trueth, for feare of expulsion from among them, as an enemy to their
Law and Religion: wherefore I answered (according as necessitie urged)
that I was daughter to a Gentleman of Cyprus who sent me to bee
married in Candie; but our fortunes (meaning such as had the charge of
me) fell out quite contrary to our expectation, by losses, shipwracke,
and other mischances; adding many matters more beside, onely in regard
of feare, and yeelding obediently to observe their customes.
At length, she that was in cheefest preheminence among these Women
(whom they termed by the name of their Ladie Abbesse) demaunded of
mee, whether I was willing to abide in that condition of life, or to
returne home againe into, Cyprus. I answerd, that I desired nothing
more. But shee, being very carefull of mine honour, would never repose
confidence in any that came for Cyprus, till two honest Gentlemen of
France who hapned thither about two moneths since, accompanied with
their wives, one of them being a neere kinswoman to the Lady
Abbesse. And she well knowing, that they travelled in pilgrimage to
Jerusalem, to visite the holy Sepulcher, where (as they beleeve)
that he whom they held for their God was buried, after the jewes had
put him to death; recommended me to their loving trust, with especiall
charge, for delivering mee to my Father in Cyprus. What honourable
love and respect I found in the company of those Gentlemen and their
Wives, during our voyage backe to Cyprus, the historie would be
overtedious in reporting, neither is it much materiall to our purpose,
because your demaund is to another end.
Sayling on prosperously in our Ship, it was not long before we
arrived at Baga, where being landed, and not knowing any person,
neither what I should say to the Gentlemen, who onely were carefull
for delivering me to my Father, according as they were charged by
the reverend Abbesse: it was the will of heaven doubtlesse (in pitty
and compassion of my passed disasters) that I was no sooner come on
shore at Baffa, but I should there haply meet with Antigonus, whom I
called unto in our Country language because I would not be
understood by the Gentlemen nor their wives, requesting him to
acknowledge me as his daughter. Quickly he apprehended mine intention,
accomplishing what requested, and (according to his poore power)
most bounteously feasted the Gentlemen and their wives, conducting
me to the King of Cyprus, who received me royally, and sent me home to
you with so much honour, as I am no way able to relate. What else
retnaineth to be said, Antigonus who hath oft heard the whole story of
my misfortunes, at better leysure will report.
Antigonus then turning to the Soldan, saide: My Lord, as shee hath
often told me, and by relation both of the Gentlemen and their
wives, she hath delivered nothing but truth. Onely shee hath forgotten
somewhat worth the speaking, as thinking it not fit for her to
utter, because indeed it is not so convenient for her. Namely, how
much the Gentlemen and their wives (with whom she came) commended
the rare honesty and integrity of life, as also the unspotted vertue
wherein shee lived among those chaste religious women, as they
constantly (both with teares and solemne protestations) avouched to
me, when kindly they resigned their charge to me. Of all which
matters, and many more beside, if I should make discourse to your
Excellencie; this whole day, the night ensuing, and the next daies
full extendure, are not sufficient to acquaint you withall. Let it
suffice then that I have said so much, as (both by the reports, and
mine owne understanding) may give you faithfull assurance, to make
your Royall vaunt, of having the fairest, most vertuous, and honest
Lady to your daughter, of any King or Prince whatsoever.
The Soldane was joyfull beyond all measure, welcomming both him
and the rest in most stately manner, oftentimes entreating the Gods
very heartily, that he might live to requite them with equall
recompence, who had so graciously honored his daughter: but above
all the rest, the King of Cyprus, who sent her home so Majestically.
And having bestowne great gifts on Antigonus, within a few dayes
after, hee gave him leave to returne to Cyprus: with thankfull favours
to the King as well by Letters, as also by Ambassadours expressely
sent, both from himselfe and his Daughter.
