A Threefold Romance, Part 1
MARIANA.
IN the City of Valentia, Metropolis of the Kingdome ſo named, which with many other Dominions are the tributary …ooks diſcharging themſelves into …e Ocean of the Spaniſh Monarchy, …welt one Don Durio a Merchant of …eat repute. For as yet the envious …nds had not (as at this day) ob…ructed the Haven in the Valentia, but …at it was the principall port in …ose parts.
This Don Durio had advanced an …tate much by Parcimony, more by …apine, being halfe a Jew by his extraction; and more then three quarters thereof by his Conditions, being a notorious oppreſſor. But growne very aged, and carrying his Eyes in his pockett, Teeth in his Sheath, and Feete in his Hands, he began with remorſe to reflect on the former part of his Life with ſome thoughts of reſtitution, to ſuch whom he had moſt injured.
This his intention he communicated to one Franciſco a Frier, and his Confeſſor: Franciſco was glad to ſee ſuch a qualme of Religion come over his heart, and reſolved to improve it to the uttermoſt. Hee perſwades him that reſtitution was a thing difficult and almoſt impoſſible for one in his condition, ſo many were the particular perſons by him wronged; the ſhorteſt and ſureſ… way was for him to conſigne his only Daughter Mariana to be a Nun in the Priory of St. Brigett, and to endow that Covent with all hi… Lands: which exemplary piece o… his liberality, would not only wit… the luſtre thereof out-ſhine all his former faults: but alſo be a direction to poſterity how to regulate their eſtates on the like occaſion. Don Durio, though flinty of himſelf, yet lately ſoftned with Age and ſickneſſe, entertaines the motion, not onelyonly with contentment, but with delight, and will not be a day older before the ſame be effected.
But there was a materiall perſon, whoſe conſent herein muſt be cōſulted with, even Mariana his Daughter, who had not one ounce of Nuns fleſh about her, as whom nature had intended not as a dead ſtake in a hedge to ſtand ſingly in the place▪ but as a plant to fructifie for poſterity. Beſides, ſhe had aſſured her ſelf to one Fidelio, a Gentlemā of ſuch merit, that though his vertues ſtarted with great diſadvantage, clogg'd with the waite of a neceſſitous fortune: yet ſuch the ſtrength and ſwiftnes thereof, that he very ſpeedily came (not being above the years of two and twenty) to the marke of a publique reputation; but theſe things were carried ſo cloſely between them, and all leakes of ſuperſtition were ſo cunningly made up, that neither friend nor foe, had gained the leaſt glimps of their intentions.
Don Durio, Franciſco being in his preſencc, importunes his Daughter (a hard taske) to bury her beauty under a vaile, and become a Frigittine. What he propounded with a fatherly bluntneſſe, Franciſco ſharpens with the edge of his wit, heightning the happineſſe of a recluded Life to the Skie, and above it; A diſcourſe very unwelcome to Marianaes Eares, racketted between two dangers on either ſide If ſhe ſurrender her ſelfe herein to her Fathers will, ſhe is undone, and wha… ſhe values above herſelfe, Fidelio i… ruined: If ſhe deny, ſhe expoſeth he… ſelfe to the juſt cenſure of diſobedience: yea it puts a light into the hand of her ſuſpitious Fathers therby to diſcover her intentions, that her affections being preingaged, obſtructed the acceptance of this Motion. No time is allowed her to adviſe, in a moment (almoſt) ſhe muſt conſult and conclude, and reſolved at laſt to comply with her Fathers deſires for the preſent, not deſpairing, but that courteous time, in the proceſſe thereof, would tender unto her ſome advantage, whereby hereafter ſhe might make a faire evaſion.
But her Father hurries her in her preſent attire, (as good enough for a mortified mind, without allowing her reſpit of of exchanging) unto the Covent. Franciſco leades the way, Don Durio followes, and Mariana comes laſt; her countenance was neither ſo ſad, as to betray any diſcontent, nor ſo blith and cheerefull as to proclaime any likeneſſe therein: but ſo reduced, and moderately compoſed, as of one that well underſtood both what ſhe was leaving off, and what ſhe was entring into. And if the falling of a few teares moiſtened her cheekes, it was excuſable in one now taking her farewell of her former friends: and her Father beheld the ſame as the Argument of good nature in her.
