A Threefold Romance, Part 3

A Threefold Romance · Part 3

p. 93TRIANA AND SABINA.

IN the City of Barcellona in Spaine, lived a civill Lawyer of great repute, with a name, fitting his profeſſion, Don Facundo Oſorio, whoſe Office was paralell to a City Recorder in England. He had a wife whom he highly affected, and well might ſhe have merited the ſame, had the Jewell anſwered the Casket, and her conditions bore proportion to the reſt of her corporall perfections; but there being ſome diſparity in their ages, (earth rather then heaven making the marriage between them for wordly reſpects) her gree… youth p. 94anſwered not his gray haires with a ſuitable return of affection.

The truth was, ſhe was rather cunning then chaſt, and the ſame was diſcovered by the friends of her husband, whereof ſome took the boldneſſe to advertiſe him, that hereafter he might order her with a ſtricter hand. But I know not by what fate it commeth to paſſe, that oftentimes their eares and eyes who have leaſt cauſe are open to jealouſie, whilſt thoſe are ſhut thereunto who have juſt cauſe to enter came it: His friends reap nothing but frowns for their faithfull counſell, Facundo will not believe his wife was otherwiſe then ſhe ſhould be, meaſuring her honeſty by his owne; yet ſome ſcore this his good opinion rather on his policy then charity, knowing what he would not acknowledg, left it ſhould be a diſparagement to his reputation; he ſaw, but was pleaſed to winke at his wifes miſcarriages; p. 95and becauſe he made the match againſt the advice of his friends, of his owne wilfull inclination, he would maintain the ground work, and owne no error therein, left thereby he ſhould bring his own diſcretion into queſtion.

One principall friend Vejeto, had his houſe looking into the garden of Don Nicholayo, a great Lord of that City, who bare unto him no goodwill, becauſe his window hindred his privacy, and was able to tell tales of such paſſages which he would have tranſacted in darkneſſe, without any witneſſe. He informes Facundo that he had ſeen ſome geſtures more bold then civill between the Lord and his wife, but Facundo ſtill perſiſts in his infidelity, and either believes his wife to be honeſt, or els acteth the belief thereof ſo lively, that none could perceive in him, the leaſt ſuſpicion of her loyalty.

p. 96Sabina, Facundo's wife, falls now ſeemingly ſick, and perſonateth a dying woman to the life; her old Nurſe who conveyed intelligence between her and the Lord, had inſtructed her for her behaviour in a deſign; ſtrange it is how ſhe diſſembled herein: ſo that had Eſculapius himſelfe beheld her (provided he neither felt her pulſe, nor conſulted with her urine) he might have miſtook this his patient to be ſick; indeed her husband plies her with Phyſitians and Phyſick, all to no purpoſe, her malady rather increaſing, and the fire of her diſtemper growing the hotter for thoſe cooling jewlips which were tendred unto her.

Don Nicholayo repaires unto her to give her a viſit, many good counſels he laviſheth upon her in a long and tedious diſcourſe, and the more tedious, becauſe her husband was in the preſence, and they two not alone p. 97by themſelves; but at laſt he recommendeth unto her a noted Mountebank, who had commenced Doctor in the mouthes of the vulgar, and had gained to himſelfe much eſteem, for ſeverall palliated cures performed by him; avowing, that if ſhe ever expected health, that, muſt be the happy hand to reach it unto her.

This Quackſalver had reaped the credit of many learned mens labours, and leapt into eſteem by the advantage of their endeavours; for when by their learned receipts, ſome able Phyſicians in Barcelona had brought their patients to the point of amendement, and reduced their diſeaſes to tearms of eaſie compoſition, this fellow would interpoſe, and inſinuating himſelfe into the ſick mens acquaintance, would preſcribe unto them ſome of his owne medicines, more remarkable for their hard and ſtrange names, then any p. 98other vertue therein: thus carried he away the credit of many cures, and was cried up by the credulous people for eminency in his art; and although the Spaniards generally are admirers of themſelves, and ſleighters of ſtrangers, yet this Mountebank being an Italian by nation, had gained among them a great reputation, beholding therein, not ſo much to his owne learning, as the others ignorance.

Seignior Giovanni was his name, who is preſently ſent for, he comes, views his patient, and after ſome ſhort diſcourſe, affirmes her diſeaſe mortall, except one herb could be procured for her, which grew but in one place of Italy, and muſt be ceremoniouſly gathered by his & her hand, which bare the trueſt or deepeſt affection to the ſick body.

Don Facundo her husband deſires the Mountebank to enlarge himſelfe, concerning the name and nature of p. 99the foreſaid herb, proteſting he would expend the halfe of his Eſtate for his wifes whole recovery.

The other putting on the vizard of a ſtarcht countenance by pretended gravity, to procure the greater reſpect to himſelfe, and credit to his words, proceedeth as followeth.

