THE IMPERIOUS BROTHER.  
Dedicated to the COUNTESS OF STRAFFORD.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON: Printed by J. C. for Nath. Brook, at the Angel in Cornhill, 1656.   

To the Right Honourable, THE COUNTESS OF STRAFFORD.  
MADAM,  
THe Boldness which I presume in suffering this little Volume to make its Humble Address to your Honour's fair Hands, is so great, that I should despair of ever finding Pardon, were it not that the Virtuous Stella, a Lady, both Noble in Extraction, and in the Lustre of her Beauty and Soul, yet in all these, infinitely inferior to your Honour, lies prostrate at your Feet, imploring a forgiveness for this Presumption; and to make it known, That she owes her Description to a more Noble Author; since all the Glory I pretend to, is, to have the Honour of Presenting Her to You in the English Dress: Yet when I consider, that among the Old Greeks, the meanest Offerings, which with a pure Heart they Consecrated to the Temples of their Divinities, found no less favourable Acceptance, than those Statues and Vessels of massy Gold, which were Offered by that Lydian Monarch, the Envy of his Age for Riches, unto the Temple of Jupiter Hammon, when his Thoughts had devoured all Asia with his Numerous Army: I am the more Fortified in the Confidence of this Address; it being made unto a Greatness, equal to those who have been esteemed Deities; and to a Goodness, incomparably more Obliging: Especially having assumed the Confidence to Dedicate the Illustrious Shepherdess to your Noble Sister, the Marchioness of Dorchester; to whom the Relation is the same in Merit as in Nature; both being Daughters to that most honoured Lady, who is known to the World as much by the Greatness of Her Virtues, as Her Quality. It had been the highest of Errors to have Presented this to Any, but Yourself, whose Illustrious Affiances, since I have had the happy occasion to mention, I ought not to forget to pay a just Adoration unto the Memory of that Renowned Lord, whose High Prudence and Heroick Magnanimity still Survive in the perfect Image of his Virtues, your Noble Husband. And, Madam, I am bold to Affirm, That Montalvan Himself, the Grandeur of whose Air and Spirit in all his Writings, have rendered him an Admiration to all men that have been so fortunate as to read Him, would, had he had the like Opportunity, have thrown himself, and all his Works, at your Feet, with a Devotion as equal to that wherewith the Famous Scudery Presented his Cyrus to the Duchess of Longevile, as all those Glories and Transcendencies of Mind and Body, which he Attributes to that Great Princess, are equalled, if not excelled by those Divine Rays of Virtue which Crown you with unspeakable Brightness: And it is but just, that this Piece, which small as it is, hath not many fewer Examples of Virtue and Heroic Actions in it, than the most Voluminous Romance containeth, should be Consecrated to a Personage, who alone, Compriseth all that's Great and Noble in the World: But, Considering how small the Advantages are which this Version hath Contributed to it, and that what there is of Handsome in it, it Derives from the Original; to hope, that an Essay so little Worth, coming from a Person less worthy, outshined and Eclipsed by so many nobler Productions, should find an Acceptance equal with the Devotion wherewith it is Presented, were an Arrogance as Great as the Person against whom it is Presumed. But on the other-side, not to repose a Confidence on those Extensive and Universal Civilities which you equally distribute to all men, were to call in question that high Complaisance, that generous mildness of Nature which hath gained you so large an Empire over the Spirits of all the Vertuosis; whenas the Sun, your Emulatour, in the large diffusion of his Favours indifferently upon all Objects, shines as well upon the ignoblest Weed, as on the most radiant Flower: at leastwise I may Hope, That Stella being of a middle Nature, between your height of Glory and my Imperfections, as the Moon is between the purity of the Sun, and the grosseness of the Earth, may receive the light of your Rays, and reflect it back upon this Humble Address: for a meaner Excellency, which requires the presence of Deformity to set it off, would yet enjoy a considerable Felicity, if it should be thought to deserve the Condition of being a Foil to your more exalted Brightness: And perhaps, there are in Stella such Advantages, as may allow her a pretention to that Honour, and admit her to wait upon your Triumphal Chariot; an Advancement, in which she will shine more gloriously than any of those bright Creatures, whose Name she bears, do in the Heavens: and whatever Defects she may be thought culpable of, I am persuaded they are neither so Many, nor so Great, but that they may be capable to Merit your Condescension and Forgiveness; and thereby Confirm you Eminent, by the Discovery of one Virtue more, for whom all Noble Attributes are reserved, of which there can be none Greater than that of your Goodness, in cherishing a Virtue which Offers herself up to your Service with so perfect and zealous a Resignation: And it is with the same Devotion to your Service, though far less pretensions of Merit, that I Passionately Aspire to be Admitted into the Glorious Quality of being,  
MADAM, Your Honour's most Humble, most Faithful, and most Obedient Servant, E. P.   

The Illustrious SHEPHERDESS.  
The Imperious BROTHER.  
Written originally in Spanish:  
Now made ENGLISH, And Dedicated to the MARCHIONESS Of DORCHESTER, And the COUNTESS Of STRAFFORD, BY E. P.  
LONDON: Printed by J. C. for Nath. Brook, at the Angel in Cornhill. 1656.   

