«THETRIVMHES 
 f 'fSSr OF GODS REVENGE 
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 SeveraliJragtcaU History 
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 THE 
 
 TRIUMPHS 
 
 O F 
 
 GODS REVENGE 
 
 AGAINST THE 
 
 CRYING and EXECRABLE 
 
 O F 
 
 (WILFUL and PREMEDITATED) 
 
 murther 
 
 With His Miraculous Difcoveries, and Severe Punifliment thereof. 
 
 In Thirty feVttal 
 
 TRAGICAL HISTORIES: 
 
 < Dieefted into Six Books ) committed in divers Countreys 
 
 " 6 beyond the SEAS. 
 
 / 
 
 Never Publilhcd or Imprinted in any other Language* 
 
 Hiftories which contain great variety of Mournful and Memorable Ac- 
 cidents, Hiftorical, Moral, and Divine s very neceflary to reftrain and deterr us 
 from that bloody fin which in thefe our days makes lo ample and large a Progreffion. 
 
 With a TABLE of all the feveral Letters and Challenges contained in the whole Six Books. 
 
 Written by JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
 P SAL. 9. id. 
 
 7 bc Lord is known in executing Judgment, and the wicked is Jnared in the work/ of bis own hand. 
 
 PROV. 14.27. 
 
 7 he fear of the Lord is a weeing of life, to avoid the fnaresof death. 
 
 The Fifth and Loft Edition. 
 
 hereunto are added the lively Pourtraitfures of the feveral Perfons, and refem- 
 blanccsok other Pafl'ages mentioned therein, engraven in Copper Plates. 
 
 ,) yin ON Printed by A . M. for Wiliam Lee, and are to be fold by George SaVrbridg, Francis Tyton , 
 7 iAm Martin TbonutVere, Randolph Taylor, Edward'Ibcmas , Thomas Pafiettgcr, Henry Broo* 
 
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 J Rnokfellers in Lond.tt and iVedmtnlhr , 1670. 
 
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To my Sacred Soveraign 3 CHARL E.S , King of 
 Great Britain, France and Ireland • Defender u 
 ‘ 0/ ife Faith, &c. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 \ s Rivers , though in their faffing they fall into 
 many Neighbour-Currents , yet finally empty them- 
 ,!/ fives into the Sea: fo let theje my poor labour Ml 
 formerly dedicated to divers lllufir ions Peers of tbisynurRcahrl) 
 be fuffered at lafl to terminate in the Ocean ofyourRrmcely 
 Greatnefs and Goodnefs , wherein aUFcrtnous Endeavours 
 fas fo many Lines in their Center ) defire to 'be united. 
 
 What private refie&s may challenge me towards their Ho- 
 nours, the fame towards your Majefiy, will- claim the pnblife 
 ^ T rim 'i / nnrp phimpviifyi htliA 
 
 And l amtveruwu *«/ - 
 
 have formerly adventured the lify-when to your Princely View, 
 being, then the Second Hope of this Kingdom, 1 (about Eleven 
 years fine « Jpr efiented a Traiifiation ofaWortyf Monfieur de 
 Refuges entituled, A Treatife of the Court; the Gracious 
 and ZJndeferved acceptance whereof, , if it bath inured me with 
 farther Courage , 'fopreM’ym £»W advanced to a greater 
 State) with a greater encreafe of mine own Labour your Ma- 
 will notC I hove ) condemn me of gromdlefs Trefumption. 
 
 The former Three Dooly Ltd ti e Honour aitd Happinefs to 
 be terufed by the fudtciortt Eye of King Jam tsyottr Renowned 
 Father of Uappy tOehrAy, lit iehofe Incomparable Judgment 
 they failed notof Approbation, though Dedicated to Inferior- 
 / 85SG93 A 2 • Names: 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory.' 
 
 Names : the more am I now encouraged to Infcribe and J un- 
 tie the whole Six to your Sacred M a jelly , as being tiolefs 
 Heir of Has Virtues , than of His Crown trnd Dignity. 
 
 And one thing more ft drift ng front the Confi derat ton of the 
 thing it felf ) tnadc me thinlfit a Prejent not altogether unwor- 
 thy of your Royal Eft ate : for f the Contents of it being the 
 Execution of Juft ice upon the Vnnatural Srn of Muriher; 
 Where can it be more ft ly addrejfed \ than to the Great P atronof 
 Juftice among us ( God's immediate Vicegerent f) , by whofe 
 Sword (as the Minifier of Heaven ) fitch odious Crimes are to 
 he chajlifed , and Innocent Blood jufily exfiat ed with G uilty. 
 
 And it may more fitly fuit with your Mo)t{iy,who as you ex- 
 cel in the careful Admmiftration of Juftice ufon all Offenders ; 
 fo efiee tally upon thofef mo f heinous of all others Jlbeviolaters 
 of God's facred Image, 'in theferfetrationofivilful Murther,to- 
 wards whom Clemency even changeth her nature, and becomes 
 Cruel to the Weal-publick. Never had any Land lefscaufe to 
 comflain of too much Indulgency this way y than ours gas may 
 well off ear both by the rarenefs of fitch Occurrences in your 
 Kingdom , and the fevere vindication of them wbenfoevOr they 
 haffen , or by whom, or howfoever ferformed. 
 
 Thefe Hifiories therefore, which may ferve as a Ldofyng-glafs 
 to all Nations ,fhall to thefe of yours be a fecial Ornament and 
 Mirror of their felicity, and Jet forth and fublijh your Praife, in 
 the fe ace able and quiet Government of your Peofle, whofe Cli- 
 mate (feldomor never) affords fitch Tragedies ; nor will do, 
 whiles your Chrifiianrefolution jh all continue to f revent them in 
 the ffring, and tofunifh the lighter degrees of Bloodinefs with 
 due relation. T he great Author of Juftice ( who is Goodneft 
 and Juftice it felf ) long freferveyour Majefty with m , and 
 the Haffinefs we enjoy in your Sacred Terfonffo near refem- 
 hling Him whofe Authority and Image you bear. So frayeth 
 
 Tour Majeftv’s mojl humbly devoted 
 in all Dutiful AUegance, 
 
 JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
AUTHOR 
 
 H IS 
 
 PREFACE to the READER. 
 
 C Hriflian Reader* we cannot fufficiently bewail the iniquity of tbefelaft and wor(f 
 dayes of the world, in which the crying and fcailet- fin of Murther makes fo am- 
 ple, and fo bloody a progreflion s for we now fcarce turn our ear or eye any 
 where, but we fhall be enforced, either to hear with pity the mournful! cflfc&s, 
 or to fee with grief the lirhentable Tragedies thereof as if we now fo much de- 
 generated from cur felves, or our hearts from our fouls, to think that Chrift were no longer our 
 (hefberiy #r we the (beep of his Paflure : or as if we were become fuch wretched ard execrable 
 Athiefls, to believe There were noHeavetty to reward the righteous; or Hell \ tofunifhthe un- PiaI - 
 godly. But, if we will divert our hearts from earth to heaven, and raife and ereft our fouls *^ 1 * 
 from Satan to God, we fhall then not only fee what engendereth this diabolical pafficn in us, 
 butalfo find the means to dete&, and root it out from amongfi us. ’ Mat.a5.33.4t 
 
 To which end it is requifi te, we firft confider, that cur enemies who oppofe our tranquil- 
 lity in this life, and our felicity in that to come, are neichafo few in number, nor fo weak in 
 power, that we (hould think our fclves able to vanquifli, ere we fight with them ; for we have 
 to fight with the bewitching World, the alluring Flefh, and the entiling Devil .• not with 
 three fimple Souldiers, or Door Pigmies; but with three valiant and puiffant Chieftacs, fubtil 
 to incamp, dangerous to affail, and powerful to fight. 
 
 The World, that it may bewitch us to his will, affailsuswith Wealth, Riche?, Dignities, 
 
 Honours, Preferments, Sumptuous houfes, perfumed Beds, Veflfels ofgold and Giver, pompous 
 apparel, delicious fare, variety of fweet Mufick, Dancing, Masks, and Stage-plays, delicate Her- 
 fes, rich Coaches, and infinite Attendants, with a tfioufand other inticements and allurements. 
 
 TheFlefli prefents us with Youth, Beauty, The lu/^ of the eyt % ard the pride of life; with in* i.Johnr r 
 ordinate affettion ard l afehious defines y with a piercing eye, a vermilion cheek, golden hair, Col, 3 • £. 
 
 and a (lender wafte. Andilthough it difeover us not all thefeperfeAions of nature in one per- 
 fonage ; yet, he (hews us mod of them in divers: and then if any thing want to captivate our 
 affc&ions, we fhall hear them marry their Syren voice to their own Lutes and Vials, or their 
 dancing feet to thofe of others .• or if this will not fuffice , then Perfuming, Powdering, Crifp- 
 ing, Painting, Amorous kifTes, Sweet fmiles, , Sugared fpecches. Wanton embracings, and Laf- 
 civious dalliance, will undertake to play a world in love. On the other fide, Strength, Nimblc- 
 nefs, Agility of body, Sloth, Luxury, Gluttony, Tntemperancy, Drunkennefs Voluptuoufnefs 
 and Senfuality will caft us cut fo fair ( I mean fo treacherous ) a Lure, as if we (loop thereto, we 
 (hall buy our pleaiure with repentance, and our delight therein will prove our ruine and de- 
 finition. 
 
 Aud dow, if neither the world, nor the flelhcan entangle, or infnare our hearts, Tken *• Pct - 5.8. 
 comet theDwily that roaring Ljon y who walks about peeking 'tyhomhemay devour , that mortal T2 ‘ 
 inemy^ and arch-traytorto our fouls yhat Prince of darkle fs y whofe fubtil ty is the more danger- Eph^ii 1 " 
 om, and malice the more fatal, in that he transforms himfelf into an Angel of light , thereby to x.Cor. i i.dV 
 makj us heirs and /laves of his obfeure kjngd:m : yea, he will proffer us more than cither our 
 tongues can demand, or our hearts defire; for all the pomp, treafure, and pleaftfres of the 
 world, yea all that is in theworld, and the worldit felf, he will proftrate and giveus, if we 
 will ccnfent to obey him, and promife to fall down andadore him; and for a pledge of his in- Lute 4. <$.7* 
 fernal bounty and liberality, he will puff us up with Pride, Arrognncy, Ambition, Vain-gJory, 
 
 (Mentation, Difdain, Covetuoufnefs, Singularity, Affirmation, Confidence, Security ; and if all 
 thefe allurements will not prevail to fubdue us, be hath yet referved Troops and Forces, and 
 another firing to his Bow:for then exchanging his fmiles into frowns, and his calms to fiorms, 
 he will give us Penfivcnefs, Grief of mind and body, affii&ion, forrow, difconcent, chcler, en- 
 vy, ind'gnarion, defpair, reven ge ? and the like. 
 
 Yea, he will watch us at every turn, and wait on us at every occafion : for, are we bent to 
 
 revenge*' 
 
I 
 
 The Treface. 
 
 25 . 
 
 G$rn. 2. 7. 
 Gea. 1. 28 
 lfa. 43. 21. 
 
 reverse • be will blow the ceals to cur dicier s are we given to forrow and difee ntent > be will 
 thruft and' bile us cn to difpaire ; arc wc inclined to vvantonrefs, and lafciviculcefs; he will he 
 us with means and opportunity to accomplish cur carnal defires : cr, ate wc addicted to cove- 
 toufnefs and honours • he will eitner caufe l* to break our hej», or cur netTts, to cbtam it .- . 
 for it is indifferent to him, lather how or in what manner wfe enlarge and fth up the empty 
 
 rcomsof his vaft and infernal Kingdom. - ' ' , ' " , . , 
 
 Thus we fee how powerfuil our three capital Enemies are ; yea, what a cloud, nay.what a 
 world of fubardirare means and infturutnents they have, not only to enlnare, but to dellroy us : 
 vea, not onely to conquer cur hearts, but, which is worfc, to make fh.pwrack of our fouls : 
 and from hence arms our mifery : yea, from thefe three fatal trees we gather the bitter fttut 
 
 But againft all thefe temptations and dangers, againft all thefe our profeffed enemies in gene- 
 ral, and each of them in particular > wemayfwim in the Ocean of the world mihoui drown- 
 ing, and pilgrimage upon the face of the earth without terrour or deHrvdtion, it we will con- 
 fidcr, and in confidering remember, that Gcd is our Creator, Chrifl on r S*vionr,<ind the ttolj 
 Gen. 1. 47. Ghofl our Santliii'r and Comforttr : that we are honoured with, the relemblance of God, whefe 
 Vfal. 11. 5- tf-ihmp and character we bear, and inriched with immortal and living fouls : which facredprtvi- 
 joh. 10.21-11.^^5 anc j jivjne prerogatives lift us up by many degrees -ei: excellency Above the reft of all 
 his°creatures, whem he hath made for cur' fervice, and wc onely to ferve and gloria Him- 
 That he hath made the world for athorow-fare, and us as paffengerf, that we have no abiding 
 Cicy here, But mult feek one in the world to come : That the world is ours but for a feafon, 
 and Heaven cur patrimony and inheritance for ever r-That the pomp and pltafures thereof are 
 H*b. 13.14. but tranfitory and temporary, and that the vanity thereof paffeth away as duff or fmoke before 
 the wind, whereas thofe of Heaven are both immortal and eternal ; That ourfefb it hut like 
 PiM 2 , flowers that fade, and, graft th*t withentK . but a mafs of corruption, a tabernacle of clay, and 
 ifa.40, 7. a coffin of dulf and afhe?, that the bed pf its beauty is but vanity and deformity, and jhe end 
 Ptal. 3p. 5* of its Bravery but roctennefs and putr|fa£iion : If, I fay, we fpurn at the vanity of the world, 
 
 1. Cor. 6.15, con tcmn the pleafuresofiheflefh, and fco.tf^u the temptations of Satan v ujing the firft, asif 
 we ufed it nor, making the fecond theTcjnplepf the Holy Ghofl , and not the members of a Har- 
 lot-, and that we are fo far from fearing, as we de fie the third. Set ting our affetiions C n things 
 that are above,and not on things of the eartfcto r if we will be heirs of the Church Triumphant 
 we mud be fird Souldiers of the MIitant,and fo following the advice and dire&ion cf the Apo- 
 dle,ft*nd againft all thefe our enzmie*. Having the whole f pit it ual Arnuur gin ahotit us, at the 
 girdle of Truth, the Breft -plate of Right coufnefs, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, 
 and the Sword of the Spirit, not to catch at thefe alluremennts, or to be caught by them ; not 
 to drikefail, or to ftoop to thefe affli&ipns : or to hang down our heads, as if we gave way to 
 them, or were contented that cur weaknefs fhould yield to their drength, or our joyes to their 
 alfll&ions : rather to dand upcouragioufly, and to repel and refift manfully, confidering that 
 we arc not only heirs, but coheirs withjefus Chrilr, in the. participation and felicity of that 
 Heavenly Hieru/alem, whofe joyes are infinite, and glory eternal. 
 
 I deny not, but aftli&ioni, and temptations may befall us ; yea, I ackhcvvlcdg they are fub- 
 jeft and incident to the bell and deared cf Gods children, whom he will trie in the fire, to 
 fee whether they will prove filver, or drofs •• yea, he will come with.hi$ fan and winnow them, 
 to fee whether* they are Wheat or Chaff, Corn or Darnel :But the Children cf God fhould 
 rejojee In tribulation, and account it exceedingly, when they an t mpted : yea, they muft con- 
 fider, that God tempt etb no man with evil : but it is cur own concupifcence that draws and cntic- 
 cth us to it. In which refpeft, we may juftly fay, it is a folly to hearken to temptation, but a 
 mifery andmadnefs to follow and imbrace it. 
 
 For why fhould difeontent cad us into difpair, except we will refemblethc foolifh Sai- 
 lor, who abandoned the Helm in a dorm when he hath mod need to ufc it ? crrhefimple 
 filh, that leaps from the pm to fire • Or thofe ignorant Fooh, who to flielter themfeJves from 
 the rain cun into the River ? For are wc tempted ? The Lord will hold us up by hit right handy 
 PfaliB. p|io. yea, he’ will not fail thofe that feek him : For he is our reck^andour fortrefs,our fljield, and our 
 Pfal. 18. 2. refuge, yea , although be hath wounded H< y he will bind up our W/ units. And chat we may yet fee 
 a farther benefit, that accrueth to thofe that are tempted, let us read with joy and retain with 
 Comfort, that, *Bleffed is the man that induretb temptation* he Jhafi receive the Crown of life, 
 Vpbich the Lord hath prowifed to thofe that love him : yea, they that trufiinthe Lordflja/f be as 
 CM otint Sion , whith cannot be removed but abidethfor ever. 
 
 When therefore ( amongd other temptations ) choler fo far prevailed with us (omther 
 the Devil with cur choler ) that wc imagine mifehief in our hearts, or lifcupour hands againll 
 
 Col, 3,2. 
 
 Pphef. 6 . 
 
 Krwa. 5 . 3 * 
 lames 1. 2. 
 
 Jas'jw 3. 
 
 Pfal. 73. 25. 
 
 Hof. 6 . u 
 
 Jam. 1. j»a. 
 Pfal, i2$. 1. 
 
our Chriftian Brother- let us then confider what the Apoftie tells us from God r Hethat 1 John 2 1 i. 
 fates his Brother ftalfath in d^rkjief^and kjtowttk not thither he goeth.-yzz^He that lives' not J Jhon 4. 10 
 hs Brother) is not God. Hath any one therefore otfended thee ? why, confider he is a nun 
 and no Angel, and as fubjtot co-infirmities as thy fdf as alfo, that he is thy Brother by (Crea- 
 tion and .Adoption, by Nature and by Grace, and that he bears the fame Image ^nd Refem- 
 blance of Godasthy fclf dolto in which regard thou art ccunfelled, Not to /it me Smigp 'down Ephef. 4.2 6 
 0 nthy wrath : That those feei^after peace ard follow it : That we forbear and forgive 0 e another i r. Per. 3V0. 
 s C hr i ft forgives ns^ar d that tf we tive in peace the Gad of peace VoiH be with nr, Colof. 3. 13. 
 
 But Come there are ( yea alas, too too many ) who arefo barcfted in their hearts and fins, l>ial * 4 * 55 . 
 and fo refolutein their wilfulnefs, as inlicad of rellifhing^hey diftafte, and inftead 6 f c mbra^ 
 ciog, rejeft and difdain this Chriftian advice and counfell, opening their thoughts and hearts 
 to all vanities, or rather drawing up the Sluces and Flood- hatches to let in all impiety to their 
 fouls, they give way to the treacherous baits of the world, to the alluring pleasures of the 
 Fled), and to the dangerous and fatal temptations of the Devil, and fo cruelly imbrue their 
 hands in the innocent blood of their Chriftian Brethren ; and although the murders of oyibel G 
 by Cam out of Envy, of Uriah by Dav'd for Adultery, of Abner by Joab for Ambition , of 1.17* 
 Naboth by Jezebel for malice, and of Jehu his fons by Atha/iab ‘for Revenge ( with thjxitfe- and 3. 27/ 7# 
 veral punifhments which God inflivftcd pn them for thefe their hainous and bomb$ Crimes )'i King 21. 13. 
 arc precedent enough fearful! and bloody, to make any Chriftian heart difl'olve into pity , am * ai * *• 
 and a regenerate foul melt into tears, yet fith new examples engenders and produce feefti ef- 
 fects of forrovv and companion, and as it were leave and imprint a fenfible memory thereof ia 
 our hearts and underftandings, therefore I thought it a work as worthy of my labour ( as that 
 labour of a Chriftian ) to colfe& thirty fevcral Tragical Hiftories, which for thy more eafy 
 and perfe& memory, 1 have digefted into fix feveral Books, that obferving and feeihg herein 
 as in a Cryftal Mirrour, the variety of the Devils temptations, and the allurements of fin , 
 wherewith thefe' weak Chriftians ( the Authors and A&ors hereof ) fuffered themfelves to 
 be carried away and fcduced : Confidering, I fay the foulncfc of their fa&s in procuring 
 the deaths of their Chriftian Brethren, fome through blood, others through poyfQn: as alfo 
 Gods miraculous detedion andfevere punifhment thereof, in revenging blood for blood, and 
 death for death : yea many times repaying it home with intereft, and rewarding one death 
 with many ; that th* confideranon of tfiefc bloody and mournfull THgeWe? may by their ex- 
 amples, firike aftonifhment to our thoughrs, and amazement to cu: fenfes, that the horror and 
 terrour thereof may hereafter retain and keep us within the lifts ofeharity towards men, and 
 the bounds of filial and religious obedience towards God, who tells us by his Royal Prophet, i>f a l. 7! 14.15 
 that wh foever makjth a pit for others fha'l fall into it himfclf.for his mi f chief wi II ret urn upon hit 
 c\\n head , ard his crucify fall upon his own ^ttf.Which we fhall fee verified in thefe, who fedu- 
 ced partly by Sin, but chiefly bv Satan, who is the author thereof, forgot the counfell of the 
 Apoftie,//" any one be ejjliftcdftet himpray: and gritveA to pear forth their hea ts beef 0 e 6 W.-not j ames 5. 13. 
 confidering the efficacy thereof; « r hew Mofcs made the bimr waters of Mar ah fweet there • Pfal. 6 1. #. 
 by : yti they huilded not their faiths on Gcd,acd his'promifes, cn Cbrifi and his Church, on Ex °d. if* 1* 
 his Gofpell and his Sacraments, but fpurned at all thefe Divine comforts and fpiritualblef- 
 fings, yea and trampled that fweet fmelling facri fice of prayer under their feet, which is the an* 
 tidote and prefervativc of the foul againft fin, and the Bulwark to expell all the fiery and 
 bloody darts of Satans temptations : yea, the very ladder whereby both afpirations and eja- 
 culations of our foull mount unto God, and his benefits and mercies defeend unto us : and this 
 and only this, was both the Prologue to their deftrudtion, and their deftnuftion it felt : the 
 which I prefent unto the view, not onely r f tbinecyes, but of thy heart and foul, becaufe 
 it is avertue in us to lock on other mens vices with hatred and detection, imitating herein 
 the wife and skilfuil Pilot, who mourns to fee the Rocks, whereon his neighbours have fuf- 
 fered fhipwrack : and yet again rejoycetb, that by the fight thereof he may avoid his own ; 
 which indeed is the true way, both to fccure our fafety, and to prevent our deftru&ion, as well 
 of the Temporal life of our Bodies in this World, as the Spiritual of our fouls in that to come. 
 
 I muft further advertife thee, that I have ptirpofely fetched thefe Tragicall Hifiories from 
 . forreiga parts, becaufe it grieves me to report and relate thofe that are too frequently com- 
 mitted in our own Conntry, in refpe&tbe misfortune cf the dead may perchance either 
 afflidt, or fcandalize their living friends ; who rather want Matter of new confolation, then 
 caufe of reviving old forrows; or becaefc the iniquity of the rimes is fucb, that it is aseafic 
 to procure many enemies, as difficult to purchafc one true friend : in which refpeft, I know 
 that divers, both in matters of this, and of other natures; have been fo cautious to difguife 
 and mask their Actors, under the vails of other names; and fometimes been inforced to lay 
 
 a x theij; 
 
r 
 
 The T reface. 
 
 ■ ; 3 — ' " ‘ 
 
 their Scenes in Grange and unknown Ccuntreys. 
 
 For mine own part, I have illuftratcd and polifhed thefe Hiftories, yet cot framed them 
 according to the Model cf mine own fancies, but cf their pa fliers, who have reprefen ted 
 and perfenatedthem : and therefore if in feme places they fe<m tec amorous, or in other too 
 bloody* I muft jufily retort the iroperfedlion thereof cn them, and not tby felf cn me 5 fith I 
 onely reprefent what they have idled, ard gave that to the publick w hich they cbfcurely per- 
 petrated in private. ^ 
 
 My intent, defire, and prayer, 15, that if thou art fireng in Chrift, perufing and reading of 
 thefe Hiftories may corfirm thy faith, and thy cefiarce c f all firs in general, and cf Murther 
 in particular ; or if thou art but weak in the rules of C hriftian fortitude and piety, that hereby 
 it may incourage ard arme thee agairft the allurements of the World, andtheFlcfh; but 
 efpecially againft the fnares ard enticements cf the Devil, which may ftir thee up either to 
 Wrath, Defpair, Revenge, or Murther : that by the contemplation thereof, thou ir.aift refem- 
 ble the Bee and not the Spider, ard fo draw hony frem ill flowers, but p.cyfon from none. 
 
 It fhall be the felicity of my thoughts, ard the glory of my content ard labcur, if by the 
 fight of thefe Hiftories, thou reap any fpiriaal ccmfcrt or encouragement in this Chriftia* 
 Warfare againft the World, the FJefh, annd the Devil, our three prefefied and fatal enemies 
 or if thou wilt be fo wilfully negligent cf thire own good, as to ride poll by other mens fins ; 
 
 I and vices, yet with leifure take a curious and cxaftfuivey of thy own; .and in feeing them, not 
 
 onely endeavour butftrive to reform them. 
 
 If this firft Book of my Tragical Hiftories work any good effeft in thee, in caufingthceto 
 affume and take on a rcfolution to hate thefe fins in tby felf, ard to deteft them in others ; 
 then the five other parts which I owe to my pro mi ft, ard the fcntifpiece to thee, fhall not be 
 kept back, or with-held thee, but in due time fuccecd this their elder filler : having purpofely 
 enlarged thee this my Preface ,bccaufe this one fhall ferve for all fix Bocks, at leaft if the reft be 
 fo happy to fee the world, or I fo fortunate, that the world may fee them* In the mean time 
 hoping that thy courtefic and charity will wink at feme def efts ard imperfeftions, which may 
 herein have flipt cither from my Pen, or the Prefs, and whereof the malice of feme, or per- 
 adventurc the ignorance of others may accufe themfelves by condemning me ; I recommend 
 i Deut. 30. 20. thefe my labours from their pa ffion to thy friendship ; from their cenfure to thy judgement.* and 
 
 Pfal. 104.51 . us all to the protc&ion of God, Who is our Uft y atti ihefirength of our days. T 7 whom be olorj 
 for evermore. 7 67 
 
 Thy Chriftian Friend 
 
 JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
AUTHOR 
 
 HIS 
 
 READ VERT I SEMENT 
 
 TO THE 
 
 Judicious Chriftian Reader. 
 
 T Hat my promife owed fix of thefe Books of Gods Revenge againjl 
 Murther to the World, the Title, and my Epiftle (to the Reli- 
 efer) of the firft Book,* doth apparently teftifie : Itisnowfome 
 ten years fince that I publifhed the third thereof, finceyvhen, my 
 time and leifure hath been ftill lb interrupted, and (as it were) cutalunder 
 by many different intervening accidents, that 1 along time both doubted and 
 feared that the three laft Books would have ablblutely dyed upon the De- 
 sign : But I praife and blefs God, (he hath been fo favourable to my defires, 
 and fo propitious to my intentions and refolutions) that I Jiave cleared 
 thatdoubt and lecured this fear for now ( by his facred Afliftance and Pro- 
 vidence ) lhave fully and compleatly Sniffled them, and do here prelent 
 all fix Books to thee in one intire V olumn. I am not fo vain or prefumptuous, 
 to think that they defervetobe feen and read of more Judicious 5 for my 
 thoughts afpire to nothing unproportionable to my mean abilities. I knew 
 it was a fingular great and excellent point ol wifdom in Socrates, who (by 
 the Oracle of Apollo ) was deemed the wifeft of Men, to confels and ac- 
 knowledg to the world. That he knew but one thing, which was , that he knew 
 nothing. 
 
 But here, before I proceed farther, I muff let the world know, thatlun- 
 derftand there area generation of people, who have been foftrangely igno- 
 rant, as to give out that thefe my Bifiories are not Originals , but Tranjlations , 
 either from Italian or French =, all which (wit h equal T ruth and Modefty ) I 
 firmly contradift and deny, whether they regard Matter , Manner, Met hod, or 
 Thrafe, Place, otPerfons: for contrariwife I found out the grounds of them 
 in my T ravels, and ( at mine own leilure ) compoled and penned them, ac- 
 cording to the rule of my weak Fancy and Capacity, they being lo far from 
 Tr anjlations , that as I have hitherto refilled to imitate any therein, but my felfj 
 fohad t been fo ambitious or vain-glorious to have given way, or confent to 
 it, fbmc friends of mine in Paris, had long fince done the three firft Books 
 into French, from my firft Original thereof: But knowing Humility to be 
 the faireft Ornament of a Writer, and Modefty bell to become-Vertuoua- 
 Minds, I have hitherto prevented it, anddoftillrelblvefbtodo,.. 
 
 a 2 Now , 
 
The Re- advertifement. 
 
 Now becaufo as idlenefs makes fome too curious, and Cnricftty makes others 
 too idle, fo it likewife pleafcd fome f not fo difcreet as forward) to con- 
 demn and tax fome of my Hijiories for being too long, and others for being 
 tooftiort, as if I were bound to obfcrve and pleafc their fancy, more then the- 
 truth, or mine own judgment $ or that in the contriving and penning thereof, 
 I were obliged to delight and content them before my lelf. No, no, aslong 
 as I know men are as different in their opinionsand cenfores, as in their coun- 
 tenances and complexions, I lhall rather connive and not regard their ( wor- 
 thy to be pitied) ignorance, and refolve and content my foil to contemn and 
 pals by, rather than to efteem or grieve at it. They will firft I hope read,be» 
 fore they underfhind, and letmtthen requeft themalfo, that they will firft 
 underftand, before they either cenfure,or tax any part of what they readtand 
 fo I doubt nor, but they will both fee, and find, that in the penning and pub- 
 lilhing of thefe Hijiories , iff! am not worthy of their Love , yet (at leaft) their 
 unjuft Envy and Detraction is every way unworthy of me, and that although 
 many Books of thele our time are not particularly approved and liked of for 
 the prelent, yet it is not impoffible for the future both to refpeft and honour 
 them 5 and fo I leave thele uncharitable Zoylifts to fleep, Handing in the fim- 
 plicity of their ignorance, if they will not be rectified and reformed by war- 
 ning. And I will now divert my pen to the wile and religious Chriftian Rea- 
 ders^ who will know what lingular good effects it worketbin their hearts, firft 
 to read with undei Handing, aijd then to apply vvith charity and prudence, 
 forwhofe lakes folely 1 have now added thefemy three 1 alt Books of Cods 
 Revenge againft the Crying Sin of Wilful Murfher, to the three former $ fori fond 
 them to the publick good, whereunto all our Endeavours Ihould tend, to the 
 Propagation of Chrijtian Love and charity among men, whereat all our Enter- 
 prizes. lliyiiid aim, and to the fioiirjftung advancement of Gods honour and 
 glory, to which all the thoughts of our Hearts, and Faculties of our Souls 
 ihould chiefly afpire and level. 
 
 And becaufe Scaliger Affirms, That nothing fo fcon alittres or draws a Reader 
 to pertefe and read , as aft range The am and Argunten t :Therefore this Path being 
 feldom (if ever) trodden or beaten by any other,! am fo for from defpairingt 
 as I am confident, at leaft, of thy acceptance, if not of thy approbation of 
 thefe piy labours;, and the focner, becaufe as thou haft heretofore disburden- 
 ed my stationer of the three firft of thefe Books, fohe (in compenfation 
 thereof) hath now drawn the three laft of them from me to the Prefs , with a 
 more than common and ufual importunity 5 and I {hall bear this content to mv 
 grave, and 1 hope from thence to Heaven, that in penning of them all, I lhall 
 leave no pernicious Air behind me, to infedt Youth with Scurrility, orcor- 
 rupt their Manners and Inclinations with Incentives to Lcwdnefs and Vani- 
 ty? which as it is the fhame of this our age, fo it ought to be the careof 
 every good Man, to (hun that which fo many of our lewd and lafcivious Pam- 
 phlets do not. In writing hereof, ! have confocrated my :p en rather to In- 
 flection then Eloquence, and to Charity rather than Curiofity,i and have 
 made it my chiefeft Care, Ambition, and Confidence, to profit thy Soul 
 rather than to pleafe thine Ear, and to favour mcreof Heaven than Earth- 
 Yea, I will affirm (with equal truth and boldnefs) that I have Written it with 
 lo innocent a Pen, that the pureftandmoft unftained Virgin lhall nor 
 tomake her beautiful Cheeks guilty of the leaft Blulh in piling it all over 
 
 It is with no fmall coft and labour that I firft procured, then penned thefe 
 Hijiories, and have now polilhed and prepared them to the Trej) , as well for 
 
 the 
 
to the Cbriftian Reader. 
 
 the extirpating of that Execrable Sin of Mur t her (which cryesfo loud to Hea- 
 ven for Vengeance ) as alfo to (hew thee, Godsfacred Juftice, and righteous 
 Judgments in the V in dication of the inhuman Authors thereof, to the end, 
 that (by the knowlc ; and reading of them) thou maiQ become more Chari- 
 table, and more hate cruelty, by their wretched and lamentable examples: 
 having herein 'endeavoured , . tiuch as in me lies) to make my Reader a Spect- 
 ator fir ft of thefe their foul and bloody Crimes, and then of their condign 
 and exemplary punilhments, which ( as a difmal ftorm and terrible tempeft 
 from heaven ) fell on them on Earth when they Jeaft dreamt or thought there- 
 
 op 
 
 And here to conclude this my Re-advcrtifement to thee, I religioufly from 
 my heart intreat thee to refpeft the matter* not the Words, and the Impor- 
 tance and Conleq uence, more then the Drefiing of thefe Thirty feveral tra* 
 oical Hijlorics, whiles I will account and efteem it a far greater Happinefs for 
 my felf, to Ieafu true Charity, and the true fear of God in writing them, than 
 to prefume of my Ability to inftruft and teach others by reading them, be- 
 caufe I may juftly and truly fay with Lipftus, That my aim and defire in pub- 
 lifhingot them. It is not that I might be made greater , but better thereby, and 
 CifitpleafeGod') others by me. 
 
 What Spiritual Fortitude, or Benefit, thou reapeft by their knowledg and 
 contemplation, I exhort thee, infteadof giving me any Thanks, to referve 
 and give them wholly to God, who is the giver of all good things, yea, the 
 Father of Mercies, and the God of all Comfort and Confolation, to whole 
 Grace I commit thee , defiring thee to affift me with thy favourable opinion, 
 and dayly prayers to his Throne of Grace, as I fhall ever be ready to requite 
 thee with mine. 
 
 Thy Chriftian Friend 
 
 John Reynolds. 
 
RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 LORD MAR IS of BVC KING HAM, &c. 
 Right Honourable 
 
 A Bout fome two years fince , I (from beyond, the Seas') prefumed to fend, 
 your Honour two fever al. pregnant Tejiimonies as well of my affettion to 
 ■your fir vice, as of my zeal toyourprofperity, not that I performed thofe 
 (then, or remember them now, in regard of your fortunes, but of your 
 vertuess for I know that to flatter, is to betray Greatnefs: avia modi ignoble 
 in it felf and therefore mofi improper for your Honours receit , or acceptance fifth 
 your actions ftill make it apparent to our Sacred Soveraign, and his mofi Excel- 
 lent Majefty to all the World, that you are truly Honourable, truly Noble, and now 
 tofecond my two former acknowledgments of zeal and duty to your Honour, with 
 this third, I ( though in a lefs ferious. yet more publtck manner ) prefume to make 
 you the Worthy and Noble Patron of the firfi Bookof my Tragical Hiltories, fyiwe 
 of the mean obfervations and collc&ions of my Jlpnder Travels ) wherein The 
 Triumphs' of Gods Revenge againft the crying and execrable Sin of Murthcr, 
 are fo eminent and eonfpicuous, that (except my hope betray my judgment) they 
 are mads obvious to the fight, and confequently profitable to the foul of a C hr ifiiant, 
 and> not to prophane cither your Honours cares, or my pen, with the leafi f park or 
 
 " -yt. injM/Mw.KtBc * ' c j J 5 wins a ciejire, tv at in jomejort they 
 
 might thereby reprefs that hellifbftn, againft which they folely contefl and ftoht 
 and which in theje our days ( with as muchpity as grief ) makesfo bloody , and 
 Jo lamentable a progrefwn , thereby tofirve as flops and preventions, in our Eng- 
 
 Yonr Honours 
 
 in all duty and Service, 
 
 JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
The Stationer to the Reader. 
 
 A ving been fo often importun’d for a Fifch Edition of this 
 Book , I may fcem to owe little further fatisfa&ion to 
 the World , but to procure what is defired, and anfwera 
 publike Expectation. Yet feeing that thole that have done 
 well in their former a&iom, have made themfelves Debtors to the 
 world, and mu ft for the future render a feverer account upon the 
 Icorcof their old merit. I (ball not excufe my felf from giving 
 the reafons of this new Edition in folio, becaufe the Four firfi were 
 receiv’d wich univerlal approbation ; the which, when they firfl: 
 came out, the fparkling Vein which run through them , the Tub - 
 limenei's of fomc parts, where fuitable paflions were to be expref- 
 ied, joined with the rarenefs of the Narrations , and perhaps the 
 compaffion of lomeperlons, which made thcmwifh they might 
 not be true ; began to create fufpition in fome, as if they wanted 
 truth, the foul of Hiftory : Upon which the Lord /ibbot y formerly 
 Arch bifliopof Canterbury , not willing fo great a part of GodsGo- 
 vernment in the world, fhouldbe luftained upon painted Pillars, 
 knowing the Auxiliaries Falfhood fupplies Truth with, are dan- 
 gerous , and always call’d back in her greateft occafions; did very 
 diligently enquire of the Author concerning moft of the parcicu- 
 L is, and was by him fo amply fatisfied, that that excellent perlon 
 ( who was then fo great a pare of the publike Confcicnce) did 
 jndg the Gentleman’s Travels moft profitably undertaken, and his 
 Pains plac'd for thebeft advantage ; which he did declare to the 
 Void by bis Licenle and Approbation. Befides, as a further 
 proof of their truth , l have fpoken with (everal Gentlemen, who 
 Is a vo' hid acquaintance with fome of the chiefeft ACtors. So that 
 th e -k- Ladies whole perfect goodnefs delights to ftiarc in th efuffer- 
 t- <>t of Caffandr.1 , and pay their Ceremonies of grief to empty Tombs, 
 ,> i\ I t fail that Celeftial Dew upon thofe fweet Flowers and Lil- 
 ies which here grow abouc the Grave fometiuies of unfortunate 
 Faith and clear Innocence. That, all this may appear more lively, 
 { have added the f everal Brazen Cuts, which reprefent the moft 
 conside r iblc actions, and offer a variety, which Iqueftion not but 
 v.mU be aoreeablc : for that which is more flowly deduced through 
 ° b the 
 
The Stationer to the Reader. 
 
 the courfe of a larger Narration , will at once be prelented to the 
 view, and make the imprefiion ftrikethe deeper. For, as Natura* 
 lift, obferve, that the blood of that beaft which ayes the Purple, 
 does then give the trueft ftain when he is killed at one blow : fo 
 Tragical Stories, put into fuch order that the y may at once touch 
 the ienfe , do moft paffionate'y move the affeSions . which being 
 the main End of this new Edition , and the trueft Benefit the 
 Publike can receive, To create a horror in men of a fin which is 
 pui fued of God by thofe Punilhments which arevifible, and not 
 adjourned totheGreat Day,! lhall reft allured of the acceptation 
 of the Candid Reader, to whom I am to give farther notice, That 
 this moft Excellent niftory of God’s Revenge againft Murther , in few 
 years having vended and lold all the Third and Fourth Impreffions 
 ( fo well contrived with the Graving of brafs Plates to all the 
 thirty Tragical Hiftories). I now the Fifth time prelcnt it unto the 
 World much better corre&ed than the laft Impreflion. 
 
 The whole work at large thus publifhed the Fifth time, hath 
 no Addition to the Matter, neither had any of the former. Only 
 to thefe two laft Imprelfions 1 did add the thirty brals Plates, that 
 hath fo much fatisfied the Reader, that he cannot ever hereafter 
 expect any more to be added. All which I commend to thy /find 
 acceptance, a nd mv lelf to thy fervice. 
 
/ 
 
 omo 
 
 i xl 
 
 AT ABLE 
 
 Of the Contents of all the Hiftories, Contained in 
 the whole Six Books. 
 
 'I'Ch 
 
 I . \ 
 
 ■ I c- 
 
 The Contents of the Firft ©ook. 
 
 HISTORY I. 
 
 ’Autefdin caufeth La Frcfnay an Apothecary, to poyfon her Brother 
 Grand P^e and his Wifi Mermanda, and is Likewife the caufe that her 
 fa/d Brother kjtls d‘e Mill era y her oven Husband in a Duel. La FreFnay 
 k con denized to bo hanged fir a Rafejon the Ladder confejjeth his two for- 
 mer murther s 4 and fays that B'antofclia feduced and hired hint to perform them : 
 HaUtt feint isl/kew/je apprehended. And Jo for thefe cruel //furthers they are both 
 put to fevere and cruel Deaths . Page I 
 
 hist til 
 
 
 RiCml betrayth Gdfyeuna ofhis MifirefsG hriftineta/ Gafparino challengeth 
 Pifaiii for this Dijgrace and k}l> him in the field He after conti nueth his Snte to 
 .Chriftineta, she dijjembles her malice for Pilani his De ath. she appoints G afpa- 
 rrno to meet her in a Garden wJ there cauf/th Bianco and Brindoli to n further 
 him. 'they are all three taken and ( xi cut ed for the fame . pag. *5 
 
 >V\ \ \ HIST, III. 
 
 Mortaign.f/Wer the promife of Marriage .get s Joflelina with child, and after con- 
 verting his love into hatred .caufeth La Verdure and La Palma to murther both 
 hcr&hcryoungfon.Lhejealotfieof^fdbeMxto herHusbandLa\la\mdis the caufe 
 jqf the Difccvery hereof! hey are ail three taken and executed for the fame, p.29 
 
 Be«atr ice*Joaitni.f ^7 o.caufefh deFJores to murther AlonfoPirac- 
 cjuQ who was a futer to her. Alfemero marries her, and finding dc Flores and her 
 in adultery , h/lls them both. Thomafo Pirncquo challengeth Alfemero/^r his 
 Brothers death Alfemevo kills him treacheronfly in the field,and is beheaded for 
 the fame , and his body thrown into the Sea: At his execution , he confeffethy that 
 his IV/ fe and de Flores murther ed AJonfo Piracquo* their bodies are taken up 
 out of their craves. then burnt ,and their afi/es thrown into the air . P-4 1 
 
 HIST. V. 
 
 Alilrlu* murthercth his Wife Metilla he is difcoveredfirflfy Bernardo, then by 
 Emdia his own Daughter 1 jo heis apprehended and hanged for the fall. 
 
 The Consents of the Second Book. 
 
 > HIST. VI. 
 
 Vi&orlna caufeth Sypontus tofiab&mnrtberherfirflHusbandSo\xr 2 imi,&fI)e: 
 her Jeif pay foneth Fallino hcrjecond.fo they both being miraculoufly dttettcd,and 
 tonvtUed of theft heir cruel murthersy he is beheaded, and fie hanged and burnt 
 for the fame, v- P a g*77 
 
 HIST. VII. 
 
 Catalina caufuh.Ler waiting maid An\i\vd, two fever al times to attempt to poyfon 
 h<r own Si Her Berinthi'a ; wherein fifing fie afterwards makes an Empenck •> 
 
 b a termed 
 

 termedSarmhtapoyfon herftidnfiid AnGlva: Catalina is killed withaihun- 
 der-bolt,andSaimiata hangedjorpoyfoning Aiifilva. fman\ojlcals Berinthia a- 
 i vay by her own confent : whereupon her Brother Hthahlmo fights with Antonio, 
 andfolls him in a. Duel: Berin^ij^j# revenge hereof afterwards murther ethfher\ 
 Brother Sebaftiano : flic is adjudged to be immured' twix'i two wans, anil t fieri 
 langnifheth and dies. , ] . ' . . r > pa-sr.'?"* 
 
 HIST. VIII. ' 
 
 Belluile treacheronjly murthereth Poligny in thejireet. Laurieta, Poligny V jp/H 
 Jlrifs,betrayethEeUm\e to her Chamber, & therein revenge Jhoots him thorow the 
 body with a Fiftol,when ajjjfiectpy for waiting-maid Lucilla, they lifoewife gj ve 
 him many wounds with a Poniard, & Jo murther him: Lucilla flying for this faff 
 is drowned in a Lake, and L.turieta is taken and hanged , and burnt for tfo 
 f« me - ^ . pag. 80 
 
 Jacomo de Caftelnovo, luflfully falls in love with his daughter in LawPerina 
 his own Jon Franciico de Caftelnovo’ r Wife.-whomto enjoy ,i he caujeth Jerantha 
 fir PI topoyfon his own Lady Fidelia, and then his faid Jon F rancilco de Caftel- 
 novo ; in revenge whereof,Vcx\xw treacheroufiy murthereth him in his bed. Je- 
 rantha ready to dye in travel ofclild , confejjeth her two murthers,for the which 
 Jhe is hanged and burnt. Perina hath her right hand cut off, and is condemned to 
 perpetual imprijonment, where Jhe forrowfully dies. p a g_ j 
 
 HIST. X. 
 
 Bertolini Jecfo Paulina in marriage, but Jhe loves Sturio ,andnot himjelf: he prays 
 her Brother Brellati his dear friend, toJoUicit her for him, which he doth, but 
 cannot prevail: whereupon Bertolini lets fallfome difgracefuljpeeches, both a- 
 gainjl her honour and his reputation : for which Brellati challengeth the field of 
 him, where Berto J ini foils him , & he flies for the Jame.StQtidfeefo to marry her 
 foL foflMfo r will not conjent thereunto,& conveys hifn awayfecretly.for which 
 two d/Jatfer/, Paulina dyes for forrow.Stuiio finds out Bertolini, andjends him a 
 • challenge , and having him at his mercy, gives him his life at his requell • he af 
 terwards very treacheroufiy foils Sturio with a Fetronelin the fireet from a win- 
 dow : he is tafonfor thisfecond murther , his two hands cut off, then beheaded 
 and his body thrown into the River. 5 
 
 P a g- 1 1 9 
 
 The Contents of the Third Book. 
 
 HIST. XI. 
 
 De Salcz folleth Vaumartin in a Duel $ La Hay caujeth Michael etopoyfon La 
 Frangc^De Salez loves La Uay.& becaufie his Father A rgentier will not confent 
 that he marry herfiifleth him in his bed,and then tafoes her to his Wife -,Jhe turns 
 Strumpet, and cuts his throat as he is dying,he accufeth her of this bloody fact efi 
 himfelffor murthering his Father A rgentier.^ his dead body is bang'd totbcGal 
 lows, then burnt-fa Hay confejjeth this murther, andlifowife that Jhe cau fed Mi- 
 c h a e 1 e . to poyjo « L a Frangc .fie hath her right hand cut oJf,& is then burnt alive- 
 Michacle // broken on the wheel , & his dead body thrown into the River n , , r 
 
 HIST. XII. p,I 3> 
 
 Albemare caujeth Pedro and Leonardo to murther Earetano. and he after mar 
 rieth Clara ,whom Barctano firftjought to many. He caujeth his man Valerio to 
 poyjon Pcdxo in pr, fan, & by a Letter which Leonardo Jent him, Clara perceives 
 that her Husband Albemare had hired andcaujed Pedro & Leonardo tomur 
 thcr her fir ll Lover Baretano.- which Letter Jhe reveals to the Judgfio he JS ham' 
 ed,and hfowije V alcrio and Leonardo for theft their bloody crimes vao 
 
 HIST. XHI. ' F 8 , r 
 
 Li 
 
The Contents. 
 
 L.aff^t\ay poyfoneth her waiting-maidCrdthna,becauJe Jbe is jealous that her hus- 
 . hand De Marion is difionejl with her -, whereupon he lives from her : in revenge 
 whereof Jhe caufith his man LaVillete to murther him in a wood,& then marries 
 him in requit al.Thefaid La Villete riding a year after through the J'amc wood, his 
 Horfe falls with ham, and almojl kills him ■, then he confejfcth the murther of his 
 Majler De Merfon, and accufeth his wife La Vaflelay to he the caufe thereof: fo 
 for thefe their bloody crimes, he is hanged, and fie is burnt alive. p.171. 
 
 . _ , HIST XIV. 
 
 Pidelia and Ca^eTftjiia caufe Carpi and Monteleon, with their two Lackies Loren- 
 'ZO and Anf^Irti bjto murthektheir Father Captain Bcutvente,which they perform. 
 Monteleon and his Lackey Anfelmo are drowned. Fidelia hangs her Jelj. Lorenzo 
 is hanged for a robbery, dp on the Gallows confeffeth the murthering of Benevenre, 
 'Carpi hath hit' tight hand, then his head cut off \ Cadeftina is beheaded , and her 
 body burnt. ' p. 187. 
 
 . . . HIST XV. 
 
 Maurice likg a btoidy Villain, and damnable Son, throws his Mother Chriftina into a 
 Well, and drowns her: the fame hand and arm of his, wherewith he did it, rots away 
 from his body, and being diferazed of his wits in prifondx there confejfcth this foul 
 andinhuman murther, for the which he is hanged. 200 
 
 The Contents of the Fourth Book. 
 
 HIST. xvi. 
 
 I Deaques caufeth his Son Don Ivan to marry Marfillia,#^e« commits adultery & 
 Incejlwith her m , fie makes her father in law Ideaques topoyfon his old wife Hono- 
 ria,^ likewife makes her own Brother De Pere? to kill her Chamber-maid Mathu- 
 rina Don Ivan afterwards kjds De Perez in a Duel’, Marfiilia hathker brains 
 da fit out by a Horfi,and her body is afterwards condemned to be burnt -, Ideaques 
 is beheaded, his body confumed to afies, and thrown into the air. p.z 1 7. 
 
 HIST. XVII. 
 
 Harcourt jieals away his brother Vimory’/ wife, Mafierina, and keeps her in Adul- 
 tery. she hireth Tivoly ( an Italian Mountebank .) to poyfon La Precoverte, who 
 was Harcourts wife : Harcourt kills his brother Vimory, and then marries his 
 Widow Maflerina .* Tivoly is hanged for a robbery, and at his execution accufeth 
 Mattering for hiring him topoyfon La Precoverte 5 for the which Jhe is likewife 
 hanged. Noel {who was Harcourts man) on his death-bed lufpecleth and accufeth 
 his faid Mafter for killing of his brother Vimory, whereof Harcourt being found 
 guilty he is broken alive on the wheel for the fame. p. 233. 
 
 HIST. XVIII. 
 
 Romeo (the Lackey 0/Borlary) kills Radegonda, the Chamber-maid of the Lady 
 Felifanna,/'# the flreet,andis hanged for thefame&oxUxy afterwards hireth Ca- 
 ftruchio (an Apothecary ) to poyfon her husbandSeigniox r-laneze, for the which 
 Caftruchio is hanged, and his body thrown into the River, and^oxlaxy is behead- 
 ed and then burnt. P-251. 
 
 HIST. XIX. 
 
 Reumarays, and his brother Montaign, ^///Champigny and Marin, ( his Jecond ) 
 in a Duel-, Blanche,ville(/Ae Widdow <^Champigny)/» revenge thereof hireth Le 
 Valley (who was fervant to Beumarays) to murther his faid Mijler with a Fiji ol, 
 the which he doth-, for the which Le Valley is broken on a wheel, and Blancheville 
 hanged for the fame. p.268. 
 
 HIST. XX. 
 
 b 2 Lorenzo 
 
The Contents. 
 
 Loreqzo murtherett) tsisw/fe F crm ii\’ be fit wc twenty years afterfjis altogether un- 
 ly ownfobbeth his(ana herfSon Ihoni.i (o.who iff wife not knowing Lorenzo to 
 be his Fat her. cloth aciuje hint for that robbery for the which he is hanged .p. 1 . 
 
 The Contents of the Fifth Book. * \ 
 
 HIST. XXI. 
 
 B A ptittyna and A marantha poyfin their eldefi sifler Jaquint Rafter which A r 
 mara nt ha caufeth her fervants , Ber nardo & P ieria. to Jtiflle fheir cldefjsifer 
 Baptifty na in her Bed \ Bernardo flying away freaks his neef with a fall of his 
 Horfe , Pieria is hanged for the fane ,fo li f wife A marantha, and her body after 
 burnt % Bernardo being buried., his body is again taken up , and hanged to thy 
 Callows by his feet ,then burnt , and his apes thrown into the River. n.qc 2 
 
 HIST. XXII. 
 
 Martin Qfoyfneth his brothcrPedro.&niuriherethMonfredo in the ftreet:Heafr 
 terwards grows mad,and in confefflon reveals both thefe murthers to Father 
 
 Thomas his Chofily Fat hertwho, afterwards dp mg, reveals it in his letter to Ce- 
 cilliana.jp/6fl was Widow to Monfred 6, and Sifter to Pedro and Martina, Mar- 
 tino hathfrft his right hand cut of, and then is hanged for the fame. n V, 7 
 
 HIST. XXiII. j j b ° '* 
 
 A! plton Copoyfoneth his own Mother Sophi a, and after foots and kills Cafiino (as 
 he was walking in his Garden ) with a fort musket ( or Carabine ) from a Win- 
 dow. He is beheaded for thefe two murthers , then burnt , and.bis afes thrown 
 into the River. " 
 
 HIST. XXIV. P ' 335 * 
 
 Pont Chauiey kills La Roche in a Duel. Quaibriflon caufeth Moncall ier (an 
 apothecary) to poyfon his own brother Valfontaine; Moncallier after falls and 
 
 ''lit* w ° f ,t a ’ rS - , ^ Uatbri ^ 011 mwtfi caufeth his Fathers 
 
 Mr Her 1 terot to murder andflrange Mar ieta in her bed,and to throw her body 
 
 \n % raff d f'Z 0t t ‘Uve on a wheel , and Q,, J. 
 
 bvnlm/irjt beheaded, then burnt for the fame. ^ 
 
 HIST. XXV." P-345* 
 
 Vafli iff further fh his Son George. & next poyfoneth his own wife Better and 
 
 f-t *•#. bt w nrf&ujm, t rZvffmrJ, 
 
 two murt hers, for the whtch he isfirji hanged, and then burnt. 
 
 The Contents of the Sixth Bock. 
 
 HIST. XXVI. 
 
 T Mperia for the lovefe bears to young Morofini feduceth and caufeth him(with 
 two ‘onforts, Attonicus and Donato ) id fife to death her old husband?*] 
 menus, his led: Mot ofim misfortuuately lettmgfall his gloves in Palmerius 
 his chamber, that night which he did it they are found by Richardo the Nephew 
 fl/Palmenus who knows them to be Morofini V , and doth thereupon accufe hZs 
 and his Auntlmvenixfor the murt her of his Vncle. So they together wititi 
 
 f^thefmr mCnS ^ 0Ur °f them a PP^ded and Lngld 
 
 . HIST.- XXVII. P-377* 
 
 Father a Brief and Adrian an Tnn-keeper, poyfon DeLaurier, who 
 
 JZS 4 T k * hmJf ) 7 ^ ^ in hiS ° nhard 5 ‘ wontb after 
 
 a Wolf digs him up and devours agreat part of bis body j which Father Juttinian 
 
 d Adna n underjlandmgyheyfy upon the fame fut are afterwards both oft hem 
 
 appre- 
 
i he Table of the Letters. 
 
 hendedand hanged for it. p.400 
 
 HIST. XXVIII. 
 
 Hippo'ito murthereth Garcia in the Street by night , for the which he is hanged. 
 Dominica with her Chamber-maid Denifa poyfoneth her husband Roderigq} 
 Denifa after Jlrangle'th her new born Babe , and throws it into a Pond, for the 
 which /he is hanged , on the ladder /he confc/feth that fie was ace efi'ary, with her 
 Lady Dominica, in the poy foning of her husband Roderigo jfor the which Do- 
 minica is apprehended, and likew/e hanged. p.414. 
 
 HIST. XXIX. 
 
 San&ifiore (uponpromife of marriage ) gets llrfina with child, andthen after- 
 wards very in gr ate fully andtreacherou/ly reje&eth her , andmarries Bertranna : 
 Urfina beingfenfible of this her difgraee.difguifes her felfin a Friers habit, and 
 with a cafe ofPi/lols kills Sa ndtifiore as he is walking in thefields,for the which 
 fise is hanged. p.426. 
 
 HIST. XXX. 
 
 De Mora treacherou/ly kills Palura in a Duel,with two PijlolstHis Lady Bellinda 
 with the aid of her Gentleman Zifiser F erallo, poyfoneth her husband De Mora, 
 and afterwards ftse marieth and murtherethherfaid husband Ferallo?* his 
 bed 3 fo fise is burnt alive for this her laft murther, and her a/hes thrown into 
 the air for the fir ft. P- 447 - 
 
 A TABLE, Of all the Letters (and Challenges) contained in the whole 
 Six B O O K S 3 with the rages where to find them. 
 
 Book /. Page 
 
 M Ermanda to Betanford 5 
 
 Bctanford to Mermanda 6 
 
 Grand Prc to Betanford, A Challenge 
 De Malleray to Grand Pre, A Chal. 9 
 Chriftineta/a Pilani 14 
 
 Pifani to Chriftineta 15 
 
 Chriftineta to Pifitni ib. 
 
 Pifimifo Chriftineta ib. 
 
 Galparino to Pifani, AChal. 18 
 
 Joflelina to Montaign 26 
 
 Jofielina to Calintha ib. 
 
 Calinthafo joflelina 27 
 
 Alfemero to Beatrice- Joanna 37 
 
 Beatrice- Joanna to Alfemero ib. 
 
 Alfemero to Beatrice- Joanna ib. 
 
 Beatrice- Joanna to Alfemero ib. 
 
 Thotnafo to Alonfo Piracquo 39 
 
 Thomafe) Piracquo to Alfemero, A 
 challenge 43 
 
 Book fil. 
 
 Sypontus /<? Vifrorina 63 
 
 Sypontus /o Vidtorina 65 
 
 Victorina to Sypontus ib. 
 
 Sypontus to Victorina 66 
 
 Antonio to Berinthia 7 6 
 
 Berinthia to Antonio 77 
 
 Antonio to Berinthja 87 
 
 Berinthia to Antonio 80 
 
 Antonio to Berinthia ib. 
 
 VilarezofoSebaftiano 83 • 
 
 Sebaftiano to Antonio,^ Chal. ib. 
 
 Poligny to Laurieta 9 3 
 
 Laurieta to Poligny ib. 
 
 Beiluile to Poligny, AChal. 94 
 
 La Palaifiere/<? Poligny 96 
 
 Poligny to La Palaifiere ib. 
 
 Beiluile to Laurieta 98 
 
 Laurieta to Beiluile 99 
 
 Pcrina to Caftelnovo ill 
 
 Caftelnovo to Perina 112 
 
 Perina to Caftelnovo 1 13 
 
 Caftelnovo to Perina 114 
 
 Caftelnovo to his Son Caftelnovo ib. 
 Brcllati to Bertolini,/4 chal. 122 
 
 Sturio to Paulina . 124 
 
 Paulina #0 Sturio 125 
 
 Sturio to Bertolini,^cA<*/. 126 
 
 Book. HI • 
 
 Vaumartin taDeSalez, AChal. 145 
 DeSalez/0 Vaumartin ib. 
 
 Vaumartin to De Salez ib. 
 
 Argentier to De Salcz.- 154 
 
 Baretanoto Clara. x$9 
 
 Clara 
 

 Clara to Baretanp 
 
 Baretano to Clara 
 
 Clara to Baretano 
 
 l^eonardo to Albemare 
 
 Oi V aflelay to De Bremay 
 
 De Bremay to La Vaflelay 
 
 La Vaflelay to De Merlon 
 
 De Merlon to La Vaflelay 
 
 La Vaflelay to Merfon 
 
 De Merlon to La Vaflelay 
 
 Fidelia and Celeftina to Alcafero 
 
 Carpi to Fidelia 
 
 Fidelia to Carpi 
 
 Carpi to Fidelia 
 
 Alcafero to Carpi, A chal. 
 
 
 Book IF - 
 
 Don Juan to Ideaques 222 
 
 Don Juan to Marfillia jb. 
 
 Ideaques to Don Juan 223 
 
 Marfillia to Don Juan ib. 
 
 Don Juan to Marfillia *24 
 
 De Perez to Don Juan, A Chal. 235 
 Don Juan to De Perez 226 
 
 La Precoverte to Harcourt 239 
 
 La Precoverte to Maflerina 243 
 
 Haicouit/n La Precoverte ib. 
 
 Maflerina to La Precoverte 245 
 
 Borlary to Planeze,^ chal. 253 
 
 Pkneze to Borlary 25a. 
 
 Borlary to Felifanna 257 
 
 Felifanna/o Borlary 258 
 
 Borlary to Felilanna jb. 
 
 Planeze to Borlary, A Chal. 260 
 
 Caftruchio to Borlary 265 
 
 Biancheville to Beaumarays 270 
 
 Champigny to Beaumarays,^ Chal.iyi 
 Beaumarays' to Champigny jb. 
 
 Fermia to Moron 284 
 
 f ermia to Moron 287 
 
 Moron/0 Fermia 288 
 
 Fermia to Moron 290 
 
 Moron to Fermia • jb. 
 
 Book v - 
 
 Baptiflina and Amarantba to Streni 
 
 302 
 
 Baptiflina and Amarantha to Jaquinta 
 
 ib. 
 
 Streni /o Baptiflyna d- Amarantha 313 
 
 Juquinta to Baptiflyna & Amarat 
 
 Amarantha to Streni 
 Amarantha to Baptiflyna 
 Catharina/0 Delrio 
 Martino to Delrio 
 Dtlrio to Catbarina 
 Delrio to Martino 
 Delrio to Cecilliana 
 Cecilliana to Delrio 
 F ather Thomas to Cecilliana 
 Caflino /o Sophia 
 Sophia to Caflino 
 Sophia to Caflino 
 Caflino to Sophia 
 Caflino to Sophia 
 Sophia to Caflino 
 Caflino to Sophia 
 La Pratiere to Valfontain 
 Valfontain to La Pratiere 
 La Pratiere to Valfontain 
 Valfontain to La Pratiere 
 Quatbriflon to Valfontain 
 Salyna to Vafti 
 Vafti to Salyna 
 Salyna to Vafti 
 
 Book T/. 
 lmperia to Morofini 
 Morofini to lmperia 
 
 lmperia to Morofini 
 Morofini to lmperia 
 Bondino to Palmerius 
 Le Laurier to DuPont 
 Hippolito/0 Roderigo 
 Roderigo to Hippolito 
 Cervantella to Roderigo 
 Dominica to Roderigo 
 Roderigo to Cervantella 
 Roderigo to Dominica 
 Cervantella to Roderigo 
 Sanftifiore to Urfina 
 Urfina Sandtifiore 
 Sandtifiore to Urfina 
 Urfina to Sandtifiore 
 Urfina to Sandtifiore 
 Placedo to Urfina 
 Bellinda to Palura 
 Palura to Bellinda 
 
 ib. 
 
 383 
 ib. 
 3 36 
 
 387 
 
 393 
 
 405 
 
 417 
 ib. 
 
 418 
 
 4'9 
 
 ib. 
 
 ib. 
 
 4ao 
 
 427 
 ib. 
 
 428 
 ib. 
 
 433 
 
 437 
 
 454 
 
 ib. 
 
 
 
Hid I. 
 
 The Triumphs of Gods revenge againft the Crying 
 and Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 history i. 
 
 HautckYia caufeth LaFrefna an Apothecary, topoyfonher brother G randPre, and bis Wife Mer- 
 manda^W is lik^wife thecaufe that her faid Brother k^lls De Mallcray her own Husband in a Vneh 
 La Frelna condemned to be banged for a Rape > oh the Ladder cmfeffeih bis two former Mothers, and 
 fays that Hautefelia feducedand hired him to perform them Hautefdia is likgwife apprehended, and 
 fo for the cruel Murther r, they are both put to fvere and cruel deaths. 
 
 I F our Contemplation dive into elder times, and our curiofity turn over the variety of anci- 
 ent and modern Hiitoriesfas well Divine as Humane) wc dull rind that Ambition^Revcnge, 
 and Murther, have ever proved fatal crimes to their undertakers : for they are vices which foe- 
 
 R clipfi 
 
2 Gods Itevengc againjl Mur t her. Book I. 
 
 clipfe our judgments, and darkens our underftandings, as we fhallnot only fee with grief, but 
 find with repentance, that they will bring us fhame for glory, affliction for content, and mifer'y 
 for felicity. Now as they are powerful in Men, fo they are (fbmetimes) implacable in Women, 
 who (with as much vanity as malice) delight in thefe iins : as if that could add grace to their bo- 
 dies, that deforms their fouls, or luftre and profperity to their days, that makes (hipwrack both 
 of their fortunes and lives It is with grief and pity (yea not with paffion,but compaflion j that I 
 inftancc this in a Gentlewoman, w ho was born to honour, and not to lhame,had not thefe three 
 aforefaid vices dike fo many infernal Furies) lain her glory in the duft,aud drag’d her body to 
 an untimely and infamous grave. It it isaHiftory that hath many (orrowful dependences, and 
 which produccth variety of di (ailerons and mournful accidcntsiwherein (by thejuil judgment 
 of God) we (hall fee Ambition bitterly fcourged, Revenge (harp!y rewarded, andMurther fe- 
 verely punifhed by whofe example, if all that profefs Religion become Ids impious,and more 
 truly religious, we (hall then lead the whole courfe of our lives, in fuch peaceful and happy tran- 
 quillity, as (arming our felvcs with refolution to live and die in the favour of Heaven) we 
 need not fear either what earth, or hell can do unto us. The Hillory is thus : 
 
 N Ear Auxone (aftrong and ancient Town upon the Frontiers of "Burgundy, and the free 
 County) dwelt an aged grave Gentleman (nobly defccndcd,and of a-very fair detnaynes) 
 named Monficur de Grandmont, who had to his wile a virtuous Lady, termed Madamoyfdle de 
 Corny e , the only daughter of Mounfieur de Bufirat ,a worthy Gentleman of the City o l' Dole. This 
 married couple for a long time lived in the greateft height of content, that either earth could af- 
 ford, or thdr hearts could defirc s for as one way they grew opulent in Lands and wealth, fo a- 
 nother way they, were indued with three hopeful Sons, Grand Pre^Vileneufe, and MaJJerou, and 
 with two Daughters, Madamoyfelles de HautCfelia, and de CreJJye, a fair Poilerity * they bleft in 
 their parents,and their Parents hoping themfclves bleft in them j (o as (to the eye of the world) 
 this one family promifed to make many, (cfpccially feeing the youngeft of the five had already 
 attained its tenth year ) but God in his Providence ordained the contrary. 
 
 Grand Pre(as the firft and chiefeft Pillar of the hou(e) craves leave of his Father that he might 
 ferve his Ajpprcntifhip in the Wars, under the command of that incomparable Captain, Grave 
 Maurice, then Earl of Kafflaw, fince Prince of Orange. Vtleneufc delighting in Books, his Father 
 thought fit to fend to Pont-au Moufflon, and thinking to retain Matron with him, he for his beau- 
 ty was begg’d a Page, by that valourous Marfhal of France , who fo willingly and unfortunate- 
 ly loti his Head in the Bajlile of Paris. 
 
 As for their two Daughters: Haute felia lived with her Parents j and de Creflyt they prefented 
 to a great Lady of Burgundy, who was long fince the molt afflided and forrowful Wife and 
 Mother to the Barons of Lux , Father and Son, who were both Haiti by that generous and brave 
 I jorayn Prince, the Duke of Guife. 
 
 But behold the inconftancy of fortune, or rather the power and pleafure of Heaven which 
 can foon metamorphofe our mirth into mourning, our joys into tears, and our hopes into dcfpair; 
 for within the compafs of one whole year, we (hall fee three of thefe five Children laid in their 
 graves, and of three feveral deaths i> for Vilcncufe was drowned at Pont-au Moufflon , as he bathed 
 himfelf in the River > Maffleron was killed in a Duel at Fontain blcauby Kofflat a Gafcoyn, bein^ 
 Page to the Duke of Efpemon •, and Hautefelia died at home of a burnin* Feaver with her Pa^ 
 rents j a triple lofs, which doth not only afflid their hearts and fouls, but alfo feems to drowii 
 their eyes with a deluge of mournful and forrowful tears. 
 
 Grandmont and de Corny his Wife, being thus made unfortunate and wretched by the death of 
 three of their Children, they reiolve to call home their other two, to be comforts and props to 
 their old age* but their hopes may deceive them.Firft, from the Baronds of Lux comes deCrefflye 
 who fucceeding her Sifter, we muft now term by the name for rather by the titIe)of Iijuufdia > 
 who hath a great and bloody part to aft upon the Theatre of this Hiftory : after her, very 
 (hortly, comes Grand Pn from Holland, where (in divers fervices) he left many honourable and 
 memorable marks of his prowefs and valour behind him. 
 
 Upon his arrival to his Fathers Houfe, the flower of all the Nobility and Gentry of th* 
 Country come to condole with him, for the death of his Brothers and Sifter, as alfo to congratu- 
 late his happy return (an office and complement which expreifeth much aflfedion and civility) 
 They find Grand Pre a brave com pleat Gentleman, not in outward pride, but in imvard genera.' 
 fityand vertue, notin the vanity of fafhions and apparel, but in the perfr&ion and indow- 
 tnems of his mind and body j he is wholly addided to the exercife of War and not to the 
 art of courting Ladies > his delights are in the Camp of Mars and Bdlona, and not in the Pal ace 
 of Venus and Cowell knowing that the one will breed him honour and glory, and the other 
 fiiame and repentaneejhis paftims arc not crifping and powdering of his hair, quarrelling with 
 
 his 
 
Hift. I. 
 
 Grand Pre and Mermanda. 
 
 his Taylor for thefafhion of his Cloaths, dancingin Velvet pumps, and tracing the Streets in 
 neat perfumed Boots with jangling Spurs > yea, he refembleth not* young fpruce Courtiers, who 
 think no Heaven to brave Apparel, nor Paradife to that of their Miftreis beauty for he only 
 pracliteth riding ofgreatHori'es, Tilting, running at Ring,difplayingot Colours, tolling the Pike, 
 handling the Musket, ordering of Rank and File, thereby to make himfelf capab’e to conduct 
 and embattail an Army, and to environ, fortifie, or befiege a City or Caftle, or the like } yea, he 
 fpurns atthc Lute and Vfol,and vows there is no Mulick to the ratling of the DrumandTrum- 
 pet.and to the thundringof the Musket and Cannonsbut this Warlike and Marflial humour of 
 his fhall not laft long. Wherein vve may obferve the vanity of our thoughts, the inconllancy of 
 our delights, and the alteration and mutability of our refolutioiis y for now we fhall fliortly fee 
 Grand Pre hate that he loved, and love that he hated} yea, we fhall fee him fo plunge and drown 
 himfclf in the beauty of a fair and fweet Gentlewoman, as he lhall leave Holland tor Burgundy, 
 War tor Peace, Arms for Love, and Enemies for a Miftrefs : but time mull work this alteration 
 and metamorpholis. 
 
 The old Gentleman his Father feeing Grand Pr^s Martial difpolit ion, tears left this ambitious 
 and generous humour of his will induce him to feek Wars abroad, fitft he finds none at home * 
 and therefore dciirous of his company and prefence, in that it will fweeten his former affli&i- 
 ons, and give life to his future hopes and content, he profcrs him the choice of many a rich and* 
 fair young Gentlewoman for his Wife,of the belt and mod ancient Families in and near Auxonei 
 but Grand Pr e is deaf to theft requeits and motions, and thinks it adifparagement and blcmdh 
 to his valour, if he ihctuld any way Uiten, or give car thereto } the which his Father perceiving, 
 and underftanding,hc bethinks himfclf of a further invention, and fo refolves at Winter to leave 
 the'Cotmtry, and to recide in the City of Dijon, (famous for the ancient feat of the Dukes of 
 Burgundy, and for the prefent Court of Parliament) hoping that there amongft the multitude of 
 fwcct Ladies and Gentle women, wherewith that City is adorned, his fon Grand Fre might at laft 
 efpy fome Paragon of Nature, vvhofc beauty might have power to fubdue and captivate his 
 affections ■, and indeed (as the lequel will fhew) the event anfwereth his expectation. 
 
 For on a Sunday morning in Lent, as Grand Prc went to the Royal Chappel to hear father 
 Juftinian (a Capuchin Fryer ) preach, he oppofite to him efpies a molt delicate and beautiful 
 young Lady, (lender of body, tall of ltature, fair of taint and complexion, having a quick and 
 gracious eye, with pure and delicate hair of a flaxen colour, being infinitely rich in Apparel, 
 yet far richer in the perfections and excellencies of a true and perfedt beauty } in a word, (he 
 was fo amiable and fo lovely, fo fweet,and fo pleating to his eyes, as at her very fir ft tight Grand 
 Pre could not retrain from blufhing, as being ravifhed with the fweetnefs of fa fair an objedt, 
 foas his heart panted and beat within him, as being not accuftomed to encounter with iuch 
 beauties, or with fuch fudden pailions and alterations. 
 
 Now by this time this young Gentlewoman (whofe namd we fhall anon know) could not 
 but perceive with what earneftnefs and delight Grand Pre beheld her, and feeing him to be a pro- 
 per young Gallant, and richly apparelled and followed,the could not refrain from dying her Lil- 
 ly cheeks with a Vermilion blufh, which gave fuch grite to her beauty, and fo inflamed our 
 poor Grand Pre, as he couldno longer refift the influence of fuch amorous aflaults } and now it 
 is that his thoughts ftrikes fail to aftedion,and his heart doth homage to beauty,fo as he revokes 
 his former opinion conceived againft the power and dignity of Love, which lie now holds erro- 
 nious, and in his heart vows that there is no fuch felicity in the world as to injoy the Lady of 
 his defires, whom his eyes and foul chiefly honour and adore : But it he be infnared and impri- 
 foned in the fetters of her beauty, no lefs is fhe in tliofe of his perfonage,only (he is more coy and 
 precife in the exterior demonftration thereof} for as he cannot keep his eyes from gazing on hery 
 fo fhe feems but to look on him by ftealth,or if fhe tranfgrefs that Decorum, file immediately, in 
 outward appearance, checks her eyes from ranging beyond the lifts of modefty and d^crction. 
 
 But by this time to the grief of our new Lovers, the Sermon is ended,and all prepare to depart, 
 fo their eyes with much difeontent and unwillingnefs,for that time take leave each of o the r>and 
 hereG/'jWPrcmakinga turn or two in theChurch,is doubly tormented and perplexedjhrft with 
 grief that he is deprived of his Miftris fight, &: then with forrow,that he neither knows her, nor 
 her namc:But as love refines our wits,and gives an edg to our intentions, fo he (hews her to his * 
 Page, and fends him to make feexet enquiry what fhe is. His Page fpeedily returns, and informs 
 him, that fhe is Midamoyfd Mermanda,eldd\ daughter to M ttunfieur dc Crefj'onville, one of the chief- 
 eft Presents of the Court of Parliamcnt.Gr^ Pre extremely rejoyceth. tokno^r what fhe wts, 
 
 . and far the more, in refpedt he fees it no disparagement either to himfclf or his Houfe to marry 
 her:and therefore omitting alltither defignes and refo!utions(and bidding farewel to the Wars) 
 he refolves to feck her in Marriageyto which end, the next day, he of let pur pole, with a Gentle- 
 man or two of his intimate and familiar friends, infinuates himfelf into her Fathers houfe, who 
 
 B 2 being 
 
Book I. 
 
 4 God'i Revenge ngainji Mnrtber. 
 
 beingabfent, whiles they entertain the Mother, hefunder colour of other conicrcnce,) courts 
 the Daughter : yea, now his affection is to her by many degrees redoubled, becaufe he iees the 
 cxcelkncy ot her mind is anlvverable to that of her perfon > and now flic coming like wife to 
 know him, is as it were wrapt up in the contemplation of a thou find fwcet contents, which 
 fo work on her affection, for rather on her heart ) as if he think » himfelt happy in feeking iuch 
 aMiUrefs, (he efteems her lelf b'ell in finding fuch a Servant. 
 
 Grand Pre finds his iirlt entertainment from Mcrmanda to be refpedfive and pleafing > and fo 
 authorized by her courtelicand advice, he taking time at advantage, goes to the old Prciident 
 her father, and bewrays to him his affedfion to his Daughter, and the defire he hath to obtain 
 her tor his Wife : fo having begun his hut, he leaves his Father Grandmont to linifo it, and con- 
 tinually frequents the company of his beautiful MiUrds Mcrmanda. 
 
 Her f afher Crcfionvilk dillikes not this match,but deems it both agreeable and honourable > 
 only he knows that Grandma, n hath likewife one only Daughter, and himfelr one only Son , fo 
 he infinitely ddires, to make this a double Match, thereby to contract a more firm and hr idler 
 league betwixt their two houfes: this is propofed and debated, as well between the younger 
 folks, as ihe old Parents, and at laid it takes effed fo as purpofeiy omit ring, firlt the conference, 
 then the Letters lent, trom Grand Pre to Mcrmanda , and from Mcrmanda to Grand fre \ from De 
 Mailer ay ( CrcjJjniillcs Son ) to Hautcftlia , and from Plant eft lia to T>e Malkray , becaufe.the infer- 
 ring thcrLorwould make this brief Hiitory fwell into an ample volume > Thefe Marriages, to 
 the joy of rhe Parents, and thefweer content of their Sons and Daughters, arepompoufly fo- 
 lemnized in T>ijon, with all variety of Feahing, Dancing, and Masking, anfwerabk to their de- 
 grees and dignities.But thefe Marriages (hall not prove fo fortunate as is hoped, and expededi 
 neither was Hymintus invited thereunto, or if he were, he refufed to come » and therefore Lucina 
 wijl likewife lave her labour, becaufe die knows that neither of thefe two young married Gen- 
 tlewomen (hall live to make ufe of her affiftance. 
 
 And here before I proceed farther, I wifo the event of this Hiftory could give the lie to this 
 enfuing polition, That there is no pride nor malice to that of a woman * but I have more reafon 
 to fear, than hope to believe the contrary dor no {boner, have our two young couples reaped the 
 fruits of Marriage, and the felicity of their defires, but we (hall fee the Sim-lhine of their joy o- 
 vertaken with a dilmal Itorm of grief, forrow, and misfortune s whereby we may obierve and 
 learn, that there isnoperfednor permanent felicity under the Sun, but that all things in this 
 world, yea^thc world it lelf is lubjed to revolution and change. The manner is thus : 
 Hautcftlia envies her Siller in Law Mcrmanda s advancement, and contemns her own*, (he likes 
 not to give the hand to her, whom (he knows is by dilcent her inferiour,and to fpeak true, pre- 
 fers a Scarlet Cloak before a Black, and a Sword-man before a Pen-man *, thefe ambitious con- 
 ccitsof hers, proceeding from Hell, will breed bad blood, and produce mournful etfeds > yea 
 peradventure itrangle her, who ifnbraccth and pradifeth them. 
 
 Mcrmanda is of a gracious and mild nature, Hautcftlia of an imperious and revengeful, ne- 
 ver any married couple live more contented, nor pall more pleaf ant days, than did rand Pre 
 and his fair Mcrmanda tor the fpace of One whole year i wherein flic bore her fdf fo lo\ ing and 
 courteous towards him, and he fo kind and pleufant to her, as their fweet carriage, and honoura- 
 ble and vertuous behaviour, was of all the world ( H.tutefelia only excepted) highly praifed and 
 applauded. But Hautcftlia envying Mcrmanda s profperity and glory, becaufe foe could neither 
 parallel the one, nor equal the other, and feeing with norther eyes than thole of ambition and 
 envy, bethinks her felf how foe might aeft her difgrace, and eclipfe the lplendor of her vertues 
 and glory. When remembring that the Bironot Bctanford (dwelling not far from Auxone ) 
 (ometimes vilited her Brother Grand Pre, as alfo he had lately done her two unkind offices , the 
 one, by buying a Jewel from her, winch (he was in price with, of a Gold-Smith atDii<w-Fair;and 
 t he other^or retaining a little fine white Frizdand Dog,which his Page had hole from her: ihe 
 thinkstogivetwo ftrokes with oneftone, and at one time to be revenged both of the Baron 
 and of her Sifter in Law Mcrmanda. 
 
 Judge, Chriftian Reader, what limplc rcafbns and trivial motives this inconliderate Gcntle- 
 woman hath for her malice, but (he is refolute therein, and as Ihe hath laid the foundation^ (he 
 will perfedf the edifice of her malice and revenge winch to effedt, (he fends a (ervant of hers 
 purpolcly near Auxone , to her Brother Grand Pre, and writes him a Letter to this effedi • She 
 intreats him tocornc ride over to her,forfhe hath a fecret of importance to reveal tohim which 
 fhe holds not fit Jo commit to pens and withall adviieth him, to frame fomc other excuffi fn- 
 wards her Husband for his hidden coming. 
 
 Grand p re arrived at Vijtm, and is welcomed of his Brother and’Sifter, but he difeovers her to 
 be more forrowful than accuftomedihe is ignorant what thefe clouds of her difeontent import 
 or from whence they arife i but he Hull know too foon, and his curiofity (hall pay dear to uni 
 
 derftand 
 
Hilt. |. Grand Pre and Mermanda . 
 
 dcrlund it.Supper aided, they fetch a walk in the Garden, and fo he is conducted to his Cham- 
 ber, where his Brother m Law D l Malltiray giving him the good night, his Sitter HauufJia with 
 tears in her eyes informs him, that flic knows tor certain, the Baron of EcWtford is too familiar 
 with liis Wife Mermanda , yea, beyond the bounds of honcity: the which (he mult needs reveal 
 to him, becaufc his honour is hers, which, as (he is bound by nature, (he will cherifii and prefer VC 
 as her own life. 
 
 Grand Pre amazed at this ft range and. unlooked-for news, is like one lunatick, or rather Ihrk 
 mad, he (tamps with his toot,throws away his hat, now calling hiimfelf on the bed, then on <hc 
 door •, yea', and had not his Silter prevented him, he had -killed hinifclf with his own Swcrd : 
 theieare the wretched paflions of jealouiie, which tranfport our (elves beyond our (elves, and 
 our rcafons beyond the limits of reafon: and now this vile and malicious Sifter ot his,(more out 
 of policy than charity) ufeth many prayers and perfwaiions, brings him again to hinifclf, and 
 they conclude to keep it lecret from all the world,bnt withall Grand Pre vows fharpjy to be re- 
 venged both of his Wife, and the Baron of Bctanford. 
 
 H.iutefcha having thus broached her inveterate and implacable malice (laughing hereat like 
 a Gyplie) betakes her felf to her reft, leaving her Brother not to lleep, but to drive out the night 
 in watchfulnefsand jealouiie : who the next morn (fooner than his accuftomed hour) nleth, 
 takes his leave of his Brother and Sifter, and Co very penfive and forrowful rides home. 
 
 A/c round* finds her Husband lad, and inquires the caufe thereof •, (he prays him, that if any 
 grief or mis.ortune have befallen him, (he may participate and bear the one half thereof, as fhe 
 doth of his joy and profperity : and as (he was wont to do, proffereth to ki£s hitmbut he flights 
 her, and with much unkindnefs and difdain puts her oft' > whereat (he is amazed, as not acquain- 
 ted with fuch difeourtelie. After Supperf jealouiie being his chiefeft diflnand grief, hers)hc makes 
 three or four folitary turns in the Court, and then (ends his Page tor his Wife, who betwixt com- 
 fort and grief, hope and defpair, prelently comes to him. He demands of her whether (he wiil 
 walk with him s (he an five re th, that his plcafure (hall ever be hers > andthat (he will molt 
 joyfully and willingly wait on him where he pleafeth : he brings her to a (blitary Grove, and 
 there having choler in his looks, and tire in his tongue, he chargeth her ot difhonefty with the 
 Baron of Betanfbrd. # 
 
 Poor Mermanda, as it were pierced to the heart with the thunder- bolt of this news, falls to 
 the grouud in a fainting fwoon : yea, Grand Pre her Husband had much ado to recover her, 
 when coming again to her (elf, (he with many volleys ot iighs, and rivolets ot tears, purge th- 
 her ft If of thaumputation and fcandahthe blames his credulity and jealoufie, terms her accuftjs- 
 devils and witches, invokes heaven and earth to bear wituefs ot her innocency •> and withal! 
 dears the Baron of Be tanford,vow mg and protefting by her part and hope of heavetyhat he ne- 
 ver attempted nor opened fiis mouth to make her the leaft (hadow of lo unchaftc a motion. 
 
 Grand P re weighing her words, and feeing her bitter and forrowful tears, believes his W ite,and- 
 fo trees both her lelf and the Baron s prays her to pardon him, and vows that he will love Her 
 dearer than before, and for ever forget and bury the memory thereof in perpetual oblivion and 
 forget fulnefs 
 
 But his Wife Merma/^.*,notwithftandmg this fubmiflion and reconciliation of her Husband, 
 is ftill vexed in mind, as finding it ealie to admit grief, but difficult to*expell it : . fhe knows not 
 what to do,nor ot whom to take advice how (he (hould bear her (elf in this (freight and perplex- 
 ity, for well (he knows, that if theBaron of BetanfbrdfhowM come tu viiif her Husband, as former- 
 ly he was accuftomed to do, it Would revive and confirm his jealoufie, although they were both 
 as innocent as innocency it felf. Now (lie refolves to write the Baron a Letter to refrain her 
 honfe:but then (he thinks it too much iudiferetion & prefumptioii to attempt it, or that the Let- 
 ter might be intercepted, or her Husband have news thereof, but again, fearing his coming, and 
 encouraged through her innocency, (he refolves to write unto him: which (lie doth to this effecf: 
 
 J 'l is not with blnjkes,but tears, that t prefume to mite unto you ]for indeed it grieves me to publifh my 
 Husbands folly , which by duty I know I am bound to conceal > neither hadl attempted it, but that grief 
 and necefjtty throws me on this exigent : for fo it is, that r>ty unfpottedchajlity is not capable to defend hint 
 from jealoufie, which maizes me as much triumph in mine own loyalty, its 1 grieve at his ingratitude: and not 
 content to wrong me, bis folly, or rather bisfrenfie hath reflection on you,whom he takes to be both the objett 
 and caufe thereof : but as your innocency can jujily warrant and defend mine honour] and your honour my 
 innocency from the leajl jhadow of that crime > Jo that we may both indeavour, rather to (juettoh than cn~ 
 flame this bis irregular pafflon j I mji humbly befeech you to refrain our houfe, and neither to vifit me, nor 
 be familiar with him^and Jo per adventure time may wear away from bis thoughts, that which at prefent 
 truth atufreafon cannot . Tour relucent Virtues and true gcnerofity affure me of this courtefle, the which 1 
 will repay with thanks, and requite with prayers, that your days may be as infinite as your perfections , and 
 your fame m glorious as your merits . MER M A N D A. 
 
 B 3 The 
 
6 
 
 Book 1. 
 
 God's Revenge againjl Murtber. 
 
 The Barou receives this Letter, praileth Mermaiidd’s dilcretion, and laughs at Grand iVt- s 
 folly, cxtolleth her innocency^tnd condemns his jealoufiejhe will be carefuUo preferye a Ladies 
 honour, dpecially one fo truly chafte and. honourable as A Iermanda : he before had a purpoie to 
 fee l J «iw,but now this occalion doth both crown and confirm his refoiutiom he makes rea Jy 1 is 
 preparatives and biggage, and lo takes Coach for that great City, which abounds with the 
 great eft part of the Nobility of the whole Kingdome : but before his departure, he returns 
 A Iermanda this Anfwer. 
 
 Y Ottr virtues and my confcience , mxl% us as unworthy of your Husbands jealou fa m he of fo chafe a 
 iVife as Mermanda, and fa true a friend as Betanford •* but as your affection to him bath [till Jhincd 
 in your loyalty , foitmufi now in your patience *, fith he in this bafi-pajjton of his Jerking bis ownjhame , 
 p/illat la\l ajjuredly find out your glory. Had his folly revealed me fo much as your dijerett Letter , I 
 would have exchanged my Pen to a Sward , and with the hazard of my life , and lofs of my dearcjl bloody 
 made known as well to him as to the whole world, the truths both of your ebajlity and honour, and of mine 
 honour and innocency : In the mean time J will both embrace and obey your requeji, and will manage it 
 with fucb obfervance to your Husband , fitch rcfpeH to your venues, and fuch regard to mine own refuta- 
 tion, as I hope he {hall rejlfatisficd of your chafity t awards himfilf, and of mine-to you *, other wife! prize 
 Ladiis of yotir perfections at Jo high a rate , and fit Cavaliers of his humour and inclination at Jo low an 
 tjhcm , that Iwillkpow how to anfwer his choler with contempt, and to requite your difiretionbotb with 
 admiration andpraije. 
 
 EETANFORD. 
 
 Mermanda very joyfully receives this Letter : but hers to the Baron prod ucethdfe&s con- 
 trary to her hopes j for Grand P re under lianditig of the Baron of BetanfordJs fudden departure 
 for Paris (as jealoufic is full of eyes) he fears a Plot betwixt him and his Wife, and fo confirms 
 his former fufpition of her difloyalty •, he therefore converts his love into hatred towards her, 
 and now (to (hew the fruits and effects of his jealoufie) refufeth her his Bed, than which, to a 
 clrafte and vertuous Wife, nothing can be more diftafteful. 
 
 At this ingrateful difeourtefie, poor Mermanda tears her hair, figheth, weepeth, mourneth, 
 and lamenteth in fuch pittiful fort, that it leems nothing in the world is capable to comfort her: 
 but (he conceals her grief as fccretly as (lie may : only her pale cheeks and difeontented looks, 
 as^ the outward heralds. of her inward affection, do lilently dilcover and bewray it. 
 
 Her Husband's Father and Mother, Qrandmont, and de Carnye, all this while know nothing of 
 this difeontent between GrandPre and Mermanda but their malicious and wretched Daugh- 
 ter Hautefclid (whole malice never lleepsj hath lpics in every corner ot her fathers houfe, who 
 advertife her thereof*, whereat (he infinitely triumpheth and rejoyceth. But this joy of hers 
 (hall be but as a breath on fteel, or as ftnoak before the wind. 
 
 GrandPre this mean time boils with inveterate rage, and his jealoufie carries him to fuch ex- 
 treams, as he vows to be revenged, firft of Betanford, then of his Wife, to which dfedt he pre- 
 tends bufinefs to Cbaaldns (as what will malice leave unpretended ? ) and taking a choife Horfe, 
 a Page, and two Lackeys with him, he paffetjb a contrary way, and comes firft to Troy, then to 
 Brie-count Robert (a days journey from Paris) where being very private in his Inne, he writes a 
 Challenge, and taking afide his Page, delivers it him, and commands him^ at break of day to 
 poft with all expedition for Paris where being arrived, to go to the Crown of France in Saint 
 Honorics Street, and fccretly to deliver it to the Baron of Betanford , to take his Anfwer, and to 
 return the fame night. 
 
 The Page to obey his Mafter’s command,fccms rather to fly,than poft > he fitly finds out the 
 Baron, and very fairly delivers him the Letter, who breaking up the Seal, therein finds thefe 
 words : 
 
 GRAND PRE, to thoBaron of BETANFORD. • 
 
 Y OV need no other witnej's than yourfelfto inform you in how high a nature you have wronged me,and 
 herein your falfe glory hath nude my true Jhame fo apparent, as I had rather die than live to digejl 
 it : for not to diffimble you my malice, as you have done me your friendjhip, I can fooner forgef all other of- 
 fences, than pardon this:thenfore thinkjt not j Range that I requcjlyou to meet me on Thurfday morning 
 next, at five or fix, either with your Sword or Rapier on Horje-bacl ^ or afoot at Carency, half a league 
 from Brie-count Robert, where the Bearer hereof fh all exp ell you, to conduit you fafely to afairMedow, 
 where without Seconds I will attend ' you. It is impofftble for me to receive any other J'atijf a ttion j for to 
 Write you. the truth, nothing but your life, or mine, is capable to decide this difference. 
 
 GRAND PRE, 
 
 At 
 
Hift. I. Grand Pre and Mermanda. 7 
 
 At the reading hereof, the Baron is fo far from the kail ihew, or apprehenlirin of tear, as he is 
 pleafant and jocund , yea, he caufeth Grand Pre s Page to dine with him, and after dinner, takes 
 hitnaiide, and fpeaksto him thus. Tell thy Majler, that L mil not fad to meet him on Mwfe-back, 
 without a feeond, at the hour and place appointed. The next morn he difpecdsaway a choice Horle, 
 which his Lackey leads, and about ten of the C!ock,only with his Chirurgion, and Page, takes 
 Coach, and comes that night to Carency, where he lodgeth. 
 
 The next morning being Thurfday ( the day appointed to tight) Grand?rc % pretending to go 
 to the Church , fends away his Page to Carcncy, to await and attend the Baron,and fo only with 
 his Chiruroion hies himfelf to the lield i which he tirll entered, and immcdiatelyfbcfore he had 
 fully made tour turns) in comes Bctanfordyvhom Grand Pet’s Page had met at C.armcy, and now 
 conduced thither, having only his Chirurgion with him, and having left his Coach, Page, 
 and Lackey, a furlong off, with command not to ltir , till they heard from him. 
 
 The Chirurgionsf inftead of two Gentlemen for their Secortds)difpofe themfejvesf according 
 to the Order aiid Ceremonies of Duels)to fearch the Combatants for Coats of Male, or the like! 
 but they might have eafed thcmfelves of this labour and curiolity , for both the Gentlemeri 
 were too honourable, to have their valours tainted with this bafe point of cowardize or treache- 
 ry i yea, inmecr contempt thereof, they both ofpurpofe had lett their Doublets behind them. 
 And now begins a Combate,as memorable as bloody, yea, performed with fuch valour, dexterity, 
 and refolution, thatasthefe times infinitely admire, fo fucceedmg ages will very difficultly 
 believe it. 
 
 They come into the Field with a foft trot, and each having his Enemy m front, and being 
 neetfixfcore paces diftant, they give fpurs to their Horfes, and part like twoflafhesof lightning. 
 At their tirll meeting, Grand Pre runs Betanford thorow the left fhoulder, and Betanford only 
 wounds Grand Pre in the right cheek, elofc under the eye > and being excellent Horfe-men,they 
 turn (hort, and fo again fall to it with bravery and courage , in which encounter Betanford re- 
 ceives a wide wound upon the brawn of his right arm, and Grand Pre another thorow his left 
 fide, which undoubtedly had proved mortal, and fo ended the Combate with his life, had not 
 his Sword glanced on a rib, and fo ran out wardsi and now they both retire to take breath, revi- 
 ving to advance with more fury: they part again: Betanford runs Grand Pre thorow the neck, 
 and he Betanford thorow the I'mall of the arm, where meeting with the iinews and arteries, it 
 caufeth the Sword to fall out of his hand, whereat he is extreamly perplexed and amazed. 
 
 Here perchance fome bafe Fellow ( who had never been trained up in the School of Honour, 
 and therefore not deferved the title of a Gentleman) would have wrought upon the misfortune 
 of this accident, and defired no better advantage to difpatch his Adverfarie : But Grand Pre , 
 wliofe gcnerolity in this I commend as much as I deteft his jealouiie,doth highly difdain toifain 
 his honour and courage with this infamy, and fo puts Betanford out of his apprehenfion and fear 
 with thefe words i Baron, be couragious and chearful, for 1 will rather die, than difgrace my 
 felffo much, to right with an unarmed man, audio commands his Chirurgion to deliver him 
 his Sword again. Betanford is thankful to him for this courtelie, and vows he will never for- 
 Get it. 
 
 Now although their wounds do rather ingrain, than imbroider their Shirts with blood, yet 
 their youth is fo vigorous, their courage fo inflamed, and their hearts fo refolute and magnani- 
 mous,as they neither can, nor yet will reft fatisfied: in a word, they manage their Horfes brave- 
 ly , and ad wonders with thuir Swords ^ for by this time they having run four fcveral Careers : 
 Betanfordhzth received (even wounds, and given Grand Pre ten ; but the lofs of all this blood, 
 (which now ilfued from their bodies rather by fpouts than drops) is not capable to cool their 
 courages •> and fo although with duft, fweat, blood, and wounds, they rather look like Furies 
 than Men, yet they will not refrain fighting. 
 
 And now their Chirurgions grieving and pitying to fee them, as it were drowned in their 
 blood, and well knowing that they had performed more than they thought poilible for men, 
 they both agree, and lb running with their Hats in their hands, humbly pray them todefift and 
 reft fatisfied, by (hewing than that their Swords and Courages had already a<fted wonders be- 
 yond belief, and that it was pity that Parents, Prince, and Country, flioidd be deprived ot 
 luch refolute and valorous Cavaliers, than whom, the world(upon to unfortunate an accident^ 
 hath feldom feen bravenbut they fpeak to the wind, and receive iio other thanks,but this check 
 from them both, that they are bafe Fellows, and know not what belongs to their fun&ion and 
 duty ; and fo rating and commanding them away, they once more divide themlelves, and with 
 freftv refolution and courage, again let fpurs to their Horfes v but this incountei proves more 
 happy to Betanford , and more dangerous to Grand Pre : for as he makes a thruft to Betanford , 
 which mift and paft under his right arm, without doing any other harm than piercing and cut- 
 ting thorow his Shirt, Betanford ( with all the courage and dexterity he had)run Grand Pre tho- 
 
row the belly into the reyns , with which unfortunate wound, as alfo with a ialfo pace, his 
 horfe then made, he fell from the (addle to the ground fpeechlcfs, fprawling and lirugling, as 
 if he were upon the point to take his laft farcwel of the world : but he was not fo happy, for 
 he (hall be cured of his wounds, and hereafter die a more mournful and lamentable end. 
 
 Bctanford . feeing Grand Pre fall, doubted that his wounds were mortal, and (o alights : where- 
 at hisChirurgion with a loud voice, cryed out, Vifpatck himpiffatch him \ but he calls him vil- 
 lain for hislabour, when remembring the former courtefic he had received o {Grand Pre , in re- 
 viving him his Sword, he like a true noble Gentleman vows now to j. quite it, and fo throwing 
 it and his hat away, he with out-fpred arms ran to Unbrace and allift him > yea, he prefers Grand 
 Frt's life before his own, and with all poflible fpecd commands his Chirurgion to bring and 
 hafte thither his Coach, and to his belt power doth allift Grand Pre , in letting him up, in order- 
 ing and binding up his wounds*, his Coach being come, he caufeth him to be laid in fbfcly, and 
 fo he in one Boot, aud the two Chirurgions in the other, their Pages and Lackeys attending 
 them, they drive away to the very next Country.-houfe, where they hulh themfclvcs up prf- 
 vatdy: and here Bctanford refembiing himf.lt, conjureth both the Chirurgions to ufc their beft 
 art and chiefcft skill upon Grand Pre, and before he would have his own wounds looked unto, 
 he caufeth his to be opened , they do it,and both concurr in opinion, that his laft wound is mor- 
 tal s he Ices them drefs him, and vows he will not forfake him in this extremity, but will be 
 more careful of him than of himfdf. Reciprocal and lingular demonftrations ot courtefie and 
 honour in tilde two Cavaliers, which will make their memories famous to Poftcrity. 
 
 Bctanford feeing Grand Pre committed to fleep, caufeth his own wounds to be fpcedily feafe li- 
 ed and dreffed, which are not found dangerous*, and then takes order in the houle, that Grand 
 Pre be furniihcd with all things necdlaiy, as Chamber, curious attendance, and the like s yea, 
 lie ordereth matters lb, that all things might be done with great fecidic and filencc,not periuijt- 
 ting any of his own, or GrandVrc's Servants to be feen forth the houle, to the end that the news 
 of thefe their accidents might not be bruited or vented. 
 
 Abo.it noon, GnW Pa # s fp; j cch by little and little comes to him, and likewife his memory, 
 when Bctanford abfonting ali from his Chamber, with his Hat in his hand, came to his bed-iide, 
 and having courteouily lalutcd and comforted him, prays and conjures him, as he is a Gentle- 
 man of Honour, to tell him why and wherefore He fought with him. Ah Baron ( quoth Grand 
 Prejfirit fwear to me on thine Honour, thou wilt deliver me the truth of a queftion, I will de- 
 mand of thee, and then I .wilUhcw thee. By my honour and fidelity, replies Bctanford , and as 
 I hope for Heaven, 1 wi 1. Then Baron (quoth hej diddeft thou never wrong me and mine 
 Honour, in being too familiar with my Wite Ucrmanda ? The Baron with many folcmn pro* 
 teftations and religious oaths, clears both himfdf and Mcrnundi , and vows that his heart ne- 
 ver thought it, much lefs his tongue ever attempted it. Whereat Grand Pre very humbly intreats 
 him to excufe and pardon him, iith he underllood and believed the contrary, which was the 
 only caufoof his dilcontent and challenge ; adding withal), that he will, till death,eftecm him 
 •as his moft honourable friend, and as long as he lives, will affe& and love his Wife dearer than 
 ever he had before. It is as great ahappinefsto repair and reform errors, as a mi fery to com- 
 mit them. 
 
 The Baron of Bctanford lbies very fecretly ten days with Grand Pre at the Country-houfe 
 when feeing his wounds hopefully cured and recovered, they refol ve. to depart. Grand Pre 
 kindly thanks Bctanford for his litc, and all other courtelies he had received of him, and he as 
 courteouily doth the like XoGrand Pre, for givinghim his Sword wherewith he preferved his 
 own, and (o like honourable and intimate friends, they take leave each of other : the Baron 
 taking horfe for Vans, aud freely lending Grand P re his Coach to return to Atixont. Thus we 
 foe courtelie always returneth wirh interelt. 
 
 GrandVrea.t hiscomming home, kiffethand fawnethon hhWifcMcrmandj, acquaints her 
 with the occafion and event of the combate, condemneth his own (oily, and extolleth her 
 chalhty, prays her to forgive him again this once for all, and vows, that there lives not a bra 
 ver Nobleman in the world than the Baron of .Bctanford: and to Ipeak truth, lbe defeives this 
 fubmiflion and reconciliation, and he that praifo. 
 
 ^Atljietaowledg hereof, I know not whether Merman*., dike a gracious and courteous 
 WifeJ did ir ore grieve at her Husbands wounds, than rejoyce at his recovery and life • and now 
 he repenting and detelling his former error, renews his love,affc<ftion,and triendfhip to her the 
 which he couhuneth and umteth with a perpetual and indiffolublc Gordian knot • neverthe 
 lefsthe variety of her afHidtions, and the excefs of her grief and difeontent, breeds her much 
 weaknefs and licknefs, which withcreth t lie Holes and Lillies of her beauty. 
 
 But come wc from Mertmnda's heavenly venues', to Uantefdias devillifh vices, which cannot 
 be parallel d or compared, except by Anmhtj i/;for as Merman** repofetjh her felf under the (ha- 
 
 dow 
 
Hid. I. Grand Pre and Mermanda. 9 
 
 do w of her own innocency, and lives in pcrfedl love and charity with the whole world, fo tiQr 
 wretched Sifter-in-Law Hautcfeliafctin* her hopes and purppfrS prevented, will notlleep i;i 
 her malice, but lets her wits and revenge upon the Tenter-hooks, ro find out another expedi- 
 ent, to be rid of* Mermanda, who.(in her wicked conceit) (he thought Was Enemy to her con- 
 tent, and an eye-lore to her ambition and greatnds. 
 
 We no (boner Hyc from God, but the Devil follows us *, and it proves always a miferable fol- 
 ly,! o be wi lie in wickednefs and (mMmufdja is refolute in her rage, and cannot or rather will 
 not fee heaven for hell y (lie bethinks her felt of another invention to fend Mermanda jutp ano- 
 ther world, and fo ftrikes a bargain With La Frefnay an Apothecary, for two hundred Crowns 
 ro poyfon her: whojike a limb of the Devil r doth undertake and promile it :.t he which (Ah grief 
 to think thereon) h^inlefs than two months periormeth, and lo this vertppns ancj harmlefs 
 young Gentlewoman is molt unnaturally anitrcachcroully bereaved ot her life, and brought 
 to a mournful and lamentable end. Which inhumane murther, we (hall fee* God in his due % 
 
 time, will miraculOufly deteft, and ftverely revenge and punifli. 
 
 Her Husband Grand Pre exceedingly bewails her death, a 5 alfo hef parents and friends,yea,fb 
 infinite were her vertues, and lo fweet her behaviour and carriage, as all that knew Mermanda 
 bmented her deceafey yet no way fufpedling or knowing the extraordinary caufe thereof. 
 
 Now, while others mourn, Hautefdia exceedingly triumphs and rejoyces hcreat : but this 
 bloody vidfcory lhall Colt her dear. In the mean time Mcrmanda's (ingle death can neither quench 
 her rcvenge,nor fatisrie her ambitiomfor as (he liked not the Silter, fo (lie ( as before we (hewed) 
 never loved the Brother, her own Husband de Mailer ay , w hom (he obfc*ved,very bitterly to weep 
 and grieve at his Sifter Mermanda's death*, (he therefore, refolute to add fin to fin,refalves to calf 
 the apple of difeord between Grand Prf her Brother, and de A lalleray her Husband: knowing 
 that it the firft were (lain, (he was foie Heir to her Father *, if the fecond,(hc would have a No- 
 ble Husband-, a policy, whofe invention is as diabolical, as the execution thereof dangerous ! 
 
 To which eft'edt, (lie infoi tns her Husband, That her Brother Grand Pre had killed his Wife 
 Mermanda with his jea!oufie,that he held her tp be the Baron of Betanford’s ftrumpet,withwhom 
 lor the fame caufe he ha<f (ought at Brie-count Robert, and which was more, it was (hrevvdly luf- 
 pefted he had poyfoned her: the which (he once thought for ever to have concealed, but that 
 (he knew her Husband was, and ought to be neerer to her than her Brother.Godd Godlhow far 
 will the malice of this wretched Woman extend, or to what a monftrous height will it grow ? 
 
 De Mailer ay grieved at this heart-killing news, becaufe he ever loved his Sifter as dearly as 
 hisovvnlife, without confideriog and weighing whether his Wive’s words were drofsor gold, 
 believes her, and fo refolves very fecretly to acquaint the Prefident his Father herewith, thereby 
 thinking, and prefuming that he would by order of Law call Grand Pre in queftion tor the ta<3r. 
 
 But old Crejfonville (having as well his head in nis eyes, as his eyes in his head), feeing that' this 
 fufpicion and accufition had no firm grounds, that it was an intricate bulinefs to find out, that 
 it would breed a fcundal to hisFamily,and (Specially to his defeated Daughter’s reputation, (ich 
 it is the nature of calumny to aim at the mod vertuous peifons, as Cant barides do at thefaircft 
 i flowers-, that it would take up the duft of her tomb, atukwithal breed him an infinite num- 
 ber of potent and powerful Enemies > Therefore grounding his judgment upon thefercafons, 
 and his relolutions upon this his judgment*, he holds it bell to (mother it in li fence, and lb to 
 brook his Daughter’s death as patiently as he may. V 
 
 De MalUray leeinghis Father fo cold in this bulinefs, began to be all in fire hrmfclt, vowing 
 that he would maintain the honour, and revenge the death of his only Silk r Mermanda y and 
 *his Wife Hjutefelia, with her impetuous and implacable malice, blows tb coals,; ana lets art 
 edge to this his refolution : when that very inftant uriH?r (landing 1 his Brother Gra,id Pre wa| 
 that Evening arrived atP/jo«,( he confulting with Nature, but not wichGracejby a Gentiemaif 
 of his familiar acquaintance, fends him this Challenge. 
 
 DE MALLERAY to GRAND PRE. 
 
 T Should degenerate both from my honour and blood , if 1 were not fcnftble of tbofe wrongs and difgraces 
 * you have offered your Wife and my Sij'tec, they are of that nature jbat I kjoow not whether her innocency 
 dfj erve more pity*, or your jealoufie contempt and revenue : .her death and your confidence makg me M jufily 
 challenge you, as you have unjujlly done the Baron 0 /Betanford : Therefore to mortow at five of the tied ( 
 after dinner, autbe foot of Talon-fort, in tlge meaduw rankylwitb Walnut-Trees , bring either d Jingle 
 Rapier , or Rapier and Ponyard , and l will meet you without Seconds : The equity of my caufe,and the tin- 
 jufiice nf yours jnaks V 1 * confident in this hope, that as you lofiyour blood neer Brie-count Rober tyoujhall 
 now leave yout life in the fight of Di jon . Judge how earntfily l defire to try the temper of yout heart and 
 fwjrdffub already I not only count hours, but minutes, DE MALLERAY, 
 
 C Grand 
 
IO 
 
 God's Revenge againft Murther. Book 1. 
 
 Grand Pre , though newly recovered of his late wounds accepts this Challenge, but not without 
 extrcam wonder to fee De MAlcray lo paiiionate and refolute v tie makes choice or iingle Rapier, 
 aud io they meet, where, without any other ceremony, they throw off thcrf -Double-rs, and gave 
 them to their Chirurgions, whom they command to flay without the next Hedge, and not dir 
 from thence, till the death of the one proclaim the other vidtor. 
 
 The Sun ( that great and glorious Lamp of Heaven) fwiftly polls away from our Horizon to 
 t\u: Antipodes purpofenot to fee t or be acceffary t<5. this bloody Tragedy ytVfreh : our Champions 
 unflieath their Swords, and difpofe thcmfelves to Hght,both wich judgment and refolutiinuPe 
 AW/oviycomes up fa irly,prOfers the tirft thru ft, and gives Grand pre a wound in hi$ left thigh, and 
 tin exchange receives another from him in the neck, which he aimed tuify dt the bred, bt'it thac 
 he bore it up with his Rapier. Grand Pre at -the hr ft gives back, but feeing Dc Mailer ay inftUt-uftd 
 preis on him,heifcfolutelyadvanceth,and runs him thorow the iide: but the wound was lb fa- 
 vorable, as though ‘it cauied much blood, yet it brought little danger*. They make a limi & take 
 breath, audio they very refolutely to it again : DcMalleray having hitherto the worffdoth now 
 refolve to manage his bulinefs with lefs violence and more judgment *, wteiiGrandpre driving 
 home to him;hc wards bravely^& taking advantage, tlnuil him in theieft (boulder with a deep 
 wound*, but himfelf \s hurt in the left arm vvith a wound, which ran from his wriil to his elbov*. 
 
 By this time their (hirts are deeply befprinkled and gored with their blood*, but this wilt nor 
 appease their courage, they will try again*, for they never think enough as long as they can hand, 
 and this encounter proves as fortunate for Grand Pre,as fatal for De Mailer ay : for he receives a 
 deep wound under his left pap, which carries his life and foul from this world ro another *, to 
 as without fpeaking one word, he fails*dead to the ground. 
 
 Grand pre feeing De Mailer ay dead, gives thanks to Gdtl for his victory, and (o mounts on horfc- 
 back,and with his Chirurgion polls to Dole, a Parliament City of the tree County, belonging to 
 the ArchrDuke Albert tts,iczv'm^ r Dc MaHtray's Chirurgion, not to cure,but to bury his Mailer, or 
 .at lcall to convey his dead body toDijonfot PrefidentCV tjjbnville hi$ Father to perform that office. 
 
 Who is no teener advertifed of his Sons death,* but with tears he gives the Parliament to un- 
 derfund thereof, and craves jultice for the Murther. The Parliamtrnt^tecrees a power to appre- 
 hend Grand pre j but he is not dciirous to )dfc his head on a Scaffold : for by this time he hath 
 recovered Dole -, where having fluid fomt three months, his parents and friends ( by the favour of 
 that generous and true-noble gallant, Maunficur le Grand , his Majelties Lieurenant of the Pro- 
 vince of burgundy.) procured and lent him his pardon. 
 
 But in this mean time come we fco his Sifter Hauttfelia ( the dilgrace of her Sex, and the fire- 
 brand of Hell) who no tboner underftood the death qf herHusband,& the flight of her Brother, 
 fhe having hardly the patience to lee him laid in his grave, and relblving rather to break her 
 neck With malice, than her heart with forrow, being lure of her Dowry, packs up her Jewels, 
 Plate*, and ehiefcft Baggage, and fo leaves Dij w&n c^oes home to her Father near Auxjne, where 
 during the age of her Father and Mother, and tWfbfence of her Brother, Ihe moll imperiouily 
 l ways and commands all. But this her authority lafteth not long s for now home comes Grand 
 Pre from Dole^t whofe return (hounds matters altered, and her greatuefsand power diminiffiedy* 
 and to her grief fees that Ihe cannot lb absolutely domineer as before*-, and which was far worle’ 
 her Brother in his abfcuce atDc/e, having fmclt and underftood her malice and inveterate hatred^ 
 both to Mer mania, the Baron of bet an ford, De Malleray her Husband, and like wife to himfelf 
 (though nothing fufpedting or dreaming of her poyfoning humour) he isfo far from acknow- 
 ledging or refpedting her for his Sifter, as he will neither indurc her company or fight*, which ffie 
 making no ffiew to perceive,but like a Fury of Hell, as ffie w,difl§mbiing her malice and revenge % 
 Ihe is full conftant, and perfeveres in her humor of blood and murther, and hath again recourlc 
 to her execrable Apothecary la Frcfitay, and to the Devil her Db&or like wife, to make away her 
 Brother Grand Pre with poylbn,as he had already Mermanda his Wife, and gives -him three hun- 
 dred Crowns to.effedt it.This damnable Apothecary loving money well, and (as it feems) the 
 Devil better, doth ingage himfelffpeedily to. perform iftand wretched villain as he is, within two 
 months he accomplilheth and hnifheth it : And fo as' Mermanda ran equal fortune with him in 
 life, he doth the like with her in death > for one deadly Drug, ode bloody Sifter, and one 
 devil lilh Apothecary gives a miferable and lamentable end to them both. 
 
 And now his biood-thirfty Si fozMamfeli* (the Author of thele Murthers and Tragedies) 
 thinking her felf freed of all her Enemies, and of all that flood in the way of her advancement 
 and preferment, fhe (neither thinking pf her confeiepce or foul, of Heaven or Hell) domineers 
 far more than before > yea, builds tallies in the air,arid Hatters her (elf with this falfe ambition' 
 that fhe now muft be a Duchefc,or at leaft a Countefs *, but fhe reckons without God. 
 
 , We have feen, nay we have here glutted our eyes with feveral Murthers, whereof we have 
 beheld this wretched Gentlewoman Hautefclia, to be the horrible and cruel Author,and this ex- 
 ecrable 
 
Hitt. I. 
 
 Grand Pre and Mermanda. 
 
 1 1 
 
 ecrable LaFrefnay to be the bloody Adtor : thefe crimes of theirs, and the fmoke of thefe their 
 impious and difpleafing faerihcCs,have pierced the clouds, and attended thepreluice of God, to 
 iue and draw down vengeance and contrition on their heads > tor although Murcher be for a 
 time concealed, yet the linger ot God will in due time detedfand difcovei it => for he will make 
 inquilition tor bhod,and will fevcicly and (h'arply revenge the death of his children. 
 
 But Gods Providence and Juftice in the dilcovery thereof, is as different as miraculous i for 
 fometimes hc^protradls and deferrs it ot purppfej either to inolliiie or to harden our hearts. as 
 teems belt to his infer u table will, and divine pleafure ^ or as may chiefly ferveand tend to his 
 glory i yea, fometimes he makes the Murtherer himielf as well an inllrument to dilcover, as h* 
 hath been an a&or to commit murther > yea^and many times hepunilheth one fin by and in a- 
 nother, and when the Murtherer tits molt fectfre, and thinks leaft ot it, then he heaps coals .of 
 fire on his head, and fuddenly cuts him off with the revenging fwetd of his fierce wrath and 
 indignation. 
 
 And now that great and foveraign Judge of the World, who rides on the Winds in triumph, 
 and hath Heaven tor his Throne, and Earth for his Foot-ftoole,will no longer permit Hinltjelia 
 and La Frcjnay to go unpunifhed . for thefe their execrable murthers: for the innocent and 
 dead bodies of Mermanda and her* Husband Grand Pre , out of their graves cry to him for re- 
 venge, which .like an impetuous norm, or a terrible thunder-dap, doth in this maimer fud- 
 denly befall and overtake them. 
 
 Some fix weeks after Grand Pre’s Funerals were folefnnized, whereat his Sifter Haul efilia 
 (the better to cloak her villanyjwept bitterly, and was oblerved to be the chiefeft mourner, 
 this hellifti Apothecary La Frejnay, having gotten his money to caiily, thought to fpend it as 
 prodigally > and fo on a time, being in his cups at a Tavern at Di/0#, and his brains (welling and 
 i wimping with ftrong Wine (asdrunkennets is the Bawd and tlfhcr to other fins)Jie healing 
 front the reft of his company/ committed a Rape upon one Margaret V hot, aGirleoi twelve 
 years old, being the Vintners Daughter of the Tavern wherein he fate tippling. 
 
 This young Girle, with millions of tears, throws her felf to the feet of her Pareiits, andac-; 
 cufeth La Fnjnjy for the fad, who do the like to thofe famous Senators of the Cour.t or Parlia- 
 ment : fo he is apprehended, and being examiued, with many vehement and bitter alley zxtyU 
 ons denyeth it : he is-adjudged to the Rack, and at the fecond tpjement contcffeth ir, and io i ; 
 condemned to be hanged. 
 
 Two Capuchin Friers prepare him for his end >they exhort him not to charge and burthen his 
 foul with concealing any other crimes, adding^ that it he reveal and repent them on earth, God 
 will remit them in heaven •, thefe exhortations of theirs produce good effedts •> tor though he 
 have formerly lived^like a Devil, he ; will now die like a Chriftian i and fo with many tears re- 
 vealeth, that at the mitigation of Hautcfolij, andior the lucre of 5 x> Crowns (which at two 
 feveral times (he gave him) he fiad^oyfoned Mctm'inda and her Husband Grand Pre. 
 
 All the world is amazed, and the Parliament acquainted herewith, they alter their firft 
 Sentence,and fo for his triple villaniqj condemn Li Frcjnay to be broken alive upoathe wheel, 
 and there to languifh.and die, without being'ftrangled, which in Dijon is accordingly executed 
 to the full fatistadf ion ,of Juftice. 
 
 A Provoft likewife is forthwith' difpatched from Dijon to GrandtnmP s Houfe, to apprehend 
 his Daughter Hantcfelia , and as God would have it, (he was ignorant of La Frcjnay s apprehen- 
 sion, and more of his death.The ProvOit rinds her dancing in her Fathers Garden, in company of 
 man/ Gentlemen and Ladies ^ he fets hands Cu her, and foexchangeth her mirth into mourn- 
 ing, aud her fongs into tears : (he is brought to Dijon , and examined by a Prciident, and two 
 Counfellors of the Parliament. She impudently and boldly denies both^Murthers > faith, La 
 Frtfnay is her fnortaland presetted enemy, and therefore not to be believed. But the Devil who 
 hath lo long bewitched and deluded her, either will not, or rather cannot fave her with this 
 poor evation ^ (he isadjudged to tht‘ Rack, and at the firft torment confeffcth ic. 
 
 The Criminal Judges of this great and illuftrious Parliament,in deteftation ot thefe her ex- 
 ecrable and bloody- crimes of Murther, pronounce fentence on her : fo, after fire had repented 
 her fins, and prepared her fdf to die, her Paps are feared, and torn oil with red hot Pincets, 
 then fhe is hanged: her body burnt , and her afhes thrown unto the air. 
 
 Now to gather (ome profit by reading this Hiftory, or indeed, rather by thejmemoryoi the 
 Hiftory it (elf, let us obferve,nay let us imprint in our hearts and (ouls how bufie the Devil was 
 by ambition, covetowfiicfs, malice and revenge, to feduce and perfwade Hatittfdia and La Frej~ 
 nay to commit thefe murthers s and alfo how juft God was in the detedfion and punifhmenr 
 thereof, that the fear of the one may tervihe us from Embracing and attempting the otherr^to 
 the end, that as they lived in fin, and died in (hame*> (o wc may live in righteoufivefs, and die in 
 peace, thereby to live in eternal felicity and glory. 
 
 €2 GODS 
 
Book I. 
 
 God's Revenge againfi Murther 
 
 GOD’S Revenge againfi the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 history li. 
 
 Pifani betrayeth Gafparino of bis Milkers Chrifteneta.Gafpaiino cballcHgetb Pifani for this difewce^ 
 andfyUs him in tb L ' Field: be after continuetb bis fait to Chriftenetav fiediJfmbUs her malice for 
 Pifani his death s fit appoints Gafparino to meet her in a Garden , and there cawjctb Bianco and 
 Brindoli to murther him *, they are all three takgi^and executed for the fame. . 
 
 ‘yU'Here AfFetftion hath Keaton for guide, apd. Vertue for objedf, it is approved of Earth, and 
 y applauded of Heaven > but where it exceeds the bounds of Charity,: andtheJifisofRe- 
 ligion,Mcn pity it, Angels lament it, and God himfelf contemns it > for if wc are croffed iaOtm 
 love, why (hould difeontent make us defperate ? or to what end fhould we fly Reafon to fol- 
 low Rage, except we delire to ride poft to Hell^and to end our day s on a Ihamcful and infamous 
 Scaffold hereon earth > It isan excellent felicity to grow from Vertue to Vertue, and afttal 
 mifery to run from Vice to Vice. Lov.e and Charity are always the true marks.of a Chrifti^n 
 and Malice and Revenge, thofeof an Infidel, or rather of a Devil but to imbrue our hands in 
 iunocent blood, and to feck the death of others : isjto deprive our felves of our own life, as the 
 iequel of this Hiliory will declare, which I relate with pity and compatIiou,ikh I fee the Stage 
 whereon thefc Tragedies arc afted and reprefented, not only fprinkled, but goaicd with great 
 variety and ctfuiion of blood. 
 
 In Paviaf the fecoftd City qf the putchy of the very laft year that Count Fucntcsfunder 
 
 the King of Spain Jwas Vicc-roy of that Stage, Signior Thomafo Viturijk noble Gentleman of that 
 City, had one only Cliild^ a Daughter of the age of fifteen years, named Vona Ghrjftentta\ who 
 
 was 
 
HifL II. Ptfam and Cbnfieneta. i 
 
 was exceeding fair and beautiful, and indued with many excellent qualities and perfections, re- 
 queue in a Gentlewoman of her rank : Hie was fought in marriage by many Gallants of /he 
 City *, but a Cavalier ot Cremona mull bear her away, or at leait her affedtion : 
 
 The Hiltory is thus, 
 
 S'vrniatr Emanuel Gajfarim^ a noble young Gentleman of Cremona, hearing of Viirtri his health, 
 and of his Daughter Cbriltincta'i beauty and virtues (the Adamants and Load-ftones to draw 
 mens affections; refolveth with himfeiVto leek her tor his Wire: he acquaints none herewith* 
 but an intimate dear friend of his, a young Gentleman of the fame City, named Sigtifr Lttdovi- 
 cits Pifani , by dcfcent a Fewemt^whonr he prays to affift and accompany him to Pavia , in feek- 
 ing and courting t lie fair CbriflcHeta hi$ miitreis. Pifani teims hunlelt much honoured and ob- 
 liged toGafparinofiiid very willingly grants his requclt s and fo they prepare tor their jour- 
 ney. 
 
 They come to Pamyimi bids Gaff anno welcome, and entertains him refpectfully and coar- 
 t cou fly, as alio Pifanh he thanks Gaff anno for the Honour he doth Him in feeking his Daughter, 
 and like a careful Father takes time to confult hereon : but tor Cbriftencta , the looks not fo 
 pleating nor plcafantly on him as he expecteth. He is deeply in love both with her beaaty and 
 other perfections*, but he finds her cold in her difeourfeand anfwers, and very melancholy and 
 penlive : he courts her often fund after th c Italian fafhion,with variety of Mufick, Dittys,and 
 Ayrs ) but ftill he finds*her averfe, and contrary to his defires, as it her thoughts wereotherwife 
 fixed. Gaff anno knows not how to win her arfe<tion,nor how to bear himfelf herein > he con- 
 (lilts with Pifanf and prays him to conferr with Cbrijhneta , and to found her aflfection : But it 
 proves often dangerous, itill indiferetion, to truft a friend. in this cafe. 
 
 Pifani promifeth to perform the office of a Friend, and to conterr effectually with Cbrijhneta‘ y 
 he feeks opportunity and place, and finds both ^ he fets out to her Gajparino $ merits > and 
 paints lorth his prailcs,and in a word, leaves nothing untouched, which he thinks may any way 
 advance his Friend’s aontent and affection : but he finch Cbrijicneta 7 $ mind perplexed and trou- 
 bled *, for (lie often changeth colours, now red, then pale, and then pale, now red again > yet 
 he oblervcs that her eyes are ftill ftedfaftly fixed on himffie prays her that the will return a plea- 
 ting anfwcr for him to carry to his Friend, and her Lover Gaff anno, 
 
 Cbriftencta would willingly fpeak, # but cannot, tor her heart and Paps beat and pant, and her 
 tighs very confufcdly interrupt her words j but at laft,dying her Lilly cheeks with a Vermillion 
 blufh, (he tells him that fhe is not ignorant of Gafparhto * s merits, who deferves far her better* 
 but that (he cannot confent to love him, in refped the hath fixed, but not ingaged her aHcdtion 
 on another. Pifani ftill extolleth his Friend Gafparino to the sky, and for all honourable parts 
 prefer rsthim before any Gentleman ol Lombardy \ and withal, with much induftry and lnfinua- 
 tion, endeavours to requeft and draw Cbriftencta to name him hcr Fervant: which flic oued! 1 
 thought to have done, had not modefty ( the fwecteflrand molt preejous ornament ot a Virgin^ 
 for that time withheld her, wlien after two or three deep iighs Cf He. outward Hcraulds of het 
 inw.afd paflions) (he told him thus : ^ ^ 
 
 Pifani , It is a dear and near friend of yours, who is the firft that I have, and the laft that I 
 will affect s but I will not at prefent name him, only if y.ou pleafe to meet me lccrctjy to mor- 
 row, at eight of the clock in the morning, in the 1 Nuns Garden at Siiht Clare, I will thore in- 
 form you who it is *, but iu the mdan timc,andcver, forbear to foflidit me any more for Gaff a- 
 ri«0jiith he (hall not be my fervant,rior will 1 be his miftirefs : and fo tor that time they part, 
 and he confidently promifeth to meet her. . 
 
 Gajfarm demands of pifani how he finds his miftrefs Cljrijicnefa ^ He anfwers faithfully ac- 
 cording as (he told him * ? but conceals their appointed meeting in the Niuv> Garden : and navy 
 becaute he feeth it labour loft torefearch Cbnjieneta , he will tio^be obdurate in his iurt,but wm 
 give a Law to his paffions and affections, rather than they fhall* prescribe any tpi Him, and ! to 
 rdblves to take k : aV< Of hcr,bccaufe as well by Her fllf, £$by her rather and Motherland now 
 chiefly by pifi, if he lees fhe is otherwile bent atxi adccted,to which end he leaves *p^F/,and re- 
 turns' to Or onorta. Leave we therefore Gafparino to'his thoughts, and come we to thole ot Pftani 
 zudGlirfaneta, to fee what their Garden-conference Will bring forth; ; [f, ■ t 
 
 Pifani cannot ifiVagin what friendof his it fhould be that Cbri]k>ieta loveth^uf m^^nows e- 
 nongh tor them bothv and it may be,fbp much for hex' Jfitf : fhe knows it at lead an immo elr, 
 if not a bold part for her to court Fftfanf who ought father to court her : but (he thinks it both 
 wildom and duty to give way fcflthat whfch fhe cannot avoid and prevent, and Lo preferrs the 
 7.eal of her affection before the reipect of her modefty,but that which makes her fo refolute in 
 the execution of this her amorous attempt is,to fee that Gaff anno hath found Pjjani to follictte 
 for him to her, and (he can find none but her ft,lf tofollicice for her felt to ip/fuu: therefore : bo i 
 in this her relolution, (he beats fo deep and fb deat an affedfion^ ^tO Pifani, that flic t * 
 
 5 C 5 cver > r 
 
God's Revenge againfl Mnrther . Book I. 
 
 every moment an hour, and every hour an age, before flic fee Vifani, that one per ion ot the 
 world, whom (Tie loves more dear than all the world Thus wifhing night day, her fiuule the 
 Nunnery, aud her Chamber the Garden *, (he with much impatient patiency awaits the hour of 
 eight, which (he knows will bring her her joy or her torment, her felicity or her milery, her 
 lire or her death. 
 
 1 he clock ltrikes eigh V^Chrifiencta takes her Prayer-Book, and her waiting Maid, and fo trips 
 awayto the Nunnery^but the doth now difpcncc with her devotion, to give content ro her eyes, 
 or rather to her heart, in feeing and in joying the dclired company of Pijani , whom fhe ctfeems 
 the life of her content, and the content of her life, and fo forfakes the Cnurch,togt> to the Gar- 
 den : Pi jam, who never failed of his hour and promile to men, doth no.w difdaiu to mils there- 
 of to a Lady:for Cbrifiemta hath fcarcc made three paces in the walks of theGardui.but c*re the 
 fourth be hni(hcd,lhe fees Pijani enter •, flic blulhes at his light, and he grows pale at ner blufhes i 
 he finds her in a Bower ot Syeamors,Cypreftds,and Vines,decked within witn Rofes,Lillics,and 
 Gil y-fiowers, he gives her the good-morrow and the 1‘alute, the which, with a moddt and 
 Ivveet courtdie,mc receives and returns •, he tells her he is come to perform his promife, and if 
 it pie ale her to receive hers. She would fain anfvver him, but her cheeks give blulhes, where 
 her tongue fhould words > but at lali darting a fwcet look on him (winch was the Euiballador 
 and HcrauU of her heart) (he difeoveixth her felf to him thus, 
 
 1 he perfon ( pijani J On whom I have fixed and letled my alfedfion,doth exceedingly refenv 
 blc you,is of yonr own blood, and of your neareft and deardt acquaintance-. Pijani prelfeth her 
 to know his name < when after many glances, fighs, and blufhes, Ihe tells him, his name is Pfani, 
 and him (elf the man*, prays him to pardon her boldnefs, and to give an honourable interpreta- 
 tion and confiru&ion to her atfe&ion ^ adding wifhall, that when (he firft law him, flic loved 
 him , and now prays him to be pleated, that C hrijkncta may be a Solicitor tor her felf to Pfani, 
 and not Pijani tpG brijhntta for paj'parino > /ea, fhe confirms her words with many fighs, and 
 again her fighs with many tears, which trickle down her beautiful cheeks, like pearled drops of 
 dew upon biuihiug damask Rofes. 
 
 Pijani wonders at this unexpected news, and knows not how to bear himfell in a bufinefsof 
 tli is natureshe fees that her beauty deferves loye,and her defeent ancf vertues refpedt: but with- 
 all lie is not (o difhonourable to betray his friend. He wonders at her affedion, and is not iguo- 
 rant that fhe deferves a more noble Husband tjian himf^ but feeing her languifh for an an- 
 fvver,hc : returns leer this : Although I acbjiorslc'lg my je If infinitely bound to you for that ajfedion of 
 yours.rrhenx vithyoufkajc^ohmur me , yet as honour is to he preferred before affeOfim fo GhrilfencU 
 muy excuje 1 1 lam ,fth he cannot be a fervant to her , but he mteji he a Traitor to Gafparino , and that 
 rejped excepted, in reqmlahf your favour, 1 villefiecm my felf happy if 1 may doje my life for your fer- 
 
 Yet he is not fo unkind biit gives her a kifs or two at tavewcl, which as much delights C hriiie- 
 m'ta, as his refufal doth afihd her : fo they part. The, reft, rime mult bring forth. 
 
 Now although Gafpannohivc left Tma,yet he cannot fodake his aifecdou to ChrijtcneU , but 
 chcnlheth her memory, and in heart adored, her Idxa i yea, he loves her deeply and dcarly’and 
 indeed her perfodtions and beauty defer ve love : but luch'is ClmflcHetSs alfobion to PifanL as 
 Ihe can take no truce of her thoughts, hut defpight of dilbetion and modefiy ( which pedwade 
 and couofel her to the contrary; flte w,th, n ten days after purpofely lends a conhdu.t mefcn- 
 ger to him, to Cremona , with this Letter, 
 
 CHRISTENETA to PIS AN I. 
 
 F hid it mtflrjngfjbat Tfeeimdmy h\l fpcech with thismyfirji Letter , and think , that were,:, 
 affefoon tut ire andconjiant, Tjbmld not thus attempt to reveal it to you in lines which Yluth >t 
 
 my checks do, when I write them-, IfitoHld^er. mfalpbk violence aud injury tt> thi tmtb lift l 
 mt that u is impotable u rh,;A^„ i... >L but--. tr “*m i uk 
 
 rt'erc mt my 
 not, as 
 tell yon 
 
 jty- 
 
 CHRISTENETA. 
 
 ViJjm receiveth this Lcttcnhe wontlers^t her affcdtioigand now confults bet wive rl -a 
 >..h, e ,o J his icfp«a .6 fi#™, he « ho lfc k Srhefc 
 
Hitt: II. 
 
 Pifarn and Cbrifteneta . 
 
 ter, and yet is very unwillingsiii doing her right,to wrong hisFiiend:but at 12 ft pemfuigherLet- 
 ter again, he finds it fo kind, as'He deeihs it not only ingratitude, but a degree of inhumanity 
 for him not to return her an anl wcr, and therefore taking Pen and Paper, he wrirts to her thus: 
 
 nj . li'JTu'Jfi .* t aZ« 3 . “ • • '< ■* tyjjiApj *’>■ > su wJjw'i- u / 
 
 PISANI to CHRISTENETA. 
 
 Y Ou dif cover me as much affettion as Ifhould treachery to my friend, cither to accept or requite it 3 and 
 wew it not for tb.it confederation , which mufi tend as well to mine own honour , as to your content, 1 
 would not jiickto fay, that Pi lam loves Chrittendta; becaufe jhe dejlrves to he beloved \ only give me 
 have to inform you, that as you are too fair to he refufed , /a I am too bonejt to betray my friend* ej r pc ct- 
 ally fuel. ) a one who vs as confident of my fidelity, as I affuredcf his. Could time reconcile thefe difficulties 
 with my reputation , my bean would infant ly commandmy Pen tofignifie you , that Idefin to giveyou 
 hope,' and tak £ away your deffair 3 and withatl, that Pavia, is more pleafing to me than Cremona ,fiih 
 Chrilleneta lives in it , and Pifahi in her. I was never heretofore cruCl to any , neither do I refolve to be 
 unkind to you : forhowcanl , fith I as tr.uely vow tff honour you, as youprofefs to love me ? Live you in 
 this ajfurance , and l will die in the fame. 
 
 PISANI. 
 
 Time with a fwift foot vamfheth and paHeth away, but Chrificnetfs affe diion to Piftni canttofs 
 ftie in his Letter perceives a g! iinmering light of hope break forth thorow theobfeure clouds of 
 her defpair 3 but tear doth as foon eclipfe and ttrangle, as propagate and produce it 3 only, de- 
 fpight of all apprehenfion and opposition, her thoughts do fall gaze and look on Pifahi, as the 
 needle of the compaisdoth to the North 3 fo as (he can reit in no true tranquillity of mind, be- 
 fore (he writes to him again 3 the which, fomc fifteen days after, (he doth to this effedi. 
 
 CHRISTENETA to PISANI. 
 
 I May pafs the bounds of diferetion , but will.not exceed tbofc of honour 3 I have ever learned to retain 
 this Maxim , that affettion,wbich riedvej end , had never beginning: If then I live , I mufi breathe the 
 air of your love,- as well as this of my life : fith it is the prime and foie caufe thereof r as'the Sun is of the 
 light. Lour Letter I find fo ful l vf doubts and ambiguities , as I lytow not wherefore to hope , or why not to 
 defpair 3 couldyou dive as deeply into my heart , as I have into your merits , if nature do not,pitty would 
 inform you, that you ought to prefer the love of a Lady before the refpeft of a Gentleman , efpccially fith he 
 may carry his heart from you, and I defire to bring and pnf :nt mine to you : and how dUn your abfence 
 either rejoyfe or comfort me, fith your prefence will not ? Thinl^what you ploafe , either of me, or of your Jelfi 
 only give me leave to telly ou, that l find doubt a fiep and degree to defpair, as dejpair is to death : I write 
 rather with tears than Ink. Jfyon will not live my Saint , *1 mujl die your Martyr. 
 
 CHRISTENETA. 
 
 At the receipt of this fecond'Letterf which was fo fweetly pleafing, and pleafingly fweet to his 
 thoughtsjhe found theBulwarks and defences of his relpedt toGafparino razed and beattn down., 
 and a fair breach made and laid open for Cbrifiencta to enter and take pofTeifion of the Cattle of 
 his heart : fo now at one inttant he performs two feveral attempts 3 for the farther he flies from 
 his (ikudGafp arino,thc nearer hefcpproacheth to his M\l\rd'sCbrijiemta-,an<\ therefore now whol- 
 ly imparadiiing his thoughts in the Garden of her pure beauty, and taking the chiefeft light of 
 his edntent and felicity from the reluccnt luftreof her eyes, he thinks it high umc,ho longer* to 
 bear out his Flag of Defiance, but to (hike laH,and do homage to the (overaignofhis thoughts, 
 the which he doth in this Letter, that he purpofely lends her, in anfwcr of hers, by his Page. 
 
 PISANI to CHRISTENETA. 
 
 ’> i ' «/.• t I Kilyi-.t: : •• O. • 
 
 Y Our vmue and beauty is enough powerful to prevail with me 3 but your afcttieU, which adds grace to 
 cither ,and either to it, maizes me forget my refpetts #oGalparino,ta remember my love to Chritteneta* 
 but that which gives life to this, my rcfolution,is,that it is impofftblefor him to hate me as much as you l ve 
 me 3 and in this hope I both rejoyce and triumph, that you JhallnoP be my Martyr, 'but my Mijirejs, and I 
 will be both your Saint and your Servant : for as you defire to live in my favour, fo my cblffyl ambition 
 and zeal is to die in your affettion : that which heaven makes me affirm, earth (hall not enforce me to deny, 
 
 I will fh ortly follow, a>ulfecond this my Letter 3 till when, you can never Co much lament my abfence, as 
 l define your prefence . Let this be )wur true confolation, fith it is my foie delight and cine fefi felicity. 
 
 PISANI. 
 
 If 
 
God’s Revenge againfk Aiurther. Book I. 
 
 It Pifani his firti Letter overthrew Chrijtyneta's defpair* this his fecond revives and conhims 
 her hopes *, fo that whereas heretofore (he condemned her prefumption in writing to Fijanli he 
 now not only applauds her retblution therein, but alio bleffeth the hour that the attempted it . 
 yea foe buildeth fuch Cadies of delight and content in her heart, and he* heart in her foul, to 
 think that foe foould be his Wife^ and he her Husband, that foe anticipated! the hours and 
 blames the days for not presenting her with the tight and prefence of her tweet Pifani', whom, 
 
 above all earthly contents, -foe chiefly ddircth. • f ir \ . . . / 
 
 Now if Chrijkneia were thus perplexed with the abfencc oi her Pijam^no lels is he with that 
 of His ChriiieHeta : for,rcraembring the frefonefsot her youth, and the fweetucis ot her beauty, 
 L in conceit hateth Cremona, which before he loved i and now loveth .Paw,- which before 
 he hated. It isasgreatagricftohimto be with his other affairs without her., as it would rc- 
 joyce him to be with her, without them s yea, (he runs fo deeply in his thoughts, and they on 
 her beauty* as (if it were not immodelly) he either \vifoeth himfelf impaled in her arms,or foe 
 incloiftcred in his. And now, -to perform as much as his Letter hath promifed, lie, without 
 thinking or refpedHngof his old friend Gafparinu, prepares all things ready to go lee his new 
 
 Miftrefs Cbrijhneta. _ ^ . , . ' 
 
 He comes to Pavia, accompanied with three or four of his neereft and deareit rriends,viliteth 
 Chrijkneta , whom hc-faluteth and courtcth with all kind, honourable, and amorous comple- 
 ments: She is joyful, yea, ravilhcd with his arrival •, he doth allure her at his perpetual affecti- 
 on, and reciprocally himfelf ot hers*, yea, foe fo infinitely delights in his prefence, and he fo 
 ext re ami y in hers, that foe now freely gives her lelf to Pifani , and he in exchange, as abfolutely 
 takes himfelf from Gafparino , to give himfelf to Cbrifcneta : fo as foe rejoycing in her purchafo, 
 and he triumphing in his victory, they attend the time, wherein heaven and earth hath ordained 
 of two bodies to make them one* 
 
 But it is not enough for Pifani' to be poffeifedfof Gbrijlenetas favour *, for he muff likewife ob- 
 tain that of her parents, before either he can enjoy his wifoes,or foe her dciires, and lo he goes 
 honourably and fecretly to work with thfm: but he finds them not fo tradable zsCbrifieneta 
 hoped, or himfelf defined: for old’ Vituri her Father preferring wealth' before honour, and , 
 riches before vertue$,dillike$ this motion, alledging tkmPifams Father died exceedingly in debt: 
 that his chiefeit Lands were ingaged and morgaged > that he had many great Legacies to pay to 
 his Sifters*, but, which was worit of all, that Pifani himfelf loved the Court better than the 
 Country, and that in his expences and apparel he was extreamly prodigal, and frugal in neither \ 
 which confident ions To fw ay ed the judgment -and opinion ok Vituri , that knowing he might 
 every day provide and procure a better Match for his Daughter, he gives Pifani to underhand, 
 that as y£t he hath no intent to marry his Daughter yalledging her tew years, and the like trivial 
 rcafons and excufes, whereby Pifani might plainly perceive, that he had no intent togive him 
 his Daughter. •. 
 
 This refufal of Vitun doth wonderfully grieve Pifani . and afflidt Chriftcnetafo as they fee their 
 hopes nipt in their bloffoms,and their delircs not in the wayto reap fuch effects as theyexpedlcd. 
 Pifani diftruftfog his ovvn power, fets his Parents and chietcft Friends to draw Vituri to hearken 
 unto reafon : but his age cannot be deceived in that, which his judgment, and not his paflfon, 
 iiiggefted him*, they have divers conferences, but every day,inftead of bringing hopes, producerh 
 more difficulties and dcfpair \ and now that pijani may lee that his fiftt and rcfearch is difplea- 
 fmg to Vituri) he looks not on him with fo courteous an eye as accuftomed -> and which is 
 worfe, Cbrijl&iLta is forbidden his company, and he her Father’s Houfe. 
 
 This goes to the hearts of our two Lovers, but they-brook it as patiently as they may, and 
 hope that time will give end to thefe their dilcon tents-and affiidions* In the mean while, as 
 fire fupprelfed doth often flame forth with more violence, fo lith they cannot Perfonally vifit 
 onethe other, they entertain their affedtions by their Letters*, who arefo many in number, as I 
 hold it fit rather to fupprefs than divulge them : Thus whiles Pijani comforts himfelf, that 
 there are no roles without prickles, and that hopes long expedted are beft welcome, but chiefly 
 relying upon the aftedtion and conftancy of his Miftrefs *, he will not ftain his valour with this 
 point ot Cowardize, To be put off' with the firft repulfe ok Vituri, but refolvethto continue as 
 conftant in his atfedtion, as he doth in his refufal v and fo, after he had iVaid a month or two in 
 Cremona , he bethinks himfelf of an Invention whereby it is not impollible for him to obtain his 
 Miftrefs of her Father; 
 
 Pifani ) being inrichcd with the treafure of CbrijUncta * s favour and affedfion, writes to her, that 
 if foe can obtain her Mothers content, foe peradventure may ealily procure that of her Husbandv 
 who hearkening and relifoing this advice with much zeal, puts it a foot *, and as in few days foe 
 gained her Mother, fo a month was not fully paft, before ftre had likewife dravvn her Husbmd 
 to approve and confcnt to this Match. So' now our Lovers tire again revived and comforted ; 
 
 • for 
 
Hid II. 
 
 Pifani and Cbrijieneta. 
 
 7 
 
 for the rubs bang taken away, the .difficulties removed, and the Patents of both tides fully fa- 
 tted all things now feenr in fo fair a torwardiids and preparation, as if bur two Lovers were 
 (hortly to injoyeach other in marriage s or to iujoy the fruits of marriage, which fo earneft- 
 ly and infinitely both atfededind detired. . , f . , . ... , , . 
 
 To which end, that their Nuptials might be folemnized with the greater pomp and glory, 
 they provide thcrhfelvesof variety of rich and fumptuotis Apparel. The day appointed, and 
 all' the Nobility of Pavia and Cremona fas well their 'Kinsfolks as others) are invited to the 
 Wedding. But their Parents fhall come ffiort of their Deligns, and thele our two Lovers of 
 their hopes v for this Marriage being not begun in Heaven, thall never be tinifhed nor corifum- 
 
 mated on earth. - L r . . 
 
 We have here fo much fpoken of Pijani , that it feems we have quite forgotten Cajparino, a* 
 if he had no farther part to adl in this Hifioiy i but he is not fo fortunate : for this proceeding 
 of Pifani to Chrijientta is not fo fecretly managed, but he hath news thereofwho knowing there 
 can be no greater Trealbn, after that of a Subjed to his Soveraign, than for a Friend to betray 
 his Friend, he grieves, and is extreaitily incenfed atPipifi, to tec he hath betrayed him or his 
 Miltrds : the which he takes lb bitterly and paffionately,that he vows he will make him repent 
 it. Jcaloufie and Revenge are always bad Counfellors, and therefore can never prove good 
 Judges: But (uch is his love to Cbri^tneta, and lo deeply is her beauty imprinted and engra- 
 ven in his heart, as (hutting his Judgment to Charity, and opening it to Revenge, he is re - 
 lolved,at what price loever, to call Pifani to a ftrid account for this allront and difgracc, and is 
 relolved rather to die, than live to fee himfelf thus abufed, by one whom Gbd and Nature 
 hath made his inferiour. Were we as apt to do good as evil , we fhould be Angels , not 
 Men v but relembling our felves (Or rather hearkening too much to the Prince of Darkncfs) 
 we fly reafon to follow rage, and many times procure our own deftruiSEioh, in Peeking that 
 
 Cafparino having thus his eyes and fenfes o’re-cloudcd and veiled with the mill of Revenge, 
 is transported with fuch bloody paffions and refolutions, as he is fometimes relolved to Piltol 
 Pifani, either in the Street, or in his Beds and other times to hire two or three Ruffians to 
 murther him the next time he rides into the Country : but at lall cafting his eyes from Hell to 
 Heaven and from Satan to God, he trampleth thole execrable refolutionS under his feet, and 
 banifheth them from his heart and thoughts,cftccming fliem as unworthy of lnm, as he were 
 of the World, if he (hould commit them i and fo for that time enters into a resolution with 
 himfelf, no more to think on Cbrijieneta, and lefs to be revenged of Pifani, for betraying her 
 
 Had Gafparino continued in this peaceable and Chriftian-like mind, he had riot expofed him- 
 felf to fo many dangers and misfortunes,* nor given himfelf as a prey to feed the malice and re- 
 venge of his bloody Enemies : but now,underlianding that all Cremona and Pavia pratled and 
 laughed at his difgrace, in feeing him thus baffled and abufed by Pifani , he thinks that not only 
 himfelf, but his honour isdifparaged and wronged herein, and that he (hall beextreamly con- 
 demned of Cowardize, if in a Duel he call not Pifani tp right him, and give him fatisfa&ion : 
 yea the only conlideration of this point of honour(which many times is bought and fold at fo 
 
 dear a price, as the peril and lots both of body and foul) did fo violently perlwade and prevail 
 with him, that as revenge admits of no oppoiition, nor hearkens to any ad vice, fo enquiring tor 
 Pifani, and’ undemanding him to be in Pavia , he the more incouraged and inflamed hereat, f or- 
 king with him a refolute and confident Gentleman, and one only Lackey, fets fpurs to his Horle 
 and fo hies thithcr,refolving with himfelf to gain his honour in the fame City, where he had re- 
 
 ceived his difgratfCa , . . * n 
 
 Eeing arrived at Pavia , he is affined that Pifani is in the City, and enquiring more cunouily 
 after him, he underftands,that,that Very inltant he is with his Miftrefs Cbrijieneta, which do gal- 
 led his thoughts, and inflamed his heart, as he was once refol ved that very iuftant to fend him_a 
 Challenge, and the fooner, becaufe Cbrijieneta might be an eye-wituefs of the delivery thereof : 
 but to (peak truth, Paffion could not find a better opportunity, nor Judgment a wofle, tor 
 him to draw his malicious contemplation into bloody and impious aftion s arid therelote 
 refpeding Cbrijieneta, although Ihe had refufed to refpedt him, and fearing it foe had the lea It 
 notice or inkling thereof, ihe ‘loved her Pifani fo dearly, as (he would hinder and prevent him 
 from running into fo eminent a danger, he all that day huth’d himfelt up privately in his nrtc, 
 deterring the fending thereof till the morning, when delivering it to his Coufm Scbajiiano (the 
 Gwitlcman that came with him from Cremona ) he prays him inltantly to find out Pifant, aria to 
 deliver it to him as fecretly and as fairly as he could; . , . * 
 
 Sebajiiano being no novice inthefc occations and accidents, repairs to Pifani ms Lodging am 
 hfids him as ht- was iffuing of bis Chamber, whom he falutes,. and delivers Gafpartrjo % ^ 
 
( 
 
 i8 
 
 God's Revenge againft Murther. Book I. 
 
 
 
 
 
 lengc fait leak'd, Pifani with a ponlfant carriage,, and firm countenance, receives ic, and break- 
 ing on the Seals, fieps afide and reads theft Lines. 
 
 GASPARINO to PISANI. 
 
 Y ^'H-n ^f ve . firft breach to our friendjhip : for fit hyou have treachcroufiy bereaved me of my 
 
 Myti it, you muft now both in honour and juftke, either takg my life, or yield me yottrs in requital. 
 Jf you confideryour own ingratitude, you cannot tax,mitcb left condemn, this my refolutun : the Place,the 
 Weft end of the Parkj, the hour , four or five after Dinner -, the manner, on foot, with Seconds-, the Weapon, 
 tfyou pleaje, twofvtgle Rapiers, whereof bring you one , and I the other, and / will be content to take the 
 refujal, to give you the choice. Ifyour courage aitfweryour infidelity, you will not refufc to meet me. 
 
 . GASPARINO. 
 
 Pifani having received and perufcd this Challenge (like an Italianated Gallant, prefer ring his 
 honour before his lift) very cheerf ully, without any motion or fliew of alteration, either in his 
 ipeeehes or countenance, turns to Sebaftiano, and fpeaksto him thus, Sir, I pray tell Gal paring 
 Iron, me, that my ftlf and Second will withlingle Rapiers meet him and his, at the hour and 
 place appointed. 
 
 returns : and Pifani having accepted the Challenge, bears it fo ftcretly,as Chrifteneta 
 ft he other half of his heart) underftands not hereof i he finds out his dear and intimate triend 
 SJondrat°,a valiant young Gentleman, iflitcd of a very noble Family of Millain, who accompa- 
 nied him from Cremona,to whom he relates the whole effect of this bufinds, (hewing him Gafpa- 
 nno s Challenge, and requefhng bhn to honour him fo much as to Second him in this quarrel : 
 
 y w d / red . y , 0ffcreth ’ and e "^eth himfelftand fo about noon Sebafiian, 
 andhimft If, like honourable fr.eudly enemies, meet to provide and match the Rapiersjbut bear 
 
 y an ^, dlf L rcet y,aS no ‘, lc wh'itfbevej: could once perceive their intents, or gather their 
 Thc ^ Ura T°^ «U take Horft, and tlrat day Pifani, « he 
 would be no way prevented and hindrerf.-doth purpoftly refrain to vifu hisMtilref sChLnctl 
 
 ft™ ft ?h t irS rk r aS r t0 i, a ^ cdd,n S’ , bcin s thc place of Rendezvous of their meeting ( fo 
 
 Prifon “ ° f ,lmt Kins Tm * ,ht •"«*. * 
 
 3 R^n”r nd T S /f aU0 T Pifani and Sfondrato ard not long after, fo they 
 
 all tye up their Horfes to the hedge, pull off then Spurs, and cut away the timE?£rftS 
 
 «•«** 
 
 G4t‘r~ drolling thti. Rapiorj, and wiping olUhc blond I, mi JCftL’to* 4 “ J 
 
 al cjn whom Vi dory ts refolved to fmile,bi?t they alter the imnneof SSw° 
 
 » fijfcts with.judgment, and not with fury; and PiLi w23fr„* j gh ’ f , or now G “> 
 
 whereas heretofore they both did the contrary! The} 
 
 as he hath almpft put h.mfelfout of breath, bit GafLno isfo 
 
 hitnf?lf to break his thrufts,and refojves not to make anv but ' Jff- „ cai ' teIou , s ’ as hc contents 
 
 ad Y ai ! ta 8 e » * he iffue anfwereth his hopes and°expe^aTk>xis Ut for at tlv u*°^S!, d u P on nian *ftft 
 Ptfant .runs Gafparino ;ia the neck, » 
 
 and his Sword meeting with Cava Vena (which leads dire&lv u L c K ^ > 
 
 dtvorec bet wixt his body and his foul, and fo he falls (lark dead to the ground ”? fo 
 
 mg bim dilpatobtd, ftoa.ta ****,. B», Sf,n4r,„ J hSl 
 
 ihnee j 
 
T'ifani and Cbrifeneta. 
 
