity, which preſs'd me to tell him whence I had this advice, which I durſt not diſcover without your permiſſion, thinking it unfit to bring you into the quarrel.

Father (ſaid Vannoza) let me alone, for the love of God, to diſcover it to him, ſince it is for the charitable ſaving of his Soul, and I fear not but to find a happy iſſue, or at leaſt to prevent its ending in ſo bloody a Cataſtrophe. For if Alcimus and my Husband ſhould come to blows (which Heaven forbid) our Sex is ſtill exempt from duels, and the moſt baſe and barbarous Courages have ſtill ſome reſpect for Ladies; ſo that I fear no prejudice by being made a Party; and I aſſure my ſelf, that with one word, I ſhould do more with him towards the plucking from his heart the fruitleſs hope which flatters and abuſeth him, by making him hope for acceſs to an Object, which can never be lawfully acquired, than you can perhaps do, by all your conſcientious perſwaſions. In the mean time, if you pleaſe, you may ſatisfie his Curioſity, that this advice comes from me, and if you pleaſe to bring us together, I will in your preſence diſſwade him from his former actions.

That ſo he may a Med'cine bring, Thence where the Malady did ſpring.

Simplicius from a well-meaning heart, not only approved, but highly praiſed this deſign, being much rejoyced to ſee the Scorpion's Oyl prepared to cure the ſting; and then Vannoza by this means, cutting off all hope, would thereby take away all occaſions of his continuance in his fond Amours: He therefore promis'd to confront her with him; that this Adam taken in the fact (if I may ſo ſay) and convinced in his preſence, might ſeek no further pretexts or palliations to cover his iniquity. And ſo forward was this good Man in this deſign, thinking therein to do all things for the beſt, and believing that all would paſs under the Seal of ſecreſie, that he judged this fitteſt to be done at the very Confeſſional, which according to common Cuſtome, having two places for the Penitents, and one in the middle for the Confeſſor, he might thereby more expreſly convince the Criminal, himſelf being preſent at the Teſtimony. But (O execrable Invention!) ſhe fearing leaſt her Invention might turn to her own confuſion, deſired this good Father, that ſhe might a little before have one moments conference with Alcimus, promiſing thereby more gently to compoſe his ſpirit to an acknowledgment of his fault, leſt being ſurprized on the ſudden, he might fly out into ſome extravagant recrimination, or poſitive denial: The good opinion which the Father had of this Female Hypocrite, made him approve well of her Popoſition; in ſo much that he appointed a day for this rencounter, before which he told Alcimus, that the relation came from Vannoza her ſelf, which would witneſs his falſe proceedings to his face: Provided ſhe lift up her Veil (ſaid Alcimus) I am confident you will find hers overſpread with bluſhes, if there remain in her the leaſt quantity of blood: With which words the Conference ended; and they parted till the appointed day of meeting ſhould come.

The End of the Second Book.

ALCIMUS AND VANNOZA. LIB. III.

THe day being come, Vannoza having before by a Note advertiſed Alcimus of her deſign, they neither of them failed to meet at the Confeſſional of the good Father, whoſe pious intentions to dis-intangle this Clew, did by this weakneſs intangle it more than ever; for Vannoza having put him in mind of his promiſe of letting her prediſpoſe the ſpirit of Alcimus, in order to the bringing him to an acknowledgment of his fault; the good Simplicius; for theſe pious conſiderations, leaving his Tribunal, as if called away by ſome affairs of theſe Statues upon their Pedeſtals, but ſuch Statues as Pigmalion's, for they then found themſelves alive, and their Tongues at liberty. Vannoza moſt prompt to lay hold on this occaſion, which ſhe had ſo long ſought for, began firſt, as followeth:

Seigneur Alcimus, You will perhaps wonder at the many ſubtleties I have uſed to attacque you, but Neceſſity, the Miſtreſs of Invention was furniſhed with Artifices, which opened me the way. Know then, and aſſure your ſelf, it was only I, who by means of this holy Father, gave you this falſe alarm of the imaginary jealouſie of my Husband of you, I ſay, imaginary as to you, for his jealouſie being notorious through all the City, I durſt not in general terms ſtile it feigned; but it is ſo univerſal, that without pitching upon you, or any other in particular, it extends to all the world; he muſt be a ſtranger in this Town, who knows not the evil uſage which that hath cauſed me, and my long and cloſe Impriſonment, is a ſubject of ſorrow to all that hear of it; it is natural to the ſmalleſt Bird to ſearch about her Cage for a hole to eſcape from ſlavery, which I am reſolv'd to obtain, or loſe my life in the attempt, which is but a burthen, wanting my liberty; I know how little worth or merit I have to work the leaſt affection in you, yet have I miſeries enough to ſtir up a pity in your generous Breaſt, ſo that what I cannot hope for from your paſſion, I almoſt aſſure my ſelf from your compaſſion; for this gives ſo puiſſant a ſentiment to the braveſt Courages, that they make it their glory to be that way vanquiſh • d; for this makes their Valour victorious over others miſeries, as conſtancy makes them over their own: For what would become of the miſerable and oppreſſed without the aſſiſtance of generous Cavaliers of your Quality and Merits. I have therefore caſt my eyes upon you as upon a Gentleman full of Honour, to the end that throwing my ſelf at your feet, or into the arms of your pity, in caſe your goodneſs prove favourable to my miſery, I may by that means find an iſſue out of my deplorable misfortunes, before I try the laſt remedy, which is death. Which to all ſufferings an end does give, And makes the moſt unhappy ceaſe to grieve. This is a Cure which the miſerableſt Creature alive may obtain, and then defy the worſt of Fortune's ſtrokes: I have here neither time nor leiſure to let you underſtand the unjuſt rigours which Capoleon has exerciſed againſt my innocence, and how inſolently his cruelty does triumph over my weakneſs: 'Tis enough to tell you, that I implore your aſſiſtance to deliver me from my preſent miſeries, by what means you ſhall think moſt convenient; and 'tis eaſie for you to advance this Stratagem, which I have already invented, having infuſed into the Soul of your Confeſſor (a man of a true Monaſtick ſimplicity) a fear of the dreadful events of Capoleon's fury, which could never find entrance into your magnanimous Courage, if it were real; but I aſſure you, that my Husband does not ſo much as think of you; or if he either think or ſpeak of you, it is rather with eſteem and praiſe, than otherwiſe; and further, I find that he takes a ſingular pleaſure in ſeeing you on Horſeback, but imagines not how far I participate with him in it; for the place from whence I behold you is a ſecret one, frequented by none but my ſelf, and to which I go by private ways, to give this incomparable contentment to my eyes, to behold amidst thoſe noble and gallant Actions, the moſt compleat and admired Cavalier living. I have (in purſuance of this firſt impreſſion) made Father Simplicius believe that you purſued me with your Courtſhip (though convinced how unprovided I am of graces and attractions neceſſary to merit it) and further, that in the ſtreet you gave evident teſtimonies of your love, but this was only to ſet a more ſpecious colour on my Husbands jealouſie. To ſum up all, all this deſign tended only to this ſole point of happineſs I now poſſeſs, (but, alas! with what brevity) to repreſent unto your view a ſcantling of miſeries, which is ſo great an alleviation to them, that I never enjoyed a greater happineſs amongſt all the paſſages of my life: For, I know by ſad experience that nothing ſo much oppreſſeth the heart, as not to know where to unload its ſorrow; and the moſt miſerable of all griefs, is that which wants a voice for complaints: 'Tis at preſent to you, Gentle Alcimus, and to that courteſie and generoſity, ſo natural to thoſe of your Rank and Quality, that I now fly for help and advice; and for what ſuccour you ſhall pleaſe to lend unto my pain, whatſoever ſhall come from your hand ſhall be highly acceptable; for ſince your merits and my own inclination have forced me upon a reſolution of carrying the love of you along with me to my Grave; I am ready to commit my Perſon, Fortune, Life, and Honour to your generous Protection.

How could ſhe more openly, or indeed immodeſtly, have explained her ſelf? But who knows not that impudicity is always followed by impudence? She concluded her Harangue with ſuch languiſhing Looks and Tears, as were able to charm the hardeſt rock; and Alcimus who was not made of Marble, was therewith ſo lively touched, that he did not queſtion but ſhe ſpoke ſincerely, and took her Diſcourſe for no leſs than Oracles; and baniſhing from his ſpirit all ſuſpition of Treaſon, and all fear from Capaleon's practices, it was impoſſible to ſee a heart touched with the love of him, and he not labour of the ſame diſtemper, which is a malady ſooner blamed than avoided, and which is more eaſily avoided by flying it's encounters, than healed where it has once taken footing.

Alcimus vanquiſhed with ſo many courteſies and favours, preſently rendred his arms at the feet of the conquerour, and ſuffering himſelf as eaſily as Sampſon to be bound and brought to the Mill, he tetified his ſubmiſſion by words, which ſhewed him to be a deeper Student in Rhetorick than Vannoza, and as great a ſervant to love, offering her for a confirmation of this truth, all the ſervice which her commands could impoſe upon his obedience, ſaying, That to this he was doubly obliged, by the deſire of poſſeſſing ſo rich a treaſure, and by that of redeeming her from ſo tedious a captivity, a thraldome, which extracted pity from the moſt barbarous hearer: This was to fall inſenſibly into the net of his dangerous huntreſs, whoſe intentions was, That if ſhe had not wrought affection in the heart of this novice in thoſe affairs, to induce him by pity (a ſpecious gate for love to enter at) to carry her away out of that deteſtable priſon, not queſtioning but after that ſhe ſhould have graces and charms enough to work the paſſion of commiſeration into that of affection: and though at laſt ſhe prevailed not ſo far as to make him her captive, yet would this put an affront upon Capoleon, an affront ſo irreparable in this Countrey as nothing can waſh off but the blood of the offender, ſo that ſhe intended at once to ſave her honour, her life and liberty, and either enjoy her unjuſt pretenſions, or at leaſt diſcharge her ſelf of the importunity of love or the bonds of marriage. She hoped to ſecure her honour by making it be believed (a thing eaſily alledged) that her rape though voluntary, & of her own ſuggeſting, was a forced action, and that Alcimus his paſſion, which ſhe had before complained of to Simplicius, had pricked him on to this raſh adventure: Her life ſhe thought ſecure betwixt the arms of a Gentleman more puiſſant than her husband; and her liberty, however, ſecured by this violence; That if Capoleon fell in this quarrel, her marriageyoke was thereby broken; if Alcimus, her love was cured by the removal of the object that gave it being, or at worſt ſhe hoped to be reſtored into the hands of her parents, Capoleon refuſing her, after having been polluted and poſſeſt by another, which every way would free her from ſervitude: but when ſhe ſaw Alcimus declare himſelf a lover, and that in ſo high a degree, with an ingenuity witneſſed both by his words and countenance, then taking him for captive, and her ſelf victorious, and hapilpy arrived at the end of her chief pretenſions, ſhe ſaw her ſelf freed from the trouble of coming to further extremities, and that inſtead of ſounding the trumpet and making open war (which would occaſion more noiſe than advantage to her) ſhe might now go more privately to work, and put crafts and ſubtilties (the unfortunate ſource of this infamous paſſion) in the place of force and violence. Now as women guarded and kept cloſe by jealous husbands, oft work their liberty out of thoſe guards that are ſet to prevent it, eighter by dazzling their eyes by artifices and cajolleries, or by the bribes of gold and ſilver, which is more penetrating than lightning, ſo this ſubtle woman found it the beſt means to entertain a correſpondence with Alcimus, by his means whoſe chief ſtudy it was to prevent it, by working upon the harmleſs ſimplicity of this holy Father, and uſing the Leaves of devotion to conceal the nakedneſs of her execrable impiety; as ſhe projected ſo ſhe ſpoke, and no ſooner ſpoke but it was aſſented to by this heedleſs bird, who run head long into the nets and bird-lime laid to ſurprize him: O God! what black crimes do's he ſubmit to, enough to preſs him down alive into the lower Regions, ſuch as Hell it's ſelf would be troubled to invent, and aſtoniſh with horrour to commit: he that ſaid, to him that liveth, and to him that deſireth nothing is impoſſible, knew well the force of this paſſion the Queen of all the reſt; but he that painted it blind was in the right too, for it blindly precipitates into enormous crimes thoſe that commit themſelves unto it's conduct, and ſuch as they would never commit if they gave but any time to conſideration; this is a navigation where one ſails amongſt thouſands of rocks, ſubject to as many ſtorms and tempeſts, the cauſes of many dreadful ſhip-wracks, and as a hunter, violently ſet upon the ſport, pricked on by that heat is carryed in a full carrier, to ſuch rugged and almoſt inacceſſible wayes, as the very ſight of them in cold blood would ſtrike a horror into him; ſo this paſſion of love inſpires ſuch courage into him whom it has throughly poſſeſt, that he dare undertake the hardeſt enterprize, and to content a brutiſh and inordinate appetite, will violate all laws divine and humane, and prophane whatever is moſt holy in earth or heaven. Alcimus thus conſented to theſe unlawful projects, like another Adam in compliance with his Eve, and as Solomon, a far wiſer man than himſelf, gave himſelf ſo over to the love of Pagan-women, that they induced him to the worſhip of what Idols they propoſed to him, to all the artificial inventions that the impiouſly-ſubtle Vannoza projected were faithfully (according to the fleſh, but faithleſsly as to the ſpirit) executed and accepted by him: And now tell me that Hercules, when governed by women did not ſpin amongſt them, or that Achilles was not ſo effeminate as to live diſguiſed amongſt Ladies, ſince Alcimus, who alwayes before was an Alcides Alexicaces, whileſt animated by a better Genius, is now ſo far transformed that he is rather a breeder than a tamer of Monſters, the firſt of which was this: He conſpired with this crafty woman to deceive the charitable innocence of this good Father, and inſtead of making him the mediatour for their reconciliation with God, and to receive from his mouth the law of the moſt high, as being the miniſtring Angel of the Lord of Hoſts, they made him the Pandour to their deſigns, and more then Diabolical Stratagems, without his thoughts or ſuſpition of it. Vannoza adviſed him to acknowledge that he was formerly enamoured on her, but that he hoped in time, by the aſſiſtance of his fatherly advice and wholeſome inſtructions to efface this affection from his ſoul, confeſſing himſelf vanquiſht by her preſence, and as much recalled to repentance by her reaſons, as before overcome by the pleaſing force and violence of her beauty: whereupon they invented divers ſorts of intelligence, as filthy and abominable, as crafty and ſecret, whereby to underſtand one another by the contrary report of the harmleſs Simplicius; inventions, which I am loth to commit to this Paper, for fear of ſullying it with ſuch a Monopoly of ingroſſed miſchiefs better kept ſecret than revealed, leaſt whileſt I ſtrive to breed an abhorrency againſt them, in the Reader, I may give occaſion to ſome ill-qualified ones of imitation, or at leaſt ſubject of murmur and evil-ſpeaking, and matter of ſcandal rather than edification: See here how there is nothing ſo holy as to reſiſt their ſacrilege, behold confeſſion changed into confuſion by theſe brutiſh ſpirits, whoſe diſtemper was grown to ſo dangerous a malignity, as to turn the antidote into poiſon, and make that remedy plant new vices which was deſigned to root out and extirpiate the old ones.

Simplicius returning from the buſineſs he had pretended, to give leiſure to Vannoza's wholſome inſtructions to work upon Alcimus, retook his Seat of ſpiritual Judicature, where indeed he found him really converted, or rather metamorphoſed, but not with a change from God's right hand: For, As Hector ſtill gave all oppoſers foils, Returning loaded with Achilles ſpoils; So he before alwayes brought home the prize Of thouſands of admiring beauteous eyes; Conqu'rour, till now th'aſſault ſo fierce did prove, He's ſlav'd and drag'd after triumphant love.

And indeed in this as well as in other vices, he that commits ſin is ſlave to it. O Alcimus! how inconſiderate are thy actions! thus to lay ſnares to intangle thy ſelf in miſery; and inſtead of cancelling and blotting out thy ſpiritual debts with the blood of thy Saviour, thus to make a contract with death, and paction with the devil: But let us hear his well-fram'd Oration to Simplicius.