The Imperious BROTHER.  
IN Sevil, a place both otherwise famous, and for being the capital City of Andaluzia, was born Carlo the second son of Count Horatia, who for his virtuous qualittes was so well beloved, that all that knew him were afflicted that he was not the chief Heir of his father's estate. He was in his deportment gentile and pleasing; of a comely & graceful person; in his apparel not exceeding the moderation that became a younger brother: but that which was chief commendable, he was of a clear and candid Judgement; a gift which doth not always speak men fortunate. His Brother, whole name was Alfredo, though superiout in years, yet in virtues far inferior, by the death of his father became possessed of all his honoured Titles and great Possessions; his right pre-existing above his brother Carlo's by the privilege only of one years' Seniority: He was more envious than for one of his quality might seem possible; proud, and above sufferance imperious: and in so despightful and haughty a manner treated he Carlo, as that he might well have been thought rather his utter enemy, than his brother. If any thing may be said in favour of Alfredo, it is this; That since he would needs be envious, his Envy could not have sound a nobler object. O powerful Disease! how generally dost thou reign over the whole world, and how strangely infest all sorts and degrees of men! thou not only frequentest Courts, Palaces, Universities, and Religious Societies themselves; but even taintest the blood of persons most nearly related. But whereas Alfredo was of so uncontrol'd a power, so respected and so feared of all; what reason had he to bear so great an envy toward one so curbed and depressed, that there seemed no great difference between him and one of his servants? There needs no other answer, but that famous saying of an ancient Author: The Envious man hates all: his Inferiors, because they do not equal him; his Equals, because they do not exceed him; his Superiors, because they are above him: so that neither brothers nor dearest friends are exempted from his malice. It was Envy which put so great a difference between the two Roman twins, who had the selfsame Cradle upon the banks of Tiber, and the selfsame Couch in the Hostile field that Romulus, to assume the whole Empire to himself, gave licence to the murdering of his brother Remus: It was Envy which so disunited the affections of powerful Mithridates from his brother, that Mithridates, to enlarge his power and dominion, commanded his brother to be publicly beheaded. To conclude, where this Monster ruleth, neither means, nor honours, nor even life itself, can promise any to themselves security. Carlo, that he might set himself to resist the discourtesies of Fortune, and not depend any longer upon his brother's cold courtesies, he resolves to engage himself in the love of some fair and rich Lady of that City, whose portion might dis-enthral him from that servile estate which he lived in under his brother's tyranny. But among all the Illustrious Dames which that famous place afforded, (and it afforded not a few) he thought none more fair, and there was none more rich, than a Lady whose name was Donna Stella, whose father was of the noblest and wealthiest Gentlemen of the City, having acquired a great estate in the Indies. This Stella was doubly fair, as being both fair and rich: both these respects make Carlo desirous to be her servant; both these respects render Stello worthy of his service: but as yet he is resolved to communicate his degsines to no body but his own thoughts. There is nothing that abateth the courage of Lovers more than Poverty; nothing that more restraineth them from revealing the secrets of their minds. If the riches of Stella moved him at first to seek her love, no less powerful with him is her beauty now, to persuade him to persevere in that mind: but the means and opportunity of discovering his faithful flames, and preferring his amorous suit to her, were denied him by the malevolence of his stars. He knew he was not able to promote his design, nor have access to his Mistress, without employing the industry and fidelity of some of her servants: and to have made use of their assistance, without the demonstration of his own liberality, would have been a great dishonour to him, not having wherewithal to reward them according to the greatness of his Generosity and Birth, as being Brother to him who was absolute Lord of the whole Country. To prove ungrateful, the generousness of his mind made him scorn; to appear co●ferable, and in want, the greatness of his spirit made him disdain: therefore the language of his eyes only had liberty to express that which his tongue was constrained to conceal. The day came nor more certainly, than he was certain to dispose of himself in some secret Walk near the back part of her house; that if at any time sh● c●me forth that way, he might obtain his wished sight: and there passed not a night, wherein he did not duly walk by the door of her house; that at least if he might not be so happy as to enjoy her sight, he might in some sort please himself with seeing the place made happy by her presence. But when he considered with himself what an airy contentment he now enjoyed, and that time was trifled away, ●●d his loves labour lost, while his affections were kept unrevealed from her who was the Mistress of his affections; and that he had small reason to expect favours from her, who scarce knew him, much less knew him to be her servant; he saw himself constrained (for want of other means) to cast himself upon the courtesy of his discourteous Brother, and to impart those counsels to him, which he had purposed to lock up in the most secret Arcanum of his breast; presuming he should come off with the more credit, and his address to his Mistress find greater acceptance, being backed by his brother's authority; whom although he knew not to stand so well-affected to him or his proceed, yet he assured himself that he might haply be led to it, if not by any other respect, yet at least by a willingness to be rid of his company he so little cared for, and to be freed from the charge he was at in maintaining him; with this assurance, he repairs to Alfredo, represents to him the exquisiteness of Stella's beauty, and effectually sets forth with what passionate desires her beauty had inflamed him, and how extremely it perplexed him not to obtain that which he so infinitely desired. His Brother outwardly commended his discreet choice, inwardly maligned it; promised to further him in it what he might, intended nothing less: for having considered well the excellent feature and the rare endowments of Stella, he purposed to obtain her for himself; nor did he seek her more for his own love and her deserts sake, than out of a desire to deprive his brother of that contentment and felicity he aimed at; so great was his envy toward him: whose mean and low condition, if it were so much the object of his envy; how much more would he have been envied, being advanced to a contented and prosperous estate, wherein he should not any longer have stood in need of him! He was not, in times past, so much not his friend, as now he is resolved to become his mortal adversary: so that, making his brother's desires the promoters of his own design, he often frequented the house of Stella's father, and, after a few visits, revealed to him his mind. No marvel if the old man willingly consented; knowing, that to accept of the Count's proffer, imported him no less than the marrying of his daughter to the greatest Fortune in that Country. In all haste, he goes to Stella, and tells her the happy news: who grown to woman's estate, and thinking the time long till she were married, embraced the motion with much gladness. Carlo perceiving his brother to be much at the house of Stella's father, rested secure of his good success. He whose mind is free from traitorous intentions, is least apt to suspect others for being guilty of the like, Stella, by some means or other, became acquainted with Carlo's affection to her; which could not find any place in her heart, being prepossessed already by that of Alfredo. And there wanted not those, on the other side, who informed Carl of his brothers proceed toward him; dissuading him from continuing any longer a servant to her, for that she was extremely incensed against him, both for his boldness in aspiring to her favours, which were elsewhere bestowed; and for his rashness, to stand in competition with his brother's Authority in so high a nature, as to become his Rival. In this manner did the two Brothers prosecute the same design; but with far different success: Carlo's love was hindered by the fraud of Alfredo; Alfredo's seconded by the favour of Stella. Notwithstanding Carlo, seeing himself thus slighted, was resolved not so easily to take a repulse from one whom he never talked with; but rather to try if by speaking with her, who was the cause of his innocent flames, he could prevail with her to know what should be the cause of her disdain. This resolution of his was favoured by an accident no less fortunate than unexpected; he having long, and with much impatience awaited the approach of night, at length that silent season came, wherein darkness and solitude had given truce to the busy motions and labours of men, and kept the inquisitive neighbours from stirring abroad to his hindrance; when Carlo, more curious than prudent, hastes toward the Mansion of his Beloved, whom to his joy he found standing in a Balcone, in expectation of Alfredo's coming: for seeing him resolutely bend to be her Spouse, she longed to have conference with him first, without any other witness than the still silence of night, that she might make trial whether his wit and understanding were correspondent to the properness of his person, and the greatness of his estate: having absolutely concluded with herself, that if he proved any way defective of judgement, she would rather choose to want the pomp and splendour which his alliance would bring her, then to tie herself to the tediousness of leading her whole life with such a one, whom folly and simplicity should make unfit to be conversed with. Carlo imputed it to the goodness of his stars, that he had lighted upon an occasion so much according to his desire, so much beyond his hopes; and so drew near unto her: and she imagining nothing more, than that it was the Count himself, (because it had been agreed between them the night before, to meet in this place, and at the very same hour) received him with more obliging expressions than he had reason or hopes to expect: and after she had affirmed to him her great desire to speak with him, she entertained him with the subtlest and most complimental discourse (for she was not altogether void of Eloquence) that her woman's wit could furnish her withal; that the acuteness of his wit and understanding might be made to appear and he replied in terms so amorous and discreet, that Stella rendered Heaven thanks for her happy fortune, in having obtained a servant so complete and to her mind, that her own fancy could not have depainted forth a nobler. Thus were they both deluded, both favoured by each other. Stella persuading herself that Alfredo, and no other man in the world, was to be possessor of her beauty, That pleasure, said she, Alfredo, that you have done me, in coming so alone to visit me alone, at a time and place so lovely, is such, that it ought not to be registered in the roll of common courtesies. I have had a great desire to communicate unto you some particulars which have disturbed the tranquillity of my mind: And although I would willingly have concealed this distaste; yet because it is a kind of treason in the Will, to bury in silence those things which ought to be revealed, I should make myself guilty of this crime, if I should hid this business from you, which it imports you so much to know. Carlo exceedingly amazed to see that he should be so much not diseerned by Stella as to be taken by her for Alfredo, dissembled as much as in him lay, the trouble and confusion of his thoughts; and recollecting himself, turns to his beloved Enemy, to hear what she had farther to say; who thus went on: You are to know (said she) that your Brother Carlo, who in the opinion of most is held for discreet and virtuous, is so discourteous to my Honour, so traitorous to your Love, that having fixed his affections on me, he not considering that I was born to be wholly yours, boldly promiseth to himself a possibility of triumphing over the conquest of my Will: how audacious and obstinate a besieger of my Chastity he is, these Walls, which at all hours he haunts, can testify; insomuch that I have some reason to be afraid, lest at this very moment of time, that we are now talking together, he should be within hearing of us. I had certainly concealed from you this extravagancy of his, had not this consideration moved me to be willing rather to let you understand it from me than any body else, that, if haply you may hereafter hear from the hand of any body beside, this thing so tending to your dishonour, you may assure yourself it was not my beauty, but his want of wisdom, which prompted him to so inconsider eaten an attempt.  
No wonder if Carlo with the utmost of his discretion had enough to do to suppress his outrageous passions, which through the anguish of his mind, were ready to burst forth into vehement outcries; on the one side he saw himself disdained by her whom he most admired, on the other side injured by him of whom it was impossible for him to take revenge: the rigour and neglect of Stella pierced him deeply to the heart, and as deeply did he resent the blows of adverse Fortune, which so apparently persecuted him, but that which most of all afflicted him, was, To have a Brother of so perfidious a disposition, that having been entreated with so much submission, such a deluge of tears, to assist him in obtaining the reward of his faithful and long-languishing desires, had not only not effected it, but with a most ignoble fraud, sought himself to reap that fruit which for so many days his hopes had husbanded. Carlo was just about to frame an Answer to Stella, if he had not at that very instant been disturbed by a certain Man interposing himself between them; who told him, That this place which he possessed, was by right another's, and therefore desired him presentty to avoid it. Stella supposing him that came last to be Carlo, was afraid, lest if they had come to Swords-dispute, the life of Alfredo would have been in danger. But Carlo less dismayed than glad at this present occasion, judged it now a fit time to ease his big stomach of that great indignation wherewith it swelled by reason of the former injury offered him, by taking revenge of this present affront; and either not thinking him that surprised him to be his Brother, or thinking if it were he, to take a brave revenge of him for his treacherous dealing, he, with his rapier drawn, answered him in such rugged terms, that if Alfredo had not quickly retreated, 'tis to be doubted, lest he had stayed to the hazard of his life. By this time the tumult was heard by some of Alfredo's Attendants, that had stayed a pretty way behind; they coming near, and knowing Carbo, admonished him by all means to desist from so unadvised an Enterprise: so both parties retired, without so much as speaking to each other, or giving any satisfaction: as for Alfredo, his pride was such, he would give none; Carlo was so injured, he had no cause to give any.  
