THE LOVES AND ADVENTURES OF CLERIO & LOZIA. A ROMANCE.  
Written Originally in French, and Translated into English By Fra. Kirkman, Gent.  
LONDON, Printed by J. M. and are to be sold by William Ley, at his shop at Paul's Chain. 1652.   

TO His much honoured Friend WIL BEESTON, Esq  
Worthy Sir,  
DIvers times (in my hearing) to the admiration of the whole Company, you have most judiciously discoursed of Poesy: which is the cause I presume to choose you for my Patron and Protector; who are the happiest interpreter and judge of our English Stageplays this Nation ever produced; which the Poets and Actors of these times, cannot (without ingratitude) deny; for I have heard the chief, and most ingenious of them, acknowledge their Fames & Profits essentially sprung from your instructions, judgement and fancy. I am versed in Foreign tongues and subscribe to your opinion, that no Nation ever could glory in such Plays, as the most learned and incomperable Johnson, the copious Shakespeare, or the ingenuous Fletcher composed; but I believe the French for amorous language, admirable invention, high achievements, honourable Loves inimitable constancy, are not to be equalled: and that no Nation yields better Arguments for Romance Plays (the only Poems now desired) then the French: Therefore, and for you have I translated the Adventures and Loves of Clerio and Lozia; and I doubt not though they fail to receive encouragement from you, your son, Mr George Beeston (whom knowing men conclude, a hopeful inheritor of his Father's rare ingenuity) may receive them with a gracious allowance.  
And sir, though the work be not entirely happy in your construction (for my years are not arrived to knowledge to add where the Author wants matter, or to lessen where he abounds) yet you will find much newness in the Story, worthy an excellent Poet to insoul it for the Stage; where it will receive full perfection equal to the ambition of  
The constant admirer of your Excellent Parts, Fra. Kirkman, jun.   

THE Loves and Adventures OF CLERIO and LOZIA.  
THe Fortune of Man is an obscure riddle, which Time only the most Orthodox Interpreter of the Heavens, of the Gods, and Nature, can truly explicate.  
My Ladies! The Fortune of the Famous Clerio and the fair Lozia, whose lives and loves are both delineated in this ensuing History, I present to you, with this persuasion, That as a pleasant Landscape it will yield some small contentment to your minds, and recreation unto your Spirits. In the Description of whose variable conditions, I will first begin with Clerio, whom with my pen I will portrait before your eyes, as our chiefest and choicest Judges.  
This young Gentleman from his youth being endued with courage, and induced by curiosity, went abroad into Foreign parts, to see the customs of those places, to add by industry some higher degree of perfection to that which Nature, amorous of him, had so freely bestowed upon him: After he had seen Germany and the Eastern Countries he stayed three whole years in Italy where he was accounted so perfect and exact in all sorts of exercises becoming a Gentleman, that it was impossible to find any man more perfectly accomplished then himself. This Merchant for honour, having made a successful adventure, returned home to the Court full fraught both with glory and renown, which (durst I say so) was empty during his absence, of the greatest part of its splendour, who was not like a star of the first Magnitude shining brightly in the firmament thereof, but as a glorious Sun, whose presence brought a day, and whose absence a night, upon the Horizon of the Court, which did not only enlighten it, but sliding from the eyes it crept into the hearts of the fairest Ladies the Court afforded, who at the first sight of so lovely a wonder, were wonderfully enamoured of him.  
Clerio not settling the circumference of his desires in the centre of any of their hearts, which were so desirous of his, but as a triumphant Conqueror carried all theirs captives into Spain, leaving them behind to bemoan their misery in so happy yet unhappy affections, where also he murdered a Million of innocent lovers by an overrigid disdain of their beauties: but they were soon avenged on him for this rigorous dealing; for not long after he became exceedingly in love with the Princess Lozia who was young, rich, and very beautiful, equally adorned with pulchritude in her face, and perfection of parts in her mind. And although Clerio was a gentleman but worth fifteen thousand Francs of revenue, yet did he undertake to serve so noble a Princess, who since the decease of her Father and Mother, was under the Gardianship of the Duke of Blanfort her Uncle, who intended to match her to the Duke of Doudonne his Son, and for fear any other should espouse her, he watched her so narrowly above the common custom of the Country both with Argo's and with Lynk's eyes, and kept her within so straitened limits, that if Clerio could by chance see her, yet could by no means come to speak to her. Filled with love and despair he did so diligently inquire and carefully pursue his desired wishes, that at last he came to know her Lady of honour, which was named Vincia, and was a French Gentlewoman, the death of whose husband did so exceedingly afflict her, that she was constrained to banish herself by a voluntary exile into Spain. Clerio being very joyful of this news procured the sight of her, whom at the first view he knew not, although she was his near Kinswoman, because he had not lately seen her, and which was the strangest, she was acoutred after the Spanish fashion; but in fine after a thousand hearty congratulations and welcome embracements they promised to owe each the other so much service and affection, that under this pretext Clerio visited Vincia every day, not so much because his respects unto his Cousin did oblige him thereto, as he was drawn thither by the attractive loadstone of lovely Lozia.  
The Moon had six several times received its borrowed light before Clerio durst discover unto his Cousin that affection which he bore to her Mistress; but at last not being able to resist those fervent flames that the eyes, those two glorious Suns of that famous Princess had kindled in his heart; meeting one day with Vincia in the Garden, thus aboarded her.  
Vincia, do not you know, seeing my countenance altered and my face so wan, that there is also a change in my heart, which appeareth thus upon my brows, and that if you were very quick sighted and had but a window to open into my heart you would see the Characters of love so deeply engraven thereon, that the very perusal of them would sufficiently acquaint you with my doleful condition: Vincia being overtaken with sorrow and impatience interrupted his discourse; saying,  
Clerio, I never had so sensible an apprehension of any afflictions as of that which your dolorous speeches have caused in my heart: alas, whence hath so sudden a change as since yesterday happened to you? I entreat you to case my drooping Spirit of that weight of sorrow which your silence hath laid upon it by the continuation of your discourse, and conceal not any thing from so sure a friend as I am, whose love will make any enterprise, be it never so difficult or dangerous, both facile and delightful, to gratify so noble a Spirit as yours. My dear Cousin, I do not esteem any thing so much, of all that I have brought with me into this Country, but it shall be subordinate to pleasure or to profit your good grace: there is none of all my kindred whom I affect or honour more than yourself; believe that if the loss of all my means with my life itself, might but redeem the least part of your lost delights, I shall esteem myself to live in dying, if my death can procure that contentment to you which hath been denied to my miserable life.  
Oh Vincia, said Clerio, six months at least are passed since I was first amorous of the most pure and perfect beauty that ever the sun beheld, and do you account of this but as a day? My Cousin pardon me I beseech you, for I did suppose some sudden accident had happened to you since I saw your honour, for you have ever covered your amorous dolour under colour of a certain disease wherewith you were tormented, this you know; but pray honour me so far as to tell me what Lady you bear so great affection to?  
'Tis with Lozia my dear Cousin, which name is forced by mine extreme passion to be pronounced with my mouth, as her glorious beauty hath stamped it with an indelible character upon my heart.  
Lozia, my Cousin! I should rather have believed the most impossible things in the world to be feasible than this to be true; shame and death could not have given you so insensible a sense of your mishap, as in the love of so fair an object: know you not that the beauty of Princesses are as the beams of the Sun, which we must look on in an obliqne line with admiration, not in a direct line, with desire of possession; for when we are drawing nearer to so dazzling a light, and farther from our own, we must stiff those venomous desires in the first motions of their conceptions, for fear they prove Vipers to our souls, and in their birth break through the bellies of their mothers, and so draw the first beginning of their lives from the miserable end of ours.  
I knew well enough, replied he, that you would think it strange that I, who have the reputation of an understanding man, have been so weak as to let so strong a passion get so powerful an head. If on the other side you consider not that Nature hath so perfectly accomplished her, that she subjugates the reason and the soul of all who see her to serve her. I had thought after I had been a year in Spain to return again into mine own Country, but her beauty, gifts and graces are such strong Anchors, that after twenty years they will still hold me fast at her feet, notwithstanding all the storms and tempests which discontentments and despairs can stir up in the sea of my Soul: I will wait for a quiet calm from the honour of her good grace, and the cessation of my sorrows by the interposition of your  endeavours.  
Clerio (quoth Vincia) I am in a straight, and know not what to do; if I forsake you, I foresee your destruction; if I assist you, I do but mingle my ruin with yours. But as the saying is, Good blood cannot lie, but must in the afflictions of friends needs discover itself: so do I already perceive it running to my heart to change those icy fears that are there congealed of any peril into so many flames of love and assurance of success, for the obtaining of which I will employ my utmost abilities, even to the loss of my life, in obedience to your Commandments. I know that the beauties of Ladies move indifferently the passions of men, and that being stirred up, they drown the greatest part of the gallantest persons by their merciless surges. Therefore my Cousin, should we rather seek to save you from this Shipwreck, then to remain in the bemoaning of your misery, which in tract of time will bring forth a greater? You are not the first which hath been in love with Queens and Princesses. There have been an infinite number of them which had neither the half of your spirit nor your merit, who in the end by patience and discretion have attained to the height of their desires. Histories are full of such passages, as you know, who are not ignorant of any thing which concerneth the perfection of a Gentleman: But if it seem good to you, I give you this as mine advice; That you feign that you are in love with me, & that you employ, every one, as you shall see opportunity, to perform any friendly office in that behalf, and often write letters to me, that removing all suspicion, you may see your Lady every day under colour of visiting me, and I will stamp so good an impression of your merits upon her, that with the good opinion which she already hath of your honour, I hope it will be an easy matter to make her love you; she is yet a child, and nothing more easy then to bend her heart to our desires: No body understands our language; I lie in the chamber with her, and sometimes she honours me so much, as to let me lie in the bed with her, and that you know is the place where Souls have the most free association; therefore there will I discourse of your great love toward me, and will bestow so many encomiums of praise upon your honour, that by force she shall willingly affect you; and when I see her never so little inclined towards you, I will endeavour to engage her so deeply in the enterprise, that she shall be able to do nothing which I shall not first approve of, for of necessity she must come to me to be her Counsellor, and then what issue your affairs will come to, judge you.  
Vincia, said Clerio, the assurance of your affection is that wherein I place the sureness of my ambitious love, which giveth me as much hope and confidence of success, as I can have distrust from the thoughts of her greatness, and the apprehension of the smallest of my deserts.  
My Cousin, quoth Vincia, time doth now call me to departed, and wait upon my Mistress to Church, and she without question will question me concerning what we have discoursed all this while, which will be a very opportune occasion for me to speak to her concerning you, but be sure you fail not to come to me on a visit of respect after dinner. After Vincia had given her Mistress the good morrow, with a pleasant smile she gave her her Fan: Lozia being of a courteous disposition, doubting this was for some unhappy accident, asked her the occasion of it, but the other being at this time to play the cunning woman, refused to tell her, to make the relation go the better, and after an infinite number of excuses and evasions, being as it were unable to deny her entreaties, or rather disobey her desirous commands, said, Mistress, I cannot but laugh to think of the discourses I and my Cousin have had together this two hours in the Garden, concerning the great love he bears to me. He offered me his service with the elegantest words that I ever heard; but I am sorry either that he is so much in love with me, or that I am so nearly akin to him: for he is a most gallant gentleman, and I believe a gentlewoman will be served as worthily thily by him as by any man in the world. He is so perfectly accomplished, that there is no sort of exercise in which he is not very expert: He is a brave Dancer, a good Horseman, and speaks most learnedly, hath been a great traveller, is discreet, courteous, beautiful, and as perfect as Nature could possibly make him: Would to God that he were but as passionately affected for some other, whose parts and graces did in some sort bear proportion to his.  
But wherefore will not you love him, quoth Lozia? I will procure a licence for you from Mr Cardinal, mine Uncle, to marry him. If I could but meet with one of my quality, which is like to him, I would make more account of him then so. You see that they intent to marry me to my cousin, which at the best is but a sot: therein is the condition of you, other gentlewomen, more happy than ours, seeing you have the choice of those persons which you like best of. But we, which are above the ordinary sort of people, either become come fools in following our own fantasies and inclinations in our young days, or else we must wait till we are old for some party whose means is suitable to ours; and if there can be such a one found in ten Kingdoms, though not a man but a little better than a beast, we must be espoused to him, and spend the residue of our days without any pleasure with them: Vincia, I find him so amiable, that I counsel thee to entertain him courteously.  
Whilst Vincia was in discourse with the beautiful Lozia, Clerio spoke to himself, advantaged by his vain imaginations concerning his love, whereby had it not been that he had had some confidence in his Cousin, he would have almost killed himself with his own fears, which were his greatest enemies: Now imagining that Lozia would never stoop so low as to love him, then doubting his design might be discovered, and so both of them endangered, arguing thus against himself to his utmost ability, he had almost disarmed himself of all his hope, and given his love up at least for lost: But whilst he was floating upon the waves of these distracted irresolutions, the time of the assignation approached, wherein he was to visit his Love, for which end he dressed himself after the French fashion; his Hose fastened with black, the Doublet with white Satin cut, doubled with fillets of Gold and collar of Amber, with a Chain of Musk hanging by a Ribbon five double, upon the which was fastened a fair picture; his head comely, and bestrued with Cyprus powder; his Beard and Hair shining like the radiant Phoebus, the eyes and features of his visage fair, his hand and favour extremely beauteous, he had Gloves perfumed, his Colloshoos of Velvet, his Hat was ombraged with a plume of black Herons Feathers, together with an ensign of Diamonds, which gave as great a lustre to his fair visage, as the Sun in the Meridian; a Mantle of Velvet cut upon black, and half covered with little bands of Satin, completely fashioned; his Girdle embroidered with Gold, his Sword with the guards of Milan.  
Being attired after this fashion, the most common, and counted the most comely in that time, accompanied with two Gentlemen, two Pages, and four Lackeys very neatly dressed; he went towards the Palace of his beautiful Lozia, at whose gate he sacrificed a sigh to his Love, and his Love unto the eyes of his beauteous Mistress; incontinently he met within the Hall his Mistresses waiting Gentlewomen with a Viol, who entreated him to dance with them; and one took his Cloak, and the other his Sword: These Ladies living rather after the Custom of the French, than the Spaniards, did oblige him to gratify them in their requests. In the mean while Lozia asked where her Gentlewomen were; and one of her Pages told her, that they were dancing with Clerio. The Princess being provoked with a desire to see him dance, and persuaded by the counsels of Vincia, ran immediately to the Hall, and looked upon him through an hole that was in the Wall so long, till his legs were wearier with leaping, then hers with standing, or her eyes with beholding so pleasant a prospect. At last she returned to her Chamber, and began to talk with Vincia concerning the gallantness and gracefulness of her Cousin, and bid her go down and entreat him to come up. Vincia having given her Cousin the common salutation, took him by the hand, and led him up the stairs to the Chamber door of the Princess; at the which he put his Cloak upon his right shoulder, and with his left hand held the hilt of his Sword, and took his Hat in his other hand, and entered thus into the Chamber with an awful observance of the Princess, who rising a little out of her Chair, commanded that they should bring one for him, and set it by her: To whom Clerio with a reverend humility said, Fair Princess, I esteem it a superabundant honour done to me to stand so near so bright a Sun. The Princess seeing him of so courteous and noble demeanour, desired him to be pleased to sit down. I doubt, fair Lady, quoth he, you do but deride me, but seeing you will have it so, I cannot so far fail in mine obedience to your Commands as to refuse it. Then to make it appear how welcome the sight of him was, she detained him a long time with her in such discourse.  
Sir, is this the fashion to dress yourself, as you learned it in the Court of France? methinks it is very comely, and befits you very well: I perceive the liberty that you Gentlemen have to apparel yourselves according to your own mind; and those which have most ingenuity invent the most handsome and comely habiliments: You entertain your Ladies with the most honest liberty and courteous civility that can be desired; and nothing you have is not at liberty, except sometimes your captivated hearts; but yet you are oftentimes so false and unfaithful, that you may be always justly suspected rather to flatter then favour, to be loved, then to love your Mistresses: Is it possible that you are so deeply in love with your Cousin as I am told?  
Madam, replied Clerio, I do exceedingly honour and affect her; but my merit is so little, that it is insufficient to oblige her so much as to render me the like love again. Yes, quoth she, but it is, even enough for the most noble spirits that Spain can show, where there are such whom I do highly honour: But speak the truth, I know well enough that you are not so amorous of Vincia, as I have been made believe you are: Vincia, what think you of it?  
I believe Mistress as you do; he is willing to pass away his time, but that he should do it with me, is too much honour: I am sorry for nothing, but that I am too unworthy to be wedded to so worshipful a Gentleman; but all the offices of love that I can perform to pleasure him in the pursuit of his desires, I shall be ready to adjuvate him with my best assistance, because of that goodwill he doth profess he owes me. Lozia taking the words out of Vincia's mouth, said thus; Most Noble Clerio, although your own merits are able Orators to plead your Nobility to any Lady, and discover your excellency to any discerning eye; yet if that little I have may be any ways profitable for you in the obtaining either of your Cousin, or any other of this Country, make account of my utmost endeavours therein, in which I conceive the courtesy will be not so much done to you as to her. And for my own part, I take so much pleasure in your company, that I wish you some honourable Match in this place. I have myself a French heart, although I am a Spanish woman by Nation: Vincia knows how much I honour any French man, especially such who do resemble you: Your countenance is a sure sign to all that see you of those excellent qualities which your spirit is endowed withal. Clerio was very glad of such an opportunity, whereon he might take hold to praise Lozia to herself, and with her true commendations to mingle a little of his earnest and ardent affection.  