 I lift. II. 
 
 fiance ; but the affe&ion of the one, and the art of the other were in vain j for Pifani his life 
 had forfaken hs body, and his foul was already fled from this world to another. 
 
 WhiKl Sfondrato and the Chirurgion were llretching out the dead body of Pifani, and cover- 
 ing it up with their Cloaks, Sebafi,ano runs to Gafparino and congratulates with him for his vidl 
 cry, extolling his valour to the sky. But gafparino tells him, thattbefe praifes appertain not to 
 him, but to a higher providence* and withal! prayes him to be careful, and tomanage hislife 
 both with courage and diferetion : and for himfelf, finding his wounds no way defperate nor 
 dangerous, he is refolved not to fuffer his Chirurgion to bind them up, till he fee the ifTue of the 
 Combate betwixt his faithful friend Sebaftiano and Sfondrato. 
 
 By this time Sfondrato thinks it high time to begin, and being no way daunted with the misfor- 
 tune and death of his friend Pifani, but rather incourayed and refolved to fet it dearly on the life 
 o i Sebaftiano-, he draws, and with his Rapier in bis .hand comes towardsbim. Sebaftiano meets him 
 half way with a very frefh and chearful countenance, and fo they approach one to the other ; at 
 their fit fl encounter , Sebaftiano gives Sfondrato a large and wide wound on his. right fide, but re- 
 ceives another from him thorowthe left arm, a little below the elbow ; buc that of Sfondrato 
 poured forth more blood • and, to be brief, they both give and take divers wounds, and perform 
 the part of valorous Gentlemen. 
 
 . But, in the end, God, who would not give all the viAory to one fide, but will make both par- 
 ties lofers, to fhew thac be is difpfeafed with thefc their bloody aftions, and uncharitable refclu- 
 tions, which though Honour feem to excufe, yet Religion cannoc ; after the had three fevcral 
 times taken breath, Sebaftiano advancing a fair thruft to Sfond *tos breaft, which only pierced his 
 Ihirt, and ravelled his skin ; Sfondrato requited him with a mournful intprefi, for he ran him tho- 
 row at the fmall of the belly, and fo nailed him to the ground, bearing away his life on the point 
 of his Rapier. r 
 
 Lhusour lour Combatants, being now reduced to the number of t-vo, Sfondrato expe&ed 
 that Gafparino would have exchanged a thruft or two with h.m • the which certainly he had per- 
 formed : But Gafparino finding that the lofs of fo much blood made him then weax, and thac it 
 was now more than time for him to have his wounds bound up, they having taken order for the 
 decent ti anfporting of their dead friends that night to Pavia •, they, without fpcaking word one 
 to the oilier, commit themfel ves to their Chirurgions, and fo their wounds being bound up, they 
 take them with them, and, to fave themfel ves from the danger of the Law, they take Horfe and 
 poll away, Gafparino to Parma, and Sfondrato to Flo- ence: from whence they refolve not to llir 
 before their friends have procured and fenc them their Pardons 
 
 Leave we them there , and, to follow the ftream of this Hiftory, come we to Cremona and P*. 
 via which rings with the news of the ilTues, of thefe lamentable and tragical Combates. Pifani 
 and Sebaftiano are infinitely bewailed of their Parents, and lamented of their friends, yea of their 
 very enemies themfelves, and generally of all the world, who eicher knew them> or heardof their 
 Untimely and unfortunate ehds. 
 
 But all thefe tears are nothing, in comparifon of thofe which our fair Ch iflemta (heds for the 
 death ot her fweet Pifani, for her griefs are fo infinitely bitter.as (he tears her hair.disfigureth her 
 lace, weeps, mourns, houls, and cryes fo extreamly, that Sorrow her felf would grieve to fee her 
 forrotv ; yea, (he forfakes and abandoneth all company, throws offall her rich and glittering Gar- 
 ments, an.) takes on mournful and fadapparrel; foasail the perfwafions of the world are not 
 capable to gi ve her the leaft (hadow of confolation ; for, as (he affirms, (he neither will, nor can 
 be comlorted ; onlyamidft her tears, if (lie admit, or permit any pafflion to take place in her 
 heart or thoughts, it is choller and revenge againft Ga/pa i„ 0 , who had bereaved her of her only 
 joy, of her dear and fweet Pifani, whom (he loved a thoufand times more dear and tenderly 
 than her felf, and of him (he vows to be revenged in the higheft degree .• Whereby we may here 
 in Cbri/teneta fee the old phrafe made good, and verified , That there is no affetftion or hatred to 
 tnat ota Woman; for where they love, they love dearly, and where they hate, they hate dead- 
 Jy : But leave we her to her furrows, and come we again i;o Gafparino ; who i n (hort time, having 
 obtained his pardon, returns from Per m a to Cremona, where he is joyfully received of his Pa- 
 rents and friends. 
 
 • ^ e t! S 00 f °° ner a , rrived ’ but tIie remembrance of Chrificneta't beauty doth flourifti and revive 
 in his heart ; for although (he had I oved another, yet he could affeft none but her felf .• when Jet- 
 ting pais (ome fix or eight months, and hoping that time ( which is fubjeit to nothing, and all 
 things to it ) might wipe off her tears, and blow away her fighs .for the death of Pifani ■ he re- 
 lolves to renew his old fute to her; to which end he vifits her, firft by friends, next by letters, and 
 then in perfon. Cbrifieneta (like a counterfeit Fury) diffembles her love to Pifani, and her hatred 
 to him, and wichall triumpheth and takethapride to fee how difcreetly and clofelylhe bears 
 her malice.- But ourwifdom in fin proves meer folly in the eyes of God, which though (he 
 
 D a will 
 
God’s Revenge againji Murther. Book I, 
 
 will-not now acknowledge yet (he (hall hereafter Tie inforced to do it with repentance,and per- 
 adventure when it is too late. So being refolute in her inveterate indignation > her malice 
 doth to out-brave her Charity, and her revenge her Religion, as (lie cannot find any relt m ner 
 thoughts, or tranquillity in her mind, before (he fee the death ot Gajpanno make amends and 
 fatisfa&ion for that of Pifani. 
 
 Gafparino having the eyes of his judgment hood-winked, and not fore-feeing how dangerous 
 it is torepofeand rdie on the favour of an incenfed enemy, (as our judgments are nevertleir- 
 ell when we approach our ruin) is very importunate with Cbrijkneta, that he may. meet and 
 conferr privately with her, which indeed is the only opportunity that in heart fee hath Io long 
 deiired v and now it is that fee confpires his ruin, and plots his deftru£hon,wherem(perchance> 
 feeking his death, fee may procure her own. .... , . c 
 
 Dilkmblmg wretch as fee is, fee feems to be vanquifeed with his import unity, and therefore 
 to (hew her felf courteous and kind to him, fee appoints him to meet her in the Nunns Garden 
 at fix of the clock in the morning. But what courtefie, what kindnefs is this, To have honey 
 in the tongue, and poyfon in the heart > for fee prefently agrees with two wretched Rufhans, 
 Bunco and Brindoli , for twice titty Duckets to murther him. See here the implacable and dam- 
 nable malice of this young Gentlewoman, who forgetting her Soul, and her God, becomes the 
 
 Author of fo execrable and lamentable a Murther. ' 
 
 Gajparmo , drowning his fences and underftaifding in the contemplation ot the content he 
 fhould receive in injoying his Midrefs ChriJtcttetj s Company, thinks the night tong e re the day 
 appear, and although the evening were tair and clear, yec io the morn, Aurora had no fooner 
 leapt from the watry bed of Neptune, but the Skies were over-cad and veiled with obfeure 
 clouds, which imprifon the Sun and hi;, golden beams , purpofely not to behold lb bloody a 
 
 Tragedy, as was then to be a<Sed. ... 
 
 Chrijieneta( who could not ilccp for revcnge)i$ flirting in the morning betimes^and lo ar eBian* 
 co and Brindoli. They all meet in the Nunns Garden, fee walking in the Alleys, and they hide- 
 ing thcmfelves out of fight : A t laft the clock llrikes fix, and immediately in comes Gafparino , 
 with his Hat in his hand, and his Rapier by his tide > he courts and (d\atts€hrijkneta with many 
 amorous fpeeches,and fweet complementsifee prepares to receive him : but in (lead ot cour- 
 teous entertainment, gives him a bloody welcome , her words ( or rather her watch-words) are 
 thefe '■> Gafparino (quoth (he) this Garden it the place where 1 had my firjt conference with Pifani, and 
 where I purpof c to have my laji with you. At which words, Bianco and Brindoli, rufei forth of a Bower, 
 and with many wounds kill him dead attheir feet 7 but he had hr ft the leifure to draw, and for a 
 while very valiantly defended himfelf, giving each of them leveral wounds. Chrijieneta feeing 
 Gafparino felled to the ground, fearing that he was not fully dead, and to prevent his crying, fee 
 runs to him,thrufts her Handkcrchtr into his mouth j and to (hew her ielf more like a Tygar 
 than a Woman, and a Devil than a Chriilian, fee with a fmall Ponyard, or Stelleto, llabs him 
 many times thorow the body, and fpurning him with her feet, utters this revengctul and 
 bloody fpeech S Ibis I facripce to the memory of my dear Love Pifani. And fo Bianco and Brindoli 
 take this murthered body of Gafparino, and tying a great hone to it ; threw it into the Well of 
 the Garden-, and, the better to conceal this damnable adt, they fly by a Poller n-door v and 
 Chrijhncta thinking to cover and fhroud her'lin, under the cloak ot piety and devotion, for-; 
 fakes the Garden •> and fo, unfeen of any earthly eye, betakes her to the Nunns Church, where 
 fee falls on her knees ^ but withfoprophanea devotion, as fee did no way repent, but rather 
 triumph at this murther => But this her hypocriiie feall colt her dear. 
 
 We have here feen this horrible and cruel murther committed and adled,and the murtherers 
 thcmfelves by this time all fled, and gotten to their homes ^ yea, Chnpencta glorieth in her re- 
 venge, and Bianco and BrindtiW in their money*, foas they now think themfelves free, and pail all 
 danger :but they feall be deceived in their hopes, for Divine Providence hath decreed other wile. 
 And here we come to the detection and punifement of this murther, wherein God’s mercy and 
 julfice, his providence and his glory, do moll miraculOuily feine and appear. 
 
 The Nunns being in their Cells at their Orifous, hear the clinking of fwords, and fo they 
 advertife their Abbefs or Governncfs thereof, who gives the' A larum in the Houfe.They defeend 
 tothe Garden, to fee what this rumor might be*, they find thePollern open, and the Alleysvery 
 much fprinkled and gored with blood *, they fulpebl murther, but neither find nor fee any, either 
 living or dead: they fend to acquaint the Prefedl and Provoli of the City herewith, who repair 
 to the Garden, and (as before) find much blood, but fee no body *, they make ftridf inquiry and 
 fearch in the dftchcs, hedges, thickets, and vaults of the Garden, but find nothing, only they for- 
 got to fearch the Well : Then to find what thofe fighters were, they think of a policy, as wor- 
 thy cf them, as they of their office, they give a fccret charge to all the Chirurgions 01 the City 
 to reveal them., if any having new wounds, came that night, or the next morning to them, to 
 
 be 
 
Hift. II. Pifarii and Chrifleneta. 
 
 be cured, whereupon KhannHo r one of thechiefeft Chirurgions, informs them', that he about an 
 hour lince had drefled Bianco and Srindolt ( two Soldiers of the City ) of nine fever at wounds , 
 which they newly received*. The Prefed and Provoft advertiled thereof,' caufe them to be 
 brought before them, whom they found both together, where (no doubt) they had confulted. 
 They inquiry who wounded them } They anlwer, They had a quarrel betwixt themfelves, arid 
 fo they fought it out.Being demanded again, where, and when they foright, they looked each 
 on other, and knowing that Chrifleneta was fafe at home, and Gaftaritfo clofe in the Well, they 
 inftantly replyed,it was in the Nunns Garden at Saint Clayre , and at fix of the clock in the 
 morning, which agreeing to the Nunns relation, gave end to this bufinefs, for that time efpecr- 
 ally. But though they delude and blind the eyes of men, yet they cannot,nqr (hall not thole of 
 God •, And now, although thde murtherers have thus eleaped, yet they prepare to torfake and 
 leave Pavia^ for fear to be afterwards dftcovered. But they (hall be prevented in their fubtktfei 
 for the hand of God will fpeedily arreft them. 
 
 Now we muff obferve, that Gaftarino being found wanting two whole nighty frpm his lodg- 
 ing, and his Lackey gathering no news of him at Vitu/f s Houle, where he ulually frequented to 
 vilit and court his Miftrefs Chrijlcneta y hc informs the Hod: of the houfe thereof i and he like an 
 hondt man, doubting the' worft (after the cuftom of Italy) acquainted the Piet- & and Provoft 
 thereof, who, like judicious and wife Maglft*.ate$,examined Gajparino’s Lackey when he laft law 
 his Maftcr, and where. The Lackey anfwets, He parted f rom his chamber yefterday morning 
 betwixt five and iix, with his Prayer-Book in his hand,as‘if he were going to Church, but com- 
 manded him not to follow him and lince ( he faith) he law him not. And now, by the provi- 
 dence of God, the Lackey’s relation gives a little glimpfe and glimmering lig|it to theMixovery 
 of this murther j (or, the Magiftrates fee, that the hour of Gafparinifls depart i^r^rom his Cham- 
 ber, and that of Bianco and Brindoli* s fighting do agree j as alfo his Book and the Nunns Church 
 bear fome (hew of coherence and probability. 
 
 Whereupon, they (guided as it were by the very immediate finger of God^refolve and de- 
 termine to apprehend, and forthwith to imprilon both Bianco and Brindol r, who, the very next 
 day had thought tojiave dipt down the River to Ferrara , and fo tvVuuce. . .. 
 
 They are examined concerning Gaharino 7 they vow he is.a Gentkinan. they have neither 
 known nor feen. The Magiftrates hold it fit they lhould be put to the Raeky which is as^ fpeedi- 
 ly performed : but thefeftout Villains firmly and conftantly maintain their firft (pcech i> and al- 
 though they make fuit to be freed and relealed, yet the Prefedt holds it iieceflaiy to continue 
 them in prifon *, and withal, tomake amorc narfdw and exa£ter learcn in the Nunns Garden. 
 
 Chrifleneta^ being at the firft advertiled that Bianco and Brindoli were dead, is thereat aftonifh- 
 cd and amazed, and fo refolves to tiy, but being advertifed they had already differed torments, 
 and revealed nothing, (he again refolves to ftay,which indeed the doth > but it is the jullice and 
 mercy ot God that keeps this bloody Bird within her Neil. 
 
 The Pretext and Provoft (as being infpired from Heaven Continue conftant in their reflati- 
 on s,to make a fecond fearch in the Garden for murther s which they do,and very curioufly,lea- 
 ving no place un(rarchcd:at laft it plealed theLord to put into the Provoft’s mi id to learch the 
 Wcll,which the day before they had omitted. He acquaints the Prefed: herewith, who with 
 much alacrity approves hereof, and fo caufing it to be fearched, they at laft in their hooks bring 
 up fome pieces ol wrought black Taffety, winch by the Lackey wasaffirmed,and known to be 
 the fame that his Mailer Gaftarhio wore, the laft time he law him : whereat they were more 
 eagerly encouraged to fearch again moft exactly \ which they do, and at laft bring up the dead 
 body of Gajjtarino^ when Itripping oft his cloths, they find his body pierced with thirteen feve* 
 ral wounds, at the mournful figrit whereof,the whole Alfembly,but efpecially his Lackey,can- 
 not retrain trom tears, and yet all glorifie God for finding his body, as alfo for the difeovery of 
 the Murtherers, who now they confidently, bclieveare Bianco and Brindoli . 
 
 But fee the farther mercies of God ^ for Bianco and Brindoli are but the hands which executed 
 this murther, and not the head which plotted it : therefore the Magiftrates, being fare of them, 
 do now refolvc to hyc to prilon, and to give them double torment, thereby to dilcover out 
 of what Quiver the firft Arrow of this murther came : But behold the mercy and juftice of 
 God ! they are eafed of this labour, and the name of the Malefa&or brought them by a mod . 
 miraculous and unheard-of accident i for when the Magiftrates and whole Company had often 
 viiited Gaffarino's naked body, and fecn nothing but wounds, a little Bay Handing by (of fome 
 ten years of age) efpieefa linnen cloth in his mouth, which he (hewed the Company, which the 
 Prcledt caufing to be pulled out, found it to beaCambrick Handkercher, and withal, a name 
 in red (ilk Letters in one corner, which was the very true name of Chrifleneta . 
 
 See, fee, thegoodnefs! Oh let us Hand amazed and wonder at the mercies of God, to fee 
 what means and inftruments he ordaineth for the difeovery of murtherers! 
 
 D 3 The 
 
 21 
 
« if 
 
 
 2 2 Go// Revenge againjl Murther . Book 1 ‘ 
 
 The Prefed: and Provoft, fend away fpeediiy to apprehend her; (he is taken in the midft of her 
 pfeafures and paftimes, yea from the Arm of her Mother, and feet of her Father, to whom (he 
 fled for fatety, but in vain ; for (he is inftandy committed clofe Prifoner, from whence we (hall 
 not fee her come forth, till (he come to het condign punifhment, on a (hameful Scaffold* for this 
 her horrible offence of Murther. 
 
 And now the Prefed and Provoft go themfelves to the Prifon, where B Unco and Brlnd oh are-; 
 they accufe them peremptorily for the murther of Gafparino y whofe body , they inform them, the,/ 
 have taken out cf the VVell - but they again deny ir. They give them double torment, and corv 
 Jure them to reveal this their mtirther ; but they are fo ftrongof courage, or rather the Devil is 
 io ftrong in them, as they deny all, and neither accufe themfelves, nor any other. 
 
 The Prefed and Provoft, although they faw all circumftances concur/*, that undoubtedly 
 Chrijlcvcta had a deep hand in this murther, yet they examine her fairly, and promife her much 
 favour, and their beft friend (hip and affiftance, if (he will reveal it ; but (he, as her two confede- 
 rates, deniesall. They adjudg her to the Rack, whereunto (he very patiently permits her felf 
 to be faftned ; but her dainty body and delicate limbs cannot indure the cruelty of this torment ; 
 and fo (heconfeffeth ail ; that, in revenge of Pifani’s death, (he had caufed Bianco and Brindoli 
 to murther him in the Nunn's Garden, as we have formerly underftood. 
 
 And now comes Gods fentcnce from Heaven, pronounced againft thefe murtherers, by the 
 mouth of his Magiftrates on earth, who for reparation and expiation of their horrible crimes of 
 murther, committed on Gafparino, adjudg Bianco and Brindoli to have their right hands cut off, 
 then to be hanged, and their bodies thrown into the River To ; And Cbriflemta ( notwithHand- 
 ing all the folicitation which her Father and friends made for her ) to be firft hanged, then burn- 
 ed, and her afhes thrown into the air: Which, to the full fatisfaftion of Juftice, before an infinite 
 number of Spe&ators fwho aflifted at their mournful ends ) was accordingly executed, who yee 
 could not retrain from tears, but as much approved and applauded Chrifttneta $ affeftion to fi- 
 fan 'h as they detdied and abhorred her inhumane and bloody revenge to GAfparino . 
 
 Bianco and Brindoli .as they Jived unrighteoufly, fo they dyed defperatefy, and could not be 
 drawn ro repent themfelves of this their bloody fa& : But, as I have underftood, Chrijicntta was 
 extremely forrowful for her fins, but efpccially for this murther, whereof at her laft breath (he 
 infinitely and exceedingly repented herfelf: yea, I have been informed, that (he delivered a 
 godly and religious fpecch upon the Ladder, but I was not fo fortunate to recover it. 
 
 May al n uc Chriftians read this Hifiory with profit, and profit in reading it, that fo God may 
 receive the glory, and their fouls the eternal comfort and confolation. Amp . 
 
 j] I* t 
 
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 Mo rtaif cf tic JtSi lFks < mv 
 
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 burnt 
 
 Hift. III. 
 
 
 
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 fofrt'Jttii tnrtul onto (Stoll jfie Ladfur jr*<ms f h nbe ^ Io e & ~M ffvj * tbrefSf 
 
 GOD’S Revenge againfl the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 history iii. 
 
 Mortaign jtndcr fromife of Mttriage , gets Joffelida with Child, and after, converting his love into hd - 
 tred, caufeth his Lackey La Verdure,*^ La Palma, *0 murther both her, and her young Son : the jea- 
 lottfie of Ifabel la to her Husband La Palma is the caufe of the difeovery hereof: they are all three takftt 
 and executed for the fame . 
 
 I T is a juft reward for the vanity of our thoughts, and a true rccompence for the erfors of Out 
 youth, that we buy pleafure with repentance, and the fweetnefsoflin with the bitternefsofaf- 
 flidtions'.but if we violate the laws ot Chriftianity,and abandon our fd ve$ to luft and fornication, 
 then we fhall fee with (hame, that men will not pity us, and find with grief, that God will pit- 
 nifh us.lt is an excellent vertue in maidens, not to liften to the lewd temptations of men, and in 
 men not to hearken to the fugred charms of the Dcvil>for commonly that folly gives the one 
 (hame,and this madnefs brings the other deilrudtion : but if wefirft forget our (elves, and then 
 our God, by adding and heaping (in upon (in, asfirft, to perpetrate fornication, and after mur- 
 ther, than alTuredly our eftate is fo miierably wretched, and fo wretchedly mifcrablc, as we have 
 no hope left for better fortunes, nor place for worle. And becaufc Example is both pleafing to 
 our memory, and profitable to our judgment, this mournful enfuing Hiftory (half make good, 
 and confirm it tous: Therefore let us (hut the door 6f our thoughts agiinft the power of fin, 
 and that of our hearts, agaiuftthe malice of Hell, and we (hall not only make our fortunes im- 
 moveable in this world, but our felicity eternal in that to come. 
 
 In the South-eaft pajt of Fra>rcf,within a days journey of the famous City of Lion the foot 
 
 of the Mountain of Tar ora, upon the birder and bofomc of that fweet River Lignon , fo famouf- 
 ed by the Minion of 'Honour, and the Darling of the Mufes, the Marquefs of Vrfe, in his beauti- 
 ful and Divine Aflrea^ezr Vutcney ( a certain fmall V ill age )t here dwelt a poor Count ryFarmer 
 named Andrew Millard , who of htc burying his Wife, had one only Child left him by her, be- 
 ing a very fair youHg Girle, about the age of twelve yearsold, named JeffeliH.ti whom he hoped 
 
 (hould 
 
24 
 
 God's Revenge againfl Murther. Book I. 
 
 fliould prove the ftaijf and prop of his age, and rcfolved when fhe grew up in years, and came to 
 womans eftatc,to marry her to foroc ot his neighbours Ions, and at ins death, to give her ail that 
 little which cither his Parents, or his own labour and induiiry had lett or procured him. 
 
 Two or three years hiding away, in which time AloJ/^incrcaling in wealth, and his daugh- 
 ter in years, (he was, and was juftly reported to be the taireft Nymph of thofc parts, and by all 
 the ruftick Swaths termed the fair Joffdina, efteeming themfelves happy, it they might tee her, 
 much more, if they might enjoy her prefence. 
 
 Now within a little League ot Mallard's houfe, dwelt an ancient and wealthy Gentleman, 
 named A iounfiettrdc Coucye, who had many Children ; but among the reft, hiseldcft foil, termed 
 Mounfieur de Mortaign , was a very hopeful and brave Gentleman, who was firft a Page to chat 
 generous Noble-man Mounfieur de la Guicbe,{omt times Governour ot Lyons , and hnce his death, 
 a chief Gentleman to Mounfieur de Saint Jm; ant ,now a Marthal ot France. 
 
 This A lortaign having lived fome years in P^r/V,with his Lord the Mafflial, where he follow- 
 ed all honourable cxercifes, as Riding, Fencing, Dancing, and the like (whereby he purchaled 
 himfelf the honourable title of a moil perfed and accomplithed Gentleman ) was at lad deli rous 
 to lee his Father, partly, becaufe heunderftood he was weak and iickly > but efpecially to be at 
 rhe Nuptials of a Sitter of his, termed Madam yfellc de la Hay , who was then to be married to a 
 Gentleman of Avcrgnc, termed Mounfieur de Cafl'alis. 
 
 This Marriage being {okmnbed, Mortaign having condudcd his filter into Aver gne, and now 
 feeing his Father ftrong find lufty,hc begins to difiike the Country, and to wifh him fell again in 
 Paris, where the ratling of Coaches, and the infinity of fair Ladies did better dclight'and pleafe 
 him : he craves leave ot his Father and Mother to return, which (becaufe he is the chiefeft ltay 
 and comfort of their agejthey unwillingly grant him, and fo he prepares for his return to Petris. 
 Eut an unlooked-for Accident (hall Hop his Journey for the prefent •, and another, but far more 
 fatal, feconding and fucceeding that, lhall fiop and hinder him from ever feeing it. 
 
 For the night before the morning he was to depart, de Coucye his Father is moll dangeroufly 
 taken with a burning Fever, and fo neither he nor his Mother will permit him to depart. Living 
 thus in the Country, and few Gentlemen dwelling near his Father’s houfe,he gives himlelf to 
 Hunting and Hawkings paftimeVand cxercifes, which though before he loved not, yet now he 
 exceedingly delights in :Now among!! other timts, he one day hunting in his Fathers Woods 
 (hollowing for his Dog which he had loft in a thicket) by chance fprung aPheafant, which Hy- 
 ing to the next Woods, he lends for his Hawk,with an intent to fly at him*, and fo being not lb 
 happy as again to let fight of him, he ranged fo far, and withal fo tail, that he was very thirfty, 
 but faw no houfe near him, that he might call for Wine j till at laft he happened on that of An - 
 drex? Mollard,of whom we have formerly made mention. Mortaign , feeing a man walking in 
 
 the next Vineyard, demanded if he were the man of the houfe, and prayed him to afford him a 
 draught of Wine alledging that he was very thirfty j A tollard knowing this young Gentleman 
 by the model of his face, prefumed to demand him if he were not one of Mounfieur de Coucye s 
 Sons ? He anfwercd, yes, and that his name was Mortaign . A lyllard prefently calling to mind 
 that he was his Father’s Heir, very courtcoufly(in his fafhion) prays him to enter his houfe, and 
 fo’bcing fet down, he fends his daughter Joffelina for Wme, which Ihe fetched, and they both 
 drink, where honeft Mollard thinking his houfe blcffed with fo great (and as he thought fo good) 
 a Gentleman, very chearfully proffers him Pears, Grapes, Walnuts, and luch homely dainties as 
 his poor Cottage could afford. But we (ball fee Mortaign requite this courrefie of Mallard , with 
 an extream ingratitude-. 
 
 Mortaign whofe eye was feldom on Mallard, and never from his Daughter, admires to fee fo 
 fweet a beauty in fo oblcure a place > he cannot refrain from blufhing, to behold the delicacy 
 of her pure complexion: for though (he were poor in clothcs,yet he law her rich in beauty, which 
 made not only his eyes, but his heart conclude, that the was wonderful fair •, fith it iscverthe 
 lign of a true and perfed beauty, where the face graceth the apparel, and not the apparel the 
 face. And now comparing Joffdinds taint, to that of the gallant Ladies of Paris, he finds that 
 the truth of nature exceeds thefallhoodof their Art : for thorow the Alabafter of her Front, 
 Neck, and Paps, he might perceive the azure of her veins, which like the windings of Meander's 
 ftreamsfwiftly range, and fwectly prefents it felf to his eye. And for her eyes, or rather the 
 Diamonds and Stars of her face, their fplendor was fo clear, and their influence fo piercing, as 
 they not only captivate his thoughts with love, but wounded his heart with affedion and’ ad-, 
 miration. Eut if 'tfjgrtaign gazeoa theffrefhnefeand fweetnelsof Jojfcliriq* beauty, no Ids doth 
 Ihe on the ptopernefs and perfedion of his youth, only his eyes tilt at hei*with more liberty, 
 and hers on him with modcfty,rdped, and fecrecy > which Mortaign well clpying, he vows to 
 obtain her favour, or to lofe his lite in rciearch thereof : but the end of luch lafcivious refoluti- 
 ons leldomc prolper. 
 
 Eat 
 
Hift. III. Mortaign and JojJelina. 2 5 
 
 Bat lee how all things tavour Mortaign s affection, or rather his lull, to ‘jojfdina ! for Mollard 
 tells him, he holds a finall Tenement near adjoining to his Father > who hath now put him 
 in Suit of Law for two Herriots*, and therefore befeecheth him for his good word and lavour to 
 his Father in his behalf. Mortaign glad of thisoccalion to ferve for a pretext and cloik for r 
 
 him to haveaccels to hisHoufe and Daughter, promileth him to deal effectually with his Fa- 
 ther for him, and the next time hepaffeth that way, to acquaint him what he hath done there- 
 in; and fo dealing a kifs or two from Jojfdina^ as her Father went into the Court, aitd with-* 
 all, fwearing to her, that he loved her dearly, and would come often to fee her s he thank- 
 ing Mollard for hiSgood chcar, for that time departed. 
 
 But the further he goes from Mollard*s houfe, the nearer his heart approaoheth his Daughter 
 Jojfelina. So his thoughts being lledfahly and continually fixed on her, he begins to dilUlte 
 his Father’s houfe, yea, for lakes all company and many times pretending to walk in thfc 
 Park and Woods, he deals away privately to fee his new Miftrefs. He viiits her often, but 
 efpecially when her Father is at Market , and gives her Gloves, Lawn, and Silk Girdles * yea, 
 he never comes to her, but brings her fome Gift and Prefent, thinking thereby tliefooner to 
 obtain his dclire , but as yet he is dill deceived ; for, although (he be humble and iimple, yet 
 (he is chad, and will not hearken to his allurements and enticements. Had Joffelina conti- 
 nued condant in this refolution, her life would have proved more happy, and her death lefs 
 mournful. 
 
 Mortaign perceiving JotfdinJs coynefsand obdinacy, is thereat no way the left, but ra- 
 ther far the more enfnaredand enftamed with her beauty > and now perceiving that all his 
 Viiits, Gifts, Speeches, and Prayers, work no defired effeCt, he hath recourfe to that old fallacy 
 and fubtil invention, whereby fo many filly Maids are abufed and deceived ; -he vows, that 
 if {he will permit him to enjoy his defire, he will marry her, notwithftanding that their Birth 
 and Quality were fo unequal and different : and this, and only this battery and allurement, 
 was that which vanqui died JoJfelinas Chaditys who, poor Girl, caught with this inare, in 
 hope to be a Gentlewoman, {hook hands with her Maiden-head, which {he fhould have pri- 
 zed and efteemed far more precious than her life: but {he (hall pay deer for this her folly for 
 fhe {hall live Mortaign's Strumpet, and never dye his Wife. 
 
 Mortaign hath now his defire of Jojfdina \ and for the fruit of this their unchad pleafure, 
 infhort time her belly fwells. Millard her Father difeovers the Pad in the draw > he grieves 
 hereat, tears his white hairs, and vows, his Daughter’s infamy will {hortenhis dayes. He 
 torments her with reproachings and threatnings, foas {he can find no red or tranquillity in 
 his Houfe : {he advertifeth Mortaign hereof , and fequefts his afliftauce in this her affliction. 
 Mortaign by night deals her away, and fends her ten Leagues off from Vnrency , placing her 
 in a poor Kinfman’s Houfe of his, where {he is delivered of a young Son. But fhe {hall ihortly 
 fee ( with repentance) what it is to have a Child ere a Husband. In the mean, time fhe feeds 
 her lelf with hope, that Mortaign will fliortly marry her > but he refolves nothing left : for 
 the Gallants of thefe times( who build their triumphs upon the fhipwrack and ruins of Maidens 
 Honour ) will promife any thing, ere they enjoy their defires but perform nothing when they 
 have obtained it * hut rather fpurn at thofe plcafures., as at Nofc-gayes, which they delight ift 
 in the morn, and throw away ere night. 
 
 Calintba ( Mortaigits Mother ) all this while knows nothing of thefe occurrences betwikt 
 her Son and jojfdina ^ and defires to lee him married, that fhe' might have the felicity to fee 
 herfelf a Grand-mother: to which end, {he refolves to fcpkaWife for him \ and makes a 
 motion to Monfieur de Vaffy , the Scrtefcbal of la Paiijfc , to match her Son with Msdarnoyftllh 
 la Varwa, his only Daughter. VeVaJfy dillikes not this motion-, the young folks foe and Iovc,r 
 fo as in all human fenfe, and outward appearance, it feems a fhort time will iiniffl and con- 
 clude this Match : but it was otherwife determined in Heaven. 
 
 This news doth amaze and terrific jojfdina : but, as misfortune feldom tomes alone, fhe 
 likewife, that very inftant, underftands that Mollard her Father ffor very grief of her foul fad ) 
 is dead, and hath dif-inherited her, leaving her nothing but. the memory of.her.ihame ^ for 
 her Portion and Dowry, and only repentance to comfort her : And this indeed Is the fore- 
 runner of her future mifery. Wherefore now, if ever, it is tor her to look to her ftlf and wel- 
 fares to which end foe refolves to write Mortaign a Letter, to put him in mind 6f hftpromrfo, 
 and to take compafllonof her poverty, being already reduced to this mifery, that fht hathnof 
 wherewithal to maintain her felf arid Child. Her faid Letter ( word for word ) I thought 
 good toinfert here, becaufethe (ubftanee and perulal thereof, defervesboth pity and com- 
 panion. * . ; 
 
 E 
 
 JOSSELItfA 
 
God's Revenge agaiiift Murther. Boole L 
 
 I OS SELINA to MORTAIGN. 
 
 Y OV have bereaved me of mine honour, the which [bad I as much grace as vanity ) I Jhould have efieent- 
 cd far dearer and more precious than my life. Yourpromije to makg me your IVifc , was the only lure 
 which drew me to confcnt to that error and folly ? at the remembrance whereof , 1 grieve with Jhame, and 
 Jhame with repentance, efpecially fith I fee you are fo far from performing it, as you hate me,in\\ead of 
 loving me: let the fweetnefs of my youth , and tbefrejhnejs of my beauty , ( which with many oaths you 
 protejiedyou both admired and adored) jtidg whether lhave deferved this difeourtefie of you : but it is a 
 juji puntfhment for my fin ■> and now 1 find too late , though formerly I would not believe , that the 
 fruits of plea fur e are bitter, refembling thofe Pills which feem fweet to the Palate, but prove poy fan to 
 the Stomach and may all Maidens beware by my example, Jf you will not advance my fortunes, yet 
 fe ek, not to mak^Jhipwrack^ of my life, as you have done of my ebafiity. You know, my Rather is dead, 
 and with him, all the Means which in this world I can either hope or expett, as well for the maintenance 
 of my felf, as of yaur Son, except from your felf the which, with millions of fight and tears, I beg and 
 befeech you afford us ? and if not for love to me, at leajl for pity to him-, if you will not grant me the 
 honour to be a piece of your Jelf, yet in yia\ure you cannot deny but your little Son is not only your PiUurc , 
 hut your Image : therefore if you will not affett me for his fakg, at leajl do him for mine • , and t bin 
 that as it will be an extream ingratitude inyou, not to give her maintenance , who hath given you a Son? 
 fo it will be extream cruelty, not to allow that poor Babe wherewithal! to live, fith he hath received both 
 his B mg and life of you. But 1 hope you will prove more natural to him, and more charitable to my 
 ft If > otherwise rejl affured, that fuch dhfrcfpcft and unkandnefs, will never go long, cither unpitied of 
 men, or unpunifhed of God. 
 
 JO SSELI-N A. 
 
 Joffelina having penned this Letter to Mortaign-, (he, defirous to draw hope and affiftanee 
 from all parts, thinks it fit likewife to write another to Calintba his Mother, to the lame effcft: 
 the which flie doth, and fends it by a confident MelTengcr, with exprefs charge to deliver them 
 feverally : the tenor thereof is thus. 
 
 ' Htt w -* •, '■ ■ ' * - i T j, •: | ‘ <m 
 
 JOSSELINA to CALINTHA. 
 
 I Knott not in what terms cither to relate you. tny misfortunes , or reveal you my miferyy efpecially fith 
 my oven folly and indiferetion gave life to thf firjl,as your Son MortaignV ingratitude doth to the fe - 
 cond : had I been as wife,as nova forrowful', or as chajLas now repentant or which is more,hadI not then 
 loved him, as much as he now hates me, J need not blujh, as Ido , to write to you , that his promife to 
 make me his Tf^ife,hath made me the unfortunate Mother of a young Son, whereof be is the unkind Fa* 
 ther. I may well term my felf mfortunate,fitb I nofooner lofl mine honour , but my Father, for his dif- 
 pleafnre of myjhame andfolly, gave all bis Means from me, which before,Kight and. Nature hadpromifed 
 pie , and 1 may juftly termyour Son Mortaign unbind, fith he not only refufetb to marry me , but alfo 
 to allow maintainance , either for my felf or his Child ; It is therefore to you, wanting and dcfpairingof 
 all other means, friends, and hopes, that with manyblujhes and tears , 1 prefume to acquaint you with 
 the poverty of my fortune , and the richnefs of my mifery, the which I humbly requefl you both to pity and 
 relieve -, at lead, if you will not, that your Son may, who is the caufe thereof. My'lovc to bim,batbmt 
 deferved your hatred tome and therefore in cxcufing my folly , or rather, if you plcafc my youth- 
 1 loopc you-will be fo charitable to'the poor Babe my Son, that ifhall not want for his fak$, nor he for his 
 Fathers > or if you will frown, and not (mile on me, but rather triumph to fee me languijh and faint un- 
 der the burthen of my poverty, yet vouebfafe to excufe his innacency , though you condemn mine -.error : 
 and fo, if lmuft dye miferably , at leajl let me carry this one content to my grave. That I maybe Jure be 
 
 (hall live bafpi/y. Nature cannot deny this Charity, and Grace will not excufe that Cruelty. 
 
 JOSSELINA. 
 
 Whil cs Joffelina flatters her felf with hope, that thefe Letters will procure her her defire and 
 comfort, Mmaigtt, and Calintba his Mother , receive them. As for Mortaign , he, like a bafe 
 Gentleman, ( wnofe courtefie was now turned into..inhumanityJ as much triumphs in his own 
 lin, as rejoyccthin Joffelina sfoolifh ambition and poverty.lt is a felicity to him, to think that 
 lie hath abuied Iiet youth, and betrayed her chaiiity : and therefore he now rcipedeth her fo 
 little, or rather aif-refpedteth her fo much, as her (hame is his glory, her mifery, his happi- 
 nefs , and her afflidion, his content •, yea, he no more thinks of her, but with difdain and envv: 
 for the beauty of V arim, hath quite defaced and blotted out that of Joffelina. Neither doth this 
 cruelty o{ Mortaign end in her, but it begins in theprettyBabe his Somfor he fo far dcgeneiateth 
 
 from 
 
Hid. III. 
 
 Mortaign and JoJjelma. 
 
 trom the Laws and Principles of Nature, as he not only hates the Mother tor the Child’s fake, 
 but the Child for his Mother's fakir •, yea, he is fo tar from giving either of them maintenance, 
 or both content, as he Icorns die Mother, and will no way either own or relieve the Child* 
 and fo burning his Letter, and forgetting the contents thereof, he very ingratefuliy and cruel- 
 ly rciblves to anfwer it with iilcnce : and this is the beft comfort which Joffclina and the poor 
 young Babe, her Son, receive trom Mntaign. But I fear the word is to come* 
 
 If Joffelina and her Babe receive fuch dif-refpedf and inhumanity from 'Mortaign , it is to be 
 feared and doubted, that they will meet with little better trom his Mother Calintha > who 
 no fooner received aud read her Letter, but.full of wrath and indignation, (he in difdain throws 
 it away from her: yea, her ddcoirent and malice is fo inflamed againfl Joffelina and her Child, 
 as fearing it may prove a blur and a block to Mortaign s marriage with Varina, (he not only 
 refufeth to relieve them, but is fo cruel and inhuman, as (he wifheth them both in another 
 World, as unworthy to live in this. But her choler is too paflionate, and her paflions too un- 
 natural and cruel : tor it the would not relieve Joffelina, whom her Son Mortaign had abufed* 
 yet, in pity* yea, in.nature,(he (hould h »ve taken order for the maintenance of the Child, whom 
 ber Son had begotten : for if the Mother had deierved her hatred, yet this poor Babe was in- 
 nocent thereof, and rather merited her companion, than her envy, or, at lead, if there had been 
 any (park of humanity, grace, or good naturcin her, if (he would not have been feen courte- 
 ous and barbarous to them her felt, yet (he might difpence with her Son, and wink if he had 
 performed it. But nothing lefs: for her malice is (o great, and her rage fo outragious and 
 imreafonablc, as (he refufeth it her felt , and commands him to the contrary : fo as being once 
 refolute , not to cad away fo much time to return Joffclina an anfwer , (he at lad in a humour, 
 wherein difdain triumphed over pity, and humanity over charity, calls for Pen and Paper, and 
 returns her this bitter and cruel anfwer. 
 
 CALINTHA to JOS SELINA. 
 
 H Aving been fo gracekfs to abufc my Son , I wonder bow thou darefl be fo impudent , as to offend 
 me with thy Letter *, the which l bad once thought rather to have burnt , than read : but l find 
 it not jlrangc, that being defett'we of thy body ,thou art fo of thy judgment * to thinly that fuh thine 
 own, Father gave all from thee , that I,who am a meet fttanger to thee (as I wijh thou hadjt been to my 
 Son) Jhould afford or give thee any thing . Neither doth this refoluium of mine proceed from contempt ^but 
 charity : for , as thou art a woman , I pity thee * but , as afirumpet , hold it no pity to relieve thee „ Now 
 theft, dejpairing of any hope far thy fdf thru pie idejl far thy Brat i butfitb he is the object of thy Jhame , 
 as thou art of my Son , and withal the caitfe : why Jhould / look^on the Child with compaffunjith l nei- 
 ther can nor will fee the Mother , but with difdain and envy ? Thou complainejl of thy misfortune and mi - 
 fry, without confid ring that the Stars and Horofapc of thy bafe birth, never pointed thee out for fo 
 high anejlate , as of a Clown s Daughter , to become a Gentleman s Wife : but thou muji add ambition to 
 thy dijhonejly ', as if one ofthefe two vices were not enough powerful to mak$ thee mifer able. Thou doji lik§- 
 wife tax my Son of unkfndnefs towards thee\ wi thout confidering , that his love to thee , hath been cruelty 
 to himfelf: for , as thou art like to buy his familiarity with tears ' > fa, for ought 1 kyow,may be thine with 
 repentance . If thou rxped any comfort , th m mull hope for no other than this , That as my Son difdains 
 to marry thee, Jo do L that either my J elf or he relieve thee. Lool ^ then . on thy Jclf with Jhame , on thy 
 Child with repentance *, whiles my Son and l will r emend) er yon both with contempt , but neither with pity * 
 
 CALINTHA. 
 
 Poor Joffdina having received and perufed Calintha* s Letter, and feeing , withall, Mortaign 
 fo inhuman, as he difdains to write to her *, for meet grief and forrow , (he , with her Babe 
 at her bread, falls to the ground in a fwoom and bad not the noife thereof advertiied thofe in 
 the next room, to come to her affiihnce,(he had then and there ended her mifery with her life, 
 and not afterwardsdived to fee and endure fo many iharp aflh&ions, and lamentable wants 
 and misfortunes. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! (he hath now no power to fpeak, but to weep •, yea, if her tears are not words, 
 I am fure her words are fighs : tor, being abandonedof Mortaign, an d hated of his Mother, flic 
 is fb. pierced to the heart with the con fi derat ion of that cruelty , and the remembrance of this, 
 difdain, that (he tears her hair, repents her feif of her former tolly, and curfetH the hour that 
 Mortaign h rftfaw her Fa tiler’s houfe, or (he him : but this is but one part of her forro.ws and 
 afflidfions. Lo, here comes another, thatis capable to turivher difeontent into defpair, her it- 
 fpair. into rage, and her rage into madnefs. 
 
 For, by this tim c r Calintha underdanding by her Son, where Joffelina refided and fojourned* 
 the (aordcred the matter,as when J ofldina lead thought thereof v (he and her Babe, in a dark' 
 
 D 2 and 
 
Book I 
 
 God's Revenge again/} Murther. 
 
 and cold night, is moft inhumanly turned out of the Houfe where fhe was, yea, with fo great 
 barbaxiifn and cruelty, as fhe was not fullered to reft, either i.i the Hay-loft, Barn, or Stable, or 
 any ocher place withindoors* but inforced co lye in the open field, where the bare ground 
 Was her Bed, a Mole-hill her Pillow, the cold Air her Coverlet, and the firmament her ^Cur- 
 tains and Canopy. And now it is, and neve before, that her eyes gufli forth whole Kivers 
 of tears, and her heart and breait fendsforth many Volleys of deep-tetch’d tighs* yea, having 
 no other Tapers but the Starrs of Heaven to light her, fhe looks on her poor Babe for com- 
 fort * whole light, God knows, doth but redouble her forrows and afttidtions, becaule it lyes 
 crying at her breaft for want of Milk, which ( poor woman J (lie had not to give it : when, 
 being in this milerable cale, and accompanied with none but the Bealls of the field , and the 
 Birds of the Air, who yet were far happier than her felf, becaufe they were gone to their reft, 
 and Ihe could receive none : fhe, after many bitter lighs, grp3r.s, and tears, uttered tlieie (pee- 
 chcs to her felf : 
 
 Alas, alas, poor JoJfdina ! it is thy folly, and not thy fortune, that hath brought thee to this 
 milery : for, hadft cnou the grace to ule, and not to abufe thy beauty, thou might’ll have icon 
 thy felf as happy, as now thou art wretched and mi ft r able. But fee what a double lois thou 
 received ior thy Angle pleafure * for the lois of thy chaiticy to Mirtdign , was that of thy f ather 
 to thee; and now being deprived of both, what wilt thou do, or whither canft thoullye for 
 comfort ? But alas, this is not all the milery : for, as thy lois is double, fs> is thy grief : for now 
 thou muft as well lorrow for thy Child; as tor thy felf: yea, Joffelina, forge* to grieve for thy 
 felf, and remember to do it for thy Babe, iith thou haft brought it into the world, and haft not 
 wherewith to maintain it. And then, not able to proceed further, fhe takes it up and kiifes it, 
 rains tears on its cheeks, though the cannot ftream milk in its mouth * when again, recovering 
 her fpecch, fhe continues thus’: 
 
 Ay-me, Joffdina ! thou art both the Author and the Caufe of thine own mifery, and there- 
 fore thou mnft not blame Heaven, but thank thy i elf ior it: for, thy alHidions are fo great, 
 ns wherefoever thou turned thy thoughts or qes, thouiindeft nothing but grief, nothing 
 but for row : for if thou think on Mjrtaign^ he looks on thee with difdain •> if on his Mother 
 Calintha , fhe with envy : yea, thou canft not behold the World without flume;, thy poor In- 
 fant, without fbrrow * nor thy felf, without repentance. Nay, conlider further with thy felf, 
 what thou haft gotten by calling ( or rather, by calling away ) thy aftedtion on' Mor taiga * he 
 found thee a Maid, and hath left thee a Strumpet * thou ha ft a Child , and yet no Husband , 
 then thou wert fo happy, as to have a Fathers and now thy Son is fomiferablc, as he can find 
 none : yea, then thou wert a Friend to many, but now thou hndeft not one that will be fo to 
 thee* and, which is worfe, thou haft not wherewithal to be fo to thy felf. Alas! alas ! thou half 
 no Houle to go to, no Friend to truft to, no Meat for thy felt, nor Milk tor thy Child; therefore 
 poor Jojfdiaa, quoth fhe, How hippy fhculd we both be, if thou wert buryed, and he un- 
 born. 
 
 She would have finifhed her fpecch, but that tears interrupted her words, and fighs cut her 
 tears in pieces. 
 
 By this time her Babe falls aileep* but her griefs are fo great, and her borrows fo infinite , as 
 fhe cannot clofe her eyes, nor yet be fo much beholding cither to A/jrpFm or Death tQ do it for 
 her* which perceiving, as alfo that the Moon was inve loped in a Cloud, and that the Starrs 
 began to deny her the comfort and luftreof their light fhe fearing tobe overtaken widvrain, 
 aiid perceivings thick Wood a prety way off from her, (he takes her Babe, and as fall as her 
 weak and wearied legs could perform (bitterly weeping and fighing) hyes thither for fheltcr; 
 but Heaven proves more kind to her, than Earth *, tor lo, both the Moon and Starrs aftift and 
 comfort her in this her forrowful Journey. Being come to the Wood ( which indeed was 
 farther off than fhe thought ) fhe began to be weary*.and there making a bed of Leaves "which 
 at that feafon of the year fdl abundantly from theTrees ) fhe .thereon for a while jelled her 
 fdf, but ilcep (lie could not : and now if any thing in the world afforded her comfort, it was to 
 fee that her Infant ilcpt pretily, though not foundly : but here, if her eyes craved reft,. lb her 
 ftomack craved meat* tor it was now mid-night, and the had eaten nothing tince noon : fo pul- 
 ling off her Upper-Coat,- flic wraps and covers her Child as hot as fhe could * who* being iaft 
 a-ileep, and laying non the bed of Leaves, fhe goes from Tree toHedg,and gathers Black-ber~ 
 ries, Slows, and wild Chefs-nuts, wherewith, inftead -of better Viands , fhe latisfied her hun- 
 ger * and now fhe fees her felf on the top of a Hill, at whole foot (lie perceived* a River, and a 
 great ftony Bridg over it, the which fhe knew *as alfb,that there was a little Village near about 
 a mile beyond it, which indeed in the midft of her miferies afforded her fome comfort. So 
 back fhe hyes to her Child, which (lie finds out by its crying* it wanting not Only his Nipple, 
 but his Nurfe * and fo with many kiifes takes it up in her Arms, and hyes cowards the Bridg* 
 
 and 
 
Hilt. ill. -Mortaign and Jojjelim. 
 
 and trom thence co the Village, wmen the now remembers is termed V illqpo/tt, wh :re (he at- 
 nves at hve of the clock in the morning, and lodged her fdf in, a very poor Inns being ex* 
 treamlv glad, aud infinitely joyful, that lhe had recovered fo good a harbour. 
 
 But money the hath none to pay her expences , and to lye in Inns upon credit , is to be ill 
 attended, and worie looked to: to. lhe is enforced, yea, fain to fell away her Quoms, her 
 Bands and her Upper-Coat, to difeharge her prefent oecalions. Poor Jtffdina ! how happy 
 hadli thou been, it thou hadlt had as much Wit and Challity , as Beauty, or rather, more 
 Chatiity, and Ids Beauty J But it is now too late to remedy it •, though never, to repent it. 
 
 Jojfdim knowing ViUrfont to be but l'eveu Leagues from Durency ( the Parilh where (lie was 
 born is irrelolute, whether to Hay here, or to go thither. Want of means perl wades her to the 
 iirlt : but, knowing that Mortaign's love was turned into hatred, and that it was dangerous tor 
 hi r to be near his mceukd Mother, fne relblvcs to (lay in Vilie fo»t,and to write to her Kinsfolks 
 and friends, to alfill her in this her mifery and utcdTtty. In the mean time (he is enforced to 
 content he^ felf with a poor little out-Chamber, where there is neither Chimney nor Win - 
 dow, but only a (mail loop, whereinto the Sun learce ever entred s and yet (lie is extreamly 
 well contented, and glad hereof. 
 
 But, Wealth finds many Friends, and Poverty none, and yet, fith diverfity of fortunes is toe 
 feue Touch- (lone of Friendfhip, we may therefore more properly and truly term thofe our 
 friends, who aiTill us in our neceflity, and not who litem to plcafure us in our profperity , tor,, 
 thofe are real friends, but thefe verbal : thofe will perform more than they promilesand tilde 
 promife much, and perform nothing. , , 
 
 But JoJjdina islo wretched and unfortunate, as (he finds neither the one nbt the other to a(- 
 fill her in [this mifery : yea, fo far (lie is to receive either means or promifes, as nothing is fent , 
 her, nor none will fee her i loasmilcrabk neceffity enforceth her to report and divulge the 
 misfortunes of her fortunes and to complain to all the world, of Mortaign's treachery, and of 
 his Mother Calintha’i cruelty : yea, (he threatens to fend him his Son, fith he will not afford 
 her wherewith to maintain him. 
 
 This is not (o fecretly carried in Villepont , but VeVafJye and Farina his Daughter have 
 news hereof in La Pa/i/Je, which occalioned her to grow cold in her affection, and he in his 
 refpedt to Mortaign •, loasall things decline, and: there is little hope or appearance, that this 
 Match (hall go forward. Mortaign is too clear-lighted, to be blind herein s yea, he prcfontly 
 knows from what point of the Compals this wind cometh \ and is tally pofTeiTcd , tnat jojjc- 
 Una is the caufe of thefe alterations and (forms : he is exceedingly enraged and enflamed hcreat, 
 and gives fuch way to his pafiion and eholer, as thefe obftacles mull be removed V and he vows 
 to deltroy both Jojfdina and her Son, A bloody refolution,not beleeming either a Chrilhan,or 
 a Gentle min : tor, Was it not enough for him to rob Ji’ffdinaot her honour, and to put a Rape 
 on her Chal'tiry and Veitue, but he mulHikewife bereave her of her life, and (b add Murther 
 to his luft ? Alas, what a baft Gentleman is this ? yea, how far degenerates he trom true Gen- 
 tility, to be (o cruel to her that hath been fo kind to him? But the Devil fuggelkth to his 
 thoughts, and they to his heart, that Varina is fair *, and that there is no way nor hope left to 
 obtain her, before Joffelina and her Brat be difpatched. Now it Grace could now perfwade hint 
 from being focruel to Joffdina, yet (me-thinks)Nature (hould have with-held him from being 
 16 inhuman to his own Son. But his faith is fo weak towards God , and the Devil is fo ftrong 
 with him, that he cannot be removed or withdrawn trom his bloody refolntion, only he alrer- 
 eth the manner thereof : tor, whereas he refolvcd firft to deltroy the Mother, tiun the Childs 
 now he will fir ft diipatch the Child, then the Mother. O Heavens 1 why feould Earth produce > 
 fo bloody and prodigious a Monfter ? , r 
 
 Now the better ro diffemble his malice^ he thmks to reclaim and pazme j affehna: aud io 
 givesorder that fee and her Child be lodged ina better Inn , in the fame Village of ViUetyxti 
 and iignities to her, that he hath gotten a Nurfc., and hath provided maintenance for his 
 Sons and that feortly he will fend his Lacquey for him*, but withal 1-, that fee mu «■ 
 keep this very lecret, becaufe he will not have his Mother Calintba acquainted therewith. 
 yWi^rejoyceth, and feems to be revived at this plealing news ^ yea, fee begins to forget her 
 former mifery, and flatters her fdf with thishope, that Fortune will again (mile on her. So, 
 within three dayes, Mortaign fends his Lacquey, La Verdun^to her for the Babe, the which, with 
 mihiy kifles and tears, fee delive.reth him*, hoping that Mortaign^ his Father,would be careful of 
 his maintenance i and not fo much as once dreaming, or conceiving, that he had any intent 
 to murther it. But fee dull find the contrary > for henceforth fee feall never fee her Babe, nor 
 her Babe her. f r/ . /7 
 
 La Verdure ('the Lacquey) following his Mailer’s command, is not four Leagues trom * 
 
 ff», before, like a damnable .Mifcreant i he ftranglcs it * and, wrapping it in a Lmnen Cloth 
 
 E 3 
 

 
 
 
 
 ( which he had purpofely brought with him ; throwsit into the River Lignon i but he lhall pay 
 deejr for rnurthering of this fweet and innocent Babe. 
 
 But it is not enough : for Mortaign $ deviHifli malice and revenge, will not be quenched or 
 iatisiicd, till he ice the Mother follow the fortune of the Son: to which end he agrees with her 
 Holt, La Palma , and his afore laid Lacquey, La Verdure, to ftiile her in her bed . The which, for 
 two hundred Franks, they perform, and bury her in his Garden,ihe being ioundly ileeping,and, 
 poor 4oul, ngt jfo much as once dreaming of this her mournful and lamentable end. What Ty- 
 ger$ or Monfters of Nature are theie, to commit fo damnable a Murther i as if there were no 
 God in Heaven to detedf them, nor Earth or Hell to puniih them ! 
 
 But wcffliall fee the contrary > yea, we (hall fee both the Murther,and theMurtherers, reveal* 
 ed and difeovered by an extraordinary means -, wherein God’s providence and glory will molt 
 miraculouily refpiend and ihine 
 
 As foon as La Verdure and La Palma had murthered our harmlefs Joffdina, they both pott 
 away to Duremy, as well to acquaint Mortaign herewith , as alfo to receive their money ( where- 
 of the one halt was paid them, and the other due J.This news was lo pleating to him. as he chear- 
 fuliy layes down his promile : and to they botlt frolick it in the Village : La Verdure making no 
 halk home to his Maher Mortaign, nor La Palma to his old Wife Ifabella. 
 
 In the mean time ( a Montn being pan away ) Mortaign hoping the way clear, and all the rubs 
 removed, that hindered him from obtaining his fair Milirefs Varina \ he procures his Father, De 
 Coucye and others of his triends, to ride to La Palijje, hoping to tinifh the Match betwixt La 
 Varina and himlt If. But he and they are intorced to fee thcmlclves deceived of their hopcs.For, 
 T)e Vajjy and his Daughter having heard tha ujojjelina and ncr Son were conveyed away , and 
 could not be heard of, they ( iufpediing and fearing that which indeed was fain out ) in plain 
 terms gave Mortaign the refuial i who,galled to the heart herewith, doth now hang down his 
 hc.’d, and fee Lis iprmcr bloody Errors and Crimes > but it is too late : for the Lord hath bent 
 his bow, and his arrow is ready iq revenge them. 
 
 La Palma underftanding of Mortaign* s arrival from La Talijje , thinks it high time for him 
 tp leave Vurcncy and fo returning home toiVUIepant to his Wife Ifabella, who being an old 
 woman, and he a young mail, was not only impatient , but jealous of his long flay ( which 
 llcar f* vc wee k S J and the rather, for that yc departed, as ihe thought, in the company 
 ot jtfthna -, who, becaufe flie was young and fair, fhe vehemently fufpe&cd he had fince enter- 
 tained and ituye4 vvith. But, this Jcaloutie of hers, God makes his inltrumcnt to difeover this 
 execrable Murther. 
 
 For, U Talma coming home, ins Wife I fab da ( as we have heard ) being incenfed with an- 
 ger, and uirtumcd with jealouhe, gives him this outer entertainment and welcome : La Palma 
 p quoth OkijyoH. « ’ere very unkind, fo fom to fafakg your Whore JoHelina. La Palma being pier- 
 ced to the quick with this bitter fpcech of his Wife, like a lewd fellow, gave her firft the lye. 
 aad then termed her Whore in fpeakmgit. She hath fire in ber looks and he thunder in his 
 fpceches. So,after many bitter and fcandalous injuries banded one to the other, fhe adds rage 
 to her words, and he a box on the ear to his choler, wherewith he fell’d her as dead to the 
 
 m!? SC |TL S,a u d , aH that c Chdd K , cr Y out a -main , as if her foul had already 
 taken hcr juafarewc-1 of her body. At this tumult the neighbours afTemble, and deeming I- 
 
 fSlnfLa PdJr ay , hands . 0 ’ 1 Palma her Husband, and carry him before the Procurer, 
 of commits h' t W tf ' c “ 111 Village ot Villeponr, who, without further examinati- 
 
 ;T f f ° pr , , 0ni ai ! d *° S oes »n perfon to vilit Ifabella ; who by this time is a little re- 
 hnsfnf b H ! d l u m fu dj , J18Cr of death - | he rcUtes him all that had paft betwixt her 
 wiSfhi tfki * ° ° f 1!S d ‘ pirture Wlth and of his long ftay ni Dmwyvadding 
 
 f t f nnn , hcre } o{or£ ,fta «y “ b ™ te , n her > and now fhe hopes that this blow wifi 
 
 not go unpumflud: yea her rage, or rather Gods Providence, carries her fofar, as (lie con- 
 
 th ilT/lT ‘m M 1 g,UratC ’ i hat if be not her Husband’s Strumpet, the confuntly 
 
 bejievts he is her Murthuer,and, to conclude, faith, that her fervant-maid, Jaqueta, can fay 
 
 mifS - X! T u at the ni ? ht b^ore her Mailer’s departure for Pt™, he was at 
 to id- night in Joffdina s Chamber, together with one U Verdure a Lacquey, and that fince 'M. 
 IaV^T* neuhcr: Cen nor heard of : and being farther demanded, if (he knew whole L&Julv 
 La Verdure was (beanfwered, he was I fanfiettriMi/rtaiatPs Lacauev whn wo® e™. m ^ 
 dt Coney. The Procurer Fifeal , confide^ 
 
 there was more in the wind than is yet di lowered : he leaves Ifabella, and goes to her Husband 
 in Pnfon , and after he had fharply checked him for beating his Wife he enauires 3n 1 rh <-\ 
 him with thefe two points : firlt, why hea n&La Verdure were ni JofolinJs Chamber 
 
 n« hewd^/^ 0114 WlWt WaSb£COm£ ° f her ’ iUh> anCC that timc > hath neither been ieen 
 
 l*a 
 
 r\ 
 
I-Iirt. III. Mortaign and Jojjelina . 
 
 L.i Palma is territiccl and ama 7 cd wich thefe ‘ demands , ( and tar the more , belaulb he 
 lealt expeCted them ) the which apparently appeared in the alteration of his colour and com- 
 plexion, which commonly bewrayes an inward perturbation of the mind and heart. He 
 anfwcreth not punctually to thole points demanded of him-, but runs on with inanybittcrin- 
 vcCtivesagainlt the rage and jealouiie of his Wile , and then being by the Procurer bid an^ 
 iwer to thofe two points he formerly demanded of him* he, after many frivolous and extra- 
 vagant fpeeches, denyes that either he or La Verdure wete ih Joffdina's Chamber * and that 
 he neither favv her departure, nor knew what was become of her * and withal, prays the Pro- 
 curer, Fifcjl) to free and releafe him of his imprilonment. But he lhall not efcapeat fo cheap 
 
 a rate. ' / ; . ' / 
 
 For the Procurer, being very familiar with Mmfieur de Vajfye his Colleague and fello'w- 
 ]udg of La Paliffiy rciuembred that' he had formerly heard him fpcak of this Monfieur Mor~ 
 taign , who lately lought his Daughter LtVarina in Marriage* as alfo of his entertaining 
 and rejecting this Joffelina , a Farmer’s Daughter of Vurency, by whom he had a bafe Soil : 
 and now coniidering,*hat at fijeh an unfeafonable hour his Lacquey La Verdure fhould be in 
 her Chamber in La Palmas Houle, and La Palma himfelf in his Company, and Ihe never 
 ** iince feen or heard of * he thinks there is fome fire hid and covered in thefe embers, and there 
 is fome deeper Myfiery in this bufmefs, which as yet was not revealed* 
 
 Wherefore, like a wife Magiltratc , he holds it fit , the fame night to fend La Palnt.% 
 privately to La Palijfe , asalfohis Wife Jfabellx, and Jaquita y for Witnelfes* and rides thi- 
 ther himfelf, to fit upon his Proceffe * with whom the Lieutenant of that JurifdiCiii/n 
 joyned : but for Monfieur dc Vajjye , the Sencfchal , he ( for the regard he bore to Mor- 
 j taign, b:caufe he vehemently fufpe&ed he had a deep and chief hand in this bufinefs ) 
 would not be prefent , but purpolely abfented himfelf at a Houfe of his in the Countrcy 2 
 the next morning La Palma is examined, as alfo the two Witneffes* and Jaqucta is confront- 
 ed with him , who hands hrm to her former depoiition 2 but he flatly denies all. The 
 Procurer and the Lieutenant adjudged him to the Rack. He endureth the tirft torment* but 
 at thefccond, he confelfeth, that he and La Verdure had flirted and murthered Jojfelina in 
 her Bed, in his own Houfe, and had buried her in his Garden * and that they were let a work 
 * and hired to do it, by Monfieur hbrtaign , who gave them two hundred Franks to efieCt it. 
 
 Lo here, by the Mercy and Providence of God , La Palmas malice to his Wife ljabetia y 
 and her jealoufieto him, hath dilcovered and brought to lifeht this cruel and bloody Mur- 
 ther, which was fo fecretly contrived , and fo cunningly and devillilhly aCted upon the body 
 of Jojftlhta. But hers being dilcovered, let us likewifc fee how that of her harmlefs and inno- 
 cent Babe is like wife brought to light. The two^udges thecnlelvt^ ride all night to ViTfefonn 
 sthey fearch the Garden, and find the dead body of Joffelina, having no other Winding-lhcet, 
 but her own Smock. They fend away theProvoit to apprehend Mortaign and his Lacquy lor 
 this Murther * who meets La Verdure by the way, and feizes Mortaign in his Bed. 
 
 They are (everally brought to La Palijfe * and firft, La Verdure is confronted with La Painty 
 who denies all : but they prefent his feet to the lire, and then he confelfeth not only the Mur- 
 ther of Joffelina , but likevvife that of her Infant-Son * whom he tirfl ftrangled, and then threw 
 into the River Lignon : and this, he faid, he did at the requeit of his Mafter Mortaign * of whom, 
 for his part and labour, he received one hundred Franks. 
 
 We have here found two of thefe Murtherers*and now what refteth there, but that the third, 
 who is the Author, and, as it were, the capital great Wheel of thefe bloody Tragedies, be pro- 
 duced and brought to his Arraignment? The Procurer and Lieutenant repair again to the Pri- 
 {omand charge Mortaign with thefe two bloody Murthers : he knows it is in vain ro deny it. 
 Vim he is fure his two execrable Agents have already revealed it : therefore he, alhamed at the 
 remembrance of his cruel and unnatural crimes, doth with many tears very forrowfully and 
 penitently confefs all. 
 
 It is a happinefs for him to repent thefe Murthers * but it had b:en a far greater , if he had 
 never contrived and committed them ; yea, the Judges are amazed to hear the cruelty hereof, 
 and the people to know it * and both fend their prailes and thankfulnefs to God, that he hath 
 thus deteCted and brought them to light on earth. 
 
 And now comes the Cataflrophe of their own Tragedies, wherein every one of thefe Ma- 
 lefactors receives condign punilhment for their feveral otfenccs. 
 
 La Palma is condemned to be hanged and burnt *, La Verdure to be broken on the Wheel, 
 and his body to be thrown into the River Lignon * and Mortaign , though the lafl in rank, yet 
 firfl in offence, to be broken on the Wheel, his body burnt, and his alhes thrown into the air : 
 which Sentence, in the fight of a great multitude of Spectators, was on a Market-day accor- 
 dingly executed and performed in LaPalifs. 
 
 And 
 
God’s Revenge againfi Murther. Book L 
 
 And this was the bloody end of Mortaign^ and his two Hcllifh Inftruments, for murthering 
 innocent Joffclina^ and her lilly and tender Infant. May all Maidens learn by her example, 
 to prdjbrve their Ouftities > and Men, by La Verdures , and La Talmas , not to be drawn 
 to thed innocent blood for the lucre of wealth and money * and by Mortaign\ to be lefs lal- 
 civious, inhuman, and bloody \ thereby to prevent fo execrable a life , and fo infamous a 
 death. 
 
 One thing I may noc omit : La palma y on the Ladder, extreamly curfed the malice of his 
 Wife Jfabella , who (he laid ) was the Author of his death: and no lefs did La Verdure, on the 
 Wheel, by his Maher Mortaign : but both of them were ib defperately irreligious , as neither 
 of them conlidered that it was their former fins, and the malice of the Devil, to whom they 
 gave too much ear, that was the caufe thereof. 
 
 And for Mortaign, after he had informed the World , that he was extreamly grieved that 
 his Judges had not given him the Death of a Gentleman, which was, to have been Beheaded* 
 he, with many tears, bewailed his infinite ingratitude, cruelty, and unnaturalnefs, both 
 towards Joffelina^ as alfo his and her young Son : yet he prayed the World in general to pray 
 that God would forgive it him s and likewife requefted the Executioner to difpatch him quick- % 
 ly out of this life, becaufc he confeffed he was unworthy to live longer. 
 
 Now let us glorifie our Creator and Redeemer , who continually makes a ftridf inquifition 
 for Blood, and a curious and miraculous enquiry for Murther : yea, let us both fear him with 
 love, and love him with fear> fith he is as impartial in his Juilice , as in diiiributing his 
 Mercies. 
 
 
 GODS 
 
 
Hift. IV. 
 
 Ecatrice-Joana, to marry Alfemero, caufetb De Flores to murtbet Alfonfo Piracquo, who wit d 
 Suter to her. Alfemero marries her , and finding De Flores and her in adultery, kjlls them both. Tho- 
 mafo Piracquo cballengetb Alfemero for bit Brothers death. Alfemero kilhhim trcacberoujly in the 
 field, and is beheaded for the fame, and his body thrown into the Sea , At his Execution he confeffeth, that, 
 his Wife and De Flores nmrtbered Alfonfo Piracquo; their bodies arc takfn up out of their graves, 
 then burnt, and their ajhes thrown into the air. 
 
 S Ith in the day of Judgment we (hall anfwer at God’s great Tribunal, for every lewd thought 
 our hearts conceive, and idle word our tongues utter, how then fhall we dare to appearfmucli 
 lefs think to efcapej when we defile our bodies with the pollution of Adultery,and taint our fouls 
 with the innocent blood of our Chrittian Brethren ? when, I fay, with beaftfy lull and adultery, 
 we unfan&ifie our fandtified bodies, which are the receptalsand Ternplesof theHdly Ghotl,and 
 with high and prefumptuous hands, ftab at the Ma’clly of God, by murthering Man, who is his 
 Image? This is not the Ladder to icale Heaven, ^ut the (hortcft way to ride poft to Hell : for, How 
 can we give our felves to God, when in the heat of luft and fume of revenge, we fell our hearts 
 to the Devil? But did we either love God for his m^cy, or fear him for his Juftice, we would 
 then not only hate thefe iins in our felves, but detcit them in others i for thefe are crying and 
 capital offences, (ecu in Heaven, and, by the Sword of his Magifmtes, brought forth and pto* 
 nifhed hereon Earth. A lamentable and mournful example whereof, I here produce to your 
 view, but not to your incitation : may we all read it to the reformation of our Jives, to the com* 
 fort of our fouls, and to the eternal glory o: that moil Sacred and Individual Trinity,; 
 
 In Valentia (■ an ancient and famous City of Spain ) there dwelt one Don Pedro de Alfemero, a 
 ftObfc young Cavalier, whofe Father (Von Juan Alfemero ) being tlain by the Hollanders hi thi 
 Sea-fight at Gibr alter, he refolved to addidt hqpfelt to Naval and Sea a&iM»/whereby tbmafce 
 ° himfelf 
 

 
 54 Go// Revenge againft Mart he r. • 
 
 bun (elf capable to revenge his Father’s death ; a brave refolutien, worthy the affedtion of a Son ^ 
 and the Qencroii.fcyof a Gentleman ! 
 
 To which end, he makes two voyages to the Weft-Indies, from whence he Returns flpunming 
 and;ricb, which fofprcad the fails of Jiis ambition, and hoyfted his lamelfom t?op to top-gallant* 
 ■that his courage growing with his years, he thought no attempt dangerous enough, it honoura- 
 ble vnor no hpno'ur enough glorious, except atchicvcd and pUr chafed by danger. In the Actions 
 of Alaracbe and Mamora, he (hewed many noble proofs pncl tefttmonies of his valour and prop- 
 els, .the which he confirmed and made good by the receit of eleven (everal; wounds, which as 
 Marks and Trophees of Honpu/made'' lnm famous in Cafiile. Boyling thus in the heat or his 
 youthful bio od,and contemplating often on the death of his father, he ref;! ves to go to V ilidolyd ; 
 and to imploy fome Grandee either to the King, or the Duke of Lm«j,his great.Favouiit , to pro- 
 cure him a Captains place, and a Company undo: the Arch~0uk£ Albcrtusy. who at that time 
 jmadc bloody Wa P againft the Netherlands , thereby to draw them £o obedience : But as he began 
 this fute, a general truce of both lidcs laid afid$;/fims, which ( by the mediation of England and 
 Trance ) was ihortly. followed by a peace, as a Mother by the Daughter > which was concluded 
 at the Hage, by his Excellency of NjJfaw, and Marquefs Spin^la,sbzlng chief Commifliouersmf; 
 'either party. Alf'cmero feeing his hopes fruftrated, that the Keyfjbf Peace had now Ihut up the* 
 Temple of Wax, and that Muskets, Pikes, arid Corflets, that were wontto grace the fields, 
 were now rutting by thewvhlls *, he is irrefolute vvhat courfe to take,refeinbliiig thofe fifties who 
 delight to live in e-atara&sand troubled waters, but dye in thofe that are ftftJL and quiet ^ For he 
 fpurns at the plea fur es of the Court, and refufeth to haunt and; frequent the Companies of La- 
 dies : And fo not afteding, but rather difdaiui.ng the pomp, bravery and vanity of Courtiers, he 
 withdraws himlelf from Vilidolyd to Valent ia , with a noble and generous lutent to feck Wars 
 abrpad, fith he could find none at home : where being arrived, although he were often invited 
 into the companies of the moft noble and honourable Ladies both of the City and Country >, yet 
 his!thpughts ran (till onthe|Vkrs, in which Heroickand Illuftrious protdhon, lie conceived his 
 chiefeft delight and felicity : ahd Co taking order for his Landsdnd affairs, hp refolves to fee Mal- 
 ta, that inexpugnable Pvampier of Mars, the glory of Chriftendome r and the terrour of Turkey, to 
 fee if he could gain any place of command and honour either in that Illand, or in their Gailies*, 
 or if not, he would from thence into Tranftlvama t Hungary, ahd Germany , to inrich his judgment 
 and experience^ remarking the ftrength of their-Caftles and Gitics. tjieir Orders* & Djfoipline 
 in WarVtfo^ ^otehey-ofithei^ P*riktes, thc^Na<tuV^of their Laws a A ©Cfhfto ni 1 f,b\ift all omeAiiat- 
 ters worthy theoblervatjoiih,Qfh.ot a Traveller and a Souldier; tadjfojijailding many Cattles in 
 the air, he comes to AliciM; hoping to find pillage there Wf Nile's , 1 tfnd from thence to (hip 
 himfelf upon the Neapolitan Gallics for Malta. 
 
 There is nothing fo vain as our thoughts* nor fo uncertain as our hopes : for commonly they 
 deceive us, or rather we our felves in relying on them j not that God is any way unjuft ( for to 
 think (o wercimpiety j but that our hopes takeTaUe obje&Syand’Hive no true foundation y and 
 to iinaginc the contrary, were folly : the which Alfemcro findstriie : for heTfirthel wind doth op- 
 pofehim, his thoughts fight and vanquifti thcmfelves ^ yea, the ttrovidenpe of; God, doth crofs 
 himin his intended purpofes, and gives way to that he leali intunleth. 
 
 For coming one morning to our Xady’s Church at Mt tfs, and bung on his knees, in his De- 
 motion, he efpies a young Gentlewoman like wife on her$, nexutodiim y who being young, ten- 
 der, and fair, he thorow her thin Veil difeovered all the perfections of a delicate and fweet 
 Beauty *, fhe erpies-him feafting oil the dainties of her pure and frefti cheeks * T and tilting with tho 
 inviiible Lances of his eyes, to hers ; he is inftantiy raviftied and vanquiftied with the pleaiifi^ 
 objeft of this Angelical countenance, and now he can no more refill either the power or paitiou 
 pLLove. {\ :%7.v;: * t r\. . ; , . • : . v . , vr ' 
 
 This Gentlewoman ( whofe name as yet we.know not ) is youngand fair, and cannot refrain 
 from.bluftiing, admiring tofccJiim admire and blufli at her. . Aljimero dyes in conceit with inV- 
 patifcncy,that he cannot in joy the happinefs and means to (peak with her •, but he. fees it is in vain 
 to attempt.it* beeaufe (he is ingaged in the company of many Ladies, and he of many Cavaliers * 
 But Mafs being en^ded, he inquires of a good fellow Pr left, who walked by, what ihc was, "and 
 Whether (he frequented that Church, and at what hour. The Prieft informs, him, that (he is Don 
 Diego dc Vermandervs Daughter > he being Captain of the. Cattle of that City,, that her name 
 \vas Dona Reampt-Joana, and that (he is every morningan that Churcfoand Place, and near a- 
 Bout the; fame hour. 
 
 Alj enter o hath the fweetnefsof her beauty fo deeply ingraven in his thoughts, and imprint- 
 ed in. his heart,fhlt he vows Rcatrice-Joana is his Miftrefs, and he her.lervant ; yea, here his war- 
 like- refolutionslhave end v and ftrike (ail. And now he leaves*Ee//<?#j, to adore Venus \ and fn r - 
 fak cs ftUrSy to follow Cupid : .yea, fo tervun is his flame, and fo violent is his paffion, as he can 
 
 A neither 
 
 
Hi ft. IV. Alfemerd ahd Beatrice- foatia 
 
 neither give,' nor take truce of histhoughts, till he be again made happy with hef fight, and 
 bleflcd with her prefence. • u,.i 
 
 The next mornfas Lovers love not much tdiJAlfimcro is flirting very timely, and hoping to 
 find his Miltris, no other Church would pleafe him, but our Ladies , nor place, but where he" 
 hi ft and lait faw her , but Ihc is more zealous than himfelt s for (he. is tirft in the Church, -and on 
 her knees at her Devotion, whom Alfemero gladly efpying, he kneels next to her, and having 
 hardly the patience to let pals one poor quarter ot an hour ( he refolving, as yet, to corneal his 
 name ) like a fond Lover, whole greatell glory is in complements, and courting his Miiirds, h,e 
 
 boards her thus : . 
 
 Fair Lady, it feems, that thefe two mornings, my devotions have been more powerful and 
 acceptable than heretofore, lith I have had the felicity, to be placed next fo fair, and fo fwcet a 
 Nymph as your felf, whole excellent beauty, hath fo fuddenly captivated mine eyes, and fo fe- 
 cretly ravilhed my heart, that he which heretofore rejected, canttot now relilt the pow^r of 
 Love s and therefore, having ended my devotion, I befeech yo'u excufc me. If 1 begin to pray 
 you to take pity of me, lith my flame is lb fervent, and my a (Ted ion is fo paflionate, as either X 
 muttlive yours, or not dye my own. 
 
 Beatrice-Joatu could not refrain from bluffing under her Veil, to fee an unkown Cavalier 
 board her in thefe terms in the Church , and as (he gave attentive ear to his fpeech, fo (he could 
 not fora while refrain from glancing her eye upon the fprucenefs of his perfon, and the fump- 
 tuoufnels of his Apparel: but at lalt, accufiug her own lilence, becaule (he would give him 
 no eaufe to condemn it, (he withamodell Grace, and a graceful Modelly, returns him this 
 anlvver. 
 
 Sir, as your devotions can neither be pleating to God, nor profitable to your foul, if in this 
 place ’you account it a felicity to injoy the light of -fomean a Gentle-woman asmy felf , fo I 
 cannot impute it to affedtion, but flattery, that this poor beauty of mine f which youunjuftly 
 paint forth in rich praifes) (hould have power either to captivate the eyes, or, 'which is more, to 
 i avifli the heart of fo noble a Cavalier as your felf Such vidtorics are relcrvcd for thofe Ladies, 
 whoareasmuch your equal, asl your inferiour : and therefore diredting your zeal to them, 
 if they find your affedtion fuch as you profefs to me, no doubt, regarding your many vertues 
 and merits, they will in honour grant you that favour, which I in modcity ana conftrained to 
 
 ^ Alfemert) ( though a Novice in the Art of Love ) wasnot fo ignorant, and cowardly to be put 
 off with her hrft repulfe and refufal , but rather (eeing that the perfKtionS of her mind corre- 
 fpondtd with thofe ot her beauty, he refblves now to make a trial of Ins wit and tongue, as here* 
 to fore he had done ot his courage and lword and fo joins with her tl\us : 
 
 It is a pretty ambition in you, fvveet Lady, to difparage your beauty, that thereby it may feem 
 t ] ie fairer i as the Sun, who appears brighter by reafon ot the Night s obfeurity iind all things are 
 belt and more perfedtly difeerned by their contraries : But I cannpt commend, and therefore 
 not excufe your policy, or rather your dif-refpedt, to' flight and poft me over from your (elf 
 whom I love , to thofe Ladies I neither know nor delire', which in effed is to give me a Cloud 
 for Juno. No, no, it is only to you," and to no other, that I prefent and dedicate my fervice', and 
 therefore it will be an ingratitude as unworthy my receiving, as your giving, that I (hould be 
 the objedt of your difoourtelie, lith you are that ot my affedtion. 
 
 To thefe fpecches of Afcmeeo, Beatriecr Joan* returns tins reply : 
 
 It is not for poor Gentlewomen of my rank and complexion, either to be ambitious, or poli- 
 tick except it be to keep themfelves from the fnares ot fuch Cavaliers as yotir felt, who ( for the 
 moft part ) under the colour of affedtion, aim to eredt the trophees ot your delires upon the 
 t u>tnbs of our dilhonours i only I fo much hate ingratitude, as you being to me a (hanger, chari- 
 ty and common courtelic commands me to thank you for the proffer ot your tervice, the which 
 1 can no way either deferve or re'quitc, except in my devotions and prayers to God tor youtf 
 
 glory and profperity on earth. .... 
 
 As (he had ended this her fpeech, the Prieft endshis Mafs ', when Alfemero anting, advanced to 
 lift her up from kneeling, and fo with his Hat in his hand ( fcqueltring her from the crowd of 
 people, who now began to depart the Church ) he fpeaks to her to this effedt : 
 
 Fair Lady, as I know you to be the Lady Beatrice- J oatta , Daughter to the noble Knight VoH 
 Diego de Vermanderos , Captain of the Cattle of this City i fo I being a Itranger to you, l admire 
 that you offer lb voluntarily an injury to your judgment, and my intents, as to pervert my at- 
 fedtion and lpeeches to a contrary fenfe: but my innocency hath this conlolation, that my 
 heart is plcdg for my tongue, and my deeds fhall make my words real. In the mean time, nth 
 you will give me no place in your heart, I beleech you lend me one in your Coach , and be at 
 leaftfo curteous, as to honour me, in accepting my company to condudt you home to your 
 - Father’s Caffle. Fa Beatm-Joans 
 
3 6 
 
 God's Revenge againjl Mur t her. Book i 
 
 ’Beatrice- Joana , calling to mind the freenefs of her fpeeches, and the (harpnclsot hisaniwer, 
 not bluihing tor joy, but now looking pale for forrow, repents her felt oi her error, the 
 which the falves up the bed the could in this Reply. 
 
 Noble Sir, when I am acquainted as well with your heart as with youT fpeeches, I lhall then 
 not only repent, but recant mine errour, in judging your felf by others *, in the mean time. If I 
 have any wjy wronged your merits and vertues, to give you fome part of fatistadtion, if you 
 pleafe to grace me with your company to the Caftle ( although it be not the cuftom of Alicant ) 
 
 I do moll kindly, and thankfully accept thereof: then Alfemcw , giving her many thanks, and 
 killing her hand, he takes her by the arm, and fo conducts her from the Church to her Coach. 
 
 It is both a grief and a fcandal to any true Chridian’s heart, that the Church, ordained for 
 thankfgi ving and prayer unto God^fhould be made a Stews, or, at lead, a place for men to meet 
 and Court Ladies } but in ail parts of the Chridian World, where the Roman Religion reigneth, 
 this finful cudom is frequently pradiifed, cfpccially in Italy and Spain, where, for the mod 
 part, men love their Courtizaris better than their God * and it were a happinefs for France , if 
 her Popifh Churches were freed of this abomination, and her people of this impiety. But again 
 to our Hidory. 
 
 We will purpofely omit the conference which Alfcmero and Beatrix- Joana had in the Coach, 
 and allow them by this time arrived to the Cadle * where fird her felf, then the Captain her Fa- 
 ther, thank him for this honour and courtcfie i in requital whereof, he (hewed him the rarities 
 and drength of his Cadle s and after fomc fpeeches and complements between them, he was Co 
 happy as to kifs BeaUrix-Joana , but had not the felicity to entertain her * and fo he departs, his 
 Lackey attending him with his Gennet,to the Counter-fcarfe. So home he rides to his lodging, 
 where, while the wind holds contrary, we will a little leave him to his thoughts, and they to 
 refolve in what fort he might contrive his fuit, for the obtaining of his new and fair Midris Bea- 
 trice- Joana? and likewife her felf, to mufe upon the fpeeches and extraordinary courtdies, 
 which this unknown Cavalier afforded' her, and begmtofpeakof Von Alfonfo Firacquo, arich 
 Cavalier of the City, who, unknown to Alfcmero , was his rival and competitor, in likewife 
 Peeking and courting Beatrice- Joana for his Midrcfs and Wife. 
 
 This Firacquo being rich both in Lands and Money, and defeended of one of the chiefed and 
 nobled Families of Alicant , by Proftflion a Cburticr, and indeed ( to give him his due ) a Cava- 
 lier indued with many rare qualities and perfections, was fo highly beloved, refpeCted, and e- 
 deemed in that City, as very faired and nobled young Ladies were, with much refpeft and 
 affection, profered him in Marriage by their Parents *> but there was none either fo precious or 
 pleating to his eye, as was our Beatrice- Joana , whom he obferved for beauty to excel others, and 
 tor Majedy and Grace-to furpafs her felf: and indeed he could not refrain from loving her, nor 
 be perl waded or drawn to afledt any other > fo as he fetled his refolution either to have her to 
 his Wife, or not to be the Husband of any. Yea, he is fo earned in his fuit, as fcarceanyone 
 day palfeth, but he is at the Cadle. 
 
 Vermandero thinks himfelf much honoured of him, in feeking his Daughter * yea, he receives 
 him lovingly, and entertains him courteoufly *, as knowing it greatly for her preferment, and ad- 
 vancement * and fo gives Firacquo many tedimonies of his favour, and many hopes that he (hall 
 prevail* and obtain his Midris. But Beatrice- Joana ftands not fo affc&ed to him, rather fhe re- 
 ceives him coldly*, and when he begins his fuit to. her, (he turns her deaf ear. and never an- 
 fwereth him*, but in general terms * ‘only, not peremptorily to difobey her Parents, (he feenas to 
 be pleafed with him, and yet fecretly ii> her heart wifheth him farther from her. 
 
 But Firacquo flattering himfelf in his hope, and as much doting on Beatrice -Joana' $ Beauty, as 
 he relies on her Father’s condant affedtion to him,hc is fo far from giving over his fuit to her as 
 he continueth it with more earnebnefs and importunity, and vows that he will forfake his lite 
 ere his Midris; But fometimes we fpeak true, when we think we jed : yet he Andes her one and 
 the fame i for although (he were not yet acquainted with Alfcmero , yet (lie made it the thir- 
 teenth Article in her Creed, that the fupream power had ordained her another Husband, and 
 not Firacquo-, yea, at that very indant the remembrance of Alfcmero quite defaced that of Firac- 
 quo, fo that (he wholly rcfrifed'her heart to the lad, of purpofe to referve and give it to the hrd > 
 as the fequel will Ihcw. 
 
 Now by this time V ermandero had notice, and was fecretly informed of Alfemero 9 $ affedlionto 
 his daughter, and withall that (he liked him far better than Firacquo * which news was indeed 
 very didadful, and difpleaiing to him, becaufe he perft&ly knew that Firacquo ’s means far ex- 
 ceeded that of Alfcmero. Whereupon, confidering that he had given his confent, and in a man- 
 ner ingaged his promife to Firacquo : he, to prevent the hopes, and to frudrate the attempts of 
 Alfcmero 7 leaves his Cadle to the command of Von Hugo dc Valmarino, his Son, and taking his 
 Daughter Beatrice- Joana with him, he in his Coach very fuddenly and fecretly goes to Briamata 
 
Hi ft. V . Alfemero Beatrice-Joana 
 
 atair houle of his, ten leagues from Alicant , where he means to (ojourn, untill he had concluded 
 and folcmnized the Match betwixt them : But he (hall never be Co happy, as to fee it elTc&ed- 
 At the newsof Beatrice -Joints departure, Alfemero is extreamly perp/eXed and forrovvful, 
 knowing not whether it proceeded from her (elf, her father, or both > yea, this his grief is aug- 
 mented, when he thinks on the fuddennefs thereof, which he fears may b: performed for his re- 
 fpedt and coniideratxon:the fmall acquaintance and familiarity he hath had with her, makes him 
 t hat he cannot condemn her of unkindneft; yet, fith he was not thought worthy to have notice 
 of her departure, he again hath no reafon to hope, much left to aflure himfelf of her affeftion 
 towards him. He knows not how to refol ve thefe doubts, nor what to think or do in a matter of 
 this nature and importance i for thus he reafoneth with himfelf,If he ride to Eriamkia, he may 
 perchance offend the Father s if he hay at Alicant , difpleafe the Daughter , and although he be 
 rather willing to run the hazard of his envy, than of her affe&ion -, yet he holds it fafer to be au- 
 thorized by her pleafure, and to (teer his courfe by the compafsof her commands : He therefore 
 bc-thinks himfelf of a means to avoid theft extreams,and fo finds out a Channel to pafs free be- 
 twixt that ScyOa and this Carybdis which is, to vifit her by Letters : he fees more reafon to 
 embrace, than to reject this invention : and fo providing himfelf of- a confident MefTenger, his 
 heart commands his pen to iignifie her thefe few lines. 
 
 ALSEMERO to BEATRICE-JOANA 
 
 A S long as you were in Alicant, 1 deemed it a heaven upon earth , and being bound for Malta, a thou • 
 Jand times blcjjed that contrary wind which kspt me from embarquing and failing from you , yea, 
 fo fweetly didl affeli, and fo dearly honour your beauty, as I entredinto a reflation with my felf.to 
 end my voyage ere l began it, and to begin another, which I fear will end me. If you demand or defire 
 to know what this fecond voyage is, kjtow, fair Mtfiris, thatmy thoughts are fo honourable, andmyaffc - 
 Sion fo religious, that it is the feeling of your favour , and the obtaining your felf to my Wife, whereon 
 not only my fortune, but my life depends. But how Jhall I hope for this honour, or flatter my felf with 
 the obtaining of fo great a felicity , when I fee you have not only left me, but , which is worfe, as I under - 
 ftand , the City for my fake ? Fair Beatrice-Joana, if your cruelty will makg me thus miferable , I have 
 no other conflation left me, to fwecteen the bitternefs of my grief, and misfortunes , but a confident hope i 
 that death will as fpeedily deprive me of my dayes,as you have of my jo yes. 
 
 ALSEMERO. 
 
 I know not whether it more grieved Beatrice-Joana to leave Alicant, without taking her leave 
 of Alfemero, than (lie doth now rejoiceto receive this his Letter, for as that plunged her thoughts 
 in the hellofdifcontent,fo this raifeth them fo'the heaven of joyi and, as then (he had cauleto 
 doubt of hisatFedliofi, fo now (lie hath not only reafon to flatter, but to affure her felf thereof; 
 8c therefore,though (he will not feem at firft to grant him his defire, yet (he is refolved to return 
 him an anfwer,that may give as well life to his hopes, as praife to her modefty.Her letter is thus; 
 
 BEATRICE-JOANA to ALSEMERO. 
 
 A s I have many reafons to be incredulous , and not one to induce me to beleeve , that Jo poor a beauty 
 as mine Jhould have power to flop fo brave a Cavalier f as your felf ) from ending fo honourable a 
 Voyage,asyourflrfl , or toperfwade you to one fo fimple as your fecond : fo 1 cannot but admire, that you 
 in your Litter Jec{me for your Wife, when, in your heart, T prefume, you leaf depre it : and where as you 
 alledge your life and fortunes depend on my favour, I thin {you write it pttrpofcly, cither to makg tryal 
 of your own wit , or of my indijeretion, by endeavouring to fee whether l believe that which exceeds all 
 belief Now as it is true,that 1 have left Alicant, f) it is as trnejbat Ileft it not any way to afflittyou,but 
 rather to obey my Father : for this I pray believe, that although I cannot be kjnd, yet l will never be cruel 
 to you - Live therefore your own frietid, and 1 will never dye your enemy. 
 
 BEATRICE-JOANA. 
 
 This Letter of Beatrice-Joana gives Alfemero much defpair, and little hopes yet though he 
 have reafon tocandemn her unkindnefs, he cannot but approve her modefty and diferetion, 
 which doth as much comfort as that afflict him : fo his thoughts are irrefolute, and withall fo 
 variable, as he knows not whether he (hould advance his hand, or withdraw his pen again, to 
 write to his Miltris. But at laft, knowing that the excellency of her Beauty, and the dignity of 
 her Vertues, deferves a fecond Letter, he hoping it may obtain and etfed that which his tint 
 could not, calls for Paper, and thereon traceth thefe few lines. 
 
 ALSEMERO to BEATRICE-JOANA. 
 
 Y O V have as much reafon to ajj'ureyotir felf of my affeftion,as l to doubt of yours : and if Words and 
 Letter, Lears and Vows, are not capable to makg you believe the Oncer ity of my zeal, and the honour 
 of my ajfclVion > what refleth, hut that I wijh you could dive as deeply into my heart, as my heart hath 
 into your beauty, to the end you might be both Witnefs and Judg, if under Heaven I defirc any thing fo 
 much on Earth, as to be crowned with the felicity to fee Beatrice-Joana my Wife, and Alfemero her 
 Husband ? But why Jhould J jlrive to perfwade that , which yoti refolve Hot to believe, or flatter my felf 
 
 E $ with 
 
God's Revenge , againji Murther. Book I* 
 
 with any bopt’) fith 1 fee 1 mitjl be fo unfortunate to defpair ? 1 mil therefore henceforth ceafe to write, but 
 never to love : and fitb it is impoffihle for me to live , I will prepare my felf to dye , that the World may 
 kmm I have loft a mofifair Miftrefs , in you ; and you a moft faithful and conftant Servant , in me. 
 
 . ALSEMERO. 
 
 Beatrice-jl#n .4 .feeing Alfemero* $ conftant affc&ion, holds it now rather diferetion, than immo- 
 defty to accept, bp(h his (erviee and (elf, yea, her heart fo delights in the greablenefs of his per- 
 lba, and triumphs in the contemplation of his vertues, that (he either wifheth her felf in Alicant 
 vyiili him, or he in Briamata with her ; but conGdering her affedtion to Alfemero by her Father’s 
 hatred, and ker haired to Fir aequo, by. his afte^ion . j (he thinks it high time to inform Alfmero 
 with what impatiency^ they both endeavour to obtain her favour and confent, hoping that his 
 diferetion vyill interpofc, and find means to (top the progrefs of thefe their importunities, and 
 to with draw .her Father’s inclination, from Fir aequo , to beftow it on himfelf : But all this while 
 flie thinks her iilence is an injury to Alfmero, and therefore no longer to be uncourteous to him, 
 who is (b kind to her > (lie very fecretly conveig'hs him this Letter. 
 
 fr . BEAT RICE-] OAN A to ALSEMERO. , 
 
 A S it is not for Earth to reytft Heaven , nor for our wills to contradict God's providence, fo I cannot de^ 
 ** ny, hut now acknowledge that if ever I (ffdlcd any man , it is your felf *, for your • Letters , pro- 
 teftations , and vows, but chiefly your -merits, and the hope, or rather the afjurauce of your fidelity, hath 
 wyn my hearty from my felf, to give it you : but t*. here arc fome important confederations andreafons , that 
 inforce me to crave your’ fecr c[ie herein, and to requeftyou , as foon as conveniently you may, to eome pri - 
 iiately hither to hies for I JRill’ncver give content to my thoughts, nor Satisfaction to my mind, till I am 
 made joyful with, your fight, and happy with your prefaice. In the mean time, inanage this affedion 
 of mine with care, and diferetion , and, whiles you refolve to make Alicant your Malta, Iwillexpett 
 and attend your coming with much longing and impatiency to Briamata. 
 
 BEATR1CE-JOANA. 
 
 It is for no others but Lovers to judg how welcome this Leetter was toAljemcro, who a thou- 
 fand times kiffed it, and as often Well the hand that wrote it. He had as we have formerly un- 
 derftood, been twice in the Indies ; but now, in his conceit, he hath found a far richer treafure in 
 Spain, I mean h\s Be a trice -Jo ana, whom he efteems the joy of hi$ life, and the life of his joy ; but 
 (he will not prove fo. He is (o inamoured of her beauty, and fo defirous to have the felicity of 
 her prefence, as the Wind coming good, the Ship fets fail for Malta, and he ( to give a colour for 
 his flay )* feigns himfelf fick, fetebeth back his T runks, and remaineth in Alicant and fo burn- 
 ing with deiirc to fee his (weedy dear, and dearly fweet Miftrefs, he difpatcheth away his confi- 
 dent Mcflcnger to. Briamata in the morning, to advertife her, that he will not fail to be with 
 her that night at eleven pf the clock. 
 
 Beatrice-Joana is ravifhed with the joy of this news, and fo provides for his coming. Alfemero 
 takes the benefit of the night, and (he gives him the advantage of a Poftern-door, which anfwers 
 to a Garden, where Viaphanta her Waiting-Gentlewoman attends his arrival. He comes (he 
 ifcohdudts him (ecrctly thorow a private Gallery, into Beatrice -Joana 9 s Chamber ; where ( richly 
 apparelled ) (he very curtcoufty and refpeftfully receives him. At the beginning of their meet- 
 ing they want no Rifles; which they fecond with complements, and many lovin<> conferences 
 wherein flic rentes to liir hFiracqno's importunate fuit to Inland her Father's earneftnefs; yea in 
 a manner, hisconftraint, to fee the^ Match concluded betwixt them; he being for that purpofe 
 there, in her Father’s houfe. Again, after (he had alledgcd, and (hewn him the intirends of her 
 alTe&ion to himfelf, with whom (he is refolded to live and dye, (lie lets fall fome dark and ambi- 
 guous fpecches, tending to this effeft, That before Piracquo be in another world, there is no hope 
 for Alfemero to injoy her for his Wife in this. Lo here the hrft plot and defign of a lamentable 
 and execrable. Murther, which wc (hall (hortly fee adled and committed. 
 
 There needs but half a wore! to a fharp and quick under (landing. Alfemero know* it isth^vr 
 olena* o( her arte&ion to him, that leads her to this dif-refped and hatred to Piracquo and b- 
 caufe her content is his, yea, rather it is for his fake, that (he willforfake Piracquo to live and dve 
 With him. Paffion and affedion blinding his judgment, and beauty triumphinV ail j aivin * 
 
 thanks him kindly tor his afledion and zeal, the which the faiths (he hold's redoubled bylhe^tW 
 iiefs of his prater , butting loath that he (hould hazard hisown.life, in feck ms that of another" 
 the conjures him by all the love he bears her, neither diredly, nor indiredly to intermeddle with 
 bLlt that he repofe and build upon her affedion andconftancy ; not jdoubtin* hnt (hr 
 will fo prevail with her Father, that he (lull hisopi.L, 
 
 iwade her to affed Piracquo, whomthe reiolutely affirms, neither life nor death ffiaftentoree 
 
Hi ft. IV. Alfemero'midBeatrice- Joana 
 
 her to marry. And to' conclude, ilthbtfgh ihc afftrm, -thac his pretence is dearer to her, than her 
 life, yet the better,! arid l boner to compals their 'detires, tile prayes him to Jeave Alicdnt,znd 
 tor a while to return; tovValentia, not doubting but tkne’niay work that, which perchance haftq* 
 or importunity hfaya\eveit. Thus palling over their kifles, and the reft ot thciF Amorous confc- 1 
 rencc, he a ffu red of her love, and the .of tiis'dffedtion he 'returns for A lie ant, pafcfe up Iro bdg* : 
 gagefi; which he lends. 1 before, and witfyuvkfs 1 thaiMOur; dates tikes life ; journey -for 'Valenti # ; - 
 where we will leave him a while, to relate other accidents and octurrencies which(like Rivers' 
 inro-Jthc.Q4c?an ; tali within the compafsfof this Hiflwyj- * — — nnib ^ i cw;.:^v. r-V: .'/ 
 
 This- meeting, audlpartol AlfimtfoVanA Beatrice -Jwntfs- conference*#! h£r Father’s hokffe of 
 Briarnata, was not £o lecretly carried .andconcealcdv bur- fome curibife,or treacherous perfoii neep J 
 him^or her, over rbeaivand reveal it : which makes bet* Father VctoUHdcro fume, and bite the lip v 
 but he conceals it from piracquo A and they frill cbnthkie their intelligence and tarnilrafrty \ Ver- 
 mj/iderp. -.telling him plainly, that a little knore time fhall Work and tin! fh his ddite \ arid chat fith; 
 his rtqflctt cannot prevail with hisDaughter hiscommands fliatld But he fhall mifsbf his aim.' 
 
 There is not fo great diitance from Briamat a to Alicani , but fome of the nbbldfof the Guy 
 are advertifed hereof .and one among the rett,ingrcat Zealand aft'e<f!h>n to Piracquo } Cec r c 1 1 ya c d 
 quaint* Von Thomafo Piracquo his younger Brother therewith, being then in the Qity <5f Alicant f 
 who hearing of this news, whereof he imagined hfeBrothcr wasignorant, loath that he (hould 
 any. lohg-er pertevere in his prclcnt errour,’ and to prevent his future difgr a’ce, he like a faithful 
 and hondlr Brother, takes occaiiomfrom Alicant to write him this infuing letter toBPiarnata. 
 THOMAS G to ALFONSO PIRACQUO. 
 
 nijie to you , that I here underhand by the report of • thofe , whofe fpeeches bear their pcrfwzfioxswitb them, 
 that your Suit to Beatrice- Joana is in vapi, and jhe unworthy of your affettion ftcauje foe loath already 
 contrattcdbcr felf to Allcmero your Rival:- I am as Jorry to be the Herald of this news, as glad, and 
 confident, that as jhe hath matched your inferiour , fi~you are referved for ber better. ; JVhercfore, Sir, 
 recal your thoughts, tempt not impojfibilities, butconfider , tloat the Jbort'efl errour s are bejl , and though 
 you love her well , yet thinly that at your pleafure you may find variety of Beauties , whereunto hers de - 
 ferves not the honour to do homage . Leonid give ho truce to rwy thought , till 1 had advertifed you hereof 
 & I hope cither the name of a Brother .or your own genet o fit y^will eafily procure pardon for my prefumptmu 
 1 . , c THOM A SO PIRACQUO. 
 
 Piracquo , not withftanding this his Brother’s Letter of counfel and advice, isfo far from re- 
 tiring in his fuit, as he rather advanceth with more violence and zeal and, as many mens judg- 
 mcntsare dazledand obfeured a little before their danger and misfortune, when indeed they 
 have molt need to have them found and clear v fo he is not capable to be dif-fwaded from re- 
 learching his Miitris i but rather refemblcth thofe Sailors, who are refolute to endure a ftorm, in 
 hope of fair weather : but he had found more fccurity, and kfs danger, if he had imbraced and 
 followed the counfel that his Brother gave him : For, Be a trice ’Joana feeing fire could not obtain 
 her defire in marrying Alfmero e’re Piracquo were removed, doth now confirm that which fdr* 
 mcrly (he had refolved on, to make him away, in what manner, or at what rate foever. And 
 now, after (lie had ruminated, and run over many bloody defigtis, the Devil, who never flies 
 from thofe who follow him, proffers her an invention as execrable as damnable. There is a gal* 
 lant young Glentleman, of the Garifonof the Cattle, who follows her Father, that to her know- 
 ledg doth deeply honour, and dearly afted her j yea, (he knows, that at her requeft, he will not 
 flick to murther Piracquo ; his name is Signionr Antonio de Flores : flic is refolute in her rage, and 
 approves him to be a fit inttrument to execute her* will. 
 
 Now as foon as Verm andcro under tta ads of Alfemcro 9 s departure to Valentia he with his daugh- 
 ter and Piracquo , returns from Briamata to Alicant \ where, within three dayes of their arrival, 
 Beatrice- Joana, boyling ftillin her revenge to Piracquo, which neither the air of the Country, nor 
 City could quench or wipe oft, (he fends for de Flores and with many flattering fmiles, and fu- 
 gred fpeeches, acquaints him with her purpofeand defire, making him many promifesof kind- 
 nefs and courtelies, if he will perform it. 
 
 Vc Flores having a long time loved Beatrice- Joana is exceeding glad of this netVs yea, feeding 
 his hopes with the air of her promifeS, he is fo caught and intangled in the fnares ot her beauty, 
 \that he freely promiles to dilpatch Piracquo => and fo they firft conlult, and then agree upon the 
 manner how, which. forth with we (hall fee performed : to which end, de Flores inlinuates himlelf 
 fairly info Piracquo* s company and familiarity, as he comes to the Gallic s where watching- his % 
 hellifli opportunity, he one day hearing Piracquo commend the thicknefs and ttrength of the 
 Walls, told fum x that the ttrength of that Cattle conlltted not in the Walls, but in the Caftmates 
 
 F a that 
 
4 ° 
 
 God's Revenge againjl Mnrther. Book I. 
 
 that were ftored with good Ordnance to feour the ditches. Piracquo very curceouily prayes 
 Pe F lores to be a means that he may go down and fee the Canutes, Vc Fiores like a bloody 
 Faulkner, feeing Piracquo already come to his lure, tells him it is now dinner time, and the Bell 
 upon ringing j but, if he pkadyhe himfelf wilj after dinner accompany. him, and (hew him all the 
 iirength and rarities of the CJaftk. He thanks Ve Flores for this courtdie •> accepts hereof, with 
 promife t^ go. So he hi^ in to dinner, and pe F lores, pretending feme buftnefs, walks in the 
 Court. 
 
 Whiles Piracquo is at dinner with Vennmidero, Ve Flores is providing of a bloody banquet in 
 the Eall Cafcmate > where, of purpose he goes, and hides.a baked Sward and Ponyard behind the 
 door. Now dinner being ended ,Pir acquofinds put Dc FMnu, and fummons hitn of his promife > 
 who tells him he is ready to wait on him : fo, away they goe from the Walls to the Ravelins* 
 Sconces, and; Eulwarks, and from thence by a Polteru to tire Ditches ^ andfo, in again to the 
 Cafema ia, 'whereof they have already viewed three, and are liow going to the laii, which is the 
 Theater, whereon, we (hall prefcntty fee a&ed, a mournful attd bloody Tragedy. At the decent 
 hereof Ve Flores, puts off his Rapier* and leaves it behind him * treacherously informing Pirac - 
 quo, that the defeent is narrow and craggy. See here the Policy and Villany of this deviihlh and 
 treacherous Mifcrcant. 
 
 . Piracquo, not doubting, nor dreaming of any Trcafon, follows his example, and fo calls off his 
 Rapier : Ve Flores leads the way, and he follows him i but alas ! poor Gentle-man, he (hal) never 
 return with his life. They enter the Vault of the Cajematc\ Ve Flores opens the door, and throws 
 it back, thereby to hide hjs Sword and Poiiyrrd ; He (loops and looks. thorow a Port-hole, and 
 tdls him, that? that Pcece doth thorowly Ijcbuxe the Ditch. Piracquo (loops Iikewiledown to 
 view it, when ( O grief to think thereon ) Ve Flores fteps for his Weapons,, and with his Pon- 
 yard ftabs him thorow the back, and fwiftly rcdoublingblovv upon blow, kills him dead at his 
 feet, and without going farther, buries him there, right under the ruins of. an old wall, whereof 
 that Cafemate was built. Lo here the hrit part of this ngjqurnfu{ and bloody Tragedy. 
 
 VeP lores (like a gracelefs villain) having difpatched thisfbrrowful butinds, ipeedily acquaints 
 Beatrice- jeana herewith, who ( miferable wtetch ) doth hereat infinitely rejoyce, and thanks 
 him with many kilfes i and the better to ’conceal this tbtir vildand bloody Marcher, as alfo to 
 caft a mid before peoples conceits and judgments, (lie bids him,, by feme fecret means to caufe 
 Tcports to be fpread, firft, that Piracquo was feen gone forth the Caftle-gate then that in the 
 City he wasfe^n take Boat, and went ( as it wasjthought •) to take the air of the Sea. But this 
 wit oi tneirs (hall prove folly : for though men, as .yet, lee not this Marcher, yet God in his due 
 time will both deteft and punife it. ■ auc 
 
 By this time Piracquo is found wanting/both in the Gty and Cadle : fo thefe afortfaid reports 
 i t0B k UeS pr , att , C lcrtof \ ^(rmandero knows not what to fay, nor Ftraequo\ 
 
 Brothcr^nd Friends what to do hcremi they every hour and minute expednewsof him ? but 
 
 their hopes bring them no comfort, and amongtt the reft, our dcvillitti Beatme-Joana feems ex 
 ceedmgly to grieve and mourn hereat. Don Thomafo Piracquo, with the reft of his friends ft arch 
 every corner of the Gty, and fend fcouts both by Land and Sea, to have news of him. derl n 
 diro the Captain of the Caftle doth the like, and vows, that next his own Son, he loved Fir to mo 
 V £ - Uny , man m th j r ld , ; F\T °” ly j' S friendS) but generally all thofe who knew him 
 eaf dS 8 sL We£P 3 1£ 3 C1KC aUd l0fS ° f thiS Cavalkr 1 for the y thmk he isdrown- 
 
 Nowint^midft of this forrow, and of thefe fears, Beatrice Joan* doth fecrctlv adverrifb 
 het Lover Alfemero hereof, but in fuch palliating terms, that thereby fhemav delude™,! 
 away his judgment from imagining that (he had the leaft (hadow or ringer herein and tS 
 prayes him to make no longer fray in Valmia, but to come away to he?ro ^ 
 
 vyondersat th.sncws, and to pleafe his fair Miftris, believes part thereof but wlnvofr™ 
 all : but he is fo inflamed with her beauty, as her remembrance St yl f ; 
 when letting pais a little time, he makes his preparation for Ahem bur nwt L f a P,r f ■ 
 
 foletnnized in the Caftle of Alicant , with much Pomp, ^S^; heirNuptialsbeb s 
 _^ H avnig heretofore heard the conference that paft betwixt Alfemero md Beatrice.?^ • 
 Church, having likewifc feca the amorous Letters that paft betwixt them, fr 0 mJ/L»Vto 
 
 Briamata 
 
Hid. IV. Alfemero and 'Beatrke-Joana, 
 
 4 1 
 
 Briamata and from Briamata to Alicant and now conlidering the Pomp and Glory of their 
 Nuptials,' who would imagine that any averfe accident could alter the fweetnefs and tranquillity 
 of their aftebfiohs or that the Sun-lhine of their )oyes, Ihould fo foon be ecliplcd, and over- 
 taken with a (lorm ? But God is as juft as lecret in his decrees. 
 
 f or this married couple had fcarce lived three months in thepteafuresof wedlock ( which if • 
 virtuoully obl'crvtd, is the chiefelt earthly )oy ) but Alfemero , like a fond Husband, becomes jea- 
 lous ot his Wife i fo as he curbs and reftrains her of her liberty, and would hardly permit her to 
 confer or converfe with, yea, far Id's, to fee any man : But this is not the way to teach a woman 
 chaftity •, ior, if fair words, good examples, 'and lweet admonitions, cannot prevail, threaenmg, 
 -and impriloning.in a chamber will never. Yea, the experience thereor is daily feen-, both in E ng+ 
 h;id Francf, and Germany, where generally the women ufe ( but not abufe) their liberty and free- 
 dome granted them by their Husbands, with much civility, aife&ion, and relpedf. 
 
 Beat rice- Joana bites the lip at this her Husband's difcourtcliedhe vows (he is as much deceived 
 in his lovers he in his jealouliejand that (lie is as unworthy of his fufpition,as he of her affection ; 
 he watcheth her every where, and fees fpies over her in every corner -, yea, his jealoulie is become 
 lb violent, as he deems her unchalt with many, yet knows not with whom : But this T ree of jea- 
 loulie never brings foVth good-fruit. She complains hereof to her f ather, and prayes him to be 
 a means to appeal? and calm this temped, which threatens the Snip wrack, not only of her con- 
 tent, but ( it may be ) of her life. Ver minder o bears himfelf dilercetly herein v but Ik may a^foon 
 place another Sun in the Firmament, as root out this fearful frenzy out of Alfemero s head , for 
 this his paternal admonition is lo far from drawing him to hearken to reafon, as it produceth 
 contrary e debts ■, for now Alfemero , to prevent his thame, andfecurc his tear, fuddenly provides 
 a Coach, and fo carries home his wife from Alicant to Valentia. This fudden departure grieves 
 Venmndero , and galls Beatrice- Joana to the heart, who now looks no longer on her Husband 
 withaffe&ion, but with diidain and envy. .Many daies are not paft, but her Father relolves to 
 fend to Valentia , to know how matters Hand betwixt his Daughter and her Husband : He makes 
 choice ot De Floret to ride thither, and fends letters to them both. 
 
 De Floras is extrcamly joytul of this oecafion, to fee his old Miltrels, Beatriec-J oana , whom he 
 loves dearer than liisJiife : hecomeS;to Valentia, and finding Alfemero abroad, and the at home 
 delivers her. her Father’s Letter, and lalutes ai;d kilFeth her, with many amorous embracings and 
 dalliances ( which modally holdsunworthy of relation ) (he acquaints him with her Husband s 
 ingratitude : he rather rejoyces, than grieves, hereat, and now revives his old lute, and rcdoii- 
 blcth his new kiflcS : (he conlidering what he hath done for her fervice, and joynmg therewith 
 her husband’s jealoulie, not only ingagethher left to him for the time prelcnt,but for the future, 
 and bids him viiit.her often. But they both Avail pay dear for their familiarity and pleafure.. 
 
 Alfemero comes home, receives, his Father’s Letter, lets a plealing face On his diicontentcd 
 heart, and bids him welcome . And fo the next day writes bacx to his Father Vermanderi,a.ad 
 dilpatcheth D e Flares -, who for. that time takes his leave of both, and returns tor Alicant t 
 
 He is no iboner departed, but Afemcro is by one of his fpies, a waiting Gentlewoman cf his 
 Wives whom he had corrupted with money, -advemied that there pall many amorous kiftes, and 
 dalliances between her Miftrels and De V lores yea, Hie reveals all that ever lhe law or heard , lor 
 fhe pall not to bejalfe to her. Lady, lb (he were true to her Lord and Mailer. And indeed t.us 
 waiting gentlewoman was that Dhpbantafcx f whom we have formerly made mention, tor con- 
 ducting of Alfemero .to her ; Ladie’s Chamber at Briamata. Alfemero is all tire at this ne.ws, he 
 conlults not withqudgment, but with paflitsi i and fo, rather like a devil than a man, hies to his 
 Wive’s chamber, wherein turioufty rulhing, he with his Sword drawn m his hand, to her great 
 
 teirour and amazement, delivers her t he tc (words. - , 
 
 Minionf quoth hejupon thy life tell me what familiarity there hath now paft betwixt de Floret 
 ami thy. left 'whereat lhe, fetching many fighsjSc fhedding many tears, anfwcrs him, that by her 
 part of heaven, her thoughts,fpeeches, and abtions have no way exceeded the bounds of honour 
 and chaftity towards him s and.that DeFlotes never attempted any courtehe, but luch as a Bro- 
 ther may (hew to bis own naturaliSilHr, Then, quoth lie, whence proceeds this your familiarity 
 'Whereat Che grows pale, and witball lilcnt., Which, her husband efpying,difpatch quoth he, and 
 tell me the truth, orelfe, thisfword of mine (lulLihiftantly hud a paftage to thy heart. When 
 lo, the provideilce.bf GodibiOiidaincd it, that lhe is reduced to this exigent and extremity, as 
 lhe Vnuft be a witWfs againU henfidf > and in feeking to conceal her whoredom, muftdtleover 
 her niurther yfhe which (he- doth, iu thefe words: Know Alfemero , that lith thou wi.t mforceme 
 to Jhew .thee the true cattle of my chaft familiarity with de Floret , that 1 am much bound to him, 
 aud thy (ell more i for he it was, that,at my requeft, difpatched Firacquo, without which fas thou 
 well knoweitjl could never have injoyed thee for my Husband, nor thou me tor thy Wife : An 
 lb (he rcvealcs him the whole circumftance of that cruel Murther, as we have former y 
 
God's Revenge againfl Murther. Book I. 
 
 imderfioocU the which (he conjures, and prayeshim to conceal, iith no lefs than T>e l lores and 
 her own life depended thereon, and that (he will dye a thoufand deaths, betore confent to derile 
 his bed, or to violate her oath and promife given him in Marriage. 
 
 Alfmcro both wondring and grieving at this lamentable ne ws, fay es little, but thinks the more „ 
 and though he had reafon and apparance to believe, that (lie who commits Murther, will nor 
 ftick to commit Adultery, yet upon hisWivc’s folemn oaths and proteftations, he forgets wlut 
 is paft ^ only heftri&ly chargeth her, no more to fee, or admit De Flores into her company •, or 
 if the contrary, he vows he will fo (harply be revenged of her, as he will make her an example 
 to all pofterity, 
 
 But bV^trict , -J^^r,notwithftandingher Husband’s fpeeches,continueth her intelligence with 
 De Flores , yea, her Husband no fooner rides abroad, but he is at V dkntia with her •, and they are 
 become fo impudent, as, what they did before fecretly, they now in a manner do publickly, or at 
 lead, with Chamber. doors open. Diapbanta knowing this to be a great lcandal, as well to her 
 Maker’s horour, as houfc, again informs him thereof > who vows to take a (harp revenge of this 
 their infamy and indignity ^ as indeed he doth : for he bethinks himfelf( thereby to etf'e&itjof an 
 invention, as worthy of his jealoufie, as of their crime of* Murther, and of their fecond Adul- 
 tery ; He enjoineth Viaphanta to lay wait for the very hour that Ve Flons arrives from Alicant to 
 Valeria , which (he doth > wheninftantly pretending to his Wife a journey in the Country, he 
 very fecretly and jilently, having his Rapier and Ponyard, and a Cafe of Piftols ready charged 
 in his pocket ( teeming to take horfe) hufneth himtelf up privately in his itudy, which was next 
 adjoyningand within his Bed-chamber. 
 
 Beatrice-Joana , thinking her Husband two or three Leagues off, tends away for De Fforcs, who 
 comes inflantly to her : they fall to their killings and imbracings •> (he rejoycing extreamly for his 
 arrival, and he for her husband Alfcrnews departure : (he relates hip the cruelty and indignity 
 her husband bath (hewed and offered her, the which Ve Fhres underftands with much contempr 
 Sc c holer, as alfo with many threats. Aljtmero hears all, but doth neither (peak, cough, fiieeze,nor 
 fpit. So from words they fall to their beaftly plealures, when Alfemero no longer able to contain 
 himfeh, much lefs to be acceffary to his (hame, and their villany, throws off the door, and vio- 
 lently rufheth forth j when finding them on his Bed, in the midft of their Adultery, he firff dif- 
 chargeth his Piftols on them, and then with his Sword and Ponyard runs them thorow, and 
 (labs them with fo many deep and wide wounds, that they have not fo much power or time to 
 fpeak a word, but there lye weltring and wallowing in their blood, whiles their fouls ily to ano* 
 ther world, to relate what horrible and beaftly crimes their bodies have committed in this. Thus 
 by the providence of God, in the fecond Tragedy of our Hiftory, we fee our two Murtherers 
 Murthcred, and Firacquo * s innocent blood revenged in the guiltnefs of theirs. 
 
 AlJ ’cmcro having huifhing this bloody bufinefs, leaves his Piftols on the Tabic, asalfahis 
 Sword and Ponyard all bloody as they were * and without covering or removing the breathicii 
 bodies of thefet wo wretched mitereants,hc fhuts his Chamber-door, and is i b far from dying for 
 the fadt, as he takes his Coach, and goesdiredfly to the Criminal Judg himtelf, andreveals what 
 he had done > but conceals the Murther of Firacquo. The Judg is aftoniftied and amazed at the 
 report of this mournful and pittiful accident *, he takes Alfemero with him, returns to his houfc, 
 and finds, thole two dead bodies teed) iinoaking, and reaking in their bl ood. The news hereof 
 is fpread in all the City. The whole people of Valentia flock thither to be cye-witneffes of thefe 
 t wo murthered Per fans i where fbme behold them with pitty, others with joy, but all with a- 
 ftonifliment and admirations and no lefs do thole of Alicant , where this news isfpeedily poft- 
 ed > but all their griefs is nothing to thofeof Don Diego dtVermandero ' s ( Beatrice^ Joanns father) 
 who infinitely and extreamly grieves, partly for the Death, but efpecially for the Crime of his 
 Daughter. 
 
 The Judg presently commits Alfemero prifoner in another of his own Chambers, and fo exa- 
 mining Diapbanta, upon her oath, concerning the familiarity betwixt de Flores and Beatrice- Je- 
 ana *, die afhrms conftantly, that now, and many times before, (lie faw them commit Adultery 
 and that, (he it was, that hrft advertited Alfemcro her Mafter hereof; Whereupon, after a fecond 
 examnutiouot Aljmero, they, upon mature deliberation, acquit him of this tadt ; lb he is freed 
 and the dead bodies carried away and buried. ' 
 
 But although this cart lily Judg have acquitted Alfemero oi thisfaft, yet the Tud* of Tudors 
 the great God of Heaven who teeth not only our heart, but our thoughts, not only ’our £ 
 but our nneins, hath this,* (omcthing eUe today to hischarge, for he(in his (acred providence' 
 and divine Julhce j doth both remember andobferve: Hrft, how ready and wiliiL Alkmrl 
 was to engage himtelf to Beatrice* Joana to kill Firacquo * then, though he confented^not to the 
 Murther, yet how he concealed it, and brought it not to publick arraignment and puni(h mciu 
 whereby the dead body of Firacquo might receive a more honourable, and Chriftian-Jike Sepul- 
 
 • chrc : 
 
Hi ft. IV. A l feme ro dncLBeatrice- Joana 
 
 chre: andiV thcl'e crimes ot his be not capable to deierve revenge and diaftifcment, Lo, he is 
 entring into a new, wilful, and premeditated Murther, and doth lo dishonourably and t r cache - 
 rouily perform it, as we (hall Ihortly fee him lofe his life upon an infamous Scaftold, where he 
 (hall rind no heart to pitty him, nor eye to bewail him. 
 
 If we would be Co ignorant, we cannot he fo malicious, to forget that loving and courteous 
 Letter, which Von TbomaJ'o Firacquo wrote his Brother Alfonfo Fir aequo from Alicant to Briama- 
 ta, to withdraw himfelf from his fuit to Beatrice- Joana *, and although his affedion and jcalouiie 
 to prevent his Brother’s difgrace, was then the chief occafion of that his Letter, yet lithhe was 
 llnce difaftrouily and misfortunately bereaved of him, ot that dear and fweet Brother of his* 
 whom he ever held oc efteemed far dearer than his life, his thoughts, like fo many lines,concur u\ 
 this Center, from whence he cannot beotherwife couceited or drawn, but that Beatrice Joana Sc 
 Alfcmcro had a hand, and were at leaft acceflaries,if not authors of his lols:upon the foundation of 
 which belief he raifeth this refolution,that he is not worthy to be a Gentleman, nor of the degree 
 and title .of a Brother, if he crave not fatisfadion for that irreparable lofs which he fuftaincth in 
 that of his Brother j and the fooner is he drawn thereunto, becaufe he believes, that as Alfcmcro 
 was ordained of old to chaftife Beatrice- Jo ana , to he was by the fame Power referved to be re- 
 venged of Alfcmcro . whereupon, although it be not the cuftotn of Spain to right Duels ( as 
 defir'ihg rather the death of their enemies than of their friends ) he retolves to right with him ; 
 and to that end, udderlhnding Alfcmcro to be then in Alicant , fends him this Challenge. 
 
 THOMkSO PIRACQ^UO to ALSEMERO. 
 
 I T is with too much affurance , that I fear Beatrice -Joana’/ vanity ,* and your rajhnefs , hath bereaved 
 me of a Brother , whom I ever ejiecmed and prized far dearer than my felf: l were unworthy to converfe 
 with the World, much left to bear the honour and degree of a Gentleman , if I Jhould not feekjatisfatfion 
 for bis death , with the hazard of my own life : for if a friend be bound to perform the lity court tfie and 
 duty to his friend , how much more a Brother to his Brother ? Tour Sword bath doaftifed Beatrice-JoanaV 
 error , andl mufl fee whether mine be referved to correjd yours. As you are your felf meet me at the foot 
 of GlilTeran bill to morrow, at five in the morning , without Seconds j and it Jhall be at your choice , either 
 
 to ufe your Sword on horf e-back A or your Rapier on foot . 
 
 THOMASO PIRACQJUO. 
 
 Alfemero accepts this Challenge, and promifeth, that he and his Rapier will not tail to meet 
 him : yet as he one way wondereth at Firacquo 9 s valour and refolution, fo another way he conli- 
 dcreth tfye great lofs he hath received in that of his Brother, and the juftnefs of his quarrel againft 
 him •> who although he were not acceflary to his murther, yet he is, in concealing the cruelty 
 thereof-, and indeed this villany makes him loie his accuftomed courage, and think of a molt 
 bafe cowardize, and treacherous liratagem : But this dilhouourable refolution and detign of his, 
 fhall receive an infamous recomp^nce, and a reward and punifhment as bitter as juft. 
 
 They meet at the hour and place appointed i Firacquo is rirft in the iield, and Aljemcro ftayes 
 rot long after j but he hath twofmall Piftols charged in his pockets, which in killing his Enemy 
 fhaJl riliue himfelf They draw, and as they approach, Alfemero throws away this Rapier ? and 
 with his Hat in his hand, prayes Firacquo to hear Him in his juft defence, and that he is ready 
 to joyn with him to reveqge his Brother’s Murtherers. Firacquo being as courteous, as 
 couragious, and as honourable as valiant, likewife throws away his Rapier, and with his hat 
 in his hand comes to meet him j but it is a folly to unarm our felves in our Enemy’s prefence * 
 for it is better and titter that he ftand to our courtefie, than we to his : When Firacquo feared 
 nothing Ids than Treachery, Alfemero draws out his Piftols, and difehargeth them *, the rirft tho- 
 row head, the lecond thorow hisbreaft* of which two wounds, he, fpeaking only thus, 0 Vil- 
 lain l 0 Traitor 1 falls down dead at his feet. Lo here the third bloody part of this Hiftory. 
 
 It is a lamentable part for any one to commit Murther.', but for a Gentleman to deftroy ano- 
 ther in this bafe and cruel •manner, this exceeds all bafenefs and cruelty it felf ; yea, it makes 
 him as unworthy of his honour, as worthy ot a halter. 
 
 The news of this bloody fad rattles in the ftreets of Alicant , as* Thunder in the Firmament : 
 Firacquo* s Chirurgion being an eye-witnefs hereof, reports the death of hisMafter, and the 
 treachery of Aljemcro *, All Alicant is amazed hereat, they extol Thomafo piracquo's valour, and 
 his lingular affedion to his dead brother, and both deteft and curie the treachery and memory 
 of Alfemero . The criminal Judges are advertifed hereof, who fpeedily lend poft after him:but he 
 is mounted on a fwift Gcnnet, and, like Bellerophon on his winged Fegafus , doth rather fly than 
 gallop : but his hatte is in vain ^ for the juftice of the Lord will both itop his Horfe, and arreft 
 Him. He is not recovered half way from Alicant to Valentia , but his Horfe ftumbles, and 
 lareaks his fore-leg, and Alfemero his right arm he is amazed, pereplexed, and inraged hereat, 
 and knows not what to do, or whither to fly for fafety for ho lees no bulh nor hedge to hide 
 him, nor lane to fave him i and now he repents himfelf of his fad, but it is too late His 
 
I ■ 
 
 44 
 
 
 
 
 God's Revenge ngninfl jMwtbcr. book I. 
 
 Horfc failing him, he trufteth to htelegs, and fo throwing ofi his Cloak, rims as fpctdily as k 
 may : but the toulueftf of his bid doth Hill lo affright him, and tcrrilie his *conlcience,as ht'is.at- 
 traid of his own (hadow > looks Hill back, imagining that every Hone lie lees is a S~ rgeanc come 
 to arreH hinv, yea, his thoughts, like lb many blood-hounds, purfue and follow him, l wearing 
 exceedingly.partly through his labour, but efpccially through the alflidion and perturbation or 
 his mind, yea, every point of a minute, he expedeth and fears his apprchenlton. 
 
 Neither is his fear or expedition vain : tor lo, at laH he perceives lour come galloping after 
 him, as fait as their Horfescan drive. So they finding firH his poor horfc, and now elpying his 
 miferaUe ielf,he fees he is invironed of all tides, and thinks the earth hath brought torch L ad- 
 mean men to apprehend him*, yet remembring himielf a Gentleman, and wit hall a Soldier, he re- 
 iolves rather to fell his life dearly in that place, than to be made a Ipedacle upon an in famous 
 Scaffoki : but this courage and refoitttion Hull neither prevail or refeue him. 
 
 He to this effed draws his Rapier, the which the four Sergeants will him to yield, and render 
 up to the King*; Laws and JuHice,but he is refolute to defend himielf. They threaten him with 
 their Piitols •, but their light do as little atriaze him, as their report, and bullets : fo they alight 
 from their Horfes, and environ him with their Swords, and having hurt two ot them, and per- 
 formed the part of a defperate Gladiator, the third joyning with him, they break his Rapiet 
 within a foot of the Hilt, whereat he yields himielf. Alfcmero thus taken, is the fame night 
 brought back to Alicant , in whofe Gates and Streets^ wonderful concourfe of people allembkd 
 to fee him pais, who as much pity his perfon, as execrate and condemn his fad. 
 
 The Senate is alTcmbled, and Alfcmero brought to appear, who toniidcring the luinoufnefs of 
 his treacherous and bloody fad, which the Devil had carried him to commit, he frays for uo 
 Witneifes, but accufeth himielf of this murther, the which from point to point iie confeffeth i 
 and fo they ad judg him to lofe his headibut this is too honourable a death for a Gentleman who 
 hath fo treacheroully and bafely difhonoured and biemiflied his Gentility. As he is on the Scai- 
 fold, preparing himfclf to die, and feeing i]0 farther hope of life, but tne image of death betord 
 his eyes, knowing it no time now either to diffemble with God, or to fear the. Law, he to the 
 amazement of all the world, tells the people, that though he killed Vm Tbmafo Firacquo^ yet 
 he had no hand inthe Murther of his Brother Von Alfonfo^w hom (he faidj Ve Flores at the miti- 
 gation of his wicked and wretched Wife Beatrice-Joana , had murthered, and buried in the call 
 Cafttnatc of the Cable : and withal affirmed, that if he were guilty in any thing concerning 
 that murther, it was only in concealing it, which he had done till then, and whereof ( he faid Jhe 
 now moft heartily repented himfeH,as being uii willing any longer to charge his foul with it,lith 
 he was ready to leave this world, and to go to another > and fo befought them all xo pray 
 unto God toforgive him, whofe facrcd MajeHy he confcffcd he had highly and infinitely offen- 
 ded > and wifiied them all to beware, and flie the temptations of the Devil, and to become bet- 
 ter Chrifiians by his example. 
 
 The Judges advertifed hereof, caufe his head to be flricken off for murthering of P on Tbmafo 
 Firacquo ^ and his body to be thrown into the fea, for concealing that of P on Alfonfo *, which was 
 accordingly executed : and from the place of Execution they immediately go to the Cable, and 
 fo to the EaH Cafmate , where cauling the Hones to be removed, they find the mournful mur- 
 thered body of Von Alfonfo Fir aequo y which they give to his kinsfolks, to receive a more honourable 
 Burial, according to his rank and degree •> and from thence they return to the Churches, where 
 the bodies of Ve Flores, and Beatrice- Jo an a were interred (after they were brought back from 
 Valentia) the which, for their horrid murther,they at the common place of Execution caufe to 
 be burned, and their allies to be thrown into the Air, as unworthy to have any rebing place on 
 earth, which they had fo cruelly Hained and polluted with innocent blood. 
 
 Lo here the juft punilhment of God againft thefe devillifh and bloody Murtherers! at the 
 fight of whofe Executions, all that infinite number of people that were Spectators, univerfally 
 laud and praife theMajefty of God for purging the earth of fuch unnatural and bloody Mon- 
 iters. 
 
 
 
 GOD'S 
 
 
 
 
G O D * S Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY V. 
 
 Alibius murthercd bis Wife Merilla : he is difcovered , firfl by Bernardo, then Etnelia his ovfti 
 Daughter : fo he is apprehended, and hanged for the fad. 
 
 H OW far are they from having peace with God, and all his creatures, when they lay violent 
 hands on their own Wives ; yea, when they murther them in their beds,inftead of repofing 
 their fecrets and affe&ions in their bofomslThefe are hellilh refolutions,and infernal ilratagcms, 
 that Nature neither allows, nor Grace approves. For, befides the Union betwixt God and his 
 Church, there is none fo per fed andablolute on Earth, as is that of Man and Wife : For, as this 
 world hath made them two perfons,fo God hath conjoyned, and made them one ; and therefore, 
 what madnefs, nay, what cruelty is it to be fo cruel to thole, who' C if not our felves ) are at lealt 
 our fecond felves > Charity! the daughter of Heaven jteacheth us to love all the world, but Spe- 
 cially thole who are our Kinsfolks or Friends. Religion ( the Mother of Charity ) Iteps a de- 
 gree farther,and enjoineth us to love thofe who hate us •, yea,thefe likewifeare not only the rules 
 of Nature, but the Precepts of Grace : therefore, to kill thofe who love us, and to deprive thofe 
 of life* who ( did occafion prefent ) are ready to facrifice theirs for the prefervation of ours, it 
 muft needs proceed rather from a monfter than a man, or rather from a devil than a monfter j 
 but Inch devils, and fuch monitors are but too rife and common in thefe our linful times. And 
 amongft others, I here produce one for example : who for that cruel and inhumane fadt of his, 
 bythe julfice of God, was jutfly rewarded with a Halter. And may all thole, who perpetrate 
 the like crime, participate of the fame, or of a worfe punilhment. 
 
 In the Parifh of Sprear , fome fifteen miles dilfant from the beautiful and noble City of Brcfeia, 
 ( in the Territories of the Venetians ) there dwelt a poor Country-man, termed Alikins, who 
 could vaunt of no other wealth Eft him by his deceafed pircnts, but that he was*a man-of. a 
 
 G 3 comely 
 
God's Revenge againft Mnrther. Book I. 
 
 comely ftature and proportion, and withall, that they were of an honeft fame and reputation : it 
 fo his virtues.had aufwercd theirs, his poverfy had never proved" fo pernitious, & fatal an enemy 
 to him, as to ruine his fortunes with his life, and his life with his fortunes*, or, had the vices of his 
 fed not contimined or ftaingd the perfections of his body, my Pen had ilept in lilence, and his 
 Hiftory lain raked up in the dull of his grave*, but, fith his actions have exceeded the bounds 
 both of Nature and Grace «, yca,iith he hath learned of the Devi\ to imbathe his hands in poyfon, 
 and to imbrue them in innocent blood, I ( incoujragcd by the connivency and iilence of others ) 
 not out of any want of charity to the memory of dead Alibius , but in detection of his bloody 
 resolution and adiOns, and chiefly, and efpecially to the comfort and inftrudion of thelfvwig, 
 who may abhor his dime by the light of his punifhment, I have adventured and refolded to 
 give this a place amongft the re If of my Tragical Hiftories,that Italy, as well as Brefcia and Sjprear 
 ( and peradventure the whole Chriftian world with Italy ) may underhand thereof. 
 
 This Alibius , as foon as he had attained the age of five and twenty years, married an honeft 
 maiden, termed Mi rilla, being a Farmer’s daughter of thcParifhof Sprcar, with whom he had 
 but (mail means, and fhe ( to fpeak truth ) but little wit, and lefs beauty *, yet v fhe was neither fo 
 poor, but that (bedeferved a good husband, nor fb hard-favoured but the might content an ho- 
 iieft one. And indeed had Alibius his care and induftry, anfwered Merilla i providence and fru- 
 gality *, or his luftful eye,not (hayed either beyond his vow given her in marriage, or her indif- 
 ferent beauty : this match might have proved as fortunate, as it hath iince' fucceeded miferable 
 and ruinous. 
 
 For Alibius , whofe thoughts flew a pitch above his birth, rank, and means *, had not lived ma- 
 ny years in wedlock, till his prodigality and vanity had wafted and diilipated the greateft part of 
 th^t fmall eftate he had \ lbas neceifity now looking on him, becaufe formerly he difdained to 
 look on it, knowing better how to play than work, or rather., not how to work, but play *, and 
 feeing that hisprefent means could not maintain him, nor his future hopes promife it, he as a 
 truant, apd aperfed Prodigal, difdaining to want when he hath it, and when he hath it not, lets 
 up this lewdand unthrifty refolution with himfelf, to fet all at fix and feven. But this prodigal 
 humor of his, doth as much grieve his wife, as delight him : for, now fhe fees, that her lpinning 
 at home could neither ferve, nor fatisfie his expences abroad, and that all her care and labour 
 was by far too little to maintain his vanity *, which fhe ( poor good woman ) perceiving, yea, 
 more than fo, contrary to her hopes, now feeling, fhe with fair words, and fecret and fweet per- 
 fwafions* endeavoureth to reclaim. him from it : but this courfe of hers wor^s,a contrary efted > 
 for if before he played the ptbdigal in her abfence, now he playes the Tyriitt her prefence i 
 for he not onely rej'oyceth, and (tops his ears againft her counfel, but rates and reviles her with 
 vile and contemptuous fpeccheS, iuch as indeed are infinitely unfit either for a husband to give, 
 or a wife to receive. And this, as I have been informed, was the lirft diftate betwixt Alibius and 
 Merilla . * * 
 
 But we need not g q far for a fecond. There is no peftilent Infedion, nor infectious Pcftilence 
 to that of haunting and frequenting bad company s for it is a rock whereon many have fuftered 
 Shipwrackj it is a fountain that fends forth many poyfoned ftreams to thofe that tafte or drink 
 thereof i yea, it is a Tree, whofe fruit is by fo much bitterer ft) the ftomack as it feems plealing to 
 the palate, like Pills of poyfon candyed in Sugar : and as that which moft delights, moft con- 
 founds the lenfe, lb ufe breeding an habit, and habit a fecond nature, vicious company, whom we 
 take to be our deareft friends, do inline prove our moft dangerous enemies, and fo much the 
 more dangerous, iith when we would toriakc them, we cannot > which our Alibius , will atlaft 
 find true in himfelf s yea, we (hall fee him informed to acknowledg it, as having bought and pur- 
 chafed it with a woeful and lamentable experience , for now he begins to love ( wearing, whore- 
 dom, and drunkennefs, that before he hated *> and to hate the Golpel of Chrift, and the profel- 
 fors thereof, that before he loved *> a moft wretched exchange, where we take from our £buls to 
 give our fenfes *, and a woful bargain, where we fell God to buy the Devil. 
 
 Poor Merilla , grieving to fee that (he could not un-fee, thele ungodly courfes,as alio that it 
 not onely confumed the fmall remainder of his means, but l.ikewiie loft his friends, and dark- 
 ned and eclipfed his reputation, thinks it, not only a part of her duty, but of her'atfedion to 
 him, to requeft fome virtuous friend, or godly neighbour of theirs to deal with him herein 
 thereby, to endeavour to perfwade him from thefe his irregular and prophane courfes : But as 
 thofe who are lick, are fo deprived of their tafte, as they cannot difeern between fweet and bit- 
 ter. So Alibius fick of the Lethargie of thefe his enormous and diftolute vices, was fo far from 
 rcllifhingthis wholefome connfel, as he not only rejededit, but rcoffed and reviled the party 
 who gave it him : and it being not fo fecretlyfor peradventure not fo wifely Jmannaged, but he 
 . coining to underftand, it proceeded from his wife Merilla, he took it fo paflionately and outra- 
 gipuily, to fee his follies revealed by her who was bound to conceal them, as mott uncivilly and 
 \ inhumanly 
 
Hi ft. V. sill bins and Merilia. 
 
 unlmnuncly checking lur , he in the heat oi hisdilpicauireand revenge, iome months for Likes 
 her company, and many her bed-, whereat, fuch was her tender affe&ton to him, andhisdif- 
 relpcct to her, as I know not whether e more grigved, or he rcjoyced. 
 
 The motives of his third diitafte to his wife, were grounded upon her barrennefs and fterility, 
 as it it were in her power to give him a Child, when Gods pleat'ure and providence was to give 
 none to her, without coniklering that the barrennefs and truitfulnels of a woman comes all 
 from the Lord; Or without renaembring that iome Children are born for a eurfe,as others for a 
 bleliing to their Parents: Or as if his earthly vanity could teach Gods fecret Divinity, what were 
 fitted tor him And yet thefe rcafons cannot prevail againli hisunrcafonable felf, and therefore 
 this, amongft the red o£ hisdiiUlks, he, or rather the Devil for him, throws in a«*aind his Wife: 
 •//».*» if be bad a Child , bcflmtld be a good Unhand, and not before : As if he deiired and fought Iome 
 pretext and colour, though never fo unjudly and ungodly, to cover his vices and prodigality, or 
 m the eyes of the World to bolder out and apologize his jarring and iquaring with his Wife: 
 yea. Iris impudency was grown to the height of this impiety, that he often affirmed, his Wife 
 was the cauieof his poverty; torifihe would give him no Child, God would give him no prOl- 
 (peri tv. 
 
 Now, as all women by nature generally defire Children* fo it is a great affli&ion f I will not 
 fry a curie; to them, it they have none. But theicunjufi fpeechesot^/iiiw, do juftly and infi* 
 nitely afflid Ins wife AferitU, who (that no farther diicord might trouble the harmony of their 
 Wedlock /ends her tears to earth, and her Prayers to Heaven, that her bleffed Saviour would be 
 plcaied to blcfs her with a Child * when God,tceing his prophane hypocriiy, which he will re- 
 venge, and underftanding her Religious Zeal, which he will reward, out of rhe inefiimablc 
 treaitire of his mercy and Providence, grants her her rcqucii, and him his defire * foasmfhort 
 time the las her felf the Mother, and him the Father of a young Daughter, termed Emelia. 
 
 The fourth reafon of his diitafte at his Wife, was, that feeing time run on in hisfwtftca- 
 ricre, and his prodigality ltill remaining, as atto thatrhis mask of his Wive’s fterility was taken 
 away* he that was heretofore ibdciirousot a Child, now thinks this one tobeone too many, 
 becaiiie (frith he) he can no way indure the crying and trouble thereoi.But,is there any thing 
 io unnatural or Ridiculous as this? Now, if he muf mure at this his Child, during her Infancy, 
 he will much more liorm at her, when (he comes to riper years: And oblerving that her Mother 
 doth (ubtraA trom his prodigality, to add to her maintenance, this doth again extremely vex 
 and atHidt him * (b that his Child, whom he pretended (bould ^ the caufe of his joy and pro- 
 fperity, is now that ot his grief* and as he thinks, of his farther poverty and mifery : The which 
 poor his Wire, to her unfpeakable and ineffable grief, palpably perceiveth, as well in 
 
 his uncharitable and malicious fpeeches, banded to her for her Daughter Emdias fake, as to 
 Emelia for her fake r But what know we, whether God hath purpofely lent this Daughter, to 
 revenge the injuries and wrongs that her Father intended to her Mother } 
 
 His fifth, and ( as yet ) his lad difiafle agairift his Wife, proceeds from hisobferving that her 
 beauty is withered and decayed * not that heretofore he knew her fair * but that (lie is not fo fair 
 now, as when he firrf married her * as if time and age had not power to wither the bloffoms of 
 our youth, as the Suirhath to daver the frcfhdt Roles and Lillies. But as all his former diltifics’ 
 towards his Wife, bewray his inclination to prodigality and prOphanenefs ; fo tfmlall of his, 
 doth manifeftty tRfcoVcr his addition to luff, and hisaffcdlion to vvhoredome : for it is impolV 
 tible for our Wives to (ecm foul hi cur eyes, except there be tome others (cem fairer as black- 
 nefs fee ill's blacker when it is compared and paralleld with whiteuefs * and this indeed, is the 
 V ulture and Viper that Ricks fo oldfc eg his bread, and lb near to his heart * yea, this is his dar-' 
 hng and bofome fin that will firangle him, when if makes greateft Ihew tokifsand imbracc 
 him. 
 
 A fib tvs, powerfully follicited by thefe five fevcraldhtaftes conceived again ft his Wife Me- 
 ritl.i^ who poor Woman rides at an Anchor in the tranquillity of her innocency, whiles he ( in 
 the heat and height of his youth ) floated in the Ocean of hifvofuptuoufnefs and (enluality, but 
 efpecially provoked by his own poverty and penury* who now begin to appear to him in a 
 lean and rmferable fhape : he leaves his Wife and Family, and betakes himlclf to thefervice of 
 Gentlemen, thinking thereby to flop the current of his prodigality, and to find out the inven- 
 tion and means, futurely to get that which formerly he had expended : which resolution of his 
 had been indeed commendable, if the integrity ot his heart had been anfwerable to the i'weet- 
 nefs of his tongue : but wc (hall the contrary,' and find, by his example, that Snakes al waies 
 
 lurk under the faired and greeneft leaves. 
 
 During which time, hclervesfomc Gentletnan of worth and quality, but one of efpeoial 
 account and Reputation, not diftant above three (mall miles from the City of Brefcla , whobe- 
 fag an exploit Houfe-keepcr, and a good Member of ths Common-Weal, there Alibius 
 
 ( hftd 
 
God's Revenge againjl Murther. book 1 . 
 
 C bad be had as much Grace as Vanity, or as much Religion as Impiety ) might have forgotten his 
 oJd Vices, and have learned new Vertues : But if he delighted to become exce lent in any tiling, 
 it was, firli to bee a perfect Carver and Waitgr , then to be decent in bis Apparel ; ana lait ot aJi, 
 tobefmooth in his fpeeches, and affable and pleaiing in his Complements, without any regaia 
 at all, either to reform the vanity of his thoughts, or to controul his diffolute and dangerous acti- 
 
 Having thus pajj away many years abroad in fervice, and very feldome or never either feen 
 Sprtar, or vifited his MerilU and Emelia , he at laft feeing of the one fide, that age began to now 
 on his head-, and that the greateft wealth of a Serving-man, was, to have only a new Livery, 
 andafull belly -, to have many verbal, but no real Friends, refolved to leave his fervice, as 
 alfo his Wife and Daughter in Sprear , and fo to travel to Venice , hoping there in fome honeft 
 place, and imploymenr, to ferve the Seigniorie, or at leal* fome one of the Magnifies or Cla- 
 rijfimocs : But then confidering the charge < f the Journey, the weaknefs of his purie, and the un- 
 certainty of his advancement and preferment, he .rcfolves for a time to fojourn \nBrefcm and 
 to watch if any occafion or accident prefented, whereby he might repair and Raife his l or- 
 
 He had not long lived in this City ( which for antiquity, beauty, fituation, wealth and fidelity 
 ( after Venice it felf ) gives not the hand to any of her Lifter-Cities of that State^ ) but his eyes ( as 
 the lufiful Sentinels of his heart ) efpy fo many beauties', as he began to loathe his own Wife Me- 
 rilU , and to with her in another world, that he might have another Wife, in this. Lo, here the 
 Devil begins with him anew to perfwade him to hate his Wife. 
 
 Abiding thus in Brefcia, it fell out that he, who bore the filver rod in token of Honour and 
 Juftice (or rather of Honour to Juftice J before the Podeftate or chief Magiftrate of this City, 
 dyed and to this office Alibius (becaufe he knew himfclf a grave and perfonal man,) afpired, and 
 what through the rcfpe& of his gravity, through his fmooth tongue, and fair fpeeches, butelpe- 
 cially by making many friends to the Podeliate and Senators, he at laft: obtained it : A place in- 
 deed, more honourable than profitable, and yet worth at leaft one hundred Zechines* fer annum , 
 befides his diet. This preferment makes Alibius look aloft, andfo he fcorns his poor Wife Me* 
 rilla , as if there were no parity and fympathy betwixt her rags and his robes : Yea, he would not 
 fee Sprear, nor fuffer her to fee Brefcia- and the Devil was fo bufy with him, or he with the Devil, 
 that in hope of a richer and fairer Wife, he refolves to poyfon her, according as he heretofore 
 had many times thought and pyjmeditated ; and that which egged and threw him on, with more 
 violence and precipitation,- wrlfti proud conceit of himfelf, and of bis much dignity and prefer- 
 ment# But as poverty many times befalls us for our good fofometimes, weakh and profperity 
 brings us misfortune and mifery. 
 
 Not long after, another accident falls out, which dothjlikewife rejoyce him : An honeft Citizen 
 of Brefcia, of his own name, though no way his Kinfman dyes ( and fince it hath been fhrewdly 
 imagined, not without vehement fufpition of poyfon ) leavingarich Widdow, named Ph'tUtea: 
 And for the familiarity and good conceit he had of our Alibius , as alfo induced thereunto through 
 his hypocritical fhow of honefty and piety, makes him foie Over-feer of his Will ; fo neatly, 
 and fmoothly did our Alibius work ,<and infinuace himfelf in his favour: But the mask of this his 
 hypoerify (hall be foon pulled off. 
 
 Alibius feeing PhiUtea young, rich and fair, he looks on her more often than on her husbands 
 Teftament-, and fo vvi filing his Wife MerilU in his adopted Kinfmans Grave, and himfelf in Phi- 
 late as Bed, he bends his purpofes and intents that way, as fo many lines that run to their Center:, 
 yea, fo ftrongly hath the Devil poffeffed him with thefehellifh defignsand bloody refolutions, 
 as his love to Philatea^ defacing his refpeS to Merilla , he fees her a block in his way, and a flop 
 to his preferment, and fo concludes that fhe mull be removed and difpatched ; To* which effed, 
 to draw his finful contemplation, into bloody aftion, he rides over to Sprear to her, and under 
 colour of tender love and affeftion, he in Milk, Wine, and roa fled Apples, gives her poyfon ; 
 when feeing it would not work his defired effed, he after takes an occafion, purpofeiy to quarrel 
 with her, and fo very lamentably ( in prefence of their Daughter Emelia ) reviles and beats her, 
 and returns to Prefcia, ftill hoping that the poyfon yet might operate, and difperfe it felf in her 
 veins, and that fhortly he fhould hear news of her death. Lo here Alibius his firft attempt in 
 feeking to murther his Wife. 
 
 In this^mean time he laves clofe fiege to Philatea* s Chaftity^ who not fo honeft as fair, is foon 
 drawn to tin, and proflituces her felf unto his beaftly pleafure, and having no regard to her 
 reputation, confcience, or foul, confentsto this bitter- fweet fin of Adultery * the which lafci- 
 vious familiarity is fo long continued betwixt them, till at iafl: Philatea s ftraighc Bodies become 
 toofni3ll, and her Apron too fliort for her ; when feeing it high time to provide for her fame, 
 (lie acquaints Alibius herewith , and asks his advice, Whether fhe fhali marry with one of her 
 
 % Servants : 
 
Hift. V. Alib iwand MeriUa. 4^ 
 
 Servants y Alibius meaning to keep the F atm tor himtelf, whereof he had already taken pollcf- 
 fion bids her not to care lor atlusband,but t to be ot good comfort, and that far within her time, 
 he would provide a place for her to lay down her great belly, yea, ft) fecret, as her own heatt 
 
 Could either wi(h or dclire. 
 
