MAdam, what I ſhall acquaint your Highneſs with of that Unfortunate man is now a Delinquent to your Laws, will, I queſtion not, make him appear to you more Unhappy than Wicked; eſpecially if you will pleaſe to allow that one Nobly Born ought not to be without a ſenſe of Honour, and endeavour the Vindication of it, when aſſaulted in the higheſt nature; but that you may be more fully informed of it, and the real Worth of him I plead for, your Highneſs muſt give me permiſſion to begin with the firſt paſſages of his Life, and I believe you will find ſomething diverting and extraordinary in the Relation I ſhall make.

There are few can boaſt more advantages from a good Education than he is Maſter of, in which his Father took all imaginable care to have his Endowments equal to the conſiderable Rank his Birth had placed him in. After a convenient time employed at home in thoſe Studies were fit for him, he was ſent abroad to learn thoſe Accompliſhments the Theory alone is to be had from Books; but after a few years employed in Travel, the Death of his Father called him Home, to the poſſeſſion of a large Inheritance; where his obliging carriage ſoon procured the commendation of all the City, every one ſtriving to be reckoned in the number of his Friends; but an unexpected accident quickly after his return, removed that tranquillity he had till then been attended with. A Formal young Gallant of the City, very well attended, by chance paſſing through a Principal Street, met Alexander at that time alone, who diverted by the ſight of a Lady looking from a Window, took not ſo much notice of the Complement that Gentleman made him of his Hat in going by, as to return the like Civility; which being lookt on as a ſlighting rudeneſs, made the Gentleman turn back and give him ſome upbraiding Language, which Alexander confident he had not deſerved, returned him ſuch ſharp Replies, that from words they came to make Uſe of their Swords, whereby Alexander, being fallen upon by all that accompanied his Opponent, received ſeveral wounds before the Company in the Street could get in to part them; but at laſt a Croud getting together, his Enemies ſhiftted for themſelves, while he not able to go far, ſlipt into the Porch of an adjacent Houſe, and ſo to the Yard, before thoſe that were come in to ſeparate them, had laid hold of him. As he ſtood there looking about whither to go for ſome help, finding his ſtrength begin to fail by the loſs of his blood, he perceived the door of a Hall open, and leaning on his Sword went toward it, to get ſome of the Houſe to call a Chirurgeon to him; but he was ſcarce entred, when through weakneſs and pain, he fell down in a Swoon. There happened to ſit in the Hall a young Lady, who ſhrieking at the ſight of a man entring with a naked Sword, and all over bloody, brought in the Servants, whoſe coming was very opportune for the wounded ſtranger; ſoon after the Maſter of the Houſe, and Father of the young Lady, being advertiſed of what had happened, came down, and ſeeing the condition he was in, Ordered him to be laid in a Bed, and ſending for Chirurgeons, with much pains they brought him to himſelf, when ſearching his wounds, they judged his greateſt danger was the loſs of ſo much blood; however he would have been carried home, but that the Chirurgeons ſaid it might indanger his life, and Octavio generouſly declared, he ſhould not leave his Houſe, till he ſaw him in a better condition, ſince Providence had been pleaſed to direct him thither. And his Care and Kindneſs, with his Chirurgeons diligence, within few days raiſed him from his Bed, ſo that he reſolved with great acknowledgements to Octavio, to return again to his own Houſe, for the perfecting his Cure. But Octavio on the other ſide, perſiſted in his Noble humour of not letting him ſtir till he was perfectly well, ſo that he was compell'd to ſtay longer than he deſired at that time, being withal not a little ſolicitous to hear what was become of his Adverſary, whom he reſolved to call to a ſevere account for his baſeneſs, as ſoon as his ſtrength would permit. One morning as he was buſying himſelf with ſuch Thoughts, his Meditations were interrupted by a Charming Voice he heard at ſome diſtance, accompanied by the ſound of a Lute, play'd on by no mean Artiſt. His Curioſity preſently made him deſire to learn who it was had given him ſo pleaſing a diverſion. And leaving his own Chamber, he paſt through a large Gallery, at the end of which he heard the delightful Muſick, as he gueſſed, from a Room that opened to the place where he was; the Voice he knew to be a Womans; and imagined, as it really was, That Porcia, Octavio's Daughter, had ignorantly given him that delightful entertainment; and being earneſt, if poſſible, to have a ſight of the Perſon had drawn him thither, he went ſoftly to the door, which he ſaw was ſhut; and looking through the Key-hole, beheld a young Lady, whoſe beauty he thought much tranſcended all that ever he had ſeen of Lovely before, which was increaſed by the negligent poſture he beheld her in, drying ſome tears ſeem'd to force a paſſage from her Languiſhing eyes. He had not long contemplated on this lovely Object when ſeeing a Maid come in to her, whom he knew to be the ſame aſſiſted often near him during his ſickneſs, and fearing either to be heard, or that the door where he ſtood ſhould be opened; the caution of avoiding any thing might look like rudeneſs in a Houſe where he was ſo much Reſpected, made him retire back to his own Chamber, though not without uſing a little compulſion to himſelf, in leaving a place he could have wiſhed a longer continuance in. After he had ſometime contemplated on the Charms of that fair Lady he had ſo unexpectedly ſeen, and who he was confident muſt be Porcia, his Friends Daughter. Octavio came in to Viſit and Accompany him at his Dinner, it being about that time of the day; at the end of which, Phillis, (the ſame who uſed to come to him, and her he had not long before ſeen in the Ladys Chamber) came in, and preſented him a Basket of curious Flowers, deſiring he would accept and value them as the firſt Fruits of the Spring in her Maſters Garden. He received the gift at firſt as a Complement of the Maids, for which he thought the Return of a more conſiderable preſent would be expected, which he could not then perform, Octavio being with him; but ſetting the Basket on a Table, and thanking the Maids kindneſs, he continued to entertain Octavio, being then leſs ſolicitous to leave him than before, which was not diſpleaſing to the good old Gentleman, who after a convenient time from Dinner, leaving Alexander to repoſe himſelf he went to do the like in his own Chamber; as ſoon as he was gone Alexander looking by chance on the Flowers, found them placed in the Basket with ſo much Curioſity, as required him to look more attentively on them, when he was ſurpriſed to find in a mixture of Gilliflowers and Jeſſamine a Compoſition of theſe Words, It is enough to the Diſcreet. Although he concluded it came from Porcia, both by the perſon that brought it, and having ſeen in her Chamber, Flowers ſcattered on the Floor; yet he could not reſolve to believe himſelf ſo fortunate, to look on it as a Favour deſign'd him, or an incouragement to that Love he found began to take poſſeſſion of his Breaſt; However, willing to diſcover what the meaning might be, he reſolved to return an anſwer the ſame way; ſo that taking out all the Flowers, he put in the bottom of the Basket a Letter filled with all the paſſionate Expreſſions a growing Love could dictate to him, and laying the Flowers on the top in the ſame order he received them, only altering the words; and that Evening Phillis coming into his Chamber, after engaging her his by a conſiderable Preſent, he prevailed with her to carry the Basket to her young Lady, who ſhe confeſs'd had ſent it to him: which ſhe immediately did, and delivering it to Porcia ſhe read her own words varied to theſe, The Flowers conceal it; and meeting under them with his Letter, ſhe found his declaration of Love diſcovered with the greateſt reſpect and moſt aggravated endearment imaginable; which was not diſpleaſing to her, when Phillis aſſured her it might be believed real, giving her an account of what ſhe learnt from Alexander, of his having both ſeen and heard her at the Gallery door. Whether it was Porcia's reſtraint made her more ready to receive an impreſſion of Love, or whether her own diſpoſition was eaſily ſuſceptible of that paſſion; but as Alexander learnt afterwards from her Maid, the Declaration of his Love made an entire Conqueſt over that too-eaſie woman, who after having ſeveral times read his Letter, ſaid to her Confident, Phillis, Ah Heavens! what Gueſs did my misfortunes bring into my Fathers Houſe! Ah what Charms haſt thou returned me under thoſe guilty Flowers! Ah Phillis, Alexander has conquered my Soul; I would fain be angry with my ſelf for thinking on him, and with Him for owning that he loves me; but he has done it with ſo winning and ſo reſpectful a grace, that I muſt forgive him; Ay, to my perpetual Torment I muſt do more, I muſt love that bewitching man: and I cannot avoid conjuring thee by all the kindneſs thou haſt for me, to find out ſome means for him to ſpeak with me before he leaves our Houſe. Her Maid promiſed her obedience to that difficult Command, though ignorant how to bring it to paſs by reaſon of Octavio's cautious jealouſie, who was a continual Centinel over his Daughters actions; but at laſt it was reſolved, to bring him one Night to Porcia's Chamber when the old Gentleman was a-bed, but the very day before, whether he had taken notice of the Maids too often being with Alexander, or whether he thought him now well enough to remove, he came to him, and told him a Chair was ready to carry him home, and that he muſt conſent to that reconcilement he was newly come from concluding with his Enemy; the ſurprized Lover knowing not how poſſibly to refuſe either, was forced to go that afternoon from the Houſe he then heartily wiſhed a longer reſidence in, but not able to find out any tolerable Excuſe, he obeyed Octavio's pleaſure with all the acknowledgements could be expreſſed for the great Favours and Kindneſs he had received from him, and took his leave, diſappointing both Porcia and himſelf of a meeting would have been agreeable enough to them. Alexander remained ſome days after his removal from Octavio's with the ſatisfaction of knowing now and then by a Letter, his Affection was ſo far from being diſpleaſing to her he had placed it on, that ſhe delighted in nothing more than the Conqueſt ſhe believed ſhe had made over him, and he has confeſs't to me that he wiſht then for nothing more than the full poſſeſſion of her, which he had almoſt fixt his reſolution of demanding from her Father, not doubting of being approved by him for a Son-in-Law. But fortune had otherwiſe decreed to diſpoſe of him, though not without the blemiſh of inconſtancy. About that time Carlos returned from a long Travel, to ſettle with a Family in Mantua, called thither by the ſame occaſion had brought Alexander ſome time before, upon the death of a Father. They having, when abroad, travelled ſeveral journeys of pleaſure together, where ſo firm a friendſhip was contracted between them, that it was now an equal joy to both, that in a more ſetled condition they ſhould injoy one anothers agreeable Converſation. At no time could one be ſeen without the other, and Carlos was alwayes to be found in Alexanders Houſe, or Alexander at that of Carlos, at leaſt that part of it he reſerved for his own Apartment, there being ſome Rooms he gave admittance to none into, where his fair Siſter Cynthia was, by his ſevere nicety, kept almoſt from the converſation of humane kind, not allowing her to frequent ſo much as any place of Devotion, further than a little Oratory within the Houſe, where from behind a Guilded Lettice ſhe heard a Prieſt, by her Brothers order, aſſiſting as a Chaplain to her; yet, whether ſuch a Reſtraint was natural to her, or that ſhe would not oppoſe in any thing the pleaſure of Carlos, whom ſhe eſteemed a Parent as well as a Brother, her hours met with Diverſions among her Maids, which hindred them from being tedious to her, while Carlos and Alexander employ'd theirs in thoſe Gallantries were ſuitable to their age, eſpecially Alexanders conſiſted in the favourable opportunity he had procured, by Phillis's contrivance, of Diſcourſing every Evening with his Beloved Porcia, Carlos ſeldom leaving him alone in the night expoſed to thoſe Dangers often attend Intrigues of that Nature; and he was at laſt arrived to ſo full a ſatisfaction through the winning carriage of his Miſtreſs, that he determined out of hand to compleat both their happineſſes by demanding Octavio's permiſſion for the Conſummation of their Marriage; But having imparted the deſign to Carlos, whether upon any other ground, or only not to be rob'd of a Friend by ſeeing him retired to the Converſation of a Wife, he endeavour'd to make him ſuſpend the too haſty purſuit of what he was then ſo earneſt for. One day as the two Friends were walking in a Gallery of Carlos, Houſe, diſcourſing about Alexanders Concern, he caſt his Eyes about the Walls to take a Survey of ſeveral curious pieces of Limning Carlos had brought with him from Rome, among which; he obſerved one Young Lady ſo beautiful, that at the firſt glance he rather attributed ſuch perfections as appeared Painted there, to the goodneſs of the Workmans fancy, than a poſſibility that Nature had, or could ever form an Original equal to it; but asking Carlos if there had ever lived any thing like it, he told him it was a lively Copy of a Lady called Laura, who was the object of his firſt Love in Rome. Such Beauty (replied Alexander) might rather become the Adoration of a Divinity, than any one that were Mortal, and I could almoſt accuſe my Friend of Blaſphemy if I thought he had ever preſumed to acquaint her with his Love, at leaſt in any other tearms than ſuch as your Prayers are offered up to Heaven. Carlos ſmiled at his ſudden Tranſport, telling him ſhe was Mortal, and a Woman, and by conſequence liable to take the Impreſſion of Love, and to be overcome; but finding him to perſiſt in an Extravagant admiration only of a Picture, he perſwaded him into another Room to forget what he had ſeen; but from that time Alexanders thoughts were ſo wholly employed in contemplation of the Lovely Picture, that he was ſcarce ever out of Carlos's Houſe, or the Gallery, where the two Friends being together one Afternoon, Alfredo, a near Relation of Porcia's came to viſit them, his chief Deſign being to engage Alexanders Mediation with Carlos, that he would beſtow his Siſter Cynthia on him for a Wife, he having taken a deep Impreſſion of Love, from a ſight of her in her return with her Brother, not long before, to Mantua. Alexander would willingly have obliged Alfredo for his Couzens ſake, but knowing well the reſerved temper of Carlos, he could not promiſe him any hopes of Succeſs; for although the Friendſhip between them was very great, Carlos had never given him a ſight of his Siſter, or ſo much as mention'd her being in the Houſe; however, he ſatisfied the Lover of Cynthia at preſent, by aſſuring him to employ all his Intereſt with her Brother to make him happy. But Alexander himſelf in the mean time had reſign'd all his Tranquillity to the imagined Beauty of Laura, not only owning it to his Friend, but with Proteſtations, that if their Friendſhip did not with-hold him, he would immediately viſit Rome in ſearch of this Lovely Creature, begging Carlos with the greateſt earneſtneſs poſſible, to give him an hiſtorical account of his Love, and the progreſſion he had made with her. Carlos found himſelf at a loſs what to ſay; but at laſt, a little to gratifie his perſeverance to know ſomething, he told him in general, that he had not been hated by her, that he had often found opportunities of ſeeing and Diſcourſing with her, but before he could perſwade her to a Reſolution of making him happy, the death of his Father had called him from Rome and the Perſon he loved; withal perſwading Alexander to mention her no more to him, leſt it ſhould incite thoſe Thoughts he would unwillingly harbour againſt a Friend; Alexander promiſed he would not, ſtriving to put it off with a jeaſt, that what he had ſaid was only to try the Conſtancy of his Friends Love; and Carlos ſmiling, ſeemed to believe he had no other deſign in it. So falling from that to other Diſcourſe, Alexander ſpoke to him in behalf of Alfredo for his Siſter; but