Poor deluded Stella remains all this while in great perplexity of mind; yet glad to see, that the courage of her supposed Lover, was answerable to the pregnancy of his wit: so that whereas Carlo had been the Actor of so much Gallantry, Alfredo usurped the praise and honour. Carlo was he, that both by his Language and Valour ravished the thoughts of Stella; Alfredo was the Man thought worthy of her Affection and care, triumphing in the achievement of Actions which he could never own. Alfredo would no longer delay the execution of his Will, but went again the day following to Stella's Father, to consult farther with him about the Match: from whom he receiv'ed this comfortable Answer, That he might securely build upon this assurance, that she should be his; and, that it might appear how much the good will he bore to his Daughter pleased him, he from henceforth gave him free leave to visit her as often as he pleased. This permission, which Alfredo esteemed the greatest of Favours, he soon made use of, and went forthwith to visit Stella; who received him with a charming Modesty, honouring him with those gracious and rich Beams of Favour from her fair Eyes, that those of far more merit than himself might have been proud of the like. They had not far entered into their Discourse, which was of sundry matters, before Alfredo, besides that he betrayed much ignorance, uttered so many unsavoury and impertinent speeches, that Stella quickly observed neither his Behaviour nor his Wrds to be any way consistent with that which she had been Witness of the night before; and the thought of this, took so strong an impression in her mind, that in stead of resolving him fully in the business which he came about, she earnestly desired of her Father to give her time to consider of it, that she might not rashly enter into a condition which she must be tied to all her life-time, without well considering beforehand what she went about. Alfredo remained for the time pretty well satisfied, although not free from suspicion, both because he had seen Carlo with her the night before, and because she was doubtful in her Answers when he made the motion: nevertheless, relying upon the promise which her Father had made him, he gave out, that within four days he was to be Married. This went for currant among credulous vulgar, who observing him often frequent that house, thought nothing able to resist the power and will of so mighty a man. With what grief and amazement the Heart of Carlo was struck when he heard this news, let him judge who hath lost the chief joy of his life by so unjust a way. Carlo now expects no other than to see himself miserable, than to see in the arms of his Adversary, his loved Stella; yet Carlo still loves, Carlo is still discreet: can it possibly be, that he should either love or be discreet, and not become frantic with grief, being so injuriously deprived of his hopes and desires? Having oft revolved these things in his mind, at last he reasoned thus to himself, That if his Competitor, either a stranger or his enemy, had done this wrong, he should not have had that cause to admire; but that his own Brother should do him so great a despite both in his Content, his Credit, and his Honour, was a vexation so grievous to him, that although necessity forced him to undergo it, yet his stomach would not permit him to endure it. A thousand times did he, incited with these injuries, vow to revenge himself; and at other times repent himself of his rash Vow, not so much out of tenderness to his Brother, as for fear of offending Stella: but at length, seeing there were small hopes left him of ever being able to prevent those misfortunes which grew so fast upon him, he pitched upon this, as the surest course he could betake himself to; namely, for a while to shake hands with his native Country, thereby to try if while he changed his Climate, Fortune would smile upon him with a more propitious countenance: So putting himself into a Military garb, he resolved upon a voyage to Madrid, with an intention to procure Letters of recommendation from thence to Don Juan of Austria, who at that time governed the Low-Countries. Alfredo applauded his noble Resolution; Saying, That it became men nobly born, to set upon the bravest and highest Adventures, such as might lead them to Fortunes, which (however denied them by the Parsimony of their Fates) were yet most correspondent to the greatness of their qualities: and readily furnished him with two thousand Crowns, w●●h his promise to be Assistant to him upon all emergencies. Carlo rested satisfied, comforting himself with this thought. That whatever benefit he enjoyed beside▪ he should at least be freed from having continually before his eyes the object of his disquiet, and that the large distance of place would separate between him and those inconveniences, which, remaining at home, he must have unavoidably run into: And when the time of his departure drew nigh, he used to come abroad in so brave an Equipage, that like the Sun under a Cloud, he appeared bright in the midst of obscurity; nor did he show forth less gallantry than if he had lived in the height of Splendour and content. Thus being clad in sky coloured Satin (a true Emblem of the grief he suffered) edged about with Gold, while the braveness of his Aspect drew admiration from the people's eyes, the crossness of his Stars drew pity from their hearts. But he supposing, That to take his journey without first giving Stella a visit, would be both a great discourtesy, and a thing apt to breed suspicion, he went to take leave of her, and to receive his dispatch from her fair eyes; both that the memory of them might be the more fresh and present with him in his travels, and that their kind influence might be the more auspicious to his erterprises: he found her more sad than she was accustomed to be, or than he imagined to have found her; yet he made no great wonder at it, because he persuaded himself for a certain, That this solituriness of hers was rather feigned, on purpose to send him on his journey the more cheerful and contented, than any real sorrow conceived for his departure; so easy it is to show favour to any, when we imagine it is the last favour we shall need to show them; but most certain it is, that Stella weighing with herself the displeasing conditions of Alfredo, his mean wit, and his immeasurable pride, was much troubled in her mind, that she had so far imparted her favours towards him, as that she was hardly able to recall them; being somewhat ashamed to let her father now understand her disaffection to him, to whom he knew she had formerly expressed so much good will; complaining much of her hard hap, for that she had seen so much desert in a man whom both her honour and her former choice constrained her to disrespect. In the midst of these troubles and doubts, so deep a melancholy possessed her, that it caused admiration and pity in all that knew her and beheld her in that disconsolate plight, which began to seize upon her from this very time that Carlo came to take his farewell of her: for carelessly lifting up her eyes upon him, after she had earnestly viewed all his perfections, his sprightly carriage, his comely person, and the noble anger and disdain he showed in accusing the severe carriage of his Lordly Brother towards him; she entreated the cause of this so suddenly undertaken journey. Whereunto, in brief and discreet terms, he replied, That in his own Country he perceived himself so discourteously entreated, as he could not with any content or satisfaction to his mind remain at home, and therefore had bethought himself of an expedient to try if by living in a place where he was less known, he should be more respected. But the principal reason which incited him to this voluntary banishment was the fervent affection wherewith he had devoted himself to a Lady of that City; whom yet he loved so warily, and with such respect, that although for her sake an Aetna of desire was kindled in his breast, yet the tender regard he had to her Honour, and the consideration that one more deserving than himself was already possessed of her Favour, moved him to suppress those flames by absenting himself, which if he had stayed would difficultly have been stifled; and the rather, because of the anguish which to see her in another's embracements would plunge him into, if he did not speedily withdraw himself into some remote part, until either the death of his rival should put a period to his jealousy, or his own should lay those thoughts asleep which suffered him living to take so little rest.  
Not with more attention than pleasure, did Stella hearken to the words of Carlo, who delivered himself with such a natural and comely Grace, in such apposite Expressions, and so movingly setting forth the lively sense of his Condition, that she was no longer able to withstand the force of Love, which, by his winning Person and Behaviour, had captivated her Heart: she plainly perceived herself to be the Object of his Love; and assured herself, that his Love was firm and real since for her sake, and that he might not see her in the power of Alfredo, he was so willing to forsake both Country, Friends, and Kindred, and all those Comforts which those Men must needs be deprived of, who are secluded from their Native Soyl. She hath now plainly found, That her affections are wholly subdued by the Gallantry of Carlo; insomuch, that through the relenting of her Heart toward him she was hardly able to contain herself from requesting him to desist from his intended Journey; but she was quickly withheld, by the Conscience which she always made of keeping her Modesty inviolable, and a certain timorous caution, not to precipitate herself rashly into the choice of a new Lover, having had her Expectation so much deceived in the old one. Alfredo; who being, for the space of a Night, represented unto her fancy a most accomplished and prudent Personage, proved afterwards to be nothing less than the Man she took him for. Thus taking his farewell of Stella, he left her not without some sadness and regret for his departure; for so it often falls out, that those things which being present are lightly esteemed, use when they are wanted, to leave behind them a deep sense of their absence: he put off his journey no longer than till the next day; and because to have been silent, at his departure, of those things he had to say unto his Brother concerning his unkindness toward him, had been to go his journey with a disquieted and surcharged mind, he had a desire to declare himself at large unto him. It is not the least of satisfactions to a mind aggrieved, and not having any other means to be avenged, to complain freely of the wrongs received, unto the party by whom they are offered; He hearing that he was at the house where Stella lived, went thither to him, and talied him aside, that he might privately confer with him: Alfredo unwilling to send him away with an exasperated mind, refused not to go aside with him to know his pleasure; and the rather, because haply it might be the last time he should have to do with him. No sooner were the two Brothers retired unto a corner of the Court that was on the backside of the house, but Stella having had some intimation of the business, she led by a woman's curiosity (a quality incident to that Sex) ascended up into a Balcone which jutted forth on the same side; where she stood not only safe and unsuspected, but so commodiously withal, that through a low Lattice, she could both plainly discern them, and hear most of what they said: Among other things that past between them, she might hear Carlo in an angry mood speak thus unto his Brother; Tell me (said he) Brother, Have I not all the reason in the world to tax you of cruelty and infidelity? since I having so faithfully imparted to you the good will I bore to Stella, imploring your assistance, and you seeming to favour my intent; you went about, notwithstanding this, to bereave me of my content, my hopes, and even my life itself (for, to bereave me of Stella, was to bereave me of all these) Is it possible that there could harbour in your heart so high a degree of inhamanity toward me? Had I been a mere stranger to you, as I am your Brother, what could you have done more? Nay, had I been your utter Enemy, what greater cruelty could you have offered me? If indeed it had appeared to me before I had communicated my mind, that you had been before hand with me in your Addresses to her, I should not have thought it strange to see myself prevented by you, but should have thought your love grounded upon virtuous Principles; but that you should promote your service to her, not so much out of any real love derived from your own free choice, but merely that you might disappoint me of the innocent happiness I aimed at, was such a carriage in you, as I both admire and detest: It is a thing scarce ever heard of in any story, That one extracted from so noble a Race should slain his generous blood with a deed so infamous. 'Tis true, when I consider your power and authority, I do not much wonder that your tyranny over me hath been so great; for it is not unknown to me how much you have ever hated me: but as oft as I consider how dear a thing Honour and Reputation is to those that do but pretend to the least Gentility, I am astonished to think that you should not be ashemed, not only to commit so much baseness, but even to have the least imagination of it. To be brief. Alfredo, I love Stella, as you well know; I would to Heaven you had never known it: You are now aspiring to her Nuptials, whilst I am going I know not whither, and for no other cause, but that I may sequester myself from a place where to live in this unfortunate condition would be worse than to die a hundred deaths. Know this, That an insufferable injury may prove of dangerous consequence, even to the Actor, when it lights upon such a one as knows how to resent it with disdain: yet since it appears that Stella meets your Love with equal Ardour, so much a Servant I am to her desires, so fearful of being any hinder ance to her content, that, not to distaste her in the least measure, I am prepared to go this Voyage, on purpose that I may suffer you to enjoy her freely; and may ye enjoy her for multitudes of years, so I be not a beholder of your happiness, which is my unhappiness: for I verily believe, That if I should see her in your embraces, such a torrent of Jealousy would burst forth from my enraged breast, that the whole world would not be able to allay it. Nay, even that night when I thought myself so much blest by being admitted into her company, she in detestation of the love I professed to her, spoke so many things ill of me to myself, (thinking without doubt it had been you to whom she spoke) that had the fervency of my Affection been any whit less than it was, I had scarce been able to refrain from breaking out into some outrageous Act; and while you at the same time came thither to our amazement, and forbidden me the place which I had more right to than yourself, that I did not then pay you the reward of your treachery, was not for want of courage, or that I was not throughly spirited with anger, but because your prudent caution advised you to retire yourself (and 'tis not so safe to pursue eagerly a retreating person:) and now that I may not be a perpetual molestation to you, or zun the hazard of ruining myself, therefore it is that I betake myself to stranger-Countries, haply to meet (if heaven be not the more propitious) with an untimely death; for my life is exposed to the mercy of a Fortune, which how unsure and deceitful a Guide she hath been to me, the experience of many years hath taught me. These things I speak to you, not that I make account my words will ought more prevail with you, than if they were spoken to the Wind; but that laying them open before you, you may be made conscious to yourself of your unworthy deal toward me; and that at the remembrance of them, the sting of your guilty mind may afflict you a little, since your cruelty hath afflicted me so much.  