 But if our miferable Alibi in were be fore refolved to murther his poor harmlefs Wife Meril~ 
 la this news, an d tilde fpeeches of Pbilatta , fot hi m all in fire, and fo ( having confulted with 
 that Devil) he vows (he lhall not live.-to which end, he provides himfelfof itronger poifon,and 
 in a dark night (when as he Matters hiinfelf with hope,that the Heavens werefounjuft and in- 
 human, to confpire with him in the Murther of his Wife, he takes horfe in the Ealt-Suburb of 
 ’and fo rides towards Sfnar. > . • : 
 
 But feethe Jullicc, and withall the Providence and Mercy, of our indulgent God ! who 
 vouchfated, and yet refolved, to reltrain and divert him from his bloody enterprife, by an 
 accident as* (fringe as true; fox, a mile out of Brcjcia, as Alibius tides by the common place of 
 Execution, his Horfe Humbles^ and falls under him, right againlt if, with which fall, his fhoul- 
 deris out of joynt. Oh what a Caveat was this tor Alibius, if he had had the lead (park of 
 grace to have made good ufehereof! But the Devil had bewitched his underitanding and 
 judgment ; for he could fee by no other eyes, but by thofc of revenge and blood. 
 
 ’ Arrivin'’ at his Houle at Sfneaf^ he, contrary ,to his hopes, finds his Daughter E mella, with 
 her Mother (who by this time was married likewife to a poor Country-man of Sprear ) whofe 
 fight and prefence was, for that time, a Itop to the execution of her Father’s poyfoning-defign 
 on her Mother i for he feared that fhc had formerly difeovered and fufpe&ed this his purpofe 
 aud refolution, as indeed (he had : wherefore he forbore to adminiffer it, only becaule he would 
 notlofc all his labour, he again quarrels with his Wife, and after he had reviled her with ma- 
 ny fcandalous and contumelious tpeeches, he in the prefence of his (mournful JDaughter, doth 
 exceedingly beat her, who ("weeping to lee her Mother weep ) infinitely grieved to be an eye- 
 witnefe of this inhuman and barbarous cruelty of her Father : and fo, for that time, Alibius a- 
 gain permitted his Wife to live i but this will prove no pardon, but only a (hart reprtval tor 
 Her* 
 
 Returning again to Brcfcia , it is not long before Philatca doth again importune him to pro- 
 vide for the concealing and halving of her fhame, allcdgingthat her time drew on, and that-it 
 was more than time to provide her a Husband. Alibius , at thefe her fecond aflurrimons, begins 
 to 00k about, and refolvcs, at what rate, or in what manner fa*cr, now to fend his Wife into 
 another World •, yet ( as I think, or ever underftood ) conceals his purpofe from Philatca. Mi- 
 ferable Wretch ! had he not participated more of the nature ot .a Tygar, than a man, or of a 
 Devil, than a Tyger, he would never have laid violent hands on his own Wife, whom Earth 
 and Heaven had made flefli of his flefh, and of two bodies one, yea, or had he had fo muc h 
 grace to have confidered,that the filyerWand,he bore before’ the Podcfiate.vns tor the (courge - 
 higand punifhingof (in. Methinks it fliould have made him more charitable, and not fo bloody 
 to attempt it. But, what will not luff enterprize, and revenge execute, if we neither fear Go d 
 
 with our hearts, nor love him with our fouls? . 
 
 Pcrfeverance in Grace and Verrue is excellent, but in fin lamentable; A lib ms hath had years 
 and time enough to wipe away his cruelty towards his Wife : but the longer he lives, the deeper 
 root it takes in him, yea, he will neither give the flower of his youth, nor the bran ot his age 
 to God, but that to pleafure,this to revenge and murther, and both to the Devil , tor now he is 
 refolute to finifli this mournful and bloody Tragedy, that he hath fo long dehred, and to often 
 attempted : and now indeed the fatal time approacheth, wherein innocent MenUa, by the Mur- 
 therous hand of her Husband, muff be lent out ot this world to lee a better. < 
 
 Alibius having waited on the Podejhtc to Supper, takes Horfe, a little be lore the Gates o t ic 
 C ity were (hut i and having his former poyfon in his pocket, away he rides to Sprear : but to att 
 his villany with the greater fecrccy,he masketh and difguifeth himiclf approaching his houle, 
 he in the next McdJow tyes up his Horfe to a tree, and lb knocks at the door. Poor A eria us 
 Wife was in bed and afleep with ( a little Girl ) her Grand-child, named P onterta, the Daugh- 
 ter of her Daughter E mtlm, whom without a Candle, (he fends down toopen the door, allur- 
 ing her (elf ( as indeed it proved too true for her ) that it was her Husband Alibius. o>nu cao 
 pening the door, lets one in, but whom (he knows not v and then for fear retires to the Kuchin, 
 which (he (huts faft on her. So Alibius mounts to his Wive’s Chamber, and after (time words 
 gives her a potion ( forae fay of milk ) bitterly fugred with poyfon, and forceth it down her : 
 who poor foul is amazed hereat, and w ith her weak (frength cries out for help, but m vain. He 
 being devillifhly refolved, now to make Cure work, takes a Billet out ot the Chimney, and o 
 diljpatcheth and kills her in her bed ( without giving her any time to commend her foul unto 
 God ) and fo very haltily rufoeth forth the door. - " 
 

 ;‘ni( 
 
 
 
 
 God’s Revenge againfl Murther. Book I. 
 
 Pomona, tearing that which was happened, lights a Candle, and afcends up the Chamber, where 
 liic ices the lamentable Ipc&acle of her murthered Grand-Mother, hot, reeking and fmoaking 
 in er cd,w lereat the is aniazed^and makes mod woful cries and mournful lamentations: when 
 wringing her hands, and bitterly hghing and weeping, the knows not what to do, or what hot 
 to do, m this her bitter and wretched perplexity ; in which mean time Alibiitt going for his 
 Hui ft, hnds only the Halter, for his Horle is grazing in the Meddo w , he diligently fecks him 
 
 , « ° f him » which indeed doth much ationith and amaze him : but 
 
 at lali he hnds him, and to gallops away to Snfcia , where the better to delude the world, and 
 
 S r'! ^ $•“* v yC9 ’ hc * a S aiM by « the clock in the morning waiting upon the 
 
 !uu d dudmg h, T t0 5 le or Cathedral Church of that City. But this policy 
 of ,-hls lhall;no.t prevent his detedfion and punffhmenr. J 
 
 j tU ^ C ’ F'' mirca tuns to the ncardrncighbours, and divulgeththe murther of her 
 
 Grand-Mother. Many of the -neighbours flock thither, to fee this bloody and woful fpedhcle; 
 -the Corridor* of Sfrea, arc acquainted herewith , they fend for Chirurgeons, who vifit the 
 
 dead body, and report he, sbothpoyfoned and beaten to Deaths they Examine poor Pa2- 
 
 P V f hr rC WUt ! he fc€ , S and kllows * -* hey fend every where to fearch for the Mart her er. 
 J ‘ ^ hcrcoicon^sto Brejcia. Alibi ns ( like a counterfeit mifereant ) is all in 
 
 S e V t n a, h h V heWC i! h UCh u Vlng affi ' 6tl0n ’ t0 the memory of his dead Wife, as he fends every 
 / J 1 - 1 hu out fhc muf theftf y But God will not have himefcape, for in due time we frail 
 
 ice him brought forth, and appear to the world in his colours.' 
 
 his tears in his eyes, having (till a hell in his confcience, is afraid, 
 m!!r r^ e,a hi Da ugh ter ( meafuringthe fubfequent by the antecedent ) hold him to be her 
 
 *** =»« >® pii!;i3®i h Swi r“p««i ' a ° p ■ c<1 ' hc ” ccd "°* f '“ '*** 
 
 ri ™ 7 l ! ttleand 1 1,ttle ’ Time, <« he confumer of all things ) begins to wear away the ervin* 
 
 curious Onrt! !2r“ “ h,S r “ 0nd Wifc ’ Which btin * k "°"’ n in man'y 
 
 Cive circumltances ) .vehemently but . 0n,yout oi P^ump- 
 Wrife Merit U : but they dare not freak i f , j i w h a d a deep hand ui the murther of his late 
 
 of S' from <° <w (lull fee this 
 
 (term paft, and law the Skyes clear’ whm r°r 6 feverely pumfhed 1: tor when he thought the 
 were huflied up in (Hence, and that he though r 'i” imagined that all rumours and tongues 
 voluptuouily S his ne^nd ft T^hS ** ^ *”* 
 
 more orderly contriving of this HiW wcmuftX asaIfo lor<tf >’ 
 
 ionite and diilolute companion of Alikins • whom ( ’ n i 1S w asan old a£» 
 
 them J he had many tinJufed and made hk Sftr indV^r W° fe who 
 
 cour les and enterpnzes j not that I any wav think he hjd ^ fa" 1 ' 3 ? ° bls * orrn er lewd 
 Manila, for then ( l know ) fuel, is the Candour and^ wSta ^ e r r P , refent murther of 
 fuJ, is ; the , clear judgment and zeal of the Senators of SrUcU ° f S P rcar ^^ 
 
 cap J but had been apprehended and brought to his tm l that he had never ef- 
 
 • *-«*(.*« Has- 
 
 «r t"oX'™ d ,“ d '’"“ i P ' iC ”’ W ' K " aS dr " ,k «* 
 
 ^r“ «a^o P SIftii I ’ r s ;ft^ ^ irc0v y ed !t VMblicbiy CO 
 ell to msold vainoftipling a „d carowling, and there ^ “““ With AWlu ^ he 
 looks towards Bergamo ) having more money than wit and more wmTIh' 8 ^ 0t fir #^which 
 deft of his cups, told hc w,s a Conradyne, or CoSy man of d u°l^ inthe mid- 
 as great as now he bore himfelf, and that he murthered his poor Wif^in^S^^ 
 
 to 
 
Hid. V. Alibius and Merilla. 
 
 to have this tine One in the fciry. Which fpecches of his he reiterated and repeated often •, yea 
 lb often, as they fell not to the ground, but loine of his lewd companions took notice hereof: 
 and one amengtt the reft, being inwardly acquainted with Alibius went and fecretly advifed 
 him hereof 5 who ( undcr-hand ) fends away tor Bernardo, where he was, and wrought fo with 
 him, as fince that time he was never feenin Brefcia : But this report of his, remained behind 
 him. 
 
 A (ccond light which Alibius gave to<he difeovery of this his Murther, was, that thinking 
 the way clear, and all fufpitions vanifoed, he converted his affedion into contempt, and his 
 courfdic to difrefped and unkindnefs towards his Daughter Emelia , by taking away the great- 
 er part of that fmall means he gave her towards her maintenance -, which uncharitable and 
 unnatural part of his, threw this poor woman into fo bitter a perplexity, as knowing in her con- 
 fcicnce, that her Father was her Mother's Murtherer, (he exceedingly apprehended and'JcMred, 
 left he would attempt to difpatch herlikewife: the which flie far the more doubted, beemte 
 her Father had bailed her, but not as yet freed her .from her appearance before the Corrigadirs 
 of Sprear. But here, asfimpleas (he was, (lie enters, into many conliderations with her (elf \ 
 that,to accufe her Father, would be.as great adifobcdicncein her, as it was a cruelty in him to 
 murther her Mother. .She is a long time irrefoluce, either to advance or retire in this her pur- 
 pole and enterprize ; and here (he confults betwixt Nature and Grace, betwixt the Laws of 
 Larch and Heaven, what (lie (hould do, or how (lie (hould bear her felt in a matter of fo unnatu- 
 ral a nature *, it grieves her to be the means of her Father’s death, of whom (he had received her 
 bcingiand yet (he forroweth not to reveal the murther of her Mother,of whom (he injoyed her 
 life. But though fenfe and nature cannot, yet reaion and religion will reconcile, and clear thefc 
 doubts : yea, evaporate thofc mills, and diipcrle tiieic clouds from our eyes, and make us fee 
 clear, that Earth may not conceal Murthers, fith God receives glory both in the detection and 
 punilhment thereof. 
 
 Some will lay, this Daughter did ill to accufe her Father. But who will not affirm that he did 
 far worfe,to murther her Mother^ neither was^t a ddjghf, but a torment to hcr,to effed, it, for 
 (he enters into this refolution with tears, and perfcvercth therein with lighs and lamentations ; 
 but it (lie were at firft refolutc herein, this refolution of hers is exceedingly continued, when foe 
 lees her Father fofuddenly married, and her Motlve^in-Law ready to lay down her great bel- 
 lysclpecially when foe hears the reports of this fufpitfon bruited in Brefcia . So now foe can no 
 longer contain her felf,but goes to the next Corrigador,awd-reveals to him, that her Father A - 
 llbius was the Murtherer of her Mother Mailla. 
 
 TheCorrigador being a wife and grave Gentleman, wondring at this lamentable news, de- 
 tains Emelia in his houfe, and writes away to thePodcftate of. Brefcia hereof b who receives this 
 news on a Saturday at night. The Sunday morning he acquaints the Pretcd and chief Senators 
 thereof, who repair to his houfe. The probabilities and circumftances are ftrongagainft Alibius . 
 So they all conclude to imprifon him > he is at the door, ruffling in his garded Gown and velvet 
 Cap, with his Silver Wand in his hand ( as if he were fitter to check others, than to be controll- 
 ed himfclt ) waiting tocondud the Podcftateto the 'Domo. Alibius little dreams how near he 
 is to danger, or danger to him : he is by an Isbitr or Serjeant called in to (peak with the Po- 
 deftate j and although his confoience inwardly torment him, yet he puts a good(or at leaft a bra- 
 zen ) countenance on all, and fo very chearfully comes before him. At his firft arrival, his vel- 
 vet Cap, and Silver Wand ( thofe dignified marks of Honour and Juftice ) are taken from him, 
 and confequcntly his Office:fbecaule thefe are rewards only proper to Vertue,and not to Vice) 
 he is examined by thofe worthy MagiftraCes, who bear gravity in their looks, wifdom in their 
 fpeeches, and juftice in their adions. Alibius hath many ftnooth words, for the defence of his 
 Crime, which with the aid and varnifo of his graceful geftures, he ft rives to extenuate and palli- 
 ate, but in vain > for he hath to do with thofe Magiftrates, who cannot be deluded, or car- 
 ried away, either with the fugar of a lye, or the charm of an envafion.So they commit him 
 clofe Prifoner, where he hath both time and leifure to think on the toulnefs of his (ad, and 
 the unnaturalncfsand barbarifinof his cruelty. 
 
 The Monday following, the Corrigadors of Sprear fend Emelia to Brefcia , where, the next 
 day the Podcftate, Prefed and Senators, examined her > they firft exhort her to coufider, that 
 foe (peaks before God i and although Alibius be her earthly Fa£her,yet he is her heavenly : they 
 conjure and (wear her to fpeak the truth, and no more : and becaufe they fee her a Ample illite- 
 rate Woman , they inform her what the vertue and nature of* an Oath is. When Emelia fal- 
 ling on her knees, wringing her hands, and ftedfaftly looking up towards Heaven, foe ( bitterly 
 Weeping and fighing ) for a pretty while, had not the power to utter a word, the Prefed with 
 mild exhortations and fpeeches incourageth her to fpeak s when with many tears and inter- 
 rupted lighs, (heat laftuttereth thefe words: My Father hath often beaten my Mother, and 
 
 H 2 even 
 
 51 
 
5 2 
 
 God's Revenge againft Murtber. Book I. 
 
 even Iain her for dead ; and at other times, he hath given her poyfon, and he it is and no other, 
 that hath now murthered her. One of the Senators, ( fome fay it was the Podetfate, who as 
 much favoured Alikins , as hated his Crime ) bad J Emelia look to her Conscience, and her Con- 
 fcience to God, andwithali to confider, that as Mcriiu was her Mother, fo Alikins was her 
 Father. Whereat (he bitterly weeping, again (aid, that what fhe had already fpoken was true* 
 as fhe hoped to in joy any part of Heaven. So they binding her to give Evidence at the great 
 Court of the Province, which fome four months after was to be held in the Caftle of their City, 
 they difmifsher. 
 
 Iu which mean time Alikins is vifited in Prifon by divers of his acquaintance ; yea, fome of the 
 chiefeft Senators themfelves afforded him that Honour and Charity : they deal with him about 
 his Crime, butinvain, for he takes Heaven and Earth to witnefs, that he is innocent v yea, he 
 feems to be fo religious and confcionable in his fpeeches, as he drew many of inferiour rank 
 and underftanding, to beleeve that his accufacion was not true, and his imprifonment unjuft and 
 falfe. But God will fhortly unmask his hypocrifie, and , to his fliame and confufion, lay open and 
 difeover to the whole World, his unnatural and bloody cruelty . 
 
 And now the time is comeV that the Dukes and Seigniory of Venice are ufed to depute and fend 
 forth Criminal Judges, to defeend and pafs thorow the Provinces of their Territories and Do- 
 minions, to fit upon all capital Malefaftors, andtopuniflh them according to their deferts. A 
 Cuftom indeed held famous, not only in the Chriftian, but in the whole Univerfal, World : 
 and whereby the Venetian State doth undoubtedly receive both Glory, Vigour, and Life, fith ic 
 not only preferveth their Peace* and propagateth their tranquillity ; but alfo rooteth out and ex- 
 terminated! all thofe that ( by their lewd and diffolute actions ) feek to impugn and infringe 
 it. 
 
 Thus thefe high and honourable Judges ( being in number two for every Divifion ) having di* 
 fpatcht their bufinefs( or rather that of the Seigniories ) in fadua, Vwcenfa , Verona > and Bergamo , 
 are now arrived in Brefcia t in the Caftle whereof (which is both beautiful and confpicuous to 
 the eye) they keep their Forum and Tribunal. And becaufe this City is exempted from the Pro- 
 vince, as being particularly indowed with a peculiar Jurifdi&ion, and honoured with many ho- 
 nourable Priviledges and Prerogatives, therefore (Merilla being murthered in the Province,) 
 Alikins is fetched out of his firft Prifon, and, by one of the chicfe/1 and graveft Senators deputed 
 for that purpofc by the Podeftate and Senate, conduced and conveyed to the Caftle, thereto 
 be arraigned by thofe two great Judges: and although this aforefaid Senator was fo wife and 
 religious, as he feemed to have the art of perfwafion in his fpeeches ^ yet, by the way, ufing his 
 beft oratory and charity to draw Alikius i rom denial to confeflion, and from that to contrition, 
 and repentance, his heart was ftill fo perverfe and obdurate, as he notwithftanding perfevered 
 in his wilful obftinacy, and peremptorily continued and flood upon the points of his innocency > 
 and juftifieation. So flrong was the Devil yet with him. 
 
 But while an infinite number of Spectators gaze on Alikins, as he is in the Caftle, and he chear- 
 fully and carelefly converfed with fome of his acquaintance^ if the innocency of his conscience 
 were fuch,as his heart felt no grief nor perturbation ; Lo,hc is called to his Arraignment, where- 
 unto that world of people.who were then in the Caftle, flock and cencurr. 
 
 His thoughts are fo vain, and vanity fo ambitious, as he comes to the Bar in a bUck^bcaten 
 Satin fuit, with a fair Gown, and a fpruce fet Ruff, having both the hair of his head, and his !on<* 
 gray beard neatly combed and cut yea, with fo pleafcnt a look, and fo confident a demeanor at 
 »f he were to receive, not the fentence of his guiltinefs and death, but that of his innocency and 
 inlargement. Thefe Honourable Judges caufe his Inditement to be read, wherein his poyfonin« 
 and murthering of h.s Wife, is branched and depainted out in all its circumftances, whereat hit 
 courage and confidence is yetfnotwithftandingjfo great, as by his looks he feems no way moved 
 much left a Horn died or afflicted i the Witneffes are produced • firft, bis own Daughter Emelia 
 who with tears in her eyes,ftands firm to her former dcpoiition,that he had often beat her Mo’ 
 tiler almoit to death, and now had killed and poylonccl her ; agreeing in every point with her 
 demolition given to the Podeltate and Prefed: of Brefcia : which to refell, her Father Alihiits 
 with many plauhble and fugred lpeeches, tells his Judges, that his Daughter is incenfed or 
 lunatick i or elle that ihe purpofely leeks his life, to injoy that fmall means he hath, after his 
 death : and fo runsonin a moft extravagant and impertinent Apology forhimlelt, with many 
 poyfon 76 fcand:i ° US fpeechcs a S ainli her > aud concludes, that he was never owner of any 
 
 His Judges, out of their honourable inclination and zeal to facrcd juftice,permit him tofoeak 
 wrthout interruption , when having ended, they begin to Ihcw him the toulnefs of his tad • 
 yea, like Heavenly Orators, they paiut him out the devillilh nature and monftrous Crime of 
 Murther, the^ which they lay he redoubled by denying it, notwithftanding that they have 
 
 evidence 
 
Alibiur and Merilla. 
 
 Hift. V. 
 
 evidence as clear as the Sun to convince him thereof: and fo they call for two Apothecaries 
 Boycs, who feverally affirm, they fold him Rats- bane at two feveral times. 
 
 But the Devil is ftilKfo ftrong with Alibius, as chough his Confcience doth hereat affli&anJ 
 torment him, yet, there is no change nor fign thereof, either feen in his countenance, or difeerned 
 in his fpeeches. but ftili he perfeveres in his obftinacy, and in a bravery pretends to wipe off the 
 Apothecaries Boyes evidence, with this poor Evalion, that he bought and ufed it only to poy- 
 fon Rats .• And fo again with many fmooth words, humble crouches, and hypocritical com- 
 plements, he ufeth the prime of his fubtilcy and invention to make it appear to his Judges, that 
 he had no way. imbrued his hands in the blood of his Wife : but this will not avail him, for he 
 is before Lynce-eyed Judges, whofe integrity and wifdom, can pierce thorowthe foggy miffs 
 of excufes, and the obfeure Clouds of his far-fetched fhifts, and cunningly-compafted eva- 
 fions. 
 
 And now to clofe and wind up this Hiftory, after the Jury impannelled had amply heard as 
 well the witueffes againft Alibius as his defence for himfelf-, and that all the world could refti- 
 ffe that his Judges gave him a fair Trial, they return and report him guilty of murtherihg his 
 wife Merilla ; whereat he is put off the Barr, and fo for chat time fent back to his Prifon : and yet 
 the heat of his obftioacy being hereat no way cooled, the edge of his denial any way rebated, 
 nor the obduratensfs of his heart, in the leaft thing mollified .• he, by the way as he paffeth, beating 
 hisbreaft, and fometimes out-fpreading his arms, faith. It « not his Crime, but the Malice of 
 his devillifh Daughter that hath caff him away j yea,^ although many of his compaffionate and 
 t. hriftian Friends, do now again in prifon, work and perfwade him to confeffion, by ailedgmg 
 lum, that God is as merciful co the repentant, as fevere to the impenitent and obftinatc, \et all 
 this will not prevail. 
 
 The fecond morning after bis conviction, he is brought again from his prifon, totheCaftle, 
 and fo to the Bar, to receive his Judgment, where one of the two moft honourable Judges 
 fhewhim, r : ri 
 
 That it is his hearkning to the Devil, and his forking of God, that hath brought him to this 
 mifery ; paints and points him out his diffolute life • his frequenting of bad company, his pro- 
 digality, and adultery ^ but above all, his masked hypocrifie, which, he faith, in thinking co de- 
 ceive God, hath now deceived himfelf: yea, in heavenly and religious fpeeches, informs him 
 how merciful and indulgent God is to repentanc finners ; that he mult now caft off his thoughts 
 from earth, and afeend and mount them to Heaven, and no longer to think of his body, but of 
 his foul ; and fo after a learned and Chriftian-like fpeech, as well for the inftru&ion of the living, 
 as the confolation of Alibius, who was now to prepare himfelf to die, he pronounceth, that for 
 his execrable murther committed on his own Wife MtrtUa , he fhould hang till he were dead ; 
 and fo befought the Lord to be merciful to his foul. 
 
 And now is Alibius again returned to his prifon, but (till remainetb obftinate and perverfe, 
 affirming to all the world, that, as he hath lived, fo he will dye innocently : But God will not fuf- 
 fer him co die, withouc confelfing and repenting this his bloody aid unnatural murther. 
 
 Thefe his grave and religious Judges, out of an honourable and Chriftian charity, fend him 
 Divines, to prepare his boJy to the death of this world, and his foul to the life of that to come : 
 they deal moft effeftuaUv, powerfully, and religioufly with him in prifon and although they 
 found, that the Devil had ftrongly enfnared and charmed him, yea, and as it were, hardnedhis 
 heart to his perdition • yet, God out of his infinite and ineffable mercies, addeth both power and 
 grace to their fpeeches, and exhortations, foashis eyes being opened, and heart pierced and 
 mollified, they at laft fo prevail with him, that being terrified with Gods Juftice, and incou- 
 raged and comforted with his mercies, he with tears, fighs, and groans, confeffech this murther of 
 his Wife, and not only bitterly repents it, but alfo doth thank thefe Godly Divines, for their cha- 
 rity, care, and zeal for the prefervation and faving of his foul, and doth upon his knees befeech 
 them to pray unto the Lord to forgive him. 
 
 We have feen Alibius murther his Wife Mtriffa; we have feen his apprehenfion, imprifon- 
 ment, trial, conviftion, and condemnation, for this his execrable and bloody faft : wherein 
 we may obferve how the Juftice of God ftili triumpheth o’re the temptations and malice of the 
 Devil ; and how murther, though never fo fecredy afted.and concealed, will at laft be detected 
 andpumfhed. What refteih there now, but that after we have hereby made good ufe of this 
 example, we fey Alibi*} fecched from bis Prifon, and conveyed to the place of Execution ; 
 
 ( whereat, as we have heard, he formerly ftumbled in jeft, but now he muft in earneft ) where^ 
 
 ( although it were timely in the morn, (as having tbe favour to dye alone, andaclcaft three 
 hours before the other condemned Mdlefa&ors ) an infinite number of the Citizens of Brefcia, 
 
 ( of all Ranks, and of both Sexes ) affembled to fee tAliblns take his laft farewel of this world* 
 
 At his afeending up the Ladder, his fair Gray Beard and comely prefence, drew piety from the 
 
 H ? hearts. 
 
___ ~ 
 
 God's Revenge againft Murtber. Book II. 
 
 hearts, and tears from the eyes of the greatdt part of the Spc&ators, to fee that the Devil had 
 foftrongly Enchanted and reduced him today violent hands on his Wife, and to fee lb grave 
 and io proper an aged man thus misfortunately and untimely calf away* 
 
 Blis fpecch at his end, was brief and fhort \ only he ffeely confeft his Crime, and with infinite 
 fighs and teats befought the world to pray lor his foul ^ he lamented the vanity ot his youth, 
 aud the diflblutencfs of his age \ told them, that hisncgledi of Prayer to God, and his too much 
 confidence in the Devil, had brought him to this lhameful end * and therefore befought them 
 again and again to beware by his example : and fo having folemnly freed his fecond wife P/;i- 
 latea from being any way acquainted or acceffary with the murtber of his firii wife A ierilh, he 
 recommending his foul into the hands of his Redeemer, dyed as penitently as he had lived 
 diffolutcly and prophanely. 
 
 And thus was the life and death of Alibius *, the which I was the more willingly induced to 
 publilb, partly, becaufe I was an eye-witnef$ v both of his arraignment and death, ( as I returned 
 from my travels ) but more efpecially,in hope that this example and Hiftory may prove to be 
 as great a confolation to the Godly, as a terrour to the b unrighteous. 
 
 To Godbt all Glory andFrtife. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 
THE 
 
 TRIUMPHS 
 
 O F 
 
 GODS REVENGE 
 
 AGAINST THE 
 
 CRYING and EXECRABLE 
 
 murther; 
 
 * ■ - < 
 
 EXPRESSED j 
 
 In thirty feveral Tragical Hiftories, ( digefted into Six 
 
 Books ) which contain great variety of mournful and memorable 
 Accidents, Amorous, Moral, and Divine. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 Written by JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
 \ 
 
 » 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 + \ 
 
 Prmtcd by A. Maxmlfoi WMumUt, and are to be fold at his fliop.in FUa-Stmt, at the 
 Signof the Ttfrly-Head, near the Miter-Tavern 
 

TO THE 
 
 right honourable 
 
 AND 
 
 TRULY NOBLE 
 
 Richard Lord Buckhurft 
 
 Earl of Dorfity Lord Lieutenant of his Ma- 
 jeftie’s County of Sufex. 
 
 F 
 
 Right Honourable s 
 
 ( Vt of a refolution, whether more bold, or zealous , 7 know not, 7 have 
 ’ adventured this fecond Book_ of my Tragical Hiftories to the 
 World, under your Honour s Patronage and protection. Neither 
 need I go far to yeeld either your Honour , or the World ^ a reafon of 
 w this my Preemption and Ambition, fth your Vert ms innobUttg 
 «. your blood, as much as your Nobility illujlrates your Vertues, teas 
 
 he firs} motive which drew me hereunto tfor whiles many others indeavour to be great, 
 our Honour ( refemblingyourfelf ) not only endeavours butjirives to begoodj as well 
 •nowine, that Coodnels is the glory andejjeme,yea, the life, andas 7 may fay, the foul 
 f Greatnefs ; andthat behvixt Greatnefs and Goodnefs, there rs thss difference and 
 lifparity ; that , makes us famous, this, immortal S that , beloved of Men, thts,of Cod-, 
 hat , accompanied ns only to our Graves, and this, to Heaven. My fecond prevailing 
 Motive in this my Dedication proceeded from the rejpeCl of my particular duty, ( as 
 nyfirfi wasfolely derived from the confederation of your own general and generous Ver- 
 ues ) for having the Honour to retain' to your Noble Brother Sir Edward Sackvde 
 lni(ht, to whom, for many fingular refpeUs , and immerited favours ( whiles 1 ant my 
 elf) low not only my fervid, but my Jelf-, I therein hold me obliged and bound to 
 refer andintpart this part of my labours to your honour, as the frji public k ; tejtimo- 
 t y of my zeal and fervice, eternally devoted and confecratedtothe llu (Irion shame 
 id Family of the Sackviles s whereof Cod’s Divine Providence hath made your 
 ion our chief Heir and Pillar . The drift andfeope of thefe Hiftories inform the 
 Vorld how God’s, Revenge ftill fights and triumphs againft the cry mg and execra- 
 >le fin of (Wilful and premeditated 3 Muither, which inthefe our (impure and 
 rophane ~) times, is fo fatally and frequently co-incident to unregeneratedchrsfo- 
 mU which fcarlet and bloody Crime, is, infallibly met with, and rewarded by God s 
 
MMM 
 
 mm 
 
 . 
 
 Jbarp axdfcvcn fvxijltntnit i hxir.g [lirprfeljfulhjl'td and cltwlgtd tl.tm loxij 
 dear Country of England , that they may Jerve (Ucu'ghnctbyiheway of compart- 
 Jon, yet of application ) as the jight Iff Julius CrefarV bloody Hole (.flawed by 'Mar- 
 cus Antonius to f/jeRomans /«Campo.Martio, when he there pronounced hisju- 
 tfcnj/Oration ) thereby to make his Alurther and Alnrtlcrers in the greater horrour 
 and execration with the people, The H iftories of ti i mjelves are as different, as then 
 effects and accidents : Their Scenes being willfully and fnfu/ly laid in divers parts of 
 C\n\ih:ndom beyond the Seas, andtfSelragcdics unfortunately perpetrated end per- 
 fonated by thofe , who more adhering to impiety, than Grace, and to Satan than 
 God, made fhipwrack, if not of their jouis with their bodies, I am Jure of their 
 lives with their t ortnnes, and cj their l ertunes with their Lives. 1 hey thcmfelves 
 ( or rather their ftp ) frji brought the Materials,- 1, only theCcHeGifiu, lllujiration , 
 and Volifhing of lheje their deplorable Efrffdt its. which are pen ditijolowajphere of 
 Jpeech , and Jo inelegant a phrafe, as they can no vu.p merit the Honour of your per u- 
 Jal, much lefwf your judgment, and leaf of all, cj y our noble prote&ion and Patron- 
 
 . Howfoever, fy hope's- ('Jed and Mat failed ly ih rmifes) do as it were fatter 
 me, that your protections wilfbipk at my imperftC, and your curioftty at my ig- 
 
 norance and prefumption, in daigning to permit this \ jude Pamphlet, tofalute and 
 pilgrimage the World, under the authentic alp afje-p or . ,'ycur Honour s favour^, who 
 of her felf is compofd offopoor metal ( or rather drop e j as, without the pure gold of 
 your Honourable Name, it would run a hazar d, not to pajje currant with the curious 
 wits, and cenjiires of this our (too curious ana too ce>. tenons') Age: whereof could 1 
 reit afured, If ould then not only rejoyce, but triumph in' this my happinefs, as fo 
 richly exceeding the proportion of my poor Labours and Merits, that 1 could not afire 
 to a greater honour, nor de fire a Jweetcr felicity Andforccommendingthis my wt‘ 
 perfect Pamphlet to your favour , my unworthy Jelf toyour pardon, andyour Honour, 
 your Noble Countels, and the Jweet yoing Lady your Daughter, to Coas heft fa- 
 vours and mercies => I will aJJume the confidence and confiancy to remain , 
 
 S f 
 
 * ■ 
 
 Your Honour’s in all humility and fervicc, 
 
 -r* ' ’• ■ ft' v ’> 
 
 
 JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
 w 
 
 - * 
 
 
 
 v . 
 
 
 
Syjpontus courts Victorina 
 
 'mi-zci ctrid. 'Vtciorirui 
 
 vft in o Courts Victorina. 
 
 $ 9u ratjf.o t i 
 ' StirU 
 
 VI 
 
 Hilt 
 
 r-T-7! — T— 7 — i-J 
 
 Saranzar body t5 } lypcutu* is S 
 fo und by Vt {henhfni ch eated. ^ 
 
 'fa/sitip yoylonea^TcUcuz Ott tltc ladder V iu to rut a kangdi ITT 
 
 rtfid burnt. 
 
 The Triumph of God s R evenge againft the Cryiug 
 and Execrable 5in of Murther. 
 
 Vidorina caufeth Sypontus to flab and murther her firfi Husband Sourama, and fhe her pelf poyfon- 
 ith Faffino ; Jo they both being mlraculoujly detected and comicied of thefe their cruel Murtbers y he 
 is beheaded , and Jhe hanged , ajid burnt for the fame . 
 
 \\7 Here Luft takes up our defires, and Revenge and Murther feizeth on our refolutions> ic 
 * * is the true way to make us wretched in this life, and our fouls mife rafale iu that to cotpe ; 
 for if chaftity and chanty ( the two precious vertuesand ornaments of a Chriftian ) fteer not our 
 adionson earth, how (hall, nay, how can he arrive to the harbour of Heaven ? or if we abandon 
 thefe cekftial vertucs, to follow and erribrace thafe infernal vices, what do we but take our 
 felves from felicity to mifery, and confequently give our felves from God to Satan > But did we 
 ferioufly ( and not trivialy ) confider that there is a Heaven to reward the Righteous,' and a 
 Hell to punifti the ungodly, we would neither defile our hearts, nor pollute our fouls With the 
 thought, much lefs with the action of fuch beaftly and inhumane crinus. But in this finful age 
 of ours, the number is but too great of lafeivious and impious Chrittians, who delight in the ai- 
 fedion and pradile thereof: Among whom I here reprefent the Hilforfbf an execrable Gen- 
 tlewoman, and her wretched and unfortunate Lover : who were both born to honour, and not 
 to infamy s had they had as much grace to fecure their lives, as vanity and impiety toruinc 
 them. The Hillory is bloody, and therefore monrutul * but if wc detcil their ciimes, we need 
 not feat their punilhments ^ tor God is cs gracious and propitious to proted the innocent, as ji ft 
 and fevere to challife the guilty. 
 
 In Itahy the beauty of Europe y and in the City of Venice ( the glory of Italy, the Nymph of the 
 Sea, and the pearl aud diamond of the world ) in the latter years of the reign of noble Leonardo 
 VonataA who as Duke, fate at the helm of that potent and powerful Eftatc ) fo famous for ba- 
 
 I 2 nifting 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther. Book I. 
 
 nifhing the Jefuitcs, and for oppofing himfelf againft the intrufion and fulminations of rope 
 Paulies Gjhtintuty in the juft defence and maintenance of the prerogatives and priviledges of the 
 Seigniory, there waS at that time a gentleman, a younger brother, yet of well near fifty years old 
 of the noble family of th e B'eraldi, named Siiguior J acomo Beraldi, who dwelt above the Kialto- 
 Bvidge ( that famous Maftei -piece of Architecture ) upon the Canalla Granda , who in the April of 
 Ifts youth took to wife the Dona Lucia , daughter to Seignior Lorenza Bierjfo, a Gentleman of 
 Padua, by whom he had feven Children, four Sons and three Daughters , fo as his Wife and 
 he eljeeming themfelves happy in their litue, paft away their time in much content and felici- 
 ty : But God ( for Ionic 1’ecret and tacred reafons to his Divine Ma jelly beft known ) convert- 
 ing his l'miles into frown’s, within the fpaceof feven years, takes awaylixof their Children j 
 lb as their eldeft Daughter only remained living, being a young Gentle-wom an of lome eigh- 
 teen years old, named Dona ViCiorina. 
 
 This young Gentlewoman, being noble, rich, and fair, (three powerful and attradive Ada- 
 mants to draw the affcCfions of many Cavaliers) according to her defert, had divers Gallants 
 who fought her in marriage : But (he was of nature proud, cholerick, difdainful, and malici- 
 ous •, Vices enough to ruine both a beauty and a fortune : but of all her fuiters and fervaftt' , he 
 whom fhebeftlovtd and affeded, was one Scigniour Syponties, a Gentleman of the City, who 
 was more noble than rich, and yet more debaucht and vicious than nobles but otherwife a very 
 proper young Gallant : but the perfections of the body, are nothing to be compared to the excel- 
 lent qualities and indowmentsof the mind, for thole arc but the 7 vann flies andfhadowsof a 
 mecr man, but thefe the perfections and excellencies of a wife man, and therein noble j llth indeed 
 wifdom is one of the truelf degrees, and molt efle*tial parts of nobility. Now if ViOorin a love 
 Sypoittus, with no lefs reciprocal flame and zeal doth Syponties affeCl ViUorina ; for, as his eyes 
 behold the delicacy of her perfonage, and the fweetnefsof her beauty, fo his heart loves either 
 and adores both i yea, fo deep an impretlion hath (he ingraven in his thoughts and contempla- 
 tions, that he is never merry till he fee her, nor pleafed till he injoy the felicity of her compa- 
 ny ■, which, Pittoriifia rejoyccth to' fee, and obferves with infinite content and delegation. Sy- 
 polities thus in tangled fn the liiarts oi Viiiorin.di beauty, and (he likewife in thofeof his perfect- 
 ions, he relolves to court her, and feek her in Marriage, which he performs with much af- 
 fedion, zeal, and conftancy, leaving no induftry, care, curiofity, or coft unattempted, toimich 
 and crown his deiires with the precious and ineftimable treafures of her love. I (hould make 
 this (hort dilcoutfe fwell into an ample Hiftory, to particularize, or pundually relatcthe let- 
 ters, Sonnets, Prefents, Meetings, Dancings, MiHick, and Banquets, which paft *twixt thele two 
 Lovers, and wherewith Syponties entertained his dear Miftrefs Viihrina. I will therefore puspofely 
 omit it, and cover my felf with this excufe, which may fatisfie my Reader, toeonfider that Sy~ 
 pontus ( as before ) was an Italian , whofe cuftom and nature rather exceeds than comes fhon in 
 all amorous ccr’ monies and complements .• And therefore, again to refume my Hiftory, I m u ft 
 briefly declare, that after the protradion and recefsof a years time, Vilhrina confenteth to 
 Syponties, to be his Wife, fo far torth.as he can obtain thofeof her Father and' Mother : a fit and 
 vertuous anfwer of a daughter, wherein I know not whether flic bewray more Modcfty and Diu 
 cretion in her felf, or rel'ped and obedience to her Parents. 
 
 Sypontus infinitely plealed with this fweet newsand delightful melody, is as it were ravifoed 
 and wrapt up into heaven with joy, when flattering himfelf with this poor hope, that as Vi[io~ 
 rena was courteous, fo he ftfotftd find her Parents kind to him •, he. with much refned »»A 
 
 icur and meet in one 
 ,or repentance i and 
 Sy Pontiff 
 
H i ft. VI. Sypontm and V iU or ina. 
 
 SypontHs (terms as much as l r tttor#a grievs at his refufal • but, to fro ft rate chat, and provide 
 for this, Be- alii deals with Selgnkf Jovin Baptifia Sonran^a to marry his Daughter ViElorina, who 
 is a Gentleman of a good houfe, but far richer than Sypontus *, but withal 6 a ' different in age ; for 
 Sypmus is but twenty eight years old, and Souran^a neer threefcore: So as Gold playing the 
 chieieft part in this Contract, Souranza is fure of Fitter in* for his Wife, ere he khow her, or 
 bardly hath feen her. Bcraldi advertizeth his Daughter of his will and pleafure herein • So Sou- 
 fees her with affection and joy, and (he him with difgrace and grief ^ and thus this old Lov- 
 er "the Hrft time entertains his young Miftrifs with kiffes, and (he him with tears. He is no fooner 
 departed, but Pi&onna very forrowfully and penfively throws her felf at her Parents feet, and 
 w ch (bowers of tears very earneftiyand palTionately befeeches them, that they will not inforce 
 her to marry Sturanz,** whom ((he affirms) (he cannot love, much lefs obey*, prays them to 
 confider vtrbat a mil'ery, nay, what a hell it will be to herthr-ughes and felf, to have him in her 
 bed and Sjpontus in her heart. When (he could no further proceed, becaufe herfighscut her 
 words in pieces, and fo grief daunting her heart, and her fear to Sotirattza, ana affedion to Sy- 
 p nuts carting a milk-white veil over her vertnillion cheeks, fhe links to the earth in a fainting cold 
 fwoon, when her hard-hearted and cruel Parents ( more with artotii(hment than commiferatiort 
 andpiry) rtep to her artiftance, and again bring her to her fenfes ; toho not forgetting where her 
 fpeeehcs ended, fhee remembers to begin and continue them thus : O my dear Parents ! Name 
 cot Sow in*,* for my husband, but if you will needs give me one, then by all that blood of yours, 
 which ftreameth in all the veins of my body, of two let me injoy one, either Sypmus, or my 
 Grave; he the beginner of my joyes, or this the ender of all mymifencs ana forrows; Neither 
 is it disobedience in me, but fear of crueltyin yourfelves, that throws me on the exigent of this 
 r.equert and refolution ; wherein, I pray, confidence by the bonds of nature and not by the rules 
 of avarice $nd inhumanity* But her Father and Mother ( without anyrefped to her youth and 
 tears, or regard to her affedions and Prayers ) Jo ve So#rarix,4 9 wealth fo well, as they will hate 
 Sjponturhb poverty, and in it bimfelf : And therefore checking Vittorina for her folly, and taxing 
 her of indiferetion, their command and authority gives a law 'to her obedience and defires : And, 
 to conclude, they are fo bitter, andwithall fo cruel to her, that within few dayes they violently 
 in force her to marry Sour#nza. But this inforced Match will produce repentance and mifery of 
 all fides. 
 
 As it is a duty in Children to honour and obey their Parents, fo it is no lefs in Parents carefully 
 to regard, and tenderly to affed their Children • but in matches that are concluded with wealth 
 Anyth out affedion, their Parents ought to proceed with judgment, not with paflion-, with per- 
 • fwafion, not with force : For can there beany hell upon earth comparable to that of a difeontent- 
 ed bed ? Or is it not a grief to Parents, through their cruelty, to fee their Children live in defpaic 
 inftead of hope, in afflidion, inftead of joy*, and to dye m fcrably, whereas they might have 
 lived pleafantly and profperoufly ? ’Tistrue, that young folks affedions are not ftill well ground- 
 ed but for want of advice and counfel, many times meet with miferv for felicity, yet fith Mar- 
 riage is a contrad, not fora day, but for ever; not for an hour, but for the term and leafe of out 
 lives* therefore Tarents, in matching their Children, (hould be rather charitable than greedy for 
 the world, and rather eompafiionace chan rigid : But enough of this* and again, to our Hifto- 
 
 ry. 9 % 
 
 We have feen Vitforina, with an unwilling vvillingnefs, inforced to marry Souranta \ wee 
 fhall not go far, before wee fee what (harp calamities and bitter affiidions and miferies thi* 
 Match produceth ; The argument and caufe briefly isthus\ Vidorina lies with her husband Souran- 
 2 *, but cannot love him ; from whence ( as fo many lines from their center ) fpring forth many 
 mournful anddyfaftrous accidents *, the little Ring of Matrimony inclofcth many great and 
 weighty confiderations , and among others this is not one of the Icaft; Difparity in years 
 makes no true harmony in affedions * for there is no affinity ’ewixt January and and 
 
 it is a matter, though not impoffible, yet difficult for youth and age to fympathize. Sour 
 heft performance of the rites and duties of Marriage, is but defire ; yea, his age can- 
 not fufficiently efiimate , much lefs reward, the diinties of Viftorinas youth . for hec is 
 mo$e fuperfiitious than amorous, as delighting rather to kifs an Image in the Church, than 
 .his Wife in his Bed : and, not to betray the truth, 1 muft crave leave of modefty, to aver, 
 that (he finds little difference ’ewixt a Maid and a Wife, fo that her luft out- braving herchaftity, 
 and fenfualities trampling her vertue and honour under foot , whereas her affedion (ho.uld 
 look from Sypontas to Souranzti y both fhe and it contrariwife look from Soura^ta to Sfpoti. 
 tus> D (Tembling pleafures, wh ch Hranglewhen theyfeem to embrace and kifs us, bitter Pills 
 candied in fugar,. Cordials to the fenfe, but corrofives to the foul 1 Yea, PiElorina in forgetting 
 her modefty, will not remember her vow in Marriage- for had (he been as vertuofisas young 
 or as chad as fair, it had not only been her vertue, but her duty, to have fmothered chcdefeds, 
 
 I 3 tnd 
 
52 God’s Revenge againfl Murther. Bo ok II. 
 
 and concealed the imperfedions and impotency of her old Husband ; Chaftity would have per- 
 fwaded her to this,, but meontinency and luft draw her to a contrary refolution. 
 
 Syfontus like wile ftorms and grieves at this unwiftied’ and unequal Match of old Souranza 
 with, his young and fair ViCtorinas yea, he hates him fo much, and loves her Co tender y and 
 dearly, as he would, but cannot prevent it : for ( asbefore ) they are married *, and _ he, lnlteadot 
 the Lauret is forced to wear the Willow \ but his grief finds this comfort, and her dilcontent this 
 conlqhtion, that iith Vittowu is not his Wife, the is his Miftrcfs *, and fith Syfontus is not her 
 Husband, lie is her Servant, or f to ufe the Venetian phrafe ) Che is his Courtizana , and he her hna- 
 moTAta : but lucli Leagues and contrads, of vicious affcdions, feldom make happy <^nds > for 
 qs they begin in luft, fo commonly they end in infamy and mifery. Sy font ns often tamiliari/eth 
 \v\vh Victorina > yea,- their familiarity is fuch, as I in modefty will not report, fith in charity t 
 cannot j and although they bear their arfedions andpfeaTur.es fccret, yet cuftom breeding a 
 habit, 3iid that a Cecond Nature, Souranza is now no fooner abroad, but 'Syfontus i$ at home, fo • 
 as in sffed, Souranza is but the ftudow, and Sy font us the fubiVance of Victorina s Husband . but 
 theft; lascivious Lovers ihall *pay dear for theflr aifedionsj Sypontushor entertaining and keep- 
 ing another Man’s Wife, and Vienna for breaking her vow in Wedlock to her Husband, in 
 eluding his bed, and contaminating her body with the foul fin of Adujtcry. 
 
 It had been good and fate for them, if they had not begun thefe their beafity pleafures, bat to 
 give no end to them, mud needs prove dangerous and^ ruinous •, to commit this fin of Adultery 
 is.otiiojs, but t jpjrfcvcrc therein, is molt abominable before God ; the reafon hereof is as true 
 as pregnant ) for if the reward of a iinglc be death, the redoubling thereof muff needs be double 
 damnation. But as it is the nature of Adultety to be accompanied and waited on by other fins, 
 io Vi&rrijia is not only content to love Syfontus , but Che makes a farther progreflion in impiety, 
 and will needs. hate her Husband Souranza s vv ho, poor honeft Gentleman, fick \vith*the Gout, 
 and a Cough of the Lungs, is now diClallcful, and which is worfc, odious to her : fo that Che 
 which Chould be a cordial to his age,* his age is now a corrolive to ner youth, and die fo far for* 
 gets both her fclf and her duty, as Che rather contemns than lovts him, and as he rejoyceth in her 
 light, fo fhe delights in nothing fo much as in his abfence, and Syfontus prefence i the makes her 
 difeoiitents and malice to her Husband known to Syfontus , who doth pitty, but will not remedy 
 them.* all her fpeeches tend to wilh her ielf in another world, or her Husband not in this. Syfon -* 
 tus is not ignorant whereat fhe aims:, but although he injoy the Wife, yet he cannot find in his 
 hcart,bat is too conlciencious to murther the Husband : Had he remained in the conftancy of this 
 rdolution, he had been happy, and not Comifcrable and unfortunate to end his dayes with 
 fhame and infamy. But now behold, ail unexpeded accident draws and throws him on head- 
 long to perpetrate this execrable Murther, for ( as the Gentry and Nobility of Venice are for the 
 r$ot] par t Merchants) fo Syfontus receives fudden andXorrowful news of two great Ioffes befalu 
 him in the Levant Seas, in two leveral Ships, the one coming from Altfo , taken by the Turk$> 
 By rats of Rhodes s the other from Alexandria, taken as isfuppofed, by one of the Duke of OJJunas 
 Njafoliiai Gallics, Louring the Illands of the Arcbifelagus , in which two VefTels he loft at lead 
 fi V nty tlioufand Ze clones? it being the two third parts of his whole efiate > and now to^naintain 
 Ins grcatm.Cs, and bear up his Port and Reputation, knowing Souranza to be infinitely rich, 
 andhioWif c VUiorina young, amorous, and iair^ he agrees with the devil, and fo refolvcs to 
 n ui'iher him, and then to marry her, which he knows, Che, above any earthly matter chiefly de- 
 iiics. Lo h re the foundation and projed of a murther, as lament Jble as execrable ! Ncceffity in 
 bale fpirits miy be a powerful, butinthofe more vertuous and noble, it Chould never be a per- 
 nicious and prodigious Councellor > for there is as much gencrolity and fortitude in fupporting 
 poverty with patience, as there is covetoufnefs in being ambitious to purchafe wealth with in- 
 famy. , 
 
 At the next enterview and meeting of Syfontus and ViCtorina , Che like a bad woman, a wicked 
 wife, and a wretched creature, rcdoubleth him her complaints and difeontents againfi her Hus- 
 band > and becaule Syfontus knows it wifdom to ltrike whiles the Iron is hot, as alCo that time 
 muft be taken by the tore-lock, he like a wretched Politician layes hold of this occafion and op- 
 portunity, and fo coufenteth.to the murther of her Husband ^ when from this bloody refolufion n 
 they pals to the manner how to eifed it : they confulton this lamentable bufiriefs. Viftorina 
 ( hufelrious in her malice ) propofeth to poyfon him, and fo to bury him in her little Garden: 
 but Syfontus dillikes this projed, and prolie rs her to murther him in his Gondola? as he comes 
 irom Lucijizinz^ whereon they agree. So feme ten dayes alter, Victorina advertiieth liim, that 
 Ivcr Husband is to go to his home of pleafure in the Country ncer Padua , on the b ink of the Ri- 
 ver Brent a? where he is only to Clay three dayes. Sj'p0»*//ximbraceth this occafion, and continual- 
 ly wanton izing^ witivhis.wifi* in his abLuide, protniieth her to meet her Husband at hisreturn, 
 and then to diipatch him •, which news with a longing defire this mifcrable Curteian Vittorina 
 
 attends 
 
Hi ft. Vi. Sypontyis and Vidorina. 
 
 attends him, with as much impatience as impudency.' Sypontus in the mean time ( in favour of 
 twice ten Zec!fi>.es ) is prepared of two wicked Ghniolhrs or Watermen, who deeply vovV j,iid 
 fwear to conceal (his Murcher. So the prcciledivof Soman ***$ "departure from his Countrey- 
 houfe being come, Sypontus, not ro fail of his promife to ViBor'ma, in the execution of his bloody 
 and damnable at tempt, takes hi s' Gond) la, and hovers in the direeft paftage betwixt Lucifixfin* 
 and Venice, for Sovran* his arrival, who, poor harmlefs Genileman, loved his young Witelo 
 tenderly and dearly, as bethought this fliort time long that he had wandred from her ; but he hath 
 fcen*his laft of her, and alas, alas ! he ifiall fee an end of hichfeft ; for about five cf the clock of the e- 
 vening (’it being Summer time ) hts tilual hour of return, he cakes Gondol* at Lucifiuna, for Ve- 
 nice, and neer riiidway twizt Doth, Sypontus efpies him, and the fodntr, became it being hoc wea- 
 ther, and n> wind flirting, Souranz,a had cauled his Curtains to be withdrawn. Sypontus ( inflamed 
 with boyling malice and revenge ) vVith all poflibfd celerity makes towards his Gondola, the which 
 dilguifed and masked he enters, and there with his Poniard very devrlliflbiy (fobs him three Cvcral 
 times at the heart, when falling down to his fret, ' he moft barbaroufly Cut off hi$ Beard, and . Note 
 ( that he might not be known ) and fo throws him ir.ro the Sex; xs alio his Watermah after him, 
 that they might tell no talcs ; .when having fiuiflieBhhde excfc able Murthers, lie with his Gondola, 
 vyith all po/fible fpeed hies firfl ro CMurnno, and fo lands f>; the patriarchy , from thence by the Ar- 
 final, and lb to his own houfe behind Saint' Church ; thereby to cafl a fairer vdrnilh on this 
 
 viilany, by landing and coming into the City another Way. When being, arrived at his houfe, he that 
 night by a confident Servant of his, lends Vilkrina this Letter. 
 
 SYPONTUS to VICTORINA. 
 
 F Air and dear Viftorina, I have begun, and ended a bufinefs, which infinitely import s' thy good and my 
 content : the party hath drunkjhu ftli if ivhitc and Claret, and is now gone to his eternal reft • [o a 
 little time, l hope , will Veipe of thy o d tears, and c nfirm thy new Joyes. Be hat as ajfeclionate, as 1 fccret 9 
 and as fecrcc , as till d c ath T will be ajfeftionatc, and thou ntcdft neither fcar.my fortunes , nor doubt thine 
 own ; Jtfdg what I would do to injoy thee, and fir thy fakj, fith I have already undertaken and ailed 
 d b n fine [s of this nature. We muft for a time refrain cd h others company , tbfit we may the fount r meet, 
 dr.dimbrace 9 with more content , and lefs danger. 
 
 SYTONTtK 
 
 * 
 
 FI Borina, infinitely re joyceth It this news, and tfie Better to cloak her malice, under the veil of 
 fecrecy, flic laments and complains to her Lathe ..Cf her Hu. band's long abfcucc. Souran^a*^ pa- 
 rents are by Bcraldi acquainted herewith, th-.) begin to find tie time of his itay very long, and 
 now rdolvc to fend his Nephew, Seignior And? w Souranz,* up the River Bronia, to know the 
 caule thereof; he pallet h ana rcbaflurn the SluCe ©f Ludfi^it.a, and brings word that hedcpari- 
 cd theucefor Venice, in a Gondola, four dayes fince. Viftorina his \yifc grieves, and weeps athflab- 
 fence ; fo do his own Parents and Friends, who inquire of all hdes, but hnd comfort or news from 
 none what is become of him. And here, ReaderJ before thy curiofr.y carry thee farther, I con- 
 jure thee to (land afloniihed and wonder, at the infcrutabfc and wonderful judgment of God y In 
 the detection of this Murther. l ; or Fifhermen fome eight dayes after, calling out their Nets Betwixt 
 the Iflmds of La La^areto and Saint George Major c, bring up this dead body of murthered Sou- 
 rd*z*a, being well apparelled J but chiefly for their own difeharge, they bring the dead corps to; 
 Venice, and land him at Saint Marks Stairs wherp they extend and expofc his Body to be 
 known of PafTengers. Now behold further God's miraculous providence, in the difcqvery and 
 finding cut hereof: for, amongflthe r.umberlefs number of fpedhtors and walkers, who dayly 
 and idmofi hourly frequent and adorn that famous Buffe anJ incomparable Palace, it happen- 
 ed that ^Andrea Soura^a : calf his eye on this dead and Sea-withered Body ; on wh in he. 
 .looks with as much ftedfaftnefs, as curiofiry, as if nature had made, his living body a part of 
 that dead ; or as if his hot blood bad fome fy'ffipathy and affinity with that of the dead perfo- 
 nagepvniih long fince the ccfdnefs of the Sea had congealed and frozen : but at lafl efpying 
 2 red foe in his Neck* ( under his right ear ) that he brought into the World with him, and 
 Which all the Influence and Vcrtue of the Water of the Sea had not power to deface and wafli 
 May; as alio obferving a Wart over his left eye-lid, which Nature had given bis birth, and his 
 Youth his Age; he palfionarely cries cut before the World, that it is the Body of his Uakh:, 
 Seignior Jovan Baptifta Scurar t z*a ; fo it is vifi ted by his Parents and Friends, and known to be 
 the fame.; fo they carried him to an adj^yning houfe, and there divefling it qaked, find that 
 be hath three feveral Wounds in his Body, either of a Sword or Poniard, which gives matter of 
 talk, and admiuiflreth caufe of admirarion in s;U the City. So they bury him honourably 
 
 according- 
 
6 4 
 
 God's Revenge againji Mur t her. Book I I. 
 
 according to his rank and degree, and all knowing him to be tmmhered, infinitely bewail, his 
 untimely, and lament his mournful death : But especially his wife Vt dor in a, who having for- 
 merly plaid the Strumpet, then the Murthcrrefs, now takes on the mask, and affumes the repre- 
 fentation of an Hypocrite; outwardly feeming to dye for forrow, when God, and her foul ulcera- 
 ted Confcience know, that inwardly her heart leapt for joy, thus to be depriv'd, and free’d ofher 
 oldHusband. Yea, and the more to blear the eyes, and eclipfe the judgment of the world, 
 for carting the lea/i fhadowof fufpition on her for this unnatural murther, (he and her whole 
 family takeon black and mourning Attire ; andfor herfelf in two months after, nevergoes 
 forth ofher houfe, except to the Church where her husband was buried : Where her fiypocrifie 
 is fo infinitely feigned, and diflembling, that fhe is often obferved to bedew and wafh his 
 Tomb with tears ; but thefe Crocodile-teats of hers, and thefe her falfe and treacherous furrows 
 fhill not avail her ; for although Gods Divine and Sacred Majerty be merciful in his Jurtice, yet 
 he is fo julf in M ercies, as neither the politick fccrecy of Sypontut, nor the Hypocritical forrows 
 of Vtttorin*, for this cruel murther, fhall go either unmasked or unpunifhed, but in their due 
 appointed time, they fhall be brought forth in their colours, and made publick examples, as well 
 of infamy, as dellrudion for the fame : The manner is Aus. 
 
 The deceafed Seignior Jovan Sovran*.* hath a younger brother, named Seignior Hicnnymjt 
 Sovran *.* ; who having carefully and curioufly obferved, that his Sifter-in Law Fifhtfjw, never 
 perfectly nor dearly loved his brother her husband, and that fhe was Dever fo familiar, nor du- 
 tiful to him, as it behoov'd her, during the term ofher marriage, which partly he attributed to the 
 difparity of their years, in refpeit of the frozennefs of his age, and the heat and freftmefs of her 
 youth; he began vehemently to fufped her of this murther, which he often revolv’d and rum : - 
 nated in his mind, as if the fuggertion and perfwafion thereof, not only bore probability, but 
 truth with it .• To which end, as the affe&ion of a true friend (much more of a brother ) ihould 
 pafs beyond the grave, and not remain intomb’d, and buried in the dull thereof, he is relolv’d 
 to put hisbeft wits and invention upon the tenter-hooks, to difeover and reveal the fame ; ro 
 which end, fie breaks with fifaws Gentlewoman, who waited on -her in her Chamber, ’and 
 who indeed was his own Necce, Felicia, to know what Gentlemen chiefly frequented her Lady. 
 Felicia informs her Unkle, that Seignior Sjfonttu is many nights with her, that there is much af- 
 feftion and familiarity between them, and that he fends her many Letters. Her Unkie glad of 
 this glimmering light, which he hopes will produce a greater and perfeder, conjures her to in- 
 terceptfome of h.s Letters forthemore effedual difeovery of his brother's, and her Unkle’s 
 death. So Fehaa, prom.fcth her belt care and fidelity herein, and fhortly effefte th it : For in few 
 da^es after, being fent by her Lady Vienna to a Casket of hers to fetch her a new pair of Ro. 
 ZtflTe ^eopemng an Ivory Box, therein finds a Letter, which fhe reads, and feeing .r 
 figned bySypuetm r, fhe thinks it no fin to be falfe to her Lady, and true to her Unkle, and fo 
 very fecrttly and fafely fends it to him ; wh.ch indeed was the very Letter we have formerly 
 feen and read.- Now is h.s yealouzy and fufpition confirm'd. So vowing and factoring revenue 
 tob.s dead and murthcred brother, away he goes to three chief /udges of the fourty whofic 
 cn criminal caufes; and very paffionately accufeth Sjfo»t H s and Knorin* for the murther com- 
 mitted on the perfon othis brother. Seignior Jo*tn Bapt.fi a Souranza, at Sea ; whereuponthev 
 
 foen b r» C ° mm,Ct ,I d T"’ but fe< l u f r< ; d “ f " veral Chambers. Sypomvs is firft examined, 
 ‘ ht "r ,S 7 M i they both very conaantly deny the murther, and with many fugred words and 
 fubtil evafions, intimate and infinuate, their mnocencies therein ; So the ncx^dav the fudges 
 
 hrifconfc J htl°n^ 7 5 n* f ’ 8hC r hCrC °n eXtrCmC, y affl,acth and v«e?h him, bw 
 ne is conitant m his denial, and refolute in thatconllancy, andfo takes on a brazen fare .nd 
 
 with many alterations and imprecations,’ again and again denyes it averrim? lr k h 
 
 hand, bucamecr impofture and invention of his enemies, who have counterfeited it nn™w! 
 
 - p X reh,S rUlne * n f r e u ruai0n 1 yet , imvardly t0 fiirafelf he fcareth all is difco’veUf and 
 that there is no means left him to efcape death whofe Tim pp a nrl fArm h * 
 
 and fatally fees before his eyes. So he is font blk to hTs Prifon .T t0 ? 
 
 confult on his Fad , where L i, no Sooner "T* 
 felf, hcconfidering that either FiSlorina, orfomeforher had betrayed him bv'h'^''^ ^ t° mi ~ 
 he, in bitter fury of choier and palfion, throws away his Hat now Lrftlh ^ h> * ° Wn L f t ^ Cr, 
 
 is this the requital fhe gives me ? And fit!, there is no other witnefs mull min ° f '? r a ? d 
 produced in jurtice againilmee.'' What will I not do ? What have i’not do nr f* be 
 
 “ mee ’ th ' 1C 1 ftould live £0 be rewarded with this raonftroujand inhumane ingmuude when 
 
 for 
 
Hift.VJ. 
 
 Sy font ns and V iclorma. 
 
 for iorrow and indignation, not able to contain himfelf, he takes Pen aud Paper , and writes* 
 Vittorina this enfuing Letter. 
 
 SYPONTUS to VICTORINA. 
 
 I S it pofftble that thy affMionto me bath been all this while feigned, and that thou , whoml truftedwitb 
 all my Jecrets , art now become the only woman of the world to betray me? I have baz&arded my life for 
 thy Jak$ y and muji 1 now be fo unfortunate and wretched , to lofeit through thy treachery ? When I bore 
 matters with fitch care andfecreftc , that no witnefs whatfoever could be produced againji me , mujl mine 
 
 emoyeda thou fond lives, I would have reputed my felf happy to havelojl ihemallfor tbyfakg and fervice: 
 and havin'? but one , wilt thou be fo cruel to deprive me thereof! Sut that my loyalty and my affettion 
 uy fhine in thy malice, takf this for thy comfort, Jhat at 1 have ever liv’d, fo l will now dye thy true 
 
 Servant and faithful Lover, 
 
 SYPONTUS. 
 
 But obfc rve here the error of Sypontw his judgment : for whiles he imputes it to Victorina’s 
 treachery, that his Letter will occation hisdeath, he isfo irreligious and impious, as he looks 
 not up ro Heaven,to conlider that the detection thereof proceeds fromGods immediate finger 
 and providence. No, no. For the Devil yet holds his thoughts fo fall captivated and hitangled 
 in the {hates of Vittorina s beauty, as he hath not yet the grace to lookTrom his crime, to his re- 
 pentance •, nor confequently from Eatrh to Heaven : but like a prophane Libertine, and unre- 
 generated perfon, being within a i’mall point of time near his end, he yet thinks not of his 
 foul, nor of God, but only dallies away the remainder of his hours , in the miferable con- 
 templation of his fond ad'c&ion, and beaHly fenfuality. 
 
 By this time Vittorina hath receiv'd his Letter* at the news and reading whercof/uch is the 
 paliion of her frenzy, which (he(thoughunjulUy) terms love, that (he isall in tears, fighs,and 
 lamentable exclamations* (he knows it impofliblc for any other of the world to be the revealer 
 of Syfonm his Letter, but only her Maid fWie/^whom in her uncharitable revenge (he curfcth 
 to the pit of hell : but that which adds a greater torment to her torments.and a more fenfible 
 degree of afftiaion to her mifgrable forrows, is, to fee that her Sypontus ( whom by many de- 
 grees (lie loves far dearer than her life) finilkrly fufpe&cth her fidelity towards him * yea, fo 
 tat, as he not ofily calls her atfe<$ion, but her treachery, in quefrion : and this indeed Lems to 
 drown her in her tears. But yet notwithstanding, fo fervent is her love towards him, as the 
 tear of his death draws her to a refolution of her own : fo if Sypontus dye, (he vows (he will be 
 her own accirfer, and fo not live, but dye with him. Strange erfedis of love, or rather of fol- 
 Jy, fith love being irregular, and taking falfe obje&s, ( in its true clurader j is no$ love , but 
 folly: to which end, calling for Ink and Paper, Hie bitterly weeping , indites and fends him 
 theft few lines, in anlwer ofc his. 
 
 VICTORINA to SYPONTUS. 
 
 I Were the moji wretched and ingratefidLady of the world’, yea , a Lady who Should not thendeferve 
 either to fee nr live in the worlds if Vi&orina Jhould a>ry way prove treacherous to Sypontus, who 
 hath fiiJJ been fo true and kind to her. Bat believe me, dear Sypontus, and I Jpea\ in the prefence of God , 
 upon peril of my foul, I am as innocent , as that Witch , that Devil , my Maid Felicia, is guilty of the pro - 
 dating of thy Le iter , which I fear will prove thy death’, tnd rejoyce , that in itftfhall lih^e wife prove mine . 
 For, to clear my felf of ingratitude and treachery, as 1 have lived, fo I will dye with thee * that as we mu - 
 tualty participated the joys of life^fo we may the torments of death : for although thy Letter accufo me 
 not of my Husband Souranza’/ Murtber, yet that my affettion may fhine in my Loyalty , and that in my 
 affection, l will nob furvive, but dye with thee, 1 will accufe my felf to my Judges, not only as acctffary , 
 hut as Author of that Murfhtr ; and this refolution of mine l write thee with tears , and willjhortly 
 fijl it with my blood •, 
 
 VICTORINA. 
 
 Sypontus iii the midft of his perplexities and forrows, recei ves this Letter from Vittorina, the 
 fweetnefs of whole afte&ion and conitancy, much revives his joy, and cotnfortethhinv.fojrnovv 
 her innocency defaccth his fufpitionof her ingratitude and treachery * and withal, he plainly 
 ices, and truly believes, that it was Felicia, not Vittorina , who brought this Letter to light. 
 
 K But 
 
God’s Revenge againft Murther. Book II. 
 
 But when he defctnds fo the latter part of the Letter , and finds her refolution to dye with 
 him, then he condemns his former error in taxing her, and in requital, loves her fo tenderly 
 and dearly, that he vows he will be fo far from accufing her as accelfary of her Husband s mur- 
 ther, as both the Rack, and his Death (hall clear and proclaim her innocency.Had the ground 
 of thefe fervent and reciprocal affections of Viftorina and Sypontus been laid in vertue, as they 
 were in vice, or in chafiity, and not in Luft and Adultery, they would have given caufe to the 
 whole world as juftly to praife, as now to difpraife them s and then to have been as ambitious 
 of their imitation, as now of their contempt and detdiation. 
 
 So Sypomfi (as before) having fully and definitively refolved, not to accufe but to clear Vi- 
 Borina of this Murther, as alfo, that he would dye alone, and leave her youth and beauty to the 
 enjoying of many more earthly plcafures,he expecting hourly to be fent tor before his Judges, 
 to lit upon his torment or death, thinking himfelf bound both in affedhon and honour, to tig* 
 nifie Vittorina his pleafnre herein, he craves his Jaylor’s ab fence, and with much affedtion and 
 paffion, writes her this his lad Letter. 
 
 SYPONTUS to VICTORINA* 
 
 S lVat Vidforiiu, thy Letter bath given me fo full fat isf action, as I repent me of my rajh credulity con- 
 ceived againfi thy affection and confiancy , and now lay the fault of the difeovery of my Letter , where it 
 is, and ought to be , on Felicia, not on thy f elf . It is with a for rowful , but true prefage , that I fort-fee 
 my life hafiens to her period : the Rachjs already prepared for my torments, and I hourly expeB when I 
 fall be fetch'd to receive them , which for thy fal\g I will embrace and J'uffer with as much confiancy as pa- 
 tience. 1 will deny mine own guiltinefs the firfi time , but not the fecond , but in my torments and death,! 
 will acquit thee of thine , with as true a refolution , as earth expefts to lofc mc,and I hope to find Heaven* 
 Ther free by all the bonds of love and affection that ever have been between us, 1 firfi pray , then conjure 
 thee to change thy refolution, and to fiand on thine innocence. For if thou wilt, or defuefi to gratific me 
 with thy lajl affection andcourtefic at my death, let me bear this one content and joy to my grave , That 
 ViAorina will live for Sypontus his fake, though Sypontus dye for hers. 
 
 SYPONTUS. 
 
 He had no fooner fent away this his Letter to ViBorina, but he himfelf is fent for to appear 
 before his Judges, who upon his lecond examination and denial , adjudged him to the Rack \ 
 which he endured with admirable patience and conftancys yea, be cannot be drawn to confefs, 
 but (lands firm in his denial, and not only clears himfelf, but alfo acquits ViBorina. Hieronymo 
 Souranza doth, notwithftanding, earneftly follow andfolicite the Judges, and God, out ot his 
 immenfe Mercy, and profound Providence, lo ordaincth, that their Confciences fugged and 
 prompt them, that Sypontus is the adlor of this execrable Murther.Wherefore the next day they 
 adminifter him double torment', when lo, his refolution and flrength failing him, he acknow- 
 ledged the Letter his,and confefleth it was himfelf that had numbered Seignior Jovan Baptifia 
 Souranz r, but withal, protdleth conflantly,that ViBorina is innocent, and no way acceffary here- 
 unto. The Judges rcjoyce at Sypontus his confeflion, as much as they grieve at the foulnefs of 
 his fait : and fo, although they were alfo delirous to hang him, yet conlidering he was a Vene- 
 tian G ntleman (and consequently had a great voice in the great Gouncel of the Seignhry Jthey 
 adjudghim the next day to lofe his head betwixt the two Columns at Saint Markg place, and fo 
 for that night fend him back to his prifon to prepare himfelf to die. Sypontus is no fooner depar- 
 ted from them, but they confult on ViBorina, whether (he were guilty or innocent of her Hus- 
 band Soitranzas Murther: but they differ in opinion , fome would likewife have her Racked, 
 but others of them, more advifed and mode(l,reply,that Sypontus his Letter intimated only his 
 affedtion to ViBorina, but no Way her malice to her dead Husband Souranzay\o\ that (he was a- 
 ny way guiltyor acceffary to his Murther : fo they refolve to forbear her, and not to put her to 
 the torment, except Sypontus accufe her at his Execution. Now the very night that he was to 
 dye the next morn, he infinitely defircs his Jay lor to permit him to confer with ViBorina , and 
 to take his lail leave of herjwhich is denied him, as having received command from Authority 
 to the croftt rary; whereat extreamly grieving, he is called away by fomeDivines,whom the cha- 
 rity of that grave Senate fend him, to prepare and diredt his foul in her p^flage and tranfmigra- 
 tion t6 Heaven. So palling the night in tears and prayers for the foulnefs of his crime , the 
 morn being come, and nine of the clock ftrucken, he is brought to the Scaffold, where a world 
 of people concur and flock from all parts of the City , to (ee this wretched and unfortunate 
 Gentleman adt the lad Scene and part of his life upon this infamous Theater .HcxcSypontus freely 
 confelfeth his foul Murther of Souranza, but is yet fo vain and wretched, as he takes it on his 
 death, that is ablolutely innocent hereof: he feemstobc very repeutant and for- 
 
Hift. VI. Syfontpts andVittorina 
 
 rowfull for all his fins in general, and for this Murther in particular. 
 
 For expiation and reward hereof, his head is levered from his body ; a j ift recompince and pu- 
 niflnmcntforfo vicious and bloody a Gentleman, who adhering to adultery more than chaliity, to 
 revenge than charity, and to the Devil than God ; forgot himfelf fo far, as to commit this execrable 
 and lamentable Murther. 
 
 Now, the order and D ( corum of our Hiftory, leads us from dead Sypontas t to living Viftorina * 
 who, l know not whether more griev.dat his death, or rejoyced that on the Rack and Scaffjldhc 
 hath acquitted her of her Husband s Murther. In a word, it is remarkable to behold the vanity and 
 inconftancyof this female Monfter ; for contrary to her vows, and repugnant to her Letters Tears, 
 SjpoHtus isnofoonerdead, but her affc&ion towards him dyes wi'h him: yea, his blood is fcarce 
 fo loon cold, asherzeal and friend fh ip •, for the now holds it a pure folly to caft away her youth 
 and life, if fhe may prefers the one, and fave the other ; and therefore rcfolves to try her belt art 
 and wit, to make her innoccncy pafscurrant with her Judges ; yea, fo delrous and ambitious is fhe 
 to live, as her female heart hath drawn on this mafculioc fortitude and generofity, that, if occafion 
 prefent, fhe will conliantly both out-dare and cur-brave the Torments cf the Rack, thereby to 
 prevent her death. 
 
 Some three dayes after SjfonttM was executed, the Judges again fit and confulton ViilormA y 
 but finding no Evidence nor Witnefs to accufe her, they at firft are of opinion to difeharge and 
 free her; only they deem it requifite to terrifie, but not to torment her with the Rack, before 
 they give her her Liberty, whereunto they all agree. So they fend for her, and threaten her 
 with the Rack: buj fhe vows, that all the Torments of the World fhall never inforce her to con- 
 fefs an untruth, and that fhe never hid the leaft fufpition that Sjponxas was guilty of this exe- 
 crable Murther of her Husband: her Judges will not yet belceve her; fo they caufe her to be 
 carried to the Rack, whereunto fhe very cheerfully and patiently *pe-mits her felf tobefaftned, 
 bidding the Executioner do his worft ; ' which conftancy of hers, her Judges feeing and hearing, 
 they, in pitty and commiferation, as well of her youth and beauty, as to herdefeent, and the tears 
 and prayers of venerable old Bcraldi her Father, caufe her to be fooled, and fo in open Court acquit 
 and difeharge her. 
 
 Here we fee this wretched Courtezan Vlftorina acquitted of her Judges for her Husbands mur- 
 ther, fo as triumphing more in her good fortune, than her innocency ; (he now thinks the ftorm 
 of her punilhtnent paft and ore-blown, and that no future can pofiiblc be referved for her, or fhe 
 for it : but her hopes will deceive her : for although flic have made her Peace with Earth, yet fhe hath 
 not with Heaven • and although fiie have deluded the eyes of her Judge*, yet fhe fhall not thofe of 
 God ; but when his appointed hour, and her due time is come, then her crimes and fins, her adul- 
 tery and murther, fhall draw down vengeance Tom Heaven, to her confufion. In the mean time we 
 /hall fee this Monfter, and difgrace of her Sex, makefuch bad ufe of her former danger, as fhe will 
 again add blood to blood, and Murther to Murther : but God will referve not only the rod of his 
 wrath for her cor region, but the full vials of his indignation for her confufion 3 as the fequel will fhew 
 thee. 
 
 Six months are fcarce pad, fine: the Murther of her Husband SwrAnz**, and the Execution of 
 her EnamorAta SypMHs, but fhe hath already quite forgotten thefe two mournful and tragical ac- 
 cidents; and which is more, fheisfo froiick and youthful, as fhe hath thrown off herraourning 
 attire, and drawn on her rich apparel, and glittering Jewels, whereof the curiofity of the no- 
 bler fort of Gentlemen and Ladies of the City take exaft obfervation ; and rhougn Bet alii and 
 Lufia, her Father and Mother, herein tax her of/ her indiferetion and immodefly, yet fhe thinks 
 herfclf exempt of their commands and therefore will do it, out of the ambitious priviledg of her 
 own uncontrollable authority and vvilfulncfs. Befidcs, her thoughts are fo youthful, and hercar- 
 ri^gc lo light, as notwithftanding (became ( as.itwcre ) but now- from burying of her firft Hus- 
 band, yet fhe is refotved without delay, to havea fecond; her Father and Mother check her of 
 levity and uncivilly in im)>ricing this refolution, but in vain; for her impadency returns them 
 ^hxs imracdfft anfwer, That (Tie will not trifle awayher time, but marry. They adrife her to be 
 cautious, and todo nothing ralbly in this her fecond March ; that the Misfortune and 'Scandal of 
 her firft may no more refleft on her. But fhe will make choice of her felf by the eyes of her 
 youth, and not by thofe of their age; by thofe of her own fancy, and not by thefe of their ele- 
 ction. Her Husband Setiranz,* diedricb„ both in Lands and Monies, and his Widdow Vifimn*, 
 without any oppofition, injoyeth all : fo fhe needs not look out for Suiters* for there are Gallants 
 enough, who fue and feek her ; but of them all, he whom fhe beft and chiefly affeSeth, is one 
 Stjgmour Lwdn'icus Fa/fino, a very near and proper young Gentleman of the City, rich, and 
 well descended ; his Parents and Kinfmen for the moft part being CUnJJimo’s and Sena ors, and 
 all of them Gentlemen of Fcmce^ and him Fittorin* defires and refolves to make her Husband, 
 grounding her chiefeft reafon and affeftion on this refolution and foundation, that as SmAnz,* 
 
 K 2 was 
 
Gods Revenge againft Mnrther . Book II. 
 
 ms too old for her, fo Fajfm was young enough, and therefore fit to be her Husband, and (he 
 his Wife, meafuring him wholly by his extericur perfonage, and not fo much as once prying 
 either into his Vices or Vertues. Fajfuo, who carried a vicious and pernicious Heart, uudera 
 pleafing gefture and tongue, and loving FiPlarina’s Wealth more than her Beauty, obferving her 
 affe&ion and refpeft to him, feeks, courts, and wins her. Her Parents underftanding hereof, as 
 alfo that Faflint is a vicious and debaucht Gentleman, with all their poffible power and authority, they 
 feck to divert their Daughter from him. But (he is deaf to their requefts, and rcfolved, iha \ 
 as (he followed the ftream of their commands in her firft Match, fo (he will now the current of her 
 own pleafures and affe&ions in this her fecond : and fo, to the wonder of Venice , and the °t ef of 
 all her Parents and Friends, before (lie had above ten dayes conferred with Fajjino, ft e marries 
 him. But this Match (hall not fucceed according to their defires ; for Fittorina (hall (hortly reoent 
 it, and Fa fuse affoon rue and fmart for it •, .fith it is a Maxim. , that fudden affections prove t'eldom e 
 profperous ; for if they have not time to fettle and take root, they are incident afl'oon to fade as flou- 
 ri(h, efpccially if they are contracted and grounded more for lull than love, and more for wealth than 
 venue. 
 
 The firft month of this marriage , Faffing keeps good correfpondence and obfervance with 
 his Wife, but thenceforih he breaks pale, and rangeth ; for the truth is, although he were but a 
 young Gentleman, yet ( which is lamentable ) he was an old whoie-maller, which lafcivious 
 profefiionof his, threatens the ruin, not only of his health, but of his fortune and reputation -, fo 
 now, when he fhculd be at heme, he is abroad > yea, not only by d iy, but by nioht, that, upen 
 the whole, FiPlsrina is more a Widdow than a Wife: at which unlcok’t and untvilVt for news, 
 le not only bites the lip, hut very often puts finger in her eye and weeps ; for it gripes and grieves 
 her at Heart to fee her felf thus fkigbted, negleaed, and abufed bv FajJi,o, whom, of alltbe 
 Gallant* of the City, (he had defted and chefen for her Husband; (he is infinitely grieved here- 
 at, and yet her jeaioufie infinitely exceeds her grief and forrowr and now as gracelefs as (lie is, 
 ihe thinks God hath purpoiely fent her this lafcivious Faftnt for her fecond Husband, as a juft 
 plague and punifhment, to revenge her adultery committed agair.il So*raxz.a her firft - fo, had (lie 
 had more grace, and lefs vanity and impiety, (he would have made better ufe of this confide anon, 
 and not fo foot? forgot it, and, in if, her felf.; ’ 
 
 natnre of J«*Ioufie, to have more eyes than Argus, and fo to pry and fee every 
 Where ; Ficlmn* her cunogty, dr rather her malice herein, finds out that her Husband F*fcm fa- 
 miitarJy frequented] and ufeth the company of many Courtezans, efpeciaily of the Lady Palt- 
 one of themoft famous and reputed Beauties of Venice : and this news indeed ftrikes her at 
 ba j y k gl ^ rr ? V and vcxat,on 5 fain would reform and remedy this vice of her Hus- 
 
 B-u ryuu iorrovv anu vexarton ; tatn me would reform and remedy V(XOt „„ n us- 
 bow ’ f e . know u s not - rtwfM ‘‘‘tic or no hope to reclaim hm, fith he net only 
 h^fe f Z Jr r?***' buf ? whlchls worfc » fte apparently , fees, that for her fake, he contemns 
 jZ~ !r nt* 5 for wbe “ he Comss homs > he halh no delight in her, but only in his 
 
 «2r which is but to pafs his melancholy, for his Lady Pal triads abfence, till hea- 
 
 i° h / " h ? Iy nc S le f cd » and as I may truly fay, almoft forfakenof her Husband. 
 In ifeiSTr a b ?,° d ?* ho " t0 bear her fcIf ia thofe furious dorms Of her grief, and 
 S who edcm^^/A 61 , l a 0Ufi a"’ of wo different courfes to reclaim him from ihls hi* fin 
 formic the worft ; fox inftead of councsliing and diffracting her Husband, (he 
 
 but^n?I S h h - mVVU i ha tbo “ fan dfcandalcus and injurious fpeecheS: but thisinfteadof quenching doth 
 arSm« g ° y l t0 lbe fla "? cof his lurt i ^ 'f he repaired home to her feldom before, now hefcarce 
 
 cannot. ^ t0 reclaim him, for fair fpceches and fweet exhortations may prevail, when cholier 
 
 gahSS e . xcc , rab!e L»dy, again affumes bloody refclutions a- 
 
 * ‘*©s 
 
 live. Good God! what an impious and wretched Furtn o £ hell will cot . mDcb 
 
 on earth ? for the blood and life of one Husband canned quench the thirft ‘f h P'ra fel f' bcre 
 
 but fhe muft and will imbrue her handsinSttf 5? 
 
 but that (he mil needs gallop and ride pofttohell. o’what pity is it to feea'f 
 
 and execrable 1 O what aA Execrable Wretchednefs is it, Hee a’Ad fn ^wretched 
 
 devoid of pity ! But the Devil is ftrong with her, becaufe her faith is vv^k wfth G^ therefoS 
 
 Ihe will advance, (he will net retire in this her bloody defign and refolution Wherefore^* 
 
 fhaJJ 
 
Hi ft. VI. Sy font vs andVzBorina . 
 
 ft all ft only fee Faffmo his Adultery punifted with death, by his Wife ViBorUa’s revenge • and this 
 murther of hers j’ulily rewarded and revenged with the puniftment of her own : the bloodier cur 
 a&ions are, the feverer God’s Judgments, and the ftarper his revenge will be. 
 
 Of all fort and degrees of Inhumane and Violent Deaths, this wretched Lady Victorina thicks 
 poyfon the furell, and yet the moll fecret to difpatch her Husband. This invention came i mro e 
 diately from the Devil, and is only praftifed by his Members, of which number fte wiildefperate- 
 ly and damnably make her felt' one: her lull and revenge, like mifcrable advocates, and fatal Ora- 
 tors, perfwade her to this execrable attempr, wherein by cutting off her Husband's life, fteft'all 
 find, that fte likewise calls away her own life. So neither grace nor nature prevailing, fte fends for 
 an Apothecary, named Augnjhno ; and when fte hath conjured, and hepromifed his fecrecy, fte ac- 
 quaints him, *hat her new husband Faffmo keeps Courtezans to her nofe, and daily and hourly offer- 
 ed) her many other infupportable abides and difgraces ;in requital and revenge whereof fte is refolved 
 to poyfon him, and prayes him to undertake and perform it, and that fte will reward him with three - 
 hundred Zeckjnes for his hbour. 
 
 Of all Profelfions and Faculties, there are good and bad •, Auguftino loves God too well, herein to 
 obey the Devil ; he hath too much grace, to be fo impious and gracelefs.j and vows that he will not 
 buy gold at fo dear a rate, as the price of blood ; fo as a good Chriftian, and a true Child of God he 
 not only tefufeth Victorina's motion and proffer, but in religious terms, feeks to divert and perfwade 
 her from this her bloody attempt. But Jhc is refolute in her malice, and wilful in her revenue and 
 therefore will perform it her felf, fith Attgujlino will not : fo ( by a lecond hand) fte procures poy- 
 fon from a ft range Emporiel ^ ; whereof the City of Venice, more than others of 'Italy, aboundeth: 
 fo fte only waits foe an opportunity, which very fhortly ; though, alas, too too foon, prefents it felf •" 
 the manner thus : 
 
 It is impolfible that Faffmo his diffolute life, and extream debauching can keep him long frem fick- 
 tiefs •, for this puniftment is alwayes incident and hereditary to that fin. He complains°cbereof to 
 his Wife ViBorina, who receives this news rather with gl idnels, than ccmmiferation and pity ; and fo 
 taking his bed, be prayes her to make him fome comfortable hot broath for his flcmack : which news 
 fte hears, and embraceth inwardly with joy, outwardly with difdain. For albeit fte la yes hold of 
 this opportunity to poyfon him, yet fte difftmblcs her malice; and the better to colour her villany, 
 becaufe fte knows it the fmoother and fhorter way to be revenged in poyfoning him, fte will not 
 make the broath her felf, but commands hec Maid Felicia to do it(of whom we have formerly fpoken, 
 in thedifeovery of Sy font ns his Letter to her Unkle. Hieronymo Soarar.x. .a ) which treacherous office 
 of hers, our malicious and devillift ViBorina her Lady and Mill refs, hath now a plot in her head 
 to requite with an execrable and hellift recompence : for while Felicia is 6oyIing of the broath, her 
 Lady ViBorina trips to her Chamber and Clofet, and fetcheth out the poyfon, inveloped in a Paper, 
 whereof fte takes two parts and brings down with her, and whiles fte had purpofelv fent Felicia 
 from the fire, fte runs and throws it into the broath, which for the prefent no whit altered the co- 
 lour thereof : fo Fa fine calling for it, this poor innocent Gentlewoman Felicia, ( not fufpedling or 
 dreaming of poyfon ) gives it him, which (as ignorant thereof ) he fups up ; and this was about nine 
 or ten of the clock in the morning. 
 
 Now while Felicia is ailing this mournful tragedy in Faffmo in his Chamber, her Lady ViBo- 
 rina is aSing another in hers ; for fte takes the other third part of the poyfon, and fecretly open- 
 ing Fill tin's Trunk, puts it into a painted box which fte found therein, and fo locks it again, hoping 
 ( though indeed wirh a wretched and hellifh hope ) that her husbaDd being dead, his body opened^ 
 and the poyfon found in her Trunk, fte would give «nt that Felicia had poyfoned him with broath 
 that Morn, and this, found in her Cheft, would make her guilty of the Murther ; for which fte 
 knew fte mull needs dve. See, fee, the devillift double malice of this wretched Lady ViBorina, 
 as well to her husband Faffmo, as her maid Felicia ! But as finely as the Devil hath taught her to fpin 
 the thread of this her malice and revenge, yet though her plot have taken and hold of her 
 husband, ntverthelefs fte ftall in the end fail of hers to innocent Felicia in the- interim, though 
 to the eyes of the world it feem at firft to fucceed according to her defires by the by, yet it ftall not 
 in the main ; But that murther and this treafon of ViBorina ftall not go long either undetc&cd, or un- 
 punifhed. • . 
 
 This poyfon working in Fajfino his Stomack and Body, begins by.degrcestocutcfF his vital 
 Spirits, foas his ftrength fails him, his red Cheeks already look pale and earthy, and his body in- 
 finitely fwells .• he calls for his Wife Vi Borina, who Wifh all hafle and expedition, tells her fecret- 
 ly, that he fears Felicia hath poyfored him with the broath fte gave him in the Morning, and 
 forequefteth hertofend for his Parents and Friends to.be prefent at his Death, for live he could 
 not. Vi Borina, like a diCfembling fte-devil, tears her hair for anger, and for meer forrow feem* 
 to drown he; felf in her tears at this news, kifleeb and fawns on her husband, and in all pof- 
 
 K j ’ - fible 
 
ill 
 
 
 
 
 
 God's Revenge again jl Mnrther. ‘ 
 
 f,hV haft- fends a'viv of all fides for his Kinsfolk and Friends, who hailily repair thither, and 
 52 S , "w i dead L they with tears, inquire hs ficknefs, when with open voice ht. 
 wi &TcL s oS/that be/ wretched MiM Fetid t had with broa.h, that morn, poyfon- 
 • - ,- f -r’ rr 0 m’mory and tongue ystferved him toconfds and avcrr, word for 
 
 them -• »W.. ibam .11 fotrotrf.il >.d _»nd 
 
 ,i ’ , .u .f caufe Velici* ro be apprehended and (hut fill m a Chamber ; who ( poor ha. m 
 
 then, and there, came tenet* ° _ n ttraneenef* of this revs. and cries out 
 
 and yet fears t h 1 1 1 his ^ 1 * 3 Fajjieo dyes : which news is foon difperfed and divulged 
 
 The nt If morn .he « 
 
 abroad, to jnc^r 6 0 his H)ufc, who by this tim: is dead, and there Tee his 
 
 bSefeCarcafs whch they ordain to be opened s the poyfon is apparently found on bt» tloimck 
 in its nitural priiline colour ; when examining firfl Fchci *, then F.B»riaa s Parents, ney repo.t 
 F fw his own words uttered a little before his death that Fetid* bad that marn ^yfoned him 
 vj, broath.- which is averred by Vil hr,,*, who faith, (he faw her give it him So they fenda- 
 waypoor mid* toprifon, but yet wi'h a vehement fufpmon, that thispoyfonei d arrow came out 
 of F.Borir.a her own quiver, which they the fooner btleeve, anrefpeft of her or - ° * 
 
 and fufritiors for the mnrther o f her firfl Huaband Suranx.*. So the Judges return and be a^e 
 JhemWves, that very infhnt, to their Tribunal of Juflice, in the Duke's Palace of Sunt 
 where the v And for Felicia, who is brought them unaccompanied of any ; for, as misfortune would, 
 both her Unkle Hitrotimo, and her Conran Andre* Son, ■«»&», were then at C«r/#, imployedin 
 foot: pjbiick affairs for the Seigniory. The Judges exuntne Fe/»«Y° u ncc , rm "S ‘J* 
 fon (Tie gave her Matter. She bitterly fighing and weeping, confeljeth the broath dmie^be 
 poyfon - vowing by her part and hope of Heaven, (h: neither touched nor knew what poyfon vva , 
 S defiredno Wourof them, /it were found or proved agatnft her , wtthall, (he acquaint 
 them, that (he fears it is a trick of milice and revenge, clapt on her, by her Lady ™ 
 the difeovery of Sjponttis his Letter. And, to fpeak truth, the Judges in their Hearts partly adhere 
 and concur with her in this opinion: they demand of her, whether her Lady FiBtnn* touched this 
 broath, either by the Fire, or the Bed? She according to the truth, anfwers, that to her know 
 ledg or fight, flie touched it not, nor no other but her felf. So they fend her again to pnfon, and 
 return fneedily to Ftfftnt his houfe ; where committing FiBorina toafure guard, they afeendher 
 Chamber and Clofet, fearchall her Trunks, Caskets and Boxes, for poyfon, but find none: an. 
 theliketheydoto Felicia’s Trunks, which they break open, flic having the Key ^ and in a box 
 find a quantity of the fame poyfon, whereby it was apparent (Tie abfoluiely poyfoned her Matter 
 Tafiino. The Judges having thus found out, and revealed, as they thought, the true Author of 
 this Mnrther, they defeend again, exunine Borina, and fo acquit her. Poor Felicia isadver- 
 tifed hereof; whereat (he is amazed and a(Toni(bed, and thinks that fome Witch or Devil call it 
 there for her deflruaion. She is again fent for before her Judges', who produce the poyfon found 
 in her Truhk : (be denies boih the poyfon and the Murther, with many ftghs and tears : fo they 
 adjtid" her to the Rack, which Torment (be fuffereth with much Patience and Conftancy ; not- 
 withftandin 0 , her Judges confidering that (lie made and gave Faffiit the broath, that none touch, 
 ed it but her felf, that he dyed of it, and that they found the Remainder of the poyfon m her 
 Trunk, they think her the Muriherer ; fo they pronounce fentence, that me next morn (lie (ball be 
 hanged at Saint Marltt place. She poor foul is returned to her prifon ; fh: bewails her misfortune 
 thus'' to dye, and be call away innocently, taxing her Judges of injuftice, as her foul is ready to acfwer 
 it to God, 
 
 A’l Venice prarleth of this cruel murther committed by this young Gentlewoman s but for her La- 
 dy FiBorina, (be triumphs and laughs like a Gypfey, to fee how with this one (lone (Tie hath given 
 two (Irokes, and how one poor drug hath freed her this day of. her Husband F affine, and will to mor- 
 row of FeiFia , of whom (be rejoyceth in her felf, that now (lie hath cryed quittance fo: the difeove- 
 ry of SjfontHs his Letter, which procured his death.- but her hopes may deceive her, or rather the 
 Devil will deceive both her and her hopes too* How true or falfe, righteous or finful our aftions be, 
 God in his due time will make them appear in their naked colours, and reward thofe with glory, and 
 
 tbefe with (ha me. . ..... 
 
 The next morn, according to the laudable cuftem o( Fence, the mourners of the Seigniory 
 accompany our forrowful Fehci* to the place of Execution, where (be modeftly afeended the 
 Ladder, with muchfilence, penfivenels, and affliftion : at the fight of whofe youth and beauty, 
 fnoft of that great and infinitic of Spedfators cannot refrain from tears, and coromitctaiing and pit- 
 tying, that fo fweet a young Gentlewoman Ihould come to fo infamous and untimely a Death. 
 
Hid. VI. Sypontm and V i&orina. 
 
 When Felicia lifting up her hands, and cre&ing her eyes and heart towards Heaven, (he briefly 
 fpeakstothisefl'ed. She takes Heaven and Earth to witnefs,that (he is innocent of the poyfon- 
 ing of her Mailer Fafint , and ignorant how that poyfon (hould be brought into her Trunk : 
 that as her knowledg cannot accufe, io her Conference will not acquit her Lady ViFlorina of 
 that fad, only (he leaves the detedion and judgment thereof to God, that being ready to tor- 
 lake the world,fith the world is refolved to for lake her,(he as much triumphs in her innocency 
 as grieves at her misfortune : and that flic may not only appear in Earth, but be found in 
 Heaven a true Chriftian, fhe hrfl forgives her Lady Vittorina, a.nd her Judges, and then befcech- 
 eth God to torgive her all her tins, whercunto (he humbly, and heartily prays all that are pro 
 fent, to add their prayers to hers : and fo (he begins to take off her band, and to prepare her 
 felf to die. 
 
 Now y Cbrijlian Reader , what human wifdom,or earthly capacity, would here conceive or think, 
 that there were any fublunary means left for this comfortlefs Gentlewoman Felicia , cither to 
 hope for life, or to flatter her felt that (he could avoid death ? But lo, as the Children of God 
 cannot fall.bccaufe he is the defender oftheinnocent,and the prote&or of the righteous, there- 
 fore we (hail fee to our comforts, and find to Gods glory, that this innocent young Gentlewo- 
 man (hall be miraculouily freed of her dangers>and puni(hment,and her inveterate archenemy 
 Vilhrina brought in her dead, to receive this (hametul death, in expiation of the horrible mur- 
 thers?ofher two husbands, which God will now diieover,and make apparent to the eyes of the 
 worldifor as the triers and Nuns prepare Felicia o take her lad farewel of this world, and fo to 
 (hut up her life in the direful and mournful Catalirophe of her death}Behold,by the providence 
 and mercy of God, the Apothecary Augnjimo ( of whom this our Hiftory hath formerly made 
 an honed and religious mention ) arrives from Cape Ijiria , and havingdeft his (hip at Malmocc <*, 
 lands in a Gondola at Saint A hrkj Hairs*, when knowing and feeing an execution towards* 
 he thrufts himfelf in amongd the croud of people : where beholding fo young and fo fair a 
 Gentlewoman, ready to die, he demands of thofe next by him, what (he was, and her crime : 
 when being anl wered,that her name vVas Felicia , a waiting Gentlewoman to the Lady Vifthri* 
 na , who had poy foiled her Madcr Fajfino j at the very ritd report of the names of Vittorina , and 
 her husband FaJfnto,Auguftino his blood flaiheth up in his face, and his heart began to beat within 
 him, when demanding if no other wereacceflaryto this murther,he was informed,that herLa- 
 dy Vittorina was vehemently (ufpc&ed thereof, but die was cleared, and only Felicia, this young 
 Gentlewoman, found guilty thereof*, which words were no fooner delivered him, but God 
 putting into his heart and remembrance, that this Lady Victorina would have formerly (educed 
 him for three hundred Zecklncs, to have poyfoned her husband Faflino, he confidently believing 
 this young Gentlewoman innocent hereof, with all pollible fpeed, as fad as his legs could 
 drive, he runs up to the Southead part of the corner of the Gallery of the Dukes Palace, where 
 the Officers fit to fee execution done s the which he requedeth for that time to dop, becaufe 
 he hath fomething to fay concerning the murther of Sigmour F affine . Whereupon they call ouc 
 to the Executioner to forbear : which bred infinite admiration in all the fpedfators,as won- 
 dringat thecaufe and reafon hereof, when, incondaut and dilcreet terms, Augnjlhto informs 
 the Judges, that he thinks •Felicia innocent, and her Lady Vitterina guilty of this murther, and 
 fo relates them the manner, time, and place where Viftocina her felf ieduccd him to poylbn her 
 husband Faffino, how die proffered him three hundred Zeclqncs to perform it, which he refufed, 
 and to the utmoft of his power fought to diffwade her from this bloody and execrable budnefs. 
 The judges areadonilhed at the Hr angeiic fs of this news, which they begin confidently tobc- 
 lieve^and lb blefs the hour of AtigujHno's arrival, that hath with-held them from fpilling the in- 
 nocent blood of Felicia *, when commanding her from the place of execution, to her prifon, 
 they rnftrntly give order for the Lady Victorina $ apprehentlon, who already had built trophees 
 and triumphs of joy in her heart, to fee that all her bloody deligns fo well fuccceded. But novv 
 is rhe Lord's appointed time come, wherein all her cruel Murthcrs, Whoredom, treacheiy, and 
 Hypocrilie, (lull be brought to light and punilhed ; yea, novv it (hill no longer be in her pow- 
 er, or in that of the Devil, her School matter, and Seducer, either to diminifh the lead part of 
 her puniftiment, or to add the leaii moment or point of time to her life. She is all in tears at 
 her apprehenfion, but they rather ingender envy than pit ty, in her Judges : And fo from the 
 delights and pleafuresof her houfe, (he is haftily conveyed to prifon. 
 
 Her Judges, in honour to the lacred dignity of Juflice ("the Queen of Earth and Daughter 
 of Heaven ) confront her with AugttjUno, who avers his former depofition as conllantly in her 
 face, as (he denies it impudently in his. But this will not avail heritor now God hath made the 
 probabilities, or rather the fight of her crime too apparent.So without any regard to her praiers 
 tears, or exclamations, they adjudg her to the Ratk, where the tendernds of her limbs, the? 
 fharpnefs of her torments, but especially the griefs and pinches of her conference make her ac- 
 
7 2 
 
 God's Revenge againfl Murtber. Book II. 
 
 quit Felicia , acknowledge Aagujlitto his evidence , and condemn her felt to be the author both 
 of her firft Husband’s ftabbing,and alfoher fecond’s poy foiling: her Judges as much praiic God 
 tor her contdlion,as they dctelt and arc alloniihcd at the falicnefsof thefe her horrible crimes. 
 So with much joy they firft free innocent Felicia of her unjuft imprifonment > and then, know- 
 ing it pity that fo wretched a Lady as Vittorina, (hould live any longer, they, tor her abomina- 
 ble cruelties and inhumanities, condemn her (the next mornj to be hang d and burnt on Saint 
 Markj Place. At the knowledg and divulging of which news, as her lather, Motherland Kins- 
 folks ext ream! y grieve, (ball Venice blefsand glorifie God, firft, that innocent Felicia is iav^d, 
 and guilty Victorina detected and condemned to the (hame and punilhment oi a deierved death* 
 The fame night the Pricfts and Fryers deal with her about the ftate of her foul, and its pil- 
 grimage and tranlmigration to heaven : they find that her youth, luit, and revenge, hath taken 
 a ft range pofleffion of the devil, and he in them: for (he full loves the memory of Syfontns, and 
 envies and deteftsthat of her twoHusbands, Straws* and Faflino: but they deal effectually with 
 her, and in their fpecches depainting her torth the joys of Heaven, and the torments ot Hell, 
 they at laft happily prevail, and fo make her torfakc the vanity and impiety of thefe her paffi- 
 ons,by relifhing the fweet (bowers of Gods mercies. So the next morn (he is brought to her ex- 
 ecution •> where the world expecting to hear much matter from her, (lie is very penfive, and 
 contemplative, and fays little * only (he prays Felicia to forgive her , as alfo all the Parents ot 
 her two Husbands, Souranza and FaJJtno , and likewife of Sypontm > but chiefly (be invokes God 
 her Saviour and Redeemer, to pardon thefe her horrible fins of Adultery and Murther,and be- 
 feechcth all that are prefent to pray for her foul j and fo according to her fentence, (he is firft 
 hang’d, and then burnt : whereat all that great affluence and concourfeof people, praife the 
 Providence and Juftice of God, in cutting off this female Monfter, and (hame of herfex, Vifto- 
 rina \ whofe tragical and mournful Hiftorymay we all read and remember with deteftation, 
 that the example hereof be our fore- warning and caveat, not to truft in the decei vable lufts of 
 the fle(h, and the treacherous tentations of the Devil, but to rely on the mereies and promifes 
 of God, which will never fail his eledf , but will affuredly make them happy in their live$,ble£* 
 fed in their deaths, and coniUntly glorious in their refurre <ftions. 
 
 GODS 
 
An/ ilhl i o jioyjon Jmn/1 
 
 Catalina briber 
 
 '*£££L l llL2SLll nnAJIujrfvnm the 6 ante. 
 
 ?£//££ Hannttua ytyjc 
 
 Hauling Jen Jr S arm t at a :t 
 
 Seta/hno hUi /ini onto. 
 
 Hift. VII. 
 
 J)tn Anfmo tfjitruit 
 
 Caialina tilll Scpmfte Execute £ Bern thuuuU S MiaZ'fhmH^Crrn^^ fawred 
 
 GOD’S Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORy VII. 
 
 Catalina etufeth her waiting-Maid Anfilva two feveral times attempt to pojfon her own JifterBcrin- 
 thia ; wherein failing, Jhe afterwards makes an EmpericJ^ termed Sarmiata, pojfon her /aid Maid 
 Anfilva. Catalina is killed with a Thunderbolt , and Sarmiata hanged, for poyfoning Anfilva. An- 
 tonio fttals Berinthia away by her own confcnt •, whereupon her brother Sebaftiano fights with An- 
 tonio; and kills him in a Duel. Berinthia in revenge hereof \ afterwards murth*reth her own bro- 
 ther SebaHiano ; She ts adjudged to be immured betwixt two Walls , and there languifieib and dyes. 
 
 H Ow foolifhly and impioufty doth our malice betray our felves, or efie devil our fouls, when 
 wemalicioufly betray others ? For we are as far from* Grace as Wifdome, when we 'per- 
 mit either irregular afFeftion,or unlawful pafiion to hale us on to chol/erjcholler to revenue, and 
 revenge to murther. Nay, how exempt are we of Religion, and devoyd of ail Chriftian piety 
 and charity, when our thoughts are fo eclipfed, and our judgments darkened, when our con- 
 fidences are fo defiled, and our fouls fo polluted with revenge, that the eldeft Sifter feeks to 
 poyfon her younger, ard this younger afterwards mufthereth her own and only Brother* be- 
 came in a Duel he had formerly flain her Lover ? Alafs, alafs ,thefe are bloody accidents, which 
 not only fight againft Grace, but Nature, not only againit Earth, but Heavenj and not on- 
 ly again# our Souls, butigainft God. Neither are chefe the only Tragedies that our infuing 
 Hifiory reporteth andrclatrth- for wefliall therein farther fee a Wretched ivaking-Gcncle- 
 woman peyfoned by her more wretched Lady and Miftrefs, together with her execrat e Agent, 
 a bloody and gracelefs Emperick ; and all juftly revenged, and feverely puniftied by the Sword 
 of Gods wrath and indignation. Wherein the Chriftian Reader may tbi'erve, as well fo Gods 
 glory, as his own confoiarion, that never pretended or a&ual Murthers were either contriv- 
 ed more fccretly, perpetrated moreclofcly, detefted more miraculcufly, or punched more 
 
 L ftrmgefy 
 
74 
 
 God's Revenge againfl Murtker. Book II. 
 
 ftrargely and fevere’y *, foasif the Devil have not fully pofleft our hearts and Souls, or if our 
 thoughts and refolutiors doyetretain the leaft fpark of .Grace and Chrifbanicy, we Ihaj rlye 
 their crimes by the fight and fear of their punifhments, re-fetch our wandring and erroneous 
 i fenfes frfefu Hell to Earth, pprpofely tq raife them from Earth to Heaven ; and fo rehgjcufly to 
 
 i V give, at/d confecrate both them, and onrfelvcs, and fouls from fin to righteoufnefs, andcon- 
 
 fequebtly ( with as much felicity as glory) from Satan to God. - 
 
 1 here dwelt in the City of Avero in Pi ~tngal } an ancient Nobleman, termed Dohj.afpar ae 
 
 1 Vtiarezo , rich either in quality of earthly, grcatnefs 3 as well of blood, as rcy^t^$ -whpw« nearly- 
 
 allied to the Marquefs of Denia (iA Spain) as marrying a Neece of his, named 'Dona Affhanta, a 
 Lady exqpificdy indued with the ornament sbf Nature* andtheperfedioteof Grace* For (nee 
 4 was both fair and vertuous-, that adding to luftre to thefe,and thefe returning and receding ern- 
 beliifhment to thar, which made her infinitely beloved of her husband Vilarezo, and exceeding- 
 ly honoured of all thofe who had the honour to know her •, and, to crpwn the felicity of their 
 affedions and marriage, they had three hopeful children, onefon, and two daughters: He, term- 
 ed Don Sifaftiaxo', and they, the Donas , Catalina and Berinthla : He haying attained.his fifteenth 
 year, was by his father made Page to Count Manricjues de Lopez, and continually followed 
 h mat Ccurt; and they, from their tenth to their thirteenth years, lived fometimes at Comb a, 
 other-whiles a tLisbone, hut commonly at Avero with AWr/^ar^nts, who fo carefully trained 
 them up in thofe qualities and perfections, requifite f£r Ladies ot their rank, as they were no 
 Sooner feen, but admired of all who faw them. ♦ 
 
 . V But before we make a further progreftlon in this Hiftory (thereby the better to unfold and a- 
 ukomize it; ) I hold it rather ncceffary than im per ticent, that we take a courfory , though not 
 of l>oththfcjfe, yeungLadie^ perfe&iqps apef imperfe&jons, of their Vices and 
 ' ; Virtues, theif beauty and deformity : That a» objects are belt known by the oppofition of their 
 
 contraries, fo by the way of companion ivee .may d ftirgpifh howto know, and knowhow 
 •'* ‘ diftmguifh of the difparify of thefe $W(j Sifters, in tficirinclipations, affections, and dellneam 
 tibnfc } • 
 
 r ■ ‘ ' Cartim-Wiz femewhat Ihort offtatitfc,fcut corpulent of body: BerimhU tall, but flender: Ca - 
 talina was of taint and complexion, more brown then fair .• Berintbia not brown but fweetly fair, 
 or fairly fweet; Catalina had a difdainful ,B*rwthia a gracious eye; Catalina was proud, BerimhU 
 humble. In a word. Cat alma was of humou: extremely impe/ious, ambitious, and revengeful; 
 and Berinthia } modci\'y courteous, gracious, and religious. So thefe two young Ladies, grow- 
 ing now to be capable of marriage, many Cavaliers of Aytro become Servants and Suiters to 
 them, as we&in refped of their fathers nobility and wealth, as for ’their own beauties and vir- 
 tues : yea, their fame is generally fo fpread, that from L/sbone, and moft of the chiefcft Cities of 
 To-tugal , divers Nobles and Knights refort to their Father Don PT/arr^s houfe, to proffer up 
 their affaftions, to the dignity and merits of his daughters. But his age finding their youth too 
 young to be acquainted with the fecrets and thyfleries of marriage, puts them a*l l off, either in 
 general terms, or honourable excufes*, as holding the matching of hfs daughters of fo eminent 
 and important confideration, as he thinly it fit he fhould advifedly confulr, and not rafhly con- 
 clude them- which affedion and care of Parents to their Children, is fHU as honourable as com- 
 mendable. 
 
 Don Sebafliano their Brother, being often both at Madrid , VallidoHd,zr)& Lisbon , becomes ve- 
 ry intimately and Angularly acquainted with Don Antonio de Rivero, a nbble and rich young Ca- 
 valier, by birth Jikewifc a Portugal , of the City of Efaas, who was firft and chief gentleman to 
 the Duke of Braganza^ and the better to unite and perpetuate their familiarity, he proffers him 
 his elded Sifter in marriage, and prays him at his firft conveniency, to ride over to Avert/, to 
 fee her; offering himfelf to accompany him in his journey, and to fecond him in that enterprise, 
 as well towards his Father as Si fter. Don Antonio very kindly and thankfully lifteneth to Don Se- 
 bajUano* s courteous a^nd affedionate proffer^ and knowing it fo far from the lead disparagement, 
 »$ it was a great bappinefs and honour for him to match himfelf in fo noble a Family, they affign 
 a day for that Jou^ey: againftwhen, Don tAntonio mikes ready his preparatives and train, in 
 ail refpeds anfwerable to his rank and gcneroficy. They arive at Avero, where Don fa/per de 
 Vilarezo, for his own worth, and his Son s report, receives Don Antonio honourably and enter- 
 tains him courteoufiy : He vificeth and faiutech, firft the Mother, then the two young Ladies 
 
 her Daughters : And although he cannot diflik eCaul'ma, yet fo precious and amiable Vfweet 
 Beyinthia in his eye, ns he no fooner fees, but loves her: Yea, her piercing eye, her vermilion 
 
 cheeks, and delicate ftature, ad fuch wonders in his heart, ashefecretly proclaimcs himfelf her 
 Servant, and publickly flic his Miftrefs*: To which end he takes time and opportunity at advant- 
 «g«, and fb reveals her fo much in terms, that intimates the fervency of his zeal, and endears the 
 zeal of lus affedion and confUncjr. 
 
 . -V i ‘ • ' Be in t hi a 
 
Antonio and Berinthia. 
 
 H ut VII. . 
 
 Berinthia entertains his motion and fpcechss with many blufhes, which now and then caft$ a rofiit 
 vail o*re the milk-white Lillies of her complexion : and, to fpeak truth, if Antonio be inamoredof 
 Bcr'mthi 4, no lefs is flic of him fo as not only their eyes,^ but their contemplations and hearts Teem 
 already to fympathizc and burn in the Flame of an equal' a Region. In a word, by Health he courts her 
 often. And not to detain my Reader in the intricate Labyrinth of the whole pafiages of their love*, 
 Antonio for this time finds Berinthia in this refolutton, that, as (he hath not the will to grant, fo fhc 
 hath not the power to deny his fuice : the reft time will produce. 
 
 Bat fo powerfully do the Beauty and Vcrtues of fweet Berinthia work in Antonio his affe&ions t 
 that impatient of delayes, he finds out her Father and Mother, and in due terms ( requifitefer 
 him to give, and they receive ) demands their Daughter Berinthia in marriage. Vilarezo thanking 
 Antonio for his honour, replies, that of his two Daughters, he thinks Berinthia his younger, as un- 
 worthy of him, as Catalina, his eldcft, worthily bellowed on him. Ar.tonio anfwers, that as he can- 
 notdenybut Catalina isfair, yet hemuft confefs that Berinthia is more beautiful to his eye, and 
 more fleafing to his thoughts. Vilanz>o laftly replies, that he will firft match Catalina e’re Beri*~ 
 thia , and that he is as content to give him the firft, as not as yet refolved to djfpofc of the fecon d j 
 and fo at this time, they on thefe terms depart, VilareKo taking Anton o and?his Son Stha (lim> iv* th 
 him to hunt a Stag^ whereof his adjacent Forreft hath plenty. But whiles Antonio hi* body perlues 
 the Stag, his thoughts are flying after the beauty of his dear and fair Berinthia • who a$ paragon of 
 beauty and nature^ fits Emprcfs, and Queen- Regentnn the court of his contemplations and af- 
 fections. He is wounded at the heart with Vilarezjo his anfwer, and Berinthia to the gall, wktp 8e 
 certified her of her Fathers refolution, only modefty ( that fweet companion, and precious or- 
 nament of Virgins ) to the extremity of her power, endeavoured to keep nAntonlo from percei- 
 ving, or fufpefting fo much. Antonio prayes his dear friend Seb. ftiano , to perfwade his Father to 
 give him his Sifter Berinthia to Wife : he performs the true part of a true friend, and a Gentle- 
 man, but in vain ; for his Father ViUrtx .0 is refolutc, firft to marry Catalina ; when Antonio, not 
 of power fo foon to leaVfc the fight and prefence of his fweet Berinthia , muft invent fome matter for 
 his ftay. And indeed, as Love is the whet-ftone of Wit, to give an edge to invention ; fo Antonio , 
 to in joy the prefence of his fair Berinthia , is inforccd to make Asw, that he neglefts her, and affc&- 
 eth Catalina ; and foconverfeth often with her, but (fill in gWeral terms, whereat fhe builds many 
 Caftles of hope and content, in the Air of her thoughts. For, if Berinthia loved Antonio , no !ef§ 
 doth Catalina ; ftrange cffeCts of affe&ion, where two Sifters deeply and dearly love one Gentle- 
 man, and when but one, and peradventure neither of them, fhall in joy him. 
 
 But as Catalina is the pretext, fo Berinthia is both the foie objeft and ciufecf Antonio* ftay, 
 whom he courts and layeth clofe fiegeto, as often as opportunity makes him happy in the defired 
 happinefs and felicity of her company : She gives him bluflies for his fighs, and fometimes ( altnough 
 a man ; the fervency of his affeftion was fuch, as he cannot refrain from returning her tears for her 
 blufhes •, when, albeit love perfwades him to ftay longer in Avero , yet diferetion calls and commands 
 him away to Lisbon ; and all the fruit of his journey that he fhall carry thither with him, is this, that, 
 for injoying fair Berinthia to his Wife, He conceives far more reafon to hope, than to difpair. Next 
 death, there is no fecond affliction fo grievous, or bittet to Lovers, as feparation and parting : this 
 Berinthia feels, but will not acknowledg •, and this Antonio acknowledged becaufe he feels. After 
 Supper, taking her to a window, he fecretly prayes her to honour him with the acceptance of a poor 
 Scarf, and plain pair of Gloves ( which notwithftanding were infinitely rich, and wonderfully lair ) 
 in token of hisaffcaion ; and (he, the morn of his departure, by Diego his Page, fends him a 
 Handkerchief curioufly wrought with hearts and flames, of filk and gold, in fign of her thankfulnefs. 
 Hepromifeth Berinthia to write, and fee her fhorily ; and Catalina entreats him to be no (danger 
 to Avero . To Catalina he gives many words, but few kifles ; to Berinthia, many kifles, but more 
 tears : His departure makes Berinthia fad, as grieving at hisabfence ; and C atalina joyful as hoping 
 of his return : Catalina triumphs for joy, hoping that Antonio thall be her husband ; and Berinthia 9 
 now begins to look pale with forrow, fearing ftie fhall not be fo happy as to be his wife. By this tim* 
 Breakfaftisfcrvedin, when Sebaftiano comes, takes Antonio and his two Sifters, and carries thew to 
 the Parlor, where P^larez.o and his Wife Alphanta attend t /fntonio's coming. . They all fit dowr, and 
 although their fare be curious yet Antonio's eyes feed upon more curious dainties ; as thefrarkling 
 eyes flaxen hair, and vermilion cheeks of Berintbia's incomparable beauty, which is obferved o all 
 parts, except of Be tnthia y who isfo fecrct and cautious in her carriage, as although her yet 
 
 her diferetion, will not permit her modefly either to cbferve or fee it. Breakfaft encted, Antonio 
 taking Vilart^o and bi* wife ^4lphantaipi:t y firft gives infinite thanks for his honourable and cour- 
 teous entertainment, and then very earneftly again prayes them not to rejeft his futc fo: their Daugh- 
 ter Berinthia . 
 
 Vilarex*) and his wife pray Antonio toexcufe His bad reception, which they Know Carnes many 
 
mtetAm I 
 
 God's Revenge againji Murtber. Book II. 
 
 fhortof hisdeferts, and alfo requefts him to embrace their motion for their daughrer Catalina. Thu?, 
 after many other complements, he takes his congee of fflarez>o^ kiffeth his Wife and two Daugh- 
 ters, firft Catalina, then Berinthia , who though laft in years, yet is the firft Lidy in his defires 
 and thoughts, and the only Queen of his affe&ion. So they areas it were inforced to make a virtue 
 4 cf necc/fity, and to take a ihort farewel, infteadof a more folemn, which either of thcmwiftied* 
 and both defired.; but their eyes dictate to their hearts what their tongues cannot exprefs ; ando 
 Antonio and Sebajliano take Coach and away for Li bone ; Antonio as much triumphing in the beauty 
 of his fair Berinthia, as his friend Sebafiana grieves, that of his two Sifters, Antonio would not 
 accept of Catalina, nor his Father content to give him Berinthia for Wife: notwithftanding.they 
 confirm their familiarity and friend (hip with many interchangeable and reciprocal proteftations, 
 that fith they cannot be Brothers, they will live and dye dear and intimate Friends : but I fear the 
 contrary. 
 
 Being arrived at Lisbon, ^Antonio feels Qrange alterations in his thoughts and pallions : For now 
 he is fo in tangled in the Fetters cf Berinthia^ Beauty and Virtues, that he will fee no other cbje6t 
 but her Idea, nor ( almoft ) fpeak of any Lady but of her feif : and in thefe his amorous contem- 
 plations he both rejoyceth and triumpheth ; but again, remembring the affurance of FUartz,o his 
 refufal, and :he incertainty of Berinthia * $ affe&ion and confent, his hopes are nipt in their blof- 
 foms, and his joyes attoon fade as flourilh ; he wifheth that Avero were Lisbon- , and either himfelf 
 in Avero with Berinthia, or fhc in Lisbon with him. To attempt the one, he holds it as great a 
 folly, as avanity towifh the other: Blithe bethinks himfelf of a remedy for this his perplexity, 
 and reputes himfelf obliged in the bonds, as well of refpedt, as love, to write to his fair Berinthia * 
 and then again he fears that it will find a difficult paflage and accefstoher, becaufe of her Fa- 
 ther 's diftafie, and Sitter's jealoufie. But the Sun of his atfe&ion doth foondifpd and di/fipate chefc 
 doubts, or ja:her difperfethem as Clouds before the Wind : And now to prevent thofe who might 
 attempt to intercept his Letters, he bethinks himfelf of an invention, as worthy as commendable in 
 a Lover ; He writes Berinthia a Letter, and accompanying it with a rich Diamond, fends it her by 
 Diego his own Page, to Avero : whom purpofelv, and fcignedlv he caufeth to arm himfelf with this 
 pretext and colour, that he is in love Mp Anfilva, the Lady Catalina $ Waiting-Gentlewoman, and 
 hath gotten leave of his Mafter to cotc to Avero tofeek her in marriage • where, after fome fifteen 
 daies after, he arrives, and very fecretly delivers his Matter's Ring and Letter to Berinthia, , who 
 ( fweet Lady ) was then teft with the wind of fear, and the waves of forrow, that in all this time 
 fhe heard not from Antonio, doubting indeed left the change of air, places, and ob jefts, might have 
 power to change his atfeaion ; when now blufhing for joy, as much as fhe before looked pale for for- 
 row, (he takes the Ring and Letter, and kitting both, (he fecretly flyes to her Chamber, when 
 bolting the door, flu with as much affeSion as impatience, breaking up the feals, therein Andes thefe 
 
 S treet Berinthia, avert thou as courteous as fair ; thou would (l ref as confident of myafflion as I 
 do of thy beauty , and then as much rejoyce in that , as 1 triumph in this : but as my ton one lately 
 wanted power , fo now doth my pen Art, to info m thee how dearly jUve thy beaut y,a n d honour thy virtues* 
 fo as could thy thoughts pne into mine, or my heart be fo happy to dilate to thine, thole fhould know and 
 
 lines : 
 
 ANTONIO to BERINTHIA. 
 
 ANTONIO 
 
Antonio and Berinthia. 
 
 77 
 
 Hift. VII. 
 
 
 
 laughing in her felf,to fee how cunningly his Page Diego, courts Anfilva ; for he makes fuch demon- 
 Hration of love to her, and fhe is fo enamoured of him, that Cato/in* thinks a iTiort time will finifh 
 this match ■ but he and her Siller Berinthia knows the contrary. Diego at the end of three dayes is 
 defirous to depart, and Berinthia extreamiy glad of his rcfolution to llav no longer : fo (he betakes 
 her felf to her Chamber, and writes this Letter to her Antonio, inanfwerof his. 
 
 BERINTHIA to ANTONIO. 
 
 H AD I net been more courteous to thee, tha : / am fair to myfelf,thoU hud ft not tafted ftmuchof my 
 affeUion,norI fo many of my Father’s frowns >a»d although thy tongue and fen have acquainted 
 me with thy rich *.eal Intended and devoted to my poor merits , jet ju <g with thy felf, whether it be fix for 
 me to reqjte the e with obfcrvance, or him that gave me my being with difobedier.ee. As I defire not to 
 have thee die my Martyr, fo my Father will not permit thee to live my Husband ; and yet, as it is out of 
 my power to remedy the fir ft, ft it is not impoftblefor time to effeli and compafs the laft : not that l reftlve 
 to give thee too much hope, rather that 1 aim to take away ftme of thy dej pair, to the end I may find thee 
 asconfiant in thy affection, as thou me finctre in my conftancy. My Sifter’s jcxloufic of me, and my Fa- 
 ther’s diftafte of theefii.vitt thee to manage this favour of mine with as much fecrtcy as circumf ett'ton. 
 
 BERINTHIA. 
 
 Havin° folded up, and fealed her letter, (he finds out Diego, and beckens him to follow her to the 
 Garden -where, in one of the Bowers, fhe delivers him this Letter, together with a rofe of Opales, 
 the which, in token of her love, fhe conjures him with fafety and fpeed to deliver to his Matter Don 
 Antonio. Diego having his difpatch of Berinthia, foon gives Anfilva hers, promiling to return fome 
 three weeks after • at which time he prayes her to expeft him ; when thanking f'ilaret.o for his kind 
 entertainment, and he bidding him tell his matter, he would be glad to fee him in Avero, he leaps to 
 horfe, and fo pods away for Lisbon. .. 
 
 I cannot relate with what incredible, and infinite joft Antonio receives this Letter and Ring from 
 Berinthia -. and, to write the tru'h.I think the Letter lcarce contained fo many fyllables as he often read 
 it over and killed it. He fees Berinthia’s modefty refplend and (hine in her affection, and her affediott. 
 inhermoderty towards him, wherein he glories in that, rcjoycetb in this, and triumphs in both : 
 but although he be furc of her attention, yet he is not of her telf ■, for he fees her Letter contained] 
 mmy verbal complements, but all of them not one real promt (e ; aod therefore he cannot repute his 
 tranquillity and felicity compleat, e'rc he be crowned with this happinefs : befides, he fears that his 
 abfence arid her Father's prefence.may in tra£t of time, by degrees cool the fervency of Bennthta’i 
 affettion; and yet then, he as foon checks his own timidity, in conceiving the lead fufpition of her 
 conftancy. Now he thinks to acquaint his intimate friend, and her dear Brother, Scbaftiano , with their 
 affe&ions, but then he condemns that opinion, and revokes it as erronious and dangerous, and con- 
 trary to the rules of love, in failing without the compafs of Berinthia advice and commands ; by the 
 which, he holds it both fafety and diferetion to fteer his courfe and a&ions. Again, he fo infinitely 
 and carncftly longs to re- fee his dear and fweet Miftrefs, as he refolves to'ride over again to Avero ; 
 but the obttinacy of Filarez.o, and the jcaloufic of Catalina, makes him end that journey e're he be- 
 gan it. In this perplexity, and conteftation of reafons, he is irrefolute what, or whatnot to do; but 
 in fine, confidering that delayes arc dangerous in matters of this nature, he packs up his baggage, and 
 taking his farewell of Sebafliano, under pretext of his health, leaves Lisbon, and the Duke his Lord 
 and Matter, and retires to his own home at Elvas ( where his Father dying feme three years before, 
 had left him foie heir to many rich Manors and Pofleflions ) purpofely hereby to be near to Avero, 
 that he mi°ht «ive order for all things, and let flip no occafion in the procefs and profecution. of hi j 
 afife&ion. Thefecond day after his arrival to Elvas , it being well-near a month fince he Cent his fitft, 
 and till then his laft Letter to Berinthia, be now again difpatcheth his Page Diego with a fecond Letter 
 to her, by whom he fends a Chain of rich Pearl, and a Pair of Gold Bracelets, richly inameled. Di- 
 ego’s arrival is pleating to Anfilva, but extreamiy joyful to Berinthia . only it nipt Catalina’s hopes, 
 becaufe fhe could notunderftand by him any certain refolution or ifluranceof his Mailers coming 
 thither. Diego hath no fooner fainted his tsfnfilva, but ( as his more important bufinefs; hefeeks 
 means to fpeak with Berinthia , which fhe her felf profereth him ; he delivers her his Matter Tokens 
 and [.etrer, which fhe very joyfully receivcth, and fo trips away to her Chamber* where opening the 
 feals, fhe therein finds theie words- 
 
God's Revenge againft Mart her, 
 
 Book II 
 
 ■ ■■■ ! * 
 
 ANTONIO to BERINTHIA. 
 
 J T is wpoffibte fer my pen to exprefs the joyts my heart received at the reading of thy Letter : and as 1 
 difpraife not thy obedience to thy bather, (o Infmtel y both pralfe and pri^e thy aff(chon tome . A thou - 
 fund times I kj (fed thy lines, and at often bit ft the hand that wrote them ; and alt^o^gh they ga.etnc 
 hope for de/pair , yet , not to diffemble , thefe hopes have brought me doubt, and doubt fear • not that thots 
 love ft me • for that were to dif parage my judgment, in fteekjng to prophane thy affeftion ; but that thou 
 wilt not pUafc to accept ofmypromfc , nor return me thin*: wherein y if thou wigh the fervency of my hve 
 1 hope thou wilt not tax the incredulity of mj fearfor till I am fo happy y not only to hope , but to affure my 
 felf that Berinthii will be Antonio^ as Antonio is already BerinthiiV, / muft needs fear , and there- 
 fore cannot truly rejoy ce. I have left Lisbon, to refide at Elvas ; therefore fair and d ar La iy, I be. 
 fetch thee 'deftinate me , difpofe my fervee, vnd command both . Hong to injy the felicity of thy prefence ; 
 for I take heaven to witnefs , th y ab fence is my hell upon earth. 
 
 ANTONIO, 
 
 Rerintbia having read this Letter, fhe approves of Antonio % fear, and attributes it to the ferven- 
 cy and fittcerity of his affedion; fhe efteems her felf infinitely happy in her good fortune, and 
 choice of fo brave a Cavalier for her fervanr, who flic hopes a little time will make her husband • 
 to which end fhe'will no longer feed him with delayes, but now rtfolves, by his Page Diego, at his 
 return, to figoifie him fo much. ; and in a word, to fend him her hear r, as fne hath already received 
 his. But fhe knows not whit the Interim of this time will bring forth. ? . - 
 
 Pafs vve from Berinthia to her Shier Catalina , whole atfedibn is like wile iuch to Axtomo, as by 
 this time £he hath petfwaded and induced her Father Vilare^o to write him a Letter in her behalf by 
 Diego, thereby to draw his refolution, whether he intend to feek her for his Wife or no, or at leaft 
 to invite him to Avero. And although bis affedion to her Sifter Berinthia^ be kept from her, yet 
 flic not orily fufpeds, but fears it. Glad fhe is of the opportunity of Diego his being there, to 
 convey her Fathers Letter to his Matter and yet that joy of hersisfoon dilfolved into grief, be- 
 caufeall this time he never vouebfafed to write to her : her affedion to him flattereth her .ftill with 
 hope, and yet her|judgment in her felf ftill fuggefteth her defpair * for fhe hath alwayes the image 
 cf this conceit in her imagination, that Antonio loves her Sifter Berinthia , and not her fdf .• her 
 fufpition makes her fubtil, and fo (The deals with Anfilva to draw the truth hereof from Diego, who 
 having learned his leffon, adeth his part well ; and 1 know not, whether with more fidelity or dif- 
 cretion, flatly denies it =, Butio, here betides an accident, which bewrayes the whole My ftery and 
 Hiftoryof their affedions. On a Sunday-morning,- when Berinthia was defeended to the Garden 
 to gather flowers, againft her going to Church with her Father and Mother, her Sifter Cat Aina ru(h- 
 eth into her chamber, to feek the Hiftorv of Cervantes, which the day before fhe had lent her ; and 
 not finding it either on the Table or the Window, feeks in the pocket of her Gown, thatfhevvore 
 the day before ; and there unwittingly, and unexpededly finds the I aft Letter that Antonio had 
 feat her ; whereby fhe perceived, it was in vain tohope to in joy lAntonio , fith {he now apparently 
 faw, that he was her Sifter Berinthia**, and fhe his. Catalina is hereat both forrowful and glad; 
 forrowful, that fhe ftiould lofe Antonio , and glad, that fhe had found this Letter. And now tofhew 
 her affedion to him, and her malice to her Sifter, fhe will try her wits, to fee whether fhe can fruft- 
 rate Berinthia , and fo obtain Antonio for her felf. The pafiions of men ipay eafily be found out and 
 deteded, but the fecrcts and malice of women difficultly. To which end Catalina fhews this Let- 
 ter to her Father, who exceedingly ttotms hereat, and with checks and frowns, curbs Berinthia of 
 her Liberty, and and refolves in his firft Letter to Antonio , to forbid him his houfe, and her compa- 
 ny, except he will leave Berinth a, and take Catalina : and fufpeding that hi? Pare Diego's court- 
 ing of Anplva , was but only a policy and colour, thereby to conveigh Letters betwixt his Daughter 
 Berinthia and bis Mafter, he once thought to him his congee, and prohibit him his houfc, had not Ca - 
 //#* prayed the contrary, who would no way difpleafe her Waiting’ Gentlewoman Anftlva y beaufe 
 fhe was to ufe her aid and afiftance in a matter of great importance; the unlocking and dilating 
 whereof is thus. ‘ a 
 
 Catalina her affedion to Antonio , and confcqueutly her malice to her Sifter Berinthia is fo vio- 
 lent, that as her Father hath bereaved her of a great part of her liberty, fo fhe is fo bloody and 
 Cruel, as fhe vows to deprive her of her life. Ahellifh refolution in any woman, butatnoft un- 
 natural and damnable attempt of one Sifter to another : but wanting Faith, which is the foun- 
 dation and bulwark ; and Religion, which is the prefervative and antidote of our fouls, (he 
 runs fo wilfully hood-wink'd from Godtothe Devil, as fhe will advance, and difdains to retire, 
 till her malicious and jealous thirft be quenched with her Sifter’s blood. To which end (he per- 
 
 fwadcr? 
 
Antonio and Berintbia. 
 
 Hitt. VII. 
 
 fwades and bribes Anfilva with a hundred Ducketsto poyfon her Siller Berintbia^ and promifeth 
 her (o much more when (he hath efledted if : whercunto this wretched and execrable young 
 Waiting-Gentlewoman confenteth, and in brief promifeth toperform it:But God hath other- 
 wife decreed and ordained. To. which end (he fends into the City for fomeftrong poyfon by an 
 unknown Meffenger, which mnftantly brought her in a ftnall Gally-pot. But let us here both 
 admire and wonder at God’s miraculous difcovery, and prevention thereof : For, that very 
 night, when Anfilva had determinately reiolvcd to have poyfoned the Lady Berintbia, Diego 
 leeks out his Miftris Anfilva and fends her (blitarily aloiie in one of the clofeit over-foadowed 
 Bowers of the Garden, whom he falutes and entertains with many amorous difgpurfes. and 
 more kiffes i in the midlt whereof his nofe ftU fuddenly on feeding, whereat lie admire«Vjnd 
 (he grieved, till at lait having bloodied -all hisown handkerchief, Anfilva rulheth feiltily feritr 
 pocket for hers for him, which fuddenly drawing forth, her aftebtion to Diego having made her 
 quite forget her poyfon, foe with her handkerchief draws out the Galley-pot, which falling pn 
 the floor of the.Bower('that was paved with fquare ftonesjit imiflbdiately burft in pieces, w'hdil 
 Diego's Spaniel licking up the poyfon, inttantly fwell’d, and died before them. • Whereat Pitga 
 grew amazed, but far more Anfilva who blufoing with foam£,afed then grbwmg pje for fear, 
 could not invent either what to (ay or do, at the ftrangenefs or fuddennefs of this accident, 
 Diego prdfeth her to know for whom tKis poyfon was provided, and of whom (he had it. Her 
 anfwers are variable, and are fofar.iram agreeing, as they contradibteach other, which breeds 
 in her the more fear, and in him aftonifoment. He conjures her by all the bonds of their afte- 
 dion, to difeoyef it, with many millions of proteftations profeifeth it (hall die with him i he 
 adds vows to his requefts,oaths to his vows,and kilfesto his oaths fo as Maids can difficult- 
 ly conceal any thing from their Loversfout efpecially fearing that he might peradventure fuf- 
 ped that this poyfon was meant and intended for him * foe at lad vanquifoed withhis impor- 
 tunacy, and this conlidcration, difeovereth (3s we have formerly underflood) that Catalina 
 had won her, therewith to poyfon her Sifter ^mnthia^ becaufe foe (ufpebted* (he was better 
 beloved of his Mafter Von Antonio than her [dhVtego is infinitelyaftonifoed at the ftrangenefs of 
 this news, and like a true and faithful Page to his Mafter, having drawn this -worm from Anfil- 
 vas nofe, and this news from her tongue, under a colour to feeka remedy to flop his blood, 
 giving her may kiffes, and -prom ifing her. his fpeedy return, be leaves her in the Garden, and 
 lb vefy fpeedily finds out Berinibm to whom (with as much truth as curioiityj he from point 
 to point reveals it; praying her to be careful not to receive any thing, either from Catalina or 
 Anfilva^ and withal to write, for the next morning he will hye to Divas to reveal it to his Mafter. 
 Berintbia trembles at the report of this ftrange and unexpected news : fo having iirft thanked 
 God for the difeovery of this poy fon, and her Sifter’s malice, foe promifed him a Letter to his 
 Mafter, and heartily thanks him for his fidelity and afftdion towards her, * the whiclj (lie vq w- 
 eth to requite *, and for a pledg and earned: thereof, draws oft' a Diamond from her Anger, 
 and gives it him for this good office. • 
 
 No (boner hath Aurora leapt from the watery bed of Thetis, and Ph£bus difeovered his gold- 
 en beams in theazured Firmament of Heaven, butpiego caufethhis hotf$ to be made ready 
 and tells Anfilva , that his Father had fent for him to meet him at La Secco , and that he wilf 
 not fail to be back with her within three days. Being ready to depart, 
 
 He, under colour of giving order for his horfe,ieavcs her, and ftcals into 'Berinthias Chamber* 
 whom (poor Lady) tear would not permit to take any reft or fleep that night, the which foe 
 had partly worn out and imployed in writing her mind to her dear Antonio, and knowing her 
 felt not fafein Avero with her Father and Sifter, foe rdolved to commit her honour, and her 
 life into his protection * yea, foe had no (boner finifoed and fealed her Letter to that erfeeft, but 
 Diego comes and knocks (oftly at her Chamber-door . Berintbia in her Night-gown and attire is 
 ready for him : flic admits him, and commends his care,gives him her Letter to his Mafter*and 
 prays him to ufe all poffible diligence in his return s and fo having received al 1 : her commands, 
 he lecrctly defeends the hairs* and taking leave of Valarezo , and laftly kilting his Miftris Anfilva , 
 he leaps to horfc, rides the iirft Stage; there leaves his Gennet,anc! takes Poll. 
 
 Leave vve Diego polling towards Divas, and come we to Catalina , vvhofe malice finding no 
 reft, nor her revenge remedy, foe that very morn, as (bon as Anfilva came into her Chamber, 
 demands, whet her (he be prepared to perform her own prorpife, and her hopes?She anfwcreth 
 her Lady, that lefs than three days (hall effebl it,"and give a period to all her Sifter Berinthia's. 
 Whereat foe is exceeding glad, but all this while ignorant what Diego hath feen, and Berintbia 
 knows to this eftedt * Anfilva prefuming on Diego his fidclity,and building otl his fccfecy *, and 
 therefore lefs fufpebting his journey to Divas , remains full fo gracelefs and impious in her b’oo- 
 dy refolution,as foe now not only prefumes, but allures her fetf that Berintbia is near the ebb* 
 oi her days,and the fet ting of her life , and therefore like an execrable Agent of the DcviT, 
 
8o 
 
 . Bock II. 
 
 God's Revenge again fi Murther. 
 
 Art hath now made ready and provided her fclf of a fecond poyfemed potion , which fhe no 
 ways doubts but (hall fend her to her lafi: ileep. But this fcmal Monltcr ? this bloody [he -Empt- 
 fmck^may be deceived in her art. 
 
 In the interim of which time, Diego arrives at Ehat , and finds out his Martcr, to whom he 
 very hafHly delivers Rerintbias Letter, the which Antonio having killed, breaks off the feahjand 
 there, contrary to his hopes, but not to his defires, read thefc lines, 
 
 BERINTHIA to ANTONIO. 
 
 M T Sijkr Catalina’/ police is fo extream to mc,fith my affedion is ftich to thee, as JJk degenerated 
 not only from Grace but Nature,and feekj to bereave me of my life. This Bearer, thy Page, whom, 
 I fray, love for myfafafitb b t*,i under God , bath now preferved me for thine, will more fatty and particu- 
 larly acquaint thee with the manner thereof. Sofitb there is no fafety for me in my Father*} houje , into 
 trbofe arms andproieCiionJhai I^row my fclf but only into thinc,gfwhofe true and fware affeftion J am 
 fo con fi ant and confident , as 1 refi affured thou, wilt jhew tbyfelf thy f elf in preferring my life with ho- 
 nour, and mine honour with my life 1 It is no point of dif obediencein me to my Father, but of dear refpi ft 
 to mine own life, and therefore to thee, for , and by whom I live, that makes me fo earned ly defirc both 
 thy affiance and fight, fith the fir fi will lead me from defp air, the fecond to hope and joy, and both to 
 content i til! when fear and love, with much impatiency , makff me thin^hours years, and minutes months. 
 
 BERINTHIA. 
 
 Antonio is amazed at this ftrange and unexpeded news, and curioufly gathers all the Cir- 
 cumltances thereof from his Page,when love, fear, hope,forrow, and joy, ad their fcveral parts, 
 as well in his heart as countenance vwhcfl prizing Berintbia's life and fafety a thoufand times be- 
 fore his own, he with great expedition difpatcheth away Diego the fame night ro Avcro, with 
 this enluing Letter, which he commands him to deliver to his MiUris Berintbia, with all pof- 
 fible fpecd and fecret. 1 
 
 • i f M *’ 
 
 ANTONIO to BERINTHIA/ 
 
 " A f * he Sun,brea^g forth of an obfeure cloud , Jhines the clearer, fo doth thy true affdtion tomefim 
 
 irll T ?i ce of ? t r f a , taHn , a u th y felffor */«* fa** iW »* «k- 
 
 lldlLP? the otic, than detefi the other. Haying therefore firjl thanked Cod for thy happy, and 
 
 ***** the fecund caufe of the difeoveey thereof, fid this 
 fidhty of hisjhall neither be forgot ten-or unrequited. Uin^how tdxm time is to me, fith I, blame 
 envy this fhort Letter of mute , for taking up and ufur ping any part thereof, till I enjoy the b)- 
 nourtofee the e,and the felicity to affi thee . Ircturnit thee Foil by Dicao who brouoht m » ihiup- W 
 my Coach-man tells me, IJhall rather fly than run towards thee. Let thcplecife hou/l bcflrch thl» l? 
 on Sunday night at twelve of the Clod,, when l will await Ip 
 
 °l h l Fath r r * A , rh ' JUr ht the li Z ht °f th y Candl < he rny figlct , and the report of my PM 
 
 ihf 1 he thine. lam throwing away my Pen, were it not tofigmfie thee, that my SmJflull LZa hi 
 
 ANTONIO. 
 
 P‘f° 'i p°^ in 8 t0 Avcro,Antonio his Mafter is preparing to follow him taking (the 
 
 ro c :°w s > L and 
 
 gainft the prefixed hour.She read s h« 2 ‘ l 7^- 3 “ d pr3yS hcr t0 P* e P^ her fel fa- 
 
 looks teftiHe,and her heart prpdaimeth to her th^ht ^ mU n h Py . 3nd Comfort, which hcr 
 a matter which fo deeply imports her wfl-i ! ■ i f S ‘ Ihe will not be flack or backwards in 
 up the chiefeft of her Apparel & Jewels in a fmdl'r L01 ? tenti ^ £ Po a 'l polliblc lecrcty packs 
 that (he were either in Wi f« h the hourt^oute 
 
 vail before Anfdva's eyes, asitis rmpoffible cither for he! rS’ ^ « fubtl1 3 nurt a,ld 
 
 «y thing. But l 0j * fecond treachery is proviScd o c ff d 1 1 , , f Y ^7 to ^civc a. 
 
 TOlic, .owardshc, O^thad 
 
Antonio and Berintbia. 
 
 Hift. vii, 
 
 fiot learn the w^y trom Sat air, or Grace inftruited and dirc&ed her from the impiety 0 t lo foul 
 a fin as the murthering of her own and only Sifter. For the very night that Antonio had pro- 
 niiftd and affigned to fetch Berintbia, as (he had betimes retired herielfto her clumber, un- 
 der colour to go to bed, and ready to put on her night abiliments, incomes Atifilva, fent by 
 her good and kind for rather wicked and cruel) filler, with a fweet Poffet/or rather a deadly 
 poy lem in her hand, in a iilver covered cup)telling her, that her Lady had drunk one half, and 
 lent her the other, it being (as (he afRimedJ very cold and refrefhing for the liver againft the 
 hot nefs oft he weathtr.But Berintbia being lore warned, is aimed by her former danger, yet fte 
 leans joyful thcreof,and fo accepts it, returning her filler Catalina thanks,laying,fhe wil drink 
 it e’re (he <>o to bed ', only (he prays Anfilva hrlt to fetch her Prayer-book, and gloves which in 
 the morn The had left in her Sitters. Chamber. So whiles (lie is wanting, flic privately pours it 
 into a filver baton in her Study,and wafting the cup three.or four feveral times, (he fills feme 
 Aimona milk therein-, and Atifilva being returned, takes the (aid cup, and prays her to tell her 
 Siller that fte drinks it to her health, and withal gives her the good night : and fo likewife 
 doth Anfiha to her. But wnat a good night thought fte in her heart and confcicnce,when fte 
 kne w Berintbia ftouid never lee day more ? So away fte trips to her Lady Catalina, who de- 
 mands her it the bufineis be difpatchcd,and her Siller gone to her reft ? Who replys, fte hath 
 drunk her laftyand is gone to her eternal rcft.But they are both deceived in their malicious A- 
 rithmetick . For, although Catalina extreamly rejoyce in the confident and allured death of 
 her lifter, yet God ordainethjthat their bloody hopes (hall deceive them ; as mark the fequel, 
 
 and you (hail fee how. , „ , • . , 
 
 About an hour after Anfilva s departure, by Berintbia s order and appointment, m wonderful 
 fecret fort in comes Piig# to her Chamber, to await the hour of his Mailers arrival, and to alfift 
 her in her efcape and departure. Berintbia acquaints him with the potion her Sifter Catalina 
 had rio-ht now lent her by Anfilva : he is aftonilhed at this news, as being altered it was poyfon, 
 and humbly prays her to make proof hereof on Catalina s Parrot, which that afternoon fte 
 had brought with her into her Chamber : and fo by her confent Diego takes the Parrot, and 
 with a fpoon forceth iome down its throat : ^Vho poor harmlels bird, immediately (wells and 
 dies before them. They both wonder hereat, and Berintbia at one inftant both grieves and re- 
 ioyccth, grieves at her Sifter Catalina's malice and cruclty,and rejoyceth tor her happy delive- 
 rance : hrlt prailing God as the Author, then thanking Diego as the inftrument thereof : and 
 fo they throw the remainder of the poyfon out at the window,and lay the dead Parrot on the 
 table. And now Berintbia attending and waiting the hour of her happmefs, which is that of her 
 Antonio's arrival, and of her own departure, with as much defire as impatiency , Diego often 
 looking on the hour glafs,and Berintbia a thoufand times on her Watch, So at lalt with a long- 
 in* ]onging-delire,the joylnl hour of twelveis conu,wherein Antonio arrives: he fees the hap- 
 py light of her candle, and fte hears the fweet mulick ot his Piftol, which revivcth and ravilh- 
 eth thefe two Lovers, in the heaven of uuexprdfible joy and content i when all things being 
 hufti’dupin filence, and every perfonof the hou'feioundly llecping, Diego foftly takes up the 
 finall trunk, and Berintbia as fecretly follows him : and lo they wonderful privately Hip into 
 the firft Court, & from thence to the poftern-door of the Garden, where Antonio with a thou- 
 iand kilfes receives her in his arms, having no other light but the luftre of her eyes to light 
 them : for the Mooh, that bright Cynthia , had conlpired and conlented to Berwtbu s efcape, 
 and therefore purpofely withdrawn her brightnefs by hiding and invelopjng her felf m the 
 darknefs of an obfeure cloud .Antonio locking this fweet pme,tbis his dear and fweet Berintbia 
 in his arms, he with the three Gentlemen his friends condudt her to the end ot the nreeti and 
 Vim following them with the Casket, where they all privately and idetuly take Coach, and 
 having opened the City gate with a filver key, away they fpeed for Ehas with all poflible ce- 
 lerityjbut I write with grief, that as thele aftedtions of Antenio and Berintbia begin in )oy, lo 
 ( I fear) they will end in as much forrow and milery. 
 
 Leave we them now in their journey for E/fl<#,ar.d return we to Avero to bloody Catahyia, and 
 wretched Anfilva, who lying remote from Berintbia* s Chamber, could not poftibk hear fo 
 much as the leaft ftepof her defeent & departure^although their malice were fo extream as to 
 write the truth, theyall that night could not tleep for joy that Berintbia was difpatehed;lo they 
 prepare themfelves againft the morn, to hear feme pitiful out-cries in thc houfe for mnthia s 
 J dcath : but feeing it near ten of the Clock, and no rumour nor ftir heard, they both (as they 
 were accuftomcd jwent into her Chamber, thinking to fealt their eyes upon the lamentable ob- 
 iedf of this breathkfs Gentlewoman ; but contrary to their bloody hopes 0 they find the nett, l 
 mean the bed, empty, and Berintbia not dead>ut elcaped and flown away : Only Catalina, in- 
 ftead of her Sifter, finds her own Parrot dead on the table. They are aftonilhed at this new>, 
 andlookfeaifully and defperately each on other. Attfilva for her part proteUs and vows, that 
 
 M 
 
82 
 
 God's Revenge ag a'wft Mori her . Book II. 
 
 fnc taw Berintbia drink the poyfon. But finding Berintbia s f'mall trunk wanting, and kea . g 
 Diego gone, then Catalina knows ior certain, that (he was efcaped, and her FYj°“J8 P ’ K 
 
 reded and prevented.So they give the alarum in the Koufe,and (he goes » 1 . ** f hc 
 
 her Father, Mother, and Brother of her Sifter Berintfoa's flight, but (peaks not a W? rd 
 poyfon, or of the Parrots death.FrW* grieves to lee huofelt robbed of lus daughter and 
 Ltiatto of his Sifter : but when they underltand that Diego was gone with hci ,theu tl y 
 confidently affured,that Antonio hath carried her away, which is conhrmcd them by the 1 or 
 ter of the City, who told them, that ’ewixt twelve and one, a Coach with a Lady,ai d to 
 valiers,ani a Page(drawn by tix horfes) pad tire gate very fwed.ly^^^and his loti bMt 
 ano ftorm at this affront and difgrace,they confult what to do herein : lo tuft they re oh vc 
 fend one to Eto.»,to know, yea or no, whether Berintbia be there with Antoni ■*. 1 he Mel. g 
 fent, returns, and alTuresthcin thereof, asalfo,that Antonio is reared from vas, q * • ~ «• 
 
 his without the walls of the City, where it is reported he keeps the Lady birintbia with muc 
 honour and reipedt Had old Vilanzo had his health and ftrength, he would umielf m per- 
 fon have undertaken this journey ,but being lick of the Gout, he (ends his (on SJtjjfutu to blvx, 
 accompanied with fix relblute Gentlemen, his neer allies, and friends, to draw realou ot 
 tno for this affront and dilgrace \ and fo either by Law,Force, Policy, or Pcriwahon, to bring 
 back Berintbia . Sibaftiano knowing Berintbia to be his Sifter, and Antoni) his former, ancient 
 and intimate friend, with a kind of unwilling willingnefs accepts of this journey; becomes 
 to Elvas, and finds his former intelligence true, he repairs to Antonio's Cattle, accompanied 
 With his fix Aflociates. Antonio admits them all into the firft Court, and oniy two more ot 
 them into the fecondi where he falutcs them kindly, and bids them all welcome to his Cattle. 
 Sebaftiano lays before him the foulnds of his fad, in dealing away his Sitter in that cknddhuc 
 and bafe manner, the fcandal which he hath laid upon her, and conkqucntly on all their fami- 
 ly and blood, tells him that his Father and himfelt are refolvcd to have her again at what price 
 toever,and therefore conjures him by the ldpedt of his own honour, and by the coniideratiou 
 and remembrance of all their former friendfhip,to deliver him his Sitter Berintbia. Antonio an- 
 fwercth fcbajliano, that it was an honourable affedion, and no bafe refped which led him to 
 aflitt his Sitter Berintbia in her flight and efcape: that hc never was nor would be a juft fcandal 
 either to her, her family, or blood, that his malicious Sitter Catalinz was the author and caufc 
 thereof, who by her waiting Gentlewoman Anftha had twice fought to poyfon her: and there- 
 fore, iith he could not deliver her with her own fafety, and his honour and confcieiice, he was 
 refolved to protedher in his Cattle, againtt any whofoever,that fhould feek cither to enforce 
 or offend her. ^ 
 
 . SebajUano is perplexed at this ttrange news, and wondreth at Antonio s refolution : fo do the 
 two Gentlemen with him. Hc defires Antonio that he may fee and (peak with his Sifter Berin - 
 thia *, the which he freely and honourably grants : and io taking him by the hand, they enter 
 the Hall, where berintbia having notice hereof (accompanied with two of Antonio % Sitters) 
 iooncomes, and with chearful countenance advanceth towards her Brother : he falutcs her, 
 and (he hrft him, then the other two Gentlemen her Coufins SebajUano pr ays Antonio , that he 
 may confer a part with his Sitter. Antonio replys, that his Sitter Berintbia s plealure (hail ever 
 be his. She willingly confcnts hereunto, when he taking her by the hand, conduds her to the 
 farthett window, and there (hews her, her difobedience to her f ather, her difhonour to her felf, 
 and grief to her friends, for this her unadvifed and rafh flight, and fo perfwades her to return; 
 and that if (he intend to marry Antonio, this is not the way, but rather a courfe as irregular as 
 fhameful. His Sitter Berintbia deliver him at full the caule of her departure, and very con- 
 ftantly affirms what Antonio had formerly told him of her Sitter Catalina's two fevera! at- 
 tempts to poyfon her by her waiting Gentlewoman Anfilvaj hough with more ample circum- 
 ttance and dilation ; and to tefiifie the truth, Diego is produced, who vows and protefls the 
 fame. SebajUano checks her of folly and cruelty, (hews her, that in fecking to wrong others, (he 
 only wrongs her felf s that in inventing and catting a feigned crime on her Sifter Citalina , (he 
 makes her own confpicuousand true > that (he hath no fafety but in her return ; wheramto 
 with many reafoiis he fecks to perfwadeaud induce her. 
 