Father (ſaid he) I beg of God and you a thouſand pardons, for having hitherto gone about to deceive you; I was indeed the firſt my ſelf that was ſo, by the ſplendour of a beauty whoſe puiſſant ſweetneſs is able to beat down all oppoſition, and therefore in that ſubjugation, I thought my ſelf more worthy of excuſe than accuſation, of pardon than reproach, but now you have turned the Sun into my face, I muſt ſurrender up my arms to truth, whoſe ſtrength is prevalent over all things, like an impetuous torrent, bearing down all before it. The clouds may for ſome time intercept, but never extinguiſh the Sun's rayes, truth may for ſome time be invelloped with the umbrages of divers ſubtilties, but can never be altogether obſcured. You have ſo well managed your diligent endeavours, that finally by confronting me with an irreproachable Witneſs, you have totally convinced me, but with a happy conviction, ſince this is a tribunal of clemency and mercy, where even the ſin of Judas (of which mine is the image, having ſo often betrayed the divine bounty by a kiſs) is remiſſible: Did you (Father) but contemplate the beauteous cauſe of ſo miſerable an effect, I am confident as you now think me fooliſh and inconſiderate, to ſubmit my ſelf to the captivity of the charms of unlawful love, you would then think me ſtupid and inſenſible, if before ſuch a fire I ſhould endure without heat or flame; but be pleaſed to conſider that our affections (principally thoſe that are grown inveterate) are not put off ſo eaſily as a garment: Would God we could as eaſily quit our habitudes as our habits, as the primitive Chriſtians caſt all they had, even to their garments, at the Apoſtle's feet, ſo I had preſently depoſited at yours all the paſſion that I had for this Lady. But I pray conſider, (which you know better than I) how hard it is for the Aethiopian to change his colour, or the Leopard his ſpots, but ſtill more for a ſinner ſo ſuddainly to rid himſelf of that which is ſo deeply ingraved in his ſoul; I hope, nevertheleſs, by the grace of God and the aſſiſtance of your Prayers and good Conduct, to draw this thorn out of my heart, which I once took for a moſt pretious and fragrant roſe, the impreſſions of which will hardly yet be effaced from my ſpirit, though I feel ſufficiently the pungency of it, ſo that I now find how rational that ſaying was, I ſee what's good, but my malignant will Bends me to love and follow what is ill. Though this will be the very ſeparation of my ſoul from my body by ſo violent an effort, yet when it ſhall pleaſe God to break theſe fatal bonds of iniquity which environ me, I will ſacrifice to him an hecatomb of praiſes, and every where publiſh the glory of his name: All I can at preſent do is to proteſt, that for the future I will do my beſt endeavour to efface out of my memory the Idea of ſo many graces and perfections that have enchanted it, and eſſay to ſhut the gate againſt thoſe thoughts which nouriſh my paſſions; and finally, to take that reſolution which is incident to the moſt irreſolute, to hope no further where the evil is incurable; I ſay not this becauſe mine is ſo, but I ſee by the firmneſs of this Lady that ſhe is no leſs chaſt than fair; and if ſhe have attractions which make her be beloved, ſhe has no leſs ſeverity to make her be feared, and all attempts are fruitleſs upon one ſo firmly bent upon the conſervation of her honour: I will henceforth endeavour to extinguiſh my unlawful fire with the tears of penitence; and ſeeing the waxed wings of my deſigns melted by ſo audacious an approach, I will like Icarus drown them in that Sea of repentance: It is fit I baniſh from my ſpirit thoſe Idaea's which flattered my paſſion, and withal ſeemed ſo delicious; for inſtead of the contentment, which I promiſed my ſelf from their ſucceſs, I now ſee nothing attend me but ſorrow and regrets. Upon ſound advice I find my ſelf obliged, rather to commend her vertuous reſolution, than to blame unjuſtly her holy rigour, which now has proved the onely eye-water to reſtore the ſight, I have been ſo long deprived of: And ſince ſhe cannot be pitiful to me, but by being cruel to her ſelf; nor ſatisfie my humour but at the expence of her Honour, I ſhall ſhew far more judgment in making my retreat, than I did in beginning my enterprize. And I heartily bleſs God, that having fallen, it is into ſuch hands, hers and yours, by whoſe aſſiſtance I cannot fear but to obtain a recovery and making profit of my misfortune, have cauſe to ſay, it was good for me to have this fall, after which I hope to ſtand faſter than before.

Judge now by this Diſcourſe whether the Children of Darkneſs be not more in their perverſe generation, than thoſe of the light, and whether they be not more witty, prudent, and diſcreet, and wſthal more accompliſh • d for the bringing about their wicked deſigns; Was not this cajollery able to paſs, not only upon the innocency of the well-meaning Simplicius, but even upon the cra • tieſt in the world?

This good Father reply'd, My Son, 'tis a good ſtep towards health to be cured; though you come ſomewhat late to repentance, yet all is ſoon enough, if well enough: I told you before, that all that ſmoke could not be without ſome fire, and that your Mine would at laſt be diſcovered, though never ſo ſecretly wrought: But now, God be praiſed, who has melted the Ice of your obſtinacy by the Sun of truth, and that the acknowledgment of your fore-paſt fault, promiſeth us a future amendment; and that which does moſt rejoyce me, is to ſee you hope in the Divine Mercy, which is an Abyſs without bounds or bottom, and will not let us want that, which it would have extended even unto Judas, had he not prevented it by deſpair, to which the extremity of his grief reduced him: He who begg'd pardon for his Crucifiers, will ſurely do the ſame for thoſe who with a ſincere heart do now invoke his bounty, whilſt he is in the Throne of Glory, performing the Office of our Advocate.

And after turning towards Vannoza (which heard all this Myſtery with that attentation and joy, which you may well magine poſſeſt her, to ſee her deſigns ſucceed ſo happily.)

You ſee (Madam, ſaid he) our Criminal convinced by his own Confeſſion; What now reſts but to condemn him not to puniſhment but amendment. It is true, we are here in a Tribunal, where a free Confeſſion ſerves for an excuſe, and where excuſing aggravates the Crime. A Tribunal where Mercy has predominance over Judgment, and where there needs only a ſound Confeſſion of a fault to obtain remiſſion, ſince here we hold the place of him who hath ſaid, At what time ſoever a ſinner returneth towards me, my arms ſhall be open to receive him, for I am the living God, who would not the death of a ſinner, but rather that he ſhould turn from his iniquity and live: If Wine, Women, and Truth, are aſunder judged in Scripture to be the three ſtrongeſt things in the world, what muſt they needs be, when united in one Subject? We have here the Wine of Charity, and Divine Love, waſhing away the filthy putrefaction of this prophane Paſſion: You, Madam, are that ſtrong Woman, which Solomon deſireth, whoſe price is above Rubies, or the precious things the world can yield; and have by your fortitude reduced to Reaſon this wandring Soul, by repelling all his aſſaults: But above all, the Strength of Truth is greateſt, for you ſee that Alcimus confounded by the firſt Ray that it darted in his face.

To this Vannoza replied, in the Apoſtle's Phraſe, (for ſhe wanted neither wit, nor words to expreſs it, had ſhe but had Grace to apply it better.) Not I (Father) but the Grace of God in me, the Grace of God which often makes uſe of the weakeſt things to confound the ſtrongeſt; of a Rod to tame the pride of the Aegyptians, and of the hand of a woman to behead the great Aſſyrian Captain. But, Father, to ſtrike now whilſt the Iron's hot, what hinders, but that (as the Ennuch of Candace was preſently baptized by St. Philip) you now ſpeedily reſtore to him that Grace of which he had deprived himſelf by his bad deſigns. The Paſſion with which Alcimus has hitherto been cuſtamed is ſuch, that if violence be not uſed to pluck it from his Soul, he will continue in his ſin, I in pain, and my Husband in his evil humour.

You ſay very well, Daughter (ſaid the good Simplicius) for ſince the hour of death is ſo uncertain, why ſhould he delay converting himſelf to God, who hath promis'd him, as ſaith the glorious Father St. Anguſtine, to receive him to mercy every moment, but has not aſſured him to allow him ſpace till death, to cry him mercy. It being but juſt; that that ſinner ſhould forget himſelf in death, who hath never thought of God through all the courſe of his life. What think you of this, continued he, (my Son Alcimus) the Grace of God hates delays, and he that preſents it you to day, has not promiſed to do ſo to morrow; if you put your ſelf amongſt the fooliſh Virgins, you muſt expect to hear that ſad Sentence in the Day of Judgment, Depart from me. I know you not: Will you by the impenitent perſeverance of a wicked heart, treaſure up wrath againſt the day of wrath? Will you be ſilent when you ought to ſpeak, and be deaf to the Voice of God, who calls on you by me? the Voice of the Turtle, which ſummons you to a forſaking of your diſordinate and irregular Paſſions. Woe unto you if you keep ſilence: There is a time to be ſilent, and a time to ſpeak: It is a Malignant Devil, which makes us deaf to the Remonſtrances, and dumb to the Confeſſion of our ſins, from which I beſeech God to deliver you; I perceive you are in danger to defer your repentance a while, during which time the Devil will return with greater fury to recover the prey which grace has almoſt ſnatcht out of his clutches, and if he make himſelf once ſtronger and better armed in the fortreſs of your heart, it is to be feared he will guard it ſo ſtrongly as to keep out the holy Spirit, and ſo your laſt errour will be worſe than the firſt: Conſider that it is humane frailty to fall, but diabolical madneſs to perſevere: Is it fit to conſult, hang backwards, or deliberate, when you are ſummoned to render your ſelf to God, and to quit the creature for the Creator, to whom none is like, than whom none is ſtronger, whom none can reſiſt, nor any enter into compariſon with • i • Almighty Majeſty.

Vannoza, hearing this Diſcourſe, backed by the vehemence of that charity which animated this good Father, who wrought upon his ſtoney heart, as if he had been exerciſing one poſſeſt, and fearing that the efficatious ſtrength of this word Which converteth Souls, uttered with ſuch a vehemency of ſpirit, ſhould ſhake thoſe yet but feeble roots which ſhe had planted in the heart of this Neophite, to obſtruct his ſpiritual reſurrection; Alas! (ſaid ſhe) Father, in this new ſpringing of his fault, you muſt not preſs too hard upon his heart leaſt you oppreſs it: The gentle Weſt-wind that makes the Flowers ſpring is ſweet and fragrant, but the impetuoſity of the North pincheth and deſtroys them: The firſt condeſcention which I found in him makes me not doubt of a ſecond, but to this end, time muſt give aſſiſtance unto reaſon; Your Maximes, doubtleſs, are good and prevalent, but be the Medicines never ſo wholſome and well compounded, yet are they not alwaies efficatious, if there be not a fit diſpoſition in the patient that receves them: It is to be thought that Alcimus his Apoſtume is not yet ripe, becauſe it is ſtill unbroken, the time will come, when like a good Tree, planted by the ſtreams of Grace, he will bring forth Fruit in due ſeaſon.

I know he now perceives at laſt The folly of his Errours paſt, And in ſhort time I hope ſee His Flames to Ice will changed he.

I conceive (with ſubmiſſion to your better counſel) it is fit to give him reſpite as to a bad pay-Maſter, that if his levity ſhould bring him to return unto his vomit, it may take from him all excuſe of having had too ſhort a time to reſolve, and to pluck up by reaſon and the force of arguments, a paſſion which has ſo long rooted in his breaſt.

Simplicius, eaſie to work on, as a true Monaſtick, who thought that all the World, like him, proceeded in their actions with charity and ſincerity, gave his hand to this female-councel, which he thought fit to be ſometimes followed, and ſometimes not, and that Adam and Pilate were equally guilty the one for following and the other for rejecting the the Counſel of a Woman: Thus was Alcimus ballanced on the one ſide with Divine Love, and with Humane on the other, and at laſt ſuffered himſelf to be weighed down by the later, directly towards Hell and Deſtruction.

I will not trouble my ſelf nor the Reader with a Diſcovery of the progreſs and ſucceſs of the artifices uſed in this unfortunate infection (I would ſay affection, but have ſpoken more properly then I intended) nor declare in what manner theſe two impious Lovers abuſed the innocence of this good man to maintain an intelligence betwixt them. Sometimes Alcimus making him believe that he could not, or at leaſt not ſo ſoon, rid himſelf of this paſſion; ſometimes Vannoza continuing her falſe complaints, and feigned fears, whereby they made this holy Father their Shuttle-cock, and through their joynt and deceitful propoſitions, be entred into ſuch real apprehenſions of the loſs either of the Soul or Body of Alcimus, that it robbed him of his reſt, and his trouble brought him to a pining leanneſs: In this Spiritual Cure he reſembled thoſe Phyſitians, who not well underſtanding a Diſtemper, take care of one part of it, whileſt the other part deſtroyes the Patient: And as thoſe Corporal Phyſitians know not the Diſpoſition of the Interiour parts but from the relation of the Patient, ſo theſe Spiritual ones, know them not but by the report of the penitent, which made the Philoſopher ſay to a young man, Speak that I may ſee thee; and as the eye being ſingle, the whole body is thereby conducted, by the aid of an amiable light, ſo contrarily, he walks in darkneſs whoſe eyes are clouded; and how ſhould our Spiritual Guides conduct us rightly through a holy diſcipline, if we do not truly and ſincerely diſcover our ſelves to them, without diſguiſing and deceit; for which cauſe the wiſe man declareth that the Heart is deceitful above all things, and a double Tongue is an abomination before God: I will not here make regiſter of the execrable ſubtleties of theſe fire-brands of Hell, of explaining themſelves to one another by an innocent Interpreter, of whom one may ſay, as David did of the Patriarch Joſeph, That he heard a Language which he had no underſtanding of; but is the fault in the Sword if one commit Murther with it? or of a Sacrament if many abuſe it? Who knows not the corrupt Stomachs turn the beſt Meat into Crudities? Beſides all this, the counter-ſence of their words as well in Speech as Writing; their cabaliſtique Cyphers, and interlined Letters, written by a Liquor, which of inviſible became viſible by being held againſt the Fire, and by ſuch like means; and many other wayes, whereby they dayly maintained their wicked correſpondence, by abuſing in ſo many ſeveral manners the goodneſs of this religious perſon, who was thereby toſt like a Ball betwixt two skilful Gameſters.

But if the wicked devices and odious ſins which were acted in the Temple and in holy places by the Sons of Aaron and of Eli were ſo ſeverely puniſht by Divine Vengeance, what puniſhment was due to theſe ſacrilegious perſons, who not content to violate a Sacrament, which is great and honourable, and by an infamous Adultery projected and acted by them, but alſo this other holy one, which pronounceth on Earth the Decrees of Heaven, miſerably changing into a crime, that which ought to ſerve them for an inſtruction of juſtification; How oft, like Uriah, did they carry in their own Boſoms the ſealed Packets of their condemnation, but with as much wickedneſs and deceit as he had of ignorance and innocence.

But this ſort of Writing and Speaking was not all, the furious paſſion which ſo tormented them, and robbed them of their repoſe was not an evil that could be healed ſo, without coming to an effect, (their reciprocal being but too well deſires known to one another) that old Serpent the Devil, Who hath ſo many names, but more devices, With which to miſchief Sinners he entices.

He, I ſay, failed not to ſuggeſt unto them many means of ſeeing one another, and that in ſuch a manner as they deſired; for though in this ſort of Vice, the Goſpel places the mental Adultry in a luſtful look, and a determinate mind to do evil, yet the execution is not perfected by the view, though theſe, like thoſe of the Baſilisk, ſtrike death into the Soul; the life of which conſiſteth in Grace, which is loſt by a mortal coveting.

