The perplexed PRINCE.  
LONDON: ●rinted for R. Allen 1682.   

TO THE Right Honourable WILLIAM Lord Russel.  
MAy it Please your Lordship, the present times being Pestered with nothing but Invective Pamphlets and Scurilous Libels, most of which are cunningly designed either to invalidate the Truth of a real Plot, or to insinuate and prove a fict●tious one, and the Bookselle● Shelves, especially their cou●ters, being filled with no● thing else but Intelligencies ● Addresses, Absolom and Achit●phels, Medals, Prologues, Ep●logues, with innumerabl● more of the like Tendency ● it's not easy for a Perplex● Prince to get room in thei● Shops, or find leisure i● their Customers to perus● unpleasing Stories. The perplexed Prince! say some; Away with him, and tell us of the Victorious Prince, who having surmounted all Difficulties, Tramples upon all that oppose him ● and like the Rising Sun, marche● in splendour and Triumph towards the Meridian of his Glory. The perplexed Prince, says others, how can that be? since he was endued by Heaven with a Power to remove all Persons that occasioned any displeasing or Perplexing Thoughts, and altho he might in the Exercise of this Power have been guilty of some kind of Injustice, yet the Dignity of his Office would have washed away the slain, for Kings can do no wrong.  
My Lord, this and its being so usual to dedicate Books of this Nature to Persons of your Illustrious Character, that we seldom find any venture into the World without it, since Books have their Fates attend them, as well as city and Kingdoms, is the only Motive which hath emboldened me to make this attempt upon your Lordships goodness. Its probable you may think it strange that a Person with whom you are altogether unacquainted, and never saw in your life, should presume to obtrude a Dedication upon you; to which I shall only say, that although it be somewhat unusual, yet it is not altogether impracticable, I having seen others tread the same Path before me, whereby I was the more encouraged to adventure after them.  
And so hoping this novel will afford your Lordship some agreeable Diversion when your vacant hours from more weighty Affairs shall permit your perusal thereof, I account myself happy in having this occasion to subscribe myself,  
My Lord, Your Lordships, Most Humble and Devoted Servant, T. S.   

To the Reader.  
THe Mind of Man doth as naturally desire Knowledge as the Appetite requires meat, the one being the Food of the Soul as the other is of the Body: And the Appetites of both being agreeable to the Principles from whence they proceed, their tendency to their several Objects are as eager as the Faculties which produces them are Active. Now in the acquiring of Knowledge nothing can be more helpful than Reading, and among other sorts of Books wherein 〈◇〉 the diligent Reader greedily searches and inquires after knowledge, Novels, Romances, and allegorical Writings are not the least useful, some of which are Ancient Histories, by the diligence of Authors put into more quaint and fluent Expressions to please the curious palates of those who are infinitely delighted with variety and Change. Some are dexterously designed to set forth and demonstrate the Strength and Vigour of the Passions, especially these four, viz. Love, Hatred, Jealousy and Revenge. Others are curiously designed to point out the nature of virtue and 'vice with the Benefits of the one and the Mischiefs of the other. The design of others are to acquaint us with the Variety of Changes that attend the Life of man between the womb and the Coffin, the Cradle and the Grave, and the different Conditions wherein one and the self same man may be at different times and Seasons of his Life. The subtle Artifices, Machiavillian, wil●ss, and mysterious intrigues, which proud Ambitious and Designing men make use of, to deceive undermine and ruin all those who stand in their way, upon whose ruins they are resolved to erect the Trophys of their ill gotten Victories. Together with the Vanity of all Transitory enjoyments, since to be Royally born and descended, and Issuing from the loins of Kings, nor yet the having been the Darlings of Mars, and the Champions of their country, and being blessed with a Series of Success in every bold Undertaking, and heroiack Attempt, making the North and South with equal consent loudly proclaim the greatness of their conduct and Vallor, has been able to continue them in the love and favour of those for whom they have adventured their lives, nor sometimes in the good opinion of their nearest Relations; nor yet to defend them from the dire Effects of the malicious whispering and mischevious insinuations of their deadly and implacable Enemies.  
Such kind of writings are Genuine and Familiar to Persons of every Age and Quality, Sex, Condion and Employment, and being so agreeable to the Inclination and Suitable to the humours of most men, they indifferently afford Pleasure to the Young and Content to the Aged, and liberally furnishes them both with experience at other mens cost, the Stories contained in many of them are so delightful in the perusing, and Profitable in the Retaining, that they refresh the Weary, ease Troubled and Discomposed Minds, and Comfort and exhilarate disconsolate and Melancholy Persons; They Solace the Tedious Hours, and beguile the slow Minutes of Pensive and tiresome watchings, and Charm anxious and disquieting Thoughts into a Sweet and Sedate Repose.   

THE Perplexed Prince.  
IN Otenia there lately reigned a mighty Prince, who for many years swayed the sceptre so exactly, and dispensed Justice so impartially, that he seemed not to have one Enemy in all his Dominions; but all men sate easy under his Government, and with a sweet complaisance yielded a ready compliance to all his Commands, accounting it as well their Happiness as their Duty to obey their sovereign. The King also was so vigilant in maintaining his Subjects Properties, that he seemed to neglect his own Prerogative. In a word, there was a perfect resemblance of King Solomon's Reign, wherein Peace and Plenty made the Land full of Joy; Silver was as plentiful as dust, and Gold as stones in the street; Trading flourished at home, and merchandise abroad; Poverty and Want, Grief and Sorrow, and all other displeasing things, seemed to be banished out of all his Dominions: so that you would have thought it impossible for the most malignant Spirits ever to beget any Misunderstanding between this Prince and People.  
Yet Fortune, who is always sickle and treacherous, became so averse to this happy King and flourishing Kingdom, that on a sudden all things were changed, and so strangely altered, that those who had been absent two or three years could hardly persuade themselves that it was the same Country they so lately left possessed of so much Felicity: Instead of Peace, they found War; instead of Plenty, Want; instead of Riches, Poverty; all places filled with Souldiers, and nothing to be heard but the beating of Drums and the sounding of Trumpets; instead of the sweet Charms of Venus, the loud thunderings of Mars. The truth is, so surprising was this Revolution, that it can be paralleled to nothing but the Overthrow of Sodom. And as the beginning of it was strange, so was the effect of it dreadful: for this King was vanquished and deposed by his Subjects, his Queen and Children banished, and a Tyrant usurped the Kingly-power.  
The Prince of West-tenia, eldest Son to this King, fled first into Denesia, then into Bogland, where he was first saluted King by the Calvenians, a People that inhabited the large Province of Cross-land, being the North-part of Otenia; by whom he was invited to come to them, and take possession of that part of his Kingdom, promising to be faithful and obedient Subjects, and to assist him in the recovering the rest of his Kingdom, and the placing him upon the Throne of his Ancestors. You may well suppose an Invitation of this nature, to a Prince under his circumstances, was very acceptable, and therefore readily embraced: And according to their Invitation, the first fair Wind, he wafted himself over into Cross-land. In his passage he hardly escaped being taken by the Otenians, who lay with some Ships to catch him: But being safely arrived in Cross-land, he was met and welcomed by the chief Nobility and Officers of the Province; by whom he was with much respect and honour conducted to Burdus, where he was received and welcomed by the whole Body of the Nobility and Gentry, and a numerous company of the Commonalty, and with great acclamations of Joy declared their lawful King and governor. Great preparations were made for his Coronation, which was in a little time performed in a splendid and pompous manner; and with great expedition an Army was raised to defend this, and to recover the rest of his Kingdom; over which Army the King himself is made Generalissimo.  
But the Otenians having intelligence of all that passed in Cross-land, sent a well composed Army under the command of Vall insia their General to invade them; and Vallinsia prosecuted the War with so much vigour and success, that in several Conflicts he routed the Royal Army, and reduced a great part of the Country to the obedience of the Otenians.  
The King considering that the valour of the Cross-landers was never so great at home as it was abroad, and finding withal that he had a fair opportunity to invade Otenia, he presently commanded his Army to advance towards it: and with great expedition he marched into Otenia, hoping to recover that Province, and reduce it to his obedience; which he thought more easy to do than he found it: and that which made him to apprehended it so easy, was, first, His having left Vallinsia behind him. Secondly, His surprising them at a time when they were not prepared to receive him. Thirdly, He expected that the Otenians were by this time grown weary of their new Masters, and therefore would upon his arrival revolt from them to their lawful King. But Vallinsia being informed of the Kings advance into Otenia, with all imaginable speed follows him in the rear, and thereby prevented the Revolt of the Otenians; which was the Kings greatest hope.  
However, the King marched with his army through the heart of the country, and as he marched summoned several garrisons; but none of them yielding, he marched forward till he came to the city of Carranthe, where he made a halt, and marched his army into the city; and relying upon the Justice of his Cause, and the Valour of his Souldiers, he resolved to try a pitched Battle with Vallinsia; who followed him very close at the heels, and begird Carranthe with his victorious army almost as soon as the King got into it. Accordingly the King draws out his army into the Field in gallant order; Vallinsia also draws up his army in Battalia; and both sides charged each other with incredible fierceness; and Victory for a considerable time was very doubtful; sometimes inclining to one side, and sometimes to the other; till towards night, the King, accustomend to Misfortunes, was utterly overthrown, his army lost, the Royal Standard taken by his Enemies, and himself hardly escaped.  
And being by this Overthrow utterly incapacitated to attempt the recovery of his Right by force of Arms, he retired himself and some few of his Attendants into Denesia, where he was kindly received, and splendidly entertained.  
And now we must turn our discourse from Mars to Venus, from the Stratagems of War, to the Intrigues of Love: for while this Prince continued in this Court, he was frequently entertained with Balls and such-like Recreations; at one of which there was a young Cross-land Lady that waited upon the Queen of Denesia as one of her Maids of Honour, danced with such an incomparable grace, that the whole Court became her Admirers; but more especially our young King, who became instantly so in love with her, that he could not withdraw his Eyes from beholding her, but could have wished that the Ball might have lasted much longer; and was exceedingly grieved when it was done, and he could feast his Eyes no longer upon so delightful an Object: but while it lasted he lost not one minute, nor suffered any other Object to divert him, but endeavoured to make the glances of his Eyes the Messengers of his mind, and convey the intimations of his love into the bosom of this fair one, whose surprising beauty, and incomparable C●●●●age, had made as complete a conquest of his Heart, as others had done of his Arms. The success was according to his wish: for the Lady whensoever she turned that way, observed the King was still looking towards her, and withal darted such amorous Glances from his sparkling Eyes, that plainly demonstrated Cupid had made such a Wound in his Royal heart that would prove incurable, unless she became his Physician; which made her resolve to take a more exact view of him; and finding him to be a handsome person, well made, very gentle, and of a Princely port and carriage, she found her self instantly surprised and taken Prisoner by those Messengers he sent for that purpose from his flaming Eyes, which sparkled like Diamonds in a dark night.  