Ringing the Bell at the Covent Gate, the watchfull Porter takes the Alarum and preſently opens: for though it was ſomething difficult for ſtrangers to have exceſſe into the Covent, yet the preſence of Frier Franciſco, was as ſtrong as any Petar, to make the ſturdieſt gate in the Covent pliable to his admiſſion. Out comes the Lady Abbeſſe, who had now paſſed Sixty winters, and carried the repute of a grave and Sanctimonious Matron: A ſtrict diſcipliner ſhe was of the leaſt wantonneſſe of any committed to her charge, reputed by moſt to her virtuous diſpoſitiō, but aſcribed by others to her envy, driving away thoſe delights from others which formerly had flowne away from her ſelfe.
Francisco with a ſhort ſpeech acquaints her with the cauſe of their comming▪ ſurrenders Mariana to be a Probationer in their houſe; whom the Abbeſſe welcommeth with the largeſt expreſſions of love to her, and thankefulneſſe to her Father, highly commending Don Durio his Devotion, that whereas many Parents bleſſed with a numerous iſſue grudge to beſtow the tythe thereof on a Monaſticall Life: ſuch is his forward zeale as to part with all his ſtock, and ſtore, not repining to conferre his ſole daughter and heire to a religious retirement; Then taking their leaves each of other, they depart, leaving Mariana with the Abbeſſe.
Milleſcent a Nun of good eſteeme and great credit, is aſſigned by the Abbeſſe to goe along with Mariana, and ſhew her all the roomes, walkes and rich untenſills of the houſe; eſpecially ſhe is very carefull to reade unto her a large Inventory of all the reliques therein, with their ſeverall miraculous operations. The points of St. Rumballs Breeches (among other things) were there ſhowen, the touching whereof would make barren women fruitfull: and many other ſeeming toyes of ſoveraigne influence. Paſſing through by the Southeaſt corner of the Cloyſter Mariana caſt her eye on an arched vault, enquiring the uſe thereof, and whether the ſame did conduct; Milleſcent anſwered, that in due time her curioſity therein ſhould be ſatisfied to her owne contentment, but as yet ſhe was not capable of any intelligence therein, which was one of the myſteries of the houſe not communicated to novices at their firſt admiſſion, but reſerved for ſuch, who after ſome convenient time of abode there, had given undoubted teſtimony of their fidelity to that Order. And here we leave Mariana having more muſick and leſſe mirth then ſhe had at home.
The newes hereof was no ſooner brought to Fidelio, but it moved a ſtrange impreſſion upon him. Were I aſſured that the Reader hereof was ever ſound in love, and that his breſt was ever through warned with chaſt fires of a conſtāt mistreſs, it would ſpare me ſome pains to character Fidelio his ſad condition. For then my worke is eaſily done, onelyonly by appealing to the Readers experience, who out of ſympathy is able to make more then a conjecture of Fidelio's ſad eſtate, daily languiſhing for the loſſe of his Love, as dead (whilſt living) unto him.
His Penſive poſtures, ſad looks, ſilent ſighs, affected ſolitarineſs, ſequeſtring himſelf from his moſt familiar friends, was obſerved by Ardalio, by whom he was intirelv beloved, Ardadalio uſing the boldneſſe becomming a friend, examines Fidelio of the cauſe of his ſuddaine change. Fidelio for a time fences himſelfe with his owne retiredneſſe, and fortifies his ſoule with reſolutions of ſecrecy. The other plants the Artillery of his importunity againſt him, by the force thereof Fidelio is beaten out of his hold, & won at laſt to unboſome his grievance to Ardalio, who had promiſed, that Midnight ſooner ſhould be found a Tel-tale, & Trust it ſelfe become a Traytor, rather then he would diſcover any thing prejudiciall unto him. Imboldned wherewith, Fidelio confeſſeth that Marianas reſtraint in a Nunnery into which ſhe was lately thruſt, by her parents power (as he verily beleeved) againſt her own will, and without his knowledge.
