To HENRY PAIN, ESQ;
Sir,
Dedications are like Love, and no Man of Wit or Eminence escapes them; early or late, the Affliction of the Poet"s Complement falls upon him; and Men are oblig"d to receive "em as they do their Wives; _For better, for worse_; at lest with a feign"d Civility.
It was not Want of Respect, but Fear, that has. .h.i.therto made us keep clear of your Judgment, too piercing to be favourable to what is not nicely valuable. We durst not awaken your Criticism; and by begging your Protection in the Front of a Book, give you an Occasion to find nothing to deserve it. Nor can this little History lay a better Claim to that Honour, than those that have not pretended to it; which has but this Merit to recommend it, That it is Truth: Truth, which you so much admire. But "tis a Truth that entertains you with so many Accidents diverting and moving, that they will need both a Patron, and an a.s.sertor in this incredulous World. For however it may be imagin"d that Poetry (my Talent) has so greatly the Ascendant over me, that all I write must pa.s.s for Fiction, I now desire to have it understood that this is Reality, and Matter of Fact, and acted in this our latter Age: And that in the person of _Tarquin_, I bring a Prince to kiss your Hands, who own"d himself, and was receiv"d, as the last of the Race of the _Roman_ Kings; whom I have often seen, and you have heard of; and whose Story is so well known to your self, and many Hundreds more: Part of which I had from the Mouth of this unhappy great Man, and was an Eye-Witness to the rest.
"Tis true, Sir, I present you with a Prince unfortunate, but still the more n.o.ble Object for your Goodness and Pity; who never valu"d a brave Man the less for being unhappy. And whither shou"d the Afflicted flee for Refuge but to the Generous? Amongst all the Race, he cannot find a better Man, or more certain Friend: Nor amongst all his Ancestors, match your greater Soul, and Magnificence of Mind. He will behold in one _English_ Subject, a Spirit as ill.u.s.trious, a Heart as fearless, a Wit and Eloquence as excellent, as _Rome_ it self cou"d produce. Its Senate scarce boasted of a better States-man, nor Augustus of a more faithful Subject; as your Imprisonment and Sufferings, through all the Course of our late National Distractions, have sufficiently manifested; But nothing cou"d press or deject your great Heart; you were the same Man still, unmov"d in all Turns, easie and innocent; no Persecution being able to abate your constant good Humour, or wonted Gallantry.
If, Sir, you find here a Prince of less Fort.i.tude and Vertue than your self, charge his Miscarriages on Love: a Weakness of that Nature you will easily excuse, (being so great a Friend to the Fair;) though possibly, he gave a Proof of it too Fatal to his Honour. Had I been to have form"d his Character, perhaps I had made him something more worthy of the Honour of your Protection: But I was oblig"d to pursue the Matter of Fact, and give a just Relation of that part of his Life which, possibly, was the only reproachful part of it. If he be so happy, as to entertain a Man of Wit and Business, I shall not fear his Welcome to the rest of the World: And "tis only with your Pa.s.sport he can hope to be so.
The particular Obligations I have to your Bounty and Goodness, O n.o.ble Friend, and Patron of the _Muses_! I do not so much as pretend to acknowledge in this little Present; those being above the Poet"s Pay, which is a sort of Coin, not currant in this Age: though perhaps may be esteem"d as Medals in the Cabinets of Men of Wit. If this be so happy to be of that Number, I desire no more lasting a Fame, that it may bear this Inscription, that I am,
SIR, Your most Obliged, and Most Humble Servant, _A. BEHN_.
THE _FAIR JILT_: or, The Amours of Prince _Tarquin_ and _Miranda_.
As Love is the most n.o.ble and divine Pa.s.sion of the Soul, so it is that to which we may justly attribute all the real Satisfactions of Life; and without it Man is unfinish"d and unhappy.