And now they became equally concerned; he, to contrive how to meet with this fai●●●ne, to make a declaration of his love; and she, to contrive how to give him an opportunity of so doing. When the Ball was done, he could not excuse himself from going out with those Nobles that attended him; yet as soon as possible, he disengaged himself from them, and returned in great hast to the house where the Ball was, hoping to meet with her as she came out at the door; but when he came there, he found that all the Gentry were gone: which struck him with a surprise not unlike that of the man who dreamed he was at a Royal Banquet whereat were all manner of Varieites; but just as he was going to fall on, he awaked, and found himself very hungry, but none of those Delicates to satisfy his craving appetite. He sometimes fancied that she had not observed him, and sometimes he fancied she had observed him, but disdainfully slighted & scorned him: but presently a more pleasant surmise cashiered all those, and he fancied she still remained within, expecting his return; whereupon he re-entered the house, pretending to look for something he pretended he had lost; but when he found himself mistaken, and that she was not there, he was almost struck dead with grief. But not knowing whither to go to inform himself about the name or quality of this Lady, he returned very much discontented and mell ancholy to his Lodging; and at Supper, although he endeavoured to hid the disorder of his mind, by carrying himself with the same pleasantness that he was wont to do, yet it was perceived by some, who much admired what might be the occasion of it, since they had always found this Prince of such a sedate and even temper, that had with an heroic fortitude born the greatest Misfortunes.  
The King slept not one wink that night, but spent it wholly in thinking upon his unknown Lady: Sometimes he would revolve in his mind with much delight her incomparable beauty, the sweetness of her Complexion, the agreeableness of her Features, the piercing quickness of her Eyes, and how her Smiles embellished all beyond expressions Sometimes he would contemplate his own Happiness, if he should obtain this fair Creature: And sometimes he would think with grief on his unhappy losing so fair an opportunity to declare his Love, and inform himself where to find the Object of it. Sometimes he would think with incredible perplexity, that it might be a long time before he found her out; nay, that it was probable he might never be so happy as to see her again. In what perplexity he spent that night, I leave those to judge who have themselves had some experience in affairs of that kind.  
Neither was the lady more happy than he: for having as soon as possible taken leave of her Companions, she stayed at the door on purpose that he might find her there; but when she had stayed till all the people were gone out, and none of her supposed Lover to appear, she departed over-whelmed with grief and melancholy, either fearing that his supposed Passion was but feigned; or if not, that she should not be so fortunate as to find him.  
The rising Sun was extremely welcome to them both, and that day they were equally busied to find out each other: he visited most of the Ladies he had any acquaintance with, in hope to find her in some of their companies: She did the like to all those of her acquaintance; and with one of those Ladies she sound several Gentlemen, one of which she remembered sate next to the King at the Ball; whereupon she presently begun to discourse of the Ball, and of the gallantry and splendour of it, especially of some strangers that were there: And pray, Sir,( said she to this Gentleman) what Illustrious Stranger was it that sate at your right hand? Madam( replied he) that was Conradus King of Otenia. This gave her great satisfaction, although it was very much allayed with despairing apprehensions that the meanness of her Birth might be some alloy to the Princes love.  
As for the King, he was not so fortunate, but spent several days in vain and to no purpose; so that he began to despair of finding her: But going one day to the Queens Apartment to give her a Visit, he found his fair one waiting upon the Queen. You may well imagine they were infinitely surprised to see each other so unexpectedly: However, they had no opportunity at that time to have any Communication together.  
Now the King was impatient to know the Name and quality of this Lady whom he so much adored; and therefore went in the evening to visit a Lady he saw with the Queen: Where, after some other discourse, he enquired what Lady that was that waited on the Queen to day; describing her as well as he could, by her person and dress. Pardon me, Sir, replied the Lady, I cannot apprehended which of the Ladies you mean. Methinks that is strange, Madam, replied the King, since I am very certain there was no other person there that doth any way answer the description I have given your Ladyship of her. Now I call to mind who 'tis your Highness means, replied the Lady; 'tis one of your own Subjects, a young Lady born in Cross-land; her name is Lucilious: she is a Lady of no extraordinary Birth; but what she wants in that, is more than made up in her Beauty, Parts, and virtues: for she is accounted one of the most accomplished Ladies in the whole Court.  
Before we proceed, we shall give the Reader the Character of this pair of Lovers. Conradus King of Otenia, was tall, finely shaped; he was of a Princely port and carriage, and had the Soul as well as the Port of a Prince, being inferior to none in Courage and Valour.  
Madam Lucilious was curiously shaped, had a round visage, a fair Complexion, agreeable Features, a pleasant Countenance, and a graceful Bashfulness, which imbelished and gave an admirable lustre to her beauty, and every part of her was decked with some peculiar Ornament; her Mind was richly fraught with the rarest qualities; she had a good Wit, a quick Apprehension; her Conversation was very modest and serious, and yet pleasant and delightful; she spake but seldom, but when she did, her words were always weighty and to the purpose, and withal so sweet and delectable, that with a pleasing kind of magic they enchanted every Ear that heard them.  
The King having thus informed himself of the Name and quality of his mistress, was not so pleased therewith as he flattered himself into a belief that he should: for besides its being contrary to his own inclination, he considered it was not the custom of the Kings of Otenia to mary a Subject. Whereupon he resolved to give over the pursuit of his Love; which he thought was not very difficult to do, it being gone no further: To which purpose he endeavoured to banish her out of his thoughts; which he did in a great measure for two or three days.  
But the fourth day, as soon as he was up, he went to take the Air in the Privie-Garden; where he had not walked long, before he espied Madam Lucilious and some other Ladies walking in the other side of the Garden; which sight begot a desire in the King of viewing the beautiful Lucilious once more: To which end he walked softly towards that side of the Garden; and just as he came to them, Lucilious was stooping to pluck a curious Carnation; which the King observing, stood still: and Lucilious turning to show the Ladies the Flower she had gathered, she was much surprised to find the King so near her, and could not forbear blushing; which gave such a lustre to her beauty, that the King thought her far handsomer than ever: and as she appeared handsomer, so his love became stronger than ever. He endeavoured to check it; but all to no purpose: for now he found it irresistible. Wherefore as he walked, he burst forth into such Expressions as these: Bless me, said he, was I made for nothing but to be conquered, and born to be subdued!  
After this he could do nothing but think of her; and whatever he was doing, whether walking or feasting, or visiting, the Idea of Lucilious was still in his thoughts; nay, his very sleep was not free: for no sooner were his Eyes shut, but he would be dreaming of her.  
In this perplexity he made his Brother the Prince of Pardina the Confident of his Love: for the Prince observing his Brother to be very melancholy and pensive, went early one morning to his Apartment, and spake to the King after this manner: Dear Brother, said he, I wonder at your unkindness! Unkind! said the King, interrupting him, I have never been unkind to you in my life. Nay, answered he, but you have; and I take it very ill that you have something goes contrary to your desires, and yet, as if I were an Enemy, or at least a stranger to you, it is kept secret from me. Truly, replied the King, I have not acquainted any one with it; but you and I are now alone, I will acquaint you with the whole business. And pray tell me, continued he, do you know Madam Lucilious? I do, replied the Prince, she is one of your Subjects, and a most accomplished and deserving Lady. Why that is the Lady that I have been so much concerned about; but I consider, the meanness of her Birth, and her being my Subject, may disgust and offend my Friends in Otenia, and render them the less careful for my restoration. Now, Brother, pray give me your advice what is best to be done in this case, Whether to prosecute my design of marrying her, or endeavour by degrees to conquer my Love.  
The Prince being naturally of an ambitious and aspiring mind, immediately entertained some thoughts of obtaining the Crown, in case he should out-live his Brother, or of leaving it to his Children if he should die before him; and to that purpose advised the King to mary Lucilious: but to avoid disgusting the Otenians, he advised him to mary her with all the privacy imaginable; And have no witness of your Marriage, said he, but myself and the Priest that marries you.  
The King not imagining his Brother had such sly and traitorous designs in this advice, highly approved of it, and resolved to follow it.  
As soon as he was dressed, he took leave of his Brother, and went to take the Air in the Garden; where as he walked, he studied what way was best to make known his love to Lucilious; and as he thought sometimes on this way, and sometimes on that, he espied a Lady walking in the further side of the Garden, and walking towards her, he discovered it to be his Lucilious, who was so grieved at the seeming indifference of her Lover, that she could not sleep all night; which occasioned her being here so early.  
The King being not a little surprised at this unexpected happiness, retired into one of the Arbours to compose his thoughts, and resolve what to do; where he had not sate long, but Madam Lucilious having walked her self weary, thought it convenient to retire into one of the Arbours also; and as Fortune would have it, she happened into the same Arbour where the King was, and sate down not far from him; but so were her thoughts taken up, that she saw not the King: but after she had sate some small time, happening to cast her Eyes that way, she saw him; which sudden surprise constrained her to blushy; and presently rising up, she offered to go out of the Arbour; which the King( who had all this while viewed her with infinite delight and pleasure) observing, rose up and accosted her after this manner: Madam, said he, I am infinitely grieved at my own unhappiness, that I should be an occasion of disgusting you, and make you quit this Bower much sooner than otherwise I am confident you would have done. And with all the rhetoric that Love and Passion could invent, he humbly entreated and pressed her continuance in the Arbour.  
I much wonder, replied she, your Highness should suspect yourself the occasion of my going out of the Arbour, since you may be well assured I would then have left it so soon as I first entered and saw you there. Nay, Madam, replied he, I beg your pardon for that, since I am confident you did not see me, or know of my being here, till that very minute when you offered to go out; and therefore it can be nothing but my presence that could occasion your departure. And then he pressed her with a thousand persuasive Arguments to continue in the Arbour, offering rather to go himself, and leave her alone, than that she should depart.  
Sir, replied she, you have so far prevailed, that I consent to stay, and do assure you that your person and presence is not offensive to me: I desire you would bear me company. With a very good will, Madam, replied he.  