When as this businesse was fully finished, the Soldane, desiring
to accomplish what formerly was intended and begun, namely, that she
might be wife to the King of Colchos; hee gave him intelligence of all
that had happened; writing moreover to him, that (if he were so
pleased) he wold yet send her in Royall manner to him. The King of
Colchos was exceeding joyfull of these glad tydings, and dispatching a
worthy traine to fetch her, she was conveyed thither very pompously,
and she who had bene imbraced by so many, was received by him as an
honest Virgin, living long time after with him in much joy and
felicity. And therefore it hath bene saide as a common Proverbe: The
mouth well kist comes not short of good Fortune, but is still
renewed like the Moone.
THE SECOND DAY, THE EIGHT NOVELL
WHEREBY ALL MEN MAY PLAINELY UNDERSTAND, THAT LOYALTY
FAITHFULLY KEPT TO THE PRINCE (WHAT PERILS SOEVER DOE ENSUE)
DOTH YET NEVERTHELESSE RENOWNE A MAN, AND BRING HIM TO FARRE
GREATER HONOUR
The Count D'Angiers being falsly accused, was banished out of
France, and left his two children in England in divers places.
Returning afterward (unknowne) thorow Scotland, hee found them
advanced unto great dignitie. Then, repayring in the habite of a
Servitour, into the King of France his Armie, and his innocencie
made publiquely knowne, hee was reseated in his former honourable
degree.
The Ladies sighed verie often, hearing the variety of wofull
miseries happening to Alathiella: but who knoweth, what occasion
mooved them to those sighes? Perhappes there were some among them, who
rather sighed they could not be so often maried as she was, rather
then for any other compassion they had of her disasters. But leaving
that to their owne construction, they smiled merrily at the last
speeches of Pamphilus: and the Queene perceyving the Novell to be
ended, shee fixed her eye upon Madame Eliza, as signifying thereby,
that she was next to succeed in order; which shee joyfully
embracing, spake as followeth. The field is very large and spacious,
wherein all this day we have walked, and there is not any one here
so wearied with running the former races, but nimbly would adventure
on as many more, so copious are the alterations of Fortune, in sad
repetition of her wonderfull changes: and among the infinity of her
various courses, I must make addition of another, which I trust,
will no way discontent you.
When the Romaine Empire was translated from the French to the
Germaines, mighty dissentions grew betweene both the Nations,
insomuch, that it drew a dismall and a lingering warre. In which
respect, as well for the safety of his owne Kingdome, as to annoy
and disturbe his enemies; the King of France and one of his sonnes,
having congregated the forces of their owne Dominions, as also of
their friends and confederates, they resolved manfully to encounter
their enemies. But before they would adventure any rash proceeding,
they held it as the cheefest part of policy and royall providence, not
to leave the State without a Chiefe or Governour. And having had
good experience of Gualtier, Count D'Angiers, to be a wise and
worthy Lord, singularly expert in military discipline and faithfull in
all affaires of the Kingdome (yet fitter for ease and pleasure, then
laborious toyle and travalle:) he was elected Lieutenant Governour
in their sted, over the whole kingdom of France, and then they went on
in their enterprize.
Now began the Count to execute the office committed to his trust, by
orderly proceeding, and with great discretion, yet not entering into
any businesse, without consent of the Queene and her faire daughter in
Law: who although they were left under his care and custodie, yet
(notwithstanding) he honoured them as his superiours, and as the
dignity of their quality required. Here you are to observe, concerning
Count Gualtier himselfe, that he was a most compleate person, aged
litle above forty yeeres, as affable and singularly conditioned, as
any Nobleman possibly could be, nor did those times affoord a
Gentleman, that equalled him in all respects. It fortuned, that the
King and his sonne being busy in the aforenamed war, the wife and Lady
of Count Gualtier died in the mean while, leaving him onely a sonne
and a daughter very yong, and of tender yeeres, which made his owne
home the lesse welcom to him, having lost his deere Love, and second
selfe.