Alfredo was both ashamed and angry at himself, that he had endured to hear out with patience this so peremptory and taunting Speech of his; and attributing that to inordinate Liberty in him, which was indeed a just resentment, He told him, That whereas he had taxed him so much of Imperiousness and Tyranny, he had all the reason in the world to account him merciful, for that he had so often suffered his insolent carriage to go unpunished; especially that night when he found him in Discourse with Stella, when being attended with his Servants, he had both the power and opportunity to have punished him even with death itself. Moreover, he advertized him, That his depriving him of the enjoyment of Stella, was not out of envy, but a just check to his Arrogance; because that he knowing well how much he hated him, had gone about notwithstanding to make him a forwarder of his desires. He added farther, That if he Married her, it was not so much for any real love he bore her, as because he disdained that any attempt which he had undertaken should not succeed; for that although she were fair, witty, and nobly descended, yet that in other respects she came short of deserving him. In this sort had inconsiderate Alfredo run on disparaging Stella, had not Carlo stopped the swift career of his tongue, by saying, That he did unworthily, in speaking any thing 〈◊〉 the dispraise of her, and wished him to be assured, That if he did not think Stella not only to be his equal in desert, but also to be a companion for one far more deserving than himself; his presumption deceived him very much. Adding withal, That he should sooner be moved to draw his Sword in the defence of her fame and virtue, than in his own behalf. He had no sooner spoken these words, but Alfredo weary of what had been said already, and impatient of hearing any more, fling from him in a fume, without giving him any other Answer. Upon this, Carlo immediately departed thence, and betook himself to his own Lodging, to prepare all things in a readiness for the taking of his Journey the next day.  
It is not to be expressed, in what vexation of Spirit, in what sadness and suspension of mind Stella remained, after she perceived herself so palpably undeceived: not able to suppress the grief, wherewith her heart went great, she confined herself to her Chamber; that so breathing out her Complaints to herself, she might have a little ease and respite from those restless passions where with her mind was agitated: she revolved in her mind the person of Carlo, his gallant deportment, his prudence, and above all, his real and noble Intentions: and at length called to mind that Carlo must needs be the man who first gave her a testimony of his love; complaining on the injustice of Fortune, that robbed her eyes of the sight of him whom she loved, and imposed upon her the company of so loathed an object. It was not long since Carlo, small in her esteem, did all that might make him worthy of her Service; Alfredo invested in her favour, did nothing that was not unworthy of it: now Carlo, enthroned in her heart and affection, must be banished from her sight; and Alfredo, long since cashiered from her favour, must remain to afflict with his Solicit: and her mind giving her that the last time Carlo had been at her Father's house, her eyes had taken their last farewell of him; the thought of it drew tears from her eyes, and pierced her heart with grief: She was infinitely sorry in her mind, that his Country and she were to be deprived so soon of him; and persuading herself that if she were but once more to have come to the Speech of him, her words would have so far prevailed with him as to have retarded his journey, if not to have put an end 〈◊〉; With tears in her eyes, and love in her heart, Oh Carlo (said she) if these Complaints of mine, which I breath from the bottom of my heart had wings to fly unto you, they would doubtless be so powerful with you, as haply to make you change your resolution of leaving Sevil, at least to departed with the greater contentment of mind; for now so strong an Ascendant have your perfections upon me, that it is in vain for me to flatter myself any longer in thinking that I am able not to love you; the truth and reality of this love, I have but now began sensibly to feel, although many days are past since it first took root within me: that to me so fortunate night wherein I had the happiness to discourse with you, there was not any thing you did which I did not admire, nor spoke you aught which was not wonderfully pleasing; and from that time forth I was really yours, although I seemed Alfredo's; for it was your valour, your prudence, and discreer carriage, which enamoured me of him, thinking they had proceeded from him. It is true, when first I knew myself to be loved by you, I thought I had some reason to be offended, thinking it had been your envy toward your Brother that moved you to affront me for his sake; but since it hath been so clear unto me, that the passion you have for my love, hath been so constant and faithful as not at all to grow cold through ill success, and that on the contrary it was rather out of envy to you, than any true affection to me, that your Brother professed himself my Servant; be assured, Oh Carlo, that I am not only not offended with your love, but even so pleased that I am thought worthy of it, that nothing but death itself, and scarce that neither, shall have power to make me prove unthankful. In this one thing I account myself happy, that I may as justly, without danger of being deceived, boast myself to have dominion over your heart, as she that hath been both an eye and an earwitness of the same. But whereas I owing you so much respect, can notwithstanding consent to suffer your absence, and not yield you the place your virtue deserves, I seem to myself to surpass the cruelty of my own Sex: and yet, fool that I am, how do I know, what thoughts you may be apt to conceive of me, if I should go about to show myself but indifferently familiar? for a person of quality is above others liable to bring her fame in question, by striving to appear not ungrateful. Thus stood she discoursing with Carlo absent, as if he had been present; and carefully considering with herself, that the next morning being determined the ultimate time of his stay, she could not be permitted the happiness of seeing him, to perform the dear Ceremonies of a parting Lover, she reassumed her old Complaints afresh; yet having put on a firm resolution that Alfredo, whose Service was utterly hateful to her, were he never so imperious, never so importunate, never so much backed with her Father's authority, should notwithstanding be constrained, through her utmost neglect of him, to forgo all his interest in her; she immediately took in hand (although not without some fear of her honour) to deal so effectually with Carlo, as to possess him, that his long absence from Serail, would be a means to bring her life in danger: To this end, she forthwith dispatched short Note, desiring him, He would be pleased, the night following, to give her the meeting at the back-gate of her father's house, for that she had to communicate unto him a business that would much import him to know, before his leaving Sevil; and in requital of so great an honour, he should receive such satisfaction touching the Effect of his constant love to her, as perhaps would be unto him no less welcome than unexpected. No sooner was the morning come, but she delivered this Letter to her Maid (the confident of all her Secrets) bidding her To inquire for Carlo's Lodgings, and to present him with the Letter so privately, that no body should be present at the delivery of it. All that her Mistress commanded, the Maid punctually performed in every circumstance; and came at the very season, that Carlo was wholly taken up with his Friends and Kindred; when calling him aside, she delivered her Message and Letter; telling him withal, That she was not to stay his Answer, partly lest it might be discerned who she was, by some curious pryer into Secrets; and partly because the Letter required not to be Answered at present, but in the evening, and that by himself in person. He stood for a while astonished at this undreamed of news. but knowing there was that with him which could easily disdeceive him (for he knew it to be Stella's hand) he broke up the Seals; and after having slightly glanced over the contents, and ruminated many things to himself he began to enter into a serious debate, what might be the reason that moved her to send him this request, whenas he was fully possessed, not only that he was not favoured of her himself, but that she having given her hear already to Alfredo, was shortly to 〈◊〉 her hand in Marriage: Notwithstanding he was altogether impatient t●ll he had obeyed her desire; he would fam have put off his Journey for a while longer; which could difficultly be done, both in regard that between him and the Friends who were met together, the farewel-Salutations had already past; and because almost all the people of the City were flocked together in heaps to see him pass out of Town: so that he was constrained at least to counterfeit a departure. He went forth accompanied with the chief Gentlemen of the City, and was bid adieu by the loud exclamations of the multitude; carrying along with him out of Town as much happiness and prosperity from the voices of the people, as he left troubles and vexations behind him in his Brother's tyranny. It was not long before Fame conveyed this  news unto the ears of disconsolate Stella: to think that he should set solittle by her kind proffer, afflicted her mind with the bitterest sorrow that could be imagined, and made her repent that she had any way manifested her love to him; resolving thenceforward to hold this for a maxim, That for a Lady to confer her favours on any man, is the only way to make him prove perfidious and ingrateful. She accused herself as inconsiderate, for venturing over-hastily to impart her courtesies, since so unfortunately they had lighted upon one that either distrusted, or disregarded them. By this time the daylight, as it were dismayed at the blackness and deformity of night, had hid itself under the shadow of the earth; when Stelia chancing upon some or other occasion to go into that place, where the night before she had been a witness of Carlo's Gallantry, she might discern a man, who seeming well acquainted with every part of the Court, fixed himself in the middle of it; and looking more intently upon him, she strongly conjectured that either her eyes deceived her, or by the Majesty of his person it should be Carlo: Nor was she indeed mistaken; for he having, with some difficulty, disengaged himself from the Company that attended him, made a shift to return back, to see his beloved Stella, and to know what she had to command: And hearing some little noise about the window, he called by her name the Maid that had brought him the Letter in the morning; upon which Stella knew him by his voice: and that she might not lose the opportunity which the time and place offered her, she immediately discovered herself; and after she had related to him the false Title that his proud Brother pretended to her, the mistake that happened many nights ago, the much wherewith his virtue and discretion had enamoured her, the means she took to disdeceive herself, the reason that moved her to love him, and how bitterly she resented his absence; she continued thus:  
It was for no other reason, Carlo, that I writ to you, than to endeavour to divert your intended voyage: and you may well think, that before I could prevail with myself to put such a design in practice, it cost me many a sorrowful tear: and it is a usual art (among women highly born) to keep their flames so, not to be discovered by any, unless by their secret tears and sighs, that in time they grow too masterless for either their breasts to be able to contain, or their eyes to dissemble them. Heaven knows what frequent and painful conflicts I have had with my Honour, till in the end, my Affections prevailed more with me than my Fame; so that I am confirmed in this truth, That to be able to overcome one's self (especially in things relating to the vehement desires of the Soul) is a work rather of Practice than of Contemplation. You see, Carlo, how much the night befriends me in hiding my blushes; which makes me the rather presume to be so plain and free with you as I am, not putting any false gloss upon my words. In fine, I am devoted yours; and of all men living, you are he alone that shall have power to dispose of my heart: The wealth that my Father hath abundantly to spare, is of itself so sofficient, that you may have where with to live splendidly, and yet not need to be beholding to your Brother for the least supply. All the favours he can boast to have received from me, are so few, so slight, that to have showed himself a Gentleman for one night's space, would have much more conduced to the advancement of his hopes. Impute not (I request you) this my freedom to any impudence in me, but rather to those your  Charms that have inflaved my Affection to you; nor think me guilty of any great Grime in labouring to requite him with love, of whom I have been so much beloved; who hath been so eminent in constancy, as to honour and respect me, although rejected by me. I appeal to yourself, whether you think it is ordinary with men, to love with so much truth and faithfulness? I profess to ye, That were you not endued with those perfections that cause me to little less than idolise you, your loyalty & firmness would be sufficient of themselves to endear you to me. And be assured, howsoever Fortune deals with me, whether your first Resolution be more powerful with you to hold on your journey, or my late invitation to you to alter your mind, I am prepared to receive either condition with as equal a mind as it is possible for me; at least, I shall have attained to this degree of contentment, That I have given a little earnest of the much that I am indebted to you. With attentive admiration Carlo heard her speak these things, whereby it grew apparent to him, by what means it came to pass, that Stella was so melted in her rigour toward him: with a graceful humility he rendered her thanks for the great and new favour she had done him, as far from expected as deserved; promising that to serve her he was ready to become her very slave. The conclusion of this amorous Discourse, was, that she gave him her hand, in token that she unfeignedly desired to be his Wife. By this, the royal Sun had summoned the day to appear, while he with his beams gilded the tops of the western Groves, when Carlo took his leave of her, with a purpose to divide his time between two esteemed persons; in the daytime, to hush himself up in the house of Leonardo, a Gentleman of quality, his intimate friend; in the night, to visit his Mistress Stella? which having vowed to perform as oft as the night came, he went to find out Leonardo, to whom he communicated the particulars of his whole success. There past many nights and days, wherein there interceded between these two Lovers such familiarity as was not inconsistent with modesty and civility. Stella, all this while, had much ado to forbear betraying by her looks the disturbance which was in her mind, seeing Alfredo still continued to haunt her with his foolish importunities; and her Father having found her at first pliable to his desires, she had promised him, that which both her honour and her second choice enjoined her not to consent to. The very next time Carlo and she met, she declared unto him her Father's cares and watchfulness over her ways, and unto what difficult straits their counsels were like to be reduced. These words sorely perplexed the poor Gentleman; who ntistrusting that through Stella's fear, and observance of her Father's pleasure, his hopes might be in danger to miscarry, told her, That if she found her love was not powerful enough to resist those stronger Obligations before mentioned, she had best to consult with her own mind, and do as she thought fit; that for his part, he had been so accustomed to the brunt of adverse Fortune, as that he should not count it any new mishap, although the greatest that had yet befallen him. He would have said something more, but that through the suddenness and greatness of his passion, he became as mute and motionless as a marble Statue. Whereupon she, to take from him all that might give him cause to suspect her reality, affirmed, that when she first made her love known unto him, it was not out of any other design, than an unfeigned intention that he only should enjoy her; and therefore she purposed (the better to free herself from the persecution of her Father's carefulness, and Alfredo's troublesomeness) to let him in at a private gate, the night following, which should stand ready open for him; that so her Father (when he should come and see him with her, and find him to be of the selfsame extraction with Alfredo, seeing no other means left to preserve his daughter's honour) might give way to the accomplishment of their lawful and honest desires.  