When being seated, the King took her by the hand, which exceeded the purest Snow for whiteness, and kist it a thousand times: Madam, said he, when I first saw you, the Charms of your Beauty were too powerful to be resisted; and my yielding Heart, unable to withstand, was conquered and taken Prisoner at the first Charge. And pray, Madam, continued he, be not so cruel as to render me miserable by withstanding your own happiness: I beseech you, Madam, consider the honour as well as pleasure of having conquered a King, and made yourself the sole mistress of his Affection, and the sovereign Lady and Queen of so great a Kingdom as Otenia. You may object, I am onely a King in Title, and therefore you can expect at best but the Title of a Queen; but I shall shortly be restored to my Crown and Kingdom, and then you will enjoy the Possessions and Honours, as well as the Title of a Queen. Having said these and a thousand other kind things, he ceased, expecting her Answer.  
Madam Lucilious having paused a little, replied, Sir, I must aclowledge I am unworthy of and unfit for so great an Honour as your Highness is pleased to offer me: I do aclowledge also, that when I first saw you, I did perceive you were in love, and found my Heart inclined to answer your flames; but then I was ignorant of your Name and Quality; which so soon as I was informed of, I cashiered( although with great difficulty) all thoughts of loving you, accounting it too great a Presumption for a Subject to love her sovereign, or aspire to be a Queen. And besides, consider, I pray, that if you should mary me, it would disgust your Friends in Otenia, and make them the less desirous of your Restoration: Nay, it will also be injurious to you at present; for while you remain unmarried, several great Princes and Potentates may be willing to and assist you in the recovering your Right, in hope you will match with their Daughters; which they will not be so willing to do, when they shall understand you are married. Therefore although before I knew you to be my sovereign, I loved you so well, that I should have accounted myself the happiest of all women, if I could have obtained you for my Husband; yet now I must entreat your Highness to place your Affections upon some other, who may deserve them better, and whose Birth and Fortune are more suitable to yours.  
Madam, replied the King with a languishing voice, if it were possible for me to make you sensible how much you torment me, I flatter myself into a belief that so sweet a face cannot have so hard a heart as to persist in being cruel to one who loves you so well, and tenders your happiness more than his life. As for your Objections, they are weak and frivolous; but if there were any weight in them, we may prevent all inconveniencies by keeping our Marriage secret, until we are in possession of our Crown and Kingdom.  
Although Lucilious, when she came first into the Garden, would have given a whole World, if she had had it, to have been but half so well assured of the Kings love; yet now finding it so fixed, she resolved to seem cruel; and therefore she answered him with a seeming indifferency, and  told him, It was time for her to withdraw, and therefore she must leave him; and wishing him all imaginable happiness, she entreated him to think of some Lady that might be a more suitable Match for so great a Prince. Then rising up, and offering to depart, the King importuned her to stay longer: To which she replied, That if she were willing, yet it was not in her power to grant it, without injuring her self. Then the King offered to wait on her to her Apartment: To which she would by no means consent, begging his Pardon for her Refusal. But to his next Request of attending her to the Garden gate, she willingly consented; where the two Lovers partend, the one visibly, but both really grieved that their Happiness lasted no longer, and wishing for a speedy and frequent renewing of such interviews.  
The King remained still in the Garden, on purpose to give some vent to his Passion, and ease the troubles of his mind by the freeness of his Complaints: Bless me, said he, was ever man so unfortunate and miserable as I! How unsuccessful and perplexed are all my Undertakings! What, not able to conquer my heart, and reclaim it from loving a Subject; nor yet to conquer her Affections, and prevail with her to love me again! Strange Fate! shall I never be fortunate and successful in any thing!  
After he had taken two or three turns in the Garden, he went to his Brothers Apartment; but not finding him, he went to the Lady Arabela's, where he found his Brother, who was as much in love with Madam Arabela, as the King was with Lucilious: To whom he related all things that had passed between him and Lucilious in the Garden; and withal  told him, That the wittiness of her Answers, and her refusal of his Offers, had added new fervour to his Love. Well, replied the Prince, and you need not fear, notwithstanding her obstinacy, but that your Constancy and your Assiduities will gain her to be as kind as you would wish. I wish it may prove so, replied the King; you see I have made you the Confident of my Love, but I persuade myself you deal not so fairly with me, and that I have more reason to complain of your unkindness, than you had of mine. Pray tell me, continued he, are you not in love with Madam Arabela? I am so, replied the Prince, and have had as little encouragement hitherto, as you have had from Lucilious.  
After they had spent most part of the morning in such discourses as these, they partend. The King being to dine that day with the Prince of Marthano, much of their discourse at Dinner was of the Court Ladies; and amongst the rest, Lucilious came in for a share, every one highly extoling her; some, as an exquisite Beauty; others, for the sharpness of her Wit; some, the evenness and exactness of her Temper; and others, the seriousness and modesty of her Conversation. Thus all things conspired to add new Flames to the Kings Love.  
From hence he went to his own Apartment; and having writ a Letter to Lucilious, he sent it by his page.; the Contents whereof, were as follow.  
I Am infinitely grieved, Madam, that all Declarations of Love are alike, and that, although I am well assured I love you more than most men are used to love, yet I can find no means to express it by, but what is indifferently used by all men. However, be pleased to make reflection upon what you have observed in my Conduct towards you, and I do not question but you will there find Arguments powerful enough to convince you of the reality of my Passion; and assure yourself, if I love you so much, not being beloved by you, I shall much more adore you when you shall have completed my Happiness.  
Lucilious having red this Letter, kist it over and over, and presently returned this following Answer.  
BEfore I received this Letter, I thought your Highness had been in love, and that the Passion you pretend for me, was not feigned, but real; but I must tell you plainly, your Letter hath altered my mind, since you writ like a witty man who is not really in love, but would fain persuade me to believe you so: And for that reason, together with what I  told you in the Garden, I tell you as my final Answer, I can make you no such returns as you seem to desire.  
The reading this Letter filled the King with Grief and Despair; yet the more he was repulsed, the more his Love increased, and he yet conceived some hopes, that notwithstanding those severities, Lucilious was not so cruel as she would seem. Yet Grief and Despair prevailed so much, that it impaired his Health, and confined him to his Chamber three or four days: Of which illness, and the real cause of it, he failed not to inform Madam Lucilious, who returned him but a slight Answer; yet in the close of her Letter she promised to see him the next day: which Promise effected more towards his recovery, than all the Cordials his Physicians prescribed him. Every time he waked in the night, he wished it were day; and the morning being come, he made shift to get up and sit by the Fire: where he had not sate long, before Lucilious came to see him.  
After some compliments had passed between them, she  told the King, she had been very much concerned for his indisposition, but was over-joyed to find him in so fair a way of recovery. The Promise you made me the last night, replied the King, of seeing me to day, was the onely Cordial that hath thus far advanced my recovery; and if you would give me some hopes of making me happy, I do not question but in a day or two I shall be able to walk abroad. Methinks, replied she, it should be beneath a hero, especially one that is both a King and a soldier, to despair. Madam, replied the King, I always thought so myself, neither were all my other Misfortunes hitherto able to change my mind; but now I perceive Love is able to accomplish that which I always imagined could not be done. Well, said Lucilious, let me entreat your Highness to make much of yourself, and entertain no thoughts that may impede or prolong your Recovery: for there can be nothing in the World more dear to me than your Health.  
After they had spent some hours in such-like discourses as these, Lucilious departed, recommending her Royal Lover to the protection of Heaven.  
Lucilious being gone, the King reflected upon, and narrowly scanned every word, interpretating most of them to his own advantage; which so abated his Distemper, and advanced his Recovery, that it was matter of admiration both to his Physicians and the whole Court. And the second day after, he adventured abroad in his Coach to take the Air; and after Dinner he went to Madam Lucilious's Apartment to pay his Respects to that fair one; who received him with all imaginable respect, and entertained him with more affibility and freeness than she had hitherto done, yet with such an indifferency, that it appeared the effect of Loyalty rather than Love. However, her Conversation was so innocent and pleasant, that the King was infinitely pleased and delighted therewith: and although they spent most part of the afternoon in this Entertainment, yet they thought they had been but a moment together.  
But although the King was wonderfully pleased with this Entertainment, yet it grieved him to the heart that he could not certainly inform himself whether his mistress intended to make him happy; yet he flattered himself into a belief that she would, and took up a resolution not to rest until he knew his doom. To which purpose he visited her often, and with all the rhetoric that Love and Passion could invent, he implored her Pity, and pressed that she would not prolong his Misery, by refusing to grant him some Marks of her Favour.  
Madam Lucilious received all his Addresses, and answered all his Importunities with so much discretion, that neither gave him cause to hope nor despair: wherefore he thought it might facilitate his design, if he could win Percelia, Lucilious's Woman, to interest her self in this Affair; which he found not very difficult to do: for besides her having a great Veneration and Respect for the King, Golden Offers, you know, are powerful Arguments, especially when joined with large Promises of future Gratuities.  
Percelia promised to serve him faithfully, and further his designs to the uttermost of her power. To which end she frequently spake of the King to Madam Lucilious, highly commending the Beauty and make of his Person, the sweetness of his Temper, with a thousand such-like things. Which that fair one was very well pleased to hear, yet it seems she did not according to the custom of most Ladies, make her Woman her confident; but on the contrary, was so reserved, that Percelia, notwithstanding all her endeavours, was not able to discover how her Lady stood affencted towards the King.  
Which when he understood, he almost despaired of finding out the Intentions of his mistress: But meeting with his Brother, he acquainted him how Affairs stood between him and his Lady, and particularly of the Resolution he had taken up, and how he was baffled therein. To which the Prince replied, I will tell you how you shall find out whether your mistress be in love, or not. I, replied the King, that would do well indeed! But yet methinks. I dread knowing the truth, for fear it should be contrary to my desires. Never fear it, replied the Prince; for I am well assured she is as much in love as you: onely Modesty, and a particular delight the fair Sex take in seeming cruel, and keeping their Lovers in a doubting condition, between Hope and Despair, when they find they have got the Ascendant over them, is the very reason why she conceals her Affections: Therefore my Advice is, That you go frequently to visit some Lady of her Acquaintance, and one whose Apartment is near hers, that so it may the sooner come to her knowledge; whereby either yourself or Percelia, will without doubt discover how she stands affencted: for jealousy is a Passion more difsicult to be concealed than Love.  
Accordingly, the very next day he visited Madam Salmuna, who was accounted one of the handsomest Women about the Court, and one who was frequently visited by Lucilious. The King continued his Visits every day for a considerable time.  
Percelia was the first that acquainted her Lady with this News; and according to her instructions from the King, endeavoured to persuade her that the King was in love with Madam Salmunia, and intended to mary her. But Madam Lucilious, who had abundance of Wit, presently fathomed the very depth of the design; and being well assured of the Kings Love, she was not at all concerned about it.  