Carlos anſwered to that Demand, that although he was well ſatisfied both of the Quality and Fortune of Alfredo, yet he would Impoſe no Husband upon his Siſter, but one ſhe ſhould her ſelf approve firſt, and that hearing Alfredo was then going a journey to Loretto, by the time of his return he would know his Siſters ſenſe, and accordingly anſwer his Demand. This Journey of Alfredo's was to accompany his Unkle Octavio, and Porcia, who went thither in performance of a Vow Octavio had made, while Languiſhing under a Violent Diſtemper he had ſome time been recovered of. The Night before their Departure Alexander took his leave of Porcia at the Window they uſed to meet at, with a real ſorrow on her part to be abſented from him, and a well expreſſed one on his, if the remembrance of Laura's Picture would allow it to be ſincere. But when ſhe had been a few days abſent, neither the conſideration of diſpleaſing Carlos, nor the unaccountableneſs of this new Paſſion, could deter him from reſigning all his Fredom to the well-drawn Charms of Laura's Picture, watching all Opportunities of being in the Gallery to meditate on the Perfections appeared in that excellent Piece. One day, as he was retired to his Contemplation, a Servant brought him word that a Woman cloſe Veiled deſired to ſpeak with him, who by his Command being brought up, delivered a note into his hand, and told him ſhe muſt wait his Anſwer to it; breaking off the Seal he found it contain'd a ſummons from an unknown Lady, to be directed by the Servant brought it to him, to a Window, at eight at Night, where ſhe deſired a ſhort Diſcourſe with him. He obliged the Maid to ſtay where ſhe was, untill the hour appointed, at which time going out, his concealed Guide before, after having paſſed ſeveral Streets, ſhe brought him to an Ally, whoſe narrowneſs added to the obſcurity of the Night, and leaving him under a little Window opened into it from a large Houſe, ſhe took her Leave of him, telling him ſhe would let her Lady know that he attended her pleaſure. He had waited a ſhort while after the Maids departure, when he perceived the Window open, and heard one call ſoftly to him. After his firſt Complements were over, the perſon from the Window ſaid: Had I not been convinced that the Generoſity of Alexander would not ſuffer him to diſobey the aſſignation 〈…〉 , I ſhould ſcarce have made this Trial of your obliging Diſpoſition, but ſince the repetition of many words • s needleſs to one muſt beg of you what ſhe hopes you will not deny; the only inducement I can uſe to aſſure my ſelf o • your compliance, is to let you know that your coming hither is to lay another Obligation on Laura▪ beſides that of having a reſpect more than ordinary for her Picture, neither is it I alone am engaged to a favourable eſteem for the Gallant Alexander, but my Fair Friend and Companion Cynthia has ſet ſo great a value on your Merits, that I doubt ſhe is not far from an Inclination to the worthy Maſter of them: and to acquaint you with the deſign of your being ſent for hither, it is both from her and my ſelf, (if our Intreaties can prevail) that you would be leſs Aſſiduous with Carlos in favour of your Friend Alfredo; for be confident, Cynthia's thoughts are ſo far from approving his pretentions, that if it be perſiſted in 'twill occaſion that Difference between her and her Brother, which ſhe would moſt willingly avoid, and be troubled your Interceſſion ſhould occaſion it; wherefore it lies upon you to deter Carlos from allowing it any further progreſs, and reduce Alfredo to a reſolution of perſiſting no longer in a deſign will never prove ſucceſsful. Alexander was ſo ſurprized to hear the name of Laura, and tranſported with the imagination of being ſo near her, that the pleaſing diſturbance it had put him in, would not ſuffer a paſſage to his Words whereby he might form an Anſwer to what ſhe had required of him, more than with broken expreſſions to aſſure her he ſhould rejoyce in that Obedience ſhe required of him. So that giving her leiſure to recollect what ſhe intended to a • quaint him with, ſhe continued her Diſcourſe, ſaying: Now Generous Alexander, that I have obeyed the injun ••• o • Cynthia laid on me; believing you will admire to find me in her Company, and her Brothers power, I muſt beg your patience to hear the occaſion of it. Carlos has already told you my Inclination had preferred him above all others, my Quality and the place of my Birth you have learnt from him; but ſince his reſervedneſs has kept you ignorant of the occaſion brought me to Mantua, and into his Houſe, relying on your ſecreſie, you ſhall be informed of the cauſe of it from Laura her ſelf. During the time of Carlos's abode in Rome, our Loves were grown reciprocal, when he took that Journey with you, (ſoon after your firſt acquaintance) to viſit the moſt remarkable Places in Italy, leaving his Siſter in a Convent ſhe had been bred in, until he ſhould return; I heard afterward by him, that being called home by the death of your Father, you took your Leave of one another in Florence, he to come back to Rome, while you haſted to the City we are now in; Carlos was come within a league of Rome without meeting any thing remarkable after he left you, but then he ſaw coming towards him a Coach and ſix Horſes, driving with an unuſual Speed, and before it came near him, turned out of the High-Road, and ſtopt at a Wood-ſide, a convenient diſtance from it; believing there was ſomething extraordinary in what he had ſeen, his Curioſity made him ride to the other ſide of the Grove, and quitting his Horſe, he made a paſſage through the Boughs till he came near the place where the Coach ſtood; from whence he ſaw there had alighted two Gentlemen, who entring the Wood made a ſtand in an open place very near that where the thickneſs of the Buſhes had concealed him, and heard one of them, with a diſturbed tone, accoſt the other. My Lord Albert, (ſaid he) I have brought you hither to let you know you have failed in that reſpect is due to our Friendſhip, ſince you could ſo much forget my adoration was placed on that Lady, as to dare purſue the ſupplanting of it, to advance your own. I confeſs my Lord Duke (replied the other) you was before hand with me — Laura was come thus far with her Diſcourſe, when one coming haſtily to her from within, ſhe ſtarted up, and only ſaying, farewell Alexander, till to morrow this time, when I ſhall expect you in the ſame place, She retired from the Window; and Alexander returned home ſtrangely confuſed within himſelf at ſo unthought of an adventure as he had met with. The joy of having found a real Laura, quite baniſht from his thoughts the remembrance of his once admirable Porcia, and if ſhe did at any time poſſeſs them, he made himſelf believe her Beauty had never made any firm Impreſſion in his Mind, at leſt he allowed that Change excuſable, he had not without ſome ſtruggling ſubmitted to, and forced by a Beauty much preferrable to what he forſook; confident ſhe was not Miſtreſs of leſs Charms than were given her by the Painter, but rather would have allow'd them excelling the Copy, if they ſhould appear equal to her Wit. He wiſht with a violent impatience the return of the next Night, ſpending the remainder of that Night and the Day following in a ſerious contemplation of his Unfortunate, yet in ſome Conſiderations Happy Condition. What am I reduced to (would he ſay to himſelf) that I muſt either be miſerable by my own obſtinacy, or offend in the higheſt nature the beſt of Friends? ſhall I ſhun ſeeing her again, and learn to forget my captivity, thereby confirming my conſtancy to Porcia, and fidelity to Carlos? No, no, 'tis no longer in my Power, nor did I ever love till I beheld the reſemblance of Laura; I never had, nor can have a Paſſion but for her; Yet ſhall I betray my Friend? yes, I muſt, I hope I have already ſupplanted him: nor can that be termed a Treaſon which Merit occaſions; alas! if I ſought; how can my Tongue be ſilent againſt the very impulſe of my ſoul; I muſt rather periſh fondly by ſeeking Laura, than let Carlos owe me a ſilent fidelity. Carlos is guilty in ſo far doubting my Loyalty to conceal her being here, but I will take him at his word, let him be delighted with the remembrance of that Laura he left at Rome, while I Triumph in the Love of Laura that is in Mantua. Fixt in this reſolution, he waited the following Evenings Approach with the impatience of one that hopes a Bleſſing, which was no ſooner come, but he made haſte to the appointed Window, and at the prefixt time found it opened by his Beloved Laura, who told him he might now be ſecure from that Interruption had forced her the night before to retire, which was the coming in of Carlos, who was now in Bed, and Cynthia in her own Chamber aſleep. Alexander beginning from her diſcourſe of Cynthia, took occaſion highly to complain againſt the ſcrupulous humour of Carlos, for being ſo reſerved in concealing his Siſter, that all the Friendſhip between them had not made him deſerve a ſight of her: which reſtraint of his has now engaged me in ſuch a deſire of procuring it (added he,) that though only the gratifying my Curioſity is what I ſeek, yet unleſs you forbid it, it ſhall be accompliſhed, if to the endangering a breach in our Friendſhip. To aſſure you (anſwered Laura) I do not emulate the Merits of my Friend, you have permiſſion to endeavour what you mention, though on your part, the ſight of ſo many Charms may endanger the Conſtancy of the Firmeſt Lover; ſince there have been in Rome and Mantua, thoſe who allowed her worthy the greateſt admiration: Madam (replied the Amorous Alexander) although there were as commanding a power in Cynthia's Beauty, as your Friendſhip affords it, that 'tis enough to ſee her and be conquered; yet They muſt be reckoned free from that danger, who have been bleſt in ſeeing Laura, though but ſhadowed. I ſhall believe you reſolute (ſaid ſhe interrupting him) if you can behold her with indifference, whoſe Form perhaps has been the particular care of Heaven in moulding; and before you attempt ſeeing her, imagine you may incounter one much tranſcending whatever you can imagine in Laura, who may be flattered too much in the Copy you have ſeen: No, Fair Laura, (replyed he) if you had not a ſufficient aſſurance of your own Charms, you would ſcarce have afforded thoſe praiſes to your Friends, which indifferent Beauties are ſhy of mentioning in anothers favour. Perhaps (ſaid ſhe) it would not be diſpleaſing to me, if Alexander were as much captivated by Cynthia's Beauty, as he pretends to be by Laura's Picture. Theſe laſt words of Hers made him ſo doubtful what might be meant by them, that not daring to attempt knowing more of her meaning, he changed his Diſcourſe into a deſire that ſhe would oblige him with the Concluſion of what ſhe was the Night before interrupted in. Which ſhe ſeeming willing to do, being inminded by him where ſhe left off, continued, ſaying: After the Lords had retorted a few more upbraiding Expreſſions on one another, they were both ſilent, to let their Swords end the Diſpute; the Duke only ſaying, ſince we both pretend our love to be ſo great, that neither can relinquiſh his Hopes but with his Life, let the ſurvivor continue his, while the other's are buried with him. Carlos finding himſelf ſo near, believed after he ſaw them both bleed, that he might without wrong to eithers Honour, endeavour the concluſion of the Combat; and throwing himſelf between them, not without much difficulty, he got them at ſuch a diſtance from each other, that he might have time to ſpeak to them. Why, my Lords (ſaid he) ſhould the Conqueſt of a Beauty coſt the endangering two Lives ſo Conſiderable? If the Ladies pleaſure be ſtill undecided, is it not more conduceable to pretend in a way of Gallantry, whereby one may prove happy in her Eſteem, while the other will ſuffer little by the loſs of a Lady whoſe affections were not to be gained by him? I am ſatisfied replied Lord Albert (who knew Carlos very well) to conform to the Propoſition has been made, and refer my Fortune to the Judgement of her I Adore, with promiſe to deſiſt all future pretences, if rejected by her. The Duke at length was prevailed with, by Carlos's Perſwaſions and Intreaties to do the like; ſo that having put a period to their Diſpute, they returned back to the Coach which waited at the outſide of the Wood, and took Carlos with them in it back to Rome. As they were in the Coach together, the Duke gave Carlos an account of their Love, ſaying it was placed on a Lady who was ſo nice and reſerved, that neither of them had at any time been happy in receiving a Smile from her, whereby their Paſſion might have the incouragement of a bare hope, that they only had the equal ſatisfaction of ſeeing her in the Church ſhe uſually reſorted to, and both the day before attempting to ſpeak to her in her return, were prevented by one another, which occaſioned that quarrel he had found them engaged in; and telling them the place of her Abode and Name, he was not a little diſturbed in himſelf to hear that it was I that had made them (though unknowingly) Enemies. That Evening Carlos made me a viſit, and after having with ſatisfaction enough to him, welcomed his Return, he told me of the Adventure he had met with of the Duke and Marquiſs upon my account; and in requital to him, withal to remove any growing jealouſie he might conceive, I acquainted him with the troubleſom aſſiduity they uſed to conquer me, each ſtriving to outvy his Rival in Promiſes equal to the greatneſs of their Quality, which I found in ſome Letters had been clandeſtinely conveyed to me much againſt my will. Carlos not overpleaſed that I ſhould be expoſed to the Courtſhip of two perſons ſo eminent, and who had reſolved to purſue their wiſhes with the utmoſt diligence, perſwaded me, ſince I was without Parents, to be a Check to their Declaration of what would be very prejudicial to my Credit, that I would leave the Aunt I lived with, and conſent to be a Companion of his Siſter Cynthia's, and his Reaſons I thought ſo weighty, that without giving any account of the place I retired to, his Counſel was followed by me; and in very few days after, Carlos reſolving to return home with his Siſter, hearing of his Fathers death, our intimacy was grown ſo great, that being too earneſtly requeſted by her, I rather choſe to viſit Mantua than loſe her Company, thereby ſecuring my ſelf from two dangerous and potent Pretenders againſt my Honour, for I could ſcarce believe either deſigned to make a Wife of one whoſe Birth was ſo much inferiour to their own; nor would I ever venture abroad, during our ſtay in Rome, for fear of being diſcovered by them, only once I was obliged to do it with Cynthia, when ſhe went to take her Leave at the Convent ſhe had been bred up in from a Child, until her Brothers coming took her from their Innocent Society; and then I narrowly miſt being known by my vigilant Searchers. But to keep you no longer in ſuſpence, I ſhall only tell you 'tis now three weeks ſince our arrival at Mantua, and hearing the divertive company uſed to viſit Carlos, Cynthia and I deſiring privately to hear how you men entertain one another, procured, under pretence of being loſt, a Maſter-Key belonging to Carlos, which would at any time give us entrance where we might overhear your Diſcouſe, which we did when you ſo undeſervedly applauded my Picture, and urged Carlos his beſtowing Cynthia on your Friend Alfredo, which ſhe was ſo averſe to, that wanting the confidence her ſelf, ſhe prevailed with me in her name to entreat you would prevent her Brothers taking any ſuch reſolution, which ſince you have promiſed, I will endeavour to bring you where Cynthia her ſelf ſhall return you the thanks are due to Alexanders generoſity; And after ſhe had perſwaded him to forget Laura for one more worthy of his affection, ſhe made him retire, with permiſſion of viſiting her another Night. As Alexander was happy in the converſation of his adored Laura every Evening; though he feared her too much engaged with his Friend, and that her permitting him to diſcourſe her was on Cynthia's account, he pleaſed himſelf enough with being near her, though on any occaſion, hoping in time, ſhe might be brought to approve that her ſelf, ſhe ſeemed then to purſue for another; and every day his entertainment was in Carlos Chamber beholding her Picture. As he was one Afternoon alone in it, he heard himſelf ſoftly called, and turning about could ſee no body, but at his Feet a Note; which at firſt he thought fallen from himſelf, but opening it he perceived theſe Words,