There are a thousand things to be said of the Advantages this generous Pa.s.sion brings to those, whose Hearts are capable of receiving its soft Impressions; for "tis not every one that can be sensible of its tender Touches. How many Examples, from History and Observation, could I give of its wondrous Power; nay, even to a Degree of Transmigration! How many Idiots has it made wise! How many Fools eloquent! How many home-bred Squires accomplish"d! How many Cowards brave! And there is no sort of Species of Mankind on whom it cannot work some Change and Miracle, if it be a n.o.ble well-grounded Pa.s.sion, except on the Fop in Fashion, the harden"d incorrigible Fop; so often wounded, but never reclaim"d: For still, by a dire Mistake, conducted by vast Opiniatrety, and a greater Portion of Self-love, than the rest of the Race of Man, he believes that Affectation in his Mein and Dress, that Mathematical Movement, that Formality in every Action, that a Face manag"d with Care, and soften"d into Ridicule, the languishing Turn, the Toss, and the Back-shake of the Periwig, is the direct Way to the Heart of the fine Person he adores; and instead of curing Love in his Soul, serves only to advance his Folly; and the more he is enamour"d, the more industriously he a.s.sumes (every Hour) the c.o.xcomb. These are Love"s Play-things, a sort of Animals with whom he sports; and whom he never wounds, but when he is in good Humour, and always shoots laughing. "Tis the Diversion of the little G.o.d, to see what a Fluttering and Bustle one of these Sparks, new-wounded, makes; to what fantastick Fooleries he has Recourse: The Gla.s.s is every Moment call"d to counsel, the Valet consulted and plagu"d for new Invention of Dress, the Footman and Scrutore perpetually employ"d; _Billet-doux_ and _Madrigals_ take up all his Mornings, till Play-time in dressing, till Night in gazing; still, like a Sun-flower, turn"d towards the Beams of the fair Eyes of his _Caelia_, adjusting himself in the most amorous Posture he can a.s.sume, his Hat under his Arm, while the other Hand is put carelesly into his Bosom, as if laid upon his panting Heart; his Head a little bent to one Side, supported with a World of Cravat-string, which he takes mighty Care not to put into Disorder; as one may guess by a never-failing and horrid Stiffness in his Neck; and if he had any Occasion to look aside, his whole Body turns at the same Time, for Fear the Motion of the Head alone should incommode the Cravat or Periwig: And sometimes the Glove is well manag"d, and the white Hand display"d. Thus, with a thousand other little Motions and Formalities, all in the common Place or Road of Foppery, he takes infinite Pains to shew himself to the Pit and Boxes, a most accomplish"d a.s.s. This is he, of all human Kind, on whom Love can do no Miracles, and who can no where, and upon no Occasion, quit one Grain of his refin"d Foppery, unless in a Duel, or a Battle, if ever his Stars should be so severe and ill-manner"d, to reduce him to the Necessity of either: Fear then would ruffle that fine Form he had so long preserv"d in nicest Order, with Grief considering, that an unlucky Chance-wound in his Face, if such a dire Misfortune should befal him, would spoil the Sale of it for ever.
Perhaps it will be urg"d, that since no Metamorphosis can be made in a Fop by Love, you must consider him one of those that only talks of Love, and thinks himself that happy Thing, a Lover; and wanting fine Sense enough for the real Pa.s.sion, believes what he feels to be it. There are in the Quiver of the G.o.d a great many different Darts; some that wound for a Day, and others for a Year; they are all fine, painted, glittering Darts, and shew as well as those made of the n.o.blest Metal; but the Wounds they make reach the Desire only, and are cur"d by possessing, while the short-liv"d Pa.s.sion betrays the Cheat. But "tis that refin"d and ill.u.s.trious Pa.s.sion of the Soul, whose Aim is Virtue, and whose end is Honour, that has the Power of changing Nature, and is capable of performing all those heroick Things, of which History is full.
How far distant Pa.s.sions may be from one another, I shall be able to make appear in these following Rules. I"ll prove to you the strong Effects of Love in some unguarded and ungovern"d Hearts; where it rages beyond the Inspirations of _a G.o.d all soft and gentle_, and reigns more like _a Fury from h.e.l.l_.
I do not pretend here to entertain you with a feign"d Story, or any Thing piec"d together with romantick Accidents; but every Circ.u.mstance, to a t.i.ttle, is Truth. To a great Part of the Main I myself was an Eye-witness; and what I did not see, I was confirm"d of by Actors in the Intrigue, Holy Men, of the Order of St. _Francis_: But for the Sake of some of her Relations, I shall give my _Fair Jilt_ a feign"d Name, that of _Miranda_; but my Hero must retain his own, it being too ill.u.s.trious to be conceal"d.
You are to understand, that in all the Catholick Countries, where Holy Orders are establish"d, there are abundance of differing Kinds of Religious, both of Men and Women. Amongst the Women, there are those we call _Nuns_, that make solemn Vows of perpetual Chast.i.ty; There are others who make but a simple Vow, as for five or ten Years, or more or less; and that time expir"d, they may contract anew for longer time, or marry, or dispose of themselves as they shall see good; and these are ordinarily call"d _Galloping Nuns_: Of these there are several Orders; as _Canonesses_, _Begines_, _Quests_, _Swart-Sisters_, and _Jesuitesses_, with several others I have forgot. Of those of the _Begines_ was our _Fair Votress_.