So that the King found this Expedient would not do; which forced him to wrack his Invention to find out another: which was, to cause a Report to be spread abroad, that he would leave Denesia, and travail into Andruno. This Stratagem took according to his wish: for his Brother going to visit a Lady of Lucilious's acquaintance, found Madam Lucilious with her. This Lady, amongst other things, inquired how the King did. Madam, said he, my Brother is very well in health, but we are like to lose him, for he intends within these two days to set forward towards Andruno. I hope you are not in earnest, said the Lady. It's very true, Madam, replied the Prince, who all this while observed Madam Lucilious, to see if she discovered any kind of concernedness about it. And although she said nothing, yet he observed her Colour to come and go, as if the News were not onely unexpected, but very unwelcome to her.  
The Prince failed not that night to acquaint the King with what had passed, and particularly the Concernedness he had discovered in Lucilious by her change of Countenance. The King overjoyed at the Relation, resolved to follow his good Fortune.  
Accordingly, the next morning he went into the Garden to take the Air, but chiefly in hopes to meet with his mistress, whom he knew took great delight to srequent those Flowery Walks; where about half an hour after his arrival, he saw Lucilious enter. He endeavoured to prevent his being discovered by that fair one, that so he might with the more convenience observe whether she appeared melancholy or discontented: And when he had observed her as long as he thought convenient, he came out of the Arbour where he had sheltered himself from her sight, just as she came at it; and after salutation, the King spake after this manner. You know, fair Creature, with what a passionate Zeal I have sollicitated your Love, and how averse you have always appeared to my desires, which hath reduced me to the cruel necessity of removing from Denesia into Andruno; and I intend to morrow to begin my Journey. And, Madam, continued he, I am very glad of my meeting you so fortunately this morning, to take my leave of your ●adyship.  
Never was surprise equal to hers: for she stood like one struck dumb, and utterly bereaved of sense; sometimes fixing her eyes upon the King, sometimes on the ground, not knowing what to do or say in this case; now resolving on this, and presently on the quiter contrary. The King easily perceived the distractions and irregularities of her mind, by what he saw in her Countenance; but at last she broke silence, and said, I must aclowledge, Sir, that as nothing could have fallen out more unexpected than your departing from Denesia, since I always thought you intended to make it the place of your Residence, until Heaven should please to restore you to the Throne of your Ancestors; so nothing could have fallen out more to my grief: And I would it were in my power to divert you from this Journey, and procure your consent to continue here. She would have proceeded, but was not able, so excessive was her Grief and Amazement.  
Madam, replied the King, you are the onely cause of my removal: for since you will not make me happy by complying with my Love, I am not able to continue in a place where I must daily augment my misery, by frequent seeing the occasion of it.  
Sir, said Lucilious, interrupting him, if my unkindness be the thing you have laid so much to heart, I promise you, if you would be but so kind to put off your Journey upon my request, I will endeavour to show you so much kindness that you shall have no cause to repent it.  
It was within this three days, replied the King, in your power to have prevented not onely my travail, but the very thoughts of it; but now 'tis too late: for having provided and ordered all things for my Journey, I cannot alter it, although you should now promise to answer my desires.  
At these words Lucilious fainted, and had she not been supported by her Lover, had fallen to the ground; but being come to her self, with a dejected Countenance, and a languishing Voice, she entreated him not to be so cruel, but either retract that dreadful and killing Resolution, or else permit her to go with him.  
Madam, replied the King, neither of those things can be; but this I will promise you, that I will return as soon as I can conveniently, which is more than I intended; but then you must resolve to make me happy at my return. Make you happy, said she, how do you mean by that? By consenting to make me your Husband, said the King. Cruel man! said she, if you persist in your Resolution, your absence will make me so miserable, that it will be out of my power to make you happy at your return.  
Which words were spoken with such a languishing and mournful voice, the Tears in the mean while trickling down her Cheeks like so many Pearls, that the King finding his heart touched with Compassion, could hardly refrain comforting his dejected Lover, by acquainting her with the whole Design and Contrivance of this pretended Journey; but remembering how cruel she had been to him, he resolved to leave her in that uncertain and perplexed condition, that so she might be convinced by her own experience what he had endured upon her account: And therefore pretending to take his last farewell of her, telling her, He should neither have time nor opportunity to see her again before his Departure, he retired to his Lodgings, and Lucilious to hers. Lucilious being got to her Apartment, shut up her self in her Chamber, and gave a free vent to her Passions: But having given some ease to her afflicted mind, by the freeness of her Complaints, and by the abundance of her Tears, she began to consider that this Journey might not be really intended, but was onely invented as a Stratagem to find out her Affections; wherefore she presently called Percelia, and enquired if she had heard any report that the King of Otenia was going to Andruno: No, Madam, replied Percelia, I have heard no such thing. Pray go you, said Lucilious, and see if you can learn the truth of it: for I am informed he goes to morrow.  
Percelia went; and having learned that there was nothing of truth in the report of the Kings Journey into Andruno, returned and acquainted her Lady. Lucilious having asked her divers times, if she were certain she was not mis-informed, she assured her that there was no such Journey intended, or so much as talked of; which confirmed Lucilious in her opinion, that it was a Stratagem of the Kings, to find out whether she were in love with him or not. She was extremely pleased that she was not to lose her Lover, and looked upon this as a full confirmation of the reality of the Kings Passion; and now nothing grieved her, but the having discovered her own.  
The King not doubting but Lucilious had enquired into the truth of his pretended Journey, went in the afternoon to see her, and perceived her to be very much discomposed and melancholy. So soon as he entered her Chamber, she reproached him for taking that advantage of the weakness of her Sex.  
Madam, replied the King, I beg your pardon for that; and I think you have reason to grant it, since you know I tried all other ways to know your Resolution, and could not prevail: Wherefore although it would have been Death to me to know I was not beloved by you, yet accounting one Death better then many, I resolved on this Project, and therefore you may thank yourself: And since we now know one anothers minds, let us fool no more; but resolve to complete each others Happiness by appointing the day of Marriage. To which she consenting, they were privately married, according to the Prince of Purdino's Advice; and about Ten Months after she was brought to Bed of a Son; at whose Birth the King was so exceedingly pleased, that taking the Royal Infant into his Princely Arms, Sweet Babe, said he, thou art born Heir to a Crown, and although thy Father be at present out of possession thereof, yet he hopes shortly to recover it, and leave thee in the quiet enjoyment of it; and if Heaven has decreed I shall die before I obtain the possession thereof, yet it will be a comfort to me, that I leave such a Branch behind me to revenge my Wrongs, and recover my Inheritance. The King and Queen both agreed he should be called Heclacious, which was the name of his Great Grand-Father, and his Uncle the Prince of Purdino. Soon after the Queens going abroad, the Prince of Purdino was privately married to Madam Arabelia, none being made acquainted therewith but the King and Queen.  
The King took so much delight and satisfaction in the pleasant and innocent Conversation of his Queen and her young Son, that he almost forgot his former Calamities, and lived as pleasantly and with almost as much majesty and splendour, as if he had been in the possession of his Kingdom: but his pleasure was shortlived, and all his Joys were suddenly overturned and lost, by the death of the Queen.  
The Otenians began now to long for the return of their King; they having learned to know the worth of so excellent a Prince as he was, by the want of him, they began to have an extraordinary esteem and veneration for him; which was very much heightened by the daily Reports they received of his just Praises from those places where he at present lived; every one who had the happiness to know him, highly commending him for a valiant; wise, and religious Prince. Great endeavours were used by his Enemies to prevent his Return; but the Calvenians, a numerous and powerful People, being the most considerable amongst the Otenians, both for Number, Sobriety, and Wealth, took part with him; and having prepared all things for his Reception, they sent and humbly invited and entreated him to return to the possession of his Throne, and the exercise of his Kingly Power. Which he promised to do: And to prepare all in general to be willing to receive him, he sent a General Pardon for all Crimes that had been committed against him, to all those who would lay down their Arms.  
The Prince of Purdino understanding his Brother was likely to recover his Kingdom, and being either grown weary of Arabelia, or else hoping upon his Brothers restoration to mary with some great Princess, took occasion, from the secrecy of their Marriage, to deny her being his Wife, disavowing all Contracts of Marriage between them.  
Madam Arabelia being informed hereof by her Friends, endeavoured to divert him from his Resolution, by reproaching him for his Unkindness, in his ungrateful and injurious denying her being his Wife, admiring how he could act contrary to his Conscience, and so willingly violate his Marriage Vows so solemnly made and often repeated; yet all this availed her little, for the Prince still affirmed, he was not Married.  
Madam Arabelia finding she could not persuade the Prince from his Resolution, she resolved to apply her self to the King, who was not only present at the Marriage, but she knew him also to be an unparalleled Prince for his Justice and Equity, and therefore going to his Apartment, and falling down before him, she implored his Pity and Compassion. The King being surprised thereat, presently took her by the hand, and lifted her up, demanding what svit she had to prefer to him, assuring her he would serve her to the uttermost of his power: Why then, said the Princess, your Highness very well knows, that your Brother the Prince of Purdino did for a long time solicit my love, and would not let me be at quiet, but wearied me with his daily Importunities to consent to mary him; you know also that at last I consented, and we were privately married; which your Highness knows was to prevent any damage coming thereby to your Interest: Your Highness was present when we were married, and are the only Witness I have to prove my marriage.  
Madam, replied the King, all this I aclowledge to be true; but what hath occasioned your coming to me in this manner, I cannot apprehended.  
May it please your Highness, said she, the Prince, like a faithless ungrateful man, denies all this, and affirms he was never married to me, or had to do with me otherwise than as I was his Whore; whereby unless your Highness approve yourself more generous and just than your Brother, I shall not onely lose my Husband, but that also which is much dearer to me than my life, my Reputation, and Honour, and be accounted little better than a common Strumpet.  
Is it possible, said the King, that my Brother should be so wicked! It is too true, replied the Princess.  
Madam, said the King, satisfy yourself, and rely upon the word of a King, that I will oblige my Brother not to proceed in his Resolution; but instead of affirming that you are not, he shall openly and publicly aclowledge and own you for his Wife.  
I humbly thank your Highness, replied the Princess, and do not in the least distrust your exact performance of the Royal Promise you made me; but do promise myself, as the consequence of it, a Happiness which will last as long as my Life.  
The King sent for the Prince the next day, and reproached him for his Treachery and Unfaithfulness towards the Princess. Sir, said the Prince, since you are now returning to the possession of your Kingdom, it would be as much for your Honour and Interest as mine, that I should mary with some great Princess that may enrich and strengthen us, by the loathness of her Dowry, and the greatness and potency of her Relations, and since there is none knows I am married but yourself, I may deny it with the more Confidence.  