Madam, quoth he, these expressions of yours, filled with honour and courtesy, give me an assurance of your excellent ingenuity and courteous dispositions, together with an evidence to me of mine unhappiness by mine estrangement from those perfections which you attribute to me, rather to stir up in me a longing after them, than any hope of the possession of them. Nature (to whom you are exceedingly obliged) hath expressed its most exquisite Art in the making of so fair a face, the splendour of whose beauty doth both astonish and affect the hearts of those which are so Eagle eyed as to be able to look upon so bright a Sun: And Love itself, as if it were in love with you, hath bestowed on you the choicest flowers of its Garland to adorn you withal; Your perfect beauty, your alluring gestures, that Rose and Lilly-like colour mingled together, to beautify you; Your sweet behaviour and your courteous carriage are as so many insensible Spells to charm, or sweet singing Sirens to entice the noblest spirits of this Age to an inevitable amorous Shipwreck. He had proceeded in his discourse, but was forced abruptly to break of, being interrupted by the coming in of some Ladies, who casting their eyes upon him, and seeing him so commendable, began all to load him with Encomiums of Praise before Lozia, which added Oil to the flame of her affections, which had been before kindled by the sight of so lovely an object. During which time, Clerio was with his Cousin in a corner of the Chamber, who gave him an Antidote of Hope against his despair of success. But because distrust is an inseparable Concomitant with true love in a Lover's mind, he could not work this persuasion into his heart, that he should ever be so happy as to participate of so great a good. The poor Princess, during the presence of her company, sat upon thorns, which made her that she could not sit still, but must needs rise with one excuse or other, that she might look upon her beloved Clerio; now and then put a period to their discourse, that she might the better think upon the person and the deserts of him, the thought of whom so much delighted her. In the mean while, Love, which loves not to lose any time, did so inflame their hearts at one time, that they were no more two, but one. Noble Clerio, what wouldst thou bestow upon the Messenger of so welcome news, as sure as thou thinkest it uncertain, and thyself nearer to the possession of a dreadful Tomb, then to have occasion to triumph in thy victory over thy dear Lozia? Clerio, recall thy spirit out of that sad and dangerous Paroxysm of affliction wherewith it is tormented; and whilst thy Mistress poureth love-tears upon the fire of thy fervent desires, devote thyself unto her love, which will make thee so happy by thy love unto her. While Vincia was promising her Cousin to speak to her Mistress at night in his behalf, one of his Gentlemen came in to advertise him, that an Ambassador from France was arrived newly, and now at his house; and although it was not usual for Ambassadors to lodge in such houses, yet the quality and merits of Clerio made him worthy of so extraordinary a favour. He upon this riseth presently, and lest he should have been troublesome to the company, he would have privately departed. But Lozia, whose eyes were Guardians for her heart, which Clerio had (without his knowledge) in possession, presently acquainted her with his departure. Whereupon, filled with love, yet with wary discretion, she risen up, and said to him in a courteous manner, Noble Sir, what is the cause you will so soon forsake our company? To whom he related the reason of his departing, and then after a complimental farewell did go home to his house, which was directly opposite to his Mistresses, and welcomed the Ambassador with kind entertainment. After they had discoursed a little while of serious affairs, he took his Lute, and set himself down at the window, playing most melodiously thereupon: Lozia hearing this excellent Harmony, went to hear it at the window, and desired the Gentlewomen to come and participate of her pleasure, whose ears he contented no less by the melody of his Music, than their eyes by the beauty of his countenance. These Ladies a little after took their leaves of the Princess, who returned them thanks for their kindness, and then retired into her Closet, to give audience to those importunate love-thoughts that pressed so hard upon her heart, which new guests spoke after this sort; It is our common custom to go visit all those Ladies which have submitted themselves to our Empire, that giving ourselves into their possession, we may get their Souls by way of retaliation into our power.  
My friends (quoth Lozia) I know not how I can with love refuse you, and much less how with safety I can receive you, a thousand things prohibit me the first, and my passion only counsel me to the second, but in vain do I enter the lists of dispute with you, who have already desprived me insensibly of the use of my Reason, and with a dolorous sigh and a doleful voice which were evident symptoms of an afflicted spirit, she breathed out this subsequent discourse.  
O delightful liberty! which hitherto I have steadfastly preserved from enthraldom, to so many puissant Princes who have used their utmost power to captivate it to their love and merits. A liberty no more a liberty, but a shameful slave unto a thousand foolish passions: to thee I profess I am exceedingly obliged for keeping me so long a commander over the most noble Spirits of this age, whom I have tyrannically wounded. And thou o divine Reason! now I come to take my farewell of thee permit me to give thee thy last embraces, and that having been so familiarly conjoined, I should now shed some tears of sorrow for so long and irksome a separation: Farewell.  
But Reason interrupted her farther Soliloquies: saying,  
Fair Princess, what is it that thus you perplex yourself about? intent you to ruinated that honour and renown, which hath so long a time run in the veins of your predecessors? consider that if you wholly devote yourself, being yet but a child, to the government of your unbridled passions, you will become one of the meanest shrubs that hath grown in so great a garden; you will take the crown of glory off your head and lay it in the dust, and then no doubt if it be quickly buried by the tombstone of reproach, you will spoil the glorious garland of your honour by giving the choicest flower away to so mean a person, and darken your glorious Sun by conjunction with so small a star; what if the wound in your reputation, should not be utterly incurable, yet at least your credit will be accounted little, in the world's valuation, by reason of the remainder of the scar? Cannot you who are a peerless Princess both in goods and goodness, elect some mighty Monarch, and in stead of a base degeneration by your foolish love into a lower stock, ascend by a lawful and honourable marriage, into a more noble family? Shall not you have more contentment in the being a mother unto a Noble Prince, who will carry upon his front the lively image both of your mighty husband and yourself, which will give cause of hope and expectation to your servants, who will be much loved of his friends, and more feared of his Foes, then to be matched unto a low not to say vile person, who will be equally slighted by your friends and scorned by your enemies? The charm must needs be very great which hath thrown all your senses into such a swoon, that they are insensible of their pains, and foresee not their inevitable perdition, 'tis neither the slight account that you make of me, nor the fear of my unhappiness, which doth provoke me to such complaints, but rather a charitable sympathising with you in your unavoideable misery, for whilst I see you such an exile from yourself, tormented with such stinging griefs, I can do no less, but do this my last Office as the safest remedy to recall your Spirit from out of that mortal dream of deceitful conceits, upon which you ruminate, and raife you from the thoughts of foolish fancies, to settle your affections upon more honourable objects.  
Lozia knew her fault but knew not where to find a remedy to amend it, full both with love and with grief she vented out these say. My loving friend these worthy and weighty counsels would be sufficient to turn me from foam light and little love, but not from so passionate affection which hath already gained so absolute a conquest over me, that I account all employments whatsoever as unprofitable except those which give me occasions and oppertunities to meditate upon so defireable a subject. Thou proposest nothing to me but vanity, glory, ambition, and ostentation, which are lent out but for use and taken away in an instant leaving nothing behind but a sting of sorrow, because they cannot be regained. This life is so short yet so filled with thorns that they are miserable indeed who to fill their chests with gold and their persons with praise, empty their eyes of rest, and their spirits of sweet contentment, fill their heads with stinging cares to get, and their hearts with fears to lose what may be obtained. It is a great default in father's duty, to seek for such marriages for their children, where there is a great stock of money, but none of love, wedding them rather to the portion than the person, and not give them liberty to choose where they like and settle their loves upon worthy, though not wealthy persons: satisfaction riseth not out of superfluity, neither discontent from want. I can be well contented with an empty purse together with the full enjoyment of my beloved Clerio, and had rather be a servant unto him, than the Queen of the most flourishing Kingdom in the world; rather had I be a subject to him then have the world subject unto me. What are Dukedoms and such things to me, which can neither satiate my desires nor content my spirit; my Clerio, his deserts will be a sufficient dowry, to which I will add some chains of precious Margarites and pieces of pure gold, which will maintain my love and I in any part of the world, in which we will live as Princes, though not Princes over it. It is an act of a weak judgement not to content itself with less than the surplusage of what it hath, which should be willingly spared in the time of adversity, but used at pleasure for contentations only in the calm of prosperity. Had not I better voluntarily deprive myself of the possession of a Principality more absolutely to command the Virtues of Clerio, then keeping the possession of mine estate, should by a bloody War be shamefully driven out of all, as Croesus was by Cyrus.  
This poor Princess was so enamoured with Clerio, that doubting of her successful issue, she resolved rather to lose her estate then her servant; more would she have said to Vincia, had not one come to call her to Supper. The Princess hearing the voice of her Lady of Honour, framed her countenance as well as she could to its wont colour, lest she should perceive it change, supposing that Clerio was in love with Vintia, which might be a remora to her prosperous proceed. But she did it not so cunningly, but Vincia read in her face what grieved her heart; as dissembling goes not long undiscovered before a discerning eye, and frequent familiarity advantaged likewise her knowledge of the change of her Soul by that alteration that appeared in her face.  
Vincia very joyful that her affairs did go forward without any impediment, did not as yet make any show of her design to her Mistress for fear of displeasing her: but seeing her disquietness was likely to continue, not being as a Land-flood for the present swelling over the banks, but a constant spring, which would never cease to cast out its water, till it were dried up by the enjoyment of her longed for Clerio: She, as curious to know her distemper, and cautious of her health, would demand the cause of such a sudden change. All supper time she did so narrowly eye her actions, that she was past all peradventure persuaded that she was in a lovesick Paroxysm. Then began the Princess to revive her spirit with the exhilerating thoughts of excellent Clerio; then again is there engendered in her breast earnest desires for his sweet enjoyments, with affectionate sigh for that longed for opportunity, whose lives were no sooner began by love, but they were strangled in the womb by fear and discretion: Her humid eyes firmly fastened downward, her trembling body, her unaccustomed startlings and disquietness, her ask for one thing in stead of another, would have sufficiently evidenced her perplexity of spirit to any body, which would have added the least suspicion to an intelligent mind. As soon as Vincia was gone from table, she wrote this Letter unto her Cousin.  
CLERIO, Your merits and your winning behaviour are such powerful Orators for you to your Mistress, that I hope you will not need your Cousins help: I have many things to acquaint you withal, but those I had rather speak then write, thereby to be honoured with your company; I fear this unexpected joy may be as great an impediment to your rest, as your accustomed afflictions were.  
Clerio read the Letter, but did not make an appearance of any change, lest Lozia's Page should discover any thing thereby. After he had prayed him to stay till he returned, he went into his Closet, and wrote this ensuing Answer.  
I should, did not I repose my whole confidence in your gracious endeavours, and anchor my hopes upon the assurance of your constancy, be tossed up and down, as a Ship is upon the waves, in the expectation of so great a happiness as you promise to me; and if many others had not received the like courtesies and favours from Fortune as I now do wait for, I should doubt of the obtaining of my desires: I have desired nothing more than the fruition of the fair Lozia, as witnesseth my superlative passions to be her servant, which I have much desired, but yet have despaired hitherto to encompass, because she is the most fair and famous Princess in the world.  
Lozia sustaining her spirit with hope to finish her begun love, would often turn her eyes towards the Chamber of her servant, upon what errand you know well enough; but missing the view of Clerio, she saw her Page with a Letter in his hand coming from his house, to whom she presently sent one of her Gentlewomen for the Letter and the Page before he had spoken to any body: Presently the Gentlewoman went and conducted the Page unto Lozia, who was alone in a Gallery. Lozia demanded who had sent him to Clerio his house; he not knowing any thing, freely told her, that Vincia had sent him with a Letter to her Cousin, and he had there the Answer to it. She without any more ado opened the Letter, and read it, and not dreaming of any thing less than the ardent affections that were in Clerio towards her, at the sight of such unexpected tidings she was ravished almost between love and the ecstasy of joy: Wherefore she commanded the Page to go his way, that he might not discover that sudden and cheerful alteration that was easily legible in her countenance. Who hath seen the Sun after he hath for a season retired from us, return, and with his glittering beams dissipate all those mists, clouds and vapours that did obscure our light, and with a fair day give us also so fructifying a warmth, that the Earth which did before in his absence bring forth nothing but brambles and thistles, by the profitable approach thereof is made the mother of a fruitful Harvest; he might have also seen the Sun of his Love disperse those griefs and sorrows, and discloud those gloomy days, and enliven a number of sweet delights and joyful raptures, which before were stifled with immoderate fears. This fair Princess, after she had read and kissed the Letter an hundred and an hundred times, uttered forth these words, drawn from the bottom of her affected heart:  
If those Mortals are esteemed most happy, and most in Heaven's favour, which are most gratified with divine Benedictions, there is no Princess in the world which at this time can truly say she is more happy than myself, who am so highly honoured by the most perfect and peerless Gentleman in all the world, whose virtues and person I reverence, admire and adore altogether as much as the love and knowledge that I already have of his unmatchable merits do oblige me. O sweet Letter, I cannot but kiss thee once again, seeing thou hast been touched with the hands of my Clerio; let me behold thee with admiration and affection, seeing I find in thee so perfect pleasure; let me read thee, that I might retain in memory those selected words of thine, which assure me of thy love, my noble Clerio. O mine head, open the floodgates of thy tears, and expend them upon the excess of thy present ecstasy of joy. O mine heart, still contribute more fuel unto the flames of thine affections, and make as it were a bonfire therein, in token of triumph for thy conquest over so loving an enemy. Lozia being a little recovered from this sweet and sudden transportation, called Vincia, and took her by the hand, and told her her heart, saying, You know the affection which I have born to you ever since you entered into my service, and those desires I have had to do you any courtesy; but your not having occasion, nor I opportunity to oblige you, must not be objected against my natural disposition, which inclineth me to engage indifferently all sorts of persons, but principally those to whom I am deeply indebted, as I am to you: And if the sensibility of so many faithful services which I have received from you, should not draw me to an acknowledgement of your affections; yet mine own honour and reputation and your deserts would freely force me to procure your advancement. I know that you having a sufficient estate, have made choice of me among many others, who have desired you not for any inconveniency in your affairs, but affection unto my welfare: I am not ignorant of your quality, nor those perfections wherewith you are endowed, which is the reason I have permitted you so familiar a society with myself above all others which are near me: There is not need of any other testimony of the truth thereof, than your own knowledge: But if it fall out to my misfortune, to have more need of your assistance than you have of my protection, will you therefore Vincia cease to continue your former favours, (and upon the utterance of these words embraced her, and poured from her beautiful eyes a pearly shower of tears upon the bosom of Vincia,) and especially in one thing wherein I am constrained to come to you for counsel, and to bind you by the strictest Oaths that can be made to speak the truth? Is it true that Clerio is so deeply drowned with sorrow, and so fervent and passionate for the love he bears me, as appears by the Letter he hath wrote to you, which I have subtly gotten from the Page which carried him yours?  
Madam, said Vincia, I conceive none should ever dissemble before Princes, and conceal any thing that they should discover, much less should I to you, to whom I am a servant as well as subject. The truth is, this Clerio hath for six Months been exceedingly amorous of you, and hath not acquainted me therewith, till within this day or two: Your Greatness caused in me as great apprehension of his misfortune, as did his violent passion pity in me for his pains: But seeing that his good fortune hath granted him so much honour from you, as to prevent the extreme desires he hath for you, with the inestimable good of your favour; My Mistress, I prostrate myself at your feet, humbly to adore you for the honour you bestow upon us, protesting to you, that seeing you judge us worthy of it, we will return you as much obedience and humble service, as (if I durst say it) that you shall be more happy in the mean condition of your Clerio, who will all his life long believe that his Summum Bonum dependeth upon your gracious aspects, then if you had made a more ambitious election. This noble Princess, impatient to see her at her feet, interrupted her discourse in the middle, to raise her up, and embracing of her, said;  
Vincia, my dear Cousin, it is not me to whom you give this duty, a posture inconsistent with mine honour to tolerate; but from henceforth ought you to live with me, as the most kind and benign Cousin that you have in the world. I so much honour the merits both of you and your Cousin Clerio, that I will prefer any one that belongeth to him before the nearest relations I have. Let us forget all those passed vanities full of pricking thorns, the Roses whereof are gathered by frequent familiarity. I perceive myself to be so perfectly happy by the love of you and your Cousin, that I desire we may consult of a way to conceal it from the watchful eyes of so many that spy after my actions; I know your spirit is able to find out some fit invention.  
Vincia answered her, Mistress it is very late and I am afraid that you may get some sickness, or at least your folks which are so suspicious may doubt something to see us talk so long together. I pray Mistress go to bed, for this business deserveth to be dreamt of a little: to morrow Clerio shall come see you, who being of a very quick apprehension, and advantaged by the knowledge of his exceeding happiness in your favour, will soon find out a way to continue us all in so happy a condition.  
Lozia, approving her counsel, went to bed presently, and when her gentlewomen were withdrawn, and she alone with Vincia, she began to delight herself with the imagination of her new lover: after some love talk Vincia asked her if she wished Clerio was there, she answered her smilingly, Yes Vincia, provided you are there: and what, you would be afraid of him? No, but I should be ashamed. Vincia seeing the childishness of this child, began to laugh, and begged of her to sleep; sleep had ho sooner with the night of her eyelids obscured those two fair Suns, her eyes, but a pleasant dream crept into her head, and lodged there till the morning. Her Soul, half ravished with these sweet delights, had continued longer in this amorous ecstasy, had not Vincia called her out of it: Her eyes at their opening, as a clear and ruddy morning, gave light to a thousand beauties and graces that Heaven and Nature had with their own hands made appear upon her face: Her gently languaged mouth, enriched with a red Coral, opened itself to disclose the dream to Vincia, and perfuming with her odoriferous breath all the air of the chamber at the same time, discovers in her mouth the richest and most Orient Pearls and Treasures that the East can show, which would equally enamor and astonish all that saw it. This fair Princess began thus:  
Vincia, thou hast done me a displeasure, to deprive me of those sweet enjoyments my sleep afforded me; and that thou mayst give me thine advice concerning such wonderful things, I will recount them to thee as well as I can.  