—Leoninda will expect you this Evening at the Garden-gate, and conduct you to a Chamber in our Apartment, I have no time to add more. —

Alexander not doubting but the aſſignation was made by Laura, wiſhed with impatience for the times approach, more earneſt to behold his Charming Laura, than Carlos's Siſter, whom he believed ſhe deſigned to ſhew him; and paſſing the day with his Friend Carlos, as ſoon as ever it was dark, he went to the Garden, where he found Leoninda ready to conduct him into the Houſe, whither being brought, ſhe left him in a dark Room, while ſhe went to give notice of his being there: the Place was a good while ſilent, till at laſt hearing a Door unlock, he advanced to meet his adored Laura; But how was he amazed to behold entring, inſtead of her, Carlos, his injured Friend, with a Light in one Hand and a drawn Sword in the other.

Juſt as Ceſario was come to this part of his Relation, the Princeſs was interrupted from farther Attention, by ſeveral Perſons entring into the Preſence, in a manner ſomething unuſual; among which there was one, who by the ſtrangeneſs of his Dreſs appeared an African, who having been very earneſt to ſpeak with the Dutcheſs, was brought in by one of the Officers, upon his pretence of having ſomething extraordinary to communicate to her, which ſhe being acquainted with, commanded him, before Ceſario proceeded in the ſtory of Alexander, to inform her what had urged him to be ſo ſolicitous of ſpeaking to her: who throwing himſelf at her feet told her that what he had to relate muſt be to her ſelf alone, unleſs abſolutely enjoyned the contrary by her: the meanneſs of his Garb, and diſorder of his Looks made thoſe who were with the Dutcheſs think it unſafe to truſt him in what he requeſted, and beſought her to let him be examined by ſome Officer who might give her an account of his buſineſs; and one being called to that purpoſe, the poor Stranger, preſſing ſo near the Dutcheſs, that he could not be overheard unleſs by Niſe who ſtood by her; Madam (ſaid he) is it with your Highneſs permiſſion that I muſt relate to the perſon appointed, what concerns my dear Lord Fredericks memory. He had no ſooner mentioned that Name, but a ſudden diſorder appeared in the afflicted Princeſs's Face, ſurprized to think that a Stranger ſhould be acquainted with what ſhe thought a Secret to the whole world: and finding her diſturbance increaſe by her endeavours to ſuppreſs it, ſhe roſe haſtily up, and taking Niſe by the Arm to ſupport her, retired to her Cloſet, leaving all the company amazed at her departure. She had not been long withdrawn, when a Lady came from her to bring in the poor Stranger, who as ſoon as he ſaw none with her but Niſe, the reſt having withdrawn to the further end of the Room, kneeling down at a little diſtance, and with tears in his eyes; ſaid to her, Madam, it has pleaſed Providence at laſt to bring me where I can fulfill the injunction of my unhappy Lord; who commanded me if he ended his days in the captivity we were in, that if ever I ſhould ſee Italy, I ſhould acquaint your Highneſs with thoſe misfortunes happened to him after his being believed dead, and thrown into the adjacent River. What, ſaid the Dutcheſs interrupting him, was it not Frederick who was murdered and carried away by the Streams! Yes Madam (ſaid he) it was my Dear Maſter received all thoſe wounds were intended him; but at that time Heaven was pleaſed to ſpare his Life, though, as it has proved ſince, only to let him go with more misfortunes to his Grave. That joy which the Dutcheſs began to receive at the mention of his being alive, was ſoon turned to her wonted affliction at the Strangers laſt words; but a little recovering her ſelf, and earneſt to know the particulars of Frederick's ſecond death, as ſhe termed it, ſhe deſired him to give her an account of what ſhe was ignorant of concerning that unhappy man.

IN the Relation your Highneſs commands me to make of my Maſters adventures, ſince you believed him killed at your Palace-Gates, I muſt neceſſarily acquaint you with thoſe of two perſons once not unknown to your Highneſs, I mean Aſtolfo and Roſelinda, who fled from Mantua ſome time before my Maſter was forced from thence.

The Dutcheſs hearing their Names, deſired him to omit nothing which might concern a perſon ſo much eſteemed by her, as Roſelinda; and Fredericks Loyal Servant perceiving ſhe expected to know what he had to inform her of, began his ſad ſtory.