I hate your baseness, replied the King, and I must tell you that you talk not like a Prince: if you were now unmarried and so at Liberty to take your choice, it were better to mary as you say, with some great Princess; but since you have made a Choice already, I will by no means suffer her to be so grossly abused; and therefore I command you to own her publicly for your wife. Since it is your Royal pleasure, I shall not dispute your command, replied the Prince, but yield a ready obedience thereunto, if your Highness will please to go with me and pacify her for the wrong I have done and intended to do her. To which the King consenting, they were perfectly reconciled, and the Prince publicly declared his Marriage.  
The King having prepared and ordered all things for his returning to Otenia, he was received and entertained with all the honour and glory imaginable, and the greatest tokens of Joy and expressions of Loyalty that ever any Prince received, and placed upon the Throne of his Kingdom, with more pomp and splendour than ever any of his Predecessors the Kings of Otenia had been. The King made his Young Son Prince of Burranto, he grew to be a very hopeful Prince, being the very Picture and Image of his Father, and delighted in nothing more than in learning Military Discipline, and exercising himself in feats of war.  
The Prince of Purdino had his thoughts now wholly taken up in contriving how he might secure the Succession to himself, or his Children; to which purpose he consulted with his Wives Father, a cunning politic Blade, whose opinion was, that there be a Match proposed for the King with Berrelia, Daughter to the King of Legantine, who was a beautiful Lady, but somewhat in years; so that it was probable she might have no Children. This Advice was highly approved by the Prince, and presently put in execution; and her Beauty praised and extolled to the Skies, and set off with so many flourishes, that the King became extremely in love with her: and the onely Obstruction was the Prince of Burranto, the Legantines refusing to consent to the Match, unless they might be assured that the Issue the King should have by Berrelia should succeed him.  
The King was unwilling to consent to this; yet such was the excess of his Love, which was extremely heightened by the Artifices of the Prince and his Father-in-law, who were continually commending her for an exquisite Beauty; insinuating, that although if Lucilious had lived, the King could not in point of Conscience have denied his Marriage, yet she being dead, and none concerned therein but a Child, the King might safely do it to serve a present turn; and if his Highness saw occasion for it, he might right the young Prince at any time. By which means the King was prevailed upon to aclowledge that the Prince of Burranto was Illegitimate, and that he was never married to his Mother. Whereupon the Match was concluded on, and consummated, to the great Joy of both Countries.  
The Prince finding his contrivance to succeed well hitherto, was the more encouraged to proceed therein; and knowing that the Calvenians, who had restored his Brother to the Kingdom, would be the greatest obstructtors of his designs; for besides their loving and having a greater veneration for the Kings Son, they were very Jealous of the Prince of Pordino, fearing least he being brought up and educated by his Mother, who was a Gregorian, he might be of the same Religion; he endeavoured both by himself and his Emissaries to represent them to the King as a traitorous and disloyal People, insinuating that they had taken part with the King only to serve a present turn, and that having obtained their end they would be the first that should seek an opportunity to desert him, and that therefore it would be the Kings interest to desert them, and take part with the Pontificarians, who had many of them remained Loyal to the King all the time of his Trouble.  
The good services of the Calvenians were yet so fresh in the Kings memory, that he was hardly drawn to consent to this, but wearied with their daily importunities, and being somewhat inclined to believe those false Stories, which though invented by them, yet were reported with so much confidence and formality, that they had the appearance of truth; it was at last resolved on and put in execution, and the Calvenians were turned out of the Kings Favour and thrust from all Places of Profit and Trust: and as if this were not enough, they procured several Laws to be made against them, as Enemies to the King and Kingdom.  
The thing the Prince took care for next, was to get his own Creatures, and those that had their dependence on him, and therefore would be at his devotion, placed about the King: by which means there were very few promoted to any Places of Profit or Trust, either Civil or Sacred, but by his direction and influence; and those few that were not, he always by false insinuations got them discarded. Most of those promoted by him were Gregorians; for which People he procured so much favour, that they were connived at, and the Laws were not so vigorously put in execution against them as formerly; and although they were always false and treacherous to the King's Predecessors, even those that were of their own Religion, yet now they must be esteemed the most Loyal Subjects, and the Kings best Friends.  
The Prince of Burranto having signalized his Valour, and approved himself both a wise and courageous General, he grew so much in favour with his Father, that he gave him several great Offices both of Profit and Trust, and made him one of the greatest men in Otenia: Whereat his Uncle, although he seemed to be very well pleased, yet he was inwardly grieved to the heart; but although he resolved to ruin him, he was not able to accomplish it at present.  
Notwithstanding all the Favours and privileges the Gregorians enjoyed under the peaceful Reign of Conradus, by means of the Prince of Purdino, they were not therewith content, but greatly desiring to have their Religion the Religion established by Law, which could notbe whilst Conradus lived, they began to think he had reigned long eenough; and since he might probably out-live the Prince, and thereby cut off their aspiring hopes, they entered into a cursed conspiracy and combination against his life, resolving to destroy him, thereby to make way for restoring Gregorianism, and reducing Otenia, to the obedience of the Pontify: to which purpose they gave directions to the Princes Emissaries about the King, to rail against the Calvenians, and insinuate that they were Plotting some Treasonable practices against the Kings life, which was so dexterously performed by the Princes Creatures, that it procured belief; from whence they expected a double advantage, that the King by being afraid of the Calvenians, who intended him no hurt, would rest secure as to them, whereby they should have the greater advantage to murder him; which when they had done, they resolved to lay it upon the Calvenians, thereby to excite the people to join with them in destroying of them, which was their other advantage. And that they might make sure work, they with great sums of money procured abundance of desperate villains to undertake the, murder, some were to attempt it by poison, some by stabbing, some by pistolling, and some by other ways. But Heaven, that is always tender of the Life of Princes, especially virtuous ones, caused such a terror and Consternation to seize one of the Conspirators, that he discovered the Gregorians Conspiracy to the King: Whereupon several Nobles were apprehended, and divers of the Villains who had undertaken the murder. The Conspiracy was so plainly proved, that the King was perfectly satisfied of the reality and truth thereof, and great care was taken for the Kings safety.  
The Prince was very much surprised at this Discovery; and the more, because one of his Servants was apprehended as one of the chief Conspirators; and he was afraid he would discover things that he was unwilling should be known. Great consulting there was with his Confidents what should be done to prevent Coldero's discovering, and to prevent the Kings conceiving any ill opinion of the Prince. As to the first, it was resolved, They must take great care to feed Coldero with hopes that the Prince would procure a Pardon for him, which should be produced at the place of Execution, upon condition he did not reveal any thing that he knew of the Gregorians Conspiracy. As to the second, their advice was, That the Prince must go and fall down at the Kings feet, and by great Protestations of his Innocency, endeavour to confirm himself in the King's good opinion. Accordingly the Prince going to visit the King, fell down at his feet, and spake to this effect.  
Dread sovereign, and most dear Brother, it was not without Grief and Anguish, as well as shane and Confusion, that I received the first ●nformation of a cursed Conspi●acy and Combination against ●our sacred Life, carried on by the Gregorians and now by the goodness of the Celestial Power detected and I hope defeated; and knowing that my being of the same Religion might render me obnoxious to your Censure, and I might be suspected as Author of this conspiracy, or at least that I connived at it and concealed it, I thought myself obliged to come in this manner and make a solemn Protestation of my innocency, I call the Heavenly Powers to witness that I knew not directly or indirectly of any Treason, Conspiracy or Combination, against your Highness by any Person whatsoever; and that there is no Person in Otenia that Abhors such wicked and treasonable practices more then myself, which I humbly beseech your Highness to believe, or else take this Sword and end my days therewith, for I desire to live no longer than I may approve myself a Loyal and obedient Subject, and enjoy the Honour of your Highnesses Favour and good opinion.  
The King having raised him up, made him this following Answer.  
When I consider the many Favours and privileges I have bestowed upon you, I know not how to imagine you can plot Treason against me, yet when I consider you were still buzzing in my ears that the Calvenians were forming a Conspiracy against me, which as far as I can be informed is false, it makes me suspicious that you were too well acquainted with the Gregorian Conspiracy, and designed by those reports to prevent my having any suspicion thereof; whereby my ruin might be the more unavoidable, and that which confirms me in this opinion is Coldero's being charged as one of the chief Managers of this Conspiracy. May it please your Highness, replied the Prince, I am extremely grieved that any Gregorian should be so wicked and Treacherous, especially any that live in my Family or have any dependence upon me, and therefore I beseech you to show them no favour, but wrack them, Hang them, quarter them, or let them be torn to pieces by wild Horses, or put to the most cruel death that can be invented; especially that villain Coldero.  
The King hearing his Brother exclaim so much against the Conspirators, was fully persuaded of his innocency.  
Soon after this, Coldero and several other of the Conspirators were Condemned and Executed for their Treason; Coldero went very courageously to the place of Execution, where with an undaunted Countenance he confidently denied he knew of any Conspiracy against the King, affirming he was falsely accused; relying upon the Princes promise of procuring him a Pardon; but when he saw the Executioner ready to do his Office, and no Pardon produced, he begun to change colour, and look Pale, yet considering it might be so ordered by the Prince that the Pardon should not be produced till the last ●●●●nity, and if he should confess any thing, it should not be produced at all, and so between hope and despair, he dyed affirming his innocency; the Prince and all the Gregorians being glad they were so well rid of him that might have discovered all their villainy.  
The Prince always when he came to see his Brother, failed not to make ●eterated and solemn Protestations of his Innocency; advising the King to take great care of his Person, to search to the bottom of this Conspiracy, and not to spare any that were found guilty, but as terror to all Traitors execute upon them the utmost severities of the Law, yet he gave secret Instructions to those about the King, that they should sometimes as they found opportunity be speaking in the Kings presence of the great difficulty the Gregorians would have found in accomplishing those Treasons, which were laid to their charge; sometime they should discourse with much admiration of the greatness of their folly, in communicating such horirble Treasons, to such base and mean Persons, a thing hardly practicable among the greatest Fools. They were ordered likewise to speak in the Kings presence, with great amazement and admiration, of Colderos and the other Gregorians that were executed absolutely and solemnly denying with their dying Breath. There being any way guilty of those Tresons laid to their charge, or that they were Privy too, or knew of any Conspiracy against the King. And sometimes they were to raise discourses concerning the Calvenians former rebellions, and that it might peradventure be a contrivance of theirs to forge a conspiracy against the Gregorians, and hire those witnesses to prove it, that so they might thereby bring about some cursed Conspiracy of their own, to the ruin of the King and Kingdom.  