Vincia, I was no sooner asleep, but methoughts I was in a great Forest of Cedars and Palm-trees, where there was the most delightfullest Walks that can be desired; the warbling noise of a thousand Nightingales did make it so sweetly resound, that a Lute, whose strings are dextrously fingered by some experienced Nymph, could not make such pleasant Harmony: Constantly keeping in the midst of these delights, at last I met with an Hermit, who came thither to gather Herbs and Roots for his refection, according to his custom, for forty Years. This good father, after he had courteously saluted me, accosted me, and asked me if I desired to behold those most remarkable things that were near his Cave; believe, Curiosity had constrained me to go walk there, and setting himself before, prayed me to follow him: we had not gone two hundred paces, but at the end of the Wood we met with one of the fairest Dens that could possibly be made, built by two Lovers, so sumptuously in sweet solitariness to enjoy their amorous desires: Entering within the door, we saw two white Torches lighted, that the Souls of these two Lovers carried in their hands, the better to guide all those that came thither: At the entry there was a Fountain, enriched with all sorts of workmanship that either Art or Nature could afford it; Venus portrayed in white Marble, excellently embossed, with a thousand hearts under her feet, as a Trophy of her Beauty, and in her hand she had a cup of Agate, out of which she poureth pure water to wash the hands of those which do come in. Passing further, these Torches lighting us, we came into the Cave itself, at the entrance whereof was another great Fountain, fifteen paces square, covered all over with pure Marble, in which by an incredible Art was made swim an Hart, a couple of Dogs, and two Hunters following them, all of Marble, into which this water did pleasantly inspire motion and voice; on each side was a delightful Forest in boss, of Marble too, filled with Birds so livelily painted, that they would have been taken for living, whose melodious singing was so sweet, that Art excelled Nature itself: A thousand Characters, Trophies of Love and Sonnets, were read of these faithful Lovers, written with their own hands, and indicted by their passions, upon the Pillar and all the angles of this spacious Cave: Six Nymphs did sing so pleasantly in honour of their love, that it is hard to say whether there were more pleasure to the ears in the hearing of their voice, or to the eyes in the beholding of so complete and perfect beauty that they were adorned with. Vincia, I should never have been weary of these delicious delights, if the Hermit had not taken me away to show me a fair River covered with Swans, and the sides adorned with rows of precious Stones, which served for Walks to these two Lovers, and for a subject to help them to discourse of their passionate distempers. Delighting myself with the pleasure which I could not but have in so delightful a place, I saw before me a Peacock, who went from us as fast as we advanced towards him, and made a famous show with his fair Feathers, which did resemble so many Suns; I never saw so beauteous an one in all my life: and just than you awakened me. Vincia, I desire you to declare to me your opinion concerning this Dream.  
Madam, I am not quicksighted enough to see the bottom of this Dream, nor a capable Interpreter of so obscure a Riddle, which promiseth you according to my apprehension a world of contentment and good Fortune: But there is in this Town a most eminent Magician, to whom if you please to do this honour as to send to know, he will be very glad to tell you his utmost knowledge. Vincia judged according to her capacity that this was a true Hieroglyphic of the love of Lozia, which should succeed to the advantage of her Cousin; and therefore to give more weight and credit to the Interpretation, had rather another should unfold it, who was altogether unconcerned in the business, and less related to Clerio than she was, whose affinity and affection might have been weighty causes of the questioning of the truth of her words. With this honest excuse she satisfied Lozia, whose curiosity yet unsatisfied sent to fetch him: As soon as he had spoken with the Page, and desired him to stay a little for him, he went into his chamber, and falls to his Invocation, Spells, Charms, and all other sorts of Tricks, that he might be instructed of his Devils of what Lozia would ask him, unwilling to present himself before so great a Princess like an Ignoramus, without ability to resolve her demands, or else to terrify her with the appearance of his Circles, Spirits, etc. With this wise foresight he went to Lozia, who did with Vincia stay for him in a Closet: As soon as he came they shut the door, and Lozia declared her Dream to him, with desires to be resolved of the truth of it as near as he could, telling him she sent for him not to flatter her, but befriend her with the true declaration of the consequents of her Dream; and though she was never so great, yet she was as subject to the sinister accidents, as gracious aspects of Fortune; and that if Nature and Heaven had in her minority made her partaker of the goods and glory of the world, and set her upon the pinnacle of preferment, yet was it likewise powerful and puissant enough to throw her down into the ditch of disgrace, and make her as wretched as she hath been happy. The Magician seeing the liberty he had allowed him, said;  
Madam, The commandment by which you do oblige me to speak freely, doth so well agree with my desires and my profession, that I am very glad to see myself out of the fears I had you would not delight therein: my words shall not constrain you to any thing in the world, but leave you to your free consent, and only explicate and unfold the words and meaning of your Dream. The Heaven which suiteth with your inclination to lead you insensibly to your destiny, may (as the author of the cause) change also the effect and event of your fortune, which I judge to be very uneven, now elevated, then dejected. This Forest and Gave presage to you a pleasurable and solitary life. This Hermit foreshoweth one which will serve you as a Guide and great Agitator in your affairs. The Dogs and Hunters which chase this Hart is your good, which your kinsfolk and enemies will pursue to the end. The chirping Birds, the Characters, the Songs and the Nymphs, are but so many sweet delights and contentments which you shall enjoy. Those pleasant Walks for the Lovers alone, who almost only live free from glory, ambition and jealousy, among the flowers, and the full enjoyment, not of goods, but sweet contentment, and an hundred amorous ravishments which this green place doth promise, accommodating itself not only to the eyes, but to the delights of the very Souls of the Lovers; each moment new occasions will occasion fresh joy and delights. This Peacock is the person you affect, who although he be a Gentleman, yet notwithstanding shall be as far from your Greatness, as the feet of the Peacock disagree with his feathers; but those fair Suns that he seemed to carry, are his excellent endowments, merits and perfections which shall inflame your soul with an amorous heat; that preferring him before a thousand others, you shall become after your clandestine love so famous by his courage, that you shall judge yourself happy in his marriage: But this River covered with Swans denoteth a change of Fortune, which shall carry you a great way, and as the Swans die when the sweetness of their singing is most delectable, so after an infinite number of happy days, you will die with that in your arms which you love most in the world, when you shall be best contented, and swimming in the midst of the River of peace, prosperity and delights. Although Lozta was but young, yet she was Mistress in the art of dissimulation, making as if she regarded not these so desirable news, fearing lest the Magician should discover any thing of her intentions, which might be an impediment to her love, which were represented to the life by the unfolding of this Dream, the true Prophecy of her Destiny, and with a countenance as pale as her heart was hot with the flames of love, she said,  
monsieur, I cannot without wronging both mine own judgement and your deserts, doubt of your sufficiency, which all the world admireth not as a man, but rather as the Oracle of this Age; yet cannot I believe that love can make me so far forget my duty as to love a Gentleman, seeing I cannot sufficiently esteem such who, equalling my birth and means, honour me so far as to love me: But I doubt not but my cruel Fortune may take some other way to ruin me, then by running away with such a person, and so this way your Prophetic words will agree with my adverse condition: But though it should be so, yet I pray you say nothing thereof, because the people reposing such confidence in your words, will hold them for true divinations of my future misfortune; and further, the public fame thereof will be as disadvantageous as displeasing to to me, whose misery will come soon enough without the addition of wings. And then putting her hand into her pocket, she drew out a purse with two hundred Crowns, which she prepared for him; and when she had put it into his hands, to whom he said, the residue of his help was at her service, when opportunity should afford him means to effect it, and whatsoever happened to Lozia to make her unhappy, yet her whole life should be exceeding contentful; though Fortune took away the first as his, yet Virtue did preserve the other. In this instant Vincin heard some one tread in the Gallery, which made them all silent to hear who it was; Vincia told her it was the Duke of Blanfort and the Prince of Doudonne: Lozia run presently to meet them, and Vincia conveyed the Magician out another way, and came instantly to her Mistress to accompany her. The Duke of Blanfort meeting her, saluted her, who was yet undressed almost at dinner time.  
monsieur, quoth Lozia, you will account me very lazy to be yet undressed, but the reason is, because I have been busied all the morning in looking upon the thing in my Cabinet; but if it please you to dine here, I will be ready by that time you have walked two or three turns in the Garden. I am willing, my Niece. And after he had took his leave of her, he went down: Lozia gave him Vincia to discourse with till she was ready, and took one of her Gentlewomen to help her attire herself. The Prince of Doudonne, her Cousin and servant stayed with her, who would one while hold the Looking-glass, then would give her a Ribbon, thinking by such amorous services to render himself more acceptable to Lozia, hoping that she in conclusion would affect him not as a loving Cousin, but a passionate Mistress. But poor Lovers, how do I bemoan you, who, forced either by destiny or inclination, do desperately affect your Mistress, who do publicly honour you, when in their Souls they disesteem and contemn you as sordid servants; they sweetly show the Roses and Lilies in their hands and and faces (though far from their hearts) to those that do respect them, and secretly give the Thorns to those that serve them, that after a thousand griefs and wounds and sorrows they may make your patiences condign with such passions, and that your blood may serve for a sacrifice to their parts and graces, which conquer the greatest Conquerors, and captivate them to their pleasure, who have undergone the greatest perils. They have eyes full of sweet alluring glances and charms to subjugate the most famous spirits, whose hope dependeth not upon your deserts, but on their sickle humours. This is that in which the condition of Lovers is miserable: For he is more happy which meeteth with his Mistress' inclination, than he which is filled both with grace and goodness. Poor blind people, you accept of the discretion, not the love, that forceth them to tender you this duty: You are possessed with a folly next to madness, to imagine, that this Sex, which is the weaker, hath more Reason and Judgement than you which ordinarily honour ill-favoured and foolish persons, and pass by both amiable and honourable Objects. Do not you think, that they are often troubled with fantastical humours, which carry them beyond the bounds of Reason, and even the knowledge of the condition and deserts of those who desire to serve them, to follow their own fancies, in the loving and esteeming those who are unworthy, and slighting of those which are deserving? If they are indifferent fair and rich, a thousand folks as well as you will endeavour to acquire their good grace, and this cannot be without a thousand unquiet and vexing thoughts: If they are already engaged, you may as soon subdue a Kingdom as conquer them, and well leave your designs to Courtiers, who knowing not where to employ their time better than in familiar frequentation of Lady's companies (which is the last and the best file to polish the noblest spirits) may at their leisure and pleasure stretch out these amorous strings to their own contentment, and sustain all defeats and denials with incredible patience. I speak to those which serve Ladies, as the Prince of Doudonne and many others did the Princess Lozia to gain her love, and were all repulsed to augment the honour of a Gentleman, who was raised upon their rejections, and served himself with their disdain as a Trophy, to honour his triumph for his conquest over the beauty and graces of his Mistress, who as soon as she was accoutred, not according to her custom, but her haste, with a white Damask Gown lined with Satin, and a Petticoat of Silver Cloth, and so went down to her Uncle, who was discoursing to Vincia concerning the design he had to wed his daughter to her Mistress, and entreated her to assist him therein, knowing how prevalent she was with her; he promised her money, means, love, affections, profit, pleasure, and what not? and would have pursued his discourse, but that the sweet voice of his Niece did interrupt him. This unparallelled Princess in beauty and grace did with a smiling face desire the Duke of Blanfort to go to dinner, and excused herself for making him stay so long. Her Uncle did find her so courteous, that he said, Nature hath made you so amiable and perfectly beauteous, that I find you more gracefully arrayed with your graces and beauties, than any other can be with the most rich Stuffs and Orient Pearls of the East: I wonder not if your merits and beauty do acquire so many gallant servants, and if the knowledge you have thereof maketh you so disdainfully handle them; and I protest you have reason for it; for I conceive that the most meritorious Prince in Europe cannot deserve your honourable grace, unless that doth more voluntarily resign itself, than any ways merit it.  
Sir, quoth the lovely Lozia, you begin dinner with deriding me, and spare me no more than strangers: I do possess these deserts and beauties rather from your gallant application, then from the gift of Nature, for which I have more cause to complain, than I am beholding to your compliment, which hath attributed that unto me which Nature hath denied me: I do believe my portion rather than my person, and my means then my merits, do oblige so many to honour me with their love, who sometime praising and commending me for the defects in my Soul and my parts, which rather provoke me to bewail my misery, then foolishly affect their hiperbolical expressions: And if I should be so beautiful as they would make me believe, the apprehension of the loss of that little I have, moveth me with as much displeasure, as the possession can give me content. Seeing the Table covered, they altered their discourse, and receiving from a Gentleman her servant a Towel, offered the end thereof to her Uncle, who refused to wash first, and therefore both did together; and after they had a little disputed about the honourablest place of the Table, he with entreaties and the command he had over her forced her to take it, as it did belong to her; for Lozia was an hundred times more honourable than he, who but a younger brother, his mother was but mean, but his greatness proceeded from his father's side, who was a Prince of the Noble Blood of Spain, who took his wife for her pulchritude and perfections; and though she was a Princess, yet not of half so Noble Blood: therefore the Duke of Blanfort knew well enough what he denied to his Niece. During dinner, Lozia, that she might fall in talk of her Clerio, began to speak to Vincia of her Suitor, who, fitted for her humour, answered her according to hearts desire, which she did on purpose to remove all jealousies and suspicion of the frequent visitations of Clerio. The Duke of Blanfort not knowing him, was very curious to know who it was: Lozia told him he should see him after dinner, he will have a care not to fail; he requires more courtesies of me than I can bestow upon him in order to his love, I wish he would wed her, for he is an honest Gentleman; but what should I do if I lose Vincia? I had rather he were dead. And then addressing herself to Vincia, asked, Do you indeed love him very hearty? I do affect him as my Cousin, answered Vincia, and honour him as a Gentleman of so much merit as you see in him. Upon this there came in two Ladies to desire the Princess to come to the nuptials of one of the fairest Virgins in all the Town, where there was a Dance, and divers young folk to run the Ring. The Princess, who knew her, and was willing to pass away the afternoon in such recreation, promised them to go thither as soon as she could after dinner. The Ladies went away very well contented, as assured of the presence of the Princess. All the Lords and Gentlemen of Quality being advertised thereof, either prepared themselves to dance, or to run at the Ring. Vincia, a little after the fruit was served, risen from the table, and making as if she would go into another chamber, ran straightway down to the door, and beckoned to one of Clerio's Gentlemen to come speak with her, who came presently to her, and then she desired him to tell his Master she would speak with him; presently he came down, hoping for some wholesome counsel; so she took him by the hand, saying,  
My Cousin, there is a Wedding to to day, where they are to run at the Ring, and to have a Dance, thither is your Mistress to go, fail not, be sure to be there attired with white and mallow-flower Colours, for she liketh them very well; you have time enough to do it, for she is not yet ready, because it will be late before they run: I should attire you myself, but for fear it should be known; but you know well enough how to invest yourself with your accoutrements; be sure to be secret in the design. Adieu.  
My Cousin, quoth Clerio, I humbly kiss your hands, and believe not that I shall be any more sick. Vincia, after she had made him a curtsy, ran up again, and commanded the Chambermaids to prepare and bring to her Mistress one of the richest Gowns, that she might be most neat and glorious, and adorned with the most precious Jewels that could be desired, that she might as well surpass in glory as beauty the most honourable Lady of the Assembly. After Clerio had given to a many Tailors an infinite number of pieces of Stuffs, with directions after his own invention for the making of his Suit, which was after the Turkish fashion, of white Silver Cloth, embossed with precious Stones, with Studs of Silver, his Buskins silvered to the middle leg; his Hat a pure Beaver, with a Hatband of great Pearls, with his Hair curled full of Cyprus Powder, two ear Jewels so fair and great, that they were worth six thousand crowns, in a word, as fine as fingers could make him, his horse was a Spanish Jennet white, the mane and tail fairly painted, with a great plume of Herons Feathers in his forehead; his caparison of silver Cloth lined with Satin, and all other accoutrements exceeding rich and graceful, his Mask had a Diamond at the mouth worth four thousand Crowns, that it was impossible to find his Paragon, so gallant and complete was he in every punctilio. Just as he went out of the gate, he put himself under a Silver Cloth of State, born by six Nymphs, every one having their horse caparisoned after the same manner as his, with a Page at their sides to hold the horses bridles in their hands.  
In the mean time his Mistress, after she was gloriously arrayed, went to the Dance to enjoy some contentment by the sight of so many fair Ladies, which sight was neglected to behold so gracious a Prince in so graceful attire. This Sun of Love and Beauty, by taking away from them their vain glory, caused them to contemn themselves: After they had danced a long time with Venus' Viols, Mars his warlike Trumpers sounded a different tune, which made these Ladies betake themselves to the windows, to see those Cavaliers which were attired for to excel in sumptuousness, and to assay to get their graces with the Ring. After a number of them were passed by, behold Clerio came in his pomp with six Trumpeters before him in the same Livery, who going from under the Cloth of State, appeared to be the King of those Lords, and the Lord of the hearts of those beauteous Queens, who seeing him so gorgeously accoutred, did assist his courses and his loves with the desires of success from love and fortune. Then when he came near Lozia, who as well as the rest earnestly desired to know him, he bowed his Lance to the ground, than he lifted it up again, and made his horse show a thousand pretty tricks, being as gloriously amorous of his new Harness, as was Clerio of his Mistress who gave the ring. In his turn he set himself on a career, with an incredible desire to bear it away, the which gave to the Ladies as much hopes as desires of his good success: As soon as ever he had got it, their shouting, joys, clapping of hands, did accompany the honour and homage a thousand Trumpets rendered to his glory; of thirty which ran, there were but two others which ran it in, who did expect they also should have some part in the Ring, for which end they disputed with him, and all three set forward on a second course; Clerio doubted he should lose it, and resolved to accuse him, who should get, of somewhat or other, (as they have but barren brains which cannot pick a quarrel when they intent to fall out,) but Fortune, which fought for him, quickly put the question out of Controversy, and at the third course he gained the Ring and the honour from his Rivals. This happy Victor's triumph happened to his heart's contentment, and to the desire of all these Ladies looking upon him: Drawing near to his fair Princess, he made his horse go on with most excellent curvets, to the admiration of her and all that saw it; then coming under her chamber window, he bowed his Lance, and then presented it to receive the Ring. Lozia and all the Ladies desirous to know him, desired him to unmask himself; but he very nobly excused himself, and after five or six curvets with his horse he kissed his Lance, and presented it to her again. Lozia was so desirous to know who it was, that she knew not what to do; but fearing she might anger him with her delay, drew a ring off her finger worth two thousand Crowns, and putting it upon the end of his Lance, said to him,  
Noble Knight, if you are so gallant as I esteem you are, you will come at night to my house to the dance with this ring upon your finger. He bended his Lance down to his Page to have him take the ring off the end of it, which he did amorously kiss before he put it on his finger; then turning to Lozia, said,  
Fair Princess, I am sorry that I am not as worthy to wear this ring, as I have been fortunate in the taking it from so many noble Gentlemen, and from your gracious hands, which I honour more than any thing in the World, to put it upon mine, which cannot deserve so special a favour and high an honour, before they have drawn a thousand times a sword in your service.  