These Orders are taken up by the best Persons of the Town, young Maids of Fortune, who live together, not inclos"d, but in Palaces that will hold about fifteen hundred or two thousand of these _Filles Devotes_; where they have a regulated Government, under a sort of _Abbess_, or _Prioress_, or rather a _Governante_. They are oblig"d to a Method of Devotion, and are under a sort of Obedience. They wear a Habit much like our Widows of Quality in _England_, only without a _Bando_; and their Veil is of a thicker c.r.a.pe than what we have here, thro" which one cannot see the Face; for when they go abroad, they cover themselves all over with it; but they put "em up in the Churches, and lay "em by in the Houses. Every one of these have a Confessor, who is to "em a sort of Steward: For, you must know, they that go into these Places, have the Management of their own Fortunes, and what their Parents design "em.
Without the Advice of this Confessor, they act nothing, nor admit of a Lover that he shall not approve; at least, this Method ought to be taken, and is by almost all of "em; tho" _Miranda_ thought her Wit above it, as her Spirit was.
But as these Women are, as I said, of the best Quality, and live with the Reputation of being retir"d from the World a little more than ordinary, and because there is a sort of Difficulty to approach "em, they are the People the most courted, and liable to the greatest Temptations; for as difficult as it seems to be, they receive Visits from all the Men of the best Quality, especially Strangers. All the Men of Wit and Conversation meet at the Apartments of these fair _Filles Devotes_, where all Manner of Gallantries are perform"d, while all the Study of these Maids is to accomplish themselves for these n.o.ble Conversations. They receive Presents, b.a.l.l.s, Serenades, and Billets; All the News, Wit, Verses, Songs, Novels, Musick, Gaming, and all fine Diversion, is in their Apartments, they themselves being of the best Quality and Fortune. So that to manage these Gallantries, there is no sort of Female Arts they are not practis"d in, no Intrigue they are ignorant of, and no Management of which they are not capable.
Of this happy Number was the fair _Miranda_, whose Parents being dead, and a vast Estate divided between her self and a young Sister, (who liv"d with an unmarry"d old Uncle, whose Estate afterwards was all divided between "em) she put her self into this uninclos"d religious House; but her Beauty, which had all the Charms that ever Nature gave, became the Envy of the whole _Sisterhood_. She was tall, and admirably shaped; she had a bright Hair, and Hazle-Eyes, all full of Love and Sweetness: No Art could make a Face so fair as hers by Nature, which every Feature adorn"d with a Grace that Imagination cannot reach: Every Look, every Motion charm"d, and her black Dress shew"d the l.u.s.tre of her Face and Neck. She had an Air, though gay as so much Youth could inspire, yet so modest, so n.o.bly reserv"d, without Formality, or Stiffness, that one who look"d on her would have imagin"d her Soul the Twin-Angel of her Body; and both together made her appear something divine. To this she had a great deal of Wit, read much, and retain"d all that serv"d her Purpose. She sung delicately, and danc"d well, and play"d on the Lute to a Miracle. She spoke several Languages naturally; for being Co-heiress to so great a Fortune, she was bred with the nicest Care, in all the finest Manners of Education; and was now arriv"d to her Eighteenth Year.
"Twere needless to tell you how great a Noise the Fame of this young Beauty, with so considerable a Fortune, made in the World: I may say, the World, rather than confine her Fame to the scanty Limits of a Town; it reach"d to many others: And there was not a Man of any Quality that came to _Antwerp_, or pa.s.s"d thro" the City, but made it his Business to see the lovely _Miranda_, who was universally ador"d: Her Youth and Beauty, her Shape, and Majesty of Mein, and Air of Greatness, charm"d all her Beholders; and thousands of People were dying by her Eyes, while she was vain enough to glory in her Conquests, and make it her Business to wound. She lov"d nothing so much as to behold sighing Slaves at her Feet, of the greatest Quality; and treated them all with an Affability that gave them Hope. Continual Musick, as soon as it was dark, and Songs of dying Lovers, were sung under her Windows; and she might well have made herself a great Fortune (if she had not been so already) by the rich Presents that were hourly made her; and every body daily expected when she would make some one happy, by suffering her self to be conquer"d by Love and Honour, by the a.s.siduities and Vows of some one of her Adorers. But _Miranda_ accepted their Presents, heard their Vows with Pleasure, and willingly admitted all their soft Addresses; but would not yield her Heart, or give away that lovely Person to the Possession of one, who could please it self with so many. She was naturally amorous, but extremely inconstant: She lov"d one for his Wit, another for his Face, and a third for his Mein; but above all, she admir"d Quality: Quality alone had the Power to attach her entirely; yet not to one Man, but that Virtue was still admir"d by her in all: Where-ever she found that, she lov"d, or at least acted the Lover with such Art, that (deceiving well) she fail"d not to compleat her Conquest; and yet she never durst trust her fickle Humour with Marriage. She knew the Strength of her own Heart, and that it could not suffer itself to be confin"d to one Man, and wisely avoided those Inquietudes, and that Uneasiness of Life she was sure to find in that married State, which would, against her Nature, oblige her to the Embraces of one, whose Humour was, to love all the Young and the Gay. But Love, who had hitherto only play"d with her Heart, and given it nought but pleasing wanton Wounds, such as afforded only soft Joys, and not Pains, resolv"d, either out of Revenge to those Numbers she had abandon"d, and who had sigh"d so long in vain, or to try what Power he had upon so fickle a Heart, to send an Arrow dipp"d in the most tormenting Flames that rage in Hearts most sensible. He struck it home and deep, with all the Malice of an angry G.o.d.