These Instructions were exactly followed by the Princes Creatures about the King and the things so frequently hinted and interwoven with so many subtle Insinuations of the probability thereof, that the King began to listen, unto their discourses, and by insensible degrees grew into a Jealousy of the Calvenians, and to have better thoughts of the Gregorians.  
Their next Contrivance was to procure a general belief among the People, either that there was really no such Conspiracy carried on by the Gregorians as was proved against them, but that it was a malicious contrivance of the Calvenians, thereby to get the Gregorians,( whom they always hated) to be utterly destroyed, or at worst, that it was only a Plot to introduce the Gregorian Religion into Otenia, without having any such Bloody and traitorous design against the Kings Life. This was so difficult an undertaking by reason the thing was so plainly proved, and the People so generally possessed with the truth of it, that it was long before they could come to any resolution, what method to take in the effecting their desires: many meetings and consultations they had, sometimes resolving upon one way, and sometimes an other; but whilst they thus spun out time without coming to any resolution, one of their Company stood up, and directing himself to the Prince, spake as follows.  
You know Great Sir, we have been long prosecuting a Design to place you on the Throne, and to root out the Lutaranian, and establish the Gregorian Religion, and when we were just upon the point of accomplishing our desire, and obtaining the happiness in the contemplation whereof we had so long pleased and delighted ourselves, we were strangely frustrated by a Company of base vile perjured Fellows, who contrary to their solemn Oaths and Protestations, discovered all our designs. And that since altering our measures, we still resolve in spite of Fate and Mager all opposition to accomplish our designs, and by making the best of a bad Market, frustrate the design of this discovery, and by bringing it into a general discredit, render our Adversaries more secure, and thereby the more easily prevailed against, we have proceeded well hitherto, having made the King to stagger in his belief of the Conspiracy, and there remains nothing but the work king the People into the same temper, and yet as if we had lost all our courage. We spend all our time in Consultation and give our Enemies opportunities to search further into our designs, and by offers of Pardon procure more of our Confederates, to discover our Treasons, and then it may be too late for us to undermine them, therefore let us resolve on what course to take before we part, and when we have concluded on our methods, let us banish all fear and timrousness and like men of courage and resolution let us bare up against all difficulties whatsoever. You have spoken very well, said the Prince, but pray Sir proceed and tell what you think is to be done in this extremity.  
Sir, replied he, I humbly conceive, since we have wrought upon the Kings good nature to doubt of the reality of our designs against him, you must make use of your power and interest with him and his chief Officers to prevail with them to discourage the Witness by frowning on them, and first l●sning and then taking away their Pensions which will not only prevent others from coming in, but peradventure make them fall out amongst themselves, and contradict one another. Secondly you must procure them to frown upon and discourage those Magistrates that are most busy in searching into our designs then 〈◇〉 you must by possessing the King that all 〈◇〉 their business was designed only to get into the favour of the Robble, and excite them to Rebel get them disgraced and turned out of their several Offices, upon which we must cause Papers to be scattered about, wherein they must be accused of divers Frauds and other unjust things which they Committed under pretence of searching for Gregorians. Thirdly, we must whatsoever it cost us, and what difficulty soever we meet with therein, turn the Conspiracy upon the Calvenians, to which purpose we must get some ingenious fellows whose extravagance hath reduced them to such extremities and wants that they will for a little present pay, and promise of future rewards, undertake whatsoever we shall imply them in, to writ and scatter Papers about, to amuse people with a noise of a Conspiracy against the King, carried on by the Calvenians, that so we may prepare people to believe it when we shall have gotten things ready for a discovery of it. We must likewise get a great number of Letters written, which must import matters of Treason and forming a Conspiracy against the King, which Letters must by some bold and desperate villains, who will to serve a present turn and supply their pinching necessity, undertake the most difficult and hazardous designs, knowing that if they should be discovered, they have neither Estates nor Credit to lose, and therefore their Condition cannot well be worse then it is; but on the contrary if they succeed their Fortunes are thereby made for ever) be lodged in the houses of some of the chief Luteranians, especially those of the Calvenian way, and when they have lodged them they must repair immediately to some Officers and accuse them of Treason and desire to have their houses preached, which being done, and those Letters seized it will confirm their accusation, and there is no question but we shall get them Condemned and Executed as Traitors to the King and Kingdom, and by this policy we shall make the King and the Luteranians do that for us which we could not accomplish ourselves, and destroy their best Friends and our worst enemies, and that by their own Laws too, whereby they will prepare our way to complete the ruin of them all.  
This Council was very well liked and highly apployed by the Prince and the whole Company, and they resolved to follow it as the most likely way to prevail, and the Prince and all the rest in their several Station, used their endeavour to promote the blessed work which they found no great difficulty in effecting, for the King was so well persuaded of his brothers Fidelity, that he readily believed whatsoever the Prince advised was for his honour and security, and withall loved him so passionately, that he had no power to deny him any thing he requested, and for the Officers about the King there was no difficulty in prevailing with them, they being the Princes Creatures, and therefore at his devotion, they procured many others also to join with them, who looking upon the Prince as the only rising man in Otenia, readily embraced his interest, and some of those had been great opposers of the Prince and his designs, who to ingratiate themselves the more in his favour, promised to draw over as many of their former Associates as possible to his interest, and ruin all those who would not be alured by procuring Treason to be sworn against them.  
Things having thus far answered their desires and a bold daring and adventurous Blade being procured and presented to the Prince, who would undertake the conveying what Treasonable Papers they should think convenient, into the Houses of the Chief Luteranians, promising moreover to swear any kind of Treasonable words against them which they should direct; The Prince took leave of his Brother, pretending business into the remote parts of Otenia, hoping at his return to find all his designs effected. But before he went, he procured the Prince of Burranto to be banished, out of the Kings presence, and degraded of all his Offices, notwithstanding the King had not long before embraced him with the greatest Passion imaginable, acknowledging he was the greatest support and comfort he had in the world.  
The Prince was no sooner gone, but they began to put their designs in practise, and this bold fellow adventured to convey a bundle of Treasonable papers into the Chamber of Captain Brodrick, a very Loyal Gentleman, as were all the rest who were to have been cut off by this means; but so unfortunate was this bold Champion of the Gregorian cause in his first attempt, which certainly was begun upon an unlucky day, that it utterly overthrow and dashed the design before ever it came to any Maturity, for he was taken in the fact, and the thing so plainly proved upon him, that he was committed to the Black Tower: it being the very same place to which he hoped to have had the Captain committed, this put a stop to their further proceedings and if there were any words in our Language more comprehensible, then surprise and anguish, I would make use of them here to express the Amazement and Sorrow of the Gregorians, for the unexpected discovery of this well laid Plot, which was so cunningly contrived and managed, with such machiv●llion subtlety that they thought it impossible, even for Heaven itself to frustrate it; but that which most confounded them, was the fear they were in, that Delego would in hopes to save his life discover the whole villainous and hellish Contrivance, wherefore all heads were at work to find out a way to prevent it, to which end they sent private instructions to Delego, how he should behave himself and what he should say when he was Examined, assuring him if he would resolutely deny all, they did not question but it would take effect, still promising withal that if it came to the worst and they could not get him cleared, yet they would not fail to procure him a Pardon, and as an assurance of their present care and respect for him, they sent him by the same Messenger 50 pieces of Gold, but Delego considering how they had served others, and not liking to be Colderized out of his life, revealed the Truth and thereby obtained the Kings Pardon. Which Revolt of his, aded to their grief, and augmented their confusion, so that they knew not what to do, they presently advertised the Prince hereof, desiring his advice in this dangerous Affair, which unless wisely managed, would involve him and all his adherents into unavoidable ruin.  
The Reading these Letters filled the Prince with a Transport of Rage and Fury; Cursing and banning the stars, and exclaiming against Fortune for having so often crossed his designs, vowing that if ever he got the ascendant of his enemies, he would wreck his revenge upon them, and although by these frequent disappointments the stroke be the longer before it reach them, yet it shall fall the heavier at last, and those damned Luteranians shall know the fatal consequence of falling under my indignation and wrath, for I swore by the Pontifices Godship, I will not, no I will not spare one of them, nor sheathe my Sword until I have with this all-Conquering Arm utterly destroyed them, and extinguished the very name and Memory of them in Otenia. It was a considerable time before he could Conquer his Rage so much as to permit him the entering into a serious consideration what was best to be done in order to prevent that ruin this Discovery would necessary bring upon him if not speedily prevented; but being a little calmed, he retired into his Closet, and knowing how passionately the King loved him, as well for his being his constant Companion when he was in Denesia, as the nearness of their Relation and that therefore he would not easily believe him Guilty of Conspiring Treason against him, or if he were a little jealous of him it would be no difficult task to take off those jealousies and establish himself again in his good opinion by a submisive Letter stuffed with solemn protestations of his innocency, and abhorences of all such Treasonable Crimes as were laid to his charge, imputing it to the malice of his enemies thereby to accomplish his ruin, and so to make way for the ruin of himself, wherefore between hope and despair, he writ the following Letter to the King.  
I may it please your Highness, Account myself the most miserable and unfortunate man living, in that I have been more than once accused as a disloyal Traitor, although no man was ever more carful to approve himself a Loyal and Obedient Subject; whereof I hope to find such a Testimony in your Royal Breast as may pled better in my behalf than I can pled for myself, I must confess my Enemies have laid their designs so deep and mysterious that I am not able to fathom them myself, much less expound them to you; and therefore they being so Confident and Positive in their accusation, I shall not endeavour by words and arguments to prove my Innocency; but shall leave it wholly to your wisdom and goodness, beseeching you to look upon these things as contrived by the Calvenians, ( who always manifested an implacable hatred to me) to work my ruin, and I wish I could say mine only, but I fear they have a further design therein, and that no less then your Sacred Life, which they can never effect so well whilst I live, I Solemnly Protest and Swear by all that is Sacred, I know nothing of all those things whereof I am accused, but do assure you that if ever any of those things be proved against me by any substantial Persons, I will renounce all pardons, and willingly bear that Punishment which those crimes justly deserve.  
The King having red this Letter knew not what to think; never was Prince so perplexed in his thoughts, not being able to resolve whether to believe the Prince, and the Gregorians had conspired his Life, or else that the Calvenians had ploted to charge them with so doing, in hopes to get them destroyed; yet what Delego witnessed was so plain and positive, and his Evidence strengthened with so many concurring Circumstances that the King became somewhat more Jealous of his Brother then he had been, which the Prince understanding hasted with all speed to Court, not forgetting to prepare his way by two or three insinuating Letters; to sweeten the King into a better opinion of him, which was very much promoted by his Creatures who were always speaking in the Kings presence of the Princes former Service and Loyalty to the Crown. Being arrived at Court the next day, he went to pay his respects to the King, and when he came into his presence he fell down on his knees, and with his hands lifted up to Heaven, spake as follows.  