Heereupon, he resorted to the Court of the said Ladies the more
frequently, often conferring with them, about the waighty affaires
of the Kingdome: in which time of so serious interparlance, the
Kings sonnes wife, threw many affectionate regards upon him, convaying
such conspiring passions to her heart (in regard of his person and
vertues) that her love exceeded all capacity of governement. Her
desires out-stepping al compasse of modesty, or the dignity of her
Princely condition, throwes off all regard of civill and sober
thoughts, and guides her into a Labyrinth of wanton imaginations. For,
she regards not now the eminency of his high Authority, his gravity of
yeares, and those parts that are the true conducts to honour: but
lookes upon her owne loose and lascivious appetite, her young,
gallant, and over-ready yeelding nature, comparing them with his
want of a wife, and likely hope thereby of her sooner prevailing;
supposing, that nothing could be her hindrance, but onely bashfull
shamefastnesse, which she rather chose utterly to forsake and set
aside, then to faile of her hot enflarned affection, and therefore she
would needs be the discoverer of her owne disgrace.
Upon a day, being alone by her selfe, and the time seeming
suteable to her intention: shee sent for the Count, under colour of
some other important conference with him. The Count D'Aongiers,
whose thoughts were quite contrary to hers: immediately went to her,
where they both sitting downe together on a beds side in her
Chamber, according as formerly shee had plotted her purpose; twice hee
demaunded of her, upon what occasion she had thus sent for him. She
sitting a long while silent, as if she had no answere to make him,
pressed by the violence of her amorous passions, a Vermillion tincture
leaping up into her face, yet shame enforcing teares from her eyes,
with words broken and halfe confused, at last she began to deliver her
minde in this manner.
Honourable Lord, and my deerely respected Friend, being so wise a
man as you are, it is no difficult matter for you to know, what a
frayle condition is imposed both on men and women; yet (for divers
occasions) much more upon the one, then the other. Wherefore
desertfully, in the censure of a just and upright judge, a fault of
divers conditions (in respect of the person) ought not to bee censured
with one and the same punnishment. Beside, who will not say, that a
man or woman of poore and meane estate, having no other helpe for
maintainance, but laborious travaile of their bodies, should
worthily receive more sharpe reprehension, in yeelding to amorous
desires, or such passions as are incited by love; then a wealthy
Lady whose living relieth not on her pains or cares, neither wanteth
any thing that she can wish to have: I dare presume, that you your
selfe will allow this to be equall and just. In which respect, I am of
the minde, that the fore-named allegations, ought to serve as a
sufficient excuse, yea, and to the advantage of her who is so
possessed, if the passions of love should over-reach her: alwayes
provided, that shee can pleade in her owne defence, the choice of a
wise and vertuous friend, answerable to her owne condition and
quality, and no way to be taxt with a servile or vile election.
These two speciall observations, allowable in my judgement, and
living now in mee, seizing on my youthfull blood and yeeres, have
found no mean inducement to love, in regard of my husbands far
distance from me, medling in the rude uncivill actions of warre,
when he should rather be at home in more sweet imployment. You see
Sir, that these Oratours advance themselves here in your presence,
to acquaint you with the extremity of my over-commanding agony: and if
the same power hath dominion in you, which your discretion
(questionlesse) cannot be voide of; then let me entreate such advice
from you, as may rather helpe, then hinder my hopes. Beleeve it then
for trueth Sir, that the long absence of my husband from me, the
solitary condition wherein I am left, il agreeing with the hot blood
running in my veines, and the temper of my earnest desires: have so
prevailed against my strongest resistances, that not onely so weake
a woman as I am, but any man of much more potent might, (living in
ease and idlenesse as I do) cannot withstand such continuall assaults,
having no other helpe then flesh and blood.
Nor am I so ignorant, but publike knowledge of such an error in mee,
would be reputed a shrewd taxation of honesty: whereas (on the other
side) secret carriage, and heedfull managing such amorous affaires,
may passe for currant without any reproach. And let me tel you,
noble Count, that I repute love highly favourable to mee, by guiding
my judgement with such moderation, to make election of a wise, worthy,
and honorable friend, fit to enjoy the grace of a farre greater Lady
then I am, and the first letter of his name, is the Count D'Angiers.
For if error have not misled mine eye, as in love no Lady can be
easily deceived: for person, perfections, and all parts most to bee
commended in a man, the whole Realme of France containeth not your
equall. Observe beside, how forward Fortune sheweth her selfe to us
both in this case; you to bee destitute of a wife, as I am of an