Alcimus being aſſured of Vannoza's good, will (to him, but evil in its ſelf) did ſoon find the way (were it by the means of ſome friends, or rather the irreſiſtable force of his Coin) to procure acceſs to a houſe that joined to Capoleon's, where by the conjunction of the roofs, he facilitated his entrance to the Cabinet of Meditations of her, who eaſily waived her devotion, to yield her ſelf to his: There whileſt her Husband thought her taken up with Celeſtial Contemplations, ſhe was exerciſed altogether in Earthly ones, and in the poſſeſſion of her new Lover: Thus was this immodeſt Helena taken for a chaſte Hecuba. And thus theſe paſſionate Lovers being arrived to the top of their pretenſions, in the enjoyment of their delights, as execrable as unjuſt, thought they had found out the Elyzian Fields in this Garret: But the pleaſure of the wicked paſſeth in an inſtant; and the Royal Prophet hath declared, That he hath ſeen the wicked elevated above the Cedars of Lebanon (which are the juſt and perfect Souls); and ſoon after repaſſing by the ſame Thickets, he has no longer perceived them, becauſe they were ſhrunk away and failed; for as the wax melteth before the fire, and the ſmoke diſſipateth and vaniſheth as it riſeth higher, ſo Sinners are brought to nought in God's preſence, in an inſtant: This intercourſe laſted but a while, for theſe often frequentings of this houſe being obſerved by the Maſter of it, (who was not at all advertiſed of the reaſons of them, all the buſineſs being brought about by one of his Servants, corrupted by Alcimus) it preſently buzzed ſuſpition into his head, (a Vice natural unto the Italians) and made him begin to look after the honour of his Wife, who was rather capable to beget pity than deſire: See here an eclipſe, and parentheſis for ſome days to the interviews of our Lovers. Thus croſſes do in multitudes deſcend On thoſe who 'gainſt Gods righteous Laws offend: But they like Mules and Beaſts, quite void of ſence, Feel not the rod, nor turn from their offence. But the ſame ſpirit of darkneſs that animated them, being as fertile in invention as perſwaſive in wickedneſs, to make them a paſſage through all the ſteps and degrees that lead to the higheſt top of iniquity, ſuggeſted to them more of his Diabolick ways; Diabolick do I ſay! nay much worſe than the artifices of Devils, who are forced to confeſs their impuiſſance in ſacred places, which our wicked ones choſe to make the execrable Theatre of their abominations; whence comes it (ſaith God by the mouth of a Prophet) that they whom I loved have committed ſuch crimes in my own houſe? And if a fault which of it ſelf is but venial, or ſlightly puniſhable, becomes inexpiable, et crimen leſae Majeſtatis, when acted in a King • s Palace, as being a place of veneration, and not to be diſhonoured by an infamous act, what new puniſhment muſt there be invented to inflict upon him who violates the Temple of the Immortal and Inviſible King of Kings, by deteſtable prophanations; Of a certainty God will not hold for innocent him that pollutes the place of his abode, and make that which is conſecrated for a Houſe of Prayer, be converted into a Den of Thieves.

Within this Houſe, Lord, nought is fit to be, But what in holineſs reſembles thee.

Vannoza having no liberty to go abroad, but to holy places in the company of her Mother, Alcimus by an act doubly ſacrilegious, ſtill frequented thoſe Monaſteries where there were to be Stations, Indulgences, or Proceſſions of the Fraternities, and there habited like the Religious of every ſeveral Monaſtery and Order where he was, he hid himſelf in ſome private Chappels, or ſecret and dark retiring places, (as thoſe who do evil, hate the light) and was there viſited by his devout Miſtreſs, where under pretence of Conſolation, Inſtruction or Confeſſion, they acted that which could ſcarce find remiſſion from him who was thereby ſo highly diſhonoured in his own habitation: I am ſtruck with horrour to diſcover deeds of ſo black a hue; but it is to ſtamp ſome horrour in the Souls of thoſe who act or are tempted to commit the like, that I trace theſe lines upon this paper.

Thoſe who know the dexterity and boldneſs of the Italian ſpirits, principally when they are pricked forwards by this frantick paſſion which hath ſo puiſſant a dominion in their hearts, will not find theſe horrid impudencies ſtrange, though to others of another Nation they may ſeem almoſt incredible.

Now as in the courſe of perfection, it is the cuſtome of thoſe who uſe themſelves to it, to advance from virtue to virtue, till by degrees they arrive at the top of the Coeleſtial Olympus, ſo are there ſteps and degrees in evil; and though (as an Ancient ſaith) there is no vice but what brings us to the brink of a Precipice, yet another ſaith as truly, None highly good can in one moment be Hurry'd into the worſt impiety. None from the top of Virtue in a trice Plungeth into the loweſt depth of Vice. And though this ſeem to be the laſt period of it, when a celeſtial Cloak is fitted to infernal actions, this I ſay, may well be thought the Hercules Pillars, beyond which, wickedneſs can ſcarce paſs any further. Yet our Criminals found this way ſo environed with thorns, their encounters ſo perillous, their interviews ſo ſhort, and their converſations ſo incommodious, that though the Roſes of this Paſſion ſeem not delicious, but amongſt ſuch picquant difficulties, yet they ſoon left their tract of iniquity, bebecauſe having experimented one before, more eaſie, and more accommodated to their guſt, it ſeemed to them as hazardous, as it was in it ſelf horrible and impious: For, beſides that the diſcovery of this Stratagem would expoſe them to publick infamy, and make them hated and hiſs'd at by all, as the God of War and the Black-ſmiths Wiſe amongſt the adulterous Poetical gods, were in the inviſible ſnares; It further ſeemed, that humane Juſtice would hardly invent a puniſhment ſuitably rigorous to ſo enormous a Crime: Their next recourſe was therefore to a Ladder, which Alcimus having procured to be made of ſilk, and as ſecretly delivered it to Vannoza in one of their private Monaſtick meetings, which ſhe in the night, at the appointed hour, faſtened to the Window of the room of her pretended Devotion, and caſt down the other end to the ground, where by his activity readily getting over the Walls of the Court-yard, eaſily mounted to the higheſt Pinacle of his intended happineſs, without fearing a Precipice into the horrible depths of deſtruction, any more than that of his body upon the Pavement, not thinking of the former, ſince he could eſcape the later by his ſtrength and nimbleneſs.

No wonder if Vannoza pleaſed her ſelf in her private Chappel, which ſhe had builded on the top of her houſe, ſince there, like Micah, ſhe kept her hidden Idol, and inſtead of burying it at the foot of the Oak of Sichem (as Jacob did thoſe of his family) by a ſound repentance, ſhe ſacrificed to it (but this word is too honourable for ſo diſhoneſt an action) I may more properly term it a proſtitution of her Affections, Soul, and Honour. And if Covetouſneſs be called Idolatry, and Gluttons are ſaid to make a God of their Belly, how much more fitly may we term ſenſual Perſons, Idolaters; who ſeem to acknowledge no other Divinity, than the object of their filthy deſires; like unclean Beaſts, wallowing in the mire, looſely abandoning the Service of the Creator (who is the ſole diſpoſer of infinite Delectations) for that of a vile and wretched Creature; for as he that adheres to God, becomes of the ſame Spirit with him; ſo he that ſticks unto a looſe Woman, becomes a Member of her Body, and of the ſame ſubſtance; ſo that they reſemble two Captives, who by one Chain are conducted to the eternal Gaoles, unleſs their repentance prevent their Condemnation. But this practice, as perillous as unhappy, was not long without interruption, according to the ſaying of the Poet, Thoſe whom the higheſt joys do bleſs, Abide not long in happineſs: The World, like th' Ocean, ne're's ſecure; A peaceful Calm can't long endure: Felicity ne're reſts long in one place, And Fortune's Wheel moves not a meaſur'd pace. Beſides their continual fears (the inſeparable ſcourge of the wicked) and the apprehenſions not only of being ſurprized in the act, but of being eſpied by ſome Paſſengers in the ſtreet, their Conſciences were ſtill plagued with a thouſand remorſes.

Alcimus always went in the night to the abode of this deceitful Siren, alone and armed, reſolved to ſet upon the firſt that ſhould interrupt his deſigns, but it being impoſſible for him to mount the Ladder with ſo many Arms as he carried, in quitting them, which he left at the bottom, he was ſeized always with a fear of being ſurprized thus unarmed, ſo that that of the Sacred Pages might juſtly be applied to him, Combats without, and Terrours within. But if affection ſharpen the underſtanding, how was it poſſible for him to continue blind amongſt ſo many perils as on all parts invironed him? How ſhould it be, but that like Balaam, he ſhould perceive the flaming Sword of Divine Juſtice waved over his head, and ready to divide it aſunder: But it is in vain for us to deſire he ſhould avoid that miſchief he ſo earneſtly purſues. The reaſon of this is well expreſſed in theſe words of the Royal Prophet, The fire is fallen, and they have not ſeen the Sun; for when the flames of deſire tyrannize in their Souls, the light of their eye (that is, their Reaſon) remains no longer with them, and the faculties of it quite forſake them.

The jealous in the exceſs of their love, have this property, to be always ſuſpicious, and conſequently fearful, and even then, when they have leaſt ſubject for it; 'Tis this that baniſheth repoſe from their eye-lids, and cauſes that the juyce of Poppy, which night ſheds upon the earth, cannot infuſe ſleep into their eyes; they are always waking, or rather awaking, and the ear, chiefly in the dark, is always open to the leaſt noiſe; ſo that though theſe two uſed all means imaginable to be neither ſeen nor heard, yet walking in darkneſs, or in the Scripture Phraſe, groping by the wall, and in elevated places, whoſe Symmetry was leſs diſcernible than the reſt of the Building, it was impoſſible but that they muſt make ſome noiſe or ſound, which would eaſily reach a watchful ear. Vannoza had oft been advertiſed of this by Capoleon, who was troubled that his Wife uſually ſpent a great part of the night in this Garret, in the converſation of the wandring Ghoſts and Goblins of the night, thinking her Devotion had by this time brought her into the Viſions of St. Anthony or of St. Macarius, and that the Demons ſtrove to interrupt her Prayers. Vannoza ſometimes told him it was nothing, and that ſhe was not ſo good as he ſuppoſed, or ſhe deſired; that ſhe was neither in ſo profound Contemplations, nor ſuch deep Extaſies, to give occaſion to the Angels of Darkneſs to envy her Piety, or interrupt it by Apparitions or Illuſions. Otherwhiles ſhe made him ſome crafty excuſes, alledging, that during the ſilence of the night, the leaſt noiſe ſeemeth great; that there are certain Animals which ſtir not abroad but in the dark, principally on the tops of houſes, and alwayes make a rattling and a noiſe; that if ſhe had been of a timerous humour, her ſolitude had adminiſtred cauſes enough of fear; avowing to him that ſhe had often ſeen Fantomes in different faſhions, but that ſhe attributed it to the interruption of her ſpirits, or the weakneſs of her ſight, amongſt the ſhades of night rather than to her vertue or piety. (As if theſe viſits of Satan were marks of the grand merits of ſuch his impious ſervants.) O Vannoza! remember that God is not thus mocked with impurity, that if his long ſuffering wink at thee for a time, till thou arrive to ſuch a height of wickedneſs, it is but for thee to take the greater fall.

The old man prepoſſeſt with a good opinion of the chaſtity of his wife, took her for a Saint, and all ſhe ſaid for Oracles; with which Alcimus and ſhe made excellent paſt-time, it furniſhing them ſufficiently with laughter. One night amongſt the reſt, whileſt they continued their entertainments and embraces longer then ordinary, Capoleon, like another Pompilius, attending the deſcent of the Nymph Egeria, at length wearied, and oppreſt with drowſineſs, fell aſleep, and ſo in a Dream, which brought him into the Countrey near the Appennine, where he thought a Bear coming from the Mountains, bereaved him of his Wife, and tearing her out of his Arms, carryed her into his Den, where, without hurting her, he nouriſht her with Apples and other Fruit, of which he had laid in great ſtore, where helpleſsly he beheld her embraced by this Savage-Monſter; and being in an inexplicable perplexity how he ſhould recover his Vannoza from the power of this fierce Animal, as it ordinarily happens to thoſe who are ſo afflicted in their ſleep, he wakened, overjoy'd that this Misfortune was imaginary, though indeed it was but too real: Therefore groping round about, to find if his better half were with him, and miſſing her, fearing leaſt this Dream might be a preſage of ſome tragical diſaſter, he leapt out of the Bed, and running up Stairs to Vannoza's Oratory, he knocked at the Door, at the ſame time when ſhe was in the poſſeſſion of a Bear in humane ſhape. This knocking ſeem'd to be her knell, expecting nothing leſs than death from her injured Husband; And Alcimus thinking himſelf betrayed, reſolved to ſell his life at the higheſt rate his Valour could put upon it: at laſt Vannoza, not quite deſpairing of an eſcape by the aſſiſtance of the darkneſs, adviſed him to ſlip under the Bed; and ſhe, feigning her ſelf to be aſleep, let Capoleon knock a little longer, and after ſtarting up as if affrighted out of ſleep, ſhe asked who it was that came to interrupt her in the midſt of her repoſe: Capoleon praiſing God that ſhe was there & ſafe, recounted to her his Dream from point to point: To the interpretation of which they needed to conſult neither Morpheus nor Artemidorus, for Alcimus and Vannoza could do it better than either, but knew not whether it gave them more reaſon of fear or laughter: Capoleon telling her he was come to ſuccour her, and deſiring her to open the Door, ſhe knew not whether to take it in jeft or earneſt, fearing all this but an invention and counterfeit pleaſantneſs in order to her deſtruction, the conſcience of her and that of her Lover, beating up a thouſand dreadful alarms; At laſt, taking courage from the extremity of danger, My Dear, ſaid ſhe, know'ſt thou not that Dreams are but lyes and deluſions? I wonder that you being ſo wiſe a man, ſhould trouble your ſelf with theſe ſuperſtitions, which you would blame in the weakeſt Woman; pray return to your reſt; I thank you however for your ſuccour, though it be more importunate than opportune; I am in the little Bed which I have placed in this Room, where pray let me alone this night: Capoleon notwithſtanding urging her to open it, proteſting that he could not ſleep without her amidſt this inquietude, ſhe judging by his voice that he was in earneſt, but without any emotion of choller, prayed him to ſtay a while till ſhe were a little cloathed to go with him, for that Bed was too ſtrait for them both (too ſtrait indeed for the Husband and Adulterer.) This while ſhe conſulted with Alcimus for his eſcape, who to put himſelf in poſture for defence or flight as he ſhould ſee moſt convenient, (fearing leaſt if by ſome ſiniſter accident he ſhould be found under the Bed, it might coſt him his life before he could get up) thought it fitteſt to get behind the door, which was no ſooner open but Capoleon, taking Vannoza by the hand, led her away to his Chamber in the dark, hereby making them both an honourable amends for the fright and trouble he had put them to: Alcimus now had time to clothe himſelf and eſcape, applauding in himſelf the wit and courage of Vannoza, and bleſſing the good fortune that attends on Lovers, Inſtead of acknowledging (wretched as he was) the infinite bounty and goodneſs of God, who by this hazzard he had run (the greateſt imaginable) gave him fair admonition to renounce his abominable wickedneſs and impiety, and by thus ſhewing him the rod, would fright him into an amendment. But alas! his depraved ſpirit and impenitent heart, inſtead of repenting for what was paſt, and amending for the future, ſtrove rather to imitate the Mariner, who having eſcaped the fury of a Tempeſt, which threatned him with manifeſt Ship-wrack, hath ſcarce dryed his Cloathes before he is ſo weary of Land that he is fired with impatience and deſire of imbarking for another Navigation, to try his fortune the ſecond time: As for Vannoza, her wickedneſs whetting her invention, and ſharpening her induſtry, ſhe made her husband (whom ſhe ſaw beſotted with love of her) believe what ſhe pleaſed, telling him, That after ſome exerciſes of mortification, which without naming he was ſufficiently ſatisfied of, finding her ſelf wearyed, and her ſpirits weakened and dulled, ſhe was conſtrained to go to reſt, being of opinion, that after having chaſtned her body and brought it into ſervitude, it was not fitting preſently to reſtore it to delights betwixt the arms of her husband, whom at the ſame time ſhe ſweetned with many feigned careſſes: Thus this falſe Female, the more ſweetly ſhe flattered him, the more deeply ſhe deceived him: This brings into my memory the ſaying of Uriah to David, That he could not allow himſelf to take his eaſe and pleaſures in the bed of his wife, whileſt his Captain Joab was armed in his pavilions: Thus ended this Adventure, which ſerved but for a whet-ſtone to ſharpen their infamous deſires and brutiſh appetites; The remembrance of a danger vaniſhed with it, and being once in ſafety, we forget who ſet us there; Benefits we write on a wave, But Injuries in braſs engrave.