Lozia valued this ready Reply more than the ring she gave him. Clerio, after he had took his leave of her, road to the Knights which attended for him, of whom he took his farewell, after they had praised his merits, and congratulated his prosperous success. As tenderhearted mothers bewail the loss of their dear children, so did Lozia and these Ladies bemoan the departure of this Captivator of their hearts with moist eyes and burning breasts. The night after, the setting of this glorious Sun did soon possess its wont darkness, which caused Lozia, as afflicted as fair, to desire the Ladies to come to her dance, rather that she might see her servant, then for any desire she had to dance: seeing themselves honoured so far by her as to be entreated, they could not refuse but honour her with their company, every one desiring by amorous favours and courteous behaviour to win the love of this Knight, who forced them to affect him, who being filled with glory and at liberty, acknowledged nothing to be the Law of love but what came from his beloved Lozia. But Clerio, what hast thou to do with so many designs, parties, and amorous ambushes that these Ladies lay for thee? How wilt thou hid thyself from those perceptive eyes which are infatigably open to behold thy actions, graces, and noble deportment? Thou shalt be as much troubled to fire thyself from their importunate passions, as contented to honour thine own, as inequal in the subject as in beauty and merit. Clerio, I leave thee in the midst of thy new conquest loves and amorous entertainments, and go to his Mistress, who having bid the Lady's Goodnight, went alone into her Closet, where in the midst of her solitude she was accompanied with sighs, sorrows, and a thousand love-despairs. Poor child, it is not with dry eyes that I writ those of thy cruel dolour, which draweth a pearly dew from thine eyes, those dainty Suns, notwithstanding their fires and flames. It is observable, that Nature admirably in its variety is so straitened in this, that she will never give any other entrance to affliction then that of joy: for those sweet and delicate eyes which did lately give so much contentment to this young Princess by the sight of her Clerio, those same eyes now pour out brinish tears in his absence, and that noble Soul which did ere while burn with a thousand ardent flames, is now in peril for the same cause to be drowned in sorrow.  
Vincia doubting that her Mistress might be in some amorous Paroxysm, went to her to take away all imaginations of her foolish fancy, which might distemper her body, and to pacify her mind, discomposed with passion: After she had looked upon her a little while, set in a Chair with her eyes in tears, those tears in fires, those fires in sighs, those sighs in love, and love transformed into a thousand cruel deaths, of which this fair Lozia did one day expect a joyful life, she spoke, to make her a little forget her insupportable afflictions, thus:  
Madam, if I did know that my Cousin, whom I honour and affect with all my heart, would have been the cause of your so long distempers, I should have been very glad if he had never come into Spain: I do believe, that if he was not ignorant of your passions, he would be too too sensible of them, to the peril of his life: What reason have you thus to perplex yourself? Do you desire what you already have the possession of? Do you seek for a shadow, being already in the shade? If you look but a moment upon him, he awaketh all night for your service: If you do this honour to him as to love him never so little, he will humbly adore your sweet beauty. Who hath more cause to complain, either you who have affected him but two or three days, or he which hath been six months in love with you, with a thousand fears and sad apprehensions of your dislike of his earnest affections? You are the foundation of all his hopes, and the basis of his building, and so if you fail him he is utterly undone; but inclination only causeth you to esteem him, who for more weighty causes doth honour and adore you.  
Lozia answered her, Vincia, it is not all to be what I am; some among so many fair and honourable Ladies will affect him as well as I, who being able with more liberty and conveniency to oblige him then I, can or will allure him by their voluntary enforcements, and the hopes of a thousand liberties and privileges he shall enjoy, and prerogatives wherewith he shall be invested. Judge but how discontented he will be to come hither, when I dare not discourse with him half the time of his stay: Do you think he will change his French freedom into a Spanish thraldom? His countenance, actions and conditions carry liberty writ upon the front of them in a legible character; but above all, this hath most of all troubled me, that I cannot work it out of my head, but that it was not he that gained the Ring, which all the Ladies did so much admire: His grace, habit and behaviour give me more than a suspicion it was: After I had given it him, he returned me thanks in the most eloquent words that ever I heard, which all the other Country Sots could never have had the understanding to invent: I discovered under the Mask almost his voice, his spirit, & his eyes. Vincia, I pray thee take away from me this doubtfulness and hesitancy, for I should be very sorry if it were another; but there could not be found surely any which could so much resemble Clerio: It is the extreme pussion I have for him which raiseth these scruples in me: Those excellent gestures of his horse, those pleasant postures, and those delightful courses, those rich habits, so delicately accommodated with his rich train, give me some assurance that it was Clerio alone which was thus accompanied: But that I wonder at, is, how in so small a time he hath been able to prepare such Vestments, as fine as those which have been this month providing.  
It is true Mistress, said Vincia, that it was Clerio, and that Clerio only was worthy to be honoured with so happy a fortune and honourable a favour as was that.  
Vincia, quoth Lozia, I have requested him to come to the Dance to night, but I hope the Ladies will not know him; for you know, though they saw him disguised with his Mask, that yet they were exceedingly in love with him; then how ardent will their affections be, when they see him as he is in his beauty, without the dark lanterns of his disguise?  
Madam, my Cousin hath so much knowledge of your greatness and of that honour he shall have by being your humble Servant, that either you wrong yourself by esteeming him so highly, or him, to think he hath so little judgement, as not to be able and willing to conserve the honour of your good grace, on which hinge hangeth all his happiness. But whilst you are here, the Viols wait for you in your chamber.  
'Tis well said Vincia, let us go eat a bit, else we shall not have supped before the company come. I give you a charge of all, keep the honour of the house, if you please: I would I had given away a thousand crowns rather than invited these Ladies to come, my breast is all on fire within me: but it is a fault, and saying these words, went and sat down at the Table. The Viols, as soon as they saw her, played till the Music of her voice did silence them by returning thanks to them, and welcome to an infinite number of Lords and Ladies, who were come betimes to have place to behold the Dance: she was fain to accommodate herself to their humour, and convert her sorrow into a show of joy, which of all actions the greatest persons can most closely simulate to delights, even those which do displease them, by whose means with their amorous discretion they often procure the establishments of their desires. This fair Princess commanded her music to play some pleasurable tunes, and turning towards the greatest Lord that was there, said, This will keep you from thinking it long before the company comes. This rare consort of your sweet words is as melodious harmony as the sound of the Viols. Vincia in the mean while was busied in lighting perfumed candles for the Hall, and preparing seats for the Ladies to sit down in; there were rails round about to hinder the influx of unruly people, within which the Lords were, who intended to Dance: there was on one side a place destinated for the Viols, made like a scaffold very completely, and artificially built: a many precious things were burned in this hall, the more honourably to receive this beautiful Goddess; who rising from the Table, took with her an infinite number of Ladies richly attired, who did admire at the excellent and delicate furniture of the Hall, the hang being all of silk and gold, pure and fair, excellently inamel'd with pearls, and enriched with precious stones, the Lamps and candlesticks of gold of Parvaim, the Wainscot was most artifically gilded, as likewise was the seiling; the shelves most fitly fashioned by a dexterous artificer, the Chimney of Marble and jasper. This splended greatness of a maid surpassed the magesticalness of the purest French Lilies of King Henry the third, as sumptuous as they were. When this fair Princess was set in her chair, all the Ladies, Marquesses, Countesses, Viscounts, and Barons sat down in their places according to their quality about her. Two of the Gentlemen, like Captains of the Guard, hind rod the disorders; the Viols played divers French Dances, which Loxia danced very well, as likewise did the other Ladies, who learned by her imitations. To put every one in order, she prayed the Prince of Dondonne to lead her, and all the other Lords to take their Ladies; she Danced so superlatively well, that her eyes, her beauty and her graces, did insensibly affect the hearts of all the company. After the first Dance was finished, she desired the rest to continue their delight whilst she sat down and rested herself, only to have more freedom to think upon her servant, from whom she saw a Page speaking to Vincia. A little while after she called Vincia to know what the matter was. Vincia cold her, that her Cousin sent her the Bon soir, and desired to be excused for his non-appearance, because he found himself not very well. Lozia taking this for real truth, was very much troubled for his disease, sympathising with him in his sorrows, and for the frustrating of her expectation of his presence. But the good Lord came not long after to dance a most famous dance with a most noble company. As they entered into the house, there was raised by the Lacquits and Pages a great noise, which was soon heard by the company, who were much amazed to see their gallantry. They were all in two Clouds extremely artificially made, in the one there was six clad like Knights, with Silver , with their Mirasses completely made, and their Plumes of Feathers, which Mars did lead; in the other were six arrayed like Goddesses in white Silver Cloth, sewed with golden thread, in which were interlaced the pictures of Lozia, with a thousand such delicacies, and this same was lead by Clerio, who represented love, very richly attired with his wings, quiver and arrows; twenty Viols and twelve Pages in Lozia's Livery, each with two white perfumed Torches, entered before, and stood directly opposite to Mars his party; two other Pages, which had as delectable voices as could be desired, one clad in white, the other in blue Satin, played upon the Lute in the middle of the Hall over against Lozia five or six tunes marvellously well in the honour of Mars and Gupid: As soon as they had done, the Cloud of Mars, covered with Trophies of Arms and Torches, which represented in their light all sorts of Colours, began to flash out with Thunder, Lightnings, Thunderbolts, notwithstanding the sweetest Melody of the Sackbuts, Harps and Lutes, with the sweet voice of Love, which, full of Characters, Flames, and Trophies of Love and Stars, did show exceeding delightful. Ceasing their dainty ditties, and amorous noises, these two Clouds were opened to let every one of the Masquers out; and when one was gone out of each, they instantly closed again, and began their Flashing and Music until all were gone out after that manner, and then they began their Dance in seven or eight different airs, with a world of Characters and Figures interlaced, which caused them all to admire. As it was done, Mars and Love fought, and after a world of blows, Mars perceiving his eyes wounded with a bolt which Love had secretly shot at him, in stead of being daunted by so sweet a wound, was rather madded and vexed that he should be thus vanquished, and so fell on so courageously, that coming something near him, he snatched away Cupid's band, which blindfolding his eyes, caused him to strike a many fruitless blows: But Love recovering his sight, the loss of which had made him so often fail, took one of the sharpest arrows in his Quiver, and shot it so directly, that piercing the very heart of his enemy, he gained his honour and his life. The gods which were upon the Heavens of these Clouds, quitted their divine Seat, and came presently to put the band again about Cupid's eyes, lest this divine Archer should see to dispeople the Heaven of gods, the Earth of men, and that sharing in the Empire of Pluto, they should dwell together in those obscure shades. Jupiter, as the greatest and also the most incensed of them all, spoke thus unto them:  Mortals, who not being able to comprehend and dive into the reasons of divine actions, offend us often by your rebellious ignorance: That it may not happen to you to fall any more into this disobedience, know, that Love having taken its original from Heaven, doth yet retain some sparks of Divinity among you earthly humans; and that you are not to give him battle, but obedience: If we bind up his eyes, it is not to blind his sight, but only make him a little more submissive, and that we may set him free when any one is so foolish as to disdain and contemn so great an infant, as to equal his strength to his. 
These words ended, the gods returned into their proper places, and Jupiter, to demonstrate his anger, suddenly did eclipse the glorious Sun, and in stead of light, gave the company a sweet shower of rain, with hail of Pearls and Sugar-plums: Whilst the company was busy in the gathering of them, this superbe Vanquisher receiving the Trophies and the Laurels that Mars had upon his head, went to sacrifice them with his heart and liberty to the beauty and graces of the fair Lozia, and kneeling unto this sacred Deity, after he had kissed the border of her Gown, spoke as followeth:  
Fair Princess, I give unto your eyes all the honour of this glorious Conquest, to whom I consecrate these Laurels, as an acknowledgement of this favour, and these Myrtles, as the first homage after my new subjection: If their sweet flames have inflamed my Soul with an amorous heat, their dainty darts, serving themselves with my hands, have utterly extinguished it in mine enemies. I hope this Mask hath not given you any mistrust of my love; and believe, what I have untertaken, hath been to deceive this people's eyes, and not yours, my fair Princess: To which I wish, that the violent flames that I have received therefrom these six months, and the entertainment which I shall keep always ready for your service, may be as continual as is my countenance, which carrieth both my love and heart upon the front thereof, as the most weighty testimony of the truth of my words. And saying so, he plucked aside his Mask to show Lozia his face, and put it on presently again for fear of being seen of others. The Lord and Ladies supposed it to be some Country Gentleman, and his companions thought he would tell her some tale, and so without suspicion he deceived both the one and the other, and continued his discourse, saying; Fair Princess (whose Sun may it never set) permit me this day to call you the Mistress of my desires, and all my wills together, that I may have the honour to receive the honourable quality of the most humble servant of yours, which I shall esteem as great a favour as your beauty; your graces and merits making you the noblest Paragon of all others, give me desires and knowledge of so great an happiness, swearing to you by the faithfullest oaths a constant Lover can make unto his Mistress, That I will rather die then disobey the least of your Commandments, and shall honour nothing more than the flames of love and passion which your beautiful eyes have kindled in my breast: If love transformed into your face, animateth my heart with the sweet heat of your eyes with an impatient desire to serve you; the virtue under the sweet object of your merits, much more ravishing by its admirable attractions, takes away, with a thousand delectable transportations, my will from my will, to leave me nothing but the inclination to honour you for ever as the Soul of my Soul, which giveth motion to my life by that of mine affection.  
Fair goddess, were I to write thy delicate loves, I would not invoke, as did the ancient Apollo, for his divine heat; but would come unto thy fair eyes, to animate so effectually my spirit and my pen, that my discourse may be so gravely sweet, that it may delight the most delicate ears of those which read it, and so learnedly grave, that the most elevated spirits may highly esteem it, who seek rather for the steeled points of weapons to satisfy their minds, than the acquaint and alluring sweetness of fair words to please their ears, which is the outward bark of all unto generous spirits. Princess, I finish my words to give beginning to those which you shall say to your servant.  
Clerio, saith Lozia, your noble spirit and your gallantry are sufficient not only to oblige Lozia, but the greatest and graciousest Queen in the world, to honour your love and merits: I perceive myself so happy in the amorous assurance of your affections, that I ten times more esteem the possession of your good grace, then of twenty Realms.  
A Lady which sat somewhat near her, not dreaming of any thing less than of these Loves, came nearer to hear their discourse, to whom Lozia, breaking her discourse, said, without any appearance of alteration; Madam, you do me a pleasure to come hither, for this hour hath this same Maskman talked to me in Italian, and I know not what he saith, therefore I pray you be mine Interpreter, and you will ease me of a hard task. This Lozia said, purposely that Clerio, who speak perfect Italian, might quckly deride her for her broken language, and drive her away for shame. He being of a quick apprehension knew his Mistress' intentions, and so began to tell an hundred jests, which so amazed this poor woman, that she knew not what to do, but that others did come to participate of the pleasure, which Clerio seeing, stole away, and unmasked himself, and went to his Cousin, with whom he discoursed till the Dance was ended, of the contentment he had received by the honour Lozia did him to accept his service with so much assurance of affection, that he esteemed himself the most happy Gentleman in the world, Vincia had not spoke three or four words before she was interrupted by Lozia, who was rose from the sport to go to bed, who also thereby put a period to all the delights of that night. Clerio, like an officious Cousin, and affectionate servant, led Vincia by the hand to Lozia's chamber, to whom he gave the Bon soir of the day, that he had received from her fair eyes in the midst of his obscure darkness; and so contented, he withdrew with a living hope; and she contented, stayed in the midst of a thousand desperate passions.  
The Souls of these amorous Lovers floated all this night among an hundred different irresolutions, which hope and despair did equally agitate, going from the Port to shipwreck, from dangers into assurance, from assurance into an amorous confusion, which those only that have been in the like labyrinth can either comprehend or complain of.  
Knights, for whom alone Love seems to have been lawfully instituted, which others make use of rather by borrowing and a destinated necessity, than any voluntary consent of Nature, which with an ambitious jealousy of itself aspireth always towards perfection: Knights (say I, the eldest sons of Honour) who by your honour and gallantry draw delight from the sweet frequentation of Ladies, from whom you learn what you are, with a thousand delicious dalliances, which are far from popular conversations, who bear from your birth the defence of Ladies graven upon the ends of your swords with the hands of honour and virtue; make proof of your merits, with a just acknowledgement of the obligations which you own to this Sex. Now when you see a numberless number of indiscreet people, blame this beautiful and noble Princess, which love, not delight, hath so far engaged, who knowing that her kindred's obstinacy was incompatible with her innocent affections, forgetteth her foolish ambitions to marry her love with her contentment, and Clerio with Lozia, not in a lascivious, but in a loving and legitimate Wedlock.  
Brave Lovers, whilst I have discoursed with these Knights, the night is passed away; but I come with the Sun to you, to know, after I have given you a good morn, what you will do all the day.  