Had ſhee been taken priſoner by the Turke, ſome hope would have been to procure her Liberty by ranſome, had Pirates ſurpriſed her, mony might have purchaſed her freedome, whereas now no hope of enlargement, it being no leſſe then Sacriledge accounted by force or fraud to practice her delivery from that Religious ſlavery.
Be content (ſaith Ardalio) and I will make you maſter of a project, which without any danger ſhall bring your Miſtreſſe into your poſſeſſion; turne therfore all your Soule into eares & liſten to my diſcourſe, wch though ſeemingly tedious in the relating, the ſame will make your attention, not only a ſaver, but a gainer by the rich concluſion thereof.
Some twelve yeares ſince, when a Frier was buried in the Benedictine Covent all the Schooleboyes in Valentia (among whom I aſſure you I was none of the meanest) invited themſelves to bee preſent at the solemnity, now whilſt others were crowded into the Chappell to ſee the performance of the Obſequies, I know not what conceit made me a ſeparatiſt from the reſt of my companions. And as I was walking in a Corner between the Conduit and the Hall, I happened into an old Roome which led me into a Vault lighted onelyonly with one ſquint-eyed Window, going ſomewhat further therein, my heart began to faile me with the freſh remembrance of thoſe Tales of Bugbears wherewith my Nurſe had affrighted my infancy from ponds and places of danger; however taking heart I reſolved to diſcover the iſſue of that winding Vault. And here you muſt forgive me, if I have forgotten ſome circumſtances herein, my memory which never was very loyall may be pardoned for betraying ſome paſſages after twelve yeares paſt: let it ſuffice that I remember ſo much as will make you happy it wiſely proſecuted, this was the reſult of my adventure, that as our River Anas is reported to run ſome miles under ground, and afterwards ſpring up againe. So I drowned under dry earth, (if you will allow the expreſſion) was boyled up againe in the Nunnery of the Bridgitines, you will hardly beleeve with what amazement the Nunns beheld me, who had entred their Cloyſter that unuſuall way never as yet (as it ſeemes) traced with boyes feet, but by thoſe of more maturity, whoſe company might bee more acceptable unto them: They loaded me with kiſſes and ſweet meates, for beleeve mee (Fidelio) how meane opinion ſoever you may now have of my handſomneſſe, if my picture then taken, and the report of my Mother may be beleeved, I was not unhandſome. In fine, they flattered and threatned me not to diſcover which way I came thither, which if once I made knowne, thouſand of Devills would torment. From which day to this it never came into my head; my memory having now made ſome amends for its former forgetfulneſſe by this ſeaſonable ſuggeſtion thereof unto mee, when it may befriend your occaſions. If therefore you can convey your ſelfe by this paſſage into the Nunnery, I leave the rest to bee ſtewarded by your owne Ingenuity.
But which way ſaid (Fidelio) ſhall I contrive my undiſcovered comming thither, ſhew me but a way preſenting but halfe the face, yea but a quarter face of probability, and I ſhall kiſſe that, and thanke you for the ſame.
I will furniſh you with all requiſites for the Adventure: I have an uncle living at Lisborne provinciall of the Benedictines in Spain; his hand when a boy I have often ceunterfeited for harmleſſe cheats levell with my age, ſo livelily, that I have perſwaded him to confeſs it his own, and great the familiarity between my Vncle and Franciſco, who here is the Benedictine Abbot. I will provide all things for you, and fit you with the habit of their Order, leaving the reſt ſtill to be improved by your own Art and Induſtry. For where a friend tenders one hand to draw you out of the Mire, if you aſſiſt not to make up the reſt by your own Endeavours, even lie there ſtill to your own ſhame and with no pity of mine.
They depart, reſolving next morrow to meet, when all neceſſaries ſhould be provided. In the meane time, Fidelio goes to the Covent of the Bridgittines, and walkes under a Window thereof, the which (as he was informed and his intelligence therein not untrue) belonged to the Chamber of Mariana. She diſcovers him there, and preſently rends out of her legend the firſt white leafe which had not bluſhed (as the reſt) for the lies and impudencies which were written therein; which Paper ſhe imployes for a Let…er, and looking out of the window, caſts the letter down unto him who ſtood ready beneath to receive the ſame, and ſurely had the Letter been but ballanc'd, with any competent waight put therein, it had not miſſed his hands for whom it was intended.