Although it may ſeem preſumptuous to ſay any thing to your Highneſs concerning a Perſon ſo inconſiderable as my ſelf, yet it may not be unneceſſary to own the particular favours my Noble Maſter was pleaſed to beſtow upon me, in not concealing his moſt ſecret thoughts from one he believed wholly devoted to his ſervice; when he was at Rome he engaged my Father Julian, whoſe Name I bear, to let me attend him in thoſe Travels he deſigned to make through moſt parts of Europe, (which for my Improvement he yielded to) deſiring I ſhould learn what experience I could abroad, before he ſettled me at home, where his Fortune was conſiderable enough to bound a moderate Ambition, though much inferiour to what his Anceſtors had enjoyed; but being forced to ſtay behind for the ſettlement of ſome Affairs, I did not overtake my Maſter till he had been ſome time here in Mantua, where I was overjoyed to find him in ſo high Favour with the Duke; and after a few days, (congratulating his happineſs in being deſigned the Husband of Roſelinda) he was pleaſed out of a confidence he had of my ſecreſie, to tell me how little agreeable that match was to him. I need not repeat to your Highneſs any thing which paſt in Mantua till the fatal Night was deſigned for his deſtruction, when coming from the Palace, a little diſtance from whence I waited his return, a ſudden noiſe of Swords made me retire where I might be leſs taken notice of, without imagining him concerned in that quarrel: till a while after believing by their ſilence, all was over, I drew near enough to hear one of the Guards ſay, although he be not wounded, his falling into the River muſt be his death; another replying, I have found his Sword, which by as much as I can diſcern in the dark, is rich enough to be owned by a Perſon of Quality; growing a little ſuſpitious by their words, and frighted at their naming man thrown into the River, I adventured to ask the • what the diſturbance was I had heard a little before which one of them telling me, and ſhewing me th • Sword, I was half dead at the knowledge that it wa • my Dear Maſters; and crying out 'tis Lord Fredericks, Lord Frederick is ſlain, I ran to that part of the River where they told me he was thrown in, but being able to perceive nothing, I followed the Current all Night, making the Banks eccho to my Grief for the loſs of him, and the beſt part of the next day was ſpent in the ſame manner, when towards Evening falling in among ſome Huts the Fiſhermen had ſet up upon the Banks, one of them hearing what I was in ſearch of, told me, that being moſt of the Night Fiſhing upon the River, he had diſcerned ſomething carried down by the Stream come very near his Boat, and making towards it, took up a man in a very rich Garb almoſt dead, which he thought had been occaſioned by his being tired with Swimming; but bringing him aſhore to his Hut, he found him all over bloody, and as he believed then quite dead: However the charitable man, willing to give him what aſſiſtance he could, firſt rolling his body on a Tub, which brought a great quantity of Water from him, and then laying him wrapt in dry Woollen near a Fire, his heat began to return, and at length he opened his Eyes, though without any ſenſe or knowledge of what was done to him; and removing him thence to a Bed, they bound up his wounds as well as they could, till a Chirurgeon could be brought from the next Town, which the careful Hoſt went for, but at his return, he met ſome of his Comrades in a great Fright, ſaying the Corſairs of Tunis had landed and carried off with them ſeveral of their Companions Slaves, whom they had ſurprized in their Huts; that as ſoon as their fear would give them leave, returning to their Huts, he miſt his wounded Gueſs, whom he imagined they had taken away in that condition, incouraged by the rich Cloaths lay by him, believing if he lived, ſuch a booty would afford a Ranſom to requite the pains of curing him; but he was confident the condition he had left him in, would not bear a remove without the loſs of his life, and he concluded him certainly dead. This ſecond misfortune put me quite beyond my conſideration of reaſon, and I ſtayed that Night with my Maſters Hoſt, conſuming it in the conſideration of what courſe I ſhould take to know what was become of him, whom I could not but hope to be ſtill alive, ſince he had eſcaped ſo miraculouſly from the River. I reſolved to viſit Tunis, although I expoſed my ſelf to a certain ſlavery, which in a few days I performed; having met with an Engliſh Ship was bound thither to Trade, I embarqued my ſelf, and in leſs than a month after my Maſters being carried away, I was landed in that conſiderable City of Affrick. It had been my Fathers miſchance, when young, to be taken and kept ſix years a ſlave in Tripoli, during which time he had perfectly learnt the Arabick Language, and for a diverſion had taught me ſo much of it, that I could diſcourſe indifferently well in it, and it ſtood me ſo much in ſtead, that cloathing my ſelf in the Mooriſh Garb, I was credited to be what I pretended my ſelf, a Moor of Tetuan, taken a ſlave by the Chriſtians ſo young, that I had almoſt forgot my own Language, and that having by my hard labour got enough to procure my ranſom, I was landed there in order to return to my own Country. So that being lookt on as an abſolute Moor, I had as much opportunity as I could wiſh to inquire after my dear Maſter, though a great while without any effect; till one day hearing ſome Slaves talk of their Captivity, and inquiring from what part they had been taken, one of them told me he was a Mantuan, brought over much about the time I knew my Maſter was loſt; and examining him more particularly of what other Slaves were taken with him, I learnt, not without a tranſport of joy, that he came thither in the ſame Veſſel with my Maſter, that by the Moors care of his wounds, both during their Voyage and a-ſhore, he had been perfectly recovered, and ſince was bought by the King of Tunis for a vaſt price: Upon this intelligence I was ſo continually about the Seraglio, that at laſt I diſcovered my dear Maſter in a Dreſs much different to what I was wont to behold him; he was pleaſed to tell me my preſence was not a little welcome to him, though he lookt ſhyly on me, fearing by my wearing a Turkiſh Habit, I had been turned Renegado; till giving him an account of all I had done, his goodneſs but too much acknowledged my love to him. For the firſt time we durſt not be too long together, leſt my Diſguiſe ſhould grow ſuſpected; and afterwards when we met, our Conſultation was how poſſibly to procure his enlargement from a Maſter never admitted a ranſom for his Slaves: ſo that all our hopes muſt depend on the Kings being procured to give him to ſome Courtier who would be willing to ſee him exchanged for a conſiderable ſum of money. During the time we were taken up with theſe Conſiderations, there happen'd an occaſion which I was willing to lay hold of, as what might much conduce to my Lords enlargement. A Noble man of Tunis, called Mahomad Alli, having a young Son whom he deſired to have inſtructed in Muſick, and hearing I had learnt a proficiency in that uſed in Italy, during my Captivity, ſent for m •• making great offers of requital if I would take upon me the teaching of his Son, which I willingly offered, and in a few weeks gained the Fathers heart by the improvement his Son had made in the Science I was thought a Maſter of. And being of himſelf a man more deſirous of knowledge than the generality of his Country men are, he took a great delight in hearing me relate the Manners and Cuſtoms of Chriſtendom; ſo that at laſt I was grown ſo much in his favour as to be intruſted with the management of his Affairs, and ordering his Houſe in the City, when he went to divertiſe himſelf at a Seat he had ſome miles out of Town, where he uſed often to be, as I learnt, drawn thither by the love of a fair Chriſtian Slave had been preſented him; and finding his good opinion of me ſo great, that he expreſt a willingneſs to do me any conſiderable kindneſs I could beg of him: One day when he was much delighted to hear me play on the Harp, I told him among the Kings Slaves I had met with a young man whom I knew in Italy, and whoſe Friends had been ſo particularly kind in conducing to my deliverance from a long Captivity, that the only thing I would beſeech of him was, if poſſible, to get that Slave out of the Kings hands, which he might beg for, not without hopes of ſucceſs, and give me leave as a grateful requital to him and his Friends to ſet him at liberty; as ſoon as he heard what I deſired of him, he blamed my modeſty in asking ſo ſmall a Boon, and promiſed that very day to procure what I ſought, not doubting to ſpeed in it. At the time he went to the Seraglio to procure my Lords liberty, I went to acquaint him the good news of a freedom he might ſoon expect: but all our joy was diſſipated at Mahomads return, who told me, that although my requeſt was ſmall, yet at that time impoſſible to be granted, for the King having news of a Rebellion in the fartheſt part of his Dominions; which being ſlighted at firſt, had given the Rebels time to carry all before them; ſo that the King reſolving to go in perſon with an Army againſt them, all his Slaves were appointed for the journey, and that he himſelf being commanded to attend the King in the expedition, reſolved to intruſt the Government and Ordering of his Family to my care until his return. If I was grieved at the certain prolongation of my Maſters captivity, that concern was doubly aggravated at the conſideration of being ſeparated from him ſo long a time as that was like to be, if he ſhould ever return. I uſed all the arguments I could to perſwade Mahomad I might accompany him, but in concluſion it was almoſt by a forced licence that I went, having declared, that if he thought me unworthy to be near him where he might be expoſed to continual dangers, as ſoon as ever he was departed to the Army, I would return to my Native Country and Friends in Tetuan. A few days after the King began his journey, finding at the Randezvous he had appointed, a compleat Army of thirty five thouſand men, all well appointed, beſides the uſual attendants on a Camp; he proceeded with ſhort journeys n t to harraſe his men before they came up with the enemy, having heard by thoſe he had ſent out that they ſeemed to expect him, and it was believed would ſtand a Battel. I ſhould paſs over what concerns the Wars of Tunis, without troubling your Highneſs to hear any thing of them, but that my dear Maſter made a conſiderable character in that War; during our march I had all the opportunity I could deſire of ſeeing and diſcourſing with him; his reſolutions were to attempt the doing ſome remarkable action which might incite the King to give him his liberty as a reward of it, and by his order I prevailed with my kind Patron Mahomad, that he ſhould be allowed Arms when he came to the Battel, aſſuring him they would not be imployed to the Kings diſadvantage. We began after a months ſlow march to approach ſo near the enemy, that our Outguards had often Skirmiſhes; and we found their Army very ſtrongly encampt, having a great River on one ſide, and a large Wood covering the other: the King ſetting down about a League from them, after a Nights refreſhment of his men, drew up his whole Army in Battalia, and ſo marcht till we faced the Enemy, believing they would lye cloſe within their Intrenchments, but Albazin the famous Rebel who commanded them, was as forward and earneſt to decide all by a Battel as the King could be: and before half the Morning was ſpent, both Armys began to draw ſo near in a large Plain before Albazins Camp, that the Archers could no longer be hindred from beginning the fight, but receiving that word of command they were impatient for, a moſt bloody and obſtinate fight commenced, which was not decided without the loſs of many thouſand lives. Albazins Army conſiſted of much an equal number with the Kings, but he had the advantage of at leaſt eight thouſand Horſe, though fewer in Foot. The King behaved himſelf like a wiſe General and bold Souldier, charging where his men were moſt preſt upon, but not being ſeconded by them with a like courage, his