They renewed their intercourſe when the ſhades of Night rendred all things inviſible; but they forgot that Night has eyes, Night's beauteous eyes, the Stars do pierce The Shades which veil the Univerſe.

Not to mention the great eye of the Divinity, which cannot be clouded by the thickeſt darkneſs, ſince God is all light, and nothing is hid from him: This univerſal ſight, which gave him the Name of God, according to the Greek, ſees through the Walls of Heaven, and without being perceived, plainly beholds and orders the Influence of the Stars and Coeleſtial Bodies, and ſees not onely the Actions which are hid from Men, but even the Thoughts, and thoſe very Faults which are unknown to them who commit them; This drew from the mouth of the Divine Singer theſe words which ſuit ſo fitly to our purpoſe: Vain were my hopes, to think the veil of night Could hide my ſecret actions from thy ſight; Night, even then, has eyes to ſix on me; What's dark to us, Lord, is not ſo to thee, Who canſt turn night to day, Or make noon mid-night be.

For as to ſave Iſrael, God made uſe of thick darkneſs at noon-day, ſo to diſcover the wicked actions of the deſpiſers of his Juſtice, and abuſers of his Mercy, he can make day in the midſt of night, laying open to the light the works that are wrought in darkneſs: This he brought about here by a way as ſtrange as that, by which he cauſed the heads of Goliah and Holofernes to be cut off by their own Swords.

Alcimus his Servants ſeeing him ſo often go out of the houſe, to paſs away part of the night abroad, in the equipage of one that goes on no good deſign, being alone and unattended, as being unwilling to have any witneſs of his actions, had cauſe enough to conjecture, that he went to thoſe Thefts, which are now as much eſteemed in the world, as others were formerly amongſt the Lacedemonians; but they were in continual apprehenſions leſt ſome miſchief ſhould befal him, as it ordinarily happens to the defilers of another's Bed; but he had ſtrictly forbidden them to follow him, upon pain of his diſpleaſure, and caſhiering them from his Service; ſo that they were forced to let him run alone after the deſires of his heart; but his Parents being advertiſed of it (to whom this only Son was dearer than the apples of their eyes) made him be ſo well watched by one of their moſt truſty Domeſticks, that at laſt this ſubtle Hunter took him on the Seat, and ſaw a new kind of Angel aſcend and deſcend a Ladder, which was quite contrary to that of Jacob, that reaching unto Heaven, but this to Hell: Yet was it better for Alcimus to be diſcovered by thoſe who deſired the the ſafety of his Soul as well as Body, than by a jealous Husband, who taking him in the act, would have ſacrificed both to his fury. But it was neceſſary for this head-ſtrong young ſinner to be more ſeverely chaſtiſed than by a Fatherly Remonſtrance, to turn him from his evil courſes and bad deſigns, which happened in the manner following: This Servant of Alcimus his Father, who by his craft had traced out the haunts of this untamed young Courſer, not having on his lips the Seal of ſilence, which Alexander fixed upon thoſe of Epheſtion, having advertiſed ſome of Alcimus his Servants, that they ſhould take care of their Maſter, and that notwithſtanding his Commands to the contrary, they ought to follow him afar off, for fear leſt ſome diſaſter ſhould befal him for want of ſuccour; they who deſired nothing more than the conſervation of him, on whom their fortunes depended, quickly accorded to this Propoſition; but it was fit that their eyes ſhould make them certain of what they yet knew nothing of, but by the ear; which having done, and no longer doubting of the certainty of it; it happened that one night having followed him afar off, and ſeeing him ſtop, they made a ſtand, and there ſee him mount his Ladder, whileſt they as his Corps de Garde, ſtood Sentinel, and made their Rounds about the ſtreet, he having left his Ladder hanging at the Window (as uſually it did) to attend his return: Mean while it fell out that a Party of Sbirres (who are Sergeants and Officers of Juſtice in that Country) who came from the ſearch of ſome Robbers, meeting theſe Perſons in the ſtreet, examin'd them, what buſineſs detained them ſo long out of their Lodgings, asking them their names, their quality, and abode, and going at the ſame time to ſeize on ſome of them, who gave ſaucy and abuſive anſwers to their interrogatories, there were preſently Swords drawn, blows dealt luſtily about, Harquebuſſes luſtily fired (the ordinary Arms of theſe Sbirres) a great Cry made, and the Alarm hotly given in that Quarter, ſome crying out Thieves, ſome Fire, ſome Murther, and all was in an uproar, People flocked out of their houſes to ſee what the matter was, and the ſtreet was ſo full of lights, that it ſeemed to be rather day than night; the Inhabitants aſſembled from all parts, and Capoleon's Servants went out among the reſt; Capoleon himſelf leaped out of Bed (every one being concerned at a Cry of Thieves or Fire) This Gentleman being one of the Chief men of that Quarter, all flocked about him, and before his houſe, where the Ladder hung for a Scalado. Whilſt theſe confuſed Cries, Blows, and Wounds made all ſpeakers & no hearers, the noiſe came to the top of the Houſe, where our two ſolitary Sparrows were lodged: Alcimus leaping up, run to the Window (after having habited himſelf as well as poſſible on the ſudden) and was going to go down by his Ladder. Good God! what an amazing ſight was it for him to ſee all the ſtreet and Court full of people, which ſtood thickeſt about the bottom of his Ladder: Some ſeized on the Arms he had left below, others were coming to ſearch for Thieves in Capoleon's houſe; ſome were complaining of their Wounds, others laying hold on the Priſoners; and finally, all was a Chaos of Diſorders. I have no leiſure to deſcribe the fright and terrour of Vannoza, who ran down to her Husbands Chamber, as if ſhe had been going to execution, or deſcending alive into the Sepulchre; for what could ſhe promiſe to her ſelf but certain death, and the hour of her puniſhment to be already come? Alcimus having nothing for his defence but a Piſtol and a Dagger, reſolved to run down the ſtairs of the Houſe, and reſolutely to ruſh through the preſs, which he did with more reſolution than conſideration; and at the bottom of the Stairs meeting a Servant of the houſe, which begun to cry out Thieves, he pulling his hat over his eyes, to avoid being known, fired his Piſtol ſo near his face, that the other holding up his arm to avoid the blow, had it ſhot through with a Bullet, and his eyes ſo dazled with the ſmoke and fire, that that, and the fright he was in, made him fancie as many Thieves as ſparks: the report amazed all the hearers, and he running to the Gate, gave the firſt he met ſo rude a ſalute with his Poniard, as put him into a neceſſity of ſaving himſelf, rather than ſeizing him; he preſt forwards, puſhing one, and ſtriking another, and crying out, Here, here, my fellows, now's the fitteſt time to make our way with our Swords and Piſtols; which frighted both the Sergeants, and all the Company into a belief that there were many of them, and that they ſhould find ſharp ſervice in attacquing ſuch deſperate Villains, ſo that their terrour putting them all to flight, he fled and ſaved himſelf pell-mell amongſt the reſt, without ever being known or taken notice of • Vannoza knowing nothing of all this, and hearing nothing but blows and crys, fancied her ſelf already torn in pieces, and attended nothing but her death; ſhe knew that in that Country 'twas in vain to ask pardon of a Husband for faults like hers; theſe Offences like Treaſon againſt Princes, are not waſht away but with the blood of the guilty, the ſpot; like that of Oyl, not being to be taken out but with the piece; and as it is imprinted in humane nature, to endeavour to prolong it as long as they can, ſhe run down into the Cellar to hide her ſelf, as if ſhe were willing to go alive to Hell, rather than ſuffer the pains of death; or like a Criminal Veſtal, be put alive into the pit, as a puniſhment fit for her uncleanneſs. Here ſhe might juſtly ſay, as the Reprobates will at the Day of the Univerſal Aſſizes, Mountains fall upon us: with her as with a Traveller, who being in open Fields in a Tempeſt, ſees the Heavens all on fire with Lightning, hears the Air reſounding with Thunder, ſees the Earth waſhed with the Rain, and beaten by the Hail, and fearing ſo many Arrows and Inſtruments of Death bent againſt his head, betakes himſelf to the ſhelter of a well-ſpread Tree, or ſecret Grot; but if a Thunder-bolt come to tear the Earth from under his feet, think but what fright he now endures this moment, which he takes for the laſt of his whole life; ſuch was the dreadful fright of Vannoza, too happy Vannoza, had ſhe made uſe of theſe Rods of God's Fatherly correction, and if by the fear of God's Judgments, ſhe had been frighted into Goodneſs: But God might well work Prodigies by the Rod of Moſes, it nothing abates Pharaoh's courage; there are ſome Souls are ſo depraved, that like Tigres, they grow more fierce by gentle uſage. Lord, with how many pleaſant ingredients of mercy doſt thou temper the bitterneſs of thy Potion of Juſtice! How many warnings doſt thou give to them, who amidſt their Sins have not quite loſt the ſenſe of thy fear, to make them hide themſelves by penitence from the Arrows of thy fierce wrath! This action of Vannoza's hiding her ſelf, puts me in mind of that of Adam, after he had taſted the forbidden fruit. And further (which is nearer to our purpoſe) of that of Helen, ſo exactly deſcribed by the Prince of Poets, when at the Sack of Troy Aeneas eſpyed her hid in the Temple of Veſta, for fear of being involved in the general Ruine; the words, coming from this Noble Genius are excellent, and worthy the Recital.

-Limina veſtae Servantem, & tacitam ſecreta in ſede latentem Tyndarida aſpicio; dant clara incendia lucem Erranti; paſſim que oculos per cuncta ferenti: Illa ſibi infeſtos everſa ob Pergama Teucros, Et pena Danaum, & deſerti Conjugis iras Permetuens, Trojae & patris communis Erynnis Abdiderat ſete, at que aris inviſa ſedebat Exarſere ignes animo; ſubit ira, cadentem Ulciſci patriam, & ſceleratas ſumere poenas. In Veſta's Temple Helen I perceiv'd, By fear of Death almoſt of Life bereav'd: The diſmal flames 'midſt the thick ſhades of Night Gave to my wandring eyes ſufficient light: She who the Trojans had ſo dearly coſt For whom their Empire, Goods, and Lives were loſt, Juſtly expected that ſuch injur'd Foes Would with their Swords ſtamp on her breaſt their Woes; Fearing no leſs with guilty blood t, aſſwage Her injur'd Husband and the Grecian rage. Expecting thus till wrathful Greece or Troy Should the dire cauſe of both their ills deſtroy. There th' Altars did a hiding-place afford, T • her whom men hated, and the Gods abhorr'd.

Mean while as this famous Grecian Beauty which firſt fired the Trojan's hearts and then their houſes, though ſeized on by ſo much fear, yet eſcaped the miſchief ſhe ſo dreaded, ſeeing her ſelf after the ſack of the great and ſtately Ilium, kindlier entertained than ever, in the arms of her Husband Menelaus, and after her looſe abandoning her ſelf to the embraces of Paris, more honoured than before by the Grecian Princes; ſo Vannoza ſaw all this uproar terminated in a gracious reception from her husband, who was over-joyed at his fortunate eſcape from the deſtructive hand of thieves, who (as he thought) had fixed the Ladder there to ſcale the Walls of his Houſe and rob him of his Goods: Thus after a furious ſtorm and tempeſt, there remains no tokens of the terrour but a little foam which the billows have driven upon the ſhoars; and a little rain and dirt upon the ground, after the noiſe of thunder and tempeſtuous whirlwinds: O God where is the verity of thy declaration of happineſs unto the good, and evil to the wicked?

How long, how long, Lord juſt and true Shall the curſt troops of evil doers Boldly their wickedneſs purſue, Fearleſs of eathly or heavenly powers? Shall they for ever with impunity Thy Servants wrong, and the dread power defie?

But ſtay my Soul, the way is ſlippery, thy feet may well ſlide and deceive thee, where thy wings intended to bear thee aloft: Do not moleſt thy ſelf to ſee The wicked in proſperitie; With envy don't thy ſelf oppreſs, To ſee them thrive in wickedneſs, Like flouriſhing and verdant graſs Whoſe beauty ſuddenly does paſs, Or flowers which raviſh the eye But ſoon are withered and dry. Stay but a while, thou ſhalt behold The wicked gone like tales long told; And all their glories no more ſeen Nor heard then if they'd never been.

What aſtoniſhing amazment ſeized on Vannoza, who ſeeing her ſelf lifted from the depth of deſpair, to the higheſt top of happineſs, could not chooſe but ſuſpect its reality, and as a bad conſcience is never in ſecurity, ſhe feared that ſhe was brought to be ſacrificed, as thoſe of old with Muſick and Garlands; But by little and little ſhe reaſſumed her courage, underſtanding by the recital of the adventure (which every one reported according to his fancy) that Alcimus had eſcaped unknown, and paſt amongſt that uproar for one that intended to rob Capoleon of his Riches rather than his Honour, nay rather for a troop of Robbers, for the wounded ſervant, and thoſe that fled, deceived by the darkneſs of the night and their own fear (which hath the property to make that appear which is not, and to multiply to an infinity that which hath any thing of reality) made this deceit paſs for a verity, none being able to contradict it: Capoleon ſearched all parts of the houſe, but found nothing of what he ſought for, but found his traces and footings in the Garret, and thence paſſing to the Hermitage of this holy Female, he told her it was no wonder that he had heard a noiſe there before, and that there were other Apparitions than thoſe of Spirits and Fantomes, for theſe had both Fleſh and Bones; the Window where the Ladder was found faſtned was condemned as culpable, the Garret on all parts barricadoed up as criminal, the paſſage over the Gallery ſtopped up, and all the Avenues made inacceſſible; But it was impoſſible theſe Serpents to vomit out their poiſon which was ſo deeply fixed in their Breaſts; it was therefore time for Juſtice to give fire to her train, one ſpark being enough to blow up all, and the finding but one end of the thread ſufficient to unravel the intangled Clew: One of Alcimus his ſervants having been taken and bound by the Sergeants, was by them carryed to Priſon, where before the Judge that took his examination, he confeſſed but too much, manifeſting his own innocence, by the diſcovery of his Maſters guilt: Magiſtrates who are living Laws themſelves, and interpreters onely of the dead or written ones, are moſt commonly like the Spiders, which ſeize on ſmall Flies, but let the great Waſps and Bees alone in quietneſs; ſo that of the Poet may well be applied to them: Dat veniam corvis, vexat cenſura columbas. To ravening Crows they gentle prove, But vex and plague the harmleſs Dove.

His deſign was to impoſe ſilence on this innocent priſoner, and thereby to purchaſe the title of prudent, rather than that of juſt; and it being in his power by the means of many other witneſſes which he named to him, to prove his Adultery, and puniſh it according to Law, he was afraid to make too much noiſe about it, leaſt (like a Dog that barks too much) he ſhould be beaten for his fidelity; He knew the Grandeur and Puiſſance of Alcimus his Family, and further, that if the ſecret ſhould once come to Capoleon's knowledge, he would ſeek Heaven and Earth for vengeance, and never ſtop at Blood or Murther. It is not, certainly without reaſon, that the wiſeſt of men hath ſaid, That a man of little courage ought not to undertake the Office of a Magiſtrate, leaſt fearing the face of the Puiſſant, or the Power of the Mighty, he cauſe a ſcandal, or act an injuſtice by his timiditie.