Many men are infected with this ſingular error, that they will believe no vertue in drugs, further then they themſelves are able to render the reaſon thereof: whereas nature is rich in many ſecret qualities, which produce occult effects, the herb Lunaria may be an inſtance, which is the greateſt pick-lock in the world, for let it be gathered on Midſummer eve, juſt at one of the clock, by one looking ſouth-eaſtward, and ſome other p. 100eſſentiall circumſtances lockt up in the breaſts of artiſts, it will make any Iron bolt to fly open. The herb Stellaria commeth not ſhort thereof in vertue, as uſefull for thoſe diſeaſes which proceed from hott and dry cauſes; this groweth but in one part of Italy, ſome leagues from Lucca, and I can give infallible directions for the finding thereof: If therefore the Gentlewoman (feigning himſelfe ignorant that ſhe had a husband) had any confiding friend, which will follow my ſignature, in finding and gathering the ſame (right juſt at this inſtant of the year) this, and this alone will reſtore her to her former health, and I will pawne my credit on the ſame.

p. 101Know by the way, that this Mountebank was ſecretly bribed by Don Nicolayo, by this deſign to put her husband to run on one of theſe two rocks, either to be cenſured for want of true affection to his wife, if denying to doe any thing in order to her recovery, or els with great hazard to undertake a long and tedious voyage by Sea and Land, to ſeek for a new nothing, whilſt his wife all the while intended to proſtitute her ſelfe to the amorous imbraces of this Lord, who had made a mine in her heart, and had ſupplanted her husband in her affections.

Facundo, that he might be exemplary to all husbands, and that her kindred who were many and rich, might the more favourably reflect upon him, from whom he had a fair expectancy of a further fortune, willingly undertakes the voyage, desiring to be furniſhed with perfect inſtructions from Giovanni, for the p. 102finding of the herb, who delivers him a parchment becharactered with barbarous figures (Nets firſt to raiſe, and then to catch the fancy of fooles) and ſome other informations, which ſhould be as ſo many ſigns and tokens, whereby he ſhould make the hue and cry to attach and apprehend that guilty herb, which having ſo much worth and vertue in it ſelfe, would rather peeviſhly wither in a private cave, then ſpend it ſelfe for the publick good.

Facundo was ſome miles forward on his journey, when Vejeto his former friend privately poſted after him, and perſwaded him to return, for he had urged ſuch unanſwerable arguments, and infallible demonſtrations drawn from what he himſelfe had ſeen out of his own window, that at laſt he prevailed on the belief of Facundo, that all was not faire between his wife and Nicolayo; indeed when many ſcattered p. 103circumſtances were carefully put together, and ſeriouſly peruſed, there needed no Oedipus to read this riddle, which did interpret it ſelfe; that Facundo muſt be ſent a Pilgrimage into Italy, to the ſhrine of an unknown herb (the man in the Moon having eaten Stella…ia long before) that ſo in the vacancy of his Bed, the other might be made the incumbent thereof.

At laſt Vej…to adviſeth Facundo to returne home in a diſguiſe, and pretend himſelfe to be a Brother of his, long ſince employed in the Low-Country warres, and now at laſt loaden with wounds and wants, returned to bequeath his aged body to his native Country. Facundo conſents, hoping by the well management of this project, either to prevent, or els to diſcover his wifes unfaithfulneſſe.

Now whilſt Vejeto is accommodating his friend Facundo, with all p. 104neceſſaries (the badges of an old Souldier) all eſſentialls thereunto could not be ſo conveniently procured, but that Infido, Vejeto's ſervant was employed in compleating his proviſions: a crafty fellow, who could ſteal light from a ſmal cranny, and light a candle at a little ſpark, knowing how thriftily to improve a ſmall diſcovery to the grea…est advantage. Don Nicholayo paid a yearly penſion to this Infido, to furniſh him with intelligence againſt his Maſter, who now revealed all the deſign unto him, for which he received a conſiderable reward, and Sabina is throughly inſtructed to behave her ſelfe in the proſecution of the matter.

Facundo comes to his owne houſe, metamorphoſed to a Reformac…o, his clothes having ſo māy rents in them, as preſumed to cover more wounds under them; a ſword by his ſide which had contracted ruſt, ſince the p. 105laſt truce; knocking at the door, his wife ſends forth a lamentable ſhreek, to evidence the continuance of her ſickneſſe not diſſembled, and Facundo (a man of more eloquence then valour) begins to quake, and condemns his own return; but now he was engaged ſo farre, paſt hope of retreating, that he muſt either march forward with confidence, or return with ſhame: being entered into the houſe, where he acquaints the ſervant that he was Strenuo the Brother of Facundo, and is conducted by his wifes command to her Bed-ſide.

I underſtand (ſaid ſhe) by my Maid, that you are my Brother Strenuo, whom fame long ſince had reported dead, but we will pardon her that good lie which is better then a truth: I am hartily ſorry at your brothers abſence, p. 106and more, that my indiſpoſition is the cauſe thereof; never was poor woman more rich in the affections of a loving husband, though hitherto I have lived his wife, I ſhall hereafter demean my ſelfe as his ſervant, to deſerve ſome part of his pains in my behalfe: no dangers at Land, no tempeſts at Sea, have deterred him from undertaking a long journey into Italy, thence to fetch neceſſaries for my recovery; but aſſure your ſelfe and here ſhe gave ſo great a groan, as brake off the intireneſſe of her diſcourſe, till after the taking of a Cordiall, ſhee began again.

Pardon good brother my unmannerlineſſe in my abrupt diſcourſe, p. 107ſickneſſe carrieth with it its owne diſpenſatory for ſuch incivilities, I have almoſt forgotten what I ſaid laſt, but ſhall never forget the laſting love of my husband unto me, nor have I any better way to expreſſe my affection in his abſence, then by uſing you with all the reſpect my preſent condition can afford: you are too noble to meaſure your welcome by your entertainment, and know full well ſervants will not be found, where the Miſtreſſe is ſick; if they faile of my deſire, their duty, or your deſerts, in their attendance on you, it is in your power either to pardon or puniſh them, to whoſe ſole diſpoſall I commit the family and command the keyes of all the p. 108roomes to be tendred unto you; and now indeed Sir, the more I look on you, the more I like you, the more I love you: your mother never wronged your father I dare boldly affirm, ſo like you are in ſtature and complexion unto my husband, that were it not for the difference of your hablt, I ſhould believe you to be the ſame.