What a pity was it, that Aeolus was never in love, or that the Winds are too boiſterous, or to cold to be melted Affection. Except any will ſay that a Gale of wind ambition, to kiſs the letter of ſo fair a hand, and overacted its part therein.
Sure it is that a ſmall blaſt thereof blew this Letter over into the Garden of Albeſse, where ſhee was viewing of her Bees. Her Ladyſhip betakes her ſelfe to her glaſseyes, and peruſeth the following contents thereof.
Fidelio,
HElp me with thy imaginations, and know me here more miſerable then I can expreſs, here is nothing leſſe then that which is pretended, a chaſt miſtriſs which in due time may be a chaſt wife, may ſtock a hundred Nuns with Virginity; work my deliverance if thy affections be unfeigned; or I am undone
Mariana.
Short and ſweet ſaid the Abbeſſe, the leaſt Toades have the greateſt Poiſon, and then up ſhe flies winged with anger, (which otherwiſe could ſcarce crawle) to Marianaes Chamber where ſhe ſo railes on her, that a Purgatory hereafter might have been ſpared for having one here.
And becauſe ſhe had defamed the whole Covent, the heavieſt pēnance muſt be enjoyed unto her, to be ſtript naked to the middle in the Hall at dinner time, where ſhe was onelyonly to be feaſted with laſhes, each Nun inflicting one upon her, and then the Abbeſſe to conclude ſans number: as many as her own diſcretion was pleaſed to lay on her.
But Mariana partly with grief, and partly with fear, fell ſo terrible ſick that night that her life came into deſpair, the onelyonly reaſon (as I take it) why her pennance was put off to another time: till ſhe might be the more able object of their cruelty. For the Abbeſſe reſolved, that what was deferred ſhould not be taken away, being ſo far from abating the principall, She intended Mariana ſhould pay it with intereſt, and give ſatiſfaction for the forbearance of this Diſcipline, when in any tolerable ſtrength to undergo it.
By this time Ardalio had compleated Fidelio with all neceſſaries in the habit of a Frier, who thus accoutred, advanceth in his formality to the Covent, where he is preſently brought to Franciſco, to whom hee delivered this enſuing Letter.
Dear Brother,
I Send you here my ſelfe in my friend, who was he as well known to you as to me, his vertues would command your affections, if not admiration; Our Covent hath this laſt hundred years, (ſince the firſt foundation therof) been eſſaying and endeavouring to make up a compleat man, which now in ſome meaſure it had effected in the bearer hereof; when behold envious death repining at our happineſſe, had laboured to fruſtrate the ſame; ſo that this pearleſſe peece of devotion, was ſcarce beſtowed on us, when almoſt taken away from us by a violent ſickneſse, whoſe abated fury terminated at laſt, in a long and languiſhing quartain ague, which his hollow eyes and thin cheekes do too plainly expreſſe; exchange of Aire is commended unto us, for the beſt if not onelyonly Phyſick: let him want nothing I pray your houſe can afford, and burthen him with as few queſtions as may be, it being tedious to him to talk, and his infirmity hath much diſinabled his intellectualls, and know that your meritorious kindneſſe therein, ſhall not onelyonly oblige me to a requitall, but an engagement on all Lovers of vertue, to whom this our Brother Feſtucaes worth is or hereafter may be known.
Your loving Friend PEDRO di RONCA.
Franciſco embraceth him with all dearneſſe, the viands of the houſe are ſet before him, whereof Fidelio took a moderate repaſt; all the Monks of the houſe ſeverally ſalute him, and demanded of him ſeverall particulars of their Covent at Liſborn, as of the Scituation, Indowment, Number, Names, and punctuall obſervances therein.