I am once more accused of Ploting Treason against your Life, who they were that contrived this against me, and set Delego on to charge me, with such horrid Crimes( the very thought whereof I always abhorred with the greatest Detestation imaginable, for the truth whereof I appeal to the great God who searches the Heart and is perfectly acquainted with the most secret Intentions of the Mind;) I cannot yet tell, you what it is they aim at in thus endeavouring my ruin, I fear no good to your Highness, I wish you were as safe as I am Innocent, and were in no more danger from them then you are from me, for I call the Almighty to witness that I never did, directly or indirectly Plot any Treason against you, nor advised, assisted or encouraged any other Person whatsoever in so doing, nor was I ever made acquainted with or concealed any Treasonable designs managed by the Gregorians against your Life and Honour, and if this which I now declare, be not true, I wish all the fearful Judgments that ever befell a Traitor and a perjured Wretch may befall me, and I may be made an Example to all Succeeding Ages.  
The King not imagining his Brother had a dispensation from the Pontify to do any thing that might take away the Kings suspicion of him, and the Gregorian party, looked upon those Solemn Protestations and dreadful Imprecations to have sufficiently purged him from all suspicion of guilt, and therefore he thought himself obliged in point of Justice to pronounce him innocent, wherefore rising from his Seat he lifted him up from his knees, embracing him with the greatest passion and Tenderness imaginable; assuring him that he would not for the future entertain any suspicious thoughts of him again, and that for the time to come he would look upon those as his Enemies, and to have a design against his Life, that should charge him with Treason, or so much as favouring of Traitors.  
After this they dined and spent the whole afternoon together: the Prince finding the King in so good an humour, resolved to improve it, not only for the further ingratiating himself into the Kings Favour, but also to settle in the Kings mind an ill opinion and an Irremovable Jealousy of the Calvenians, and all that adhere to them, persuading him they were the only People he had any occasion to fear, and that all their fear and Accusations of, and Clamorous noise against the Gregorians, was designed for nothing else but to prevent the Kings observing and preventing the Rebellion which they were certainly forming against him, and that therefore it behoved the King to look about him in time, and take down and suppress their towering hopes, before it be too late, least if it should be neglected, it prove as fatal to him as to his Father.  
The Prince could hardly sleep that night for joy to think what success he had in his dissimulation, not doubting but in a little time he should accomplish his ambitious and bloody designs, and mount himself to the highest Top and Pinnacle of honour. The next morning he sent for all the Confederates and declared to them what success he had yesterday with the King, the relation whereof was so pleasant and delightful, that it toxicated their fancies, and made them drunk with joy, the Bridegrooms marriage, nor the Captives Liberty, are not attended with half so much Pleasure and Content, Mirth and Rejoicing, as then abounded among these bloody minded Gregorians; who imagining they had now surmounted all difficulties, and levelled every thing that might stand in their way, hugged themselves in their imaginary Happiness, and fancying they were already dividing the spoil, it was resolved on, that the Principalities and Estates of such of the Luteranian Nobles should be so and so disposed of. But at last one somewhat wiser than the rest advised them, To find out some way to get rid of their persons, before they disposed of their Estates, especially the Prince of Glascedo, who has such a subtle Head that whilst it stands upon his Shoulders, I can never( said he) think we are safe, for he hath wit and policy enough to undermine all our designs, and for ought I know, he may at last procure our ruin if we do not speedily procure his; the whole company was of his mind, and presently entred into a resolution to have him destroyed, what ever it should cost them; then they debated what methods they should take in effecting it, and after the proposing and debating several ways, they at last resolved on this as the most feizable, that the Prince should make it his business to insinuate to the King, that by a strange accident he understood the Prince of Glascedo had some great designs on foot which he feared was to the Kings prejudice, and if the King seemed concerned about it, and appeared desirous to know more of it, he was then to promise his utmost endeavour to discover the whole intrigue, and after some little time he must come in great hast to the King, and pretend to have discovered the depth of the design by drawing over one that was actually employed by him, in the management thereof, and that it was no less then the raising an army and leveling war against the King, intending to feiz his person when he went to Oclano, and whilst the Prince managed this part with the King, they promised to employ themselves in procuring some desperate Villains that should for a good reward swear against him, whatsoever they should dictate, and affirm that they themselves were secretly listed in this Army; but above all other things they concluded it most necessary to bring over to their side some of the late witnesses of the Gregorian Conspiracy; which they thought was not now so difficult as formerly, since they had so well prepared the way by procuring them to be deprived of their Pensions, and thereby impoverished, and therefore itis more then probable that golden Offers and promises of future preferment would not be refused at that time of the day, nor were they deceived therein; for they found them ready enough to comply, nor is it to be wondered at, that men whose first motive to discover the Gregorian Conspiracy, was not any aversation they had to their Treason, nor was it any hatred they had to the Gregorian Party, or love to the Luteranian Religion, but fear of being discovered and accused by others, to prevent which, and save their necks, they came in; but now finding the Plot discredited, themselves discountenanced, and a way open whereby they might return again to the Gregorian Interest, which they now saw was most favoured, and was like to be the prevailing side, wherewith they were well enough pleased, having never hearty embraced the Luteranians cause; and not only so, but they should be received by the Gregorians upon more advantageous terms then ever they were before) should wheel about and return to their first station, herein imitating the master, who fearing a storm Shelters himself in the harbour; but the Storm being over, he ventures to Sea again.  
Thus all things went on briskly, and they were more flushed with hopes then ever: the King being preposessed with a jealous opinion of the Prince of Glascedo, was the more easily inclined to believe his Brothers information, and to confirm it the more, some of their Evidence were brought to him, who were so confident in their assertion, and related every particular with so much formality, that the King though the never heard any thing made out clearer than this, wherefore he presently commanded him to appear before him; the poor Gentleman not imagining there were such Snares laid for him, went immediately to know the Kings pleasure, who commanded he should be conveyed to Stratinco Castle, and there kept in safe Custody; this was such a step, as they thought, towards the effecting their design, that I want words wherewith to express their Joy: Pompey or Cae●ar were not so proud of the Triumphs as the Gregorians were of this victory; great preparations were made for his trial, and they fancied themselves rid of him already: but unfortunate fools, by a too fierce and eager hunting down their Prey, they spoiled all and nipped their budding hopes in the Spring, for whereas usually such base and barbarous designs are spoiled by a too slow or timorous Proceeding therein, this on the contrary was dashed and came to nothing, by reason that their Rage and Malice made them drive on with so much impetuosity and fierceness that they over-did it. For although they had Witness enough to have condemned half the men in Otenia, yet to make sure work, they were still greedy of more, whereby they did the accused Prince more kindness then he was at that time capable of doing himself; and effected more towards the displaying of his Innocency, then could otherwise have been done by himself and all the Friends he had; for by tampering with so many, they did at last meet with some who were too honest to be drawn into such sanguine designs, and too wise to be baffled or terrified from revealing what endeavours were used to persuade them thereunto, however they smothered this up as well as they could, and resolved to strike home, and make amends for all at his Trial, not doubting but they should get him condemned; but there they fell into the same error of overdoing again, for the Witnesses accused him of many very improbable and almost impossible things which his Judges could not believe him Guilty of, whereupon he was acquitted, to the great Joy of the Luteranian Party, and to the grief and confusion of the Gregorian Faction: this made them lay about them like enraged Lions, not only because their Prey, the innocent Prince, had escaped, but because by this means a great number of the Princes and Noble Men of Otenia, whose Lives and Estates they intended should have followed the Fate of the Prince of Glascedo, had escaped those Snares which were laid for them: besides this was not all the mischief which came by this Princes escape, for now abundance of the Luteranians who by length of time and the subtle insinuation of such of the Gregorians as had for that purpose disguised themselves in the habit of the Luteranians, had entertained doubtful opinions concerning the reality of the Gregorian conspiracy, and were strangely wheedled into a firm belief that there was certainly a Calvenian Plot, begun to be enlightened, and to perceive that the first was true, although neglected and stisted, and the other fictitious and contrived by the Gregorians to stifle the noise and obliterate the Remembrance of their own.  
However the Gregorians, though they failed of their expectations, yet they got a considerable advantage, for although they got not the life of their enemies, yet they saved the life of their Friends, by making the Witnesses against them invalidate their own Evidence; notwithstanding which, they were in continual fear least the King should at last get some insight into their mischievous doings, and penetrate into their works of darkness; to prevent which great care was taken to keep the King always employed, either in talking, or hunting, or Fishing, or else in visiting, or frequenting of Masks and Balls, or the like Recreations, whereby they did their utmost endeavour to prevent his having any time to consider or contemplate the present posture of affairs, and if they found him at any time Solitary or Melancholy, they would presently divert him either by discoursing of the Court-Ladies, to whom he was no Enemy, praising the Beauty of some and highly commending the Wit of others, extoling the free Jovial and affable Temper, and Carriage of the Ladies of the present Age above the Coyness and Reservedness of the Ladies of the last Age; at other times, they would repeat their former discourse of the great Loyalty of the Prince of Purdino, and the great service which he had formerly done for the King, greatly commending the excellence of his Temper, in bearing his present troubles with such a Princely Fortitude, admiring much how he could so patiently bear the daily Affronts of his insolent Adversaries, insinuating that hereby it plainly appeared the Prince had so much Respect and Zeal for the Kings Peace and Quiet, that he choose rather to relinquish and forego his right then be any occasion of difference or jealousy between his Highness and the people of Otenia, bitterly exclaiming against the proud ambitious and aspiring mind of the young Prince of Burranto, blaming his rebellious and undutiful Carriage towards such an indulgent Father, highly agravating the pretended unnatural and Disloyal Obstinacy he discovered by continuing his intimacy and Familiarity with the Prince of Glascedo, maliciously transforming every imaginary Fault into an unpardonably Crime, by which means they procured the King to confided in a false and treacherous Brother, and to entertain fears and jealousies of one of the most Loyal and Dutiful Sons that ever Prince was blessed withal. By these and the like means they kept the King from penetrating into their designs, and preserved themselves in his favour and Friendship.  