Alas Siſter (ſaid he) I am two years older then your husband by age, ten years by infirmity: read the difference between a gown-man and a ſword-man, your husband ſat wrapt in his furrs in his ſtudy, I expoſed to wind and weather in the field, he hath heard the braules at the barre, I have born the brunts in the fight; how often lay I perdue p. 109in the three yeares ſiege of Oſtend? how many ounces of blood loſt I at the fight at Newport? On my faith I am not able to count them: no wonder then if my face be pinkt, where my Brothers is plain, and if mine be furrowed with age, where his lyeth ſmooth and whole: howſoever I confeſs there were formerly great reſemblances in our features, the ruins whereof are not ſo wholly defaced, but that ſome still remain.

Night came on, his entertainment was harty, his chamber fully furniſhed with nightly accommodations, and nothing out of order therein ſave himſelfe deſperately penſive at his returne, accurſes Vejeto with cauſeleſſe ſuſpicion, and condemnes his owne credulity, he railes in his thoughts at the colour of yellow, p. 110which never was admitted into the Rain-bow, as too earthly and baſe a dye, and verily believes, men create cauſleſſe fears to themſelves, undeſerved by their wives; nor can he ſleep being troubled with his own unworthineſſe, to wrong ſo chaſt, s;o ſpotleſſe ſo vertuous a wife, with his undeſerved ſuſpicion.

Next day Don Nicholayo, comes on a civill viſit to Sabina, brings with him a Spanish Colonell, who had long been an officer in the low-countrey wars, and ſometimes under-Governour of Dunkirk therein; he hearing of Don Strenuo's coming out of the country, deſires to converſe with him, requeſting him to give the character of the preſent state of the Infanta's Court at Bruxels: I deſire alſo ſaith the Collonell, to rub over and renew my old Dutch language, whereof I have made no uſe theſe laſt ſeven years, and am afraid I have partly forgotten it, and thereupon p. 111he enters upon a large Dutch diſcourſe, though Facundo was ſo farre from anſwering, that he underſtood not one word thereof.

Facundo anſwered in his own tongue. Don Olanzo (for that I understand is your name) you must excuſe me for making any return in the Dutch tongue, whereof I will give you this particular account: When firſt I entered into thoſe warrs, I made a ſolemn vow with my ſelfe never to learn or ſpeak a word of that language, for I conceive it a degrading of my tongue to bow to their low expreſſions, and I admire that any Spaniard will offer to diſhonour himself by condeſcending thereunto; Conquerors ought to impoſe a language p. 112on a countrey and not to receive it thence: the valiant Romans never learnt the Gaules tongue, or the punick language, this conſideration hardned me in my reſolution, that my tongue ſhould be dumb in Dutch, a tongue wherein there is ſuch confluence of conſonants, ſo long, ſo hard, and ſo harſh, that it ſeenreth to me rather made for conjuring then converſe, and fitter for Devills then men to diſcourſe therein.

Don Olanzo civilly declined more Dutch, and proceeded in his owne tongue to ſift Facundo, deſiring him to proceed in the preſent character of the country.

For Oſtend ſaith Facundo, p. 113the only matter of moment, the ſiege still continueth, we have built three halfe Moons, and a Redoubt, between the windmill and the Key, but the trench from Saint Dominicks to the counter gate is not yet perfected; the English out of the town exerciſeth us with daily ſallies, and behave themſelves very valiantly, the worſt can be ſaid of them they are our enemies: Meat beginneth to faile them much, and Munition, as we are credibly informed by the fugitives which daily repair to us out of the Town; the Count of Aremberg is daily expected with a recruit of two thouſand foot, the Pioneeres out of Luckland are daily expected, and then have at a new mine for p. 411the Caſtle, when all our forces are compleated, we ſhall put it to a deſperate aſſault.

Don Olanzo not contented with theſe general heads, wherewith a mā might furniſh himſelfe out of the weekly news-bookes, began to preſs him to the particular deſcription of ſome places in Brabent, and Flanders. Now though Facundo was well book-learned, ſo farre as Mapps could inſtruct him, yet was it impoſſible that they could inform him in all particulars of places and buildings: Facundo begins to faulter, the other proſecuted him with the cruelty of a prevailing coward, and at length breaking into ſome Choller and paſſion, caught hold of his beard, which having no better title to his face then glue could afford it, preſently fell off, and diſcovered him to be what he was.

p. 115Sabina all this while lay in her bed liſtening to their diſcourſe, which ſometimes ſhe diſturbs with her groans and ſighs, but now her husbands deceit being laid open, Facundo loaden with grief and guiltineſſe, falleth down on his knees, & craves pardon of his wife.

Strange it is to ſee how poor ſpirits deſcend beneath themſelves? but upon his ſubmiſſion and acknowledgment of his fault, a pardon is ſigned and ſealed unto him, upon condition he should reaſſume his journey, which next day with all poſſible ſpeed he undertook, and we leave him making what ſpeed he might to the place for which he was bound.