There was a Church belonging to the _Cordeliers_, whither _Miranda_ often repair"d to her Devotion; and being there one Day, accompany"d with a young Sister of the Order, after the Ma.s.s was ended, as "tis the Custom, some one of the Fathers goes about the Church with a Box for Contribution, or Charity-Money: It happen"d that Day, that a young Father, newly initiated, carried the Box about, which, in his Turn, he brought to _Miranda_. She had no sooner cast her Eyes on this young Friar, but her Face was overspread with Blushes of Surprize: She beheld him stedfastly, and saw in his Face all the Charms of Youth, Wit, and Beauty; he wanted no one Grace that could form him for Love, he appear"d all that is adorable to the Fair s.e.x, nor could the mis-shapen Habit hide from her the lovely Shape it endeavour"d to cover, nor those delicate Hands that approach"d her too near with the Box. Besides the Beauty of his Face and Shape, he had an Air altogether great, in spite of his profess"d Poverty, it betray"d the Man of Quality; and that Thought weigh"d greatly with _Miranda_. But Love, who did not design she should now feel any sort of those easy Flames, with which she had heretofore burnt, made her soon lay all those Considerations aside, which us"d to invite her to love, and now lov"d she knew not why.
She gaz"d upon him, while he bow"d before her, and waited for her Charity, till she perceiv"d the lovely Friar to blush, and cast his Eyes to the Ground. This awaken"d her Shame, and she put her Hand into her Pocket, and was a good while in searching for her Purse, as if she thought of nothing less than what she was about; at last she drew it out, and gave him a Pistole; but with so much Deliberation and Leisure, as easily betray"d the Satisfaction she took in looking on him; while the good Man, having receiv"d her Bounty, after a very low Obeysance, proceeded to the rest; and _Miranda_ casting after him a Look all languishing, as long as he remain"d in the Church, departed with a Sigh as soon as she saw him go out, and returned to her Apartment without speaking one Word all the Way to the young _Fille Devote_, who attended her; so absolutely was her Soul employ"d with this young Holy Man.
_Cornelia_ (so was this Maid call"d who was with her) perceiving she was so silent, who us"d to be all Wit and good Humour, and observing her little Disorder at the Sight of the young Father, tho" she was far from imagining it to be Love, took an Occasion, when she was come home, to speak of him. "Madam, _said she_, did you not observe that fine young _Cordelier_, who brought the Box?" At a Question that nam"d that Object of her Thoughts, _Miranda_ blush"d; and she finding she did so, redoubled her Confusion, and she had scarce Courage enough to say,--_Yes, I did observe him_: And then, forcing herself to smile a little, continu"d, "And I wonder"d to see so jolly a young Friar of an Order so severe and mortify"d.--Madam, (_reply"d +Cornelia+_) when you know his _Story_, you will not wonder." _Miranda_, who was impatient to know all that concern"d her new Conqueror, obliged her to tell his Story; and _Cornelia_ obey"d, and proceeded.
_The Story of Prince +Henrick+._
"You must know, Madam, that this young Holy Man is a Prince of _Germany_, of the House of ----, whose Fate it was, to fall most pa.s.sionately in Love with a fair young Lady, who lov"d him with an Ardour equal to what he vow"d her. Sure of her Heart, and wanting only the Approbation of her Parents, and his own, which her Quality did not suffer him to despair of, he boasted of his Happiness to a young Prince, his elder Brother, a Youth amorous and fierce, impatient of Joys, and sensible of Beauty, taking Fire with all fair Eyes: He was his Father"s Darling, and Delight of his fond Mother; and, by an Ascendant over both their Hearts, rul"d their Wills.