 His Sitter Berintbia again anfwcreth him, that there is no fafety for her in Avero^ and that fire 
 cannot expedf greater than (he finds in E has: (he prays him to think charitably and honourab- 
 ly ot her departure, and if ever her Father will love her, (he requefts him not to hate,but to love 
 Antonio^ whole cattle (he finds a San&uary,both for her honour and life i taking God and his 
 Angels, her confluence and foul to witiiefs,that her Sitter Catalina scums: is true,and not fci<>- 
 ned. SebajUano feeing Antonio refolute, and his Sitter wilful and cbttinate, begins to take leave, 
 telling her, that he wil leave her to her folly, that to her fhamc,& her ftvame to her repentance* 
 and fo concludes to go into the City,to reiblvu on what he hath to do, for her good and his 
 
 own 
 
Hi ft. VII. Antonio and Berinthia. 
 
 own honour. Antonio praycs him toxins in his Cattle with his Sitter : but he refufeth it • faith he 
 hath given the firtt breach to their friendship, and his own honour, which he ftiaii repent, if not 
 repair ^ and fo departs. Being come into the City, he confults this bu finds with the Gentlemen, 
 hit aflociates, an^ both himfeif and they are of opinion to fend one poll to acquaint his Father 
 herewith, and fo to crave his pleafure and refolution how he fhall bear himfeif herein. It is ever 
 an excellent point both of Wifdom and Difcreticn, for a Son to fleer his aftions by the compafs 
 of his Father’s commands. His Coufen V illandras undertakes this journey to Avero. Old K//*- 
 rezo is perplexed and grieved at this report, and inftead of comfort, receives more affli&ions : his 
 care, curiofuy, paflion, and grief, feverally examined, firft Catalina then Anfilva, who ( like 
 Tbeevcs in a Fair, or Murtherers in a Forrett ) he finds equally conflant in their denial, being fo 
 devoid of grace, and repleat of impiety, as they confirm and maintain their innocencies with ma- 
 ny bitter oaths and afl’everations : So, he returns V*Ulandras to Elvas with this Letter to his Son Si - 
 bafliano 
 
 VILAREZO to SEBASTIAN O. 
 
 I Commend thy wifdom, as much as I difpraife Antonio*/ refolution , ad grieve at thy Si (lev Bcrifl- 
 thia'i folly and dij obedience . 1 have carefully and curloufly examined the t^o parties , \ehorfo l 
 
 find as innocent as conftant in the true denial of their falfelj ob jetted crimes. I have confuted with 
 JV.inre and Ho our, how herein 1 mil ht be dir etted by the no, and confeqnently, thou by me , fothey 
 fuggefl me t^u advice , and / advife thee this refolution, Either by the Law of the Kingdom, or by that 
 of thy Styord^ with expedition to rttun me my Daugh cr^ thy Sifter Berinthia ; and let not the Orato* 
 ry either of Antonio*/ tongue , or her tears ptrfwade thee to the contrary ; for then as fhe is guilty of our 
 difkoKours, {owe (hall be acc<f ary to hers. Let me under ft and thy proceeding kercir,, and according 
 as occafion [hall prefent, if my fickjtcfs and w afaefs will not Lave me , l not n it h ft an ding will leave A- 
 vero to fee Elyas. i . VILAREZO. 
 
 Whiles Sebaftiano is confuting how to free his Sifter Ber’nthia from the power of Antonio, fpeak 
 we a little of Cotaltn/t, who ( a skilful in fubtilty as malice ) feeing her treachery and bloody in- 
 tents revealed, thinks it now high time to make away and poyfon Anfilva ; grounding her refolution 
 on this maxim, both of policy and ftate, That dead folks do neither harm, nor tell tales. But be- 
 hold here the Jufttce and Providence of God ! fhe who laid fnares for others, muft now be taken in 
 them her fclfia punilhment which the fin of this wretcedGentlewoman finds,becaufe deferved. There 
 is no vice nor malice, , but have their pretexts and colours ; Catalina finds fault with two or three red 
 pimples that Anfilva hath in her face, which fhe will have taken away : She fends for an Emperick, 
 one Pedro Scrmiata, and profereth him one hundred Duckets to poyfon her, which, like a limb of 
 the devil he undertakes, and mfufing poyfon in feme potions, he adminiftreth it her : fhe the very 
 next day dyes: a fit reward and punifhment for fogracclefs and bloody a Gentlewoman, who (as we 
 have formally feen ) made no reigion nor confcience, to attempt two feveral times to poyfon the fair 
 and virtuous Brinthia # 
 
 Whiles this Tragedy is afting at Avero, Sebaftiano begins to aft another in Elvas, but a thoufand 
 times iefs impious, and more honourable : For having received his Father's order by Vttandras, he 
 now tends him into the Cattle, to take Antonio's and Berinthia's laft refolution : he is admitted to 
 them : Vii landras direfts his fpeech firtt to Berinthia , then to Antonio t to whom he relateth his 
 meffage, and Sebaftiano's pleafure. Berinthia returns him this anfwer ; Couzen Villandras, recom- 
 mend me courtcoully to my Brother Sebaftiano, and tell him my firtt arfwer and refolution is, and 
 fhall be my latt. And ( quoth Antontb 3 I pray ye likewife inform him from me, that Berinthia ’s will 
 is my law, and her refolution mine, and that. I will be as careful as willing and ready tolofe my life, in 
 defence and preservation of hers. Villandras returns and acquaints Sebaftiano with this their laft 
 refolutions, from which heallcdgethit is impofliblc for them to be diffwaded or diverted. Sibafttani 
 is beaten vviih two contrary and irrefolute winds, what to do in a bufinefs of this nature, either to re- 
 cover his Sifter by Law, or by Arms : by Law, he holds it a courfe both cowardly and prejudicial ; by 
 Arms he fees he muft kill himfeif or his friend ; to undertake the firtt, would be the laughter of 
 Antonio ; and not to attempt the fecond,the flume of all Portugal and Spain : he therefore prefers ge- 
 erofity before rcafon, and palfion above judgment, and fo rcfolves to fight with ^Antonio; to 
 which end he makes choice of his Couzen VUMndrastoi bis Second, and the next morn fends him to 
 the Cattle with this Challenge. 
 
 SEBASTI ANO to ANTONIO. 
 
 J either return mr Sifter Berinthia to Avero, or lofe my l if here at Elvas, for I had rather dye, 
 than lug to fee her dlfkmur , fitb h rs is mine : neither do l firft infringe or violate the bonds of our 
 
 L 2 fami- 
 
 
 
 
Book 11. 
 
 God's Revenge agdinfi Mur t her. 
 
 rdther tby ftlf,fithtboi* art beth xbc author and caufe hr tof : whirtforetf (»J tbiH»s refolv: 
 in one, either before to morrow miming At fix of the clock, tender me my R ifter Bennthia, or el feat that 
 hour meet nee on foot) with thy Second^ tn the fejtiarc green meadow under thine own C afl /r, where the 
 choice if two [ingle Rapiers [hall await or attend thee. If thou art honourable t thou wilt grant my fir (l . if 
 genet OHS) not deny the found re^efi, 
 
 SEBASTIAN O. 
 
 ^Antonio receives this Challenge, bears it privately from all the World, efpecially from his 
 fwcet Berinthia, who ( poor Lady ) little imagines or fufpcCts her Brother and Lover are ruflimg 
 forth for her fake: He returns this anfvver by Villandras^ that he cannot grant Seiafiiane his 
 firtl requeft, nor will not deny him his fecond. So he chufeth a Couzen-germanc of his, a valiant 
 Young Gentleman, termed Don Bclafco, who willingly and freely engageth himfelf in this quarrel. 
 So he and Villandras that night (with as much friendlhip as fecrecy ; meet in the City, and refolvc 
 on the Rapiers, and other ceremonies requifire in Duds. The morn appears, when our Combatant! 
 leap from their beds to the field ; Where, a little before fix ( being the appointed hour ) all parties 
 appear : the Seconds perform their offices in vifiting the principals, who caft off their doublets and 
 draw, and fotraverfiog their ground, they, with judgment and generofity, fall to their bufinefs ; at 
 the firff clofe, ^Antonio is wounded in the right arm, and Sebafhano in the left fide, which glanced oft 
 a rjb ; at the fecond, Sebaftiano wounds Antonio betwixt the breift and fhoulder, a little above his 
 rig htpap> and hehim clean thrrotv the tadv, of a large and dangerous wound, whence iffueth forth 
 abundance of blood t fo they divide themfel ves and take breath : they again fall to it, and at this third 
 clof ty Sebafliano repayes Antonio with a mournful and fatal intcrcft •, for he runs h'tn thorotv the bo- 
 dy on the left fide a little below the heart * whereof (daggering, he falls, and fo Sebafiiano difpatch- 
 tih him, and nails him to the ground (lark dead. Villandras congratulates with him for his victory, 
 which Sebafiiano with much modefly aferibes to the power and providence of Cod, and not to the 
 weak^efs ot his own arm. Belafco is no way daunted with the misfortune and death of his Principal, 
 but rather like a generous Gentleman, and a valiant Second, refolves to fell it dearly to Villandras . 
 They are not long unfheathit/g of their Rapiers ; for as foon as 'Belafco had covered up ^Antonio 
 with his Cloak, they approach ; at their firft meeting, Belaf o (lightly hurts Villandras in the right 
 flvjulder, and Villandras him thotow the body and reins with a fatal wound, wherewith his fvvord 
 Jell from him, and he to the ground 5 who fearing and prefacing his death, he with a faint language 
 begs his life of Villandras y who, at the fight and hearing hereof, throws awry his own Rapier, and 
 ft oops to affift him. But in vain ; for it is not in his power to give him his life ; for by this time he is 
 dead, and his foul departed to another world. 
 
 This tragical news is foon known and bruited in Eivas } whereof the Criminal Judges of that 
 City remit Sebafiiano with as much eafe as Villandras with difficulty ( in favour cf money and 
 friends) and obtain their pardons. And now the news hereof fife* to Antonio'% Caftle, where his 
 dead boJy and that of Bclafc? arc fpccdily conveyed and brought, to the grief and forrow of all 
 ihofccf the Caftle, whobitterly vveepfor the difafterof their Lord and Matter. But all thefe tears 
 arenothing to ihofe of Antonio* s two Sifters ; nor theirs any thing in comparifon of ttoefe of our fwcet 
 Btrinthia , who is no fooner advertifed hereof, but fhe falls to the ground with forrow, and there 
 wrings her hands, beats her bread, and tears off her hair in fuch mournful and pittifui fort, that cruel- 
 ty her felt could not refrain from tears, to fee the numberlefi infinity of hers; Counfel, advice, 
 perfwafion, cannot perfwade her to give a moderation to her mourning, or limits to her forrows ♦ for 
 they arc fo violent, as their extremity exceeds all cxcefs. She will fee the dead bodycf her dear 
 Antonio ; all thofe of the Caftle are not capable to divert her ey .s from this woful and pitiful ob- 
 at the fight whereof (lie falls to the ground on h:r knees, and gives £0 his brcathlefs body 4 
 thousand kiffes: yea, (lie wafheth his fweet Cheeks with a whole deluge and irundition of her 
 fait tears ; (he cannot fpeak for fighing, nor utter a word for weeping •, only wringing her hands, fhe 
 at laft breathed forth thefe mournful and paflnnate fpeeches : O my dear Antonio , my fweet and dear 
 Antonio, K Antonio % would Go i my death had raofomed and prevented thioc, Omy %Antonio y my 
 
 « Antonio. 
 
 Leave we Bennthla to her paffionatc forrows, and forrcwfnl piffions, from which her 
 Brother Sebafiiano will foon awake her ♦, who bv this time as vi&or and conquerour, is come to 
 the Caftle-gate and demands her, where he fees ’himfelf refufed, and the draw-bridges and ap- 
 proaches drawn up and rampiered with Barricidoes : he craves aid of the Criminal Judges, 
 
 who fend the Puvofi with an armed company of fouldicrs ; fo they force the Caftle-Gate with 
 a Pcttard, where f© r rowful BgAnthia is delivered into the hands of her joyful and fcjoycin» 
 Brother Sebafiiano, who with fweet pcrfwafiois, and advice, feeks to exhale and dry up her tears^: 
 but her aff:dion is fo great, as (he is not capable of confolition. In a word, fhe cannot fork ori 
 her .brother with the eye oj but of revenge and indignation * yea, fhe wifbeth herfcif 
 
 Wctamo 
 
Hi ft. VII. Antonio and Berinthia , 
 
 metamorphofed from a Virgin to a Man, that fhe (fright be icvcrgc d of her Brother for the death 
 cf her dc*r I.ovcr Antonio . Schfiiano leaving the dead bodies of smutU ard Belafco to their braves 
 takes Coach with bis inccnfcd and forrowful Sifter btriniftia* ar.d feleaves Elvas ard ictuirs to- 
 wards A%f9\ where his Father f r ilattx,o, ard h.$ pother Alfhanta Welcome him h< me vvithpraife, 
 and their Daughter Btrinthta with checks and frowns, who ( the beft fl.e may ) (mothers her d:f- 
 contents; but yet vows to be revenged cf her Brother, fer killing the life ©l her joy, ard joy cf 
 her life, Ant cm. But allvcwscf this rature ard quality arc bcuei biokcn thankept; which if 
 Berinthia had had the grace to have ccnfidercd, and made geed ufe cf, dcubtUfs her end had proved 
 more joyful, and net fo fatal and miferable. 
 
 Come we now to Catalina, who feeing the cbje& of her afte&ion, A memo] dead, and her fifle r 
 Strinthi* returned, who, for his fake, was that of her living malice ^ jfbefecretly cc nftfl'eth her fault 
 to her Sitter, in fccking formerly twice to have peyfened her by Anfilva, oaves pardca of her, vow- 
 ing henceforth to convert her malice into affeftion, ard fo reconciles her fclf to her ; wheveunto 
 her Si tier Berinthia willingly condefccndeth. Catalina hath made her peace with her Sifter* but fhe 
 hath not contracted and concluded it with Gcd for Anjilva's death. Earth may forget this Murther, 
 but Heaven will rot. God’s judgments are as juft as iccrct, and as true as wenderful ; for hehath 
 athoufand me3rsto punifh us, when we think our Lives fafeft and furtheft from puniflimem : 
 which our wretched Catalina, and her execrable Emperick Sarmjata fhall fee verified in rhanfclvcs. 
 For the fmoak of this their bloody crime of Murther, hath pierced the Vaults and Windows of 
 Heaven, and is afetnded to the Noftrils of the Lord, who hath now bent his Botv, and made ready 
 his A rrows to revenge and punifh them. The manner is thus : 
 
 A Sifter of Anfilva ’s named Ijabtlla , is to be married in Avero y who invites the Ladies Catalina, 
 and Berinthia to her Wedding. Berinthi a is too forrowful to be fo merry, as defirous rather to go to 
 her own Grave, than to any others Nuptials: fo fhe ftayes at home, only her Sifter Catalina takes 
 Coach, with an intent to accompany the Bride-woman to Church: but fee the Providence and 
 jufticeof God, how it furprizeth and overtakes this wretched Gentlewoman Catalina [ for as fhe 
 was in her way, the Sun is inftantly cclipfcd, and the Skies overcaft, and fo a terrible and fearful 
 Thunder-bolt picrccth her thorow the breaft, and layes her near dead in her Coach ; her Waiting- 
 maids and Coach-man having no hurt, are yet amazed at this ftrarge and difmal accident; fothey 
 they think it fit to return. Catalina is for a time fpeechlefs, her Parents are as it were dead with grief 
 and forrow herear, fhe is committed to her bed, and fearched, and all her Body above her Waftc a 
 is found coal-black: the beft Phyjicians and Chirurgians are Cent for, they fee her death-ftrucken 
 with that Planet, and therefore ad judg their skill but vain : her ftrength and fenfts fall from her, 
 which Catalina having the happinefi to perceive, and grace to feel, will no longer be fee need with 
 the Devil’s temptations. The Divines prepare her fcul for Heaven, and new flie will no longer 
 diffembte with man or God * fhe will not charge her confcience with fo foul a crin c Murther, the 
 which the knows will prove a ftop to the fruition cf her felicity. She ccnftffech, fli: twice pro- 
 cured her Waiting-Gentlewoman Anfilva to poyfon her Sifter Berinthia ; and fince that, /he hath 
 given S arm} at a one hundred Duckets to poyfon thefaid Anfilva , which he performed ; and where- 
 of, (he humbly begs pardon of all the world, and rcligiouflv of God, whom /he bcfcccheth to be 
 merciful to her foul : and fo, though fhe lived prophanely and impioi fly, yet fhe died repentantly 
 and religioufly. Vilarez,o and Alphanta , her eld Parents, grieve and ftorm at her deaths but more 
 extreamly it the manner thereof, and efpeciallv at the confe/fion of her bloc dy crimes, as well for- 
 wards living Berinthia , as dead Anfilva, onely their Daughter Berintbia is filent hereat ; glad that 
 fhe is freed of an enemy; forrowful, to have loft a Sifter: they are infinitely vexed to pub- 
 lifh their Daughter Catalina *s crimes, yet they are inforced to it, that thereby, this Sarmiat * 
 this Agent of Hell, may receive condigne Punilhment for his bloody offence here on Earth. 
 So they acquaint the Criminal -Judges hereof, who decree, Order, and Prepare for hisapprehen- 
 iion. Sarmiata is Revelling and Fcafting at Ifabella's Wedding, to which he is appointed and 
 requefted to furnifti the Sweetmeats for the Banquets ; but he little thinks what foure faurc 
 there is providing for him. We are never nearer Danger, than, when we think cur felves furtheft 
 from it : and although his finful fecurity was fuch, as the Devil hid made him forget his 
 Murther of nAnfilva, yet God will, and doth remember it ; and lo, here comes his ftorm, here 
 his ipprehenfion, and prcfently his punifhment. By this time the news of Catalina's fudden 
 Death ( but not of her fecret confeffion ) ispublifhed in t Avert, and arrived at the Bride-houfe 
 which gives both lftonifhment and grief to all the World, but efpecially to Sarmiata, wnofc 
 Heart and Confcience now rings him many thundring Peals of Fear, Terrour, and Defpair: his 
 Bloody Thoughts purfue him like fo many Blood- Hounds, and becaufe he hath forfaken God, 
 therefore the Devil will not forfake him ; he counfeileth him to flye, and to provide for his fafe- 
 ijs hut vtuf fofety fo unfccuic* fo dangerous, or preferable for a Ghriftian, as to throw himfelf 
 
 L $ iato 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther, _ Loo k 1L 
 
 into the Div.li protcdi6 P ? S*rm«* -herd* fearing that had PJ^'lfitk 
 
 ***{'h*> v ' r V C«cctly (teals a*v»y h.s f °«' P JZ L of God's province finds 
 
 rt hoom 0 to cfcapc, but he is deceived of his hopes-, forme eye or vjcu y 
 rc, nopm 10 Cl ^pc» uu annreheod tubl as he lfiueth forth, and 
 
 Court, 
 
 him out The houlctibdeasured lor him bv Officers, who apprehend him j 
 
 to dii- him dote Wfe«. I.d.&nxg >1" Mg?. *^JS?Z£’Z!SE 
 
 of Atiflva, and the receit of one hundred Duckets to effed it, from ' > Imprecations • 
 Death coofeffed. He adds fin to fin and denies wtth many impious Oaths, and ^ lm{«c*‘om 
 but they avail him nothing : hi. Judges ienfure b rr .to the Rack, where, upon the 
 confefleth it, but with lo Jacelcfs an impudcrcy, as he rather rejoyceth, than gr.evs hereat ; where 
 we may obfcrvc.how ftrcngly the Devil (tick, to h,m,and how clofely he is bewitched to the Dcvd 
 So for reparation of this foul crime ot his, he is condemned to be Hanged, which the nex morn 
 ^StZltlgh. «/-«. hi, Houle, ..the G*«pur«fel, « .* 
 
 than all the [elf, »tb«letri V.lh.n Inaed ptophtnelv, 
 
 ont repenting his bloodv or imploring pardon or mercy of God for the lam.. O m.ferab.e ex 
 am 'le i O fearful end 1 O bloody and d mnablemiicreant! WehavifeentheTneater ot thisHillo- 
 rv Jored vv ih great variety of blood, the mournful and lamentable fpeftacle whereof ts capable to 
 make any Chr-fiiaft heart relent intopitty, companion, and tears. Bur this is not all, wcfliall yet fee 
 more, noC that it any way increafeth our terrours, but rather our confolatioo, nth thereby we may ob- 
 fervetbat Murther comes from Satan, and its punihtmnt from God. 
 
 Cat*hn*'$ conftflion and death is not capable to deface and wafh away Bennthi* s malice and re- 
 vets*; to her brother Sehfliano, for killing of her dear and f wee: Love Ocher Tragedies are 
 
 paft* but this ti yet not a&:d, but to come : Lo, now at laft ( though indeed too too loon y it comes 
 
 ° n The^emernhr ance of Antonio and his affaaions is ftill frefh in her youthful thou hts and comem- 
 plations • yea, his dead Idea is alwayes prefent and living in heart and breaft : true, Sifofhand 
 
 is her Brother ; 'cis as true, (he faith, that if he had not killed Antonio , Antonio n ad been her Husbaud. 
 A^a : n fhe confidereth, that as life prelerved hers from de ;th, lo her life hath been the 
 
 ciufeof his: and as he loft his life for her fake, whv fhculd not fhe likevyife leave hers for his ? or 
 rather, why druid fhe perm r him to live, who hath bereaved her of him ? Burh<rr living 
 Atfeaion to her dead Friend is fo violent, and wit ball fo prejudicate and revengeful, as (he 
 neither can, nor will he her Brother, who killed him, but with m dice and indignation. In- 
 dead of confuting with Nature ard Grace, fhe only c nverfeth with cholier and paffion ^ yea, (lie 
 is fo miierably tranfported in her rage, snd withall fooutragioufly wilful in her reColution, that fhe 
 (huts the door of her heart to the two former virtues to whom fhe hould open it, and epenethit to 
 the two litter vices, againft whom (he h uld (hut it. A m fery equally ominous and fatal, where 
 Reafon is not the chief Miflrefsof our Pafli ms, and Religion theQ^eenof our Reafoo. She 
 fees this Woody attempt of hers, wbercinto fhe is upon entring, is both finful and impious ; and yet 
 her Faith is fo weak towards GOD, and the Devil is fo ftrong • with her, a9 fhe is cooftant to 
 advarnce , and refolute not to retire therein. Oh that Btrlhtbiss former Virtues fhould 
 be di (graced withfofcula Vice! and Oh that a face fo fweetly fair, fhould be accompanied and 
 linked with a heart fo cruelly barbarous, fo bloodily inhuman ! for, what can fhe hope from this at- 
 tempt in killing her Brother, but likewifeto ruin her felf? nay, had fhe had any fparkof Wit and 
 Grace left her, fhe fhould confider, that for this foul offence her body ftiall receive punifhmCnt in 
 tHis World, and her foul, without repentance, in that to come : but (he cannot ere& her eyes to 
 Heaven ; the is all feton revenge ; fo the Devil hath plotted the Murther of her Brother Sehaftian^ 
 dr d he, like-a moft wretched and inhuman Sifter, will fpeedily add it. The manner i $ thus, ( the 
 which I cannot remember without grief, nor pen without tears) She provide her felf of along 
 and fharpnif,K the which, feme ten da ves after the death of her Sifter Cataiin*, betwixt four and 
 five of the Clock in the morning, he hides in one of her fleeves, and, the better to cover and over- 
 veil her villaoy, (Tie in the fame hand takes her Lute, and fo enters her Brother's Chamber, and finds 
 him deeping, being a pretty way d*ftant from hers, and his Pa^e Pblllppo in a lower Chamber under 
 him, refolving that if fhe had found him waking, he would pi iy on her \ u<e, and firm, (he dame to 
 give him the good morrow. But Sehnftian) his fortune, or rather hi ? misfortune was fiifch,-thathe 
 was then foundly deeping, wifttout dreaming, or once thinking whac fhould befall him, when 
 this wretched and execrable Sifter BtrinthU, ftalkes clofe to him, and layrw her Lutefoftly on 
 the Window, draws out her Deviliih Knif forth her deeve, and as a She-D^v l incarnate, 
 cuts his Throat, to the end he might neither cry, nor fpeak;*and fo, that with a Female- Hand, 
 yet with a Mafculine Ccurge, he ( with as much Malice as Hafte ' gives him feven f v*ral wounds 
 thorough the body, and as rear the heart as he could ; whereof he twice turning bimfidf in his bed, 
 never fprawled more ; and then taking up her Lute, md leaving him reaking in.his- own blood,- fhe 
 after this her moft heliifh fatf, hies her felf to her Chamber. 
 
 This 
 
Hilt. VII. 
 
 Antonio and \ Berintbia . 
 
 This cruel murther fi not fo clofely perpetrated and adcd, but Philipp*, S'laflUo\ Pi ., e hcarS ~ 
 r °me atraordinary Ilirnng and rtruggl.og to his Maft«*« Chamber, and io leaps ow o^hUlS? 
 and taking his Cloak on his Shoulders, end hi. Rapier in his hand, he afeends the Hairs “S 
 Bmmh* hath not made fo great fpeed but he fees her entring her Chatn'oer and throwing herd" 
 after her ; whence running to h, ; Mailers Chamber, he finds the door open, aodhisMdier 3 
 cruelly murthered in his Bed, of eight feveral Wcunds, at which bloody and lament. ble f r 3 
 he makes many bitter and pitiful ou -cryes whereatall the Houle i, m Allarum, andth folks and 
 fervants repair thither of all fades By this time BcrimbU hath fhifred her outward Taff.ta 
 Cown, lprmkled all with blood, and wrap; her bloody Knife clofe in it, and for the more fecrefi : 
 throws , unto her Ctofe-ftool, and fo waits the coming up of hit Father and Mother, whom Me 
 mournful echo and forrowful news of their Son Scb*jli*„*h cruel Mrrther, had with an Oce- 
 an of tears wafted to hts Cnamber, with whom Her »thi* hkewife, all blubber’d with Tc^ 
 
 f nt T- V m lf a ? h ‘ li “ ht i° f c' this bloody and breathlef, Corps, and wringing thdr’ 
 
 hands. Father, Mother, Daughter, and Seryants look one on ano, her in this calamity, andatthis 
 forrowful dtfafter They fearch every Chamber, Vault, and Door of the Houfe, and find no 
 body, nor print of drops of Rood whatsoever , then Philipp* the Page eyes out/ tint he fears 
 it is the Lady Benntbia, who hacn murthered her Brother, and his Matter Scb*flia„ H for that h- 
 faw her flying to her Chamber as he amended the Stairs. Vil*re M and ^lph*nt* ins Wife ar- 
 douWy amazed at this report, but gracelefs Bninthi* is no way daunted or aifonilhed hereat but 
 afh-ms ttiehkew'fe heard tome Ihrnog in her Brother’s Chamber, which made her arife and come 
 
 10 f C r? lt ’k CJ ’ tk S ‘ C 13° Pb,1, P? t > ft- being in her Night- Attire, Modcfty made her retire 
 to her Chamber. They all beleeve the Sugar of her words, and the circumifance of her e xcufe - 
 yet they will not proclaim her tnnocency till they have fearched her Chamber and all her Trunks’ 
 where they find no Kmfe, St.lletto, Dagger, or any offenfive Weapon , and fo her Father and 
 Mother acquit her ; but ^^wdlnot Notwtthftandmg they mull advertife the Criminal Judges 
 of this lamentable and bloody Murther of their Son, wh,ch they do. So they art Re, v . fit the 
 and caufe all the houfe to be fearched ■, but as lo an as they heard 'Philip 0 ‘s Speeches, 
 andfufpmonof Bcr^he* then conf, dering her affeiVon to and her Brother sJafiiaA 
 
 killing of him at Eh,*,, tney attribute this to be her faff, as proceeding from palfionate revenge • 
 when the Tequel and circumstances thereof being apparent in them' elves, they not regarding her 
 Father 5 prayers, her Mother s reauefts, and her oiVn tears, feize on her, and fo fend and commit her 
 dole Pnfoncr : where, wretched Gentlewoman, (he hath a whole night left and given her, to fee and 
 confider the foulnefsof the fad, and to prepare her felf to her anfwer:which whether it will breed in 
 her confeflion or deny al, obftinacy or repentance, as yet I know nor. So from her imprifonment 
 come we to her anfwcr. r 
 
 ±4vcro t mg^vith the news of this foul and bloody Murther. All bewails, all lament the # 
 death of Sebajtiano, as a Gentleman who was truly noble, truly generous : but his Father ^Jare- 
 *;*> and , Mother ^Iphdnta feem to drown themfelvcs in their Tears, at thefe mournful acci- 
 dents, ftrange erodes, and unheard-of affl aions of theirs. For though they will not believe, 
 yet they deeply fear, that their Daughter BtrUtbid was the Murtherer of her Brother Sebd/lUno'. 
 And as affeaion feem* to divert them from this opinion, foreafon endeavours th to prrfwade and 
 confirm them in the contrary. The next morning the Judges fit, and fend for BerinthU , who comes 
 accompanied with her Parents, and many of her Kimfolks . they again examine her, and confront 
 her with PhiUppo) (he is firm in her denial, and her Judges find circnm dances, but no probabili- 
 ty nor witnefs againft her, fufficient to c )nvid her of this crime ; y.t direded by the finder of God 
 they condemn her to the Rack. O/ieof her Judges pitying her defeent, youth, and beauty, as much 
 ashedeteds this bio dy Murther, iotreats that her Chamber maybefird curioufly fearched, e*rc 
 ihe wore expofed to the Rack. This advice and requeft is heard and followed with approbation He 
 and two other Officers, accompanied with fome of her Friends, repair to Vifctz* bis Houfe and 
 Mtrmtbid her Chamber ; they leave no place. Trunk, Cheft, or Box unfcarched : yea,thcir Curi- 
 efry, or to fay truer, their zeal and fidelity to Judice defeends fo low, as to vific her Clofe-ft:ok 
 which, for want of the Key, they break open; and behold the Providence and Judice of' God! 
 here they hnd Bermbifs bloody Gown, and therein very clofely wrapt up that hellirti Knif, where- 
 with ini perpetrated nis inhumane Murther on her only Brother, They praife and glorific 
 God for the difeovery hereof, and fo return to their Tribunal of Judice, bringing thefe bloody 
 Evidences with them, which Berintbia might all this while have removed, if God, to his °lo- 
 ry, and her marne, had not all this time purpofely blinded the eyes of her Judgment to the 
 contrary. Ac the fight hereof, (he without any Torment, confeffeth the Murther, and with 
 many Tears repents her lclf of it, adding witball, that her affedion to Antmo led her to this 
 revenge on her Brother t and therefore befeceheth her Judges to have compaffion on her youth.* 
 
 Btrc 
 
God's Revenue aqainfi Murther . 
 
 Book li 
 
 $s me vjttiHmJs ^ ^ ^ ^ v 4 i • * 1 rf' * j l • — 
 
 could never have power either to Wipe off, or wafh 'avyay ; which to prevent, Vi ;«««,» and bis 
 Wife « ule all their friends and mo r, 1 powers, r wirds the Judges, to convert their Daugh- 
 
 ter’s Sentence into a 1< fs fhamsful, and more honourable death; So although the Gallows be e- 
 refted Beriutki* prepared to dye, and a world of pe pie, yea, in a manner, the whole people of 
 Avtro concur'd and feated to fee her now take her lafi f.trewel of the world; yet the : importuna cy 
 and tnifery of her Parent?, her own detent, youth, and beauty, as alfo her endeared affection and 
 fervent love to her Lover Antonio, at lafi obtain companion and favour of her Judge*. So they 
 revoke and change their former decree, and fweeten the vigour thereof with one more honourable and 
 mild, and lefs (harp, bitter, and fhameful , and definitively ad judg her to be immured up betwixt 
 two Walls, and there with a Header Dyet, to end the remainder of her dayes. And this Sentence 
 is fpeedily put in execution ; whereat her Parents, Friends', and Acquaintance, yea, all that knew 
 her, very bitterly grieve and lament ; and far the more, in refpoft they cannot be permitted to fee 
 or vifit her, or fhe them ; only the Phyficians and Divines have admittance and accefs to her, thofe 
 to provide earthly Phyfick for her body, and thefe fpiritual for her foal. And in this lamentable eftate 
 {he is very penitent and repentant for all her fin* in general, and for this her vile Murther of her 
 Brother in particular : yea, a little imprifonment, or rather the Spirit of GOD, hath opened the 
 eyes of her Faith, who now defying the Devil, who had feduced and drawn her hereunto ; Hie 
 makes alfo her peace with GOD, and affures her felf, that her true repentance hath made hers with 
 him. So unaccuftomedtobe pent up infoftraight and dark a Mew, the yellow Jaundies, and a 
 burning Feaver furprize her : and fo fhe ends her miferable dayes. 
 
 to, thefe arc the bitter fruits of Revenge and Murther, which the undertakers ( by the juft judg- 
 ment of God ) are inforced to tafte and fwallow down, when io the heat of their youth, and height 
 of their impiety, they leali dream or think thereof ; by the fight of which great Effufion of blood, 
 yea, by all thefe varieties of mournful and fatal accidents, if we will divorce our thoughts from 
 Hell to Earth, and wed our contemplations and affe&ions from Earth to Heaven we (hall then, 
 as true ChriHians, and fons of the eternal God, run the race of our mortality in peace in this 
 World, and confequently be rewarded with a glorious Crown of Immortal Felicity in that to 
 come. 
 
 GOD'S 
 
1. linnet (l a n, 
 
 St a u rt oTrT^vTtvsT^jfTi 
 
 Jienm 
 
 Eelluilft' fair Jihjriylsa art eta. jjtJbh B H ut UejBel it rile feu n d infCeUafjL a un at cl AjireJiendtfL /x atiriefithanj vlumt 
 
 Hid VIII. 
 
 The Triumphs of God’s Revenge againft the Crying 
 and Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 history VIII. 
 
 Belluile trcacbcroufly murtheretb Poligny in tbeftreet . Laurieta Poligny V Mijlrefs , betrayetb Bel- 
 Juile to her Chamber , and there in revenge Jboots him tborow the body with a Pijlol> when ajftjied by 
 her waiting-maid Lucilla ,they likgwifcgive him many wounds with a Ponyard, and Jo murther him . 
 Lucilla flying for tbit f aft, is drowned in a Lafaand Laurieta is taken, banged, and burnt for the 
 fame . 
 
 I T is an infallible Maxim, That if we open our hearts to Sin, we (hut them to Godlinels i 
 for as loon as we follow Satan, God flies from us, bccaufe we firfl fled from him ; but that 
 his mercy may (bine in our ingratitude, he by his Servants, his holy Spirit, and himfdf, leeks 
 all means to reclaim us, as well from the vanity of our thoughts, as Irom the prophanenef% 
 and impurity of our adions : But if we become obflinate and obdurate in our tranfgreffions, 
 and (o like Heathens fall from Vice to Vice ; whereas we (hould as Chriftians, grow up from 
 Virtue to Virtue ; then it is not he, but our felves that make both (hipwrack of our felves and 
 fouls; of our felves in this life, of our fouls in that to come; than which no mifery can be fo 
 great, none fo unfortunate andmiferable.lt is true,the bed of God’s Children are fubjed to fm> 
 but to delight and perfevere therei»,is the true way as well to hell as death. All have not the 
 gift of pure & chalk thoughts, neither can we fo conferve or findifie our bodies,but that con- 
 cupiscence may & will fometimes aifail us ( or rather the devil in it ;^but to pollute them with 
 fornication,, and to transform them from the Temples of the Holy Ghoft,to the members of a 
 Harlot; this,though corrupt Nature feem to allow or tolerate, yet Grace doth not only deny, 
 but detefl. But as one fin is feldom without another, either at its heels or elbow, (o too too 
 often it falls out, that Murther accompanieth Fornication and Adultery ; as if one of thefe 
 toul crimes were not enough to make us rmferabk,but that inftead of going.we will needs ride 
 pofl to hell. A wo ful Precedent, and lamentable and mournful Example whereof,! here pro. 
 
 N ducc 
 
c?o 
 
 God’s Revenge ngainjl Mnrlher. 
 
 Book II. 
 
 duce to the view of the world, in three unfortunate perfonages, in a lafcivicus Lady, and two 
 leud and debaucht young Gentlemen, who all very lamentably calt themfdves away upon the 
 Scylh of Fornication, and the Cbiryhdit of Murther s for they round the ifuits and end of their 
 beaftjy pleafures tar more bitter than their beginning was t weet : yea, and bccaafe at firfl they 
 would not look on repentance, at lad flume looks on them, and they, when it is too late, both 
 on a miferable flume, and a fliameful mifery. May we all read it to God’s glory, and 
 conlequently to the reformation of our lives, and the confolation and falvation ot our own 
 
 ^In* the beautiful City of Avlgnion (feated in the Kingdom of France^ and in the Province 
 of Provence) being the Capital of the Dutchy ot VcniJJj, belonging to the Pope, and wherein 
 for the term of well near eighty years, they held their Pontifical See,there dwelt a young Gen- 
 tlewoman of fome twenty years of agc,tcrmed Madam yfelle Lanricta^w hole father and Mo- 
 ther being dead, was left alone to her felt, their only Child and Heir, b Jng richer in Beauty 
 than Lands, and endued with many excellent qualities and perfections, which gave grace and 
 luflie to her beauty, as her beauty did to them : for, flic fpuke the Latin and Italian Tongues 
 perfect, was very expert and excellent in tinging, dancihg,muiick,paiiiting,and the like, which, 
 made her famous in that City. But as there needs but one Vice to eclipie and drown many Vir- 
 tues-, fo this fair LawiilA was more beautiful than chalW, and not half to model! as hfeivi- 
 ous.lt is as great happinefs for Children to in joy their Parents, as a mifery to want chcin:for 
 Lanrictas Father and Mother had been infinitely careful and curious to train her up in the 
 School of Virtue and Piety, wherein her youth had fduiingthe term of their Jives j made a 
 happy entrance, and as I may fay, a fortunate and glorious progreflion. But when God, the 
 great Moderator, and ibveraign Judg of the World, had in his eternal Decree and facred Pro- 
 vidence, taken them out of this world, then Laurieta was left to the wide world, and to the 
 vanity thereof, without guide or govcrnour,expofed to the variety of the Fortunes, or rather 
 the misfortunes of the times, as a Ship without a Pilot or Helm,lubjc& to the mercy of every 
 mercilefs w inland wave of the Sea : yea, and then it was, that (he forgot her former modelty 
 and chaflity, and now began to adore the Shrines of Venus and Cufid^ by polluting and profli- 
 tuting her body to the beaflly pleafures ot Lufl and Fornication, wherein ( it grievs me" to re- 
 late) Ihe took a great delight and felicity. But fhe (hall pay dear for this bitter-fweet Vice of 
 hers-, yea, and though it lean to begin m content and pleafure, yet we fhall afluredly lee it 
 end in foame, repentance, and mifery : For, this fin of Whoredom betrays when it feems to 
 delight us, and flrangleth, whenit maketh greatefl foew to imbrace us : fo fweer and pure 
 Virtues are Modelty and Chaflity *, fo foul and fatal Vices, are Concupilcence and Lufl. But 
 he with whom (he was molt familiar, and to whom flie imparted the greatefl part of her 
 favours, was to one Monnfieur dc Bclluile , a proper young Gentleman, dwelling near the 
 City of Arles , by birth and extraction, Noble, but otherwife more rich than wife ; who 
 coming to Avignion^ nofooner law Lauricta, but he both gloried in the fight of her fin- 
 gular,and triumphed in the contemplation of her exquilite and incomparable beauty,making 
 that his belt content, and this his fweeteft felicity, that, his foveraign good * and this, his hca^ 
 ven upon earth : fo as lofing himfelf in the Labyrinthof her beauty, and as it were drowning 
 his thoughts in the Sea of his Concupilcence and Senfuality, he (pends not only his whole 
 time, but a great part of his wealth in wantonizing and entertaining her : a vicious and foul 
 fault, not only peculiar to Belhtilc , but incident and fatal to too many Gallants as well of moft 
 parts of Chriflendom in general, as of France in particular i it being indeed a difaflerous 
 and dangerous Rock, whereon many inconliderate and wretched Gentlemen have Offer- 
 ed Shipwrack, not only of their reputations, healths, and ellates, but many times of their 
 lives. 
 
 In the mean time Laurieta ( more Jealous of her fame, than careful to preferve her chaflity) 
 is advcrtifed,that Bclluile is not content to cull the dainties of her beauty and youth, but he 
 forgets himfelf and his dilcretion fo far, as to vaunt thereof, by letting fall fome fpecches ten- 
 ding to the blemifo and difparagement of her honour : fo,as vain and lafeivious as fhe is yet 
 the touchingof this flring,affords her harfh and diflafteful melody ; For, foe will feek to cover 
 her foame by her hypoerifle, and fo refolves to make him know the foulnds of his offence in 
 that of his bafenefsand mgratitude.To which end, at her rirft interview and meeting of him 
 ftie not only checks him for it,but forbids, and banifheth him her company : which indeed had 
 been a juft caule and opportunity for him to have converted his lufl into chaflity, and his folly 
 into repentance. But he is too diffolute and vicious, to befo happily reclaimed from Laurie 1 1 
 and therefore he is refo!vcd,not onely to juflifie hisinnocency, but thereby alfo to peril vere 
 in his fin : He is acquainted with many Gentlemen, who forgetting themfelves, conceive a 
 felicity and glory, to ere# the Trophees of their vanities upon the difparagement of Lad i 3 
 
 honours; 
 
Hift. VIII. 
 
 ! Belluile and Laurieta. 
 
 honours : yea, he ieems fo far from being guilty of this erroi.r Z. I 71 7 
 
 demns others in being guilty or accefTary thereunto, So, although his Miftrefe L ^ C °' U 
 main Bill coy, llrange, and haggard to him, yet he perfevereth in his ! L ' etl T f' 
 
 at laft, adjudging ot his innocency by his confiancy and of ilvir I „ i, - ^ 7” t0 : W * 1D 
 
 cmmn.TIm il ever after lire herd of Iris folly and ingra.irud J„ tin ’ k“dfSe"w”Se“T 
 look him m the ace, except with contempt and detection. So theft their dif- ov r d 
 aflv£hons,as well by oaths as protelhtions, are again confirmed and cemented •, but ucK- 
 fulcontradts, and lafemous familiarities andiympath.es, feldom or never make prosperous 
 
 Now to give form arid life to this Hiftory i Not lent: after a hrav* vnnnn c 
 
 Mmf Mcr, named MounfmrJe Poligny, having fome occaiion, comes to Avigniol, who frequen- 
 ting their Bubhck Balls or Dancings, nofooncr fawour fair and beautiful Wirt,, but he 
 falls m fcvc with her and falutes, and courts her : and from thencetorth deems h r fo fair 
 as he ufeth dll means to become her fervant, but not in the way of Honour and Marriage, ra- 
 ther with a purpofe to make her h.s Courtezan than his Wife. But he fees himfelt decei ved ,,i 
 the irregular pillion of his afFcdhon : for. Untie t a is averft, and will „ ot be either tradable 
 
 ° f hlsdefirCS 7? ) ashlS fuit “ * ain >and (he fodeaf to his rc-quefts,as neither hispray- 
 
 erSjfag is, ctters,nor piefents,are capable to purch.de her {mous. Poligny infinitely grieves here- 
 a which notwithlianding makes the flame of his Lull rather increafe than diminiih : foa* 
 after much pcnhvcnefs, he begins to beat his wits, and to awaken his invention, how he 
 
 may Crown h.s def.res by enjoying Laurieta, when loe,an occaiion prefenteth it felf unco him 
 unexpected. 
 
 . M,da ™0 e btahijiere, a rich young Gentlewoman near Pont Saint E/am, living in Avk- 
 nion, and feeing Pohgny at the Dancing, doth exceedingly fall i„ love with him •, L, fhefo 
 admires the fw eetnefs of his favour, and the excellency of his perfonage,as fhe reioyceth in no- 
 
 rn J 2, Wn£e , t , h u trUth, ‘ n n ° thing elfe but in h ' s «m P my : fo as, had nor mo- 
 defty with- he d her, (he would have proved her own Advocate, and have informed him there- 
 of her felf. Pohgny receives fo many fecret fignes and teflimouies of-her affedion by private 
 glances, and the like as lie cannot be ignorant (Hereof: but his love or rather his lull to Laurieta 
 hath fo absolutely taken up his heart and thoughts, as it hath left no placcnor corner for U 
 Fata/Jtere , fo as here we may obferve and remark a different commixture, and difparity of af- 
 fedwns. Pohgny loves Laurieta and not fhe him i L Pahifiere afleds Poligny, and apt he her: 
 what thefc paflions and bccurrences will produce, we dull fhortly fee. 
 
 Li Palaijicre having her heart pierced thorow with the love of Poligny, knowing him to be 
 Laurietas fervant, and fliethe Miflrefs.of Belluile-, cither out of her affection, or jealoulie, or 
 b 5f? CS t int meet mg to acquaint Poligny with ,t, thereby purpofely to Withdraw his 
 afledions from her to her felf The occaiion is profcred,and opportunity ferns to favour and 
 
 p C n°d JntK n.', hrK days after ’ the Suites fwho as the Mountebanks and 
 
 Pj 5, P Kingdmns and E fates, leave no Invention, nor Ceremony unattempted, to leduce 
 and bewitch the affeW of the world, caufe their Scholars to Ad a Comedy in their Col- 
 kdg in tais City, whereat all the Nobility and Gentry ot the City and adjacent Country, a P 
 minble and meet. Thither comes Pohgny, hoping to £ tt Laurieta, and La Palaiftcre to fee 
 
 ‘i' ! y ■ “ ut Laurtcta that day was fick, and Belluile flays with her to comfort her. So flrft 
 comes Pohgny and feeing he could not lee his Laurieta, ’ fits down penflvely : then comes Lt 
 Palatfu re, and feeing Poligny a tar oil i prays her Brother, who' conduded her, to place 
 her near him Pohgny can do no Ids than falute her, and fhe triumphing iir her good f or- 
 time, takes the advantage ot this occaiion, and in fwcet and fugred terms, after many paufes, 
 CghMnd b ufhes) gives him to undcr(land,that fhe knew hisaflcdiou to Laurieta, and with- 
 all that belluile and no other was her fervant and favourite.This fpeech of hers Arikes Poligny 
 to the qujck fo as threat he not only bites the lip, but hangs his head : yea, this unexpected 
 news, as alio Sellmle an d Laurieta’ s abfencc,fo nettle him, and frame fuch a Chym.ra of extrava- 
 gant pillions in his heart & thoughts, as he could not have the patience to fit out the Comedy, 
 nit feigning Si im felf lick, departs to ins chamber; where a thou land jealoulies,engendred of his 
 affection, perplexed and tormented him, when remembring'/a Palaifitre's lpeeches,and beiiv> 
 infinitely defirous to know the truthof Belluile his alfediou toLaurkta , and herstohim, lie 
 r CS -!» 10 mc ? ns ’ 11( . )r P cr /^ n t0 *ev.eal the fame, as Lucil Liurhtf s VVaiting-maid. This 
 Lucui^ Poligny wins with Gold; in conlideration whereof; fhe reveals him all, how Belluile 
 was her chi.tdl Minion and favourite-, and yet,forfome words, he the other clay, in ignorance 
 
 N 2 os 
 
But Poligny thinking every hour a year, before he had plaid his prize, ma'kes a party at Tennis 
 with Beil/ile for a Collation, and beats him i and fo taking two Gentlemen, La Fontaiti and ho - 
 relies, his friends with them, away they go all four to a Tavern, Poligny -as .fccret as malicious m 
 this plot, in the midtt of their mirth fpeaks thus to Bellnik, Sir, quothh^I am forry for your 
 lols of this Collation, but if it pleafe you to honour me with your company to Orenge, a City 
 which 1 much delire to fee,l will pay you the dinner in requital thereof Belluile verily readily 
 and willingly conlentshcreimto,aiid La Fontain and Borelks vow they will likewifc have their 
 {hare, both of .the Journey and Dinner; So the next morn they all take horfe lor Orcnga, but 
 lirll Bchiile gives his Miltrds Laurieta the good morrow, and acquaints Her with his Journey. 
 They view this old City, the ancient Patrimony and Principality of the Ulultrious Princes of 
 Orenge, from whence they derive their name : where 'Poligny having given order for the Din- 
 ner, away they go, vifit the Cable, and falutc the deputed Governotfr thereof Mounfiatr V of~ 
 berehe they lee the part of the Amphitheater yet banding, the Cathedral Church, the double 
 Wall of the City, and the old R oman Arch not far oif, with all orher remarkable objects 
 and monuments and by this time the Cook and their ftomacks tax them of their long bay. 
 So they return to their Inn, fall to their Viands, and like frolick Gentlemen, wadi them down 
 with bore of Claret j and now Poligny , as malicious in heart, as plcafant in Countenance and 
 converfation, here cabs forth his lure and blare to furprize and in tangle Belluile. O quoth he, 
 how happy the Gentlemen of Italy are to us of France, iith after dinner ’every one goes freely 
 to his Courtizan without controulment ! I know not, quoth La Vontain , what Orenge is * but 
 I think Avignion is not dellitute of goodTellow-Wenches, who make V am tfreir queen, and 
 Cupid their god. Surely >10, replies Belhiili^ibr I am confident, that tor Jews and Courtizans, for 
 the greatnefsof it, it may compare with the beb City of Italy *, for, from the Lady to the 
 Kitchin-maid,I dare fay,they’i all prove tradable. Nay, quoth Bcrelles , except bill our holy 
 Sillers the Nuns. Not I faith, quoth he, nor my Mibrefs neither. Indeed, replies Pdligny , if I 
 knew you had a Mibrefs of that complexion, I would adventure a Giafs of Claret to her 
 health. When Belluile (out of a Phantabick French humour ) affirmed he had a Mibrefs, whofe 
 beauty was fo excellent, as he knew he could not receive fliame to name hen and if you 
 pleafe to honour her felf and me with her health, I proclaim, that Madamoyfjle Laurieta is 
 my Mibrcfs^and my felf her fervant. 
 
 Of wile and ChriiUan Gentlemen what prophanfc fpeechc$,and debaucht table-talk are thefe 
 they ufe here, as if their glory confifted iu their fkame, or their beb vertucs were to be difeo- 
 vered in the vvefrb of vices? For,howfoever the Viands they did eat, may preferve the health 
 of their bodies, yet this diilolute communication of theirs mub needs poyfon and debroy that 
 of their fouls; for, as they ffiould praife God in the receipt of the oile, fo contrariwife 
 theyincenfe and difpleafe his Sacred Majeby in giving him the others yea, this is fo far 
 from Chribianity and Heaven, as it is the high and true way to Athcifm and Hell dor, Whores 
 and Healths, in the Head of Prayer and Thanfgiving , are the prodigious and certain fore- 
 runners of a feared confidence, and the dangerous and execrable (ymptoms of a leprous 
 foul, * 
 
 Birds are taken by their feet, and Men by their tongues. Belluile having fobafely and fot- 
 tiffily abuled him felt in thedifparaging of his Mibrefs Laurieta , Poligny hath his errand for 
 which he purpofely came tc Orcnge.So Dinner ended,they very pleafantly return for Avignion . 
 That night Poligny cannot ileep for joy, or rather for revenge : For, mow he prefumes to 
 know how to work himfelf into Laurieta $ favour, by unhoriing Belluile. It is a difhoneb and 
 bafe part to betray our friend, and under the cloak of friendffiip and familiarity to harbour 
 and retain malice again!! them : but this irregular and Violent paffion of love in young and 
 unbayed judgments, many times bears down all other refpeds and confiderations. For if Re- 
 ligion and Confciencc be contemned, what hope is there that either hotiefty be regarded, or 
 friendffiip obftrved,fith it is the only cement and finews thereof? Eut Potignyis as refolute, as 
 malicious in his purpofc j and thefdore the next morn by his Lackey, fends the Lady Laurieta 
 this Letter. 
 
 I^OLIGNY 
 
Hilt. VIII. 
 
 ! Belluile and Laurieta. 
 
 93 
 
 POLIGNY to LAURIETA. 
 
 I T is out of Jinctrl affetlion to thte , Ami not out of premeditates! malice to Belluile, that I p refame 
 to fignifictbec, how lately inmy prefence at Orenge, his tongue let fall fome words that tented to 
 the prejudice and d/paragement of thine honour : whereof I kjiow it is not only the part , tut the duty 
 of a true Cotleman, to be rather curious in preferring, than any way ingrateful inrevealirgthcreof. 
 Neither do 1 attempt to fend 'hte this news , tloiriby to infiruate or drave h e toaffettmee themote, or 
 kim the left : only fith it is co ir ry to my complexion and nature, to pirmit any Laay to be wronged 
 in my prefenei ; how much left thy /(If-, to whom I oVce not my f rric , but my life > If thou wilt not 
 approve my zaal, yet thou haft all the reafon in the world to pardon my preemption: and, to make my 
 Letter real. What my pen affirms to Laurieta, myfwerd is ready to confirm to Belluile. 
 
 POLIGNY. 
 
 In the extremity and excels of thofe three different paffions, grief, choler, and aftoniflimenc, 
 Laurieta receives and reads this Letter, and like a diflolute Gentlewoman, being more careful 
 of her reputation to the world, than of her foul towards God, Ihe knows not whether Ihe have more 
 caufe and reafon either to approve c Pp!igny‘t affe&ion, or tocondemn Bcllrile’s folly : it grieves her 
 to the heart, to have bellowed her favours on fo bafe and ingrateful a Gentleman as Belluile-, vows 
 fhewill make him repen tit, and isfo refolute, that this vanity and folly of his, (hall coft him dear ; 
 yea, fhe is fo impatient in thefe her fumes of grief and revenge, that Ihe thought once with ail ex- 
 pedition to have fent fo'r Bellrile, to make him as well fee the fruits of his own ingratitude, as to tafte 
 tbeeffe&sof her revenge and indignation: butfhe holds it requifire and fit, and her ftlf in a man r 
 ner bound firft to thank Poligny for his courtefie, by returning him a Letter in anfwer of his, which 
 fhe fpeedily difpatchcth him by his Lackey, To this effect ; 
 
 LAURIETA to POLIGNY/ 
 
 T Kn w not whether thou hafl fhewed me a truer teflimony of thy diferetion and affection, than Belluile 
 1 of his envy and folly. But as / reft infinitely obliged fo thee for thy care of my reputation ■ fo I refolve 
 ftortly to maky him know what he deftrvts in attempting to eclipfeand dif parage it. Now as / grieve not, 
 fo I mu ft confefs I cannot refrain from forrowing, at this his undeferved flander ; for as mm innocency 
 defends me frem the fir ft, fo my fix cannot exempt me from the fecond ; and look what difparity there 
 is betwixt thy teneroftj and his bafe nefs, fo muc'o there is betwixt the white nefs of my chaftity and the 
 foulnefs of his a fperfion. I reft fo confident of the truth of thy Pen , as I defire no confirmation of thy 
 Sword ; and I flatter not, rather affi are thy felf, that fith Belluile was fo indifereet to wrong me, he wilt 
 ncithe have the Veit or courage teright bimfelf. I return thee many hearty thanks for this kind office 
 and courtefie of thine ; the which l cannot requite, yet I will not only endeavour, but ftrive to defervt, 
 
 L A urieta; 
 
 Whiles Poligny feceives Laurieta s Letter with much content, and many kiffes, as triumphing to 
 feebow he hath baffled Belluile by working him out, and cocfequently himfelf into her favour : we 
 will fora while leavehim, toconfider whether the end of his treachery to B- Unite will prove as 
 fortunate as pleating to him, as the beginning promifeth. And imthe mean time* we will a little 
 fpeakof Laurieta. to fee what courfe and refolution Ihe means to hold and obfervewith Be ui'e. 
 It is not enough that Che bath written Poligny a Letter, but her envy and contempt towards Belluile 
 is to implacable, as (he with much hafte andfecrefie fends for him : her requefts to him are com- 
 muids; yea, he needs no other fpurres but thofe of bis Luft, and of her Beauty, to make him ra- 
 ther flye than poll to her prefence ; when not fo much as once dreaming of his former foolifh 
 fneeches delivered againft his Miftrefs Laurieta, much left of Ptlignfo treafon confpired and a died 
 againft him, he thinks to kifs her, whom fo often he hath formerly kitted; but his hopes and her 
 difdain deceive him: for fhe peremptorily Heights him ; when having fire in her looks, and thun- 
 der in her fpeeches, (he chargeth him with this fcandal delivered by him at Oreuge, in prefence of 
 Poligny, againft her honour and chaftity. And is this ( quoth fhe ) the reward a Lady fhall deferve 
 and receive, by imparting her favours to a Gentleman ? and, is this the part of a Gentleman, toereft 
 the Trophccs of his glory upon his Miftreffes difgrace? are thefe the fruits of thy fighs and tears, 
 or the effects of thy'Requefts, Oaths, and Letters? Yea, fuch was then her furious rage, and de- 
 vifffh revenge, as (he was provided of a Stilletto, to have there ftab'dhitn to the heart in her 
 Ch mber, had not her Waiting- Maid Luciiia, with her beft oratofy and nerfwafion, power- 
 
 N 3 fully 
 
Gods Revenge ngainfi Murther . 
 
 Book II. 
 
 fully diverted her to the contrary,by alleging to her the eminency of the danger, whic a ; - 
 foulnel'sand hainoufnels ot that fa<S brought her into. Belittle is amazed at this news, when 
 now proving as prophaiie to God, as before he was bale and ingrateful to Lam icta , re, wir \ 
 many o&ths and imprecations, denies thefe fpeechcs.and this (lander i and with Much pal ion 
 protefterh his innocency, But this will not iatisfie Ldnrieta tor to make his (name the more 
 notorious in his guiltinefs, the produceth him Fo/^VLctter-, whereat Btluik hangs the 
 head, and Teems to let fall the phuties, not only ot his pride, but of his courage and jnth- 
 fication, yet he bitterly and vehemently pcrTfvereth in his denial' : but all this is not capable 
 toappeafe or content Unr$a\ and which is word of all, nothing can phiiiWy do it, except 
 he makegood her honouT,and his own innocency, by a Combateor Duel agawfi Polipty. So 
 ‘ Belluile Ices Kim (elf driven to a narrOvV and (hrewd pu(h : He hath wronged Laurieta , and 
 knows not how to right her *, Poligny hath wronged him, and there is no way lift for him 
 to right him felt, but by challenging and fighting with Polity. But he loves Laurieta dearly, 
 and there tore rmffl refolvc to right, or lofe her. As for his own part, to give him his true cha- 
 racter. and defeription, he is .rather a City-Swaggerer, than a Field-Soldier, loves rather to 
 have a fair Sword, than a good one, and to wear it only tor (hew, not for life > he is ambk 
 tious of nothing more, than to be reputed rather than tound valiant •> In a word, for a Ta- 
 vefn-quaffel 4 - or a Stews-briwl, he is excellent but to meet his enemy in the tield with a 
 naked Sword, that doth not only daunt, but ter ri fie him. The greateff comfort and ednfo- 
 lation he finds in this his perplexity, is, that he knows he hath many fellows and compani- 
 ons, who ard us white-livered and as very Cowards as himfelf : of which numbers, he fiat- 
 terech himfelf with this poor bafe hope, that it is not impoffibk for Pojigny to be one. But 
 what is this to give fatista&iOn to Laurictir^ctfff it may (hew himfelf to be Belluile, but not a 
 Gentleman ? But all thefe conliderations notwithftanding, he loves Laurieta fo tenderly and 
 dearly, as not daring fee her, till he had met Poligny, he plucks up his fpirits, and infilling 
 more metal and courage into his resolutions than accuftomed, refolves to fight with him : ro 
 which end, having at length fitted himfelf of an excellent Rapier, wnofe temper (with as 
 much truth as laugh ter ;T , confcfs was far better than that of his heart, he by his Lackey, fome 
 three days after, (ends Policy this Challenge. 
 
 BELLUILE to POLIGNY. 
 
 r TY7y m . 2 life and treachery to me is as odious rcmxr'kable \ for whiles I fought to chcrijh iby friend - 
 Jhip, it hath furpofcly been thy delight and ambition to betray mine, in throwing the apple ofdifcsrd 
 betwixt the Lady thuWotifltf, and my fe'lfc upon the point of her honour-, for whofe defence and 
 prefervation I owe not only my fenice , but my life ;* which error , or rather crime of thine , though tby 
 affection to her mayfeem to allow,' yet my reputation to the world cannot, and my Rapier will not, 
 ‘I her ef ore, fth I have been the undeferved objetiof thy malice, tbinkjt not ftrange,tbat Ijuflly nputt 
 ■and hold thee the caitfe of my envy > which can heave no other) at isfaBinn or reconcilement, but that to 
 morrow at fve in the morn thou meet me without Seconds, on the Bridge by the Iron Stump the limits 
 betwixt the King and the Pope) with thy fingle Rapier, where I will attend thee with another of which 
 
 two tabg thou the choice, and give me the refufaLSleep not too much this night, fit in the morn I doubt 
 not but to fend thee to thine eternal rejf. 
 
 BELLUILE. 
 
 To ignj receives this Challenge, and admires to fee Pelluil*'s refolution, from which all former 
 reports could’ncver draw afiurance. It is not feir that calls his head into thefe doubts, or thefe doubts 
 into his head, for he is too generous to be a Daftard, and too Eagle-bred to turn Craven; for re- 
 joycing in having made Bell tii'le fwallow a Gudgin, and triumphing in prefuming himfelf fcatedin 
 the throne of Lauri t as favour, makes him as refolutc to receive this Challenge as willing and rea- 
 dy to perform it y only the remembrance that Belluile fent it him by a Lackey, and not by a Gentle- 
 man, enrows him into as much difdain ascholler : bur he, rcfcmbling himfelf, paffeth over this difref- 
 peA without refpe£t, and fo bids the Lackey tell his Mailer, that he wiH not fail to meet him at the 
 hour and pLce appointed. 
 
 The Ni^ht doth, or fhould, bring counfell : ’Belluile wifheth his Challenge unfent • hut it 
 being out cf his hands, it is. out of his power to revoke or recall. Poligny is of contrary tem- 
 per, and, glad in his acceprar.cc thereof, defires that his Sword wereioaflion, as well a s his cra- 
 fage in contemplation. So cut-pa(Ting the Night, which Belluile paffeth over with ns much fear 
 as ‘Poligny with generality, the Curtains of the Night being with-drawn, and the Day appear- 
 ing* c*re fi ve have ft.uckep, Belluile notwithffandingis firfi on the Bridg, and PoVgny immediate- 
 ly alter hm : they arc without Seconds, and therefore they briefly unbrace, bur not urcafe 
 
 their 
 
hi\\. viii. 
 
 ‘Bell uile and Laurieta. 
 
 95 
 
 their Doublets. BelluiU will be valorous in words * and fo according to his challenge, 2n d the 
 right of Duels, otfereth Poligny the fi jht and cho ce of his Rapier. Poligny is coo brave to dye 
 in his debt, upon the point of honour and magnanimity, and therefore jfives him his, as con- 
 tented wi hche refufal. So ( courcefie for a vvhile contending with valour ) they both affjmc 
 and accept of their own Rapiers when dividing thcmfdves, they joyn with refolution and 
 fury. Ac firli coming up. Policy gives Blub the firR wound m his right {boulder, with- 
 cut receiving any, whereat he is more affrighted than Poligny rejoyced ; at the fecond, he re- 
 ceives another wound in the left tide, but is not yet fo happy to fee, or affure h'mfclf, that 
 his Rapier hath once touched Poligny*s Body, or which is left, his Clcarhes : whereupon, 
 confidering Polignfs generofry, and comparing the bad grounds of his quarrel wi h the faint- 
 nefs and bafenels of his courage, he throws away bis Sword, prayes Policy to defiR ■ for be 
 holds himfclf fitisfyed. When Pelig /,difdaining to taint his honour with the leaR fiudow 
 of difhunour, in receiving Be Ilf* IPs ihime, gives him rhe happinefs and fruition of his life: 
 ahd fo they part. Lo, here the firli fruits of their foolifh and lafeivious affc&tons to L uric- 
 ta : but 1 fear the fecond will prove more bitter and Moody. Be 11 tills going home with bis 
 Shame and repentance, and PJigny with his Honour and Glory, they huflh themfelves up in 
 filence, ‘Poligny at his Chamber, and Bdluile at his Chirurgions houfe, todrefs his wounds, ho- 
 ping, that as they in their fight fa. v no body, fo that none hadfeen them; but they arc deceived : 
 for two Souldicrs from the Cattle- .vails not only efpy them fighting, but know them. Soth-y 
 divulge it in the City, whereof Laurie a being advertifed, fhe fends a confident Gentleman, 
 a Ccu zcn-Germane of hers, to find out Belluile and to know the truth and ilfuc of h's Combate, 
 but indeed his Cowardife hath purchafed him fo much ilnme, ashewiilnotbefeep,-truch hfs 
 fpoken withall : which Latirieta undemanding, begins to conceive that the two fouldiers report 
 was true, and that undoubtedly he and Poligny had met and fought in her behalf: whereupon 
 gheffmg at the truth, that Poligny had given/ifr//#*Yf the Foyl : {he was once of opinion to have 
 written to pMyny, to be informed of the particulars and fuccefs of their Combate, which fo much 
 imported as well her Honour as her Content. But Po/igny's affc&ion prevents her curiofity : for as 
 {he was calling for pen and paper, he in perfon ifeends the flairs to her Chamber ; where, after a 
 complementai and curteous Salute, he informs her ( as we have formerly underRood ) that he hath 
 given Belluile two wounds for her fake, and his life for his own. She demands if he himfclf were 
 not hurt ^ he anfwers, No. At both which good news fh: infinitely rejoyceth, and in token of her 
 thankfulnefs permits him to gather many kiffes, as well from the Rofes of her Cheeks, as the Cherries 
 of her Lips: and fo from thenceforth he vows to be her profeffed fervant ; and (he promifeth him 
 to be, though not his MiRrefs, yet at leaR his Friend. And here they unite and combine their a tfeS- 
 ions: but that contradf, and this familiarity , written only in vice, andfealed in luft, we Quli ftiort- 
 ly fee cancelled and annihilated, with as much pitty, as infamy and mifery, as the fequel of this 
 Hiftory will fhew and demonRrate. 
 
 While thus Laurieta and Poligny are triumphing in Belluile'* foyl, and their own familiarity 
 andaffe&ion, how is it polTible but he mutt infinitely grieve for his lofs of Ltirieta, and La 
 Palalfiere as much forrow to fee her felf deprived and out of hope of her Poligny ? But they 
 brook their affli&ions and pa/fions with variable refoiutions : for whiles La Palaifnrc is im- 
 bathing her felf in her tears and difeontents, Belluile is refolute to quench his revenge in Po - 
 ligny's blood. For, forgetting as well his God as Soul, his honour as himfelf^ he intends 
 io do it by the By, and not by the main, by execrable Treachery, not by magnanimous ge- 
 nercfi .y ; yea, the Devil isfoRrong with his Faith, becaufe that is fo weak with his Saviour 
 and Redeemer, as (hutting the Doors of his Humanity and Charity, he opens them to Choi- 
 ler. Revenge, and Murther ; yea, and henceforth he is fo inraged, and hi? looks are fo 
 gaft!y and diftra&ed, as if his Thoughts were conducing and incouraging his Hinds to per- 
 pc f nte fome bloody Stratagem and Defign : which is obferved and doubted by his chiefeft 
 Familiars and intimate Friends, asalfoby La Palaifiere^ whofe company he fometimes frequents, 
 not fo much out of affe&ion to her, as for confolation from her to himfelf, fith we are fubjedl 
 both to hope and beleeve, that onr afil&ions are partly eafed and dimini (bed by the fight and 
 relation of that of others, as fymphathizing and participating with th:m ; firft in their Flames 
 of Love, then of Grief and Sorrow, in being difdained of thofewe love. Neither could BcL 
 Liilc fo cunningly orclofely rake up the fiery fparksof hismalce and revenge, under the Embers 
 of filcnce and lecrecy, but her afT&ion to Poligny , and jealoufieof his good, made her fo ten- 
 der- eat\J, aud fharp fighted, as fhe over-heard fome words that either in jeR or in earnert fell from 
 Belluilt'i Tongue, whereby it was apparent to her, that he intended no good but pretended a 
 fecrct fatal Malice to him, which a litile time might too too foon and unexpe&cdly difeover : 
 whereupon her Love to Poligny was fo dear and honourable, although he were fo firmly in- 
 tingled ia the Beauty of Lamei*, as he would not youebfafe , rather difdained to love her 
 
9 6 
 
 God's Revenge againfi Mart her. hook il. 
 
 felf, that fhe thought the difeevery of Belluile* s malice to Poligny, fo much imported Potigny s good 
 as fhe held her Ceif bound, as well in duty as affc&ion, to reveal and relate it him ; whiett ihedota 
 
 in this Letter. 
 
 LA PAL A I S IE RE to POLIGNY. 
 
 T O trftific thee now the cox/lancy cf my affetli n with Ink.* as 1 haze frmirly done the fervency 
 thereof with tears ^now, 7 hot* haft fomt caufe to fcar y and l to deubt, that Belluile hath feme dan- 
 gerous projofl , or bloody deftgn to jut in execution , againfi h s honour , and thy life • and as J reveal it 
 thee cue of care , fo loci ^ th n / r*z/r«r it o t of thy own diferetion , left he bereave thee of th J life , then 
 haft done him of kit Liurieta. Jr thou (leight this my advice , as thou haft already my ajfMton, yet as 
 J remain witnefs of the purity of the lajffo will theft: ines bear teftimony to the world of the candour and 
 fincerit y of the fir ft. Neither do Iprefumt to find them thee o* t of any irregular ambition fo punhaf the 
 honour of by favour^ but only to lit thee k^oVc that my affift on is both fo** trf *.l and capab e to (hme 
 thonw tie Clouds o ( thydi'dain •, and dat the tbfeurity of ,ka r , neither ha h dcfac< d th: Iuft e y nor can 
 iclipjet * resplendency of this. Regard tier fore i Wine own faftty , albeit thou wilt rot>e pell my con- 
 ten: , and alth ugh thou pie fe net to give ntee the honour to b* thy Mi ft refs, yet I will take ; he an. hi ion 
 rnd ?eflution tv live And dyetUne kand-m* d . 
 
 LA PALAISIERE. 
 
 Poligny breaking up the feals of this Letter, laughs to fee La PaRiftere's afLdtion, andtoun- 
 derfiana Bd lu ties malice ; and being befotted with LAurieta , he lott both his wit and judgment 
 in the light and contemplation of her Beauty; yea, he is grown fo fond in his alfcvSion, and rcfpcdfc 
 towards her, as he is arrived to the Meridian of this fimplicuy, to deem it a kind of rreafon to conceal 
 any fecret from her : to which end, he fhews her La TaUiftcre's Letter, which he makes his paft- 
 ime, and fhe her May-game ; yea, fo vain is her tolly, andfo foolifh her vanity, tofeethepaf- 
 fages and events of thefe their pafiions, as (he not onl y exceeds the decorum cf diferetion, but of 
 modefty in her laughter : and which is more, when (he again confidereth how Belluile loves her 
 felf, and not (he him ; La paUifert Pdigny, and not he her, it makes her redouble her mirth and ex- 
 hilaration in fuch fort, as fhe Lems to burrt with the violence and excels thereof : but this mirth of 
 hers (hail be fhortly waited and attended on with miferv and mourning. But P ligny notwichfhnd- 
 ing fees hunfelf doubly obliged to La Palaijtere, as well for her atfeftion to him, as her care of 
 him. and fo bolds bimfelf obliged in either of thefe relpedls and confederations, ;to requite her with 
 a Letter' : the which now, un known to Laurieta , he writes, and fends her to this effed ; 
 
 POLIGNY to LA PALAISIERE. 
 
 I T isn t the le >fl of my joyes, tla t Belluile cannot bear me fo much malice. As then d ft ajfcflion. 
 
 ' Tis true. I have not deferved t u j love • *tis mre true , / have rot me itid kill at ed: for th*t 
 pr seeds f m Heave*, as a divine influence , this from Hell , as an infernal frenzy. 1 will not feed 
 thee w th h pc. neither can he give me dfpair ; for ( nt to dif. n ble ) it is as likely I may love th<e 7 
 as imyojfibit Ijhallfear him . he may have the will to do me hurt , 1 wifh it were in my power to do 
 thee good ^ neither can he be more malicious to perform me that , than J will be ambitious to confirm thec 
 thtsthis malice I entertain with much contempt fhy \ftnd advice and fincerc affetdian with infinite thanks: 
 for when I confidtr thy Letter , I cannot rightly exprefs or define , whither he begin to hate me , or I to love 
 thee more. 1 doubt not hut to rnakg his deeds prove words to me^ and I befeccb thee fear not but my words 
 Jhall prove deeds to thee: for I am as confident Jhertly to fa lute fair la Palafiere, as Cardiff when l 
 meet fooltjh Belluile. J 
 
 POLIGNY. 
 
 Having thus difpeeded her his Letter, the vanity of his thoughts and the beaftlincfs of his 
 concupifcence and knfuality , not only fiirprizeth his reafon, but captivates his judgment s 
 io zsUmitta s fight defacing BeMh's memory, he thinks fo much on her afkdtion, as he re- 
 1 peCts not his malice: but this Vice and that Error (hall colt him dear. For whiles he is tcafiing 
 his eyes on the dainties and rarities o{ Laurieta * s beauty, StBmU s heart hath agreed with the 
 Uevil to prepare him a bloody Banquet:Gnce cannot contain him within her limits, therefore 
 impiety dallies fo > long with him,and he with Impiety, that at lad this bloody fentence is pall 
 ,1 . 1 1 . “? urt > °V “* s heilifh refolutions.that Poligny mult dic.Thc Devils affiftance is never wan- 
 tang in fuch infernal ftratagems : for this is an infallible Maxim, as remarkable as ruinous 
 That he always makes us lertile, not barren to do evil, never to do good. At lirlt, Bel hik 
 
 thinks 
 
'Be lluile and Lauricta. 
 
 Hiil VI li. 
 
 thinks on Povlon or Pifiol ro dtfpacch Poligny : but he finds the fail, too difficult to'ktteqppf >T' 
 the fecond, too publick to perform. Som: times he is of opinion to afceod his Chattsber, and 
 murrher liiminhisBed ; then to (hoot him outata Wmdovas hspafieth th- Street: bje, io"con- 
 c!ude > undemanding that he often com~$ very lace in the night from Lmrleta, he thinks it belt to 
 junhimthorow with his Rapier, as he iflfueth forth her Hon e. And to make /horr* hereon be 
 refolves. 
 
 Now to put the better colour on his vi l/anv, he retires himfclf from ^Avigmon y and lives pri- 
 vately tome fix days in Orenjft giving it out, that he was gone to the Citfof in f? .0- 
 
 <ve nee ; where, at that famous Court of Parliament, he had a Proceffe for a Title of Land, fhorr- 
 |y to be adjudged; and fo in a Dark Night, taking none but his Lackey with him, he being 
 «hfguifcd, by favour of Money, paffeih the Gate of xAvigmon^ and giving his Horfe to his 
 Lackey, being fccretly informed that Toltgny vv is with Lauricta , he goes dire&ly to her door, 
 and there at the Corner of a little Street (lanes vun his Rapier drawn under his Cloak, with a re- 
 venging and greedy defire of Blood to await Poligny*. > coming forth. The Clock itrikio^; one, the 
 Door is opened, and PoUgny fccretly ill ueth forth, without Candle, having 'purpofely fent away 
 fcis Lackey, who had then unwittingly carried away his Matters Rapier with him. He is no 
 ioocer in the Street, but Belluile y as a murthercus Villain, rufbeth forth, and fo line a Limb of 
 the Devil, (heaths his Rapier in his Bread ; when Voignj more hurt than amazed, a d wanting 
 his Sword, but not courage, indeavoureth by ftrugling to u Ac with bis ati'aifinate ; ar.dfocryes 
 eut for aififtaoce : but the Dead of the Night favoured his butcherly attempt,. w ^withdraw- 
 ing his Sword, heredoubleth his Cruelty, and fo again runs mm in at the fmah of the Belly, tho- 
 row the Reins, whereat he prefcntly falls down dead at his Fee, h.vvin the power, to Groan and 
 Gy but not to utter a Word. Which Bsiluilc efpying and knowing im diLpaccht, rubs to his 
 Horfe, which his Lackey held ready at the corner of the next Street, a* fo ri ie$ to the fame Gate 
 lieentred, which was kept ready fo: him ; which pafling, he with all expedition drives away for Or 
 tengt : from whence, the next morn before day, he takes port for Aix y the better to conceal and 
 o're-vail this damnable Murther of bis. But this policy of his (hAl deceive his hopes, and return 
 him a fatal reward and intereft, For although he can blear the eyes of men, yet he neither can, 
 nor (hall, thofe of God, who in his due time, wifi out of his faaeu julticc repay and punifh him 
 with confufion. *’ , . > 4 T >-•! 
 
 By this time the Street and Neighboars have taken the alterum of this Tragical accident : f<p 
 Candles and Torches come from every where, only Lauricta having played the Whore before, 
 will feem now ( though falfely ) to play the Honed. Woman ; for (he, to cover her (hame, will 
 not difeover that htflelf, or any of her Houfe are llirring : and fo, although (he underltood this 
 News, and privately and bitterly wept thereat, yet (he keeps faft her Doors, and like an ungrate- 
 ful Strumpet, will permit none of her Servants for a long time to defeend. The Criminal 
 judg and Prcfident of the City is adver tife d ot this Murther. The dead Gentleman is known 
 to be Monjieur Poltgny, and, being beloved, he is exceedingly bewailed of ill who knew him, 
 and inquiry and fearch is made of all lides, and the Lieutenant Criminal (hews h mfelt wife, bet 
 caufe honed and curious, becaufe wife in the perquifiton of this bloody Murther: ,buta$ yet 
 time will not, or rather God, who is the Creator and Givrr of time, is not as yet pleated to bring 
 \t to light; only Lauricta knew, and La Pal-ificre. fufpefted, and all thofe who were the coun- 
 cei of the one, or th : acquaintance of the other, do likewife both fear and fufpe& that only Belluilc 
 w^s the bloody and execrable Author thereof 5 but to report or divulge fo muen, although they dare, 
 they will nor. 
 
 As for La Palaifiere\ her thoughts are taken up and pre-occupated with two feveral Paflions* 
 for as ifie grievs at Poligny* s Death, fo (he rejoyceth that ihe hath no hand, nor was anyway 
 accetTary to his murther*, rather, that if he had failed by the Compafs of her Advice, he had 
 undcubt.dly avoided the (hip-wrack of his life, and prevented the Misfortune of his Death ; 
 what to think of B l lull c fhc knows not/’butif he were her Friend before, he hath now made and 
 proclaimed hirtifelf her Enemy, by killing her dear and only Friend c Poligny^ and therefore is 
 refolved, that as (he cculd never perfe&ly brook his company, fonow tpis bloody faeft fhall 
 make her deteft both it and him. But let us a little leave her, and defeend to f peak of Lauricta , 
 to fee how die brooks the murther of her intimate Friend Poligvy ; for, fith (he afturedly knows 
 ancTbdeeves that this cruel murther was perf rmed by no other, but by her profelfed Enemy Bcl- 
 luilc , or by fome of his Bloody Agents ; Love and Revenge confpirc to aft two ‘different Scenes 
 upon the Theater of her Heart ; for in memory and deep affc&ion to her Polig»y y her pearled tears 
 and mournful fighs infinitely deplore’ and be wail His difaftcrous end^ fo, asforrow withering the 
 Rotes of her Cheeks, and Grief making her caft off her Glittering, to take on mournful at- 
 tyre, (lie could not refrain from giving all ^Avigmon notice how pleafing * Totigny'% life was to 
 her, by the excefs of her lamentations and affli&ions demonfirated for his Death; or if herfighsi 
 
 O found 
 

 
 ! 
 
 
 
 'V 
 
 '^y 
 
 
 Gocts Re venue agrntf Murther. Book II. 
 
 (bund anyconfolation,or her tears recdsm tttKe^t ' was . a ^™ n J tl ^f er S[ « SSwwSth 
 (he conceived and intended towards Bclluile , for this his bloody fad. So a b 
 
 r’hollcr not with Reafon, with Nature not with Grace, with Satan not with Go , <- 
 
 ggfeS «vengedSim,and to make him pay clear for this his bafe & treacherous mur- 
 *her- vea the fumes and fury of her revenge are io implacable,and tranfport her relolut ions 
 to fo bloody an impetuofity , that refembling her fex and felf, flic inhumane y, am «rj l^egi- 
 ri v darts forth an oath, which her heart fends to her foul, and her loul from > 
 
 th!t y if the means find not her, (he will infallibly find out the means to quench and dry up her 
 tears for Polieny's death in the blood of which, fith (he is fo devoid of Reafon, Religion, 
 
 * n d Grace, I fear we (hall (hortly fee her attempt and perform. But leaving her 
 us find out Bclluile in Aix, who is a Gentleman fo prophane m his life, and debaucht in his aft - 
 onsand converfations, asinfleadof repenting, he triumphs at this his Murtner. yea, he is 
 become fo impious and impudent, as he grieves not thereat, but only that he had no ( o°ner 
 difpatc’ned his Rival Polignycbat the better tudelude the world, that neither his hand or fword 
 3 guilty in fending Polgny from this world in a bloody windmg-ftjeet h.s thoughts like fo 
 manyliounds purfuinz hisconfcicnce,and his confcicnce his loul, he thinks hunf.lt not fafe in 
 Aix where the finrp- lighted Preiidents,& Councilors of that lllurtnous Senate of Parliament 
 mlht at laft accufe & find him out for the author of this bloody murther, & therefore leaves 
 fcofhit and Ptnme, and fo rides to the City of Lyons , accompanied with none but las two 
 Lackevs, who, to write the truth, adted no part m Pohgny s mournful Tragedymeither doth 
 he vet think himfclf fafe there •, but within a month after the murther, thinking diredtly 
 and fccurcly to flye from the eyes and hands of Jufiice, thereby to avoid the horrn ot his [ 
 puniflimcnt, he again takes horlefor that great City and Forreft, Paris, where he hoped the 
 infinite number ofPuople, Streets, Coaches, and Horfes, would not on y lecure his fear, but 
 prevent his danger, and that here, as in a fecure fandtuary and fafe harbour he might quietly 
 tide at Anchor in all peace and tranquillity:but fas before jthe time is not yet come of his pu- 
 nifhment for it may be, God, out ot his inlcrutable will and divine Providence, will, when he 
 beft pleafeth, return him from whence he' came, and by fome extraordinary accident make 
 him there feel the foulnefs of his fad* in the (harpnefs and (uddennets of his puniflunenti which 
 as a fierce guft and bitter form, (hall then furprize him, when he lead fufpedts or dreams 
 thereof. But in this interim of his rtfidence, he forgets his new fadf of Murther, to remem- 
 ber his old fins of Concupifcence and Whoredom , and fo, rather like a lafeivious Courtier, 
 than a civil moral Chriftian, he cannot fee the Church for the Stews, nor the Preachers or 
 Pricfts for Panders and Strumpets. But this vanity of his (hall coft him dear, and he (hall be 
 fo mifcrable to feci the punilhment, full be will not be fo happy to feek the means to avoid it i 
 for now fix months having exhautted and dilfipatcd the greateli part of his gold, and his credit 
 coming (hort of his hopes, it feems the air of Paris is difplcafing to him, lith he cannot be a- 
 greeable to it, and therefore (neceflity giving a law to the vanity of his delircs) he begins to 
 loath the Ifle of France, to love the Province of Proi'e«<e,and to leave Paris to fee Avignion. And 
 now it is, the devil, that fubtil and fatal feducer, (kps in, and at one time bewitching both his 
 reafon and judgment,prelents him afrcih with the freflinefs and delicacy of Laurietai beauty, 
 which lo revives the ("parks of his aflcdtion,that lay raked up in the allies of litencc,as he vows 
 
 
 pLIICCUUU, dllU gl JCC ^ mi* *V. 4,4V ~ 
 
 his judgment, he not fo much as once dreaming of the implacable hatred me formerly bore 
 him, and thinking it impoilible tor her to conceive, much lefs to know that hcmurthcred 
 toligttyM ^ conftant and refolute to re-feek the felicity to live in her favour and afle&ion, or 
 to die in the purfuit thereof: but that will prove as iaipoflible, as this apparent and fcalible. 
 So as abfence adding fire to his lull, and excellency toTicr beauty, he is refolute to lend one of 
 his Lackeys to Avignion \ partly to return with money, and fo to meet him at Lyons , Moulins, 
 or Nmrr,but more efpecially in great fecrecy to deliver a Letter to his fair and fweet Lauricta, 
 and to bring him back her Antwcr, as if he were Hill at P atis, and not in his Journey down- 
 wards. When meaning as yet to conceal his murther of P4&#y,he calling for pen aud^paper, 
 traceth her thereon thefe lines. 
 
 BELLUILE to LAURIETA. 
 
 I F^Poligny had but the thousandth fart as truly re fpefterl me , as I dearly loved thee; thou h nil 
 not fofooncaji me out of thy favour, nor Godfo fuddcnly him out of this world : hut I know rwt 
 whether more to bewail my wtfrtunacy occafioned by thy cruelty , or his mifery ingtndtrtd through his 
 
 own 
 
r 
 
 Hitt. VIII. Belluile and Laurieta. 
 
 own treachery . And indeed , as 1 grieve at that , I furrow at thin => for, although he died mute enemy, 
 yet in deffightof his malice and death , I will live bin friend , and if thou lovedft him , 7 thou 
 
 didjl, 1 wifi 1 might fight with hit Murthererfir bin own fake, and hfll him for thine. I may fay, thy 
 affettion and beauty deferveth his better , though dare not affirm , 1 am refer ved tobemade happy in 
 enjoying of either , much lefs of both , and leaf of all of thy jjslfs, and yet 1 muft confcfs , that if our 
 births and qualities were known, I Jhouldgo ai near to be thy equal , as he infinitely came fart of be - 
 i «(7 mine . What, or whatnot } l havener formed for thy fake, is bijl kjtewn to my f elf fith thou 
 dtfdaincft to know it : but if thou wilt plcafe to abandon thy difdain, then my affettion and the truth 
 will inform thee, that I have ever con ft a?tt lyre folved to die wy feryant, though thou have fworn never 
 to live my Miftrefs . So that could I but as bffpily regain thy affettion and favour, as 1 have unjufily 
 and unfortunately loft it, Belluile would quickly forfafa Paris to fee Avignion, and abandon all the 
 beauties of the World, to continue bis homage and fervice to that of his only fair and fweet Laurieta. 
 
 BELLUILE. 
 
 With this his Letter he fends a Diamond-Ring from his finger, and fo difpattheth his 
 Lackey, who is not Ibng before he arrive at Avignion, where very fccretly he delivers Laurie- 
 ta, his Mailers Token and Letter, and (treacherous Fury as (lie is^fhekifleth both, and break- 
 ing off the Seals, reads the contents, whereat fire infinitely feems to rejoyce, and fo quettion- 
 eth with the Lackey about his Matters return •> who being taught his leffon, told her, that 
 that depended on her pleafure, fit h hers was his > and withal prays her for an an fwer , for, 
 that two days hence he was again to return to his Matter for Laris : the which ihepromifeth. 
 The Lackey gone,(he cannot refrain from laughing, yea, (he leaps for joy, to lee how Belluile 
 is again fo beiotted, to throw himfelf into her favour and mercy, and to obferve how willing 
 and forward he was to run hood-wink'd to his untimely death and definition : tor the Devil 
 hath fortified her in her former bloody refolution i fo that, hap what will, (lie vows (he will 
 not fail to kill Be//«z/e,becaufe he had ilain her Foligny , and already (he wifheth him in Avignion 
 that (he might fee an end of this her wifhed and defied Tragedy. In the mean time (he pre- 
 pares her hypocritical and treacherous Letter, and a rich watchet Scarf embroydeied with 
 fames of filver. So his Lackey repaireth to her, to whom (he delivereth both, with remem- 
 brance of her beft love to his Matter, and that (he hoped fliortly to fee him in Avignion , . The 
 Lackey being provided of his Matter’s Gold, and this Scarf and Letter, trips away fpeedify for 
 Liowr ,vvhere he finds his Matter privately hu(ht up in a friends houfe, expet ing his return ; he 
 is glad of his own Gold, but more of Laurieta's Letter, when thinking every minute a year be- 
 fore he had read it, he hattily breaking off the feals, finds thefe lines therein contained. 
 
 LAllRIETA to BELLUILE. 
 
 A S Iacknowledg I loved Poligny, fo Iconfefs I never hated thee \ and if his treacherous infiniiati- 
 on were too prevalent with my credulity, I befeech thee attribute it to my indiferetion, as being a 
 Woman, and not to my monftancy, as being thy friend •, for, if he died thine enemy, let it fufficc that I 
 live t bine hand-maid'-, and that as he was not refervedfor me, Jo I hope l am wholly for thy } elf How 
 far he was my inf eriour, I will not inquire, only it is both rrty content and honour,that thoupleafe to 
 vouebfafe to repute me thy equal . 1 am fo far from draining, as 1 infinitely defire to know what thou 
 baft done fir my fake, that I may requite thy love with Iftffcs, and mak; my thanks wipe off the conceit of 
 my ingratitude. As fir my affettion, it was never loft to thee, nor fh all ever be found but of thee. To 
 conclude, I wifi that our little Avignion were thy great Paris > andif thy love be as unfeigned as mine 
 is firm, let my ’Belluile m.ik$ hafil to fee his Laurieta, who hath vowed to rejoyce a thoufand times more 
 
 at bis returns than ever fie grieved at Poligny s death . 
 
 * LAURIETA. 
 
 At the reading of this her Letter he is beyond himfelf, yea, beyond the Moon for joy, fo as 
 he wifheth nothing lo much, as himfelf in her arms, or (he in his. So he fits himfelf with a 
 couple of good horles,puts his-Lackeys into new fuits,and knowing that time and his abkn<.e 
 had wafted away the remembrance of Toligny * s Murther, he fpeeds away for Avignion > where 
 the firtt night of his arrival there,he privately viliteth Lattricta't wixt whom there is nothing 
 but kifles and embracings-, yea, (he fo treacheroufly and fweetly lulls him alleep with the Syr , n 
 melody of her deceitful fpeeches, as fte prays him to vifit herotten, and mat a little time 
 (ball crown him with the fruits of his deiire : fo,for that night they put. The next day he 
 Ttpairs to her again, when amidlt the confluence of many millions of kiflcs, (he prays and con- 
 jures him to diicovcr her what he hath done for her fakei when he tying her by oath to [ecte- 
 
 O 2 « C > 
 
ibo 
 
 God's Revenge againft Mmther. Book If. 
 
 cie, and flic fwcaring it, he relates her that it was hhnfelf, that in attention' to her had (lain 
 Poligny^s he iffued forth of her lodgingywhen having wrefied and extorted this myltcry from 
 him^it confirms her malice, and huiiencth on her rtlbfution of his death, which hislalcivious 
 thoughts have neither the grace to fore fee, nor the rcafon to prevent. She ef pies he hath fiill a 
 Pilfol with him, and ddirts to know why he bears it ? who unfwereth her, it is to defend him- 
 felf from his enemies, and that he will never go without it. So again they fall to their kifies, 
 and he to his requefts of a further and fweeter favour of her ; which (he for that time again 
 denies him adding withal, that if he will come to her after Dinner to morrow, (he will lb 
 difpofe of matters, as his pleafure (hall be hers* and (he will not be her own, but his. So being 
 furprifed- and ravilhed with the extalie of a thoufand fwcet approaching pleafurcs, he returns 
 to his Chamber, and (lie to her malice : where whiles he gluts hi ml elf with his hope of de- 
 light, (he doth no lefs with her defire of revenge. And now ruminating on the manner of jpis 
 death, (he thinks nothing fo fit or ealie to difpatch him, as his own Jhltol, and lb thinking 
 (he fhould need her Waiting-maid Lucilla 9 * afli fiance (of whom this our hiftory hath formerly 
 made mention) (he acquaints her with her purpofo, the next day to murthcr Sdluiie in her 
 Chamber •, and fo with the lure of' Gold, and many fair promifie$,draws her to content here- 
 unto, and injoy ns her to be provided of a good Ponyard under her Gown for the fame pur- 
 pofe, if need fhould require * which Lueilla promifeth. Now this night, as Belittle could not 
 ileep for joy, fo could not Liurieta for revenge, who is (b weighed down to malice and mur- 
 thcr, as fhe wrlhcth the hour come for her to reduce her devillifh contemplation into bloody 
 adion. But this Hour (hall come too loon for them both i for as Lovers are impatient of de- 
 lays, fo Belluile hath no fooiier dined, but taking his Horle and two Lackeys, he lays he witf 
 take the air of the fields that afternoon, but will firff call in and foe his Miltrefs Laurieta . So he 
 alights at her door, and without the lead fear of danger, or appreheniion of death, very joy- 
 fully afeends L&trieta's Chamber *, who, diifcmbling wretch as (he is, very kindly meets and 
 receives him, and the better to (mother and disenable her limrtherous intent, is not only pro- 
 digal in taking, but in giving him kiffes. BdtkUeJikt a dilfblute and lafcivious Gentleman, 
 whifpers Liurieta in her ear, that he is come to deceive the fruits of his hopes, and of her pro- 
 mife and courteiie: when confidering that his Horfe and two Lackeys were at door,(he returns 
 him this in his ear,that (lie is wholly his, and that it is out of her power to deny or refufe him 
 any thing, only (he prays him to lend away his Lackeys, becaufe their familiarity needed no 
 witneifcs.Thus whiles he calls* tfiem up, to bid them carryawayhis Horfe to the Gate that leads 
 to Marfeilles , and there to wait his coming, Laurietd fteps to her Waiting-maid LuciUa, and 
 bids her make ready her Ponyardjand (land cldfe to heritor now fquoth (he) the hour is come 
 that I will be revenged of Bt-AWi/c for my Polignys death : the which (lie had no foonfr 
 lpoken, but Belluile returns to hers when redoubling his kilTes, he little, or rather not at 
 all fearing he was (onear death, or death him, being ready to retire himlclf to a withdraw- 
 nig Chamber, which Laurieta treacherouily informed him (he had purpcfcly provided for 
 him, he takes his Pillol, and lays it on the Table of the outer Chamber, wherein they 
 then were i wmch (lie efpying, as the inftrument (he infinitely defired to tinker' takes it in 
 her hand and prays him to (hew her how to fhoot it off: <o taking it from her he told 
 her, it (he plcaftd, he would difeharge it before her, for her fake. Why fquorh (he) is 
 *t charged > Yea, replies Belluile, with a (ingle Bullet. Nay then (quoth LaurieU ) put in 
 one Bnllct more, and it : you can efpy any Grow out of the Window, either on the houie or 
 K Zl l 1 lf P lea * e y°“> 1 W| ll PW man , and (hoot at it for your fake: When poor 
 ‘oplcaeher in any thing, looks out at the Window, and dpyestwo 
 Crows on the Crofle of th eAugujlmes Fryers Church, which he very joyfully rehftcsto Lan- 
 
 Zu her re<JUeft c,aps in a fecond Eu,let , for, fquoth (he; if I ftrike not 
 
 rnnM iTtb t0 ? ne ’ and lo P ra y* h,m t0 lea B 0u ^ at Window, to fee how near flr 
 
 behmd him difehargeth it diredly in'his own Reins 4 whereat KiuKdlySSnT*^ 
 
 * xtw °£i M t eCs ’ ,o r hi "i' " ,a "' ith ** 
 
 hr- body trom the eyes and fufpition of all the world. Good ^ God ? what -SkdU ’ 
 
 andnutrnal Furies arc thefc, thus to imbrue their hands in the biootl of this Gintkm’Zl 
 
 Biit 
 
Hid. VIII. ‘ Bellmle and Laurkta. 
 
 But as dole as they aft and contrive this their bloody and inhuman murther on earth, yet Heaven will 
 both deteft and revenge it ; for when they leal! dream thereof, God's wrath and vengeance wifi fur- 
 prize them, to their utter confulion and dethuftion, and ic may be fooner than they are aware 
 of. 
 
 For the two Lackeys having flayed at the City Gate with their Matters horfe till nigh:, they re- 
 turn and feek him at Lauricca's Houle, where they left him ; Launcta informs them he flayed 
 not an hour after them, andfince ihe faw him not s which news doth infinitely affbft and vex then?. 
 But they return to his Lodging, and like dutiful and faithful Servants, betwixt hope and fear, await 
 his return that Night, and all ihe'next Day, but in vain.. And now they begin to be amazed at his 
 long and unaccullomed abfence, ar.dfo confide this important bufinefs to fome Gentlemen, their 
 Mafler’s confident and intimate Friends • who together With them repair to Lamina ' s Houfe, 
 and again and again demand her for Monfnnr de Bclluile : but they find her conflant in her fir A 
 anfwer; and yet, guided by the Finger and Providence of God, they bewray a kind of perturbati- 
 on in her looks, and difeover fome diffraction and extravagancy in her fpeecbes : whereupon 
 calling to their minds her former difeourtefie to him for Polign/s fake, and bis fighting with 
 him on the Bridg for hers, as alfo this fudden and violent fufpefted murther of him, they fufpeft 
 and fear, there is more in the Wind than as yet they know * and to acquaint the Criminal Judges 
 herewith, vyjio, as wife Senators, having feverally examined both her and her Maid Luti la f 
 and BelluiU ’ s Lackeys, they conclude to imprifon which is inflantly performed : where- 
 
 at fhe is extreamly amazed and terrified ; but howfoever, {he is refclute to deny all, and ccn- 
 ftant to (land upon her Juftification and Jnnocency. Sober Judges*adjudg her to the Torments 
 of the Rack, which ( with a Mafculine, yea, withaHellifh Fortitude) fheinduretb, without 
 revealing the leaft fhadow , either of Fear or GuiUnefs ^ but they detain’ her ftill Prifoner, 
 And hope that GOD will make time difeover the Murther of Bdluilc s For eight 
 days being now paft, they are become confident that .he is not in this world, but in an- 
 other. In the mean time, her bloody Waiting-maid Lucilla hath continual rccourfe to her 
 Lady Laurie'ta in Prifon, where like impious and prophane wretches, they cnterchangc- 
 ably fwear fecrefie each to other, fith on cithers dilcovery depends no Ids than both their 
 deaths. 
 
 Whiles this news is generally divulged in AvignianJJaulpbin f, Provoie^ and Languedoc^ and 
 no news at all to be had or gathered of BeUuile s La Palaifiere^ who fliined with as many Virtues 
 as Lanricta w^s obfeured with Vices, out of conipaflion and Chriftian charity, Come three 
 weeks after ,vifueth Laurkta in Prifon, although Ike partly Believed and knew, that fhe never 
 affefted or loved her^when aiming to add conlolation to her affliftions, as God would have it, 
 Laitricta out of her ignorance or tolly, returns La falaifiere this ‘Mi looked foranfwer : That, 
 her fell was as innocent of Belluilds death, ^sfhc was of Poligny's. Which words being over- 
 heard by fome curious head of the Company, were inflantly carried and reported to the Cri- 
 minal Judges, who inflantly caufofk Falaifiere to be apprehended and brought before them , 
 whom they examine uponPoligny's de.ath, which doth no way affright or afilift her, becaufe 
 her confidence was untainted, and herfelf as innocent asinnocency her-felf thereof. They 
 deal further with her, to underhand the paffages of former bufmefles betwixt her Ce\[fiPoligny i 
 and Bdluilc. She gives them a true and faithful account thereof yea, and relates them as much 
 and no more than this Hiflory hath formerly related, and to verifie an Aeon firm her fpeechcs, 
 likea difereet young Gentlewoman,fhe gives them the Keyes of a Trunk of hers,whercin fhe 
 faith is her copy of a Letter fhe wrote to Poliguy , and his anlwcr again to her, which fhe prays 
 them to fend for, for her better clearing and difchargc\ The Judges fond fpeedily away for 
 thefe Letters, which are found, produced, and read, direftly concurring with the true circnra-, 
 flance cf her former depofiticn : whereupon with much applaufe and commendation they ac- 
 quit and difeharge her.But if La Falaifiere s Vertueshave cleared her \Laurietas Vicesfwhieh 
 the Judges begin to fmcll out by Poligny 9 s Letter ) do the more narrowly and flraightly impri- 
 fon her^and yet knowing that la Palaifiere neither had, nor could anyway accufc her,for either 
 or thefe two Mart hers, (lie lets a good face on her bad heart, and fb very bravely frollicks it in 
 prifon, and to fpeak truth, with far more joy, and lefs fear than heretofore : but to check and 
 overthrow thefe vain triumphs of hers in their birth, and to nip them in their buds, news is 
 brought her that her Waiting-maid Lucilla isfecretly fled : which her Judges ur.derflanding, 
 they now more vehemently than ever heretofore fufpeft, that (without doubt ) Lauricta\ydS 
 the author, and her Maid Lucilla theaccelTary of Belluilts Murther*, and fo they fet all the 
 City and Country for her apprcheniion.And this news indeed makes Lauruta fear that fhe will 
 infallibly be taken, which doth amaze and aiflift her, and indeed ha eat {he cannot refrain from 
 biting of her lip, and hanging down her head : but lee the miraculous and jufl judgment ot 
 
 ' o 3 # tin? 
 
102 
 
 God'y Revenue againji Rinrtber . Book li. 
 
 the Lord upon this wretched and bloody LucilU ! for fhe, for fear flying, as it is fuppofe > t at 
 night from to Orikgt, to her Parents, was there drowned, and the next morn found and 
 
 taken up dead in one of the Fenny Lakes betwixt the two Cities. Which news, being reported to 
 Lan icta, file again converts her fear into hope, and forrows into joyes, as knowing well that dead 
 bodies can tell no tales. But the Wifdom and Integrity of the Judges, by the apparency or L&m- 
 rUuC% crime in that of her Waiting- Maids flight, again command her to be racked : but the de- 
 vil is yet fo ftrong with her, and fhe with the devil, that flie again indures tne cruelty of tne c tor- 
 ments with a wonderful patience, with an admirable eonflancy and refolution,^ and to CGuragiouily 
 and ftcutly denying her crime,peremptorHy maintaining her innccency and juliification, her Judges, 
 led by the confi'deration cf the (harpnefs and bitternefs of her torments, as alio that they could rind 
 no diredf proof orfubttantial evidence againft her, begin to conceive and imagine that it might be 
 the Waiting-Maid, and not the Mifircfs, that had Cent BrVwle into another World ; andforeloive, 
 the Week following, if they heard nothing in the mean time to accufe L*«rint r, to releafe and 
 acquit her: which L urieta undemanding, the torments Which her limbs and body feel are no- 
 thing in refpeft of thofe contentments and joyes her heart and thoughts conceive 5 and already 
 building Cattles and Triumphs in her heart and contemplations, for the hope and joy of her fpeedy 
 inhrgcment 5 flic, in her apparel and behaviour, flaunts it out far braver than before. But (he 
 hath not yet made her peace with her Judges, neither have they pronounced her Ouitta 
 And alas, how fooltfhly and ignorantly doth the vanity of her hopes deceive and betray her, when 
 as the foulnefs of her foul, and contamination of her confcience v every hour and minute prompt her, 
 that God, the Judg oi Judges, wno hath feen, will in his good time and pleafure bothdetcdl 
 and punifhas wellher Whoredom as her Murther, in her Death! And lo, here comes both the 
 caufe and the manner thereof, wherein Go/s providence and juflicc do miraculoufly refplcnd and 
 fhinc. 
 
 For L^urlet t being indebted to her Land-Lord Moaifitur it Richconrt , as well for a whole years 
 rent, as for three hundred Livers in money, which he had lent her, being impatient of her defayes, 
 but more of her difgracc, lets out that part of his Houfe, which fhe held of him, to the Dean of 
 Carptntras, who for his health fake came to fojourn that Winter in lAvignion •, and difpairing of 
 her inlargement, and to fatisfie himlelf, begins to fell away her Houfchold-ftuff, yea, to the very 
 Billets which fhe bad in her Cellar, which heretains for himfelf ^ whereof when hisfervants came 
 to dear the Cellar, they removing the latt Billets, find the earth newly removed and opened in the 
 length and proportion of a Grave: whereat wondring, they prefently inform their Matter, who 
 viewing the fame, as God would have.it, he inttantly apprehended and beleeved, that Lanrieta had 
 undoubtedly killed Btli<ile y 3'id there buried him : when not permitting his fervants to remove the 
 jeaft jot of earth, he as a difcrect and honelt Citizen, with all pottibie celerity trips away to the Cri- 
 minal Judges, and acquaints them herewith ; who concurring with Riche gurt in his opinion and be- 
 lief, they difpeed their- ft Ives to the Houfeand Cel lr, where caufing the new opened earth to be re- 
 moved, behold, they find the miferable dead body of Bellttile there inhumanely thrown in, and bu- 
 ried in his Cloathes, which caufing to be taken off, thereby to fearch - his body; they find him 
 fhoc into ihe reins with two Piftol-Bullcts, and his body ftab'd and pierced with fix fever al wounds 
 of a Ripieror Ponyard: they are amazed at this pitiful and lamentable fpe&acle ; and fo retting 
 confident, it could be no other but Laurieta and her Maid Luci/la y that had committed this cruel 
 Murther, they very privately and fecretly caufe BclluiL* s dead body to be conveyed to the Prifon, 
 and there, when Lwritta I eatt dreamt thereof, expofe it to her fight, and in rough terms charge 
 and crye out upon her for this murther ; but this monfter of nature, and fhe-devil of her fcx,huh yet 
 herheart obdurated with revenge, and her foul fo o*re-clouded and berumn/d with impiety, as die 
 is nothing daunted or terrified with the fight hereof 5 but with many fearful imprecations and afleve- 
 raticDs ttands peremptorily in her innocency, and out of the heat of her malice and choller, terms 
 them Devils or Witches, that are her iccufers. But her Judges who can no longer be deluded with 
 her Vows, nor will no more give ear to her perfidious Oaths, command to have her Paps feared off 
 with hot burning Pincers, thereby to vindicate the truth of her cruel murther, from the falfehobd 
 of her impious and impudent denyal therepf. Whereat amazed and aftonilhed, and feeing this 
 cruel torment ready to be infli&ed and prefented her, God was fo indulgent to her fins, and fo mer- 
 ciful to her foul, as, the Devil flying from hci^ and fhe from his temptations, {he raining down ma- 
 ny rivolets and mowers of tears from her eyes, and evaporating many volleyes of fighs from her 
 heart, throwing her fclf down on her knees to the earth, and lifting up her eyes and hands to Heaven* 
 with much bewailing and bitternefs, fhe at latt confefleth to her Judges, that fhe and her Waiting- 
 M«d LucilLz were the Murtherers of Belluilc and for the which (he faid, that through her humble 
 contrition and hearty repentance, fhe hoped that God would pardon her foul in the life to corae, 
 though (lie knew they would not her body in this. Whereupon the Judges, in horror and execration 
 of her inhuman and bloody Crime, pronounce fentence of death upon fier, and condemn her, the 
 
 next 
 
Hift. VIII. * ‘Belluik and Laurieta. 
 
 next day after dinner) firft to be-hanged, then burnt in the fame Greet, right againft her lodging 
 Mtnfitttr it Kicbctmrt'i houfe • and likewife, fith LucdU was both an acceffary and a&or inthis 
 bloody Tragedy, that her body lhouldbe taken up of the Grave) and likewife burnt with hers iia 
 the fame fire: which accordingly was executed in the prefence of an infinite number of people 
 both of the Citizens, and adjacent neighbours of Avignim ; L* n ritu * uttering upon the Ladder a 
 Ihort, but a moll Chriftian and penitent fpeech to the people, tending firft to dlffwade them all by 
 her example from thofe foul and crying fini of Whoredom, Revenge, and Murther ; and then to it- 
 queft and perfwadc them, that they would a (Tift her with their religioas and devout prayers in her foul'* 
 pa(Ta°e and flight towards Heaven : yet adding withal, that as her Crime, fo her Grief was redoubled 
 becaufe, as Ihc had killed Be limit for Pilignft fake j fo fhe was fure that Btllmle had killed PoHgnfr 
 for hers. 
 
 And thus, Chriftian Reader, were the diffofute lives and mournful deaths of thefc two unfortu- 
 nate Gentlemen, Poltgnj and Bellullc ; and of this lafeivious and bloody Curtizan Ziutritt4 t and 
 her Waiting-Maid Luctll*. A Tragical Hiftory, worthy both of our obfervation and deteflation ; 
 and indeed °tbefe are the bitter fruits of Lull, Whoredom, and Revenge, andthcinfeparXblccom- 
 
 E anions which infallably await andattend them; the very fight and confideration whereof are Cap a- 
 lc, not onlytoadminifter confolation to the righteous, but to ftrike terrour to the ungodly. O 
 therefore, that we may beware by thefc their fatal and dangerous fins : for this is the only perfeft and 
 true way to repent and avoid their punifhments. 
 
 GOD’S 
 
Ctt/Mntvo join# te the W** I'fidtU* asvfrtfihot. 
 
 CgTsInwo Borina entertain r£ J Old C/ftelnwOatiJ raving, 'yyteanjj 
 
 
 a fit novo 
 
 Qid i'njl/’l novO *ifrrtf ivii/i Xrranfha to poyj’onhu wtji\Ce2/IcInovo hiir/turnc 
 
 Book ft. 
 
 CUCa ’l/ndve and J'otinaX CafMnovff^ovfoned J'onna J.awmtrhis doa/d I-P eritta. Stabs old caflrtnw^ennarfloht hand 
 
 GOD’s -Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 history ix. 
 
 Jacatno de Caftelnovo lufi fully falls in lovt with his Daughter in Law Pcrina, his own St* Fran- 
 
 cilc° de Cafielnovo’/ Mfe; whom to injoy, he cattfeth Jerantha fir II to poyfon his own Lasly Fidelia, 
 
 *!?*”•> **,* f * Francllco de Caftelnovo.- in revenge whereof , Perina treackcrouflj murthcr- 
 
 wh!rn!-L J Je , r ? ntha rtad J to dye in Travel of ( hild conffeth her two mmhersjortbe 
 
 - ■ „ K Z ? u gtd n *i him ; Pcrin * hath her ri i ht h * nd CH * #. *”* " condemned to perpetual im- 
 pTionmer.t, where Jheforrowf ally dyes. re 
 
 VV^rl n °r fe " dcur f cur , io , flt y ( or our curiofitf u«) tofeek Tygers and Monflersin 
 imbrue bur roTmLrh!. E Jd°K hath but too many : who arefo cruel and inhumane, not only to 
 Religion prohibit- i V- u'm' 11 C j CS m t ^ e J Dnocent blood of their Chriftian Brethren. And as 
 prophane Covn ™ n6s US J° Iove our enemies ; with what audacious and 
 
 are the create ft Dirt o' onr o| £n f 1U , rI1 f r Friend '’ nl >’ thole of our own blood, and who 
 
 id is 0 ; •‘y* 4 *** 
 
 referved others to my future Books’) . yet, in my Conceit it tath^nr ^ forms 5’ 1 j d 
 
 and inhumane th:n (bis, whether vve refneft rh^ \a ’ rk *!' 0 ! Ce r none more bloody 
 
 Hull to . ,,r«hcd MuSt bSJ^tn, a 'S*"’' • F ?. ? ere 
 
 R“™g«. *, b«i.- s both , Hnsb.ind a„d P.tL.'h b, ” imM ^. 7 ^." M,ll “ “ 
 
 2SS5 '«ngr ( ii?v h rri*i *SWi?t ri s G v 
 
 Cnee, odou <J:ac; <Ac S. , O to A S e k,^ 7St°£, 
 
 bloody 
 
Hifh IX. Caflelnouo and Perina. 
 
 bloodTand more compallionace and charitable ! And alas, alas, bypoyfon, that drug of the 
 devil who fiift brought the damnable invention thereof from Hell, to be pradifed here on earth 
 onlv bv bis Agents and Members, we fball likewife fee him killed by his Daughter-in-Law, for 
 formerly povfoning of her Husband : Luft feduced him to perpetrate thofe •, Affection, or ra- 
 ther bloody Revenge, drew her on to perform this, and ccnlequently to her punilhmcntduefor 
 the fame Had they had more Grace and Religion, they would not have been to inhuman, but 
 falling from that, no marvel if they fell to be fo wretched and miferable : for if we dye well, 
 wc feldome live ill •, if we live ill, we ufually never dye well , for it is the end that crowns the be- 
 ginning, not the beginning the end. Therefore if we will be happy in our lives, and bleffcd in 
 our deaths, wemuft follow Venue, and fly e from Vice, love Chafiity and Charity and hate 
 Luft and Envy, prefer Heaven before Earth, our Souls before our Bodies, and defie Satan with 
 a holy resolution both to fear and love God. 
 
 Savoy is the Country, and Nice the City ( feared upon the Mediterranean Sea, being the 
 ftronceft Bulwark again ft France, and the belt Fortrefs and Key of Italy ) where the Scene ot 
 this infuing Tragical Hiflory is laid, the which to refetch from the Head-fpring, and Fountain ot 
 its original, it muft carry our curiofity and tinderftanding over thofe famous Mountains, the 
 Abes, and from thence to the City of Saint John de Maurune> where oi late and frefh memory 
 dwelt arraged Gentleman, of rich revenues and great wealch,named Seignior Antonio de Arconeto* 
 who had newly by his deceafcd Wife, the Lady Eleanora de Bibant two Children, to * 
 Son and a Daughter j that, named Seignior Alexandra ; and this, the Lady Perina a little dif- 
 ferent in years, for he was eighteen, and flie but fifteen; but more in qualities and conditions, 
 for he was by Nature perverfe and cholerick, but (he, mild, courteous, and gracious. Again, 
 they differed much in the lineaments and proportion of their bodies ; for e Alexandro , like his 
 Father, was (hort, crook back’d, and hard-favour’d : and Perina , refembling her Mother, tal , 
 ftiaight- wafted, and fair: fo as it being a Principle and Maxim in Nature, that Parents (for 
 the moft part ) love thofe Children bell , who beft refemble them •, as the Mother Eleanor a pre- 
 ferr’d Perina in her affection before ^Alexandra fo contrariwife their Father Arconeto aid */*- 
 Uxar.d'o before Perina . JButas God had called Eleanor a out of this life, and left her Husband 
 t/f) cone to to furvive her •, fo Alexandra's joy proved his Sifter P#ma s .mifery and affliction : for 
 he was fo happy to fee himfelf tenderly cherifhed and affected, and (he fo unfortunate to per- 
 ceive h^r felf flighted and dif-refpe&ed of her Father ; wherein, as I praife Arconeto s intimate 
 
 love to his Son, fo I cannot but difeomraend, and.wichall, pity his immeritedandunnaturalneg- 
 
 left to his Daughter* wherein, as Alexandra triumphingin the one, judg judicious Reader, it 
 Perina had not caufe enough to grieve and lament at the other. But as the drift and fcope of this 
 Hiftory looks another way, fo for my part, who have undertaken to pen it, it is the leaft of my 
 intent or purpofe to give inftruftion and direction, how Parents fliould bear themfelves m their 
 affeftions towards their Children: for loving one, and'hafing another, the joy of the one proves 
 oftentimes the others forrow ^ Jand ip giving that too much hope, we many timers administer this 
 too much caufe of defpair, or if the inclinations and affections of Parents be more narrowly tyed, 
 and ftriftly linked to prefer and love one Child above tire other, yet fith they are the equal 
 ififue of our loyns, and we the only parents of their yputh, we fliould be as well cautious in the 
 diftribucion of our favours, as in the demonftration of our dtfrefpefls towarus them. But 
 nough of this digrefiion ^ and now again to our Hiftory. 
 
 As Alexandra grows up in years, fo he doth in ambition and o'ftentation : for if be play the 
 BravaMzhtOTid among Gentlemen and Ladies, fo authorized by his fathers hatred to his Sifter, 
 he at home becomes a pretty Tyrant to her ; yea, his carriage is fo Ctern and imperious towards 
 her, as if (lie were rather his Slave than his Sifter, or his laundrefs and his hand-maid than any, 
 part of himfelf, which notwithftanding it was both a daily grief to her heart, and a continual 
 torment to her thoughts ^ yet Perina's fwcet perfections, and gracious vertues and behaviour, 
 make her digeft and brook all with wonderful conftancy, and an admirable patience, foru^ll 
 flie knows, that if (he fliould complain to her Father, of her Brother's unkindnefs towards “ er jflje 
 fliould thereby reap no other remedy and redrefs but this, 1 hat the one would laugh, and the 
 other triumph thereat ; and that the iffue thereof woufd prove her complaints to be the May- 
 game of the one, and mocking-ftock of the other. But God hath ordained briefly to cafe her 
 of a great part of her undeferved difeontents and afflictions; for Jo, her Brother Alexandra, 
 debauching and furfeicing at a Banquet at Sn/a, returns home, furprifed of a hot pcftilent; Fever, 
 
God's Revenge againji Mnrtber. Look il 
 
 which notwithftanding the care of his Father, or the Art of his experteft Phyfician?, he, in three 
 dayes, is taken out of this life. 
 
 And now guided by the light of niture, and the inftimft of common fenfe andreafon, who 
 would not furmife or think, but that Arconcn >, having buried his Son Alexandro , fhould now 
 love his only Daughter and Child Perina far dearer and tenderer chan before ? But alas, nothing 
 lefs •, for he is not fo kind, and therefore fhe cannot be fo happy ; yea, which is vvorfe, although 
 his words be her commands, and hispleafure her law, yet he contemns both her and her obe- 
 dience, and never looks on her with love and affection, but/fill with difdain and envy : yea , in 
 a word,hisdiftafteis foextream and bitter againft her, as he is never better pleafed,than when fhe 
 isfurtheft from him, fo as her abfence may delight and content him, but her prefence cannot. 
 Which unratural diTrefpeft, and unjuft cruelty of her Father towards her, doth fo nip the joys 
 of her youth, and the bJoffoms of her health and beauty, as, poor young Gentlewoman, fhe be- 
 comes infinite melancholy, and extream weak and fickly ; which being obferved and pitied of 
 all her kinsfolks and friends, as being her Father’s only Child, and Heir to all his Lands and 
 Riches, anAuntof hers, being her Mother's Sifter, and likevvife her God-mother, termed the 
 Lady Dominica, a Widow-woman of the fame City, works fo with her Brother- in* Law Ar- 
 eweta, that he is content to permit his Daughter Ferin 4 to refide and dwell with her : whereat 
 as the Aunt is not a little glad, fo the Neece beyond meafurc infinitely rejoyceth, and triumphs 
 thereat, both hoping that her abfence may, and will procure her Father's affe&ion, which her 
 prefence could not; and that having more liberty and lefs bondage, fhe might again in a fhore 
 time recover her former health and content*, or elfe that God, out of his divine providence v 
 and pleafure in Heaven, might call and allot her out fome gallant Husband here on earth, with 
 whom, in the contents and pleafures of Marriage, fhe might end her future dayes in as much 
 tranquillity and felicity, as fhe had formerly liv.ed in difeontent and aftiidion : and in- 
 deed the event, though not in the firft, yet in the two laft points, anfweretb their expe&ati- 
 ons. 
 
 The Lady Dominica hath formerly contracted a Daughter of hers, named Den* Bertha, to a 
 Cavalier of the City of Nice , termed Seignior Barthoiomeo Splajji , bydefeent noble, and of 
 good revenewsand wealth. And now the appointed time is come for their marriage : to which 
 end, up comes SpeDjJi from Nice to Saint John de MaurU'ne, affifted and followed by ma- 
 ny Gallant young Gentlemen of his Kinsfolks and Friends • and, in a Word, with a Train 
 well befitting his rank and quality, where thefe Nuptials are folemnized with great variety of 
 pomp and pleafure-, as Feafting, Dancing, Masks, Running at the Ring, and the like; for rn 
 thefe amorous and Court-like Revels, the Savoyards ( as participating both of the French 
 and Italian humours) take a fingular delight and felicity: But, as many times one Wedding 
 occafionetband produceth another, fo Fortune, or, to fpeak more properly and truly, Godor- 
 oained, that the Lady Domin' ca appointed her Neece Ferina , to condudl the Bride-groom her 
 Son-in-taw Sptlajfi, to the Churchy and he had allotted one of the nobleft and eminent Ca- 
 valiers that came with him, named Signior Franclfco dejCaftclnovo, to perform the fame Ce- 
 remony to his Bride the Dona Bertha, being a Knight of Malta , native of the City of Nee, 
 and Son and Heir to Seignior Jacomodc Caftelnovo , a very ancient and rich Baron of Savo ). Now 
 as was a motf beautiful and fair young Lady, fo was*our young Caftelnovo a very pro- 
 per Gal.anc Cavalier, and fith the occafion of this Marriage, and the fortunacy and opportu- 
 nity of their united office, by a kind of deftinated and happy priviledg, authorized each to 
 be familiar in the others company and prefence : fo, as Lovers begin to court firft in jeft, then 
 in earned, the hekrts and breafts of this young couple are in the end equally furprized with 
 tne Hamc of afteaion • yea, his perfonage and dancing, and her beauty and finging, mutually 
 in 'm e tush e of love in their thoughts and contemplations; which either imagineth, and 
 J}. r P e ^ ci y e an( J underhand , by the dumb Oratory and filenc Rhetorick of their eyes: 
 Which Caftelnovo knowing her defeenc and quality anfwerable to his, he intends to feek 
 her in Marriage. When, not any longer to fupprefs or conceal their affections, they after din- 
 of d.ve» others in the Garden, hefinglethout theLady Per in*, his 
 E 5 B °' ver - c,ofe 1 | y ^er. veird with Vines, Sycamores, and Cyprus trees and 
 
 h,s . dc ^P. affedion ButtoavoidtheproliKious’rela- 
 
 nE h ‘ ,theirC ^ ed inte ™ J J nd confercnce ' although at firft Tcrbrft modefty ( the 
 rweeteftonument and vertue t of a Lady ) was fuch, as (he not only kept her felf, but likewife 
 her affeftion to her felf, yet her courteous and thankful anftvers, waited and (econded by many 
 d^usblufties, and amorous fighs although not publickly, yet privately inform'd her Lo- 
 
 , r C zi mV ‘ h i lkeW ^ ,0ved h,m : fo 35 dur,n S tIle term of fifteen dayes, which Ste- 
 
 l*!fi and he remained in Sunt Jvhndt SUnricne, lie never Jeft courting her, til; he had obtained 
 
 her 
 
Hid:. iX. Caflelnovo and Perina. 
 
 her affection, ard content to be his Wife; drawn thereunto by thcfe two attractive and fedbeina" 
 reafons: Firft, that Caflelnovo was a gallant and proper Cavalier, as alio her equal iti-defcenr 
 and means- and then, chat the fhoufd live i n Nice with a Husband who dearly loved her, zndnl 
 longer in Saint John di. Marina, with a Father #ho extreamly hated her: Neither can th fe our 
 young Lovers bear their atfe&ions fo fecrer, but the whole company, efpeciaily the Lady'JWwV t 
 her Aunt perceives it, and deeming it a fit match for her Nccce, rejoyccth thereat, Cajl.Uovo le- 
 cretly acquaints her therewith, and intreats her belt alfifUtlce therein, towards her Brother Arconeto 
 which (he promifetb, and forthwith attempterh : whiW Caflelnovo y caking time at advantage i*e- 
 eonds her in his (uic for the Daughter, to herold Father. 
 
 Now her. Father tArconeto (degenerating from the- -natural aflfeilion of a F; : her towards h:s 
 Daughter) is fo willing to part wirmher to^ny Husband, that he may no more fee her, nor bi? trou- 
 bled with her pretence; as thinking a far w’orfc Match good enough, he thinks ibis infinite- 
 ly too good for her; and fo at the leaf! fhaciow of the very ftfft motion contents (hereunto ; which nor 
 only baniihech ‘Tcrina's old Grief, but. -confirmeth Cafleln^o's new joyes i vea they, like two 
 fweet and vertuous Lov.rs, fo extreamly rejovee and triumph thrreat, as he riding home Poll to 
 Nice , to acquaint his own Father S gnior J acorn* it CafleU'ri* therewith ; and Twifcly ret#ft-* 
 ing again to Saint Jzhn it Marnene, with his confent and approbation ; this marriage 6 f'CaftAw* 
 vo and Perina , is almoll as foon folemnized, as that of Spelaffi and Bertha, though indeed mare 
 obfeure, and with far iefs Pomp and Bravery, in refpetf: of the perverfnef* and difhfle, eff her 
 froward old Father %Arctmeto . So, fifteen dives being expired (incc Spelaffi and C*(h!no»o fh:t; 
 firit departure from Nit., they leave Saint John ie Mauriene . , to return and conduit rbeir Brides 
 horn: to Nice, robbing that, to inrich this City with two fuch Beautiful and Gallant Ladies, a 2 were 
 Bertha and Perina, 
 
 Now the better to add Life and Form to this Hiftory, or rather to approach the moire material and 
 cflenthl parts thereof, we mull here 1 we to fpeak of Sfelafi and B rtbaAnd wholly tie our thoughts 
 and curiolity to Caflelnovo and Perina, two principal and unfortunate Perfonuors, who both have 
 mournful parts to a<* upo* the Stage and Theater of Nice; for this Marriage of theirs, is not be- 
 gun with the tenth part of fo many joyes, as we (hall (hoijtiy fee it waited and attended otu ye*> 
 diifolved and finiflicd both with tears and blood. 
 
 C a (l el novo having brought Home his fair and dear 'Perina to Nice, fheisvery honourably 
 welcomed, and courteoufly received and entertained, of his old Father, Seignior Jacopo it 
 Caflelnovo, and of the Lady Fidelia his Mother, and fo are all her Kinsfolks and Friends, who ac- 
 company her ; yea, there wants no feafting nor revelling in Nice} to teftifie howmuch they con- 
 gratulate and rejoyce at their Son's good Fortune and Happinefs. And for Caflelnovo and 'Terjnet 
 themfelves, why they are fo ravifhed in the content, and drowned in the joyes and delights of 
 Marriage, as though they have two Bodies, yet but one Hearts Define, and affeSion *, • yea, they 
 are fo extreamly in Love each with other, as they believe there is no Heaven upon fiarth, roth.it 
 of each others Prefence. But they fhall be deceived herein ^ for there are 1 magical y pv,; 
 arifing, to trouble the Serenity of this Marriage, and the felicity and tranquillity of thefe arftSftC 
 ons. 
 
 For it is both with Grief and Shame, that I mud b: fo immoddl, and 'therefore ur r rtouate, 
 to relate, that the old Biron Jacomo de Caflelnovo , nged of fom* chreefcore and eight ”c«rsy 
 hath fo fir forgotten his God and himfelf, his confdence and his f u*, grace W nr.tnre r ; >• - 
 manity, as gazing on thefrefhand delicious Beauty of our fweet Lady Perina. his o vn Sort's \ / . ? ■ 
 he gives the Reins both of his obfeene defires, and inordinate atfhelions, to Lull after h:r. O 
 how my heart trembles to think how he who is white with the Snow of a venerable Agt, fhould 
 now lateivioufty idolatrize to Beauty ! bow he that hath ( as it were ) ohe foot in his^Grave, fhould 
 lulU’ully defire to have the other in h ; s Son’s B*d! how he that he that huh his Veins dryed uo and 
 withered, and nothing living in him but defi:e, fhouldyetof all the .Beauties of the world, defire 
 only roio joy that of his Son's Wife l how he, that hath fcarce any tim: left him to be reoenrant and 
 forrowful for his old Sins, will now anew make himfelf guilty of thefe foul Sins of Adultery, and 
 I may in a manner fay of Inceft ! how he that hath not divert the Flower of his Youth, will yet 
 Ml lafeivioufly and wilfully refufe to be flow the Bran of his Age on his God l Alas miferable Caftel- 
 novo, wretched old man, or rather lubricious and beaftly Letcher, thus to drown thy Thought in 
 the Hell of Coocu.pitcence and Adultery, when it were far fitter thou ilv>uldft lift them up to Hea- 
 ven, in the lacrifice of Prayer, and other pious and religious contemplations ! But all this will not 
 prevail to (lop the current of his voluptuoulnefs, and the progrcfiionof his fenfuatity : forwkhcut 
 refpedt of his God, or regard, of hi.s foul, he is refolute in ht$ defires, to mike a Strumpet of his 
 Daughter in Law, and to make his Son's Wife hi? Whore i but God will deceive his hopes, and 
 prevent his Viilaoy. 
 

 
 loS - God's Revenge againjt Mnrtber . book ll. 
 
 Now the better 2nd fodner to draw her to his lafdvious Dcfires, he is wonderful courteous 
 and atfabletoher, Hill walking and talking with her, yea, and many times killing her ■ where- 
 of, both her Husband and fdf are infinitely joy ul, but cipcciaJly Ptrwa^ becaule (he linasagrcai 
 alteration in her forrune, in that her Rather in Law C a ft c! novo proves as courteous to her, as her 
 own Father At cone to is cruel. Bur poor innocent foul, and fweet and chaHe Lady, little dcit ihaia 
 either dream, or think on his lafciviousintent agamil thine Honour ana Chaftity. Q*u Caft inov» 
 wallowing in the filthinefs, and burning in the fire of his new Luft, and lofing himfelt and his 
 thoughts m the Labyrinth cf his Daughter in Law Pc ir.a*s Beauty* he thinks on notniog to* much, 
 fray /on- nothing elft| buth >w to obtain her to his lafeivious Will: but not daring, or rather fearing 
 to acquaint her wit h his inordinate and bcaftly purpofe, whiles his Son, her Husband, is ar h: na- 
 present with her, he forgeth and frames a plot, both unnatural and treacherous, to make him im- 
 brace and follow the Wars in waiting on the Duke Charles Emanuel, or the Prince A**d:c rtchr 
 his S n and Heir, who with their Warlike Troops were refolute tocxpdl the Duke of Firs+V#*- 
 roy of MilUin, with his Spanifh Regiments, out of faride^ Cajfall, and the other Towns of 
 Piedmont : to which end his luftful affection to Perina , made him eloquent in perfwading, and pow- 
 erful in drawing her Husband to this Martial addon, fo full of Honour and Glory 5 adding, that his 
 Honour, and the fervice of his Prince and Countrey, called him to The Field, and that heiliouldl 
 not wholly drown himfelf in the Beauty of his young Wife, and the pleafures cf Marriage. His 
 Son Caftelnovo not at all fufpedting, or dreaming what a dangerous Snake lay luiking under the greens 
 Leavs of his Father's Sugred Speeches and Perfwafions, like a noble and generous Knight as he was 
 needs no other advocate but his own Honour afuLMariial Dhpofition toitnbarK him in thefe Wars 9 
 and although the Beauty, Rtquefts, and Tears of bis young Lady were vehement f ofici tours ro di- 
 vert him, yet he is refolute to leave her for three or four months. And fo making ready his Arms, 
 Trfin, Hcrfcs and preparatives, he giving her many kifles, and flic returning him a world of fighs 
 and tears, leaves AVer, and fo finds out the Duke and his Army in Piedmont \ where for a little time 
 wc will leave him. 
 
 It is a queftion very dif putable, and which by my weak capacity and judgment cannot well be de- 
 cided, Whether this departure of young Caftelr.ovo to the Wars, made his Father more glad, or 
 his Wife forrowful : for, as fhe was all in tears, fo was he in mirth and j ollity, being lb vain in Lull 
 andioluliful in his Vanity, as he trims up his Bc2rd, and goes neater andwithall more youthful in 
 his Apparel than accuftomed ^ yea,- his Luft had fo metamorphofed him, as if it had a prophane in- 
 fluence, and fecret power to renew old age in him. But alas, alas, what pcifeftion of • Chaftity can 
 wc expedT or hope for in youth, when we fee no better figns and fruits in one cf threefcore and e»g kt 
 years? Butlw.Jl follow the ftream of our Hiftory, though indeed the .Relation of this eld las- 
 civious Letcher’s Luft and Vani'y to his Daughter in Law Pirina y equally afflid me with grief and 
 pity to publilh it. 
 
 I am then conftrained to write and averr, that although mecr (hame and unnaturalnefs d> 
 as yet vvith-hold this wretched Father's tongue, from vomiting forth his adulterated Luft to hw 
 fair and chaft Daughter in Law Perl .a , yet his Luft isfo immodeftly hfeivious, as he cannot keep 
 himfelf out of her company, n^r, being in ir, refrain from killing her ; but to fee the innocency, 
 and obferve the purity of her Thoughts, fhe neverthelefs not to much as any way fufpeds or 
 dreams of his bfeivious intent, although indeed (he thinks this courtefieof hisfomewhat exceeds 
 the priviledge of a Father, and the Duty of a Daughter ; but meafuring this b / the cruelty of her 
 own Father, (he, poor filly foul, thinks her felf in this refpeft now as happy, as heretofore fhe was 
 inferable. Only the abfence of her dear Husband C*ft*lnovo y doth both torture and torment her ; 
 and the more, for that he is in the field at Wars ; when, God knowetb, ihe defireth and wiihctb he 
 (hould be at home with her in peace. 
 
 But whiles Perina looks from Savoy to Piedmont, from Nice to V rceltl, and from her felf to 
 her Lord and Hu»band, her other fdf, wc muft not forget, becaufe our Hiftory will retnem- 
 ber, her Mother in Law Fidelia, which now we muft admit and rc-ccndilft to ad her part upon 
 the I heater hereof ; Who, . obferving her Husbands immodeft and unwife Familiarity demorftra- 
 ted to the young Lady Perina, her Son's Wife, as alfo his alteration in Humours and Aoparcl, 
 but chiefly in his accuftomed. Diftradions and Sighs in his reft and repofc ; (be more cut of Ver- 
 tuous Wifdom, than Fooliftv Jealoufie, aims at his vain Luft towards this young Lady her 
 Daughter in Law ; whereat ibe both admires with Grief, and wonders with anxiety df Affl eb- 
 on and .Sorrow, to fee her old Husband, in the Winter of his Age, fo fottifh and beaftjy to 
 luft after his own Son's young Wife ; to fee that no refped of Heaven , no regard cf 
 Conference, nor apprehenfion of Damnation and Hell, had the Grace or Power, cither to 
 kill th;fe lafcivious Thoughts in their Conception, or to ftranglc them in their Birth, to fee that 
 
 he 
 
 . 
 
Cafielnovo and Perina. 
 
 Hid IX. 
 
 he"whofvas ready to f o to his Bed of Death, fhcutd now ' like the Salamander in the fire j be 
 burnin-’ with delire/ to go to that of Lult and Adultery; ai d to fee him fo devoid of Pity, as 
 be muft needs ioyn lnccft with Adultery, as if one of inde bealilv Sins alone, were tot enough 
 enormous and prodigious to make his life timetable and his death wretched. And although 
 the hath caufe enough of forrow in her felf, yet when fhe thinks of her Husbands Age, and 
 Daughter’s Youth, cf his luft and her chafticy, and, whicn is more, of themofl degenera e and 
 unnatural part of a Father to feek to pollute and defile his own Son's Bed. and consequently 
 his own honour; This indeed goes near her, and this, and only this, makes her look on him, 
 both with envy and pity : but her age having, taught her to love D.fcretun and to hate and 
 difdain Jealoulie, . fhe bears this as patiently as five may, till at lafi feekirg and fird;n ; cut a fit 
 opportunity, fiae, both with tears in her eyes, and grief in her ipcechcs very fecretly checks him 
 for thefe his inordinate and lafcivious dcfircs towards ihe young Lady P<n»a i their Daughter m 
 
 U But as it is the nature of Sin fo to betray and inveigle our Judgments, that we flitter our 
 felves with a falfe conceit, none can s perceive it m us ; fo tbis cAd Letcher, her Husbar.d, think- 
 inc that he had danced in a Net, from the jealoufic and fufptuon ot all the VVorW, in thus 
 affedfin 1 ’ his Son’s Wife, lie, like a lewd and wretched old Varlet, is fo far fronfrell: flung 
 thefe his old Wive’s Speeches and Exhortations, or from being reclaimed thereby, as he dif- 
 dainetb both them, and her-, and from henceforth is fo imperious, and withill bitter t» her, as 
 he never looks on her with A flail bn, but Envy ; which nevertheefs fhe (as a Mo.e.t V«ife, 
 and Grave Matron) holds it a part not only of her Love, hut of her. Duty, by lweet Speecnes, 
 and feft means of Perfwafion, to divert him from this Fond and Laicivicus Humour of his. Luc 
 obferve the Vanity of his Lafdvioufnefs, and the Impiety of his Thoughts and Kefolutions ■ for 
 all her Pravcrs and Psirfwafions feive only ratheqtofct, than rebate the Edge of his Lu » ra- 
 iher bring Oyl toincreafe, than Watertoquench the Flame of his Immcdeft and Irregular Af- 
 feftion, fo as feeing that the flood ia the way of obtaining his Beafily Pleafurcs ; he, likeapro- 
 phane and barbarous Husband, terms her no more his Wife, but his Medea ; and, whicn is worfe, 
 be, out of the heatboth.pt his Luft and Choler, yowshe will foon remove her from this World to 
 
 3n And here the Devil, ambitious and defirousof nothing fo much, as to fill up the empty rooms 
 cf his vaft and infernal Kingdom, by miferablc and execrable degrees takes pofie fion fir'l of 
 his thouohts then cf his heart, and laftly of his foul ; fo as being conflant m hut indignation and 
 choler, and refolute in this his impious and bloody revenge, be means to d.fpatch and mu they her, 
 who for the term of forty two years had been his molt loving Wife, and faithful Bed-fellow ; but 
 witball he will aft it fo privately/as not having as yet dtfcovcred his afteihon to his Da^hter 
 Evill therefore conceal bothfrom her and all the World the further of this h.sW.fe Fidelia 
 except only to thofegracclefs and execrable Agents he meant to imploy m this mournful and bloody 
 
 b " To which end, ( with a beUifii Ratiocination ) ruminating and revolving en the manner there- 
 of, he having run over the Circumltances of many Violent and Trag.cal Deaths, at Uft rcfolves 
 to pofon Iter; and deems none fo fit to undertake it, as her own WaUmg-Ge^^mmn > 
 rarthl ; the which authorized by his former lafcivious dalliance with her, # g » faV(mr | 
 five hundred Duckets that he will give her, he is confident fhe will undertake and fimfh ; neither 
 doth he fail in his bloody hopes ; for what with the Honey of his flittering Speeches, and the Su- 
 gar of his Gold, fhe, like an infernal Furv, and a very Monfter of her Sex, moft ingratefully and 
 inhumanly confers thereunto* fo as putting poyfon into white-broath, which ifome 
 was accuftom:d to make and ^ive her Lady, it fpreadmg mroher cuw « - ' t ’® ous " Matron 
 
 Humour of her Life and Strength, within eight dayes carries this Aged and 
 
 to her Grave, and her Soul to Heaven. But he: Muctherers (hall pay dear for this her untimely 
 
 fhe Lady Perina, and all the Lady Fidelia's Kinsfolks and Friends infinitely nmcntandbe.Vuii 
 her Death /and indeed fo doth the whole City cf Nice, where for her Defcent ind Vertues fiie t 
 infinitely beloved and afTefled , but all thefe tears of I chetrs are nothing m compinfon of thole ot 
 her wicked and execrable Husband Cafielnovo, who, although he inwardly 
 
 feems tobe exceedingly afflufted and dejeded. But as he hath Si 
 
 thercr, and now of an Hypocrite yet, have we but a little patience, and we lhall fee that cetera , 
 
 this unmasked; and both punifhed. f . p reue u Kina a nA 
 
 Whiles this mournful -Tragedv is a&cd in Nice ^ the Meaiatipn of. * r> , 
 
 Pope reconcile .he difaencX, s ive end to .be Was, and conclude Peace bcw.x, S, » and 
 
 Saz V- P 3 So 
 
•Iio 
 
 
 
 i|| | 
 
 11 
 
 w 
 
 
 
 ri I , • : 
 
 God’s Revenge' agaitift Murtber. 
 
 
 So home returns the Duke of Feria, to Milleany the ncbfe Duke cf Sfwj* and Cue generous 
 Princes his Sons, xoTttrin \ the Marthal *Z>* Defdigmsrcs, and ihe Bftron of Ter mu .into Fraic • 5 
 and confequently home comes our Knight Caftclnovo to Nice : where thinking ro rejoyce with his 
 young Wife, he is To uufor uni e.to mourn for the Death of h'.s old Mother ; but GOD knows, 
 chat neither of them know the leatt fp<v k or fiudow of her cruel and untimely Mur t her, ana ;els, 
 the caufe thereof. Now for his lafcivions and bloody bather, albeit,to cafi a vail be l ere b/s thoughts; 
 and his intents and a&ions, be publickly mourns for his Wive’s Death, and sejbyceth .lor his Son's 
 Return; yet contrariwife he privately mourns for this-, and re Joyce th tor that. Burto Lave the 
 remembr mce cf Fidelia, to aflume that rf our Pen**\ 1 know riot wncthcr fhc grieved more ac 
 her Husband's abtence, or rejoyce at his prefence, fitb her affections to him was >b render and fer- 
 vent, as in her heart and foul flic efteemed that as much her Hell, as this her Heaven upbn Earth: 
 but thefe joyesef hers are but fires of (traw, or filtering Sun-ffnne, which are lu^enlv mlhzd 
 either away with a fhowre, or eclipfed and banifhed by a tempeft *, for whiles her hopes iistter her 
 belief of her Husbands continual flay and refidence with her, her Father- in- Larfs Ldtfohcr, 
 fore-feeing and confidering that it was impolfibic to think to obtain her at home, > e’Ye hep Husband 
 his Son, ifere again imployed and fent abroad, makes all his thoughts, aim, cate, and-indultry tend 
 that way as if time had no power to make him repent the former Murtheroi his Wiic, c: Qjsce 
 influence to renounce the future defiling and difhonouring df his Daughter- in^LatC 
 
 Put he Is ascendant in his Lufi to her, as refolutc in his difpafebing'and fending swavof himi 
 only he muli find cut feme pregnant, vertuous, and honourable pretext and colour for tbeefftft- 
 ingof hisdefign and refclution, becaufe he well knows his Son Cafiifoovo is as wife and generous 
 in himfelf, as amorous cf his beautiful young Lady Perir.a: but his luff, which is the. caufe 
 of his Refoliition, or rather his vanity, which is the Author of his Lull, atone time fuggefishim 
 ;hefe two feveral imployments for his Son *, either to fend him into Franc? with the Prince Major ^ 
 who was lately contracted, and fhortly to efpoufe 'JMadarx* CMfttene the King's fecor.d, Sifter •; 
 or elfe under the infinuation cf fome great Penfions and Offices that were fliortly to be difpeferi of 
 in Malta, again to fend him back thither : and His harping on thefetw ^firings, was the only mu ~ 
 Tick and melody which he now gave his Son;who after he had,a month or two at mdd,recreatcdvhini* 
 felf in the fweet company of his dear and fweet Wife Ptrina, he lead of ail aiming whereat histfather 
 aimed, by hisabfecce again gives way, andconfents to his defire cf his departure : only the choice 
 of thefe two different imployments is yet quedion able and unrefolved cf betwixt the bather and his 
 Son : For as the Son’s cunofity defireth for tofet the Court of France, which as yet he hath not fen z 
 fo his Father's Lud and Malice is to have him return honourably to Malta, from whence he n?.th 
 formerly received his honour of Knight- hood, and there to obtain a Pen (ion (faring the term of* his 
 life. 
 
 The Son imbraceih the pleafures of the Journey of Tram?, before the Profit and Hcnrut 
 rf the V,oyage of Malta. But the Father aiming at other ends, prefers this cf Malta bdbre 
 that of France s fo as time working an imprefiion 1 in his thoughts, and his Father's defire a kind 
 of natural Command in his Will, and of filial Obedience in his Reiolut ion. brat lad ref dives on 
 Malta. 
 
 But as neither of thefe two enterprises of young Cafttlnovo is pleafiog but dMtefttful to his young 
 and fair Lady Perina ; foif her afflkdionandmilery befuch, as of the two her Husband muff needs 
 attempt and profecute one.then fith he may go into Fr^^byLand, and cannot toMaJta,but by Sea; 
 /he at lad, with an inforccd williRgnefs(fympachizing with his firft inclination jlikewife defires that 
 the Objeft of his Journey, and the Period of his Voyage be France , not M-dta ; as relying rather 
 in hearing from him to (land at the fpecd and fidelity of a Poll, than at the uticonfiancy of the 
 Winds, and the mercy of the Seas. 
 
 So all things prepared and ready for his Voyage, Peritsa importunately begging, and her Husband 
 C aflclnovo cobfidentry promifiog his fpeedy return, fhe conducing him over the Hill to Villafranca y 
 in her Coach : they there, with many reciprocal kiffes, fighs and tears, take leave each cf other ; he 
 imbarking himfelf upon a French Galley bound from MdrftilUs to c JMalta, (which fiopt there ac- 
 cidentally ) and fiie committing him to the aufpicious favour of the Wind and Sea, very forrowfuliy 
 returns for Nice. 
 
 Thus leaving the Son floating and wafting on the Seas, let us again return to his unnatural 
 and beaftiy Father, who feeing his Wife gone to Heaven, and his Son to Malta, andalhliinc* 
 hitherto to fucceed according to his lafeivious Dcfires , doth now affure himfelf, that cither 
 by fair or foul Means h« will reap his Plctftfrc of his Beautiful Daoghter-in-Liiw Pe> ini 
 
 To 
 
 
HifL IX. Caflelnovo and Perina. 
 
 Towhich end he gives her the foie government and luperHitendenceof his houfe, with intent 
 and hope the fooner to govern, and furer to command her: and fo forgetting modefty, and his 
 luft givino a La.v to his confcience, fifteen day'es are fcarce paft, till finding her in her Chamber 
 playing on her Lute, he after fome paufes, coughs, and kifies, bewrays and vomiteth her forth hi* 
 
 fervent affection and defiie. . . . , r 
 
 But for mine own part, I highly difdam to pollute and vilifiethis Hiftory wich the obfeene 
 and lafeivious fpeecbes, wherewith this old Letcher Cafielnovo courts this young Lady Perina his 
 £> au „bter in- Law, as holding them as unworthy of my relation, as of my Reader’s knowledg . 
 ofmymodefi pen, as of their chad ears, only judging of their nature and quality by their 
 effefts The beaftlinefs and unexpe&ednefs thereof, firft made Fenna extreamly blufli for fharae 
 and choler, and then immediately again look pale with grief and dildain, when not able to 
 brook or hearken to his lewd fpeec hes, much lefs his hateful pfefence , the, in the defence and 
 prefer vation of her chaility, which fhe preferred before her life, giving him a iharp anfwer, and 
 a bitter denyal • and grieving to lee a Father fo gracelefs and impious, to feek to defile his own 
 Son s bed in her dilhonour, (lie throws away her Lute, and fo very haftily and cholerickly 
 abandoneth his prefence, and her own Chamber. At which he bites his lip for rage, and hangs 
 
 down his head for indignation. But at laft, fin and the devil raigning in him, makes him that he 
 will not take this firft repulfe for his laft anfwer and denial : but, refolute to perfevere in his 
 lubricity he in every walk, garden, and room, frequents and haunts her as her Ghoft, as thinking 
 to obtain that from her through his importunity, which he could not by his perfwafion; but 
 this his impudency fhali not prevail. . 
 
 Now as hisfinlul motion infinitely grieved her, f j his perfeverarice and importunacy therein 
 doth doubly afflict and torment her ; how to appeafe this ftorm, to quench the fire of his Lull, 
 and deface the remembrance and feeling of her grief, fhe know; rot. For alas, alas, fhe is to 
 unhappy, as her own Father Arconcto, and her Aunt Dominica are at St. John dc Maureen f, Her 
 fweetand dear Husband in Malta , and her Mother-in- Law, the Lady Fidelia m Tfeaven lo as 
 fhe hath no intimate nor fecrec familiars, nor any bofome-friend to reveal thefe heriorrows ana 
 afflictions. Once fhe thought to Real away from Nice, fo to pafs the Mountains, and to fly back 
 to Saint John dc Mauricnt : but again confidering the dilhonour, and withall, the danger to un- 
 dertake this journey, as alfothe cold reception and entertainment fhe Ihould there find o_ her 
 
 own hard-hearted Father, who would rather deride than pity her afflictions : fhe alcereth this 
 her refolution, and fo refolves a little longer to flay in Afire, hoping and praying, that God 
 would reCtifie her Fathcr-in-Lavv Cafielnovo’ s judgment, and reform the errours of his Ufcivxous 
 thoughts and defires. And fo for her part, hating the Father as much as fhe loved the Son her 
 Husband; he could not be more Prodigal of his lewd fpeeches and tentations to her, than e 
 was of her fighs and tears to underfland and repel them. A thoufand times the wilheth her felf 
 in Malta, with the Knight her Husband, or he in Nice with her : and could her body fo foon 
 have flown or failed thither as her thoughts, he had long fince mjoyed the bappinefs of her pre- 
 fence and fhe the felicity of his Father’s abfence. But. fith fhe is too miferable to he fo fortunate, 
 fhe hath yet this confutation left her to fweeten the bitternefs of her afflictions, and this hope 
 to revive and comfort her againft her difpair, that her Letter may procure his fpeedy return 
 from Malta to Nice. Whereon refolving, although the occ i.fion and grounds thereof were as 
 ilran-’e as lhameful, fhefecretly Reals to her Chamber, and I dong her door to her, takes her 
 pen and paper, and rather with tcarsthan Ink, writes him thefe few lines : 
 
 PERINA to CASTELNOVO. 
 