The next day Sabina falleth truly and really ſick, it is ill jeſting with edg-tooles, that which we play with in ſport, may wound us in earneſt: Don Nicholayo repaires unto her, with full intent to enjoy his pleasure, and p. 114that nothing but his owne moderation ſhould ſet bounds thereunto, when he meets with an unexpected repulſe, Sabina complaining of the intolerable torture, which diſpoſed her rather for a Coffin then amarous embraces.

I confeſse, ſaith Don Nicholayo, were I not privy unto this diſſembling, yea the prime procurer and contriver thereof, I should my ſelfe verily beleeve thee really ſick: O how farre your ſex tranſcend ours in diſſimulation? we do it ſo dully, ſo improperly, that we are lyable to diſcovery, you exceed your ſelves in what you pleaſe.

But Sir, returnes Sabina, miſtake me not (I cannot ſay by the p. 115faith of a loyall wife, having to my ſhame and grief, forfeited that title) but by whatever can be true and dear unto me, I vow and proteſt my ſelfe ſo ſick, that nature ſcarce affordeth me ability to expreſſe my owne ſickneſſe.

You will alwaies be a woman, ſaith Nicholayo, who generally over do or under-do what they undertake, hardly hitting on a mean, whoſe ſoules are either empty or over-flow; it is high time now to put off your vizard, and be what you are: And with that he offered a familiar violence unto her, as ſuppoſing ſhe expected ſome acceptable force, to bee ſeemingly preſſed to what ſhe deſired.

p. 119Content your ſelfe ſaid Sabina, or my ſhreeches ſhall given an Alarum to the Family: Know Sir, I never loved you ſo much, as now I loath your looks, and deteſt the ſight of you, too much to my ſhame and grief hath formerly paſsed between us, but now I am reſolved not to proceed in that vitious courſe, but aſmuch as penitency can make a harlot honeſt, to unſtaine my ſoul from my former offences; my time is ſhort, depart the room, and prevent my ſending you away.

Don Nicholayo ſtandeth amazed, who could expect that the wind could blow at ſuch a point of the compaſſe? a cold wind indeed to nip the heat of his luſt; yet he ſeeth p. 118no remedie but to comply with the preſent occaſion, & goes home with a ſoule divided between griefe, anger and wonder, though the latter may ſeeme to claime the greateſt ſhare in him at ſo ſtrange and unexpected an accident. Sabina preſently diſpatcheth a Servant to overtake her husband, requeſting him by all Loves to returne with all poſſible ſpeede, for ſhe had ſome important ſecrets to unboſome to him, nor could quietly depart this world before the imparting thereof unto him.

Facundo feares ſome fraud in the matter, refuſeth to returne: Indeed the ſervant accoſted him with his Meſſage in that very minut wherein he was taking Ship; the wind ſerving faire, and moſt of his goods ſhipt already. At laſt the ſervant gave ſuch aſſurance of his Miſtreſſes ſickneſſe, and ſo impotunately preſſed him with thoſe arguments p. 118borrowed from her, that Facundo returnes that night home; the roome is voided, when Sabina begins with tears in her eyes, moiſtening her words as ſhe uttered them.

What tearm ſhall I call you by? husband I am aſhamed to ſtile you, the mention whereof woundeth my own heart with the memory of my unworthineſſe; friend is too familiar a title; Lord and Maſter too terrible to me, a falſe deceitfull ſervant; ſtile your ſelfe Sir what you pleaſe, I am your wretched vaſſal, and want words to expreſſe the foulneſse of my offence againſt you: I am aſhamed to ſpeak what I bluſhed not to do, who have lived in a courſe of inconſtancy for many years with Don p. 121Nicholayo: and with my diſſembling have put you to much trouble and paines Pardon is too great for me to ask, but not for you to give. I confeſſe they that once have bankrupt their owne credit, can give no ſecurity for the future, that they will be reſponſible to ſuch as truſt them; however Sir know, I place more hope of ſpeeding in in my requeſt, in your goodneſſe then the Equity of my Petition. If life be lent me, which in my owne apprehenſion (and every one is beſt ſenſible of their own condition) is utterly unlikely, I ſhall utterly deſerve ſome part of your kindneſſe; Sir, can you not ſee through the chinkes of my broken body, my very heart inditing my p. 122words aſſure your ſelf— and there ſhe fainted. Servants were called in, and much adoe with Aqua vitae they courted and wooed her ſoul not to depart her body, which was ſo ſullen that it would hardly be perſwaded to ſtay, though at laſt prevailed upon

Although the Paſſages betweene Facundo and Sabina, were tranſacted with all poſſible ſecrecy; yet could they not be ſo privately carried, but that ſome in the houſe overhearing it, it crept through the Family, and went thorough the City of Barcellona, and at laſt through the whole Province of Catalonia. And now Vejeto is found a true friend, and begins to flouriſh, being formerly ſo depreſt by the greatneſſe of Nicholayo, that he took no comfort in himſelf, p. 123and had abandoned his City houſe, and retired into the Country; but now he returnes to B…rcellona again, falls a building and repairing his houſe, to outface his neighbour Nicholayo, making the ſame both larger beneath with Vaults, and higher above with Magnificent ſuperſtructures.