ſucceſs not only grew doubtful, but the Enemy making a freſh charge with a ſtrong body of Horſe he kept in reſerve from the beginning of the Battel; his Right Wing was forced to give ground, having the misfortune to behold his Left in a greater diſorder, the Main Body only ſtanding obſtinately to it, being engaged in a cloſe fight where all other Arms but their Swords were grown uſeleſs. Mahomad fighting near the King, I kept as cloſe to my Maſter, who by my Patrons procurement was allowed a Horſe, and to enter the Battel, where his great Actions were for ſome time obſcured in the Croud he fought amongſt; but upon Albazins freſh Charge, when our Horſe began to give ground, he preſt forward to the Front, and was got cloſe up to the King, when he perceived him ſurrounded by the Enemies Horſe which Albazin led in Perſon; the Kings party made ſo weak a reſiſtance, that he already feared himſelf a Priſoner to his rebellious Vaſſal; and my Maſter believing then was his time to dye gloriouſly or merit his freedom, turning about to me, ſaid, Now Julian believe I fight to cut my ſelf a paſſage into Italy, I fight in hopes of ſeeing Diana again, and am aſſured of Victory in her Name. Ending thoſe words he clapt Spurs to his Horſe, having a ſtrong Javelin in his Hand, and preſſing cloſe to the King; Sir, ſaid he, you muſt ſtill Conquer, Heaven cannot be propitious long to a Rebel, againſt a lawful Prince. As he uttered theſe words, a Horſeman of the Enemy, whoſe Garb made him remarkable, had forced a way ſo near the King with a party which followed him, that he was juſt ſeizing his Bridle, having called to him to yield, when my Maſter clapt in between them, and thruſt his Launce quite through his body, the King having the ſatisfaction of ſeeing his Enemy tumble from his Horſe dead at his Feet; which action ſtruck ſuch a terror to his Foes, and gave ſuch new life to our fainting men, ſeeing that blow ſeconded by two or three more which proved as fatal to thoſe came in his reach, that as the one began to take up from their eagerneſs of Victory, and the other rallied again, not only making good their ground, but preſt after their Prince, who with my Maſter by his ſide began to recover freſh hopes of retrieving the Battel on that part. But if the face of Victory ſeemed to change where we were, it was much otherwiſe in other places; for one acquainted the King that his Left Wing was almoſt totally routed, and the main body ſhrinking under the Enemies force, was likely ſoon to follow the example of their Companions. This ſad intelligence drove him quite into deſpair, making him cry out, what, what can we do more, but ſave our ſelves by flight! Conquer, Conquer, ſaid my Maſter; haſt where your preſence may reanimate your men, and be aſſured of Victory here. The King took his counſel, only ſaying as he drew off, Heaven preſerve the life of my valiant Slave, and I ſhall not doubt of Victory. The King had ſcarce left us when Albazin, angry to find ſuch a ſtop put to his proceedings, as my Maſter had given them, advanced before the reſt of his men, and coming near my Maſter; Slave, ſaid he, ſince thy Courage is ſo great, be honoured in receiving thy death from Albazins hand; my Maſter replied not a word to him, but receiving the ſtrong charge of his Launce upon a little Target he had on his left Arm, returned him ſuch a thruſt with his, as had almoſt thrown him quite out of his Saddle; and turning his Horſe ſhort upon his Enemies Crupper, made him feel the weight of his Scimitar before he had well recovered the ſhock of his Spear. Albazin was a man of extraordinary courage, and being quite Tranſported to meet ſuch oppoſition from a Slave, flew at him with his Scimitar, deſigning his next blow ſhould decide the controverſie; but being intercepted by my Maſters Shield, he only received a ſlight wound in his Arm, and requited it with a larger in Albazins Shoulder; while the Warri • rs were engaged in a ſingle combate, all the Souldiers on both ſides forbore Fighting, to be Spectators of what the Event of it would be; each ſide conjecturing their Fortune to depend on the Succeſs of their Champion; and after a ſharp Diſpute, both covered with Blood, and raiſed to the higheſt tranſports of Fury by the reſiſtance they met with, weary of further delay, they cloſed, and grappled one another on Horſ-back, each ſtriving to pull his Adverſary from his Saddle, and at once ſpurring their Horſes, both came to the Ground together, but my Maſter happily falling uppermoſt, before Albazin could recover himſelf from the diſorder of a Fall with ſuch a weight upon him, my Maſter drawing a ſhort Puniard from his Side, ſtabb'd him to the Heart, and Leaping upon his Feet, as a Trophy of his Victory, he pulled Albazins Green Turbat from his Head and clapped it on his own; that Colour being worn by the Rebel, as a Note of the Sanctity he pretended to, having at firſt by a Religious Cheat, reduced all thoſe who were of his Party from their Loyalty. The death of their Leader ſtruck ſuch a damp in the Hearts of our Enemies, that thoſe who a little before thought themſelves Conquerors, after a weak Oppoſition, betook them to their Heels; being purſued and ſlaughtered at Pleaſure by our Men, who followed the renowned Frederick, with a full aſſurance of an intire Victory; for the Confirmation of which, meeting none in that part of the Field, but ſuch as offered their Throats to our Swords; He called to thoſe who were neareſt him, telling them they had done nothing, till the day was as much ſecured in other places as where they had then fought; and being anſwered, That lead where he would, they were ready to dye by his Side, or Vanquiſh with him; having by this time drove the ſcattered Wing of the Enemy quite out of the Field, he wheeled about, and fell in upon the Rear of the main Body, finding them ſo much work where they leaſt expected it, that they ſoon deſiſted from further preſſing upon the King to defend themſelves againſt the impetuoſity of a freſh Charge; but the Shouts of our Men crying out, The Rebel Albazin is dead, and an Officer of ours, having after my Maſter left the Place where he fell, cut off his Head and fixt it on the point of a Launce, brought it in ſight of thoſe were ſtill Fighting; which Spectacle was ſo amazing to them, that now deſperate either of ſucceſs or ſafety, they were quickly reduced to the ſame condition their Left-wing was in; and thoſe of their Right, which had gained advantage enough before, endeavoured to ſave themſelves by a haſty flight. There fell on the Kings Side, above eight thouſand Men, and moſt of the Officers who fought near the King, had loſt their Lives to ſecure his, which occaſioned my Maſters having the ſole leading of thoſe with whom he recovered a loſt Battel; the Enemy left dead on the place near thirty thouſand Men, the King putting all to the Sword after they had thrown down their Arms. As ſoon as my Maſter came where the King was alighting from his Horſe, as he would have knelt down, he took him in his Arms, calling him his deliverer and preſerver both of his Crown and Life, nor was there a Souldier in the Army, but attributed their Victory to my Maſters Courage. It will not be to my purpoſe to trouble your Highneſs with any other circumſtances paſt there, more than that all was reduced again to the Kings obedience; and after four months abſence we arrived ſafe again at Tunis: my Maſter being recovered of his wounds, and grown in ſuch eſteem with the King, that he was by all termed the favourite-Slave. One thing I had like to have omited, that my friend Mahomad who held a conſiderable Charge in the Army, was at the beginning of the Fight dangerouſly wounded and carried out of the Field; but afterwards he recovered, having been during his illneſs, ſo carefully attended by me, that at our coming back to Tunis, he uſed me with much greater kindneſs than before; But a few days after, a ſad misfortune which befell my Maſter, turned all our tranquility into grief: The King having ſeen the happy effects of his Valour, and keeping him continually near him, was grown ſo delighted with his Converſation, that deſirous to add Favours to thoſe he had beſtowed, and for the future to deter my Maſter from ever urging him again to reſtore him to his Liberty, ſet very earneſtly upon him, to perſwade the alteration of his Religion; thereby putting himſelf into a condition to be the Kings Son-in-Law, he having aſſured him, he deſired no other Husband for his only Daughter. You may judg, Madam, how much he was ſurprized at ſo ſtrange a Propoſal; finding that as his own reſolutions were ſufficiently fixt, ſo the denial would much diſturb the King: And his abſolute refuſal, though with modeſty and acknowledgment enough, was ſo far from inducing the King to deſiſt, that he not only preſt it more and more every day, but ſet the Mufti upon him, to endeavour the bringing him to their Belief, promiſing a vaſt reward to him that ſhould prove ſuccesfull in it: and when all their Arguments and promiſes could avail nothing, one of them found a way which had near ruined my Maſter; for the King growing at laſt almoſt angry, to be refuſed that by a Slave, which he thought deſerved the Prayers of Princes to obtain, was ſatisfied with what one of the Prieſts told him, that Frederick when he had ſlain Albazin, put on his green Turbat, which colour being ſacred to their Prophet, the Chriſtian who is bold to prophane it by the wearing, ought by their Laws, either to change his Religion or expiate with his Blood the offence. The King by their means, though with ſome reluctance, was perſwaded to attempt him in that matter, aſſured he would rather live the Son of a King, and Husband to a beautifull Lady, than expoſe his Life for the ſake of Religion: So that one morning as he entred the Seraglio, a Guard ſeized him, and carried him away Priſoner to a private part of it, where the Mufti made him the Propoſal either of Life or Death, which laſt, he firmly demanding, rather than his Belief ſhould be ſo much as queſtioned; they ſo incenſed the King againſt him by thoſe reproaches he gave their Prophet, that at laſt his Life became in a great deal of danger; and although the Execution was deferred, in hopes he might recant, yet he was made a cloſe Priſoner, with the threat of never being releaſt but on the tearms were made him. He continued a Priſoner for ſeveral months, without my being able to ſee or ſend to him; having learn'd from Mahomad the condition he was in, who very much blamed the King's ingratitude, having nothing to alledg for his excuſe, but that great influence the Mufti had over him, whom he knew to be violent in what concerns any matter of their Sect. While my dear Maſter remained in Priſon, I was grown ſo melancholy, that Mahomad, who expreſt much trouble for it, took me along with him to his Country-houſe to give me ſome diverſion; telling me he had an Italian Slave whoſe converſation he believed I ſhould be much delighted with, and as the higheſt token of his favour, promiſed me a ſight of his fair, but coy Miſtriſs; on the way he entertained me with his love of her, letting me know, that a Ship he ſent out at his own charge, took her among ſeveral other Captives on the Coaſt of Florence; and with her his Italian, who was brought to him deſperately wounded, having reſiſted while he had ſtrength to do it, thoſe who aſſaulted him: that he kept his fair Slave there leaſt the noiſe of her Beauty might by the Mariners diſcourſe of it, come to the Kings Ear, and he ſhould demand her; purpoſing by having her concealed where no body knew of her, to tell the King, if he ſhould ever inquire after her, that ſhe had been ranſomed, reſolving rather to part with his Life than Love, although her obſtinacy was ſuch, that he had never been able to overcome it, not having power to uſe force if ſhe were poſſibly any other way to be won. As ſoon as we were allighted at his Houſe, where his Servants were ready to receive him, I could ſcarce credit my Eyes, when I knew the Italian Slave he talked of, to be Aſtolfo; Mahomad left me with him, and haſted himſelf to viſit his fair Miſtriſs, (for ſo he always termed her.) Aſtolfo had ſeen me before in Italy, but the Turkiſh habit I was in, kept me from