"This young Prince no sooner saw, but lov"d the fair Mistress of his Brother; and with an Authority of a Sovereign, rather than the Advice of a Friend, warn"d his Brother _Henrick_ (this now young Friar) to approach no more this Lady, whom he had seen; and seeing, lov"d.
"In vain the poor surpriz"d Prince pleads his Right of Love, his Exchange of Vows, and a.s.surance of a Heart that could never be but for himself. In vain he urges his Nearness of Blood, his Friendship, his Pa.s.sion, or his Life, which so entirely depended on the Possession of the charming Maid. All his Pleading serv"d but to blow his Brother"s Flame; and the more he implores, the more the other burns; and while _Henrick_ follows him, on his Knees, with humble Submissions, the other flies from him in Rages of transported Love; nor could his Tears, that pursu"d his Brother"s Steps, move him to Pity: Hot-headed, vain-conceited of his Beauty, and greater Quality as elder Brother, he doubts not of Success, and resolv"d to sacrifice all to the Violence of his new-born Pa.s.sion.
"In short, he speaks of his Design to his Mother, who promis"d him her a.s.sistance; and accordingly proposing it first to the Prince her Husband, urging the Languishment of her Son, she soon wrought so on him, that a Match being concluded between the Parents of this young Beauty, and _Henrick"s_ Brother, the Hour was appointed before she knew of the Sacrifice she was to be made. And while this was in Agitation, _Henrick_ was sent on some great Affairs, up into _Germany_, far out of the Way; not but his boding Heart, with perpetual Sighs and Throbs, eternally foretold him his Fate.
"All the Letters he wrote were intercepted, as well as those she wrote to him. She finds herself every Day perplex"d with the Addresses of the Prince she hated; he was ever sighing at her Feet. In vain were all her reproaches, and all her Coldness, he was on the surer Side; for what he found Love would not do, Force of Parents would.
"She complains, in her Heart, of young _Henrick_, from whom she could never receive one Letter; and at last could not forbear bursting into Tears, in spite of all her Force, and feign"d Courage, when, on a Day, the Prince told her, that _Henrick_ was withdrawn to give him Time to court her; to whom he said, he confess"d he had made some Vows, but did repent of "em, knowing himself too young to make "em good: That it was for that Reason he brought him first to see her; and for that Reason, that after that, he never saw her more, nor so much as took Leave of her; when, indeed, his Death lay upon the next Visit, his Brother having sworn to murder him; and to that End, put a Guard upon him, till he was sent into _Germany_.
"All this he utter"d with so many pa.s.sionate a.s.severations, Vows, and seeming Pity for her being so inhumanly abandon"d, that she almost gave Credit to all he had said, and had much ado to keep herself within the Bounds of Moderation, and silent Grief. Her Heart was breaking, her Eyes languish"d, and her Cheeks grew pale, and she had like to have fallen dead into the treacherous Arms of him that had reduc"d her to this Discovery; but she did what she could to a.s.sume her Courage, and to shew as little Resentment as possible for a Heart, like hers, oppress"d with Love, and now abandon"d by the dear Subject of its Joys and Pains.
"But, Madam, not to tire you with this Adventure, the Day arriv"d wherein our still weeping Fair Unfortunate was to be sacrific"d to the Capriciousness of Love; and she was carry"d to Court by her Parents, without knowing to what End, where she was even compell"d to marry the Prince.
"_Henrick_, who all this While knew no more of his Unhappiness, than what his Fears suggested, returns, and pa.s.ses even to the Presence of his Father, before he knew any Thing of his Fortune; where he beheld his Mistress and his Brother, with his Father, in such a Familiarity, as he no longer doubted his Destiny. "Tis hard to judge, whether the Lady, or himself, was most surpriz"d; she was all pale and unmoveable in her Chair, and _Henrick_ fix"d like a Statue; at last Grief and Rage took Place of Amazement, and he could not forbear crying out, _Ah, Traytor!