To all theſe Fidelio returned generall anſwers, under the coverts whereof he might the eaſier conceal his own ignorance; as for the indowment of the houſe, hee profeſsed himſelf a meere ſtranger thereunto, and that hee affected ignorance therein, as conceiving it reſented too much of worldly imployment, wheras his deſire was, that better things ſhould engroſſe his ſoule. This excuſe was heard with admiration, increaſing the opinion they had preconceived of his holineſſe: when they ask him ſuch queſtions, to which he could returne no anſwer at all, he would fall into a ſeeming trance, darting his eyes, and moving his lips, as in pious ejaculations, as not liſtning to what was ſaid unto him, whilſt the others out of manerly devotion, let fall their queſtions, and would preſſe them no farther, as loath to interrupt his ſoule in more ſerious and ſacred employment; beſids Franciſco gave a ſtrict command that none ſhould diſturb him with needleſſe queſtions, but leave him to the full imployment of his own meditations.
Some ſix daies after, Fidelio obſerving the directions of Ardalio his friend, finds out the foreſaid vault, and accordingly went forward therein, till at laſt he came to a great Iron Gate, which was ſhut and obſtructed the way: This Gate was either not ſet up, or not ſhut up, when Ardalio made his paſſage this way. Fidelio falls a muſing, finds all his hopes prove abortive, with no poſſibility of further proceeding, when looking ſeriouſly on the Gate, which was enlightned through a ſmall hole, preſenting but twilight at noon day, he diſcovered an inſcription thereon, which he read to himſelf, with a voice one degree above whiſpering.
Fair Portreſſe of this privy Gate,
If any Siſter want a Mate,
Lift up the Barre and let me in,
It ſhall be but a veniall ſin.
Inſtantly the Gate flew open, and Fidelio is left to wonder, what ſecret Spell, and hidden Magick, were contained in thoſe verſes, that ſo immediatly they ſhould procure his admittance. But preſently the Riddle is unfolded, finding a Nun behind the dore, where ſhe kept her conſtant attendance, and to whom theſe verſes were the wonted watch-word to open the Gate: recollecting his Spirit, he accoſted the Siſter, deſiring to be conducted to Mariana, whom he underſtood (for the fame thereof had gotten out of the Covent) was very ſick, and he ſent from Father Franciſco to provide ſome Ghoſtly counſell for her, and what els her preſent condition ſhould require.
He is carried unto her Chamber, who being at the preſent aſleep, hee entertained himſelf in the next room by looking on a Picture. Herein Saint Dennis was ſet forth, beheaded by Pagan Tyrants, and afterwards carrying his head under his arm ſeven miles from Paris to Saint Dennis. Fidelio ſmiling thereat to himſelf, thought that Saint Dennis in that poſture had an excellent opportunity to pick his teeth.
Mariana is awaked, Fidelio called in, who claiming the priviledge of privacy, as proper for a Confeſſor, all avoid the room, then putting off his diſguiſe, he briefly telleth her what dangers hee had undergone for her deliverance, informeth her that next morning hee would be ready with horſes and ſervants, at ſuch a corner of the Garden, where without any danger, they had contrived a way for her eſcape. Fidelio's preſence is better then any Cordiall, Mariana recovereth her ſpirits, is apprehenſive of the motion, promiſeth to obſerve time and place, they are thrifty in their language, ſpeak much in little laviſh, no minuts in complements: but are perfectly inſtructed in each others deſignes.
Preſently in comes the Abbeſſe: Fidelio (having firſt recovered his coole) proceeds in a ſet diſcourſe of the praiſe of patience, commending it to Mariana as the moſt neceſſary vertue in her condition; and after ſome generall ſalutes to the Abbeſſe, recommendeth his Patient to her care, and takes his own opportunity to depart, returning to the Covent of the Benedictines as undiſcovered as he came thence.
That night, befriended with the dark, under the mantle thereof, Fidelio gets out of the Covent, repairs to his friend Ardalio, reports all the particulars of his ſucceſſe, triumphs in the hopes of his approaching happineſſe, counts the time which we generally complain doth fly, a Cripple, that crawles, ſo long each minuit ſeems unto him, untill ten of the clock next morning ſhould be accompliſhed.