being known to him, till taking him aſide from the other Slaves, I told him who I was, and how I came to be in that dreſs; he was much rejoyced to ſee me, but more afflicted at the knowledg of my Maſters misfortunes. He told me how he came to fall into the Moors hands, that having embarqued on a Veſſel bound for Tuſcany, when he thought himſelf ſafe, being got out of the Duke of Mantua's reach, they were ſet upon by Pirates, when after the death of half their Men, and himſelf much wounded, they were Boarded and taken; that the Moors at the Prayers of Roſelinda, whoſe Beauty they admired, dreſſed his wounds, and arriving at Tunis, delivered them to Mahomad; who falling in love with his Wife, (for he had married Roſelinda in the Ship before they were taken) had kept them there in the Country ſince their firſt arrival, not knowing that he was her Husband, pretending he conducted her to Marry his Brother in Florence when they met his Ship: and he confirmed to me what Mahomad had ſaid, that he was both very kind to him, and uſed Roſelinda with much Reſpect. My Patron was as good as his word, in ſhewing me the diſpoſer of his Liberty, whoſe Beauty was not at all diminiſhed ſince I ſaw her in Mantua, during my ſtay there. Aſtolfo and I had often conſultations how to procure their Liberty; which was impoſſible to be attained any way, but by a private eſcape, and no hopes of doing that, while Mahomad kept them in the Country; ſo that one day diſcourſing with him about his Love, I ſaid the only way to overcome her, was an aſſiduous perſeverance, which he could effect with more convenience if ſhe was always near him in the City, than by ſeeing her but ſeldome, which he did at that diſtance. My advice had the ſucceſs I deſired, and within two days he removed her privately to Tunis, taking Aſtolfo thither alſo; but not long after he quitted his Love with his Life, being ſeized by a violent Feavour, which meeting with a corpulent Body as he was of, ſoon took him away. I muſt confeſs his kindneſs to me had been ſo particular, that I was ſenſibly concerned for the loſs of him, and my trouble aggravated, by wanting the only Friend I knew how to make any application to. His Eſtate and Tuition of his Son was immediately taken into the Kings diſpoſe, Hamet his Brother being denied that Truſt by the King; but as a part of recompence, he granted him all his Brothers Slaves; and to remove him further from him, where the Juſtice of his complaint for the wrong was done him, would make the King ill thought off: He told him he muſt prepare to go his Embaſſador to the King of Granada in Spain; Hamet ſeemed pretty well ſatisfied with ſo honourable an imployment, and haſtned his Voyage all he could. He was not leſs taken with the Love of Roſelinda than his Brother had been, knowing ſhe had never yielded to him, and reſolved to take her, with the reſt of his Slaves into Spain; Aſtolfo was overjoyed with the hopes of going into Europe, where he believed his eſcape more eaſie than from Tunis; but my Sorrow increas'd with the Apprehenſion of my Maſters danger, of whom I could hear nothing more than that he was ſtill alive under a ſtrickt Confinement. But walking one Evening toward the Seraglio, I was ſurpriſed with Joy, at the ſight of my dear Maſter, who met me a little diſtance from the Gate of it; we went both to Mahomad's Houſe, where I was permitted to ſtay, having his Goods in Charge, till the King ſhould remove them. My Maſter told me there, all that had happened to him ſince his being Confined; and that the King not being able to reſolve the Death of one he loved ſo well, nor perceiving a poſſibility of reducing him to what he wiſhed, being in earneſt ſolicited by the Mufti to take away his Life, had him ſelf privately viſited him, and bringing him out of the Priſon, took his leave of him, bidding him go where he would, and telling him he muſt accuſe his own Obſtinacy that hindered him from being as great as himſelf. He told me he had newly left the King when I met him, and was reſolved with the firſt opportunity to viſit Mantua, and throw himſelf at your Feet; withal, very deſirous of learning if poſſible, from whoſe hands he received thoſe wounds had occaſioned all his future Miſery. I told him of Hamets Voyage into Spain, and of Aſtolfo and Roſelinda being in his power, withall that he had, earneſtly deſired me to accompany him in that Journey, which my Maſter was ſo much pleaſed with, that he commanded me to look him out and accept of it, and that he would paſs as my Slave, till our Arrival in Spain; which he might the better do, having never been ſeen by Hamet, who was newly come from a Government he had been ſome years in, and my Maſter had been little acquainted among the Mariners. At firſt, all things ſucceeded as well as we could wiſh, having ſo proſperous a Voyage, that in twelve days we landed at Malaga; but as ſoon as ever we came a-ſhore Hamet ſeized on my Maſter as having run away from the King, threatning me with Impriſonment for aſſiſting him, but the true incitement he had to it, was only his Covetouſneſs, having been told by me that my Slave was of a Noble Birth in his own Country. Hamet as ſoon as he had ſetled thoſe Affairs were neceſſary upon his firſt Landing, being to abide in Malaga, till the King ſhould ſend for his coming up to Granada, began to be as ſollicitous in his Love to Roſelinda as ſevere againſt Frederick and Aſtolfo; for my part, I had in a Diſguſt left him, and owning my ſelf a Native of Tetuan, which was oppoſite to us, he durſt not offer that Violence, which otherwiſe, I had doubtleſs felt at his hands. But we were all drove to the higheſt Conſternation of ill, when Roſelinda acquainted her Husband, by a Note ſhe got conveighed to him, that Hamet no longer brooking her Denials, had determined, if within two days, ſhe did not reſolve to comply with his Deſires, he would at the end of them, ſatisfie his Love by Force. Aſtolfo when Hamet was gone to return the Governor a Viſit, ſlipt out, and finding me, acquainted me with it; telling me withal, that if in the Night there were any poſſibility of getting out of the City, he could from a Window lookt into the Garden of the Houſe, let down himſelf, his Wife and Frederick; and ſo from the Garden, could eaſily get out into the Street; having won an Eunuch of Hamets, who had the Charge of his Houſe, to fly with them, upon a deſire he had of becoming a Chriſtian. Although the difficulty of having a City Gate opened, was not eaſily to be removed, believing ſo fair an opportunity would ſcarce offer again, I was reſolved to further it all I could. Alſtolfo having told me that both my Maſter and himſelf were reſolved to expoſe their Lives to the utmoſt Peril, and rather kill Hamet in his Houſe, than let Roſelinda be Raviſhed by him. The City of Antiquera was at that time in the Power of the Spaniards, being but ſeven Leagues from the Place where we were; ſo that if we could get forth untaken notice of, having once entred the Mountains, the diſcovery of us (if purſued) would be difficult, but how to find the way, created us moſt trouble, all being Strangers in that Country; to which Aſtolfo anſwered, that Hamet having bought a Spaniſh Slave, ſince his Arrival, they might eaſily take him with them, who would doubtleſs ſerve as a Guide. I ſent Aſtolfo back, deſiring him to provide all things ready againſt the next Night; and in the mean time I enquired out who had the Charge of that Gate we purpoſed to paſs, and finding him a young Man, in whoſe Company I had been, where moſt People uſed to reſort and Converſe together; as ſoon as I had found him, falling into Diſcourſe of the difference between Spain and Africk, he ſeemed to like the former, chiefly for the Recreation he had in purſuing ſuch Game as the Neighbouring Mountains were ſtored with; and hearing me declare my ſelf a great lover of Hunting, he preſently invited me to go along with him the next Morning; and that in order to it, we might go and lye the ſame Night at a Houſe he had half a League out of Town. I accepted the offer, for the Night following, ſaying I would bring a Friend or two with me, ſo we parted till the next day; in the mean time, having given notice to the reſt to be ready two hours within Night. I would not be ſeen by the young Moor till toward the Evening, when I believed he would expect me ready to go; and then finding him at his Gate waiting only my coming to be gone, I told him an unlookt-for buſineſs would forcibly detain me till ſome time within Night, but if he would order the Gate to be opened for me and my Friends, we would certainly be with him long before Morning; he was very deſirous of ſtaying for me, but I pretending to accept no ſuch Compliment, perſwaded him to ſet forward, firſt commanding the Guard to let me, and who ever came with me, through at any time of the Night. After he was gone, I waited at my Lodging till the time drew near, for my Maſter and his Companies coming forth, and then finding the Back-door of the Garden to Hamets Houſe, at the time I had appointed, came forth my Maſter, Aſtolfo, Roſelinda, the Eunuch, and the Slave, who had with Joy undertaken to be our Guide. As ſoon as I came to the Gate, according to the Order had been given, they let us all forth without asking any Queſtion; and taking the Way our Guide directed, a little after Midnight we reached the Mountains; as we were on the way, the Eunuch told us, that Hamet coming early home, and viſiting Roſelinda, ſtayed no longer, than to tell her, that the following Night ſhe muſt either by force, or freely yield, and ſo leaving her went to Bed, whom he lockt in and then brought forth all his Companions to me, whoſe Deſign of flying to the Chriſtians he much wondred at, till acquainted with my diſguiſe. All that night we travelled without meeting any Body, having reached about three Leagues, the ways being ſo Rocky, that Roſelinda could ſcarce climb the Hills with all the Aſſiſtance we afforded her; and though we had got the advantage of the Suns Light, yet our Journey all day was as tedious, being perſwaded by our Guide to leave the Road for fear of a purſuit; ſo that what with our going about, and making a way thorow the Sedge of the Mountains, it was within an hour of Sunſet when we came to the utmoſt of the Hills, from whence we could diſcern a ſpacious Plain, and a League from the Foot of the Mountain, on a riſing Ground, that Chriſtian City, grown famous by holding out ſo long againſt the Moors, that the Grandchildren of thoſe who firſt ſhut up the Gates, at that time maintained the Walls againſt their Enemies, having been beſieged and blocked up near ſeventy years. We made what poſſible haſt we could down into the Plain, hoping before Night to enter our City of Refuge; but the difficulty of deſcending the craggy Cliffs where there was no Path, took us up ſo much time that it was quite dark when we recovered the bottome, of thoſe aſperous Mountains, and though we were got into a High-way which our Guide told us, Lead to the City, yet fearing to encounter any Party of Moors, who uſed to be abroad in the Night, we left the Tract, and by the direction of our Spaniſh Captive, going almoſt half a mile within the Plain, we came to the Foot of a large and ſteep Rock, which roſe in the middle of the Valley, being to be got up but on one ſide, the other making a very high Precipice. At the bottom of this fatal Rock we thought it convenient to Repoſe our ſelves as in a place of ſecurity, till the days approach, when our Spaniard told us there would be no hazard of meeting any Enemies, the Chriſtians uſing to be abroad every Morning, to ſcour the Coaſt of thoſe Parties of Moors, who many times by the Nights ſhelter, have adventured under their very Walls, either to Alarm them, or take up any they could find ſtragling without their Lines. Fredericks loyal ſervant coming to this part of his Relation, was interrupted by a crowd of Sighs forced a paſſage from his Breaſt; but a little ſuppreſſing them, and drying the Tears from his Eyes, I wiſh Madam (continued he) I might here conclude my Story, ſince what remains to acquaint you with, I am confident will occaſion no leſs trouble to you, than pitty for thoſe unfortunate people whoſe Adventures you have heard.