This fair Princess was no sooner awaked, but a Gentleman from the Duke of Blanfort came to her to desire her to lend him her Music that he would have played of after the Dance to a very fair Lady, with whom he was to baptise one of his friends sons; that if she pleased to take the pains to go thither, the Duke of Blanfort would accompany her. Lozia seeing that this was an opportune occasion to entertain her servant at leisure, said to him;  
Sir, I entreat you to tell mine Uncle, that I humbly kiss his hands, and that I sat up so long yesterday, that I have been ill all night, and shall keep my bed to day, but my Music and all I have is at his service if he command it.  
As soon as the Gentleman was gone, she said to Vincia, Have not I done well? Very well, Mistress, quoth she. Then said Lozia smilingly, I must see my servant after dinner, I pray you make me very spruce, and attire me as neatly as it is possible; for I shall never see any one whom I so much honour, or to whom I desire to make myself so acceptable, as to him. I will, Mistress, answered Vincia. And presently gave her her morning Gown, that she might go attire her head by the fire side; Her Coif very handsome, with flexures in it for her hair to pass out most completely curled, full of powder and hair-jewels; she had two Pendants on her ears worth fifteen thousand Crowns, a Chain of Pearls three times about her neck worth as much; Vincia gave her a Cassock of white Satin, lined with a mallow colour, with precious Stones sewed therein, the Buttons of which were fair Beazils; upon the Sleeves she put two admirable Chains of Gold, on the side a Box of Ammel covered with Jewels, wherein was her Portraiture of an invaluable worth: up and down the Chambers they set Candles and such things on fire, filled with Musk and Ambar, to perfume the room: Her Bed was so richly hung, as likewise was her Chamber, that one would have thought Love should have entered in there, or else that Love, in love with the fair Lozia, did make his continual abode among those sweet delights. Clerio, who likewise desirest to render thyself acceptable to thy Mistress, provide for thy ornament; her exquisite delineaments, her beauty, her graces, her fair eyes, to defend thy liberty, rather than splendid habits to ravish her of hers, which she hath amorously sacrificed to thy merits and gallantry, after her heart had insensibly deprived thee of thine, thine of hers. Idle Migniards, you are so long attiring yourselves, that dinner hath waited for you, till it is as cold as you are hot and full of fire: Go take your refection of those delicates prepared for you, as needful for the nourishment of your bodies, as that of love to your divinely inflamed Souls.  
Lozia went to dinner presently, but none was suffered to come in but Vincia and Charlotta to serve her, that the belief of her disease might exempt her from importunity, and give her opportunity to entertain Clerio, who came in presently after she had dined, and after he had saluted her, he spoke thus:  
Fair Princess, my passion is so violent, that rendering to me the sight of the fairest Ladies in the world as foul, the more ardently to honour yours, I fear that mine in fine may be as displeasant to you, as that of yours is now impatiently desired of mine impatient desires: But methinks in disanimating myself of my Soul through mine eyes, you enliven me again with the sweet flames of yours, which cause me to feel as many amorous burn in mine heart, as there are beauties and graces in your face, most fair, accompanied with a thousand and a thousand dolorous or amorous sighs: After I had diligently sought for my liberty and my heart in an hundred places, I came at last to find it guided by my love in the middle of your graces and beauties; and if you are not content with so honourable Trophies, I must look if I have not yet something free from that conquest which you have made in my Soul, that I may conjure it by your holy name to yield homage and adoration to you, that having nothing but love in me, I may more honourably and humbly serve you.  
Clerio, answered Lozia, you are too noble and gallant to enter into such distrust of yourself, and I too much affected with your love and merits to keep you very long in the quicksands of doubtings. I beseech you to believe, that although many Princes do me this favour as to affect me, yet that I honour your love so much more, as it is more desirable than all theirs. Clerio, live in the belief of this, that as you are the first, so the most faithfully loved by Lozia in all the world: Fortune yesterday gave you this ring on your finger, and Lozia gives you to day her heart and her portraiture, which is in this Box, as an earnest of her true affection, wear it for my sake I desire you: And giving it him, gave him likewise a kiss, which did so amorously conjoin their lips and loves, that from thence their souls and hearts were knit in an insolvable knot.  
This is not all, quoth Vincia, Mistress, to give such happy beginnings to so firm amity, if withal you do seek out some ways to continue it; you know that all the rest in the house depend upon your Uncle, and I only solely upon you, who will rather die then expend my life upon any other service; and so necessary is our diligence in the pursuing of our affairs for to preserve my life and safety with my Cousins, that our neglect to regard them will ruin us: I know, if you will both be advised by me, how to actuate this present business, as to finish it to our contentment: Those which are passionate, if they are prudent, must be governed by the directions and dictates of those which are exempted from it. Clerio, you must, as I have formerly hinted to you, continue your simulation of loving me, I am neither so old nor ill-favoured yet that none will credit it, that every time you are discoursing with my Mistress, they may think it is to employ her in our loves: You must first collogue with the Duke of Blanfort, and the Prince of Doudonne, because it is needful that they should be first gulled who are most interested in the business. And my Mistress, you must not make any show of sorrow; and if you cannot altogether impede its entrance into your heart, yet let wisdom so curb your natural inclination, that you discover it not unto your familiars, which that you may the better perform, from henceforth make as if you loved reading, which will be an excuse for that little alteration any one shall perceive, and still have a little book in your pocket, which take out and read when you cannot rid yourself of those troublesome thoughts which break in upon you; and for my part, leave me to act that without the advantage of instructions.  
Lozia and Clerio concluded of this as their securest course, and intended to pursue it, and so received reciprocal assurances of each others affections with abundance of joy and contentment: That as those Lands which are nearest to the Sun have their fruits soon ripe and ready to gather; so these two faithful Lovers equally passionate, did in the midst of their ardent flames approach so near to love, that by the virtue of its vicinity, like the Orange trees, they put forth in few days the leaves, flowers, and fruit. Henceforward did this superstitious Lover so dote upon his Mistress, that he kissed her hands now a thousand times, which before he durst scarce look on. Consider noble Knights, that Ladies sometimes cause you to pass beyond the narrow limits of your first condition, honourably to enlarge them. Knights, I beseech you once again, as a testimony of your birth and breeding, to respect Ladies, and think not you have less honour for the honourable performance of this duty, than you should have if it were freely tendered by the greatest of the world: They are capable of making you more glorious and renowned then all your own perfections and deservings: There is nothing in the world so persuasive as them, who with their words and actions do inchant our wills, and deprive our senses of their proper function, and with their eyes give life and motion to our spirits and desires: We are the true Chameleons of their humours, who receive in our hearts all the various and vive impressions of so fair and divine objects: These are those glorious Suns, whose splendid light our eyes cannot any more remove, then can our hearts the heat thereof, which they receive according to the disposition of our minds, and not the strength of these divine and amorous beams: If there is any spirit so agitated; that it never could see the dawning of a glorious day, nor a sparkle of light as a pledge of future Sunshine, such must rather weep for, and complain of, than any ways desire and expect a  aspect from these frowning & malign Planets: Briefly, he who knoweth not this gallantry, is accounted more fit for a Clown, than a Courtier, and a simple Sot, rather than a Noble man: Thus far are we indebted to them, they give grace to our actions, eloquence to our words, a day to the obscure shadows of our spirits, a Soul to the hearts and spirits of those which have none. Fair Ladies, little (but little indeed) gods upon Earth, who are the absolutest Commanders of men, tyrannize not over Nobility, who alone knoweth and esteemeth your merits: Live so discreetly with them, that none may ever go discontented from your company: It is no graceful thing to make yourselves pensive, on purpose to excuse that sottish humour wherewith you are troubled in the company of those whose society you do not affect: All those whom you see are neither your Husbands nor your Cousins, that you should impatiently bear their imperfections. Cannot you courteously entertain a Gentleman which will be gone within an hour, without a discovery of rancour or malice, or at least contempt? Do not make signs to your consorts, nor brabble and tattle with them without sufficient reason, whilst any Gentleman is in discourse with you, which will make him think you do deride him, rather if he be a Sot, then if a sweet-behaviored and ingenuous Gentleman; for foolish persons will expound all texts to their own disadvantage, and thence proceed stinging words and nettling speeches, which well-bred women should avoid as a dangerous Precipice, which always bringeth fears or hurts: Frequentation with foolish company is a contagious air, that will infect the most perfect reputation, and taint the most unstained honour; this gives the first motion of life to the calumnies and opprobrious speeches which active men, fruitful mothers, and well-fed nurses do bring forth and hatch up. Thus fair Ladies, to invite these unhappy accidents, I set your souls and hearts at liberty from inthraldom to any, but honour all and above all the Nobility who draw their swords in your service, who is of the same quality as you, your Sex only making the difference, and those whose spirit and parts you do sometime misprise, do often enter into your service advantaged by their means only. If fire hath neither the quality nor the name of fire, so long as it is contained in the stone which conceives it; your virtue likewise is not truly virtue because of the secret possession thereof, but because of the public cognizance that there is had of it: Men have not the nature of gods, they know not the cause but by the effects in view. Flatter not yourselves, your honour is not your own, if it is not in the mouths and hearts of those that frequent you: It is an excellent Portraiture hung up for future memory, and painted with the immortal hands of Virtue in discretion, like to that of the most affectionate of your servants, which you amorously carry in a Box, as a Trophy of your beauty, and a pleasant object for your eyes: But this divine Painter is so jealous of this most exquisite piece of Manufacture, that he puts out theirs who go about never so little to dispraise it. Therefore, Ladies, I desire you to be others when you are in company, and ever your own when you are alone. Adieu, my Ladies, for I hear Lozia calls me, and reprehendeth me as well as you for staying so long to write the faults and defects of the most part of women; I have stole this time from her to give it you, and shall not be sorry for it, willingly taking all the reproach to myself, that all the profit of the robbery may be yours.  
Fair Princess, I went into the other chamber to discourse with the Knights and Ladies, which durst not come in to you for fear of displeasing you; they have embarked me so far in talking, that the night hath come before the end of our discourse began; therefore I entreat you to excuse me, if their pleasurable society hath stayed me longer than I intended and ought to have been there; I did imagine that the sight of Clerio was so contentful to you, that you were indifferent as to other objects. But, fair goddess, recite a little of the joys and sweet transportations and ravishing ecstasies that your spirits have received after the assuagement of the tempestuous Sea wherein you have been tossed. When I think, that at the appearance of Clerio, Lord Paramount of thy graces and beauties, thy eyes have poured out as many tears for joy, as they had formerly done for trouble and despair; methinks I see the inhabitants of a City take up their arms, as well to honour the arrival of their Prince, as to frustrate the assaults of their adversaries. Lozia, dry up this pearly dew with a sparkling beam from thy beauteous eyes; reassume thy former serene visage, which was enamelled with so many beauties and graces; make calm the passions of thy Soul, which were raised by the wind of the afflictions and sorrows of thy Clerio. Wilt thou be willing it should be objected to him, that he prepareth in lieu of delights and contentments, dolours, sorrows, sighs and tears, for that person whom he honours and esteems more than any person in the world? Let this be enough, that he alone mingleth his life with his love; make for him with thy delicate hands a Crown, as the chiefest of the most faithful and perfect Lovers that ever was.  
Whilst she was in these sad tears and sorrowful sighs, yet sweet imaginations, Vincia came to tell her of the arrival of the Prince of Doudonne. This  news did cause as great an alteration in her heart as in her face: This antipathy of fire and ice did couple so perfectly well her beauties and graces, her Lilies and Roses, her love and discretion, her smiles and her frowns, that her Cousin could not discern any alteration in her countenance: but she seemed so much more beauteous to him, as she was more than usually richly attired, which did incite him to a more fervent desire to obtain her. This poor Princess in this intestine conflict, between hatred and affection, contempt and respect, overcame triumph a thousand times in a moment, enjoying as much satisfaction from the contemplation of the gallantry and ingenuity of Clerio, as she did trouble from the  view of her Cousin; who did so vehemently importune her to speak of love, that she was forced to make as if she was sick, that she might be rid of him. Vincia, who knew her Mistress' design, said presently, Mistress, you having been sick all day, this talking maketh you worse. The Prince of Doudonne thinking that was the reason, returned home presently.  
My good Vincia, how tedious is it to an honest and modest woman to hear a Sot talk of love, who will then most wilfully wait on them when they are most shamefully repulsed and neglected by them? I had rather a thousand times die, then that my Cousin, who is as ignorant and as impudent as others, should importune me so long with his irksome loves, which are as displeasant to me as himself. What likelihood is there that without grace they should hope to obtain gracious and graceful Ladies? without a noble and heroic spirit, they should oblige their divine Souls to be obedient unto their desires? without beauty and love, and those charms, allurements and delicacies in their eyes, wherewith the Heavens and Nature do graciously endow some, they should win the love of those Ladies in whom these and many other invaluable gifts of Nature are in a superlative measure? Vincia, I entreat thee to make our souls and loves as free as they are fair and divine: It is from thee only that I expect so great a good, who art able to go forward with so high and perilous an enterprise.  
Mistress, said Vincia, seeing you do me the honour as to command it me, I will declare what I think most necessary; and I hope my counsel will be so profitable, that our undertaking shall succeed according to our desires. I should like it well, if you would tell every body, especially your Uncle, that you will shortly complete our marriage, that the report of our nuptials may give some repose to your loves, until some few days shall be gone; and when they think least of it, you shall know how much I watch for your service: He cannot long continue his constant repair hither, but either your own folks, or the Duke of Blanfort will be suspicious: But in lieu of my nuptials, we will solemnize yours in this manner as I will declare to you. You have an hundred Villages where you have never been, the Priests whereof know you as little as the great Turk; one of these days, making as if we went to walk for our recreation with a Coach, we will take a time so fit for the purpose, that it shall be almost night when we come into one of them, the Curate of which is as blind as he is old, and by that means will not know you; and before we come to the place, you shall go a foot to the Church door; the people presently will assemble to see what is the matter, and therefore will I pray you to command your Gentlemen and Damsels to stay without to stop this press of people, under colour of divers ill accidents which fall out at marriages by this means; and so being all alone, the Priest shall espouse you; during this time I will be hard by veiled, making as if I were Lozia; and so for this time you and Clerio must give me that reverence and respect as is due to me, that he might be the more confident of his opinion, and be sure we will be gone with speed without over many Ceremonies again into the Coach; and because I am taller than you, I will get made for you a pair of Pattens, which render our highness and stature both alike: and as I shall go to give you a Gown that morning, ask for one without any taking notice of mine, which shall be such an one as mine is, which I will have made purposely, lest the Priest should discover any thing by our Vestments; and some days before you shall give your servants order to dress and trim up the chamber at the end of the Gallery just against yours, that from that time Clerio may lie with his wife, and not his Cousin; and you shall entreat your Uncle to let you likewise entertain Clerio into your service, that you may keep me, and that you cannot by any means part with me, and he will easily agree to this for fear of displeasing you: and likewise to gratify me, whom he supposeth do employ my interest for his preferment, he will be very glad to oblige Clerio and me, under hope of a remuneration of his courtesies; but when the business is so far advanced, we will advise of a further progress.  
Fair Ladies, who do here peruse the incredible proofs of affection that Clerio received from his Cousin, call them not I entreat you by any other name then what the honour of your Sex and her quality do oblige you to: Resemble not the venomous Vipers, who cover good food in mortal poison: But taking in good part these virtuous actions, remember, that if ever you were in love, you have employed therein persons of less quality, dignity and deserts than she, who hath by legitimate nuptials rendered the marriage of Lozia honourable, and full of Roses and sweet delights, amidst a world of thorns and perilous apprehensions, putting her own discretion and affection as a Cloak under her feet, that she might tread upon the most dangerous and dreadful difficulties with more security.  
As Lozia did expect the sequel of Vincia's discourse, which was as acceptable as affectionate, she was suddenly affrighted to hear a great multitude of people coming, who followed a Prince that came to see her and to serve her; she could scarcely recall herself to her self, before he was come into the chamber: The Prince his name was Don Allio, who was a very pretty and proper person, having beauty proportionable to his bigness, and riches that exceeded both, which caused Lozia to esteem him very much; and although his love was not so delectable to her as Clerio's, yet because of his descent and deserts she behaved herself so discreetly, that he hoped one day to enjoy the sweet graces of divine Lozia. Whilst this Prince was in discourse with Lozia, Vincia like a good servant went to tell the news of this new love to the Duke of Blanfort, who, after he had overruled his anger, returned thanks to Vincia for this courtesy, and said to her these words:  
Mistress Vincia, I never doubted that my Niece could merit and meet with a better person than my son: This belief, with the desires I have of her advancement, wound me with as many mortal strokes, as I have lively apprehensions of it: This lawful affection hath so much effect in the hearts of fathers, that there is no way which they leave unattempted, which may conduce to the honour and happiness of their children: I have hitherto endeavoured to dispose my Niece to this marriage for her own and my advantage; but I honour her so so much, that I will never oppose her will to fulfil mine. Vincia, I see that in this I must bear myself up more with the hope of your affection to me and my son, then to any other thing in the world: Had not you better assist me who am of the house, than a foreigner who will carry away all, and not oblige you so as I intent and will endeavour? Vincia, wouldst thou forsake thine ancient acquaintance whose affections are certain, to affect new ones which are incertain?  
Sir, replied Vincia, I am so much honoured with the honour of your love, that I esteem myself more happy to be your humble servant, then to be a companion with the greatest of this Realm: You would do me wrong, if you should judge me to be the occasion that your Niece doth not desire this marriage as well as you; but she is yet so young, that she knoweth not what is for her advantage; yet will it not be amiss to hinder new love from getting foot in her heart, which hath made me come hither to advertise you of it; I suppose you would do well to take the pains to go see her, to interrupt the discourse of her new servant; go before without any show of my following you.  