Next day Mariana riſeth from her bed, craves leave of the Abbeſſe to go into the Garden, which is granted her; So that Milleſcent a prime Nun were to attend her. Milleſcent adviſeth her to wrap her ſelfe warm for fear of a relapſe, for the Air (ſaith ſhe) is piercing, and your body weak.
Indeed (quoth Mariana)I am ſenſible of much ſtrength in a ſhort time, and believe my ſelfe able, to run a race with you, who ſhall firſt come to yonder Corner; done ſaid Milleſcent, and let the lagg that comes laſt to the place, ſay over her Beades for us both. They ſtart together.
Have you ever heard the Poets fiction of Atlanta's running, when only her covetouſneſſe to get the golden Ball made her loſe the race. Alas her ſwiftneſſe was nothing in compariſon of Marianaes; It ſeems that Cupid, who had ſhot the piles of his arrowes into her heart, had tied the feathers or wings thereof unto her feet.
The wall of the Nunnery was on the one ſide filled up with Earth, on the out-ſide there was a deſcent of ſome four yards; Fidelio ſtood ready to entertain her. What will not fright and love do? Mariana conſults not any danger, nor did ſhe carry a ſcale in her eye to meaſure the depth of the wall: but croſſing the Proverb, ſhe leapes before ſhe looks, Fidelio ſaveth her almoſt halfe the way of her journey by catching of her in his armes, and before the ſucceeding minut had ſupplanted its Predeceſſor, ſhe is mounted by his ſervant behind Fidelio, and all ſpeed they make to a Chappell, wch might ſerve for an Hoſpitall, for it was blind, and the Prieſt dumb, yet had tongue enough to tie that knot which none of them was able to undoe.
But tired Milleſcent with much panting had recovered the corner, & ſeeing Marianaes eſcape, cryed out, ſhe is gone, ſhe is gone; this gave an Alarum to the Abbeſs, who inſtantly conceived her in a ſound; It is, ſaid ſhe, the juſt reward of her adventure, that contrary to my Counſell went abroad. Out comes the whole Regiment of Nunnes with hot waters and Cordialls, to tempt her ſoul, if not too far departed, to return to her body, they are ſoon ſenſible of their miſtake, and behold her almoſt got out of ſight, ſo that the longer they looked, the leſs they ſaw her, till diſtance at last made her vaniſh away. Many a Nun a Spectator hereof, wiſht themſelves an Actor upon the ſame termes, commending her adventure in their hearts, who condemned her moſt in their diſcourſe.
Fidelio with Mariana his wife returned to a private houſe in Liſborn prepared for this purpoſe; but oh the quick intelligence that Friers have, ſure their ſoules all ſcent, all Eyes and Ears, that diſcover things ſo ſoon, ſo far off. They were juſt ready to ſit down at Supper, onelyonly expecting the comming of his dear friend Ardalio, when in comes a man or a Tiger (ſhall I ſay) Nature might ſeeme to intend him for the latter, ſuch his fierce aſpect and hairy face, the terribleneſſe whereof was increaſed with his affected antique attire, by his place he was the Jaylor of the houſe of Inquiſition, and preſently he ſhewed a caſt of his office, by ſeizing them both his Priſoners. Yet might they have had the happineſſe to have been ſent to the ſame Priſon, it would have afforded ſome mitigation of their miſery; this would not be granted, though Mariana with importunate tears requeſted it; but they were diſpoſed into ſeverall Jayles, where neither of them was ſenſible of their own condition, being totally taken up with the mutuall bemoaning the one of the other
This is one commendable quality in the Spaniards, Priſoners are not long delayed to rot in the Jayle, where is life worſe then death it ſelf, but are brought to a ſpeedy tryall, either to be condemned or acquitted. Next day they both are brought before the Judges, and condemned ot die; He for Sacriledge, for ſoliciting a Votary out of the houſe, ſhe for carrying away a golden Medall wherein was the Picture of Saint Bridget, which ſhe caſually borrowed, having no felonious intention, as meaning to reſtore it, but ſurpriſed on a ſuddain, had no leiſure to make reſtitution. All conceived that the rigor of rigors was extended unto them, & by Franciſco the Fryer, though not viſibly appearing.