Don Nicholayo inraged in his mind with the diſcovery which Sabina had made, and ſeeing himſelfe ſlighted in his reputation: and fearing leſt the King of Spain (the Court having gotten intelligence thereof) ſhould diſſeize him of his Governors place of Barcellona, which his Anceſtors had for three deſcents poſſeſſed, almoſt to make the honour hereditary) reſolves on a deſigne, which preſent paſſion prompted unto him, and thus he effected it. Facundo was late at night, drawing up ſome conveyances for Land (which the City exchanged with p. 124the Crown in the Town houſe) and the imployment was certain to ingroſſe him untill the next morning, which was the laſt day of the terme, aſſigned for the compleating thereof; All Sabinas ſervants were by her Nurſe (that Pandoras to her former wantonneſſe, and ſtill an active inſtrument for Don Nicholayo) ſent upon ſeverall errands to places of ſome diſtance, and ſhe alone left to attend her Miſtreſs. In ſprings Nicholayo with two robuſtuous ſervants, and with violence carries away Sabina muffled in carpets (threatning her with preſent death, at the leaſt reſiſtance or noiſe) to the houſe of Nicholayo: yet had he now no deſign of luſt upon her, whoſe revenge had baniſhed his wantonneſs; And bringing her into his Hall about midnight, a ſtone there is taken up and ſhe tumbled down into a Vault which I know not whether to call a Dungeon or a Charnell-house (many p. 125innocents having formerly been diſpatched in the ſame place) Nicholayo conceiving that either ſhe would be killed with the fall, or elſe ſtarved to death in the place.

Now there was in Barcellona an Abbot of a Church, Jago Domingo preferred to that place by Nicholayo; rather by the others favour then his deſerts; for guilt had made Patron and Chaplain mutually great together; they being both often complicated in the ſame act of baſeneſſe, wherein they ſerved each the turn of the other; they were nailed together with neceſſary ſecreſie: ſo that what friendſhip did act in others, fear acted in them, to contribute their reciprocall aſſiſtance in all deſignes, ſeeing the lender to day was the borrower to morrow; Theſe two plot together, and lay the ſcene of the enſuing project. At Matten-ſervice when their Covent was ſinging together in the Abbots p. 126Church, ſuddenly their harmony was diſturbed by an obſtreperous voice which ſeemed to proceed from a wall above the Quire: the voice ſpake horror and griefe, and pain, ſhreeking out ſhrill, and then the noise of ratling of chaines and the chinking of Irons were alternately heard. Which indeed was nothing elſe but an inſtructed Novice placed there by the Abbot in a concealed concavity to play his part, according to his received directions. The Fryers for fear ſhorten their ſervice and betake themſelves to their Cells in amazement, as utterly ignorant of the fraud; The Abbot his Novice and Don Nicholayo being onelyonly privy thereunto.

Next day, the Fryers meeting at Mattens, the ſame noiſe was heard again, but lowder then before, with a claſhing and gnaſhing, ſpeaking a mixture of pain and indignation; the Fryers hardly held out their ſervice, p. 127wherein wonder ſo ſpoil'd their devotion, that as at other times the lay People knew not what they ſaid; ſo now for fear they ſcarce, underſtood themſelves.

The next day was a publique Feſtivall, wherein all the Gentry of Barcellona met there (ſave Facundo who went not out of his houſe, being tranſported with griefe, and amazement; what ſhould be become of his inviſible wife,) the ſpirit proceeding as formerly in ſhriekes; an Exorciſt was provided, who by the vertue of holy water and other trinkets took upon him to catechiſe and examine the ſpirit what he was, conjuring it by the power of his ſpells to anſwer the truth, and all the truth at its own perill, if concealing any part thereof.

I am ſorry (ſaid the voice in the wall) the ſoule of Sabina, p. 128justly tormented in Purgatory, as for my many faults, ſo chiefly for raiſing a damnable and notorious lye on Don Nicholayo, as if he had converſed diſhoneſtly with me. I had been burried to a worſe place, as having nothing to plead in my mine own behalfe; but that I alledged that this ſcandall was never raiſed by my own invention, but put into my mouth by Vejetto, and he the Parent, ſhee onelyonly the Nurſe thereof. And here I am condemned to intollerable torment without al poſſibility of releaſe, untill firſt ſome ſignall puniſhment be laid on Vejetto; it being the method of this Court, that the acceſſary cannot be releaſed, until the principall firſt be puniſhed. I am alſo p. 129enjoined to make publique confeſſion of my fault, and to requeſt Don Nicholayo freely to forgive me, without which my enlargement cannot be procured. And therefore I humbly request this Covent for ſanctity moſt highly prized, to join with me in my Petition; that that honorable and worthy Lord would be pleaſed freely to remit my fault herein; I am also to deſire you to intreat my husband Facundo that he would be pleaſed to confer on this Covent his Vineyard, lying on the Eaſt ſide of the City between the gate and the River Riodulce, that ſo by the dayly interceſſion of their ſuffrages, I may be freed from my torture.

p. 130The Exorcist preſt this ſhee Spirit to more particulars, as to know whether her husband Facundo did not concurre with Vejetto to advance the defamation.

The Spirit anſwered, that never woman was happier in a better husband, and that ſhe would not adde to her fault and paines to belie him, he was utterly ignorant thereof, and had ever retained a true opinion of her faithfulneſſe, had not Vejettoes malice rooted it out, with conſtant and cauſeleſs ſuggeſtions.