Is it thus you have treated a Friend and Brother? And you, O perjur"d Charmer! Is it thus you have rewarded all my Vows?_ He could say no more; but reeling against the Door, had fallen in a Swoon upon the Floor, had not his Page caught him in his Arms, who was entring with him. The good old Prince, the Father, who knew not what all this meant, was soon inform"d by the young weeping Princess; who, in relating the Story of her Amour with _Henrick_, told her Tale in so moving a Manner, as brought Tears to the Old Man"s Eyes, and Rage to those of her Husband; he immediately grew jealous to the last Degree: He finds himself in Possession ("tis true) of the Beauty he ador"d, but the Beauty adoring another; a Prince young and charming as the Light, soft, witty, and raging with an equal Pa.s.sion. He finds this dreaded Rival in the same House with him, with an Authority equal to his own; and fancies, where two Hearts are so entirely agreed, and have so good an Understanding, it would not be impossible to find Opportunities to satisfy and ease that mutual Flame, that burnt so equally in both; he therefore resolved to send him out of the World, and to establish his own Repose by a Deed, wicked, cruel, and unnatural, to have him a.s.sa.s.sinated the first Opportunity he could find. This Resolution set him a little at Ease, and he strove to dissemble Kindness to _Henrick_, with all the Art he was capable of, suffering him to come often to the Apartment of the Princess, and to entertain her oftentimes with Discourse, when he was not near enough to hear what he spoke; but still watching their Eyes, he found those of _Henrick_ full of Tears, ready to flow, but restrain"d, looking all dying, and yet reproaching, while those of the Princess were ever bent to the Earth, and she as much as possible, shunning his Conversation. Yet this did not satisfy the jealous Husband; "twas not her Complaisance that could appease him; he found her Heart was panting within, whenever _Henrick_ approach"d her, and every Visit more and more confirmed his Death.
"The Father often found the Disorders of the Sons; the Softness and Address of the one gave him as much Fear, as the angry Blushings, the fierce Looks, and broken Replies of the other, whenever he beheld _Henrick_ approach his Wife; so that the Father, fearing some ill Consequence of this, besought _Henrick_ to withdraw to some other Country, or travel into _Italy_, he being now of an Age that required a View of the World. He told his Father, That he would obey his Commands, tho" he was certain, that Moment he was to be separated from the Sight of the fair Princess, his Sister, would be the last of his Life; and, in fine, made so pitiful a Story of his suffering Love, as almost moved the old Prince to compa.s.sionate him so far, as to permit him to stay; but he saw inevitable Danger in that, and therefore bid him prepare for his Journey.
"That which pa.s.s"d between the Father and _Henrick_, being a Secret, none talked of his departing from Court; so that the Design the Brother had went on; and making a Hunting-Match one Day, where most young People of Quality were, he order"d some whom he had hired to follow his Brother, so as if he chanced to go out of the Way, to dispatch him; and accordingly, Fortune gave "em an Opportunity; for he lagg"d behind the Company, and turn"d aside into a pleasant Thicket of Hazles, where alighting, he walk"d on Foot in the most pleasant Part of it, full of Thought, how to divide his Soul between Love and Obedience. He was sensible that he ought not to stay; that he was but an Affliction to the young Princess, whose Honour could never permit her to ease any Part of his Flame; nor was he so vicious to entertain a Thought that should stain her Virtue. He beheld her now as his Brother"s Wife, and that secured his Flame from all loose Desires, if her native Modesty had not been sufficient of itself to have done it, as well as that profound Respect he paid her; and he consider"d, in obeying his Father, he left her at Ease, and his Brother freed of a thousand Fears; he went to seek a Cure, which if he could not find, at last he could but die; and so he must, even at her Feet: However, that it was more n.o.ble to seek a Remedy for his Disease, than expect a certain Death by staying. After a thousand Reflections on his hard Fate, and bemoaning himself, and blaming his cruel Stars, that had doom"d him to die so young, after an Infinity of Sighs and Tears, Resolvings and Unresolvings, he, on the sudden, was interrupted by the trampling of some Horses he heard, and their rushing through the Boughs, and saw four Men make towards him: He had not time to mount, being walk"d some Paces from his Horse. One of the Men advanced, and cry"d, _Prince, you must die_--_I do believe thee_, (reply"d _Henrick_) _but not by a Hand so base as thine_: And at the same Time drawing his Sword, run him into the Groin. When the Fellow found himself so wounded, he wheel"d off and cry"d, _Thou art a Prophet, and hast rewarded my Treachery with Death._ The rest came up, and one shot at the Prince, and shot him in the Shoulder; the other two hastily laying hold (but too late) on the Hand of the Murderer, cry"d, _Hold, Traytor; we relent, and he shall not die._ He reply"d, _"Tis too late, he is shot; and see, he lies dead. Let us provide for ourselves, and tell the Prince, we have done the Work; for you are as guilty as I am._ At that they all fled, and left the Prince lying under a Tree, weltering in his Blood.