Vincia having given him so hot an alarm, mocked him, for thinking her on his side, of which she made a show, the more neatly to gull him. This Prince, assured of her affection, undid himself by his credulity: for Vincia could not lay a more firm foundation to her designs, then what should be raised on the ruins of the Duke & Prince, which cannot be effected in the midst of so much suspicion without the aid of dissembled affection, which is the best of all bad things when we do use it towards indifferent persons, for the utility of those to whom we are engaged. Vincia was no sooner come, but Don Allio took leave of his Mistress, and then Vincia related all the discourse she had with the Duke, which excited sweet smiles in the face of Lozia, to hear how her Uncle was out-witted: Vincia following her discourse, said thus:  
Madam, this new love of Don Allio is the fairest occasion that we could desire to gull the Duke of Blanfort, who persuades himself that you bear affection to this new Lover; and I think it best that you use him kindly, to increase his jealousy; and he puts great confidence in me, but his skill in the end will fail him.  
No sooner had Vincia said these words, but the Duke of Blanfort entered with a very sour look; and Lozia seeing him in this estate, and remembering what Vincia had told her, could hardly forbear laughing, but however she refrained therefrom. The Duke of Blanfort, after he had asked her how she fared, said to her:  
My Niece, seeing that Don Allio (who is an indifferent person to you) seeks for your good liking, I desire you not to take it ill at my hands, if the desire which I have for the conservation of our house makes me rather wish this fortune for my son, then leave it to a stranger: I am confident that you are of so good a nature, that this ambition will be no ways disagreeable unto you, and that you will rather make this natural election to conserve the honour and greatness of your Predecessors, than the other, whereby you will lose it, disuniting the good affection to your blood, which obliges all those that have understanding and honour to retain some sweet heat, which rather animates their hearts to this lawful devoir, then to so unnatural a hatred. I have always been hindered to speak to you by the respect which I bore you, lest I should anger you; and if I had not feared you would have carelessly esteemed of my discretion, I would have attended until your own judgement and humour had given you the same desire to oblige me, and to bestow on my son the inestimable good of your favour, whereby we might serve you through the whole course of our lives: and if this is not your own pleasure, do not in any wise think that it will be mine, but that to the contrary I will employ all that could be to my own particular good to render you more free, to the end that the loss of the hope of my fortune and contentment may give you the possession of yours, which I hold a thousand times more dear than whatsoever may happen to me in the world. Lozia, after all these fair speeches, smiling, answered him:  
Sir, my birth and education teach me to honour all those whose merits and quality render them worthy to do this favour to love me. If Don Allio came to see me, his sight no more than others is not so full of charms, that it hath power insensibly to violate my Reason and Soul to any thing that is contrary to my will: My condition doth sufficiently enough exempt me from so religious a constraint, and my honour keepeth me religiously enough within the free bonds of virtue, without your entering into this opinion, that the first view causeth love in me. The same youth that makes me desire the agreeable conversation of honest people, endues me with a mortal hatred of these foolish passions, as the honourablest tortures of fairest Souls; and when this humour shall come on me, I have vanity and glory enough to overreach the ambition and greatness of my Predecessors. But Sir, in stead of mine let us commune of the nuptials of Vincia, which I shortly intent; this will be a means to stay her in my service, provided that Clerio will come, for otherwise I shall do nothing: Vincia is my second self, without whose company I cannot live; I pray Sir, use your utmost endeavour to cause him to live with me, not so much to serve me, as that I may thereby enjoy the company of Vincia.  
My Niece, quoth he, you have good reason, for you shall hardly find such another; I will earnestly entreat him, and I am persuaded that for your own sake or mine I shall persuade him to do it; but he hath too many servants, which he will rather increase then diminish, and this is the worst.  
No, no, Sir, answered Lozia to him; if he had as many more I would defray all charges, and I shall think it an honour to have such a Gentleman so near me; I am more afraid that he will not come, then of the charge: Vincia saith, He is very rich, and it very well appears so, for he keeps as great a Port as any. Lord of this Country. At these words Clerio entered, whereupon they all laughed, that he should come so opportunely. After the Duke of Blanfort had embraced Clerio, who came to salute him (to oblige his Niece) prayed him to do him the favour to promise him one boon. Clerio feigning his ignorance, promised him to perform what ever it should be his pleasure to command him. Then said the Duke, That which I entreat of you is on the behalf of my Niece, to oblige her and myself not to take Vincia from her; and because it will be inconvenient for you being married to live apart, we pray you and all your train to come live here, and my Niece will defray their charges; you shall be no more constrained than if you were by yourself; you and Vincia shall sit at her own table, and your Servitors shall be equal unto hers: I pray you do this for my sake; and if I can for the future do you any service, I will do it with as much affection, as if it were for my own children. Sir, answered Clerio to him, the greatest honour which I ever hoped for, was to be in the service of so great a Princess, and commanded thereunto by that Prince, who above all others in the world I most honour, to receive this favour: but I find myself so unprofitable for her service, and whatsoever people I have, rather serve for charge then profit: nevertheless, Sir, seeing that Madam and you command me, I will effect for you all that you request. The Duke of Blanfort infinitely satisfied, took Clerio by the hand, and brought him to sup with him, where he entertained him with all the delicates that might be, and swore to him an eternal amity: After supper he shown him his stable, which was very magnificent, and gave him one of his fairest horses, to oblige him to his part. Clerio, after he had submissively gratulated him for the honour which he had afforded him, took leave of him, and went to visit his Mistress, who passed away the time with Vincia, at the dispense of the Duke of Blanfort.  
Come, come, my Knight, said Lozia to him; now may I call you mine, seeing you are given to serve me by my Uncle the Duke of Blanfort.  
Madam, said Clerio, he is extremely liberal, for he hath so much honoured me, as to give me one of his best horses.  
It is very well, said she in laughing; he gives to take, but his liberalities are unprofitable, for he shall lose both his present, and hope, if I do not deceive myself.  
I believe Madam, said he, that he hath given it me rather for a design, then induced by his natural inclination, not having done so much service, as to oblige him thus to gratify me.  
Doubt not, said Lozia, for he is fuller of inventions than any mortal creature, and for all the good entertainment he seems to make to you & Vincia, he wisheth your deaths, but I hope he shall be as far from his account, as I nigh to mine; but Vincia, what's thy opinion of it?  
Mistress, when it pleaseth you all things are ready, and nothing is wanting, but your Commandment. I leave all to your discretion, answered the fair Lozia to her.  
Clerio being instigated by an amorous impatience, said to his Cousin, Festinate I pray you Vincia to consolate a Lover, who dyeth quotidianly a thousand times by the refulgency of those sweet flames which proceed from the fair eyes of her whom I satisfactorily adore: it is to imitate the Deities to assist those who pray us: the moments in this furious passion are ages to me of dolorous acclamations, yet are they as agreeable to me as this fair Princess who animates you. My Cousin, there are six or seven days fully completed, since I was first molested by these inquietudes for your fair Mistress, whose beauty is the source from whence proceeds my impatient passion.  
Vincia answered, The hope of acquitting so happy and so nigh a possession might mitigate the impatiences of your Soul; but the amorous are excusable, who relinquish reason as an ignominious charge, giving the reigns to their desires, to pursue more lightly their passions, to which by force they give themselves, rather than by discretion, seeing themselves exempted from knowledge, loving better to have a blind guide, then to remain alone in the middle of such savage deserts as our senses alienated from admiration.  
Lozia interrupting Vincia, said to her servant Clerio, I love being so amorous: And obliging him by this honour, she gave him her fair hands within the curled hairs of those of love; it is idolatrous for him to bend this knot before so many graces and formosities, of which he shall soon be Possessor, having with desires, dying a thousand times by her for many ardent flames: As a Cork sometimes elevateth itself, and then submergeth under the water; so this humane, full of vanity, forgetting his first estate, left himself to be ambitiously transported above so many courtesies and amorous submissions of so great a Princess; and to testify to her his violent passion, commended his elocutions by a profound suspiration.  
Fair Mistress, whom I reverence as the most holy and sacredst of all terrene Deities, and to whom alone quotidianly I offer a thousand secret sacrifices from my heart, I conjure you by your fair eyes, the most capable puissances, to move you to accord to me the request which I will make you in the behalf of your Clerio, which might furnish me with so many amorous dispenses, as these eyes, graces and beauties make by their so long sojourn at my heart: It behoveth that I now pay by my death a thousand amorous Creditors; if those agreeable hosts of my Soul take not pity of him, who for the more honourable reception hath engaged his liberty and his life, this would be to pick a Rose before the time with rigorous hands, without their being vulnerated by the thorns of compassion.  
Clerio, my friend, what wouldst thou that I do? Thy loves and thy merits have so much power upon me, that I cannot denegate any thing unto thee which is agreeable; when thou wilt, I will give thee the beauties and sweet delectations, which this young bodypossesses with so entire possession, as that which thou hadst of my heart, of my loves, and my Soul, since the first day that I had the honour to see thee. Clerio, go on in this credence, and I entreat thee not to handle me so rigorously, unless you intent to make me die cruelly; but cause thou that Vincia accord our contentments with our amorous cupidities, and then thou mayst know that my speeches are as veritable as my passions. Vincia extremely satisfied, said to her, It shall be then after to morrow. I consent to it, said Lozia, from the voice of these two hearts, which have but one will and one soul; and that one passion which was equally in two, is equally both in the one and the other. I am of opinion Mistress, that when it doth advesperate, you send one of your Gentlemen, to pray Mounsieur de Blanfort to come to morrow to dine with you, and your Cousin to come with him; when he rises, entreat him to assist at our nuptials after dinner; if he is astonished at this inopinate novelty, you may tell him that you never could obtain this favour of me before this time; but seeing it is now my humour, you will not give me the leisure to repent, and because it is already late, go retire yourself, that you may rise betime in the morning. Clerio following her counsel, gave the Goodnight to his Mistress, and received from her a thousand new loves, in exchange of the which, he entertained her all that night, hindering her from sleeping; the day being come, he went to find Mounsieur de Blanfort, who booted himself to go see his Hawk fly two or three hours, where being come, the Duke made him good entertainment, and after some speeches of merriment, said to him,  
Sir Clerio, I pray you be of the party, if you are not nigh your nuptials. Madam, my Niece, yesternight sent to me to pray me to dine with her; I pray you kiss her hands on my part, and tell her, that I shall be there at my return, and seeing it is for your honour, my son shall be there also; and if you will, because you are not of this Country, I will bring thither some Lords my friends. Clerio said to him, Sir, you very much oblige me, I cannot refuse the honour of these fair offers. After some other speeches he took his leave, and the Duke of Blanfort mounted a horseback: Clerio went soon to find his Mistress, who was a bed, where he went to render her his common service: this fair Princess had as yet her hair carelessly dispersed, where love that night took his release, as a Bow far bend might go with more impetuosity and violence to wound the fairest Souls with some, as a But to so gallant an Archer, whom he putteth from one to another with his mortal jaculations, whereby he arrested the eyes of those who saw him, under the form of a fair visage, or would hearken unto him under the charming dulcitude of a fair reputation: This colour, these eyes, these smile, these hands, these graces, this neck, this throat, were a Scylla and Charybdis, where the gallantest hearts after their naufrage were amorously caught: In the mean time these two Lovers entertained themselves: Vincia sent to search for the Violins, to pray the Ladies to put them in tune; then she went to see whether the fair Lozia was yet dressed, which this day put on her richest Vestments, as she who had the most interest in the feast; she had not curled her hair, and powdered her locks, before Mounsieur de Blanfort arrived, and with him the Prince of Doudonne, and some other Lords, that he had entreated to come with him, who being hungry, by reason of the venation, went into the Kitchen, which was so good, that he stayed there so long till Lozia was habilled, to the end they might put the Partridges in a dish, of which they had only seen the feathers in the air. Clerio descended also to entertain the company, attending this fair Princess, who festinated rather to see her servant, than those: I have so many times said, that she was as agreeably fair as you might imagine; that the Artifice (which is the husband of this fair woman, that is, Nature) had made her attain the perfection of Pulchritude. They passed all this day in feasting, dancing, musics, & a thousand different sorts of pleasure, and consummated the nuptials of Clerio and Vincia, who was very well accountred, fault, young, and of good grace, who had had the quality of Lady of Honour (which was given ordinarily but to ancient women) rather for merit then age. The night being come, all retired themselves, being in general very well satisfied to have so well passed their time, and leaving these two Lovers in their desired solitude, who seeing themselves thus bereft of all society, entertained themselves in a joint entertainment. Fair eyes which speak in your sweet regards, wherefor do you deprive the Readers & my pen of its function, & so many fair Ladies from the agreeable pleasure of your amorous discourses; which I cannot recount amorously enough: I not having had the honour to be an auricular or ocular testator of their communications: you are cause that a world of honest men make uncivil quarrels to my spirit, which might not very diliciously be delivered of the divine conceptions of your amorous souls, that you have hidden from it under your silence: but one thing consolates me which writing not but for your fair ones, who have a million of Cavaliers slaves to your beauty; you discover in an instant these amorous characters, that the learned passion hath often explicated if the sots and the deformed rail against the misprizal that I make of it, fair ones remember you defend me, or make retreat to your gracious beauties and my spirit, which should be of the rose and lilies, and my pen of thorns for the conservation of both: I cannot accompany my book every where to assist it, but I hope this good office from your grace and beauties which fill all the world with respect and honour, and which from their amorous beams discipated the insupportable indiscretions, as from the nocturnal obscurity which troubled the furtherance of their society.  
These Lovers were not at all troubled to give to their eyes the self same pleasure they had a thousand times received, if Vincia had not in a manner separated them by force and caused this fair Princess to go to bed, that she might not be sick on the next day. The night was soon passed. And Lozia according to the designs of Vincia espoused her Clerio, as I have already told you most happily: It was somewhat late when they returned, which was the cause that these damsels being surprised with so sudden nuphials, did rather think of preparations to bed then to supper, for Vincia who demeaned herself like a married woman, and Clerio did use the like fallacy to deceive these poor Damsels.  
So as the Chamber was made ready Lozia commanded Vincia to go to bed, who seemed unwilling, and in the end she answered her, Madam, I will not go to my bed until I have had the honour to see you in yours: Lozia who well understood her design, soon accorded thereunto, to the end that the Damsels might no more return into her chamber, unless it were one whose name was Charlotta, who came out of Fance with Vincia, and was well acquainted with their actions: Vincia gave the good night to her Mistress and accompanied with Damsels went to bed, the Damsels after they had seen her in bed did all depart, to give place to Clerio; who in stead of going to bed to his dear Cousin (to whom he was so much engaged) kissed her and went to his Spouse who extremely desired his company.  
These two passionate Lovers ravished with their ravishments, being in bed together remained dumb, to give audience to their loves, in the middle of a thousand sweet kisses: which perfectly united their hearts, their eyes and their mouths. Thus these two amorous souls remained captivated in one another's arms all this night; until the morning: When as the radiant beams of Phoebus' golden light provoked them both to arise from their beds.  
Ladies, I shall not here relate at large the several pastimes and exercises that were diurnally practised during the continuance of this wedding, which lasted for the space of eight days with great magnificence for the honour of Clerio; but I shall return to Don Allio who continuing his amorous suit, and the Duke of Blantfort perceiving that Lozia regarded him with a pleasing aspect, thereupon began to doubt that his purposes would have no good end, and therefore he resolved to carry her away violently and marry her to the Prince of Doudonne his son, that he might be exempted from those continual alarms which he dreaded. Wherefore, he came one day in the company of thirty men to visit Lozia; but principally to put his horrid design in execution. Lozia was astonished to see so many men, and did not know what to imagine, and the Duke of Blantfort approaching uttered this discousre to her.  
My Niece, I have been advertised, that Don Allio should espouse you on this day, and therefore I (shall be much blamed if it shall so happen) having the honour to be entrusted with the care of your person: If this evil had happened to you, I should have died for grief, and therefore so soon as ever I was made acquainted herewith, I came to you to offer my Castle unto you as a place of safety: and if you will honour me so much, as to let me have your company therein, I will desire no greater office during your abode there, then to be your keeper. These honest Gentle men have done me the honour to accompany me, that you may retire yourself in greater State. Lozia dissembling her design returned an answer to him in these terms.  
Sir, amongst all the Obligations, wherein I am bound to you I account of this, as the chiefest, and because I will make appear unto you, that I greatly desire any thing that thou shalt think convenient; I will instantly go dress myself, to go with you, and therefore I would entreat you (if so be you shall think it good) to take a turn or two in the garden until I am ready, which shall be very suddenly: The Duke of Blantfort did accordingly, and she presently sent for Clerio, to whom she said;  
Clerio, now is the time wherein there is need for you to show your courage and affection towards me; can you suffer this Villain to snatch me out of your arms: Go now (if you love) to Don Allio and both of you gather together the most of your friends that you can, and kill this Cuckold and his followers, who will not be sufficiently assured to defend themselves, and let it suffice you that you have Lozia and her love for your fortune and guide. There were six of her Gentlemen at that time present, wherefore she caused them to be called to her, to whom she used these speeches; Sirs, the assurance of your fidelity and the desire I have to do you good, is the cause you are Gentlemen of my household, which place many do importunately desire; will you not then dispute my liberty and your fortunes against this Traitor the Duke of Blantfort, who is below to carry me away prisoner? They all answered yes: Go then my friends said she, and do what Clerio shall desire you: at your return every one that doth well shall have 2000 crowns. They all presently departed with this resolution, that they would fight courageously: Lozia then called Clerio and said to him, my Dear, let me once more kiss you and bestow a Ribbon on you, that you being filled with love and fortune may be invisible.  
Fair on (answered Clerio) if your fair eyes have bestowed life on my love, ought I not to hope that your favours will give vivacity to my honour; which with a million of Charms hidden under this Ribon, will render me invincible. When he had spoken these words to Lozia, being full of ambition, valour and love; he went from her and resolved with these six Gentlemen of Lozia's and two of his own, to set upon the Duke of Blanfort who had 30; and he would not call Don Allio, lest he should have buthalf the honour of the victory. He went into the Armoury of Lozia's deceased father, and there he caused these Gentlemen to take each of them a Cuyrase, lest the thought of so many men should astonish them, and before he departed he said to them.  