The Judge for fear of raiſing himſelf enemies amongſt thoſe where both the offenders and the injur'd were equally his friends, privately adviſed Alcimus, that it was beſt to withdraw his man from Priſon, through the golden gate, and lock up his lips with a key of the ſame Mettal, leaſt the ſpringing of that Mine ſhould blow him up into deſtruction. This young Cavalier, unexperienced in worldly affairs, ſlighted this advice, and thinking himſelf clearly and ſecretly eſcaped from the ſhip-wrack, was not contented wholly to deny all that had been confeſſed, but threatned his Servant with the higheſt Menaces, to make him be puniſht as a calumniatour, and laſtly, make him die by the hands of Juſtice, which made him ſtronglier perſiſt in his depoſitions, and all his companions for witneſſes, knowing no other way to ſave his life and regain his liberty: The Judge being no leſs friend unto the Family than to the perſon of Alcimus, advertiſed his Parents of it, who were already told by their own Spy of all their Proceedings, which was the cauſe that to avoid ſcandal, and leaſt that which was yet ſecret ſhould become publick, they took him aſide, and after many grave Remonſtrances and ſerious Admonitions (notwithſtanding his poſitive denyal and horrible proteſtations, as if Sacriledge and Adultery could be that way purged) they gave him to underſtand how they had light on the Clew that led them in the purſuit of him through all his crooked Maeanders of wickedneſs: But this inſtead of amending him made him worſe, by adding the fire of Anger to that of Luſt, ſo that his choler choaking his reaſon, put him in a fury againſt his ſervants, their honeſt care and fidelity appearing to him not onely a baſe diſobedience and diſloyalty, but an unpardonable injury: ſo true it is, that as the good change all to good, and make profit of their loſſes, the wicked turn that which is good into evil, taking ſervices for affronts, and the amity one ſtrives to ſhew them for a paſſion rather importunate and troubleſome than worthy an acknowledgment; ſo that inſtead of applying ſoft Oyls and Lenitives to this Sore, to abate the Inflammation, he rather ſtrove to heighten it to a Gangrene, by threatning nothing elſe but revenge againſt his Servants, by diſcarding, blows or ſomething worſe, ſo far did his fury tranſport him againſt thoſe whoſe onely Crime was too much fidelity: And to arrive to the top of his folly, he reſolved inſtead of getting liberty for the Priſoner, to become a party againſt him, and procure his death from the hands of Juſtice, by Artifices as full of ſublety as impiety, thinking to bury his fault in the grave of this innocent: Thus David ſtrove by the ſin of Murther to make himſelf more free and ſecret in the Commiſſion of that of Adultery.

The End of the Third Book.

ALCIMUS AND VANNOZA. LIB. IV.

SEE here Alcimus arrived at the very Criſis of his wickedneſs; And ſee how far more eaſie it is to corrupt Judges on the ſide of Clemency, than on that of Rigour; ſince as the Lawyers ſay, That the ſoveraign ſeverity of the Law is a ſupream injury; like thoſe Remedies of Steel and Fire, which Chirurgions uſe, to diſmember and ſtop the Gangrenes of their Patients; Remedies more painful than the Diſeaſes which they cure. If Alcimus had prudently deſigned to free the Priſoner, and to ſmother his depoſitions, to avoid the ſtirring up a dung-hill which would fill the City with noiſome and peſtilential vapours, and by ſilence to ſave the lives and ſalve the honours of the principal offenders, there is no queſtion but the Judge had cloſed with the deſign; for as Eleazar attacqued Antiochus his Elephant in the flank, the moſt tender and onely penetrable part of this vaſt body, ſo Officers of Juſtice are ſooner vanquiſh'd by pity than by any other means, compaſſion being a charm whoſe ſweetneſs abates and betrayes the moſt hardy courages, but to commit an injuſtice attended with cruelty is the part of a Devil rather than a man. This was the cauſe that Alcimus, what artifices ſoever he uſed, whether by intreaty, promiſes, or threats, to arrive unto the top of his pernicious deſign, was totally fruſtrated and deceived, and driven upon the ſame rock on which he would have ſplit his inculpable ſervant. Being in this like the Ape, which hopping up the boughs of a Tree, the higher he climbs, the more he diſcovers his ſhame; or like the Peacock, who the higher and more proudly he erects his plumes, the more does he diſcover the parts he ſhould ſtrive to hide. There is no ſtronger accuſation than excuſes too far ſtretch't, and too violently urged, as none are leſs believed than thoſe who think by Oaths and Blaſphemies to ſtrengthen their affirmations.

Judges alone cannot order the Proceſs, having to that end their Clerks, Proctors, Advocates and Regiſters; and the parties themſelves, who like Birds diſcover themſelves by their notes: But what was worſt of all, Capoleon proſecuting for Juſtice againſt him whom he thought one of the Thieves that had attempted to rob him, by too ſollicitouſly ſearching what he ought not, found what he would not, nor ever thought of; like an ignorant Glaſs-maker, who intending to blow a Glaſs, makes a Bottle, or a more uſeleſs and ill-ſhap'd Veſſel: Good Heaven! how was he ſurprized at the priſoner's depoſitions! a Maid gathering flowers in a Garden or Meadow for a Poeſie or a Garland, and ſuddainly ſeeing an ugly Serpent leap from under them, is not in a ſtranger diſturbance than was Capoleon at this amazing news, which (as it often happens) was as near the truth as it was far from appearance: But as age had indued him with prudence, he, like a true Italian ſmother'd his reſentments, making a ſhew to the reporter, as if it were as far from his belief, as it was from truth or likelihood; But imagine in the mean time what an aſſault this was to his jealous ſpirit: But according to the Cuſtom of the Nobility, who deſpiſe the ordinary proceeding of Juſtice, which they will render to themſelves by furious revenges; Capoleon being hereupon reſolved, though quick enough both of ſight and hearing, ſeemed to be both deaf and blind, nay more than that, inſenſible of this affront, giving out, That he would not engage his Honour upon the depoſition of a Villain, who ſtrove to ſave himſelf by accuſing his Maſter; and who like one that is a drowning, catched indifferently at all he ſaw, or what ever he thought might be inſtrumental to his ſafety.

On the other ſide, Alcimus, as if he had ſworn his own ruine (it being no wonder that he who is once blinded ſtumbles at all that lyes in his way, and proceeds from bad to worſe) after having outraged, beaten, and abuſed his Servants, turned them all out of doors; they being called for Witneſſes by the priſoner, their deſpight for this injury made them eaſily conſent to tell the whole truth againſt their Maſter, which appearing by the conformity of their depoſitions, the priſoner was enlarged, and cleared of the attempt of robbing Capoleon's houſe; and as in War there are no Souldiers kindlier received, than thoſe whoſe bad pay or worſe uſage forces them to change parties, their anger or apprehenſion of being taken and puniſh'd as Traytors, making them doubly bold and deſperate; ſo Capoleon, ingenious in ſearching into the original of his Evils, by fair words, and ample promiſes, drew from theſe ſhamefully injur'd Servants, a perfect declaration of all the moſt ſubtle and ſecret of Alcimus his Contrivances. Thus was Alcimus the Artiſan of his own miſfortune, and the ruiner of his own projects, which he manifeſted by the ſame induſtries by which he thought to conceal them, like the Hare, which declares the nearneſs of her end by her often doubling.

But Capoleon now by many circumſtances, aſſured of that which he before did but conjecture, no longer queſtioned the loſs of his Honour, and the diſloyalty of his Wife, but ſtudied how to repair it by a memorable Vengeance, which ſhould ſerve for an example to all poſterity. To this end, making no ſhew of being offended, and at the ſame time ſeeming leſs jealous than ever of Vannoza, and letting the Judge know (who he knew would ſoon advertiſe Alcimus) that he did not in the leaſt ſuſpect his Wifes Integrity, believing his own experience ſooner than the depoſitions of a Rogue; nor would he ever believe that ſo noble and brave a perſon as Alcimus ſhould enterprize ſo unworthy an action as the robbing of his houſe, or attempting the Chaſtity of his Wife, he by this means confirmed Vannoza againſt all fear of puniſhment, who gave an exact accompt of all theſe paſſages to Alcimus, who on his part did the like to her of all he knew, leſt ſhe ſhould let her ſelf be betray'd to a confeſſion by furious threats or deceitful promiſes, mingled with the falſe Careſſes of Capoleon, ſo that ſtrengthening one another in their miſchievous actions, they imagined that they had walked in Clouds hitherto, and feared not but to find means to do ſo for the future. Capoleon thus Cajoling his Wife as treacherouſly, as ſhe Careſſed him deceitfully, do by their reciprocal diſſimulation illuſtrate the truth of the Wiſe Man's ſaying, My Son, thoſe who flatter thee, are they that do intend to betray thee. Fraud is an impoiſoned potion, which firſt begets a Vertigo, and then a mortal Lethargick ſlumber, which ſecurely luls us into deſtruction.

Capoleon all this while was pitching his ſnares to entrap the prey, which ſhould make an ample ſatisfaction to his vengeance. He ſets more Spyes on work than Argus had Eyes: he gives his Wife more liberty than ever, imitating the Gaoler, who in the morning puts thoſe Priſoners into a pleaſant Garden by his Priſon, who at night muſt upon a Scaffold ſerve for a Tragique ſpectacle; or the Butchers, who gently ſtroak and claw thoſe Beaſts which they are about to knock down and kill: Thus a dead ſtillneſs precedes an Earthquake; but while our unskilful Mariners thought the ſtorm was blown over their heads, the clouds were thickening for a Tempeſt which they were ſhortly to hear ſinging through their Ears, which were now ſhut againſt whatſoever ſeemed to obſtruct their new deſigns. The difficulty of the action did the more inflame Alcimus his Paſſion, who now became the more amorous of Vannoza, the harder it was to enjoy her: The commerce with bad Women having this Similitude with Mount Aetna, whoſe flames grow fiercer by the Rain which extinguiſheth others, and Scorpion-like, they can ſhoot that ſting which nothing can cure but a Medicine extracted from their own bodies. But if this fire be ſo imperious in the green Tree, what is it in the dry? I mean in the feeble ſpirit of Vannoza, whoſe flames raged ſo much the fiercer, by how much ſhe had the leſs ſtrength to reſiſt them.

Theſe workers of iniquity begun again to weave a Net for their own deſtruction, for which they found no thread fitter than their old one of Father Simplicius; for Vannoza (having no other door of liberty open but that of the Church, never ſtirring out but under the pretext of Devotion, whereby ſhe found means to ſignifie her mind to her Gallant by thoſe pretendedly holy characters) went preſently after this unhappy uproar to this good Father, to diſcover to him the imaginary attempt of the Robbers, in the faſhion which ſhe judged moſt proper to give a colour to her juſtification. This well-meaning Religious Father, who had taken the common report for truth, (a report as favourable to Alcimus as he could deſire for the covering of his Theft, which was of far greater concernment than what had been imagined) was much ſurprized when he heard from the mouth of Vannoza, That he who fixed this ladder did it with a deſign to attack the impregnable Fort of her Chaſtity, and that the Robber was no other than Alcimus accompanied by his Servants, one of which being taken, had diſcovered all the deſign unto the Court of Juſtice, and whoſe depoſitions had been confirmed by the teſtimony of his Companions; and withal, renewing her Plaints againſt this Gentleman, as one whoſe often repulſes had rendred deſperate, and who by that means was come to this extremity, which was an injury for which no earthly puniſhment was great enough; adding, That for all this, God had been ſo merciful unto him, that Capoleon's Heart was not thereby fill'd with any ſuſpition or rage, and that notwithſtanding his former Jealouſies, which time and her Pious Endeavours had now well near effaced, he was now more inclined to hold the Servants Accuſation for falſe, than to imagine that the Maſter could admit of ſo baſe and unworthy a deſign.

Simplicius knew not what to anſwer hereunto, onely, That her ſuſpitions might be true, but yet that it was poſſible for them to be falſe, ſince Fear has the property to make us eaſily believe ill of thoſe we miſtruſt; as love makes us ever think well of thoſe we affect: but yet it was neceſſary to be well informed before we condemn, for fear of paſſing a raſh Judgment. Promiſing her withal to uſe his utmoſt endeavour to free her from this trouble, and the oppreſſion of her frantick purſuer; and ſo comforting her the beſt he could, he diſmiſt her with a bleſſing.

Alcimus betaking himſelf to the ſame Aſylu • , came to excuſe himſelf to this good Father, and to make proteſtations of his Innocence, taking the common Report for his Vindication; alledging, That the voice of the People and of many waters, was that of God: and withal inveighing againſt the treachery of his Servants, who to bring one of their Comrades out of Priſon, had conſpired againſt his Honour, to ſave themſelves under the ſhelter of his authority.

Simplicius replyed, That he had really been of this perſwaſion, and that he had anſwered the ſame to the continual ſuſpitions and ordinary Complaints of Vannoza, who daily buzzed in his ears her ſuſpitions of theſe paſſages for realities.

Alcimus, who deſired nothing more than a Perſonal Conference with this Lady, proteſted to him, That in his preſence he could bring her to confeſs that her opinion was as falſe as the contrary was true; being now perfectly cured of the impreſſions that her Beauty had ſtruck into his Soul. By this means they were ſo ſubtilly wicked as to diſcover their Minds before this good Father, but in a Language which he underſtood not; theſe being of thoſe deceitful lips which the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks of, that ſpoke with a heart and a heart. And thus by the charitable interpoſition of this Pious Man, whoſe zeal they abuſed with as much Impiety as Impudence, they both by word and writing renewed their former intercourſes, and what was more horribly wicked, in thoſe holy places, adding to the reſt the abuſe of thoſe Sacraments, which if rightly uſed are the ſeal of Salvation, but by that means the inſtruments of inſupportable damnation, from that Eternal God, to whom not only the Intelligences which rule the World do bow, but even the Infernal Powers tremble. O extremity of hard-heartedneſs, and more than Diabolical iniquity! Capoleon, who had always his Sentinels ſet, watching the deportments of his immodeſt Wife, and the means to draw her into the ſnares he had pitched, was advertiſed of all theſe proceedings, and being informed that ſhe was often in Confeſſions with Simplicius, where Alcimus ſtill came as to Confeſſion, and where they had long diſcourſes together; this Man whoſe Jealouſie was even encreaſed to a frenzy, meditating nothing elſe but vengeance, took it for granted that this Father was an accomplice of his Wife's wickedneſs, his ſpirit being now open to the moſt horrible and worſt impreſſions. His ſuſpitions redoubled by the Viſits which Simplicius made to his Penitent in his houſe, to alleviate the afflictious of ſpirit which ſeemingly tormented her, even to deſpair, cauſed as well by Alcimus his deportments, as by the jealouſies of her ſuſpitious Husband; all which were but ſo many inventions to cloak her ſublime ſubtlety. Theſe well-meaning Viſits of Simplicius in Capoleon's houſe were not without ſome ſhort remonſtrances to the Old man; not lightly to believe the rumours of the Town, the reports of Lacqueys and ſuch looſe kind of people, whoſe only deſign was to advance themſelves by flattery, at the expence of another's reputation, and to work their own credit by the defamation of the moſt virtuous perſons. This added ſtrength to his Jealouſie, and ſuſpition of Simplicius, whom he hereby concluded to be one of the parties, and thereby worthy to be included in their puniſhment. And thus by a miſ-intelligence of what was ſpoken in ſincerity, this poor innocent Monk was mark'd out for deſtruction amongſt the reſt.

My haſte to finiſh the recital of ſo many horrible iniquities, will make me ſlip more ſlightly over many of the malicious induſtries which Satan ſuggeſted to theſe his devoted ſervants, to plunge them firſt into their filthy pleaſures, and laſtly into Eternal deſtruction.

The Poets amongſt their many fabulous inventions, metamorphoſe not their gods into ſo many ſhapes, as Alcimus took to encounter his Vannoza; for as if he had abſolutely took upon him the profeſſion of a Comedian, there was no ſort of habit which he made not uſe of to ſee or ſpeak to her, who had wholly tranſformed him from what he was before; which was the more eaſie for him to accompliſh, ſince Capoleon had now laid the reins on their necks, whom he ſaw runing headlong to a Precipice. She went and came whither ſhe pleaſed, and that without the company of her Mother, and Alcimus daily ſaw her under pretexts and different ſhapes; In Monaſteries and Churches in a Religious habit; Otherwhiles in Churches he convers'd with her in the habit of a veiled Woman; If ſhe walk in Gardens, he becomes Gardiner; ſometimes accoſting her as a Beggar; ſometimes as an Artiſan, a ſeller of Wares, a Waiting-Woman, a Kinſwoman, and divers other ways, his face being ſtill diſguiſed and ſuited to his ſeveral habits; by which means he deceived Vannoza's followers, who were ſo many Guards and Spies upon her actions, to make report unto her Husband of all her paſſages, turns and conferences: I • will a little expatiate upon one of his refined ſubtleties, whereby the ſharpneſs of his invention ſeemed to triumph over that of Vannoza. Walking one day to a neighbouring Church, accompanied onely by one of her Maids, ſhe was (ſeemingly) accidentally almoſt covered over with dirty Water which was caſt out of a Window, which defiled all her clothes in a ſhameful manner, and ſuddainly a Woman, whom ſhe knew not, appeared at the Door to excuſe the miſ-hap, ſeeming to be inexpreſſibly ſorry, and offering her her Houſe, her Chamber, and the choice of all her Clothes to make her reparation for this heedleſs injury: Theſe Excuſes for an Affront ſeemingly unpremeditated, appeaſed Vannoza's anger, and the preſent neceſſity of avoiding the diſgrace and laughter of the people, conſtrained her to enter into this offer'd Lodging; where ſhe was no ſooner admitted, but ſending home her Maid for other Clothes, ſhe being left alone, Alcimus preſently appeared, and let her know, That it was he who had invented this Device, which he termed a Gallantry, (unhappy that he was, thus to glory in his Crime, and rejoyce in his Confuſion) to enjoy her with the greater freedom.