The fair Dutcheſs could not ſuppreſs her foreboding ſorrow, to find how unwilling he was to let her know any more; but ſtriving with her ſelf, and in a manner expecting the worſt, She deſired he would leave nothing untold which concerned any of that miſerable Company; and leaning on Niſe, with a Handkerchief wet with Tears before her Eyes, ſhe liſtened to the concluſion of his Hiſtory.

Since you muſt not be diſobeyed (ſaid the ſorrowful Roman) I am to acquaint your Highneſs, that we ſpent moſt part of the Night with ſatisfaction enough in repeating our paſt Adventures, joyful that in a few hours we hoped to find our ſelves in a place of ſafety, and the firſt dawn of the Morning was welcomed by us all; at which time in a Road not far from the Rock, we heard the trampling of Horſes, and ſoon after, diſcovered a Party as we gueſſed, coming from the City; Our Guide told us there was no doubt to be made, but they were Chriſtians come abroad to ſcoure the Valley, this being juſt their time of going out; and againſt the conſent of us all, and before we were aware, he called out to them, who to our Aſtoniſhment anſwered in Arabick, They are Chriſtians! Seize them, ſays a Moor, that at leaſt I may have ſomething to wreck my Revenge on; and ſaying ſo, they advanced towards us. Immediately, finding the Danger we had fallen into, by the unhappy Spaniards haſty ſpeaking, he thought to make ſome part of amends by telling us, that if we could climb to the top of the Rock, our little Party would be ſufficient to defend it againſt an Army for ſome time, and that after it was Day, the Moors would not venture to ſtay ſo near the City; we followed his Advice with a Diligence equal to our threatned danger; and were aſcended to a good height by that time our Enemies were got to that part of it we had quitted. But oh Heavens! How great was our aſtoniſhment, when not only by the Voice, but Day coming on, we knew the chief of our Enemies to be the enraged Hamet; who as ſoon as he diſcovered who we were, and finding us ſtand in a Poſture to defend our ſelves with our Swords, and the looſe Stones we had pick'd up on the top of the Rock; He called out, Yield your ſelves miſerable Slaves, ſaid he, and hope for the ſake of that cruel Beauty you would have robbed me of, to have your Lives ſpared; but if you offer at the leaſt reſiſtance, expect Death with the utmoſt aggravation of Torments: But all being reſolved to defend our Lives to the laſt; he had no other Anſwer, but by the Stones we threw at him; wherewith enraged, he commanded all his Men to a light, who were about forty in number, and climb the Rock to take us; which they did, leaving only enow to hold their Horſes; thoſe who were moſt bold to get at us, were by the ſtones we threw, ſoon tumbled down again to their Maſter; my Valiant Lord, with the two firſt Stones went from his hand, depriving two of our Enemies of their Lives. This ſtrange and unequal Combat laſted above an hour, in which time, Hamets Men were reduced to half their number; but on our ſide, the Eunuch and our Spaniſh Guide were both ſlain by the Arrows were ſhot at us, and not one but had received a wound, or more. When Hamet tranſported by the reſiſtance we made, and at the loſs of his Men; with thoſe were left, he aſſaulted us a-freſh, and when he had not above ten left with him alive, gained the height of the Rock. My Dear Maſter with Aſtolfo by his ſide, did Actions almoſt paſt belief; till wearied with ſo long a Diſpute, and grown faint for want of that Blood had gone from them thorow ſeveral wide Paſſages were made in their Bodies, they were juſt ready to ſink under an unequal number of Enemies; when Aſtolfo deſpairing either of ſafety or Life, retired and left him. I had endeavoured from the begining of the combat, to appear not leſs concerned for maintaining our Liberty, than the reſt had been; but at that time weakened by the want of Blood had run from my ſeveral wounds, I was fallen down, unable to give any further Aſſiſtance to our almoſt vanquiſht Party, having only Life enough left to keep my Eyes open, that I might ſee what would become of my dear Maſter; and I confeſs when I ſaw Aſtolfo had left him alone againſt all our Enemies, I began to doubt with my ſelf whether his quitting the Combat was not an effect of fear; till I ſoon perceived it was deſpair had drove him before his Death, to take a laſt farwell of his Beloved Roſelinda, who had remained offering up her Prayers for our ſafeties from the begining of the Fight. He ran to her with as much ſpeed as his weakneſs would permit; and taking her in his Arms, I could hear him faintly ſay, farewell my moſt unfortunate Wife, ſince I cannot live for you, at leaſt give me the ſatisfaction of dying in your Arms; to which ſhe anſwered; Oh my Deareſt Aſtolfo, be aſſured I can never quit thy Arms to be forced into thoſe of a barbarous Infidel; but ſince it is the pleaſure of Heaven, that we muſt dye, let it be in one anothers Arms, and let us thus entwined fly together to Eternity. I could not hear their laſt words, but ſaw them haſte to the top of the Precipice, and embraced very cloſe together, threw themſelves down to the bottom, where they ended their unhappy lives. Then caſting my eyes towards the place where my Maſter was fighting, I ſaw him fall dead in the midſt of his Enemies, which dreadful ſpectacle took away the remainder of my Spirits, and I ſunk down with ſome ſatisfaction that I ſhould not outlive him. But how ſtrangely was I ſurprized, when coming to my ſelf again, I was lying in a fair Room, with two or three Servants waiting at the Bedſide. I would gladly have asked where I was, admiring to hear they ſpoke Spaniſh, but did not recover my ſpeech till the end of eight days. When I had got ſtrength enough by their care of my wounds to inquire how I came into that place, and wherein I deſerved to receive kindneſſes, more than I could hope for among Strangers. One of them told me, that I was in the Governors Houſe of Antiquera, who would let no means be omitted which might conduce to my recovery: I expreſt my thanks for their care of me with all the acknowledgment I could, but being more concern'd for my Maſter than my own welfare, I intreated them to let me know what happy accident had brought me thither, and if they could, to inform me what was become of thoſe remained in the ſame condition I was in on the Rock. One of thoſe aſſiſted near me was about ſatisfying my requeſt, when he was interrupted by the Governours coming in to make me a Viſit; and being informed who he was, I would have raiſed my ſelf in the Bed to receive him, when he ſtept to the ſide of it, and hindred me, ſaying I was not in a Condition to uſe Ceremony, and that he had deferred till then coming to ſee, that I might not be diſturbed of that Repoſe was ſo neceſſary for me; but that being told by the Chyrurgeons, I might with ſafety be diſcourſed with, he was come to give me an account how I fell into his hands; and ſetting down on a Chair by the Bed ſide he let me know, that himſelf going out with a Party the Morning of our Combate, at a good diſtance from the Rock he ſaw people on the top of it; but believing them ſome of the Garriſon were got up thither to deſcry if the Country were free from thoſe who almoſt every Night infeſted it, he kept on his way at an eaſie pace, when one of his Company told him, he could diſcover naked Swords in their Hands on the Rock, and gueſſed by their moving about, that it was a fight they were ingaged in; whereupon mending his pace, he came to the bottom of the Hill, juſt as a Man and Woman, arm in arm, had thrown themſelves from the top, and were daſhed in pieces almoſt hard by where he ſtood, and that while he was ſurveying the dead bodies, his men had perceived ſome Moors holding a good number of Horſes on the other ſide of the Rock, and riding round, they ſaw thoſe we had left alive coming down, who finding themſelves diſcovered would have retreated up the Hill again, but were overtaken by his men, and incouraged by one who ſeemed their Maſter, ſuffered themſelves all to be cut in pieces rather than he ſhould be taken, himſelf ending his life in the ſame place amongſt his men. He added to me, that having diſpatched the Moors, he climbed up to the top of the Rock, to take a view of what had been done there, where he found a great many dead Moors whom he commanded to be thrown into an adjacent Pit; but that upon ſearch of the bodies, finding about two or three of us, Medals, which declared our profeſſion to be Enemies of Mahomets Sect; he ordered our bodies to be removed to the City, that we might receive the rites of Burial; but being laid on a Table, I had been perceived to ſtir, ſo that they carried me to a Bed, and after ſeveral applications, brought me out of the ſwound, the want of blood had thrown me into; but that the reſt had been interred together in the principal Church. This certainty of my dear Maſters death, reduced me into as ill a condition as I had been found in on the Rock, ſo that it was the next Morning before I could be brought to my ſenſes again, when I would have torn the Plaiſters from my Wounds to follow my loſt Lord; but the good Governour being in the Room, uſed ſo many perſwaſions to me, that at laſt I was ſatisfied to wait the pleaſure of Heaven, either in my death or recovery; which in a month after proved the latter, ſo that I was become able to walk abroad; And would have taken my leave of my Noble Hoſt in order to return hither, reſolving afterwards to retire into my own Country, that I might ſpend the reſt of my days in bewailing, without interruption, the loſs of my unfortunate Maſter: but the Generous Governour not only refuſed to let me ſtir, till I had recovered ſome more ſtrength, but withal, after he had heard from me the quality and misfortunes of thoſe he had interred, would have me ſtay to ſee their Obſequies celebrated in a more ſplendid manner than what before had been done; ſo that the week following I was conducted to the great Church, where a very fair Monument was ſet up, with an Inſcription relating the manner of their deaths; were to lye in a Vault under it, and towards the bottom was engraven on a fair Marble, theſe words, Let the White Rock in the • •• ſt of the Tale of Antiquera, for ever after be called the Lovers Rock. After the Ceremonies ended, having burnt ſeveral Perfumes to hinder the ill ſmell of thoſe had been ſo long dead; the bodys were taken up, and brought through the Church to be depoſited in the New Vault. As ſoon as I ſaw them bringing towards me, I went forward, deſiring their faces might be uncovered, that I might once more behold that of my Maſter; but a freſh diſturbance ſeized me when I beheld thoſe of Roſelinda, Aſtolfo and the Spaniſh Slave, which were all that had been brought from the Rock, as the Governour aſſured me, but my Dear Maſter was miſing: ſo that concluding he had been left among the Moors in the Pit on the top of the Rock, I not only procured a Guard from the Governour to go thither in ſearch of him, but he would accompany me himſelf to that fatal place. As ſoon as we came there he commanded the bodies to be dragged out, but could find none but ſuch as we knew to be Moors, both by their Cloaths, and having no Hair on their Heads: among the reſt I found the wretched Eunuchs body, but not the leaſt appearance of any thing like my Maſters: we ſearched every Corner both of the Rock and adjacent Fields; but not being able to make any diſcovery, I returned back with the Governour, though full of perplexity, yet not without ſome faint hopes, that Heaven might by ſome Miracle have preſerved ſo conſiderable a Life.