The Exorciſt proceeded to demand what was become of her body, ſeeing the report had filled the City that it was no where to be found, and a ſuſpition was raiſed, that her husband or her ſervants were guilty of conveying it away, after they had offer'd ſome violence to her perſon.

p. 131Let me not (ſaid ſhe) wilfully heap puniſhments on my ſelf, I must acquit my husband as altogether innocent, nor can I charge my ſervants (all whoſe prayers I humbly deſire for the aſſoiling of my ſoul) for the leaſt wrong offered unto me, the truth is, an evill ſpirit violently tooke me away, both ſoul and body, thou my puniſhment might be exemplary and unuſuall, as my fault was above the proportion of common offenders.

The Exorciſt demanded of her, whether any other beſides Vejetto had with him joined in that bad adviſe?

To which ſhe returned that the p. 132time allotted for her impriſoned liberty was now expired, being aſſigned but three hours for the begging of the votes of three ſeverall daies of mankind to help her in her extremity; that now ſhe muſt return as Priſoner, carrying fetters about her to the place of her reſtraint; never more to appear or be heard more in this world▪ and with that giving a hideous ſcreek, and ratling her fetters, ſhe took a ſad farewell of the place, leaving all that heard it to admiration.

It is ſtrange to conceive how the female ſex of Barcellona were affected hereat; all conclude that Facundo was bound in honour and conſcience, to ſatisfie her requeſt. And p. 133ſome of her kindred brought Abbot Jago Domingo unto his houſe, to move him in conformity to his wives deſire, to ſettle the Vineyard on their Covent as a reward of their meritorious prayers for his wives enlargement.

Long had the Abbot caſt a covetous eye upon this Vineyard as a little Paradice; for the pleaſure and ſcituation thereof; it might for the diſtance from Barcellona be termed the City in the Country, or the Country in the City. It lay on the ſide of a Hill which new it own diſtance to aſcend above the levell, yet was not overproud to aſpire to a barren heighth. It beheld the riſing Sun which is apprehended the moſt cordiall, when the Virgin beams thereof, uninfected with the vapours of the Earth, firſt enters on our hemiſpheare. A wood was in the middle thereof, whereon Facundo had beſtowed much coſt, making may p. 134Labyrinths and artificiall mazes: An Aviary alſo hee made therein ſtocking it with Birds from all Countries, So that ſome thought (abating onelyonly the Phoenix) that the whole kind of Birds, if decayed, might have been recruited hence. A Rivolet, called Riodulca, ſlided through the midſt thereof, and ſeemed to pleaſed with the ſame, that loath to depart from ſo delicious a place, it purpoſely lengthned its own journey, by fetching …any needleſſe …, bendings, and windings therein, as if it intended to ſhow that water could be more wanton then the wood under which it was puſſed; A banqueting houſe alſo was made in the middle thereof, with a Fountain and Statues of Marble; where ſtones were taught to ſpeak by water works brought by a device into them.

True it is, many queſtioned the diſcretion of Fac…ndo in expending ſo much coſt on that which ſeverer p. 135folke accounted but a chargeable toy, paying many pieces of eight for every pint of wine that grew therein; others excuſed him, that being childleſſe, and having a plentifull eſtate, this was not onelyonly harmleſſe, but a uſefull evacuation of his wealth; many poor people being uſed in the making, as alſo in the keeping of this Vineyard. But that which moſt pleaded for his expenſiveneſſe herein and juſtly indeered him to the place, and the place to him, was, that it had been in the name of the Oſorio's three hundred years and upwards; and he had an Evidence in his houſe not exceeding a ſpan of Parchment in length, and three inches in breadth (ſo conciſe was Antiquity in conveying of lands) wherein John King of Castile beſtowed this Land on Andrea Oſorio for defending the high Tower in Barcellona once againſt the French, and twice againſt the Moores. Pardon p. 136Facundo therefore if hee loved this place, or was found thereon, ſeeing doting on it, (the premiſes conſidered) was excuſable; deſiring to traſmit this Land to his Brothers Son whom he intended his heir.

Oh what a brave ſweet place would this make for Abot Jago, his Covent did ever micebite bad cheeſe, or were ever Fryers ſuch fools as to affect baſe or barren ground: they will be aſſured of profit or pleaſure, or both, whereſoever they fix themſelves. The Abbot is earneſtly ſet on this place, and will either be poſſeſſed thereof, or els the ſoul of Facundo's wife ſhould be left tormented in the place where it was.

Her Kindred aſſault Facundo with much importunity to eſtate this Land on the Covent, which he utterly refuſed to do; not denying to disburſe a competent ſum of money: but pardon him if he will not part with his inheritance; But this or nothing p. 137elſe will pleaſe Iago, ſo that they parted in ſome diſcontent; yet Sabinaes friends deſpair not, but in proceſſe of time to mould him to the Abbots deſire.

Meane time it would make any honeſt heart to grieve, though nothing related unto him, either in Kindred or Country, to ſee the harſh uſage of Vejeto how hee was hurried to the Jaile in moſt ignominious manner: ſcarce any in the City ſo young or ſo old, but would adventure to behold ſo vitious, ſo wicked a ſlanderer (for ſo he was believed to be) brought to puniſhment, though his impriſonment was conceived but a preface and preamble to a greater penalty (if eſcaping with death) which would be impoſed upon him; Vejeto made all the beholders to wonder, who did read in his face ſo much ſpirit and livelineſſe, as if he triumphed in his ſufferings, and rather pittied others then p. 138himſelf in this his condition, yea, his eyes and cheeks had as well mocks as ſmiles in them; which made the beholders to conceive, that beſides his own innocence he had ſome further ſecurity, not onelyonly to acquit himſelf, but that his Enemies ſhould come off with ſhame & diſgrace wch made the Jaylor to demean himſelf unto him with the better reſpect.