See the deep ſubtlety that's here expreſt, And by this one act judge of all the reſt.

If formerly the excellency of a Painter appeared, in a line direct, ſtreight, ſlender, and almoſt imperceptible; Judge whether by this unthought of Artifice, Alcimus did not manifeſt himſelf a good proficient in the School of Vannoza's ſubtlety. But finally, as if they had been weary of living longer amidſt theſe conſtraints, they conſulted how to ſet themſelves at large in the fields of wickedneſs, by the aſſiſtance of truſty perſons: To which end Vannoza thought it moſt material to endeavour to make her Sentinels and Gaolers inſtrumental to her deſign, ſo that finally after many Artifices and Careſſes, having dazzled the eyes of two of her attendants, with a Metal almoſt as ſparkling as the Sun that makes it, and by the rayes of a Thouſand promiſes, he exacted from them the vows of a faithleſs fidelity, bound with ſuch ſolemn Oaths, that their horrour preſaged their breach and nullity; and conſequently ſhe declared to them her paſſion for Alcimus, her ſecret intelligences, and the deſire ſhe had to poſſeſs him, and be poſſeſſed by him, with a greater freedom: Capoleon who before had theſe Maids his ſtipendaries, had by one of them the door opened, which gave him a view of all theſe dark proceedings. It is hard to judge whether it be more proper to call this ſervant Treacherous or Faithful; for if ſhe was perfidious to her diſloyal Miſtreſs, ſhe was faithful to her Maſter, who had paid and appointed her to watch his honour: To ſpeak more properly, let us term her a female, and caſt upon her Sex the fault of incapacity of guarding a Secret, rather than to accuſe her of treachery, ſince (as is to be ſuppoſed) making a profeſſion of honeſty, beſides inconſtancy, ſhe further imitated the Sea, which will not harbour a dead Carcaſs or Carrion, (unleſs kept down by a Weight) but vomiteth it out upon her Shoars; A Secret in Woman being like new Wine, which purgeth its ſelf, and works out at the mouth of the Veſſel. And indeed what reaſon had ſhe to keep faith with her, who had broken hers to her Husband? It is the Receiver that makes the Thief; and if there were not theſe Mediators, there would be fewer Adulteries. This Servant in accuſing the Treaſon of her Miſtriſs, muſt neceſſarily diſcover that of her Companion; and the cautelous Capoleon having doubled her Salary, and made further promiſes of Golden Mountains, when he had ſurprized the Delinquents, and accompliſh'd his deſign, he was thereby hourly advertiſed of all the Words and Intercourſes of our two Lovers: and Capoleon had ſo wholly won this Servant to his party, (whom we ſhall call Adriana) that like a Coy-Duck ſhe ſerved him to draw the reſt into the Net; ſo that by her Maſter's order, cutting both ways, ſhe accommodated her ſelf to all the deſigns of her Miſtreſs, holding in ſeemingly with her and her Lover, but really with Capoleon, ſhe on all hands reaped a Golden Harveſt: The other, (whom we will call Liſarda) whether it were that ſhe naturally abhorr'd ſuch double dealing, or whether ſhe feared that her report (as ſeemingly it would) ſhould be the occaſion of blood and miſchief; or were it that ſhe took compaſſion of her Miſtreſs, having a horrour of deceiving her who had ſo freely imparted a Secret to her, which imported no leſs than her life; or were it (which is moſt likely) that the ſtrongeſt Adamant attracted this Iron, and that the double recompences of Alcimus and Vannoza joyned to the gale of promiſes which filled the Sail of her deſires, out-weighed the ſparing Salaries of this penurious Old Man; Which ſoever of all theſe was the Motive, ſhe wholly quitted Capoleon's Party for the other of her Miſtreſſes, and firmly embarqued her ſelf amongſt all her Enterprizes: But yet ſhe acting with more fear and miſtruſt of Capoleon than her Compaſſion did, ſhe ſaw (not without Envy, the ordinary diſeaſe of feeble ſpirits) her ſelf leſs intruſted and imploved than Adriana was, who behaved and ſuited her ſelf with greater boldneſs and complaiſance to all the impudent deſigns of her infamous Miſtreſs.

Under the guidance of theſe two Stars, nothing ſeemed impoſſible, nay nothing difficult to theſe two criminal Lovers, who raiſing Trophies to their Conqueſts, ſeemed to lead Capoleon's Honour in triumph; and thought themſelves ſo far raiſed above fear, as Thunder and Tempeſts ſhould for the future be below their fact: But as Holophernes dulled with the vapours of the Wine, and Siſera with the Milk which they had plentifully ſucked in, were unſuſpectedly tranſmitted from the Brother to the Siſter, from ſleep to death, by Judith and Jael, ſo our impenitent Offenders ſecurely ſleeping amidſt the ſtupefactions of their ſins, did inſenſibly draw on their puniſhment by thoſe means which they thought moſt conducing to a pleaſant and delicious life: They now proceeded with impunity, and ſeemed now to glory in their crime, and colour their unlawful paſſion with ſome image of reaſon.

Capoleon advertiſed by Adriana of all their wickedneſs and mockeries, kept his patience, that like Vulcan he might take them at his eaſe, and have his turn to laugh at their Tragical ſucceſs: Imagine but what flegme the enraged Capoleon muſt have to qualifie ſo much choler, and how dexterouſly he retired to make a greater leap, and deferr'd his vengeance to execute it the more ſeverely; all the Letters which paſſed through Adriana's hands were communicated to him, by which he underſtood all the motions of this unhappy Cabal: Oft-times overcome with rage and fury, he was on the point of breaking out into a bloody execution; but whether he thought the fruit not yet ripe enough, whether he were not ſufficiently aſſured of his men who were to aſſiſt him in the action; whether God (the hour of Chaſtiſement of theſe execrable offenders being not yet come) withheld the arm of this Executioner of his Juſtice, by moderating the Motions of his heart to attend the repentance of the Criminals: or whether, after the Mode of that Nation, he ſtaid for an opportunity to envelope in one common ruine all thoſe whom he thought Accomplices in this fact: However it were, he was reſtrained by ſome ſecret cauſe; till one day (the meaſure of the ſins of theſe Sacrilegious Adulterers being now arrived to the height) after having provided himſelf of all things neceſſary, both of Men and Arms, he pretended to take a Journey about an Important Affair which he had at a Town three days Journey from home. Now conſider by what follows, whether it were not high time for Capoleon to come to a concluſion, ſeeing the extream madneſs, and laſt point of Villany to which theſe two Criminals were now arrived; for as it is common with Adulterers, and eſpecially thoſe who have Sacriledge annexed, to draw on Homicides in the train of their other vices, Alcimus and Vannoza earneſt of an unconſtrained reciprocal enjoyment, were come to a reſolution of ridding themſelves of the Old Man, either by Sword to Poiſon, to plain their way to a future Marriage. This Journey was laid hold on by Vannoza, as a ſit occaſion to perpetrate the Murther by Bravo's (ſo they call the Italian Aſſaſſins) in ſome Wood or narrow paſſage, under colour of Robbery. This Counſel broached firſt by Vannoza, was readily embraced by her Adonis, who for Money failed not of Men who undertook to execute this Bloody Enterprize: Vannoza had divers times attempted the courage of her Maid, to ſlip ſome poyſon into Capoleon's Meat or Wine, but Liſarda loth to envelope her ſelf in ſo deſperate a deſign; Adriana however more ſeemingly compliant, preſently gave her Maſter warning to avoid this intended miſchief.

But now this Aſſaſſinate being projected, broke off the other more dangerous deſign of poyſoning, but (as if ſecrecy were incompatible to that Sex) Vannoza reveal'd it to Adriana, praiſing it for an Heroick Action, and ſinging Songs of Triumph before the Victory.

Capoleon making preparation for his pretended Journey, Adriana amazedly came running to diſſwade him from it, revealing the Conſpiracy that was made againſt him; to whom the crafty Old Man to diſſipate her Fears, anſwered her, That he would countermine them, and by taking the takers, marr all their Plots: Encouraging her to be faithful to him; and ſo thanking her for her advice, he diſmiſt her.

He had already cauſed all the Keys of his houſe to be counterfeited, to enter at what times he pleaſed, to take the Criminals in the act: Whereupon he ſet forwards in good equipage, and well attended, having under-hand given order that all his Wifes actions ſhould be diligently watched, leaving one in truſt to learn of Adriana the news of her deportments: He had ſo long given Vannoza her ſwing, that he now ſeemed to be no longer jealous. His Journey was ſo well coloured, that there was no ſubject left to ſuſpect it; He was followed three or four miles by a Servant of Alcimus, to ſee what way he took: At the place where he Dined he remained until night, and returned to the Town very late; where being retired to a private houſe, he heard from Adriana that his back was hardly turned when Alcimus came to ſupply his place in the habit of a Jeweller.

The Night was in the middle of its courſe, and darkneſs more then Cimmerian had over-ſpread the ſurface of the Earth, and the ſweetneſs of reſt and heavineſs of ſleep had rendred the Condition of moſt in the City little different in appearance from that of the dead; when Capoleon, whoſe many deſigns and thoughts had bereaved him of repoſe, covered with a Coat of Male, and Headpiece, and armed with Piſtols, Poniards and Sword, accompanied by ſix men, ſome of them 〈◊〉 Servants, and others Bravo's, compleatly armed, and reſolved to execute Capoleon's vengeance, with ſo much the more boldneſs, by how much it ſeemed more juſt and reaſonable, and therefore they leſs ſubject to the fear of ſcandal or of puniſhment, came to the houſe with the falſe Keys we lately mentioned, arriving without noiſe to Vannoza's Bed-Chamber, who had admitted Alcimus into her Husband's Bed, where they lay ſoundly ſleeping in the cloſe embraces of one another. The door being bolted on the in ſide, he knocked at it like a Maſter, and as one reſolved to enter by fair means or foul, and that ſpeedily, being then unable to ſuppreſs the movements of his Paſſion, to counterfeit his voice, or moderate his Anger. What caſe Vannoza was in when thus ſuddainly awaked, I leave it to the Reader to imagine, hearing the eager and angry ſound of her Husband's voice, who thus ſurprized her betwixt the Arms of a man, who together with her had not only robb'd him of his Honour, but conſpired againſt his life: A thouſand terrours ſeiz'd her in a moment; the fears of death, and danger of Hell environed her, ſo that it bereaved her of all uſage of Reaſon or diſcourſe; as thoſe whom a Wolfe had got the firſt ſight of: The two Maids which ſlept in the Wardrobe being awaked with the noiſe, Liſarda was almoſt dead with fear; but that of Adriana was only counterfeit, becauſe ſhe kept intelligence with that party; though the thoughts of the ſucceeding Execution could not but make her tremble: She roſe, and ſoftly ask'd her Miſtreſs What ſhe did intend to do? Who being with fear almoſt as much ſtupified as ſhe that was turned into a Pillar of Salt for looking back upon her flaming City, anſwered her not a word. What ſay'ſt thou Alcimus in this preſſing neceſſity, or to whom wilt thou betake thy ſelf? O how true is the Saying of an Ancient Roman Hiſtorian! That when the hand of Deſtiny layes hold on a man's Collar, he becomes even ſtupified, his Senſes taken from him, and as if he were fetter'd with inviſible Chains; he has neither Courage to attacque his Enemy, nor to defend himſelf, nor feet to flye. At leaſt ye defiled Souls, ſince you are deprived of all hope of eſcaping a Temporal death, think of preſerving your ſelves from an Eternal one.

Now think of your Salvation at this point of extremity, this precious moment; manage with a hearty deſire and unfeigned repentance your reconciliation with the Father of Mercies, who hath promiſed graciouſly to receive ſinners at what hour ſoever they heartily repent: But O Lord! how juſt art thou! and how much equity accompanies thy Judgments. And how true is that ſaying of one of thy Saints, That it is reaſonable he ſhould forget himſelf in dying, who living never had any remembrance of thee.

During this mute conſultation, and fix'd reſolution, they beat ſtill more rudely at the Door, calling, ſwearing, curſing and threatning to break it down; which ſo daunted the ſpirit of Vannoza, ever till then ſo ſharp and ſubtile, that ſeeing her ſelf diſcover'd and betray'd, and without other hope of ſafety than what ſhe could gather from the deepeſt deſperation, knowing the impoſſibility of her Husband's pardoning this outrage, ſhe took the firſt counſel that her deſpair ſuggeſted, and which was infuſed into her Soul by the Evil ſpirit, who like a Crow croaking after carrion, watched for nothing but his prey; for ſeeing Adriana going to open the Door, ſhe leap'd out of the Bed, and opening a Window which look'd into the Garden, ſhe caſt her ſelf violently down, where lighting upon a graven Effigies of ſtone, ſhe broke her Skull in divers pieces, and her Brains were ſcattered all about; her Body almoſt battered to pieces, made paſſages enough for her adulterous, ſacrilegious and deſperate Soul to go to the place deſign'd for it; but where, I am too charitable to ſpeak my thoughts.

Alcimus having entred the houſe in the habit of a Jeweller, had neither Sword nor Stick to defend himſelf; all that he could do, ſeeing the door a opening, was to leap out of his Bed and exchange it for a Cloſet, where he entred, and ſhut the Door after him; he opened the Window to ſave himſelf that way, by another leap like that of Vannoza, and to precipitate himſelf into death by running from it: But this proved no door of ſafety to him, it being treilliſſed with Barrs of Iron; for his defence he found nothing but Looking-Glaſſes Powders, Perfumes, and ſuch like toys which Vannoza had uſed either to augment her Beauty, or repair its defaults; theſe had been the ſparks that had help'd to raiſe ſuch a flame in this young man's Soul; but now thoſe Odours only could ſerve to help to Embalm his Body: For notwithſtanding all the reſiſtance he could make, Capoleon and his followers ſoon entred into the Chamber, and ſeeing Vannoza diſpatched by her Fall, and knowing from Adriana that Alcimus was ſhut into the Cabinet, the door was quickly forced open, and the young Cavalier being only in his ſhirt, ſoon found himſelf pierced in divers places of his Body, and conſtrain'd to yield unto the mercy of his Enemy; who, like the cruel Tiberius, would not ſpeed him too ſuddainly, leaſt he ſhould thereby deprive himſelf of the pleaſure of Revenge, and therefore would ſtretch his Torments by the prolongation of his Life; He dragg'd him into the Chamber, and threw him on the Bed, which he ſo lately had unhappily polluted, to uſe him as they do thoſe Robbers, whom they execute upon the place where they acted their Villanies: Fear ſo ſeized on Adriana that ſhe run to hide herſelf, though ſhe had no cauſe to fear for that for which ſhe expected a Reward: Liſarda cried out Murther, deſpairing of her Life, but was laid hold on all undreſt by Capoleon, who ſacrific'd her to his fury before Alcimus his face, charging her with as many ſtabs as injurious words, letting out her Soul and Blood together upon the ſpot: Alcimus then might ſee before his eyes the cruelties and torments they prepared for him to ſuffer, the report of which ſtrikes a trembling and horrour into me, like one who looks on affrightful wounds. Capoleon to compleat his revenge, he ſent a Meſſenger ſpeedily to the Monaſtery where Simplicius reſided, to beſeech him to come to his Wife, who was upon the point of death by a Catarre, but deſired to confeſs her ſelf to him before ſhe expired: This good Father aroſe with all imaginable ſpeed, preſſed forwards by a Holy Charity, which cauſes a ſlighting and neglect of reſt to run to the ſuccour of Souls and ſervice of our Neighbour, principally in ſuch urgent occaſions of ſuddain death, where the leaſt delay is inexcuſable: He took to accompany him the firſt Brother of the Covent that he met, and ſo run with all the haſte imaginable to a miſchief unjuſtly prepared for his Innocency: He was no ſooner entred the Chamber where Capoleon was tormenting Alcimus, but this enraged old Man leaping on him like a Fury, went to ſtab his Dagger into his breaſt, but Nature foreing him to lift up his Arm, he thereby ſaved his heart, took the Stab there, which was followed by another in his ſhoulder: finally, he was going to follow thoſe with as many as ſhould be more than enough to let out his harmleſs Soul, if his barbarity had not withheld his Arm, to bathe himſelf in the pleaſure of his ſufferings, as he had done in thoſe of the wretched Alcimus, who lying ſtretch't upon the Bed, endured far worſe Convulſions than a Woman in her Travel. The other Religious Brother who accompanied him, was detained below by the other blood-hounds, who abuſed him with blows and injuries, which I dare not, nay cannot report, no more than thoſe which were vomited by Capoleon againſt Simplicius; Traytor, Sacrilegious, Execrable, worthy of thouſands of flames, were the flowers of his Rhetorick; as for the other villanous and filthy words, I have no deſign here to regiſter them.