 A Lthauth mine ties and heart can better veep and ftgh for mine a fflilliont, than my pen depart 
 theme let 1 frould infinitely wrong thee in my felf , and my felf in thee , if I inform thee not 
 by this my Letter (the fecret Ambaffador of my heart) that my af Alton deferves, and mine honouri 
 requires thy, fpeedy return tome; I would unlock thee this mj fiery and make it more obvious and ap- 
 parent to the eye of thine undemanding, but that mine o*n modefty, and another s frame commands 
 iij Pen to ftlence herein. And again, my tears ft confufedly and mournfully interrupt my H hs A^y 
 mi tears, and both my pen , * although I have the wUfyct I Vc*nt the power to enlarge the. Only my 
 dear Cafielnovo, ,f ever thy Perina were dear to thee, make her hyfy Kith thy fight, who deems 
 her felf not only miferable, but accu sed in thy abfcrtcc. For till Nice be thy Malta, Heaven may. 
 
 Earth cannot xjcyce me. PERINA. 
 
 Having 
 
God's Revenge again)} Murtber. Book 11 . 
 
 Having written this her Letter, fhe finds a confident and intimate friend of her Husbands, a 
 Gentleman named Seignior Benedetto Sabia, who undertakes the fafe conveyance, and lecret de- 
 livery thereof into Alalta to Caftelnovo : fo, giving it him with ftore of Gold, to defray the 
 charge of his journey, as alfo a pair of Gold Bracelets for a token to her Knight and Husband, 
 he imbarks for Genoua, fo to Naples, and from thence in a Neapolitan Galley* arrives in fhort 
 time, to the renowned and famous Ifie of Malta , the inexpugnable Bulwark of Chriftendom, 
 and the curb and bridle of audacious infulting Turhy, where finding out the Knight Seignior 
 Frcncifco de Cafidnovo, he effectually and fairly delivers him his Ladies Letter, Bracelets, and 
 MefTage, who withdrawing himfelf to a Window, hath no fooner broken up the feals and read 
 the Letter, but he is at firfl: much perplexed at the unexpected news thereof; he readsito're 
 again and again, and finds it fo obfeure, as he cannot gather or conceive her meaning therein, 
 butatlafi conltruingit only to be a wile and fetch of her affe&ion, to re-fetch and call him 
 home to Nice to her : he loth as yet to lofe and abandon his hopes of peferraent in that ifland, 
 which now the great Mailer hath promifed him, difpatcheth Sabia back for Nice, and plucking 
 off a rich Emerald from his finger, delivers it him for his Lady Verina , as a token of. his dear and 
 fervent affection, and with it a Letter in anfwer of hers. 
 
 In the interim of Sabia hisabfenceto Malta, our old lafeivious Baron Caftelnovoi s not idle 
 in Nice, in ftill feekingto draw our Lady Perina to his Adulterous defire, and will *, yea, he is 
 become, fo obfeene in his requefis and fpeeches, as they not only exceed chaftity, but civility, fo 
 as fhe ( poor Lady ) can find no truce, nor obtain any intermiffion from thefe his beaftly folici- 
 tations; but refolving Hill to preferve her honour with her life; her pure challity fhines clearer 
 in the midfi of thefe his impure temptations, than the Sun doth, being invironed and incom- 
 pafTed with many obfeure clouds: but fhe thinks every hour a year,- before fhe fee her Knight 
 Caficlnovo, fafely returned from Malta • when lo, Sabia, arriving at Villafranca , trips over to Nice , 
 and underftaqdmg Perina privately bolted up in her Chamber, he repairs to her, and there deli- 
 vers her, her Kqight Cafednovo s Ring and Letter, although nothimfclf; when tearing off the 
 Seals, fhe therein finds thefe words : 
 
 M 7 Fair and Dear Perina, the knowledgof thy feghs and tears tbe more afflifl and grieve me] 
 m refpeB 1 am ignorant whence tbe j proceed , or what occajloned them : *tis true , thy affeBion 
 
 thou mu ft notfindit ftrange , rquch lefts grieve thereat , fish the excellency thereof hath forcer, not only 
 to captivate one but many * yea , the confederation thereof Jhould rather Tejoyce, than affliB thee , fith 
 Whatfoevcr he be, the fbamew the end will remain his, and the glory thine. But dear and Jweet Lady, I 
 te honour is only the pretext , and thy affeBion the caufe , fo earneftly to dtfere my re! urn: 
 o I Would willingly confent , but that the daily expeBance cf my preferment , mu ft a little Ion* 
 # ' l ^ ere : ° n ^ l )^ lS * S r ef Button, and I pray , let it be thj afurance, I Will dij patch my 
 aftairshetre with all pojftible expedition , and fh all never think my ft elf happy till I rc-imba rk from 
 Malta, and land at Nice. U 
 
 CASTELNOVO to PERINA.’ 
 
 defer ves my return; and the prefer vat ion of thine honour y not only to requeft, but to require and com- 
 mand it : but I am Jo affured of that , and fo confident of this , as 1 knoW thou wilt carry the fir ft to thy 
 grave ^ and thefecond t o Heaven . *5$, tf any one fence my departure have fain in Love with thy beauty , 
 
 CASTELNOVO. 
 
 ; ' “V- ' 7 P . , , * uimiuicreui neriucn neart-kiJlmg menaces as fhe hath 
 
 now realon not only to doubt of his lull, but alfo to fear his revenge , which confiderine fhe 
 as well to preferve her honour, as to provide for the fafety of her life, will once again prove 
 
 the 
 
Hift. IX. 
 
 Cafielnovo and Perina . 
 
 i 
 
 Ihc k, ' ,dne !| ( ? t her own unkind Father ^rewi^and fa determined! to leave Nice aiu^oFc' 
 unco Sam John dcMattrtcttc : now to allilt and accompany her in this her fccret cfcane Si 
 thinks none lo ht as SaCuvwho for her Husband s affcdhori , andhtr 0*n Vertices; wiiliriSI 
 conlcnteth to her: lo th e preparing hrt apparel, and he her train, <fty in a dark ni4u , 
 
 Cynthia in v eloped her felt in a multitude of black and , obfeurc clouds, purpofely m 
 aflttt and favour he r m tins het laudable and honourable flight ) take horfe , and lo with cr ,r 
 expedition pals the Mountains, and recover Saint John de Maurkne , where, though the be not 
 truly welcome to her own Father Arconeto, yet her hoiiour ar.d h;r life are t ruly iccnred item 
 the lull and revenge oi bar lafeivious Father-in-law Caftehiovo : ncverrhcLfs, fhc cahftand 
 manner of her efcape, but chiefly, the confide ration of her HusBfud’s abfence in the pifl&eof 
 this bulinefs, doth liilUo bitterly afflidt her, as fhe is become pale and iickly , WIicf^ponlK* 
 is refolutc, once again, to lend back Sabia to Malta, to her Knight and Husbitvd with a lecOnd 
 Letter, in hope it may cfled and procure his return, which -het rirfttfould not : arid 1 0 calling 
 tor Pen and Paper, (Ire traetth thereon tilde tew toes; •• 1 ' J 
 
 »i 'ji;u h*i : 
 
 PERIN A to GASTELNOVO; 
 
 S lib thou wilt ttoi lean Malta,- to fee Nice far my faffeyl have left Nice to live, or mhertodye 
 vt Saint John de Mauriene for tin no : 'tu true , my affection bath defind thy return , which tint 
 baft not granted me : 'tin as true, that on e , to whom Nature hath given a prime and fmgular imereti 
 in thee, and tbee in him, hath fthght the defloration of mint Hono'ur , which my heart and duty have 
 denied him. Lhou art confident of my affeQiort to tine ; if thine had been fo faithful and fervent \o 
 ™y fc!f , neither Sea rnr Land bad had- power to feparate m. If a ny Preferment ' he dearer to thee 
 than my Life , flay in Malta : or if my Life be dearer than it, then return to Saint John de Mauriene’ 
 where thou mayeji find me \ for in Nice I mil not be found of thee. Hadft thou not pfrpofely mili i- 
 kjtntbe Cattfc for the Pretext, in my importunity of thy return, I would have digejied iiwitb far 
 more content, and left affliction : but fitb neither nty Affection or Honour hath power to effe a it at 
 leaft let the regard of my -life s fith ’ that will not accompany me , if thou any longer abfent thy ’ filf 
 from met makg therefore bajle t4 fee tby Perina, if ever thou tbinf to fee her again ; and let her bear 
 this one content to her grave, That jhe may difclofe tbee a feent ■, which, hut to thy felfl, floe will con- 
 ceal from all the world; 
 
 PER I N As 
 
 Whiles Sahia is again fpeeding towards Malta , witli Perina * fecond Letter to her Husband 
 Caftelnovo, we will a little fpeak of old Caftclnovo the Father ; who feting his Daughter-in-law 
 Purina fled, and coniequcntly his hopes with her, he is cxtreatnly perplexedand afflicted hcre- 
 at. All the Houle and City is longht tor her, and he himlelt breaks off the locks of her ehamber- 
 doon where ht rinds, the Neit, but the Bird flown aw a y •, her Bed, but not her fclf : fo as his 
 thoughts doubly torment and altonilh him, rirft 1 3 be trullrated of his hopes and dclires to en- 
 joy heri then, becaufe (he will bewray his lafeivious foit and a flection, to her Hnsband,his Son; 
 which ot all tides will procure him not only (hamc, but inlamy : yea, now it is, although 
 before he would not, that he fees his error and vanity in attempting to make fliip wrack 'of 
 her Honour and Chiltity, which is the glory, and Ihould be the Paladium of Ladles.- but ir is 
 too late to recover her again : and therefore, although he Juiow how to repent, yet he is igno- 
 rant hov* to remedy orjtedeem it, fith his attempt and enttrprifc was not only odious to God, 
 but infamous to men, oppolite to Grace, and repugnant and contradictory to Nature. Belidcs," 
 this his tuftful folly proceeding from himfelf, looks two ways, and hath a double reflexion, rirft 
 on Perina the Wife, then on Cfflelnovo her Husband, and his own Son , -who, he isalfurcd, will 
 be all fire hercat . yea, this crime ot his is ot fo high and fo bcaftly a nature, as he knows not 
 what to lay to him, or how to look him in the face , when he Avail arrive from Malta, whh.ll 
 his guil ty Conference tells him will be foortly : neither doth the Calculation or Arithmetic!;; 
 ot his E ar, deceive him; for by this time is Sabia again arrived at Malta , where he delivers Ca- 
 ftdnovo his W ile s (econi Letter, the which doth (o nettle and (ting his heart to the quick, at the 
 bitter and unexpected news it relates, as he efteems himfelf no longer hiinlclRbeciule heiSiiot 
 with hisdear Wife, who is the one halt, yea the greateft part of himfclf. Wherefore, admiring 
 who m Nice , yea in his Father’s houfe,(hould be fo impudently lafeivious, to feck to blemifh his > 
 Honour, in t ha-tot his Lady’s; he making her limits and tears, his, with all expedition ancfhafte 
 
 CL provides 
 
U4 
 
 God's Revenge againfi Murther . 
 
 provides (or his departure from MAta \ and yet his love, his fear, or both, conducing and 
 concurring in one, makes him inttantly refolve to difpatch and return Sabia , as the Harbinger, 
 to proclaim his comings the which tie doth, and chargcth him with this Letter to his tair 
 Wife and dear Lady Faina. ' 
 
 T HT fudden departure from Nice to Saint John de Mauriene, doth equally afflict and amaze me : 
 I burn with defire , to know as well the Author , as the Caufe thereof , that I may lily wife kyon* 
 how to right thee , in revenging my felf of him. I have thought it fit to return Seignior Sabia again to 
 thee, as Joon as he arrived to me, being ready within two days to imbark as timely as himfelf, jo that 
 if Wind and Sea hate me not too much , in more loving and favouringhim, lam confident to bring and 
 deliver thee my felf as foott as be jhall thee this my Letter > and judg whether If peak^it from my heart 
 and foul, filth the efiimation of thy love, and the prefervation of thy honour $ makg me already dean mi- 
 nutes , months *, and hours, years*, till my prefence be made happy with thine. 1 come , fair Pcnm,fweet 
 Wife, and dear Lady, Jcome *, and if Heaven prove propitious to my mofi religious prayers and defires 
 here on earth, our meeting Jh all be Jhurtly as fweet and happy, as our parting was bitter and 
 forrowful. 
 
 So,* according to this his Letter, as hrtt Sabia embarks from Malta to Nice , before him ^ fo 
 he like wile arrives at Genoua, the day after he did at Nice, from whence potting over the Moun- 
 tains, he arrives at Saint John de Mauriene > where, at his Father-in-law Arconeto's Houfe, he 
 finds his dear and fweet Lady Perina, who every minute of time, with much impatient long- 
 ing and ddire, cxpedled his arrivals ( as having the night before received his fecondand latt 
 Letter by Sabia, which advertifed her thereof like true and faithful Turtle-Doves, etteem- 
 ing each other’s prefence their moft foveraign felicity,they fall to their billing and kilfes,to in- 
 form themfel ves how fweet this their happy meeting was each to other. And here our Knight, 
 Cafielnovo^ cannot be fo curious or hatty to enquire, as his Lady Perina was to relate thecauleof 
 her fudden departure from Nice, to Saint John de Mauriene , occaiioned by the unnatural lull 
 and lafeivioufnefs of his Father, (as we have formerly underftood^)> the which, with many 
 iighs and tears, ftie depaints forth to him in all its circumttances and colours. He is amazed at 
 this ftrange and unexpected news* and far the more, to think that his own Father fliould ( in 
 the Winter of his agej attempt or feek to defile his honour and bed , in the perfon of this his 
 fair and chatt Lady Perina : he wondereth to fee fo little grace in fo many years, and that if Na- 
 ture had not, yet Religion (houldhave had power to banitti thefc lafeivious thoughts from his 
 heart and memory: fo with out-fpread arms he tenderly embraccth and kifleth her, highly ex- 
 tolling her chattily, and applauding the difereet carriage of her efcapes being himfelf refolute 
 to ftay in Saint John de Mauriene , with her Father Arconeto, and not to return to Nice to his 
 own Father Cafielnovo. But he (hall as foon infringe as make this his refolution ^ for by this 
 time his Father underttanding of his Son’s return from Malta to Saint John de Mauriene , and 
 knowing that his Lady Perina hath not fail’d to bewray him his lafeiviousfuit and defire , at- 
 tempted againft her honour s as alfo grieving at the remembrance of his former folly, and fu- 
 ture (hame, in knowing what a foul fcanda! both it and his Son's ablence would procure and 
 ingender him, he refolves toconfefs his crime, and fo by the mediation of a pcrfwafive and 
 fatisfying Letter, to endeavour to reclaim them again from Saint J ahn de Mauriene , to Nice-, 
 when calling for pen and paper, he writes thefe few enfuing Lines, and fends them his Son by 
 a Gentlewoman of his. 
 
 T ^rn as glad of thy arrival from Malta, as f, nowful for- thy ahfencc from Nice * and fish to deny, 
 " to redouble our errors andimperfeaions, I will not go further than my felf to find the caufe there - 
 »J , fith I lyiow that my lajcivious and gracelefs attempt again /l the honour of thy chafl Lady , hath 
 drawn thee to iburcjolution: but now I write it to my future comfort, as much as J conceived it to my 
 jormer Jhame , lhat Grace hath vanquifhed Nature , and Religion, Lu[l, ,nme-, fo as lamatprcfent 
 not only forrowful, but repentant for that crime of mine , which I no more remember, hut with honor, 
 tlor think, of, but with detection. My foul hath made my peace with God , and my heart defires to 
 recmraUu both with my felf and her: and as I hope He will forget it,fo I hefach you bojb to forgive 
 
 CASTELNOVO to PERINA. 
 
 CASTELNO VO. 
 
 CASTELNOVO to his Son CASTELNOVO. 
 
Hid. IX. Cajlelnovo and Per in a. 
 
 it me , being ready to confirm tbit my reconciliation , at well with my tongue at pen. Wherefore fith 
 tbou art the foie prop of my age , and comfort of my life , make me not Jr, unfortunate or mifera^ 
 ble , to be tax'd with the fcandal of my Jhamc, and thy abfence s but bring bacf thy Lady with thee : 
 for here l profefs before Heaven and Earth, That Iwill henceforth at much honour her for her Chajlity 
 at heretofore I lafcivioufly fought to betray and violate it. 
 
 1*5 
 
 This vertuous and religious Letter of the Father, prevails with the Son , and liis fair and 
 chall Lady s fo as their fecrecies and diferetions , hu(h up this bulinefs in filenee s and within 
 eight days they both return from Saint John de Miuriene, to Nice s where they are courteoufly 
 welcomed, and rcfpedively received and entertained of their Father, whofe contrition for his 
 former folly, is outwardly lb great, as he hath tears in his eyes at the remembrance thereof: o 
 as making good the promifeof his Letter, he very patiently and lorrowfully implores their 
 pardon and remiflion s which they inftantly grant him, with as much willingnefsas alacrity. 
 So the report and thought hcreofis obfeured and vanilhed,as if it had never beensand all things 
 and parties fo reconciled, as, to common fenfe, nothing in the world is capable to trouble the 
 tranquillity of this reconciliation and atonement. But alas ! alas ! we fhall very briefly fee the 
 contrary: For old Cajlelnovo, the Father, not withilanding all thefe Religious promiles , and 
 fincere Ihewsof repentance and tears, is fo far from being the man he feems to be, as although 
 he have made his peace with his Son and Daughter, yet, ay me, (I write it with grief !)he hath 
 not with his Confcience, nor his Confcience with God : for, although he have a chalt and re* 
 ligious tongue, yet he ftill retainethja lafeivious and adulterate heart: yea, he is fo far from 
 converfion and reformation, as the new fight and review of the Lady Perina ' s frelh and deli- 
 cate beauty, doth revive thofe fparks, and refrelh thofe flames of his lull, which feemed to be 
 raked up in the embers of her abfence. And what is this, but to be a Chrillian in (hew, and 
 a Mifcreant in effect ? To hide a foul foul under a fair face ? and to make Religion and Hypo- 
 crific, a fatal and miferable cloak for hisvillany ? But though hediflfemble with God, yet we 
 fhall fee, and he find, that God will not diflfemble with him -, and in thinking to&etray God, 
 Satan in the end will betray him. The manner is thus : 
 
 As he refumes his old fuit, and newly burns in love and luftful defire , to ered the Tro- 
 phies of his lafeivious and inceftuous pleafures upon the ruins of his Daughter-in-law’s challity 
 and honour s lo he likewife fees it impolfible to think to perform, or hope to accomplifh it, as 
 long as his Son, her Husband, lives* and therefore, loling his judgment either in the Labyrinth 
 of her beauty, or in the turbulent Ocean of his own concupilcence and lulls he, contrary to the 
 rules of Grace, and the laws and principles of Nature, fwaps a bargain with the Devil to poy- 
 fonhim. To which end,tolhew himfelf the Monllerof men, and the bloodied Precedent of 
 a moll degenerate Father , which this, or many precedent Ages ever produced or atfbrdedshc 
 hath again recourfe to his Hellilh Agent Jerantha , in favour of five hundred Ducats, to fend 
 the Son into Heaven after the Mother, and to make him equal with her , as in nature , fo in 
 ("the diflolution thereof ) death. A bloody dclign , and mournful project , which we fhall 
 prefently be inforced to fee aCted upon the Theater of this Hiftory. 
 
 But Jerantha is at firlt fo repentant for the death of the Mother, as (he will not confent to 
 that of the Son. And had (he continued in this Religious refolutiou, (he had lived more for- 
 tunately, and not dyed fo miferably and fhamefully, as we (hall briefly fee.For our old Letchet 
 Cajlelnovo , her Mailer, feeing his Gold could not this fecond time prevail with Jerantha\ 
 being equally enflamedas well with lull to Perina, as with malice and revenge to his Sen 
 Cajlelnovo her Husband, he is fo implacable therein, as he promifeth to marry her , if (he will 
 attempt and perform it. So, although his firlt battery failed, yet his fecond doth not : for the 
 Devil hath made herfo ambitious of greatnels and honour, that of a fimple Waiting-Gentle- 
 woman, to become a great Lady, (he confent^ thereunto : and, which is a thoufand pities.to 
 report, within lefsthan fix days performs it , when (God knows) the innocency of this 
 harmlefs young Gentleman, his Son, never dreamt or fufpeded it. 
 
 At the fight of this his fudden death, his Lady Perina is ready to dye for grief, yea fo drown 
 her (elf in the Ocean and Deluge of her tears s tearing her hair, and driving to deface 
 the excellency of her beauty, with a kind of carelefs negled , as if (he were refolute not to 
 fui vive him. And if the Lady Petftia bewrayed many deplorable demonltrations of forrow 
 for the death ot her Husbands no lefsdoth his Father Cajlelnovo for that of his Sons on- 
 ly their griefs ( conformable to their paffions) are diametrically different and oppofite: 
 for hers were fervent and true, as proceeding from the Sincerity of her aflc&ions and his 
 hypocritical and feigned, as derived trom the profundity of his Malice and Revenge towards 
 
 Q. » him. 
 
ii 6 
 
 God's Revenge againji Murther. Book II. 
 
 him. And not to tranfgrefs from the Decorum and truth of our Hiftory, old Cajielnovo could 
 notfo artificially bear and over- vail his forrows for his Sons death, but(the premiles confider* 
 ed) our young afHidted Widow and Lady, vehemently fufpebfeth he hatha hand therein ; and 
 likewife partly believes, that Jerantba is likewife acceffary and engaged therein, in refpeef (he 
 looks more aloft, and is grown more familiar with her Lord and Mailer, than before. And in- 
 deed, as her forrows encreafe her jealoufie, fo her jealoufie throws her into a pafllonate and 
 violent refolutionof Revenge, both againft him and her, if (he can be futurely allured chat 
 they had murthered and poyfoned the Knight her Husband. 
 
 Now to be affured hereof, (he thus reafoneth with her felfv That if her Fathef-in-Law were 
 the Murthercr of his Son her Husband, his malice and hatred to him, proceeded from his beaft- 
 ly luft to her felf > and that he now dilpatched, he would again (hortly revive and renew his 
 old lafeivious fuit to her: which if he did, (he vows to take a (harp and cruel Revenge of him, 
 which (he will limit with no.Jefs than his death. And indeed we (hall not go far to fee the event 
 and truth anfwer her fufpition. For within a month or two after her Husband was laid in his 
 untimely grave, his old luilful and lafeivious Father doth again burft and vomit forth his beaft- 
 ly lolicitat ions againft her Chaility and Honour : which obferving, (he fomewhat difdainfully 
 and coyly puts him off, but yet not fo pailionately nor eholcrickly as before, only of purpoic 
 to make him the more eager in his purfuit,thereby the better to draw him to her lure, that (he 
 might perpetrate her malice,and ad: her revenge on him, and Co make his death the objedt of 
 her rage and indignation, as his lull and malice were the caufe of the forrows of her life. But 
 unfortunate and miferable Lady, What a bloody and hellifli Enterprife doll thou engage thy 
 lelf in ? And why hath thy Arfe&ion fo blinded thy Confcience and Soul, to make thy felf the 
 Author and Ador of fo mournful and bloody a Tragedy? For alas! alas! fweet Perirta ! I know 
 not whether more to commend thy affe&ion to thy Husband, or condemn thy cruel malice in- 
 tended to his Father. For, O grief! O pity ! where are thy Vertues, where is thy Religion, 
 where thy Con(cience,thy Soul, thy God, thus to give thy felf over to the hellifh i entations of 
 Satan ? Thou, which heretofore fled’ft from Adultery, wilt thou now follow Murther? or be- 
 caufe thy hellrt would not be acceffary to that,(hall thy Soul be now fo irreligious and impi- 
 ous, to be guilty of this? But as her Father-in-law is refolute in his Luft towards her, fo is (he 
 likewife in her Revenge towards him * and far the more, in that (lie perceives Jerantbas 
 great belly fufficiently proclaims that (he hath plaid the Strumpet: and which is 
 worfe, (he fears, with her execrable and wretched Father-in-law: as now no longer 
 able to (fop the furious and impetuous current of her revenge , (he is fo gracelefs 
 and bloody, as (he vows firft to diipatch the Lord and Mafter , then the Wait- 
 ing-Gentlewoman, as her thoughts and Soul fuggeft her they had done firft the Mo- 
 ther , then the Son : fo impious are her thoughts , fo inhuman and bloody her relo- 
 lutions. 
 
 Now in the interim of this time, the old Letcher her Father is again become impudent and 
 importunate in his Suit. So our wretched Lady Ferina degenerating from her former Vertues, 
 and indeed from her felf, (he, after many requefts and felicitations, very feignedly feems to yield 
 and ftrike fail to his defirej but indeed with a bloody intent to diipatch him out of this world* 
 So having concluded this finful fatal Match, there wants nothing but the finifhing and ac* 
 complifhing thereof > only they differ in the manner and circumftances : the Father is defirous 
 to go to the Daughter-in-law’s bed, the Daughter to the Father-in-law’s, but both conclude 
 t at the night, and not the day, (hall give end to this laicivious and beaftly bufinefsi his reafon 
 is, to avoid the Jealoufie and Rage of Jerantba, whom now, although (he be near her time 
 ot deliverance, he refufeth to marry her : but the Lady Pinna's, if that (he may polute and 
 ltam his own bed with his blood, and not her* but dpecially, becaufe (he may have the fitter 
 means to iiab and murther him ; and hereon they conclude. To which end, not only the 
 , ut f ie . our * s a PP°inted betwixt them:*which being come, and Caftelnovo in bed, burn* 
 mg with impatience and defire for her arrival, he thinking on nothing but his beaftly pkafures, 
 nor jnc,but on her cruel malice and revenge:lhe foftly enters hisChamber,but not in her nighr, 
 but her day-attire, having a Wi Ponyard clofein her fleeveywhen having bolted his chamber- 
 lc none Ihoukl divert her from this her bloody defignj (he approaching his bed, 
 j* >* in§ ,mfe r f- 'r ip0k d Y t0 We,COme and kifs her i fte feeing his bread open and 
 l t'JivL nmCC a kd FU , ry ’, d ? WS 0ut hcr P°nyard, and uttering thefe words, ?bdu 
 wnuhed mort-majh* and Murtbmr oj this life of mine or*n Honour , and the dalh .f my 
 
 dear Kmgbt and Husband thy Son. And fo dabbing him at the heart with many blows, (lie 
 fn!u, lm !) rkd ^^ a ‘ lJ > tav « h.m reeking in his hot blood , without giving him time to 
 Iptak a word , only he fetcht a fcrcek and a groan or two, as his foul took her lait farewel of 
 
 his 
 
Hift. IX. Cajielnovo and Verina. 
 
 11 
 
 hiTbody^Which being over- heard by the fervants of the houfe, they afeend his Chamber, and 
 find our inhuman Periua irtuing forth, all gored with the etfuiion of his blood, having the 
 bloody Ponyard, which was the fatal initrumeiit of thiscruel Murther, in her hand. They 
 are amazed at this bloody and mournful fpe&acle : fo they feiie on her, an d the report hereof 
 flying thorow the City , the Criminal Judges that night caufe her to be impriloned for 
 the tad, which Ihe is refolved no way to deny, but to aeknowlcdg, as rather glorying than 
 
 ^ n jerantbti, at the very firft underftanding hereof, vehemently fufpedts that her two poyfoning 
 Mutthers will now come to light: and fo as great as her belly is, the, to provide tor her fafety, 
 very fecretly ftealsaway to a dear friend's houfe of hers in the City, which new from all parts 
 ratleth and refoundethof this cruel and unnatural Murther : yea,it likewile pafleth the Alpes, 
 and is fpeedily bruited and known in Saint John de Mauriene ■> where although her Father A- 
 concto would never heretofore atfed her, yet he now exceedingly grieves at this her bloody at- 
 tempt and imminent danger : but her irregular alfedion, and inhuman revenge, will not as 
 yet permit her Confidence to inform and (hew her the hainoufnefs of her cruel and bloody 
 Pad. ButGod will be more mercifuller to her and her foul. 
 
 Some two days after, (he is arraigned for the lame, where (he freely confefleth it, having no- 
 thing to alledg for herexcufe, but that flie perfedly knew, that her Father-in-law CajMnovo, 
 and his Strumpet Jerantha, had at lealt poyfoned the Knight her Husband, if not likewile the 
 Lady Fide ha his Mother: the which, although they had fome reafon and ground to fufped,be« 
 caufe of Jerantha' s fudden flight s yet lith this could no way diminilh, or extenuate her Mur- 
 ther of her Father-in-law,they condemn our unfortunate Lady Perina to be hanged, and fo re- 
 fend her to Prifon to prepare her felt to dye. But the advice of fome, and the triendfhip and 
 companion of others, as pitying her youth and beauty, and commending her chalhty and af- 
 fedion to her Knight and Husbands counfel and perfwade her to appeal from the fentence of 
 the Court of Nice, to the Senate of Cbambery,( which is the Soveraign and Capital of Savoy) 
 
 whither we fhalllhortly fee her conduded and brought. 
 
 In which mean time, letusobfervethewonderlul Juftice and Providence of God ihe wed 
 likewifeupon this execrable Waiting-Gentlewoman Jerantha, for fo cruelly poyfoning the 
 Ladv Fidelia , and the Knight Cajielnovo her Son: who, although fearcb were every where made 
 for hers yet (he having hufht her felf up privately, albeit her bloody thoughts and guilty con- 
 feience, tor the fame continually torture and torment her s yet fhe is fo i mpicm‘> and gracelefs, 
 as (he no way fears the danger of the Law,and much lefs the fevere tempeii of Go s indignati- 
 on and revenge, which now notwithftanding in the midft of her fecunty, will, according to 
 her bloody deferts and crimes, fuddenly furprize and overtake her: for now this accident of 
 her Lord Calilenovo ' s Murther, and of the Lady Perina's Imprifonment s or to fpeak more pro- 
 perly and truly, of God's facred Decree, and divine Judgment, throws her into the (harp and 
 bitter pains of travel for childi with whole heart-killing gripes and convulfions, ihe is lb mi- 
 fcrably tortured and tormented, as (he her felf, her Mid- wife , and alt the Women near her, 
 iud^ and think it impolfible for her to cfcape death : when feeing no hope of life , and that 
 already her pangs and torments had made her but as it were the very Image and Anatomy of 
 death (he begins to look from Sin to Repentance, from Earth to Heaven, and from Satan* 
 to God s and fo taking on and afluming a Chriflian refolution, (lie will not charge her foul 
 with concealing of this Angle Adultery , much lefs of her double Murtherss but very peni- 
 tently confefleth all, as well it, as thems and fo commits her felf to the unparallcl d and mer- 
 cilefs mercies of her pains and tormentss hoping they will fpeedily fend her Irom this World, 
 to a better.But her Adultery andMurthetsare fuch odious and execrable crimes in Gods light* 
 as he will free her from thefe dangers of Child-birth^ and becaufe worthy, will refer ve her for 
 a lhameful and infamous death* So (he is fafdy delivered ot a young Soil, who is more fair 
 than happy, asbeingtheoff-lpringof lafeivious Parents, atid the i(Tue of an adulterous bed, 
 and by Gods providence, and her own confeffion, (he, for thefe her beaftly and bloody crimes* 
 is the fecond day committed to prifon, and the third hang’d and burnt in Nice, and her allies 
 thrown into the air. A juft reward and punifliment for fo hellifn and inhuman a Gentle- 
 woman^ who though otherwife (he (hewed many Teftimonies and Signs ot Repent- 
 ance at her end, yet her crimes were fofoul and odious to the World, as at her death lhc 
 was fo miferable, as (he found not one Spectator, either to weep for her, or to lament or con- 
 dole with her. 
 
 And now, to (hut up this Hiftory, let us carry our curiofities and expectations froni/Vwe to 
 Chambcry , and from dead Jerantha to our living ferine where that grave and illuftrious Se- 
 nate in coniideration of her famous chaftity, and Angular afteCtion totne Knight her Hus- 
 
 O 2 band 
 
n8 Goctt Revenge againfl Murther. Book II. 
 
 band, as alio her noble Parentage and tender years , they moderate the (entcncc of Nice , for 
 murthejing her Father-in-law Cafielnovoy and fo inftcad of hanging, adjudg her thereto have 
 her right hand cut off, and her fclf to perpetual imprifontnent in Nice > where God’s (acred 
 Juftice for this her bloody Murther:, and the remembrance of her dead Husband, and living 
 borrows, fofharply torment and her, as (he lived not long in Prifon , but exceedingly 
 pinedaway of a languifhing Confumption, and fo very forrowfully and repentantly ended 
 her days, being exceedingly lamented of her Kinsfolks, and pitied of all her acquaintance * 
 and, had not her affedtion been blinded, and her rage and revenge, too much triumphed o’re 
 her thoughts and refolutions, (he had lived as happy ,as (he dyed miferable^ and have ferved for 
 as great a grace and ornament to her Countrey, as Jerantha and old Cajhlnovo her Father-in- 
 law, were afcandal and (hame. 
 
 Thus we fee how God’s revenging-Juftice dill meets with Murther. O that we may read 
 thisHiliory with fear, and profit thereby in reformation * that dying to fin, and living to 
 righteoufnefs, we may peateably dye in this World, and glorioufly live and reign in that to 
 come. 4 
 
 GOD’S 
 
7> mcs hts vcftlutitn 'Vindm 
 
 ? gut tit J 
 
 "•qerhlini re gam 
 
 ^Xrill ati Jnlwef tfn'ith_ 
 
 BeHeltm 
 
 {he Thtell B^etlatr' Jtayn 
 
 %e reieiues it 
 
 bT/HntiJ wf* B/rjalittt *- Ch*Jl rn l — 
 
 \Birt tlittiS hands t 
 
 xZf flinch Up ItMlMfJtM JsZtfZ-Zijij.j 
 
 \urio cftriverlt Bannijh flit 
 
 1 “ ■ . 
 
 
 Hift. X. 
 
 ll 9 
 
 GOD's Revenge againfl the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY X. 
 
 p „ tftHni reeks Paulina in marriage \ but Jhefovts Sturio, and not himfelf: be frays her Broth* 
 Brellaii bLd% friend, to foliate hi for him, rvbicb be doth , but cannot Prevail : wherein 
 Bertolim lets fall fomc difgraceful fpeeches , both againji her Honour , and * ^**™fj* 
 Ihicb ite\hti chaLzeth the Ficldof him , where Bertolim kfr him, and he * fits for the fame . 
 turiofeeks to marry her but his Father will not confent thereunto and fo eomeighs him away [c- 
 
 ALki „ h ,v, h ,.— «i»^ 
 
 mm mMmss 
 
God’s Revenge again [I Mur t her. . BooJc II. 
 
 ]y receive^ his life yea, a; Grace fights agiinltchis former fort of lighting , foboth Grace 
 and Naturb impugn aud detdi thisfocond fort ol Murther. A wofuland mournful precedent 
 wheicot, I here prelent m the perfon ot a bale and wretched Gentleman , whole irregular 
 ai n.ction to a L,ady. rirlt iiejvy'her brother in the rieldsund eXiJcrablo revenge to her Lover, next 
 crew him treacherously to murther him in the iireet , and conkomnriy, to his own condign 
 punilhtnent, and fiiaraeful death for the fame. Mjy all fuch blopdy Mur;ikrcis l|ill mettwith 
 fuch ends-, and may his mifcrable and infamous death, pre-memfh all other Gentlemen to live 
 aiid b. come tnore clnritable’and Id's bloody by his example. '• ' 
 
 The Triendfliip and familiarity betwixt Seignior J,b>i Battifia Beriblini, and Seignior Leonardo 
 BrCilati, two.noble young Gentlemen, native and rciident of the City of Rime; was f with- 
 out intermiffion )' lo intire and intimate, tor the fpace of fix whole years, which led them 
 from theirydiLsSf fourteen, to twenty, as it leaned they had but one hart in two bodies, and 
 that it was impoifible or either of them to be truly merry, if the other werc.abienttand fine- 
 ly, many were the reafons which Lid the foundation ofthisfriendfliip : .for .as ’they were equal 
 in years,fl) their fratures end complexions refembltd, and their hunfoursSind inclinations fytn- 
 parhi/.etl tdikewife they were ancient Sc hoot- fellows, and near neighbors G for their Parents 
 both dwelt bet wi;t the Palaces of the two Cardinals, Farnefi and Caf.in'm : if there were 
 any -diipartty in their dignities and worths, it confided only in this , Bcrtolinh Parents were 
 richer Mail Bnilati's; bur .BrcCati was mefre nobly dtrlccnded than Bertolini ; which notwith- 
 ilanding could no way impeach or hinder the progrefs of their friend (hip, 'but rather it flou- 
 rilhed with the arm--, fo as they encrcaling in years, they like wife did in alkdion, as if they 
 were ambitious of nothing lo much in this world, as not only to imitate, but to furpafs the 
 . Iriendlhip ol Orejhs and piiades , and of Damon and Fitbias , whereof, all who knew them and 
 then Parents, -yea all that part and diviiion of Rome, took deep and finguUr notice : but to 
 Iht w that they were Men, and not Angels, and eonfeqdcmly fubjed to frailty, not inherent co 
 perfedion ■; that Earth was not Heaven, nor Borne the fliadow thereof : have we but a little 
 patience’, we (hall (hortly fee the thredof tnis triendlhipcut oft , the props and fortifications 
 thereof ’turf battered, and laid level with the ground y yea, we fiiall fee time chance with 
 time, friend I hip turned into enmity, fellows to foes, love to loathing, courtefie to cruelty and 
 in a word, life to death \ as oblerve the fcquel of thiSHittory, and it will briefly inform you 
 
 Brnohni fees that Brcllati hataa fair and delicate Siller , «am f d Donna Paulina , fofncwlut 
 younger than hirnfelf s and yet not io young , but that the Clock' of hd age had ftruc&n 
 eighteen •, and therefore proclaimed her at tali capable, if not dcfiroiisof marriage : and al- 
 though he be a Novice in the Art of Love, yet Nature hah made him lo good a Scholar in the 
 Principles and Rudiments thereof, as he foes her fair, and therefore mult love her- riel) in the 
 excellency and delicacy of beauty, and therefore is refblure to love her, and only her : for 2a- 
 zingcn the influence and fpluidor ol her piercing eyes , he cannot behold them without 
 wonder -, and then prying.and contemplating on the Rufcataud Lilly tindureof' her checks 
 lie cannot ice theft without admiration nor refrain from admiring then, without affcdio.rbuc 
 again, remariungthe lendernefsot her body, and the fweetnefi of her vertucs and fodne her 
 as graciousas fair and that her inward perfections added as much latter to W exterior beau- 
 ty, as this i ftkcc . d oruamtnt ai^ decoration to thofe •> he, as young as he was, vows&iinfejf 
 
 £ltl u X ^ or h is grave, mult be his. Wife and M.ltreli 
 Bertolm thuslurpiiled and nctled with the beauty of his dearly Sweet, and fweetly Fair 
 Tarutna be is enforced to negly^a great part of his accompanying the Brother thereby to 
 court the Sitter: <o he many times purpoft y forfakes BreVati, tofolfow Paulina; and delights 
 innotmng fo much as in her prelate ,and in that regard) in Ifis abfence : no that i was 
 ppflib.e,,., lus conceit and mug, nation, for him any way to hate him, in loving h r rati a 
 that jn general terms he mud love Brdan for Paulina's fake : and in particular on ffi 
 her for h, s own. And as h,s wealth and ambition made him confident he fhould obtamher fo 
 niswitc: lo he in tair, amorous^ and honrtmKVt mne n i i- ^ • ilcr ior 
 
 ^cttcjs^voiinfe^ and prefans, as by thofe of his Parents fH^ i ^ ^ -icications, 
 
 «Mm> Lee, hi; S’fcifco™ GS dL If 
 
 hira : Wl « cl1 difc0tds •*#* ’ »"> 0. aSvkh 
 
Hift. X. 
 
 Sturio and Paulina. 
 
 i'll 
 
 His wealth deceiving him , he hath rccourfe to her only Brother, aud hisbeftand dear- 
 eft Friend Brdiati, to whom he relates the profundity and fervency of his allcction to his 
 Siller Paulina, acquaints him with his fuit , and her denials his attempt, and her repulfc 
 therein -, and' by the power and bonds of all their former friendfhip and familiarity, entreats 
 and conjures him to become his Orator and Advocate towards her, in his behalf: whofe 
 finiles, he alledgeth, are his life s and frowns, his death. Brcllati having his generolity 
 and judgment blinded with the rclpedl of Beitolini his Wealth, as alfoot the affe&ion he 
 bore him , all other conliderations laid apart, like a better Friend to him, than a Brother 
 to his Sifter Poulins, promifeth him his bell furtherance and alliftance in the procefs of this 
 his affedfion : and fo with his trueft Oratory , bell Eloquence , and fweeteft Perfwafion, 
 begins to deal effectually with her herein : but, as our hopes arc fubjedt and incident to de- 
 ceive us s lb Bcrtolini and Brcllati come far too fhort of theirs: for Paulina, in abfolute and 
 down-right terms , prayes her Brother to inform and refolve Bertolim, That (lie hath other- 
 ways fetled and engaged her alfedtion: and therefore prayes him to feek another Miltrefs, 
 lith (he hath found another Lover and Servant, with whom Ihe means to live and dye; Her 
 Brother ( for his Friend’s lake; is extream’y lbrrowful hercat, and prayes his Sifter to name 
 to him her Servant. She binds him by Oath to fecrelic. So he (wearing, Ihe infoFms him, it is 
 Seignior Paulut Sturio , a very ancient Noble-man of the City. He tells her, he is a Gentleman 
 mole noble than rich •, and (lie replies, That Bcrtolini is more rich than noble, and therefore 
 (he will refule him, and marry Sturio. He is obllinate in his requefts, as (he re(blute in her 
 denial. So having performed the part of a Friend for his F'riend, and commending the Nobi- 
 lity and virtues ok Sturio , as much as he pitied the weaknefs of his ettate and wealth, he leaves 
 his Siller to her affediorl and defigns, and fo with an unwilling willingnefs (without any ex- 
 tenuation ) delivers his friend Bertolim her definitive aufwer; yet performs his promile to 
 his Sifter, in concealing Sturio his name. 
 
 Bcrtolini is all in fire and choler at this news , and begins no longer, to look on his Friend 
 Brellati, with the eyes of alfedion, but of contempt and indignation s and foconfulting with 
 his Pallion, not with his Judgment ; with Rage, and not with Reafon y as immoderate anger 
 fcldom looks right , commonly fquint-eyed s he in the heat of his wrath , and height of his 
 revenge, very much neglcds and flights him y yea, and moll uncivilly and abruptly departs 
 
 from him, as it he were^no longer worthy of the bare complement of Farwel. Which BrelLtti 
 Well obferves i and inobferving, remembers -, and in remembring , grieves at , fith bertolim 
 was his moll intimate and dearetl friend > and in whofe behalf did occahon prelent, he was 
 ready* not only to lacritice his belt lervice*but his belt life. Lo here the hrit breach and v io- 
 lation, which Bcrtolini gives to their friendfhip : but the fecond is not far behind : For, m the 
 next company he meets, which was feme two days after, walking in Cardinal Farit, ft hif» 
 Galleries, in prefence of fome four or five Gentlemen , bothol 1 is and of Brian’s acquain- 
 tance^ he forgot himlelf fo much, as fome demanding for hisConfort Brellati , he cholerickly 
 replied, That he was a bafe and beggarly Gentleman, and therefore henceforth difdained his 
 company s and that his Sifter Paulina wasalafdviousanddifletnblingStrumpet.Butalthough 
 the lire of his choler had foolilhly banded forth thefe fpeechcs in the air, yet they fell not to 
 the ground : but fome of the company then preferic, that very night report them to Brellati. 
 It is impoflible for my Pen to relate how paffionately and tenderly hrf takes its yea, his affliction 
 and grief herein is far the more redoubled , in that (contrary to Uisdefires and willies; he is 1 
 allured his Siller Paulina islikewife acquainted with the vanity and ihjuftice ot thefe fpccch-- 
 esv the conceit and remembrance whereof, make her enraged and forrowrul eyes, pour forth i 
 many Rivokts and Rivers of tears*, upon the Roles and Lillies ot Her beauty. But as the is too • 
 impatient to rellifh fchis fcandalous affront and dnparagement > io her Brother Brclkti is too* 
 generous and noble to digefi if, whereof burning to know the truth, and refolving,ilhc found 
 if true. (Wnlv ro wWrite it on Bertolim -, hepaffethaway the night in reftlcfsand diflradtcd 
 
BAfttfMU 
 
 I 2'2 
 
 God’s Revenge againjl Mnrther. Book II. 
 
 AUffandro Fontani) Seignior Rhanutio Pluvinio , and Seignior Antonio Voltom.iri , C which words 
 wc have formerly under flood. ) 
 
 Bertolini is no way difniayed or daunted hereat, either in courage or complexion, and fo 
 lofing his honour in his indifcretion, or rather burying hisdiferetion in his di(honouri,he,with 
 fire in his looks, and thunder in his fpeeches,tells BreUati , that he confeffeth theft: fpeeches his ; 
 adding withal. That what his Tongue hath affirmed, his Sword (hall be ready to make good' 
 and juftifie : whereon they cover. When BeUati demanding of him , if this were his laft re- 
 folution ^ he told him, yea. Then (quoth he ) I pray expert mine fhortly ; and fo without 
 giving each other the Good-morrow, they part ^ BreUati ftill leaving Bertolini in his Father’s 
 Garden, His Sifter Paulina having notice of her Brother’s fpeaking with Bertolini , very curi- 
 oufly and carefully awaits his return-, when ruftiing into his Chamber, (lie with tears and fighs 
 demands of him the iftuc of his conference with Bertolini , and whether he were fo impudent 
 to deliver thefe difhonourable and bafe fpeeches both of her felf and him. But her Brother, 
 like a true noble Roman , is too generous and brave to acquaint her with his defign and refolu- 
 tion j and fo, in general terms, prays her not to afHid her felf at thefe fpeeches, and that this 
 difference will be very fliortly decided and ended, to her honour, and his own content. Bro- 
 ther (quoth fhej) if you will not right mine honour, and vindicate theunfpotted purity of my 
 reputation, I am fure that my true Lover, Seignior Faulus Sturio, will, though with the hazzard 
 and lofsof his own life, had he but the leaft notice thereof. He (hall not need, Sifter, quoth he*, 
 for a day or two will reconcile and finifh this bufinefs : and fo for that time he leaves his Si- 
 fter Paulina , and (huts himfelf up in his Chamber i where, not long able to contain himfelf 
 againft the infolcncy and bafenefs of Bertolini, he calls for Pen and Paper, and more refpe< 3 ing 
 his Honour than his Life , writes him this Challenge ^ the which, immediately after Dinner, 
 he fends him by Seignior Valerio, a confident Gentleman, his Follower. 
 
 T HY fcandalous reports, likg thy felf, are fo bafe, and land my Sifter fo honourably defeended and 
 bred) at I doubt no *, but the difgraceand difparagement which thou baft unjujlly offered us 
 will as juftly retort and fall on thy felf. And to the end thou maift find , that my Sword U purpofell 
 rejervtdto corrett andchaftize thy tongne *, as thou art a Roman, and a Gentleman , meet me [welt to 
 
 tMiWr MX) /it B-VP 11# flip vnnvn .1 1 .1.. ... r it i I • s' J* r o > 
 
 ~ * asiaejirt ) jo i can receive no otber j at hj action but this 
 
 w hereunto thy Malice invites , and my Honour obligcth me . 
 
 Valerio performs his part well and fairly * working and ferewing himfelf into BertolinPs 
 pre fence , very lecretly delivers him his Mafter*s Challenge. Bertolini not ignorant, but con- 
 jecturing what it means, breaks off the Seals , and at the perufal thereof, though* his Caule 
 be un juft and difhonourable , yet in his countenance and fpeeches, he (hews much conftancy, 
 fortitude, and refolution ^ when confidering they were to fight Angle, and that therefore 
 Valerio could be no fecond, he deeming his Mafter had concealed this fecret bufinefs from 
 
 BRELLATI to bertolini. 
 
 brellat I. 
 
 from me , that I will net fail to meet him according to his defire and appointment. And 
 10 a a 10 takes his leave* and deoarts ; when finrlino ont his Mafter he r^nnrfc him 
 
 him, contents himfelf to give him only this Anfwer: Tell your Mafter, Seignior BreUati , 
 
 from me , that I will not fail to meet him -ari-nrrhncT tn hie rlefirf* A..J 
 
 light 
 
Hift. X. Sturio and Paulina . 
 
 right-fide , but it touch’d neither his bowels, nor quayf. They try again: fo Brtfim again 
 wounds Bertolini in his left hand, when his Rapier running thorow his Sinnews and Arteries* 
 he is no longer able to hold his Ponyard * but deipiglu his refolution and courage, it tails out 
 of his hand > which unlook’J* for difaller, doth much perplex and afflidl him. But Brellati is 
 too generous and noble, toblemifh or taint his honour, by taking any advantage of this hi* 
 adverfarics misfortune : and fo to clear his doubts and fcruples , very valiantly and bravely 
 throws away his own Ponyard to the hedg, that they might be as equal in Weapons, as Cou- 
 rage. But Bertolini will baicly requite this courtelie. They retire and take breathy and fo tra- 
 vcrling their grounds, thereby to cake the benefit of the Sun, they again joyn j at the firft dole 
 of thisfecond meeting, Brellati runs Bertolini into the right hank > when withdrawing his Ra- 
 pier, and leaping back to put himfelf upon his defenfive-guard andpolture, hisfooMlipping, 
 he could not prevent falling to the ground > when Bertolini flowing him clofe,and being 
 eager in hispurfuit, and blood-thirlly in his revenge, he forgetting Brellati 9 s former courte- 
 lie, and working upon the fortune of his misfortune, right then and there nailed him to the 
 ground i and fo redoubling his thrnft , a&ed a perpetual divorce betwixt his body and foui ; 
 when BrcBatfs Chirurgeon (bedding tears on his dead Mafler , and beginning to take order 
 for his decent conveyance into the City, Bertolini takes up his Chirurgeon behind him j and lb 
 with all poffible fpeed and celeriryf the better to avoid the danger of the Law ) poftso’rethe 
 fields, and comes into Mount Gate, and hulheth himfelf up privately in a friend’s houfe 
 
 of his, near his Fathers. 
 
 All Rome begins to eccho forth and refound this Murther j and far the more , because 
 Bertolini and Brellati were fodear and intimate friends , but, as good news comes always lattiep 
 and bad, rides poll j fo within ore hour of Brellati s Murther , the news thereof is brought MX 
 to his Father, then to his Siller Paulina j whereat he grieves, and (lie fiormsYhe forrowcth,and 
 (he weeps and laments * and, in a word, the Father would, but cannot > and the Daughter can v 
 but will not be comforted at this fad and mournful Tragedy. Neither mull we forget, but \ - 1 
 member Seignior Paulus Sturio *, who loving Paulina a thoufand times dearer than his qvvn 
 life, is no fooner acquainted, but afHided with this news of Brellati his death, as being his dear 
 friend, and, which is more, the ouly Brother of his dearell and only Miflris Paulina j lb as Lo- 
 vers and Friends being bell known anddilccrned in calamities and affli&ions , he repairs to 
 her, condoles with her, and ufeth his chiefelt art and zeal* not only to participate, but wholly 
 to deprive her of her furrows , yea, to prove himfelf a conllant friend, and a faithful lover to 
 her, he proffercth her not only his fervice, but his life , as well to right her honour, as to re- 
 venge her Brother’s death on Bertolini : but this affebtion and perfwafion of Sturio^ is not ca- 
 pable to wipe off, or exhale his Lady Paulinas tears. 
 
 But again to Bertolini , who isfo far from contrition and repentance of this his bloody fa<3r* 
 as like aprophane Mifcreant,and debaucht anddiffolute Gentleman, he triumphs and glories 
 therein : yea, his impudency is become fo ignorant, and his ignorance fo fottifh, as he began 
 to enter into a refolution again to court and foek Paulina for his Wife, without refpebiing or 
 regarding either the pubJick danger of the Law, or that of Paulinas private revenge : for lure 
 her Brother’s death had thrown her into fuch violent palfions of grief, and extremities of fur- 
 row, as if his folly had made her fo happy, dpubtlefs her revenge would have made him 
 more miferable : fout God had taught her rage more reafon, and her malice and cruelty not 
 fo much impiety •, yea,it pleafed his Divine Majefty not fo (con to call him to an account, and 
 punilh him for this his bloody fad i but referving him for a future lhamc and punilhment,- 
 being affrighted with a tumultuous rumor and alarm of a general fearchtobe made that 
 night for hisapprehenlion, he very fubtilly, in a Capuchins habit, paffeth St.John dz LatcranS 
 Gate, and there, having Poll-hotfes laid for him, he, as fwiftas'the wind, gallops away for 
 Naples * and embarking himfelf for Cicily y pafleth th.c Pharre of Ahffia, lands at that City, and 
 fo rides up to Palermo, where he thinks hiipfelf d'afe, . • i • . 
 
 But , havings not made his peace with God, where ever he flye , God will in due 
 time find him out, when he leaft dreams thereof. But although the. power and irH 
 fluence of time be fo predominate, to deface the Abtions and Accidents of tinier yet 
 Paulina can give no truce to her tears > nor will (he adminiller any confolation to her 
 Ibrrows for her Brother’s death:, and if ever, pow itis>, that Sturio rcfembling himfelf, 
 begins to make her forrows' his : for , having deeply rooted and fetled his alfedion on 
 Paulina , and naturally engraves her Beauty and Pidhire, in the very center of hishcart 
 and thoughts, he begins to make his private aifebtion to her , public k ■, and fo, having 
 already won her heart from her folf, he now cudeavoureth to win her from her Friends:,- 
 
 R 2 and 
 

 ■Iggfrl iMf ll ~ I i TT 
 
 
 God's Revenge againji JViurther. Book 11. 
 
 and then to marry her. But old Seignior Sttirio his Father, is no fooner ad vert ife d of Brel~ 
 hti his death, of Bertolbns flight , and of his Soil’s attention and intent to take Paulina to 
 Wife * but dil'daining he fhould match Cb low , and withall (o poor , asalfo fearing that this 
 
 **v/l IwUUH) ifii MlJ dLILUv-t H4U «.UUiLU all d LAlUlUdlLU LAIC llLcIl Ui llll> dilLCllUil lu i 
 
 of his malice and revenge to Bertollm : to which end, three weeks are fcarce palt, but taking 
 his Son with him in his Coach, under colour to take the air in the fields of Rome^ beyond 
 St. Paul's Church, he having given the Coach-man his lelfon , commands him to drive away, 
 and having two Braves or Ruffians with him, they difpofe, or rather inforce the humour of 
 his Son Sturio to patience, and defpight himfelf, they carry him to Nj|?/t\r,where a Brigantine 
 being purpolely prepared, he fhippethover his Son for the Illand of 6'^ri, or Caprea y ( where, 
 long lince, Scjanm his ambition caufed Tiberius to fojourn, whiles he played the petty King, 
 and domineer’d as Emperor at Rome in his abfencejand gives him to the keeping and guard 
 of Seignior Ai\>honjus Vrijfa , Captain of that Illand, with requeft and charge, nottopermic 
 him to return, for the main, for the term of one whole year, without his exprefs order to the 
 contrary. 
 
 It is for none but for Lovers to judg , how tenderly Sturio and his fweet Lady PjHbria 
 grieve at the news of this their fudden and unexpected (eparation : yea, their fighs and tears 
 are fo infinite for this their difafter, as all the words of the world are not capable to exprefs 
 them. As for Paulina^t had fo long and fo bitterly wept for her brother’s death , as it was a 
 meer cruelty of fortow to enforce her to play any further part mforrovv, for the departure 
 and captivity of her Lover Sturw • but her afflictions falling in, each on the neck of other, 
 ( in imitation of the waves of the Sea, qccaiioncd by the breath and blah of Boreas ) threaten 
 her not only with prefent ficknefs, but with approaching death. Again, (he underftands of 
 Bertolin ? s fafety and profperityin Cicilia , where he triumphs in his victory, for killing her 
 Brother Brdlati\ and, like a bale Gentleman, continually erects his Tropheesof detraction up- 
 on the ruins and tomb of her honour : and thefe confiderations ( like referved afflictions ) 
 again newly afflit and torment her,fo iis having toft her Jewel and her Joy, her Brother and 
 her Love*, BreUati and Sturio, (he begins to be extream fick, weak, and faint •, yea, the Rofes 
 of her cheeks, are transformed to Lillies the relucent lufter of her eyes, to dimnefs and ob- 
 fcurity i and, coufe but a word, not only her heart, but her tongue begins tofail, and to (trike 
 lail to immoderate (orrow. and dilconfolation. Her Parents and Friends grieve hereat and 
 far the more, mrefpedt they know not how to remedy it r and for her felt , if (he enjoy any 
 comfort m this life, it is only in hope that (he (hall (hortly leave it , to enjoy that of a better 
 Thus, while (orrow, vexation, and ficknefs, make hafte to fpin out the thred and web of her 
 litc, it her griefs are extream and infupportable in Rowe, no lefs are thofe of her Lover Sturio 
 m Caprca ; (or it frets him to the heart and gall, to fee how his Father hath bereaved and be- 
 trayed him o( his Miftris Paulina's prefence, the only content and felicity which this life or 
 earth could afford him , a thoufand times he wifheth himfelf with her , and as often ki/Teth 
 her remembrance and Ideai and then, as their atfedions, Co their malice concurring and fvm- 
 pathizing , he again wilheth that he may be fo happy to fight with Bcrtdim fbr the diforace 
 ot ins Lady Paulina , and (he, tor the death of her Brother BreUati, and in that affedtion and this 
 revenge, he with much affliction, and no comfort , paffeth away many bitter days and mV. 
 ments in the mifery of this his enforced exile and banifljment : and although his curioficv 
 and affection, or (ubtilty, could never crown him with the happinefs 6r felicity to free him- 
 leit ot Jus guards and captivity, and fo to lkal away from that Illand in fome Foiffor Gallev 
 for the main ; yet underltanding that two days after, there was one bound for the Port ofcl 
 vitaK-tcba, he, to tcftihehisaffedtion, conltaucy , and torments, to his deaf and fair FaulL 
 
 nin h° 3 CC f , 0 l h t0 Tr u Cr 2 Lct , tCr 10 K ° me ’ the which ’ tharit mig^cbWe the fafer ro S 
 Lefte h r wts’thus 1 " ° fCth “ C ° indmatC ai,d j friend of H* The tenor of his 
 
 STURlo tof AULINA. 
 
 I K Z W tZltll hCrIm °Z griCV ,' at my - a ’i C * C * fr0m thee ’ ,haHat manner thereof ; yet Cure I 
 am, that Mconjoyn d, makftne,tn tU of Caprca, feel the torment, LtJ! f a 
 
 Purgatory, but of a true M. It if as my purpofe to condole mtb thee for the untimely Lth^tl y 
 
 Brother, 
 
Hill. X. Sturio and Paulina. 125 
 
 Brother, it as now Hot only my refolution, but my practice, to mourn with my felf for thy bamjhnient, or 
 rather with thee for mine-, and when my forrows have mofi need of unfold tion, then again that cmfo- 
 lation finds mo(icaufe of furrow : for thinking of Bcrtolini, methinky I fee thy falfedifparagemation 
 his malicious tongue', and thy Brother Brellati his true death on bn bloody Sword ; andyet have neither 
 the honour or happinefs to revenge either ; and, which is worfe, not be permitted to know where he is, 
 that I may revenge them. Butlwijb 1 were only incident and obliged to fupport this afflMon, condi- 
 tional thou wert exempt thereof , or that I might know the limits and period of our abfettce , thereby 
 to hope for an end and remedy thereof ; which now 1 can find no motives tok^now, nor caufe to hope. 0 
 how I have often envied Leander’x happinefs ! And if L"ve could make any mobilities pofible, the 
 Mediterranean Sea fhould long fince have been my Hellefpont , my Body my Barlg, my Arms my 
 Oars to have wafted me from my Abides, to thy Seftos i from my Caprea , to thy Rome, to thee 
 Jweet Paulina, my only fair and dear Hero. And although the conjiancy and fervency of my love t» 
 thee, luggejl me many inventions to efcape the mifery of my exile ; yet the Argus-cyex of my bather’s 
 malice in that of my Guardians jealiufie , cannot be inchant ed or lulled ajleep with the melody of Jo un- 
 fortunate a Mer cury, as my felf. But lime Jhall fhortly act and Jirtifi ) , what impatience cannot : till 
 when, dear and fweet Paulina, retain me in thy thoughts, at I do thee in heart and memory, and doubt 
 not but a jew wceky will makrus as happy, as we are now mij cr able. 
 
 Baulina, in the midft of her forrows and ficknefs , receives this Letter from her bed and 
 deareff friend, Sturio ; and although flic rejoyccto hear of his health and wcllare in C^e / 
 vet (he is mord glad, that the extremity of her heknets and weakneis inform her , lhe thall 
 fhortly dye in Rome : for vanquifhed with afflictions, and overcome with variety ot grid and 
 difeontents , flic in conceit already hath left this world , and is by this time half way in icr 
 proerefs and pilgrimage towards Heaven , yet in love to her dear Sturio , who wrote her this 
 kind Letter, fhe will not be fo unkind, but will kits it for his fake that fent it her : and per- 
 adventure if fhe had been fo happy, that he might have been the bearer and deliverer thereof 
 himfelf , or that he had born and delivered himielf to her inikad of his Letter, he might then 
 have given fomc comfort to her forrows, and fomeconfolation to her difeontents andaffii- 
 tfiensi whereas now feeing him exiled and mewed up in Caprea, without any appearance of 
 return, fhe fees (he hath more reafon to fife to her old defpair than to any new hope , and fo 
 wifheth the deiired hour were at laft come, wherein (he might give her laft farewe toth* 
 world : but again peruf.ng and over-reading his Le tter, (he finds it full fraught with love and 
 affedfion towards her, and therefore difdaimng to prove ingrateful to any,efpecially to Sturio, 
 who is fo kind and courteous to hery calls for Pen and Paper , and by his own conveyance i e- 
 turnshim thisAnfwer. 
 
 PAULINA to STURIO. 
 
 Cannot rightly define, whether the reccit of thy Letter made me more glad', or the Contents, forrow- 
 * ful • for as I infinitely rejoiced to underfund thou wert living', fo 1 extreamly grieved to hear 
 there was no certainty of thy releaf ement and return. Whether or no Caprea be thy Purgatory 
 1 know not; but Jure I am, Rome is my Hell, fith I cannot be there with thee, nor thou here with 
 me: and as l lamented with figbs, I could not dye with my Brother; Jo 1 grieve with tears that 
 I cannot live with thee: But why write I of living, when this mournf ul Tragedy and thy dtjajh- 
 rous Exile, hath made me more ready to dye, than live, or rather not Jit to live , but dye: tor, de- 
 fpairingof thy return, how can I hope for comfort, Jith it only lived in thy Pftjence, as my heart and 
 toy didin thee ? As for Bcrtolini’r IfiBf to me, and crime to my Brother, tj thy Sword pumjh him 
 not, God’s jull Revenge will", andwijhing this as a Woman, as a Chrijiian, I pardon and Jorgwe 
 him , and fo (I fray) do thou for my fakp, if thou wilt Hot that of my dead Brothers. Cou.d prayers 
 or wilhes have effeilcd thy return to me, my tears had long fince been thy Hellespont Medi- 
 terranean Sea, and my figbs had fill’d tbeS ails of tby defines and rcfolutions, tobavepjjfed Oku, 
 floated up Tiber, ami landed at Rippa to me. But alas, alas! here in remembnng H^rosjt ici- 
 ly and joy, I cannot forget my forrows and affhttions : for as Lzmdct lived tn ber arms, Jo can- 
 not be fo fortunate, either to live or dye in my SturioV: and if now, as a skilful Mercury, thou 
 touldfi inveagle the eyes both of thy Father’s malice, and Guardians jeloufie, yet t hat happtnejs 
 ■would come too late , and out of feafon for mee ; for before thou I halt have plotted thy flight and efiape 
 from Caprea to Rome, I Jhall have aded and fitnfbcd mine from Rome to Heaven. I would fend 
 tbee more lines, but that my weak, band and feeble fingers have not the power, though the will, ^ 
 
 I 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther. 
 
 lower to retain my Pen. Heaven will m.t\e u happy, though Earth cannot , therefore my dear St urio, 
 tetthii be ottr laji and bejl confutation , As tkfe joys are temporary and tranfitory , fo thofe will beper- 
 
 Book II. 
 
 PAULINA. 
 
 This Letter of Paulina to Sturio, meets with a fpeedy pafTagc from Koine to Caprea -, who re- < 
 ceivinv it and thinkingto have found her in her trueand pcrledf health, with much joy and 
 arfetfioh breaks up the feals thereof* when, contrary to his hope and expedition, undeilhnd- 
 in« of her ficknefs and approach to death , he tenderly and bitterly weeps at has own misfor- 
 tune in her difeontent and dil'after * yea, he paflionately and lorrowfully bewails his Father s 
 cruelty in thus banithiug him from her fight and prefence, from the contemplation of whofe 
 beauty and Irom his innate atfedion to her, the Fates and Deftinies cannot baniih him. But 
 alas, unfortunate Sturio ! the news of thy Paulina's ficknefs, is But the Prologue to the enfuing 
 forrows and atflidhonsthat are ready to befall andfurpriie thee : for the news of her death, 
 (hall lhortly follow her Letter* and if that drew tears from thine eyes, this (hall drown thine 
 eyes in the Ocean of thy Tears * neither (hall he (lay long to feel the miferableimpetuofity of 
 this mournful dorm. For fcarce twenty days arepaft, after the writing of her Letter to 
 Sturio, but Paulina languifhing withgtief, defpair, ferrow, and ficknefs, as a Female Love- 
 Martyr, takes her lalt leave and tarewel of this World, in Rome ’, it being not in the power or 
 atfedion of her Parents, any longer to divert her from paying this her lad due and tribute 
 unto Nature, fith we all have our lives lent, not given us: and thereforeas we receive, fo mud 
 we repay them to our Creator and Redeemer, of whom We have fird received them. 
 
 Old Sturio is as glad in Rome for the death of Paulina . ,as her Parents grieve thereat* and now 
 it is that he intends to be as happy and joyful in his Son’s prefence, as he hath formerly made 
 himfelf forrowful in occafioning his ablence:whereupon,with all expedition, he difpatcheth a 
 Servant of his to Caprea, with a Letter,to Ggnirie his Son thereof, and confequently,to recall 
 him. This news of Paulina’s death, infinitely affli&s and torments our Sturio : for (he being the 
 Queen of hisaffedtion?, and the foveraign Goddefs of his delights and dedres, he refembleth 
 himfelf, and fo like a true Lover, as he is, adteth a wonderful mournful part of forrow for her 
 unwifhed and unexpected death * he is no longer himfelf : nay, fuch was his living affedtion 
 to Paulina , and fuch is his immoderate forrow for her death, as he will not be himfelRbecaufe 
 (he is gone, who was the greateft and chiefell part of himfelf. But as wounds cannot be cured 
 ere fearched * fo padion tranfporting his thoughts beyond reafom and revenge,bcyond paffion; 
 he, for the time prefent,forfakcs the effect, to follow the caufesand fo hath no other objedtbe- 
 forfc his eyes and thoughts, but that of Bertolini s killing of her Brother Brellati, and this of his 
 Father’s unkind banifhing of him from Rome to CaprM;wherefore,that he may out-live his ior- 
 xows, and apply a Lenitive to his Corroiive, he vows to revenge both. The manner is thus ; 
 
 That, as his Father deceived his hopes in carrying him from Rome to Caprea : fo he will de- 
 ceive thofe of his faid Father, in carrying himfelf from Caprea to Cicily, there to find out Ber- 
 tolini, and to fight with him. It is not the point of Honour, much lefs, Judgment, and leaftof 
 all. Religion, that precipitates and throws him on this bloody, and therefore uncharitable, re- 
 folntion : but it is the vanity of his thoughts, and his living-affedtion to his dead Miltrefs, 
 Paulina, which gives life and birth to it : tor he (trampling on all diffwafions and oppofition) 
 finding a Galley of Naples, bound from Caprea to Cicily, very fecretly embarks himfelf in her, 
 and contemning the impetuofity of the Winds, and the mercilcfs mercy of the Seas, lands at 
 Palermo j where hufhing himfelf up the firft night privately in his Inn, and informing himfelf 
 that Bertolini was in that City, he, the next morn, by his Lackey , fends him this Challenge. 
 
 STURIO to BERTOLINI. 
 
 H Aving hilled my dear Paulina, in thefcandal of her honour , and the death of her Brother Brellati, 
 my afflictions and forrows to furvive her, mak/t me contemn mint own life,to feeh,thhte : to which 
 pttrpofe l have left Caprea fo find Cicily, and in it, thy felf. Wherefore, as thou art Bertolini, 
 fail not to meet me this Evening- twixt five and fix of the Clock,, in the next Meadow, behind the Car- 
 thufian’s Moitafiery , where my felf , afpjhdoHly with a Chirurgeon, and the choice of two Jingle Ra- 
 piers, will expeft and attend thee. Thy Generofity invites thee, and my Affetlion and Honour obligeth 
 me to be the only Guelis of this Bloody Banquet. 
 
 STURIO. 
 
 Bertolini receives and reads this Challenge, which, to write the truth, is not fo plcafing to 
 , ' • hiila 
 
Hift. X. 
 
 St ur to and Paulina. 
 
 127 
 
 him as was that of Bretyti : he lees hiinfelf and his honour engaged to right, and knows nor 
 Iiow to exempt and tree himfelf thereof, tor, firft, he conlidereth that the ground ofhis De- 
 
 tftice and Quarrel is not good, fith he knew in his foul and confcience , that Paulina was as 
 
 cliaii as fair and that he had wronged himfelf, in lacking to wrong and Icandalize her, then, 
 that lie per left ly underftood, Stum was yaliant and generous-, yea, and very expert and coh- 
 ilaot m uiiconitancy : l'o that he began not only to doubt, but feat, that as he had killed brd- 
 Lti lb Stuno was referved to kill him : but again, confidering that his birth and blood was 
 noble it contrariwife lo incited and animated his courage, and inflamed and let an edg 011 
 
 his Gcnerolity, as with a kind of unwilling willingnefs, he accepts oi Slum s Challenge ? and 
 i'o bade his Lackey tell his Mallei from him, That he would not fail to meet him, to give him 
 his welcome to Pakrnu. The Clock (hikes rive, and long before fix, our two yogpg Gentle- 
 men come riding into the fields where giving their Horfes to their Chirurgepns, with com- 
 mand not to ftir till their duty and office call them, they both draw , and (o approach each 
 Other • but although this fury of theirs begin in blood, yet it (hall not here end in death. At 
 the firll coinin'' up, Sumo wards Bcrtolini's thrull, and runs him into the right flank, of a deep 
 wound , at the fecond, he wounds him again in the neck, which draws much blood from him: 
 neither is the third meeting more propitious, or lefs fatal, to him : tor Sumo , without recei- 
 ving any touch or fear, gives him a third wound betwixt his (mall ribss whereat his courage 
 feareth, and his ilrength fainteth , when, willing to fave his life, though with the lots of his 
 Honour, he throws away his Rapier, and, with his Hat in hand , begs his life of Stuno , and 
 with as much truth as integrity, confefTeth and voweth, that he is mhnitely forrowtul and 
 repentant for the fcandal delivered againfl the Honour of his moil fair and chaff Lady,Puxlwuv 
 for the which he craves pardon and rtmiffion. Stuno is aflomffied at ms unexpected and 
 cowardly aft of Bcrtolbti , whereat he bites his lip, but I know not whether more with dif- 
 dain than angers only at firlt, the remembrance of BreUati and Paulina's deaths, for the prefent, 
 make him inexorable to his requeft and fub ruffian : butatlaft, making Reafon give a law to 
 Choler, and Religion to Revenge, and confidering that he was more than a man , nth a Chri- 
 liian, as alio that the fuller of his Blood and Extraction, had ddiinguiffied him from the Vul- 
 gar and fo made him honourable and nobles he, not as a cruel Tyger, but as a generous Lyon, 
 difdaineth to blcmiffi his Reputation and Valour, in killing a difarmed mamand fo his Honour 
 out-braving his Valour and Revenge, he, as a truly noble Gentleman, gives Bertolim his life, as 
 holding himfclf fatisfied,by having-righted the Honour of his dead Miltrefs, Paulina, in Bcr- 
 Ms eonteffion and contrition.So they ffieathe up their fwords, and, like loving friends, re- 
 turn together into the City, where prepare* for his departure, and Bertolttu betakes 
 
 himfelt to have his wounds drdled and cured. . . , 
 
 This Combat, or Duel, is not fo fecretly carried betwixt them and their Chirurgeons, but 
 all Palermo refounds and prattles thereof s and, which is more, this news fpeedily fails from 
 Cicily to Naples, and from thence rides poll to Rome, where Stuno and Rrto/wiliKewileinffiort 
 fbace arrive - : but firlt comes Stunt , then Bertolm, whofe Father by this time hath obtained 
 his pardon for killing of BreUati. The Nobility and Gentry of Rowe (peak diverily and differ- 
 ' cntlvof our two late returned Gallants: fome, out of reafon, highly applaud Stum s righting 
 with Bem/i/ii, occalioned through his affeftion to his dead Mtftris, Paulina i and then his hu- 
 manity and courtefic fhewed and extended him, in giving him his Hite : Others, out of the 
 errors of youth and vanity, tax and condemn him tor not difpatching and killing him. A- 
 sain, many extol Bcrtolini's Valour m killing brellati ; but all taunt and tax him tor his Cow- 
 ardice, in not righting it out with Stuno •, and, which is worfe, for difgracefully begging and 
 
 £ertolf«i riiids this (Uncial thrown and retorted on him, to be very diftaftful and difhonour- 
 aWe ; infomuch as he cannot relifh it, but with difeontent v nor digefut but with extream 
 indignation and choler, which throws him fo violently on the execrable humour of revenge, 
 as he vows to make Stuno pay dear for giving too much liberty to his tongue, to the preju- 
 dice of his honour and reputation. ■ 
 
 Puft up thus with thefe three execrable humours and vices, dildain, envy, and revenge, 
 whereof the Icalf is great and capable enough to mine both a fortune and a life i he, out of a 
 wretched refolution ( unworthy the generofity of a Gentleman) not only forgets Swruhishn- 
 
 eular courtefic in giving him his life, when it lay in his power and pleafure to take it from 
 
 him, but alfo remembreth, and in remembrance, refolveth to repay him with the ungrate- 
 ful requital, and mournful intereft of depriving him of his. O extream ingratitude^ O un- 
 charitable and bale refolution ! Yea, he is fo devoid of reafon, and the punty of his ioul : ind 
 confidence fo contaminated and vilified with the contemplation and objeft of blood , as he 
 
God's* Revenge againft Murther. Book 1I # 
 
 gives way thereto, and refolves thereon * yea, permits it to forfuke God, o f purpofe wilfully 
 to follow the Devil. Yea, his thoughts are fo fiirpriled and taken up with this execrable and 
 hellKh refolution of Murther, as he thinks of nothing elfe but of the means and manner how , 
 to difpatch and fo to fend him in a bloody Winding-flieet , from this life to another. 
 
 To fight with him again in the held, he dares not * to affalUnate and murther him in his b^d, 
 he cannot, fith he mud pafs five or fix feveral Chambers, ere he can come at his * and to pifiof 
 him in the open finet, though it be lefs difficult, yet he finds it molt dangerous * fith he lees 
 Sturio ftill went better followed and accompanied, than himfelf, as indeed being far more emi- 
 nent of Birth, and more noble of Extra&ion, than himfelf. But he fhall want no invention to 
 accomplilh and bring this his bloody refolution to pafs* for if he fail thereof , the Devil is (till 
 at hi$elbbv%to prompt and inltrudt him therein* yea^ his impiety is grown fo ftrong with the 
 Devil, and his Faith lo weak with God, as now having turned over the Records of his Re- 
 venge, he at lafi: refolves to fhoot Sturio from a Window, with a Petronel, as he pafieth the 
 ftreet* and upon the attempt and finiffiing of this his hellifVi ftratagem , and bloody Tragedy, 
 the Devil and he (hike hands, and conclude it* the contriving and perpetrating whereof (hall 
 in the end firangle him, becaufc he was fo prophane and gracelefs,as he would not ftrangle the 
 firft conceits thereof, ill their births and conceptions. 
 
 But leave we here Bzrtolinl , ruminating on his intended bloody crime of Murther, and come 
 we a little to fpeakof poor unfortunate Sturio , who not dreaming of this malice, much lefs of 
 his ungrateful and bloody revenge intended againft him, like a mournful and difconfolate 
 conftant Lover, is thinking on nothing fo much, as on the living-beauty and Idea of his dead 
 Baulina. And although he knew it as palpable folly to bewray his immoderate forrows , as 
 difcretiok to conceal them * yet their impetuofity and fervency , gives fuch a predominating 
 law to his refolutions, as he cannot refrain from often dealing into S a ntta Maria de Rotundas 
 Church, where (he was buried, and there fecretly bc-dews her Tomb , and wafhes her Sepul- 
 cher with his tears : an a ft and ceremony of Lovers, which though affediion authorize , yet 
 Religion doth neither juftific, nor can approve. All the care of his Father and Friends, is to 
 feek how to purge his penfivenefs , and to wipe off his melancholly forrows , and forrowful 
 melancholinefs : to which end, they proffer him great variety of noble and beautiful Ladies 
 in marriage , hoping that the fight and prefence of a new Beauty, would deface the memory 
 and abtence of an old : but their policy proves vain* for noble Sturio will be as confiaut in his 
 forrows for his fweet Baulinas death, as he was in his affe&ion to heir whilfi that (he lived: 
 and therefore, although that their power enforce him for to fee divers* yet his will can never 
 by any means be drawn or enforced for to love any, as having inviolably contra&ed himfelf* 
 to this definitive refolution. That fith he could not bcBaulinas Husband, he will never wed 
 himfelf to any other Wife than his Grave. 
 
 And here I begin to write rather with tears than ink, when I apprehend and confider how 
 loon our poor and innocent Sturio fhall be, by the bloody hand of Bertolt, ii , laid in hisunfor- 
 nate and untimely Grave. All Sturio, Sturio 1 hadit thou been more vindictive and lefs ge- 
 nerous and compaffionate, thou hadft prevented thy death by killing Bcrtolim , when thy va- 
 lour in Capm* formerly reduced and expofed him to the mercy of thy Sword , or if thou hadft 
 believed this Maxim , That dead men can never offend or hurt, thou need’ll not have relyed 
 and fruited upon the talie protnilesof an mccrifed and irreconcilable enemy : but what (hall I 
 lay . It was not thy honour, but Bertolm’s infamy, which haffeneth and procureth thy death. 
 rWhi!;l 0U ^■f d fh fotn,i a thine Eiiemy- and he prove fo deadly an Enemy to 
 
 dt t h ' hTr* V end his life i and Bcrtolim, in requital, will give S»«whis 
 
 death but fuch /no nitrous and bloody ingratitude, will never go unpuniihed of God : for as 
 
 S IS ’ ° “ * S L CX ^ rab,C t0 f H f avCn : but 1 muft b! fo unfortunate , to bring this 
 deplorable 1 ragedy upon the Theater ot this Hiftory. A mifery of miferies that we are 
 
 StothSSSd iT?ri ^ben we think our felves fartheft from them ! and ( not to rufli 
 
 « fcf 'r r ’ 5" it (hall pl«fc God fo, , P 0 call JfflK 
 
 ( l,k f and p,au, j death mo, Hill S„d os always a.med for.o meet, 
 
 never unprovided for to encounter it. 
 
 undeTfttd S?*^ W ‘- n?SCi Sl?r a J iCi » ™ iC ° wretchedly implacable in his revenge , as 
 ttad provide, both tht Bullets,, he Petionel, „,d himfelf, »d f 0 , wa , chlng iXSug e i 
 
 his 
 
Hid. X. 
 
 Sturio and Paulina. 
 
 his hour and time, on a Monday morning , a little after the Cardinals , Farnefi and Capotiiut 
 were ridden with their Trains to the Conliltory, putting himfclf into an unknown houfe be- 
 twixt the laid Englijh Colledg, and the Palace of Farnefi i, he having his cock bent, and feeing 
 Stttrio coming in the ftreet, upon his prancing Barbary-hotk, and f oot-cloth, like agracelels 
 and bloody Villain ( having neither the fear of God, nor the falvation or damnation of his 
 foul before his eyes, nor once imagining that he (hoots at thcMajeftyof God the Creator, in 
 killing and defacing Man, his Image and Creature) lets flie at him , and the Devil had made 
 him fo curious and expert a Marks-man,as both the Bullets pierce the trunk of his bread; with 
 which mortal wounds, our innocent Sturio no longer able to fit his Horfe, tumbles down 
 dead to the ground, without having the power to utter a word, but only to breathe forth two 
 or three lamentable and deadly groans. And this was the unfortunate and mournful end of 
 this noble Gentleman, Sturio, which I cannot relate, without lighs i nor remember, with- 
 out tears. 
 
 This bloody Tragedy, afted on fo brave a Gallant, in the very bowels and heart of Rome, 
 doth extrcamly amaze and draw all the Spedators to lamentation and mourning; and his 
 two Servants, who walked by his Horfe-fide, are fo bufie in lifting him up, and rubbing the 
 temples of their dead Mafter,as they forget to re-fearch and enquire for his Murtherer : but 
 the afliftants and the (landers by, hearing the report of the Piece, and not only feeiug the (tnoak 
 in the window and air, but this noble Gentleman dead in the ftreet, they afeend the houfe, and 
 find the Petronel on the Table, but the Shooter fled away upon a fwift Spanijh Gennet, by.the 
 back-door; they of the houfe affirming,with tears in their eyes, That they knew not the Gen- 
 tleman that did it, neither was it in their powers to flop or prevent his cfcape. 
 
 This fatal and mournful news,difperfed and fpread o’re the City ofRewc;the Serjeants and 
 Captains Guard arc bufie to find out the Murtherer, who by this time they know to be Seignior 
 Bertolini , but being gallantly mounted, he fpeedsaway thorow the (Ireets amain ; and is lo far 
 from defpair, as he makes no doubt but to recover the Later an Gate; and to efcape this his fe- 
 cond danger, as fortunately as he did his firlf, by flying into the Kingdom of Naples: but his 
 hopes (hall deceive him; for if he bought Brellatt’s Murther at anealierate, God hath now or- 
 dained and decreed, That he (hall pay deer for this his fecond, of Sturio ; and lo here the im- 
 petuous (form of God’s juft revenge and indignation now befalls him, when he lead fears or 
 thinks thereof. The manner thus : 
 
 As he was fwiftly galloping thorow Campo dc F uogo ( the publick place where the Popef that 
 Antichtift of Rome) burns the children of God for the profelfion of his glorious Gofpel ) and 
 being at the farther end thereof, with an intent to draw towards the back-lide of the Capitol, 
 behold, t wo Bricklayers, building of a Houfe, upon a Scaffold two ftories high in the itredt, 
 as Bertolini pafled , both the Scaffold and the two Brick-layers fell down upon him and his 
 liorfc, and (o beat them to the ground : but as yet the news of Stitriu’s Murther was not 
 arrived thither ; fo as danger and fear making Bertolini forget the hurt of his fall, he again ri- 
 feth up, and calls for his horle, which was fpeedily brought him ; fo leaping into the Saddle, 
 he fpursaway with as much celerity as his Gennet could poflibly drive under him. But if he 
 have efcapcd this rirft Judgment of God, he (lull not the fecond : for having paft the Capitol, 
 and the Amphitheater , his Gennet, ’twixt that and the Latter an, fell under him;which putting 
 his (houldcr out oi joynt,the poor alttided Beall could not rife with his Mailer, who by this 
 time is more affli&ed and grieved, than the harmlefs Gennet he rides upon. Whereupon being 
 amazed, and fearing that the fearch would inflantly follow and lurprife him , he leaving his 
 Horfe, betakes himlelf to his own heels, and fo with much terror both of mind and confidence, 
 he knows not whither to go, or where to hide himlelf : but at laft confidering, that the great- 
 ell dangers have need’of the lead diftradion, and mod difcretion,he thinks to die on his right 
 hand to Horto Farncft , or the Gardens and Orchards which belong to that Illuftrious Family : 
 but then again,; fearing to meet with a wooden face, inftcad of finding an open door, he leaves 
 that refolution, and (as tall as his legs and feet can bear him) flies on his left hand up towards 
 Nero s Tower (To famous for that Emperor’s infamy, in Handing thereon when he delighted 
 to fee all Rome on fire) and here in the ruins and demolitions ot an infinite number of Palaces, 
 Churches, and other ftupendious Buildings, our murtherous Bertolini hides and luifheth up him- 
 lelf, hoping it the day were pad, to efcape, and recover fome fecret Friend’s houfe, by night. 
 
 But God is too juft to let this his cruel laft pafs unrevenged, and this bloody Murtherer un- 
 punilhed ; for he hath Icarce been there half an hour, but he is known there, found out, and 
 fu mm d in of all (ides by the Captain’s Guard,arin’d with Partifans and Piltols. Here Bertolini 
 confidering himfelf txRoman Gentleman, would fain have made fome refiftance with his Ra- 
 pier : but feeing their numbers to encrcafe, and himlelf alone; asallb, that it would farther 
 
 $ augment 
 
Book il. 
 
 God’s Revenge againji Mart her. 
 
 augment his crime, and exafperate his Judges againli him - , he at their tirft alTummons deliv er- 
 eth up his Rapier, and yields , and rendreth himfelf into their hands , who presently convey 
 him to prifon.where he (hall have but little time to think of his hainous and bloody Murthers, 
 ere we (hall fee him brought forth and arraigned before his Judges;but,in the interim, all Rome 
 
 ispoflefled and informed hereof. ■ f , T « , 
 
 So the fecond morning of Btrtolmi his imprifonment, he is (etcht before his Judges, where 
 at fird the Devil is fodrong with him, as he once thought to have denied this Murther of 
 
 Sutrio : but God proving more merciful to his foul , he, upon his Judges grave and Religious 
 
 Remonltrances, with many iighs and tears freely confelfeth it, humbly befeeching them to 
 
 take pity of his young years, and that it was only the heat of youth, and the vanity of his am- 
 bitious honour, which had thus betrayed and Educed his foul to perpetrate this cruel and im- 
 pious Murther*, and for the which, he extreamly and bitterly repented himfelf. 
 
 But the arrow of God’s wrath and revenge, is now fully bent againli Bertolini, as his bullets 
 were againli Sturio : fo as his Sacred Majeity, cauiing his Judges to refembk themfclves, they 
 are deal to his requeils, and tell him, It is not his youth, or his ambition, but the Devil that 
 hath fcduced and drawn him to perform this bloody Murther : and fo, for expiation thereof, 
 they, in conlideration he is a Roman Gentleman, nobly defeended, will not hang him, but ad- 
 judg' his two hands to be cut <oiF before the houfe where he (hot at Sturio , and then after- 
 wards to be beheaded at the common place of Execution, at the foot of St. Angelo's Bridg * his 
 Head to be fet upon a Pole over St. John de Laterals Gate, and his body to be thrown into Ti- 
 ber : which the next day was accordingly executed in prefence of many thoufand people of 
 both Sexes, and of all Ranks, not withllanding the importunate felicitations which his Father 
 made to Cardinal Borgbcfe , ( the Pope Paulinus Quintus Nephew ) to the contrary^ who was too 
 noble and generous to aflill him in io bafe and ignoble a Murther. 
 
 And thefe were the lives and deaths of thefe three unfortunate Roman Gentlemen, Brcllati, 
 Sturio, and Bertolinh and of that beautiful, chad , and forrowful Lady, Paulina. And here to 
 conclude and (hut up this their mournful Hidory , 1 have been informed. That the curious 
 Wits of Rome made many exquifite Epitaphs upon the deaths of Sturio and Paulina > asalfo, 
 that Bcr^/i«nnade a Religious and mod Chriftian Speech at his end, of which I mud con- 
 fefs I was not fo happy to recover the light or copies of either*, for if I had, I would not have 
 failed to have inferted and placed them at the end of this their Hidory , ' to have ferved as a 
 grace and ornament thereunto, in interlacing my Profe with other Verfes, for the better de- 
 light and recreation of my Reader. But I mud (judly) crave excufe herein: for my curiofity 
 fought them, though my unfortunacy found them not. And becaufe I wholly aim rather to 
 proht than to pleale my Reader, let ns forget the (hado ws, to remember the fubdance*, and fo 
 look from the Map to the Moral of this Hidory *, that the foul example of Bertolinfs crime of 
 Murther, and the judnefsof hispunilhment, may make us lefs bloody, and more compaflion- 
 ate and charitable to our Chridian Brethren, and confequently more pious towards God, of 
 whom we all bear the living Image, and true and lively Chara&er. 
 
triumphs 
 
 OF 
 
 GODS REVENGE 
 
 Againft the 
 
 Crying and Execrable 
 
 SIN OF 
 
 MURTHER 
 
 expresseed 
 
 In Thirty leveral Tragical Hiftories, (digefted into Six 
 Books) which contain great variety of mournful 
 and memorable Accidents; Amorous , 
 
 Moral, and Divine. 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 Written by JOHN REYNOLDS . 
 
 L 0 N D ON, 
 
 Printed by A.Maxml, for William Lee, 1 6 da 
 
TO THE 
 
 RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 And truly worthy of all Honour, 
 
 WILLIAM 
 
 EARL O F 
 
 PEMBROKE, 
 
 Lord Chamberlain to His Majefty , Knight of the Thrice 
 Noble Order of the Garter, and one of the Lords 
 of His moft Honourable Privy Council. 
 
 Right Honourable, 
 
 T is not your Dignity^#/ your Virtues 5 not your Great* 
 nefs, but your Goodnels, which firjl conjured my affe- 
 ction , then commanded my refolution to direCt thefi 
 (foreign ) Tragical Hiftories to your Honours Pro- 
 tection and Patronage : For whiles others (failing with 
 the corrupt Tide and Current of the Times ) not only ad- 
 mire , but adore the exterior parts of men , their For- 
 tunes 3 I, for my part, both honour and reverence theit 
 interior qualities and ornaments. Piety, Fidelity,Ge~ 
 nerofity , ( three Daughters of Heaven , embling and 
 perfonating the three Heavenly Graces on Earth , l aith, 
 Hope, Charity ) who tranfport and convey our Memories as far as the limits of 
 Time, and a degree beyond it 3 and (on the wings of T ruth ) mount our. F ames from 
 Earth to Heaven, from Envy to Glory, and from Mortality to Eternity. Not but 
 that I every way refpeCt and honour that Blood which is Noble 3 but ^ that I yet more 
 dearly honour , and deeply affeCf thofe Virtues which have a fecret , and (as 1 may jnftlj 
 fay ) a f acred power in them to ennoble Nobility 3 both which traufcepdentVrivi- 
 
 S 3 ledges. 
 

 The Epiftle Dedicatory. 
 
 
 S 
 
 
 ledges, finding hand in hand cheerfully to march , and really to fympathize in your 
 Honour, (fith upon the refplendent Utter of your attions ,Envy is not capable to infi - 
 nuate a blemifo nor Detraction of power to introduce or inforce a difparagement)was 
 the foie prevailing-motive of this my Zeal and Ambition# And when I confider that 
 the Morality , Ends , andPunifiments . of thefefoul and crying Sins of Mur t her, which 
 my two former Books ( of this nature ) have already related and divulged to the worlds 
 have not only been approved, but applauded , of our moji Excellent and Sacred King, 
 fas only aiming at God's glory , and our own reformation and prefervaiionj, T rather 
 hope^ than dcfpair,that this Third (wherein the juft Revenge of God, the Great 
 and Supreme King of Kin gs, is no lefs apparent and confpicuous ) will be accepted of 
 your Honour. Against fights againji Murt her, whtch not only feekyto flay Huma- 
 nity but therein to murt her Religion, which is the AAk aud Soul thereof It de* 
 n.Qunce th War again/i Nature and Grace, againjl the.Uivine Ordinances ^Heaven, 
 add ih&kidaEtive and Penai : Laws of Earth , whereby they are ejlablifoed and main- 
 tain&dl as being the Ccement and Smews , the Veins and Arteries of Monarchies 
 and Commonweals ^ as alfo $ againfithe Mtjefty of God, and the Crowns and Dig- 
 nities of Soveraign Kings and-Pv\nccs,his Royal Deputies and Vice-gerents here on 
 Earthy fith thereby he lofeth Jouls 5 andthefe fubjetts', yea, fo general and prodigious 
 afirogrejfion doth this fcartet Sin of premeditated and wilful Murther make in the 
 hvqfirfid World, and with Jo bloody a deluge anditiundation , it not only wafies , but 
 fks it were) drowns the face of Chriftian , that we have now far truer cauje to cry 
 out, and jujler reafonto exclaim , than did Quintus Catulus, ( fo many Centuries of 
 years fine e)0 with whom, or where (hall we live infafety , lith in Wars we kill 
 thofe who are armed $ and in Peace, who are unarmed ? Tea , your Honour, who 
 (with a happy Conji aWPy\ an d conflant Happinefs ) is fliU a profejj'ed champion for Cha- 
 rity againfi En^/y, and a Tutelary Prote&orfor Virtue again ttV ice, (whiles divers 
 Great Onerof the World, make it not only their practice , but their glory , to perform 
 the contrary) will, I hope, run over thefc mournful Hiltories ( and the fever al acci- 
 dents they relate) with youreyeof pity, and fpirit of companion', and therein ivith a 
 religious joy. and pio/tr infultation , not only admire the Providence, but applaud and 
 magnifie the juftice of Godwin fo timely cutting off thefe Mongers of Nature, and 
 bloody Butchers of Mankind, withthefe their condign punijhmentj , anddejerv:d 
 deat hs : In which Hope and Confidence , this BookJ * no more mine , but your Honours, 
 and no lefs is he who collected and penned it And that my Name may futurely oblige 
 me to make this prefent Promije of my Fen real. Whiles many others ( in a vertuous 
 emulation) contend to deferve the Honour of your Favour, and Jirive to pur chafe the 
 felicity of your Commands , none fhall do it with more Integrity , and lefs VaniH 
 than J 
 
 Your Honour’s truly devoted 
 
 JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
 
 
 Gods 
 
HISTORY XI. 
 
 De V lez tilleth Vaumartiu in a Duel. La Hay caufeth Michael le to poyfon La Frangc. De Salez 
 D lotes La Hay , and, becaufe bis Father Argentier mil not eonfent that he marry her, 
 
 his bed and then tak^s her to his Wife : She turns Strumpet and cuts his throat ; as he is dy tng,he 
 accufeth her of this bloody faO, andhimfelf for murthcring his Father Argentier : fo hl * dc * dbod >" 
 Sdto th fSam. then burnt La Hay eonfeffetb this Murther. , and l^m/c that Jheeaufed 
 Mkhaelle topoyfon La Frange : Jhe hath her right band cut off , and is then burnt alive . M «. 
 clle is broken on the Wheels and bis dead body thrown into the Kiver. 
 
 A Lthough our perverfc Nature, and rebellious Thoughts may for a while make us efteon 
 Envy Sbc no P Vice, and Murther a Virtue, yet if wc will ereft the 7«ofourJa^h,and 
 fo look from our felves to our fouls , from Earth to Heaven, V>d from Satan ^ h 
 
 then afiuredly find, that hating our Chrift.an Brother, we iS: 
 
 and murdering him, that we malicioufly and prefumptuoufly at «™P”o - and 
 
 whom we mult, without whom we cannot be laved. But 1 wl ^ Heaven, 
 
 Ikve thercisaHmeu, bu.noGoli o, t*nh, .! ”° 0 S n "f 
 
 then that uncharitable Teuent of Envy may be held lawful,, and tin. Woody P ^ 
 Murther pradtifed, bccaufe priviledged, elfe, not. Wherefore kt us e anJ t0 
 
 fend this Dcvilifh Dodtrine, and Dodhine of Devils, to Hell from whence it > m 
 the Devil himfelf who rirft broached and invented it, fith we ^mwt pro ^ m . aA>e ^ in 
 king our felves Agents, nor perpetrate it, without becoming his y wretched He- 
 
 regard they will infallibly prove woful fore-runners of our mi ’ ' j .1 iU ma ke 
 
 raids of our perdition : as the bloody A&ors of this enfuing mourn . y g0j JJ 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
Book III 
 
 1 36 God's Revenge againfi Murther . 
 
 oood, and inftance to us in themfelves, when the fevere Judgments and Puni(hments of God 
 befel them fo fuddenly, as it was too late for them either to revoke or bewail the enormity of 
 thefe their foul and iufernal crimes. 
 
 T holoufe ( as well for greatnefsas (late, the third City and Court of Parliament of France ) 
 is the plaee wherein we (hall underhand, there was lately committed and perpetrated a Tra - 
 gical Hijiory, which hath many mournful and bloody dependanccs* the which to branch 
 forth, and depaint in their naked colours, we mud underhand, that therein lived a Councellor 
 of that famous Court (being a rfoh Gentleman, well defeended ) termed Monfieur dc Argentier § 
 whofe Wife, being deceaied, Jeft him Father only to one hopeful Son, of the age of two and 
 twenty years, termed Monfieur de Salez , who being wholly addicted to the Wars ( from which 
 Martial Profehion it was impohible for his old Father to divert and withdraw him ) he pro- 
 cured him an Enfign’s place under Monfieur dc Roquelaure , whom he ferved in the Adriatic ^ 
 Sea, under the Noble and generous Venetians, who then hood rather jealous than fearful 
 of the power and great nefs of Spain : but the Chimera of that War ( after the term of three 
 or four years) being vanifhed and blown away , and confequently betwixt thofe two mighty 
 Ehates,a new Peace contra&ed and concluded(although the old had not been actually broken 
 and decelerated) home returns Monfieur de Roquelaure, for Gafcogny f and with him de Ve Sakz 
 for Lanquedoc and Lboloufc, where he is received of his Father with much content and joy, 
 not that he is contented to fee his Son profefs thefe military courfes ( which only affords the 
 fmoak of Honour, and not the folidityof Profit ) but rather that he exceedingly rejoyced 
 him to fee him return there-from *, and from whence, if he cannot hope that his requefls will 
 folcly divert him, yet he is rcfolved and allured, that his commands both will and (hall. To 
 which end ( as any humour is foonclf fubjed to be expelled and defaced by its contrary, foj the 
 old Councellor, having as much Judgment and Providence in his head, as his Son hath Va- 
 nity in his thoughts, and Rafhnefs in his refolutions , doth both requeft and command 
 to leave the War for Peace, Arms for Love, the Camp for the City , and his Captain 
 for a Wife , and fo no longcj to march and fight under the Banners of Mars and Bellona , but 
 under the Standards of Venus and Hymencus : to which effed, he proffers him the choice of 
 many rich and fair young Gentlewomen of the Countrey ,to his Wife*, but efpeciallyfand with 
 far more earneftnefs than any other ) to an exceeding rich Match in the City , which was 
 a young Gentlewoman termed LzVrangc, being the only Child of Monfieur de Clugny , one 
 of the moft famous and richeil Prelidents of that Court, young of years, as being but iixteen 
 orfeventeen, but withall deformed both in favour and body: for (he was of a brown and 
 fowr Complexion-, and not only a Dwarf in Ifaturc , butalfo exceeding crook- back’d 4 , 
 and yet beyond meafurc very amorous and defirous of a Husband: only the Endowments 
 of her mind mod richly recotnpehced, and made fatisfadtion for the defects of her body : for 
 fhe had an active and nimble wit, a fweet and fugred tongue, a rich memory,, and a power- 
 ful and happy judgments and was indeed an excellent Dancer and Singer, and withal a 
 molt perfect and exquifite Muficiar. But as yet Ve Salez Warlike and Generous refolution, 
 could not be fo foon made flexible, to embrace the motion of a Wife, and fo returns his de- 
 nial infteadof hisconfcnt: but his wife old Father Argcntier , being therefore the more cu- 
 rious of his Son Ve Salez his profperity and welfare , becaufe he apparently faw he no way 
 regarded, but every way negle&ed it himfclf( his Son’s exorbitant refolution notwithftand- 
 ing) although he knew that Madjmoifellc La Frange had many noble Suitors, who fought her 
 in Marriage: yet relying upon his ancient acquaintance and familiarity with the Prefident, 
 Ve Clugny, and alfo that that Daughter of his, and this his Son, were of both parties their 
 only children-. He taking time at advantage, breaks with him about the Match: whereunto 
 Ve Clugny hearkens rather with delight, than dilialie : for if there were any difparity in the 
 dignity of their Offices, he well knows that Argcntier s Blood and Wealth did at lead equa- 
 lize, if not exceed his : or if he conceited any fcruple in his thoughts which impugned or im- 
 ppfed it, it was only becaufe Ve Salez was a Soldier , and not a Lawyer, and confequently 
 delighted to ufc his Sword, before his Pen * and to wear and prefer a Scarlet Cloak, beforca 
 Black. But then again , thefe repugnant and averfe reafons were as foon buried, as borm 
 and defaced, as conceived and engraven in him i when he confidered that he himfelf in his 
 adoldccncy,was of the fame humour and inclination, and therefore that Experience had made 
 him a Prefident to himfelf, that Time was both the reformer and refiner of manners, and that 
 (in all well-born and well-bred fpirits) the Precepts of a Father, and the fweet convcrfati-- 
 011 and counfcl of a Wife, had power to metamorphofe the conditions of a young Husband : * 
 whereupon the old Fathers often meet and confult hereon , and fo being fully agreed on all 
 
 conditions 
 
Hift. XI. De Sale % and La Hay. 1 37 
 
 conditions, they likewife appoint a lolemn meeting for their children, but the etfcdt and ifllie 
 of this their interview, will not correfpond and anfwer their deiires. 
 
 La Frange fas we have formerly faidj being deformed and crook-back’t, was no way agree- 
 able, but difplcafing to Ve Sahz-, but he being a tall and neat-timber’d Gentleman, of a fair and 
 feminine complexion, Ihe inllantly moll tenderly aifebted , and dearly loved him- In a word, 
 
 I mult requclt the curiolity of the Reader briefly to be informed and advertifed, that as (he be- 
 held him with the eyes of love and delire, Ibdid he her with thole of contempt anddifdaimffie 
 building Callles of content, in the air of her thoughts and hopes, that Heaven would make him 
 her Husband , and he razing both her and her memory out of that of his contemplations, 
 vowing that Earth fhould never make her his Wife. Thus, though the Parents have already 
 (hut up the Contract, yet their Children lhall never live to celebrate the NuptiaIs;for we lhall 
 fee diveiiiry of Tragical Accidents which are providing, and almolt ready to oppofeand i.n- 
 pugn it. Parents think to be the Caufes, but God will dill be the Author of Marriages : for it 
 his Sacred and Divine Majelty make them not lull in Heaven , they lhall never fee them fo- 
 kmnized nor conliimmatcd on Earth. , _ . „ ... , 
 
 And here, to make an orderly progreflion in this Hillory, the Reader mud likewile under - 
 dand, that of all other of La Fringe's Suiters, none fought her with fo much importunity and 
 impatiency, as the Baron of Vaumartin , whofe chiefelt Houfe and Lands, lay betwixt Aigite- 
 m,ms and Narbone, fa Noble-man of fome thirty years old ) who ( like many others of his 
 ftamp and rank) had fptrnt thegreateft part ot his Youth and Means, in Parity in lalcivioully 
 debauching and revelling with the Parisian Ladies and Dames: lo that the vanity of his plea- 
 fures and cxpences, making his Lands flie away piece-meal, and the devafting and fall of hi$ 
 
 Trees and Woods, making the relt of his Mannors (hake f an example and precedent for all 
 other debauched Gallants to obferve and beware of ),he leaves Paris with curfes,and his bitter- 
 fweet fins with repentances and lb (to repair his errors , and to redeem his loll time and de- 
 cayed EftatOhe comes home to Languedoc\vfhcx^ hearing in Iboloufe oi the Preiident Vt Clug- 
 k/s great Wealth, which he mult Jfolely leave to his only Child and Daughter , Li France, who 
 was now marriageable > he refolves to let all his other bufinefs and defigns apart, and lb to lay 
 fiege, and feck her of her Father, and Self, in Marrriage. Now to take the better direction and 
 obfervation of thisHiftory, werauli likewife underhand , that this Baron of Vaumartin was 
 of a fwart complexion, a Dwarf of Mature , and every way as crook-back c as La Frame} 
 which the more flattered him in his hopes, and egged him on in his purfuit , hoping indeed 
 f though with as muchi^itv as ignorance ) that this their corporal re emblance , would the 
 (boner induce and draw her to atfedt him : but his Aritbm.tick^y or rather his Judgment^ will 
 deceive him : for, it is conformity of Humours and Inclinations, and not of Faces and Bodies, 
 which breeds and enflames a fympathy in affections. But he is refolute in his re-fearch, and fo 
 better loving the Father’s Wtajbb, than the Daughter’s Beauty , he well aflilkd and tallowed, 
 
 ("with a Train and Equipage worthy ot his Birth, and her Merits; tirll teeks the Daughter of 
 her Father, then her i'clf ot her felt. As for theold Prefideht Ve Clitgny, he hath heard of his 
 debauched pranks and riots ip-Paw, and therefore vows, that his Wealth gotten with wifdom, 
 and purchaled with providence, fludy, and care , in his Age , (hall never pay for the obkene 
 pleafures and vicious prodigalities of his Youth: and fo with many verbal Complements, 
 (refolving that he thall never triumph in the conqueil of his Daughter he in general terms 
 
 puts him off. _ „ r ■ r 
 
 As for La Frange her felf, the fweetnefs of Ve Sahz Complexion and Pcrfonage is fo 
 deeply imprinted in her heart and thoughts, that it is impoflible tor Vaumartin to hnd any 
 admittance or entrance : for Jhefpeaksof none but De Sahz, thinks ot none but Ve Sale* , 
 nor wilheth her fclf with any-but with Ve Salcz. Again, Ihe wonders at Vaumartin s lun- 
 plicity, in licking her for his.Wifes for if the hate deformity in her felt, how is it either 
 likely or poflible, that the can love it in her Husband? No, no y though De Salcz wil not 
 love La Frange y yet La Frange muft and will love Pc SaleZy and none but him . and t iei*e- 
 tore tith De Sahz his fweet feature is a Pearl in her eye, needs mull Vaumartin be an eye- fore 
 to her s yea, and if Modefly will permit me to fpeak or write ah immodett truth , her heart 
 doth lb burn and flame in love to VcSahz, that both day and night llie many times with 
 iiglis, fome times with tears, wilheth her felf either impaled in hisarms, or heenclomcred 
 
 Now by this time, Vaumartin hath full notice and advertifement of her dear affeCtion 
 devoted to none but to Ve Sahz, as likewife, his flighting and d.fdamirig her : where- 
 upon, encouraged by this, and dilheartnedbythat, he leaves no colt, care, or curiolity ( ei- 
 ther in Gitts, Dancing, Mulick, or Banquets; unattempted, to crown his Wants, rather than ks 
 
2 8 God's Revenge againjl Murtber. Boo k III. 
 
 deiires and pleafares, with this, though deformed, yet rich Heir, LaVrangt : io leavl ^S h,fn 
 to his vain fuit in courting her, (peak we a little of Ve Salez , that luh Ire will not affect La 
 Fratign we may yet obferve and dilcover which way he intends to (hape the courie ot ms atte- 
 ntions and rdohit ions/ r ~ 
 
 For albeit he had formerly addkfted himfelf and refolutions to be a pfofened ho di * ye 
 p t ace calling him home now to Pkafrre. J and that to Effeminacy , a fatal and dangerous Vice/ 
 which in the iniquity of thefe our times, and depraved manners, not only molt mieniibly 
 creeps into common Soldiers and Commanders , but alfo into all Armies , and into many 
 Eftaces and Kingdoms, itill to the difparagement oftheir glory, and fometime to the price ot 
 their ruin, and peril of their fubveriion * he began to let his Colours hang dully, and ms Bike 
 and Partizan nifty by the walls, and to frequent the company of Ladies i which the old Coun- 
 
 * ( ■ 1 n 11 draw him to affe& and 
 
 ) marry, 
 
 'marry LaTttftjg'. ' / *' 
 
 Now we mult underhand, that in Tbulovfe there dwelt a Merchant of Silks, or as wem 
 England fay , a SHI^man, termed Mo ffcurdcS oulattge *, rather reputed rich ot others, than 
 known fo of himfelf : and yet, bfring an old Widower, to the end the fooher to get him a new 
 Wife, he puts a good face on his Eltate, and maintains Himfelf, family, and Houle, with great 
 poinp and experices, having lio Son, but three fair Daughters, all marriageable : and yet (out 
 of ambition, and in emulation of the Gentry Jftverally known and ftiled by their titles, not by 
 their names , as MiJclarnyfeOcs dc Marjy , La Prtverti\ and La Flay 9 all famous tor their beau- 
 ties, and indeed for their pu rends and excellency thereof , juftly reputed and held the prime 
 Birds of the City, and yet the yoluigeft off hem. La Hay-> was the Pbatntx of all the Three: for 
 (he was fo fwectly fair, and fairly fweet of Complexion, as Ihe drew all eyes to do homage to 
 hers-, lo as it was almoli imporfible for any man to look on her without loving her , or to gaze 
 on her, without deiiririg her : for her Body was fo ftraight and ilender, and the Rofes ot her 
 Cheeks fo ddicioufly gracing the Lillies, and the Lillies the* Rotes 1 , that- the greatdl Gallant 
 either of the City or Countr'ey, held himfelf not only happy, but honoured with the felicity 
 of her pretence and company. But, in one word, to give thefethree Sifters tfkHr true Chara- 
 cters, Z> Marjy , and La f'erycrte , were tar more virtuous thaivD* Hay , though La Hay were 
 tar fairer than they : fpr as Religion and Piety; was their chiefeft delight and exerci(c,a$ more 
 ddirous to imbellhh their fouls, than their bodies > fo wantbn pleafure, andvainlafciviouf- 
 nds, was hus, as ratlier delighting to pleafe and adorn her body, than her fouls they being 
 more virtuous thin fair •, (he, more fair than virtuous > different inclinations and refolutions: 
 thefe as happy and bleifed, as hers wretched ail <1, impious : their adions might have been a 
 Precedent, yea a. Pilot to have condu&ed her Farfic as well to fhe Temple of Honour , as to 
 the Harbour of Immortal Glory, and of glorious Immortality / but (he vows (he will prove 
 a Prclidenr to her felf , and Tier Pleafure (hall be a Pilot to her* Will 7 although (he mils the 
 Temple of Honour, to find out that of Beaftly Concupifcerceey and the Harbour of Immortal 
 Glory, to fuficr flhbwrack upon the Shelves of inglorious Infamy, and the'Rockof Infamous 
 Perdition. ' ' ir ' - 7 - 7 *' :: a:: J- , r .*v ;‘r/i 1 
 
 To this Moiifimr de SauUng t’sHoufedhe ^eautiesof his .three Daughters, but efpccially (hat 
 of La May , and wit hall her pkafing and tradable affability, invites many young Gentlemen, 
 and the eminenteft Citizens, who there pafs their time in courting and convening, in dan- 
 cing, fingihg, and the like 1 , whereunto the' Youth' of France , more than any other /people of the 
 World, arc moft licentiouily aduided : and things are beft difeernedand dfftinguifhed by 
 their contraries^ fd the Virtues ot Ve Marjy , aud La Prrucrte , were made rriOre apparent by 
 La^^nSifs Vices/^nd her Luft and whoredoms,. Iwere more palpably notorious'in their Cha- 
 ftity. O that fo lived a CredunTIhould be fubjedt to fo foul a fin ! and that Beauty, thebeft 
 gift f and, as I may (ay, the Gold ; j of Nature, mould be thus villified and polluted with the 
 beaftly pleafures of carnal concupiscence, and oblcenc fenfualit^! For,aymef I write it with 
 as much grief to my felf , as ft ante to her \ She Was too prodigal of her Favours : for (he im- 
 parted them liberally unto fome, for Love *, but ‘unto moft, for Money * not caring to whom 
 fhe proftkuted her Body, fo they filled her Purte thereby to fupport her Pride, and maintain 
 the excels and vanity of her Bravery ; and yet (he was fo fubtm and cautious therein , that 
 although (he were a profe/ted (joUrtefan^ (Ire Would neverrhefefs publickiy feerti a pure and 
 unfpotted Virgins aiid the better to fortifie her Fame ,aird : fdtiTa lie the reputation of her Ch'a- 
 (tity pafs current with the world, (he would fwear ail thofe to' conceal her favours, on whom- 
 
 foever 
 
De Sale ^ and La Hay. 
 
 lbevcr the imparted and bellowed them : but if this lafeivious iubtilcy of hers have vowa 
 to blear the eyes of the world, how can this her bcaftly fin of fornication be unleen ot God 
 when the Windows, Walls, and Beams of her Chamber, yea, her very Bed whereon Hie hath 
 acted her Whoredoms, (hall one day give in evidence, and Verve as wifnclTes againft her -, yea 
 and be Petitioners on earth, that God will requiteand reward them with vengeance and con’ 
 fufion from Heaven ? 
 
 Now, among the reft of thofc debauched Gentlemen, who devoted their lafeivious fer- 
 vice , and facrificed their fond affection to La Hay's beauty , in comes our De Salcz to enrol 
 himlelf one*, who,feaftin§ and forfeiting his eyes on the delicacies of her frelh and (Wee t com- 
 plexion, leaves his own Fathers houfe,to frequent her's * yea, his defires arc Jo luftfully cniia- 
 med with her beauty, as with hisbeft art and policy he Lys dole fiege to her Chaftity , and 
 with many gifts, requefts, and oaths, feeks to endear her to his defires and pleafure. But fee 
 the fubtilty of this lalcivious young Courtijan * for, knowing De Salcz deeply in love with her, 
 and to be the only Child ot his father, and he one of the richcft Councellors of Tboloufc , flic 
 conceives a plot in her head, to go a filhing to make him her Husband , and fo bears her’ felf 
 wonderful modeft and coy, calling a cloak and veil of Chaitity over her unchart defires and 
 actions, as if fhe were now a Virgin , yea, a Saint to him , though heretofore the had many 
 times played the Strumpet with others. But her denial doth rather enflamc, than quench the 
 fire of his lull * fo as making many affaults to raze down the defences of her refufal , that he 
 may enter and take poflelfion of her heart and favour, his belt Art and Oratory proves vain : 
 for (he outwardly retires her afledtion, thereby the better inwardly to advance and finifti her 
 purpofes : fo this rcpulfe of her*s, makes him hang his head, and become penlive and melan- 
 choly*the true figns and fymptoms of a foolifli and fantartical Lover,as in clfcdt wc (hall fliort- 
 ly fee De Salcz will prove himfelf. for the colder lhe is in aftedtion to him, the hotter is he in 
 lufi with her * forgetting the wars, yea, his diferetion, himfelf, and all, to crown his defies in 
 enjoying her : the which (he well Qbferving, begins to triumph in her good fortune, as think- 
 ing him already fairly come to the hook*and fo hopes,that if the line of his folly, and her good 
 fortune and wit hold, (lie will foon make him her Husband, and her felf his Wife: for, having 
 formerly met with many Knaves in Others, (he now begins to rert confident, either to find or 
 to make a fool of him, thereby to ferve as a veil to over-veil her Whoredoms. He pleads hard 
 to her for love * (he replies, it is impotlible to find love in lulf.He vows he will dye her fervant* 
 (he fwears, (he will never live his Strumpet. He proterteth, that (he (hall (hare of his eftate* (he 
 ’tells him plainly, that (lie had rather live a poor Wife, than dye a rich Courtefan . He replies, that 
 he adores her beauty * (lie anfwcrs, that (he knows no other , but that he oniyTeeks to profane 
 and defile it. And here, with more. facility to make him fwallow either a (Sull , a Gudgin, or 
 both* (he, by ftealth, permits him to cull fome kiiTes, as well from the Cherries of her lips , as 
 the Rofes of her cheeks* and in the interim, like an hypocritical diflctnbling Quean, reads him 
 many Ledhires on thepurenefs of CbajUty , and the foulnefs of Lujf on the blertednefs Mar- 
 riage, and the wretched eftate of Fornication . Prophane and impious Giglet ! whole fpeeches 
 are perfumed with Vertue, and yet her adions (link, and are polluted and infeded with Vice: 
 dillembling Syren , who carts forth bitter-fweet inchanting tunes and charms, to pleafe the 
 fen(e,andyet purpofely topoyfon thefoukPills of Wo‘ni}vvood,candy’d m Sugar, Honey to the 
 palate, but gall to the ftomack : a fatal Rock, whereon many inconiiderate and debauched 
 young Gentlemen have unfortunately fuffered Shipwrack * a wretched Gulph and Labyrinth, 
 which con tains all variety of cndlefs miferies and calamities, whereunto whofoever enters 
 with pleafure, is fure to retire with tears, curies and repentance. A Plague fent us from Hea- 
 ven in our age, for a juft guerdon and recompenceot the fins and folly of our youth. And 
 info this intricate Labyrinth, and bottomlefs Gulph of mifery and calamity , is our rafli and 
 luftful young Gallant, cheerfully entring and (leering his courfe, without either the Star of 
 hope, or Compafsof felicity and fafety, bearing out top and top-gallant * yea, fas I may fay) 
 with all thcfailsof his folly bearing, and wirh the Flag, Enfign, and Pendants of hisoblcene 
 and lafeivious defires, playing and dallying in the "Air of La Hay's fatal and infe&ious beau- 
 ty, which hath fo clofely furprifed his Judgment, captivated his Thoughts, and eelipfed his 
 Difcretion, as in her abfence and prefence he extols as well her Vertucs, as her Beauty, to the 
 Skies vowing that (lie is fo fair a Nymph, and fo pure a Virgin, as (he deferves rather to be 
 his Wile, than his Strumpet* or rather, not his Strumpet, but his Wife. And fo two months 
 being paftfince he firft frequented her, and (ought to foduce and obtain her to his lafeivious 
 defires* and feeing ( diffembling Quean as 1 (he is ) that therein (he bore her felf infinitely 
 chaft and modeft, and that it was impollible for him to obferve or remark any other incli- 
 nation or teftimony , either in her word or carriage , his wits are fo befotted and entangled 
 
 T z in 
 

 God's Revenge againjl Murther . 
 
 ! F range 
 
 ever 
 fo lead 
 we mult proceed orderly 
 anon. 
 
 Book III. 
 
 C 
 
 a thoufand 
 hari 
 
 in the fetters cf her beauty, that he prefers her Tweet feature and ^mpl^on, thouf 
 times before La Frangts deformed \ and vows, that he had rather y<- ,•? , * j 
 
 live to be L* Franks Husband. But this folly ol h.s, m the end (hall coft h.mdeer, and 
 ad him to another , far mofb unnatural, arid, as I rnay juftly fay, a * ,c ■ ; 
 
 in this Hiltory, and do therefore referve that part till 
 
 By this time the fly fubtilty, and feeming-chaft behaviour of La Hay , hath aded 
 wonders in De Sahz hearts fo as (he now hopes confidently and fliortly to play Her 
 
 prize in furprizing hitn : for he is extreamly amorous, befotted , and (as I may fay j drunk 
 with the love of her Self and Beauty: fo,on a Sunday, as (he returned from Vcjpcrs, he re- 
 pairs to her Father’s houfe to fee her i whom he finds in her Chamber alone , waiting and 
 attending. him, having purpofely dighted her felt in a rich new Gown and Petticoat, 
 and trimmed and adorned her felt in her gayeft and molt curious Attire thereby 
 with more cafe and facility to draw him to her lure : So as her Beauty being both 
 feconded and graced by her Apparel, (he fo ravifhedhis heart, and delighted his Cn- 
 (es, as he cannot refrain from killing her: but this Honey of her lips, will, in the end 
 prove poyfon to his heart. And here again he lays clofe iiege to iler Chaftity > but ltu 
 ftie gives him the repulfe and refufal , as if (lie were a Diana , and not a Veniu : He vows 
 lie doth atfedt, and will ever honour her : and (he, That if he honour her, (he will ftill affect 
 him. In the way of Love, quoth he, I am wnolly yours: and, quoth (he, in that of Ih>- ' 
 nour I will not be mine own, but yours. I will, quoth he, in all uffedtion both live and dye 
 your fervant : and, replies (he, in all Chaftity 1 will live ro dye your Handmaid. He at- 
 firms, He cannot be more hers in heart, than he is: nor 1, quoth (he , lefs yours in lull, 
 than lam. It is, quoth he, my Love which makes me report fo much: and, quoth (lie, 
 itismyFi’^r which makes me affirm no leis. Why, quoth he, (hould my Love procure 
 your Fear > My Fear, quoth (he, is wholly engendred and derived from your Ltiji , but not 
 from your Love . I pray exprefs your (elf, quoth he : (he replies, My Blulhes may , hut my 
 Tongue dare not. Quoth he. Did yourallc&ion equalize mine. La Hay would acccpe 
 of Ve Salez , and not refufe him. Nay, quoth (he * did Ve SaUz know how infinitely 
 mine exceeds his, he would not refufe La Hay, but accept of her. Why, quoth he, Ve Salez 
 de (ires none but La Hay ; Nor, quoth (lie. La Hay any in the World but Ve Salez. Where- 
 upon Ve Salez being provoked with his own lult , and animated and encouraged by her 
 iweet fpeeches , he very joyfully ( yet falily ) flattering himlelf with the conquefl of he? 
 favour and confect , (huts the door, and(like a moft lafcivious and dilfolute Gentleman jtakes 
 her in his arms, ♦and drives to convey her to the Bed, revolving thereto enrich hijufdf 
 with more than kiflfes > yea, to reap the fruit of his beaitly plealures , and obfeene and 
 brueifli defires, but his hopes (hall deceive him: For, although La Hay be a Courtefanin 
 heart , yet (he will not be fo in tongue , efpecially now, where to get her (elf a rich Hus- 
 band, it behoves her to play her prize in Chaftity, as if (he were as'vertuous as fair, and 
 as chaft as lovely. Wherefore exclaiming , and (forming at this his lafcivious attempt 
 and enterprife , levelled at the deploration and (hipwrack of her Honour, (he with a vio- 
 lent power, and enraged violence, unskrews her felf forth his Arms, and with a world 
 of hypocritical lighs and tears, flies to his Ponyard , which he had thrown on the Tables 
 and, unfheathing it, vows that (lie will be a (econd Lucrctia and, that if (he cannot kill 
 him before he have defiled and defloured her , yet, that (he will ailriredly murther her (elf 
 after > becaufe lhe is fully rcfolved , That her Chaftity (hall out-live her , not (he her Cha- 
 ftity. A religious and honourable refolution of hers, if it had proceeded from a chaft and 
 fan&ificd heart : but alas ! nothing lefs *, for fhefpeaks it out of Subtilty, not out ot Virtues 
 out of Policy , no way out of Piety. Ve Salez by this time having wholly loft his judgment 
 in the fweet and rofeat Garden of her delicious Complexion , vows that he is now as 
 deeply in love with her Chaftity, as formerly with her Beauty. Whenfeeking to appeale 
 her Choler, and to pacific her Indignation, as alfo to give truce to his own thoughts, and 
 content to his delires: he (wears he is fo far from intending her any dilhonour , as he is re- 
 vived to do her all the honour of the world *, yea, fo far, as, if (he pleafe, he is ready to accept 
 her for his Wife*, protefting, that of all the Maidens of the world, he is defirous to be .Husband 
 to none but her fdf s and that the fault (hall be hers, if he make not his words, deeds.L* Hiy 
 having her thoughts tickled with delight, to hear the pleafant melody of theic hiUugrcd 
 fpeeches, doth thereat prefently bury her (ighs, and dry up her tears *, when, throwing away 
 the Ponyard, and making him a moft refpedfrial courtefie , and grateful reverence, (he with 
 extended arms runs to him, and hangs about his neck, vowing that (lie loves no man in the 
 
 World 
 
Hitt. XI. 
 
 De Stfle^ and La Hay. 
 
 141 
 
 World but him felt y and in confonting to be her Husband, (he will till death yeeld not only to 
 be his faithful Wife, in attending his pleafurc y but hisob'lervant Handmaid, to receive and 
 obey his Commands: and fo they interchangeably greet each other with thanks and Kiffes'. 
 But yet, (lie knowing that his Father Argentier was both rich and eminent, and her own poor, 
 and of a far inferior rank ', (heisfo politick and fubtil in the managing of this her affedion, 
 as (he is rcfolvcd to make fure work, and to do nothing by halts y lo as knowing that words 
 are but wind, and what De Salez promifeth her now, he may either forget or deny to morrowy 
 fhe intends to catch at Opportunities (ore-lock', and ("0 with a fweet and ingenuous inlinuati- 
 011, draws him- to give her a Diamond- Ring in token ot Marriagey and (lie, in exchange, returns 
 him a (mail Gold Bracelet, which (he wore upon her arm next her heart. And yet again, con- 
 fidcring that his Father would very difficultly (or never^) be drawn to confent to this Match, 
 flje can give no true content to her delires, nor fatitadion to her fear, before (he have united 
 and linked him to her, in a more llrider and firmer bond of affurance y when not only team- 
 ing but (as it v/cre) lurfeitirg him with variety of kiffes, (he bethinks her felf of a policy as 
 ■worthy of her wit tor attempting, as of his folly for performing : for directing him her fpeech 
 ( which (lie accompanied with many amorous, yet diffembling (miles ) (he told him (he would 
 futurely exceed him in coniiancy, and now out-brave him in affedion y when taking Pen and 
 Paper, (he writes him a fair promite and firm a durance of her felf unto him ( in the manner ot 
 a C011 trad)', and to make it the more powerful and authentical, fubferibes her name and lign 
 to it, and betwixt fighs and blufhing, (he delivers it to himy no way doubting, but ratheraliu- 
 iingher felt, that he" would requite her with the like courtelie and obligation , as indeed the 
 event anfwered her defires and withes. For De Salez having now no power left him to fee by 
 hisown cyesy I mean, by thole of his Judgment, but only by thefe of his intemperate paffion, 
 and paffibnate affedion, he is fo far from deferying , much le(s from fufpeding her policy , as 
 very limply and fottilhly he attributes it to the fervency of her affedion y the which he inter- 
 prets and entertains, I know not whether with more joy,ordeledationyandfo vowing not to 
 dye her debtor for Courtcfie, he very rafhly and mconfiderately writes another to the (atne ef- 
 fed and flies fofar from wit or diferetion, as to fhew himfclf her Superior in afledion,as well 
 asinfexy he purpofely cuts his finger, and fo firms his name thereunto with his own blood, 
 and then with a million of kiffes delivers it her, vowing that her pleafure (hall be his law in 
 the accomplilhing thereof : only he prays her tor a time jp be fecret and Went herein, for that 
 he fears he (hall hardly draw his Father to confent hereunto : the which fhe very courtcoully 
 £ rarits him. Andfo he triumphingin her Beauty,and (he in his Wealthy he inhtt \ outh,and 
 We in his Simplicity, they for that time part , not doubting but they (hall fliortly reap the 
 fruits of their Matrimonial defires and wifhes : tor till then, fhe (wears (though with an 
 equivocating refervation to forfwear her felf ) the will live a mod pure and unfpotted Virgmy 
 and that as the leaft of her affedion and courtcfie toward him , (hall be fmiles , fo the molt 
 
 (hall be kifles. , . rtr T TJT r 
 
 But this affedion (or rather folly) of Ve Salez , m contrading himfclf to La Hay, is not to 
 fecretly born, but as her former unchaftity was a general argument ot talk to the wnole City 
 of 1 holoufe > fo now this of her fubtilty and good fortune, is that of its univerfal pratling and 
 admiration, occafioned and redoubled by the oppofite confiderations of Argent ur s known 
 Wealth and De Soulange's fuppofed poverty : and again, ot De Salez , luppoled Chafiity, and 
 of DeLa Hay's noterioufly known Whoredoms. And as Fame is (fill fo fading a goddeis, that 
 events and accidents of this nature can hardly be concealed, and difficultly lupprefled and 
 fmothered y lb by this time, contrary to the expeditions and hopes of our t wo young Lovers, 
 the old Councellor Argentier hath notice of this unlooked-for news, and o( this unwifhed-for 
 familiarity betwixt his Son,and that Strumpet U Hay y when confidering the great oppolition 
 betwixt Dc Clugneys Nobility and Wealth, and De Stuktigt s mean Extradion and Poverty y as 
 alfo by a true and uncontrollable Antitbcfu, comparing the foul and enormous Vices ot La 
 Niy with the fweet'and refplendent virtues of La Frange, he ( as much difdaining that Matcia, 
 as defiring this for his Son) very haftily fends for him into* he Arbor, where purpofely attend- 
 ing him, he with lightning in his looks, and thunder in his fpeechrt, lays before him the fun-, 
 plicitv and fottifhnefsof hisrcfolution,in preferring La Hay before La l range, a Strumpet be- 
 fore a Virgin, and a Pcdlcr’s Brat before a rich Gentleman's only Daughter and Heir : (hews 
 him the infamy of the firfl, and the glory of the laft Matchythere his unavoidable milcry ; here 
 hisaffuredhappinefs: in the firft, his utter ruin and (hipwrack y and in the laft, his infallible 
 Drofpcritv and felicity : and fo intermixing threats with tears, with a paflionate Paternal af- 
 fedion he eudeavoureth to perfwade him to leave La Hay , and to marry La F range y or it not, 
 he vows and fwears, wholly to dif-inherit him, and from thenceforth never repute or efteem 
 him his Son. T 3 u 
 
142 
 
 God’s Revenge ngamfi Mur t her. 
 
 Book 111 . 
 
 Eut Dc Salcz his foolifh vanity and vain affedtion in himfelfvtowards his new-contradfed 
 Love, La Hay, is fo great; and confequcntly his filial obedience to his Father, fo final] , as 
 norwithflanding this his wholfbtne advice and coutifel, he is iiill refolute and conftant to pre- 
 fer La Hay before La Frattge y the beauty of tlieone, before the deformity of the other; his 
 own content, before his f ather's, and Soulattges atate and birth , before the great wealth and 
 noble extradion of DcClttgnyi But this raftmefs, indtfcrction, and ingratitude of his, will 
 coll him dear. 
 
 Now if Argcnticr have perfed intelligence and curious notice of his Son’s familiarity with 
 that fair yet leud Courtcfan Lx Hiy ; no lefs hath Lx F range, who, poor foul, is lo deeply ena- 
 mored of De Sxhz, as at the very firlt news and conceit, that another (hould enjoy him, and not 
 her felf, for very grief and forrow fhe feems to drown her felf in the deluge of her tears. His 
 Father is cholerlck- thereat, dhe mournful ; he incenfed, fheafflided ; he enraged, and (lie per- 
 plexed and tormented : hispaflions and anger proceed from fufpit ion, that he (halt lb foon find 
 a Daughter-in-lawin Lx Higher fighs and rcars,from fear, that fhe fhall fo foon lofe her Love, 
 though not her Lover, his Son Dc Sxhz. Again, the argument of his chokr, is Lx Hay’s uncha- 
 flity and poverty;, and the caufe of her difconfolation, Dc Salcz his wealth and vertues : like- 
 wile fhe fees, that Argcnticr hath no reafon to hope, that his foil will marry her felf, fuch is her 
 deformity; and again, that he hath all thereafons of the world, as Well to doubt,as fear, that he 
 will wed La Hay , fuch is her beauty. But lith Dc Sxlcz will bear no more refped to his Father, 
 nor affedion to La Frattge , leave we therefore his Father Argent 'nr s paflions, and Lx FrangSs 
 perplexities, to be appealed and qualified by Time, or rather by God, the Author and Giver of 
 Time; who out of his All-feeing Providence, and Sacred Pleafure, only knows in Heaven how 
 belt to difpofe and manage the adions of earth ; and fo come we to other unexpedf d occur- 
 ren'ts and events, which like fo many interceding and intervening points, arc contained with- 
 in the circumference of this Hillory. 
 
 I have fo long infilled on the ailed ions of Dc Salcz and La Hay , as ( but to the judicious and 
 temperate Reader jit would feem to appear, that the Baron of Vaumattin hath wholly foreot- 
 ten to remember his to his Lady Lx Fraiige : But to put that doubt out of queflion , and'rhis 
 queflicn out of doubt, we (hall fee him return too too foon, to ad a part not fo religious and 
 honourable, as bloody, upon the Theater of this Hiltory : For by this time both his Credi- 
 tors and his Debts are grown fo clamo#us,and his Reputation and Land fo near forfeited, for 
 want of dif-ingaging, as, to fecure the one, and to provide for the other, he knows no other 
 invention nor means,but to gain LaFrange to his Wife: when, as it were provoked and pre- 
 cipitated on by the neceffity ol this exigent, his thoughts leave Heaven, to flye to Hell • and 
 confequcntly, flye from God to Satan, to confult,hovv either by the by, or the main, he may ob- 
 tain her, yea, though with the peril and hazzard of his own life , to cut oil' theirs who leek 
 therein to prevent his defires and defigns. In which Hellifh ratiocination, he, as devoid ofRca- 
 lon, as that is exempt either of Grace or Piety, thus reafoneth with himfelf : De Ctwn y hates 
 me, for Peeking to marry his Daughter; and that, time may remedy for me : bur, which is 
 worlt of all, Ihe loves Dc Salcz , and feeks and delires to marry him ; and this I mult remedy 
 in time, if I ever exped to obtain or enjoy her ; and fo refofves to make him away ; but is, as 
 yet, irrefolute how to perpetrate, and in what manner to finifh fo execrable a bufinefs But 
 this is not only the voice of his malice, but the fentence of his revenge, that Depute mull dye. 
 Wretched Vaumartin, unworthy to bear the name of a mm, much lefs of a Baron ,but leaf! of 
 ;j J ’° a , uiftian; in that, becaule Dc Sxlcz hates 'La Frattge, and fhe loves him,that therefore 
 Sr im i n0t l°K Ve n Ut hat£ ! llm ’ ° L r becaufc ftie lovcs not thy felf, that therefore thou 
 
 ch!ri flv X’n/ 1 U 6 mT T th l C ,j ScC ’ fctS rafll and ' ncon hderate Noble-man, how trea- 
 h hood-wink d, yea, inveigled thy judgment, and befotted thy fenfeyo 
 0 e that loves thee ; to kill, I fay, a Gentleman wholiath not offended thee, but is every 
 way thy friend, no way thine enemy : or if thou think it wifdom, that oovetoufnefs muff re 
 deem thy former prodigality; alas, alas ! canlt thou yet be lo cruel to think it either lawful or 
 religious, that future Mprther fhould cither occalion or authorize it ? But the Devil hath 
 f°j ar prevailed wirh his impious refolutions , that again he refolves Dc Salcz mull dye : 
 and yet thou thinkeft poyfon as unworthy of him, as he is worthy of thy Sword’ fo had 
 hanriv 1 'f lT been anf wcrable to thy tirft, affure thy fcjf thou hadfl made thy felfmore 
 l^V f a rab V |° r V as POilomng was the invention of the Devil , and is pra- 
 . °y I J cne !* ut ^ IS Agents^ fo this dilhonourable point 0 i honour.to fight Duels was nev^r 
 infhtutcd by God, nor profeffed by thofe who-really profefs his db^pel ; yea, iti^ot oS? 
 
 Gr ' d ’ u ; fcekln S falil Y t0 prefer vc our own Honour and Reputation, but we 
 affurtdly flab at the Majelfyol the Creator, in feeking to deface man his Creature ; and to 
 
 ufc 
 
Hill. XI. 
 
 Ue Salc^ and La Hay. 
 
 14 ? 
 
 ule but a word, as it is repugnant both to Nature arid Graces fo though it begin in the heat of 
 pafljon and plcafute, it many times terminates in Repentance, but ltitl tn true Infamy and 
 
 Bu/ VaumarthT; Faith being fo ftrong with Safari, and fo weak v»ith his Saviour, he will not 
 take a Law from, Religion, to give to h.s Envy, but rather, takes one from bis Envy, to give to 
 his Religion i andfo very prophanely and rafhly, by his Lackey , Lahofe , lends Ve Salez this 
 
 Challenge. V A U M A R T I N to D E S A L E Z. 
 
 IF tbou feck tbecjufeofmj malice, tbou my# find M $* 
 
 1 hatred to my felf: wherefore bold it not ft, ange, that / now.oommand my Jen to. Wile Wee, and tfy 
 Sword, to meet me to morrow on borfe-back, without Seconds, Wt five ami fix ut the mmw&Af 
 the Jacobin’s Garden. Love and Valour, tbou kpoweft, are never capable of much expoftulattoit,asde. 
 firous rather to be tried in aliion, than fun inwards. Could that fweet Lady (who ml not be mine, be 
 caufe tbou art hers ) have affected me more, or thee left, we might have proved as true f r tends, as now 
 our Reputations conjure us either to live or dye Honourable Enemies. 
 
 VAUMARTIN; ' 
 
 Vc Salez having received and read this Challenge, doth not a little wonder at the Baron of 
 Vaumartin’s (trange pailion and refolufion, in fending it him \ elpecially,lith he knows that the 
 motives and grounds of his malice, were fo unjuft and frivolous : fo, how toanfwe him as 
 yet he knows not : for, as his generof.ty one way invites him to tight i fo hi, difcrenon ano- 
 ther way, perfwadeshim from it. But confideiing the poor eflecm he makes either of he 
 Lady La Frange, or her atfe&iony thinking it folly to hght without caufe , and to haz/ard hi, 
 
 life without reafon, he ealls for Pen and Paper, and as a wife, yet valiant Gentleman, by his 
 
 own Lackey returns the Baron of V aurnurtin this Aniwer. 
 
 DE SALEZ to VAUMARTIN. 
 
 I Have feenmany Challenges, but none of the nature of thine now fent me : for , to Write thee the 
 " truth the grounds andfoundations thereof are unjuft,faljc,or both, forcing but the eyis of t by judg- 
 ment, and not of thy pJwt, to be Judgand Vmpire betwixt us and thou Jhalt both fee and find, that 
 I not only difelL the Lady La Fringe’s afeilion, but her Jelffnbt appertain to 
 never to me . I here fhewtiee my love, through this true profpechvc of my heart ; and, which if it will 
 not fatisfie thy malice, then fear, that my weak Valour U neither capable nor deftrousof father expo- 
 filiation, than that my Sword * at willing to bring tbeedeedsas thyVe* Was to fend me ^s:fr ei- 
 ther fn^le, or with Seinds, either on foot , or borfe-back, 1 mU fiill be ready g 
 
 - - * * t their own : andintha resolution of mine , J kpow 1 Jbjll either 
 
 who will not relijh nor receive any but 
 live with Reputation* or dye with Honour. 
 
 DE SALEZ. 
 
 Vaumartin having received and perufed this Letter of refufal from Pi Salez , he out of thu 
 heat of his paflion, and height of his folly, reputes it rather to cowa.d.ze, than d,tcreuoi|, in 
 him : and fo his courage and revenge the more mfultmg and enflam d thereat, he bending his 
 brows fas if Contempt and Envy fate wreath’d in thcTurjcows thereof )' very fpee.dily again re- 
 turns him his Lackey-, with this raflh Anfwer : 
 
 V AU MART IN* to DE SALEZ. 
 
 A , • i 
 
 r T'Hr Anfwer gives me no fatufatlion, fnb lk>tow, that tydeny thy affetUouto the Lady La ITatige, 
 L is to deny the light of the Sun in hit brighteft and hottejl Msidiaffiiber are the founds oj 
 foundation of wy Challenge, either unjuji, or falfe , ns thou in thy falfe Profpe ivc 
 make me fee or'belicve : for, being ignorant who u thy Mjins, I kyuw thou refolvefi to ptaje no Lady 
 of the world thy JVife, but La Frange s fo as I cannot rightly define wither thyproceeding with me 
 be more fnbtil,or malicious y or to. what end tboujhouldejl attempt the one or praciife the other *$»*** 
 
 me,unlefs out of a premeditated refolutian and purpofe , thereby to make ‘by &b>ry the nvreapParMt 
 
 Zdc^cZin myjhame. m Jefore, fitb 4f&ndfttipU facto ini l 
 
 valour will prove true to tbyjelf; and whether the effeBs of thy Sword, k«gr 
 
 vanity of thy Ten depaints them, infhew and ojientatton : fo m y Challenge ufhllmy refa u u , ^ 
 
performance thereof mufl be thine ^ except thou refolve t) live with as much Infamy, as the condition of 
 thy Letter promt feth^ thou art ready to dye with Reputation Honour. 
 
 V AUM ART IN. 
 
 t>e Salez having received and run over this Letter, and feeing that Vaumartin was (fill wil- 
 ful and refolute to fight, thinks that he (hould degenerate from Himfdf,his Blood, and jProfef- 
 iion, if he did not now accept and anfwer this his Challenge : wherefore, calling for Vattmar- 
 tins Lackey, he rounds him thus in the ear > TcU ihy Majlcr, that if J live , I will not fail to breaks 
 faji with him timely in the morning^according to his expeftation. Thus we fee two inconlideratc Gen- 
 tlemen agreed, their Match concluded, and nothing but the night to hinder them from fight- 
 ings as if their g ] ory confined in their (hame s and as if Nature had never taught them how 
 to preferve their lives s nor Grace, their fouls. 
 
 So the Morn peeping forth through the Windows of Heaven, as foon as the Sun with his 
 gliftring beams began to (alutethe Woods and Mountains, our two refoluteChampions brave- 
 ly mounted, with each his Chirurgeon,are iii the field at the aflign’d Rendezvous, 5c firft comes 
 Vaumartin^ and then immediately Ve Salez> when their Chirurgeons performing the doty and 
 office of Seconds, being fome hundred paces difhnt, they give Spurs to their Steeds , and fo, 
 drawing their Swords, fwiftly part, like two flafhes of Lightning each towards other. At their 
 firff meeting, Ve Salez givcsVdumartin the firft hurt in the right fhoulder *, and he, Ve Sahz 
 another in requital, in the right fide of the necks when, being both good Cavaliers (and well 
 near as equal in years, as courages), they turn ihort, and then tall to it again with bravery and 
 revolutions when again Vaumartin runs T)e Salez through his left Arm, of a deep and wide 
 wound, and he only llightly cuts his Shirt upon his Ribs, giving him only a raze or fear* but as 
 yet, both free from any danger of death*, fo they mutually eonlcnt to breathe : but their ambi- 
 tions and courage of both fidesare fo'exafperated and enflamed, as although they are all bloo- 
 dy, yet this will not fuffic e : fo they fall to it again s and in this clofe, Ve Salez Iris horfe Hum- 
 bles with him s whereat Vaumartin (though a Dwarf in (fature, yet not in Valour and Policy) 
 taking the advantage of this accident, gives him firft a lick o’re his pate , and then runs him 
 at thefho.rt Ribs s but Ve Salez reining up his Horfe, proved favourable to him s for by that 
 means, Vaumar tin's Sword met and glanced on a Rib, without doing him any farther hurt. Ve 
 Sakz feeing the redoubling of his wounds , begins to redouble his courage *, and difdainlng 
 thus to be out-braved and beaten by a Vigmy , he lays home at Vaumartin , and at their very 
 next clofe, runs him thorow the body of a deep and mortal wound, a little above the Navel *, 
 whereat his Sword prefently falls out of his hand, to the ground, and he immediately likewife 
 from his Horfe, ftark dead, without having the grace or happinefs, either to call on, -or name 
 God. O what pity, what mifery is it ,* that a ChrijUan (hould dye like a Beaft, having neither 
 power to pray, nor felicity to repent. Thus we fee the Challenger killed *, and he who would 
 have murthered a ftrangcr, murthered himfelf by a ftranger : a Lcffon to teach others to be- 
 ware, by the Tragical and mournful end of this rafti Noble-man. Vc Sah ; z kcmgVaum.trtin 
 dead, praifeth God for his vidfory *, and fo leaving his breathlefs Corps to his forrowful Chi- 
 rurgeon, he gallops away to the next Village, where he caufeth his wounds to be drelTed ,and 
 from thence provides for his fafety. 
 
 All T bofoufe rings and refounds of this difafterous and Tragical accident-. Ve Clugfty is glad 
 that Ve Salez hath efoaped death ^ yet forrowful that Vaumartin is killed, in refpedt he fears 
 he undertook this quarrel for his Daughter La France's fake who hearing that Ve Salts 
 wounds are no way mortal, infinitely rcjoyceth and Murttpheth thereat, flattering her felt" 
 (though with th:s talle hope) that he^ffeCtedhpy £ar xi)Ore dearer than he made fhewof, or 
 elfe that he would never have fought with Vaumartin itir her fake^nor have killed him, but for 
 hisown. And thus, though humanity rpade her .grieve for Vaumartin's death, yet that 
 grief of hers was as fuddenly converted into joy, when the law he received it by the hand of 
 Ve Sahz, whomftie refpedted and afte&cd more dearly than all the Gentlemen of the world, 
 Now, as for his father Argentier^ the life of his Son like wife wiped off the remembrance of 
 Vaumartin s death, and yet it grieved him inwardly, that he to whom hq gave life, (hould give 
 death to another and hr the more, in that this unfortunate accident muft now^iforce him 
 to beg pardon from that grave Court cf Parliament , for. this Murther perpetrated by his Son, 
 lith he had formerly fo often pleaded tor Juftice agaihft others, for the like crime and offence: 
 but aU thefe joys of Argent tcr y VeClugny , and his Daughter La Grange , are nothing to 
 thole of La Hay for the life and vidfory of her dear Ve Salty leaping, as it were, for meer 
 content and plcafure,that (he (hould fhortly fee and cnjofhim for her Husbands and that God 
 
 fiach 
 
 _ 4 
 

 
 Hid. XL De'Sale ^ and La Hay. 145 
 
 hath both referved and preferred him, to crown her with the fweetnafs of this defired felicity. 
 
 Thus while La France and La Hay triumph and congratulate the return of Dc Sa‘et\ fo 
 , Argemicr publickly,. and De Clugny privately, impioy thetr chicfeft power, friends, and autho- 
 rity, to procure his pardon, fim from the King, then from the Parliament, whereof chey arc 
 two famous Members; Which at laft, ( by the mcifns and favour of the Duke of PentadoHr V 
 they obtain So this murther of his, is remitted in Earth, bur, I fear me, will not 'be forgotten in 
 Heaven: for chough men be inconftant in their decrees, yet God will be ffrfti and hp-igfi?, as 
 well in the duiribution, as execu:ion of his judgments. Men as they are men m*y err, but as 
 they are Chriftians they fhould not ■ but God ( either to plcafe or difpleafe them J Reither,.can 
 ‘r!6r r- ill. 
 
 De Sale * no fooner hath efcaped this danger, but, forgetting his former follies, and his 'iFa- 
 tfier*$ advice and houfe, he again, in a manner, Voluntary imprifoneth himfelf with his Mi- 
 flrh La Hay, in hers; whereat, as his Father floral's; fo De Clugnj and la h anise 6jt6 thefib'- 
 hoping that his good office in procuring him his pardon, WptiJd more ftrfaiy have united 
 him to her felf, and confequently fequeftred him from La "H a j • ‘ but nothing tefs, for he fing* 
 his old tunc, and will rather run the hazard of his old Father’s difplcafiire, than leave La Hay To 
 take La Frange.: whereat, his 'Fatter Argenttfr reneweth hi$ choler, and reaves his indignati- 
 on againft him, as 'defiring nothing fo much in this life, as to fee him married to L'a j fringe, but 
 he ihtfi never live to fee it-, for there are too many ‘difattrous ac£id'en:s preparing, to croft and 
 prevent it. 
 
 Whiles thefe things happen in Tholoufe, there betides an urtexpefted and lidiviflied .bufinefs, 
 
 * wh'ich muft call away Argentlfr to Paris? For the Lords of the Pr/Vy Councel of France, ha- 
 ving received fome informatidns and grievances againfl the body of the Cdurt of Parliament of 
 Tholoufe, command them fpcedily to fend up fome Deputies ro anfwer fiich matters as (hall be 
 obje&ed againfi them -, whereupon, the gravity and wifdorirof that Court,, in obediences 
 their Superiors* ele& two Prefidents and four Counfellors, to undertake that journey and bu- 
 finefs, among whom De Clugny is chofen for one of the Prefidents, and Argcntiir for one of the 
 Counfeliors; as indeed their Integrity and profound Wildom and Experience had made them 
 eminent in that Court.. As for De Clugny , at his.importunate requeft ( made to the Court,) he 
 w as difpenfed with from that journey * by alleadgirfg that his Age and Sicknefi made him alto- 
 gether unfit to undertake it; but all the evafions and excufcs which A r gentler could make, 
 could not exempt him, but he mull needs fee Paris, But firft, before his departure, he had a 
 long and ferious Conference with De Clugnj^ how to effed tfie fo 1 ong defircci match of .. s .on 
 and Daughter, the finifhing whereof was referred till his return from Paris, which fweef r,cw$ 
 infinitely rejoyced and delighted the young Lady La Frange : and the immediate night before 
 'he was to take Coach, he calls his Son DeSalez, to him, and with a perfwafive and^powerful 
 fpeecb, requeued him in his abfence to love La Frange, which he, in plain terms, protelled and 
 Vowed to his Father, he could not ; then he conjures him, never to marry La H ay, which 
 Jikewife he would not grant ; and to conclude, lith his Farher could n.ot prevail in the two for- 
 mer, he commanded him upon his bleiling, chat he would nev^r marry any wife vvharfoever 
 without his confent, the which indeed De Sale* could not deny, hue faithfully promi fed ms 
 Father ; yea* and bound it with an oath, yet ftill hoping, that it was as pofilble for him to 
 drau/ his Father to confcnt he Ihould marry La Hay, as it was impofiible for his Father ever 
 to perfwade hinrto marry La Frange : and fo that night the Father takes leave of the Son, and 
 he the next morning of his Father, wifhing him a profperous journey, andafpecdv return : 
 who fufpeding, and fearing, that in his abfence, contrary to his requefts and prayers, his Son 
 would only abandon La Frange to frequent La Hay ; he being arrived Co tlie City of Tours, 
 thought himfelf bound in Nature , as well for his own contenc, as his Son’s tranquillity and pro- 
 fperitv, againto fignifie him his ijiind in fome few lines of advice and counfel, andcofcnd ithim 
 by the ordina'ry Carrier of Tholoufe, whicL was then, in tW City, bound thither from Paris A 
 His Letter fpake thus ; “ 
 
 i 4 - » 
 
 ARGENTIER to DE SALE2. 
 