Within three daies the Viſitor Generall of the Order was to come to the Covent, and there in all pomp and ſolemnity to hear the whole Narration of the matter.

Now let us look a little backward, to acquaint you with the true cauſe of Vejeto his mirth in theſe troubles, who indeed had ſufficient ground therof. We formerly told how Vejeto after his return out of the Country, began to beautifie and enlarge his his houſe; In ſinking a Cellar, he ſtood by the workmen, partly to encourage them with his preſence, p. 139partly to behold the effects of their diſcovery, the place being concavous, the ruines of ſome great ſtructure, formerly levell with the ground, though now ſunk ſome yards beneath the ſame. But the generall report was that it had been a Caſtle in the time of Julius Caeſar, when Barcellona was a Roman Colonie, and priviledged with municipall immunities. Vejeto had a great fancy in Roman Coines, and would give any thing to ſuch as could produce him any variety herein; yet his fancy was not above his judgement, but hee was very criticall therein, and had an exact and true eye to diſcover between true and counterfeits, Caſts, and Originalls; But oh for a Galba, whoſe ſhort raigne made his Coines the greateſt rarity; and Vejeto had a ſet of Coines with a continuall ſucceſſion of all the Roman Emperors, Galba onelyonly excepted. The workmen find two or thre Coines of Antoninus, p. 140the forerunners as Vejeto hoped and expected of more to enſue; but theſe poor ſoules beheld them as Aeſops Cock did the pearl, not knowing how to valew them; when Vejeto conceiving theſe the Vancurriers of an Army, and the earneſt of a greater payment; though truly not ſo much out of covetouſneſſe as curioſity, diſmiſſed them that night, the night indeed diſmiſſing them (it being late enough to leave work) and enjoining them to return next morning.

All his ſervants being aſleep, he alone with his eldeſt Son Speano, turn Pioneers to dig ſomewhat deep, and to ſift the rubbiſh therein. It happens that pierced a hollow place (& hollewneſſe being a great friend to the conveying of a ſound) they hear a ſtrang noiſe, too big for a Child, too ſmall for a man; this noiſe was ſeconded with ſome light, but ſo doubtfull and glimmering, that it p. 141conquered darkneſſe but one degree, Vejeto with his ſon enter the Vault, (what ſhould innocence be afraid of? The Father was aſhamed to betray fear in the preſence of his Son, as having more experience, the Sonne ſcorned to bewray fear in the preſence of his Father, having his youthfull blood and ſpirit to ſupport him; together they both ſo order the matter, that they went into the Vault, putting out their candle which led them, and reſolved in darkneſſe and ſilence to expect the Event of the matter.

Down ſomthing tumbled, and preſently all light vaniſhed, and they for a time, ſet ſtill to concoct with themſelves, the rawneſſe of ſo ſtrange an accident.

Presently they hear a groan, ſuch as ſpeak the Soul, neither friend nor foe to the Body, but ſuch a diſtance between both, as if willing to depart. Vejeto enjoines his Son as p. 142younger and abler to adventure to bring forth whatever it was, and up it is carried (not knowing as yet how to ſtile it, Him, or Her.) On the lighting of a Candle this bulk appears a woman, but much maimed, her right arme and left legge being broken.

What difference is there between the ſame Body in health, and in ſickneſſe, between the ſame cloathed and naked, when ornaments of Art are uſed unto it, or when it is left to the dreſſing of nature? Vejeto knowes no more hereof then Woman, and never remembers that hee had ſeen the face before; yet they omit not what art could do, to reſtore her to life, which ſucceeded according to their deſire, ſhe is conveyed to a Bed, and no accommodations are wanting which might tend to the ſpeeding of her recovery. At laſt he knoweth her for Sabina, before ſhee knew her ſelfe; wonder not at her p. 143Ignorance, who had paſs'd through ſo many worlds, it being a greater wonder that ſhe was alive, then that ſhe did not know where ſhe was or what was become of her ſelfe, no Phyſick nor ſurgery is wanting to reſtore her to her former health.

True it is, Vejeto would not make uſe of any out of his own dores, for the better concealing of the matter, but his own wife Oliva, being excellent above her ſex at ſuch perforformances, indeed ſhee had never read Hippocrates, or Galen, in Greek; yet was ſhe one who by kitchen Phyſick did many and cheap cures to poor people, taking onelyonly their thanks, (and that onelyonly if they were willingly pleaſed to give it for the reward) from Phyſick ſhee proceeded to ſurgery, & was no leſſe ſucceſſeful therein, this made many to hate her, who were of that profeſſion; whilſt ſhe cared the leſſe for their hatred, as over-ballanced with the love and p. 144reſpect with others, but the poor eſpecially did bear unto her.

Sabina is privately concealed here for ſome daies, whilſt Vejeto as we have formerly mentioned was carried to Priſon, where Oliva daily visited him, and it was the generall expectation of the people, that forfeiture of his eſtate was all the mercy juſtice could afford him.