Sirs, to testify the care which I have of your lives, and the desire which we have this day to do good service to our Mistress, hath been the cause that I have prayed every one of you to arm yourselves. There is never one of us who carries notwritten in his front, the death of ten of these Rascals, who are come not with a courage to fight, but with a pernicious design to rob us of our mistress and our fortune, which wholly depends on her. Consider Sirs, the cruel affront which these slaves give us, and the shameful reproach which we shall receive of all the world: where shall we find shadows obscure enough to hid us from this Reproach? Can there be a better design for us to show our courages in, then in defence of our Mistress? Our devoir invites us thereunto, our ambition carries us thither, and our honour obliges us thereunto. Then I pray Sirs let us go, and you shall soon see those people in disorder: Let us dispatch then, said they all with one voice. Clerio and his small company went presently into the place where the Duke of Blanfort was, accompanied with his followers; and advancing before the rest of his Company with his sword in his hand, he set upon them, & in the end he himself killed the Prince of Doudonne, who for a time defended himself with much vivacity: his Companions likewise behaved themselves with so gallant demeanour, and shown so apparently, that their carriages were excellent, and in short time they killed a good part of them, and put the rest to flight. The Duke of Blanfort fled with them, and they could not follow them so swiftly as they desired, by reason of their armour, Lozia, who saw this tragedy out of her window; being extreme glad of the happy success of her Clerio, went before and embraced him, and his followers one after another: She gave Clerio a Picture worth 50000 crowns, and to each of the others 1000 crowns, and a Spanish horse worth 500 crowns. The Duke of Blanfort being enraged at this affront, and dissparing for the loss of his son, caused twelve of Lazia's towns to revolt against her service.  
But this great and courageous Princess, who had three or four Millions in the Coffers of her deceased father, in stead of being amazed laughed at this foolishness, and soon gave commissions to raise forces, provided munitions of war, and levied foot, with such diligence, that within fifteen days she had 1000 horses, 15000 foot men and 20 pieces of Cannon; her Army being raised, she gave the charge thereof to Clerio, and gave him money to pay six month's wages to his soldiers. She took an oath of fidelity of all the Captains, and prayed Clerio to go and besige the place where the Duke of Blanfort was retired, with express charge to bring him alive or dead.  
Clerio took leave of this fair Princess after a thousand sweet and dear embracements, a thousand kisses and a thousand tears, a thousand sights and a thousand joys, which Mars and Cupid equally drew from their hearts. Whilst he conducted his army, Don Allio being advertised of the need Lozia had of her friends, without saying a word raised 5000 horsemen, and six thousand footmen, with eight pieces of Artillery, and in this equipage went to visit his Mistress; who being informed of his coming, went before in her Coach that she might see his Troops. He himself being mounted on a fair Spanish Geniet, went before all his Troops; and no sooner had he heard that his Mistress was in the Coach, but he dismounted to go kiss her hands. Lozia understanding hereof, in sign of favour caused her Coach to be opened, and kissed him in recompense of his service and affection which he bore her. After Don Allio was seated in the Coach with her he said.  
Fair Princess I am much vexed that I was not with you to aid you, at the time that the Duke of Blanfort came to you so well accompanied; and if Clerio had the life of my Rival, I might at least have had his fathers for my part: But seeing that my cross fortune hindered me in so good an occasion to render you good service; I humbly entreat you favourably to receive my friends which I offer to you: who are no less affectionate to your service then your Allio, who hath as much passion and love for your service, as your beauties and eyes have fire and flames for my ruin, they burn me and command me with so amorous and sweet Tyranny, that my obeisance and servitude are more honourably agreeable, than the most absolute commandments and most free liberties. Fair one, we are come hither to render this first homage of our affection, to receive the honour of your commands. Lozia answered him thus.  
Sir, I find myself much obliged to you for so much courtesy and charge, as you have put yourself to, to testify your affection to me. I know not how to refuse these fair Troops, who seem to be full of triumphs. I have already made Clerio General of my army, to recompense him with the honour of so fair a charge, for the honour which he hath acquired in doing me so special a service. But as for your troops, you are so gallant, that I will not have them be commanded by any other General but yourself.  
Madam, (said Don Allio) I am not come to you in hopes to be General of an Army, but to render you my service; and if Fortune will favour me so much as to make my service profitable to you, I shall be much honoured. When he had said thus, he asked Lozia to give him a favour, she being desirous to pleasure him, took off one of her garters which was bordered at the ends with pearls, and tying it on his arm she said: I desire that it be as happy to you, with as good a will I give it you. He mounted on horseback, being extremely contented, and departing to his Soldiers who stayed for him, he sent all his Captains to do reverence to Lozia, who because she would oblige them to her service, gave them her hands to kiss, which was an extraordinary favour. Don Allio departed and went to join his forces to those of Clerio's, who went before to meet him, and offered him the Command of his Army, but he thanked him for this honour; and said to him, I give myself and friends to you; then Clerio embraced him, and told him that he was his servant, and Clerio asked him if he would lead the Rear, or the Van guard. Don Allio desiring to fight often, desired to have the conduct of the Vanguard. Then Clerio set his Army in battle array, and went to besiege the Duke of Blanfort, who was in one of the best places in the Country, which the deceased father of Lozia had caused to be fortified as the most assured place of retreat. The fortifications of this place were so strong, that it was in a manner accounted impregnable.  
When Clerio aproached, the Duke of Blanfort issued forth, but was forced to retire; but in the end he was so blocked up by sea and by land, that it was impossible for a Lackey to come forth; and they had some quotidian bicker with the enemy, and the Duke of Blanfort in the town did much damage to Clerio's Army by his pieces of Cannon, but Clerio did timely prevent it with much diligence, notwithstanding all his endeavours he continued in the siege so long, that in the mean time, the Queen of England sent a great Army into Spain, which landed without any repulse, and the King being surprifed, lost many towns before he could fortify one. The Captain General of the English Army sent two Lords to Clerio, to treat of peace with him, or at leastwise a Nutrality: At the same time the King of Spain sent to his Cousin Lozia to aid him with her forces. Clerio gave the charge of the Siege to Don Allio and went to his fair Mistress, to ask counsel of her, after their accustomed embracement Clerio said to her,  
Mistress, I remember that I have read a Fable which says, that whilst two great Mastiffs fought for a piece of flesh, a little dog got it away. You may here see the like occasion, that whilst these two puissant enemies fight with one another, it will be an easy matter for me to triumph over them both, they both call me to their aid, but this siege serveth as a fair excuse, which I think best (if you think good) to continue until opportunity serve to execute our design, and in the mean time to remain as Neuter.  
I know well Clerio (said Lozia) that you have a courage and understanding admirable; go forward with your design; Lozia, and what means she can procure, shall assist your ambition, even to the end. Having said thus, and having tears in her eyes, she further said. Clerio my friend, I pray write to me often, to the end that being deprived of your presence, I have your spirit continually before my eyes. She than called the Gentle man who came from the King of Spain and said to him; Sir, go with the General of my army, and treat with him, for a young Maid as I am, cannot understand the managing of affairs, and assure the King that I am his most humble Servant. This Gentleman took leave of Lozia, and went to the Army with Clerio, who so soon as he was arrived, writ this Letter to the King of Spain.  
Sir,  
YOur Majesty hath not a more affectionate servant in this Kingdom than I am, who never had so much sorrow for any thing as that I cannot testify it in so good an occasion, so soon as I desire, my honour & the good of my Mistress do so much depend on this Siege, which I cannot raise unless I lose one or the other: But soon after the taking of this town, which will be suddenly as I think, I have commandment to go find your Majesty, to render to you all the good services I shall be worthy of.  
Yours, CLERIO.  
When the King had read this excuse, he was angered; nevertheless the hope which he had of soon having this aid, did extremely content him.  
In the mean time the English lost no time; for he surprised places, he besieged good towns, became Master of the field, and sent new Ambassadors to Clerio, with fair and rich presents to desire his Company. Clerio returned them this answer:  
Sirs, I cannot honestly fight against my King, this duty hinders me to enter into League with you, but however I will not refuse the affection of so great a Queen as is yours; you see that six thousand men are not sufficient to take this town, and with the twenty thousand more which remain, I shall but incommodate your Army: Nevertheless I promise you not to remove any thing until I have taken it, which will not be suddenly; and then I shall see what I have to do.  
These men being thus satisfied, returned to their General, who was very glad that Clerio shown himself to be indifferent. In this time Clerio's Lackeys never left carrying of Letters between him and Lozia, and if they all gave consolation to her mind, yet one proved unfortunate, for a bullet of a Cannon flew against the window of Clerio's Chamber, and killed a Gentleman, whose bones gave Clerio such a blow, that he fell down for dead as he was a writing to his Mistress. The Lackey seeing what had happened, took the letter half written, and carried it with this sad news to Lozia, who being wholly transported to see this Paper, took it of him, and before she had read it, being impatient asked of him, if Clerio were dead: who answered yes, at this word she fell down in a swoon; Vincia presently sent away the Lackey, and took so great care of her Mistress, that she brought her to her senses in a quarter of an hour; when she read these words which Clerio had written:  
FAir Princess, you could not more honourably renderme slave to a thousand and a thousand amorous wishes, of the beauties and graces which Heaven and Nature hath bestowed on your soul and Visige, then in making me Leader of so fair an army; who having the honour to command it, am deprived a thousand times in a day, of the honour to obey you: So full of displeasure and love, Fair one I die.  
At these last words, she cried out, Oh disastrous Lozia! (then being interrupted with a violent grief, she lost her speech which love soon made rendition of unto her:) Lozia, no, but the miserablest living, seeing that in a moment thou hast lost the possession of the gallantest Cavalier in the world; whom Nature had form the most perfect and most reserved that she had to render an amorous marvel of Virtue and Honour; Clerio, dare I any more in this misfortune pronounce this fair name, which I religiously honour? who in his life time hath given me a thousand sweet deaths: and in his honourable deaths, a thousand unhappy lives. O my eyes, weep until your cold tears of grief extinguish with my life their deadly flames, which have sometimes served as fire of joy to honour at housand and a thousand amorous triumphs, which you have made of the liberty and heart of this brave one. Then she transformed these their amorous mortal parols into sighs and tears.  
Vincia on the other side cried bitterly for the loss of her Cousin, and had much ado to keep herself from swooning; but she knowing that her Mistress had no other comforter but her, did earnestly entreat her to have patience.  
Ah Vincia (said Lozia) am not I unhappy, to have innocently sought for the death of him, who with the perils of his life hath preserved mine, from the hands of this cruel Tyrant, who is the cause of my ill hap?  
Wherefore do not I go into some corner of the world, to waste away the rest of my days? Vincia, read a little this letter, where you shall see an incredible amorous passion; and these last words which serve as a prophecy for our i'll hap. At this instant she heard some knock at the door; Is not their yet enough said she, what ill fortune? Vincia arose, and she had hardly opened the door, when Lozia espying a Gentleman of Clerio's, said to him, my friend, your Master is dead, and I see him dead in dying. Dead! (said he) Madam, behold a letter of his which he hath commanded me to bring to you. What is not Clerio dead? (said Lozia) No Madam (God be thanked) (said he) he was only a little astonished at the blow: and for fear you should be frighted, he hath expressly sent me to you, to assure you that he is well. Is not Clerio dead! (said Lozia) ought I or can I believe it: Vincia is it possible? Madam (said she) you have more reason to give credit to a Gentleman then to a Lackey.  
Then this great Princess being transported with pleasure, cast herself on the neck of this Gentleman and kissed him: but she soon came to herself, and excused herself with these speeches; Now my friend thou mayst report that thou hast had a kiss of Lozia, in recompense of so profitable news, whereon depends the conservation of my State: and then taking the Letter she read it, the words whereof were these.  
FAir Princess, I think that this Gentleman will have need of confession in the other world, who hath failed after his death to make a cruel homicide. I had a thousand times more lamented the life of a world of innocent loves (which I hold in possessing your graces and fair eyes) than mine: whose loss would have been as honourable as happy for your service: But it seems that the heavens have been willing in my preservation, to witness more good then in my loss. No ill bath happened unto me in this strange accident, (God be thanked) but only my arm a little hurt, which in two days will be capable to give three blows with a sword for your sake; this absence is nothing else but an imperfect table of my memory, which in the middle of my most pleasant and desired dote, represents the best that it can, your spirit, your beauties and your graces, where I decipher a thousand times in a day, my most divine and most amorous conceptions.  
CLERIO.  
Vincia led this Gentleman into another chamber, to give him the collation, and time to her Mistress, to make these new regrets. Lozia (quoth she) how soon an alteration hath this unlooked for news caused in my breast! Vincia having spent some time with the Gentleman, returned with him unto Lozia, who said to him: Sir, I pray you tell Clerio that I am so lazy that I know not how to write to him; and I pray let him not know that I was informed of his death: let him send me word in what estate the Army is in, if he hopes to take the town soon or no, or if he needs any thing. The Gentleman departed and went to his Master, who had planted his Cannons in the Trench. In the mean time the English executed his affairs so well, that he had already possessed himself of the third part of Spain.  
Clerio fearing that the number of places would render him so strong, and his often victories so redoubtable, that it would be hard to defeat him; set upon his own enemies so rigorously, that in eight days he constrained the Inhabitants to yield the Town to him, because they would not be pillaged; and the Duke of Blanfort who began to premeditate of his flight, was so astonished at his rising to see so great a number besiege his house, that he had pains enough in the midst of so many perils, to make choice of the least; and all the ambition of this poor Prince was, in the balancing of his life and honour, metamorphosed in a base desire to be slave to his enemy, and serve as a triumph to him, into whose hands he might with the loss of his honour, hope for some assurance of his miserable life. These cogitations having possessed him, he resolved to yield, which he did; and being brought to the Army, Clerio honestly received him; and having him at his side he entered as a glorious Master of the Town and Governor. So soon as he had appointed a sufficient Garrison of Soldiers therein, and left money to repair the ruins thereof he departed, and led the Duke to his Mistress to abide her doom. This fair Princess was at that time as much possessed with choler as joy, to see her spouse and her enemy, the one full of honour and glory, and the other of disdain and shame; to whom she said these words. I wonder that I see you in any other place then on a Scaffold wicked one as thou art, who hast dared to enterprise on my person; and practised a Rebellion in my estate: but assure thyself that I will be revenged of thy perfidiousness with so much justice, and the subject which I have, that I will render thee the miserablest that ever was; if thou dost not between this and to morrow, yield up all the places which thou holdest, I will cruelly kill thee. Then turning her self towards Clerio she said. I pray take this man from my presence, his only sight puts me into extreme choler, and above all things in the world have a care that he be strictly guarded. He would have spoken but the Princess because she would not hear him, went from thence into another chamber to entertain Clerio, who went unto her and remained with her all that night, and had remained there all his life time in such agreeable delight, if Mars (at his rising) had not placed a sword at his side to go combat the proud English, who already thought themselves Masters of Spain, whose whole hopes of liberty was stayed in the only valour of Clerio, who having besieged the best place which they had with forty pieces of Ordnance and 30000. footmen, stayed not there but eight days before it was delivered; and thus continuing his sieges and Victories, he took one by one all the Towns which the English held, always leaving the field free. When he had placed Garrisons in the places which he had taken, he took the field and pursued the English so quickly, that he constrained them to fight, and they had no sooner given Battle but they lost it, where poor Don Allio was slain, who despairing in his love, had not above two hours before sent a Letter to his Mistress.  
This happy Victory gave so much reputation to Clerio, fear to his Enemy and jealousy to the Spaniard, that the one fled, and the other assured himself of his suspicion. The apprehension of death could not give the English so swift wings to save themselves, as the ambition and honour of Clerio to take them. And because I shall be too long in describing the Arms, the Horses, the spoils, and money which the Soldiers gained, it shall suffice to tell you that this glorious happy vanquisher lead the General to the fair Lozia, who at one time made two superbous Triumphs of vanquisher and vanquished. This fair Princess who desired nothing so much as the honour of Clerio, left all to his discretion, and he who had more ambition than avarice, in stead of placing him in surety in some strong Hold, and treat of Ransom, said to him; Sir, fortune hath given me enough advantage over you without my searching any new subject of affliction, if your Soldiers had had as much courage as you, I had been very like to be in the same danger; I pray you do not think that I detain you here as a prisoner of War, but as one of my very good friends, and in stead of Ransom I only ask yours and your Queen's favour: your shipping are all separated and lost, but when you think good to departed you shall command mine. This Lord was so astonished at this French courtesy, that after he had made a million of offers of service he extremely thanked him, and advowed that it appertained to none but Clerio to oblige the Queen and him for this unparallelled favour; and after he had kissed the hands of the Princess Lozia, he embarked with a world of fair presents which were given him.  
Whilst he makes his Voyage let us return to the King of Spain, who attended for Clerio to redeliver those places which he had taken, and for that purpose he sent a Gentleman unto him to treat about this affair: but Clerio who dreamed of nothing less than the rendition of them, made this answer.  
Sir, I know not why the King hath so much distrust of the fidelity and affection which I have sworn to his service. I think that I have given him a sufficient testimony, having ruined so powerful an enemy, who every day (as you know) desired me to join with him, offering me the moiety of all that we should pretend to: but (God be thanked) I never had a will to do so great a disservice to my Prince. I think it strange, that having had this cognisance, he thinks me not capable to conserve those Towns which I have been worthy to take. I cannot suffer it, that taking from me the Government of these places, he gives the honour of my honour to another, which I have merited with the peril of my life, and all my friends, who I think will not departed, although I pray them; for their entertainment serves in recompense of the good services which they have done to his Majesty under my conduct: I humbly pray you Sir to represent to the King all these rational Reasons, and assure him of my most humble service.  