The fair Dutcheſs who had liſtned to his Story more dead than alive, began a little to recover herſelf, at this part of his Relation, which he continued telling her, that after ſome few days longer abode at Antiquera, acquainting the Governour with his deſign, he betook himſelf to his former diſguiſe of a Moors Habit, reſolving to ſearch all the Country under their juriſdiction, if poſſible, to learn ſomething of what was become of his Maſter; but (continued he) after I had ſpent much time in a fruitleſs inquiry, concluding that Great Man certainly loſt, and that he might either be overlookt among the dead, or have received a charitable Interment from ſome unknown hand: I withdrew my ſelf into the confines of Spain, and being come among the Chriſtians again, I paſſed for a Captive newly eſcaped from Bondage, but wanting money to alter: my Guarb, and ſerve me for ſo long a journey, I was forced to remain in this Dreſs, in which I have appeared before your Highneſs, to give an account of the death of the beſt of men.

The ſorrowful Julian made this ſad end of his Relation; which the Dutcheſs had not been able to hear concluded without an aggravated affliction, and wringing her Hands while a River of Tears flowed from her Eyes; Oh my Dear Niſe (ſaid ſhe) could Heaven preſerve the Life of that Worthy Man to bring him to ſo diſaſterous an end! Ye Gods, where was your juſtice! where was your care of diſtreſſed Vertue, when he was ſuffered to fall by the violence of a Barbarous Multitude! O Heaven! why did you not ſend the charitable Governour time enough to prevent the ruine of ſo many Innocents! Her afflicted Favourite endeavoured all ſhe could to divert that violent Grief ſhe tormented her ſelf with; but at laſt wanting ſtrength to complain longer, ſhe wrung her by the Hand, and ſaying with a faint Voice, I muſt follow my unhappy Lover to the other World, ſince I am denied him in this; ſhe ſunk down in her Arms. Niſe immediately called in the reſt of her Women, and deſiring Julian to retire, they removed her into her Bed-Chamber, and undreſt her to give more freedom to her breath; but a great part of the day was ſpent before ſhe came to her ſelf, and ſeveral others before ſhe would be ſeen by any one, but her Women and Julian, whom ſhe ſometimes ſent for to hear that repeated, which as often renewed her ſorrow. The faithful Roman, after ſome Weeks abode in her Court, where by her Order he was ſupplied with every thing he could want, deſired leave to return to his Relations, whom he believed had concluded him dead, not having heard from him in ſo many months, but ſhe would by no means ſuffer him to leave her Court, 'till ſhe had found out ſome way to recompence his Loyalty to his Maſter; ſo that he was forced to ſatisfie himſelf with writing to Rome, while he attended the Dutcheſs commands in Mantua; whoſe indiſpoſition and Melancholy had made the Court change all its former ſplendor into ſorrow and diſturbance, none knowing what had reduced her to that condition, but all looking on Julian with unpleaſant eyes, as ſuppoſed the meſſenger who had brought her the information of what ſhe was ſo greatly troubled at. Two months were paſſed in this ſorrowful manner, when one day as Julian was diſcourſing with ſome of the Mantuan Lords, a foreign Merchant preſented himſelf to them, deſiring to know if the Dutcheſs would buy any choice Jewels, of which he had brought ſome ſtore to the Court: although they knew ſhe would not be diſturbed on any ſuch occaſion, yet for the ſatisfaction of their own curioſity, they deſired to ſee them; and opening a ſmall Casket, he expoſed to their view ſome of the faireſt had ever been ſeen in thoſe parts: Julian ſtanding by, and accidentally caſting his eyes on them as the Merchant pulled them forth, perceiving among the reſt a roſe of Diamonds, which he was confident he had ſeen before; and knowing if it was the ſame, it would open in the middle, he inquired of the Merchant whether it would or not, who affirmed the negative; but Julian taking it in his hand, perceived the place where it was to part, and by the Merchants help, drawing out a ſmall pin of Gold, it parted aſunder, which confirming him it was the ſame he imagined; he told the Merchant he would adventure to deſire one of the Dutcheſſes women to ſhew it her; ſo going directly to Niſes Chamber, he deſired her to let him ſee the Dutcheſs, who going with him to her Preſence, as ſhe lay on her Bed, on his Knees he preſented the Jewel to her: As ſoon as ſhe had caſt her Eyes on it, Oh Heaven, (ſaid ſhe) this is the ſame I gave the unhappy Frederick; and calling Niſe to her, ſhe opened it, and ſhewed her under the Gold the Diamonds were ſet in, her own Picture; and Julian aſſured her, that his Maſter had that Jewel hanging in his Boſome the day before he was ſlain. Immediately the Dutcheſs commanded the Merchant ſhould be brought in, pretending ſhe would divert her ſelf with ſeeing his Jewels; but as ſoon as he was come, Julian by her command, required of him how he came by that in the Dutcheſſes hand; He with a great deal of plaineneſs and aſſurance told her, that he bought it for a great ſum of money of a Jew at Rome, and that the Jew told him, he had it of a Mooriſh Pirate in Argiers, that he believed the Moor had gotten it in ſome Prize he had met with at Sea; the Dutcheſs ſeeming ſatisfied with the Merchants truth, paid him the Price he demanded for it and diſmiſt him. After he was gone, as ſhe was buſied in looking on the Jewel ſhe had once given as a Pledge of her Love to Frederick, turning it upward, her Picture which was drawn on a little Gold Plate, dropt out, and taking it up, ſhe perceived on the backſide of it ſome Letters as if ſcratched there by the point of a Needle, and peruſing them heedfully, not without a Tranſport of Joy, ſhe read theſe words, Fair Saint for thee I live, eſcapt the River and the fatal Rock.

How happy had Frederick been, could he have beheld the alteration there appeared in his adored Princeſſes face, at the imagination of his being ſtill alive: She gave Julian the Plate to read, not daring to credit her own Eyes, who was not able to contain himſelf, but kneeling down by the Dutcheſſes Bed; He lives, Madam, (ſaid he,) my Deareſt Lord has been preſerved by the care of Heaven; I implore your permiſſion, that I may go immediately in ſearch of him, for I am reſolved never to reſt till I can find him, or learn ſome more certain news of him. The Dutcheſs approved very well of Julians forwardneſs; but when ſhe began a little to recollect her ſelf, new apprehenſions aſſaulted her.

'Tis probable, (ſaid ſhe to him) Frederick might eſcape after the Combate on the Rock, ſince his body could no where be found, but if the Merchant ſpake true, is it not very likely he died by the hands of thoſe Pirates who ſold this Jewel, which I am confident he would never part with, but with his life.

Although Julian had the ſame fears, yet to keep the Dutcheſs from giving way to her melancholy, Madam (ſaid he) 'tis without doubt there is much appearance of my Maſters being aſſaulted with freſh dangers, but ſince Heaven has been pleaſed to deliver him twice, where it was beyond a mortal imagination to think he did not periſh; ſuffer us to hope the beſt, when we have cauſe to be aſſured he lives, and can but doubt of his danger. Give me leave to put to Sea, and I am almoſt confident, in a few months I ſhall be able to bring you ſome news of him.

The Fair Diana, willing to comply with his deſires, as he was to go, the next day ordered a ſtrong Veſſel, well manned, and provided for a long Voyage to be got ready, wherein ſuch diligence was uſed, that in three dayes Julian took his leave of Her, having the Command of the Ship given to him, and put to Sea with a fair wind.