Don Durio hearing that his Daughter was to be executed, his Paternal affections retreated to his heart, and there made a Stand, projecting with himſelfe how to prevent this miſchief. And here I muſt trouble the Reader, to go back in reporting an acccident that happened twenty years agoe.
It chanced that Philip the ſecond (alwaies wealthie and alwaies wanting) was forced on a ſuddaine to ſend forth a great Fleet againſt the Turk, he borrowed a conſiderable ſum of money of Don Durio, for the payment whereof Don Durio was a daily ſuppliant to the Court, as conſtant at the gate as the Porter, plying the King with importunate Petitions, all which ended in delaies, which Don Durio rightly expounded to be denialls. Once the Treaſurer told him, that it was honor enough for the greateſt Monarch in Chriſtendom to borrow money of him, though he never receive it again. Don Durio to make a vertue of neceſſity turned his deſpair into a frollick, and being admitted by friends into the Kings preſence in a Winter morning, caſt into the fire his Obligations which were parcelled up in a pretty bundle, deſiring the King to heat his hands thereat. His Majeſty was highly pleaſed with the conceit, and the rather becauſe it was more then a conceit, ſaying, it was the beſt Faggot he ever ſaw, and wiſhed the State of Senua would make him the like Bonefire, ſwearing by Saint James (his usuall Oath) that if ever Don Durio had need of a Court-favour at a dead lift, he ſhould not faile in his expectation.
The dead lift, or at leaſt the dying lift was now come, Don Durio poſts to the Madrid, where the Spaniſh Court was kept, and findeth the King hunting of a Stag The old man attends the ſport for a time. The Stag wearied with long hunting took ſoyl, and ran into a great Pond or dwarff-Lake, hee recruited his ſtrength as old Aeſon did in the Bath of Medea, and come forth as fair and as freſh as when rouſed in the morning, then ſetting his Haunces againſt the Parke pale, (Reader if a Forrester pardon my language if improper) hee dared the Doggs to ſet upon him whilſt the hounds ſtood diſputing with themſelves (for the Kings doggs we know can make ſyllogiſms) whether the honor or the danger were the greater to adventure on their Foe, & whilſt they ſtood declining the hazard one to the other, out ſteps a cowardly keeper, & with a brace of bullets killeth the Stag dead in the place: who could he have borrowed a tongue from the ſtanders by, firſt he would have curſed that Frier of Mentz for firſt finding out the helliſh invention of Gunpowder, and then hee would have bequeathed himſelfe to have been coffined in paſte, whilſt the King and his Courtiers ſhould be merry the ſolemnizing of his Funerall.
The ſport being ended, the King returned and retired to his Chamber; Don Durio makes his addreſſe to his Majeſty, who at the firſt had forgotten him, till his memory was quickned with the effectuall token of the Bonds he burnt; welcome Woodmonger ſaid the King, thy ſuite is granted in the asking of it, and preſently a large pardon was ſigned and ſealed, which with all poſſible ſpeed, he carried along with him to Lisborn.
But ſo ſhort the day, ſo long the way, ſo bad the weather, that he could not make ſuch ſpeed as he deſired, and his friends expected.
The day of execution being come, Fidelio is brought to act his part on deaths The aier. Mariana, though diſjoyned from him in Priſon to her great grief, … now to her greater grief conjoyned with him at the Scaffold. Fidelio begins with a long ſpeech, which ſeems no whit tedious to the Auditors, becauſe done out of a deſign to gain time, in expectation of a pardon, which all underſtood was procured, all Lovers there preſent could have wiſhed each vowell long in his ſpeech, the effect whereof was to adviſe young perſons to confine their affections within ſome probable compaſs of their deſerts, not to wander with their extravagant love above the proportion of their merits: he bemoaneth himſelf much, Mariana more, taking on himſelf the guilt of the whole Action, and proteſted that ſhe died Loves true Martyr.
Mariana ſeconded him in this ſad diſcourſe, the purport whereof was, to teach obedience to Children, that they ſhould take heed how they concealed their love from their Parents, in whoſe meer diſpoſall they were, and not to conceive that Age ſuperannuated them, or gave them an acquittance from that debt to which nature engaged them.