"About the Evening, the Forester going his Walks, saw the Horse, richly caparison"d, without a Rider, at the Entrance of the Wood; and going farther, to see if he could find its Owner, found there the Prince almost dead; he immediately mounts him on the Horse, and himself behind, bore him up, and carry"d him to the Lodge; where he had only one old Man, his Father, well skilled in Surgery, and a Boy. They put him to Bed; and the old Forester, with what Art he had, dress"d his Wounds, and in the Morning sent for an abler Surgeon, to whom the Prince enjoin"d Secrecy, because he knew him. The Man was faithful, and the Prince in Time was recover"d of his Wound; and as soon as he was well, he came to _Flanders_, in the Habit of a Pilgrim, and after some Time took the Order of St. _Francis_, none knowing what became of him, till he was profess"d; and then he wrote his own Story to the Prince his Father, to his Mistress, and his ungrateful Brother. The young Princess did not long survive his Loss, she languished from the Moment of his Departure; and he had this to confirm his devout Life, to know she dy"d for him.
"My Brother, Madam, was an Officer under the Prince his Father, and knew his Story perfectly well; from whose Mouth I had it."
_What!_ (reply"d _Miranda_ then) _is Father +Henrick+ a Man of Quality_?
_Yes, Madam_, (said _Cornelia_) _and has changed his Name to +Francisco+._ But _Miranda_, fearing to betray the Sentiments of her Heart, by asking any more Questions about him, turned the Discourse; and some Persons of Quality came in to visit her (for her Apartment was about six o"Clock, like the Presence-Chamber of a Queen, always filled with the greatest People): There meet all the _Beaux Esprits_, and all the Beauties. But it was visible _Miranda_ was not so gay as she used to be; but pensive, and answering _mal a propos_ to all that was said to her. She was a thousand times going to speak, against her Will, something of the charming Friar, who was never from her Thoughts; and she imagined, if he could inspire Love in a coa.r.s.e, grey, ill-made Habit, a shorn Crown, a Hair-cord about his Waist, bare-legg"d, in Sandals instead of Shoes; what must he do, when looking back on Time, she beholds him in a Prospect of Glory, with all that Youth, and ill.u.s.trious Beauty, set off by the Advantage of Dress and Equipage? She frames an Idea of him all gay and splendid, and looks on his present Habit as some Disguise proper for the Stealths of Love; some feigned put-on Shape, with the more Security to approach a Mistress, and make himself happy; and that the Robe laid by, she has the Lover in his proper Beauty, the same he would have been, if any other Habit (though ever so rich) were put off: In the Bed, the silent gloomy Night, and the soft Embraces of her Arms, he loses all the Friar, and a.s.sumes all the Prince; and that aweful Reverence, due alone to his Holy Habit, he exchanges for a thousand Dalliances, for which his Youth was made; for Love, for tender Embraces, and all the Happiness of Life. Some Moments she fancies him a Lover, and that the fair Object that takes up all his Heart, has left no Room for her there; but that was a Thought that did not long perplex her, and which, almost as soon as born, she turned to her Advantage. She beholds him a Lover, and therefore finds he has a Heart sensible and tender; he had Youth to be fir"d, as well as to inspire; he was far from the loved Object, and totally without Hope; and she reasonably consider"d, that Flame would of itself soon die, that had only Despair to feed on. She beheld her own Charms; and Experience, as well as her Gla.s.s, told her, they never failed of Conquest, especially where they designed it: And she believed _Henrick_ would be glad, at least, to quench that Flame in himself, by an Amour with her, which was kindled by the young Princess of ---- his Sister.
These, and a thousand other Self-flatteries, all vain and indiscreet, took up her waking Nights, and now more retired Days; while Love, to make her truly wretched, suffered her to sooth herself with fond Imaginations; not so much as permitting her Reason to plead one Moment to save her from undoing: She would not suffer it to tell her, he had taken Holy Orders, made sacred and solemn Vows of everlasting Chast.i.ty, that it was impossible he could marry her, or lay before her any Argument that might prevent her Ruin; but Love, mad malicious Love, was always called to Counsel, and, like easy Monarchs, she had no Ears, but for Flatterers.
Well then, she is resolv"d to love, without considering to what End, and what must be the Consequence of such an Amour. She now miss"d no Day of being at that little Church, where she had the Happiness, or rather the Misfortune (so Love ordained) to see this Ravisher of her Heart and Soul; and every Day she took new Fire from his lovely Eyes. Unawares, unknown, and unwillingly, he gave her Wounds, and the Difficulty of her Cure made her rage the more: She burnt, she languished, and died for the young Innocent, who knew not he was the Author of so much Mischief.
Now she resolves a thousand Ways in her tortur"d Mind, to let him know her Anguish, and at last pitch"d upon that of writing to him soft Billets, which she had learn"d the Art of doing; or if she had not, she had now Fire enough to inspire her with all that could charm and move.