 I T is out of a fatherly ,und ( as I may fay) a religious care of thy good, that / noty fend thee thefe fen 
 enfuinghnes : for thy Youth cannot fee that which my Age knows, How many mlferits arc fubjetb 
 to wait and attend on Nice, and how many hleffmgs on Vertue; If La Frange he not fair,- jet fin is come- 
 ly, not contemptible : hut fit h her defetts of Nature arc fo richly recomperifed With the Ornaments of 
 Fortune, and the excellencies of Grace ; why JhouU thj a fell ion prefer La Hay before her, Vfiho hath 
 Nothing but * painted face to overveii the deformity of her other vices ? If thou wilt leave a Saint to 
 
 U mdrry 
 
146 
 
 God’s Revenge againfl Mnrther. Book III. • 
 
 a Strumpet, • then take La Hay, and ftrf tike La France ; but if thou wilt for fake a Strumpet, 
 a Saint, then marri La France anile ave La Hay ; for look, what -differ encc there is between their 
 bl nvs, thou {halt find ten timet more between the chaflitj of the one , and the levity of the other : if thou 
 efpoufe the firfi, thou {halt find Content an i Honour if the f coni. Shame and Repentance :{or 1 kjtoPo 
 notwhether LaFrange will bring thee more happmefs, or La Hay mifery. Th.s Letter {ball Urvtasa 
 'Jeitneft betwixt Cj’od, my felf, and thee , tthat if thou perform me net thy promfe and oath , / Mdtny 
 thee my bleffing, and deprive thee of my lands. r FNTIER. 
 
 marry 
 « take 
 
 t)c Sakz having received this his Father’s Letter in Tholoufe, exceedingly grieves to fee him 
 diferace his Miftris by the fcandalous name of a Strumpet, which he knows Aie isnot, and 
 therefore will never believe it-, yea, hevoys, that if it were any other in the world, ^ho had 
 offered him that intolerable affront, he would revenge it, though with the price and peril ot 
 his life. La Hay perceixeth this difeontent and alteration of Mirth in him, but from what 
 point of the Compafs this wind proceeds, (he neither knows, noras yee*can conceive : but 
 withal, determineth to make the difeovery thereof her greateft Ambition, and not her Jealt 
 Care •, which fhe now well knows it behoves her to do, (ith fhe finds De Sa’cz lefs free, and rnoi c 
 referved and penfive in his fpceches, than accuftomed. But when in vain fhe had hereunto u- 
 fed many fmilcs and fetches ; io, here falls out an unlook’d- for accident, which betrays her the 
 very Pith and Quinreffenceof the myftery : For on a time, when he lay numbering on the ta- 
 ble, fhe as accuftomed, diving into his pockets for fweet-meats, or rather for Gold (of both 
 which, 'he many times went wellfurnifticd ) (he finds .his Father $( aforefiid} Letter, which fhe * 
 knew by the direftion ; and fo flying into another Chamber, and bolting the door after her, (he 
 there reads it both with grief ard choler ; when, flung to the quick, and bitten to the hSacc and 
 aall, to fee her reputation and honour thus traduced and fcandilized by the bather ot her pre- 
 luded Husband v fhe, with tears and iqterje&ed fighs and groans, flics back to 1 De Sal**., and 
 holding the Letter in her’ hand, like a diffembling and impious Strumpet, as fhe was, there 
 (hews it him- takes Heaven and Eifth to bear witnefs of her intiocency, and of the irreparable 
 and cxtrcamVrong his Father had offered her, in Peeking to eclipfc the glory of her chafli- 
 ty, which fhe fwcars fhe will bear pure* and unfpotted, not only to his bed, but to her own 
 Grave. But alas, alas , thefe arc the effefts and paffions of dilTimulation,not of truth ; of her pro. 
 phanenefs,not of her piety, which time will make apparent to De Sakz. • though now her beau- 
 ty and tears be predominate with his judgment and folly, as he cannot, becaufe he will not fee 
 it : So being ftiU as conflant in his foctifhnefs, as (he in her hypocrifie ; he gives her many fweec 
 kiffes, and with a Catalogue of fugred words, fecks to appeafe and comfort her, whom he hath 
 far more reafon to execrate and curfe. But for her part, her heart is not fo atflided : for, remem- 
 bring her felf, ftill her wits are her own : and fo remembring theconclulion of the Letter, apd 
 fearing that Be Sale z his promife and oath to his Father, might infringe and conrraciift his to 
 her-, fhe tells him, that her love is fo fervent and infinite towards him, as fhe can give no in- 
 termifiion, nor truce to her tears, before he reveal her his oath and promife, which his Father's 
 Letter informed her he had formerly made him. 
 
 De Sakz, feeing bimfelf put to fo Arid an accident and pufh, doth both blufh for {hame, and 
 again look pale for anger, when for a fmall time, irrefolute bow to bear bimfelf in a matter of 
 this different Nature, wherein be muft either violate his obedience to his Father, or infringe 
 his fidelity and honour to his Miftris • he at laft- ( confulting with folly, -not with diferetion, and 
 with Vanity, not with Judgment ) doth fo adore her beauty, and commiferatc her tears, as be 
 fottiflily reveals her bis oath, given his Father ( Verbatim as we have formerly underftood it ) 
 ‘adding withal, that flie hath far more reafon to rejoyce, than grieve hereat • That a little time 
 (hall cancel his faid late promife and oath to his Father, and confirm his former to her .• For, 
 fweet La Hajf ( quoth he) come what will, two months (hall never pafs, ere l marry thee ^ 
 when fealing his fpeeches with many kiffes, our hj^critical affixed Gentlewoman is prefently 
 again come to her felf, and infill outward appearance, her difeontents are removed, her cho- 
 ler .pacified, her tears exhaled, and her fighs evaporated and blown away. 
 
 But all this falfe, like her felf, and treacherous like her beauty : For this Letter of Ar gentler 
 to his Son, and his promife and oath to his Father, hath a&ed fuch wonders in her heart, and 
 imprinted fuch extravagancies in her thoughts, as (he cannot eafily remove or fupplant it, nor 
 difficultly forget or deface it, whatfoever (he fpeak or make (hew of to the contrary - for thus fhe 
 reafoneth with her felf : That her whoredoms are already revealed to Argentier , and for any 
 thing (he knows, may likewife bedifeovered to his Son, how clofely foever (he either ait or 
 conceal them. That La F range** defeenr, wealth and virtues, will in the end over-prife and 
 
Hift. XI 
 
 *47 
 
 De Sale ^ and La Hay. 
 
 weigh down her mean excra&ion, poverty, and beauty ; and in the end, that the wifdom of the 
 Father, will infallibly triumph over the folly of the Son, except her policy incerpofe, and her 
 vigilancy prevent it *, which to prevent and effeft, (lie fees no other obftacle to her content, nor 
 bar to her preferment, but o nly La Frange : for, quoth fhe, if La Frarge (hinc in the firmament 
 of De Salcz. affe&ion y La Haj mud fet ; or if La j Haj will lhine,£*y Frange muft fee : a|ain, if 
 (hefallnor, I. cannot hand ^ and if (he (land, I muft needs fall ; and as the Sky is not capable , 
 of two Suns, fo both of us cannot fhine in the Horizon of his heart and thoughts at once : ex* 
 cept thus, that La Flay may live to fee La Frange his Wife, and her felf his Strumpet ; when 
 burning with falfe zeal to De Sale*,, and true inveterate malice to La Frange, (he forgetting 
 God, fwaps a bargain with the Devil, that La Frange mud firft go to her grave, ere La Hay 
 come to his bed, and fo refolves to facrifice her as a fattlm to her malice and jealoufie, and to 
 fend her out of this world, in an untimely and bloody Coffin. Heilifh Aphorlfws, infernal 
 P options , odious to Earth and execrable to Heaven ! 
 
 For wretched and impious ftrumpec, wilt thou needs not only gallop, bur flye to Hell, and 
 fo redouble thy crimes purpofely to redouble thy torments*, as firft of Whoredom, then of 
 Murther ? Wretched, yea, thrice wretched woman l how dareft thou fee Earth, or think ot 
 Heaven* when thy a&ed crimes are fo odious, and thy pretended ones fo monftrous, as thou 
 deferveft to be fhut forth of the one, and fpued out of the other ? For alas, confider what this 
 poor Gentlewoman hath done to thee, thit thou fhouideft do this to her s She bear the Image 
 of God, and wilt thou therefore bear that of the Devil to deftroy her.? Ah me,whereis thy Relig'- 
 on, thy Confidence, thy Soul *, that thou wilt thus bellifhiy imbache thy hands in her blood, and 
 imbrue thy heart in her murther ? If it be not that her virtues cry fie on thy vices, thou haft no 
 reafon in Nature, and lefs in Grace, to attempt a deed fo Tragical, an a& fo inhuman and exe- 
 crable : But reft affured, that if thou proceed and finifh this infernal and bloody ftratagem of 
 thine, although thou chance go unpunilhed of men, yet the Lord (in his due time; will find thee 
 out, and both feverely fcourgeand fharply revenge and chaftife thee. 
 
 Theeffeftsof malice and revenge in men are finite, in women infinite* theirs may have 
 bounds and ends, but thefe none, or at leaft, feldom and difficultly : for having once conceived 
 thefe two monitors in their farfftalies and brains/they long till they are delivered and disbur- 
 dened of them • and fo to bring their abortive iffue to perfection, they ( for the moft part ) are 
 (harp and fevere in their defigns, and fudden and malicious in their execution, hating all de- 
 lays, fo it be not to do evil : So this our bloody and vicious Strumpet La Haj , is refolure to ad- 
 vance, and not to retire in this diabolical buftnefsof hers. Of all kind of violent deaths, (he 
 thinks none either fo furcand fecretas poyfon ; whether fhe confider the manner, or the mit- 
 ter: If the Devil himfclf had not invented this unparalleld cruelty, his agents and members 
 had never known how to have adminiftred and pra&ifed it. But having refolved on the drug 
 and ingredient, fhe now bethinks her felf of fome heilifh Emperick or Fa&or of Hell, to ap- 
 ply and give it her ^ and her inveterate and implacable hatred making her curious in there- 
 fearch and inquiry thereof, fhe is ac laft advertifed, that there is an old Italian Fmperic ^ in 
 Montpellier, termed St. Bernardo MichaeU, who is his Arts-MiRer in that infernal profeflion; 
 when whplly concealing this myftery and bufinefs from De Salt fhe by a fecond means, ( with 
 ptomifeof {lore of Gold) fends Sway for Mlchae'e from Montpellier, who in hope there* 
 of, packs up his drugs and trinkets, and within three days arrives at Tholouft ; where fhe thinks 
 nowhere fo fit and fecrecasthe Church to confult and refolve on this bloody bufinefs, the 
 hour is eight the next morn, andfhe place the Cordelier:, ( or (jrej Fryers ) Church, appointed 
 and agreed on betwixt them, where they both meet •, but fhe ( the better to difguife her felf, and 
 to blear the eyes of the world ) wraps her felf about in a great furred Cloak, and muffies her 
 felf up with a large Coy f of Velvet, and a rich Taffata Scarf over it, as if fhe were fomc 
 grave and reverend old Matron ^ fo being brought to each others prefence, they being borh 
 on their knees, he to his Book and fhe to her Beads, fhe propofeth him the poyfoningof La 
 France, daughter to the Prefident de Clugnj , for the which (he promifeth to give him three hun- 
 dred Crowns of the Sun to perform it ; whereof he fhall now have one in hand, and the other 
 two when he hath difpatched her. Michaele , like a limb of the Devil, being deeply in love, and 
 allured with this Gold, undertakes it ; when fwearing fecrecy, and withal! to perform it within 
 ten days, (he gives him the hundred Crowns tyed up in her Handkerchief, and fo (or that time 
 they part. 
 
 Good God ! what prophane Chriftians what monfters of Nature, and Devils incarnate by pro- 
 feflion are thefe, thus to pollute and defile the Church ordaiufd for prayer, with che price and 
 faleof irmocent blood, a moft prodigious and heilifh impiety, fince there is no fin fo odious 
 or execrable to God, as that which is masked with piety, and overveiled wuh che Cloak of 
 
 U 2 Sanftity, 
 
Book 111 . 
 
 •148 Cod’s Revenge againji Mwtber. 
 
 fandtity. And what a damnable young ftrumpet, and old villain arc they, infohoty a place to 
 treat and conclude fo hellifttabulinefs? but beware ^ for thefword and arrow of Gods juft re- 
 venge, and revenging juftice, threatens yea with no lefs than utter confufion and deftruchon. 
 v La Hay infinitely glad of this agreement, returns from the Church, and Michaels as glad of 
 herGftld, ( being informed of La F range 9 * deformity, and to lofe no time ) trips away towards 
 TrefiMnt deChgtty** houfe, taking that for a fit occalion to affay to make his Daughter become 
 ' his Patient, and he her EwperickS: who fleeringly infinuating, and skrewing himfelf into hts 
 knawledg and acquaintance* (in which profefiion the Empcricks and Momtebanky of Italy* 
 come no way fhort, but rather exceed all other Nations of the World ) he proffers him his beft 
 fervice and skill , to redrefs and reform the body of the young Lady his Daughter, adding with- 
 all ( thereby to_add the more belief and credit to his fpeeches ) that he is lo far from defpair- 
 ing or doubting, as he is very confident thereof; and, in the pbrafesand myfteriesof his pro- 
 feilion, gives him in outward appctrance many inward and plauTible reafons to induce him to be- 
 lieve it. The good old Prejident , who preferring the cure of his Daughter before any other 
 earthly refpeft, having heard of Michaels s Fame, begins to relifli his reafons, and yer not 
 ignorant that the Mountebanks and Char let arts of Italy , are Coufin-germans to the Alcumlfls 
 of France , who promife to make Gold of Drofs, and yet only bring forth Drofs for Gold : he 
 holds it fit to takeaconfultation of the learnedft Phyficians, and expert Chirurgions of the 
 City, whereunto Michaele willingly confents • fo they fit, being fix in number, Afichaelc de- 
 livers them his reafons to redrefs the deformity of this young Ladle’s body (the Prejtdent her Fa- 
 therbeing prefent ) whofe reafons are heard, and controverted of all fides betwixt them ; the 
 conclufion is, four are of opinion, that this cure is repugnant to the grounds of Phyfick and the 
 principles of Chirurgery, and therefore impoflible to be cffe&ed ■> the other two are of a contra- 
 ry judgment, and hold it feafable, and that many times God blefleth the art and labour of a man 
 not only beyond expectation, but alfo beyond hope and rcafon : fo DeClugny feeing that thefe 
 two with Michaele were three againft four • he, inrefpe&of the tender care and affedtion be 
 bore his Daughter, refolves to employ him, and gives him an hundred double Pittolcts in 
 hand to attempt it; with promife of as much more, when he had performed it- whereof this 
 mifereant and hejJifh Emperid^ Michaele being exceedingly glad, he betakes himfelf tohisbu- 
 finefs, vifits the young Lady, who promifeth him to redouble her Fathers fum, if he make her bo- 
 dy ftraight ; when, to reduce his impious contemplation into infernal aftion, he outwardly appli- 
 eth Plafters and Sear-cloths to her body, and inwardly adminiftreth her pills and -potions, and 
 ( O grief to write it! ) therein infufeth deadly poyfon, which he knows at the end of ten days, 
 willaffuredly make a divorce between her body and foul, and fo fend that to the death of this 
 world, and.this to the life of that to come. So this fweet and innocent Lady ( wifhmg good to her 
 felf, and hurt to none in the world ) firli finds a giddinefs and fwimmingin her head, and with- 
 in fome fix days after (in which time the poyfon had difperfedit felf throughout all the 
 veins and pores of her body ) many (harp gripes, and bitter throws and convulfions, whereat 
 her Father grieves and fhe»weeps ; only that gracelefs villain her Emperic^ bids them be of good 
 comfort, and that the more pain and grief (Tie fuffered, the better and fpeedier hope there was 
 of her cure, but yet inwardly in his devillifh heart, knews that the poyfon effectually operated 
 and wrought with her as he defired and expe&ed, and thatAy thefe infallible figns and fymp- 
 toms, his patient drew near the period of her end. Whereupon he repairs fecrctly to La Hay, 
 and bids her provide the reft of his money, for that La France could not poflibly li ve two days 
 to an end - whereat (he triumphing and rejoycing with much alacrity, again promifeth it him : 
 and indeed the hellifh art of this execrable Emperid \ doth not now deceive him, though in the 
 end, the malice of the Devil his Do&or will •, for j’uft as the tenth day was expired, this harm- 
 lefs fweet young Lady dies, to the incomparable and unfpsakable grief of fhe good old Prefi- 
 dent her Father 5 for that flie was the ftaff of his age, and the chief and only comfort of his lite, 
 who difconfolately and mournfully feemed to drown himfelf in tears hereat, curfing the hour 
 that he firli faw this accurfed Empericl » Michaele , who had robbed him of his only joy and de- 
 light, of his dear and fweet Daughter La Frange „ But this murderous Michaele having learnt 
 of the Devil to fear no colours, means not to ftep a foot from Tholoafe , and fo fends away for 
 La Hay , of whom he craves the performance of her promife, for that ( quoth he ) he had per- 
 formed his. Why ( quoth La Hay) is that crook-backt dwarf La Frange dead? She is gone 
 ( quoth Michaele) roher eternal reft : when La Hay not able to retain her felf for excels of 
 joy, runs to him, gives him the other hundred Crowns, together with many kiffes, which cake 
 ( quoth flic ) as a pledg of my cq^itinual good will towards thee - when again fwearing fecrefie , 
 they both take leave each of other, and part. 
 
 The news of La Franges death, ratleth and refoundeth all over Thohttfc her Kinsfolk grieve 
 
H9 
 
 Hi ft. XI. De Sale ^ and La Hay. 
 
 at ic, her friends lament it, and all who cither knew her, or her fame, bewail it ; only DeSa - 
 les, and execrable La Hay excepted, who knowing her to have been the only Hop and hinder 
 ranee of their marriage, they are fo raviflied with joy hereat, as they feem to contcft and en- 
 vy each other, who (hall firft bring the news hereof each to other : yea, the excels of Be Saks s 
 joy as is boundlefs, as that of La Hay s delight, fo that he feems to flye to her Father’s houfe * 
 where (he, with out-fpread arm3 receives and enrercains him ; and there they mutually congratu- 
 late each other for this her death ^ he affirming, and (he believing, that La France being gone t ) 
 Heaven, it (hall not belong ere the Church make them man and wife on earth. In the mean 
 time, he being wholly ignorant of -her poyfoning* and yet the old Prefidenc her Father, and the 
 reft of her frien*d9 lufpefting it, they caufe her body to be opened : and although they find no 
 direft poyfon, yet remarking a iitt/e kind of yellow tinfture on her heart and liver, as a! fo 
 fome flheW thereof through her frozen veins. They caufe Michatle to be apprehended and im- 
 prisoned, and fo procure a Decree from the Parliament to have him rack’d : At the news 
 whereof. La Hay is extreamly tormented and perplexed, as well forefeeing and knowing, 
 that her life lay at the mercy of his tongue : wherefore to fortifie his fecrefie, and thereby to 
 fecurc her own fear and danger, (he by a confident friend of his, fends him a hundred French 
 Crowns more, and promifeth him to give him a rich Diamond, worth as much again ; who (as 
 before,) being extreamly covetous, and the Devil frefembling himfelf )ftill harping to him on that 
 firing which mod delights him, his heart is fo devillifliiy obdurated, and his fortitude fo armed 
 and prepared, as his patience and conftancy not only indures, but out-braves the cruelty of his 
 torments, and fo he is acquitted of this his pretended crime: but he hath not as yet made h?s 
 peace with God. 
 
 And now is De Sale*, refolved to make a journey to Paris, to draw his Father's confenc that 
 he may marry La Hay ; but the wifdom of the Father (hall anticipate the folly of the Son, for 
 he having heard in Paris of La Franks death, and fttll fearing, that becaufe of his frequent fa- 
 miliarity with that Strumpet La Hay , he will in the end marry her. He in Paris buys a Cap- 
 tains place for him in the Regiment of the Kings Guard, and likewife dealt with a very rich 
 Counfellour of that Court of Parliament* named Monfieurde Brianfon, that his Son may marry 
 his el deft Daughter Madamoyfclle de P lefts, a very fweet and fair young Gentlewoman and the 
 old folks are already agreed on all conditions, only it refts, that the young fee and love •, To 
 which end, Argcntier writes away with all fjpeed to Tboloufc for his Son De Sales, to come up to 
 him, who before he had received his Father’s Letter, ( as we have formerly underftood ) was 
 ready to undertake that journey : La Hay infinitely fearful and jealoufe to Jofe her prey, with 
 Crocodile tears in her eyes, and Hj <?#d-afpecfts in her looks, informs De Salcs t that (he feareth 
 that his Father hath provided a wife for him in Parts \ hue he vows and fwears to her, that nei- 
 ther his Father, nor the whole world, (hall make him marry any Other than her felf • and fo af- 
 ter many embraces and kiffes, he takes horfe and leaves T holottfe. • 
 
 Being arrived at Paris, his Father very joyfully bids him welcome, and refers to confer with 
 him till the next morning; butfuchis De Sales , 9 s rafhnefs and folly, as he hath no fooner fup^ 
 ped in company of his Father, but he prays to fpeak with him. When the fervants voy- 
 ding the Chamber, heearnefily and humbly befeecheth him, fith that La Frange is dead, he 
 will nowbepleafed that he may marry L*Haj, whom, quoth he, lonly affed: and love be- 
 fore all the Maids of the world: *His Father exceedingly incenfed hereat, vows that he had 
 rather fee him fairly buried in his Grave, and that of all the females of the world, he (hall not 
 marry La Hay: and fo for that night, they betake themfelves to their beds ; the Father grieves 
 with his Son’s folly, the Son with his Father’s averfnefs. The next morning Argcntier callsfor 
 his Son. When the doors (hut, he bids him (hut his eyes tohisfooliftr familiarity with La Hay t 
 and now to open them to the preferment he hath purchafed him, and lb refates him how he 
 hath procured him the honour of a Captains-place, in the Regiment of the Kings Guard • as alio 
 a very fair young Gentlewoman for his wife, termed Ma r Umoy[elle de PleJ/ls, theeideft Daughter 
 of Monfieur de Brlanfon , one of the richeft Counfellors of Pans : But De Sales, having his eyes 
 and thoughts wholly fixed on La Hay, with a difeontented look, returns his Father this perverfe 
 and difobedient Reply : 
 
 That he will not accept of the Captains place, nor once fee De Pleats, but that he is conftantly 
 refolved, either to wed La Hay, or his Grave- whereat his Father is (o extreamly incenfed, as 
 with much paffion and choler, he commands him henceforth, not to dare fo much as to name 
 him La Hay, fwearing by his Saviour, that if he do, for his obftinacy and difobedicnce, he wilt 
 difinherit him ; as indeed he might, having himfelf purchafed three parts of his lands and re- 
 venews, through hTcare and induftryiuhis profelllon ; and fo in much difcontenc ar.d choler 
 leaves him’, going to his Colleagues of Tholotife , who are already awaiting and attending his com- 
 ing. U 3 JZc 
 
Dt Sa/ez, is all on fire at this his Fathers bitter refolution againft him, andftorms and fumes, 
 not only beyond the bounds of Reafon, Religion, and Hu manity, but alfo beyond himfelf. For 
 fuh La Hay is his foie delight and joy, arid that his Father hath vowed he fliould never marry 
 her, his affeftion to her makes him refol veto difpatch his Father, yea, his head conceives fucfi 
 murtherous thoughts, and his heart attracts, and affumes luch degenerate and devillifti blood 
 againithim, that like an execrable wretch, and a heiiifh Son, difdaining to take couniel from 
 God, and therefore taking it from che Devil his bloody Tutor and Abettor, he vows he will 
 forthwith rid his hands of his Father, and he will therefore fend him into another world, be- 
 caufe he would give him no content in this. 
 
 Oh wretched monfterof Nature , limb of the Devil, nay, a very Devil thy felf, thus to re- 
 folve to take his life from him that gave thee thine; Foul Rain of mankind ! bloody Parricidi- 
 ous mifcreancl can no refpeft either of thy natural and filial obedience to thy kind and dear 
 Father, or of his white hairs, and venerable old age, retrain thee ? or po confideration of thy 
 confcience or thy foul, of Heaven or'Hell deter thee from this bloody, inhuman, and damnable 
 defign of thine, in laying violent hands on him ? O me, where are thy thoughts, where thy fenfes, 
 where thy heart, thy foul, to ad fo execrable and infernal a Tragedy, on him wirhouc whom thou 
 hadR not been ! On thy Father, whom, by the Laws of Heaven and Earth,thou oughteR both to 
 love, honour, reverence and obey. 
 
 But De Salez, being refo.'ute in this inhuman rage, and implacable malice and fury, watcherh 
 how he may cake time at advantage, toeffeft and finifli this his bloody bufinefs, and one night 
 after Supper, hearing his old Father complain that he found hitnfelf not well, ard commanding 
 his Clark De BniJJie^ very early in the next morning to carry his water to Dr. Sa ; cpin, a famous 
 Phyfician, whofe Chamber was far off, in the place SUuberty he himfclf lying in Grennellcs (ireet; 
 De Salez, thinks this a fit opportunity to difpatch his Father, the which, O a choufand griefs and 
 pieties to fpeak of, he accordingly performed. For the morn appearing, his Father having fenc 
 away his Clark with his water, and betaking himfelf to deep till he return: His watchful and 
 murtherous Son, having purpofely made himfelf r^ady, and through the Key-hole and cra- 
 niesof the Chamber door, efpyingbis Father fleeping, he intends that this fliall be his iaft 
 deep: When fofdy Rcaling into his Chamber, he ( incouraged and animated by the Devil ) 
 and approaching his bed, as exempt of fear or grace, without any more delay or circumftjmcc* 
 Rifles his Father betwixt two Pillows y when leaving him breathlefs in his bed, his face expofed 
 to the air, and the door fliuc, goes down, gives the MaRer of the houfe the good morrow, and 
 fo trips away as fait as he can, to the fign of the Swan within St. Honorjes Gate ; and from tlu ncc 
 rides away to St. Clow, ( two leagues diftanc from Paris ) to (ecGondies Gardens, Fountains, 
 and Houfe, wherein chat execrable and damnable facobine Fryer, Jaynes Clement, murthered 
 Henry the third. King of France, but with an intent to return to his Father's Lodging immediate- 
 ly after dinner, and to plead ignorance of the fad ; and withall, if occafion ferve, to Rand upon 
 his innocency and jutfification, as indeed he did. Now his Fathers Clark De Buijfe rerurning in 
 the morning from Doftor Salepin, entring his Maker’s Chamber, finds him (lark dead, and alm,ft 
 cold in his bed : whereat he makes many out-cryes, and grievous exclamations ^ the man of the 
 houfe hcreat afeends the Chamber, infinitely laments and grieves at this forrowful accident and 
 fpeftacle, vows to De Buiffie, thathofaw none whofoeve? in his houfe, much lefs in his Ma- 
 fias Chamber, and that his Son Monficur de Sale z, departed as foon as he himfelf; they fearclt 
 his body, and find it no way wounded, fothey bdeeveand refolvc that fome Ague hath carried 
 him away ; yet they hold it rather wifdom than folly, to acquaint the Lieutenant Criminal there- 
 with, fearing left he might after fufpedt either violence or poyfon ; So he comes, confers with 
 his Son De Sale*,, with his Clerk De BuiJJie , and with the man of the houfe, he vifics the dead 
 body, finds only his head foraevyhat fwollen, which his Yhyfieian affirms, may be his ftrivin* and 
 ftrngling with death. When the Lieutenant, out of his zeai and integrity to Juftice, having in- 
 formed himfelf of Dr. Safcpm, of De Unifies being with him, as alfofrom Sr. Cle\\> of his Son 
 De Sa/ez, bem° there timely in the morning, and withall, that hts Trunks were all fafe, and no- 
 thing wanting, they baniOi all fufpition, and without farther inquiry or doubt, commend the dead 
 Corps to the Grave ; whofe Funeral, with excriorfliew of exercam grief, and forrow DtSa - 
 lez, performs in P aru, with all decency and decorum, anfwerable in all refpefts to his Father's 
 rank and quality. But we (hail fhortly fee this mask of his devillifh hypocrifie pulled off and 
 this inhuman paricideof his.both fhamefullyand fharply revenged, by the juft judgment and fin- 
 gerorGcd: The manner is thus. b 
 
 This harmlefs and innocent old Father Ar gentler, 'is no fooner laid in his untimely Grave 
 but his bloody and execsable Son De Sa/ez, within eight days after leaves Paris, an d returns to 
 
 F holoufe • 
 
De Sales^ and Lay hi ay. 
 
 I 5 I 
 
 "‘1 loiif * ■ where already this forrowful news is difperfed and divulged, being for his virtues' 
 and integrity of life, generally bewailed of the whole City ; only gracelefs and impudent U 
 H triumphs hereat, and her very heart and thoughes dance for joy hereof; Che welcomes 
 home her De Satin with a world of fwcec and fugred kifTes, who, as glad of her prefence, re- 
 turns her them with a plentiful and prodigal intereft; buc hislufifol love to her is fo fervent, 
 and his folly in himfelf f>> perverfe and obttinate, as he hath fcarcc the patience, much lefs the 
 efped and modefty to wear blacks for his Father fix weeks, but cafts them off, rakes on gau- 
 d and Scarlet Apparel, and very lolemnly marries La Hay. Whereby in refped of the ine- 
 quality of their defeents and means-, but especially, of her whoridi conditions, he makes him- 
 
 lelf ttie Laughter and" May- game of all Iholouje. 
 
 But Good Cod l what a prodigious and hellifh match is this, fith man and wife, and both are 
 murtherers / O execrable and miferable Wretches L O bloody and impious Mifcreants! for 
 fureit this marriage of yours prove happy, I may boldly and truly fay, there will never ?ny 
 prove unfortunate and miferable. -jroralas, alas, what do thofe impious and damnable crimes 
 of theirs deferve and portend, buteffery, rume, and confufionof all Tides ? neither (hall the 
 curiofity of our enquiry carry us far, before we fee it furprize and befall them. 
 
 For before they had been., fully married three months, De Sale n reaping his defires, and 
 feaftino himfelf with the pleafures of her youth, he direftly, contrary to h is hopes and expe- 
 ctation"’ isenforced-tofeeandfenow, that which before be would have thought never to have 
 known or feen : for, thinking his wife to have been a modeft and chalt Diana, he now fees (he 
 is a debauched Lais ; yea, his mifery is fo great, as he needs no fpcitacle to fee, that (he daily 
 makes him a Knight of the Forked Order ; aud almoft every hour, defpight of his care and j’ca- 
 loufie, clips a Cuckow's Feather in his Hat; which to prevent and remedy, he firfi admini- 
 ftreth' requefts and perfwalions, and then complains to her Father : But thefe are too weak 
 reafons, and too gentle motives, to prevail with fo infatiable a Strumpet ; fo as he is con- 
 firmed to add threats to his requefis, and in the end, blows to his threats. Buc as it is impoflible 
 for the Leopard to change his skin, andthe Ethiopian his htAv ;fo DeSatcntees it labour loll to 
 think to reclaim his wife from her beaftlyfin of Adultery, wherein ( notwichfianding all that 
 polfibly he can do,) flit takes fuch delight and habit, as by this time (he is grown fo extream- 
 ly impudent, as when her Husband is ac home, (he is abroad ranging ; and he is no fooner a- 
 broad, buc (he is inftantly at home, revelling with her Ruffians : Yea, (he is grown to that 
 height of obfeenity, as (he concemns and fieights her Husband; that whether he be abroad or 
 at home, (he will ’play the whore before his lace with open doors-, which although it be too 
 (ate for him to remedy, yet it bites him to the heart, and grieves him to the Gall ; and now it is 
 tharhe athoufand times thinks of his Father’s advice and counfel in forfaking her ; and as of- 
 ten wifhech he had followed it. Now it is, that his unnatural murchering of his Father, thun- 
 ders forth horror, terror, and repentance to his foul and guilty confcience ; and now it is chat 
 he wilheth from his heart, that he had been blind whenhefirft faw her, and fairly laid in his 
 Grave, before he lay with her in bed. But thefe his complaints and griefs, bring him only vex- 
 ation and miferies irifiead of comfort -, for now he utterly defpairs, and fees no hope of his 
 wive’s reformation : Whereupon he refolves to divorce himfelf from her, and to that end 
 takes counfel thereon s buc it is not fo fecretly managed by him, but the Strumpet his- Wife 
 hath prefent notice and inckling thereof, whereupon feeing her Husband exceeding rich, both 
 in Lands, Coyn, Place, and other rich houfhold-fiuff, fhe vows no: to quit her great Joynture, 
 fhare and intereft hereof thus; But before he had enrolled his Sure in the Spiritual-Court, or 
 any way vented his own fhame, and his wives infamy in publick, (Re, like a true C.iurtifan,and 
 debauched Scrumpet as (he was, vows to prevent him that would prevent her, and to fend him to 
 his death, that would feek to divorce her ; and in refpeft of his jealoulie and malice, that as (he 
 had formerly poyfoned LaFrangc for her Husband’s fake, fo (h: would now murcher him for 
 her own. 
 
 But miferable and execrable wretch 1 .Oh, to what a monftrous height and huge fum will 
 all thefe thy beaftiy fins, and bloody enormities arife amount unto/ Buc !»/?, Malice, and 
 Revenge, like |hree infernal Furies, ib pofTefi tmd pre occupate her fenfes, as (he will not retire 
 till (he hatHjjfent her Husband unto another world, ina bloody winding-flieec. Towhichend, 
 watching cne time when mod of her feryants were gone abroad to gather in the Vintage, (he 
 foftly opening her Husband’s Chamber-door, ftealsin, and finding him foiwdly deeping, ap- 
 proachcth his bed, when drawing forth a Razor from her fleeve, which (he had purpofely 
 provided, (he with an implacable and damnable malice fieps to him, and cuts his throat, 
 fpeaking only thefe words to her felf, Lo* here the reward of thy jealouft I when throwing the 
 Knif, and her outward Taffita Gown into the houfeof Office, (he leaving bimweltrmgin 
 
 ' bit 
 
 
 
 
God's Revenge againjl Murtber. 
 
 Book III. ' 
 
 blood, very Secretly conveys her felf thorow the Gallery to the Garden, where her Wait- 
 ing-Gentlewoman attends her, and fo hies away to the Church, thinking with a wretched im- 
 piety to cloak this her fecond murther, as her former, under the veil of Religion and piety • but 
 her Hopes, and the Devil that gave them her, will now deceive her: 
 
 Z>* Safe* her Husband driving and flrugling for life again ft the pangs of death; fear and 
 hafte (contrary to her intent anJ mind) had fo made his murtherous Wife’s hand Shake and 
 tremble, as fhe did not fo fully cut his Throat* bole, but he could yet both cry and groan, which 
 lie did very mournfully ; and, which indeed was foon over-heard by a man and a maid servant 
 of his, who only remained in the houfe,‘Who hearing their Mailer's voyce, and haffify running 
 up, at thefe his pitiful and lamentable out-cryes ; depping to his affiftance; they hear him 
 ( with his bell power ) utter thefe fearful Speeches * ‘that Strumpet my Wife hath kill'd m.e : O that 
 fhc-Dcvil my rvife hath nrurthered me. W hereat they cry out-at the Windows to the Neighbours 
 for help, alledging that their Mailer ismurthered* Tbe^eighbours alTemble, and/hear him 
 report fo much ; fo they fend away for his ConfelTor, "dtiti the LieuteratiC Criminal - to - both 
 whom he again tonfe(Fetb, 7 hat It is the Strumpet his PWftf Wt> hath murtfored him. And then 
 railing himfelf up in his feed , (wkhasmuch ftrengifh as his dying wound would permit him) 
 hetaking them boch by the hands, with infinite fighs and tears reveals ro them, thatheitwas 
 who at the feducing of the Devil, had Stifled his Father Atgem-er to death in Paris ; that he did 
 it only to marry this whore his murtherous wife La Hay • that the killing of his Father* yea, 
 the very remembrance thereof, infinitely ‘grieves his heart and foul, and for the which he in- 
 finitely repenteth himfelf, and befeecheth the Lord of mercy, in mercy to forgive it him ; and 
 likewife prayed all that were prefenc to pity Onto God for him ; and thefe were his lali words, 
 for now his fleeting and fading breath would permit him to fay no more.’ 
 
 Ail that were prefent are amazed at this lamentable confeffion of his, to fee that he (hotild 
 murther his Father, and his execrable wife, well near himfelf*, fothey allglorifie God for the 
 detection and difeovery hereof: But the Lieutenant Criminal* and the Counfellors his affo dates 
 flep to the Window, andconfulcto have tom hanged, whiles he is yet living, for the mur- 
 thcring of his Father. But Be Salezs l aves them that labour'; for there and then he finks into his 
 ted, and dyes away before them * fo theyJnflantly Search the Houfe and City for this wretched 
 Murtherefs La Hay , whom impious and bloody Strumpet, they at Jail find in the Dominican 
 Frier's C burck at a Sermon, from whence with much obloquy and indignity they drag her to pri- 
 son, where they charge her with the murcher of s her Husband Be Sa A*, which the Devil as yet 
 will not permit her to conlcfs ; but being adjudged by them to the Rack, fhe at the very firll tor- 
 ment confefTeth it. 
 
 Upon which Several m.urthers, the Criminal Judges of the 1 curnells proceeded to fentence ; 
 Sofirlt,they adjudged the dead body of DeSalez, for fo inhumanly murdering his Father Ar - 
 gentier 9 to be half a day bang'd by the heels to the common Gallows, and then to be burnt to 
 Allies, which was accordingly executed: Then they adjudg his Wife La Haj y for murthering 
 him, the next day to be ilrangled, then burnt :• fo that night fome Divines deal with herin 
 Prifon about the ff ace of her foul, whom they find Infinitely obdurated through the vanity 
 of her youth, and the cemptationof the Devil; but. they work effedually with her, and fo 
 atlaft, (by the mercies of God) draw tor to contrition and repentance*, when willing her not 
 to charge her foul with the concealing of any orher crime ; and fliewing her the dangers there- 
 of,^ fhe very freely, yet Sorrowfully confefTeth, how Ihe it was, that for three hundred Crowns, 
 hau caufed the Empericl^ Michade to poyfon La Frange y for the which fhe told them, fhe was 
 exceedingly repentant and Sorrowful; Whereof ^hc Divines ( fith it was not delivered 
 them under the Seal of Confelfion ) adverting the Judges, they all wonder at Gods providence, 
 to lee how all thefe murthers are difeovered and burd forth, one in the neck of the other : fo 
 tney alter her fentence, and tor thefe double murthers* they condemn her* to have her ri°ht 
 hand cut off, and then to be burnt alive : and fo they make curious inquiry and refearch to appre- 
 hend this old bloody Varjet Mxcbaele. ## * 
 
 In the mean time, that very afternoon, {bis miserable and murtherous Curtefan La Hay. 
 though to the grief Oi .her furrowful Father and Sillers, yet to the joy of aiL Xbolonfe* is 
 brought and faftned to the flake, where her hand being firll druckoff, fhe\^j&many fighs 
 and tears, delivered thefe words.; That her crimes were fo foul and odious, a^ewas alha- 
 med to, look either God or Mao in the face: That fhe was very Sorrowful for caufin* La 
 poy foiled, as alfo for.murthcring of her Husband BtSale whofe wealth fhe only 
 affirmed fhe loved, but not himfelf, the which fhe wholly atfributed to the luff and vanity of 
 her youth, to her negleAof prayer, and forfaking df God; which made the Devil foftrong 
 With her, and fhe with the Devilj and which was the foie caufeand ground of this her mise- 
 rable 
 
Hift. XI. 
 
 De Sale ^ and La id ay. 
 
 J 53 
 
 t able ruin and deftru&ionv (he with tears and prayers befought the Lord to Be good unto her 
 ioul ; and ( lifting up her eyes and hands to Heaven) likewife befcechcs the whole AfTembly 
 to pray heartily unto God for her : when, recommending her Soul into the hands of her Re- 
 deemer, the fire being alighted, her body was foon confumed to a(hcs , whofe lamentable yet 
 juft end and punilhmenc, caufed a number of fpedhtors to weep, as yet pitying her youth and 
 beauty, as much as they detefted the enormity of her crimes. 1 
 
 And now for this devillilh and murtherous Emperick, Micbaek, although as foon as he 
 heard of La Hay's imprifonment, he ( to fave himfelf ) left Zhfafe, and fled towards Caliret 
 difguifed in a Fryer’s.habit, with his Beard (haven : yet by the care of the Gem of farliimiiit 
 or rather by the immediate finger, and providence at God, he isfSundout, and brought ba k 
 to Tbiiloufc v where, tor poyfoning of La F range, (the which he now without the Rack contef- 
 feth; he is adjudged to-be broken on ; the Wheel, there to remain till he be dead, and then his 
 body to be thrown into the River of Gar to, it-, the which the fame day is accordingly executed 
 and performed, to the infinite joy of all the (pedators : but as he lived an AtheijiCohc delpe- 
 rately dyed a Devil, without any (hew at all, eithet of contrition or repentance f only he vo- 
 mited forth this wretched fpeeclr: That becauf'e the World had fomuch to fay to him he 
 would fay nothing to the World, but bad the Executioner diipatch him. 
 
 No w by tfie light of this mournful and bloody Hiftory , the Cbrijlian Reader may obferve 
 and fee how Gods Revenge doth dill triumph againft Murther , and hoW he in his due time and 
 providence doth afTuredly (till deted and punifti it. It is a Hiftory which may ferve to deter 
 and fore-warn all young Gentlemen,not to frequent the companies of Whores and Strumpets^ 
 and all Sons not to tranfgrefs the will of their Parents, much lefs not to dare to lay violent 
 hands on thetp.lt is a Glafs, wherein young Gentlewomen and Wives may to the life fee what 
 bitter fruits and (harp ends ever attend upon Whoredom and Murther : it is a lively Eximplc ' 
 for all kind of Empcrickj and Drugjhrs whatfoever, toconliderhowfevcrely God doth infalli- 
 bly revenge and pnnifh the Poyfoning of his Sain ts and Children. In a word, it is a Lefton and 
 Caveat for all people, and for all degrees of people, but efpecially of Chriftians, ( who profefs 
 the Gofpel of Chrift, not only to deteft thefe foul fins of Revenge and Murther in others, but 
 to hate and abhor them in themfelves : which that all may endeavour to practice and per- 
 form, grant good God, who indeed art the only Giver of all Goodnefs, 
 
 * 
 
 
 God’s 
 
 t 
 
Book III. 
 
 * 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. < 
 
 history XII. 
 
 Albemare caufetl ? Pedro and Leonardo to murther Baretano \ and he after marrietb Clara* whom 
 Eeretano firji fought to marry . He caufeth Ins man Valerio to poyfon Pedro m Prifon^ andhya 
 Li tter which Leonardo fenthim , Clara perceives that her Husband Albemare had hired and 
 caiifd Pedro and Leonardo to murther herfirjl Baretano which Letter foe reveals to the.Judg: 
 Jo he is hanged , andlikgwife Valerio and Leonardo* for thefe their bloody crimes . 
 
 Ith what face can we prefumc to tread on the face of the Earth * or dare lift up oaf 
 eyes to that of Heaven , when our thoughts are fo rebellious to confpire, and our 
 hearts and refolutions fb cruel* to embrue our hands in the innocent blood of'our harmlefe 
 and Chrijlian Brethren ? Thoughts they are * which in teeming to pteate our fenfes, poyfon 
 our hearts, (and do therefore truly poyl^n our fouls, becaufe they Co falfely pleate our ten- 
 fes.) Refolutions they are , which we cannot conceive or attempt with more inhumanity, 
 than finifli with mifery * fith in thinking to fend them to their untimely graves, we aflu- 
 redly feud our felves to our own miferable and infamous ends : whereof in thi^jfuing Hi- 
 Rory, wt (hall find many woful Precedents, and mournful Examples , in ftunate 
 
 and wretched perfor.s, who were born to happinefs, not to infamy ; to profpcri^((Pt to mi- 
 fery , if they had had to much Grade tofccure their Lives, as Vanity and Impiety toruin them. 
 It is a Hiiiory purpofely produced and penned for our deteftation, not for our imitation , fith 
 it is a point of ( true and happy J wifdom in all men, to beware by other mens harms. Read 
 it then with a full intent to profit thy felf thereby, and (o thou mayeft boldly and lately 
 reft allured , that the fight of their fin and' punilhmcnt, will prove the reformation of thine 
 own. ; J 
 
 A Fruitful 
 
Albemare and Clara. 
 
 1 
 
 ■ Hift. xi i. 
 
 Fruitful and fair Lombardy is^he Country s and the great, populous, and rich City of Mill.nl , 
 r the Capital of that Dutchy ) the place where the Scene of this mournful and Tragical 
 Hiltorv is lain where perpetrated : the which to re- fetch from its firft fprmg and original, 
 
 thereby the more truly to inform our curioiity , and lnltrud our knowledg. We mult then 
 
 underltand that long lince the Duke of feria fucceeded the Count de fames, as Vtce-my 0 t that 
 potent and’deurilhing Dutchy, for King Philip the third of 5|»ai»,his Mafter.There was native 
 and rdident*in that City, an ancient Noble-man, termed Seignior Leonardo Capcllo , who in his 
 younger years had married a Spanifh Lady , and brought her from Spain to Mtllan, teemed 
 Don Maria dc Cajtiaua : he exceeding rich and nobles and (he as noble and fair : he by his fa- 
 ther’s tide allyed to Cardinal Charles Borrorn t o,\ face Sainted by Pope Paul V. ) (he by her Mo- 
 ther to the prefent Duke of Albucurtjtte: he infinitely honoured lor his extraction and wealths 
 Hie no lefs beloved and refpeded for her beamy and vertues : and although there are but few 
 Marriages contraded between the MiUancJcs and Spaniards, and thole very leldome prove 
 fuccesful and profperous, in refped of the antipathy which for the moll part is hereditary 
 betwixt the commands of the Spaniards, and the iubjedion ot the Millanefcs s yet it leenicd 
 that this of Capcllo and Cafiiana, was fit ft inftituted in HeavttC ere confummated on Earth : 
 tor lo fweetly did their years, humours, and aifedions, conjoyn and fympathize , as although 
 rhev were two perfons, yet I may truly affirm and fay, they had but one heart, affedion, and 
 
 defire, which was mutually to pleafe, and reciprocally to atfed and love each other. And as 
 
 Marriages cannot be reputed truly happy and fortunate, it they be not bleffed and crowned 
 with the bleilings of Children, ( which indeed is' not only the fweeteft life of human content, 
 but alio the beft and fweeteft content of <Jur human life ) fo they had not been long married, 
 ere God honoured them and their Nuptial Bed , with a beautiful and delicate young 
 Daughter termed Dona Clara, the only Child of their loyns,and Heir of their Lands and Vcr- 
 tuesfbeing indeed the true picture of themfelves, and the joyful piedg and feat of their intue 
 and invaluable affeCtionss who having over-palt her infancy and obtained the «ght«ntH.year 
 of her age, fne was fo exquifitely adorned with beauty,and fo excellently endued and enriched 
 with vertues, as diftin&ly for either, or joyntly lor bothlhe wa^and wastru |y refuted the 
 Paragon of Nature, the Pride of Beauty, the Wonder of Milan -ll&sp, of her Sex , and The 
 rbJui cot her Time. And.bccaufe the purity and perfection of hWfceauty defcrvesto be fecu 
 through this dim Perlpedive, and the dignity of her Vertues known of the header in this my 
 impoldhed Relation. For the firft, we was of ftature indifferent y tall, but exceeding ftraig i 
 nnl iVnrlcr- her Hair either of a deep Chdnut-colour , or rather of a light black , but to 
 whidi moft adhering and inclining, fancy might, but curiofity could difficultly dtftinguiffi : 
 her complexion and tinCture, rather of an amorous and lovely brown than of a Roleat and 
 Lilly dies hut yet fo fweetly pure, and purely fwcet, (and withal, rather far than lean) that 
 no earthly objtd could more delight and pleafe the eye or ravilh the fenfe. And lor her eyes 
 thofe two re lucent Lamps and Stars of Love.they were fo black and piercing, that they had a 
 ICcrct and imperious influence to draw all other eyes to gaze and do homage to hers, as if all 
 were bound to love her s and (lie fo modeft, as if purpofely framed to love none but her felf. 
 Neither did her Front, Lips, Neck, or Paps, any way detraCt, but every way add to the per- 
 fection of her .other excellencies of Nature: for, the firft leemed to be the Promontory ot the 
 Graces. The fecond, the Refideiice of Delight, and Pleafurc. The third, the Pyramids ot State and 
 ALitjhr*. And the. fourth, the HiDs and Valley of L»ve. But leave we the dainties of her body, 
 now to fpsak of tfie rarjties.and excellencies of her Mindswhich I cannot rightly define,whe- 
 thcr’the curiofity and ca’reot her Parents in her education, or her own ingenious and apt in- 
 clination to Vertue and Honour, were more predominant in her : for m either, or *tfh« m 
 both, (he was fo exquifite and excellent, that in Languages, Singing, Mufrk, Qanctng, 
 Temperance, and Madefy, (lie was fo fully compleat and rare , that to give htr her due , and no 
 more, (he could not be parallel’d by any young Lady of Lombardy , or Italy, nor equaliz d but 
 
 ty ThusiLjKX iiobllfcxtraction, and Father’s wealth, made her furmount othe^ and h^dea 
 licio-is mmieMy and vertues excel her felf, no marvel if thofe Adamants , and thefe excel 
 Jen ;ies (HPfivers of the beft Cavaliers and chiefeft Gallants,hoth of Mdlan and [Lumbar dy, to af- 
 SSfTEfcSf mSktf. mi indeed, althon(|h He be lough, by dwc.s of .hen . »«h muoh 
 ' relpect and honour, anfwe.Su m all Kga.dsto he. rank and *ali.y i JSS* 
 
 or [elf are lo much importuned by any, as by Seignu,rGiovam Albemare, afbungnob.e Gentle 
 nun of the City, who was adorned and fortified with thefe human pnvUedges, to be vvd dc- 
 & rich, and eat tome .went, live years old. a match in .he e,c »d «»!».e « the WorM, 
 
 X 2 
 
i ^6 God's Revenge againji Niurtber. Book Ilf. 
 
 yea, and in all outward appearance correspondent and equivalent > if his generous perfedtions 
 and veitues had paralleled hers , or if the candor and Sincerity of her afiedtion had not juiily « 
 transported her thoughts and heart from him, becaule (lie had formerly fixed and fetlci them -• 
 on another Gentleman, younger of years than Albemare , but in all other refpedfs, as well of 
 Nature, as Fortune , every way his Superior , named Seignior Alphonfut Baretano , a young G:n- 
 tlemanbf one of the nobleft Families of Nlillan , of Some eighteen years old, whofe Father 
 was lately deceafed, and had left him Sole heir to many rich Lands and Poftdliortsi but ( with- 
 all)excecdingly entangled in Law,ani engaged in many Debts and Mortgages,whereunto the 
 vanity and prodigality of his youth had deeply precipitated and ingulphed him > which con- 
 sequently refledfingand falling on his Son, we (hall lee will prove a hinderance to hismarri- 
 •age,and anobitacle to bis content and preferment. But toobferve fofne order and decorum in 
 the conduction and relation of this Hiltory, we muff briefly be informed , That as of all the 
 Beautiesof Lombardy, Albemare only chiefly affected and loved Clara \ fb, of all tb c Cavaliers of 
 the world, Clata affected and loved no other but Baretano : for, as conformity of years , man- 
 ners, and inclinations, breed a Sympathy in affections^ So they, in their tender youth, often fre- 
 quented one the other’s company, Sometimes at the Dancing- and Mufick-Maflcrs, but many 
 times at Weddings, Feafts, and noble Affemblies *, being well near as equal in age, as in com- 
 plexion and ftature. Again, the vicinity of their reSidence, added much to the combining and 
 enflamingoi their affections, for they were oppofite in nothing but in their Man lion-houfos, 
 from whole Galleries and Windows, many times publickly, but more often by health , their 
 eyes could not refrain to tilt at each other with the invilible Launces of Love and Affection* 
 which bred Such a habit, and that habit (So powerful a Second nature, that it was now become 
 impoffible for than not to gaze each on other : fo as if the innocency of their puerility made 
 them delight in each other’s fight and company with defire > So now their more ripe years in- 
 force them to defire it with delegation: fojr when as yet they were fo young, as they knew not 
 the inftindt and influence of Nature C which cannot be taught by a more powerful or ingeni- 
 ous Tutrix than her Self), yet they never met, but kilfedj hot kitted, but as if their hearts and 
 thoughts checked their lipsfor taking Such fliort farewels each of other. But now when their 
 years had proclaimed therinboth very capable to march under the Standard of Hymeruus, this 
 Venus, and that Adonis , ( fOW> her frefh beauty, and his flourifhing youth ( with as much right 
 asfame in AMz//)generally entitukd them) they felt fome pleafure wanting, which as yet they 
 could not hndj and therefore no marvel if they difiredto find that which they wanted : fo 
 as burning in aftediion each to other, Clara hearing Spoken of a Husband , infinitely ’ wilhed 
 that Baretano were hers j and when he heard of a Wife, he ardently longed, and fervently de- 
 fired, that Clara were his. Neither can I rightly fay, whether he were more affedtionate in his 
 conftaticy to her, or (he conflant and refolute in her affedtion to him ^ fo that as heretofore 
 they hardly knew the way to kifs, now time ( running on heir Swift career ) had taught them 
 to defire to marry > and that whereas formerly Baretano only termed Clara his Sweet Maid, and 
 (he him, her dear Friend now Love had fuggefted and given them new delires, and therefore 
 new Epithets : for Sometimes, as well in earned as in jeft, he could not refrain to term her his 
 Sweet Wife, nor (lie him, her dear Husband : and herein their tongues were only but the out- 
 ward Heralds of their inward hearts, as their hearts were of their more Secret and retired de- 
 fircs. And as fervent love and true discretion very feldom concur and meet *, fo although af- 
 fection made them rich in inventing new inventions to meet and kif& yet they were ; fo poor, 
 or rather fo blind in discretion, as they could not bear their affedtions in fecreiie and lflence, 
 but by this time they are bewrayed to their Parents, and divulged to their acquaintance : but 
 if any grieve and (form at this unexpedfed news, it is tirft Albemare , then Capello and Caftiam , 
 betwixt whom there was a Secret promife, and verbal confradt, That he, and no other, fliould 
 marry their Daughter. 
 
 Thus we fee, that Albemare and Baretano are become Competitors and Rivals in their affe- 
 diions> for either of them affedl Clara as the Miftris of their thoughts,and both adore her as the 
 Qyeen-Regent of their defires. But, as they Sympathize in their hopes, to.purchafe her to their 
 Wife \ fo they differ in the means and progrefsof their resolutions , how For 
 
 Whiles Baretano Sues the Daughter before her Parents, So doth Albemare the Pfl| before 
 their Daughter : but what eftedts and ends thefe beginnings will produce, ye ftanlfcrtly fee, 
 and they thcmfclvcs very (bon both feel and find. 
 
 Capello and Ca)liaita ( as we have formerly Said ) with muclraffiidtion and grief underfland- 
 lngot their Daughter’s affedfion to Baretano, and reciprocally 0 f his to her, they (with much 
 impatience and palflon) relate it to Albemare, \yhofe afiedfion to Clara hath made him fo Subtil 
 towards them, as although his heart knows this news, yet he makes his tongue deny the 
 * knowledg 
 
fiift. XII. 
 
 Albemare and Clare. 
 
 *57 
 
 knowledg thereof, when protelling ot his intire and fervent affedion to her, and that he mud 
 iteher wed her, or his Graves they confult on this important bufinefs, how they may dethro- 
 prfo Baretano , and inthronize Albemare in the chair and choice of Clara’s affedion as for Ca- 
 uizand Caliiana, they lo highly ailed Albemare s great and free Eltace , and fo dii'dainfully 
 hate the intricate incumbrances of Bar'etano's , as they vow their refolutions fhall fail by the 
 Compafs of his delires , and he in exchange, that his affedions and defires fhall ltill ftecr their 
 courlt by that of their refolutions. So from the matter of their agreement, they proceed to 
 the manner how to effed it ; to which end her Father and Motherfingle their Daughter 
 apart, and in mild and fair terms, demand of her what hath pair betwixt her and Baretano ; 
 and whether (he be to Ample and inconlideratc, to take fo poor a Gentleman for her Husband, 
 vvhofc Ellate is fo weak and (mail, as it cannot well maintain himfelf, much lefs her. Clara al- 
 ready prepared and armed by her affedion to receive thefe or the like fpeeches from her Pa- 
 rents, having twice or thrice metamorphofed the Eillies of her Cheeks into R.o(es, very tem- 
 perately andlnodcllly returns them thisdifereet and refpedive anfwer : » 
 
 That as fhe mull needsafhrm,(he is confident of Baretaito ’ s affedion to hei;fo (he muft as tru- 
 ly deny, that as yet he had ever motioned her tor marriage, which if he had, confidering that 
 his Birth, Means, and Vertucs,were fuch as every way deferved not only her equal, but her fii- 
 perior, fhe is enforced torevcal them, that fhe loves him fo tenderly and dearly, as, if her will 
 and pleafure be not contradided by theirs,it will be not only hcr'joy,but her felicity, toaccept 
 
 and take him for her Husband, before all others of the world. 
 
 But this model!: anfwer ofhers,they hold too peremptory for a Child to give, and Parents to 
 receive as if it favoured more of irregular zeal to Baretano, than of due refpedand obedience 
 to themfelves: yet the fooner to divert her from her own defires and refolutions, to make her 
 flexible to theirs, they as yet hold it fit,rathcr to continue mild than imperious towards her; 
 and fo by depraving the deferts,and debafing the merits of Ban-taw, to feek to extol and mag- 
 nifie thofe of Albemare , as if the firit were only a Foyl, and the fecond a rich Diamond, worthy 
 of her affedion and wearing: and indeed, fo exquifite and excellent a Cavalier they depaint 
 him to her in the richell frame and pqmp of all his praifes,as well of the endowments of mind, 
 as of thofe of Fortune, that they leave no infinuating Oratory uneffayed,nor perfwahve attempt 
 unattempted, to make her (hake hands with Baretano , and confequently to extend her arms 
 and heart to receive and retain^/We:but although (he were young in years and experience, 
 yet love in this fragrant and flourilhingfpringof her youth, had fo refined her judgment and 
 indodrinated and prompted her tongue, that her thoughts commanded and marlhalled by 
 her heart, and both by her defires and affedions to Baretano, l he confided y intermixing and in- , 
 terrupting her words with many far-fetch*d broken fighs, again returns her Parents this reply: 
 
 If your Age will not, yet my Youth, or rather my heart informs me, That Baretano as far 
 exceeds Albemare in the priviledges of the mind and body , as Albemare doth him m thofe of 
 Fortune : but that my refolutions and anfwers may anfwer and correfpond with toy obedi- 
 ence Although I love Baretano, yet I will never hate , rather honour Albemare ; but to make 
 him my Husband, or my felf his Wife, if Earth have, I hope Heaven hath not decreed it ; and 
 I humbly befeech you, that this may reft your resolution, as I alTuredly think it (hall and will 
 
 and Cajliaw, ( like difereet Parents ) feeing their Daughter Clara wholly wedded 
 ( in a manner ) to the Angularity of her own will, they -yet conceive it to be far more requihte 
 o revert her reafons by (air means, than refute and refel them by force, hth love and d.fcrc- 
 tion hath (till reference to that, and this relation IUU to choler , many times to repentance : 
 whereupon, minding her of the buffings which infallibly attcndhhalobcd.ence and the mi- 
 fenesandcurfes which individually wait on contempt and difobed.enCe , hoping that time 
 will effed that which importunity cannot ; they as then leave her to her thoughts and (he 
 them to their care, caring for nothingfo much, nay I may well fay for nothing etfe, than to 
 fee her affedion divorced from Baretano, and contraband wedded to Albemare, who having 
 curious correfpondence and intelligence With them, he is ever and anon ascertained, not only 
 what hathJwit what doth pals betwixt them and their Daughter ; and withal, is adv.fed 
 by them, to;-30ay no time, but to frequent and haunt her as her Ghofl and (hadow v y £ a,and 
 no more tofneeal his affedion and fuit from her , but to acquaint Milan therewith , fit h it 
 was no difparagement, but rather an equal honour for him to .match with Clara , and Clara 
 with him. Which concluded betwixt Capcllo and Cajhana, Albemare is Co far from rejeding 
 this advice and counfel, as he cmbraceth it with much joy and deledation, and vows (though 
 with the peril of his life ) to perfevere and purfue her in marriage. To which end, auth 
 rized as well by his own affedion, as their authority. Clara is neither abroad, nor at home, 
 
 ^ 3 
 
God's Revenge againji Murther. Book III* 
 
 but he meets her, gives away all time from himfelf, to give himfelf to hers fo as it ferns -to the 
 eye of the world, that Ctyello's houfe is now become his, and that his Daughter Clara likewise 
 ihortly (hall be*, yea, he adds fuch curiolity to his care,and fuch care to his arttdion in courting 
 her as (he cannot be either at Mafs or Vefpersjyut he is either with her, or near her, and when 
 in folemn pomp or 7.eal (he vilits the Vomo ( or Cathedral Church ) of that City, and ill it the 
 Shrine oi the new St. Charles , then he waits and attends offher at the Porch-ihirs, fometifries 
 with his Coach, but many times f as the cuftom of M Man is ) on his t cot-cloth,, and prancing 
 Rarbary- horfe, to condud her home*, yea, and not to fail in any complement of an accompliih- 
 cd Lover(befides the harmony of his own iniinuationand felicitation) fie greets her with rich 
 Prefents, and falutes her with all variety of Melodious Mulick,and mellifluous Voices: but all 
 this notwithftanding, although he every way ufe his bed art and induilry, and her father and 
 Mother their 'bed skill to make her flexible to his defires, and their pleafure *, yet (he, as having 
 her thoughts fully bent and fixed on her dear and fwcet Baretano , looks haggard and avcrle 
 on Alhemare, giving him fuch general anfwers, and cold entertainment, as he (eeth he hath far 
 more reafon to ddpair, than hope to obtain her. Whereupon, doubting of her affedion, he 
 hath again rccourfe to her Parents love, who to confirm and fcal it him , feeing fair means 
 will not prevail with their Daughter, they refolve to ufe force , and fo to add threats to their 
 requeds,and choler to their perl wafions, to make her abandon Baretano, and embrace Albcmare. 
 But if the fird prevail not with her, the fecond cannot*, for (he now tells them plainly, that (he 
 neither can nor will affect any man for her Husband, but Baretano : and yet (he is (b far from 
 any determinate refolution to marry him, as (lie affirms, That their Will (hall be her Law, and 
 their Pleafure, her Refolution. 
 
 Whiles thus Albemarc in the way of marriage feeks out fair and fweet Clara publickly , no 
 lefs doth Bartow privately *, and although with lefs vanity and oftentation , yet he hopes # 
 with far more fortunacy and fuccefs , as grounding his hopes upon thefe reafons : That in 
 heart and foul Clara is only his, as both in foul and heart he is hers: fo he entertains her 
 many times with his Letters, and yet not to (hew himfelf a Novice in diferetion, nor a Cow- 
 ard in affedion, he making her content, his commands^ & (he did his deiires, her felicity *, he, 
 in remote Churches and Chappcls, ( for whofe number Millan exceeds Home ) hath both the 
 happinefs and honour privately to meet her, where if they violate the fandity of the place* 
 in conferring and cheri(hing their affedions > yet they fandifie their affedions , in defiring 
 that fome Church or Chappel might invert and crown them with the religious honour and 
 holy dignity of Marriage, f or having jefted of love heretofore, now like true Lovers they 
 henceforth refolve to love, not in jeft, but in earned : and as of their two hearts they have al- 
 ready made one i fo now they mean and intend to difpofe of their bodies, thereby to make 
 one of two. And this is their foie defires and this, and only this, is their chief delight , and 
 mod pleafing defires and wiflies# 
 
 But as it is the nature of Love, for Lovers to defire to fee none but themfelves, and yet are 
 feen of many *, fo this their familiarity and frequent meeting, is again reported to her father 
 and Mother, whereat they murmur with grief, and grieve with difeontent and afflidion : 
 and now not to fubdrad, but to add to their vexation, it is refolved between our two young 
 amorous T\mte-Dovcs x Baretano, and his fair Clara , that he (hould publickly motion them 
 for he? in Marriage > which he in wonderful fair terms, and orderly decorum ( as well by his 
 friends, as himfelf ) performeth. When, contrary to his willies, but not his expectation, they 
 give him fo cold entertainment, and his fuit fuch poor and (harp acceptance, as they ( in affe- 
 dion and zeal to Albcmare) not only deny him their Daughter, but their Houfe : ananfwer 
 fo uncivil, and therefore fo unjud, as might give a tedimony fome way of their care , yet no 
 way of their diferetion to themfelves , or affedion to their Daughter. And here I mud 
 confefs, that I can difficultly define whether this refolution and anfwer of Cafello and Caftia- 
 more delighted Albemarc , difeontented Baretano , or afflided Clara •, who although in the 
 entrance of their Loves, their hopes feenfd to be nipt* and their deiires crod by the frowns 
 of tfieir Parents, yet they lore each other fo tenderly and dearly, as thefe difeontents not- 
 withftanding , they will not retire, but are refolute to advance in the pro&re lk p t this their 
 chad and fervent affedion : and although their commands feem to give a Jaw tp her obe- 
 dience, in not permitting her to be frequented of Baretano * yet her obedience isTo enforced 
 to take a more dronger of her affedion, as defpight her Parents malice and jealoufie towards 
 them, when they are (weetly (leeping in their beds , then is their. Daughter Clara waking 
 with Baretano , and he with her, often-times walking and talking in the Arbours , and billing 
 in the dole Galleries of the Garden^* which they cannot conceal or bear fo clofely , but/her 
 Father andMother have exact notice and intelligence thereof by fome of their trudy fervants, 
 
 whom 
 
Hift. XII. Albemare and Clara. 
 
 Whom they had purpofely appointed as Centhiels to dpy and difeover their meetings.Where- 
 upon ( as much in hatred to Baretano, as in atf'edion to Albemare ) knowing that it theeaufe 
 be once removed, the effed is fubjed foon to follow and enfue i they very fuddenly and pri- 
 vately lend away their Daughter from Millan to Modena^ by Coach , there to be mewed and 
 pent up with the Lady Amelia her -Aunt', and, betides hcrWaiting-Gehtkwoman Adriana, none 
 to accompany and conduct ha*,but only Albemare, hoping that inafmal! time,his pretence and 
 importunate tblicitations, w.ould deface the memory of Baretano, to engrave his own in the 
 heart and thoughts' of his i'weet Clara;, who, pbot foul, feeing her felf exiled and banifhed from 
 the Ibciety of her Baretano* s fight and company , wherein under Heaven (he chiefly and only 
 delighted-, (he hereat doth, as it were, drown her lelf in the Ocean of her tears, (forming as well 
 atxhe cruelty of her Parents, as at her own affltftioft and misfortune ■> and no left doth her Bdi 
 rctano for the abfencc of his Iweet Saint and dear Lady Clara * for as their affedfon , lo their 
 affliction is equaU now mourning* as much at each other’s abfence , as formerly they rejoyced 
 and triumphed in their prefence. But, although the jealouiie of Capelin and Cafiana were very 
 careful to watch and obfcrve Baretano in Mill an and the zeal and atfedion of Albemare* s, 
 fafely to guard, and fweetly to attend on Clara in Modena : yet as fire fuppreffed, flames forth 
 with more violence s and Rivers Hopped, overflow with more iaipctuolitjy fodefpight of the 
 one's vigilancy, and the other’s jealouiie, though Baretano cannot be fo happy and Wolfed to 
 ride over to Modena , to fee and falfttefois Olkrfc: 'yet Love, which is the rehner of inventions 
 and wit, and the polifter of judgment, cannot yet detain him from viliting her with his Let- 
 ters, the which in refped of the hard accefs and difficult patfag’e to her, he is-enforced to fend* 
 her by fubtil means and fecret meffirngers. And the better to overffiadow the curioiityof his 
 Arts, and the Art of his affedipn herein v he, among many others, makes ufe of a Fryer and a 
 Hermit , for the conveyance of two Letters to Modena , to his Lady > which <f& fit Agents for 
 fuch amorous employments ) they (with more cunning and fidelity, than 2eal and religion ) 
 fafely delivered heir, and likewifc returned him her anfvvers therfcOL And becaufe the fervency 
 of their affedions and comfancks,each to other, are more lively depainted and represented in 
 thefe two, than in any other of then Letted: therefore I thought my felf in a manner bound 
 here to infert them, to the end to give the better fpirit and grace to their Hiftory, and the ful- 
 ler fttisfadion and content to the cuiioluy of th&Reader. That' which Baretano lent Clara up- 
 on her departure from Millan to Modena , by the Fryer , fpake thus : 
 
 BARETANO to CLARA. 
 
 H OW jufly may I term my felf unfortunate , fub I am enforced to be mifcrable, before I lytow whajt 
 belongs to bappinefs? For , if ever I found any content , or Heaven uponFartb , it was only in 
 thy [meet prefence *, which thy fudden^abfence, and unexpected exile , [hath n&w made «, at leaf , my 
 Purgatory , if not my Hell > Fair Clara, jWg of thy Baretano by thy felf ,what[ii matchlefs grief it is 
 to my heart , and a heart -killing terror to my thought s, to fee thee made captive to my Rival , and that 
 the Fates and thy Parents feem to be fo propitious to his defir cs , and fo inexorable and cruel to mine* 
 ’that I mujl live alone in Millan without thee , andhe alone in Modena with tbee‘, which maizes, that 
 J lyow not whether I more envy his joy, or lament and pity mine oWn forrows and afflictions. But 
 if I have any fenfe or. Jhaclow of comfort in this my calamity , it onlyfatififs in this , that as thou car - 
 riceTf away my heart with thee , fo thou wilt vouchfafe to return me thine in thy Letter , by a reciprocal 
 requital and exchange. For if thou neither bring me thy felf, nor fetid me that, l may be fought in 
 Millan, but found no where but in Heaven . j^Vre 1 priviledged by thy confetti, much more authori- 
 zed by thy command, I would fpeedily rather fly e than pnf to thee : for fair and dear Clara, as thou 
 art my foie joy, and foveraign felicity fi), whiles 1 Breathe this air of life, thy will jhall be my law, thy 
 command, my compafs ^ and thy plcafure, my reflation. 
 
 BARETANO. 
 
 ller Anfwer returned by the Fryer, to Baretano at Millan , was to this effed : 
 
 CL AR A to BARET A NO. ‘ 
 
 I T is for none but our [elves to judg . , how equally we participate dnd jhare of mifery , bt being depri- 
 ved of each other* spref once. Thou termejl my abfence either thy Purgatory , or thy Hsll : and 
 my afflictions and torment s, for thine, arc fo great, and withall fi infinite, as b have all the equity and 
 reafon of the world, to repute them not only one, but both. Thu art mifaken in the point' of my thral- 
 dom^ for whiles Albemare vows himfelf to be my Captive, I difdain to be his, and both vow and triumph 
 
 to 
 
God's Kevenge againji Mur ther. Book 111. 
 
 laie only BatetanoV. I Jyiaw not whether l bjvt broughtthy btfrt with me to Modena s but fare I 
 am, I lift mine with thee in Millau. If my Parents feem non f leafing and profit ions to him, 1 am yet 
 j , J’jf j rom ehfpair, as l confidently hope the Fates will not prove cruel or inexorable to thee , and in thee 
 to my Jelf : but rather , that a little time will change their refolutions anddeerces , fitb they cannot our 
 affehions andconjlancy. If Clara be thy foie joy, and joveraign felicity, no left is Baretano hers: and 
 albeit l could with either thou here with my Jelf in Modena, or I therewith theein Mi II an i yetfuch 
 is my Aunt Emclia'r care, and Albtrmare’/ jealoufie over me , that wert thou in this City, thou 
 (oiildji difficultly fie me, but impofftbly fpeak^witb me: wherefore refrain a whiles, and let thy Jour- 
 uey hither to me, be ended ere began i yet with this provifo and condition , that the caufc thereof, thy af. 
 fetiion to me', be begun, never to be ended: and think,, that my ]tay and exile hcrejhall be as Jhort, as ei- 
 ther my befi art in my Jelf can invent, or truejl zeal to thee, fuggejl. In which interim, let U folace ojir 
 f elves, and vifit each other by the Ambajfadors of mr Hearts, 1 mean our Letters : and this rejbhe, my 
 dear Baretano, that during our abfence, whiles thou dnjlfeaji on my Idea , 1 twill not fail to furfeit on 
 
 thine. __ _ 
 
 CLARA. 
 
 Baretano's other Letter, fent Clara to Modena, by the Bilgrim, was couched and penned in 
 thefc terms. 
 
 BARETANO to CLARA. 
 
 H AD not thy requtfts ( in thy la}} Letter ) granted out a Brohibitionagainft my defires and wijhes , 
 I had long finceleft Millau , have fecn Modena, and in it thy jelf , ‘ my J met and dear Lady: but 
 l fpeal^it to myprejent comfort , and future conjolation and joy, that it vs excefs , not ivant of affeClipn, 
 which infufeth this provident care , and careful providence , to thy refolutions , to the end that thy return 
 ma^e us as joyful , as thy departure for rowful ■> and confequcntly , that the lajl prove as fwcet unto our 
 hearts and thoughts , as thefirjl was bitter. Andyet believe me , dear Clara, that my affettion is fo entire 
 and fervent to thee , bccaufe Iktf>w thine is reciprocally fo to my felf , that l deem it not only capable to 
 make difficult things eafte\ but , which is more , impoffible things pofjible :for , for thy fa\e t what would 1 
 not attempt ? and to enjoy thy fight and prejena , what would Heave unperformed ? Bjtt if thou wilt not 
 permit me to come to thee to Modena, nor yet fpeedily refolve to return to me to Millan, Sorrow will 
 then prevent my Joys -WDefpair, my Hope: for, if thouhaflen not thy arrival, and our interview , 
 ficbgtifs will be my death. Wert thou as Iqnd, as fair > or as affeftionate , as I am fervent in affettion, 
 thou wilt then rather fuffer me to live with the e, than to dye for thee : for in this reft confident , that if 
 thou deny me that requej }, l cannot Nature this tribute , my Alfe&ion this homage , or thy Beauty this 
 facrifice , 
 
 BARETANO. 
 
 And Clara her Anfwer hereunto, returned to Millan to Baretano , by the forefaid Bilgrim , was 
 traced in thefc.words : 
 
 CLARA to BARETANO. 
 
 . > 
 
 T HE laft command of my Barents , and the firft refolution of my Aunt Emelia, and my f tutor Al- 
 bemare, have now reduced me to fo ftrill a [ equeflration (or rather captivity )as only my thoughts , 
 hardly my pen, hath the freedom and power to fignifie thee fo much. But as calms cnftie tempeftss and 
 fun-fljinejhowers > fo Ibefeech thee to brooch with as much patience , as I do with grief *, and not only 
 Joope, but refolve, that violence is never permanent, and all extr cams fubject to Revolution awl change. 
 Wherefore, my dear Baretano, confider and tbink^witb thy felf, that myjiayfrom Millan, and thy pro- 
 hibition from Modena, hath his twofold cxcufe that is in my will , but not as yet in my power to per- 
 forms and this will rather hinder, than tmy way advance the accomplishing of our defires fith a little 
 time may effett that with my Pai'cnts , which I fear importunity will never : neither can thy heart fo 
 much long for my fight, or wifh for my prefence , as my foul doth for thine : fith to give thee but one word 
 for all , Iky felf, and only thy felf, art both the life of my joy, and the joy of my life . A thoufand times 
 a day Iwijh Modena were Millans and again as often, that Albemare were metamorphfed into Earc- 
 tano. Therefore I am fo far from preventing thy joy, as, though at the price of my death, *1 am ready to 
 facrifice my life for the prefervation of thine , as alfofor the banifhing of thy dcfpair. Write me not then 
 af tbyfickiicfs - left thou as foon hear of my death : and Ikgtow not what requeft to deny tl>ee, fith 1 have 
 already granted and given t bye my felf, which is all. that either I can give, or thou defire : cberijh tin 
 felf for my fakg, and 1 will thy wnanbr anccfor mine; 
 
 CLARA; 
 
» - 
 
 Hill. XII. Alb e mare and Clara. 
 
 By thefe lovingT-ecters of thefe bur Lovers, the Reader raayobferve aiid remark, what a 
 firm league, and itr idt and conltanc Iriendfhip, there was contracted and fc tied betwixt them, 
 and what a hell their ablcnce was each to others thoughts and com\ mplatious. In the mean 
 time, whiles Bardano entertains ClJra with Letters, Albcnurc doth with words: whereiii he 
 ufeth his belt Rhetorickand Oratory, to draw her tohisejefires-, ..and withal, to lilten and efpy 
 out, if there pais any palTagesol Letters, or other cojjefpondehcy betwixt them, \yliich al- 
 though Clara her atfedtion to Barctano vow, and her difemion to her felt rclolvc, ro conceal 
 and obicuie from AUnnureb yet lo,here fails out a iiniftcir and unexpected accident, which will 
 difeover and bewray it s yea, and of all lides, and to all parties produce grief, fiorrow, cholcr 
 and repentance, which in effeCt (briefly, is thus. 
 
 Clara had rcaion, in her former Letter fent by the Pilgrim, to term this her f qiuftratian 
 in Modena a captivity, fiftce the bounds of her Aunt Ertkhas two fmall Gardens, and the 
 walls of lu : r little Park, were the limits wherein her liberty was confined, and her felt, as it 
 were, immured, for farther (he was not permitted to go, except to the Church with her Aunt 
 in her Coach, but Hill accompanied by Albtmare , who Icit nb minuts or occasions, as well to 
 fee her, as to be fetn ot her. Now to give feme truce (though not peace ) to her difeontents, 
 and thereby feme what to calni the impetuofity of thefe re m pc Its, which love had Ihrrcd up 
 in her heart and thoughts for the ablcnce Of her Barctano , flic, never better accompanied than 
 when alone, fometime pafl away the irklcmnefsef her time in walking in the Gardens, but 
 many times in the Park clofc (hut, followed only by her Wait jfmj- gentle woman Adrian i *, tor 
 in rcfpeCt of her Aunts unkindnefs, and Aibonarti iealoulie, (lie would neither accept ot her 
 familiarity, nor of his company. Now to the neardtend of the Park, not fard.ftant from the 
 Iccond Garden, was a curious walk, ranked about with many rows of Sycamere-tr9cs> and at 
 the farther end theicof a clofeoYe-fhado wed Bower ^ yea/foclofe!y veiled, that the rayes of 
 the- $u,n could neither peep in, to tcorch the purtnefs of I cr beauty, or to contend with the 
 piercing luflre and refpleudtncy of her eyes sand to this Bower, in a f Jr and dear d..*y, Clara 
 (about three of the clock after dinner) repairs, hiving ip her hand to delude the time the old 
 amorous Hifiory o! Hero. and Leandtr , which was very lately illuit rated, and newly reprinted 
 in MiBaui) and vvherein indeed for th‘e conformity of their loves with her oWnJhe took a lin- 
 gular delight to read ', but that which gave Tweeter mufick to her thoughts, and felicity to 
 her heart and mind, were her BantanSs two Letters (which we haveformcrly feen ) and 
 which as then (he had purpofely brought with her to Purvey and perufe * yea, (he* reads them 
 ore again and again *, and, to write the truth, more Oten than there are words, or I think 
 fyllables therein contained i but when fhe defeends to his nam*, (he cannot refrain from kil- 
 ling it y yea,and fuch is her tender love to Bantam, as (he bedews it with her tears*, a thoufand 
 times fhe vvifhed her felt with him, or he with her, and bitterly blames the cruelty of her 
 Parents, for ft parating their bodies, Iith fhe not on’y hoped, but aflured her felt, th.it God 
 had conjoyned and united their hearts. But whiles the in the midddt of thefe pallionate cx- 
 ftaiics feems to be rapt up into the Heaven of joy, at the perufal of thefe Letters of Barctano , 
 and then again to be plunged into the hell of lorrow, at the confideration and remembrance 
 of his abftrice.fhe hears a voice, which fhe thinks is not far oflfVrom her, when looking forth 
 the Bower, and deeming it to be that of her Waiting-gentlewoman, whom fhe faw fomc- 
 what near her, gathering ot Straw-berries and wild Lillies, fhe within a flight-(hoot from htr, 
 p iceivcs it to be her Lover ( but not her Love jAlbem are ,who knowing her there in the Bower, 
 and for want of other talk, (peaking to the Lccho,(he guefied by his courfe.f wherein ihe was 
 not deceived) that he had an intent to falute and (peak with her s which to prevent, becatife 
 it wholly difplcafed her, to becumbred with the company of fo un welcomed a guclt as him - 
 fclf, fhe hafiily folds up her Letters in her Handkcrcher, and clapping them (at leaft as (he 
 t bought ) into the pocket of her Gown, takes her Book in her hand, and calling Adriana , trips 
 away back towards ihe Garden. by the other tide of the Park, purpofely toeichew and avoid 
 him, as indeed fhe did ; 
 
 Albcnure grieves to fee Clara s coyngfs and cruelty toward himva’though (he were departed 
 forth the Park from him, yet hisafleCtion is Co fervent to her, as he will needs a'cend the Bow- 
 er, efteeming it not only a kind of content, but a bldTing to his thoughts, fith he cannot be 
 where (he is, y < t to b: where fhe Imth bce j n > when thinking to mount the Barrs of the Bow- 
 er, he unexpectedly at the toot theroffindsthe two fetters, whereof we have formerly fpokr, . 
 which it ftems dipt forth of Clara s Hankercher, as (he was putting it into her Pocket > Albc - 
 mart taking up the Letters, and feeing them directed to his fweet Chra , he betwixt the ex-, 
 treamsof love and j- y, kuTLth them again and again for her fake \ when fitting down in the 
 Bower, he betakes himfHf to read auipcrufe than ^verity exp-' ding and hoping to gather and 
 
 Y draw 
 
God's Revenge againji Mvtrihcr. Book III. 
 
 d-avv fomctbiog from them which might tend to advance the proems of his affection towards her; 
 But when he had read (he firft, hewasfo extreamly perplexed and affii&ed, as he had hardly the 
 patience to perufe the fecond: and yet at length haftily and paffionately running it over, andledng 
 by ail the Circumftances thereof, that it was in vain for him any longer to hope for Clara , fith (he 
 Was Baretano’s, and Barctano hers, he like one Lunatick, (lamps with his foot, throws away his 
 Hat, tears his hair for very grief and choler, now thinking to tear the Letters, and then to offer 
 v ole nee to himfclt ; Bat when the fumes and fhmes of this his folly were over-blown, 
 and that he had again recalled his wits to take place in the proper feat of his judgment? and difcrc- 
 tion ; then taking up his Hat. and pulling it down his eyes, he leaves she Bovver and Park, and fo 
 going into the h-ufe, (hews them the Lidy Emelia he: Aunt; who prays him not to defpair, but 
 that Baretano's Letters notwithltanding, he himfek* (hall (hortly mirrv her Neece Clara ; only 
 (he prays him for the two Letters, becaufe (he affirms, (he will to morrow fend them to Mill an to 
 her Father and Mother ; Wherein he faith, he will take ad vice of his pillow ; when fading out his 
 Supper, he betakes himfelf to his Bed, to fee whether he can deep away thofe his paffions and vexa- 
 tions : And by this time Clara going to lock up thefe two afore-faid Letters in her Trunk, (lie finds 
 her Handkercher, but milled) her Letters, whereat blufhing for (hame, and then again looking pale 
 for forrow, grief and anger, Gie fpeedily fends away Adriana to the dower, to look them, who re- 
 turns without them, and then fhe knows for certain that Albemare hath found them ; whereupon for 
 meer grief and anger,feigning her felf fick,fhe withdraws her felf to her Chamber, and there prefeody 
 betakes her felf to her bed. 
 
 I maywell fay, that Cl.ra and Albcmare betake themfelves to their beds ; but I am fure not to 
 their red + For grief and love fo violently aCt their fcveral parts in their hearts and thoughts, as figh 
 they do, but deep they cannot. Yea, their pa (lions and forrows are as different as their defires ; 
 for as Albcmare now grieves that he hath found th-fe Letters ; fo doth Clara that (he hath loft 'them- 
 and as he vows not to reftorc her them, fo the neither da r es, and yet difdaineth to demand them of 
 him ; Yea again, which is more, as their forrows are different, fo are their pretended confolations, 
 at leaf] if J may properly and truly tearm them confolations : For as Clara, although (Be have loft 
 her Baretjvo’s Lerter$,doth yet rejoyce that fhe (fill retains the Writer and Author thereof engraven 
 and charactered in her heart ; fo dodi Albcmare , that now fully knowing* Barctano to be his rival, 
 and who by all probability is like to bear his Miftrefs from him, he hath ('as he unjuftly conceives) 
 a juft rcafon to be revenged, and a true occafion to fight with him ; but as Claras comfort and con- 
 folation herein proceeds from true sff-r&ion , fo. doth the vanity and impiety of this refolution of 
 Albcmare** from helliih malice and devillifh indignation ; yea, although the night doth, or fnould 
 bring counfcl, yet as Clara pa ffeth it over only with fighs, fo doth Albcm re with fumes of revenge 
 againft Baretaxo, vowing that he will in the morn towards MilUn> and there try his fortune, either 
 to kill him or to be killed of him, in a Duel • to which end he is no fooner ready, but he acquaints 
 the Lady Smell* with his intended journey, but not with his refolution to fight with Baretano y and 
 the fame he doth to (the Emprefs of bis thoughts, and Queen of his defiresp Clara, demanding 
 her, if fhe plcafe to command him any fervice for MilUn ; who both blufhing and paling here- 
 at, her affection to Barctano haVing now made her expert in the fubtilties of love, (he well Knows 
 what wind drives Albcmare to cMillan ; and therefore guided by diferetion, and not by palfion, 
 file returns him this Anfwcr: That having neither reafon nor defire to command him, (lie onely 
 jirayshimto remember her humble duty to her Father and Mother, and fo wifheth his journey 
 profperous ; which anfwer of hers ("being indeed no other than Albcmare cxpeCted) he yet ad- 
 vanced to kifs her at parting; which her civiliity, though not her affection, granted him; 
 not fo much as once dreaming or fufpe&ing that he conceived the leaft thought or 
 intent to fight with her fweet Baretano , and fo he takes horfe, having only one fervant with 
 him. 
 
 Albcmare being arrived at Saint Remy , a fmall Town within fifteen miles of AfiRan , he re- 
 solves to dine there, which he doth ; and to avoid th^ heat of the day, then betakes* himfelf 
 toflfep an hour or two; being awaked, he commands hi? man to make ready his horfe; and 
 feeing the Hoft of the houfe in his Chamber, enquires of him, if there were any Gentfetmn in 
 the houfe riding to Millay whoasfoon returns him this unlook'd- for and unexpected anfwcr; 
 that there was a brave Gentleman in the houfe named Seignior Baretano > who was to ride thi- 
 ther fome two hours hence. Albcmare no fooner hears the name of Bar'Uno, but his very 
 heart-blood flafheth up in his face, when demanding of him again, what manner of Gentle- 
 man he was, ( he told him he was a tall (lender young Gentleman, with never a hair on his 
 face; and out of this window, quo^h he, you may now fee him walking in the Garden * when 
 
 A.bcmart 
 
Hill. XII. Albemare and Clara. 
 
 Albemare looking forth fees indeed that it was his very rival Baretano ; when enquiring farther 
 of the Hoft what followers he had with him, he told him, that then he had none, but fome- 
 times when he came thither, either to take the air, or breathe his horfe, he was attended by two 
 or three : and fo the Hoft leaves him, not once fufpefting of any difference between them. A/be- 
 mare feeing his enemy fbecaufe his rival ) brought to him, whom he formerly refolvedro feek 
 and find out, affumes a bafe and a bloody refolurion to fee upon him in the High- way dif gut fed, 
 and there ro venture his own life,and to deprive him of his which to effefr he will have no eye- 
 witneflesof this his ignoble and treacherous bufinefs • and therefore parpofely fends a way his 
 man to Millain before him, and fo flipping into the Town, provides himfelf of a Mask or Vizard, 
 then takes his horfe, and rather like a Thief than a Gentleman, lurks behind a Grove( fome three 
 miles from St. Remj ) attending Baretano s coming, who poor harmlefs young Gentleman, har- 
 bouring and breathing no other thoughts and wifhes, than charity toall the world, and pure 
 and fervent affection to his fair and dear Clara , likewTe takes his Horfe, and draws homeward 
 toward Millain • when being arrived to the place where Afre*cre fecretly lay in ambufh for 
 him, he furioufly and fuddenly rufheth forth, and with his Rapier drawn in his hand, runs B t i* 
 retano into his right arm, who feeling the wound almoft asfoonashe faw his enemy who 
 gave it him, heisatfirft, as ir were amazed hereat; when thinking him by bis- Mask to be 
 a Banditti, who were then very bufie in Lombardy but efpecial y in the Dutchy of Millain , 
 he told him thar all the Coyn he had, which was fome ten double Piftolsin Gold, and two 
 Puckacsin filver, were at his fervice, but to fight in his defence, he would not; Not, quoth 
 he, that he was any way a Co ward, but chat he affirmed he was lately affianced and engaged 
 to a young Lady • fo that he perfectly knew that her affedtion was fo dear and tender tor. ;irds 
 him, as either the lofs or prefervation of bis life would be that of hers; Albemare gaiicd and 
 touch’d to the quick with this his heart- killing anfwer to him, is whoflr inf!: r ^ with chafer &- 
 gainft him, when rufhing toward him, he delivers him thefe words ; Viliam, it is not thy Gold* 
 but thy life which i feek ; and then ftraining himfelf to run Baretano thorow, lo the firing oi 
 his Mask’ breaks, where Baretano apparently fees it is his Rival Albemare \ whereat, fuch is his 
 tender affeflion to his fweet and fair Clara , that he who before turned Craven, and would not 
 fight for his own fake, is now chearfully refolved, not only to fight, but if occalion require, to 
 dieforhers- and fo returning the Villain do Albemare** Throat, he inftantiy draws, and joy ns 
 with him-, and if Albcntare berefoluiein fighting, no lefs valiant and couragious is Baretano ; 
 for the remembrance of his Claras fweet Idea, and frefh delicious beautv. infufeth futh life ro 
 bis valour, and futh generofity and animofity to his courage, as he deals his blows roundly, 
 and his thrutls freely, making Albemare know, that his Rapier is of an excellent temper, 
 and yet his Heart of abetter ; and Albemare feeing he mnft buy bis vidory dearer than he ex- 
 pected, and difdaining to be out braved and beaten by a Boy, plucks up his beft fpirits and 
 courage tobim, and folikewife behaves himfelf manfully and valiantly, in fuch fort, that 
 within lefs than a quarter of an hour, Baretano hath given h:m five wounds, and be Barct no 
 three ; when the Count of Martingtte palling that way in his Coach cowards A4illain % and feeing 
 two Gentlemen fo bufily fighting, he cries out to his Coachman, to gallop away with all ce- 
 lerity, and fo parts them ; when feeing them full of blood, fweat, and dull, having his Chirur - 
 gm liili in his train with him, he out of an honourable courrefie and charity, inrreats and ac- 
 companies them to the next houfe, where he caufeth their wounds to bedreft and bound up ; 
 when by their Apparel feeing them to be Millainefes , he is defirous to know their quarrel, a nd 
 proffers his beft alliftance to reconcile and make them friends s but their hearts arefo ^rear, 
 and their malice fo implacable, astheyboth thank the Count for his noble courtefie, but be- 
 feech himtopardon them, inobfeuring their names and quarrel; and yet he is fo noble and 
 generous, as he will notfo leave them, but feeing them fhrewdiy wounded ( though, not 
 he thinks mortally ) he for their greater eafe and fafety, caufeth two of his Gentlemen to 
 mount their Horfes, and takes them both up into his Coach ‘with him, and fo brings them 
 within the Gates of M'Maln , where after they had feverally rendred him many thanks for his 
 Courtefie and Honour, he commends them both to their good Fortunes, and fo leaves 
 them. 
 
 Baretano and Albemare being thus arrived at Millain , they conceal their fightings, and fo 
 keep their Chambers, till they have fecured their wounds: when Albemare vifits Capello , and 
 his Lady Caftiana , and reports to them the health and duty of their Daughter, as alfo her averf- 
 nefs towards him, and withall fhevvs her Baretano* s two Letrers to her, whereby it is appa- 
 rent, that (he is fo wholly his, as he himfelf is fure never to ob’ ain or enjoy her. Her Father 
 and Mother at the firft, feem to hang their heads at this news, and the perufil of the Letters ^ 
 but at laft, bid him not defpair, but be couragious, for he, and only he (hall be their Son-in- 
 
 Y 2 Law. 
 
4 God's Revenge again ft Murther. Book III- 
 
 law. But Alb<ma v c confidering, that for the term of at leaft fix Months, he, Camdlon- like, 
 had only been fed with the air of their vain promifes ; and that he perfectly knew, that CMa 
 only intended to marry Baretano, and none but him : his love to her was fo tender and fervent, 
 as he cannot conceive the fhadow of any hope how to obtain her for his wife in this world, be- 
 fore hehavefent Baretano to another ♦, when he beine eonHantin his refolution thereof tohim* 
 feif, becaufe he was refolutein hisconfiancy and affc&ion to Clara ; no Reafon, no Religion, 
 not h is Confidence, nothisSoul, can divert him from this bloody defign, from this murther- 
 ous and therefore damnable proj^d : Feeding therefore on malice, and boiling with Revenge 
 towards Baretano, he, not as a Gentleman, but rather, degenerating from rbe virtue and ho- 
 nour of that honourable degree and quality, bethinks himfelf, either by Piftol or Poyfon how 
 he may treacheroufly difpatch him i> whereon ruminating and pondering (as Malice and 
 Revenge may perchance (lumber, but difficultly deep ) the Devil, who is never abfent in fuch 
 hellifh ftratagems and occafiorrs, gives him means ( chough by a contrary courfe) how to dif- 
 patch him : For on a d^y , defeending the (lairs of the Domo , he fees Pedro and Leonardo ( two 
 Souldiers, or rather Braves of the Caftleof Pavia ) pafs by him, with whom he had been for- 
 merly acquainted, but fo poorly apparelled', as, weighing their bloody humours by their nc- 
 certify, he (in favour of money) thinks them very fit Agents and Internments to murther and 
 make away 'Baretano • to which end, to play the PraUick^ part, as well as the Theoric and fo 
 to reduce this his bloody contemplation into aftion ; he fends his man Valerio after them, and 
 prays them to repair to him in the drifters of ‘Borromds Palace, for that he hath a bufinefs to 
 impart them of great importance for their profits. Valerio overtakes them, delivers them his 
 Mailer's pleafure ; who netted with this word Profit* they repair to the Rendevouz,, and meet 
 Albmare • when having refrefhed their acquaintance, and he fvorn themto fecrefie, as hewas 
 a wretched and perfidious Gentleman, acquaints them with his defire, fome ten days hence to 
 have them murd er Seignior Baretano in theilreet by night, and to give it out, that it was done 
 by fome Spaniards of the Viceroys Guard, and that he will give them an hundred Duckatoons 
 in hand, and leave them as much more with his man Valerio, which they fh all receive of him, 
 when they have difpatcht him * and for hi r own pan, fome four or five days hence he will away 
 foi Modena, to call the better varniflh and colour that he was innocent thereof, and had no fin- 
 ger at all in the bufinefs. 
 
 Pedro and Leonardo feeing rhat AlFware proffered them Gold, which they fo much 
 wanted and defired, like two limbs of the Devils, and as a couple of hellifli Blood- 
 Hounds, not only promife, but fwear to him pun&ually, in all refpe&sto perform his de- 
 fires, and fo they touch their firfi hu drtd Duckatoons, which being the pledg and price 
 of innocent blood, it will afharedly co l them dear, and draw down vengeance, ruine, and 
 confufiorfon their heads from Heaven, when they leaft think or dream thereof. Athenian 
 having fetled this his bloody and mournful bufinefs with Pedro and Leonardo , he i$ again 
 folicited by Cape Ho and Caftiana, to returp to their Daughter in Modena • whereonto he wil- 
 lingly confentech; when armed with their Letters to her, wherein they charge her on their 
 commands and bleffing, to difpofe her felf to affeeft and marry him • he within four days de- 
 parted : Hut having fecretly revealed his fight with Baretano to fome of Capello his chiefeft and 
 moft confident fervants, they yet love and honour their young La Clara fo well in herab- 
 fence, as they fend her the true relation and intelligence thereof, which is at Modena a little 
 before Alhemare , the which being unknown to him, he is no fooner arrived there, but he 
 *. falutes firft the Aunt Emclia, then her Nteece, and his Miftris Clara * to whom having delivered 
 her Parent's Letters, fhe ftepping afide to the window, reads them, and fo returning to him 
 again, gives him this fharp and bitter welcome: My Father and Mother command me to Ink 
 thee ; hut ho\\> can I, fine c upon tire high-way, thou baftij a'a d treacheroufly attempted ft to kill my dear 
 BaretanOj whom I love a thoufani times dearer than the whole world} When with tears in her eyes, 
 andchoier in her looks, fhe very fuddenly and paffionarely flings from him • whereat Emcha 
 wondreth, and he both ftorms and grieves ^ and fo they betake chemfijlves to their Chambers, 
 where Alhemare throwing himfelf on his Bed, faith thus to himfelf. Unkind and cruel Clara, 
 if thou take my fighting with Baretano thus tenderly, how wilt thou brook the news of his 
 death ? On the other fide, Clara grieves as much at her Baretano s wounds, as fhe rejoveetb 
 at his fafety and recovery ; yea, fo tender is her affedion to him, as fhe a thoufand times 
 wifhes that the blood he loft, had ftreamed from herown heart. Again, knowing his wounds 
 free from danger, fhe cannot 6utfmile, and delight to fee his dear and* true affetfion to her, 
 in remembring, that he would not fight for his own fake, and yet wa 9 ready, yea, and valiant- 
 ly hazarded to lofe his life for hers^ and in thefe amorous conceits and contemplations, fhe 
 penfively drives a way the time, admiring and wondering that ail this while fhe hears not 
 
 from 
 
Hift. XII. 
 
 Albemare and Clara. 
 
 165 
 
 from her Baretano \ But alas, alas 1 fhe fhall hear too too foon of him, though indeed ne- 
 ver more from him ; for thefe execrable wretches, Fedro and Leonardo; fome four days 
 after Albemare % departure to Modina % they, according to their promife and oath given him, 
 like two moft bloody and butcherly villains, crucily aflaulc and murther this harmlefs 
 and innocent young Gentleman Baretano, in the Greets of M>llainb ) night, withnolefs 
 than feven feveral wounds, whereof four were clean thorow his body ; and fo give it out 
 ( as it was formerly concluded ) that he was murthered by fome Spaniards of the Vice-roy* s 
 Guard ; when the fame night they repair to Valerio, acquaint him therewith, receive their 
 other hundred Duckatoons, and fo provide for their fafety in the City ; but that b’oody mo- 
 ney, and this cruel murther, will in the end colt them dearer than either they imagine or dream 
 of. 
 
 Whiles Millain ratleth wLh the newsof Baretano 9 s bloody and untimely end, ashisown 
 friends infinitely lament and grieve, fo Capello and his wife Caftiana , cannot refrain from rejoy- 
 cing thereat, as now alluring themfel ves, that Albemare (hall fhortly be their Son-in-Law * and 
 for Valerio , he with all pofiible fpeed, writes away thereof to Modena , to his Mafter, who en- 
 tertains this news with infinite joy and delegation, and prefently acquaints the Lady Emelia 
 therewith ^ whereat file rejoyceth, and he triumphs ; but they both relolve as yet, to conceal it 
 from tiara , becaufe they know (lie will even diffolve and melr into tears thereat. Buc four days 
 after are not fully expired, buc her Father and Mother advertize their Daughter Clara, their 
 filler Bmelia and Albemare thereof, by a Gentleman a fervant of theirs, whom they purpofe- 
 ly fena to Modena to bring back Clara and Albemare to Mil/ain Buc it is for nene buc lovers, 
 to conceive or judg, with what extream excels of grief and immoderate forrovv our poor Cla- 
 ! ra underliands this heart-piercing news of her Baretano* mournful and fortowful death, foe 
 { he is no fooner advercifed thereof, but (he throws off her attire, tears her hair, and twice fol. 
 lowing falls tothe ground in a fwound * fo as Emelia , Albemare , Adriana , and her Father s Gen- 
 tleman, can hardly refetch and keep life in her , but being come again to her fenfes and fcl f, and 
 faintly •pening her cloudy eyes to the beams of the Sun, who enamored of her beauty (as 
 well in pity as love ) came to comfort and revive her ; (he wringing her hands, then eroding 
 her arms ; and iallly, lookinguptowards Heaven , betwixt fighingandfpeaking, breaths forth 
 thefe mournful!, palfionate, and affeftionace fpeeches. 
 
 O my Baret*no my fweetand dear Baretano l and fhal I thy wretched Clara live, thou being 
 dead / When the violence of heraffeftion and forrovv making her forget her felf, and her 
 God, file fccretly unflieaths her Knif, and then, and there would have ftabbed her felf to 
 death, had not Albemare and her Auat Emelia fpeedily fleptto her affiftance, and prevented 
 her, by weefting it from her •, when conducing her to the Garden to take the air, flie prays 
 Albemare to leave her, and in his abfence often again repeating the name of her dear Bare . 
 tano , fhc a ihoufand times wifheth that her life had ranfomed his vowing that although 
 flie were a woman, yet if fhe knew his murtherers, fhe would flie to their eyes, and tear out 
 their hearts, in meer revenge of this inhuman and cruel death * when her forrows are lo 
 infinite, and her grief fo unfupporcable, as flie cannot long remain in one place, but with- 
 draws her felf from the Garden to her Chamber, where her Aunt Emelia carefully accompa- 
 nies her, lies with her that night to comfort her, who, poor affl idled young Lady, neithercan 
 nor will be comforted ; fo as the next morning, had not her Aunt powerfully prevented and 
 flopped her, fhe had then undoubtedly entered the Nunnery of her o vn name Sc. Clara , and 
 in that retired and obfeure life, there ended her days in Modena \ refolving in true affedli- 
 on and zeal to her dead Baretano, never thence-forth, either to fee her Parents, or Mill*in* y 
 but being diverted and comforted by fome Divines, and many Ladies of that City, fhe brook- 
 ing her forrows as patiently as fhe may, ( with much folicitation ) alter ten days, permits her 
 fe f to be conveyed home to Mlllain, where, although fhc were cheerfully received, an J joy- 
 fully entertained of her Father and Mother, yet flic likewifc went neer to have there mew- 
 ed her felf up a fpiritual Sifter in the Nunnery of Annunciation : buc chat again fhe was pre- 
 vented ; whereat grieving, fhe takes on mourning attire, and vows to wear it a whole year 
 for his fake • when to make her felf ( as fhe was ) both a true Lover , and a true Mourner 
 to the memory of her dead Baretano y fhe ofcen-timesfteals into St. Eupbem^s ChuFch, where 
 he was buried, and there bedews his Tomb with tears, living fo penfively, and difeon- 
 folately, that although fhe live in the world, yet it feems fhe neither is, nor long will be ot the 
 
 But as women are but women, and as time is a fovereign remedy for all difeafes and lor- 
 rows; fo about fome ten months after, theinceffant importunity of her Farher and Mother ^ 
 and the continual tender refpedt and obfervanc courtefieof Albemare towards her, make her 
 
 y 3 (0 rc m 
 

 GocTf Revenge againfl Murther. Book III. 
 
 fomewhat neglcft and forget the memory of Baretano , and now to look on him with a more 
 pleafing and favourable eye, than before. But here ( again ) a confidemioa makes her affeftion 
 die towards Albemare, almofl as foon as it begins to live. For why ( quoth flic ) fhould fhe affect 
 or love him, who at St. Remy gave her Bamako three feveral wounds? But then love again fleps 
 in, and thus pleads with her for Albemare ; That he receivedfive wounds, and ga ve Baretano 
 but three, which made him lofe far more bloo-J chan Baretano ; and yet that xhis attempt of his 
 was only occafioned through his affeition to her, and only for her fake, as loving her dearer 
 than his own life ^ which again gave her thoughts fnch fatisfa&ion, as weighed down and 
 varquifhed, as well by the Power and Prayers of her Parents, as alfo by cue endiefs fighs. Ice. 
 tersand prefents of Albemare. The year is no fooner expired, and her mourning weeds arid at- 
 tire done away, hut to their own hearts content, and the unfpeakabie joy of their Parents, they 
 in Aft llain ( with great Pomp and Bravery ) are very folemniy married. But this marriage of 
 theirs fliall not prove fo profperous as they expeJt and hope; for God in his all-feeing Provi- 
 dence, hath decreed to difturb the tranquillity and ferenity thereof, and to make them feel the 
 iharp and bitter fhowersof affliction and miferv* which briefly doth thus furprize and befall 
 them. 
 
 Albemare and Clara have hardly been married together a year and quarter, but his hot love 
 begins to wax cold and frozen to her ; yea, a beit Ifle affefted him truly and tenderly, yet he 
 continually neglefting her, and no longer delighting in the fweetnefs of her youth, and the 
 frefhnefs of her beauty* hisluftful eyes and thoughts carry his Jafcivious feif abroad among 
 Curtezans, when they ifhoulci be fixed on her, and refident at home with his chaft and fair Lady- 
 fo as his infidelity proving her grief and torments, and his vanity and ingratitude, her unfpeak- 
 able affliction and vexation; (he with infinite fighs and tears repents her matching him and 
 a thoufand times wiflies fhe had been fo happy and blefTed to hive died Baretano ’s Martyr, and 
 not fo unfortunate and accurfed to live to fee her feif Albemare s Wife ; and yet were there any 
 hope of his reiorirultion, fhe fhould then prefix bounds to her calamities and forrows ; but fee. 
 ing that his vices grew with his age, and that every day he became more vicious and unkind 
 to her chan other her hopes are now wholly turned into defpair, her mirth into mourning ; 
 yea, her inward difeontents fo apparently bewray themfelves in her outward forrowful com’ 
 plexionand countenance, that the Rofcsof her cheeks are metamorphofed into Lillies, and 
 her heart fo wholly taken up with anguifh, and furprized with lorrow, as (he wifheth that her 
 bed were her grave, and her fell in Heaven with God •, becaufe (he could find no comfort here 
 on Earth with her Husband : but beyond her expectation, God is providing toredrefs her 
 grief, and to remedy her afflictions by a very ((range and unlooked-for Accident. 
 
 The ' Providence and Jn(tice of God doth now again refetch bloody Pedro, to aft another part 
 upon th e Stage aird Theatre of this Hiftory ■ for having fpent that money lewdly, which hebe- 
 fore got damnably of Albemare, his wants are fo great, and his necefiky fo urgent, as having 
 played the murtherer before, he makes no confcience nor fcruple now to play the thief, and fo 
 by night breaks into a Jeweller s (hop, named Seignior Fiamata , dwelling in the great place be- 
 fore the Domo, and there carries away from him a fmall Trunk or Casket, wherein were fome 
 uncut Saphjn and Fmraldt, with fome Venice cryftal pendants for Ladies to wear in their ears 
 and other rich commodities; but Fiamata lying over his (hop, and hearing it, and locking his 
 door to. him for fear of having bis throat cut, gives out the cry and alarm forth the window, 
 which ringing into the fireets, makes focne of the Neighbours, and alfo the watch approach and 
 allemble ; where finding Pedro running with a C asket under his arm he is prefentiy hem’d in, 
 apprehended and impnfoned, and the Casket took from him, and again reftored to FLmata- 
 
 hefl l aIldie ^ rth,S r c 0bbety ’ asa juftponfihment and judgment of Godi 
 now fent him for formerly murther.ng of Baretano, he having no other hope to efcape death, 
 
 of Al \‘ man i , h 5 fends early the next morning for his man Valerio, to come 
 to the prifon to him ; whom, he bids to tell his Matter Albemare from him, that bein- fure to be 
 condemned for this robbery of his, if he procure him not his pardon, he will not charge Ins 
 
 whl^rJ^hW ™‘ h ^ heraurcherof Baretano, but will on the Ladder reveal, how it was be 
 who hired himfelf and Leonardo t0 perform it ; Valerio reporting this to his Matter, it affrights 
 fns thoughts and terrifies his confcience and courage, to fee himfelf reduced to this miferv, 
 that no Jefs than his hfc mutt now ftand to themercy of this wretched Varlet Pedro’s tongue. 
 
 to obtain a pardon for him, and therefore high time to provide" for 
 h* own fafety, by Hopping of Pedro's mouth ; he refolves to heave Oft upon Pi lion, or to add 
 murther to murther, and now to poylon h,m in Prifon, whom he had formerly caufed to 
 
 , W r l thC h , reetj “ \ tbe end , he ! ni 8 [ ' c tcl1 no ta '« on the Ladder, thinking it no 
 ingratitude or fin, but rather a juft reward ar.d recompence for his former bloody ferv.ee • fo 
 
 toked Pedro with falfc hopes, thereby to charm his tongue to filence, and to lull his malice 
 
 afleep 
 
 
Hi ft. XII. A lb e mare and Clara. 
 
 afleep, he fpeeJily returns V- lerjo to prilon to him, who b d$ him &ar nothing, for that his Ma- 
 Her had vowed to get him his pardon, as he (hail more effeftually hear from him chat night * 
 whereat Ped>o rcjoyceth and criumpheth, telling Valerio, that his Matter Albemare, is the mo lh 
 generous and bravett Cavs’ier of Lcmba> dj. Bur to nip his joys in their untimely blofioms, and 
 to ditturb the harmony of his falfe content, that ve r y day, as foon ashe had dined, he is tryed 
 and arraigned before his Judges > and being apparently convicted and found guilty of chis rob- 
 bery, he is by them adjudged to be hanged the next morn, at a Gibber, purpo ely to be erected 
 before Fi*mat* shoufe, where he committed his delift and crime : which juft fenrence, not on- 
 ly makes his joy ftrike fail to forrov, but alfo his pride and hopes let fall their Peacock’s 
 Plumesto humility and fear ; but his only trtili and comfort ; yea, his I aft hopes and refuge, is 
 in Albemare, wfio hearing him to be condemned to be executed the next morning, he is enforced 
 to play his bloody Prize that night, and io in the evening lends Valerio to pnfon to him, with 
 a Capon, and two Fiafcoes ( or Bottles ) of Wine for him to make merry, informing him that 
 he hath obtained his Pardon, and tint it is written, and wants nothing but the Vt cc-rofs fignto 
 it, which he fhall have to morrow at break of day. But the Wine of one of tl?e Bottles, was in- 
 termixed with ftrong and deadly poyfon, which was fo cunningly tempered, as it carryed no 
 diftaliful, but a pleating relifh, to the palate. Valerio like an execrable villain, provingas true a 
 fervant to his Matter, as rebellious and falletohis God, punftually performs this fearful and 
 mournful bufinefs; and having made Pedro twice drunk, firft with his good news, and then 
 with his poyfoned Wine, he cakes leave of him that night, and commiting him to his reft, pro- 
 mifeth to be with him very early in the morning with his Pardon. When this miferabie and 
 beattly profane wretch, never thinking of his danger, or death •, of God, or his Soul ^ of Hea- 
 ven, or Hell, betakes himfelf to his bed, where the poyfon fpreading ore his vital parts, foon 
 bereaves him of his breath, fending his foul from this life and world to another. 
 
 Now the next morning very early, as the Gaoler came to his Chamber, to bid him prepare 
 to his execution, he finds him dead and cold, in his bed-, and thus was the miferabie end of this 
 Woody and inhuman Murthcrer ( and Thief) Pedro , who yet for example-fake was one whole 
 day hanged by the heels in his ftiirt, at his appointed place of execution, bccaufe his Judges 
 deemed that he had cruelly poyfoned and made away himfelf. And now doth Albemare again 
 rejoyce and triumph, to fee he hath avoided that dangerous fhclf and rock whereon he was 
 very iikelytohave fuffered flvpvvrack, yea, and now bethinks himfelf foabfolutely fafe and 
 fecure, ashe holds it impofllble, that cither his murtheringof Bartuno, or his poyfoningof 
 Pedro, can any way refleftonhim, or henceforth produce him any farther ftormsor tempefls • 
 but his hopes and joys will deceive him ; for Gad, who is the infallible revenger of innocent 
 blood will not fo leave him, but ere ong when he lead thinks or dreams thereof, not only in 
 his providence deteft thefc hisToul crimes, but in his Juftice feverely punifh them -, and the 
 Readers curiofitv fhall not go far to fee it *, for as to a gu 1 ty Conscience, it is the plcafure of the 
 Lord, that one mrfery befall him in the neck and nick of the other, fo Albemare isnofooner 
 freed of Pedro in AfiUaw , but behold he h afrefh intangled and afTaulted with Leonardo (his 
 other hired murtherer ) in Pavia, who having there prodigally rioted away his hundred Duc- 
 katoons, and alfo run himfelf far in debt ^ his Creditors joyn together, and fo dap him prifoner, 
 where havingno other hope for his freedom and liberty, but to rely on Albemare , he writes 
 him a Letter to MilUin , wherein. he acquaints him with his poverty and mifery, and prays him 
 ( for the obtaining of his liberty; either to lend or give him fifty Duckatoons • Albemare receives 
 this Letter, but forgecting his former fervice ; as alfo thinking it only a fetch of Leonardo, to 
 fetch him over for fo imnv Duckatoons ; as God would have it, he very inconsiderately burns 
 this his Letter, and anfwereth it with filence buthettiall repent when it will be coo lace, and 
 out of his power to remedy this his ingratitude and indiferetion. 
 
 Leonardo having at lead fifteen days expefted an anf.ver from Albemae , and receiving none, 
 he is extreamly inccnfed and enraged to fee himfelf thus (lighted and forgotten of him, when 
 exafperated by his mifery, and animated by his extream poverty and indigence, in that he is now 
 inlorced to fell away his apparel, and fo to uncloath his back, thereby to feed his belly, he in- 
 tends no more to requeft and pray him, but now refolves to touch him to the quick, the which he 
 doth in thefe few lines which he fends him to Millain by a meffengcr of purpofe. • 
 
 LEONARDO to ALBEMARE. 
 
 IF mj firft Letter p e vailed ret with thee, for the loan or gift of fifty. Duckjtoons, to free me from this 
 *mj miferabie impnfonment ■ I make no doubt bit this my fecond tyill: for being a Sotildier,I give thee 
 ■$q under ft and ^that I held it far mo? e generous to hang than ftarve ‘,fith as a halter is only the beginning 
 
 of 
 
God's Revenge again ft Mmt her. Book HI. 
 
 vf mj friends ftr-o^ct *, fo it will i ke wife be the cn i of my own mif erics ; yea, if thou fpccdily furnifh and 
 accomplifh not my ’ecjtte ft .although it cuflme my life,! will no longer conceal hoW 7 thou did/? hire Pedro 
 and my felf fer t\\>o hundred Duckatoons to give ttignior Baretano his death, which at thy *e<jHtft we 
 pe formed : 'Ihinkjhen ho\X> near my fecrecy concerns thy fife fob W’hen 1 fuffer death , I know thou ha(l 
 but a fhort and poor time left thee to furvivc me t Therefore thank » thy / elf if thy ingratitude turn my 
 affettien into contempt, and that into revenge and malice . 
 
 LEONARDO. 
 
 Now although l eona^do meant not as he wrr, yet this his meffenger coming to Millaln, and 
 not finding Albemare at his houfe, knows not( and yet is refolute ) what to do,eicher to ftay his 
 coming in, or to deliver his Letter to fome of his fervants ; but waiting at his door till lace in 
 the evening, and heating no news of him, he gives it to Valerio, and (without telling him 
 from whom: or whence it came ) prays him fafclv ro deliver it to his Matter, and that he will 
 repair thither the next morning for an anfwer. V tlerio claps the Letter into his pjckec., awair- 
 ing his Mailer's coming •, but he is fobad a Husband ro himfelf, and fo d floyal and unkind a 
 one to his ebaft and fajr wife, as he wis out all night with his Count fans which good and vir- 
 tuous Lsd /, even pierceth her heart with grief and furrow.. Now Valerio feeing his Matter ab- 
 fent., h s com ng uncertain, and himfdf inforced to go forth about his affairs, he piacerh the Let- 
 ter upon a Cupboard near h.s Mattel's ftudy, that it might be apparent to his eye when he came 
 in, and fo deparrs. 
 
 But here the mercy and providence of God invite the Chrifiian Reader to admire and wonder 
 at the ftrange difeovery and dereeftion of this Letter; for as Aibemare ( more for fporc than 
 charity J kept a Man- fool of fome foirty years old in bis houfe, who indeed was fo naturally ; 
 peevifh, as not Mlllain, hardly Italy could match him for fimp icicy. It fo chanced, that this 
 harmkfs fool gac into the room after Valerio, and faw him put up this Letter on the Cup-board ; 
 Now, as Children and Fools may in fome fort be termed C u (in German to Apes fo, as foon 
 as Vah'io was departed, this Fool ( no doubt led wholly by the direction and finger of God, ra- 
 ther than by h sown proper ignorance and fimplicity ) gees into the Chamber, and taking a 
 ttool to attend the Cupboard, he brings a.vay the Letter, which both in the Hall and Yard he 
 toffesand d ndlesin his hand, as if this new found play gave delight ond content to his extra- 
 vagant ar.d fimple thoughts ; when, behold our fveet and virtuous Clara coming from St Am - 
 brofe t hurth, where fhe had been to hear Vtfper s, and feeing a fair Lerer fait fealed in the Fool's 
 hard ; (he enquire? of hinirom whence he had it ? who fingmg and hopping, and ftill playing 
 with the Letter, fhe con’d get no other anfwer from him, but, lhat it was his l etter , and that 
 Col had fent it him, God had fent it him ; which fpeechesof his he often redoubled. When 
 Clara weighing his words, and confiderng out of whofe mouth rfiey came, her heart inftantly 
 began to grow, and herco'our to rife, as if God and her Soul prompted her, that fhe had fome 
 intereft in (hat Letter; whereupon fnatching it from the Fool, whom fhe left crying in fhe 
 Hal for the lofs thereof*, fhe fc< ing it directed to her Husband, goes to the Parlour, attended 
 by Adriana, and there fitting down in a Chair and breaking up the feals thereof, fhe begins to 
 read it-, but when fhe draws towards the conclufion thereof, and finds chat it was her Husband 
 Albcma v, who had cauftd her dear Lover and Friend Ba r etano to be murthered*, then not 
 abieto coma n her felf for forro v, fhe throws her felf on the floor and weeps, and figbs fo 
 mournfully, asthemoft obdurareft and flmrieli heart could not chufebut relent into ,pi:y to 
 fee her* For fomecimcs fhe look'd up to Heaven, and then again dejecting her eyes to earth ; 
 now wringing her hands, and rhen eroding her arms *, in fuch difconfolate and afflifted man- 
 ner, as Adriana could not likewife refra n from tears to behold her ; when after a deep and pro- 
 found filcnce, fhe bandying and evaporating many volleys of far. fecht fighs into the air, com- 
 manding Ad ian* ford), and the d- or being lhut, with the two extremities of paffion and forrew 
 fhe alone utters thefe mourn r ul fpeechesto her felf. 
 
 And fhall Clara live to underftind, that her Baretano was murthered for her fake, and by 
 her unfortunate Husband Albemare? and fhall fhe any more lie in bed with him, vvhofoinhu- 
 rnanly hath lain him in his untimely and bloody Grave/ And Clara, C/a a, wile thou prove 
 ft} ungrateful! to his memory, and ro the tender affection he bor^ thee, as not to lament, not 
 feek to reven D e this his d faftrouv and cruel end .? When again, her tears interrupting her 
 words, and her fighs her tears • fheentring into a further confutation with her thoughts and 
 confcierce, her heart and her foul, at laft contirues her fpeech in this manner : O, but unfor- 
 r.atc and wretched C/a a, what fpeakeft thou of Revenge / for cor.fider with thy felf, yea, for. 
 get not to confider, Baretano was but thy friend, AVer are is thy Husband ; the fir ft loved thee 
 in hope to marry thee, burthcu 4rt married f o the fecond, and therefore thou mutt lcve him ; 
 
 and 
 
Hi ft. XII. Albemare and Clara. 
 
 and although his ingratitude and infidelity towards thee, make him unworthy of thyafft&ion, 
 yet ye two are but one flcfli s and therefore conlider, that Malice is a bad Advocate* and re*- 
 venge a worfe Judg. But here again remembring what a foul and odious crime Murther was 
 in the light of the Lord, that thedifeovery thereof infinitely tended to his glory and honours 
 and that the poor Fool Was doubt le&infpired from Heaven, to affirm thatGod lent the Letters 
 ftie knows that her bonds of Confidence to her Saviour, mult exceed and give a Law to thofe 
 of her duty towards her Husband : and therefore preferring Heaven before Earth , and God 
 before' her Husband, fhe immediately calls for her Coach ; and goes directly to Baretand's Uncle, 
 Seignior Giovandc Montefiore , and with lighs and tears IheWs him the Letter, who formerly, 
 though in vain, had mod curiouily and exactly hunted to difeover the Murtherers of his Ne- 
 phew. Montcfiore firft reads the Letter with tears, then with joy *, and then turning towards 
 the Lady Clara, he commends her zeal and Chriitian fortitude towards God, in Ihewing her 
 how much the difeovery of this Murther tended to His glory* and fo ptefently fehds away for 
 the «Prefident Criminal who immediately repairing thither, he acquaints hiha therewith, (hews 
 him the Letter, and prays him to examine the Lady Clara thereon * which with much mode- 
 fty and equity he doth, and then returns with her to her houfe , and there like wife examincth 
 the Fool where he had the Letters who out of his incivility and Iimplicity, takes the Pnfident 
 by the hand, and bringing him to the Cupboard, tells him, Here God fint the Letter , and here J 
 found it: when Valerio being prefent , and imagining by his Lady’s heavy and fotrOWful 
 countenance, that this Letter had ("perhaps,) brought her into fome affliction and danger, he 
 looking on the direction of the Letter , as alfo on the feal, reveals borh to the Prefident , and 
 his Lady, that he received that Letter from one whom he knew not , and that he left it pur- 
 pbfelyon the Cupboard for his Matter againtt his coming. The Pnfident being fully fa- 
 tisfied herein, admires at God’s Providence, revealed in the iimplicity of this poor harmlcfi* 
 Fool, in bringing this Letter, which brought the murther of Baretano to light ( when know- 
 ing that God doth many times raife up the foolifh and weak, to confound the wife and mighty 
 things of the worldj he prefently grants out a Cotamiflion to : apprehend Albemare j, who be- 
 ing then found in bed with Mariana, one of the moft famous Beauties and reputed Curcefans 
 of Millan: He, both aftonifhed and amazed by the juft Judgments of God, is drawn from his 
 beaftly pleafures and adulteries, to prifon * where being charged to have hired Pedro and Leo- 
 nardo to have murthered Bamako, he ftoutly denies it . But Leonardo's Letter befartg read him, 
 and he thereon ad judged to the Rack, his Soul and Confidence ringing him many thuijdring 
 Peals of terror, he there at large confdfeth it \ when for this foul and bloody fact of his, he 
 the fame afternoon is condemned to be hanged the next morning , at the common place of 
 Execution, which adminittreth matter of talk and admiration thorowout all Millan , when 
 Serjeants are likewife fen t away to Pavia, to bring Leonardo to Millan, who not fo much as 
 once dream’d or thought that ever this his Letter would have produced him this danger and 
 mifery. 
 
 And now Albemare advertifed of the manner how this Letter of Leonardo's was brought to 
 light ( without looking up to Heaven, from whence this vengeance juftly befell him tor his 
 iinsj hecurfed the cruelty of hisWite, the Iimplicity of the Fool, but molt bitterly exclaims 
 again It the remifnels and carelefnefs of his fervant Valerio , in not retaining and keeping that 
 Letter, which is the only caufo of his death : yea, he is fo far tranfported with choler againtt 
 him, as although he hath but a lew hours to live, yet he vows he will alfuredly cry quittance 
 with him ere he dye. 
 
 Now the charity of his Judges, fond him Divines that night in Prifon, to prepare and clear 
 his Confcience, and to confirm and fortifie his Soul againtt the morn , in his lalt conflict with 
 the world, and her flight and tranfmigration to Heavens who powerfully and religioully ad- 
 monilhing him, that if he have committed any other notorious offence or crime, he Ihould 
 now do well to reveal it. He likewife there and then confetti th , how he had caufed his man 
 Valerio to poifon Pedro with Wine in Prifon, the very night before he was executed : where- 
 upon this bloody and execrable Wretch(according to his hellifh defert ) is likewife apprehend- 
 ed and imprifoned. 
 
 And now God’s Mercy and Juttice brings this unfortunate f becaufo irreligious) Gentleman, 
 Albemare, to receive condign punifhraent for thofe his two horrible Murthers which he had 
 caufed to be committed on the perfons of Baretano and Pedro *, who attending the Ladder in 
 preience of a world of Spectators, who flocked from all parts of the City to fee him take his 
 laft farewel of the world, ( the fight and remembrance of his foul crimes , having now made 
 him not only forrowful, but repentant^) he briefly delivered thefe few words : 
 
 He confeffeth that he had hired Pedro and Leonardo to kill Baretano in the ftreet, and fedu- 
 « Z eed 
 
God's Revenge againjl Murther. Book III. 
 
 ced hislcrvant Valerio topoyfon Pedro in prilbn > whereof, with much grid and contrition, he 
 heartily repented fiimfelf, and befought the Lord toipjjgive it him: he likewise bdbught Leo- 
 Hardo and Valerio to forgive him, in relped he knew he was the qaufe of their deaths *, bccaule 
 he was fare, thty ffiould not long furvive him. He likewile forgave his Bool, as being allured, 
 that it wa^tiot he in the Letter, but God in him, that had revealed the Letter for his jull pun- 
 ifliment and confulion. And lalUy,he with many tears forgave his Wife and Lady CL>v,whom 
 he affirmedfrom his heart,was by iarr too vertuous tor lb dilToluteaud vile a Hus band as him- 
 felf. He blamed hioifclf for. negledting to love her i and curled his Queans and Cur te fans, as 
 being the ch^f^caulqoi . ^il his milerics ; when rcquelifagall chat wereprefent, to pray for 
 his foul, he was turned otf. # 
 
 But his Judges, fee mg that he had addfti Murther to Murther , they held it Jufiice to add 
 Punifhm^nr to his Punilh^ent > and fq he is no fooner cut down , but they caule his body to 
 be burnt, and his allies to be thrown intq tficAir y which is accordingly performed. 
 
 ' Now,becaufe the Lord in his Jullice will puniffi as well the Agents, as the Authors of mur- 
 t her, whiles 4Jb enure aiding the lah $cgxe and Catajlrophe of his Tragedy , his wretched Hire- 
 ling. Lcaw^., and his execrable fervan t^Vafcrio^ are like wife, attainted, found guilty, and con- 
 demned tohehangM for. ^ Barctam and Pedro s and fo the very, fame 
 
 afternoon they are brought to their Executions , where Leonardo his former life and profdli- 
 on, having made him know better how to iinthan repent > he, out of a fofdier-like bravery, 
 (or rather vanity ) thinks rather to teirifie death, than th^t death fliould terrific him, begging 
 parefon for his jins' 'in general, of God anduhe world, and then bidding the Hang-man do his 
 Office, takes his lait adieu qf the world. 
 
 When immediately Valerio afeends the Ladder, who having repentance in his heart , and 
 grief andlbrrow in his looks, as near as could be obferved and gathered, Ipake thefe words: 
 That being poor both in friends and Means, the only hope and preferment under his Mailer, 
 made him at his rcquell topoifon Pedro inprifon : That many times lince, he hath heartily 
 grieved for it* and now from his very foul repents hipTclf of it, and bdeeches the Lord to 
 forgive it him *, that he Was as guilty of his mufther, as innocent of Baretano's \ yea, or of the 
 knowledg thereof, before las Malfer was imprilbned for thcTame ^ and that as this was his full 
 capital crime, fo fith he muft now dye, he rejoyccd it was his lail ■, and io praying all fervauts 
 to beware by his milerable example not lobe leduccd to commit murther , either by their 
 Mailers, or the Devil ; and befeechingall that were prefent, to pray for his foul, he realigning 
 and commending it into the hands oi his Redeemer, was likewiie turned off. 
 
 And thefe were the miferable (yet deferved) ends of thefe bloody Murtherers* and thusdid 
 God’s Jufiice and Revenge, triumph over their crimes, and themfelvesfay heaping and raining 
 down confulionon their heads from Heaven, when the Devil (TalilyJ made them believe they 
 fate fecure, yea, when they leaftdream’d thereof on Earth. Oh that the fight and remem- 
 brance oi their puuiihments, may rellrain and deterr us from conlpiring and committing the 
 like crimes ! . fo (hall we Jive fortunate, and dye happy > whereas they dyed miferably,becaufe 
 they lived impioully and prophanely. 
 
 And here fully to conclude and (hut up this Hiftory, and therein, as I think,to give fome fa- 
 tisfa&ion to tlie curiofity of the Reader , who may perchance defire to know what became af- 
 ter of the fair and vertuous Clara : Why, her forrows were fo infinite, and her quality and na- 
 ture fo forrowful, as being weary of the world, and as it were weighed down with the inccf- 
 fant vanities,CrolTcs, and affikftions thereof, (he( notwithlhnding the power and perfwalions 
 of her Parents) alfumes her former refolution, to retire and fequeiier her felt from converging 
 with the world, and fo enters into the Nunnery of the Ah nuntiat ion (fo famous in Millanj 
 where, for ought I know, or can lince underhand to the contrary , (lie yet lives a pmlive and 
 folitary life. 
 
 Gods 
 
HISTORY XIII. 
 
 La Vaflelay poifoneibher Waitwg-maid^G^nina.becaufe Jhe is jealous that her Husband,rie Mcrfori, 
 is dijhoncjl with her\ whereupon be lives from her : in revenge whereof , Jhe caufeth his man , La VII— 
 letc, to murther him a in Wood, and then marries him in reqmtalJIhc faid La Villete,* year after % 
 riding thorow the fame Wood , his Horje falls with him , and almofi kills him i when he confejfeth the 
 murther of hisMajler , De Merfon, andaccufeth his Wife , La Vaflelay, to be the caitfe thereof: fo 
 for the fe their bloody crimes , he is hanged , and Jhe burnt alive : 
 
 H OW falfly, nay, how impioufly do We term our felves ChriJHans , when under that glo- 
 rious and fandtified Title, we leek to prophane and deface the glory ofChrift,in cruelly 
 murthcring our Brethren his Members ? Etfedts, not of zcaJ,-biit of rage-, riot of piety, but of 
 riiadncfs\ invented by the Devil, and perpetrated by none but by his Agents: lamentable efFedfs! 
 yea, 1 fay, bloody and infernal crimes, which hill ruin thofe who contrive , and confound 
 thofe who finilh them. For, let us but look from Earth to Heaven, from Satan to God, from 
 Nature to Grace, and from Our Hearts to our Soufe and we (hall alfure Jly find it very difficult 
 for us to define, whether Charity be a fwceter Vertue, and Malice a fouler Vices whether that 
 be morefecure, or this pernicious, fatal, and dangerous, whether that be a more apparent 
 teftimony of God’s faving-grace towards us, or this of our own inevitable perdition and repro- 
 bation. And as it is an odious fin, aftd difplealing facrifice in tfce fight of God, for oneftranger 
 to kill another ^ O then, how much more execrable and diabolical mud it be for a Gentle- 
 woman to poifon her Waiting-maid, and for a fervant to piflol his Mailer to death, at theinfli- 
 gation of the fame Gentlewoman his wife: for murthers,no lefs ingratef ul and Cruel, doth this 
 fubfequent Hiftorv and relate \ wherein we fhall fee , that God in the triumphs of his rc- 
 
 Z 2 venging 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
God's Revenge againjl MurtEer. Book III. 
 
 ' venging Jufiicc, and out of facred providence, hath in all points made their punifhments as 
 (harp and fovere, as their crimes were bloody and deplorable. May we then read it to God's 
 glory, and our own confolation, which wejliall alTurediy perform, it we hate the like crimes 
 ui others, and deteft them iflipur fejycs. r ' ; , r , , ' 
 
 In the fair and pleafrnt City of Rfyns, fbejhg the chief and Capital of the Province o [Main 
 in France fin the very latter years that the Marfl&l of fyyits-V&Sjbin was Governor thereof, 
 v unchr tlte prdent KingLi^ XTII > his Malter, there dwelt a Gentlewoman, aged three (core 
 and three years termed Being Weft defeended, aiid'ldt very rich, as well in Lands 
 
 as Movables, hy her latedectal^Husband, Monfuur Fr'yjet , who was (lain in’the behalf of 
 'the ^^«-AK^tT,infthe <btfctio$oi.Pont *;5^ v alTaulted and taken by the Kmgher Son Now 
 althpllgh "this old Widow, La VJfltUy ,( in reipedb of her Agp was far mor£ fit to feek God in 
 the. Church, than a new Husband" nvher Bed V yet (he is weary of a llngle life, although it be 
 not fully fix Months iincc flic hath buried her iccond Husbands ( forth cRtaffer ipufi under- 
 hand, (lie had (orderly bunedher tarts , at kail five and twenty years .before , and is now 
 '’again refolded to, take a thirJ>arid albeit (he knew, that th<3 civility of the Widows in France, 
 was^foch v thit4l>ey- f^ldom ma^y, but almoil .l^ever within'/tbekerm of a whole year, yet 
 her conceit and fancy, thinksit not only lawful/ but fit, to b|eik. this too auftere cuitom i and 
 therefore (he peremptorily relblvcs : u> live a Wife , and notjtqdye a Widow: But this relo- 
 lution of hers, were flic cither in the Summer or the Autumn of her years, had' been as excufa- 
 ble and praiie- worthy, as now it ‘favoured of iuidcccncy and inconltancy , (ith (lie was in the 
 Winter thereof : Tor Age, defpightof her Youth, and youthful defires, had thrown Snow on 
 her head/ahd new -dyed the tplouf ofthedtair from black to white : ye?, flic was fo far from 
 retaining anfi.igns or reliquefof an indifferent beauty , as the furrows of her face could not 
 juflly (hew any ruins or demolitions thereof and yet (forfooth) (he will marry again; Now 
 her Birth and Wealth, rather than her Vertues and Perfonage, invite many old Widowers, 
 and fome rich Gentlemen and Councillors o( the famous Prefidial Court of that City , to feek her 
 in marriage / and indeed, both for Lands and Moifey , none her inferiors, but at leaf! her 
 deques, and ipmc her betters: but in vain i for. the vanity, of her thoughts fuggefts her, that 
 either (he is to.o young for them, or they too bid for her* and therefore-lhe will have none of 
 ~Them yea, her lull feemsfo youthfully to give a Law to her age, and (lie a lye to her years, 
 as (he cads off her Mourning-attire, decks her felf up in gay apparel, powders her hair, paints 
 her face, with a refolution (forfooth) to have no old Dotard , but a young Gallant , to her Hus- 
 band s as if therein (he wholly placed, not only her content, but her felicity. But we many 
 times fee fuch irregular defires) and fuch incontinent defigns , met with unexpected mifery, 
 and unthoughLof repentance. 
 
 Now during the time that the vain carriagq'and deportment of this old Gentlewoman and 
 Widow, La Vajfilay , made her felf the laughter and by-word of all Mans, home comes a 
 young Gentleman of this Countrey of Main, termed Monfuur Ve Mcrfon , from his travel in 
 Italy , whole Father dwelt betwixt La Vail ahaGraveuc, termed Monficur Ve Manj relle , being a 
 Gentleman well Jefecnded, and rich, and to whom Ve Mcrjon was fecond (on , who in a year’s 
 ab'/i nee in Laly, being purpofety fettt thither by his Father, to enrich his experience and capa- 
 city (which is the true effence and glory of a Trayeller,thercby tpbe the more capable toferve 
 his Prince and Countrey, as alfo to be a comfort to his age , and a fccond prop to his Houfe 
 and Linage )\ he had made fuch poor and unprofitable u(e of his travels, as forgetting the ob- 
 taining of the Language, and all generous exercifcs, perfections, and qualities, ( fo requifite 
 and’graceful in Gentlemen) he delighted in nothing fo much, nay, in nothing elfc, but to pafs 
 his tune with Curtifans and Strumpets, efpecially in Venice, Rome , and Naples , where, for their 
 fakes, and his lafciviousplcafures, he built up the greateft part of his Rehdence? where he fo 
 prodigally fpent and exceeded his Father’s exhibition, as he returns into France, not loaden 
 with V zrtues and Experience, but with Vices and Debts s being otherwife ignorant in all things 
 which he fliould know, and knowing nothing but that wherein he (hould be ignorant. Only 
 to the end he might thereby fet the better counterfeit tinfture on himfclf, and falfe lufler on 
 his Endowments and Proficiency, he fuperficially brought away, or rather borrowed fome Italian 
 Phrafes and Complements, which he thought would not only pafs currant with the Gentle- 
 men and Ladies of France, but alfo draw them into admiration, as well of himfclf, as them. 
 When immediately upon his arrival, that he might the better fee and make himfclf feen of 
 the World, he flaunts it out in brave Apparel, both in V Aval , Anglers, and Mans ; yea, there 
 is fcarce any great Fcaft or Mart iage in all thole parts, but if he be not invited, yet he purpole- 
 ly invites Himfclf thereat, thereby to make himfelt % the more confpicuous and apparent to the 
 eye$ of the World, efpecially of the Ladies and Gentlewomen, in whofe acquaintance and favor 
 
’ Hilt. XIII. T>e Merfon and La V ajfelay. i 
 
 he not only endeavours to imitate, but drives to engraft himfelf : but his old Father ManfreUc , 
 jtfclicioully obferving the vain behaviour, and deportment, carriage of this his Son , he 
 exceedingly grieves thereat, becaufe he had well hoped, that nis travels would have return- 
 ed him as capable and difereet,asnow he rinds him ignorant, and, which is worfe, debauch’d; 
 full he well knew, that either of thefe two vices was enough , lufficient, and powerful , not 
 
 only to ruin his Reputation, but his f ortunes. 
 
 Again, to add more Sorrows to his grief, and more difeontent to his forrows: for the vanity 
 and levity of this his Son, every week, nay, alnioft every day, brings him in new Bills of his 
 debtsvand a third falling in upon the neck of tirlt and fecond,and a fourth on the thirds which 
 being greater than his eltafe, or at leal! his pleaibre would permit him to pay, he taxes his Son 
 VcMirJ'm atide, and very lharply checks him for hisold and new prodigalities , vows that he 
 wi 1 neither lei! nor mortgage his Lands, to difeharge his foolifh debts s and therefore he bids 
 h m look to fatisric them, lor that he is fully rclol ved not to fee, much le(s to' (peak with any 
 of his Creditors, how great or (mail Soever the famines be lie ows tfufti. Fhis Cooling-Card 
 of Maofrdlc’s, makes bis Son J)e Merfon not only bite his lips for forrow, but hang his head for 
 aiwer and vexation s yea, his tolly doth fo eclipfe and over-veil his judgment herein, as imteaJ 
 ot Snaking good ufe hereof , he takesa contrary refolution , andfo rclolves to embrace and 
 follow tli°worlt : for, whereas he (hould have made his pride and prodigality (irike fail, and 
 now rather feek to re integrate himLclf into his Father’s favours, thin any way futurdy to 
 incenfe or cxalperate him againft him, he only taking counfel of his Youth, Palfions, and Cho- 
 Itr, ( which as talle and treacherous guides, moft commonly lead us to mifery and repentance-) 
 again precipitates and ingulphs himtclt afrefli in nevV debts, both with bis DJitrcr, Mercer, and 
 Jay lire ■, and, no longer able to digelt his Father’s checks and frowns, he very inconliderately 
 and ralhly packs up his baggage, leaves his houfe, ridts to Mms, and there refoi ves to pafs Ins 
 time that Winter s partly lioping that his Father will difeharge his debts in his abfence ; but 
 ' more efpecially, to become acquainted with the Beautiesof that City thereby to obtain fotae 
 rich young Heir, or old Widow,for his Wife, whole elfate and Wealth might fupport his pride, 
 and maintain his cxceflivc prodigality and voluptuoufnefs : and indeed, although the two 
 former of thefe his hopes deceive him, yet he lhall Ihortly rind and fee, that the third and laft 
 
 will not, r r i * 
 
 Living thus in Mens, the bravery of his Apparel and Equipage , the freenefs of his cx- 
 pences, bis comely talk, perfonage, black beard, and fanguine complexion , makes him as 
 {bon acquainted and alfedfed, as known ot many Ladies and Gentlewoman and far the more, 
 becaufe they know his Father, Pe hbnfrcUe, to be a very ancient and rich Gentleman ot that 
 Countrey of Mein •, and although he is not his Heir, yet in regard he is his fccond Son, as alfo ; 
 a Traveller, he vvas the more honoured and refpedted ot all thole he frequented ', fo that the 
 very fame and name of MonfuurVe Merfon , began to he already divulged and known in the 
 City , yea, and becaufe he was a great Baliadinc or Dancer, there was nololemn Alkmbly, 
 either publick or private, but It ill Ve Merfon made one s and there was not a reputed Beau- 
 ty, or fuppofed courteous Lady in Mans, or thereabouts , but fach vvas his vanity, as he 
 foon wrought and infmuattd himfelf into her acquaintance and familiarity i the which he 
 made npt only his delight, but his glory. And although that in a linall time , the wifer 
 lort of the Gentlemen and Ladies ot~ the City, found his wit and experience to come infinitely 
 (l.ort of his brave Apparels yet the more illiterate and ignorant of them f who efteem all men 
 by their lurier, and not by their brave worth ) as preferring gay Apparel , and the eomelinefs 
 of the body, before the exquriite endowments and perfections of the mind: they hold him 
 info high a repute and efteem, as they think him to he the moft abfolute Gallant, not only 
 of Mans, but of all the Countrey of Mm : fo ealie it is to captivate the conceits and judg- 
 ments of thofe who only build their judgments in their conceit, and not their conceits in 
 their judgment. 
 
 And of this rank and number was our old Widow, LiFaffday ; wno having many times 
 heard of De Merfon s fame and comely perfonage, and ieen him once at a Sermon, and twice 
 at twofeveral Nuptial-Fcalb, where bis skill and agility proved him to be one of the prime 
 Dancers i foe is fo far in love with him, as in her thoughts and heart foe wifoeth foe had gi- 
 ven half her Eftate and Dowry, conditionally that foe were his Wile, and he her Husband:yea, 
 foe is fo ravifoed with the eomelinefs of hisleature, and the fweetnefsof his complexion and 
 countenance, as all the World is not half fo dear to her as De Mcrfott\ nor any man whatsoever, 
 by many thoufand degrees, fo delicious to her eye, and plealing to her heart and foul , as 
 himfelf. And although foe be in the frozen Z me ot her age, yet her intemperate lull makes her 
 defires lb youthfully intemperate, as forgetting reafon and tnodeftyC that the bell vertue of our 
 
74 
 
 God's Revenge again jl Murther. Book III, 
 
 . i . i ■ — * — — — — • 
 
 foul, and this the chiefeb ornament of our body ) (he a thoufand times wifheth, that either D c 
 Merfon were impaled in her arms, or (he incloidered in his. 
 
 But doting (yea, 1 may weilnear truly (ay) dying old Gentlewoman! is this a time for thee 
 to think of a young Husband, when one of thy old feet is, as it were, in thy grave? or being in 
 thy Clirnatfcrical year of threefcore and three, art thou yet fo fraughted with levity, and ex- 
 empt of continency, as thou wilt needs feek to marry one of live and twenty? toolifh La 
 Vajfclay] if it be not now time, yea, high time for thee to racritice thy delires to continency, 
 when will it be, if ever it be? Didft thou refolve to wed a Husband near of thine own age, and 
 fo to end the remainder of^thy days with him in chad and holy Wedlock that refolution of 
 thine were as excufable, asthis, indetiringfo younga one, is worthy, not only of blame, but 
 of rep rehen lion, and, I may fay, of pity. Confider, confider with thy felf,what a prepoberous 
 attempt and enterprifeis this of thine, that when thou fhouldil tinifh thy days in devotion, 
 and prayer, thou then delighted to begin them in concupifcence and lud. O La Vajfelay , mock 
 at thofe rebellions and treacherous plcafures of the flefh, which feerri to mock at thee, yea, to 
 betray thee : and if there be yet any fpark of thy youth, which lies burning under the embers 
 of thy age, why, if thy chad thoughts cannot, yet let modelly,or at lead piety, extinguilh them. 
 God hath already given thee two Husbands, is it not now therefore time, yea, more than time, 
 for thee to prepare to give thy felf to God ? Hitherto the chadity of thy youth hath made 
 thee happy •, and wilt thou now permit, that the lud of thine age make thee unfortunate, or 
 peradventure, miferable ? and that the purity and candor of that, be didained and polluted 
 by the foulnefs and obfeenity of this ? Alas, alas, incontinent and inconfiderate G entle woman! 
 of a grave Matron, become not a youthful Gigletv or if thou wilt not fufler the eyes of thy bo- 
 by, at lead permit thofe of thy foul, to look from thy painted cheeks, to thy fnow-white hair, 
 who can inform and tell thee, that thou art far litter (or Heaven, than Earth, (ith tho(c plea- 
 furesare eternal, and thefe tranfitory j for God, than a Husband, fish he only can make thee 
 bleffedj whereas (in reward of thy lafeivious lud) this peradventure may bertferved to make 
 thee both unfortunate and wretched. 
 
 But the vanity of this old Gentlewoman’s thoughts and delires, do fo violently fix and ter- 
 minate on the youth and beauty of young and (as (he immodedly terms him ) fair Ve Merfin^ 
 as the only confideration of her delight and pleafure, weighs down all other refpe&s ^ fo 
 that neither reafon nor modedy, advice nor perfwation , can prevail with her refolution to 
 divert her affection from him, but love him (he doth , and ( which is repugnant as well 
 to the 'inhind of Nature, as to the influence of Modedy, and rules of Civility ) feek him 
 for her Husband fhc will •, yea, (he is already become fo fottidi in her affedion , and fo laf- 
 civioufly fervent in her defires towards him, that her heart thinks of him by day, her foul 
 by night •, that admires him as the very life of her felicity •, and this adores him as the only 
 content and glory of her life : (he will not fee thegreatnefs of her own edateand wealth, 
 nor confider the fmalnefs of his means and hopes , in that he is not an Heir , but a fecond 
 Brother : fhe will not enquire after his debts and vices, to know what thole maybe, what 
 thefe are i (he will not think what a prepoberous difiparity there is betwixt the fire of his 
 youth, and the ice of her age ^ nor what a world of difeontents and afflidions are incident to 
 proceed thereof : (he will not confider, that in endowing him with all her wealth, that die 
 thereby impoverifl^cth many , as well of her own kindred , as of thofe of her two former 
 Husbands, to whomin*the right of Nature it more juftly and properly belongs : and to con- 
 clude and (Hut up this point, (he will not imagine or dream to how many laughters and fcan- 
 dalsof the world (he cxpoleth her felf, who will not only call h<*r diferetion, but her modedy 
 in quedicn, for matching with fo young a Gentleman as Ve Mcrjon , to whom for age (he may 
 not only well be Mother, but (which is more) Grandmother. But contrariwife , this foolidi 
 old Gentlewoman having font her wits a wool-gathering on his fweet and comely perfonage, 
 his youth, and her affedion, like two impetuous torrents, and furious inundations, bear down 
 all other refpeds and confiderations before them : yea, they fo fubmerge her reafon, and quite 
 drown her diferetion, as (he hath no eyes unfliut to fee the one, nor ears unbopped to hear the 
 other j fo that if die defire any thing in the world, it is fas formerly is obferved J chat (he live 
 to (cc Ve Mcrjon her Husband , and her felf his Wife * which toeffed and accomplibi , fhe 
 knows no better nor fitter Agent to employ herein, than one Monfieur Ve Prune** , an ancient 
 Councillor of the Prefidial Court of that City, who was the only Councellar both to her lad 
 Husband, and her felfs and of whofe diferetion, integrity, and fidelity, (he had all the reafons 
 of the world to red confident and alTurcd. 
 
 New although the Wifdom and Experience oi'Ve Pruncau fuggeded him, with what an ex- 
 tream inequality there was betwixt Ve Merfon*$ youth, and La Vaffela/s age , which he could 
 
i75 
 
 Hift. XIII. Dc Merfon and La Viifjelay. 
 
 not more pertinently parallel and compare, than to Winter and Summer , the Spring and 
 Harveft : and therefore, how many affiidions and mileries were fubjed to attend and wait 
 on fuch prepofterous marriages, whereof he had formerly feen divers lamentable examples 
 and wotul experiences, as well of men, as women , who had differed foipwrack upon that 
 ScyJIa , and this Char Mu s he like an honeltman, and indeed a truer friend to her than (he was 
 to her felf, produceth funic of the former alledged reafons to her coniideration , thereby to 
 divert the ltream of her ill-grounded affiedion, from Ik Merfon r and ( in general terms ) to 
 convey and conduct it to fome elder perlonage, whole years ( and therefore their difpoiifi- 
 onsand atfedions ) might the better agree and fympathize. But when he fees that her love 
 to Ve Merferon wasfohrmly and immovably ft tied, as that it not only appeared to him to be 
 her grief, but her torment, to beany way eroded or contradicted therein,, then' die changeth 
 his language ^ and becaufe flie will not hearken to his advice , lie therefore gives way to he* 
 refolation, promifeth her his utmoii power, and belt endeavours, fpeedily to effed and com- 
 pafs her defires i when taking leave each of other, at lalt LaVafieUy remembring foe had 
 forgotten fomething, calls him again, and prays him, that if Ve Merfon be inquifitivc to know 
 hcr^diredt age, that he fubhrad away at lead ten years thereof •> fo that whereas (he is frxty 
 three, to affirm that foe is very little above titty : whereunto foe her felt blufoiiig, Ve Friineau 
 not able likewife to refrain from fmiling , promifeth her to be very mindful thereof. To 
 which end, he ( with the firrt conveniency ) finds out Ve Merfon , acquaints him how 
 much he is obliged to Madantoyfclle LaVajfclay , tor her afFcdion to him^ lays before him 
 the Nobility of her Defcent and Blood, the greatnefs of her Edate and Means , as alfo the 
 excellency of her vertues *, that fifty years is the mod of her age •> and that foe is not by far 
 fo old, as pleating and lovely^ that foeadeds him above all the men in the world, yea, and de- 
 fires no man in the world for her Husband, but himfclf, and, that when hepleafeth, foe de- 
 fires the honour of his company to her houfe > with many other intimations and iniinuations 
 conducing that way. 
 
 Ve Merfon having formerly uuderdood of UVaffclafs rich Eftate and Dowry, as alfo of 
 the truth of her age, he likes tbefird well*, and although he didadc, yet he will diilemble the 
 fecond : he thanks Ve Fruneau for his pains, and La Vajfelay for her love toward him j promi- 
 feth to requite the firiV, and if her wealth and vertues correfpond with his relation, to defer ve 
 the fecond: alledging further, that although there be a great inequality in their age, yet fith he 
 is no Heir, but a fecond Brother, yet it is rather likely, than impoffible, for it to be a Match 
 betwixt therm and in the mean time, to requite part of her aiTedion, he promifeth to fup with 
 her, the night following, at her houfe, where he only defires his company and affiffance, that 
 they may the more eftcdually and fe.cretly conlult of this bufinefs , which he hopes will fo 
 much import, as well her good and his content , as her content and his good : and fbfor that 
 time they part. 
 
 Ve frumau having received this pleafing and difcrect anfwer from Ve Merfon , he returns 
 with the relation and repetition thereof loLaVaffeljayy vows, that his exterior feature is no 
 way anfwerable, but comes far foortof his interior vertues and diferetion : and, that by all 
 which he either can colled from his fpeeches, or gather from his deportment and behaviour, 
 he is, in his conceit, the mod accomplifoed Gentleman, not only of Mw, but of F Yancey and 16 
 bids her prepare her Supper, and her felf, to entertain him the next night. Which anfwer ot 
 Ve M ctfon\ and relation of Ve Prxneau, is fo pleating to her heart and thoughts, as her age 
 teems to be already ravifoed with joy at the conceit ot his youth. \ when thinking every mi- 
 nute a month, and every hour a year, before foe be made happy , and her houfe bieffed with 
 his prefence, foe leaves no coft unfpared,or unfpent f to make his entertainment anfwerab e to 
 his welcome v whereof, whiles foe is not only careful, but curious in providing, let us curforily 
 (peak a word or two how Ve Merfon entertains and digedeth this unexpeded motion and af- 
 fedion of La Vafelay. 
 