Their next design was to prevent the people from getting any Knowledge of their design, to which end they had recourse to methods which had been serviceable and advantageous to them upon former occasions, viz. sending some of their creatures to all houses and places of public Meetings, to insinuate and affirm that some of the Judges of the Prince of Glascedo were as Guilty as himself, and that they being the Majority swayed, and over-ruled the rest, so that they acquitted him for no other reason but for fear least if they should have done otherwise they should thereby have made way to themselves; they likewise caused innumerable Papers to be every where scattered about, to the like purpose, by these and the like Juggles did the Gregorians keep unthinking people from enquiring into and detecting their cursed and Hellish Machinations.  
Now since the Prince of Purdino is so frequently mentioned in this History, it will not be amiss to describe him. Helclesius Prince of Purdino was tall, somewhat Slender, but exactly proportioned; he had Black bright Eyes, Fair long curled Hair, a fresh Ruddy complexion, a Fierce and Austeer Look, a valiant courageous and Undaunted Mind, a good Wit, a quick Apprehension, and a deep Judgement; he was Liberal in his Rewards, and severe in his Punishments, he was constant in his Love and Implacable in his Hatred, never Forgetting or Forgiving the least Injury; which rendered him the hope of his Friends, and the Dread and Terror of his Enemies.  
It so sell out that the King, the Prince of Purdino, and other Noble-men being one day a hunting wild Beasts in the desert, they killed abundance of lions, Bears, Wolves, Tigers, Bores, and other sorts of Creatures that inhabit in that vast and Solitary Wilderness; and the King being abundantly satisfied and extremely well pleased with the sport and Recreations, the variety of Creatures had yielded him, he thought it time to return; whereupon he gave notice thereof to his Company, and as they were riding home-ward, merrily discoursing of the adventures of the day, their discourse was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a fierce overgrown Leopard, upon sight whereof the Prince entreated leave of the King to let loose the Dogs upon him, assuring the King that he was resolved, if his Highness would consent to it, not to leave the chase, until he had slain him. Pray Brother be content, replied the King, and satisfy yourself with what you have done already, I think we have done enough for one day; Besides, said he, our Dogs are quiter tired and out of Heart. I have, replied the Prince, three or four brace of stout Mongrels that have not been played yet, the King being prevailed upon by his Brother, consented, though at that time it was contrary to his Inclination, whereupon the Dogs were let loose, and the game pursued so hard by the Prince and the rest of the Nobles, that the King who was somewhat weary and withal not so eager of the Game as the rest, lost sight of them and was left alone in the Wilderness, whereupon he set Spurs to his Horse in hope to find and overtake the Hunters, but all to no purpose, for he wandered up and down all the rest of the day and part of the night without being able to discover his Company or find his way out of the Wilderness, great was the fears and perplexities, of this distressed Prince, especially when Night came, when instead of resting his weary Limbs upon a Bed of Down or an embroidered couch, he was necessitated either to sit his horse, who began now to be as weary and tired as himself, or else to alight and lie down upon the ground, which although it agreed well enough with the Knights of old, who enured themselves to such kind of hardships by Custom and Practise, yet it must certainly be unpleasant as well as dangerous to a Prince who had not lain out of a Bed for many years together; and choose which he would of these, he was sure to have no other canopy but that of Heaven, nor other music than the Roaring of lions and howling of Wolves, or screeching of owls, nor other Attendance, then the wild Beasts of the Desert which were more like to prey upon and devour him, then to guard and secure him from those that would do so; and that which still aggravated and heightened his Misery was, the finding himself grow faint, and almost parched up with Thirst; and such was the deplorableness of his Condition, that he knew not what to do, or what Course to take: but on a sudden he happily espied a very pleasing and welcome Sight which revived his Spirits, and as it were inspired him with new Life, for as he was looking about, he saw a Light at some distance, which resolving to follow, it lead him to a loan Country-House where being arrived he knocked at the door, and desired to speak with the Master of the House, who presently came, and demanding what accident might occasion his being upon the Road so late, desired to know his pleasure with him: Sir, replied the King, I was this day a Hunting in Company with the King and his Nobles, and unfortunately losing Company with them, was not afterwards able either to find them or my way out of the Desert, wherein I have ever since wandered, and had done so all night, if it had not been my hap to espy a light in your House, which lead me hither, wherefore I entreat you to entertain me in your House to night, and I will give you what satisfaction you will desire. The Countryman looking upon him, and seeing him to be a Genteel Person, and well mounted, replied with a very good will, Sir, pray alight and come in for you shall be as welcome to my house, and what poor entertainment it will afford, and that without any other satisfaction than your kind acceptation, as you can be at your own; the King wanted not entreating, and therefore without any more compliments he went in, where he was kindly received and welcomed by the Mistress of the House; who presently ordered the getting ready something for his Supper, of which the King eat very hearty, and thought it the Best and Sweetest Meat that ever he eat in his Life; and after Supper being somewhat refreshed, and finding the Country Man and his Wife of a good brisk Jovial Temper, and perceiving withal that they possessed larger souls, and were Owners of better understandings then he had usually found among such Country rustics, resolved to divert himself by discoursing a little before he went to Bed, and to introduce the discourse, he  told them the adventures of the day, describing in a particular manner every Action, and Painted out the Pleasure of their Recreation with so much rhetoric that the poor Country Man and his Wife with all their ploughmen and dairy Maids got round about him, and Listened with such Eagerness and Atention as though they would have eaten his words; nor indeed can I blame them, for he was Master of so much Eloquence, that to hear him relate the manner of any Action afforded abundantly more Pleasure then to have been present at the Action itself; great was the Admiration which this discourse begot in these Country People of their Royal Guest, who not being accustomend to such visitors, thought themselves the happiest People living, that he happened to their House; but if they pleased themselves so much with entertaining an unknown Gentleman, how proud would they have been had they known him to be their Sovereign. After this the King asked them what News they had in the country? Why truly, replied the country man, you must not expect to hear News among us, for we have none but what we have from Carmanio, and therefore I would entreat you to impart some to us, since you came so lately thence. I know but little, replied the King; all the talk now is about the Calvenian Plot, what do you in the country think of that? truly, replied the Countryman, we look upon it as a mere Contrivance of the Gregorians, to acquit themselves of the Odium and Guilt of their own Plot; and to tell you the truth, we look upon the Prince of Burranto to be the true Heir of the Crown, and not the Prince of Purdino; we know not upon what pretended reasons of State Purdino's Creatures have prevailed with the King to deny him, but we are informed, there are some few persons yet living, who were present both at the Kings Marriage with his Mother, and at the Birth of the Prince. The King wondered to hear such discourse from such Country People, and was extremely pleased and delighted with their innocent and pleasant Conversation; but finding himself somewhat drowsy, he desired to go to Bed, and was presently conducted to his Chamber, which although it were not so Richly Furnished as those of his own palaces, yet he found it very neat, and what was wanting in Costliness, was made up in pleasantness; it being curiously decked and Adorned with great variety of the most beautiful and fragrant Flowers, wherewith he was so much delighted that he would willingly have lain awake all night to have enjoyed the benefit of their fragrant Scent, yet he was no sooner in his Bed, but he found prevailing sleep too powerful to be resisted, for sitting heavy on his Eye-lids, and soft Slumber spreading her Downy Wings o'er his Royal Limbs, dissolved him into Rest, where we will leave him to enjoy the Sweetest Nights Repose he had been blessed with in many yeares, and return to the Wilderness where we find the Prince following the Leopard, till night grew on a place, without being able to kill him; wherefore they were forced to give over the Chase, and gather the Company together to return home; when, and not before, they mist the King; whereat the Prince raged like a man Distracted, not for any love he had to his Brother, or fear of any Danger that had befallen him, for if he could have been but assured he had been killed by some wild Beast, or so lost as never to have been heard of again, he would have accounted it the smallest loss, or rather the greatest gain that ever he had in his life: but that which grieved him was, the fear he was in least this Accident might unravel all his designs, and that some blunt country Boar should by two or three plain words undo all that in a moment, which he had with Machiavillian Craft, and Dissimulation been many years in doing, viz. Undeceive the King; wherefore he caused the Company to disperse, and some ride one way, and some another in search of the King, if happily they might light on him, and thereby prevent his falling into discourse with any who might unhappily discover some of their Mysterious intrigues.  
The King never waked all Night, but when the Morning began to approach, and the Bright Sun, great Ruler of the Day, having by his Powerful rays dispelled the Gloomy Shades, and banished the darkness of the preceding Night, he began to rouz himself; and having shaken off the Fetters wherewith Morpheus great Monarch of the Night had bound up his Royal Senses, he drew the Curtain, looking about for his Usual Guard and Attendance; and seeing none of them, but the Room in a profound Silence, he could not presently imagine where he was, or how he came there: but being thoroughly awake, and recollecting his thoughts, he soon called to Mind the several Passages of the preceding day; whereupon he arose, and being dressed took two or three turns about the Chamber, greatly admiring and pleasing himself with the Neatness thereof, which yielded an equal satisfaction to the Senses of seeing and smelling, nor was he less pleased with its Pleasant and Healthful Situation: he had not been long stirring ere the Master of the house, who diligently hearkened whether he could hear his Royal Guest, understood by his walking about the Room that he had left his Bed, and therefore atttended him, enquiring how he had restend? Very well, replied the Prince, I think I never slept sounder in my life: the Country man expressed abundance of Joy thereat, entreating him that since he had been so happily directed to his house, he would do him the honour to stay and dine with him, the King desired to be excused, but yet upon his importunity he consented, and found his entertainment very much to exceeed his expectation; dinner being over, and his Horse and all things being got ready and having taken his leave, he mounted and road towards Carmanio, until he came to a pleasant Path way that lead unto a delightful Shady Grove situated upon an Hill, from whence he might take a view of the neighbouring valleys, and having viewed it he dismounted and entered the Grove, and being very much delighted with the umbrage, sat himself down beneath the spreading Boughs, on the flowery Bank of a crystal Spring, whose Murmuring Streams in Silver Trills discharged themselves into a neighbouring Brook, and with much admiration took a delightful view of the out spread plains and valleys, which were Curiously fringed with Trees and blossomed Shrubs, nor was he less delighted to see the careful Shepherds Feeding their Numerous Flocks, whose pretty Bleatings answered still those rural Songs which they on Slender Reeds Tuned, Harmonious as the music of the Spheres; nor was there any other rustic Exercise or Pleasing Object wanting to his Sight, which had hitherto been represented to his View in Land-skips dexterously drawn by the most curious Pencils, where we at present leave him to his Contemplations.  
FINIS.   

ERRATA  
page. 9. line 14. red Carriage, p. 24. L. 24. R. to, p. 27 L. 9. after to, add aid, p. 75. L. 12. R. Extremity, L. 23. R. Reitterated, p. 82. L. 7. R. and then.