Carlo overjoyed to hear a matter proposed so likely to take effect, was scarce able to express how much he resented her continued favours; and wished that she could have read his heart in his eyes, that her courtesies might the sooner appear to have been bestowed upon a person that knew not to be ingrateful; and that if he had been born to the whole Empire of the World, as he was destined but to low Fortunes, (though he were a Gentleman) he would have been nevertheless ready to have prostrated himself at her feet; protesting, that his Fates could not have conferred a more contented estate upon him, than to have rendered him worthy to enjoy her beauty. By this the morning having displayed her Lilies in the East, Carlo was fain to retire himself from his beloved station. Never had any day been so tedious to him, as was this, wherein he thought Time performed his course more lazily than he was wont: but the day, and his restless expectation, had at length an end. No sooner was the wished night returned, but he hasted out of doors, accompanied with his friend Leonardo; whom leaving at the entrance of the Court, to guard (if need were) that part of the house, he went directly toward the window: he had but touched it with his Sword, when he might discern a glimpse of his beautiful Sun, whom love had made diligent to observe her time exactly. After she had fetched a turn about the house to make sure all things, leaving her Father in bed, and the rest of the Family retired every one to their rests, unaccompanied of any but her Servant-Maid (a fit coadjutor for such an enterprise) she came back to Carlo; and first giving him a brief admonishment how much it behoved him to continue resolved and firm to his first engagement, that if ever he should happen to prove so much a mere man, as to grow cold in his Affection, he should yet be careful not to let slip out of his memory, how much she had suffered for his sake, how many dangers undergone; afterward she directed him to go about to the false gate of her house, where she would be ready to receive him. While he obedient to her will, was about to perform her directions; and she gone to expect him at the place appointed, there happened to meet him in the street, through which he was to pass, a great company of people, whom by their multitude he guessed to be the city-watch: he thought it not expedient that they should see him enter Stella's house: and to have stayed their coming up to him, would have made him in danger of being discovered by them; therefore he resolved to avoid the street till they were passed by: and so stealing by them, he and his Friend slipped into the next house they saw open. The street was wholly possessed with the great number of those that came in quest of these two; who seeing them nowhere to be found, and disdaining that two men should be able to baffle the hopes of so many, they divided themselves into several companies, the better to be able to search every corner of the street. And Carlo, as soon as they were dispersed, thinking the coast had been clear, he told his friend Leonardo, that now, if he pleased, he might return to his own house, for any thing that was now to be done, which would either require his company or his assistance: and so ventured abroad again, as being fully persuaded, that the people he had seen, were no other than the Watch, that nightly were to walk about, to see if any tumult or disorder were stirring in the City: but he was deceived; for his Brother Alfredo, out of a capricious perseverance in his Suit to Stella, because he would needs show himself to have omitted no pains, no earnestness, nor vigilancy to win her impregnable heart, went accompanied with all his train of Servants to visit her; and having by chance espied, about the entrance into the Court, two men who seemed to slink away fearful of being discovered, he commanded some of his followers to pursue them, and not to return till they discovered who they were; and destitute of company as he was, went directly toward Stella's house; just at that juncture of time, when she, according to her appointment, was come to open the door, and her arms, to her expected Lover; telling him, (for she thought it had been Carlo) in the most endearing terms that could be imagined, That he was happily come to receive the reward of his fidelity. Alfredo knew well, that he was not the man, to whom these Favours were intended; but imagined that one of the Maidservants of the house was to steal a Meeting with her Sweetheart at this appointed hour; and that being deceived by the darkness of the night, and his design, she had mistaken him for her Enamorado: therefore he resolved to lay hold upon this opportunity for the gaining access to the sight and speech of his Mistress. And so, invited by the false persuasion of her that oped the door, he followed her in, wrapping his face up in his Cloak, that he might not be discerned by her; who, not less ashamed than deceived, led him up stairs into her Chamber, which she thought to be a place where she might entertain him with the greatest freedom. By this time Carlo arriving at the house, had only not reached the door, when it was shut against him by the Maid; to whom the sad Lover called out, and prayed her to tell her Lady that Carlo was now at the door awaiting her promised Favours, and that she should not long be ignorant of the accident that detained him from her so long. How can this be, (replied the Maid) whenas Carlo is already entered, and possessed of those Favours which you speak of? Carlo at first suspended with admiration, came near enough to be discovered by her; who when she knew him, was strangely surprised at this encounter; and almost dead with amazement, confusedly related to him, that a certain man, who he was she knew not, coming just as her Lady was opening the door, took advantage of her mistake, and slipped in without being discovered. Carlo ashamed that his resentment was not powerful enough to take away his life, instantly entreated her to open him the door, lest the growth of this mistake might proceed to the ruin of his dearest hopes. She opened him the door; counselling him so to bridle in his passion, as that it might not break forth into any disturbance, to the betraying or endangering of either of them; and with much entreaty (for he was all on fire to unwind this intricate deceit) she led him to the Chamber, where finding the door locked, he quickly espied a crevise, through which it was no hard matter for him to discern plainly whatever was done in the Chamber: he perceived Stella with a Dagger in her hand, resolutely defending herself against Alfredo; to whom, both weeping and enraged, she spoke thus: So great is the rudeness that you have shown in this disorderly action, so great the disgrace I suffer in your rashness, that I should have much ado to forbear bathing my Steel in your infamous blood, before you stir out of this place, if the consideration of my honour did not more withhold me, than any humour I have to put up so villainous an affront; but I swear by heaven, Though I am a woman, and hindered by the imbecility of my sex, from making your life a sacrifice to my just anger and revenge; yet I will at least venture to knew who you are, that ye may not live secure from my rage, though you should obscure yourself in the bowels of the earth; for outrages of this nature, as they cannot be excused from blame, so they ought not to remain unpunished: I invited you in, 'tis true; but it was because I thought you to be the man, who is tomorrow morning to be my Spouse: at length, mistrusting some deceit, I could not but seek the satisfaction of knowing who you were; but your face was so muffled, your whispers so low, that I could not inform myself either by your countenance or voice who you should be: no wonder, if after my earnest, but vain endeavours to know you, your obstinate silence rendered you suspected to me. Nor had I less reason to be afraid, when being both alone, and a woman, I perceived it your design, by obscuring yourself, to deprive me of the hopes of discovering your imposture: but whoever you are, I have reason to conclude, that you are not the person whom I expected; seeing your actions are so little conformable to that nobleness and civility which always accompanies his behaviour, and that you are no other than of the meanest and rudest sort of men: he, whom shame forceth to conceal his face, is made to discover the falsity of his heart. I had called out to raise the Family, if I had not feared that my Father's passion, should he find me in such a state as this, would hinder him from giving ear to any reason I should allege to justify my innocency; so that I have put myself upon this defensive posture; and Heaven hath been so favourable to me, as to permit me the means both of opposing your villainous intentions, and of being able to quit this wretched life, rather than consent, in the least manner, to my own dishonour: therefore resolve suddenly what it is you would with me; for if you shall dare to attempt any thing ignoble upon my person, you shall soon seem weltering in my blood, and your design made frustrate by my death.  
Carlo's mind was pretty well pacified, when he saw how ill it succeeded with the unknown in his base enterprise, and with what courage Stella defended herself from whatever violence he might offer: but he became inflamed with a generous desire to make it appear to her, how highly he resented the injury that was offered her, and that he wanted neither force nor courage to revenge it. He ordered the Maid to run in haste into her Chamber, and to give out, That her Master was coming: whereat Stella was as much troubled, as Alfredo amazed; his haughty heart condescended to wish that he had been out of the house at that instant: yet when he bethought himself, how much affection and good will the Old man had for him, he boldly oped the door, as rather hoping that this might prove advantageous to his design, than fearing it would be any hindrance to it; but he was scarce out of the Chamber, when he saw his Brother coming toward him, who setting his Sword to his breast, threatened him with present death, unless he would instantly declare to him who he was: So surprised was Alfredo at this Rancontre, that what he heard and saw before his eyes, he could scarce believe to be any other than a dream; perceiving him present, whom he supposed to have been many miles off. It was not a little confusion to him, to behold Carlo with fury in his looks, still persist in his menacing demand: Nevertheless he made this resolute Answer, That he would as soon consent to be cut in pieces as to declare his name; but That if he esteemed his own puissance such, as to be able to extort from him a confession of his name, he might (if he pleased to repair to the street which was near at hand, and a place much fit to decide such controversies in) give testimony of it, with more honour and safety to himself, and with less hazard to the reputation of Stella. The thing which he proposed was not more pleasing to Carlo than distasteful to Stella, who thought herself as much concerned in his well or ill being, as if one life had been common to them both; and would by all means have hindered their purpose, but knew not how. Carlo went forth followed by Alfredo, who beheld him with a world of envy, since he had so plainly discovered, that he was become absolute Lord of Stella's affections, and that it was he whom she expected, and in stead of whom he himself was admitted into her Chamber. Who would have thought, that had but heard Alfredo word it so resolutely with Carlo, and so freely to appoint a meeting, that he had not been of the most valiant? but it was indeed upon this confidence only, that his followers, in whose obedience he reposed much trust, had seen him enter into the house, and were standing at the door to attend his coming forth: yet so cunningly masked his cowardice, that it caused Stella to have much trouble and fear for the safety of her loved Carlo.  