 He laughs in his ileeve to fee her youthful affedions fo flourifoing in this Autumn, nay, in 
 thisiyinter of her Age, as to defire and feek fo young a Gentleman as himfclf for her Huf- 
 band : but he underitands foe is exceeding rich, and therefore refolves, that this vertue is ca- 
 pable to over-value and ranfotn that defed and error of hers. He fees that his Father will not 
 pay his debts , and that he of himfelf cannot > that they growing more clamorous, will 
 ihortly become fcandalous^ which will not only diredjy prevent, but infallibly ruin his 
 fortunes. He coniidereth how difplealing her age will be to his youth s as alfo , that there is 
 no Hell comparable to that of a difeontented bed ^ and then again, his debauch d and lullful 
 thoughts fuggeft him this remedy , That Mans hath Beauties enough tor him to recreate 
 himfelf, and to pafs his time with*, although foe have him fometimes in her bed , yet he may 
 
 have 
 
j6 
 
 God's Revenge againji Murther . Book 111 . 
 
 have younger Lattes and Ladies in his arms, both when and where he plealeth. He coniider- 
 eth, that rich Widows are not (o foon found, as fought i nor (o foon obtained, as found , and 
 that if he refute U Vajfday this day, he may not only repent it to morrow, but perchance ail 
 the days of his life-, and although his Will may, his Power lhall not be able to repair 
 or redrefs this error of his all his life after. He is not ignorant, that Gentlewomen of her age 
 and wealth, are fubjedf to be as foon loft as won in a humour , and therefore then loft , be- 
 caufe not then won. Again, that the elder (he is, the fooner (he will dytr, and he then is at li- 
 berty to marry as young a Virgin as he pieaferfr, and that her YVea th would then prove a true 
 prop and fweet comfort to his age. And to conclude and hmlh tins confutation of his, (he 
 is without children to molelt and trouble him, and therefore to be deiired 4 (he is vertuous 
 difereet, and of an excellent fame and reputation, and therefore deierves to be accepted and 
 
 n °irpon the grounds of which reafons and confider at ions , he makes good his piomife to Ve 
 truneaHy and comes the next night both tovifitand fup with La Vajfday, who having pur- 
 pofely deckt her felf up in her youthful and gayelt Apparel , receives him with all demon- 
 strations of afFe&ion and joy. At his rirft arrival, he affords her two or three kifles v whereat 
 (he infinitely both rejoyceth and triumpheth , and , in a word, he rinds that his welcome not 
 only exceeds his deferts, but his expectation s and believe me, it was worth his oblervation to 
 fee how fuperficially his youth looked on her age*, and how artificially and luftfully her age 
 ^azed on his youth. Now by this time Supper is lerved in, wherein her atfe&ion was again 
 difeovered to him in the cunofity and bounty thereof ; Where Vc Pruneait ; to give life to their 
 mirth tells them both,That he hopes this tlveir rirft meeting and interview wil produce effeCts 
 anfwerable to both their contents and defires-, whereat V e Mcrfon cannot refrain from blufh- 
 ing, nor La Vajfday from foiling : they are all very plealant and jocond at Table > and (he, 
 to give the better edg and reililh to his afteCtiou, drives to teem far younger than indeed (he 
 is and than he knows her to be : yea, (he doth fo cunningly intermix and difperfe youthful 
 fpeeches amidft her aged gravity, as if (he were not old, or at lead newly made young. Now 
 whiles (he feafttd her eyes on his frefh countenance, and fair complexion v he fends his abroad 
 to look on her Plate , rich Hangings, and Houfhold -ftuff, wherewith he fa w her Houfe was 
 richly and plentifully furnifhed. Supper ended, and the doth taken away, they ate no foon* 
 er fallen from their Viands, but they fall to their talk. Vc Merjon kindly and familiarly ta- 
 king his new-old Miliris in his Arms, as if he had already given her a place in his heart and 
 attentions s which makes her, beyond her fdf, both merry and joyful. I will not trouble 
 the Reader with the repetition of what fpeeches and complements here pad betwixt them* 
 becaufe in this, and my future Hiftories, I will follow the fame method of brevity which 1 
 have propofed and cbferved in my former. Let then his inquifitive curioiity underfund, 
 that they parted very lovingly and affectionately this rirft time *, and Vc Mcrfon , although 
 he were a debauched Gentleman , yet he is not fo fimple to omit , but rather fo well advifed 
 to pry into the true depth and naked truth of her Eftate and the rather , for that he hath 
 known many Gentlemen who have been fetch’d over, and gull’d in this nature, and in mar- 
 tying one Widow, have match'd thetnfclves to two Thieves ^ and credulouily thinking her 
 rich^have in the end found her a very beggar. Whereupon he takes three days relpite to 
 rcfolvei and fo with fome kifles, and many thanks for her affeCtion, and kind entertain- 
 ment and great cheer, he for that night takes his leave of her •, whofc fair carriage , anddii- 
 creet refolution in temporizing, La Vajfday applauds, and Vc Pruncau approves : So Dc 
 Mcrfon having (pent the rirft and fecond day in furveying the Writings of her Dowry, the 
 Leaks of her Lands and Houfes, and the Bonds and Bills of Debts due to her, with all her 
 ready Money, Plate, and other moveables : he finds her Eftate to anfwcr his expectation, and 
 her report: *, arid that (lie is really/worth in Land,6ooo Franks yearly, and her moveables worth 
 at kali 1 800 more: he the third day publickly contracts himfclf to her *, and having advertifed 
 hisFather thcrof,who likes the wealth better than the widow, within eight days after privacly 
 marries her which adminiftreth caufe of fpeech and wonder in and about Mans j fome bla- 
 ming her of indiferetion and levity,to match fo young a Gcntlemamothers taxing him of folly 
 to marry fo old a Widow, fome extolling and applauding his judgment, in enriching himfelf 
 with fo great an Eftate, which would not only deface his debts, (ecure his youth and age from 
 the ftorms of want, and the tempelts of necdlity,but aifo in the one & the other maintain him 
 richly, profperouily, and gallantly. And others again believing and prefaging, that this their 
 great inequality and difparity of years, would either of the one fide, or other, or both, produce, 
 many difco'nterits and afHiCtions, inftead of hoped-for joys and profperities. Thus every one 
 {peaks differently of this prepoiterous Match, according as their paffions and fancies dictate 
 
 them'. 
 
Hift. XIII. T>e Merfon and La F affelay. i 77 
 
 the mi but which of all thefe opinions and judgments fpeaks trudt, we Avail not go far to un- 
 derlland and know. 
 
 We have feen the conlummation of this marriage, "Louth wedded to Age , May to Vtcetnhcr, 
 and young Ve Merfon to old La Vajfday : in which Contra# and Nuptials, either of them are 
 fo vain, and both lo irreligious, as caring wholly for the pleafures of their bodies, they have 
 not therein fo much as once thought of their fouls, or of Heaven. Yea,God is not fo much as 
 once nominated or remembred ot them. All the ends of Marriages, are only two, God’s glory, 
 and the propagation of Children, and becaufe they cannot hope for the fecond, mull they there' 
 fore needs be fo impious, as to forget the rirrt i- Ay me ! if his youth had attained no more 
 Grace, could her age retain no more goodnefs? or how can they flatter themfelves with any 
 hope, that this marriage of theirs can pollibly profper, when only her aim and end therein is 
 luff, and his wealth ? If a building can fubiifl and flourifli, which hath a rotten and reeling 
 foundation, then this match of theirs may profper, other wife cannot -, for what more rotten 
 than the beaflly pleafures of her lulttul, and yet decayed age ; and what more reeling and tic- 
 kle, than the cOilftant inconflancy of his lalcivious youth? which make my thoughts jullly 
 fear, and my heart truly prefage and apprehend, that repentance, not pleafure ; affliction, not 
 joy i mifery, not profperity, is at the heels to attend and tollow thefe their Nuptials s As mark 
 we the fequel, and it will briefly inform us how. 
 
 De Merfon hath not been married two whole months to La Vaffelay, but he begins to repent 
 himfelf that ever he marched her i tor he now fees, though before he would not, that it is im.- 
 pollible for hisyouth to fadgand fympathizewith her age, he fees that he hath a decrepit, tlck- 
 ly and decayed body, and that the is never free of the Cough and Rheum, asalfoof an lime 
 in her left arm, which is not only difpleaiing, but loathfome to him. Yea, when fne hath 
 taken otf her Ruff and head-attire, and dighted her felt in her night habiliments, then he 
 vows he is afraid of her Lamb-skin furred Cap and Wart-coat, and taKes her withered face 
 for a Vizard or a Comet , which yeelds no delight but terror to his eyes, {'wearing tuar he frrv 
 only for a Bed-pan to heat her frozen body, which of it fell is far colder than a MaMptatue , 
 
 Yea, he is fo far out of love with her, becaufe, to write the truth, he never truly loved her, that 
 her light is a Plague to him, her prefence by day a Purgatory, and her company by night a very 
 Hell 
 
 But debauched and difTolute Gentleman, thefe vicious and impious conceits of thine, come 
 immediately from Hell and Satan,and are no way infufed in thy thoughts by Heaven, much lefs 
 infpired in thy heart by God i Coniider, eonhder with thy (elf, that if La Vaffelay be old, yet 
 flic is now thy wife, and that whatfoever Ve Pruneau or her felf informed thee of fifty years, 
 yet thou knowefl flic could not be lefs than fixty three, and more fhe is not. In which regard 
 marriage? the holy inrtitutionof Hcavr»)havingnow made you oft wo, one, if thou wilt not love 
 her age, at leafl thou fhouldft reverence it i or if thou canft not ailed her, thou ftvouldfl not hate 
 her. °Hath fhe imperfections ? what woman in the world lives without them ? or is the pe- 
 fired with difeafes, who can be either exempted from them, or prevent them ? Thou hall vow- 
 ed in Temple of the Lord, and in the prefence of him and his people, not only to love, but 
 to honour her , and is thy inconrtancy and impiety already fuch, as forgetting that promife 
 and vow of thine, thou doll now not only difhonour, but defpife and contemn her and that 
 thou only madefl that vow purpofely to break it > O Ve Merfon, if thou art not capable of coun- 
 fel, yet do but believe the truth, and thou wilt find, that if thou wilt not love her, becaute (he 
 is too old to be thy wife s yet thou fhouldft refped and regard her, becauie (he is old enough 
 to be thy Grandmother : for as it is incivility not to reverence Age s fo it is impiety to difdain 
 and malign it*, and if in any man towards a mecr itrangcr, how much more in a Husoand to his 
 own wife ? And becaufe it is eafier to efpy our Wive's imperfections, than to find our, or reform 
 our own s if thy Wife La Vaffday be guilty of any fault towards thee,it is becaufe (he loves thee 
 too well, and afleCts thee too dearly. 
 
 We have feen Ve Mtrfon's diftafte of his wife Li Vajfelay : Let us now fee how (lie likes, or 
 rather why fhe foon diflikes him s for he bears himfelf fo ftrangely, and withall, fo unkindly 
 towards her, as her detires of his youth come far fhort both of her expeCt ation and hopes i for 
 if he lie with her one night, he wandreth fix from her i is ftill abroad, ’and feldome or never at 
 home with her * yea, he is of fuch a gadding humour, and ranging difpolition, and his thoughts 
 and delights are ttanfported elfewhere, not at home s with other young Dames of Mans, 
 not with her felf » and the vanity of his pleafures do fo far furprize and captivate him, that he 
 is already become fo vicious, as he mikes day his night, and night his day s 1 i v i ng rather like ( 
 
 a voluptuous Epicure , than a temperate or civil Cbrijlian -, Neither, quoth (he, is it jealoufie 
 but truth which makes her pry fo narrowly .into fuch lewd and lalcivious aCtious, wherein 
 
178 
 
 God’s Revenge ngainjl Murther. Book 111. 
 
 the farther (lie wades, the more caufe (he Hnds both of grid and vexation i which makes her 
 wift, that (he had been blind when (lie firft law him ^ and either he, or her felf , in Heaven, 
 when they fo unfortunately married each other here upon Earth. 
 
 How now, fond and foolifh old Gentlewoman! are thy joys fo loon converted into forrows, 
 and thy triumphs into tears? why, thou haft juft caufe to thank none but thy felf for thefe thy 
 croffcsand afflidtions, iith thy luftful and lafeivious deiires were not only the author, but the 
 procurer of them : for, hadft thou been more modeft,and lefs wanton, thou mighteft have ap- 
 parently feen, and providently fore-feen, that Ve Merfons youth was too young for thy age,be- 
 caufe thy age was too old for his youth ; fo that hadft thou been then but half fo ihyed and 
 wife, as now thou art forrowjul, thou needeft not grieve for that which thou canft not red refs, 
 nor repent for that which is out of thy power to remedy. But, rafh and inconlidcrate woman! 
 how comes this to pafs, that thou art ready to entertain jealoulie, when death ftands ready to 
 entertain thee ? Could all the courfe of thy former youth be fo happy, not to be acquainted 
 with this vice? and doth now thy frozen age think it a vertue to admit and embrace it?Ay me, 
 I grieve to fee thy folly, and lament to underftand thy madnds in this kind : for, what is jea- 
 loufte, but the rage of our thoughts and brains,the duturber of our peace and tranquiilicy,the 
 enemy of our peace and happinehs, the tray tor to our judgment and underftanding,thc plague 
 of our life, the poyfon of our hearts, and the very bane and canker of our fouls ? Jealoufie ! 
 why, it is the daughter of Frenzy, and the mother of Madnds : it is a vice purpofely lent from 
 hell, to make thole wretched on earth, who may live fortunate and happy, and yet will not* 
 yea, it is a vice which I know not whether it be more eaiie to admit, or difficult to expel, being 
 admitted. But, La Vaficlay, expel it thou muft,at lcaft,if thou think to live fortunate, and not 
 to dye mifcrable. Wert thou as young, as aged, thy jealoufie. might have fome colour and exr 
 cufe in meeting with the cenfures of the world *, whereas now, not defervmg the one,it can- 
 not receive the other. And as thofe women are both wile and happy, who wink at the youth- 
 ful efcapesof their Husbands*, fo thy jealoulie makes thee both meritorious and guilty of thy 
 afflictions, becaufe thou wilt be fo foolifh to efpy,and fo malicious to reme/nber thefe of thine. 
 IsZ><? Merjurt given and addidted to other women ? Why, pardon him, becaufe he is a young 
 man : and as he is thy Husband, and thou his Wife, believe that he is every way more worthy 
 of thy prayers, than of thine envy. 
 
 Thus we fee upon what fatal and ominous terms thefe late married couple now ftand : Vt 
 Merfons youth (corning and fpurning at his Wife La Vaffday's age, and wholly addicting him- 
 felf to others', tad her age growing infinitely jealous of his youth : fo that for any thing I fee 
 or know to the contrary, thefe 'different vices have already taken fuch deep and dangerous root 
 in them, as they threaten not only the Ihipwrack of their content, but of their fortunes, if not 
 of their lives. 
 
 Now for us to find out the particular objedlof LaVaficlay's jealoulie, as her foolifh curiofity 
 hath already the general caufe «, we mull know, that (he hath a very proper young Gentlewo- 
 man who attends her, of fome eighteen years of age, termed Gratiana , of a middle ftature, 
 fomewhat inclining to fatnefs, having a freffi fanguine complexion , and bright flaxen hair $ 
 (he being indeed every way exceeding lovely and fair j and with this Gratiana , (he fears her 
 Husband is more familiar, than either modefty or chaftitycan permit ; and yet Ihehath only 
 two poor reafons for this her credulity and jealoufie*, and God knows, they are poor and 
 weak ones indeed : The firft is, that (he thinks her own withered face feives only but as a foil 
 to make Granina's frelh beauty feem the more precious and amiable in his eyes. The fecond 
 is, that fhe once faw him kifsher-in her prefence in the Garden, when (he brought him a 
 Handkcrchcr, which his Page had forgotten to give him. Ridiculous grounds, and trivial 
 reafons, for her to build her fear, or credf her jealoufie on, or to invent and raife fo foul a fcan- 
 dal and calumny I And yet not to fupprefs, but to report the whole truth, DeMerJon was laf- 
 civiouflyin love with Gratiana, had often tempted her defloration , but could never obtain 
 her content thereunto *, for ihe was as chaft as fair, and impregnable either to be (educed by 
 his gifts and prefents, or to be vanquilhed and won by his treacherous prornifes,protcftations, 
 "and oaths : for (he told him plainly and peremptorily, when (he faw him begin to grow im- 
 portunate and impudent in this his folly , That although (he were but a poor Gentleman’* 
 daughter, yet (he thanked God, that her Parents had fo vertuoufly train’d her up in the School 
 of Honour , that (he would rather dye, than live to be a Strumpet to any Gentleman or Prince 
 of the World. Which chart anfwer, and generous refolut ion of hers, did then fo quench the 
 flames of his lafeivious and inordinate afledtion to her , as thenceforth he exchanged his luft 
 into love towards her*, and vowed, that he would both refpedt and honour her as his Sifter. 
 Now although they both keepthepaflageof this-bufmefs feeret from hi$ Wife, her tyilhis v 
 
 ya 
 
Hi ft. XIII. JDe Merjou and La V ajjelay. 
 
 79 
 
 yet notwithllanding, as it is the nature of Jealouiie, not tQ hearken to any reafon, nor approve 
 ef, any belief but ot her own > the re! ore Ihe is confident, that he lies with Gratiana oft net 
 than with her fclf i which Ihe vows Ihe cannot digeft, and will no longer tolerate. To which 
 end '( with a moll malicious and tfrange kind ot treachery ) Ihe makes fair weather with Gra- 
 tiana i andf thinking to cool her hot courage, and to allay the heat of her luxurious blood ) 
 looking one day lledfallly in her lace, Ihe tells her, that (he hath need to be let blood, to prevent 
 a Feavers whereunto, although chafte and innocent Gratiana was never formerly k t blood, (he 
 notvvithltanding willingly contents. thereunto •> which toetfedt, La Vatfelay ( like a bafe Miliris, 
 and a treacherous itep-dame ) fends for an Apothecary, named Rcttnee, gives him a watch- word 
 in his ear, to draw at kali fixtecn ounces of blood from Gratiana, tor that Ihe was llrongly 
 entred into a burning Fever •> but he being us honeft as Ihe was treacherous and cruel, told her* 
 that the drawing of fo great a quantity of blood from her, might not only impair her health, 
 but endanger her life. But Ihe replies, it was (bordered by a Dvftor ■> whereupon he opens her 
 right-arm vein > and as he had near drawn lo much troin this poor harmless young Gentle* 
 woman, the faints twice in a Chair betwixt their arms, and all the cold water they threw in her 
 face, could very hardly refetch her, and keep life in her i this old hard-hearted Hag ft ill ncStr 
 withlhnduig crying out, that it was not blood enough : having no other reafon for this her 
 treachery and cruelty, but that indeed Ihe thought it not enough, or diffident to quench the 
 unquenchable thirl! and flame of her jealouiie* of which this is the hr it etfedt towards this 
 innocent young Gentlewoman i but we (hall not go far to fee afecond. 
 
 Gratiana is fo far from dreaming ot her Millris jealouiie toward her Mailer and her felf j or 
 from once thinking of this her treacherous letting her blood, as Ihe thanks her for her afledfr- 
 on and care of her health •, and now the very next day after VeMerJbn dining at home with 
 his old wife ( which he had not done in many days before ) and feeing Gratiana look lo white 
 and pale demands of her, if Ihe be not well, and then queflioneth his wife what ails her Gentle* 
 woman tolook lo ill, which (he feems to put off with a feigned excufe > but withall ( as it this 
 care of her Husband towards Gratiana, werea true conflrmationof their dilhonefly, and her 
 jealoufie ) Ihe retains the memory thereof deeply in her heart and thoughts *, yea, it is fofre- 
 quent, and Hxcd in her imaginations, as Ihe cannot, Ihe will not any longer fuffer or endure 
 thisaffedlion of her Husband to Granatia ; nor that Granatia s youth (hall wrong La Vaftelay% 
 age in the rites and duties ot Marriage. Wherefore calling fad afpedls on him, and malignant 
 looks on her, Ihe to pleafe and give iatisfadion to her jealoufie ( which cannot be pkafed or la- 
 tistied with any thing but revenge j rclolvesto make her know what it is, for a Waiting-maid 
 to offend and wrong her Miltris in this kind > when not to dirnin ilh,but rather to augment and 
 redouble her former cruelty toward her : Her Husband riding one day abroad in company of 
 diversother Gentlemen of the City, to hunt Wolves, which abound in thofe vail and fpacious 
 woods of Main, Ihe under pretence of fome other bulinefs, calls Gratiana alone into her inner 
 Chamber, when bolting the door after her, Ihe with meager and pale envy in her looks, and 
 implacable fury and choller in her lpeeches, chargeth her of dilhondty with her Husband y 
 calling her wliorc, Ilrumpct, and baggage 5 affirming, that the time and hour is now come lor 
 her to be revenged of her. Poor Gratiana , both amazed and affrighted at this fudden and fu- 
 rious, both unexpected and undelerved alarm of her Miftris, feeing her honour, and ( as Ihe 
 thinks and fears ) her life called in qucllion, Ihe after a world of fighs and tears, terms her ac- 
 cufers Devils and Witches, vows by her part in Heaven, and upon the peril . of, her own fou’, 
 that (lie is innocent of that crime whereof Ihe accufed her, and that neither in deed or thought 
 (he was ever diffiondl or unchali with any man of the world* much lefs with her Miller. But 
 this will not fatisfie inccnfed La Vajfelay, neither are thefe fpeeches or tearsp {.Granatia of pow- 
 er to pafs currant with her jealouiie » but reputing them falfe and counterfeit, Ihe calls in her 
 Chamber-maid and Cook-maid, whom Ihe had purpofeiy layd there, and bids them unllrip 
 Gratiana naked to her wafle, and to bind her hand and foot to the Bed-poll, which with much 
 repining and pity, they are at lall enforced to do* When commanding them forth the Cham- 
 ber, and bolting the door after them, fhe not like a woman, but rather as a fury of hell flies to 
 poor innocent Gratiana , and with a great birchen rod, doth not only raze but lea rifle her arms, 
 back, and flioulcfers *, when harmlefs foul, (hef t hough in vain) having no other defeniive wea- 
 pons but her tongue, and her innocency,cryes aloud to Heaven and Earth for fuccour. But this 
 old Hag as ful of malice as jealoulie,hath no compaffion of her cryes,or pity of her fighs \ yea, 
 neither the fight of her tears or blood ( which trickling down her cheeks and (boulders, doth 
 both bedew and ingrain her fmock ) are of power to appeafe her fury and envy, untill havinn 
 fpent three rods, and tired and wearied both her arms, fhe in the heat of her choler, and the 
 height of her revenge, delivers her thefe bitter and fcofling words > Minion, this , thin is the way, 
 
 A a 2 yta. 
 
i8o 
 
 God's Revenge againfl Murther. Book ITI- 
 
 yea, the only way to cool the heat of thy courage , and to quench the fire of thy luft : When calling in her 
 two Maids, ihe commands them to unbind G mtiayta , and to help on her clothes > when tri- 
 umphing in her cruelty, Ihe fuii mily departs and leaves them i who caimot refrain from tears 
 to fee how feverely and cruelly their Miflris had handled this her poor Gentlewoman. ’ 
 Gratiana the t bettex to remedy thefehef in fupportable and cruel wrongs, holds it diferetion 
 to dillemble them i and fo providing her (elf lecretlyof a horfe and man, (he the next nGht 
 fteals away, rides to La b'erte, and from thence to her Father at Nogcnt lc Rotron, where he was 
 fupenmendent of the Prince of (Sonde's Houle and Caltle in that To wn,and where the Princefs 
 Dowager, his Mother, built upthegreateft part of her forrowful Rcfidence, while he was de- 
 tained Prifoncr in the Gallic of Boys de Vincennes, near Paris. La Vaffclay grieves at this her fud 
 deii and unexpected departure, the which (lie fears her Husband De Merfon, and her Father Mm- 
 fieur de Bremay ,will take in ill parts wherein fhe is no way deceivedsfor the one grieves and the 
 other ftorms thereat: yea, when De Merfon (through flattery and threats; had drawn from the 
 Chamber-maid and Cook-maid, the truth of his Wive’s cruel whipping of Gratiana, as alfb the 
 caufe thereof, her Jealoufie \ he jultly incenfcd and enraged, flyes to this hisfottifh and cruel 
 Wife, tells her, That Jealoufie comes from the Devil, whole part he affirms fhe hath aded- and 
 adhng this upon innocent Gratiana, than whom there lives not a chaffer Maid in the World 
 That a though fhe were poor, yet that fhe was as well defended as her felf. In which regard' 
 it fhe did not fpeedily right and redeem her wrongs, and feck means to pacifie and recall he/ 
 that he would forthwith leave her, yea, and utterly forfake her. Which cooling-card of his to 
 his Wife, makes her look on her former erroneous Cruelty towards Gratiana rather with o,.r 
 ward grief than inward repentance.But feeing that her jealoufie mutt now ffoop and (trike fad 
 to her Husband s choler, and that to enjoy his company, Ihe muff not be exempted and deori 
 ved ot hers > flic, contrary to her defireand will, ( which ftill retains the fumes and flames of 
 Jealoufie, as that dothofr revengers enforced t* mal^e a vertue of ucceffity ,and fo to bear u D with 
 the time, feigning her fdt repentant and forrowful for that fhe hid formerly done to Gratia 
 
 nat ffie, tp reclaim her, buyes her fo much wrought black Taffaty for a Gown, and fomurb 
 
 enmfon Damask fora Petticoat, and, with a Bracelet of Pearl which fhe accuftomcd to wear 
 upon her right arm, (he fends it to Nogcnt to her,by La Vilcttc , a Gentleman of her Husbands ,V 
 accompanied it with a Letter to her Father Monfieur de Bremay, which contained thefe word! 
 
 LA-VASSELAY tt> DE BREMAY. : 
 vindicated T ruth from Error, and metantorfihofed Jealoufie into Judgment I find that 
 X X 1 have wronged thy Gratiana, whereat J grieve with contrition,and forrow with repentance Cub 
 my Hiuband svows and oaths have fully cleared her Honour and Chaftity , which my foolilh incn dtt 
 
 thatll t0 f ge ** h ? herffieedy return by this Bearer , and ye botbjhall fee 
 
 that 1 never formerly hated her fo much,* henceforth 7 will both love and honour her. Have now Pent her 
 jomefmaU tokens of my aff dlion; and ere long Jhe /hall find greater cffeZls and tcfliniomes tlJelf Z 
 knowing her to be as chajl as fair, in this, De Bremay, Irequeti thee' to reft confident 'Vh ,t ,il - 
 thy Daughter by Nature, /i/Lf/*e henceforth mi Je by Adoption J # ’ **' * 
 
 LA VASSELAY. 
 
 , having received this Letter, arid his Daughter (fratiana thefe Wind .. 
 
 her Miftns, La V. affelay ■, his choler, and her grief and forrow is loon clef-, red j ,, 1 r0 n 
 
 fc come,,,’ and pleid, he ftjE lZ" IT£ 
 m,„, by whom l« write, , hii ,„r™ lg Lme , , ohis Mi6[i u 
 
 DE BREMAY to' LA VASSELAY. 
 
 format her Vertucs are her befi wealth, and her Honour her chief it’ - r 'urnls 'o’e °i '” v 
 or faltred in this, Ijhould then have joy ned with abet to hate her' ail do no tn TO 
 
 and Oaths have cleared her innocency-, andinlTZ Husband r Tu° l"‘ btr 
 
 own merits, and tbyprof e/fed kindnef s , IhefortrcttinirLidTf * - In, ? hlch "Sgd , rdyingupon her 
 
 by tbyfervant La V Alette •, hoping , that if thou wilt not affed^hZ^as th^df" l rZ T™ ^ *!*** 
 thoH wilt tender her as thy obedient and obfervant Hand-mil ** °* Dau § hfer ^ »*>« 
 
 debremay. 
 
 Gr a turn's 
 
Hift. XIII. T>e Merfon and La V affetay. 1 8 J 
 
 Gratianas hopes, and her Father’s credulity of Lx Vaffelay s future atfe&iou towards her, as 
 alio her gifts and promifcs, fo far prevail with them, as file is now returned to her from Nogent 
 to Mans : But I tear, fhe had done far better to have Hill remained with her Father j for (he 
 might confider,and he know, what little iafety, and apparent danger, there is to rely upon the 
 favour of an incenfed Jealouiie. La Vaffelay (in all outward (hewj receives and welcomes Gra* 
 tiana with many expreliions of love, and demonftrationsot joy, thereby to pleafe her Husbands 
 who indeed likes fo wel of her return, as he likes hisWife the better tor procuring it. And now 
 to the eye of the world, and according to human conceit and fenfe, all three parties are re- 
 conciled and fatistied, as if %a Vaffelay s jealouiie had never heretofore olfended her Husband, 
 nor her cruelty wronged Gratiana s or as if he had never known the one, nor (he felt the other. 
 
 But we (hall not go far to fee this calm o’reuken with a tempeft s and this Sun-fhine furpriz’J 
 with adifmal and difafterous (bower. 
 
 For three Months were not fully cxpired,fmce Gratiana s return to Mans, but LaVaffelay s 
 old jealoufie of her, and her Husband Ve Merfon t which Teemed to be forppreffed and extin- 
 guifhed, doth now Hath and flame forth anew, with more violence and impetuofity s yea, he 
 cannot look on Gratiana , much lefs (peak to her, but prelently this old jealous Beldam, in her 
 heart and thoughts, proclaims them guilty of Adultery s whereat (he indifcrcetly futfers her 
 felf to be fo far tranfjported with indignation and envy, as (he vows die will no longer tolerate 
 or digeft it. And now it is that, like a Fury of Hell, (he firft alfumcs damnable and execrable 
 rclblutions, not only againft the lnnocency , butagainlt the Life of innocent and harmlefi 
 Gratiana^ who, poor foul, is the nearer her danger, in refiped (he holds her felf fartheft froiri 
 it: yea, this jealous old Hagg,this Fury , nay,this She-devil, Lt Vaffelay hath not only conlulted, 
 but determined and concluded with her bloody thoughts, that (he will fpeedily fend Gratia - 
 m into another world , becaufe her youth ihall no longer abufe and wrong her age in this: 
 
 When forgetting her felf, her foul, and her God, thereby purpofely to pleafe her Senfcs, her 
 Jealoufie, and her Tutor the Devil, (lie vows, that no refped of Reafon or Religion, no con- 
 lideration of Heaven or Hell, (lull be capable to divert her from difpatching her : yea, and 
 as if (he not only rejoyced, but gloried in this her pernicious and bloody defign , flic thinks 
 every hour a year, before (he hath performed it ; To which end, providing her felf of flrong 
 poyfon, and watching and catching at the very firft opportunity*, asfoonasever Grattan a 
 found her felf not well, flic, under a colour of much aftedion and care to her, makes her fome 
 white Broth, wherein infufing and intermixing the aforefaid poyfon, flie C gracelelly and 
 cruelly ) gives it her*, the which within fix days, fainting and languifliing, makes a perpetual 
 divorce and feparation betwixt her foul and her body, leaving this to defeend to Earth , and 
 that to afeend to Heaven, to draw down vengeance to. this hellifh and execrable La Vaffelay , 
 for fo inhumanly and cruelly murthering this her harmlefs and innocent Waiting-Gentlewo- 
 man, Gratiana, 
 
 Ve Merfon undemanding of Gratiana's death, almoft as foon as of her ficknefs,he very forrow- 
 fully bites the lip thereat : for, confidering this accident in its true nature,his thoughts fugged 
 him, and his heart and foul prompts him, that his Witc,L* Vaffelay, had undoubtedly occatio n- 
 cd her dear h, and (b metamorphofed her jealouiie into Murttier : yea, and notwithftanding 
 the (air and forrowful (hew which fhe puts thereon to the contrary, yet the premifes confide** 
 ed, he is very confident in this his belief and fears when grieving at the cruelty of this di(aftcr, 
 and abhorring the Author of this fomonftrous and bloody a fad, the very tight ot this his old 
 wretched Wife, is odious* and the remembrance of this her cruel crime, detetUble and execra- 
 ble unto him. Again, when he confi§4eyeth Gratiawfs beauty and chaftity, and that (he was lent 
 to her untimely grave for his fake <t his doth not only re-double his forrows, but infinitely aug- 
 ment and encrcate his affiidionssfo that beginning to fear his Wivt’s envy, #s much as he hated, 
 her jealoUfie, in that it Was not only poffible,but likely, that it might alfo futurely extend and 
 refled on him, as it already had on harmlefs and innocent Gratiana , he aflumtsa refolution 
 to leave and forfake her, the which (lie (hall fhortly fee hirn put in execution: when the better 
 to curb and vex kc'r,hefecretly packs up all her BiHs, Bonds, Leafes,and Conveyances, asalfcr 
 all her Money, Plate, jewels, and ridhoii Houthold-ffutfi and fo giving out a prohibition to all 
 the Tenants, not to dare to pay lier any Rent, he allowing her only & bare maintenances very 
 fuddtnly (when (he leaft expeded or dreamt thereof ) takes hotfe aitd rides home to his Fa& 
 ther’s, where he refolves to make the greateft part ot his reiidencos and all the tears and pray- 
 ers of his Wife, are not of power to reclaim or retain him . 
 
 La Vaffelay feeing the unkindhefs of her Husband , Ve Merfon-, in making her a Widow 
 almoft as foon as a Wife s as alfo his ingratitude, in depriving her ot the ufe and frui- 
 tion of her own Eftateand M:ansf> and leaving her fo poor an allowance as could fearer 
 
 A a $ warrant 
 
182 
 
 God's Revenge againji Rlurtber. Book III. 
 
 warrant her a competent maintenance, (he isalmolt ready to dye (or mcer grief and forrow 
 thereof but how to remedy it, (he knows not : and now (lie repents her folly and indifcretion, 
 in matching her aged felt to lo young a man as Ve hhrfoit -, now (lie doth not only accufe, but 
 condemn her own jealoufie, which drews her to this foul fad of murthering her harmlefs and 
 (as (lie now believes, her) innnocent Waiting-maid, Gratae for which, this ungrateful depar- 
 ture, and hard ufage of her Husband,is but the lealf,and,as (he terms it, but the fore-runner of 
 greater punifhments, which God hath ordained & referved for her: yea, it is not only a grief to 
 her thoughts, but a vexation to her heart and foul, to fee her (elf made the mocking-ltock and 
 laughter of all Mans and A-to, who rather excufe her Husband's youth, than any way pity or 
 commiferate her age^and to fee th; t the friends of her profperity turn their backs and tacts to 
 her in heralflidion and poverty, and if (lie have any hope yet left, to alfilf and comfort her in 
 thefe tier calamities.it is by endeavouring to reconcile and reclaim her Hasband to her by Let- 
 ters, when taking pen and paper, (he, within a month of his departure, (ends him thele few lines. 
 
 LA VASSELAY to DE MERSON1 
 
 S ince at thy requefi Iboth recanted my Jealoufie to thy fdf , and repented my Cruelty to my Maid 
 Gratiana, rvh.it have I committedor done, that Jhonld deferve this thy ingratejul,and as I may tru- 
 ly fay , heart-killing departure? for, having made a moji exad ferutiny in my thoughts and foul , cither of 
 them inform me , and both ajfure me, that thefreenefs and fervency 'of my affedion towards tbee,cLferved 
 not fo cruel, but afar more courteous requital. If my Age be any way difpleafing to thy South yet deprive 
 me not of the felicity of thy fight andprefence, wherein Inot only. delight, but glory. And although lean 
 be content that thou furfeit with my wealth yet make me not fo miferable,as to fiarve both in and for thy 
 prefence. If any have given thee any finijier or falfe imprejfiutts either of my felf or actions-, why, if thy 
 affedion to me will not deface them, at leajl let thy pity : yea, return my fweet and dear Husband ', and 
 what errors or faults foever thou fayefi l have committed , I will not only redeem than with Mes but 
 with tears. , - ’ 
 
 LA VASSELAY. 
 
 De Merfen having received this his Wives Letter, it works fuch poor elfeds in his affedion, 
 as he doth rather rejoyce than commiferate her eftate and lorrows : yea, he fo flights her, and 
 her remembrance, as once he had thought to have anfwered her Letter with filcnce.: but at 
 lall, he ( fome eight days after ) returns her this Anfwer : 
 
 DE MERSON to.LA VASSELAY. 
 
 Hat hope can I have of thy affedion , when I fee thou art inviolably confiant to thy Jealoufie ? 
 and if the ferutiny of thy thoughts and foulbeastrue as thou pretendeji , yet I fear, that this 
 Jealoufie of thine is not thegreatefi, but the leajt of thy crimes. Thou writefi tome , that I give, a crud 
 requital to thy affedion-, but, pray God thou have not given a more Sharp and inhuman one to Gratia- 
 na’s firvice and Chaftuy. Neither is it thy Age, but thy Imperfections and Vices, which are bothdi- 
 fpleafing and odious to my youth : for, I could brtokjhdt with as much patience , as lean digeli thefe with 
 impoffibihties. If thou wantjl Means, I will grant thee more . , but for my prefence, I have many reafons 
 to deny tbee. I kitow none but thy fdf which hath given me any impreffms of thy aiiions, and if. thofe 
 were fuljc, they would prove thy true bappthefs,as now tjocy do thy mij'try, which'my affedion doth pity, 
 though cannot redrefs it. It is but in vain for thee, either to exped or hope for my return : and fitb thy 
 faults and errors are befi known to thy fdf, let thy repentance redeem them towards God-, flu neither 
 tby kfffes nor tears can or JhaU to me. J 
 
 DE MERSON, 
 
 ‘ Th f L ffl D t0 l', S Wlfc La Va G dtt y-> is r ° fa from comforting, as it doth ex- 
 
 treamly atfi.dher : and although his difeontents be fuch, as (he fees it almott impoflible.to re- 
 concile and reclaim him, yet being exceedingly perplexed and grieved with this her iolitary 
 and difeontented life, (he yet hopes, that a fecond Letter may obtain that of him, which her 
 hrlt could not ; when fix months time being now flipt away Cnee his departure, (lie feigning 
 
 her fclf fick, writes unto him again to t Inserted : 0 6 
 
 LA VASSELAY to DE MERSON. 
 
 rpHT abfence hath fo deprived my j oyes, and engendered nf farrows, that fick{t e fs threatens my 
 * lift to be near her period. So among a world of discontentments, let me yet bear this one content 
 
Hitt. XIII. De Merfon and LdrVaffelqy . 
 
 to my grave, that 1 may once more fee thee',whom Jo tenderly I both defire and lung toj'ec: and if J cannot 
 be Jo happy as to live, at the leajl makg me fo fortunate, as to dye in thine arms ■, which I k*iow not 
 whether it be a greater charity for thee to grant , or a cruelty to deny me this requeji of mine : fir, my 
 dear De Merfon, if thou wilt not be pie a Jed to be my Husband, yet be not offended to remember, that I 
 am thy Wifit andwithall, that as l defire thy return •, fo, that I have not dejervedtby departure .But 
 if thou wilt fill be inexorable to my requefis, thefi Lines of mine, which I write thee rather with tears 
 than inl^, Jh all bear witnefs betwixt thy filf and me, of my kjndnej's, of thy cruelty, and how my life 
 fought my affeUion, though my death could neither find nor obtain it. 
 
 LA V ASS ELAY. 
 
 Be Merfon reads this Letter with laughter, yea, he is fo infenfible of her Lines, Rcquerts, and 
 Tears, as if another had lent him news of her death, as (lie her felf did of her iieknds,it had 
 been far more pleafing, and better welcome to him : but thinking how to gall her to the 
 quick, to the end he might henceforth lave her labour to write him any more Letters, and 
 himfeJf to receive and perufe than, he returns her this (harp and bitter anfwer : 
 
 % • . ? i i - ! 1 i ' I » J i 1 . . . , i ' ' iiJ IK/, /i. jTill.'w 
 
 DE MERSON to LA VASSELAY. 
 
 I T is thy Error, not my Ab fence, which bath exchanged thy Joys into Sorrows*, and if thy life draw 
 nearher period, they cannot be far from theirs. My fight is a poor content fir thee to bear to thy 
 Grave ,fitb , as a Chrittian, thou fliouldcft delight to fee none but thy Saviour, nor be ambitious to live 
 in any arms but His ; and if thou hold not this to be Charity, 1 know others cannot repute it Cruelty. 
 7 hat I am thy Husband, 1 grant i and that thou art my Wile, I do not deny : but yet I fear thy heart 
 Iqiows, though thy Fen affrm the contrary, that I have far more reafin fir my departure , than thou to 
 defire my return . And, if thou wilt yet know more, if the Ink * wherewith thou write fi ihy Letter , be 
 7 ears, pray God thou did)} not bedew Gratiana’s Winding- (beet and Coffin, with her Lears and Blood : 
 for , had)} thou not been cruel, yea, inhuman to her, I would never have been unkind to thee . And to con- 
 clude, Live as happy, as I j'car her death will make thee dye mifcrable . 
 
 DE MERSON. 
 
 The receit andperufal of this Letter, doth not only grievb,bht afflidtand' torment LaVafi 
 Jelay: for the remembrance of De Merfon his fuipition and apprehenrton that Are had a hand in 
 the death of Gratiana , doth, as it were pierce her heart , as well with tear, as (orrow : For, 
 as her poverty lay before at his mercy, fo now (he knows doth her life ^ and that lith he will 
 not love her, he may chance* (o malign and hate her , as to reveal it. Whereupon , to fecure 
 herfclf, and to warrant thefafetyof her life, (he foon exchaugcth her love into hatred , and 
 her atfe&ion and jealouize, into envy towards him: yea, her enraged and indented thoughts, 
 ingendcr and imprint fuch bloody defigns of revenge in tier heart, as abandoning the fear 
 and grace of God, (he impioufly concludes a Match with the Devil, to dilpatch and murther 
 him* and from which bloody and damnable deiign, no regard of God or her foul, nor refpedt 
 of .* . aven or Hell, can or (hall divert her, when, over-parting a fmall parcel of time, wherein 
 (he ruminated and pondered how (he (hould fend him from this life to another : at lall her 
 malicious curiofity makes her thoughts fall on La Villette*, being his Gentleman, who Hill fol- 
 lowed him, as holding him a fit Agent to attempt, and Inttrument to finilh , this bloody butt- 
 liefs, which fo much imported her content and fafety, grounding her reafons upon the great- 
 nefs of his heart and mind, and the weaknefs of his purfe and means > as if poverty were a 
 fufBclent caufe andpriviledg to commit fo treacherous and bloody a fact : when knowing 
 him to be then in Mans, receiving up his Mailer's Rents , (he fends for him i to whom (the 
 door bolted ) (he tells him (lie is to requeit his (cmfic in a bufinefs which infinitely tends to his 
 good. Hepromifethit her > but flje will have him fwear thereunto ^ which he doth: when 
 with fighs and tears making a bitter invedtive and recapitulation of her Husband, his Ma- 
 fia's undeferved indignity and cruelty towards her s (he then and there makes a proportion 
 to him, to murther him for her * and that (he will give him a thoufand Crowns to etfedt it; 
 La Vilictte feeing the greatnefsof the danger in that of the crime, .leans not only difeonteut- 
 ed, but amazed hereat : for, although he love Gold well, yet he will not purchafe it at (b deer 
 a race, and bale and damnable a price, as that of his Matter’s blood j when feeing (lie could not 
 prevail, (Ik* again puts him in mind of his Oath to fecrelie j which he again vows never to 
 infringe or violate j and withal, like a good fervant , feeks to diilwade and divert herfrtfm 
 (•i*th bloody ,thowghts and attempts. Had LaViliette remained in the purity and candor 
 
184 
 
 ' God's Revenge againjl Murther. Book III* 
 
 of this his Religious and ChrijHati Refolution , not to imbrue or diftain his hands in the innocent 
 blood of his Mailer i it would have made him as happy, as we lhall (hortly fee him miferable 
 in attempting and executing the contrary j for as a propenlion and refolution to Virtue , breeds 
 not only Honour, but fafety i fo the contrary effcdls thereof, produce not only lhame, but mifc- 
 ry. T o forefee fin, is a pious wifdom i to prevent and efehew it, is always a molt wife and 
 blcffed piety. 
 
 And whereas time Ihould rather decreafc than increafe,and rather root out than plant Mi* 
 lice in our thoughts, and Envy in our refolutions ; yet diredfly contrary, that of La Vaffelay to 
 her Husband Ve Mcrfon, doth not die, but live, will not fade but fiourilh for a month or, two 
 more being run out and expired, and LaVillette again m Mstts, her malice unto her Husband 
 is fo inveterate and implacable, as (be again lends for him to her houfe, where ( in <>reat fecrc- 
 fie and intended aifedion ; flie tells him, that if. he will murther his Mailer , lhe°within fix 
 months will marry him in requitals and not only live his faithful wife , but dye his obedient 
 and conllant Hand-Maid. Now, although her firlt proffer of a thoufand Crowns, could not 
 procure it of La Villette s thefe her i'ugred fpeeches, which (lie intermixed! with kilfes, and the 
 conlideration of fo many thoufands, which her Ellate not only promifeth, but alTureth,-doths 
 fo as forgetting his former vertue, to remember his future vice, he ( like a damnable Villain ) 
 lwears to her to etfed it : Which wretched verbal Contrad, they interchangeably feal with 
 Oaths and Kilfes, which C if they had any fear of God, or care of their falvations ) they 
 Ihould have detdied with horror , and abhorred withdeteftation. Neither will his Malice 
 for the Devil the Author thereof; give him leave toprotrador defer it : for, having rcfolvcd 
 to murthef him as he rides abroad i his Mailer on a time being invited to a general Hunting, 
 by the Baron of baint Sufanna ( Son and Heir to Monfuur dcVarennes ) at his faidTownof 
 Sufama, as he came riding homewards to wards his Father’s Houfe at Mairfrelle, he in the midft 
 of a great Wood, near unto the fmall Village of Saint George’s, riding behind his Mailer, dif- 
 chargeth hisPillol, loadenwith a brace of Bullets, thorow his reins, which makes him in- 
 llantly fall off dead from his Horfeto the ground. When this hellilh fervant, La Villettcfce- 
 ing his Mailer devoid of breath, and grovelling and wcltring in his blood, he having 
 aded the part of a finful Devil, in committing this cruel murther, now rcfolvestoalfume 
 and reprelcnt that of a fubtil Hypocrite, in concealing it s when determining to report that 
 they were both alfatilted, and his Mailer llain, by Thieves-, he, to make all his adions conduce 
 and look that way, chargeth his Piltol again with another brace of Bullets, and Ihoots tho- 
 row his own Hat, gives himfelf a cut o’re his left hand, and then breaks his Rapier ; takes his 
 own Piltol, and his Maher's Rapier, and throws it into a Pond clofe adjoyning , takes like- 
 wile his Mailer’s Purfe and Watch out of his Pocket, and hides it fecretly : and then the more 
 cunningly and knayifhly to blear and deceive the eyes of the world, thereby to make this his 
 hypocrifie pafs the currcnter, he having purpolely provided himfelf of two fmall Cords, with 
 the one he binds both his own feet, and with the other ( by a pretty Height ) flips therein his 
 arms behind his back, and then fetting Himfelf againlt a Tree, he very pitifully weeps groans 
 and cryes out upon the Thieves and Murthcrers of his Mailer De Merfin when three Gentle- 
 men of Britain, travelling that way towards Paris . renair to his aflil bore tU*,r SnJ 
 
 where his mournful father receives and buries him with infinite^ grief , lamentation, and 
 iCirs. 
 
 In the mean time, this murtherous La Villette oi trt'Q nri \i 1 f C + ~ .1,. 
 
1 
 
 Hid. XIII. De Merfon and La 1/ ajjelay. 
 
 they as much admire and wonder to fee this old Widow La Vaffelay, fo Ihortly married and 
 efpoultd to his Gentleman La ViUette^ whofe Nuptials are celebrated and confummarcd far 
 within the term of fix months after. For the curious Wits of thefe Cities and Count reys, con- 
 lidering what a prepofterous courfe and refolution this was for her to marry her Husband’s 
 man, and withall fo foon : as alfo, that there was none other prefent but himfelf, when hi$ % 
 Mailer Ve Merfon was murthered, it is umbragious, and leaves a fear and (ling of fufpition in 
 their heads, that there was more in the wind than was yet known ^ and therefore knowing 
 no more, they defer the detection thereof to the providence and pleafuredf God, who bed, 
 yea, who only knows in Heaven, how to conduft and manage the actions here below on 
 earth : and now indeed the very time is come, that the Lord wUl no longer permit thefe the r 
 cruel and bloody Murthers to be concealed, bur will bring them forth to receive condign pu - 
 ifhment > and for want of other Evidence and Witneflcs, they themfelves (hall be Witneffe 
 againft themfelves. And although LaVaffelay's poyfoning of Gratiana , and Ld Villette 1 s piilol- 
 ing of his Matter Ve Merfon^ were cunningly contrived , and fecretly perpetrated *, y L t we 
 fhall fee the hit of thefe bloody Murthers, occation the difcoVery and detection of the tirft, 
 and both of them moil feverely and (harply punifticd for thefe their bloody crirftes, and hor- 
 ribleotfences. The manner is thus: 
 
 Thefe two execrable wretches, LiViUcttc, and Lx Vaffelxy, have not liv’d married above fome 
 feven or eight months, but he being deeply in Liw wit h Mmficur V* Mxhfrclle , his Predecef- 
 for’s Father, for the detention of fome lands and writings, he takes an occallon to ride home to 
 his houfe of Mxnfrelle , to him, to confer of the differences^ and by the way falls into the com- 
 pany of fome Merchants of Laval and Vittry , who were returning from the Fair of Chartres: 
 when riding together for the fpace of alraoit a whole days journey, the fecret providence, and 
 fadred pleaiure ot God had fo ordained, that La Villette 1 s horfe, who bore him quietly and fafe- 
 ly before, on a fudden hrilgoes backwards, in defpight of his fpur or (witch, and then (landing 
 an end on his two hind-legs, falls quite back witfr him, and aJmoil breaks the bulk and trunk 
 of his body-, when having hardly the power to (peak, his breath failing him , and he feeing 
 no way but death for him, and the hideous image thereof apparently before his eyes, the fpirit 
 of God doth fo operate with his linful foul,as he there con tel feth how his wicked wife L*Vaf- 
 jday , had caufed him to murther his Mailer Ve Merfon^ whom he (hot to death with his Piftoh 
 thac.fhe firll feduced him with a thoufand Crowns to perform it, which he refufed but then 
 herconfent to marry him, made him not only attempt, but finifh that bloody bufinefs-,where«* 
 of now irom his very heart and foul he repented himfelf, and befeeched the Lord to forgive 
 it him. 
 
 And here, before the Rider's curiofity carry him further, let me, in the Name and fear of 
 God, bothrequeil and conjure him to (land amazed and wonder with me at his Sacred Pro- 
 vidence, and inicrutable wifdotn and judgment, which moil miraculoufly concurrs and (hines 
 in this accident, and efpegally in three elTential and mod apparent circumilances thereof 
 For, it was on the very lam. Horfe, the fame day twelve-month, and in the very fame wood 
 and place, where this execrable wretch, Villette, formerly murthered his Miflfer Ve Merfon. Fa- 
 mous and notorious circumilances , which deferve to be obferved and remarked by all the 
 Children ol God, yea, and to be imprinted and engraven in their hearts and memories, there- 
 by to deter us from the like Crimes of Murther. 
 
 Now thefe hondl Merchants of Laval and Vittry , ( as much in charity to La Villette s life, as 
 in execration of that conteffed Murther of his Mafler Ve Merfon ) convey him to an Inn in 
 St.G:orga,whenexpe&ingevery minute thit he would die in their hands,they fend away poll 
 to advertife the Prtfidial Court of Mans hereof, ( within whofe Jurifdittion St Georges was ) 
 who fpeedily commanded Lx Villette to be brought thither to them alive or dead : but God 
 referved him from that natural, to a more infamous death * and made him live till he came 
 thither : where again he confeffeth this his foul murther of his Mailer Ve Merfon , and like- 
 wife accufeth La Vajfelay to be the foie infligator thereof, as we have formerly heard and un- 
 derdood. Whereupon he is no fooner examin'd , but this bloody old Hag is like wife impri- 
 foned * who with many affeverations and tears , denies and retorts this foul Crime from her 
 felf , to him. But her Judges are too wife to believe the vveaknefs and invalidity of this her 
 foolifh juftification. So whiles they are confulting on her, Ve Bremay having notice of all thefe 
 accidents, but cfpecially of La VaJJelay’s imprifonment,he (ilill apprehending and fearing that 
 Ihe undoubtedly was the death of his Daughter Gratiana ) takes poll from Nogent to Mans, 
 where he accufeth her thereof to the Criminal Judges of the Prcfidial Court > who upon this 
 her double accufation, adjudged her to the Rack', when at the very fir(l torment thereof, (he 
 fat lad preferring the life of her foul before that of her body )confeiTeth her felf to be the a3or 
 
Book III- 
 
 CniFs Revenge agninfi Murtber. 
 
 ot tier rirlt crime of Murther, and the Author of the fecond, when, and whereupon the Jud- 
 ges (relembling themfelvesjin detettation, and for expiation of thefe her foul crimes, con- 
 demn him to be hanged, and her to be burned alive-, which the next day, at the common 
 place ot Execution, ( near the Halls in Mans) is accordingly executed in the pretence, and to 
 ♦the content of a world of people of that City , who as much abhor the enormity of thefe 
 their bloody crimes, as they rejoice and glorihe God for this their .not fo fevere as deferved 
 puniftunents. 
 
 As tor La ViOettc , he (like an impious Chriftian ) faid little cite but that which he had for- 
 merly fpoken and delivered in the wood, at the receiving of his fall* only he faid, that he had 
 well hoped, that his great wealth which he had with La Vaffc l ay , would have fheltred and pre- 
 serv’d him from this infamous death, for murthering her Husband, and his Maiter De Merfon. 
 
 But as for this bloody Beldame, and wretched old Fury, LaVaJ[elay , (he was con ton t to 
 grieveat Grattan* s death, though not to lament or pity that ot her Husband De Merfon, yea, 
 and although (he (cctncd to blame her jealoulie towards her, yet her age was (o wretchedly 
 inttru&cd in impiety, as (lie could not find in her heart either to make an Apology, or any way 
 to feem repentant for her inhuman cruelty cowards him : for, as (he demanded pardon of De 
 Brtrnay for poyfoning his Daughter* fo (he fpake not a word tending that way, to Manfr eUefot 
 caufing his Son to be piltoll’d : only, in particular terms , (lie requetted God to forgive the 
 vanity of her youth * and, in general ones, the World to forget the offences and crimes of her 
 age ; '2nd fo conjuring all old Widows and Wives to beware by her mournful and execrable 
 example * her flames and prayers made expiation for the offence of her body * and her foul 
 mounted and fled to Heaven, to crave remiffionand pardon of God, who was the only Crea- 
 tor of the one, and Redeemer of the other. 
 
 And fuch were the deplorable, yet deferved ends of this bloody and wretched couple , L « 
 Vajfday^ and La Villette , tor fo cruelly murthering harmlefs Gratiana , and innocent De Merfon ; 
 and thus did God’s All- feeing and Sacred Juttice, juttly. triumph over thefe their crying and 
 execrable Crimes. O chat their example may engender and propagate our reformation * and 
 that the reading of this their lamentable Hittory , may teach us not only how to meditate 
 4 hereon, but alfo how to amend thereby. 
 
 GOD’s 
 
Hift. XIV 
 
 C arpi. JioHo itenafitUliganel Culi/Hna 
 
 enfiient piXth* anicaUi 
 
 
 mat* Ji-ui 
 
 rains 
 
 
 L&renxo 
 
 CapbdwBcneOent J wncl 
 
 COD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 history xiv. 
 
 Fidelia and CcfcU'ftina caufe Carpi and Monteleon, with their two Lacquics , Lorenzo, and Anfel- 
 mo, to murther their Father, Captain Benevente;rrl>icf> they perform. Monteleon and bis Lacqtty 
 Anfelmo, arc drowned. Fidelia bangs her [elf. Lorenzo it hanged for a Robbery , and on the 
 Gallows cottfeffctb the mttrtbering of Bcneven te. Carpi hath his right hand \ then his head, cut of. 
 Coeleftina is beheaded, and her body burnt. 
 
 O Ur bell parts being our Virtues;and our chiefand fovetaign Virtue, the purity and fandi- 
 ty of our feIves;how can we negled thofe, or not regard this;except we refolve to feeour 
 lelves miferable in this life, and our iouls wretched in that to come? And as Charity is the ce- 
 ment of our other virtues , fo Envy (her oppofitej is the fubverfion of this our Charity ; from 
 whence flows rage,rcvtnge,znA many UmcsmitrtherQ her frequent, and, almoft, her inseparable 
 companions;: but of all degrees of malice and envy, can there beany (o inhuman and diabolic 
 cal, as for two gracelefs Daughters to plot the death of their own Father, and to feduce and 
 obtain their two Lovers to ad and perform it ? whereof in this enfuing Hiftory we (hall fee 
 a moft barbarous and bloody precedent, as alfo their condign punilhments inflided on them 
 for the fame.lu the reading whereof, O that we may have the grace by the light of tilde their 
 fearful crimes and punilhments, to reform and prevent our own, that we may look oh their 
 cruelty, with chanty; on their rage, with reafon;dn their errors, with compallion.on their de- 
 flation, with pity; and on their inhumanity, with piety : that the meditation and contem- 
 plation thereof, may terrihe our choler, quench both the fire of our luff, and the flames of our 
 revenge . fo f h ad 1 our faith be fortified, our palfions reformed, our affediohs purified, and our 
 aduons eternally both blefled and fandhfied : to which end I have written and divulged it.So 
 Chrijlian Reader, if thou make this t hy end in perufing it , thou wilt then not fail to receive 
 comfort thereby, and therefore fail not to give God the glory. ' 
 
 Many years lince the Duke of Ofuna ( under the command of Spain ) was made rice-ray of 
 the noble Kingdom of Naples, the which he governed with much reputation and honour, 
 
 2 although 
 
1 88 God's Revengeagainjl Murther. Book 111. 
 
 although his fortunes or actions (how jultly or unjuitly l Know not ) have lince fullered and 
 received ah Ecliple. In tHe City oiOtranto^ within the Province of Apulia , there dwelt an anci- 
 ent,rich ? ahd valiant Gentleman, nobly defended, temped Captain Bbicvente, who by his decea- 
 led Lady , Sophia Elianora , Neece to the Duke of Fiombino , had left him two Daughters, and a 
 Son, he termed Seignior Richar-da Alcafcro] they two, the Ladies Fidelia and Ccrleliina^umies in- 
 deed which they will no. way deferve, but from whom they will folely dilLnt and derogate, 
 through their hellifti vices, and inhuman difpofitiohs to blood and murther. We may grace 
 our names, but our names cannot grace us. Alcafero lives ivqt at home with his Father, but for 
 the mod part at Naples] as a chief Gentleman retaining to the Vice-roy •, where he prohteth fo 
 well in riding and tilting (a noble virtue and exercifef beyond all other Italians) natural and 
 hereditary to the Neapolitans) that he purchaied the, name of a bold>and jira ve Cavalier: but 
 for Fidelia and Cotlejtina, the clocks of their youth having ftruck twenty v and eighteen, the 
 Captain their Father( thinking it dangerous to have Ladies of their years and defecnt,far from 
 him) keep); them at home, that his care might provide them good Husbands, and his eye pre- 
 vent them from matching with others. It is as great a blcffing in children to have loving Pa- 
 rents, as for them to have obedient children ', and had their obedience anlWered his affection 
 and their duty, his providence, we had not leen the theater of this their Hijiory (o befprinkled 
 and gored wit h fuch great clfufion of blood. 
 
 This Captain Bcncvcttte , their Father, for his blood, wealth, and generol!ty,was beloved and 
 honoured of all the Nobility of Apulia] and for his rqany for vices both by Sea and Land was 
 held in fo great efteem in Otranto , that his Houfe was^a n Academy, where all the Gallants both 
 of City and Cawtfry,reforted to back great horfes,to run at theRing,and to pradife other fuch 
 Courtly and Martial ExercWe% whereunto this old Captain, as well in his age, as youth, was 
 exceedingly addicted : to as the beauty of his two Daughters, Fidelia and Cxleftina, could not 
 be long either un(een, or unadmired: for they grew fo perfedly fair, of fo fvveet complexions, 
 and proper Matures, tliat they were juftly reputed and held to be the Paragons ot Beauty , not 
 only of Apulja, hut of Italy: 16 as Beauty being the Gold and Diamonds of Nature, this of theirs 
 (Yofweet injit? influence,and loexcellcilt and delicious in that fweetnefs Jdrew all menseyes 
 to love them, many mens hearts to adore *hem:fo, had they been as rich in Virtue , as in Beauty 
 they had lived more fortudaie, and' neither ?heir Friends nor Enemies (hould have lived to 
 have feen them die fo miferably ; for now that proves their ruin, which might have been their 
 glory. They are both of them foughrin m^rjiage, by many Barons and Cavaliers , as well at 
 home, as abroad*, but the Captain, their Father, will not give ear, nor hearken to any, nor once 
 permit that fuch motion be moved him. They are fo immodeft, as they grieve hereat and 
 are fo extreamly 16rrowful,to fee that a fqw years pad away, makes their Beauties rather Vade 
 than Hpurifli : Where Virtue gizeeth not Beauty, as well as Beauty , Virtue * it is often a preface 
 and fore-runner of a fortune as fatal, as mifeable. 5 
 
 But as their thoughts were too impatient and immodeft to give way to fuch incontinent and 
 irregular conceits : fo on the other fide,the-Captain,thcir Father, was too fevere,and withall 
 too unkind,! may fay,cruel,to hinder them frora. Marriage , iith their beauty and age had long 
 lince made Uiem both meri’tqrious and capable of it. It was in them immodefty, in him un- 
 kindnc(s,tp : propofe fuch ends to their defires and refojutions:for as he hath authority to exad 
 obedience Froiii them, f 6 have they likewife reafon to exped fatherly affection and care from 
 him. But he is more afleded and addided to his wealth and covctoufnels, than inclined to re- 
 gard his Daughters content, agd therefore is fully refolvcd, not as yet to marry them Which 
 is a refofution better left than embraced, & infringed than kept of him,fith it may bring forth 
 efteds contrary both to his hppes and defires. It is commonly dangerous for Parents to con- 
 tent themlelves with their children’s difeontents : for where Nature is croffed,it many times 
 degenerates and proves unnatural', as the Cataratts of Nilus make it fubmerge and waft] £*vpt 
 with her inundation.: but Fidelia and CceLjiina will make trial of one invention and concluli- 
 on more, they will give way to their diftafte,or ftrike fail to their cholcr or revenge. 
 They lee; their .Father is refolute and fevexein nipping their hopes, and crofting their- ddires 
 ot marriage*, and yet they hope, that although they cannot prevail with him, that their Bro- 
 ther Alcaftrp mvj] to which end, the fooner to obtain and crown their ddires with content 
 they confu It together, and fo by a confident friend of theirs, fend him this Letter to Naples ! 
 
 FIDELTA and COE^ESTINA to ALCASERO. 
 
 D Efpairing of our Father's refolution to marry Uf,n>e have no other refuge or recourfcfut to tbyfelf 
 and thy affeUionfn requeuing thee powerfully to fo licit c him herein, that he may not prefer bk Gold 
 
Hilt. XIV. Benevente , and bis two bloody Daughters. 
 
 befo>e our content, and confeejuently his hopei before ou' defpair, neither could our^hearts or thoughts per - 
 f&adetu , either toinploy o a’qualtt am other bat thy /elf with the fe our defres,VehL h Modefiy would 
 have fupp effed but that T ruth contra' itted and epp fed it • for his feveritj and cruelty is fuch towards 
 tis^ that although we are f ught in marriage by divers Cavaliers our Super o s, yet he Veil l not permit 
 us to be fee*, much lefs to be wedded of any. fo)n thpn thy poVve* to our Wljhes and prayers, and thy af- 
 f& ion ro the procuring of our contents andwe then doubt not but to be as happy in a Brother, as other - 
 • Vcifewefear, Vetfkallfet our J ’elves unfortunate, ye a, wife? able in a Fattier : and as thou canft not for- 
 get our def cent and Blood , fo we xealoufly pray and b fe<ch thee to remember, if not eur Beauty, our 
 Tcuth. 
 
 F JDELI A, COE LEST IN A. 
 
 Their Brother receives this Letter ; he is coo brave, generous, and' courteous, to be unkind to 
 any, eij ccialjy to young Ladies, and mod efpeciallyto hisSiiiers. whole concent he makes and 
 reputes his own. He comes to Ot ranto deals effectually with the Captain his Father herein who 
 gives them this anftver, I hat he hath provided the Baron of Carpi for Fidelia, an.l the Knight 
 Bartholomew MonteUcn for C oclcftwa •, and that within fifteen days they are ro c me to Otranto co 
 fee them , which news doth exceedingly rejoyce, firfi himfelf, then his Sorters •, hue the r Joy fhall 
 nod afl long, but be buried as foon as born. Within the prefixed time, thefe two noble men 
 come, but rhey are hateful, and nor pteafing to Fid lia and ( oelejltna •, for the Baron of Ca r pt 15 
 crook back’d, and fquinc-eyed, and Monteleon islameof one leg Thefe Ladies value their 
 beauty at too high a r re, to beftow it on fuch deformed Husbands ; and although Venus accept- 
 ed of l r ulcan, yet they will htfVe none of thefe, becaufe they deem no hell to thacof dtfeon- 
 tented bed ; heretofore they wi(hed for Suters and now they wifh they were well rid of chefe^ 
 and fo facrificing to their own concents they fee upthis refoturion in their hearts and fouls, 
 that they will rather die Maidens, than live ro fee themfejvcs Wives to fuch Husbands. Their 
 Farhcr receives Carpi and Mont ekvn courreo il y, and entertains them nobly according to their 
 Rank and Merits ^ he tells his Daughters plainly that they fhall marry thefe and none others. 
 
 I bus the Bark of thefe their refoUicionsis furp ized and beaten with two contrary winds; he 
 will be obeyed of his Daughters, and they will be commanded of their Father in all things, but 
 not in this of their Marriage. 
 
 It is never good for Parents to force the affe&ions of their Children in their Marriages, fith it 
 is a bufinefs, which rot only lives but dies with them ; but withail , their own wills muft neither 
 be their Law, nor their Guide ; for their Parents have or at leal! flhould have ) more experience 
 and judgment than they, to fee who are and who are not fit marches for them : But where au- 
 thoricy oppofeth affeftion, or aflfeftion rcafon, there fuch marriages are ftill ufhered in with 
 difeonrent, and waited and attended on with mfery. Likewife, there is a great refpeft and 
 Tonfiderarion co he oMerved by Parents, in the inebriations and natures of their children: for 
 fome will be perf.Vaded or reproved with a word, ' whereas others will become more head- 
 ft rong and rebellious with menaces and threats. Had this Cap ain attempted and praftiled the - 
 -foil, and nor the fecond towards thefe two Ladies his Daughters, perad venture they had never 
 Jeapt from rea'on to rage, from obedience co contempt, nor from hopeco defpair v yea, I dare 
 prefume to aver with truth and fafecy, that we fhould have feen them all as happy, as I now 
 fear we fhajl fee them miferable. 
 
 But to proceed.with their Hiifory: They are prefied by the Captain their Father, and impor- 
 tuned by the two noble men their Sneer's, to finifh arid confirm tllefe contrafts. But Fidelia and 
 Catrftina with a true femblance of d-ihafte & yet a falfe fhew of courtefie,give the denial to their 
 Father in^parricular terms, and to them in general. Fie ftorms at their diLobedience, and they 
 impure this excufe of theirs to modefty, rather th.an unkindnefs. They flatter themfelves with 
 th's hope,that fith they are fair, they ftiuft be courteous, and cannot be cruel s or if the contrary, 
 that the Captain their Pathtir will fo mannage his Daughters affeftions, as all things fhall fore 
 to their defires and expeft&cians : but they fhall come too fhort of their hopes, for they are nei- 
 ther referved for the Ladies, nor the Ladies for them •, but whies thus they are bufie in advan- 
 cing the procefs of cheiraffedions, Fidelia and C#leftfoa attempt a contrary enterprise, for they 
 with renrsarrd prayers, requefi their Brother Alcafero , importunately to folicite their Father in 
 their behalf, that he will not enforce them to marry thofe whom they cannot affe&, milch lefs 
 obey ^ which, like a noble and dear Brother, he performs with much zeal and perfwafion • but 
 he cannot prevail with him, nor bring them any ocher anfwer, than that they mull andfhall 
 friarry them, and only them. 
 
 Flad this refolution of their Father been more courteous and lefs rigorous towards his Daugh- 
 ters, this Riflory of theirs had not deferved fo much pity and companion, nor would have drawn 
 fo many fighs from the hearers, or tears from the Readers; forfeei ng their Father cruelly re* 
 
 Bb 3 folvcd 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther. Bock III- 
 
 folvcd to offer violence to their a flexions, they beg n to hate him, becaufe he will not better 
 love them. And here ( O here ) they enter into devillifh machination) and heHifh conf piracy againft 
 him : for as he plots their dTcontents, fo do they his deftruftion. Fidelia and Cas'eftina fee they 
 blood, and caufe one, and therefore fo they pretend fhall be their fortunes •, they would reveal 
 their intents and defigns each to ocher •, but the faft is fo foul and unnatural, as for a while they 
 cannot : but they need no other Oratory than their own fullen and difeontented looks • for ei- 
 ther of them may read a whole leftnrc of grief and choler in each other’s eyes, till at length ti- „ 
 red with the importuni.y of their Father, and the impatience of Carpi and Montehon. Fidelia 
 as the more audacious of the two, firft breaks it to her Sifter Ccekftina y in this manner. That 
 (lie had rather die, then be compelled to marry one whom file cannot affeil ; that the Baron of 
 Carpi is not for her, nor fhe for him ; and thatfich her Father isrefolute in this march ( although 
 (he be his Daughter) fhe had rather fee him laid in his Grave,than her felf in Carpi 9 s bed. There 
 needs not many reafons to perfwade that which we defire : V Coeleftina tells her Sifter plain- 
 ly, that fhe ( in all points ) joyns and concurs in opinion with her, adding withal I, that the foon- 
 er their Father is difpatcht, the better •, becaufe fhe knows they fhall never receive any content 
 on Earth till he be in Heaven ; and fo they conclude he fhaJI die. 
 
 But alas, what heliifh and devillifh Daughters are thefe, to feek the death of their Father, of 
 whom they have received their lives/* Who ever read of a Pa icide more inhumanly cruel, or 
 irapioufly bloody ? fo if ever murther went unrevenged, this will not^for we fhai! fee the Authors 
 and Afters thereof moft feverely puniihed for the fame. Men and Women maybe fecrecin 
 their fins, but God will be juft in his Decrees, and facred in his Judgments. What a religious 
 refoiution had it been in them, to have retired, and not advanced in this their damn. bleat- 
 t:mpt ? but they are tco profane, to have fo much p cy ; and too outragious to hearken to this 
 religious reafon , yea, they are too impious to hearken to Grace, and too revengerul and bloo- 
 dy-minded, to give ear either to Reafon , Duty, or Religion . So now, like two incenfed and im- 
 placable Furies, theyconfuk how, and in what manner they may free themfelves of their Fa- 
 ther : Fidelia propofeth d, vers degrees and feveral forts of murther /, but CcelejHna likes none of 
 them * in fome fhe finds too much danger, in others too little aflurance ; and therefore as yuing 
 as fhe is, fhe invents a plot as flrange as fubtil, and as malicious and diabolical as ftrange • fhe 
 informs her, that to be rid of her Father, there cannot be a fccurer courfe, than to ingage the 
 f Bargn of Carpi, and the Knight of Montehon to murther him • Fidelia wonders hcreat, faying, 
 it will be impoffible for them to be drawn to perform it, fith they both know and fee, that the 
 Captain their Father loves them fo well, as will or nil/, they mull be their Hu bands But C>- 
 lefiinas revengeful plot is further fetch'd, and more cunningly fpun • for fhe hath not begun it 
 to leave it raw and unfiniflied, but is fo confident in her devillifh induftry, as fhe affirms fhe 
 willperfe&andmakeitgood. Fidelia demands how ? Ccchftina anfwereth, That they both 
 muft make a feigned and flattering fhew, to change their dilfaft, and now co affeft Carpi and 
 Alonteliony whom before they could not ; that having in this manner drawn them to their lure 
 when they attempt to urge marriage , they fhall both agree to inform them, that it is impofllbfe 
 for them to obtain it, whiles the Captain their Father lives; fith albeit in outward appearance 
 he make a fair fhew to make them their Husbands ; yet that he means and intends nothing lefs - 
 for that he hath given them exprefs charge and command ( at any hand ) not to love or affed 
 them; which is the main and foie caufe, that hath fo long with-held them from making fo 0 n«. 
 er dcmonflration of their affections toward , them • and this ( quoth fhe ) will occafion and pro- 
 voke them to atrempc it; adding, that by this means they may give two nrokes with one flone 
 and fo not only be rid of our Father, but likewife of Carpi and Monte’eon who peradventure 
 may be apprehended, and executed for the fad ; and for our fafeguard and lecuricy, we will 
 "powerfully conjure apd fwear them to fecrecy. 
 
 Thereisno^finer than that of the Spider, nor treachery fubtiller than that of a jvoman,z( pe- 
 cially if lhe contemn Charity for Revenge her Soul for her Body find for <SW**,and confequemly 
 Heaven for \Hell ; how elfe could this young Lady lodg fo revengeful a Heart in fo fweet a Body 
 or fhroud foch bloody Conceits and Inventions under fo fair and fo beautiful Complexion f * 
 But the Panther , though his skin be fair, yet his breath is infectious ; and we many times fe- 
 that the foulf ft Snake, lurks under the greened and beautifu left leaves. Fidelia gives an atten- 
 tive ear to this her Sifter s bloody Stratagem and Dtfign ; fhe finds it fore, and the probabihtes 
 thereof apparent and eane, and therefore approves or iu So thefe two beautiful, yet bloody Si* 
 Ber’s vow without delay, t > fet it on foot, and in pradife. It is the Nature of Revenue to look 
 forward?, feldom backwards ; but did we meafore the beginning by the end as well as the end 
 by the beginning, our affections would favour of far more Religion, and of far lefs impiecy, 
 and we lhould then rejoyce in that which we rouft now repent, but cannot remedy They 
 
 take 
 
Hift.XIV. Tdenevente, and his two bloody Daughters. 
 
 take time at advantage,and pertinently acquaint Carpi and Mo/tteleou wifh it. The palEoas of 
 atfe&ion prove often more powerful than thofe of K edfinr, they fuller themfelves to be van- 
 quilhed and led away by the pur ebeauty and fweet oratory iff thefe two djfcoflfented and trea* 
 eherous Ladies, without conlidering what poifon lurks under their fpecches, and danger un- 
 der their tongues. They commit a grofs and main error in relying more on the Daughters 
 youth, than the Father’s gravity i on tlHr verbal, than his real affection i and fo.thty engage 
 themfelves to the Daughters, in a very (hort time, to free them of the Captain their father.it 
 wasabafe vice mGcntUmen of their rank, to violate the Laws of Hofpitality, in Ip. high a de- 
 gree, as to kill him who loved them fo dearly, and entertained them lo courtcoully ,and it is 
 ltrange that both their humours were fo llrangely vicious, as to concur and fympatmie in the 
 attempt of this execrable enurther. But what cannot Vice perform, or Ladies procure of their 
 Lovers? at lealt, if they love Eeiuty better than Virtue, and Pie a jure than Piety. 
 
 CaptainBr»aw»c is many times accultomcd after dinner to ride to his vinyard,and new and 
 then toAlpiataz neighbor-village, where he is fami!iarly(if not too familiarly ^acquainted with 
 a Tenant’s wife of his, whom he loved in her youth,and cannot forfake in her middle ageiper- 
 fiverance in vice, never makes a good end: alinglc lin isdilUllful, but the redoubling thereof 
 is both hateful and odious to God. Carpi and Mmtelcon take their t wo Lacquies, Loren. z. > and 
 Anjelmo with them, as (bon as they know the Captain to be abroad, only accompanied with his 
 confident Gentleman Fiamnto&nd difguiling themfelves, they watch him at the corner of the 
 wood, where of necellity he mull pafs. The event anfwcreth their bloody expectations and de- 
 hres: they fee Benevente and Fiamento approaching, riding a folt trot, when like fo many Fiends 
 and Diri/r,they all four rufh out of the thicket, & ( without any other form ,'with their (words 
 and Piltolsf after fame refinance) kill them dead to the ground,but this is not the end of their 
 hellifh malice and envy : neither is the unfatiable third of their revenge yet quenched i for they 
 take tilde two murthered bodiesf who are afrelh reeking and weltring in their blood* and car- 
 -ty them to a neighbour-hill, and fo throw them down into a deep quarry full of thick bullies 
 and brambles, whereas they thought no mortal eye (liould ever have feen them more , and 
 then there they confult upon their flight. Carpi relblves to take poll for Naples,md there for a 
 time tofliroud liimlelf among the multitude of the Nobility and Coachcs,which grace aud a- 
 dorn that City ; and Mantcleon relblves to hie towards wich intent,that if thefe mur- 
 
 the rs were revealed, and himfelf deteded and accufed, .he would there imbark himfelf either 
 for V cnice or Malta : but he hath not as yet made his peace and reckoning with God. 
 
 Leave we Carpi and his Lacquy pofting for Naples, and let us fee what accident will fpecJily 
 befall Mo melt on. It is impoilibletor murther to go long unpuniflicds Mmttleon and his Lacquy 
 Anjelmo fhall, ere they ride far, fee this polition verified in themfelves He is provided ot two 
 fair GewetSjOnc for himfelf, the other for his Lacquy, and having taken his leave of Csrpi, away 
 he goes for Brmdufwm\ but he hath not ridden pait twelve milcsbefore hisown horfe fell clown 
 dead under him, which doth fomewhat afflid and amaze him but this is but the lealt part of 
 his nailery, and but the very beginning of his misfortune i he is inforced to make a virtue of ne- 
 ceflity, fo he rides his Lacquy's horfe, and he follows him on foot. It is impdlTiblc for uguilty 
 confcience to be fecured from fear *, he rides narrow lanes and by-ways, but at laif near the 
 Village Blanquittelle , he meets with a fwift Ford, which is paffable for horfe, but not for foot : 
 Here MonteUon is conftrained to take up his Lacquy Anjelmo behind him, which he dot h, but be- 
 in the midft thereof, the horfe Humbles, and fails with both of them under him> which is 
 done fo fuddenly,that MonteUon had no time to call off his Lacquy>and fo they are botlr drown- 
 ed, and have neither the grace nor power to breathe, or fpeak a word more. 
 
 Gods Judgments ire fecret and infcrutable:had they had time ro repent, they had only loft their 
 lives, whereas now it is rather to be feared, than wilhed, they likewife run the hazard of thcii; 
 fouls. But as it is a vertue to think and cenfure charitably of the dead, fo it mo ft needs be a vice 
 to do the contrary. Heretofore tht^y thirfted for blood, aud ( lo ) now they have their fill of 
 water. All Elements arc the fervants of God, but thefe two of fire and water, arc the moll ter- 
 rible, themoft impetuous* This is a teftimony of our weaknefs, and of Gods Power. 
 
 By this time Captain Beneventc , and his man Fiamento are found wanting, and no news to be 
 heard of them his houfe rings and refounds with forrow, all his fervams and friends mouxu 
 and lament for his abfence, and his two accurfed Daughters, they feem to be all in tears there- 
 at : But we fhall fhortly fee this their hypocrifie and diilimulation bothdeteded and revenged. 
 They lay all the Country to purchafe news of their Father , and fpeedily by poll advertife thei* 
 Brother Alcafero thereof at Naples, who amazed hcreat, comes away with all pollible fpeed 
 and expedition * his two Sifters and himfelf wonderfully mourn and lament for the abfence of 
 their Father, and now feeing five days paft, and no news ofhim, they begin to fufped and fear. 
 
Gods Revenge againji Murther. Book III. 
 
 that he is made away and mutthered > and becaufe Fiamento was alone with him, they lufpeft 
 him of the fa&, which they are the fooiier induced to believe, in regard he is fled, and not to 
 be found \ but they (hallfoon fee the contrary, and that as he was a faithfull frrvant to their 
 Father his Matter, during his life, fohe was a true companion to him in his death. Andal- 
 thbugh Alcafero his Son ufe all poflible zeal and indufiry to find out his Father, yet tith Earth 
 cannot, now Heaven will reveal the news and fight ot him. For as fonie neighbouring Gentle- 
 men ( his kinsfolks and friends ) are hunting of a Stag near Alpidta, they purfue him on horfe- 
 back fome five or fix hours, and at laft being tired, he runs for refuge and (belter thorow the 
 bufhies and briars, into the fame old Quarry, where the dead bodies of Captain Benevente , and 
 his man Fiamento were thrown. The Gentlemen- hunters defend from their horfes, and with 
 their Swords drawn, enter purpofeiy to kill the Stag, which they perform •, when calling afide 
 their eyes, they fee two dead mens bodies, one near the other, whole legs, hands and faces, the 
 Crows had pitiiully mangled and defaced. They are amazed at this mournful and unlooked- 
 for fpe&acle *, when approaching todifeern them, they by their cloaths hod -and know them 
 to be Captain Benevente , and his Gentleman Fiamento. They are afionifticd and amazed hereat 
 and fo one of them rides back polt to Otranto , to acquaint Alcafero his Son hereof > who melt- 
 ing into tears, returns with him neer Alpiata , where, to his unljpeakable grief, he fees the dead 
 bodies both of his Father and Fiamento y which before all the Hunters he caufed to be fearch- 
 cd,and finds that l^is Father (with a Pifiol-bullet ) was (hot thorow the head in two places, and 
 run thorow the body with a Rapier in three *> and that Fiamettto had live deep wounds with a 
 Rapier, and one (hot thorow the head. Alcafero , and the whole company grieve and lament 
 at this forrowful ne wstthty know well that Fiamento did not fet upon the Captain his Father ; 
 and that neither of them had Piftols : and though they might imagine it done by thieves, yet 
 they were quickly cleared of that jealouiie and (ufpition, becaule they rind rich R ; ngson his 
 Mailer’s fingers, and fiorc of Gold in his pockets : So they referring the difeovery o( t 11s bloody 
 and damnable murther to Time, and to God the Author and Giver of Time, Alcajero caufeth 
 the dead bodies, firft of his Father, then of Fiamcnto y to be laid in a Coach, 'which he had pur- 
 pofeiy caufed to be brought thither *, and fo accompanied with all the Gentlemen , returns with 
 if to Otranto , where all the whole City lament and bewail this Tragical Di.afier : and becaufe 
 thefe dead corps of theirs have received wrong in b:ing fo long above ground, Alcafero that 
 night gives them their due burials, interring Fiamento decently, and his Father honourably, ac- 
 cording as the neceffity and firidhiefs of the time would permit him. 
 
 It is now Alcafero 9 $ curiolity and care to feek out the murtherers of his Father i and for his 
 Sillers they are fo irreligious and wretched, as they think to mockGW,and deludethe world with 
 their immoderate, yet counterfeit mourning * but it proceeds not from their hearts, much lefs 
 from their fouls. The morrow after their Father’s burial, they are all three inform td y Minteleon 
 and his Lacquy Anfelmo are drown’d, as they pad the River Blancjuettelle , whereat he wonders, 
 and his two Sificrs rejoyce and triumph, efpecially Calejlina y who now fees her felf freed,not on- 
 ly of the Captain her Father whom (he hated, but alfo of the Knight Monteleon her Sutcr,whom 
 (he could not love : She is fo impious and gracclefs,as (he doth rejoyce, but will neither repent 
 nor pity at thefe accidents •, *yea, (he fo ilightly and trivially paflethover the remembrance of 
 her Father s untimely and bloody death, as if murther were no fin, or that God had ordained no 
 punifhment for it ^ (he wears her mourning attire and weeds, more for fhew than forrow i for 
 her Father was no fooner laid in his Grave, but (he builds many Cafiles of plcafure in the Air 
 of her extravagant and ambitious thoughts, vowing that ere long (lie will have a Gallant of 
 her oWn chufing to her Husband *, but (he may come (hortol her hopes, and perchance find 
 a halter for her neck, betore a wedding-Ring tor her finger. As for her Brother Alcafero his 
 thoughts are roving and roaming another way, for he finds it firangethat the Baron of Carpi 
 comes not to condole with him for his Father, and to continue his fute and affe&ion to his Si- 
 fter Fidelia , whereat he both admires and wonders, and not only takes it in ill part, but alfo be- 
 gins to fufpedf, and to call many doubts and jealoufies thereon , and what the iftue thereof will 
 be, or what effe&s it will produce, wcfhall (hortly fee. But a month or two being blown 
 away, Carpi hearing no (ufpition or talk of him, and thinking all things in a readinefs for him 
 to be allured and contracted to his Lady and Miftrefs Fidelia •, he takes a new Lacquy, and ap- 
 pareling him in a contrary Livery, fends him fecretly to Otranto with this Letter to her. 
 
 CARPI to FIDELIA. 
 
 T Hcre are fome reafons that flay me for not coming to Otranto, to condole with thee for the death of 
 thy Father y which what they are y none can better imagine than thy felf : when thy forrow s are over’- 
 ll rrn.J me c to theefn hope to be asjoyfiill in thy prcfettce y as thy abfence mafys me miferable. lhave 
 
 given 
 
Hift. XIV . c Bene'uente i and his two bloody Daughters . 
 
 cyventheefc trut,nndfo real a fmfofmy afetlioK,as thou Jhouldejl offer me 
 
 thjfelf extream injury to doubt thereof. For What greater teftimony can ft thou futurely cxpetl 'than to 
 believe 1 will ever prefer thy love before my own life , if thy conflancy anfwer mine i Heaven may but 
 Earth cannot croft our dfirrj I pray figntfu me hoW thy Brother ftandt afeded to «ur affc&ions ■ thi 
 anfwer Jhall have many kjffes, and l will ever both honour and blefs that hand that writ it. ’ J 
 
 CARPI 
 
 I lie Lacquy comes to Otranto, and finds out Fidelia, to whom ( with much care and fecrecv ) 
 he delivers his Matter s Letter, and commends, and requefteth an anfwer. Fidelia receives the 
 one, and promifeth the other but fhe is perplexed and troubled in mind. Here her thoughts 
 make a ttand and confute whether file (ball open this Letter or no. Her confc.ence hath here, 
 toforeyeelded to the death of her father-, and now Religion begins to work upon the life of 
 her Confcience, which indeed is that of her Scul; Had (he perfevered in this courfe of piety, her 
 repentance might have pleaded for her difobedience, and her contrition redeemed her crime- 
 but file forfkes the helm chat n»ght have fleered her to the Port of happinefsand fafety, and 
 fo fills the fads of her reflations with the wind of defpair, which threaten no lefs than to fplic 
 the Bark of her life on the Rocks of her deflruttion and death. She now begins to hate com- 
 pany, which before (he loved, and to love folitarinefs, which before file hated Sea, the living 
 picttureof her dead Father doth fo haunt her thoughts, and frequent her ([paginations, that 
 wherefoever file is, it is prefent with her. Remorfe, as a Vulture gnaws at her heart and confci- 
 ence ; yes, though nothing do fear her, yet (lie fears all things. She fees no man tunning behind 
 her, but file thinks he purpofely follows her to drag her to Prifon . fhe is afraid of her own flia- 
 dow, and thinks, that not only every tower, but every houfe will fall upon her: flic will not 
 come into any Boat, nor pals any River, Brook, or Well, for fear of drowning. This defpair of 
 hers, caufcth her to be cold in her Religion, and frozen in her Prayers, which fiiould be both 
 the prefervative and antidote of the foul her fpeeches for the moft part are confufed and diffra- 
 cted, and her docks fallen, fearful and gaftly ( the proper figns and fymptbms of defpair J Car- 
 pis Lacquy having flayed two days in Otranto for his anfwer, holds it his duty to importune 
 -Ftdefia to be dil patched, the which that night (lie promifeth him • and now in fad and melan- 
 choly humour file breaks off Cat pi s Letter, and perufethic^ which not only renews, but re- 
 vives the remembrance of her Father’s death ; whereat file enters into a ftrange and fo impla- 
 cable a pailion, as (he once had thought to have thrown his Letter into the ri re, and her lelf. 
 after. Now (he is refolved to write back to Carpi , and then prefently (he changcth her refold 
 tiori, and vows (lie will atilwer him with (Hence. But the Devil is as (ubtil as malicious, and 
 Co the calls for Pen and Ink, and out of the dregs of di(content,and the gall oi defpair, writes 
 and returns him this anfwer. 
 
 FIDELIA to CARPI. 
 
 M l Fathers death hath altered my difpofuion t for lam now wholly addiftedto mournhig.and not to 
 marriage. I pray trouble not t by ft: If to leave Naples, to come and condole with me in Otran to : 
 for t ip e be]} comfort that 1 can receive , is, that it is impofjihlefor me to receive any . I never doubted if tby 
 dfeiiion, nor will give thee any juft caufe tofujjell, much lefs to fear mine. If this will not fufficc, nfi 
 abjured I have refolved , that either my Grave, or thy Jelf jhall he my Husband. How my Brother flands 
 njfecledto^ thee, is a thing difficult for rfle to underjland or k>tow,fith I am only bis Sifter, not his Secre- 
 tary: all outward appear ance, I thinhjoc neither loves thee for my fakgptor my f elf for thine. Live 
 
 thou as happy , as If car I Jhall die miferable . 
 
 FIDELIA. 
 
 What'a fearful Letter is this, either for Fidelia to fend, or Carpi to receive: But her diftem- 
 pered and diftrafted fpirits can atford no .other and therefore (he difpatcheth away the Lac- 
 tjuy with this. And now fas if her thoughts tranfported her to hell) (he cannot be alone, fo* 
 the Devil is dill with her , he appears to her in a (hape of an Angel of Light, and profers her 
 Mountains of Wealth, and Worlds of Honor fit (he will fall down and adore him.T© rebel againft 
 God is a fin: But to perleverc in our rebellion, is not only a contempt, but a treafon in the 
 higheft degree againft God. Thebeftof Gods people are commonly tempted^ butthofeare, 
 : and prove the worft, who are overcome with temptation. Fortitude is a principal and fovereign 
 virtue in Cbrijhatfsy and if we vanquifh the Dad/, it is good for us^that he affaulted us fith thole 
 VnSories (*as well fpiritual as temporal,) arc ever moft glorious and honourable, which are 
 atchieved with greateft danger. Had Fidelia followed the current of this counfel, and the 
 ureamofthis advice, (he had never been fo weak with God^nor fo unfaithful p her felf,as to 
 
 C c deftroy 
 
God’s Revenge againfi Mnrtber. Book III. 
 
 deftroy her felf : butforfaking God, and contemning prayer, which is the true way to the 
 truefl felicity, what can fhc hope for but defpair, or expedt bin deflru ftion ? Her Brother Alca- 
 fero, and many of her kinsfolks, neighbours and friends ( with their heft zeal, and poffible pow- 
 er ) endeavour to perfwade and comfort her •, they exhort her to read religious books, and con. 
 tinually to pray • fhe hearkneth to both thefe counfels, but neither can, or will not, follow eil 
 ther ; her Beeps are but broken {lumbers, but dillradled dreams ; and ever and anon it feems 
 (to the eyes of her mind and body) that the Captain her Father doth fpeaktoher, and follow 
 her. In a word, (he is weary both of the world, and of her life ; yea, defpair, or rather the Devil 
 hath reduced her to this extream mifery, and miferable extremity, that fhe is ready to kifs 
 that hand that would kill her, or that Death which would give her death; fhe never fees a 
 Knif in the hands of another, butfhe wifheth it in herown heart: her Confcience doth foter- 
 ribly accufe her, and her thoughts give in fuch bloody evidence again!! her confcience and 
 her felf, for occafioning her Father’s murther, that fhe refolves fhe muft dye, and therefore dif. 
 dains to live. And now comes her filler Coeleftina to her, to perfwade and confer with her but 
 (lie will prove but a miferable comforter. Fidelia fees her with hatred anddeteflation/and 
 when fhe begins to fpeak, very peremptorily and mournfully cuts off her fpeeches thus • Ah 
 Sifter, Would we had ftlept when weplottedour Father’s death, for in fteekjng his ruine,' we Jballalfuredly 
 find out our ovm Provide you for jour ftafety, for Jam paft hope of mine ; and foget you out of myfi/rht. 
 
 I know not whether the beginning of this her fpeech favored more of Heaven, than the end 
 thereof doth of Hell : for (ure, if we pafs hope, we come too fhort of falvation • and if we for- 
 fake that, this infallibly will forfake us. 
 
 This poor, or rather this miferable Gentlewoman , havfng always her murthered Father be- 
 fore her eyes ( which inceflantly haunts her as a Ghoft, and yet fhe enforced to follow it as her 
 fhadow ) is powerfully allured and provoked by the infligation of the Devil, in what manner 
 or at what ratefoever, todifpatch her felf, being fo wreichedly inflrud'ted in faith and piety- 
 and fhe adds and believes, that the end of her life will prove not only the end of her afflifti 
 on s, but the beginning of her joys. But, O poor Fidelia* with a thoufand pities and tears I both 
 pity and grieve to fee thee believe fo infernal an Advocate: for wfiarjoy either will he or 
 can he give thee ? Why, nothing but bondage for liberty, torments for pleafures and tortures 
 for delights -, or if thou wilt have me fhew thee whereat his flattering oratory, orfugred infi- 
 nuation tendeth, iris only to have thee dellroy thy body in earth, that (as a Triumph and Tro- 
 phee tothc inlargement of hisobfcure/Tir^aw) he may drag thy body and foul to hell-fire 
 But Fidelia is as conflant in her fin, as impious in her refolution • and fo ( all delays fet apart j 
 fhe feeks the means to deftroy her felf : fhe procures poifon and takes it, but the effedl and ope^ 
 ration thereof anfwers hoc her defires. I know rot whether fhe be more impatient to live than 
 willing to dye. We never want invention, feldom means to do evil ; a little pen-knif of hers 
 (hall in her conceit perform that whic!i,poyfon could not ; fhe feeks it, and now remembers it 
 is with her pair ot Knives, in the pocket of her bell Gown : fhe flies to her Ward-robe and fo 
 to her pocker, but finds not her Knives, only fhe finds her Naples-filk girdle inftead thereof 
 The Devils inllruments are never far to feek fhe thinks it as good to If rande her Throat as 
 to cut k. And here comes her mournful and deplorable Tragedy , fhe returns fwiftly to her 
 Chamber bolts the door, and fo ( which I grieve and tremble to relate ) fallens it to ihe teafter 
 of her Bed, and there hangs her felf ; and as it is faithfully reported, at that very inllanr, and 
 for the fpaceof an hour, it thundred and lightned fo cruelly, as if Heaven and Earth were 
 drawing to an end, that not only the chamber 4vhere Ihe hung, but the whole houfe fhaked 
 thereat. The thunder being pall, and the skies clear. Dinner is ferved on the Table, and Aba- 
 ft cn and Ccelcftina ready to (it v they call for their Siller Fidelia, but fhe is not to be found One 
 goes to her Chamber, and returns, that her Key is withoutfide, and the door bolted within, 
 and yet fhe anlwers nor. They both flie from the Table to her Chamber, and call andknock, 
 but no anfwer. Alcaftcro commands his men to break open the door, which they do. and there 
 fees his Siller Ft delta hanging to the Bed-Head Hark dead. They cry out as affrighted and ama- 
 zed at this mournful and pitiful fpeftacle, and with all fpeed take her down , but fhe is breath- 
 ids, though Rot cold ; and they fee all her face and body, which were wont to be as white as 
 
 ’ Tt° ? mk i " finicC, y- . ™ efe are the ™fu I effeds, and lament* 
 t r "f r b j . ? f Vefpatr andMunhcr O, may t; hriftiahs of all ranks, and of both Sexes, take 
 
 % UllJj H A T” m r' er , C T mple ' f nd vvithal ^member, that murther will 
 fi ll bcrevepged and pun.fhed especially that which is perpetraied by children toward their 
 
 but Seave n fin ° d ' 0U5 ^ ” G ° d ^ man,fith ,tn ° r ° nly °PP ofcth Nature.but Grace . Earth, 
 
 No fooner (with grief and mourning ) hath Akafero buried this his natural, yet Unnatur/l 
 
 ' fiflcr 
 
/ 
 
 Hift. XIV. Benevente, and his two bloody Daughters* ~ 
 
 After Fidelia* but as his other fitter Caleftina weeps for her death, fo (he again rejoyceth that he7 
 After hath noway revealed the great bufinefs, which fo much concerns her, I mean the murther 
 of the Captain her Father. But Time will detectt and revenge both it end her And that we may 
 notfeem extravagant hi the narration and unfolding of this Hiftoy fly we from Otranto to Na- 
 ples and leave we the fatal and woful Tragedy of Fidelia , to (peak a little of the Baron of Carpi 
 her Lover,who hath yet a great part to ad upon the Theatre of this FJlftorj. 
 
 He hath no fooner received Fidelias Tetter by his Lacquy, but he much wonders and grieves 
 at the contents thereof : he lees her cold in her affedfon towards him, and hot in defpair to her 
 fcJf,and thinks, that as it is in her power to rejoyce him with her affedion, fo it may be in his to 
 comfort her with his prefence : but her requeft and his confcience inform him, that it is yet too 
 foon to leave Naples to fee Otranto ; and yet that he may not fail in the complement and duty of 
 a Lover,he refclves to vifit her by Letter,though not in perfon,and fo writes her thefc few lines. 
 
 CARPI to FIDELIA. 
 
 Ere thy reejuefl not my Law ,1 would fee Fidelia to comfort her^and Comfort my / elf to fee her ; 
 
 But fith I mu ft be fo unfortunate,, as in one Letter to receive t Wo different forrows , my ■ efufaly 
 and thy dcfpair,what remedy (or Antidote,) can I more aptly adminifter y than Patience to the firft,and 
 Prayer to the fecond. Jfthou weigh matters aright , I have more occafton offorrew than thy felf \ and 
 yet 1 amfofarf om dejpairing^u I hope 1 ime will give thee Ccnfolation and me content. Endeavour to 
 lov* thy felf , and not to hate me ; fujhaltthou dr aW felicity out of a fflitt ion y and I fecurity out of 
 danger. I hope thy Brother will not follow thy Fathers fteps\his affMion to thee^fhall be mine to hitnfelf . 
 Let thy fecond Letter give me ha f fo much yy, as thy fi ft di ig'ief. and / Jhall then triumph at my 
 good fortune as much as I now lament and pity thine , and in that mine own . 
 
 CARPI. 
 
 He lends this Letter of his to Otranto y b y his Lacquy FisfcoyWbo carried bis firft •, but he muff 
 go into another world, if he mean to deliver it to Fidelia : He comes to Ot- ante, and repairs to 
 Captain Benevente's houfejwhereas he is walking in the fecond Court yAlcafcro being very fohta- 
 ry and penfive at a window, leaning his head on his hand, and deeply and lerioufly thinking what 
 rwo fatal difafter> were befallen hishcufe,as the lofsof his Father and Sifter, he by chance efpies 
 this Lacquy Fajco ; at whofe fight his heart beats, and his blood very fuddenly fl ifh-th up in his 
 face ; he exceedingly wonders hcreat, and attributing every extraordinary motion m him. felf, as 
 ftep or degree to the difeovery of his Father's murthtr, whereon h;s thoughts were always fixed, 
 and cou d never be withdrawn, he fends a Gentleman of his, named Plantinus, to e "qu re whofe 
 Lacquy it was and ha: was his bufinefs. Plantinus defeends and examincrh him, but lie is cjofe 
 and will revea. nothing. He ir. treats him to enter and tafte the Wine which he doth •, when in- 
 gaging, and 'caving h m in rhe Cellar, he trips up to his Matter, and acquaints him with his an. 
 fwer adding witral, that fome fifteen days fincehe fa w him here before. Alcafero commands 
 this i acquy to be brought before him, he examines him, but he will not difeover himfelf • he 
 threa;ens him with the whip, and imprifonment, but he cannot prevail.lt is a virtue in a fervant 
 to conetal his Matter’s fecrets. Alcafero ?s angry at his filence and fidelity, yet commendshim ^ 
 he bcthmks himfelf of another courle and fubtilty, as well knowing that fair words may obrain 
 that which threat* cannctjhe prays him to dine with his fervants,and enjoyneth Plantinus t o bring 
 him to him in the Garden afi er dinner, ' he which he doth. Alcafero takes him apart, and tels him, 
 that fome fifteen days part he faw him here : Fiefco anfwereth him with filence. Alcafero' find* 
 much perturbation in his heart, and diftraftion in his looks and fpeech •, he thinks this boy can 
 reveal fooething which he ought to know, and therefore thinks to furprize him with a filver 
 hook:, he proffers him twenty Duckets, and lays it down before him, to difeover himfelf and 
 his bufinefs. 
 
 Gold is, but ought not to be a powerful bait to indiferetion and poverty. It is afmail point 
 of fmali wifdom in Noblemen to commit fecrets of importance to thofe who have too much 
 folly, and too little judgment to conceal them. The fight of this Gold doth not only dazfe, 
 Fiefco s eyes, but eclipfe his fidelity : fo he holds it no fin towards God, nor treachery towards 
 his Matter to reveal it ; but takes it, and informs him that he is the Baron of Carpi his Lacquy, 
 who fenc him from Naples thither, with a Letter from him to the Lady Fidelia his fitter. Alca- 
 fero grows pale hereat, and is very curious and hafty to fee the Letter : Fiefco delivers it him* 
 who ftepsafide, and reads it • whereon he plucks his hat down his fore.head, and fo making 
 three or four paces, reads it ore again. He is perplexed to know as much as he fees, and grieved 
 not to fee and find as much as he defireth to know. He now coafirms his former fufpicion of 
 
 Cc Z Carpi) 
 
God's Revenge ogainjl JVlurther. Book III. 
 
 Carpi, z nd believes that he is a chief Aftor or Agent in bis Father's Tragedy. Put he knows it wif- 
 dom to ufe filence in the difeovery of a crime of this nature • and therefore calls Ftefco to him, 
 bids him flay that nighr,and to fpeak with him in the morning before he depart. 
 
 Alcafero withdraws hixnfeif from the Garden to his C lofet, and there again perufeth this Let. 
 ter of Carpi's: fie finds it full of fufpition and ambiguities, and perceives it hath a relation to for. 
 mer Letters- yea, there isamyftery in this Letter, the which he mull unlock and find out e’re he 
 be Satisfied for although Carpi be fquint-ey’d, yet he fears he hath looked too right on his Fa- 
 ther. He flies to Fidelia s Gofer, T runk and Casket, and.finds a former Letter of Carpi' s to her, 
 and the Copy of one of hers to him -,and the perusal of thefe two Letters are fofar from dimi- 
 nifhing his fufpition,as it doth augment and encreafe it- for now he verily believes that C a pi 
 and his Sifter Fidelia have jointly had a great hand in his Fathers marcher. But all this while he 
 doth not once fo much as fufped: or imagin that his other Sifter Cahftina hath played any part 
 in this Tragedy .-but lime is the daughter of Trutb&Truthis that of Heaven In the morn he cals 
 for Fiefcoyo whom he gave this farewell// the Baron of Carpi thy A4 after , that nty Sifler Fidelia 
 is in another World,and not in this y and th n fiortlj I refolve to fee him at Naples, and that in the in- 
 terim I wi/lreferve his Letter. Fief code parts, but knows he hath fo highly betrayed and wrong- 
 ed his Rafter, as he dares not fee him, and fo (hews him a fair pair of heels. Such Lacquies far 
 better deferve a halter than a Livery. Carpi wonders at his Lacquys long flay ; in -which mean 
 time Alcafc?o comes to Naples, where he is yet irrefolute, whether to accufe Carpi by order and 
 courfe of Law, or to fight with him : but he refolves to do both • and that if the Law will not 
 right him for the murther of his Father , his fword (hall. He goes to the Criminal Judges , and 
 with much paffion and forrow accufech the Baron of Carpi for murthering of the Captain Be - 
 nevente his Fatherland for proof hereof, produccth his two Letters to his Siller Fidelia , and the 
 Copy of one of hers to him. Whereupgn the Judges grant power to apprehend Carpi . fo he is 
 taken and configured prifoner- and now he hath lejfure to think on the bafenefs and foulnefs of 
 his fa<3. But he is fo far from deje&ing himfelf to forrow,or addifting himfelf to repentance, as 
 he puts a brazen face on his looks and ipeeche$>and to peremptorily intends and refolves to deny 
 all. Had he had more gface,or lefs impiety, he would have made better ufe of this his imprifon- 
 ment, and have (hewn himfelf at left humble, if notforrowful for his offence and crime, But he 
 holds it wifdom in greateft dangers to Chew moft courage and refolution, and fo makes himfelf 
 fit to grapple and encounter with all accidents aftd occurrences whatloever. 
 
 Men may palliate their fins, but God will find them out, and difplay them in their naked colors, 
 Akaftro 'vs&n importunate foliciror to his Judges,to draw and haften on Carpi his arraignment : 
 But they ( refembling themfelves^ proceed therein modeftly and gravely : rheyconfult and con- 
 fider the three Letters ; they find conjedural fentences enough to accufe, but no folid proof to 
 condemn him, they hold, that their opinions ought not to befwayedwirh the wind of every 
 prefumptiou,and that it is riot fit fo trivially to fee the life of a man at fix and feven. Befides, as 
 they approve of Alcafero his affedion to his father, fo they diflike of his impetuofity and vehe- 
 mency towards Carpi . They all refolve to lay the Sword of Juftke in the balance of Equity ; 
 and then ordain, that Carpi (hall be rackt, to fee whether they can draw more light from his 
 tonguc,than from his pen. But he endures thefe his tortures and torments with wonderful con- 
 flancy,and ftill denies all. Had his caufe been more religious and humane, and not fo bloody, this 
 fortitude ?nd courage of his had been as praife-wonhy, as now it is odious and execrable. The 
 Court by fentence (pronounced in open Senate ) acquit and clear Carpi of this murther, wherat 
 Alcafero exceedingly repines and murmurs. 
 
 It is not enough that Carpi hath now efcaped this danger ^ for Alcafero remains ftill conftant in 
 his conceit, that he is the murcherer of his Father, and therefore vows and refolves to fight with 
 him : He lets paG fome fix weeks t:m£,tiJJ he be found of bis limbs, and then refolves to fend him 
 a challenge. Had Carpi been innocent, it had been more honourable and requifite, that he had 
 challenged Alcaferoyhzn Alcafe o him^but his caufe being unjuft, and his confcience fearful ^ he 
 dares notrun the hazard, to be defirous or ambitious to fight with Alcafero ^ which ifhehadat* 
 tempted, Alcafero m\\ anticipate and prevent him ; who making Plxntintis his fecond, he out of 
 theafhcsof hisforrow, and the fire of his revenge, fends him to Carpi with this Billet of Defi- 
 ance. 
 
 ALC ASERO to CARPI. 
 
 Lthough the Lav? h we cleared theefor the murther if my Fathered my Confcience cannot ,andmy 
 iRapkr mil not. Tfhould he a monjkr of Nature, not to jeekjtvengefor bis deaths oj whom lhave 
 received my life. Could 1 give peace to my thoughts , or unthink the thoughts of my dif after, I would not 
 feek'to bereave thee of thy lifcyWiXh the bazzatd of mine own : Butjinding this not only difficult, but 
 
 iwpffiblt. 
 
 A * 
 
 l 
 
Hift.XIV . Benevente , and bis two bloody ‘Daughters. i 
 
 impofibk,p*rd 0 n me ifl rrque/hhee to meet me Jingle, at e'trht of the clocks after fuppe-, at the weft 
 end of the common Vineyard, where I will attend thee with a couple of Rapiers, the eho-cc whv eof Jha(l 
 he thine, and the refufal mine : or if thou wilt make ttfe of a Second , he jhall not depart Without mce- 
 tin l one to exchange a thru ft or tWo with him . 
 
 ALCASERO. 
 
 Whiles the Baron of Carpi is triumphing to fee how he hath bleared the eyes of his Judges,and 
 fo freed bimfelf from the fears and darger of death, behold , Plant mu, finds him out, and deli- 
 vers him Alcafero his Challenge. He takes ic.and vyi< h a variable countenance reads it, whereat 
 he finds a reluftation and combat, not only in his thoughts, but hi? Corfcience, whether he 
 fhould acceptor refufe it.His Honour bids him do the firff ,bu r . his Confcience wils him to per- 
 form thefecond;/r Were better to be horn a Clown than a Coward. Befides if he fhould refufe to 
 fight with Alcafero, he upon the matter makes himfeif guilty of the Captain his Fathers death. 
 He knows he hath an unjufi cauTe in hand, but he prefers his Honour before his Life ^ when fet- 
 tinga goed face upon his refolution,hc addrefTech himfeif to Planting, thus* 
 
 Sir *J prefume you know this bufinefsftor J take you to be Alcafcro\f Second. He hath ('replied Plan- 
 ting) done me the honour to make choice of me , inftead of a more Worthy. fV./l( quoth the i aron of 
 Carpi) tell thy M after from me, 1 hat although I h tve not deferved his mal ce^ yet that I accept hi* 
 challenge, and wi/l perform it^enly ] muft fight Jingle* becaufe / am at pefent unp ovlded of a Second. 
 JP lantinus (as full of Valour as Fidelity; prays him , That he may not fee Its hopes and defirtsfyru - 
 ftrated, but that he may enjoy part of t>ef e* ft. But Carpi gives him this anfwer, which he bids him 
 take for his laft refolution • That he will hazard himfeif , but n t hi, friend. So P lantinus returns 
 with joy to his mailer, and difeontent to himfeif • when nothing proving of power to quench 
 the fire of thefe two G cntlemens courage and revenge, they mete at the time and place appoin- 
 ted. Carpi fights with pafiion and vehemency Alcafero with judgment and diferetion. Carpi 
 looks red and fiery with choler, and Alcaftro pale and gaftly, notfor fear of hiscaufe, but far 
 the remembrance of his forrows; and roconclude and fiiur up this combat in the flue there* 
 of, fuftict is not now pleafed to (hew the effe&s of her power and influence, nor God that of 
 his Juftice, onely ic Is referved for another time, and for a more fhameful manner : fo Carpi 
 hath the befl of the day, for he is onely hurt in Ins right hand,ar.d fcarrM over both his lips,as if 
 the providence and pleafure of God had ordainel,thac that hand which committed the Murthcr, 
 and that mouth which denied it, fhouid be purpofely punifhed, and no part elfe-As for Alcafe oj 
 he had five feveral wounds, whereof one being cftoro.v the body, made Carpi believe it was 
 mortal, and the rather, for that he fell therewith fpeechlefs to the ground ; fo leaving him 
 groveliingand weltring in his blood, he departs, reftingvery confident that he was at Ins ve- 
 ry laft glafp of life, and point of death. But Carpi his Cbirurgion (being more humane and ch> 
 ntable than his Matter) leaps over the next hedge, and comes to his alfiftance : He leans him 
 againft a bank, binds up his wounds and wraps him in his Cloak, and fo runs to a Litter, which 
 he faw near him, and prays the Lady that was in it, that file would vouchfafe to take in Do t 
 Alcafe oj who was there extreamlyand dangeroufiy wounded* and this did. Carpi his Chir ur- 
 ge on perform, m the abfence of Alcafero s k ovfnChirurgeon* who out of feme dilialt or forgetful* 
 nefs,came not at the hour and place alfigned, according to his promife. It was the Lady Mar - 
 guerita Efperiapwho out of her noble and charitable zeal to wounded A/cafero y prefently de- 
 scended her Litter, commanded her fervants to lay him in foftly, and to convey him to his 
 lodging, and file her felt is pleafed to flay in the fields till her fervants return it her. It was a 
 c i ur t eft e, and a charity worthy of fo honourable a Lady as her felf: and in regard whereof, I hold 
 it fir, to give her remembrance and name a place in this Hiftory. All Naples, yea, the whole King- 
 dim rings of this combat-, the Baron of Carpi and Alcafero are (jointly) highly commended and 
 extolled for the fame, the laft for his affedtion and zeal to his dead father ^ the firft^ for giving 
 Alcafero his life when ic was in his power and pleafure to have taken ic from him. But God will 
 not permit Alcafero todieof thefe wounds, but rather will have him live to fee Carpi d ie beLre 
 him, though in a far more ignoble and fhameful manner. 
 
 As foon as Alcafero** wounds are cured, and he pretty well recovered he leaves Naples* and re- 
 turns to Otranto* where his Siller Caleftina did as much (hake and tremble at the imprifonment 
 of the Baron of Carpi, as fhe now rejoyccs at his liberty^eipecially,fich fhe is afluredythac he hath 
 no way accufed her, nor ufed her name for the death and murther of her Father , which indeed 
 makes her far more pleafanc and merry than before, and within fix months after marries with 
 Seignior Al.wfo Ludovici , whom (he ever from her youth had loved and afife&ed,and with whom 
 fhe lives in great pleafure, ftatc and pomp : and no lefs doth her brother Alcafero , who for the 
 courtefie which Dona ALarguerit, Efperia (hewed him when he was fo dangeroufiy wounded, 
 
 C c 3 is 
 
198 
 
 God's Revenge againji Murther . Book Ilf. 
 
 in requital thereoMoth now marry the fair Beatina, her only Daughter, with ,vhom he lives in 
 thehigheft content and felicity, as any Gentleman of Italy J or of the whole wond can either de. 
 
 But this Sun-fhine of Carpi's profperity, and Caleftina*$ happinefs and glory fliall not iaft 
 long. for there is a ftorm breaking forth, which threatneth no lefs than the utter rum, as well of 
 theirVortunes as lives. Where men cannot God will both detect .and punifli Murthers ; vea, by 
 fuch fecret means andinftruments, as we leaf* fufpeft or imagin. 1 hey are infallible Maxims, 
 That \\>e are never lefs fecund than when we think our f elves fecure^ nor nearer danger than Vhcn we 
 ttleemoar (elves fart be tf from it. And if any be fo incredulous, or as 1 may fay, lo irrei gious as 
 not to believe it have they but a little patience, and they fhai] inftantly fee it verified and made 
 good in the Baron of Carpi, and the Lady Caleftina , who thinking tbemfeives now fare and free 
 from all adverfe fortunes and fatal accidents whatfoever, and enjoying all thofe contents and 
 pleafures which their hearts could either defire or wifli to enjoy, or whiph the world could 
 proftituteor prefent them, they in a moment fhall be bereaved of their deligh s and glory, 
 and enforced to end their days on a bafe Scaffold, with much (liame, infamy and mifery. The 
 
 manner is thus : , r 
 
 Germany times beyond cur hopes and expectations, doth fquare out the rule of his Juftice, 
 according to that of bis will. All men are to be accountable to him for their adions, but he to 
 none for his decrees and refolutions : it is in him to order, in us to obey^ yea,many tunes he re- 
 proves us, but yet with no intent to pardon us. Curiofitj in matters of Faith and Religion, proves 
 not only folly but impiety \ for as we are men, we mull: look up to GW, but as we are Chrifttan : , 
 wemuft not look beyond him. He oftentimes makes great offenders accufe them felves for 
 want of others to accufe the m ; and when he pleafeth, he will punifli one fin by another, the 
 which we fliall now fee verified in Lorenzo, the Baron of Carpi bis Lacquy •, chat wretched and 
 bloody Lorenzo, who as we have formerly heard, aififted this his Mailer to murther Captain 
 Benevente and FUmento near Alpiata ; who ever fince being countenanced and authorized by 
 bis Matters favour, in refpeft of this his foul faa, wherein bis bloody and murtherous hand 
 was deeply and jointly imbrued with him; he from that time becomes fo debauch'd and dif- 
 folute in his fervice,as he fpends all that poflibly he can procure or get ; yea, and runs likewife 
 extrcamly in debt, not only with all his friends, but alio with all thofe whom he knows will 
 trufthim: fo as his wants being extreamly urgent, and inforced to fee himfelf reduced to a 
 miferable indigence and poverty, he being one day fent by the Baron his Mafier to the Senate - 
 heufe with a Letter to his Counfellor, he there in the throng and croud of the people cuts a 
 purfe from a Gentlewomans fide, wherein was fome five and twenty Duckatoons in Gold, was 
 taken with the manner, and apprehended and imprifoned for the fa&, and the next morn his 
 Procefs was made, he found guilty, and condemned to be hanged : ^o he is dealt withal by a 
 couplc'of Friers in prifon,who prepare his foul for Heaven : He fees the foulnefs of his former 
 life, and repents it. The Baron of Carpi hisMafter.no fooner underftands this news but he (hakes 
 and trembles, fearing left this his Lacquy (hould reveal the Murther of the Captain and his 
 whereupon he refolveth to fhe ; but confidering again, chat if his Lacquy accufe him not. 
 
 man : 
 
 his very flight will proclaim and mak^ him guilty, he flays, and as he thinks, refolves of a bet- 
 ter courfe. He goes to the prifon, and deals with his Lacquy to be fecret in the bufinefs he wots 
 of,proteftingand promifing him, that in conhderation thereof, he will enrich his mother and 
 brothers. Lorenzo tells him, that he needs not fear «, for as he hath lived, fo he will die his faith, 
 ful fervant : But we fliall fee him have more grace, than to keep fo gracelcfs a promife.CV^ 
 flattering himfelf with the fidelity and affeftion of his Lacquy, refolves to ftay in the City : but 
 he fhall fhortiy repent his confidence. He was formerly betrayed .by Fiefco , which me thinks 
 fhould have made him more cautious and wife, and not fo Ample to iniruft and repofe his life on 
 the incertain mercy of Lortnzos tongue :but God^s Revenge draws neer him,and confequently 
 he near his end ; for he neither can nor fhall avoid the Judgment of Heaven. 
 
 Lorenzo on the Gaftiws will not charge his foul wi r h this foul and execrable fin of murther ; 
 butGrace now operaring with his foul, as much as fomzr\y Satan did with his heart, he confeffetti 
 that he and the ha^on of Carpi his MalHr, together with the Knight Adontelcrn^ and his Lacquy 
 murthered the Captain Bcncvente , and bis man Fiamento* and threw them into the Quar- 
 ry, the which he rakes to his death is true and fo ufingfome Chriliian-likc fpeechesof repen- 
 tance and forrow, he is hanged. 
 
 Lorenzo is no fooner »ur.,ed ovrr.but the Criminal fudges advertifed of his fpeeches delivered 
 at his dea*h, they command the Baron of Ca pi his lodging ro be bclea^ured, where he is found 
 in his ftudv, and fo apprehended and committed prifoner • where fear makes him look pale, fo 
 as the Peacocks plumes both of his pride and courage ftrike fail. He is again put to the Rack, 
 
 and 
 
HIIUUV Benevente , and his Wo bloody ‘ Daughters . ifyy 
 
 and now the fecond time he reveals bis foul and bloody murther, andin every point a ckr^wlccfg- 
 cth Lorenzo** accufationof him robe true : So be is condemned. firfi rohave his right hand cutoff, 
 and then his head,n<xwithftanding that many great friends of his fue to the Viceroy for his pardon. 
 
 The night before he was to die the n-xt morn, one of his Judges was fent to lum to prifon, ro 
 perfwadehimtodifcoverall lus.Compliccs in that murther, bcfides Mototeleon and his L ; acquy 
 Anfi Imo ; yea, there are like -vife fome Divines prefent, who with many Religious Exhortations 
 perfwade hitn to it:So Grace prevails with Nature* and Right eon fnefs with Impiety and fin ip ‘him 5 
 that he is now no longer himfcjf, for contrition and repentance hath reformed him ; he iviiJ ra- 
 ther dif-refpe^Ca/e/?^^ than difpleafe God : whereupon he affirms, that fhe and her deceafed 
 fifter Fidelia , drew him and Mcntdcon ro murther their Faither, and his man Fiamevto • an4;thj|t 
 if it had not been for their allurements and requefis, they had never attempted cither the begin- 
 ning or end of fo bloody a bufinefs : and thus making himfelf reidy (of Heaven, and grieving at 
 nothing on Earth, but at the remembrance of his foul Fad, he in the fight of many thoufand peo- 
 ple, doth now lofe his head. ^ . . . 
 
 This Traced} is nofooner aftedand finifhed in ff^/.batthe Judges of this City fend away 
 Poft to i\\o(t oi Otranto }0 feize on the Lady Ccelrftina ( who in the abfcnce ofher husband for the 
 mott part lived there ) a Lady whom I could pity for her youth 'and beauty, d:d nr r the foul, 
 nefs of herfad, fofouly difparage and blemifh ir. She is at chat intr near a Neb I mans houfe, 
 atthe folemnity of his Daughter's marriage, where Hie is.appreher;dcd, impi i * and accu ed 
 to be the Author and plotter of the Captain her Father's death ; neither can he a s or prayers 
 exempt her from this affliction or mile ry. She was once of opinion to deny it, but underfiand- 
 ing that the Baron of Carpi* and his Lacquy Lorenzo were already executed for the fame in NapU , 
 fhe with a world of tears freely confcflcth it, and confirms as much as Ca pi affirmed: wher ip- 
 on in expiation of this her inhuman Farncide , fhe is condemned to have her head cut off, her 
 body burnt, andherafhes thrown into the air ; for a milder death, and a lefs puniihment the y 
 Lord will not ( cut of his Juftice ) inflict upon her, for this bjr horrible crime, and barbarous 
 cruelty committed on theperfonol her own Father, or at leafl fcducing and cccafioning it to 
 be committed on him ; and it is not in her husbands poflible power to exempt or free her here- 
 of. Being fent back that night to prifon, file paffeth it over ( or in very truth the greateft part 
 thereof) in prayer, {till grieving for her fins, and mourning for this her bloody offence and 
 crime i and the nexttnorn being brought to her execution, when fhe afeended the Scaffold, fhe 
 was very humble, forrotf ful and repentant, and with many fiiowrs of tears requeued her bro- 
 ther Alcaferc , and all her kinsfolks to forgive her, for occafioning and confenting to her Fathers 
 death, and generally all the world to pray for her •, when her fighs and tears fo forrowfully in* 
 terrupted and filenced her tongue, as fhe recommending her foul into the hands of her Redeem- 
 er , whom fhe had fohainoufly offended, fhe with great humility and contrition, kneeling on 
 her knees, and lifting up her eyes and hands towards Heaven, the Executioner with his^ Sword 
 made a double divorce betwixt her head and her body, her body and her foul and then the 
 fire ( as if incenfed at fo fiery a fpirit ) confumed her to afhes, and her afiies were thrown into 
 the air ; to teach her, and all the wo*Id by her example, that fo inhuman and bloody a daughter, 
 deferved not either to tread on the face of the earth, or to breathe this air of life. 
 
 She was lamented of all who either knew or faw her, not that fhe fhoulddie, but that lhe 
 fhould firft deferve, then fuffer fo (liameful and wretched a death : and yet fhe was far happier 
 than her filler Fidelia •, for fhe defpaired, and this confidently hoped for remiffion and falvation. 
 
 Thus albeit this wretched- and execrable young Gentlewoman lived impioufly, yet file died 
 Chriftianlj : wherefore let us think on that With dite/laticn, ind on this with charity . And here we 
 fee howfeverely the murther of Captain Benevente was by Gvds jufi revenge punifhed, not on- 
 ly in his two Daughters who plotted it, butalfo in the two Noblemen and their two Lacquie* 
 who afted if. Such attempts and crimes deferve fuch ends and punifhments, and infallibly 
 find them. The only way therefore for Chilians to avoid the orie, and contemn the other, is 
 with fan&ified hearts, and unpolluted hands, ftill to pray to Go i for his Grace, continually to 
 affeft prayer , and inceffantly to pradife piety in our thoughts, and godlmefs in our refolutions 
 and atftions s the which if we be careful and confcionable to perform, God will then fh rood us 
 under the wings of his favour, and fo preferve and protect us with his mercy and providence* 
 as we (hall have nq caufetofear either Hell or Satan, 
 
 GODs 
 
200 
 
 * 1 - ? 
 
 GOD’s Revenge again# the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XV, 
 
 Maurice, ijke a bloody villain and damnable Son, throws hu Mother Chri/Hna into a n't H and 
 drowns hen the fame hand and arm of his wherewith hi diiit rots aw aj from his body, and bein' 
 
 beitatgei ^ "** '* hethtre ce ”M eth his *nd inhuman murther, f er th) Ukb 
 
 JF we did not wilfully make our felves miferable, God is fo indulgent and merciful to us as 
 
 rJTI?^Tr keUSm T^ apPy 5 r bUtWhen Wich hi i h and Prefuraptuous bands we violate 
 l L * .l ° f Mature ini Grace, of Earth and Heaven, in raurthering through Envy thofe, 
 
 Sh2> fV nd f^ efl cV\ ea r e bound to obe y, honour, cherifli and p/eferve • 
 felve U3 "?™ arvel > beca “ fe « e . firft . f °r p ook God, that he afterwards abandonees to ou£ 
 r n V ndC ° the f , rUUs f her . co „ f ’ CaIamit y> Mifery, Infamy and Perdition: and 
 ?v n?L,ft yfeC T Un Jf" CrU l kyt0bc ]u{lly met with, and punilhed by Gods upright and 
 fnd deni w' C rh 5 Loberemthls enfuing Ht/lory we fhall fee a wretched Son kill his harmlefs 
 -• . , ■ ? er V ^ very fearful and lamentable Paricide , araoftcruel and execrable fad, 
 
 d h, i We n a o f r ^ r , e f T ded vvith condi g n pttnifhment, and with a (harp and in- 
 T et l although not half fo deplorable as defer vcd. It is a bitter and bloody HiJlorj , 
 the ! Relation and Remembrance whereof, in the moft barbarous and flinty hearts, is capable 
 not only to ingender Compaffion but Compundion ; yea, not only Contrition but Tears 
 at leafl if we have any place left m us for Pity, or room for Piety, the which if we have, doubt- 
 lefs the end of our readmg will not only blefs, but crown th^beginning, and the beginning the 
 
Hift.XV. C hrijiina and her inhumane Son Maurice. 
 
 Upon the Nortb-eafl fide of the Lake Leman, vulgarly known and called $be Lake of Gene- 
 va (becaufe it pays irs full tribute, and makes its chiefeft Rendezvous before tt^Cicy/ whereof 
 itinvironerhat Icaft one third part.) There ftands a pretty fmall and rt^g Town, diftant a 
 little days journey from it, termed Morges, which properly belongs to thef&ilciftion of Bern, 
 one of the chiefeft of that warlike people and Country of Sfyijferjand, wherein of very 
 
 late years, and recent memory, there dwelt a rich and honed Burger or Bwgomafter (for of Gen- 
 try thofe pansand people are not, becaufe they will not becapable)named Martin Ha'fenorfe, 
 who by his wi foCbiftlna Snuytjaren, had one onely child, a fon, named Maurice Half cnorfi\ 
 now of fome fourteen years old •, whole Father although he were by profeflion a Soldier, and 
 enrolled a Lieutenant to one of thofe Auxiliary bands of that Country, which are in p'ay to 
 the French King , yet neverthelefs his chiefeft ambition and care was, to make this Son of his a 
 Scholar, becaufe the ignorance and illiterature ofhisownage, made him to repent it in him- 
 felf, and therefore ro provide a remedy thereof in his Son’s youth, fich he now knew and faw, 
 that a man without learning, was either as a body without afoul, or a foul without knowledg 
 and reafon, which are her chiefeft virtues, and moft facred Ornaments and Excellencies : So he 
 brings him up to their own Grammar-School in Morges , where in fome three or four years his 
 affection and care to Oudy, makes him fo good a Proficient , as he becomes not only skilful, but 
 perfect therein, and almoft as capable to teach his School- Ma ft er, as he was to inftruft him ; 
 'yea, and to add the better Grace to the Grace of that Art , he was of fo m Id and fo modeft a 
 carriage, and the blofloms of his youth were fo fweetly watered with the Heavenly dew of 
 Virtue and Piety, as if his manners and himfelf were wholly compofed thereof * fo that for 
 Learning and Goodwfs he was, and was juftly reputed, not only the Mirrour 9 but the Phoenix 
 of all the youth of Morges *, and as he efteemed himfelf happy in his Parents, fo they recipro- 
 cally hold themfelves, not only happy, butblefTed in this their Son. But bccaufe the inherent 
 corruption of our nature, and iheperverfnefs and multiplicity of our fins are fuch, as they can* 
 not promife us any true joy, much Jefs aflured and permanent felicity .• fo the Surihine of this 
 their temporary concent, equally divided in thirds betwixt the Father, Mother, and Son, will 
 fhortly receive a great eclipfe, and a fatal dyfafter, which will be to them fo much the more 
 bitter and mournful, fich both the caufe and effefts thereof were of each of them unthought of, 
 ©f them all unexpefted. x 
 
 Fcr God in his facred decree and providence, feeing Martin Halfenorfe the Father his flrength 
 arrived at his full Meridian and height,and his days to their full number and period : He, as he 
 fate at dinnet jocund and merry with his wife and fon, is fuddenly taken with a deadly fwoon, 
 which prefently deprives his body of this life, and fends his foul to enjoy the fweet felicity, and 
 facred joy and immortality of the life to come. A Document which may teach us not to relie 
 upon the rotten priviledges and ftrength of youth, but fo to prepare our lives, that death at all 
 places,and in all times, may ftilj find us armed and ready to encounter it, A Document which 
 may teach us with the erefted eyes, as well of our faith as body, fo to look from Ea h to Hca- 
 venshat our fouls be not only ready* but willing to forfake this ftink'ng tabernacle and prifon of 
 of our mortality, ro flie and be admitted into Heaven.that heavenly Jerufalem^nd CcelffiialCity , 
 where they may enjoy the bleffed Communion of the Saints , and the grcarelt bleftings of all joys, 
 and the moft fovereign joy of all blejfmgs , then to fee our Creator and Saviour , Gcd the Father, 
 and Cbrift Je/us his Son face to face, wherein indeed all the joys and bleflings of our fouls are 
 comprized and included. 
 
 The death of Halfenorfe the Father, is not only the Argument, but the caufe of his widow 
 Chrifttn* 9 $ grief, of his bon Maurice his forrow, of her rears and groans, of hisfighsand afflicti- 
 ons*, ^ea,and n t to derogate from the truth, I may ftep a degree farthet,and fty,That this his 
 death isa fatal Herauld, and mournful Harbinger, which portends and prepares both of them 
 many d\faftrous calamities and woful miferies-, the which in a manner, are almoft ready to fur- 
 prize and befall rhem. 
 
 This forrowful widow being thus deprived of her dear Husband, who was both her com- 
 fort and her joy, her ftay and her Protecftor,her head and her glory-, although he left her a good 
 Eftat© Sufficient enough to warrant her againft the fear of poverty, and to fccure her felfagainft 
 theapprehenfion of worldly indigence!, and wherewithal to maintain both her and her fon, 
 with fomewhat more chan an indifferent competency ^ yet fhe faw her friends forfake her, 
 and her Husband's familiar acquaintance abandon her, as if their friendfhip died with him, 
 andthat their remembrance of him was wholly raked up, and buried in the duft of bis grave. 
 
 ^ molt ingra'eful d fettfeand iniquity of time, rather to be pitied than cured, and reproved 
 than refoi med, fo fading and inconftant are the unfriendly friendfhips of the world, who for 
 the Rjoltgart are grounded on profit, not on honour * on avarice, not on virtue, on their own 
 
 D d gold, 
 
202 
 
 God's Revenge againft Murther. Book 111. 
 
 gold, not on the want of their Chriftian neighbours and brethren * but enough of this, and again 
 
 to our Biftory. . , , N , , 
 
 Now, if Chrifliana (Tor only by that name I will henceforth entitle her; have any comfort or 
 
 confolation left her, to fiveeten ihe bitternefs of her Husbands death, it is only to fee him fur- 
 viveand live in her Son Maurice, in whofe virtues and years, her hopes likewife begin again 
 to bud forth and flourifh • when remembring what an earneft care and defire her Husband had 
 to fee him a Scholar, as flic inherits his goods, fo (he will affume and inherit that refolution of 
 his ; and although (he love her Son’s fight, and affeft his prefence tenderly and dearly, yet (he 
 can give no peace to her thoughts, nor take any truce of her refoluttons, till (he fend him 
 from Morns, to the llnivetfity of Lofanna, fome three Leagues diftant from thence, thereto 
 perfeft his ftudfcs and learning, the feeds whereof already fo hopefully blcffomed forth, and 
 fruftified in him. To which end, her deepeft affe&ion and care having hearkned cut one 
 Deodatus Varefius, a Batchelor of Divinity of that Vmverfity , whom fame (though indeed moft 
 falflv ; had informed her to bean expert Scholar, and an excellent Chriftian, (he agrees with 
 him ; when allowing her Son an honeft exhibition, and furnifliing him with Books, a Gown, 
 and all other neceffaries, (lie fends him away to Lofanna, charging him at his departure, robe 
 careful of his learning, carriage and a&ions 5 and above all, to make piety and godlinefs in his 
 life and convention, the Regent of all bis fludies * when with tears of natural affedion, they 
 take leave each of other. 
 
 Maurice being arrived at Lofanna, finds out his Tutor Varefius, who receives and welcomes 
 this his Pupil courteoufly and kindly: but aia ; , the hopes of Chrlftiana the Mother, are ex- 
 treamly deceived in the virtues of Varejius ; becaufe his Vices will inftahtly deceive both the 
 merits and expeditions of her Sen* or rather change nature and qualities in him, and thereby 
 fliortly make him as vicious in Lcfanna, as formerly he was virtuous in Merges : for I write with 
 grief and pity, that to define the truth aright, it was difficult to fay, whether he were more 
 learned or debauched, a mere perfed Scholar, or profane Chriftian^ for although the dignity of 
 his Bachelorfhip of Theology, did hide many of his diflolute pranks, and obfeene imperfe&ions, 
 yet his exorbitant deportment and induftry, could not fo clofely overvail and obfeure them, 
 but his intemperate affedion to drinking, and beaftly inclination to drunkennefs, began now 
 to become obvious and apparent to th cEyes and Heads of his Colledg , yea to the whole Vnivtr- 
 Jity ; A moft pernicious and fwimfh vice •, indeed too too much incident and fubje&to thefe 
 people the Swijjers \ but if it had been immured and confined within thefe Rocks and Moun- 
 tains of Germany, it had proved not only a happinefs, but a bleffing to the other weftern parts of 
 the Chriftian world, where it fpreads its infedionJike an uncontrolable and incurable Gangren , 
 yea, like a moil contagious and fatal peftilence : fo as in Varfieus there was nothing more in- 
 congiuous and different, than his dodrine and his life, his profeffion and converfation,his Theory 
 and his Prattice> his knowledge and his will. But if the head-fprings and fountains be corrup- 
 ted with this vice of drunkennefs, no marvel if the Rivers and Streams of Commonweals be in- 
 feded and poifoned therewith yea, if it be not debarred, but have admittance and refidence 
 in the Clafcs of Vniverpties, from which Nurferies and Gardens of theMufes, both the Church 
 and State fetch their chiefeft Ornaments and Members how can we expeft to fee it rooted out 
 from the more illiterate Commons, w hofe grofs ignorance makes them far more capable to learn 
 Vice chan Virtue ; or rather Vice , and not Virtue * fith there is no fliorter nor truer Art to learn 
 is, than of their Arts Maftrs, becaufe the example and prefidentof ill doing in our Teachers , 
 and Superiors, doth not only plant, but ingraff and root it; not onely priviledge, but as it were, 
 authorize inn ns, /Till with a fatal impetuofity, with a dangerous violence, and pernicious event 
 and iffue: for if remedies be not found in learned Phyficitns, it is then in vain to feek them in 
 the rude and unlearned people • and if the Praceptor hjmfelf be not far.Aified, it is rather to be 
 feared than doubted, that his Difciple will not. This (yea this) is a mott mournful and fatal 
 rock, whereon divers virtuous and religious parents have even wept themfelves to death, to 
 fee their children fuffer (hipwrack* yea* this beaftly and brutifh fin of Drunkennefs, is (till 
 the Devil's Vfter and Pander to all other fins-and therefore how cautious and careful ought the 
 Heads of Schools and Vniverfities be, to expell and root it out from themfelves, and to hate 
 and deceit it in others, fith in the remifs winking thereat, I may (with as much truth as fafety) 
 affirm, that toleration is confirmation ■, and connivency, cruelty- as we (hall not go far to fee 
 it made good and verified in this enfuing mournful Hiftory . the which in exafling Ink from my 
 Pen, doth likewife command blood from my heart, and tears from mine eyes, to anatomize and 
 unfold it, 
 
 Difficultly hath Maurice been three months in Lo/anna with Varefiusy but his virtues are eclip. 
 fed and drowned in vice ; yea,fte not only thinks, but holds it a virtue to mike lumfelf culpa- 
 ble 
 
Hift. XV. Chrijiina , and her inhumane Sori Maurice. 
 
 bleandguilty of this bis Tutors vice of Drmkennefs, wherein within left than three moneths he 
 proves fo expert, or indeed fo execrable a '.cnolarin his beafliy Arc, as both day and night be 
 makes it not only his practice, but his delight, and not only his delight, but his glory. He who 
 was before fo temperate in his drink and convention in Morges, as for the moft part, he whol. 
 Jy drank water, not wine •, now he is fo vicicufly metamorphofed in Lojanna, as contrary wife, 
 he only drinks wine, no water ; yea, and which is lamentable to remember, and deplorable to 
 obferve in this young Scholar, he drinks ( or to write truer, devours ir) fo exceffiively, as his 
 Cups are become his books ; his Caroufing, his Learning ; the Tavern, bis Study * and Drun- 
 kennefsthe only Arche profefleth ^ which filthy and infectious difeafe,fpreading from the Pre- 
 ceptor to the Pupil, from old Varefius to young Maurice, hath fo furprized the one, and feized 
 on the other, as it threatens the difparagement ofthehrft his reputation, and the fhipwrackof the 
 feconds fortunes, and it may be of his life. 
 
 Now Varefius, who will not be afhamed to pity this beaftlv Vi re in himfclf, doth yet pity it 
 with fliame to behold it in his Scholar Maurice, and yet hath neither the Grace to reform it in 
 himfclf, nor the will or power to reprove it in him ♦, but inftead of flopping and preventing it, 
 doth in all things give way to the current and torrent of th s fwinifh fin, which inevitably draws 
 after it thefe threefold difeafes and miferics • the poifon of our bodies, the confumption 
 of ourpurfes, and the Moth and Canker of our reputations > or if you will, thefe three not 
 far different from the three former , The bane of our wits, the enemy of our health and life,and 
 the confumer of our cflates and friends : and within the ccmpafs of one whole year, to all 
 thofe difeales and mileries doth the drunkennefs of our debauched young Scholar Maurice fub- 
 jeft and reduce him- fo as it being the nature of finfnot checked and vanquished with repentance) 
 rather to grow chan wither, to flourilh than fade or decay with our age ; the longer Maurice 
 lived in Lofavna, the deeper root his bealily vice of drunkennefs cook in him, and he the dearer 
 affeftion to it, fo as that competent exhibition which his Mother yearly allowed him. became 
 incompatible with this his cxcelfive prodigality and intemperancy : yea, his extream fuperflui- 
 ty in this kind, was without intermiflion fo frequent, as three quarters of bis years penfiort 
 could not difeharge one of his expences and debts, fo ftrong a habit (converted now to a fe- 
 cond Nature) had this bewitching beafiJy fin of drunkennefs exaded and gotten of him, as if 
 this were his fe icity, and that he only triumphed to become a flavc to this his ilavifh appetite 
 and fwinifh profeffion, which to fupport and maintain, he not only feeds, but furfets his Mo- 
 ther with variety of fubciland infinuating Letters, thereby to draw divers furnms of moneys 
 from bcr,as indeed he doth ; fomc under pretext of needfity to buy new books,which he affir- 
 med he wanted ; others under pretence of his weaknefs and ficknefs, and fuch like colourable 
 excufes-, which unthrifty prodigality of his, doth as fart empty her purfe and ftore, as her in- 
 duftrious frugality can poflibly fill them, whereof having all the reafons of the world to become 
 i'enfible,flie at laif, making her judgment confulc with her affe&ion, begins now to fear, that her 
 Son was become iefs virtuous, and more debauched than (he hoped of, and that thefe his Let- 
 ters and Petitions for money, were only tricks to deceive the hopes, and betray the confidence fhe 
 repofed in his virtuous earriage,and godly inclination^whereof being in fine informed and certi- 
 fied from fuch Students and Burgers of Lfanna, whom (he had fet as Sentinels, to have Argus > 
 yca. ) Lyitccu6 eyes over his aftions and deportments, ihe at laft with few thanks to his 1 utor Varc- 
 
 ,many complaints and exclamations to her fon, and imexprelfible grief and for row to her felt, 
 commands him home from Lojama to Morges , where with much bitternefs and fecrecy,fhe tax- 
 es and rates him for his drunkennefs and prodigality, in that he had vainly fpent in one year 
 more than either his Father or her felf could colledf or gather up in many. 
 
 But fee the Jeud fubtilty, and wretched deceitfulefs of this diflolute fon towards this his dear 
 and tender mother;for then and there, feafoning his fpceches with virtue, and his behaviour with 
 obedience and piety ; he modeftiy feems not only to tax her credulity, conceived againfl the can- 
 dour and integrity of his anions, but alfo with a kind of tacit choler, to malign and traduce 
 rhofe who unjuftly and falfly had call fo foul an afperfion on his virtues and innocency ; and the 
 better to make thofe his fpeeches, and this his apology and juliification pafs current with his 
 Mother, his diferetion now deferibes fo fair a Law to his Vanity, and his reafon to his intempe- 
 rate and irregular defires, as to the eye of the world, and to her more curious and obfervant 
 judgment, he feems to be the very pi&ureaod ftacue of Virtue, although God and his foul 
 foul and conference well knows, that he is the true,tffential and real Image of Vice : and the bet- 
 ter to cloak and overveil this his di/fimulation from the eyes of God and his Mother, although he 
 continue to take his Cups by night, yet in Morges , and efpecially in his Mother s houfe and 
 fighr, he cafts them off bv day, and tbe better and more firmly to reintegrate himfclf inio her 
 approbation and favour, he mornings and evenings is feeo at his prayers, and fpends the great- 
 
204 
 
 God' s' Revenge againfi Rhirther. Book ill. 
 
 efi: parr of his time in hearing and frequenting of Sermon?, the which affords fuch Iweet con. 
 tent to her conceits and thought*,- as fhe repents her felf of her unk ndnefs towards him, and 
 not only acquits him of his drunkennefs, prodigality ai d diffolutencfs, but alio accufeth his ac- 
 cufcrs,whom fhe now as much condemns for Envy and Malice cowards her fon, as fhe highly (as 
 flic thinks juft I y ) applauds him for his religious piety towards God. 
 
 But frth Hypocrijie is worfe than Profancne/s , as making us rather jyeviU than Saints; or indeed 
 rot Sdintsbut Devils *, and that no facrifice is fo odious, nor objeft fo hateful to God, as he who 
 deniesand diffemblcth it in his looks, and yet profeffeth and praftifeih it in his heart and foul • 
 fo we fhall fee to our grifef, and this wretched hypocrite find to his mifery,that thinking to de- 
 ceive GW, he fhall in t fie end deceive himfeif . and in attempting to betray his Mother through 
 his faff g Virtue, his true Vice will at Iaft betray him, and make him as miferahle, as heflattereth 
 himfeif it will make him fortunate. 
 
 Now, the better to root and confirm this opinion of his temperancy in his mother s conceit 
 and mind, and fo the more feeretly to overveil his exceffive affection and addition to Drun- 
 kennefsMt under the pretence of fome necelTary and profitable occafions gets leave of her,fome- 
 times to ride over to Bern, Soleure > Fnburge, Apenfal , and other capital Towns of the Cantons , 
 ivhcrc he falls afrefh to his cups, and there continually both day and night fwiils his brains, and 
 Buffs up his belly with wine, as if he cook no other delight or glory, but to dro wn his wit and 
 learning with hismoney,and his health with both *, and yet again when he return* to Marges, 
 lie makes fuch fair weather with his mother, and cafts fo temperate a cloak and colour on his 
 fpeeches and adions, as if it were impoftible for him to drink more than would fuffice nature, 
 or to defire more than would meerly quench his thirft. And thus by his hypocritical policy 
 having wrought himfeif into his Mother’s good opinion and favour, as alfo fome Bore of mo- 
 ney out of her purfe and coffers, he with a feigned fhew of humility and difererion, takes leave 
 of her, and to perfeft his ftudies and learning, returns again to Lofanna , where he is no fooner 
 arrived, but upon iris new return, he finds out his Old carroufing Companions, who like fo 
 many peftilent Vipers and contagious Moths and Caterpillars* are vicioufly, and therefore fa- 
 tally refolved, not only to eat out the bottom of bis purfe, but alfo the heart of his happinefs, 
 and as I may juftly term it, to devour the very foul of his felicity •, and with tbefe tippling 
 Brats of Bacchus^ doth oiiHeud and debauched Scholar Maurice continually drink drunk; not 
 onlV forgercing his learning but himfeif, and which is worfe, his God *, having neither the pow- 
 er to remeniber to repent, or grace to pray, nor to remember any thing but his cups;fo beaftly 
 is be inclined, fo fwinifhly and vicioufly is he affeded and addifted > and what doth this either 
 prognofticate, prefage, or promife to produce in him, but inevitable affii&ion,mifcry and ruin 
 of all fides. 
 
 As the fhorteft errors are beft, fo thofe Vces which have longeft perfevcranceand predomi. 
 ranceinu*, prove Bill the moft pernicious and dangerous. It is nothing to crufh a Serpent in 
 the egg, but if we permit it to grow to a Serpent* it may then crufh us * a plant may be remo- 
 ved with eafc,but an old tree difficultly. To fall from fin to repentance, is as great a happinefs, as 
 it is a mifery to fall from repentance to fin ; and indeed to life but one word for the affirmation 
 and confirmation of this truth, there can no greater mifery befall us, than to think our felves 
 happy, when ( through our fins) we are miferable. 
 
 Here in ho f anna,. Maurice efteems this his beaftly fin of drmk^ unefs to be a Virtue sm a Vice in 
 him ; yea, m paying for all fhots and reckonings in Tavern?, he fottifhly and foolifhly chinks ic 
 the fnoiteft and trueft way to be beloved and honoured (though indeed to be contemned) of 
 all ; and therefore without fear or wit, jea, without the leaft fpark of Grace , or fhadow of 
 cor.hdei a ion , his ftomack (like the Devils fpunge) and his infatiable throat (like a bottom- 
 lef? gulf) fo devours his wine, and his wine his mony, asthat which fhould be the Argument of 
 his glory, he makes the caufe of his fhame ; and his money which fhould forcifie his reputati- 
 on, he converts and turns to ruin it. But as poverty ("in a juft revenge of our Vanity) rejoyceth 
 to look on us, becaufe we fmft difdained either to look on, or regard it * fo behaving fpent the 
 fragrant Summer of his folly and prodigality, in wafting the moneys his Mother gave him in 
 wine* now the deprivation thereof makes him feel the frofty winter of that want, which he can 
 better remember than remedy, rather repent than redrefs. The Felloes and Students of his 
 Colledg look on him and his drunkennefs, fome with the eyes of pity, others with thofe of joy, 
 according as their friendfhip or malice, their Charity or Envy either conduct their paftions, or 
 rranfport and fleer their refolutions and inclinations. As for his T utor Varcftus , how can he 
 polhibly feek to reclaim this his Pupil from V ice to Virtue , when he is fo wretchedly diffolute, as 
 by the publick vote and voice of the Vniverfity , he himfeif is already wholly and foie relapfed 
 (tOta Virtue to Vice ? 
 
 In 
 
Hi ft. XV. Chrifiina , and her inhumane Son Maurice. 
 
 I n which refpeft this vitious young Student Maurice , having neither Veriue nor Tutorjfnoney 
 norcreditsdifcredon nor friend to fecurc him from the (helves of indigence, or the rocks of po- 
 verty and miferv whereon he is raflilyand wilfully rufliing ; he like a true deboifhed jfcho'ar,or 
 indeed as a mafier of Arc in the art of deboifhedncfs, firli fells his Books, then his Gown and clo. 
 dies, and t ext his bed, being defirousto want any thing but wine -and .confidently ( though vain- 
 Jy and foohfhly) aflurc-d, that if he have wine enough, that then he wants nothing. A miferabie 
 tonfiderationand condition, a wretched cflate and resolution, only tending and conduci ngto 
 direful miftry.and to deplorable poverty and defoiadon. 
 
 But to rcplcmfti his purfe, to repair his credit and apparel, and to continue his cups and 
 drunkcnnefs> heluth no other hopes or reluge, than again to .cafl himfelf op the afftdion and 
 courtefie of his mother, w hom he re* vifits with fever al Letters, which arc only f<> many hum- 
 ble irfmuating Petitions, again to draw and wrefl moneys from her* But he is deceived in his 
 hopes and expectation, or at Jeafl they diibn^Iy and fevera/fy , and his mother jointly with 
 them, confpirc to deceive him. For I write it with grief, becaufe ( by an uncontrouliable 
 relation of the truth) (he dilates it to my pen with tears, that as well by all thofeof Merges t 
 who came from LcJ*»na^ as by all tbofe of Lofrdnyja^ who came to Mo)gcs> (lie is m oft certain- 
 ly and forrowfully ad vertifed of her fons deboifhed and diffolute life, of his nqglejt of learning, 
 hnd too frequent afle&ing and following of drunkennefs * of ihe.fale of his clothes, bed,, and 
 books ; of the irreparable lofs, both of his time, moneys, and reputation ; and withal, how 
 the dregs and feums of wine hath mecamorphofed his countenance, and not graced, but filthily 
 difgraced it with imny fiery Rubies, and flaming Carbuncles ; asalfo how it hath fluffed and 
 bombafied up his belly and body, as if the dropfieand he contended who fhouid fir A fieze each 
 on other * and therefore (he being (with a mournful un willingnefs ) enforced, not only to take 
 no ice, but forrowfully to refl aflured and confident of thefe difailrous preraifes, the infallible 
 predictions and fymptoms of her (on’s utter ruinc and fubverfion, (he peremptorily and abso- 
 lutely refufeth his requefis, anfwereth his letters with many fharp complants, and bitter exclu- 
 mations againfl his foul fin of drunkennefs, which threatens no iefs than the ruin both of his re- 
 putation, friends, learning, fortune, and life, if not of his foul., - f? 
 
 Maurice feeingbirofelf wholly abandoned of his mother, he knows not how to Jive, nor 
 yet how to provide the mean 9 to maintain life, which not oncly (urprifeth his thoughts, but 
 amazeth and appaleth his cogitations with fear •, yea, he takes this difeourtefie of hers, fo near 
 at heart, and withal is fo extceamly impatient to fee himfelf forfaken of her, whom he knows 
 the laws of Nature hath commanded to affeft and cherifh,as forgetting himfelf to be her fon,and 
 (lie his mother ; yea, forgetting himfelf to be a man, and which is more, a Clmftian • his wants 
 and vices fo far tranfport him beyond the bounds of Reafonand Religion, of nature, and grace, 
 as he impiouily and execrably degenerates from them all , and lccretly vows to his heart and 
 foul, or to fay truer, totheD^vil, (who inchanteth the one, and infe&erh and intoxicateth 
 the other ) that he will fpeedily fend her into another world in a bloody coffin, if (he will not 
 relieve his wants, and maintain him as her fon in this. So alas here it is, that he firft gives way 
 to the devil to take poflefiion of his thoughts and heart, and here it is, that he firfl affumes bad 
 blood, and fug. efts bloody dcfignes,againA the fafetyand life of his dear and innocent mother. 
 When like a miferabie wretch, and a wretched and impious villain, his thoughts and ftudies 
 c j.ke lomar.y lines running to their centre ) are now in continual aftion and motion, how to fi- 
 mfh and bring this deplorable Tragical bufinels to an end; yea, the better to feed this his ioia- 
 tiable bloody appetite, and to quench the quenchlefs thirft of his matricidious revenge, he forgets 
 nil ether projects and affa rs to follow and halten on this ; which (to give cne word fpr all) takes 
 up both his fiudy and his time in Ufanna, calling away his bocks which would feem to divert him 
 From it, as if he courted Phto not j&pollo ; Prcferpina , not Id alias ; Erynnis^ not V/ 0ft la * the 
 not the Alufes ; and as affiidions feldom come alone, but many times (as the waves of 
 rhe fea) fall one in the necx of another ; fo to make him rather advance than retire, in the ex- 
 union of this his unnatural and damnable attempt, his exceflive and frequent drunkennefs makes 
 him fo not or ion fl; apparent to the heads of the Vmvcrfitj in general, and of hi> own Colledge 
 in particular, that they give him his Ctnge, and i without lending any ear to his Apology or Ju- 
 fiification) cxpell him thence. So that being now deflitute of ail friends and means, he is en- 
 forced to fee nimfelf reduced to this point of mifery, that he mu A either beg or Aarve, which 
 r i prevenr, (bccaufe he as much difdams the firfl, as he is refoJved to provide a remedy for the 
 fecond) he leaves Lo fating (where his vices and debts have made the itones too hot for him) and 
 on Go: goes home to his mother to Morgps t hoping dm his prefence may prevail more with hcc 
 than hr abfence ; and his tongue make that ealie, which his pen (in his Letters) found not onely 
 
 difficult but impolfible. 
 