This Gentleman being departed went to the King, who having heard this discourse, entered into council to know what course was best to be taken: some were of advice to declare war against him, others to go seize on him, but one amongst them who was more sage than the rest spoke in this manner.  
Sir, Seeing that your Majesty hath done me the honour to confide in me, I should think myself culpable of a thousand invincible crimes if I should wander from my opinion to flatter you. Clerio hath done a great good to your Kingdom, what subject soever hath caused him, as a close Enemy, that fear and peril are lesser, then if we had the other, who might have had continual supplies from the Queen his Mistress. Clerio is in your Country, who we can easily render odious, he hath no strange alliance: I plainly see that he dares not declare war against you, attending for some slight pretence which you will put into his hands, with which he will so effectually serve himself, having a fair and puislant Army, a quantity of places, and means, that he will cause a great trouble to your Kingdom, and a very great weariness to your Majesty. If he had once given this beginning to his design, and blur to his ambition, he would become so extremely odious, that your Kingdom would not suffer him: furthermore, his Army strengthening daily by his fortune, the King of France, (although there is a League between you) would secretly assist him. This weakening of your Estate Sir, would give courage to your Enemies, disobedience in your Subjects, and happiness to Clerio, who hath already a beginning good enough.  
Likewise, if as your Servant he hath worthily served you, you will do him a great affront in taking from him those places which he hath (in a manner) made conquest of, to give the glory of his honour to another: this will offend him so much, that he will have a lawful excuse to make war against you. You are so unprovided of men and money, you ought to take this into consideration. My advice is, that your Majesty let things alone in the estate they are in, until your Vessels come from the Indies, you will by little and little augment your Army, and then it will be a seasonable time to demand of him what part he holdeth.  
Although these reasons were fair and profitable, yet could they not hinder the Kings declaring war against Clerio, (although it was but coldly) who because he would not give bad impressions of his ambition, dared not to encounter with him, but desired nothing so impatiently, as to vanquish in defending himself, which was as easy for him to accomplish, as it was for a strong Man to beat a sick man, who offends him more through malice then force. He soon drew his Army out of Garrisons, and besieged Madrid, in such manner that no Victuals could be carried thereinto.  
The people who were impatient, seeing themselves among so many continual alarms, their hands, their teeth, and their shops unprofitable, asked for nothing more than to place these people from their former exercises, to agree their Prince with Clerio, and peace with their stomaches, who had not digested war: The King fearing some sedition or revolt, was persuaded by his Council, and forced by necessity to demand truce of Clerio, who dared not to refuse it, lest his Arms should be reputed more tyrannous than just. They therefore agreed on a truce for six months, each of them designing so well (whilst it should last) to prepare their business that it being ended, he might easily triumph over his enemy.  
Clerio went soon after to see his fair Lozia (being accompanied with an honourable Train) who kindly welcomed him. Whilst he was in this Company, he resolved to make his public wedding; And for that cause he sent a Gentleman to the King, to entreat him to do him the honour to be present: And although he was much angered thereat, yet he seemed to be glad: and because he would oblige him further, he went with all his Court. Great was the resort thither of Ladies & Knights, and at the King's entrance there was a fair Tragedy, whose subject I will be tacent of. When he was arrived, Lozia after many humble salutations, and respectful embracements, said to him.  Sir, Although the valour and merits of Clerio render him worthy, not only to espouse me, but the greatest Princes in the World: nevertheless, by reason that he is a stranger, and hath not the quality of a Prince, which is rather left to us, then acquired by us: I know that you will think it strange that I have contracted secret matrimony with him, and that reported, hath gone to have been with Vincia, But Sir, you know that being under the tyrannical subjection of the Duke of Blantfort, and honoured with the honour I had to appertain to you, I could not at that time do otherwise: I am glad that his fortune and courage have rendered him so great, that he deserveth one of my quality, and that my election be worthy of my love. 
The King interrupting her, said to her, Cousin, it is better to be Son of fortune, then of a Prince; and embracing Clerio, he said to him, Cousin, I will be at your nuptials, and believe me that I make as of you, that I esteem your alliance more than of the greatest Monarch in the World. Clerio after he had most humbly thanked him for the honour which he did him, said to him,  Sir, Your Majesty obliges me so much, to render you service, that there shall not be a day in all my life, wherein I shall not have the same desire. I very well know that I am unworthy of the honour of your alliance, and that not I alone but the greatest of this Kingdom: therefore I rather hold this good fortune of fortune, and your favour, rather than of any thing in the World. But seeing that the Heavens and you render me worthy of this good, I will endeavour to render myself so agreeable and profitable to your Majesty, that you shall never have cause to repent you self of doing me this Honour. 
After these speeches the Company assembled, and were assistant at the espousals of Clerio and Lozia, and Clerio left nothing undone that might conduce to the contentation and pleasure of these fair Ladies.  
Clerio was so pleased with the honour of so agreeable Hostesses, these fair Ladies and the King of Spain in these delicious pastimes, that the one would not have been wearied with these magnificient expenses, nor the other with receiving so good entertainment, if the Estates had not called the King away to practise an ill office to him who had made them so welcome. His departure gave such a trouble to this amorous Assembly, that I cannot represent unto you the sighs and sad tears which this harsh and mortal separation gave to the hearts and eyes of those who possessed the favours of their Mistresses, nor the sighs of hope which others had of this good. This is a Tragedy of Love, which love himself represented, whilst that they were a drying up of tears for so sad a departure; let us return to Lozia, who now dares call Clerio her Husband, whom she before called her Knight, her Servant and General of her Army. This young Cavalier was now exalted to the top of fortune, who but lately was but an ordinary Gentleman, & now he dared to claim one of the richest and fairest Ladies and Princesses in all the World to be his Lady and espoused Wife. Soon after this the King prepared his Army for the field, and Clerio was no whit idle in the mean time; but having made fit preparations for war, met the King his enemy in the field, many bloody fights and encounters were daily, which I shall omit; but only thus much I shall inform you of, that in one fight, our brave victorious Champion, not only subdued his enemies, but hand to hand encountered the King and led him away prisoner in despite of all his enemies, & won the field & day. Clerio having the King at his pleasure and mercy, scorned by that means to make a base peace, or to get treasure for his Ransom; but showing his heroic mind and disposition, he freely and in safety sent him away into his own Camp. But this perfidious traitorous King conceived such hatred against Clerio, that he resolved to be revenged not openly, but with a Revolt and secret Treason, he having secretly given moneys into the hands of that perfidious Spanish Nation, in such a manner, that one day all the places, Holds, and Forts that Clerio had in his profession revolted and declared against him, except that which he had taken from the Duke of Blantfort: the Soldiers that were garrisoned there being Gascoigns, who rather looked to their honour then wealth. Thus poor Clerio was taken with so unlooked for treason, that he had no sooner the possession than the knowledge of his ill hap, neither had he time to remedy it, but only he resolved rather to die (in defending himself and his Lady) honourably, then to yield to the mercy of his merciless enemy. Lozia having had the cognisance of this ill hap, was amazed at the novelty, and astonished with fear, not for the loss of her estate and life, but for that of Clerio, who she was sure, was of so undaunted a spirit and courage, that he would rather die then let his honour die, or diminish one jot in yielding himself to his enemy: wherefore she made all haste possible to the place where he was, she found him in a sharp dispute with his enemies, maintaining with the point of his Sword, and all conquering and invinsible Arm, a breach which his enemies had made in the wall; resolving rather to leave his life in the place, then suffer any of those perfidious Curs to enter therein. But Lozia's coming hindered him of his design; for she so far prevailed with him, that she drew him (although unwillingly) from the place, and afterwards made such lamentable and pitiful speeches to him, that he whose courage was not to be overmastered with the sword of the bravest enemies, was now wholly subdued, vanquished, and conquered by her tears, in such manner that for grief he swooned in the place, she taking this opportunity, soon conveyed him a Shipboard, and having provided herself sufficiently with Jewels and treasure embarked likewise with Vincia and some others, and having a fair wind presently set sail, leaving the Town to the mercy of this merciless and cruel enemy. The Ship had sailed a good space of time ere Clerio recovered his senses; but when he had recollected himself, and understood how all things had happened, he much wondered at so sudden an alteration, and being much angered and tormented with himself, he complained against his fortune and destinies, and was enraged to think that he should in so sad a condition leave his fellow Soldiers, who had so bravely and resolutely defended his fortune and their own. But Lozia who with her charms was at any time able to subdue him, did at last so far prevail that she made him rest contented in outward appearance, though not inwardly in his mind, and now the ship having sailed sometime, they began to consider what part it was best for them to take. Clerio knowing that Lozia had so well provided for wealth resolved to spend the rest of his life in peace and tranquillity, and to that intent and purpose, he commanded that they should sail directly towards the great River Nilus, which place was then inhabited by Christians, they had not long continued in this their course, but they espied Land, which caused gladness and joy to spring in their hearts. The Ship being come near the shore, Clerio commanded the Ordnance that were in the ship should be discharged, which made such a resounding Echo in those parts, that the Inhabitants flocked to the Sea side, that they might understand the cause of this so sudden a novelty, where they were no sooner arrived, but they might see our Hero and Heroesse landing, and they were so stricken in admiration at so ravishing a prospect, as was that of Lozia, that they thought the Gods and Goddesses were come to visit them; but they soon changed their opinions, having had the happiness to hear the Tongues of Lozia and Clerio speak to them. These Inhabitants seeing the courteous demeanour of these new come strangers, offering them all their assistance in helping their necessities, but they kindly thanked them. These strangers being now come, Clerio with all expedition caused workmen to build a fair Palace, wherein he and his beauteous Lady might consummate the remaining parts of their lives, which being built, they passed their time therein, entertaining themselves always with their loves, and they caused little windows to be made, whereby they might have a prospect to Nilus, and other Rivers and Islands there adjoining. And thus in the middle of these delights, they deliciously passed away many years, exempted from vanity, fear, and ambition, receiving more pleasure in their misfortune, and in the possession of so little Land, than they ever had in their triumphs, victories, and happy success, with a world of good fortune. Here was a continual Melody of Birds, and all the delights that a Rural Habitation could afford.  
Clerio would have ended his days in these loves, if Mars jealous of his good had not raised the Turk against the Christians, but honour and Religion obliged him to defend them, they having chosen him for their Captain & Leader. This unhappy War snatched him from the arms of his fair Lozia, who being extremely afflicted at his resolution, took him aside, and used many persuasions to cause him not to go through with his enterprise; but he considering that his honour and Religion depended chief thereon, would by no means condescend to her desires, but having given her a thousand Kisses and sweet loving embraces, he departed from her, leaving her to her solitudes, and leaving for her comfort her Damsel Vincia, who for the sake of her Cousin Clerio enterprised any thing to conduce to his happiness and good, and to remove her Mistress from solitariness, using all the comfortable expressions that her capacity afforded her. Whilst Vincia and Lozia remained at home, Clerio gave battle abroad to his enemies, which added such lustre to his person in that he always remained Conqueror and Master of the field, that in few days his valour gave an incredible reputation to the Christians, and an extreme fear to the Hearts of these Barbarians. Always pursuing his Victory and fortune, he remained Master of the field, Cities and Towns were rendered to him, some voluntarily, some through fear, and others by siege: he founded Hospitals, instituted Religions, and builded Churches. The Christians had kept the Levant in the knowledge of God, and under their authority even unto the end of the World, if they had not been defeated by themselves, with a foolish ambition, which gave advantage to the Turks, who having an unequal number, soon vanquished his enemies.  
This happened between two Lords, who having like command in the Christian Army during the absence of Clerio, who was gone to visit his Mistress. One of these was so wicked and perfidious, that he turned Turk, and revenged himself on his own soul, and all the Christians together.  
This Treason was so utilious to this Barbarian, and so prejudicial to ours, that he easily defeated the Armies, and in the midst of this disorder, retook the Towns.  
Clerio being filled with courage and despair, could not put order to so confused a confusion, and do he what he could, he could not possibly gather together above ten thousand men, who with so good a Leader performed their parts so well, that the Enemy was greatly incommodated. He gained one Battle where he took the Bassa, and with this handful of men performed a world of gallantries. The Turk seeing the courage and fortune of Clerio, raised another Army of 100000 men, and pressed so near to Clerio, that he foreed him to fight, where he and his were vanquished with victory, having all the day long killed so many, that their weariness was the cause of their defeat, not the valour of these Dogs. Clerio yet rallied 1000 or 1200 men, who for his last refuge he carried to his house. This Tyrant followed him, besieged him, and set him so furiously, that if his courage, by his often scouting forth, had not somewhat hindered them, they had taken it that very same day. The next day this Turk renewed this assault, and at last made a breach where the poor Princess Lozia being no less courageous than amorous, kept Company with Clerio all the day on the breach, and defeated as many enemies with the sweet admiration of her beauty, as Clerio with the bloody blows of his Sword. But these two Lovers being in the end wearied with their ill hap, went a little to rest themselves on a Bed, to gain some new strength to their now feebled force, in this sweet sleep they suffered the mortal Crises of their lives and fortunes: for the enemy pursued them so suddenly, that having gained the base Court of the Castle, he would within two hours have been Master thereof. But the god Cupid thinking that their shame would have been his, let lose his wings, and carrying the poison with him, (wherein he was wont to temper his mortal darts) presented it to Vincia, and said to her,  
My friend, if you love so much as you ought the honour of your Cousin, and this fair Princess, put this Nectar into their mouths, which the gods have sent them to render them immortal, to the end, that by this means they may be freed from this Tyrant. You shall in one instant see them so divine and so fair, that in the twinkling of an eye, they will vanish from these barbarous Troops, as Clouds from the sight of so clear and divine Beams. Vincia being as much ravished with the beauty of this fair Messenger, as persuaded with his persuasion, and desired desires, imagining herself to be already some little Saint in the Paradise of these looked for deities, took this sole dissolving poison from the deceitful hands of love, and with hers being innocent put it to their lips.  
These two Lovers feeling the mortal effects of this poison, at one time both awaked, and after a thousand kisses and dear embracements, Clerio finding himself at the end of his fortunes and life, took his leave of Lozia in many sad and doleful speeches, and calling for his Gentlemen he said to them. Sirs, excuse me I entreat you, If I have not yet done any thing for you to disengage me from the obligation which I own you, it very much grieves my soul: come I pray you that I may embrace you, and take with this my last adieu all my money and jewels. Go my friends treat with this Barbarian for the conservation of your lives and estates, and for the honour of your Master who dies.  
These poor Gentlemen retired in tears and sighs not having power to speak one word.  
Clerio hearing the sighs of his Cousin, and the just reproaches which she gave to Love, for having so cruelly deceived her; comforted her with loving speeches, but she refusing all comfort resolved to die with them, and therefore she took the rest of that portion which remained that Clerio and Lozia had not drunk.  
Lozia likewise finding herself ready to expire, turned towards Clerio and gave many a pitiful sigh, and uttered many words in tears, and at last embracing one another in their arms, and both making a sigh at one time, these two souls confusedly carried on the wings of one sigh went to the Elysian fields, where Love who attended them in the company of a thousand and a thousand Lovers went before them, and with honour gave them the honour of the most honourable place, as they who were most worthy. A thousand Crowns honoured their heads, a thousand Loves their Loves, and a thousand Triumphs their Victories. Let us here leave these two Lovers in their new delights, and come to Vincia, who having perceived this mortal separation, embraced Clerio and Lozia, a thousand times one after another, and in the middle of these tears and sighs, drew these speeches from her heart, with most impatient passions of her soul.  
Clerio art thou dead? And thou fair Lozia? Alas, I yet feel some warmth on their amorous cheeks! Your fair souls, have they already left these perfect beauties, which the heavens and nature jealous of this fair work, jealously honour? Alas! must I close these fair eyes, which amorously kills after death those who have the honour to see them; and this delicate mouth, which with a thousand fair discourses, seasoned with the grace and sweetness of speech, annimateth souls with ravishment? Fair hands, must mine render yours this last office of duty and affection, closing you under this sheet, with all the beauties and graces together? Alas! pardon me for your death fair Mistress, which I have innocently procured; by the artifice and treason of this Perfidious: But I do ill to accuse him, it was not reasonable that this royal Majesty, these beauties, these sweet, these pretty, these amorous members should serve for a Trophy to this Barbarian, who to honour his Trophies, would have publicly dishonoured them: and to the end, that my eyes may lose the honour of seeing you, losing theirs also in the middle of these tenebrosities, fair one I follow you; and pronounsing these speeches, she fell down dead at the feet of the fair Lezia.  
In this mean time, the Turk accorded with these Gentlemen what they desired: and knowing that Clerio and Lozia were sick, had yet this respect (in despite of his cruclties) that he caused the fattery to cease, and he made this answer to those who brought him the news of their death, demanding permission to build a monument to bury then in.  
I will not refuse this honour to so great a Prince and his Wife; but I will spend one hundred thousand Crowns to render them worthy the bravest Cavalier and the fairest Princess that ever was, and I would it had cost me two millions that they had lived.  
He entered into the Castle, and seeing Clerio and Lozia under a Cloth of Gold, covered with a sheet, he commanded that they should be uncovered, and after he had honoured the memory of the valour and merits of this Prince, turning his eyes on the fair Body of Lozia, he one by one looked over her beauties and Graces, who seemed rather to be in a sweet sleep of love than death, which this barbarous heart received with one thousand regrets, and two thousand so living sighs, or rather so mortal flames, that he served as a victim to himself to expiate his cruelties.  
The tears and sighs of the vanquishers and vanquished, were in such manner mingled together that grief and victory were equal in their inequality. In this time the workmen finished the Tomb which was of Jasper, mingled with Pearls and precious stones, so fair and so rich, that better could not be, where these Gentlemen with a thousand sighs, and a thousand tears, honourably buried Vincia and Clerio, and the fair Lozia. Fait Ladies, let us leave these Gentlemen in their Voyage, and these Levers in their rest.  
FINIS.   

Imprimatur,  
Na. Brent. May 8. 1652.