There needs a more Eloquent Orator, than I to expreſs the aſtoniſhment of good Simplicius, who coming to aſſiſt this Penitent in a holy death, found himſelf betray'd to an undeſerved one. He was then hardly thoroughly awaked, and was of a firm opinion that he was ſtill ſound aſleep, and all that he ſaw and felt paſs'd but for a dream; but at laſt his Wounds ſo brought him to himſelf, that he was too ſure that he was fully awaked. Alcimus heavily lifting up his eyelids, all drench't and bathed in tears and blood, and ſeeing this new dreadful ſpectacle, and hearing a broken and languiſhing voice, Alas (ſaid he with a mournful tone) my Father, to what abyſs of miſchiefs have my inquities plunged you. And turning his face towards Capoleon, Signeur (purſued he) 'tis onely againſt me you ought to turn the point of your weapons, and not upon this Innocent; it is I only that am culpable, and of whom alone you ſhould take juſt vengeance, which can never be ſo cruel as my wickedneſs deſerves; but imbrew not your hands in the blood of the juſt, which God will be ſure to require at your hands, and exact from you a rigorous accompt of. It is I alone have ſinned, and deceived and abus'd him; and if you pleaſe to give me but one moments audience, I will tell you in ſhort the truth of the whole proceeding; I am going to dye, and neither expect or deſire pardon from God, if I lye or uſe any diſguiſement of the truth. Then taking Capoleon's ſilence for conſent, he laid open, as well as his throbs and pangs would ſuffer him, that which we have recounted of Vannoza's Artifices and his own, to defile the bed and betray the honour of Capoleon: adding thereunto many other particularities, (moſt of which we have already recited) but with what brevity he could, his condition not admitting of a long diſcourſe.

He made this publick and ſolemn Confeſſion with ſo much repentance and contrition, that his heart ſeemed to cleave aſunder with ſighs, which broke out as faſt as the blood guſhed from his mouth, and his eyes boyling over with tears as faſt as the blood bubbled from his gaſtly Wounds: How many pardons did he beg of God, and of Capoleon, deteſting his faults, and abhorring his iniquities. O how many Lives could he have deſired, that he might expiate his crimes by as many deaths! animating Capoleon to take all the revenges of him he could deſire, by the longeſt and moſt exquiſite torments he could invent: He abſolutely cleared Simplicius of the Crime, and made his Innocence unqueſtionably apparent; which made Capoleon ſee the injuſtice of his Cruelty to him; who thereupon ordered his Wounds to be bound up, and in the next place ſent to know certainly the condition of his Wife; which vex'd him to the Soul when he was aſſured that her death had mock'd his Cruelty, and robb'd him of a more ſevere revenge. Before Simplicius was retired from this Bloody Spectacle, Alcimus making the ſtrongeſt of his weak efforts, rouled himſelf upon the ground, and ſo proſtrate begged of Capoleon, who held his Swords point bent againſt his Throat, To have pity of his Soul, though not of his Body, and to content himſelf with his Temporal death, and not ſtretch his hatred to Eternity, but to permit him to receive Abſolution from Simplicius his hands: Which the Cruel Capoleon would have denyed him, (ſo far did his rage tranſport him) had not the injured Simplicius prevented him, by ſteping to him, and in this laſt extremity making him give the beſt teſtimony he could of his Contrition; and thereupon giving him his loſt Viaticum.

The words which Alcimus ſpake to him, ſeeing him depart, and leave him as a prey to his inhumane Enemy, were ſufficient to breed Pity in the inſenſible Rocks, or in the Waves themſelves, which all hold inexorable; but this bloody Tyger growing ſtill more furious at this Mournful Muſick, conſulted with his Affiſtants which environed him, in what manner they ſhould torment him, to make his death more ſenſibly painful; He commanded a fire to be lighted, to burn him by degrees, and laying him in the heat of the flames, had not the parience to let the Element (though mercileſs enough) have the ſole management of his vengeance, he therefore begun with him as the Crow does with Carrion, by firſt barbarouſly digging out his Eyes; and in the next place with his Sword made him an Eunuch; (for that is the modeſteſt name I can put upon ſo vile an action) He then cut off the tips of his Fingers and Toes, and after that his Noſe, Lips, and Ears, all which the poor Patient ſuffered with a Patience and Conſtancy that ſurmounted all imagination, continually invoking the holy Name of Jeſus, from whom alone he expected Salvation.

His cruel Tormentor continuing his Revenge, pierced his Legs, Arms and Sides in many places, and then applyed burning Torches to the Wounds; nothing could ſoften the Cruelty of this enraged Old man; his very Attendants, people void of humanity, could no longer endure the ſight of this Barbarity, but conjured him to give him the Stab of grace, that is to ſay, to pierce his heart, and diſpatch and free him from his miſery; otherwiſe that they ſhould be conſtrained to do him that miſerable courteſie: At laſt when this wretched body opened in ſo many places, and caſting out blood on all ſides, remained without pulſe or motion, and was ready to breathe out the laſt ſigh of its expiring breath, with a faint and languiſhing voice, making his laſt invocation of mercy from his Redeemer, Capoleon then fearing that he had eſcaped his cruelty, ſuddainly ript up his Breaſt, ſnatch'd out his Heart and threw it in his face, as they do in England with their Traytors. And thus expired the unhappy Alcimus, drawn like an Ox to the ſlaughter by a wicked Woman, (to uſe the Wiſe Man's ſaying) having ſcarce body enough to contain the Wounds which the Old Man made there; who would laſtly have thrown his mangled Body into the fire, had he not been reſtrained by a deſire to expoſe to the Peoples view theſe Three Bodies which he had ſacrificed to his rage.

Simplicius having ſeen the bruiſed Body of Vannoza, filled with horrour and aſtoniſhment, to avoid further danger of injuries and abuſes, fled as ſpeedily as he could with his Companion to the Convent, to ſecure themſelves, and to look after the cure of his Wounds: The alarm was there in an inſtant taken, and from thence ecchoed through the City: Aurora had ſcarce begun to peep out of her obſcure bed, but ſeized with horrour at at the ſight of ſo much blood which ſpurted in her face as ſhe peep'd into the Chamber, ſhe would willingly have returned to her lodging, being almoſt afraid to diſcover to the approaching Sun ſo Bloody and ſo Tragical a Spectacle: Finally, the day beginning to diſcover the colour of things, the Street was fill'd with people, Capoleon's Door was beſieged by the Crowd, every one flocking to know what had paſſed: Capoleon bold and hardy as a right Murtherer, and one that knew the Laws and Juſtice, by the Cuſtome of that City, bended towards his ſide, fearleſly attended the arrival of the Officers, to whoſe Eyes he expoſed thoſe Maſſacred bodies, which he with fire and Sword had ſo inhumanly mangled. If his ſeverity were accuſed by ſome, his cruelty was as much condemned by others, every one judging of the action according to their divers ſentiments; but he having brought evident proofs of the adultery and Sacriledge of Alcimus and his Wife, and the treachery of his Maid Liſarda, who had been confederate in their crime, the Murthered remained dead without poſſibility of being revenged, and Capoleon free without fear of puniſhment, having onely anticipated the reward of their Crimes, and prevented the hand of Juſtice: But becauſe that in the City where this Tragick Adventure happened, the Eccleſiaſtick bear a great ſway, the Wounds of Simplicius, and the unworthy uſage of the Religious Brother that accompanied him, cauſed him to be confined to his houſe, till there were a better information made of the proceedings.

This good and truly Religious Father reſolved to preſerve his wonted Patience, and readineſs to pardon Offences, and therefore formed no Proceſs againſt Capoleon; but contrarily excuſed him all he could, alledging the ſtrong ſuſpition he had of him, till cleared by Alcimus his Confeſſion: Notwithſtanding which, thoſe Miniſters of Juſtice though they abſolved Capoleon of the principal Murther, yet were reſolved to proſecute him to the utmoſt for this inconſiderate Wounding of Simplicius; And though Simplicius cryed out, That he required no further ſatisfaction for his wrongs, yet the Fiſcal leaving his particular Concern, undertook the Publick one of the whole Church, which was abus'd and wronged in this injury of one of its Members, who was not ſo much troubled at his unjuſt Wounding, as that they ſhould envy him the glory of Martyrdome, being willing to ſuffer far more than he had hitherto done in the cauſe of Piety and Juſtice.

This Alarm rouzed up Capoleon, who thereupon thought it moſt convenient and healthful to go take a little Country-Air, hoping to find more ſecurity in a ſuddain flight, than in a dangerous delay, and make his Accord the beſt at a diſtance.

But in the mean time the Town was in a Commotion and an Uproar; for the Parents of Alcimus and thoſe of Vannoza were reſolved not to put up ſo irrepairable wrongs, as were the inhumane butchery of their Children, but were determined to bathe their injuries, and waſh off the diſgrace of their Families in the blood of the Cruel Capoleon; a Remedy worſe than the Diſeaſe. This makes me admire the frailty of humane Nature, which by an extream blindneſs in the execution of its diſordinate paſſions, proceeds from bad to worſe; As if the death of Capoleon could render Alcimus and Vannoza leſs Sacrilegious or Adulterous; and as if by this Homicide they could efface irreparable Infamy with which their Family was ſullied and diſgraced. See here the paths and ways of revenge, which the blind actors account a reaſonable reparation for the outrages they would puniſh. Vannoza's Parents with Money hire and ſet into the Field many Bravo's to ſearch out Capoleon in all places by Sea and Land, and to cut him in pieces in what place ſoever they ſhould find him, and in the mean time they were ſo tranſported with fury, that they made his City Houſe be fired, and another ſtately one which he had in the Countrey.

As for thoſe of Alcimus, ſeeing the Channel and Fountain ſtopp'd up by the death of their onely Son, which ſhould have tranſmitted their names unto poſterity, and they deprived of an Heir to their large Revenues, they reſolved to acquire one, and at the ſame time to ſatisfie their revenge, an appetite more dear and ſweet unto them, than life it ſelf.

They had ſacrificed to a Cloyſter, partly by force, and partly by conſent, but however, involuntarily (ſince the Will preſuppoſeth a free and ſpontaneous determination, without induction or conſtraint) a Daughter which Heaven had beſtow'd on them, becauſe they thought her not fair enough, nor of a ready Wit, or accompliſhments fit for a ſecular life: And thus this poor Innocent had been dragg'd unto the Altar like a Victim, not without many teſtimonies of her reluctancy and contradiction, but ſuch as appeared ſo little through the ſmotherings of her imperious Parents, that it no whit hindred her from being firſt habited, and then profeſs'd a Nun: They ſeeing themſelves without a male-Child, began to caſt their eyes upon this Female one, and perſwaded themſelves that they might declare her vows void, as having been violently extorted; They hoped by her to raiſe up living Pillars to ſupport their names, and to ſtrike a ſpark which might again light up the extinguiſh't Torch of their poſterity: In order to this deſign, they choſe for their Son-in-Law a young Gentleman, poor in the Goods of Fortune, but rich in thoſe of the Mind as well as Nobility, being of excellent endowments both of Soul and Body, from him they promiſed themſelves all ſubmiſſion, obedience, and ſervice: But becauſe the deſire of revenge was predominant in their breaſts above that of linage, they would have him enter through this Gate into their alliance, a Gate of blood, from which no good ſucceſs could be expected.

This young Gentleman's name was Lucio, who ſeeing himſelf accoſted with ſo advantageous a Propoſal, as that of eſpouſing Polixena (for ſo they called Alcimus his Cloyſter'd Siſter) a rich Heireſs, which with a little expence might be withdrawn from the Convent, it being eaſie to prove that ſhe was forced thither againſt her will, he preſently cloſed with them in all their Propoſitions, it being a fortune far ſurmounting all that he could hope for; he neither enquired after the Beauty nor Breeding of the Damſel, nor deſired either to ſee or ſpeak to her, but willingly purchaſed this Merchandize without ever opening it; ſo far was he dazzled with the ſparkling of her Riches, and the ſplendour of her Family.

He conſented that the firſt Child proceeding from this Marriage, ſhould bear the Name and Arms of the Houſe of Alcimus, which he took for as great an honour to himſelf, as ſatisfaction to them. Finally, this young Cavalier would have bought this Michol at the price of an hundred heads of Philiſtines; ſo that they had no ſooner propoſed to him the price to be the life of Capoleon, but he took them at their word, and ſtruck up the bargain, promiſing to take away the head of this Goliah, were he ſtronger than a Gyant, and higher than a Mountain.

You can from nothing him with-hold, Who loves th'ſacred hunger of Gold.

So cryed the Poet, when he ſaw to what extravagancies men were preſs'd by the Covetouſneſs of Goods, and the deſire of Riches; But God from the higheſt Heavens laugheth at the folly which they call Prudence, and diſſipateth the thoughts and counſels of their malicious hearts, hath in abomination ſuch bloody Treachery.

Judge thou, O God, their perverſe heart, Their wicked Counſels quite ſubvert, Let their deſigns ſucceſsleſs be; Their Actions are ſo deteſtable, Baniſh, and make them miſerable Who have ſo oft provoked thee.

Theſe words of David are holy Oracles, and ſeem to be a Prophecy fitted to this ſubject.

Lucio is permitted to viſit Polixena, who diſpleas'd with her profeſſion, was like a Bird, which ſought nothing but a paſſage from her Cage, ſhe was preſently inflamed with the love of Lucio, who found her paſſable enough for a Wife, though like Ruth's Kinſman, he made more reckoning of the Inheritance than the Woman.

The fire that had ſeized on this Virgins heart, did in a ſhort time make an incredible progreſs, being ſeized with impatience to be delivered from her priſon, and diſ-intangled from her bonds, by a Diſpenſation, which they found more difficult to obtain than they at firſt imagined: Affairs at Rome have lead hanged on their feet, as well as moſt of the Acts of Grace have at their Labels: Adding that in making of Diſpenſations, without wiſely ballancing, they are turned to diſſipations; and he that breaks down the hedge ſhall be bitten by the Serpent, ſaith the Wiſe Man.

Whilſt they are making this purſuit, Lucio reſolves to execute the vengeance he was intruſted with, and render it ſo memorable, that he ſhould thereby ſeem to merit the good fortune offer'd him. But it ſeldom happens that the ways and Counſels of blood-thirſty men find ſucceſs anſwerable to the pretenſions of thoſe that enterprize them; to be ones own carver, is to ſtretch one's hand into the Maſter's diſh, and undertake that which God hath reſerved for himſelf, ſaying To me vengeance belongs, and I will repay it; This is an abſolute breach of his Commandment, who hath not only commanded us to pardon the injuries and offences which are done us, but even to love the doers of them; and that we do good to thoſe that hurt and perſecute us. But to return to our diſcourſe where we left off.