At length, into the street went the two adverse Brothers, but with far different Resolutions; for whereas Carlo thought of nothing less than being avenged of his Enemy; Alfredo was on the other side much dismayed when he looked round about him, and saw not one man in the street except his adversary; for it seems those that came along with him, weary of tracing to and fro the street, returned to the place where they had left their Lord; but finding him not there, they were gone to seek him in some houses of recreation, which for his divertisement he was wont to visit, which stood ready open at all hours to entertain those of the most principal of that place. Alfredo fearful of the valour of his enraged Brother, and somewhat distrustful of his own, told him (to hinder if it were possible by some excuse the drawing of Swords) That he had so much love and affection for that Lady, as that he would not that any tumult or mischief should happen so near the place of her dwelling; therefore he thought it more expedient that they should retire into the next street, where they might more freely determine, by the dispute of their swords, whether of them had the greatest interest in her. The motion Carlo willingly accepted, as thinking that none ought to be more tender of Stella's honour than himself; who in the mean while suspicious of the event, Ay me! (said she, all bathed in her tears, which were able to make the rocks sensible) Who would have thought, that so hopeful a beginning as our loves had, should be attended with such improsperous success? What avails it me to have been favourable to Carlo 's passion, and to be disdeceived in the Opinion I had of his indeserts, when this very night, wherein I made full account to have been entirely his, I see myself in such danger of utterly losing him? O Love! how certain is it, that one sorrow wherewith thou of flictest us, countervaileth all those joys which thy aliurements promise to us! I know not what Witchcraft it is wherewith thou inveiglest men's minds; but sure it is, thou treatest all discourteously, and yet all follow thee; thou deceivest all, and yet all admire thee: It must needs be, that Heaven hath invested thee with some secret virtue, to make thee so charming, that those who have cause to complain of thee, solicit thee; those whom thou rejectest, adhere unto thee. O cordial poison, which at once both comfortest and killest! Deceitful fire, which burnest without consuming! Sweet Tyranny, which Oppressest all, yet makest all delight to be Oppressed by thee! In fine, Thou art a Universal Tragedy, that smilest at the beginning, yet art accompanied with disustrous ends. There is no condition to which thou art not injurious. When one loves, the other disdains, what despair ensueth? When both love, yet are debarred enjoyment, what impatience it breeds? If separated, what dejectedness? If affected with Jealousy, what trouble and disquietudes? But, if being Married, through interest of Fortune, they both happen to disgust each other, what greater misery can be imagined? With these, and such like discourses, sought the disconsolate Stella to divert the violence of her passion, when looking into the street after the two Duelists, and seeing neither the one nor the other appear, she began first to revolve in her mind, what should have betided them; next, to doubt of the event; and lastly, to have solicitous thoughts for the safety of her Lover; nor could she refrain from fearing (though she strove to suppress that imagination) lest he might be either wounded or slain: but to free herself from the perplexity of these tormenting doubts, she resolved to attempt a thing, which though it seemed somewhat inconsistent with the decency of a virgin's behaviour, yet might be excused by the violence of a Lover's passion; well knowing, that whatever she could do for Carlo, could not be liable to a deeper censure than what she had already done, in professing she had designed him to be her Husband. So that she went boldly into the streets, leaving her Maid to stand centinel at the door; and passing the first, she came to the place where Carlo behaving himself with much gallantry pressed hard upon the life of his Antagonist, who less courageous than his late bravado promised, in stead of manfully defending himself, began to complain of his Brother's presumption, and to question him how he, knowing him to be Alfredo, durst offer so great a violence to his person? But Carlo transported with anger at the memory of former injuries, and resolved not to suffer any longer under his Imperious Envy, vowed not to treat him as a Brother, but as an Enemy. By this, Stella approached so near, that him whom wilful silence and his muffled countenance withheld from her knowledge in the chamber, she could now easily discern to be Alfredo; and finding into what danger the valour of Carlo had reduced his life, foreseeing the evil which would accompany his death, for that it would be the means of her Lover's banishment, and so deprive her at once both of his presence and her own life, she interposed herself between the two combatants, just at the juncture of time, when Alfredo, through haste to avoid his enemy's fury, having stumbled and fallen to the ground, Carlo was about to give that fatal blow which was to have put a period to his wretched days, if at the same instant he had not beheld something like an Angel stand ready to defend that life which he sought to take away; at which he held his hand, and saw that to be Stella, which he had but even now taken for some heavenly Apparition; who giving way that Alfredo might rise, spoke to him in this manner;  
Is it possible, Alfredo, that being born great, and having had the fairest opportunities that might be, to know the world, you should not yet know that Love is a thing not to be gained by any force or compulsion; and that the Will hath so absolute a freedom in itself, as not to be overruled by any power less than Heaven itself? You think, belike, that to subdue a Lady's Affection is the same thing with battering down a Wall, or taking in a strong Fortress; but you deceive yourself: for the Ice is not more obdurate against the piercing gusts of the Northwind, than a Woman's heart against the importunity of an indiscreet Lover. Perhaps you will tell me, that you did it thinking to weary me out with your incessant Solicitations, especially since your flames had not arrived unto this height of Ardour, had they not received nourishment from the respect wherewith I seemed to treat you at the beginning of your Address. To this I shall Answer at a more convenient season. That which I shall now say, is only this, That in despite of all your traitorous practices to hinder our Loves, it may plainly appear to you, if you are not blind, by the same token to which but even now you have been witness, that the love and respect I have for Carlo, is no less than what is due to a Husband: And know this, That when a Woman of my condition is driven so openly and freely to declare her passion, to go about to remove it, is no other thing than to attempt impossibilities. But because of the unseasonableness of the time, and for fear of what inconveniences would follow, if our late stirring should have caused any disquietude to my Father, I must not consent to any longer delaye's in this place; you therefore I commend to your Lodging and repose: as for your Brother, he may (if he please) henceforth account my habitation his.  
Stella had not quite made an end of her last words, before Alfredo, pierced to the heart with envy and despair, went away, casting about in his mind all ways whereby he might be revenged. Carlo on the contrary remained so joyful & contented, as if it had seemed to him, that Fortune weary of persecuting him, had reserved no more afflictions for him: but he that was born to be the object of her malice, soon found his imaginations to be but Chimeras; for Heaven had decreed to embitter the glory of this his Conquest with such variety of misfortunes, that he might in some sort have been said to be a gainer, if he had not gained the accomplishment of his hopes. It happened, while Stella was deciding the quarrel between the two Brothers, that her Father having been wakened by the noise which their stirring in the house had made not long before, and not being able again to compose himself to sleep, for thinking what might be the cause of it, he chose rather to rise and satisfy himself of his doubt, than to watch the whole night out in such a tedious suspension of mind: and so taking his Hat and Cloak, and calling one of his Servants to light him, he went to all the avenues, and searched every corner of the house; being resolved either to pacify or confirm his jealousies: nor did he leave any probable cause unsuspected, except his daughters entertaining Carlo; the decency of her words, the modest composure of her countenance, the reservedness and decorum which she duly observed in all her actions, rendered her reputation so unspotted, that it would have been the most hard thing in the world to have possessed him with the least prejudice against her integrity. That which he had most to suspect, was, lest some one, who thirsted after his wealth, had watched an opportunity to ease him of as much of it as they could; willing rather to purchase it at so easy a rate, than to take a journey for it to the Indies as he had done. At length he came to the place where the centinel-Maid stood, expecting the return of the two Lovers; who well ware of her Masters coming, before he could approach near enough to see her, had betaken herself to a secret place to hid her from his sight: but so distracted she was with this sudden surprisal, that she forgot to take the Key out of the door. the Old man wondered at it, but imputed it to the carelessness of the Servant that had been employed that night to shut the doors; and so leaving them fast locked himself, he took out the Key, and returned back to his Chamber, to compose himself again to his rest. In the mean while Carlo and Stella were come back secure of any such great misfortune: Carlo called to the Maid to open them the door; but seeing himself (after many calls unanswered) he concluded that she was fallen asleep; but she, as soon as she was assured of her Masters being retired, was about to have returned again to the discharge of her Office, which his coming had interrupted, and to see if she could discover the return of the two Lovers: But when she came and found the Key missing, she presently called to mind the error she had committed in leaving it in the door when she went to hid herself; and going into the Balcone, she found them arrived, and related to them all that had happened. Stella, whether it were that she saw Carlo too much troubled already to be farther afflicted with her lamentations, or that the excess of her grief obstructed the passage of her words, uttered nothing but sighs which she fetched from the very bottom of her heart; and lifted up her eyes to heaven, to which she seemed to complain of the many injuries wherewith Fortune had treated her. Carlo beheld her with pity, and wished her to consider that all these crosses came upon her merely for his sake; and that it was only because she loved him, that she was so tossed upon the waves of adversity; and that he was so much more afflicted for her misfortunes than his own, that he could willingly have consented to sacrifice his life to her quiet, and to the freeing her from those cross influences which she participated of with him. Ye do well, Carlo, (answered Stella) knowing that I am so much yours, as that I slight all dangers to make sure of your safety, to be so ready to forsake your life to please me; presenting me with the greatest of discomforts, at a time when I stand most in need of encouragement. But what is it (I beseech you) that causeth in you this willingness to die (if, as you say, no afflictions are grievous to you otherwise than I am concerned in them) whenas you ought to be confident that your life is the sole cause that makes me have a desire to live? Ah, my Carlo, what greater content can there accrue to me, than to see you live long and happy? Consider that I am devoted to you, and that if I have expressed a deep sense of this misfortune, it is for your sake that I resent it more, than for what I myself suffer; so long as I am with you, there can nothing so sad or disastrous befall me, that shall have power to move me to any great dejection of mind. Dispose of me according to your pleasure, and bring me to what place you shall think most convenient, where I may live concealed from my Father's sight until his displeasure be over passed; and he at length finding me disposed of so much to my content, may applaud both his own Fortune and mine, for having given him a Son-in-law so noble, me a Husband so virtuous. Carlo expressing himself infinitely joyful, gave her thanks for the high favours wherewith she had obliged him, as briefly as the time and place required: and musing a while with himself what course they were best to take, it was not long ere he resolved upon the house of his friend Leonardo for a safe retreat to him and his Lady, where they might consult at leisure for their own advantage. The maid was unwilling to remain in her Master's house, to run the hazard of those inconveniences that attended her, in case it should be discovered that she was a party in her young Lady's fault; and therefore being let down from the Balcone, by the help of Carlo, she went along with him and Stella: being arrived at Leonardo's house, they related to him all that had happened; and reposing much confidence in the counsel of so faithful a friend, they besought him to give them his best assistance and advice in this extremity whereinto they were plunged; which he faithfully did; telling them, That being it could be no way safe for them to remain there, he thought it would be most expedient for them, before the morning light, to retire to a pleasant Countryhouse of his, about three Leagues from the City, beautified with Fountains and delightful Gardens. And to that end, he immediately gave order to one of his Servants to make ready his own Coach; and commanded him to wait upon them, and to observe them with the same respect as if it were to his own person. Carlo and Stella having rendered him thanks in such affectionate expressions as showed how highly they resented this so great Favour, took their leaves, and prayed him, That he would be careful to give them notice from time to time what rumours or effects this flight of theirs would produce in the City, and what apprehensions the Old man would have of it.  
The mind of Stella, considering the several Scenes of Chance she had run through in the space of two days, was by this time fluctuating in the midst of many various and doubtful thoughts; but when she bethought herself, that all these disturbances were but to make way for her to the free enjoyment of her loved Carlo, she resolved to bear them with an undaunted patience. Carlo pretended to all that were in the Village, that Stella was his Sister, lest the Countrypeople resorting to the City, might haply in their common discourses let fall some passage or other tending to their discovery. Thus concealing both their Conditions and their Name, they lived for a while contented and secure. But Carlo's malevolent Planet not yet weary of afflicting him, found out new and unexpected means to complete the number of his sorrows; and to effect this work, there was an Agent provided, the fittest that could have been imagined; it was the daughter of him who had the overseeing of Leonardo's Gardens; she was a Virgin, of person not unhandsome, brisk and lively in her behaviour; and of a wit more penetrating, than from one of her birth could have been expected; who seeing in Carlo so many graces & attracts worthy both to be admired & loved, entertained a passion for him, so unbridled, that it could scarce avoid the suspicion of Stella herself. But as for Carlo, his imagination was so entirely employed in contemplating the perfections of his Mistress, that there was no space left void for any other thoughts to enter. Leonardo was used to visit them every night, to see how they fared in their new habitation; and to give them notice how their affairs succeeded: but one time above the rest, he enjoined Carlo, as he tendered his safety, not to stir abroad where he might be seen of any; for that Stella's Father having already given his word to the Count, ambitious of being advanced to so honourable an Alliance, was so far from being to be appeased by any entreaty, or admitting of any of those excuses that were made by many of Carlo's Friends in his behalf, that he complained to the Magistrate of the City, and obtained of him, to proclaim the reward of two thousand Growns to whomsoever should apprehend him, or bring any tidings of him. This diligent inquisition did not at all trouble the mind of Cairo, who thought himself secure in his Country-palace; nor did he care for going any whither abroad, having at home abundantly enough to content him; for in the day time, beside the company of his Lady, he entertained himself with the delicacy of the Flowers, which yielded pleasure both to his sight and scent, and the soft Music of the clear Streams: In the nighttime he intermitted to be Stella's Brother. And thus for a while they enjoyed one another in security and innocent delight.  
One evening they were sitting together in the Garden, to take the benefit of the West-winds cool whispers, when they might hear Lucinda (for so was the damosel called, that was before mentioned) incited by the violence of Love, and secure of any bodies overhearing her, breath forth her Passion in this Song.  