These she deliver"d to a young Wench, who waited on her, and whom she had entirely subdu"d to her Interest, to give to a certain Lay-Brother of the Order, who was a very simple harmless Wretch, and who served in the Kitchen, in the Nature of a Cook, in the Monastery of _Cordeliers_.
She gave him Gold to secure his Faith and Service; and not knowing from whence they came (with so good Credentials) he undertook to deliver the Letters to Father _Francisco_; which Letters were all afterwards, as you shall hear, produced in open Court. These Letters failed not to come every Day; and the Sense of the first was, to tell him, that a very beautiful young Lady, of a great Fortune, was in love with him, without naming her; but it came as from a third Person, to let him know the Secret, that she desir"d he would let her know whether she might hope any Return from him; a.s.suring him, he needed but only see the fair Languisher, to confess himself her Slave.
This Letter being deliver"d him, he read by himself, and was surpriz"d to receive Words of this Nature, being so great a Stranger in that Place; and could not imagine or would not give himself the Trouble of guessing who this should be, because he never designed to make Returns.
The next Day, _Miranda_, finding no Advantage from her Messenger of Love, in the Evening sends another (impatient of Delay) confessing that she who suffer"d the Shame of writing and imploring, was the Person herself who ador"d him. "Twas there her raging Love made her say all Things that discover"d the Nature of its Flame, and propose to flee with him to any Part of the World, if he would quit the Convent; that she had a Fortune considerable enough to make him happy; and that his Youth and Quality were not given him to so unprofitable an End as to lose themselves in a Convent, where Poverty and Ease was all the Business. In fine, she leaves nothing unurg"d that might debauch and invite him; not forgetting to send him her own Character of Beauty, and left him to judge of her Wit and Spirit by her Writing, and her Love by the Extremity of Pa.s.sion she profess"d. To all which the lovely Friar made no Return, as believing a gentle Capitulation or Exhortation to her would but inflame her the more, and give new Occasions for her continuing to write. All her Reasonings, false and vicious, he despis"d, pity"d the Error of her Love, and was Proof against all she could plead.
Yet notwithstanding his Silence, which left her in Doubt, and more tormented her, she ceas"d not to pursue him with her Letters, varying her Style; sometimes all wanton, loose and raving; sometimes feigning a Virgin-Modesty all over, accusing her self, blaming her Conduct, and sighing her Destiny, as one compell"d to the shameful Discovery by the Austerity of his Vow and Habit, asking his Pity and Forgiveness; urging him in Charity to use his Fatherly Care to persuade and reason with her wild Desires, and by his Counsel drive the G.o.d from her Heart, whose Tyranny was worse than that of a Fiend; and he did not know what his pious Advice might do. But still she writes in vain, in vain she varies her Style, by a Cunning, peculiar to a Maid possess"d with such a sort of Pa.s.sion.
This cold Neglect was still Oil to the burning Lamp, and she tries yet more Arts, which for want of right Thinking were as fruitless. She has Recourse to Presents; her Letters came loaded with Rings of great Price, and Jewels, which Fops of Quality had given her. Many of this Sort he receiv"d, before he knew where to return "em, or how; and on this Occasion alone he sent her a Letter, and restor"d her Trifles, as he call"d them: But his Habit having not made him forget his Quality and Education, he wrote to her with all the profound Respect imaginable; believing by her Presents, and the Liberality with which she parted with "em, that she was of Quality. But the whole Letter, as he told me afterwards, was to persuade her from the Honour she did him, by loving him; urging a thousand Reasons, solid and pious, and a.s.suring her, he had wholly devoted the rest of his Days to Heaven, and had no Need of those gay Trifles she had sent him, which were only fit to adorn Ladies so fair as herself, and who had Business with this glittering World, which he disdain"d, and had for ever abandon"d. He sent her a thousand Blessings, and told her, she should be ever in his Prayers, tho" not in his Heart, as she desir"d: And abundance of Goodness more he express"d, and Counsel he gave her, which had the same Effect with his Silence; it made her love but the more, and the more impatient she grew. She now had a new Occasion to write, she now is charm"d with his Wit; this was the new Subject. She rallies his Resolution, and endeavours to re-call him to the World, by all the Arguments that human Invention is capable of.
But when she had above four Months languish"d thus in vain, not missing one Day, wherein she went not to see him, without discovering herself to him; she resolv"d, as her last Effort, to shew her Person, and see what that, a.s.sisted by her Tears, and soft Words from her Mouth, could do, to prevail upon him.