Capoleon having retired himſelf unto a Soveraignty, where he was freed from the purſuits of Juſtice from that where he had outraged Simplicius, for which ſole fault he was proſecuted; the ſollicitations and diligence of his Friends, joyned to the Prayers of good Simplicius, who became interceſſour for him who had ſo cruelly uſed him, brought the Fiſcal to ſilence, and he was about to be recalled to his Countrey, there to enjoy the deſolations of his ruin'd houſes, and abſolve himſelf of his Cruelty to the harmleſs Father, whom he then found as innocent, as he at firſt thought him guilty.

Lucio had intelligence of the place of his retreat, where he had ſeveral Kindred and Acquaintance, and thither he followed him; but ſeeing him well accompanied, and always upon his guard, he thought it would be more advantageous to his deſign, to make uſe of the Fox his skin, than of the Lyon's; following this Maxime, It matters not, ſo we revenged be, Whether by valour, or by treachery.

Upon this conſideration addreſſing himſelf to Capoleon, (who knew nothing of his projected Marriage with Polixena, and much leſs miſtruſted his intended Treaſon) he offer'd him his ſervice, even to the proffering him Money (which is the higheſt worldly teſtimony of friendſhip) if he needed it. Capoleon (though nothing be harder than to beguile an Old Man with words) believed by this Touch that the heart of this Gentleman was of true alloy, ſo that after a thouſand thanks, and as many proteſtations of his ſentiment of this obligation, he entred into a ſtrict friendſhip with him, believing his advice, and accepting his aſſiſtance. But his Acquaintance proved like that of the green Ivy and an old Wall; for this young Plant ſucking it's nouriſhment from the cement of the Wall, does in a ſhort time bring it down to the ground, and yet receives no benefit thereby, remaining either buried in the ruines which it cauſed, or creeping and dying on the ground without ſupport.

Lucio to draw Capoleon from among his Guards, that he might more eaſily work his Deſigns, gave him falſe advice how the Bravo's employed by Vannoza's Parents did at that inſtant narrowly watch him, but forgot to give him the true one of his being for that purpoſe ſent thither by thoſe of Alcimus: Capoleon taking the Alarm at this new Intelligence, and finding himſelf not well ſecured in an Inn, did (as the Proverb ſaith) put his purſe into the Thief's hand, and his life into that of his mortal Enemy, who having offer'd him the uſe of his Chamber, as a more ſafe retreat, which was in the houſe of one of his Kindred, he with acknowledgments of ſo ſingular an obligation, willingly accepted of the fatal courteſie.

In the dead of the Night, whileſt his cares and troubles gave way to ſleep, which had taken entire poſſeſſion of his Senſes, Lucio with the aſſiſtance of two Bravo's or Aſſaſſins he had brought along with him, bound him faſt with Cords, and having ſnickled one about his Throat which might hinder him from crying, and yet not ſtrangle him, he made him feel almoſt the very ſame pains, and exercis'd upon him moſt of the ſelf-ſame cruelties, which he had bragged to have inflicted on the miſerable Alcimus.

He that ſhall know the temper of the Nation which I ſpeak of, will find theſe actions whoſe recital ſo much amazeth us, ſo familiar amongſt them, that they ſeldom take any revenge without ſome extraordinary Cruelty in the performance.

Lucio leaving the Body pierced, hack'd, and torn in a thouſand places, carried his Head and Heart to Alcimus his Parents, who exerciſed upon them all that their rage and fury ſhould ſuggeſt; The Mother, like a Savage Fury, planted her Teeth in the Heart, and tore the Eyes out of the Head, and mangling the reſt, threw it to the Dogs to be devoured: But who can imagine the multitude of Careſſes, with which they entertained their intended Son-in-Law, as if by this man's death he had given them life. Their Paſſion being ſatiated with revenge, they could not content themſelves with their private ſatisfaction, but publiſh it, and (which is worſe) glory in it, praiſing the Murtherer, as having done a moſt generous act, and bleſſing him with their greateſt approbation; in which they were ſeconded by Vannoza's Parents, who boaſted of their having procured the burning of Capoleon's Houſes. Thus the wicked rejoyce in their Iniquity, and glory in their own confuſion.

But now their Diſtemper increaſed from a burning Feaver to a raging Frenzy, for Polixena's Parents were not able to procure a Diſpenſation for their Daughter, becauſe they could not prove the violence done unto her, by any contradiction that had been on her part, and much leſs to obtain an abolition of Lucio's Crime, who was ſtrictly proſecuted by Capoleon's Heirs, (more diſcreet than the others in their revenge) but were far more aſtoniſh'd, when they ſaw themſelves attacqued as the Authors and Accomplices of ſo horrid an Aſſaſſinate; it was now neceſſary for the Parents both of Alcimus and Vannoza, to ſave themſelves the beſt they could, and to provide for the ſecurity of their lives by a ſpeedy flight.

Lucio, who expected nought but Triumphs for his Victory, was conſtrain'd to ſlip aſide, to avoid the violence of the purſuit, which would have forced him to change his Nuptial Bed for a Scaffold. Soon after their flight they were all condemned for Contumacie, and all their Goods being Confiſcate, their Effigies ſerved for a ſhameful Spectacle in the Publique place of Execution of Offenders.

See here the Infamies and Calamities, to which they blindly precipitate themſelves, who will by Vengeance repair their Honour, and thereby wound that of the Prince, and intrench upon the power of their Sovereign; this is to ſnatch the Sword from the hand of him who bears it not in vain, but for the publick puniſhment of the wicked, and the defence of the good.

Lucio like the Dog in the Fable, loſt the ſubſtance for the ſhadow, and to acquire more, robb'd himſelf of the little that he had; the loſs of his Goods by Confiſcation, and his baniſhment from his native Countrey, were the leaſt of his pains; for had he been taken, he had been cut in quarters, the horrour of his Crime meriting no leſs a puniſhment, if I may not call it a greater, to lead a poor and wretched life, which he after did in the depth of miſery: For, He daily mourn'd for what he'd done, Freſh miſeries daily arriv'd; He'd nought but ſhame and horrour won, And's fortunes and himſelf ſurviv'd. Such miſeries he daily underwent, As for worſe crimes were ample puniſhment.

They all dy'd poor and miſerable, either of regret, neceſſity, or hunger, being beaten by all the ſtorms of Fortune, and having no retreat or harbour but an Hoſpital, ſeeing themſelves become the very ſweepings and off-ſcourings of the world: Some of them were worn out with age and ſorrow; others with pain and trouble; and Lucio at laſt, flying from the fear of puniſhment, and preſſing penury, to ſome remote Countrey, found by the way a delivery from his Miſeries, and a burial in the Waves, the Ship in which he went being unfortunately caſt away: Thus Heaven even robb'd him of his laſt refuge, Baniſhment, according to that of the Poet, The hated ſeed of evil doers Purſu'd by the revenging Powers, Shall ſtill find Fortune contrary: By miſchiefs daily be annoy'd, By Lice and Vermine be deſtroy'd, And end in horrid miſery.

But to give to this Bloody Relation a Cataſtrophe, which in its Tragical event affords ſomething as divertiſing as ſtrange, we are to know, That the ruine of Polixena's Family and Parents could not extinguiſh the waſting flames which the hope of being married to, and poſſeſſing of Lucio, had kindled within her; habituated Paſſions are not ſo ſoon put off as our Habits: This Maid had no Ears to hear the impoſſibility of obtaining a Diſpenſation, ſhe had ſo long perſwaded her ſelf that nothing was more certain, but much leſs to hear of the flight of her Parents, and of the Confiſcation of their Goods, which were the only things that rendred her acceptable: She at firſt thought all this but feigned, and eaſie to be impoſed upon a Cloiſter'd perſon, but ſoon after fell into a matchleſs Frenzy, and a diſconſolate deſpair, beyond the advice or comfort of any. Irremediable griefs her Soul torment, And ſhe's conſum'd with mortal diſcontent. At length perceiving that ſhe might long torment and vex her ſelf before the walls that environed her (like thoſe of Jericho) would proſtrate themſelves at the noiſe of her lamentations, there fell into her fancy ſo extravagant an invention as I ſhould be as much aſhamed to relate, as the Reader will be apt to laugh at as a Fable, were there not a thouſand and a thouſand witneſſes of it's verity.

Prophane Writings are Vermine which creep into the moſt Sacred places through the curioſity of the Inhabitants; And though they are apt to corrupt good Manners, and alter the chaſteſt Reſolutions, yet it cannot be prevented, but that the moſt retired Veſtals will ſometimes caſt an eye upon their diverting pages, where learning that which before they knew not; or refreſhing their Memory of that which a long diſcontinuance had made them bury in oblivion, they either beget or awake in them the Idea's of a thouſand Inquietudes; This puts me in mind of the Roman Veſtal, who having read in a Poet that which had ſtirr'd in her a criminal paſſion, one day raviſh'd by the force of Imagination, ſhe unwittingly cry'd out, Kill me, if Love ben't a delicious thing, And Marriage do not matchleſs pleaſures bring. Which ſo ſcandalized thoſe that heard her, that ſhe was by them brought before the Cenſour, there to be chaſtized, as one that had broken the Integrity which ſhe ought to preſerve under pain of death. And that which is remarkable, is, That Perjury was forbidden amongſt them with the ſame rigour as Diſhoneſty. The Cenſour upon this Accuſation adjudged her to be buried alive, the common puniſhment of thoſe who had violated the Chaſtity which they had vow'd to Veſta. This Veſtal proteſting that ſhe was a Virgin, and that her Body was pure from the corruptions of pleaſure; The Judge who condemned her for her words, did by the ſame convince her, ſaying to her, Either thou haſt experimented unlawful pleaſures, which make thee culpable; Or if thou haſt not, thy Perjury makes thee deſerve death, by affirming that which thou art ignorant of. This Dilemma ſtopt her mouth, and the rigorous Sentence was executed upon her. Certainly we live under a Law, ſo much more exact, as it is incomparably more pure, more true, more juſt, than that of the ancient Romans, benighted with the thick Fogs and clouds of Paganiſm: For the Spouſe of holy Virgins is ſo delicate, that he is not onely jealous of the purity of their bodies, but even of that of their thoughts; ſo that to ſee him and be happy, they muſt be pure in heart: Whatſoever then may in the leaſt ſully this lovely whiteneſs, ought to be as carefully avoided, as the Ermin ſhuns what may defile her curious Furre: Let tender Virgins therefore, avoid as Rocks and Shelves theſe impure Books, ſince under their words of honey, and flouriſhing expreſſions, are hid the Serpents of dangerous imaginations.

The Monaſtery wherein Polixena was incloſed, was of great Eminency, and full of Cloyſter'd Virgins, but whether ſo lively as they ought, I know not: However it were, this Maid was pleaſed with the reading of fooliſh and fabulous Books, ſuch as are Poetry and Romances. Amongſt the Images of Piety and Devotion, there often ſlide into the holy places licentious Pictures, which alſo make unhandſome impreſſions in weak and tender ſpirits, though they be onely there under the pretext of Hangings and Imbroideries, whence it happens that ſomethings the moſt fabulous and ridiculous, oft paſs for truths in their belief, and take place of more ſolid Idea's: This happen'd to Polixena, who reading of the imaginary artifice of Dedalus his wings, by which he eſcaped the Cretan Priſon, and oft fixing her eyes upon a Picture repreſented this Fable, and having formerly in Hangings wrought it with her Needle, with which ſhe had made curious Wings which balanced the father and his ſon Icarus in the Air, this ſtory wrought ſo upon her melancholy and diſtracted fancy, that ſhe would try to imitate the cunning of the one, without remembring the folly and misfortune of the other.

She heaped together from all parts as many feathers as ſhe could, and bought abundance, beſides many intire Birds, whoſe feathers pleaſed her as much as their fleſh did others; with theſe ſhe pretended to make Chaplets and Garlands, and ſuch like pretty toys, in which thoſe of her Sex and condition are for the moſt part incomparably ingenious: They let her alone, hoping it might divert her Melancholy. She made a large habit, of Feathers artificially wrought upon a linnen Robe fitted to her body, and then faſhioned two large Wings, with which by the moving of her Arms ſhe thought ſhe could bear up her ſelf in the Air, and if need were, fly with this brave accoutrement even into another World. Her deſign was to go find her Parents in what part of the World ſoever they abode; and if they conſented not to marry her to Lucio, to fly to him, and ſummon him to perform his promiſe; which was to reverſe the Fable of Leda, who was coupled with a Swan. See here the extravagant vanity of a ſpirit tranſported with Love, and then tell me whether the blind deity which preſides over this paſſion have not wings: But it was not enough to put on theſe toys without ſhe uſe them; having therefore one Evening fitted up all her fair feathered attire, and paſſed all the Night in an unſpeakable extravagancy, in which ſhe made as many rounds about the World as Job's malicious Wanderer, and not having been able to cloſe her eyes, it was eaſie for her to riſe ſooner in the Morning than any of the reſt. Being therefore mounted upon the Steeple, and having fitted on her Habit in which ſhe thought to out-flye the Eagle, and feared nothing but being born up too high and too near the Sun, ſhe caſt her ſelf with extended Arms from her lofty ſtation: But never Hawk ſtruck down ſo violently upon his Prey, as ſhe precipitated her ſelf to the ground, where ſhe was cruſh't almoſt into as many pieces as ſhe had feathers on her Habit.

Morning being come, ſhe who had charge to ring the Bell, paſſing through the Cloiſters, was ready to ſink down with fear, ſeeing this Bird ſtretch't out at length, of a greater bulk by far than ſhe had ever ſeen before; fear put wings to her feet, if not greater, yet however ſwifter than thoſe which the Miſerable Polixena had fixed to her Arms. This Maid was her ſelf the Bell that ſuddainly ſounded up all the Convent: The trembling Doves beheld this affrightful Eagle through the Windows of their Cells, and could almoſt have crept into the crannies of the Walls to hide themſelves from ſo terrible a Creature, of which they had never ſeen nor heard the like: Some took it for a Dragon; others for a Griffon, and all for that which their natural puſillanimity dictated unto them: At laſt having taken ſomewhat better courage, and fortified themſelves with the Croſs and Holy-Water, they approached the breathleſs Corps of Polixena, ſo battered and bruiſed, principally her head, that it was hard to know her. At laſt they underſtood the folly, and to what deſign ſhe had amaſsed ſo many Feathers, and her Companions calling to mind her ordinary diſcourſes about Dedalus and Icarus, and her deſires to be turn'd into a Bird, and many other her extravagancies, conjectured it to be as we have ſaid; and it was as ſoon divulged through the City, the ſtrangeneſs of the Event ſerving a long time for diſcourſe and entertainment. Some pitied her, others laughed at her; and as there are as many different Minds in the World as men, every one judged of it according to their fancy: The wiſer ſort blamed her Parents, who had rather impriſoned then vowed her to God, who accepts none but voluntary ſacrifices. Her folly however ſomewhat excuſed her deſpair, being overcome by an enraged paſſion which had in others upon like occaſion produced more tragical, though none ſo ridiculous events.

I ſhall conclude all with a ſhort Meditation which at that time was that of Simplicius, who as on the top of a rock, mounted high above the reach of the fierceſt waves, from thence beheld all theſe furious tempeſts of a diſturbed Sea, and conſidering how fearfully the hand of God darts lighting upon the heads of the incorrigibly impious, after the ſerious ſcanning of all the particulars we have before related, he ſhut up his Contemplation, as we ſhall do our Diſcourſe, with theſe words of the Divine Singer, Thou who the God of Juſtice art Wilt never take the wicked's part, Sinners ſhall not abide with thee Who fooliſh innocency uſe, And mock at thee, and thine abuſe Shall in an inſtant ſcatter'd be. This ſtricteſt Judgments ſhall purſue Falſe men that alwaies ſpeak untrue, Being ſtill averſe from what is good; Thus Scourges ſhall or'etake from far The people that delight in War, And pleaſure take in ſhedding blood.

The End of the Fourth and laſt Book.