ON a green bank sat a fair Shepherdess,  
From whose Aspect the morn might seem to rise;  
Save that some clouds of care and heaviness,  
Obscured the serene lustre of her eyes.  
Her sighs into the empty Air she vented;  
She sighing sang, & singing thus lamented:   

How shall I shake this tyrant from my heart?  
'Tis death alone, I fear, can Love remove:  
If then my life be cause of all my smart,  
Cease heart to live, that I may cease to love.  
But if thou art denied by Fate to die,  
This only's left, To suffer constantly.   
Lucinda concluded her Song with so deep a sigh, that Stella could not choose but observe it; and being touched with a kind of jealousy, she beheld Carlo with a look less serene than at other times: but neither did he take any notice of it, nor seemed she at all to be troubled at it. Lovers, in the infancy of their enjoyments, are scarce at leisure to entertain jealousy, or strange Loves: yet Carlo his being so passionately loved by Lucinda, cost him dear; for the Servant, whom Leonardo had appointed to attend upon the two Lovers, having, not many days since, conceived a passion for Lucinda; and not apprehending any other cause of her insensibility, than that her heart was prepossessed with an affection she bore to Carlo, bethought himself of a way either to ingratiate himself into her favour, or to be revenged of her for her disdain, which was, to discover to her the whole progress of the loves of those two persons, and the true reason of their living concealed in that place. As this action of his was most ignoble, to betray those that were committed to his fidelity; so it fared with him accordingly: he only obtaining the balest of those ends which he had proposed to himself: for this discovery did not at all move in Lucinda any affection for him, but only made her despair of that success which she had promised to herself in her love to Carlo, which was not long concealed from him himself.  
One day, as he was sitting to repose himself at the foot of a shady tree, there appeared unto him, near to the place where he sat, Lucinda, in a posture so melancholy, that grief seemed to have made her really, what was but feigned of Niobe; which he strictly observing, could not forbear to demand of her what might be the cause of her so deep melancholy? The cause (replied she, in a troubled and disdainful way) is so apparent, that do but inquire of these trees, these flowers, nay, toese rocks themselves, and they will all declare my sufferings, being much more sensible than those that are the Authors of them. This purling fountain that you see run whispering along the smooth pebbles, about what, think ye, are all her murmuring discourses, but about my love, or rather my fondness, who have suffered myself to be transported with an affection for him, who (by reason that he hath disposed of his heart already to one that hath more right and title to it) is obliged to be inflexible toward me? I know I ought not, as the case stands, to expect any milder treatment from you but tell me plainly, since your true condition is not altogether hid from me, however you have sought to mask it; Is not this Stella your Spouse, whom you feign to be your Sister? are not you Brother to Count Alfredo? and is not she daughter to Don Ferdinand of Arragon? did not you seduce her from her Father's house? To what end serves this counterfeiting the names of Brother and Sister, whenas the night, through all her darkness, can discern a different relation? Little do you imagine into what inconveniences this disguisement of yours hath plunged me: for had you appeared at first what really you were, I had been sufficiently warned to fortify my mind against all unlawful desires; it being a thing that cannot enter into my thoughts, that any woman, be she never so wanton or unchaste, would give herself liberty to cherish in her breast a passion for one who is entirely another's. But, Oh unhappy me that I am, not to be informed of your true condition, until I had lost myself and my liberty in a fond misapprehension: now I am disdeceived, I shall labour with my whole might, to suppress these unwarrantable flames, before they proceed any farther to ruin me. Nevertheless, I would not have you ignorant that you own your safety to the good will which I have born you, though now I strive to forget it: and do not imagine I speak this to flatter you; for is there any one, think you, that knows the abode of a person whom Justice requires, and hearing the reward of two thousand Crowns proposed to whomsoever should bring tidings of him, would have patience to conceal such a person, without some great consideration? You see I know your abode, and who you are; having an opportunity both to be rich, and to revenge myself of your disdain; if I did not approve the reason of it, and forgive it: but to give you proof how unfeignedly my affection hath been, and to let you see that I am not really what these homely garments make me appear to be, long may you enjoy your fair Stella with all the tranquillity and happiness that these Solitudes can afford, while I implore Heaven to give me strength to extinguish these flames which my breast hath unfortunately harboured so long: And I doubt not, but Time, which is wont to bring about greater miracles, will also effect this, since we ofttimes see, that that which is doted on to day, to morrow is forgotten.  
Carlo remained in a kind of ecstasy, to hear from Lucinda's mouth such an exact relation of the important accidents of his life; and was somewhat comforted in the assurances she gave him of keeping secret all that she knew of him: yet knowing how little confidence ought to be reposed in one that loves without being beloved again; and that his own life, and the safety of Stella depended upon her silence; he thought it his wisest course to appear outwardly to her, not altogether insensible of her love; supposing, that by a seeming compliance, though but for a while, she might be lulled into such a pleasing contentment, as might make her forget all thoughts of divulging any thing to his harm: And just as he was putting this resolution in practice, telling her how much her good esteem of him had obliged him, and wishing himself in a Condition free enough to entertain her love; Stella, with whom it was an unwonted thing, to be never so little absent from him, going to seek him in that fair province of Flowers, came to a little thicket of Myrtles and Laurels, through which, although she could not see him; yet by the distinct sound of his Speech, she guessed him to be but at a small distance from her: her curiosity, to know who it was that he discoursed with, led her to a tree, whose branches wider displayed than the rest, permitted her plainly to discern Lucinda and him together.  
This unexpected sight, inflamed her with a desire to know what should be the occasion of this so great familiarity; so that (with a most greedy attention) drawing as near as possibly she could without being discerned, she heard Carlo say, (but it was rather to engage Lucinda to sec acy, than out of any free inclination to serve her) That he was no less sersible of her passion, than deeply affected with her beauty; and that if he did not requite her with those real Services which her love deserved from him, she was to impute it to a Cause that was very well known to herself; for that being bound to Stella by obligations of so high a nature, that the least of them was her having left her Father's house to follow him, he was utterly deprived of the liberty to dispose of himself according to his own mind▪ But that when his troublesome estate should be becalmed, and his affairs quietly composed, he would contrive things so much to her contentment, that she should plainly see how much he was her Servant.  
Lucinda upon this retired, perceiving some of the Gardiner's people coming that way, not without reason; for her love was not so closely carried, but that it was whispered among them.  
Stella remained a while so lost in astonishment, that she had scarce life and sense enough left in her, to perceive that she was jealous; and when she came to herself, she was not able to endure, so much as to think of Carlo's treachery, or of Lucinda's impudence: So transported she was with rage and jealousy, to see Carlo not only love a person so much inferior, but with so great a passion as to reveal those things to her which he ought to have kept undiscovered, if it were possible, even from himself; that she rushed out in a fury from among the bushes, where she had stood, exclaiming with loud and con●u●'d cries against his disloyalty. To what end, (said she) ingrateful man, serve all these feigned shows of affection, whenas I evidently see that you only pretend a love to me, in the mean while carrying on a secret design, unworthy both of my quality, of your many obligations to me, and the dangers whereunto I have exposed myself for your sake? you aught to appear what you are, Carlo, the most perfidious man the earth bears. I confess I shall not be able so far to forget the good esteem I have formerly born you, as altogether to refrain from tears and pity, if your life should chance to be endangered; yet this advantage I should have, That I should see myself revenged of the ignoble deal of so infamous a person; for it is much more agreeable to a woman of a generous spirit, to die, than to bear the infidelity of a person to whom she hath given her heart. How worthy a recompense have you given me for the loss of that which I held more dear than all things in the world beside? Is it to this, that all those promises are come, which flowed from you in a stream of tears, when I permitted you to become master of this unfortunate beauty? I am glad, however, that at length you appear to me in your own colours; that although I cannot take from you again, what to the prejudice of my honour you have already obtained of me, I may at least free myself from those your impostures, to which hitherto I have lived a Victim: I am likely to see you shortly exposed to the vengeance of your Brother and my Father, who as they are persons both potent, and highly incensed against you, will hardly be satisfied with any thing less than your life: therefore I will only deal so candidly with you, as to give you warning beforehand, that you must look for no greater favour from me, than what you would expect from your greatest enemy; and that I shall combine with those that hate you, that they may prosecute you with the more violence.  
Much more than this, had Stella to utter, if grief and vehement passion had not stopped up the passage of her words: so she retrieved the violence of her grief with tears, which to a heart oppressed with excessive sadness, are rather a heart-easing, than a burden.  
Carlo observing the whole village rung of Stella's loud Complaints, and considering well the nature of those rustic people, foresaw that his Tragedy only wanted but little of being completed; assuring himself, that the news of his being there, would quickly be conveyed to those that sought his life; which was in effect no sooner feared than accomplished: For, one of the Boars, frantic with the hopes of Gold, flew to Sevil, and informed the Ministers of Justice of all that had passed in the Village.  
Stella, in the mean time, was more than ever dismayed, when she perceived Carlo more sensible of her distaste, than of the dangers that were impendent on him; and seeing him so much troubled and endangered, she could not choose but repent her of what she had done.  
Love may well boast himself the Son of a God, since he partakes of quality so proper unto those above, Aptness to forgive.  
Carlo, on the contrary, desirous to remove from Stella's mind the least remainder of Suspicion, brought Lucinda into her presence, to manifest unto her the manner how she came to be acquainted with those secrets which he had been suspected to have declared unto her himself.  
Lucinda having unfeignedly declared unto them the truth; Carlo, to make an end of clearing himself to Stella, told her,  
That the reason why he spoke so obligingly to one of her mean Condition, was, to engage her to be silent of what was in her power to divulge concerning them; conceiving it more prudence to delude her with false expectation, than to stand to the courtesy of an incensed woman's tongue, in matters of so great concernment.  
Stella confessed her mistake no otherwise than by silence; but within a very short space, while they were discoursing of the strange accidents this night had produced, there came in a Messenger, to advise Carlo,  
That if he desired not to come into the hands of Justice, it was then high time for him to make all possible speed away, for that the Pursuivants were so near at hand, that it would be very difficult for him, if not impossible, to escape them.  
Stella also seeing the great danger he was like to incur, if they should take him in her company, prayed him to shift for himself, being that he was the principal object of her Father's vengeance. He accordingly obeyed; and after some mutual caresses, and many a deep fetched sigh, took his leave; telling her, That he would fly to Granada, where he had many Friends and Kindred, and there expect the blowing over of these storms.  
But to let him see how constant a friend his ill Fortune was to him, in never forsaking him; By that time he was arrived at the uttermost gate, he found his passage stopped up by his enemies; who demanding of him who he was? his high Courage would not consent to resolve them. Therefore drawing his Sword, he stood upon his own defence; thinking (as indeed he had reason) that alive would not be ill lost, to avoid the miseries of a prison. And he had lost it, if Leonardo had not come in opportunely enough to persuade him, not to cast away his life so rashly, when he saw himself overpowered by so great a number of his pursuers: whereupon he rendered himself, though with much regret, and more out of compliance with his Friend's advice, than out of any fear of his enemy's power. Having secured his person, they made a diligent search after Stella; but that labour might well have been spared, for she thinking Carlo had had time enough to evade the Hue and Cry that was made after him, thought it her best course likewise to commit herself to the safeguard of her heels: and when the Soldiers were all busied in apprehending of Carlo, she found a way to escape out at a contrary gate, which was not guarded; resolving to take up her first station at the very next Village she came at.  
Thus, with a mind as calm as her Sorrows would permit, and the hopes that at length she should recover again the sight of her dear Carlo, she went along unattended by any other company save her own Sorrows, with whom she silently discoursed all the way, till at length, overcome with weariness, and invited by the freshness of a most pleasant Rivulet that ran gently sliding along under an impending Rock, she cast her self upon the Flowery bank, yielding up her Senses to the sweet Captivity of Sleep, out of which her very cares could not waken her, until the Sunbeams gilded the mountain tops with light. When she awaked, and saw herself alone, and in a strange place; not knowing which way to direct her steps unto the place which she intended, she was in no small perplexity: When casting her eyes toward a pleasant valley, she saw a great flock of Sheep; and not far off, their Shepherd sitting in a melancholy posture; who to a certain musical Instrument, which Shepherds use in those Countries, sung this following Sonnet:  