And now Abbot Iago is buſie in preparing entertainment for Padre Antonio, Bishop of Lerma, and Viſitor Generall of his order, but eſpecially of this Covent, in Barcellona, which three hundred years since was founded by a Bishop of Lerma, leaving to his Succeſſors the hereditary power of inſpection over the ſame; to adde, alter, tranſlate Orders and perſons therein, as adviſed by their own diſcretion. Padre Antonio was generally hated by the Friers for his ſeverity and auſterity of life, being over rigorous in the obſervation p. 145of the conformity thereof, hee would not abate them any point, but confined them to the height of obſervances: onelyonly this preſerved his reputation with Religious men, that he uſed others no worſe then himſelf, practizing in his own perſon what he preſcribed in others, leaving an example of abſtinence to all the Country.

No wonder if the Trewants ſhake when the Schoolmaſter cometh among them; Abbot Iago is jealous that ſome flaw will be found in him, to out him of his place, being conſcious to himſelf of many Enormities: for though he walked by that rule, if not chaſtly, yet cautiouſly, he managed his matters with all poſſible privacie; yet hee ſuſpected that Gold ſmiths would not receive that falſe Coine wherewith common people are deluded, and the ſharpe judgement of Antonio quickly diſcover that which was inviſible to common eyes; p. 146wherefore to mollifie him in his viſitation, by two Fryers he ſent him a preſent of rich plate to the value of five hundred Cruſadoes. Antonio refuſeth the acceptance, charging the Friers to return it, adding withall that it Iago had obſerved the vow of poverty, according to his order, hee could not have atchieved ſo great an eſtate.

Three daies after the Viſitor comes to Barc…llona on foot, unattended ſave with one ſervant alone; forth rode the Abbot to meet him on his Mule, and moſt of their Covent in like maner together with the Officers of their houſe, and all Dependents of the ſame, to the number of ſixty perſons; Theſe expected to have met the Viſitor in ſo ſolemn an Equipage, as had been obſerved by his Predeceſſors, and finding their expectation confuſed, Iago was much diſcompoſed thereat, and ſo diſturbed in his mind, that he forgot that p. 147premeditated Oration which he had artificially pen'd for the Viſitors entertainment.

Here Iago profered the Viſitor the conveniencie of his Mule, which he refuſed, adding with a ſterne countenance, that ſo much pomp and ſtate became not men of his profeſſion; conducted hee was into the Covent, where ſuch a ſupper was provided for him, as had made proviſions dear in the Town; The Viſitor commanded the poor people to be called thither, on whom he beſtowed all the cheer, betaking himſelf to ſome mean Viands which hee brought with him, and thereon took a ſparing refection.

Next day the Court was kept, and ſeverall miſdemeanors were preſented unto him. Don Nicholayo complained to the Viſitor of the high offence of Vejeto. For although the power of the Viſitor extended only to the Covent, yet lately he was impoured p. 148with a Commiſſion from the Conclave, to take into conſideration all buſineſſe in the City, which any way related to the late wonder of the ſpirit in the wall, and to proceed againſt all perſons concerned therein, as he ſhould ſee cauſe for the ſame.

Vejeto is ſent for out of priſon, and his fault iuflamed to the height by the Rhetorick of a young Advocate, retained by Don Nicholayo, to ſet forth the hainouſneſſe of the offence; being demanded what hee could ſay for himſelf, he requeſted that one witneſſe might be produced, and her teſtimony ſolemnly taken, which ſeemed ſo equall a motion, that it could not any waies be denyed.

Preſently he bringeth forth Sabina by the hand (who ſtood by but diſguiſed and concealed) tendring her there to the Viſitor, to make a Narration of the whole ſtory.

p. 149The Viſitor is for a while ſo taken up with wonder, that his ſoul was at leiſure to do nothing elſe but admire, to ſee one reported dead and carried away ſoul and body, alive and in good health; Facundo ſtanding by, requeſted the Visitor to favour him, if hee tranſgreſſed the gravity of that Court, by beſtowing a ſalutation on his dear wife; being confident that the ſtrangeneſs of the accident would ſufficiently plead for his preſumption therein. Next day the Visitor proceeds to cenſure. First Abbot Iago was expell'd his Covent, and condemned to perpetuall impriſonment: it is thought it had coſt him his life, had not ſome reverence and reſpect to his order mitigated the cenſure. The Novice in the wall as yet was but a probationer, & not entred in the orders; was condemned to be publiquely whipt in the market place of Barcellona, being all the blood that was ſhed in this Comicall p. 150ſtory. The Exorciſt pleaded his own innocence, as not privy to the cheat, and that he onelyonly proceeded according to the rules of his owne Art, whoſe plea was accepted. Don Nicholayo, becauſe a perſon of great honor, highly deſcended and allied, was remitted by the Viſitor to the Kings diſpoſall, and ſent Priſoner to Madrid, where he was ordered to loſe his Office, and fined ten thouſand Cruſa…oes to the King, and five thouſand Cruſadoes to Facundo; Vej…to was deputed to ſucceed Nicholayo in the Governors place of Ba…cellona; Facundo ſomething to compenſate her patience, was promoted to be Advocate Generall of Catalonia. The Nurſe of Sabina privy to the plot pleaded the age of ſeventy, and under the protection thereof, at Sabina's humble in treaty was pardoned; Infido a cheating ſervant of Vejeto, who had oftentimes betrayed his Maſter ſecrets, wsa branded in the face p. 151with F. S. falſe ſervant. Facundo and Sabina lived many years together in Love and Credit, and whereas formerly ſhe was iſſueleſſe, made her husband afterward happy with a numerous poſterity.

FINIS.

I S

End of the text · Thomas Fuller, A Threefold Romance (1655)