A Poſt winds his horn, all hear it and welcome, conceiving what indeed it was, the preface to a pardon. Don Durio followes the Poſt all in a ſweat, it being almoſt a wonder that his dried corpes could contribute ſo much moiſture. The pardon is preſented to the Supream Officer, with much joy and acclamation of the beholders.
Who would think that Heraclitus could be ſo ſoon turned into Democritus? who could ſuppoſe that ſo great an Army of people could in an inſtant, Faces about, it was hard before to find one merry, now impoſſible to find one ſad, as if by ſympathy they had been, condemned with Fidelio, and accordingly pardoned with him.
The pardon is read, it was large parchment, in character, but apprehended too narrow in expreſſion, as only for the life of Mariana, whoſe Father, Don Durio, neither deſired nor endeavoured the life of the other whom he perfectly hated, as conceiving his love a diſparagement.
Writers were in a ſad condition, if ſometimes they might not take upon truſt from their readers more then they are able to pay themſelves; how ſhort would he fall; who would undertake in language to expreſſe the generall ſadneſſe of the Company, but eſpecially of Mariana for this unexpected accident. The Executioner proceeds to his work, a handkercher being tyed about Fidelio's Face, as one better prepared to feel then ſee death, he is readily provided for the fatall ſtroke.
In vain did Mariana with much Rhetorick (grief making her eloquent) plead, that the pardons of Princes are not to be taken in reſtrictive ſences, that in all things which are doubtfull, men are rather to enlarge it with favour then contract it with cruelty, that though her pardon alone was expreſt doubtleſſe both were intended, that man and wife were but one, the guilt but one committed by both, and appeales to the judges preſent, if any ſpark of mercy were alive in their breaſts (Judges alway for the greater ſolemnity being preſent at Executions) to improve the ſame on ſo juſt, ſo conſcientious, ſo honorable an occaſion, but as ſoon might a Child have perſwaded the Tide at full Sea to retreat, when inraged alſo with the wind, as her requeſt find any entertainment.
Ardalio was preſent thereat, ſtanding cloſe to Father Franciſco the great Actor herein, who ſpurr'd on the Judges (whom charity otherwiſe believed inclined to mercy, to the greateſt & ſpeedieſt extremity) and he deſired a private work with Franciſco what was whiſpered between them, was unknown, and mens Fancies variouſly commented on their diſcourſe, but the truth was he ſpake to this effect.
Sir, you have been the grand Ingeneir of this mans death, whoſe blood you have ſought, being your ſelf guilty of greater offences. A word from your mouth may reſpit the execution, and reprieve the Priſoner; I proteſt reveng of my friends blood, if you do not quickly improve your utmoſt, three minutes is all the time I allow you to thinke or do after I have ended my ſpeech; know you Sir a Vault and a Door between your Covent and the Nuns, contrary to Canons and Laws Eccleſiaſticall and Civill? theſe things ſhal be heightned againſt you with as much earneſtneſſe as my wit and wealth can improve it, intending to bury my eſtate in the proſecution of the death of my friend. Theſe things he uttered with that ſeriouſnes which protoſted no paſſion but a calme ſoul, and ſuch people are trueſt to their reſolutions.
Franciſco went to the prime Officer, and requeſted him (Fryers requeſts in ſuch caſes being commands) to put off the execution for one month, untill his Majeſties pleaſure therein was more perfectly known; for Ardalio had given him private information, that the intention of the King was larger then his expreſſion in the pardon, and the Officer complyeth with him in his deſire, and all the company were diſſolved, none being ſad at ſo ſtrange but unexpected an alteration.
All matters were huſht and ſtopped; Ardalio imbraced and feaſted by Franciſco, who bribed his tongue to ſilence, which the other as ingenuouſly profeſſed & faithfully performed. The reprieve of Fidelio ended in a full pardon, & old Don Durio ſeeing it to be in vain to forbid that match which providence had made, was contented that his Daughter was injointred in a true affection, conſented unto their Marriage. Both which lived long, and were bleſſed with an happy poſterity.
FINIS.