CElio remains disconsolate,  
forsaken of his cruel Lover;  
Who not ashamed to viclate  
her Faith, doth her false heart discover.   

Oft doth he his hard Fate bemoan,  
Inveighs on her inconstant mind;  
Oft blames himself, for deating on  
A thing more fickle than the wind.   

Sometimes (unhappy man) he deemed  
Her absence might have quenched his flame;  
But now more fair than ere, she seemed;  
His flames increase through her disdain.   

Now nought is less him but despair:  
His adverse Fate brought him to see,  
Things distant most admired are;  
Enjoyment breeds satiety.   

He goes to see the fair unkind,  
Whom her new Lovers arms immure;  
Him she vouchsafed not unce to mind,  
In her incenstancy secure.   

Was't not enough, Phyllis said he,  
That thy deceitful charming Wiles  
Should cheat my fond credulity,  
That thou seen'st others to beguile?   

If amidst these thy near delights,  
Tho● hast no 〈…〉 me,  
Think how awakened 〈◊〉 frights;  
Think Phyllis on thy perjury.   

Longer to grieve he sav 'twas vain,  
Longer his troubled thoughts to vex;  
Phyllis triumphs in her disdain,  
Phyllis the falsest of her seiss.   
As soon as he had ended his Song, she enquired of him, which was the way to the next Town? The Shepherd no sooner saw her, but that by her surprising beauty, and those many graces that always accompanied her, his natural rusticity was on a sudden transformed into those Civilities, which might have befitted a personage of far higher rank; for besides that he omitted no importunities to make her accept part of those poor Viands which he carried in his Wallet; He left his flock, to conduct her to a little Village at the foot of a Mountain, where having provided her of a fit receptacle, both for Safety and Accommodation, he took his leave, and committed her to Heaven's protection.  
She remained not long in this Village, but remembering that Carlo had determined to go to Granada, she prepared to go thither after him with all the speed she could: to that end, she sold one of her Jewels, and furnished herself with a Mule, and other necessaries for her Journey; and hired a poor labouring man to be her guide; who promised to serve her with all faithfulness.  
But before she arrived at Granada, Carlo was a close Prisoner in Sevil, and under strict guard: but so many, and so powerful were his friends, and so great the respect the whole City bore him for his many laudable qualities, that Don Fernando, mollified by their persuasions, was inclined to pardon all that was past, so that his Daughter were but restored him. They dispatched Messengers in all haste to the Village where Carlo and she had been concealed; but the people Certified them, That she stole away from thence the same night that Carlo was apprehended: Then they made a strict enquiry throughout all Sevil, but could not meet with any body that could give them the least intimation where she was.  
This was a grief which went deepest to Carlo's heart of all that had yet befallen; wherefore he besought Heaven with tears, to fortify him with patience against all the heavy Crosses that crowded so fast upon him.  
Alfredo now is he only, of all men, who grieves not that she is lost; who since he had been so unsuccesful in his Love to her, is become so far possessed with malice against her, that he wished in his heart no less mischief were befallen her, than the loss of her life. But his evil wishes recoiled upon his own head, instead of reaching her to whose harm they were directed: For Stella had not been long arrived at Granada, before she received information of Carlo's imprisonment, and of her Father's indulgence to her: she sped away a Messenger to Certify him that she was in Granada, and in health. The Old man overjoyed to hear such welcome News, went forth to receive her, accompanied with Carlo, and the prime Gentry of the City: Only Alfredo refused to contribute his presence to that Festivity, wherein others joy was his discomfort; nay, so sensible was he of his reproach, when he perceived that his envy and ignoble carriage was notorious to the world, that soon after, he kept his Chamber; and being seized with a violent sickness arising from no other apparent Cause but a deep melancholy, within a few weeks he ended his wretched days.  
The Sorrow which Carlo had for his Brother's death, was greater than might have been expected from him who gained so fair an inheritance by it, and who had been so discourteonsly treated by him in his life-time: But Nature commonly combines more effectually, than other respects can dis-unite; especially in noble breasts, and those not possessed with the Spirit of Ambition. With a serene and sober countenance, he received the congratulations of his new Estate, and gave God thanks that had freed him from the bondage of misery, and brought him to a tranquillity of life, which but a few days before he despaired of ever obtaining: (so it most frequently falls out, that good or bad Fortune come when they are least expected.) Thus, after many rugged brunts of adversity, Carlo lived in great Splendour and happiness, enjoying the society of his beloved Stella, and the Honours of his deceased Brother, of whom the common voice was, That Rancour and Envy shortened his life: a deserved End for him that repines at other men's Prosperities, as if they were his own Afflictions.  
The End.   

Reader, These Books following, are Printed by Nath. Brook, and are to be sold at his shop at the Angel in Cornhill.  

Time's Treasury or Academy for the Gentry, for their accomplishment in Arguments of discourse, habit, fashion: summed up all in a Character of Honour, by Ri. Brathwait Esq.  
That excellent piece of Physiognomy and Chiromancy, Metoposcopy, the Symmetrical Proportions and Signal Moles of the body; the subject of Dreams: to which is added, The Art of Memory. By Ri. Sanders. Fol.  
Magic Astrology vindicated, by H. Warren.  
Fons Lacrymarum: or, a Fountain of Tears, with an Elegy upon Sir Charles Lucas. By I Quarles. 8.  
A treatile of Contentation, fit for these sad and troublesome times. By Jos. Hall, late B. of Exon and Norwich. 12  
Mirror of Compliments, fitted for Ladies, Gentlewomen, Scholars, and Strangers; with forms of speaking and writing of Letters most in fashion: with witty Poems, and a Table expoun ding hard English words.  
Divinity no enemy to Astrology: A Sermon for the Society of Astrologers for the year 1653. By Dr. Tho. Swadlin.  
Select Thoughts: or, Choice Helps for a pious Spirit, beholding the excellency of her Lord Jesus, by J. Hall, B. of Norwich. A new piece.  
The holy Order, or Fraternity of Mourners in Zion. To which is added Songs in the night: or, cheerfulness under Affliction, by Jos. Hall, Bishop of Norwich. A new piece.  
The Art of Memory: a cure for a weak Memory, useful to all persons, from the Gown to the Clown. A new piece.  
That complete piece called the Exact Surveyor of Land, showing how to plot all manner of Grounds, and to reduce and divide the same. Also Irish measure, reduced to English statute Measure; useful for all that either sell or purchase, by I. E.  
Milk for Children: or, A plain and easy Method teaching to Read and to Writ, with brief Rules for Schoolmasters to instruct their Scholars in, and Masters to instruct their Families in, by Dr. Thomas.  
Culpepers' Physical and Chyrurgical Remains, of his own admired Experience, never published before now by his Wife, being his last Legacies.  
Culpepers Semiotica: or, his Astrological Judgement of Diseases, much enlarged from the Decumbiture of the sick, which way to find out the Cause, Change, and End of the Disease. Also whether the sick be likely to live or die: With the signs of life and death by the body of the sick party, according to the Judgement of Hypocrates. With a Treatise of Urines, by N. Culpeper.  
Cornelius Agrippa his fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, of Geomancy: Magical Elements of Peter de Abano, the nature of Spirits, made English by R. Turner.  
Pulpit Sparks, being set forms of Prayers used before Sermon by Dr. Jeremiah Taylor, Dr. Cillingham, Dr. Hewit, and many other Eminent Divines.  
The Queen's Closet opened. Incomparable secrets in Physic, Chirurgery; preserving, candying, and cooking, as they were presented to the Queen, transcribed from the true Copies of her Majesties own receipt-Books by W. M. one of her late Servants.  
The Conveyancers' Light, or the Complete Clerk and Scrivener's Guide, being an Exact draught of all Precedents and Assurances now in use, as they were penned and perfected by divers Learned Judges, eminent Lawyers, and great Conveyancers, both ancient and modern; whereunto is added a Concordance from K. Rich. 3. to this present.  
Wit's Interpreter, the English Parnassus, or a sure Guide to those admirable Accomplishments, that complete our English Gentry in the most acceptable qualificarions of Discourse or Writing: Also the whole Mystery of those pleasing Witchcrafts of Eloquence and Love are made ease, in the Art of Reasoning, Theatre of Courtship, Labyrinth of Fancies, Lovesongs, Drollery; The perfect Inditer of Letters, Alamode, by I. C.  
The Floating Island, a Tragicomedy acted before the King, by the Students of Christ-Church. By Dr. Stroud.  
Wit and Drollery: with other Jovial Poems.  
Paracelsus of Occult Philosophy, or his Secrets of Nature.