 Being 
 
 205 
 
 D d 3 
 
God's Revenge againjl Murther. Book ill. 
 
 Being arrived at Morgef, his loving and indulgent Mother receives him with rears, not of joy, 
 but of grief; for his drunkennefs hath fo deformed his face and body, as at thefirft fight fhe dif- 
 ficultly knew him to be her Son •, and although he take pains to conceal that bcailly vice of hi?, 
 and fo to plaifler and varnifh it over with a feigned fhew of repentance and reformation; yet 
 fhe fees to her aftiiftion,and cbferves to her milery, that he loves his Cups betrer than his life, 
 and that as foon as fhe once turns her back from him, he falls clofe to them, and fo tipleth and 
 earoufeth from morning to night. Three days are fcarcc pad, before he makes two requeds ro 
 her ; the one for new clothes, the other for money ; when to the end that her vvifdom might 
 fhine in her affeftion, as well as her affeftion in her vvifdom, fhe chearfully grants him the fird, 
 but peremptorily denies him thefecond. becaofe fhe well knows it would be fo much ca ft away 
 on him, fith he would inflantly cad it away on Wire; and to write the truth, the grant of his 
 apparel doth not fo much content him, as the refufal of her money doth both afliift and inflame 
 him ; He is all incholer hercat, and the fumes of revenge do fo implacably take up and feize 
 upon his thoughts, and they on it, as now without the fear of God, or care of his foul, he like 
 a damnahle villain, and an execrable fon, fwaps a bargain with the Devil, to dedroy and make 
 away h s Mother. Hellifhrefolutions, and infernal conceits, which will not only ftrangle thofe 
 ivho embrace, but confound thofe who follow them. His impiety made him formerly affumc 
 this bloody faft, and now his neceffity and want of money (in that he cannot as it were, drown 
 himfelf in the excefs of drunkennefs^ enforcerh him to a refolution to finifh ir. His faith is fo 
 weak towards God, and fo ftrong with the Devil, as he will not retire with grace, but advance 
 with impiety, to fee as well the end, as the beginning of this bloody bufinefs : He confults here, 
 on with his delight, not with his reafon *> with his will, not with his confcience ; with his heart, 
 not with his foul. He fees he hath no money, and knows, or at lead believes, that his Mother 
 hath enough, and therefore concludes, that if fhe were once dead, it were impofiible that his 
 life fhould want any. Sothefeiwo wretched Counfellors, Covetoufnefs, and Drunkennefs, 
 (or rather Covetoufnefs to maintain his Drunkennefs; like two infernal fiends and furies, bale* 
 him on head-long to perpetrate this bloody and mournful murther of his dear and tender Mo- 
 ther, the end whereof will bring him as much true mifery and infamy, as the beginning doth 
 flatter and premife him falfe content and happinefs. His yotith hath no regard to her age, and 
 lefs to her life, neither willhevouchfafe to remember, that he fird received his of her : yea, 
 all the blood that flows in his heart, and dreams in his veins and body, cannot any way have the 
 power to prompt him, that it is derived and defeended from hers. And if Mortes will not di- 
 vert him, Lojannai hould; if his years cannot indruft him, yet his books might°* and if Na- 
 ture prevailed not with his heart, yet methinks Grace fhould with his confcience, to prefent him 
 thefoulnefs of this attempt, and the unnatural cruelty thereof, in refolving to embrew his dia- 
 bolical hands in her innocent blood ; or if the influence of thefe earthly confederations could not 
 allay the heat of his malice, or quench the fire of his revenge towards her, yet methinks looking 
 from prophannefs to piety, from earth to heaven, from the time prefent to the future*, from the 
 corruption of his body, to the immortality of his foul ; from (in to righteoufnefs, from revenge 
 to religion, and confequenrly from Satan to God, he fhculd hate this bloody defign and pro* 
 je& of his as much as now he loves it, and feekthe prefervacion of his Mother, with as much 
 obedience and affeftion, a9 now he contrives and purfues her untimely end with impiety and 
 de'eftation. But his Vices will dill triumph over his Vertues •, and therefore it is rather to be 
 feared than doubted, that they will in the end make him too miferable, ever to fee himfelf fo 
 happy. 
 
 Miferable Maurice therefore (as the fhame of his time, the difgraceof his Sex, and a prodi- 
 gious monfter of Narure) having heiJifhly refolved on the matter, now with a devilifh fortitude 
 and helhfh sffura-nce pafleth on to the manner of her Tragedy. He will not give ear to God, 
 who fecks to divert him from it, but will hearken to the Devil, who ufeth his bead Oratory to 
 perfwade and entice him to it. But as the Devil is malicious in his fubtilty, fo fhould we be 
 both wife and cauticu* in our credulity •, for if wc believe him, he will betray us ; but if we be- 
 lieve God, we (hall then betray him : he is impatient of delays ; yea, his malice is fo bloody, 
 and his revenge fo cruel, as he thinks every hour a year, till he hath fent her from Earth to Hea- 
 ven He propofeth unto himfelf divers ways to murther her ; and the devil, who is never abfent, 
 but prefent in (uch hellifh occafions, makes him as well induflriousas vindiftive and implacable 
 in the contriving and finifhing thereof. Now he thinks to cut her throat as (lie is in bed : Then 
 to poyfon her at Table, either in her meat or drink. Then again be is of opinion to hire feme 
 to kill her as fhe is walking in her Vineyards ; or elfeto caufe two Water-men to drown her, as 
 fhe is taking the Ayr in a Boat on the Lake, which twice or thrice weekly fhe is accudomcd ro do*, 
 but yet Bill he is irrefolute, either which, or which not to refolve on, till at lad, after a weeks 
 dilatory prottaftion, having with a fatal and infernal ratiocination banded and rebanded thefe feveral 
 
 bloody 
 
Hift. XV. Cbriflina , and her inhumane Son Maurice. 
 
 blocdy prcje&s in his brains and contemplations, he rejedeth them all, as more full of difficulty 
 and apparent danger, than of warrantable fafety, when confidering there was a deep Weil in the 
 cuter-yard,ad)oymng to the Garden, he holds it fitteft lor his purpofe to drown her therein, whereon 
 the Devil and he ftrike hands, and fet up their reft and period. 
 
 While thus this gracious mother Cbriflina endeavours with her beft care and prayers to divert her 
 gracelefsfon Maurice from this his intemperate and beaftly fin of drunkennefs, he fas if he 
 were no part of her, but rather a limb of the Devil) with a monflrous and inhumane iugrati- 
 tude, fets his inventions and brains on the tenter-hooks, toefpycutthe occalion and time to 
 difpatch her. When burning with a flaming defl re to quench the infatiable thirft of his revenge 
 in her blood, he (taking time and opportunity at advantage^ feeing all his Mother’s people 
 abroad to gather in the Vintage, the W r ell open, and {he with a Prayer-book in her hand, 
 walking in the Garden next adfoyning, the Devil infufeth fuch courage to his heart, his heart 
 fuch cruelty and inhumanity to his refolutions, that all things feemed then to confpire to fee 
 an end to this his fo long defired and affeded bufinefs, of murthering and difpatching his Mo- 
 ther: he taking on him the pare of a mad man, whom it feemed forrow had fuddenly afflided, 
 and grief diftraded, he with his hat in his hand, haliily and furioully rufheth into the Garden 
 to his Mother, and cries out to her, that there is one of the Neighbours children fallen into 
 the Well, which he efpied from his Chamber Window : vvhereunto (harmlefs good woman ) 
 fhe adding belief to his falfe and perfidious fpecches*; and (being beyond her felf.) nfflided 
 and amazed with this fudden and lorrowful news, fhe throws away her Book, and hand in hand 
 with him (her fighs interrupting her words, and her tears her fighs) fhe (as if pity added 
 wings to her feet) trips away to the Weil, both to fee this mournful fpedacle, and chiefly to 
 know, if it any way lay in her pofiible care to aflift, cr power to preferve the faid child from 
 death : when bringing her to the Well, he better like a Fury, than a man, and rather refem- 
 bling a meer Devii than a fon, fafteneth his left hand on the Well-poft, and as (lie looks into 
 the profundity thereof, he with his right hand tips and throws her in > and fo without any more 
 doing, claps down the cover thereof •, when rejoycing in bis heart, that he had fent her to 
 death, bccaufe he fees it now not in the power of the whole world to fave her life, he ( the bet- 
 ter to overveil this his impious vil lany) afeends her Chamber, breaks open her cupboards, 
 trunks, and chefts, takes away moil of her money, and filver plate, which he privately hides 
 away for his own behoof and ufe, and fo fcattcreth a few pieces of money, and fome of her 
 clothes and apparel in the floor, thereby fubtiily to infinuate and intimate to the world, that it 
 were thieves who had robbed and drowned his mother ; when flealing a horfe out of the ftable, 
 be gets him out of the back door, which he leaves open, and from thence rides to his Mother’s 
 people in the Vineyards, to whom he relates he hath been all that morn abroad to take the Ayr, 
 and is now come to pafs the remainder of the day with them, and to be merry with them ; to 
 which end he lends for Wine from the skirts of the Town ; and fo they caroufe andfrolick it 
 till towards night, and then they return home, where they find both doors open, his Mother 
 their Miftris wanting, and no creature in the houfe, whereat they much admire. So they 
 feek and call her in the Orchards and Gardens , but in vain, for they find no news of her ; 
 when the maids ore way, and he and the men-fervants another way, feek her where fhe is 
 accuftomed to frequent, but to no purpofe, for they can neither fee nor hear of her •, till ac 
 length the maidens rufhing into her bed chamber, they find her cupboards, chefts and trunks 
 broken open, and fome of her money and apparel ftrewed here and there upon the floor * 
 whereat amazed, they cry out ac the window, that thieves had been there and robbed their 
 miftris her chefts and trunks : which Maurice and the men-fervants of the houfe over-hearing, 
 they afeend and admire at the fight thereof : neither doth his outward fears, or their inward 
 apprehenftons, flop or ftavat the meer lofs of the goods, but they fear the abfence of his Mo- 
 ther, and their Miftris Chriftina, and are already become jealous of her fafety, and fearful that 
 the thieves have offered her fome violence and cruelty. Whereupon late ac night, hearing no 
 news of her, her fon goes and acquaints the Bayliff of Merges, and the reft of the Criminal 
 Officers therewith, who of all fides inquire for her, and make a fecret fearch in thetown, to 
 find out the thieves ; and in the mean time leave not a room nor place of the houfe unfought: 
 tor her, but their diligence proves vain * for they can purchafc no news of her, much lels of 
 the thieves. They remain in the houfe all night, and they all with forrowful and warchful eyes 
 exped to hear of her. Eight of the clock the next day ftrikes, but as yet fhe is not feen or 
 heard of: So they again, in prefence of the Bayliff fearch all places and corners, both in the 
 Houfe, Gardens, Orchards, and Yards •, hut lfill to no effed, when behold the facred provi- 
 dence of God, in revealing her to be drown’d in the Well, beyond the expe&ation of all thft 
 were prefent : for as they are in the midft of their doubts and fears, yea, in the very depth of 
 
 their 
 
208 
 
 Gods Revenge again ft Murtier. Book HI. 
 
 their refearch, lo, one of thefervant maids named Heficr, having that inllant morning taken a 
 nap of an hours fleep in a chair, flares fuddenly out of her deep and reft, trips to them, and 
 fays, (he then and there dreamed, that her milirisC/7n/Ji>4 was call into the Well and drotvned •, 
 the which fhe affirmed with many words, and more fighs, out-crits,ard tears •, which piercing 
 into the ears and th< ughts of the Bayliff and fervar.ts, and into the very heart and confcience of 
 this our execrable Maurice, they look pale with grief and amazement, and he llraineth the high, 
 eft key of his arc ard policy, to keep his cheeks from blufliir.g for fhame thereat •, and the better 
 to hood-wink their eyes and judgment from the leall fpark or fliadow of his guilttnefs herein, 
 he with many fli, rvers of hypocritical tears, prays the Bayliff, that upon Hefier’s dream and 
 report, the Well may befearched ; adding withal, that it was more probable than impcflible, 
 that thofe thieves who robbed his Mother’s houfe, might h'kewife be fo devill fhly malicious to 
 murther her, and throw her into the Well : which the Bajbff ferioufly confidering, as firft the 
 maids dream, then the fons requell and tears, he inftantly in the prefence of all thnfeof the 
 houfe, asalfoof many of the next neighbours, whom he had purpofely affemb'ed, caufcd the 
 Wei to be fearched ard founded, where the hook taking hold of her clothes, they inftantly 
 bring up the dead body of his Maher and their Miftrefs Chri(}ina the fcull of whofe head 
 was lameutably broken, and her brains pitifully dafhed out with her fall. All are amazed, her 
 fervants grieve, and her hcllifh fon Maurice weeps and cries more than all the reft at this mourn- 
 ful fpedacle. The Bayliff carefully and punctually again examines Htfier, if God in her 
 dream revealed her not the manner how, and the perfoi s who had thus ihrown her Miftrefs 
 into the Well; fhe anfwer.d negatively, accos ding to the truth, that fhe had already delivered 
 as much as fhe knew of that mournful bufinefs. When Maurice, to fhew his forwardnefs ard 
 zeal, for the detection and finding out of h:s Mother's murtherers, he pretends that he fufpeds 
 Ilrjler to be acceflary, and to have a hand herein. But the Bayliff ai d Common-council of 
 Morgcs, having neither paflion nor partiality to dazle and ir.veagle the eyes of their judgment, 
 finding no rea Ion or ground of probability to accufe her, or which might tend or conduce that 
 way, they free her wfithout farther queftionirg her, and fo (as it hath been formerly remembred) 
 they ail concurring in opinion, that the thieves who robbed her, had undi ubtedly thrown her 
 into the Well They give leave to Maurice to bury his breathlcfs Mother, which hedothwith 
 the greateft pomp and decency, require as well to' her rank ard quality, as to bis affection ard 
 duty; ard the better to fan off the leaft duft or fmoak of fufpiLon, which might any way fall 
 upon the luiter of his innocency, he at her Funeral (to the eve of the world ) (beds rrunv rivo- 
 Je s of tears But, alas, wl at is this to this hi* foul and execrable fin of murthcring his Mother ? 
 for although it blear the eyes, andinveagle the judgments of the Bayliff and his Affociatcs, ti e 
 Criminal Judges of Morses-, yet God the great and Sovereign Judg of Heaven and Earth, 
 will not be thus deluded, cannot be thus deceived herein. No, no ; f r albeit he be merciful’ 
 yet his Divine Majcfty is too juft to let crimes of this hellifh nature go either undetefted or un- 
 punifhcd. 
 
 We have feen this execrable fon fo bloody hearted and hr nded, as with a devillifh rage, and 
 inhumane mfert al fury, to drown his own dear and tender mother ; ard with as much cruelty 
 a' ingiatitude, to throw herfrom the World into a Well, who with many bitter gri t es and tor- 
 ments (to the I azaid and peril of her life) threw him from her Womb into the World • and 
 the providence and juflice of God will not lead the curiofity of the Reader far, before we fee 
 th s irnfei able mifcrtanc overtaken with the impetuous fterm of God’s revenge, andthefiery- 
 guftsand tempeffs «f his juft indigration for the fame, rotwithftandirg that bis’ fubtil malice 
 and malicious fubnlty , have fo cunningly contrived, ard fo fecretly afled and’ 
 com; acted it with the Dtvil, that no earthly perfon , nr fublurary eye can ar,v way 
 time hoT' ’ cfstonv!ahimt,:ereof ; as mark the fequel, and it will briefly and truly inform 
 
 As foon as he I arh buried h is Mother, his black mourning apparel doth in his heart and aftions 
 wnrk fuch poor and weak effects of repen ance ardforrew for her untimely dea h, as where 
 divers ethers ftment and grieve he cor.tmiwife rejcycetb and triumpheth thereat, and byberdc- 
 cea e being now bec> me Lord and mailer of all, he like a gracelefs villain, falls again to his cldca- 
 roufiog couspamons, and vein of drunkennels, wherein he takes fuch Angular dclioht and °| C iv as 
 r “a'tS • T y hlS paft ' me ,1nd exercifc b y da y- but his r^ctice and recreation bv night^And as 
 f T? in<1 r Ur£e and / cven ^ e thc enormi 'v of cur delights and crimes, 
 
 Lm for car reformation, that this ungodly and 
 
 beaftly vice of crunkennels of h.s, wh.ch is h.s mod fecret, bofom and darling fin, will in the end 
 prove a ravenous \ ulture to devour, and a fatal Serpent to eat cut the bowels, firft of his wealth and 
 profpcci y, and hen of his life ; for it not orly takes up his time, but his fludy ; infcmuch, as 1 may 
 
 truly 
 
HifLXV. Chnjlina ) and her inhumane fon .Maurice. 
 
 truly aver to my grief, as affirm to his ffiame, that he levelleth at nothing more, than to 
 make it his felicity: which Iwinifn excels and intempcrancy, fas a puhifhmcnt infcparabfo 
 incident and infallibly hereditaiy to that ImJ doth within three moncths make him fell 
 away all his lands, yea, and the greateli part of his plate and houffiold (toff : fohisdrnn- 
 kennds hrlf, but then chiefly God’s juftice and revenge purfuing his foul and inhumane 
 crime ol drowning his Mother, makes him of being left rich by her, within a very (hort 
 time become very extream poor and miferable j lb ashe runs deeply into debts, yea, his 
 debts are by this time become fo exceedingly urgent and clamorous, as contrary to his 
 hopes and tears, when he leaf! dreams thereof, he is imprifoned by his Mercer and Drap: r 
 for the blacks of his Mothers funeral, to both whom he is indebted the turn of three hun- 
 dred crowns, which is far more than either his purfe can ditcharge,or his credit and eftate 
 now fatisfie. When, abandoned of all his friends, his means fpent and conlumed,and no- 
 thing left him to exercife his patience in prifon, but defpair i nor to comfort him, but the 
 ferrours of his bloody and guilty confcience, heisclapt into a [linking vault or dungeon 
 where ( in horror and deteflation of his bloody crime) the glorious lamp of Heaven, the 
 Sun, difdains to lend his radiant and glittering beams to comfort him , fo as he who’ was 
 before accuilomed to fare delicioully,and, as it were, to fwill and drown himfelf in the bed 
 and molt curious wines, now he mull content himfelf only with coarfe bread and water i 
 and yet his nvifery is fo extream, and that extremity of his fo miferable, as he hath hardly 
 enough to maintain and fudain life : But we (hall fee that this fird atHidtion of his will 
 indantly be followed and overtaken by a fccond. 
 
 Whitllmday being arrived, he petitioneth his Goaler (for that day! to have the liberty 
 of the yard, and the freedom of the air, which is granted him, when at night defending 
 the (fairs, again to be pent up in his oblcure dungeon, his foot flips, and he receives a fearful 
 fall, wher with the bone of his right arm is broken in two pieces, and having no Chirurgeon 
 to look to it, it putrifics and rots, fo as for the preferving of his life, he within fifteen days 
 is enforced to have it cut off a little below the (boulder > and this was the very fame hand 
 and arm which threw his Mother into the Well. A lingular aCt of God’s revenging juftice, 
 and juft revenge (hewn herein. O that it may be deeply imprinted in our hearts, "and en- 
 graven in our fouls, that the Reader hereof, of what Sex or quality foever, may a$ it were 
 itand amazed at the confideration of Maurice his impious fin cowards God,and of God’s duc 
 and true revenge and requital thereof in his juft judgment and affliction towards him. 
 
 But this is not enough for Maurice to fufter, nor for God to inflict on him for this his 
 bloody and inhumane crime, in murthering his mother *, nor to fay the truth, it is but the 
 prologue to the deplorable, yet deferved puniftment, which is immediately ready to fur- 
 prize and befall him. For to the end, that the truth may inform our curiofity, and our curi- 
 ofity us, of the Cataftrophe of this Tragedy, we muft underhand, that ic was the plcafurc 
 •and providence of God, that the breaking and cutting away of Maurice his arm, proved 
 the break-neck of his ;patience,and the cutting away of his content and judgment. The De- 
 vil cauied him molt inhumanely to drown his mother, the which he might have refilled 
 to perpetrate, but would not i and now God in expiation thereof fends him Rage for Rea- 
 fon, D.ipair for Comfort, and Madnefs for Sobriety, the which he would fly and efehew, 
 but cannot. Re hath committed this execrable crime beyond the rules and laws of Na- 
 ture > and therefore God hath ordained, that he fhould feel many degrees of punishments, 
 and this is not only the law, but the rule of Grace. Of all degrees of afflictions, madnefs 
 is the moft to be pitied > and the worft to be cured, fich it makes a man go far beyond rea- 
 fon, and therefore to come too far fhort of himfelf : it is held by fome to be a ficknefs of 
 the Liver, of others, an over-fuming of the blood, and of others a debility of the brain : 
 But in this our execrable wretched Maurice , it was the infectious malady of his foul, which 
 Ge)d lent purpofcly into his brains, to be revenged of his heart, for fo inhumanely drown- 
 ing his Mother . tor although his Divine Majefty hath infinite more ways to punifh mur- 
 t her, than man hath to commit it *, yet that he might make the dete ction of this of wretch- 
 ed Maunce ft range as the complotring and fiffllhing thereof was cruelly inhumane, and 
 
 inhumanely cruel, he puipoily lends it him i for although lince his imprifonment, hun- 
 ger had fo taken down his ftomack, and quelled his courage, as his former volubility of 
 fpcech was now reduced to a kind of forrowfui and penfive lilence * yet as foon as his 
 bruins and fenks were poffeffed and captivated with this prodigious lunacy, and outragious 
 phten fie, then his fits were fo violent, and that violence fo implacable, as hisfpccches were 
 io many fearful outcries and howlings, and his words fo many uncouth and unheard of 
 ravings , fo that whofoever heard or law him, he might juftly conceive and affirm, that 
 he had thunder in his tongue, and lightning in his eyes: For his crime made this affliction 
 
 £ e and 
 
Book III 
 
 Gods Revenge again]} Murther. 
 
 and phicnfie of his fo miferable, fo impetuous, as lie fpake non-fenfe perfe&ly, and looked 
 rather like a Fury than a man : yea, his foul conscience and polluted foul rung him fo ma- 
 ny Patiick fears and terrours of defpair, as he was afraid of all things, and angry withhim- 
 felf, becaufe he could be no more afraid of himlelf > foas the dungeon which could impri- 
 fon his body, was not capable to contain his thoughts, much lefs to immure his fears , and 
 in this miferable plight and perplexity, he remained for the (pace of ten days and nights, 
 without any intermiflion or hope of remedy, which infinitely dilturbed his fellow-prifon- 
 ers,but chieily his Goaler, whofeears had never been accuftomed to hear fuch difeordant 
 tunes, much lefs to be taken up with fuch diftalieful and fearful melody. 
 
 He acquaints the Common Council of the Town hereof, and importunately fblicites 
 them,that they will remove this diftradted prifoner Maurice to feme more fitter and more 
 convenient place : Who remembering what Maurice had been, and now cotiiidering and 
 feeing what he is, they who heretofore would not be fo charitable to relieve his poverty, 
 are yet now fo religioufly compaffionate, as they pity his madnefs > fo they command him 
 from a dungeon to a chamber, from his pallet of Itraw to a feather-bed, from his bread and 
 water, to wholfome meats and- broths, but all this will not fuffice *, and to (hew them- 
 fclves not onely good men, but good Chriltians, they torcjlorehim to his wits and fenfes 
 make yet a further progreifion in charity. They caufe him to be conferred with by many 
 good Divines, who are not onely eloquent, but powerful to perfwadehim to pray often, 
 and to pradtife other Chriftian duties and offices \ but his cries are fo outragious, and his 
 Tavings fo extravagant, as he is asuncapable to rellifh their reafons, as they are to under- 
 Hand his rage : When the very immediate finger and providence of God, make them yet 
 fo fcnfibleof his unparallei’d nailery, as they are refolved to remove him from his prifon 
 to an hofpital, thereby to take the benefit of the air in the gardens, walksj and fields, hoping 
 that they might prevail with him, to recall his wits, and re-ftablifh his fenfes in their pro- 
 per feats of undemanding, and ftations of judgment : when here, ('oh here) I conjure 
 thee, Chriftian Reader, to Hand amazed and wonder with me, at the iacred and fecret ju- 
 fticeof the Lord, expreffedand demonftrated in this accident: For as his under Goaler 
 ('by the Magiftrates command) takes him by the hand, with an intent to conduct him from 
 the prifon to an hofpital, his bloody crime ^like fomany Blood-hounds) purfuing his guil- 
 ty confcience and fouhhis thoughts fo enformed his knowledg, and his knowledgloto 
 confirm his belief, that the drowning of his mother isdetedted, and that they now draw 
 him from his prifon to the place of Execution, to fuflfer death for the fame. Which ap- 
 preheniion and fear, God putting into his conceits and heart, in defpight of his madnefs, 
 he wanting an Accufer, lo here he himfelf both accufeth and condemneth himfelf for the 
 fame. For the very jmage of that conceit redoubling his fear, as his fear did his phrenfie 
 and madnefs, he in the midft of thofe fits, and the height of that agony and anxiety, cries 
 out with aloud voice, I have drowned my mother in the Well^ 1 have drowned my mother in the 
 Well , God will have me to confefs it , before he fuffers you to hang me \ I fpeak^it on truth , and by my 
 part of Heaven, what I now confefs is true. Which words no fooner efcaped his tongue, but 
 heinihntly returns again to his out-cries of phrenfie and madnefs. HisGoalers and the 
 reft are amazed at thefc fearful fpeeches, and bloody confeffion of his ^ which notwith- 
 standing that they attribute to madnefs, yet they lead him to the hofpital, he ft ill raving 
 and crying as he paffeth the ftreets. But oh ! Let us here farther admire with wonder, 
 and wonder with admiration, at the providence and mercy of God here again miraculoully 
 madeapparent and manifefted in this execrable wretch Maurice, for he who outragioully 
 cried in prifon, and licentiouily raved in the ftreet , is no fconer entered into the Hofpital, 
 but the plcafure of God hath fo ordained it, as his madnefs fully falls from him, and he abfo- 
 lutely recovereth again his wits and (enfes,in fuch firm and fetled manner, as if he had ne- 
 ver formerly been touched or alHidted therewith. 
 
 His Gaolers- make report to the Magiftrates, firft of his confeffion of drowning his mo- 
 ther, and then of hisfudden and miraculous recovering of his perfect memory, judgment 
 and fenfes, affoon as he let foot within the Hofpital : Whereupon they as much aftonifhed 
 at the one, as wondering at the other, do inftantly repair thither to him,and there arraign 
 and 3 ccufe him, for that inhumane and bloody fadt of his, whereof his own evidence and 
 confeffion hath now made him guilty. But they take him for another, oratleaft, he will 
 not be the fame man : he denies this horrible and bloody crime of his, with many oaths and 
 alterations, which they maintain and affirm he hath confefled, fays, that they either heard 
 a dream, or fawa vifion, whereof he neither dreamt nor thought of, and that he was ready 
 tolofeall the blood of his body, to find out, and to be revenged of the murtherers of 
 his mother. 
 
 But 
 
2 
 
 Hift.XV. C hrijhna , and her inhumane [on Maurice. 
 
 But the Magnates are deaf to his apology, and in confidering the violence of his ttud- 
 nds by its fudden abandoning him, as alfo his free and uninforccd contcftion of drowning 
 his mother, they conceive that God’s providence and judice doth firongly operate in the 
 detedion of this foul and inhumane murther i and therefore contemning his requefts and 
 oathsfin the vindication of his innocency.) they caufe him to be rdctched from the Ho- 
 spital to the Prifon, and there adjudge him to the Rack, when although his heart and foul 
 be terrified and affrighted with his apprehenfion and accufation, yet the Devil is ib (hong 
 with him, as he cannot find in his heart to relent, much lefs to repent this foul and inhu- 
 mane crime of his \ but confidering that he adted it fo fecictly, as all the world could not 
 produce a witnefs agamft himfelf, except himftlf, he vows to be fo impious and prophane 
 in his fortitude and courage, as to difdain thefe his torments, and to look on them and his 
 Tormentor, with an eye rather of contempt than fear: But God will be as propitious and 
 indulgent to him, as he is rebellious and refradory to God i for here we (hall fee both his 
 confcicnce and resolutions taught another rule, and preferibed a contrary Law j yea, here 
 we fhall behold and obferve in him, that now Righteoufnefs (hall triumph over Sin, Grace 
 over Nature, his Soul over his Body, Heaven over Hell, and God over Satan : for at the 
 very firft fight of the Rack, the fight and remembrance of his bloody crime makes him 
 Duke and tremble extreamly ^ when his foul beingilluminated by the refplcndent Sun- 
 beams of God’s mercy,and the foggy mifts of Hell and Satan expelled and banifhed thence, 
 he falls to the ground on his knees, firft beats his bread, and then ereding his eyes and 
 hands towards Heaven, he (with a whole deluge of tears) again confcffcth, that he had 
 drowned ins Mother in the Well, from and for the which he hutnbly cravdgi remiffion, 
 both from Earth and Heaven. 
 
 And although there be no doubt, but God will forgive his foul for this his foul murther, 
 yet the Magidratcs of Marges, who have gravity in their looks, religion in their hearts and 
 fipeeches, and judice in their adions, will not pardon his body j fo in detedation of this his 
 fearful crime, and inhumane paricide,they in the morning condemn him, that very after- 
 noon to be hanged. At the pronouncing of which (cntence, as he hath reafon to approve 
 the equity of their judice in condemning him to die, fo he cannot abdain from grieving at 
 the dridnefs of the time which they allot him for his preparation to death . But or foon as ret 
 forfait# the Devil, rve mak# our peace with God. 
 
 All Morges and Lofanna rings of this mournful and tragical news, and in detedation of 
 this mournful, inhumane, and bloody crime of our execrable Maurice, they flock from all 
 parts and drects to the place of execution, to fee him expiate it by his death, and fo to take 
 his lad tarewel of this life. 
 
 The Divines, who are given hinrt for fortifying and affiding his foul in this her flight and 
 tranfmigration from Earth to Heaven, have religioutfy prevailed with him,fo as they make 
 him fee the foulnefs of his crime, in the fhaipncfs of his contrition and repentance for 
 the fame s yea, he is become fo humble, and withal fo forrowful,for this bloody and dege- 
 nerate offence, as I know not whether he think thereof with more grief, or remember it 
 with detedation and repentance. At his afeending the ladder, mod of his Spectators can- 
 not refrain from weeping sand the very fight of their tears proves the argument of his, as 
 his remembrance of murthering his mother, was the caufe. 
 
 He tells them he grieves at his very foul,for the foulnefs of his fadl, in giving his Mother 
 her death, of whom he had received his life. He affirms, that druukdinefs was not oncly* 
 the root, tarrhc otrfc of this-his buggery and mifery,xtf“hf5 crime and punifhment, and of 
 his debofhed life, and deferved death, from which with a world of fighs and tears he feeks 
 and endeavours to divert all thofe who afledt and pradtife that beadly vice. He declares, 
 that his mother was too vertuous fo foon to go out of the world, and himfelf too vicious 
 (and withal too cruel ) any longer to live in it s that the fins of his life had deferved this 
 his (hameful death and although he could not prevent the laft, yet that he heartily and 
 fbrrowfully repented the firft. He prayed God to be merciful to his foul, and then befought 
 the world to pray unto God tor that mercy * when fpeakinga few words to himfelf, and 
 iealing them with mafiy tears and far-fetched fighs, he lallly bids the world farewel > then 
 inviting the Executioner to do his office, he is turned over. 
 
 And fuch was the vicious life, and deferved death of this execrable Ton, and bloody vil- 
 lain Maurice : wherein I mull confefs, that although his end were (hameful and (harp \ y«it 
 it was by far too too mild for the foulnefs of his crime, in-fo cruelly murthering his dear 
 mother Cbrijiina , whom the Laws both of Nature and Grace commanded him to preferve 
 and cherilh. Yea, let all fons and daughters, of all ages and ranks whatfoever, look on this 
 bloody and difaflerous example of his with fear, and fear to commit the like by the fighr 
 
 E e 2 of 
 
in 
 
 . 
 
 Cod's Revenge againfl Mart her. Book III. 
 
 I Ml 
 
 ot his punifhmcnt. It is a Hiftory, worthy both of our meditation and deteftation, whe- 
 ther we caft our eyes on his drunkennefs, or fix our thoughts and h ar ts on his murther. 
 Thofe who love and fear God arc happy in their lives, and fortunate in their deaths *, but 
 thofe who will neither fear nor love him, very feldora prove fortunate in the one, never 
 happy in the other > and to the reft of our fins, if we once content and give way to add 
 that fcarlet, and crying one of murther > that blood which we untime ly fend to earth,will 
 in God’s due time draw down vengeance on our heads from Heaven j Charity is the mark 
 of a Chriftianvand the (bedding of innocent blood, either that ot an InJidcl,an Atheift,or a 
 Devil. O therefore let us affebt and ftrive to hate it in others, and fo we (hall the better 
 know how to deteft and abhor it in our felves : which that we may all know to our com- 
 forts, and remember to our confolations, dire&us, O Lord our God, and io we dial 1 be 
 dire&ed. 
 
 
 9 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 
TRIUMPHS 
 
 OF 
 
 GODS REVENGE 
 
 AGAINST 
 
 The Crying and Execrable Sin of 
 
 MURTHER; 
 
 EXPRESSED 
 
 In thirty (everal Tragical Hiftories, (digefted into 
 
 Six Books) which contain great variety of mournful and memorable 
 Accidents , Amorous, Moral, and Divine. 
 
 ‘Bool^ Fourth. 
 
 Written by JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed by M. for William Lee, 1610. 
 

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 *V* «SO 7fi i>33flii"i 
 
TO THE 
 
 RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 EARLE OF 
 
 PEMBROKE and MO NT GO MER T 
 Lord Chamberlain to the KiNG^one of His Ma/eftie’s 
 
 moft Honourable Privy Council, and Knight of the moll 
 Noble Order of the Garter, 
 
 RIGHT HONOURABLE, 
 
 H Aving formerly dedicated the third Book. of thefa my tragical Hi Tories 
 (0/God's Revenge againft Murther) to your Incomparable Lord and 
 2?r0//jer,William Earle of Pembroke ( who now lives with God) I there- 
 fore held myfelf bound{by the double obligation of my duty and your oxen, 
 generous merits') likewife to prefant this Fourth Boo/[ to your Protection and Patro- 
 nage^ becaufe as England, fa Europe perf eCt ly tyows that you are as true an Heir 
 to his Vertues , as to his Fortunes * and to his Goodnefs , as to his Greatnefs^andthat 
 therefore it may properly be faid he is not dead , becaufe they (as well as himfalf ') do 
 fiidjurvive and live in you, wit h equal lufire and glory , as having made either a 
 happy Metamorphofis 3 or a bleffed Tr anfmigrati on into your Noble breajl and refa- 
 ctions : and therefore as it was my fan cere refpeCts and zeal to his Honour that then 
 drew me to that ambition } fa it is entirely the fame which hath now both invited 
 and induced me to this prefumption to your Lordfaip , having no other end or objeCt 
 in this my Dedication , but that this Book^of mine having the honour to be counte- 
 nanced by fa great a Perfanage , and the felicity to beprote&edby fo honourable a 
 Meccenas, may therefore encounter the morefafely with the various humours it 
 faall meet with , and abide morefecurely the different cenfures of this our too fa fit- 
 cltous age . ~ ~ 
 
 How thefeH i (lories (or the memorable accidents which they contain and relate ) 
 trill relifa With your Lordfaip s palate or judgment > I know not , Only becaufe you 
 arc a noble Son of Gods Churchy and an excellent Servant to your Prince and 
 Country , I therefore rather hope than prefume , that your Honour will at leajl be 
 pie a fed to fae^ if l not delight tokpow^ and confider, how the Triumphs of God's 
 Revenge and Punifamcnts doth herein fecretly and providently meet with this cry- 
 ing and fcarlct fin of premeditated Murther , andwt*hthe bloody and inhuman $ 
 
 Perpetra - 
 
Perpetrators thereof w ho hereby (as fo many mercilefs Butchers , and prodigious 
 Monjlers of mankind) do jufily make thenfelvcs odious to Men, and execrable to 
 God and his Angels . 
 
 God hath ( [defervedlj ) honoured your Lordfiip with the favour of two great 
 Earthly Kings your S over aigns, as fir si of our royal King] ames, the Father, and 
 now of our prefent moji Renowned King Charles his Son: and yet this external ho- 
 nour and favour of theirs is no way Jo glorious to you , as that ( maugrethe reigning 
 Vices of the World) you ferve the true God of Heaven , in purity of your heart, and 
 fear and adore him in the integrity of your foul* And to repre fent you with naked 
 Truth , and not with Eloquence or Adulation , this Heavenly Piety of yours I be- 
 
 lieve is the prime rcafon,and true Ejfential caufe of all this your Earthly honour, and 
 fublunary Greatnefs, and that this is it likgwife which doth fo rejoy ce yenr heart, 
 and inrich and replenijh your Houfe with fo numerous and noble an Ijfue , of hopeful 
 and flour firing Children, who (as fo many Olive-branches of Virtue 5 and Syens and 
 riant s of Honour) doth both environ your Bed, and furroundyour Table, and who 
 promsfc no lefs , thanjuturely to niagnifie the bloody arid to perpetuate and immor- 
 talize the Illujirious Name and Family of the Herberts to all Pojlcrity . 
 
 Go on refolutely and conjlantly ( Noble Lord) in your religious Piety to God , and 
 in your candid and unfained Fidelity to your Prince andCoiintry , that your life 
 may triumph over your deaths and your Vertues contend to outfinne your Fortunes , 
 and that hereaf ter God(ofhis bejl favour and mercy)may make you as bleffed and as 
 glorious a Saint in Heaven , as now you are a great Peer and Noble Pillar here on 
 Earth ; which none fijall pray for with more true zeal, or defire or wijh with more 
 real and unfeigned ajfctfion, than 
 
 Lour Honours devoted and 
 moji bumble Servant 
 
 JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
JDon. luqu -H Arfjllfi 
 
 1 dx aquts 
 
 morta. po\ 
 
 y Hathun- 
 
 a tetter found 
 
 lues executed 
 
 Hift.XVI. 
 
 MJOIL 
 
 Vc 
 
 Terex 
 
 Tu. an. ; 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 history XVI. 
 
 Idiaques caufeth his Son Don Juan to marry Marfillii, and then commits Adultery and Inert with 
 her She makes her Father in Idiaque* to joy [on his ow„ old wife Honoria ; and Hkewife 
 
 makes her own Mother De Perez t o kill her Chamber-maid Mathurina : Don Juan afterwards 
 kills Dt Perez in a Duel : Marfiilia hath her brains dafht out by a horfe , and her body r after- 
 ward condemned to be burnt: Idiaques is beheaded, his body Ukewife confumedto afies, and 
 thrown into the air . ' 1 J y 
 
 T ET Malice be never fo fecretly contrived, and the (bedding of Innocent blood never fo 
 wrctcneclly rerpetrared, yet as our Confcieoce is to us a thoufand vritnelfo, fo God is to 
 ts a thoufand C.onfciences, firft to bring it to light, and then their Authors to deferred punirti- 
 ments for tbefame, when they leaft dream or think thereof. For as there is no peace to the wick- 
 ed, to they fhall find no peace or tranquillity here on earth, either with God or his creatures 
 becaufe if they would conceal it, yet the very Fowles of the air, yea, the (tones and timbers of 
 their chambers will detea ,t .• For the Earth or Air will give them no breath nor being, but !hey 
 (Ul hang between both, becaufe, by thefe their foul and deplorable faas, they have made them- 
 : J , V ; S un , orthy cf '***•. A powerful example, and a pitiful precedent whereof we (h all be - 
 ; h,s “ nfuir S Hifione, ivherc Tome wretched miferesnts and gracelefs creatures makin- 
 ‘ r mfei vr s guilty of thofe bloody cr-mes t, by the immediate Revenge and Jultice of God ) re” 
 ceived exemplary, and condign puniilimrnts for the fame. May we read it to Gods glory, to the 
 comfort cf cur hearts, and the inflation of pur fouls. ' ° 
 
 In tfc City cf Sar.tarem, wh'ch ( by traa of time, and corruption of fpeech ) feme te rn 
 ■ tituAren, ano which (after Lisbon) is one of the richelt and bed people cf For ugal- there 
 
 E 1 dwelt 
 
2 I 
 
 8 
 
 God's Revenge agninjl IVlurther. £>o«k 1 V 1 
 
 dwelt a Gentleman of fome fitly five years old^ nobly dcfccndcd and ot agrear elf^te ano mears^ 
 nzmz&Don Scbaftian IdUqH's, whole wife and Lady being aged, of well near fifty years, was 
 termed BomUonor\a : ana well die deferved that honourable name; for all lor is of virtues and 
 honours made her youth famous, and her age glorious to all Portugal and They fird lived 
 
 
 
 
 ; five years oW, ;pt dilpoucion orave ana generous, wnoaiter y ; uuu ; jciii 
 
 his Father^ had nis chief breeding under rhe Duke of Braga**,*, confirm he was fffil a P?ge, 
 and thena chief Gentleman retaining to him: whom (in regard cf the death of his Brother and 
 Sitters ) his Father called home unco him, to be hts comfort and confolacion, and the prop and 
 flay of Ids age, asalfoof the Lady his Mother, who bad formerly adted a great partin grief, 
 and a mournful one, in forrow for the death of her children ; and indeed £W Jua ni this Son cf 
 theirs, for ail regards of Counflfip, was held to be a complcat Gallant, and of rhe prime Ca- 
 valiers of Portugal- ‘ 
 
 As iQi.l'ditqHtt the Father, though in all the courfe and progrefs cf his life, and in all the 
 life and conduction of his adtions, he bewrayed many moral and generous vertues: yet as one dif- 
 cordant firing marrs the harmony of the bdf-tuned inftrument, and the concent cf the Aveereft 
 melody and mufick * and as one foul Vice is naturally fubjedt, and fatally incident to eclipfe 
 and drown many rich and furvertucSj fo fin this his old age, when time had honoured him 
 with white hairs ) he debolhed himfelf fo much, and fo fottiflily facrificed his irregular affe&i- 
 ons to heart-killing concupifence, and his exorbitant defircs to foul- destroying adultery, that 
 he very often made himfelf a falfe and inconftant Husband to his wife, and a true, yea, too 
 true a friend to Curtifans and Strumpets. His vertuous Lady Honorla extreamly grieves here- 
 at, that nowin his later years he fhould thus lafcivioufly forget himfelf, both towards her, 
 and towards God. She ufeth all perfwations, prayers and tears, to diflwade and divert him 
 from it: but feeing that all proves vain, and that he rather proves worfe than better thereat, 
 her diferetion makes her brook it with as much patience as (he can; and therefore fhe feems 
 not to fee, or know that whereof ( to her grief and difeontent ) flic cannot be ignorant. But 
 here comes an accident which will breed both of them, and their Son r Don]u mifery of all 
 (ides. 
 
 Some fix leagues from Santarem was a wonderful fair young Gentlewoman, being a Wid- 
 dow, aged but of twenty two years. Dona Mar fillict well defeended, hot by hef late deceafed 
 Husband left but fmall means, yet (he bears out her port bravely, and maintains her fclf high- 
 ly and gallanrly; and indeed Ihe is the prime young Lady for beauty in all thofe parts- Now 
 the bale^Ambafiadors, and Emmiffaries of /^W^xhisbeaftlyand obfeeneluft f the true Vipers 
 and Cankers of Common- weals ) give him notice of her, and of her fingular beauty, as well 
 forefeeing and knowing that it would be Tweet and plcafing news unto him. He vifics and courrs 
 her-, but asyouog as (lie if, fhe puts him off with peremptory refufals, and in vertuous and mo- 
 del! tearms checks his age for this bis lafeivious fute and motion to her : But he is as corJiant 
 in his affection to her, as (he isditdainful to him ; for his heart is fo enfnaredand intanglcd 
 in the fetters of her frelh and delicate beauty, that although (lie refufe him, yet he will not for- 
 fakehcr; but after manypurfutes andvifits, (he at laft well perceiving that helovedher ten- 
 derly and dearly, and that he (till moft importunately frequented her jioufe and company, 
 (he asafubtil and cunning young Gentlewoman, tells him plainly and privately, that fhe will 
 acquaint him with a fecret of her heart, and a requefi of her mind and affe&ion, which if he 
 will caufe to be performed, (he then vows fhe will for ever be at his difpofing and command. 
 Uiaqacs thinking that fhe will crave fome money of him, or fome yearly penfionor annuity 
 he confiantly promifeth to grant and perform her requeft », fo (he, taking time at advantage) 
 and firlUwearing him to fecrecie, then ( with many fmiles and blufhes ) lhe tells him, that if 
 ever he think to enjoy her love and her fclf, he muftufe the means to marry his Son Ban 
 Juan to her, which being effefted, (he with much pretended (hew of piety and affe&ion, reli- 
 gioufly fvvearsto him, that fhe will never have thepower or will todenyhim anything, but 
 that hisrequefis (hall be to her as fo many commands, and f but only for himfelf ) if his Son 
 Bon Juan be her Husband, (he with many imprecations and affeverations fvvears, that fhe will 
 facri ftce her befi blood and life, rather thaodifiain h.s bed, or offjr him the leaf!: fhadow 
 of any fcandal or, di (honour whatfoever. Idiaques vvondreth with admiration , 
 and admires with wonder at this her ftrangc Propofition , the which he findes fo 
 
 / knotty 
 
H iiLXVI. Don c jnan and Marfillia. 
 
 knotty and intricate, asmeafuring Grace by Nature his judgment by his Luftand ConcupC 
 fee rice, and his foul by his affedions, he knows not what to lay or do herein . fo heanfwc- 
 rcth her with more love than wifdom, and Tor that time leaves her in general terms. He goes 
 home, wains penhvely in his gsrden, and there confults Fro and Cert un this bufinefs ; fjin he 
 would preferve his Sons honour, and keep the honour of his bed immaculate, burthen the 
 fweet Rofes and Lilies of Marfillia s youth and beauty ad wonders in his heart, and bear 
 down all other reafons and confiderations before it:He vifits her again and a^ain,but he finds 
 her inviolably conliant in her former refolution. All the favour and courccfie which he can 
 gain from hcr.are a few extorted kiffes, which fo inflime and fet on fire his aged heart and 
 affe&ions^as at laft like a gracelefs Father, he faithfully promifeth her to ufe his beft Art and 
 Power to procure his fon to marry her. To which end he takes him afide, and in the fofteft 
 and fweeteft terms he can devife, paints out Marfillia s praifesand vertues to him in the pu- 
 re!* and rareft colour?, adding withal, that although ihe be nor exceeding rich, yet that her 
 perfonage is (oexquifite,and her perfedions fo excellent, ?s that (he everyway meriteth to be 
 wife to a Prince. Don Juan (by what fatal Fortune, l know not; relifhcth this motion of his 
 Father, to feek the Lady Marfillia for his wife,wiih much delight and joy, and far the more 
 and the fooner,io regard he fin divers Companies, hath formerly heard the fame of her beau- 
 ty extolled, and the glories of her Vertues advanced to the Sky v fo he takes time of his Fa- 
 ther ro confider hereof, and rides over fomerimes with him to Saint Efiiene to vifu her ; He 
 finds her wonderful fair and beautiful, and wonderful coy ^ of a very Fyeec and Maje/tical car- 
 riage, and of a delicate and curious fpeech.fit baits to enfnare the heart,and to betray the judg- 
 ment of a more folid undemanding than that of Don Juan. She arts her parr as wifely as he 
 doth amoroufly and pafilonately ; For the more (he makes (hew to retire and conceal her 
 affedion from him, the more he is provoked to advance and difeover his to her • but he can- 
 not be fo much enamoured of her beauty, as fhe is with the great Efiate of Lands and Do- 
 mains whereunto God and his Father have made him heir. 
 
 Whiles thus the Father privately, & the Son publickly are feeking to make Marfillia his wife, 
 the old Lady Henoria the mother, by many iirong reafons feeks to divert him from her. She 
 hath perfed notice of her husbands long and often frequenting of Marfillia** houfe and com- 
 pany , and therefore fearing the vanity of his age, and doubting the frailty of her youth and cha- 
 ility,her jealoufie and judgment at laft finds out and concludes, that his familiarity with her is 
 far greater than honour can warrant or honefty allow of. Upon which foundation fhe in her 
 documented looks & filcnce,bewrays unto her fon Don Juan, her can flam and refoluce averf- 
 nefs from him to marry her,che which (he peremptorily and religioufly forbids him upon her 
 bfeiling, adding withal, that if he marry her, there will infallibly more miferies and calamities 
 attend their nuptials,than as yet it is poffible for him either to know or conceive •, the which 
 (he prays him to read in her looks and filencc, to remember it when he fees her not, and 
 totakeicasthetrueftadvice,&fccureft counfel of a deer Mother to her only Son. Don Juan 
 ruminates on ihefe fpeeches and advice of h s mother, as if there were fume deep abftrufemv* 
 fiery or ambiguous Oracle contained and hidden therein^the which becaufe he hath equal rea- 
 fon as well to fear that this match of his with Marfillia may prove f?ta!,as to hope and believe 
 char it may prove forrunate, he makes a Hand thereat as vowing to proceed therein with ad- 
 vifcment,and not with temerity an 1 precipitation, and fo forbears for a moneth or two to vific 
 her: But the more the Son flies off in his affedion from Marfillia , the more doth (he do the 
 like from his father in requital* whereat he grieves with difeonten^and file feemsto bite her 
 Jip with forrow. IdiaquesQhzrgzih his fon to tell him from whence this his fuddenlirangenefs 
 and unkindnefs cowards Marfillia proceeded! ; the which he anfwers with a modeft excufe, as 
 favouring more of diferetion than difobedience, but yet wholly concealed] his Mother’s 
 counfel and advife co him from his Father, the which notwithftanding he vehemently fufped- 
 ech it proceeds from her and her Jealoufie Marfillia is enraged to fee her felf deprived of Don 
 Juan.whom in her ambitious choughts^opes, and wifties (he had already made her Husband * 
 and howfoever Jdiacjms his Father feeks to conceal and palliate this bufinefs towards her, yet 
 fhe believes it is histauit, and not his Sons. She lays it to his charge, and knitting her brows 
 fhe conjureih him to cell her from whence his Son's unkindnefs to her proceeds : He 
 
 tills her, he is confident, that it is his old Mother who hath diverted him from her , 
 whereat (lie is exceedingly enraged ; When feeing this old Letcher fo open and plain 
 wtrh her, fhe fooching him up with many kiffes, tells him, that this old Beldam his wife 
 mull firit be in heiven, before he can hope to enjoy her, or fhe his Son here on earth, 
 when f being allured and provoked by the treacherous fuggeftions and bloody temptati- 
 ons of the Devil; (he proffers him to vifit her, and to poyfon her , vtfh;ch he oppofeth 
 
 F f a and 
 
220 
 
 God's Revenge againfi Murther. Book hi. 
 
 and contradiileth • and contrary to ali rcafonand fenfe, and repugnant to ail Humanity and 
 Chriftianity, yea,’ to Nature and Grate, ( as a Husband titter for the Devil, than tor this good 
 old I adv his wife; he undertakes and premifeth her fpeedilv to perform it himfelf, yea the Dl- 
 vil is now fo ftrong with him, and he with the Devil, that bccaute ne loves theretore 
 
 he mult hate his own dear wife, and vertuous Lady Honarm \ and becaufe he hates h,r there- 
 fore he mutt poyfou her •, a lewd part of a man, a fouler one of aChriltian, buta moft hel.itn 
 and bloody one of a Husband to his own wife, who ought to be near and defer unco him. as bemg 
 his own flelh and blood, yea the other half cf himfelf He cannot content h.mfelf to feek to 
 abufe and betray his Son, but he mult alfo murther the Mother. So wanting the fear of God be- 
 fore his eyes, and repleat with as much impiety and cruelty as he was devoid of all Grace, he 
 is refolutc in this his bellifh rage and malice againlt her, and fo Jo pleafe hts young Strumpet he 
 will fend this «ood old Lady hts wife to Heaven in a bloody Coffin ; fo without thinking of Hea- 
 ven orHcll, or of God, or his foul, he procures ftrong poifon, afidadlmg the part of a Fury of 
 Hell, and a member of the Devil, he as a wretched and execrable Husband, admintftreth tc to 
 her in preferved Barbiries, which he faw her ufually to love and cat, whereof within three dayes 
 after Ihedies, to tbeextream grief andforrowof her Son J*a«, who bitterly wept lor 
 this his mothers hafty and unexpeaed death 4 but the manner thereof he knows not, and indeed 
 doth no way in the world either doubt or fufp<a thereof. , , , 
 
 His father IdVquet makes a counterfeit fhcwof forrowand mourning to the world, fo: the 
 death of his wife, but God in his due time will unmask this His wretched hypocrihe, and detca 
 and revenue this his execrable and deplorable murther. Now aftoqn it Marfitlu is advertifed 
 of the Lady Honori/t death, fhe not able to contain her Joyes, doth infinitely triumph there- 
 at, and within lefs than two moneths after her burial, Idiac,w and [MarJSSia wofk fopcht.ckly 
 with Don Juan, as he marries Mar fill 'Ay although his mothers advice to him in the garden, do 
 ftill run in his mind and thoughts ; and now he brings home hts luftfui Spoufe and Wife to hts 
 lewd and lafetvious Fathers houfe at Santartm, where (\ write with horror and lhame) herooft 
 beaftlv and inhumanely very often commits Adultery and Inceft with her, and they aft it fo dole 
 that for thefirft year or two, his Son Don Juan, hath no news or inkling thereof ; and now 
 Marfittla aoverneth and rules all, vea her mcontinency with her Father makes her fo 
 
 audacious and impudent, as fhe commands not only his houfe, but himfelf, and domineers moft 
 proudly and imperioufly over all his Servants. Her waiting-maid Mathmna obferves and takes 
 exaa and cunous notice, of her young Ladies luftfui, and unlawful familiarity with her Fa- 
 ther in Law IdUqncs ; the which her Miftrifs undemanding, fhe extreamly bears her for the 
 fame- and twice whips her ftark naked in her Chamber, and drags her about by her hair, although 
 this poor young Gentlewoman, with a world of tears and prayers, begs her to defift and give 
 
 C\ Cf 
 
 God hath many ways and means to fet forth his glory, indeteaingof Crimes and purifhing 
 of offenders, yea he is nowpleafed to make ufeof this young maidens difeontent and cholet 
 a°ainft her incenfed Lady and Miftrifs, for we fhall fee her pay dear forthiscrueltyandtyran- 
 me of hers towards her •, for Mathurina, being a Gentlewoman by birth, fhe takes thofe blows 
 and fevere ufa«e of herLady info ill part, andlodgeth it fo deeply in her heart and memory, as 
 fhe vows her "revenge /ball requite part of that her cruelty and tyrannie towards her; Where- 
 upon (with more hafte than diferetion, and with more malice than fidelity) fhe in her hot 
 blood goes to Don Juan, her young Matter, tels him of this foul bufinefs betwixt his young 
 Wife’ and old Father, to thedifgrace and flume cf nature; and makes him fee and know hts 
 own di /honour , in their brutifh and beaftly Adultery and Inceft. Don Juan extreamly 
 grieves berear, yea be t's both amazed andattonifhed at the report of this unnatural crime, as 
 well of his young Wife as aged Father. He cannot refrain from choler and tears hereat, to fee 
 himfelf thus infinitely abufed bv her beauty, and betrayed by his luft ; and if it be a beaftly, yea 
 prophane part, for one man, and friend to offer it to another, how much more for a Father to 
 offer it to his own, yea to hiscrlySon? He expe&ed more goodnefs from her youth, and grace 
 from his age, but as his wife hath hereby infringed her vow, and oath cf wedlock, fo hath his 
 wre’ched Father exceeded and broken thofe rules and precepts of Nature; yea, he is fo netted 
 with thereport and inflamed with the ccnlideration and memory hereof, that he abhors her 
 infidelity, and in his heart and foul detefteth his inhumanity ; foas thcknowledg hereof doth 
 fo juftly incenfe’ him againft her , and exafp:rate himfeif again!! him , that refolving to 
 rioht his own honour, "as much as they have blemifhed and ruined it, and therein their 
 own he fcorns to be an eye-Witnefs, much lefs an acceffary of this his fhame and their in- 
 famy* So he here enters into a difereet and generous confutation with himfelf, how ro 
 bear himfelf in this (/range and di (honourable accident > When perceiving and finding 
 
Hift. XVi ‘ Don Juan and Marfillia. 
 
 that both his wife and Father, had by this their beafily ^cultery and Inceft, made thcmfelvcs for 
 ever unworthy of his fight and company ^ he here for ever dildaining henceforth to fee her, or 
 fpcak with him, very fuddenly (uponafecond conference, and examination o i Maihurina, 
 who flood firmly and vertuoully to her former depefition and accusation againfl them ) takes 
 horfe and rides away from Santarcm to L isbon, where providing nimfelf cf moneys and other 
 necelfaries, he takes poft for Spain, and there builds up his refidence and (lay at the Court ar Ma~ 
 dad, where we will tor a while leave him, to fpeak of other accidents which fall out in thccourfc 
 cf this Hiftory. 
 
 ldiaques feeing the fudden departure of his Son, and Marfillia of her Husband, Don Juan; and 
 being both affured that he had fome fecret notice and intelligence of their iafeivious dalliances and 
 affedion, he exceedingly grieves and fbe extreamly florms thereat, becaufe they know that this 
 fcul fcandal will wholly re fled and fall upon them ; and now by this his fudden and difeoatented 
 departure frem them, will be made notorious and apparent to all the world. But how to remedy 
 it they know not, becaufe he hath neither fignified him where he is gone, nor when he will return^ 
 the which the morebewrayeth his fmall refpeft, and difeovereth His implacable difpleafu re to- 
 wards them. But as there is no malice and revenge to that cf awcmm, fo Marfillia a (Turing 
 her felf that it was her Maid Mathnrina, who (to the prejudice and fcandal of her honour ) had • 
 unlocked this myftcry to her Husband Don J ua», fhe enters into fo furious a rage, and fo outragi- 
 cusafury againfl her, as fhe provides her Lit cf Rods^ and intend? the next morn ere fhe be 
 Birring cut of her bed, towieakher fierce anger and indignation upon her. But this fharp and 
 fevere refolution of hers, is not fo ciofcly carried by her, but Mathnrina hath perfedl notice 
 thereof, and to prevent this intended corre&ion and cruelty of her inceofed Lady and Miftrifs, 
 fhe the night before takes horfe, and fo rides home to the Town of Saint Saviours to her Father • 
 and there, from point to point relateth him all which had pafl betwixt her Lady and her fclf, and 
 betwixt her Husband, her felf, and her Father-in-Law ; and that nowdifdaining any more to 
 ferve her, as her body, fo her tongue is at liberty ; for the is not, and Ate will not be fparing 
 to pub! i IB her Miftrifs, and her Father-in-Law's fhameful familiarity and adultery together. 
 But this indilcretion, and licentious folly of her tongue willcoft her far dearer than fhe thinks 
 of, orexpe&etb. . 
 
 For her late Lady and Miftrefs Marfil!ia i being now perfectly certified of Mathurw* s^ in. 
 fidelity and treachery towards her in the point of her difhonour and fhame, fhe ( to falvc 
 up her reputation, and to provide for the fame J will not wholly rely upon her own judg- 
 ment and diferetion herein, but refolves to acquaint Don Alonfo de Perez, , her own only 
 Brother herewith, and to crave his aid and afliftance, as alfohis advice, betwixt whom and 
 her felf there was fo ftri£ a league and Sympathy of affeftion, that ( if reports be true ) I 
 write it to their flume, and mine own forrow, it exc.edcdthe bounds of Nature and Ho- 
 nour, and of Modefty and Chaftity ; only the preemption hereof is. great and pregnant, 
 for if there had not Seen fome extraordinary tyesand obligations betwixt them, it is rather 
 to be believed thin doubted, that for her fake and fervice, he would never have fo freely ex- 
 pofed himfelf tofuch imminent fears and dangers, as we fliall immediately fee him do; and 
 although ( of honour and difpofuion ) he were brave and generous, yet I believe he would 
 not have undertaken it. For the Reader muft underfland, that to this Brother of hers, Don 
 per z ,, Ma fillia fpecdily acquaints the infidelity and treachery of her Maid Mathurina’s 
 tongue againfl her Fame and Honour, which had fo unfortunately occafioned her Husband, 
 Don Juan* difeontented departure from her. She protefleth moft feriouflyand deeply to him 
 cf her and her Father-in-J.aw Idiaques innocency in this pretended crime and fcandal ; Tells 
 him, that Mathurina ixthe only author and reporter thereof, and therefore till that bafe and 
 lewd tongue of hers be eternally flopped and filenced, Hie flnll never enjoy any true content 
 to her heart or peice to her thoughts and mind, either in this world, or this life: When 
 his affe&ion to her makes him to yield fuch confidence to her fpeeches, vows, and complaints, 
 that he holds them to be as true as Scripture ; yea, and the undoubted Oracles of Truth and 
 Innocency; when topleafe andfatisfie her, he bids her be of goodchear and comfort, and 
 that he will fpeedily take fuch order that Mathurina’s fcandalous tongue fliall not long E- 
 cliofe her fame, or any further blemifti the Iuftre of her reputation : When this bafe and bloody 
 Gentleman, D 3 Pe cz, y to make good this his promife to his execrable Sifier, be fecretly rides 
 over to Sc. Saviours , and there by night waiting near her Fathers door, when Mathurina 
 would chance to iffue forth, he in a dark night efping her ( without any more ceremony 
 or Farther expofluUtion ) runs her tborow the body two feveral tunes, whereof poor harm- 
 lefs innocent foul fhe falls down dead to his feet without ore? fpeaking or crying. So De 
 
 f f 3 Terez 
 
God's Revenge againfl Murtber. book ill. 
 
 Fltix feeing her difpatched, he prefcntly cakes horic(" which his man there led by himjand 
 poaits away to Santarem , btingueither fecn nor difcovered. And thus this bloody villain 
 moll deplorably embrued his guilty hands in the innocent blood of this vertuous young 
 Gentlewoman, who never offended him in thought, word .or deed, in all her life, and albeit 
 that her Father Signior Pedro de Cajiello makes curious enquiry and reicarch for the Muithcr- 
 erof his Daughter, yet Ve Perez ( mounted at advantage ) hath recovered Santartm in 
 fafety. But God will in due time hnd him out to his (hameand confuiion s yea, and then 
 when his lecurity and courage little dreams thereof. 
 
 As loon as he comes to Santarem , he acquaints diis Sifter MarfiHia of his difpatchingof 
 Mathurina , who is infinitely glad thereof, and extreamly thankful to him for the fame: and 
 now her malice and revenge looks wholly on her Husband Don Juan, fonorfering her this 
 unkind and fcandalous indignity of his departures and for tacitly taxing and condemning 
 her ofincontinency with his Father Id'uques, which her adulterous heart, and inceftuousfoul 
 and confcience doth inwardly confefs and aciuiowkdg,though the perfidioufnefsand hy. 
 pocrillcof her falfe tongue dopublickly deny it^ yea, with her belt art and policy, and with 
 her fweetefl fmiies and kiries, Ihe hath by this time fo exafperated this her bloody Brother 
 againfthim that, (out of his vanity and folly) he prophanely vows unto God, and ferioully 
 protefl 5 and (Wears unto her, That if he knew where he were (ber the vindication of her 
 honour and innocencyjhe would ride to him and right with him, except he would refoive 
 to give him and her, (bine valuable reparation and honourable fatisfadtion to the contrary, 
 which he feals and confirms to her with many amorous fmiies, and lafeivious kiffes. But 
 as we are commonly never nearer danger than when wc think our (elves farthdt from it ; 
 So God being as fecret in his decrees, as facrcd in his refolutions, we (hall lhortiy (ee De Pe. 
 rez to veretie and confirm it in hrmfelf > for as in the heat of this his fotcifh affe(Sion to his 
 (I(ler, he is ready to fight with her Husband Don Juan ,if he knew where he was - , lo the news 
 of his reiidenee in Madrid , when he lead thinks thereof, is accidentally brought him by a 
 Servant of his own, whom he purpofcly fends to Santarem with thefe two enfuing Letters, 
 The one fent and dire&ed from him to his Father, the other to his wife Marfillia . That to 
 his Father fpake thus. 
 
 DON JUAN to IDIAQUES, 
 
 / 
 
 AS there m ether Woman of the whole world for you to abufebut my Wife , and was v our faith 
 % fo weak^wkh God’, or you fo Jlrong with the Devil, that you mull therefore masher" your 
 Strumpet, bccaufe jhe was my Wife? If Nature would not inform you that I am ypur Son. yet you are 
 my Father, and it jhouldhave taught you to have been more natural tome’, more honourable to the 
 ivor Id, more ftJ'peVful to your Jelf, and more religious to God, and not to have made your fclf guilty of 
 theft foul crimes of Adultery and Incejl with her , the leaf whereof is fo odiom to God, and fo detefia- 
 ble to me try bat l want tearms ,not tears to exprefs it. For hereby as you have made my jhame infinite , 
 fo likgwifeyou have made your own infamy eternal, the confederation whereof gives me fo much grief, 
 and the remembrance forrow, that holdingyoufor ever unworthy of my fight, and Jhe of my company , 
 1 have therefore left Portugal for Spain, and forfaken Santaretn to live and die here in Madrid. 
 And when hereafter Godjhall be fo merciful to your foul, to let you fee that the Winter of your age 
 makgs you fitter for your Grave than for myBed,and for yovr winding- jheet, than for my Wifely on will 
 then hold this refehition and proceeding of mine towards you as honourable,as this your crime to me is 
 Hnnaturahtbe which if you henceforth redeem not with an Ocean of bitter tears, and a world of repen - 
 tint and religious Prayers to God, I rather fear than doubt, that his divine Majcjiy will make you 
 as 'mi fir able , as you have made me unfortunate . 1 
 
 DON JUAN. 
 
 His Letter to his Wife fpake this language. 
 
 DON JUAN to MAR SILL! A. 
 
 Hat Devil poffeffed thy heart with lufi, and thy foul with impiety , to maty thee violate thy 
 y vow which thou gavefi me in marriage, by committing th of e damnable fins of Adultery and 
 Incejl with my natural Father: And if the confideration that l was thy Husband couldnot in grace de - 
 
I (ill. XVI. Don Juan and Marfillia. 
 
 ter ‘thee from it) yet ( metbinkj ) the remembrance that be was my Father jbotild inNature have 
 made thee both to abhor and detect it. And although my tender affMion to thee , and filial obtdienc* to 
 him , made me expctl more guodnefs from thy youth) and grace from his ag e, yet God is ajuji Judg, 
 and your hearts are true witnejfes of thefe your unnatural crimes and foul ingratitude towards me , 
 which hath caji fo great a blemijh andfcandal oh mine honour , anddajhed my j.yes with fo many un- 
 timely afflictions , and immerit cd for rows , that 1 have abandoned Portugal and Santarem for thy 
 fak*\ and betaken my felf to live and die in Madrid in Spain for mine > whirr 1 wilijirive to makf my 
 Jilf as contented as difeontent can make me , and fo leave this thy enormous crime) and the punijh- 
 ment thereof to God , in whom thou tnayeft be happy, but without whom thou wilt affurcdly be mi - 
 Jerable, And thinkjo what juji calamities and miferies thine inordinate lufis and lafeivious defres 
 and delights have already dtfervcdly reduced and expojed thee , Sit b henceforth 1 will no more ejlecm 
 thee my Wife, or my Jelf thy Husband, and that God will affurcdly Look, on thee with an eye of in- 
 dignation, and the world, of contempt . 
 
 DON JUAN. 
 
 Idiaqucs having read and perufed that Letter of his Son, and Marfillia this of her Husband Von 
 Juan, they are therewith fo touched in heart with ftiamc, and Hung in confcicnce with forrow for 
 their foul crimes of Adultery and Incclt, that they blufh each at other, and both of them molt 
 bitterly curfc the name and memoric of Mathurina , who was the firft author of this report to him, 
 and which fo fuddenly inccnfed him, and occasioned his departure. So to bear up their reputati- 
 ons to the World, and their fames to him, cheyrelolve ( without either asking leave or pardon 
 of God) to juliifie their innocency hereof to him, and fo to purfuc and foheit his return. To | 
 which cflrcft they write and return him ( by his own fervant ) their two fcveral Letters ia anfwer 
 of his: whereof that of Idiaques his Father carried this. mefiage. 
 
 IDIAquES to DON JUAN. 
 
 r T'Houdoflwrongtby felf and the truth, God and thy confidence, and thy wife and me, htfobtfe - 
 ly taxing us of thofefoulfinns of Inctji and Adultery, whereof we are as truly innocent, lstboti 
 faljly and maticioufly deemefl us guilty . For I have not abufed her nor made her my Strumpet, although 
 tut God, but the Vevil ( in the Jlanderous tongue of Mathurina) hath made thee to believe Jo For 
 Nature hath taught me more Grace and goodnefs, nor Jb little impiety, for that 1 kpiow they arc fins 
 more odious to God) and deferable to the world, than either thy Jorrows can exprejs, or thy anger de- 
 paint me. Neither have I made thy Jhame infinite, orcanji thou makg my infamy vifible, much left 
 eternal, although herein thou (hew me thy indignation -, together with thy dtj obedience, by leaving 
 Portugal/^ Spain, andSintltzmfor Madrid, whereof becauje thou wilt not makg thy duty, I will 
 content my felf to make thy dijeretion Judge betwixt us. If thou have not dune m more wrong) than 
 either thy felf 9 and the truth right herein-, and offered a fcandal lil^wife to thy wives honour, who 
 made thy company her chiefejijoy , as nowjhe doth thy abjence her Jharpefi miferie and affliflian. Hw 
 then can I go to my Grave with content, when thou for fak^ji her bed with malice , and my houfe with 
 dijdain \ My innocency in thy accufation hath no way irritated or offended God, and. if therefore 
 with Tears and Prayers thou wilt refolve to askjGod, thy Wife , and me forgmnefs for this thy foul 
 crime, and monjirous ingratitude towards us, then mine armesjhall be as open as ever they have been 
 to receive , and my houfe t o welcom thee, and therein thou (halt make thy Jelf as truly ha^py, as thou 
 fa 1 fly and uncharitably thinkglt that God willmak S me miferable . 
 
 IDIAQJ1ES. 
 
 The Anfwer of his wife Marfillia to him was couched in thefe tcarms. 
 
 M ARSILLI A to DON JUAN. 
 
 I T is neither Lu/} nor the Vevil which can makgme infringe or violate my Vow given thee in mar- 
 riage, although thou art as far from the truth m from God to believcit . But how (hall I hope 
 that thy tongue will cxcufeme of thefe thy pretended foul crimes of Adultery and lnce\\,when, to my 
 aj iomfhmcnt and grief, I fee thou likgwtfe condemneji thy old Father to be guilty thereof with me i 
 And if this be any way affection to me, or obedience te him, let all other Husbands j udg, and all Sons 
 define and determine , But to return thee truth for thy falfhood', His age expelled and deferued 
 
 more 
 
-£ 
 
 224 Gods Revenge again jl Mur t her. Book IV. 
 
 more grace , and my youth andVertues more affUion and goodntjs from thee, than to have believed 
 tbofe falft calumnies and imp nji tires upon the hart report and malicious relation of my band-maid 
 Mathurina, which are now dead with her and are as fa If e as thy rafhtufs and her revenge male's thee 
 believe them true, for it is neither I nor tby Father who have any my bUmjhed thine honour, or van- 
 quifhed thy joyes but rather thy ft If, and thy too too unkind and bafiy departure from Santarem tv 
 Madrid) which (to the prejudice tf the truth , and of my content and honour) hath occafomd it. For 
 my heart andjoul will tejiifie both with mee and fir mee,that my affection and conjtancy u both as fpot - 
 /i/}, firm , and true to thee , as thy jealoufie is falje towards my j elf and therefore as thou leavefinty 
 pretended crime , fo will I thy real ingratitude both to time and to God, and if yet thou wilt be jo wil- 
 fully Cruel to livefromme, and confequently not to ejkem me tby wife, yet as it is my zeal and duty 
 to beg and pray thee to return to me, fo I will makg it my Integrity and Confidence jhll to bold and 
 love thee for my Husband, and j'o prefierving my heart for thee, as L do my foul fr God, I h >pe with 
 affnrance and confidence that l fihall have ho cauj'e to fear either bis indignation, or the worlds con - 
 tempt, in regard I have neither merited the one, nor dejervedtbe otba. 
 
 MARblLUA. 
 
 Upon, the writing and contents of thefe two Letters of Idiaqucs to his Son, and of Nhrfillij to 
 her Husband Von Juan , the Reader may pleafe to obferve and remember with how much policie, 
 and with how little piety theyfeek to over-veil and deny thefe their Adulteries andlnceft towards 
 him, thereby to make their a&ions and themfelves appear as innocent, as they are guilty both to 
 them and to God. But God being the Author of Truth, and ibeFathercf Light, and whofc 
 Sacred Throne and Tribunal is environned with more glorious Suns than we fee glittering Stars in 
 the Firmament, He will one day unmask this their hypocri fie, and bring their fculfinsof Adul- 
 tery aud Inceft, both to light and punifhment. Now as Marfillia is exorbitantly lafcivicus in her 
 affeCfcion to her Brother Ve Perez, and he reciprocally fo to her> fo with a world cf falfe fighs 
 and tears (he fhews him her Letter, and her Father's in-Law Idiaqucs, which they had fentto 
 her Husband Von Juan to Madrid', and with many female oaths and afleverations protettethto 
 him of both their innoccrcies herein, which her Brother believes, yea, her feigned forrows and 
 falfe tears had fo f>r trenched and gained upon his credulity, that in contemplation and commi- 
 feraticnof her wrongs, he was then fo vain and impious, as once he thought to have carried 
 thefe two Letters himfelf into Spain , and there to have fought with Von Juan for the repara- 
 tion of his Sitter's honour. But at laid leaving paflion to ccnfult with reafon, and temerity again 
 to be varquifhedand fwayed by judgment, firft that thefe Letters of theirs fhould fee Spain , 
 and then to attend his Brother-in-Law Von Juan his snfwerto th?m, and as he fhall therein 
 find him either 'perverfe or flexible to his wive’s de fires, and his Fathers expectations, he will 
 then accordingly bear himfelf and his refolutions towards him, and hereon both himfelf and his 
 Sitter Marfillia do joyful! v determin and conclude. So Von Juans own fervant returns thefe two 
 aforCfaid Letters from Santarem to Madrid to his Matter, who breaking, up the Seals, and per- 
 ufingthem, he doth not a little wonder at his wives impudcncy, and his Fathers impiety, in fo 
 ftrongly denying thefe their foul crimes to him : Bvt he is not a litcle aflonifhed, and withal af- 
 flicted and grieved, when he falls upon that point and branch of his wives letter which reports 
 the death of her maid Mathurina : for in his heart and conference he now verily thinks and be- 
 lieves, that his wife in her inveterate malice and revenge to her, hath caufed her to be murthered, 
 andfenther to Heaven in a bloody winding fheet. But alafs, if itbefo, how to revoke or re- 
 medy it he cannot tell. Once therefore he was minded to have neglc&ed their letters, and fo to have 
 anfwcred them with perpetual oblivion, and a difdainful filence. But then again confidering 
 with himfelf that this might rather increafc than extenuate their hopes of his return he betakes 
 himfelf to his Study-, where takingpen and paper, he, neglecting his Father, traceth his wife 
 this Letter in anfwer of hers, and again fends it her into Portugal by his owd fervant, which affu- 
 reth themof his refolution not to return. 
 
 DON JUAN to MAR SILL! A. 
 
 T 'He rcccit of thy fecond Letter hath not diminifhed, but confirmed and augmented my confi- 
 dence of my Fathers fiame, and thy infamy, in yiurf m fns of Adultery and Ixcejf perpetra- 
 ted aqainjl me, and which is woefie againfl God.fo that I am fully ref bed for ever toforfakg bis houfie , 
 and thy company, and to live and die here in Madrid, as grief and di fcon folathn will permit met 4 For 
 1 prize the ( mjufi ) ApoJcgie of thy ( pretended ) Innocemcy at fo low a rate, and value it at 
 
Hift.XVI. 
 
 Don Juan and Mar fill} a. 
 
 I'M' *»*#"•»> " 1 thy fake, and thy ft/ffa th ;, e c „n.l do as much oricve as I both 
 
 donbt and fear, thou rejoyctftat thy Matd Matburina’s death- aid as 1 am tyrant of the manner, 
 Jo if by Father a„dthy felf have keen the c.ufe thereof , j 0 u have then all the reafons of the world to 
 beheve tb it God ( whits as juft in h* resolutions, asfacr c d i„ h;s decrees,) will in tie end revenge 
 it to h e glory, and punifhit to your confteftou. & 
 
 22 
 
 DON JUAN. 
 
 , This Letter of his doth inflame his wife win malice and indigriation • for now her Father and 
 /he fee thefe their lufiful and lalctvious crimes feated and confirmed in his belief and hisftavin 
 Sfam fixed in his anger, and eternised in hts refolution : When as dofe as they bear it vet know 
 ing full well that the World will take notice of it, and ere long make it their publike fcandal and 
 infamy; He is fo devoid of grace, and /he of goodnefs, that to prevent it, he wirtietb his ^on 
 in Heaven with his Mother, and Ihe her old Father-in-Law in Grave with her your« maid Mathu 
 rina. Butthefevain hopes of theirs may deceive them, which as yet, they Uvo a-e net fo wife to 
 jhmk of , nor fo cautious or religious to confider, but rather more refembling brute hearts than 
 Chnrtians, they Hill continue their obfceneandinceftuouspleal'ures. the which I take frtiall delight 
 or pleafure to mention in regard of modefty, or to repeat in refped of Nature and Honour Here 
 eJMarfitha again repairs to her Brother De Pen*., as to her Oracle and Cbampion:/he /hews him 
 both thefe two laft Letters of her Husband to his Father and her felf, and con jureth his bell ad- 
 vice and fpeediell alliHance for the recovering of her honour, in that of her Husbands alf cVon 
 and company, or elfcthat /he were freed from him and he out of this life and this W orIi that fo 
 her fcandal and wrongs might die with him, and for ever be raked up in the durt of his Grave and 
 buried with him in eternal oblivion and filence. Don Perez, (in heart and mind; is fo much his 
 Siller’s, as he is no more himfclf, when making his affedion do homage to her beauty a«,dhis 
 judgment and refolution to pay tribute to his affedtioo, he prayes her to refer this charge and bufi- 
 nejs to thecare of hisdifeharge ; when giving her many kiffes, and willing her to rea l his faea-t 
 m his eyes, he gives her the good night, and the next morning being impatient of all delayes he 
 takes erne Seignior Gafper Lopez,, a noble Gentleman, and a valiant intimate friend of his with 
 him, and relating him his intent to fight with his Brother Don Juan, and the caufe thereof, They 
 undertake this journey of Spain, and fo arrive at Madrid , where Lopez, prayes Perez, to mak“ him 
 hisfecondin that Duel ; De Perez thanks him for this hisaffedion, but tells him he will hazsrd 
 himfclf, but not his friend; fo writing a Challenge to Don Juan, hefcalsitup, and requedeth 
 Lopez to deliver it to him, and the fame night to return him his anfwer. I opez accordingly find* 
 out Don Juan in his own C lumber, and gives it to him in fair and difereet tearms; who wondnV 
 it came from his Btother-in-Law D e Per<z, but far more to underftand that he was now in Ma- 
 drid, he no way dreaming of a Challenge, but rather thinking that his wife his Si Her had fent 
 him thither to him to work her reconciliation, and confequently his return to her to Santarem 
 he hartiJy breaks up the feds theieo r , finds it charged with this language. 
 
 DE PEREZ to DON JUAN. 
 
 T Have feenthy inveterate malice to thy wife my Sifter, inthy fa/fe and fcandatons Letters to her- 
 And Portugal hath read it inthy faddain and cholericl^departure from her into Spain : wherefore 
 tonfidering whatfhe is to thee, and 1 to her, I hold my felf bound {both in honour and blood) to make 
 her wrongs and quarrels mine. 7 o which end I have left Santarem to find thee out here in Madrid 
 purpofely to pray thee to meet me to morrow betwixt fix and fevtn in t 1 e morning, at the fart heft TP's ft 
 end o‘ the Prado, with thy Rapier, a confident Gentleman of thy friends, end thy Chirurpion with- 
 out a Second, where thou (halt find me to attend thy comming-and relying upon the equity of my caufe 
 and the ingratitude and infamy of thine, I make no doubt but to teach Don J son what it is for him 
 ( without ground or truth ) to caft a bafe af per firm and wrongful blcmijh upon the lu fire of his Wife, 
 and my Sifter, the Lady Marfillia’s honour, whofe dtfctnt and extraflion Is as oeod as thine, and her 
 e ducau n and Hertu-s far more fublime and excellent. Thy generoftty obligeth "thee to the honourable ' 
 performance hereof, and mmc honour reciprocal! f to perform this Obligation. 
 
 DE PEREZ. 
 
 Don Jfijff having received and perufed this Challenge of his Brother-in- Lsw DeTere^ ) and 
 finding his furious refolution to exceed his Judgment > he knowing himfclf innocent 1 his 
 
 ^ " caufe 
 
226 
 
 God's Revenge againji JVlurther. Bo ok iv. 
 
 caufcgood, and his courage and valour every way to be fuperiour to the others, highly difdain- 
 ing to be out-braved by any Nobleman or Gentleman breathing, in the point of Honour and ge- 
 nerofity, he with a cheerful countenance returns Lopez, to his Brother de Perez, with this accept- 
 ing anfvver* 
 
 DON JUAN to D E PEREZ. 
 
 M IC hatred to MarfilBa, and departure from her, was juft l ) cc caponed through her treachery 
 and infidtlity to me > and therefore my Letters to her to that tffitt are as true as fhe is falfe in 
 denjing it ; notwithftanding, jjth fhe is thy Sifter , and my wife, I as much a: prove of thy af'dion 
 to her, as 1 condemn thy temerity tome , and thy indiferetion to thy (elf in making her quarrel 
 thine , and by f rfafing Santarem, fa fight with me here in Madrid. And became thou /halt fee 
 and find that I have as much courage as innocency , I therefore accept of thy challenge, and am fo 
 far from learning any point of valour of De Perez. as to his frame aud my llory^ 1 hope to teach 
 him , that 1 have no rfraj caft a falje ajperfion or b ! emifh on the lu fire of her reputation , but fhe on 
 her felf; and con fluently that I will nei he / a fed her, nor fear thee .* For , God lending me life , / 
 will to morrow breaks fa ft with thee at thine own time and place appointed, where my honour and ge* 
 neroftty invites me to come , and thine to men me . 
 
 D ON JUAN. 
 
 Thefe two inconfiderate Gentlemen having thus embarqued themfelvesin the ftrong refolution 
 of this weak quarrel and ra ill Duel, which earthly honour cannot as juftly approve and allow of 
 as divine religion and Chriiiian piety and charity difallow and execrate i Their mdice and re- 
 venge each to other is fo violent and impetuous, that without any thought, either of God or their 
 Souls, or of Heaven or Hell, they pafs over the night, if not in watchfulnefs , yet in broken 
 and diflr a& ed (lumbers, yea the mornnofooner peeped from Hcave'n through their windows to 
 their Chambers, but they leap from their beds to the Prado, where De Perez, with his friend 
 Lopez, come firll cn horfe-back, immediately after them Don Juan in his Coach, withayoun* 
 Gentleman his friend, tearmed Don Pichardo de Faldona : So thefe two Duellifts difdainin^ to be 
 tainted with the lead piece of difhonour, orlhadowof cowardife, they at firft fight of e^ch o- 
 ther, throw off their doublets, and in their (ilk ftockings and pumps, with their rapiers drawn, 
 they without any further complement or exprftulation approach each other. But here before 
 they begin to re’duce malicious contemplation into bloody aftion, I hold it fit to inform my Rea- 
 der with a circumftance that nowpaft between them, wherein doubtlcfs, the Providence of God 
 wasmoftconfpicuousand apparent ; For as by the Law and cuftom both of Spain and Portugal, 
 all Rapiers fhouldbecf one length, yet De Perez, cur iou fly calling bis vigilant eye upon that of 
 Don Juan, either his fear, or his judgment, or both, inform him that that Rapier is longer than 
 his, whereat Don Juan grieves far more than De Perez, can polfibly either rejoyceor wonder 
 for he is fo far from any way blemiflung his honour with this, or with any other point or fhadow 
 of difhonour, as now he gives his Rapier tomcafure, and to write the truth, his is fopndone 
 inch longer than that of De Perez, , when biting his lip for anger, he ( refembling himfdf } prof- 
 fers to fight with that either of Lopez, or Valdona, which was fufficient reafoa "for one Gentle- 
 man of Honour to give, and for another to take ; but when he fees that this proffer of his will 
 neither feeijre De Perez, fear , nor Confirm his content thet? , as a Noble and generous Gallant he 
 freely exchanged Rapiers with him, gives De Perez the longer, and contents himfelf tofHt 
 with the fhorter, whereat De Perez, refis fatisfied, and well he may, fith this aftion and his rc- 
 ceit thereof, doth as much teftifie Don Juans glory, as his own difhonour and fbame ; and now 
 they again approach each other fo fight* 
 
 At their firflcomming up, Don Juan runs i firm thruft to De Ferez, breaft, but he ( bear in* 
 it up with his Rapier ) runs Don Juan in the cheek towards his right ear, which draws much 
 blood from him, and he in exchange runs De Perez, thorow bis fhirt-fkeve without hurtin* 
 him: At their fecond meeting tbey again ciofe without hurting each other, and fo part fa*r 
 without offering any other violence: At their third afTault De Perez, runs Donjuan tborow 
 the brawn of his left arm, who in exchange requites him with a deep wound in his right fide 
 from ^hencci Rued much blood; and now they breathe to recover wind, and to the judgments 
 of Lopez, and Valdona, (asalfoof their Chthirgions ) they hitherto are equal in valour and 
 almoR in fortune. So although thefe fpepators do of both fides earneftiy entreat them to de- 
 
Hift.XVl. 
 
 Don Juan and Marfillia .. 
 
 fi'tand give over, yet they cannot, they will not, befoeafiiyor fo foon reconciled each too- 
 ther,, So after a little paufing and breathing, they ( with courage and rcfolution ) fall to it a- 
 frelh, and at this their fourth encounter Don Perez, gives Don Juan a deep wound in his left 
 {boulder, and be requites him wijth another in exchange, in in* neck ; and although by this time 
 their fever a I wounds ha. h engrained their white fhirts with great effufioncf their leaflet blood, 
 yet they are fo brave, fo generous, or rather fo inhumane and malicious, that they will not yet 
 give over, as if they meant and refolv.d rather to make death fear them, than they any wav to 
 fear death : but their fifth clofe will prove more fatal, for now after they had judicioufly traver- 
 fed their ground, thereby to deceive each other of the difsdvantage of the Sun ■, whiles be Perez, 
 dire&s a full thruft to Don Juans breaft, he bravely and skilfully warding r, in requital th reof, 
 runs him clean thorow the body, a little below his right pap, when doling nimbly with him, and 
 purfuing the point of his good fortunes he whips up his heels, and fo nails him to the ground, 
 when he had not the ftrength to begg his life of Don Juan, and God knows he much grieved that 
 it was not then in his power to give it him, for this his laft wound being desperately mortal, he 
 prefet^Iy dyed thereof, having neither the remembrance to call on God, much lefs to beg mercy 
 of him for his finful foul ; but as he lived abominably and prophancly, fo he died mifcrably and 
 wretchedly. And although 1 confefs it was too great an honour for him to receive his death from 
 fo brave a Noble Gentlemans hands as ‘Don Juan, yet it is a moft fingular providence and remark- 
 able puniihment of God, that he dyed by the hands of his own hfeivious Sifter’s Husbmd, and 
 which is yet more, by his own fword, as if God had formerly decreed, and purpofeiy ordain- 
 ed, that the felf fame- Sword fhould give him his death, wherewith fo lately and fo cruelly he 
 had bereaved that harmlefs innocent young Gentlewoman Mathurina of her life: although in re- 
 gard of this his fowl and lamentable murther, he ( with lefs honour and more infamy ) every 
 way deferved to have died rather by a halter than a Sword • But Gods Providence is as unfearch- 
 able as facred. 
 
 Don Juan having rendred thanks to God for this his viftory, he out of his noble courtefie and 
 humanity, lends Lopez his Coach to tranfport the dead body of his Brother-in Law De Perez, 
 into the City > and taking his horfe in exchange, he by a private way gets home to his lodging. 
 But this their Duel is not fo fecretly carried, but within three hours after, all Madrid rattles 
 thereof; who knowing the Combatants to be both of them noble Gentlemen of Portugal \ it 
 gives caufe of general talk, and argumentof univerfal envie and admiration in all Spaniards, ef- 
 pecially in the noblerfortof Souldicrs and Courtiers.^ Whenthe very day after that Donfu.n 
 hadcaufed this his Brother to be decently buried, repairs to his Chamber to him, and in a 
 
 fair and friendly manner enquires of him if he pleafe to return any Letter of this his friends 
 death and of his own vi&ory to Santarem , to Don Idiacjues his Father, or the Lady Marfillia hi$ 
 wife, and that his beft fervice herein fh a II attend and wait on his commands: Don Juan thanks 
 Lo\tz,ioi this his courtefie, but tells him, that for fome referved reafons he will fend no Letter 
 to cither of them, but otherwife wiflicth him a profperous. return to Portu^l ; fo Don Juan 
 remains in Madrid , and Lopez, returns for Santarevi , and there from point to point relates them 
 theiffueof that Combat, as the viftoryof his Son Don Juan, and the death and burial of De 
 Perc<; adding withall, that he was foreferved andflraoge, that he would write to neither cf 
 them hereof. At the relation and knowledg of this mournful news Idiaques cannot refrain from 
 much forrow, no: Marfillia from burfiing forth into bitter tears and lamenrations thereat ; for 
 feeing her dear and only Brother thus {lain by the hand of her own unkind Husband •, byiofing 
 him file knows fhe hath left her right arnr, and he being dead fhc knows not to whom to have 
 recourfe, either for counfel, or affiftance, or confolation. And yet as much as he.forrows and 
 fhe grieves atthisdifaftcrous accident, they notwithftanding are yetfo far from thinking it a blow 
 from Heaven, or from lo king either up to God, or down to their own finful hearts, confciences, 
 and fouls for the fame, that without making any good ufe, or drawing any divine or profitable 
 moral thereof, they Hill continue their beaftly plcafurcs and damnable Adultery and Inceft toge- 
 ther, as if there were no God to fee, nor no deferved torments or mifery referved topuniftiit. 
 But they and we Hull immediatly fee the contrary. 
 
 To the great grief of our hearts, and compuntftion of our fouls, we have in this Hiftory feen 
 wretched Jdiaqaes (by the inftigationof the Devil ) to pcyCon his Wife the Lady Honoring 
 and likewife his Daugbter-in-Lavv Marfillia to have caufed her Brother Dc Perez, to have 
 cruelly murthcred her waiting-maid in the ftreet* isalfo by the Providence of GOD Don 
 Juan to have (lain tbefaid Ds Perez, in the field: and our curiofityand expedition- ili ill not 
 go far , before we fhdl fee the juft Revenge and punifhments of God ccndignly to 
 
 Gg 2 furprife 
 
2 28 
 
 God's Revenge againjl Murther. Book IV. 
 
 furprife wretched idui?ucs y ana gracclefs AtarfilltA for the fame ; for his divine Jufticc conten- 
 ding with hisSacted Mercy it hath at lafi prevailed againft thtfc their foul and bloody crimes, 
 fo now when they are in the middeft, yea, in the height and jollity of ail thefe their fo, 1 delights ar.d 
 fccurity, like an unlooked-for florm and tempeft, it will fuddenly befall them. Life hath but 
 one way to bring us into this World, but Death hath infinite to take us from it: and what is this 
 but a true argument and reafon of Gods glory and our mifery ; of his power, and of cur frail y 
 and weakntfs ? And therefore becaufe we arc as repkat of fin as he is of fancticy, and as fub- 
 jfift toimperfeilions, as all perfections are both properly co-incident and fubjedt ro him ; It will 
 be an aft of moral wifdom, and of religious piety in us, rather to glorific than examin his facred 
 Providence; and rather to admire than pry into his divine decrees and refolutions. And bccaufe 
 hisccrre&ion and punifhment of all fins, efpeciallyof this crying and fcarlet fin of Murther 
 is as juft as fccrct, and as inicrutabk as juft ; therefore to dra w towards the period of this de- 
 plorable Hiftory, God is firft pleafed to exercife and begin his Judgement on miferable Afarfil- 
 Iia, and then to finifh it in wretched I deques. But his divine Majcfty is likewife pleafed and 
 
 refolved both to ivnpofe and make as great a difference in their punilhments, as he found a parity 
 and conformity in their crimes, 1 1 
 
 It is UMd fikia's pleafure ( or to fay more truely, the providence and pleafure of God ) that 
 flic rides from Santarem ro Coimbra to vifit a fick Gentlewoman her Ctufin-German, who dwelt 
 there, being only accompanied with her man Andre* on horfe-back, and her foot-bov Pifcanr 
 to attend her : and as (he comes within a fmall half.League of that Town, having fent away her 
 man Andre* before, and her foot-boy Pifcator being a very little diflance behind her, there fud- 
 denly nans up a Hare between (or clofe to) herhorfe legs, which fo amazed her horfe, (which 
 was as hot and prowd as the Gentlewoman his Miftrefs whom he bore ) as cornming off with all 
 four, he throws her to the ground, and kicking her with his hind feet at her fall, he ftrikes her 
 in the tore head, and fo dafheth cut her brains ; God fo erdainirg that fhe had notthepower 
 to (peak a word, much lefs the grace or bapptnefs to repent her of her horrible fins Adultery fa- 
 cert and Murther. And thus was the lamentable and tearful end which God gave to this o racc - 
 lcfs y< ung Lady, the which I cannot as yet pafs over, without annexing ard remembrino one r e 
 markable point and circumftance therein, in which the Jufiice and Mercy of G-d tobofa fexes 
 and all ages and degrees of people, doth miraculoufly ref lend and (bine forth ; for that verv 
 horfe which threw and killed her, was the very fame which flie formerly lent to h^r Brother Be 
 x! r -5'*sL , reon be nd to Saint Saviours, when he (by her inflation ) killed her waiting 
 Ma!d Maburina. Good God, how juft, and wonderful are thy decrees 1 Dear Lord hnw 
 immenie and facred is thy Juftice! * w 
 
 rh,?H a ' 3 ' 5 ^ uttiie forcrun f er v «nd *s it were but the entrance into i further progreffion of 
 this Hiftorv: Pot u fair foot-boy Ptfcttor, extreamly wept, and bitterly cryed, at the fi°htof 
 this mournful and Trag.cal death of his Lady and Miftrefs, God had fo decreed and provi- 
 ded, that the next that parted by, and who were forrowful fpedators thereof, where two Cori- 
 
 ?h d °afr w? ffiCCrS ° f 1CC l °[ th f Clty ° f ri<lin 8 in their Coach to take 
 
 tbt air; Whom compalfton of the deplorable death of this fair unknown young Gentlewo- 
 man, they oelcend their Coach, and having enquired and underftoodof her foiWuI Foot- 
 boy what fhe was, they then with much refpeaand humanity caufe her dead Corps to be de- 
 ^.yu^ in the. Coach, which theyfhut, and fo mounting their Servants Horfcs they re- 
 turn a B ain to Umbra from whence they fend her Man Andrew in allpofliblc pofthafte to 
 rfihKiT’ ,Cq . ua r ' hlS barter and her Father-in-Law Don IiU qu es with the lamentable death 
 
 der or he?E n ‘ A f 1 Either to them to take or- 
 
 aer tor tier burial, Andre* is no fooner departed for hisM»fter, but thefe two Corioadors 
 
 u,,! d j r r * / Dda11 her apparrel and jewels, by the cuflomeand royalty of their Ciiv 
 ivcedevclved and forfeited to their junfdidion ; to which efted they caufe her Rings Chains’ 
 
 r M r / C rf f* '7 bc f taken frc ™ hcr > and then her P°ckets likewife to be carefully fearcht for 
 h I k as murther cannot be long concealed or undetected. We may therefoJe 
 
 the5 (S°fnl!w) 7 onderfulProv,cl «ce, and lingular jufticeof God, for in one of her pockets 
 the, find, folded up ,n a rich cut-work handkerchief, the lift letter which her Husband «L ?«- 
 had written and fent her fronv MadrU ; at the fight of this letter one of thefe CoSor sis 
 
 cone ahn'o 7J' T d Ptlb !k ?f but the . other ( bein 8 mr 're human and refpedive to the 
 conaahng of Ladies fecrets, wh.cb many times prove that of their honours) he contradids 
 
 I' £ God cnlightmt^ their judgments, and prompting and infpiring their hearts, 
 that the p.rufal of this Letter might ( peridventure ) import and report fom .thing which 
 
 might 
 
Hid. XV I. Don Juan find Marfillia. 
 
 , , . . ' 7 • .7 -p— wa^iv < jicv.n4uiucr, mey mere lecretjy ore- 
 
 read this letter, wherein with admiration and amazement they uodcrftand of the obfeene Adul- 
 tery and Ioceftof Idiaques with this his Daughter-in- Law dliarfiUia, which was the caufeof 
 
 P Df* U ■ ipK 1 « rJ jf jj . r% a L D am <% a _ L . * a * v% • 
 
 her Husband Don Juan hisabfence frem her in Spain But at length when they proceed farther 
 therein, and io fall upon thefe words of ' Don "juan to her in this his letter 4 Ido m much trine 
 * Iboth doiik a * d f ear thoM r ‘jo)C'(l tbj handmaid MathurinaV death , and as lam ignorant „f 
 the manner, fo if my Father and thy feif have been the caafe thereof , , yon have then all the rea font of 
 the world to believe, that God mil m the end fun (h it to your confu/ion: Then ( led by the Spirit of 
 God ) they both concurr in one opinion, that this their Adultery, and this Murther of Mat ha- 
 nna did not only firmly re fled, but equally take hold both on Idiaques and Marfillia , and there- 
 fore that this her late deplorable and dyfafterous end, was only a blow from God, and the v-rv 
 true fore-runner, and undoubted Haibingercf hisown tocome. When refolving to feu* and 
 tmprifon Idiaques as foon as he fliould arrive thither to Coimbra . they hulhing up this Letter 
 and bufinefs to their own bofotm, do then hold it fit to fend for Mar filial foot- man Fife at or to 
 come to them, which he fpeedily doth. They carefully enquire of him, if his dead Lady had 
 not fometimes a waiting Gentlewoman named Mathurma , he anfwered them yes, and that fli* 
 was lately murthered in thelireets of Saint Saviours , and that her munherers were as yet un- 
 known : They demand of him again whofe Daughter flie was ; he informs them thither fa- 
 ther is a Gentleman who dwells in Saint Saviours, and that his name is Seignior Pedro de C * ft c II t>: 
 which being as much they fought for ; putting their fervants to watch over this foot.man, that 
 he might not efcape to give the leaft inkling of their demands to his old M after Idiaques they 
 prcffcntiy fend away Poft to Saint Saviours for Caflello, and ( in honour to Juftice ) thefe two 
 Corigadors, as Chriftian Magiftrates, having put all things in order for the vindication of the truth 
 cf thefe deplorable matters, that very night Idiaqaes arrives at Coimbra, and defeends from his 
 Coach to the hrufe of one of thefe Corigadors, where the dead body of his daughter Alar fill, a 
 lay; at whofe mournful fight, as foon as his paftionate grief and forrow had caufed him to (lied 
 and facrificc many rivolets of tears, when he leaft dreams or thinks thereof, thefe two Coriga- 
 dors caufehim tobefeized on, and inftantly commit him clofeprifoner, without acquaintfrw 
 him with the caufe hereof ; vvhere all that night his guilty heart and conference (is fo many 
 Fiends and Furies,) alTuring him that it was for poyfonning of his own Lady Honoria ; there hor- 
 rour and terrour, grief, anddefpair, andanguilh, do ad their feveral parts upon ne Theatre of 
 his foul. 
 
 The next morn Caffello ( Mathurindt Father ) likewife arrives at Coimbra, to whom the 
 Corigadors communicate this Letter of Don Juan to his wife, which he fsnt her (tom Spain, 
 wherein they tell him the murther of his Daughter Mathur'ma feems probably and ftronglyto 
 reflect upon Idiaques, md his Daughter-in- Law Marfillia, when they farther acquainting him 
 with her tragical death, as alfo with his imprifonment, Cafiello f with a world of tears and- 
 cries ) exclaims, that undoubtedly they were the authors, if not the aitors of his Daughters 
 lamtntable murther, and fo very paffionately and forrowfully craves juftice of them on Idiaques 
 for the fame, which they are as willing to grant and perform, as he todefirc : So after dinner 
 in the publike Tribunal of Juftice, they fend iot Idiaques, legally and juridically there to ap- 
 pear before them ; where this forrowfiil Father ( with much paffion, and more tears ) doth 
 ftrongly accufe him for the murther committed and perpetrated on his Daughter Matharina ; 
 the which Idiaques with many high andftout anfwers denieth : Healledgeth many oily words 
 and fugred and filken phrafr«, to jnftifie and Apologize his innocency : Which thefe Coriga- 
 dors fled by the finger of God ) hold rather to be far moreayrie thanfolid, and far more 
 plaufible than real or true; fo they ( (fill remembring his Son Don Jums Letter to his Wife 
 Marfillia ) do ( without regard to his quality or age ) adjudge him to the Rack. The which 
 Idiaques ( fearing infinitely more the murther of his own Lady Honoria, than that of Mathu- 
 rin i ) endures the tortures and torments thereof with a fortitude and refolutiob far beyond 
 his ftren-tband age, and with an admirable conftancy ftands firmly to the denial of this fa& 
 and accufation ; fo feeing the Rack taken away, and himfelr from the Rack, be is therefore 
 very confident and joyful, that his danger is likewife o’repaft and o’reblown : But tbefe vain 
 hopes of his wdl yet both deceive, and in the end betray him; for as yet his confcience hath 
 not made peace with God. - For the griefs and forrowsof his mournful Father for this lamen- 
 table murther of his Daughter, have nov made him both induftrious in this folicitation, 
 and religious in this his profecution againft Idiaques towards thefe Corigadors: to 
 tvhom again he becomes an earneft, and yet an humble Petitioner, that they will 
 
 Gg j 
 
 give 
 
»3o 
 
 Gods Revenge again fi JsAurther. Book I V 
 
 give him ei°ht dayestime more to fortifie bis accufation, and that all that time he may ttdl r?- 
 mafne frifoner without Bail or Surety; which they finding rcafonable, and con onant to all c- 
 quitv and law they freely grant him. When having God for h.s v-ounfellor, and whom 
 
 m a (mail time Idioms lhall 'find for his judge, calling to mind fome words of his deceafed 
 Daughter touching the fufpicionof poyfoning her old Lady by her Husband, to make <Ni) for 
 Sffich B ?«*», he doth no more accufe him for murthering ot h.s Daughter Msthn- 
 r ;„a • but fome tw l dales after , he frames and prefents a new Inditement and £Ccufation to his 
 Tud«es againft him, for poyfoning his old wife the Lady Hnona Which thefe Judges a . mi- 
 rinrTand wonder in" at, they’ then partly, nay almoft confidently believe, mat there 15 ‘ ome n re2t 
 K & Which God will ,, fine do,ea ™d b,i. s 
 
 to lioht bv the folicitation and lndultryof this boneft poor Gentleman C afldlo So r .y ad- 
 mit again of his fccond Inditemenc againft him, and by vertue hereof convent him before them 
 
 at their Tribunal of Tuftice. < 
 
 Uiaquts undemanding hereof , his guilty confcience now denounced fuch thundering peals 
 
 of fear and amazement to ' his appalled heart and trembling foul, as they will give no peace ei- 
 ther to himtelf or to them, and the Devil, who had ever heretofore promifcd him his beft aid 
 and a Alliance, now flies from him, and leaves him to (land or fall tonimfelf: And here it is that 
 his courage begins to fail him. and that hts fear and fliamets almoft refolved and ready to pro- 
 claim himtelf guilty of this his laft and worft accufation, the potfomog of hts own Wife the La- 
 dy Umoria • But again the hope of life is yet fo fweettohtm, as the fear of death is difpleafing 
 and bitter, and therefore ( with a wretched refolutton, and a miferable confidence ) he again 
 artificially endeavoureth to blear the eyes of thefe his Judges, with his clnefcft Eloquence, and 
 fweeteft Oratory ; who having given him his full carrcirto fpeak in his own defence and jollifi- 
 cation, when they petfe&lyknevv he yet fpake not one valuable word orreafon, euh ? 
 or juftifie himfelf ; Then one of thefe clear-fighted Corigadors (in the behalf of botnthem) 
 
 returns him this grave reply and pious exhortation . 
 
 That as they have not the will to accufe him, fo they have not the means or power toexcufe 
 him, for being (at leaft) accelTary to both, or either of thefe murthers, cf his Lady Hmn^ 
 or Mathnrina- that the ludden death of the firft, and the violent and untimely one of the laft 
 the voluntary ’abfcnce of his Son Thn Jhm in Spain, with his killing of Vm* there, and 
 now the fearful and lamentable end of his.Daughter-in-Law, Mar ft ih a ( whofe body is yet 
 unburied and her blood fcarce cold ) left a dangerous refleftion, and a pernicious lufpicionon 
 his life and aftions, at leaft of Adultery andlrceft, if not of Murther (whereof his Son Bon 
 Letter which be writ to his Wife Mtrfilha, which they have thereto (hew, isamoft 
 Aron" and pregnant witnefs) and that the leaft of thefe crimes are capable to ruine a greater 
 perfona u e than himfelf. That be could caft no tfiift of delufion before Gods eyes, though he 
 artificially endeavoured and labored to cart a veil before theirs. That the (bedding of inno- 
 cent blood was a crying Sin, which defpight of' forcery and of hell, would (in Gods due time) 
 draw down vengeance to Earth from Heaven on their Authors. That if he were guilty of his 
 accufation he had no better plea then confeflion, nor fafer remedy than repentance. That 
 contrition ’is the true mark of a true Servant of God, and though we fall to Nature indSm as 
 bein° men, yet we fliould rife again to grace and rightecufnefs as being Chrifiians l hat to 
 denyour crimes, is to augment them, and confequently their pumfhments, both in Earth, and 
 in Hell- and that he was not a Chriftian, but an Infidel, who would attempt to fave his life 
 with the lolsof his foul, with many other religious exhortations concurring and looking that 
 
 Wa But all this notwithftanding, lii^m his Faith and Confcience, was yet fo flrong with 
 Satan, and therefore fo weak with God, that he left no excufe, policy or evafion umnvented 
 to blear the eyes of thefe Corigadors, and fo to make his innocency to pafs currant with them., 
 Btit his eloquence and alterations cannot prevail with the folidity of their Judgments , for 
 God will not fuffer them to be led away with words, nor feduced or deluded with fhadows: 
 But from the circumference of circumftances, they now die to the centre of truth, and to the 
 Author and giver, yea to the life and foul thereof, God. So they again adjudg him to the rack 
 for hisfecond accufation of Murthcr, as they formerly had done to him for his firft. At the 
 pronouncing of which fentence, If we may judge of his heart by his face, he feemed to be 
 muchaffliftcd, appalled and daunted, which his judges perceiving, before they expofe him to 
 his torments, they in honour to his Age and quality, but far more to Truth and Jufticc, 
 (whom they know to be two Daughters of Heaven) they now hold it a point of Charity 
 and Pietv to fend him two Divines to hi* Prifon to work upon his Confcience and Soul, 
 J which 
 
Hi ft. XV 1 . Don Juan and Adarjillia. 
 
 which* they do : And God in the depth of hisgoednefs, and the richnefsof his mercy, vvasfo 
 mercifully propitious and indulgent to him, that he added fuch efficacy to their perfwafions, and 
 power to their exhortations, ss at thj very fight of the rack, he with tears in his eyes, then 
 there confefled unto them, That he was innocent of Mathurina's murther, but guilty c f poy- 
 icning his own wife the Lady Honoria, fcr the which hefaid he moft heartily and forrowfully 
 repented himfclf. Whereupon his Judges ( and the reft prefent) admiring wi:h wonder and 
 praifing God with admiration for the deteftion of this his fowl, bloody and lamentable crime, 
 they pronounce fentence againft him; That for expiation thereof, he at eight of the clock 
 the next morning, fhall have his head cut eft at the place of Common execution in that Town, 
 when IdUques, who ( yet adhered fomuch to Satan ) that he cculd never bedeveftedof his 
 fins before he were firft depriv’d of his finful life* doth yet ffill flatter himfelf with feme fur- 
 ther hepe of life, and fo he appeals from the judgment and fentence of this Court of Coim .r * t to 
 that of Swa tm y as being native and refident thereof ; as alfo becaufc he committed his mur- 
 ther there, for which they (not his competent Judges ) adjudged him to death : Whereat al- 
 though theCorigaders of Coimbra for the prefervation of the priviledges of theirCourt and Town, 
 docbiiinately oppefe and vehemently conteft it, yet at la ft well knowing, and being confcicuS 
 with themfelves, that fmalle: Towns and Courts in Portugal are bound and fubjedl to depend cf 
 the greater ; They therefore making a vertueof nec.’.ffity, and contenting themfelves to give 
 way to that which they cannot remedie, do ordain that Idiaqacs fftould be convcighed and tryed 
 at Santarem. 
 
 But yet before theyfuffer him to depart their Town, they in honor to Juftice, in vvifdom 
 to themfelves, and in reputation to their Town andCourf, do fericufly and religioufly charge 
 him in the name and fear of God to declare truly to them, whether his unburied Dajghter in 
 Law Marfillla were not likewife accelfary with him in poyfoning his Wife, the Lady Hono- 
 ris which at firft heftrongly denies to them. Burthen they fend away for the two Divines 
 who had formerly dealt with him and his Confidence in Prifon, who exhort him to carry a 
 white and candid foul to Heaven, and threaten him vytth the torments of Hell fire if he do 
 not. When with fighes and tears, he confefleth it to them, and that it was he himfelf who 
 adminiftred that poylon to his wife, but that his Daghter-in-Law Mtrfillia bought it for 
 him. So thefc Judges ( upon the validity of this free and folemn confcfiion ) in deteftation of 
 this her lamentable crime, do reverently refolve to fecond, and glorifie God in his Judge- 
 ments towards her , and therefore they prefently condemn her dead body to be burnt that 
 afternoon in their Market-ftreet , the common place of execution, which accordingly is 
 then and there performed in prefence of a great concourfe of people, who infinitely rej >yce 
 that God fo miraculoufly deftroyed the life, and ibeir judges the body of fo execrable a fe- 
 male Monfler. By this time we muft allow, and imagine that old Letcher, and new murtherer 
 Jdiaques fbv vertueof his appeal } is brought to his own City of Santarem, and [ think either 
 with a ridiculous hope, or a prophane and impious refolution to fee whether Cod will punifli 
 him there with death, or the Devil preferve and fave him from it. He hath many friends 
 in this Court, who are both great and powerful, and therefore builds all his hopes of life, on 
 this reding quickfand, this fnow, this nothing, that his great eftateof money and lands will 
 undoubtedly a& wonders with them for his pardon. But flil! he hopes, becaufe ftill the De- 
 vil deceives him; He is arrived here at Santarem, where this fair City which might here- 
 tofore have proved his delight and glory, is now referved for his fhame, and appointed and 
 defined for his confufion 7 ; They cannot’brook the fight, much lefs the cohabitation a r.d com- 
 pany of fuch mongers of nature, and devills incarnate of men, who glory in making then> 
 
 1 elves guilty of thefe fowl finns, and crying crimes, Adultery, Inceft, Murthcr. So that Idia- 
 qHes ( who hath made himfclf a principal of this num&r, and a monfler of Art in thefe fins ) 
 thinking here in Santarem to find more mercy and pity during his life, fhall find lefs of both 
 of them after his death. For the criminal Judges of this Court who reverence and honour 
 Juftice, becaufe Juffice doth daily and reciprocally perform the like to them, do confirm the 
 fentence of C° : mbra y that the next morning he fhall lofe his head, but in deteftation and exe- 
 cration of thefe fowl and bloody crimes, they add this claufe and condition thereto, that both 
 his head and body fhall be aftcrwaids burnt, and his aihes thrown in the Air, which gives mat- 
 ter of talk and admiration, not only to Santarem t but to ail Portugal. And thus mnft penfively 
 and difconfolatelv is Jdiaques reconvcycd to his prifon, where Church-m:n are fent him by 
 the Judges of that Court, to direct his foul in her flight and tranffiguracion from earth to 
 H svcn~, whom they find ("or at lead they make ) very humble, mournful, and repentant. 
 Accordir.° to which fentence he is the next morning brought to the place of execution , 
 
 & which 
 

 
 
 
 
 which for the greater example and terrour toothers, and of ignominy to himielf, was before bis 
 own houfe, wherein he had a&ed and perpetrated all his enormous crimes. Where the Scaffold 
 is nofoonerere&ed, bat there flock an infinite nmnber of people from all parrs of the City, to 
 be fpeftators of this laft Scene of his Tragedy. He came to the Scaffold ( between two Friers ) 
 in a fute of black Taffeta, a Gown of black wrought turtfc- Taffeta, and a great white fee Ruff, 
 which yet could not be whiter than his broad Beard: At his afeent on the Scaffold, his Grave at 
 pea and prefence engendered as much fortoW and pity, as his beaftly crimes did detection in 
 rhe hearts and tongues of the people, to whom ( after he had a fhort time kneeled down and 
 prayed) he made a fhort i'peech to this effeft. 
 
 1 That although the poyfoning of his own Wife, and his adultery with his Sons wife, were crimes 
 fo odious and execrable, as had made him unworthy any longer either to tread on earth, or to 
 look up unto Heaven, yet although he deferved no favour of his Judges for his body, he humbly 
 repented, and begged fome of God for his foul ; andforthe more effe&ual obtaining thereof, 
 he zealoufly prayed aii thofe who were prefect to joyn their prayers to his. He confeffcd that it 
 was Marfillia’s beautv, which firii ( at the inHigation of the Devil ) drew him to that adultery 
 with her, and this poyfoning of his own wife Honoria } whereof from his heart and foul, he 
 now affirmed he implored remiffion of God, of the Law, of his Son Don Juan, and of ail the 
 world- and prayed them all to be more godly and lefs fiaful, by his example: and fo kneeling 
 down’ and praying a little while to himfelf, herofeup, and putting off his Gown, Ruff., and 
 Doublet, which he gave to the Executioner, he binding his head and eyes with his Handkerchief, 
 bad him do his office, which he prcfcotly performed, and with one blow of the Sword, made a 
 perpetual double divorce betwixt his head and his fhoulders, his body and his foul ; when prefent- 
 2y, according to his fentence, both his head and his body were then and there burnt and confum- 
 ed to fire, and his allies thrown into the Air. 
 
 And this was the deplorable life and death of Be Perez , , Idiaques, and MdrfiUU^ of whom the 
 fpe&ators (according to their fevcral humours and affe&ions j fpake diver fly, all condemning 
 the bloody cruelty of Be Perez, to wards innocent Matharina, and of I deques towards his vertu- 
 ous wife Hotjoria . Again, fome pitied, and others execrated Mar[illia’s youth, beauty, and luft ; 
 but both fexes, and all degrees of people ( asfo many lines terminating in one Center ) magni- 
 fied the providence and Juftice of God, in fo miraculoufly and condignly cutting off thefe mon- 
 gers of nature, and bloody butchers,of man-kind # 
 
 And if the curiofity of the Reader will yet farther enquire, what afterwards became of Bon 
 Juan ; The' reports of him arc different: for ac firft I heard that his difeontent and grief was fo 
 great,’ yea, fo extream for rhe death of his Parents and Wife, that he cloiftcred himfelf upaC*- 
 pfschin Fryar in their Monaftery at Madrid : So contrariwife I have fince credibly been enform- 
 ed, that he fhortly after thefe difafters left Spain , and (Till lives in Santarem in Portugal in great 
 honour, welfare, andprofperity ; But which of thefe his refolutions are moll inclining and ad- 
 herent to the truth, it paffeth beyond my knowledg, and therefore fhall come too fhort of my 
 affirmation. 
 
 
 I ■ 
 
 •mk.\ 
 
 ■■ r 
 
 GOD’s 
 

 'yscavfL 
 
 ggTggz 
 
 (or court 
 
 haftjd Tfa+cdurt ex ecuicd 
 
 Majierirta 'Zvvoxy Vimtvy j/jflotd by ffarcouvt | "Ttvffry tunyd Znd turnt JLt^/rlna. 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againfl the Crying arid 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 history xvn. 
 
 Harcourt feats away his Brother Vimory’s Wife Mafferipa, and, keeps her in Adultery ; Shehiretfi 
 Tivoly ( anltalion Mountebank) to poy'on La Precoverte, who was Harcouns wife • Har- 
 court kills his Brother Vimory, and then marries his widow Maflerina ^ Tivoly is hanged for a 
 Robbery, and at his Execution accufcth Mafferina fo> hiring him to poyfon La Precove^tc, for 
 the which fhe is likewife hanged . Noel ( who was Harcourts man) on his death-bed fufpetteth and 
 accnfeth his / did CMafter for killing of his Brother \ iirjory, whereof Harcourt being found 
 guilty , he is broken alive an a wheel for the fame . 
 
 M AN being the workmanship, and Figurative Image of God, what an odious fin, yea 
 what an execrable crime is it therefore, for one ( cut of thereat of his malice or fumes 
 of his revenge ) to poyfon, or murther another, fith Nature doth firongly impugn, and Grace 
 (with a high hand) infinitely contradict it. Therefore, were not our hearts and underfiandings 
 either wholly deprived of common fenfe, or our fouls of the gracious adifiance and favour of 
 God, we would not thus fo furioufly and prophanely make our felves guilty of thefe infernal fins, 
 but rather (with oar beft endeavours ) would feek to avoid them as Hell, and ( with our moft 
 pious refolutions ) to hate and deteft them as the Devil himfelf, who is the prime Author and 
 A<9or thereof. But fome fuch Monftersof Nature, and Difciplcsof Satan there are here on 
 Earth. A fearful and lamentable Example whereof, this enfuiag Hiftorywiil (hew us. The 
 which may all good Chrifiians read to Gods glory, and remember to the infirufticnof their j 
 Souls. 
 
 There isaParifti termed Stint Swplician, amile from the City of Sens, \w theDutchyof 
 
 H h Burgundy 
 
 
Gods Revenge againjl Mart her. Look IV. 
 
 Burgundy ( which is honoured with the Title and Sec of an Archbilhop ) where ( w ithin ib.de 
 few years) there dwelt and died an aged Gentleman, (more Noble by W.Ctn.* than rich ip his 
 Ettttc and Dcmains ) termed M**f*txr AtVimory^ who left only two loiw toioa him the el- 
 deft nitne<$ r Ad/onJieur di Harcourt, and thcfecond Monfieur Ae Hauumont, who were two very 
 Proper young Gentlemen, excellently well bred and qualified* as well m Arts as Arms, or m 
 any other vertue or petfc&ion which was requifite, both to fbew and approve then delves to be 
 the Sons of their Father. And ( to content my Reader with their characVs ) Hm*m was 
 tall but not wel-favoured, but of a mild and lingular good difpofitton ; Hmtwo# was of a 
 middle ftature, ieatty timbred, of a fwcet aod amiable countenance, but, by nature hafty and 
 hcad-ftrong • Harcourt hid a light Auburn beard, which (like a Country Gentleman ) he 
 wore negligently after the Oval-cut 5 Ham wont had a coal-black beard, which ( Coyrtier. 
 like ) be wore in form of an invalled Pyramides 4 Harcourt was thirty two ‘years of age, very 
 chafte and honeft 5 Han emont was twenty five, but many times given to women, and ready to 
 be debauched and drawn away by any, though but of an indifferent quality and complexion. 
 To Harcourt ( the eldcftSon ) their Father gave his chielcft Maonor-houfe, with eight hun- 
 dred Crowns of yearly Revenew and all his Goods and Chattels, To Hautemont ( his fecund 
 Son ) he gave hisfecond Manor- houfe, worth four hundred Crowns yearly, and fifteen hun- 
 dred Crowns in his purfc, by his Teftament : Eftates which though it came (hert of their 
 blood* yet it exceeded that of moftof the Gentlemen their neighbours, and is held in Rrar.ce 
 at leaft the double, if not the treble of a$ much here with us in England. So having neither the 
 happinefs, nor the care to be accompanied with any Sifter or other Brothers, they interchange- 
 ably fwear a ftri& League of brotherly love and dear affc&ion each to other, which by their 
 ; Vertuss and Honours they fwear fhall never receive end , but with the end of their lives. They 
 many times confult together for the conduction and improving of their Eftates, which they 
 promife to manage with more frugality then luftre , . and with more folid diferetion than 
 vain oftenutionor fuperfluity* and not to live in or to follow the Court, but to build 
 up their refidence in the Country. To which end they cut off many unprofitable mouths, 
 both of fervants, horfes* and hounds, which their Father kept. They iikewife vow each too- 
 ther to be wonderful chary and careful in their marriages, as well fort-feeing and know- 
 ing it to be the greateft part of their earthly feliricity or mifery. So here we may fee and oblerve 
 many fair promifes , rich defigns and refolutions , and many fweet covenants voluntari- 
 ly drawn up between tbefe two brothers, which if they make good and perform, no doubt 
 but the end thereof will be fucccfsful and profperous unto them ; or if otherwife, the con- 
 trary. 
 
 But before I wade farther in the ftream and current of thisHiftory, I muft firft declare, 
 that by the death of Vimorj thcFarhcr, and by the cuftomof France, we muft new wholly 
 abandon and take away the title of Hautemont from the fecond Brother, -futurely to give 
 him that of Harcourt theeldeft, and that from Harcourt theeldeft, to give him that of V'rnorj 
 their Father, for ( by the right and vertue of the premiied Reafons ) tbefe arc now become 
 their proper names and appellations , which the Reader is prayed to obferve and remember. 
 
 A year and half is not fully expired and paft away fince their Father paft from Earth to Hea- 
 ven, but the eldeft Brother Monfieur deVimory being extreamly ambitious and covctuousof 
 wealth, and undemanding that a rich Counfdlor of the Court of Parliament of Dijon , na- 
 med AfonficHr dt Baftyni was dead, and had left a very rich widow (of fome forty years of age) 
 named Madamoy ft lie Mnjfcrina, he carneftly feeks her in marriage. She is of fbort ftaturc, cor- 
 pulent and fat, of a coal-black hair, and if fame towards her be a true and not a tailing god- 
 defs, ftie hath, and flill is, a lover of Venus, and a Votarefs who often facrificcth to Cupids 
 lafeivitus Altars and Shrines. Harcourt is very averfc and bitter againft this match for 
 his Brother. They have many ferious Confutations hereon ; He alledgeth to him the in- 
 equality of her age and birth ncomparifon of his, her corpulency, the ill-getting of her 
 Husbands goods, who was held to be a corrupt Lawyer, and (as the .voice of the world went ) 
 who gained his wealth by the tears and curfes of many of his ruined and decayed 
 Clients ; and when he faw that nothing would prevail to diffwade his Brother ir m 
 her, he rounds h : m in his ear , thst it was fpoken aod bruted in Dijon , that fhe was 
 not fo chafte as rich, nor fo continent as covetous; Vimory is all imaged hereac and 
 charperb Harcourt his Brother to name the Reporters rf this foul lcandal vomited forth 
 ( quoth lie J agamft the vertues and honour of chafte Maffcrina • Harcourt replies , that 
 he fpeaksit wholly upon fame, no way upon knowledge much left upon belief; fo Vintory 
 being wilfully deaf to his Brother's advice and tequefls, (and preferring Majferinas wealth 
 
Hi ft. XVII. Harcourt dnd Mdfjerina. 
 
 to her honefty ) he marries her. But fne is fo wile for her felf, as firft ( both by promife and 
 contraft ) fhe ties him to this condition • that he fhaii receive all her Rents, which are force 
 twelve hundred Crowns per Annum^ fhe co put her ready money to life into vyhofe hands 
 fhepleafeth, and he alfo to have the one half of themtereft money, but the Principal {till 
 remain in her own right, propriety and £offefibn,and as well in her life asdeach,co be wholly 
 at her own difpofing. 
 
 Not long after Harcourt being at the great Wedding ( of a Gentleman his Cot? fen Ger- 
 man ) at the City of Tropes in Campafuci he the^Mt the balls ( or pubiick dancing ) efpies a 
 raoft fweet and beautiful young Gentlewoman, whom he, prefencly fancjeth and affects for 
 hiAWife: He enquires w^at fhe is, and finds her to be named Ma leiioyfettc L.t V recover te^ 
 Daughter to an Aged Gentleman of that City, rearmed Mo*(ieur Je U V*q *erj. H ■. rc .?« t 
 courts the Daughter, fceks the Father-findsthe firft willing, and the fecond defieous : but at 
 laid he plainly and honeftly informs Harcourt’, that his Daughters chiefeft Wealth., irpher 
 vertues and beauty ; thache hath not much Land, and lefs money ^ that be ha is t we great faits 
 of Law, for Bore of Lands, depending in the Parliament of Dijon, which promife him Bore 
 of money, and that he will futurely impart a great part thereof to him, if he will marry his 
 Daughter, the which ( for the prefentj he tells him, he is content to make poed and confirm, 
 both by bond and contrad:. Harcowt loves his fair young Miftrefs La P recover te fotendepiy 
 and dearly, as be is ready to efpoufe her on thofe tearms, but lie will firft acquaint his 
 brother * Vi njry therewith, and take his a ivice therein Vininp informs his brotbe. Ha court 
 thacheknowes Monfitur <ic Vayner p, of Jr yes, to be a very poor Gentleman, that moft of his 
 lands are morgaged out, and in great danger never to be redeemed • that his Law.futes are 
 as uncertain, as the following thereof chargeable. Harcourt extols the be Jury of Li Erecs- 
 vrte to him to the skie •, Vim*) replies, that beauty fades and withers with a fma'U time, and 
 that thofe who prefer it to wealth, are many times enforced to feed on repentance in Bead 
 of content and joy, and to look poverty in the face in Bead of profperity. But Harcourt ha- 
 ving deeply feftedhU *ffeftion on La P ccovert*, he ejedeththis true and whole fom counfd 
 of his brother, and fo marries her : When forgetting his former promife to his brother, he 
 in a fnalJ time turns a great Prodigal, abandonah himfeif to all filthy vices, and beaftly 
 courfe of life, and as a raoft debauched md gracelefs Husband ( within one year ) he for no 
 caufequarreilcth very often with this his fair and dear Wife, than whom, neither Cham* 
 pag'ie nor Bh 'gn*dj had a more beautiful or vertuous young, Gentlewoman > fhe was of fta- 
 cure tall and (lender, of ab* ght fiixen Inir, a graciouseye, a modeft countenance, apure 
 LilI/*:ofeat complexion, of a mild nvire, ani fweet difpofirion, refpedfuliy courteous to all 
 the world, and exceedingly dev ut mi Rdjgous cowards G >d, as perpecuilly mikiag ic her 
 pradfe, delight and .'glory to confine a great part both or neruue and of her felf in prayer 
 and m the fervice of God. 
 
 And although fhe ivere formerly fought for in mtrriige by miny as g -nd Gentlemen as 
 Harcourt , yet fhe could fancy none, nor afTeft any man for her Husband but himfeif. Never 
 Wife was more careful or more defirous to pleafea Husband than fhe, and as ( fop one whole 
 year ) it was her former content and joy to fee him to be a provident, kind, and loving Hus- 
 band to her, fooowitis her matchlefs grief and calam ty to fee his good nature perverted, 
 bis Refolufions tranfp>rted, and his affections drowned in debauched and vicious Compa. 
 nv. She leaves no fweet advice, nor courteous Requests and Perfwaiions unattempted tore- 
 claim him from thefe his foul vices of Drunkennefs, Swearing* Dicing, evil Company,' and 
 Whoredom ; for of nolefsfins in quality, nor fewer in number, fhe ( with extream grief 
 and forrow ) fees htm to be guilty. But all this will not prevail, no not her infinite tears and 
 fighs which many times ihc fpends and fheds co him both at boord and bed, yea, and fome- 
 times on her knees, but ftiil ( with a wretched violence and finful impeiuofity ) he goes on 
 in his vicious courfes, and ungodly life and converfation •, neither caring for his health, or 
 bis eftare and means, but wilfully ncgletfs the firft, and prodigally waftes and confumes 
 the fecond, whereat fhe wonderfully grieveth and lamented). She often requefteth Vlmorj 
 bis brother, and La Vayner j her Father to perfvvade and divert him fcom thefe his ungodly 
 courfes and enormous vices , which threatens no lefs than the utter ruin , and ine- 
 vitable fhipwrack of all their fortunes: but they likewife cannot prevail, although his 
 brother Vtmory ( with whom they live ani fejourn ) every hour and rime. he fees him, do 
 ftrongly deal and labour with him to that effed ; For now he giving no limits 
 to his vices and prodigalities he fells away his Lands peecc meal, whereat his brother 
 Vimory ftormeth Very much againft him, and his vertuou> fweet Wife moft pitifully ^ 
 wcepeth and lamented But as a bafe Gentleman, and a moft unkind and ungrateful 
 
 Hh 2 Husband 
 
Gods Revenge againji Murther. Bo ok IV * 
 
 Husband, he laughs at her tears, fmileth at her fighs, and contemneth and fcorneth both tisem 
 and her felf. And it now falling out, that La Vaqutry her Father 1 ling beta ct ins Law iuits 
 at DijoK 9 where they (by the votes and fentenceof that Court of Parliament ) are adjud;ed 
 a^aintt him, whereby he was utterly ruined both in his hopes and e(iate for ever j blar court 
 hereatfo flights and neglefts his Wife, as he terms her beggars* Wat, threatneth to fend her home 
 to Troyes to her Father, and letting ail at random, cares not what becomes either of himfeif or 
 her, who poor fweet Gentlewoman is fo extreamly affixed, and as it were weighed down with 
 all thefe calamities and miferies ( efpeciallArith the vices and difeourtefies cf her Husband p as 
 in her hiartfhe daily wiflieth, and in h rflernr hourly pray eth unto Gcd, that Fne were out of this 
 life, and in Heaven, infinitely lamenting, andathoufand tim s a day repenting that event was 
 her hard fortune to fee her Husband, and her weful chance to marry him. But how to remedy 
 or redrefs thefe her miferies fhe knows not. 
 
 For now do her Husbands vices and prodigalities make him daily grow poorer and poor- 
 er, in fo much ( as in lefs than three years ) lie is become thefhameof himfeif, the contempt 
 of his enemies, the pi:y of his Friends and Kinsfolks, and theextream grief of his Iweec 
 and dear Wife, fo that he hath well near fpent all, and almoti left nothing to maintain him- 
 felf, much lefs tomiintain her, vvhofe griefs are fo great, and forrows fo infinite, as her Rofeat 
 Cheeks look now thin and pale, her fwcet eyes are become obfeure and dim, yer, and in fo 
 pitiful and lamentable < manner, that fhe falls exceedingly fick, and her dilcontent and clif- 
 confolation is almoft fo remediiefs, as fhe would, but cannot be comforted, forthat her Hus- 
 band, whom fhe thought would have proved the argument of her Joy and Profpcr ty, is now 
 become the caufe of endlefs grief, and the objeft of her mrchlefs calamity^ and mifery. 
 >hu 3 leaving her forrows, fighs and tears, to be diminifhed through time, or diflipated and 
 defaced by G >d. The order of our Hiflory invites and conjures me now again to fpeak. 
 of this her bafe and debauched Husband, who hath many beaftly and bloody parts to aft here- 
 in. 
 
 Whofelewd life and prodigalities enforcing him now to behold poverty, becaufe heretofore 
 he difdained to look on frugality and providence : Seeing his weahh wafted, his lands either fold 
 or morgaged, himfeif forfaken of his Brother and Friends, his reputation loft, his debts great, 
 his Creditors many, and who now began to grow extream clamorous and fcandalous to him: 
 He knows not which way to look, or how or where to turn himfeif, to find out fome invention 
 and means to repair the decays and mines of . thefe his referable fortunes, and fo to bear up 2 nd 
 ferew himfeif again into the eyes and repute of the world. When his necefiity gaining upon his 
 heart and nature, and Satan upon his Confcience and Soul, he knowing his Brothers wi it Afjf- 
 feriKd to be rich and wanton, he will become fo unfaithful to his own wife, fo ingratefiil and 
 treacherous to his own Brother, and fo d (honourable and ignoble to himfeif, as to attempt to 
 oain her affeftion from him, and to draw her to his own lewd and lafcivicus ochres, whereon his 
 irregular hopesdid moreflian partly grow confidenr, becaufe be flatters himfeif withthis true, 
 yet fool i fh belief, that as he was (even years the younger, fo he was twice ftven times a preper- 
 erman than his Brother. When taking time at advantage, as his Broth r and her Husbihd FV- 
 mory were rid to £>/;<?#, he finding her in a wonderful pleaf ant humour, andexceedinglvdifpofed 
 to be merry, when ( God knows ) his own fweet andforrovvful Wife, was ( according to her 
 frequent cuftom ) difconfolately at her prayers and book in her own charnb.r, and her door fhuc 
 to her, then, then, I fay, he taking his faid Sifler-in-Law Majferitta to a window in a private 
 Parlour, he there (for himfeif, or the Devil for him ) breaks his mind to her, and isfofar 
 from fhame, as he glories to make her acquainted with his deep affeftion, and lafcivicus fu t to 
 her: Neither doth he failof hish pes, or they of his voluptuous defires, for he fines this his 
 Sifter in Law fo difhoneftly prepared, andfoluftfully refolved and difpofed to grant him his de- 
 fires, that fealing her affeftion to him with many fmiles, as he did his to her with irr rekifles, 
 fhe is fo impudent, fogracelefs, as at this his very firft nv eion, fhe vows to him fhe hath not 
 the power to deny him any thing, and therefore moft cheerfully and willingly gives him her heart 
 and her felf, and he doth the like to her, which they mutually ratifie and confirm between them 
 with many private kiffts, and amorous dalliances, as alfo with many fccret proteftations, andfo- 
 lemn oaths : But becaufe Satan is, therefore God will not be prefeat at thi3 their vicious contraft* 
 and lafeivious combination. 
 
 This Harconrt and hisSifter-m-Law Mafforina^ having no regard tg their honours or reputa- 
 tions, to their hearts or c adences, to their Souls or to God, he pollutes his Brothers bed in 
 pcffefting his Wifes body, and makes it both his delight and prafticeto defile and contami- 
 natchisglory, inthatofher fhame, and of his own infamy* And now his packets and purfe are 
 
 again 
 
H i (l.XVI I. Har court and Majfer m i. 
 
 again fill'd and cram’d with coin, for he gives her kiffes for her gold, and (he returns him gold 
 for his kiffes. Hereupon he putshimfelf again into rewand rich apparel, but yet isfobife, 
 unkind, and ingrateful to his own fweet and vertuous Wife, that he will give her neither ®old 
 nor new apparel, but permits her to go in her old. But to add more mifenes to her mife-v, ^and 
 more new griefes ; and calamities to her old ( tyecaufe (he is equally an eye- fore both to Imnfelf 
 and to her ) he will no longer permit her to live with him, that he may the more often and the 
 more freely and fecurely familiarize with his old Salter, or rather now with his new lot's UM*'- 
 feri i a. So ( without any regard to her birth, or refpett to her youth and vertues, or without 
 tendering that God hath made her his Wife, and therefore the other half of himfelf) he fends 
 her home to her Father at Troyes, giving her but a poor little Nagg, and a ragged foot bo/, on- 
 ly with fo much money as could hardly carry her thither, giving her neither money nor a jparel, 
 nor anything elfe- which was befeming or fit for her, although through 'the black and oblcure 
 clouds of his vices and ingratitude, the bright and relucent Sun-beams of her excellent perfefti- 
 ous and vertues in her felf, and of her conftant affe&ion to him, will tor ever trod radiantly re- 
 fplend and thine to all the world, efpecially to thofe who bad the honour to know her living, 
 or who fhall now or hereafter read her Hifiory after her death. And never were thofe her fweet 
 perfections and vertues cither more confpicuous and glorious in her, than now at her enforced 
 exile, and forrowfu! jbanifliment and departure from her Husband : For although he were 
 cruelly unkind. Or unkindly cruel to her, yet knowing and contidering him to be her Hus- 
 band, the therefore holds it her duty and confidence, fiill to attend and wait on him as his 
 Wife, and not, either fo foonorfo fuddenly tofeparate her felf from him. When her eyes 
 fee, her judgment knows, her heart doubts, and her lcul fears, that then more than ever his 
 vices wanted her prayers, and his fins her vertues and prefence, to feck to redtifieand reform 
 them. But although fhe defended fo low from her felf to him in her aff t&ion and humility, 
 as with bitter fighs and teats tc- caft her felf on her knees, to beg and requ if him, that ( as by 
 the laws of marriage and nature, and of confciencc and grace ’ ) (he was obliged and bound, 
 fo that file might snj q’ the content and happineis to live and die with him, being infinitely con- 
 tented, and extream'y delirous, as the then affi med ( and again and again rqpca.ej and con- 
 firmed to him ) to participate and be* her part and thare, as well in his poverty as prorpenty, 
 yet fie (as an ignoble gentleman, andabafe and vicious Husband ) having wholly taken away 
 his heart and affection from this his fweet and vertuous Wile La Precove,te , and fully and ib- 
 folutely given it to big hfcivious Sifter-in-Law Majferina, he (I fay) isfo hard-hearted, in- 
 grareful and treacherous towards her (as without any refpedt to her tears, or regard to her prayers) 
 he will no way permit her to live with him in St. Simpiician or Sew , at his Brothers, nor yet 
 vorchfife to be pleafed to go and live with her at T royss at her Fathers : But here we may ob- 
 ferve his malice in his difdain. and hisdifdain in his malice towards this dear ard fweet young 
 Gentlewoman his wife, (of whom God koojvs, and the world fees, he is no way worthy ) for 
 he will grant her neither of thefe her two molt reafonablc and loving requetls, but indeed (ra- 
 ther as a De/d than a m in, and a Tyrant than a Husband ) he with thundering looks and fpeech- 
 cs, commands her away his fight and prefence, without oncegiving her fo much as one poor 
 ktfs, as he was bound in affection, or ( which is yet lefs ) a poor farewell at their parting, 
 as he was obliged both in Cocfciencc and Chrillianity. So this fweet difconfolate Gentlewo- 
 man ( in a manner breaking her bread with her fighes, and drowning her cheeks with her tears ) 
 only with ftr poor little Nag and ragged Foot-boy, is by her. flinty-hearted Husband turned 
 outef bis Brother Emories houfe at Saint Slmfiician, and foin this (lender manner, and bafe 
 equipage enforced foftly, difcootentedly, and forrowfully to ride home to the poo'r Gentle- 
 man her Father at Troyes , yea, and fuchwas themaiice, and policy of Harcourt , her cruel 
 Hnsband, that thisfudden departure of hers was purpofely acted when his Brother Pimory, and 
 his Wife Mafferinx were at another Mannor houfe of his fome eight leagues off, ro the end? that 
 they might not fee, or take leave of her, nor (he of them. So allowing our fweet and forrow- 
 ful LaPrecoverte by this time at Troyes with her aforefaid Father, F will fora time there leave 
 her, to the exercifeof her patience, to the piety of her prayers, and to the pleafure and provi- 
 dence of God. # 
 
 Now doth rur cifl.yal and treacherous H* v a>tirt, at his pleafure frolique it out in Saint 
 Sim licl an with his lafeivious Sifter-in-Law and Strumpet Afafftrint, yea they are now grown 
 fo impudent, focarelefs, fogracelefs, in thefe their obfeene dalliances; that if V,mory the Hus- 
 band ahd Mailer do not, yet his fervants cannot chufe but take deep notice and exact and per- 
 fect Knowiedg thereof ; Only he obferves a late alteration in his Brother’s fortunes, that 
 he is become far braver in his Apparel than accuflomed, and hath more (lore of Crowns 
 
 H h 2 ift 
 
 
God's Revenge againjl Murther . 
 
 Book 1 V. 
 
 in his Pocket at his command than heretofore, both to play and fpend at his plcafure. Only fr 001 
 whence this his golden Mine fhould proceed he knows not-, except having heretofore made (Vine 
 progreffion, and experiments in the Chymical Science (or myfieryof AIcbymy ) he had now 
 found the Elixir of the Philofophers-Stone; but his curiofity in this Qnstrj proceeds no further, 
 much lefs the Judgment, but leafl of all his Sufpition or jeaioufie. 
 
 But thcgracelefsVanity and Ambition of Jgarcourt will yet fly a pitch and degree higher in the 
 air of ingratitude and treachery towards his Brother Vwory. For a little gold cannot redeem his 
 Lands, nor make up the money and great breaches of his former prodigalities, neither will a few 
 kifles and embraces of that luftful Dame his Sifter Mafferina appeafe his unchaft appetite, or fa- 
 tisfie his infatiablc lutt, and iafeivious defires. Wherefore at one time and cafl, to fer nature 
 and honour at flake, andfo commanding his heart and thoughts to trample on bofti of them, 
 without any refpcdl or regard to either, he contrives and affumes this viticus and treacherous refo- 
 lution, that having already taken the a&ual poffdfion of her body, he flic uld then lik nvife dofo 
 of her gold, yea of all her whole eftate, andfo flyaway with her, whofeEflate (through his 
 long diftionefl familiarity with her ) he now knows to be great, yea far greater than h s Brother 
 V>morj her Husband either ever knew or dreamt of \ Wneref re with much fuperficial afteftion, 
 and artificial flattery and infinuation, he no fooner breaks this motion to her, but her luftful 
 heart correfponding with his, and her lafciviousdefircs iikewife aiming and intending that way, 
 fhc freely gives him her confent thereunto, and to that end lhe very fecretiy draws in ail her mo* 
 nies and gold. Together with all her Plate, Rings, and Jewels, moft carefully and privately packs 
 it up, and fo they flyaway together* in a morning when her Husband and his Brother vvas 
 with his Servants gone forth a Hawking and Hunting for all that day , he without ever making 
 his Wife, or fhc her Husband once acquainted therewith. Vimory is amazed, and La Pxtcovertc 
 extreamly perplexed andafflufled at the ftrangenefs of their ( undreamt of ) bate clandeftine 
 departure; And although ( in regard of bisaflfe&ion to bis Wife ) he w.rc once refclved 
 to fend and make after them for their flay and appreheofion; yet atlaft, to avoid the univerfal 
 fcandal of the world ( which thereby in ftead of flopping one tongue, would aflfuredly let 
 loofe many) he leaves the fuc'cefsof this treacherous A<$tiuent to Time, and the due reward 
 and true punifhment thereof to God. Now thefirft place of fafetyand (heher which Har- 
 €otm and Mafferina fly unto, is the ftrongCityof Geneva (which depends not of France or 
 Savoy y but of God and it lelf) where they take two Chambers, and five together-, bavin" 
 no Servant at all to attend or follow them, butoaly AW, whoformany yearsbefore hadbeen* 
 and (till was his man . But tolive here in Geneva with the moi e privacy and a ffunnee ( becaufe 
 they obferve it to be a City exceeding, politiquely, vertuoufly, and religioi fly governed ) 
 they find out this excufefor theuftay, that he is heir to foms lands ( which bv the death of 
 an Uncle of his) is devolved and fallen to him, in the eftate anddurchyof Mill n (betwixt 
 Pavia and Alexandria ; ) whither he goes to fell it away, in regard ( a ; he falfly alled^ech ) that 
 both this Gentlewoman (whom he rcfolves to leave there, and prefently upon his return 
 to mairy ) and himfelf are Proteftants, and for a month or fix weeks, this faKe oj 0 fc, 2n d 
 true impofture pafleth currant with thofe of Geneva, whom all that time they freely permit 
 andfuffer to enjoy the Laws and Privileges of Hofpitality in their City ("and the fooner and 
 with far lefs fufpition and doubt ) becaufe they obferve, that they very often frequent their 
 Sermons and Churches, although in their hearts and devotions, < 5 od knows, thev boih are 
 dire&ly Roman Catholicks. But at the end of this fmalj time, underftanding that the two 
 Syndicks, and the reft Of the Magiftrates of that City began to pry more narrowly into their 
 flay, and more nearly into their actions ; Then they thinking to mock God ard their fculs, 
 and foto make Religion on'yto be a cloak to over- veil their villany, he then and there rcfolves' 
 to mamy her before he goto Milla*, which indeed affords fweetmufick to the heart, and me- 
 lody to the thoughts and mi d of this lafeivious dame Maffcrina^ the which fhe efleemed to be 
 the chicfeft felicity fhe could defire upon earth, excufing the alteration of this hfe rTolution 
 upon hcr*ficknefs and indifpofition ( which alfo was asfalfe and counterfeit, as the pretence 
 of their Proteflant Religion was feigned and hypocritical) and to that end he acquaints the 
 Miniftersand the Ancients of the Church therewith ; But they being as regular in their adfions 
 as he f /as exorbitant, and as pious in their intentions as he was prophmein his, queftion him 
 to fhew fgme tutbentical Certificate from that Proteflant Church or Churches in Pit&w, 
 where they averr they formerly dwelt, that they were both of them Proteftants by Religion, 
 and that their Marriage was honourable and no way clandeftine; affirming to him, that it 
 was againft the Rules of their Religion, the Conftitutions of their Church, and the Laws of 
 
Hiit.X V 11. Harcourt and Majjerina. 
 
 th«r City, to do other wile, cither to them, or to any Hungers whatever ; Whict7^;^7 
 well perceiving, he now comet too Ihdrt in his Arithmetick, and having none to (hew them in 
 that nature, he uveacs under the faddle, and fo flacks his importunacy therein, and puts it off 
 with a fpecious excufed dilatory delay • When acquainting h is Afaferind therewith, they both 
 are equally atflifted land grieved, thus to fee their hopes ni P t‘, and their expiations and deiitcs of 
 Mirrizgtt fri.’ ft rated, and bialied in the very bud and bloffoms j and now they fee that their abode 
 and Hay in Goieva, neither can, nor mult be long. But here betide; them another unlooked 
 tor accident, which will fpeedily tranfport them thence. 
 
 It is the pleafuteand mercy of God, that Noel ( Ha'courts man ) is not a little °rievedih 
 heart, and afflicted in mind, to fee his M after guilty of this foul and treac lerous crime, 0 in Heal- 
 ing away Majferma his Brother's Wife, and entertaining and ufing her at his own. He knows 
 how infinitely this their adultery is difpleafing to God, and odious to men, and how oppofite and 
 repugnant it is to Grace and Nature. Wherefore holding it a trouble to his mind, a vexation to 
 his heart, and a fcruple to his confcience any longer to attend and follow them becaufe he is af- 
 lured, that the divine Juftice and vengeance of God, will never permit them to go Ion" either 
 undeteaed or unpunished. He calling to his remembrance the fweet virtues and challityof his 
 M.ftn hLaPrtcoverte, and f by oppofirion and Antirbefis > comparing them to the foul vices 
 and whoredoms of MaJJe.ma, he out of his duty to the firft, and detection to the fecond, 
 though a bad Servant to his Mailer, yet was a good Chriftian ro God, gives his Miftrifs La Pre- 
 (■avfttt very fecret intelligence, of his Mailers lafeivious refidmg and living here in Geneva with 
 Majferma, whereof he fends her word, heisaveryforrowful and unwillirgcye witnefs, andfo 
 leaves the reformation thereof, firfttoGod, and then to her felf. Ourvertuous fweet Gentle- 
 woman La Precovene, is wonderfully afflided and grieved, at this foul crime of Adulterybc- 
 twixt her Husband, and his Siller Miferina, whereat her chafte heart towards him, and her pure 
 and religious foul towards God, makes her fend many tears to Earth, fighs to Heaven. Once 
 fhe thought to aeqaaint her Brother P'mory herewith, but then fearing that his juft choler mwht 
 peradventure exafperate him again!! her Husband, fhe again affoon forftkes that opinion andln- 
 tenr, as holding it m re diferetion and fafety to be fileot herein towards him. And yet con- 
 futing her griefs and afflidions with God ( whofe facred advice and a (Ti [lance how to bear her 
 felf in this adion a.nd accident fhe rellgioufly implores ) fhe at lad deems it a part both of her 
 aftedion , duty, and confcience, to ufe her bed zeal and endeavours, to reclaim them from this 
 their abominable, indbealily couneof life. And in regard her poverty, wesknefs, and fick- 
 nefs will not ( according to her defires and wiihes ) permit her to ride over to them in perfon to 
 Geneva, die therefore commits and impofeth that charge to her pen, to write both .to her Hus- 
 band Hare curt, as alfo to his lewd Siller, or rather his' lafeivious Strumpet CMafferina, to fee 
 if her Letters ( bv r he permiilion and providence of God) may prevail with their hearts and 
 f uls to reform and draw them home, the which ihe purpofely and exorefly fends by a confident 
 Melfcnger, and with the grcateftfecrcfie fhe poffibly can devife. 
 
 Her I.etter to her Husband intimated this. 
 
 LA PRECOVER TE to HARCOURT. 
 
 V Our flight and adultery with that grace/efs Strumpet Mifferina, it fa difpleafing to God, at / 
 
 _I cannot hut wondtr that his divine fuftict mill permit Geneva, or any other place of the World, to 
 contain you. without punifhingyou for is;yea,when in thit foul crime of yours,/ confider her by my felf , 
 and you by your Brother V imorv, 1 find that his grief proves mj fhame, and my [hame his grief, and 
 that you o nd her are the true caufes of both. 1 have examined my thoughts and actions, my heart and 
 foul, and cannot conceive that I have any way deferved t’ i< your ingratitude towards me, and there - 
 f, ore fail not to certifie me why and wherefore you have undertaken this vitiotu and lewd courf of life, 
 which in the end will ajfurtd/j produce thy mifery, as now already it doth your infamy, except your 
 contrition to God, do fpeedily redeem it. And in regard that yon are my Husband, and that I both 
 hope and believe it to be the fir fl fault in this kind and nature , 1 therefore hold you more worthy of my 
 pity than of my hatred, and of my prayers than of my curfes. So if you will abandon your debofhed 
 Sifter, and come home and live with me who am thy chafe and forrowful wife , my arms and heart 
 full be as open as ever th’y were, both to receive and forgive you, yea, I will wholly forget what it 
 pa ft, and prepa't my felf to welcome you home, with a t host f and fnsiles and kiffes, ifyonwillrt- 
 foh’ and remember hercefcrth to love me as much, as formerly (without cattfe or rcafon) you have 
 mgleUed and hated ms, LA PRECOVERT E. 
 
 Her 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther. Book IV. 
 
 Her Letter to Ma print bewrayed thefe Palfions. 
 
 LA PRECOVERTE to MASSE RINA. 
 
 N O longer Stfler , but lewd Strumpet , Was it not enough for thee to abufe thine own Huibar.d^ but 
 that thou Tfjuft Hkpnife bereave me of mine, who is bis own and only Brother : as if a pnglefin 
 and ingratitude, csuld not content thy lafav.ctts tuft, to fatufie thy inordinate defires : but that thy 
 impiety toGod y and prophanenefs and obfccnitj to thy felffhould make thee gujty offofoulu c^ime as 
 Adultery , and wh'uh is worfe , oj fuch afoul and bafe Adultery as comes very near to theworfi kind 
 of J nee ft ; whereof tVy thoughts and heart can inform thee , and thy Conscience and Soulaffu > c thee, it 
 will hereafter mal^c thee as truly mife r able } as now thou falfely thinkjefi thy f elf happy .wherefore tri- 
 umph net, to have made my grief thy glory , and my affliction thy felicity , for God (who is as juft ,as 
 powerful ) will require my wrongs in thy Per f on , and when thou leafi dreamt ft the > eof, his Divine pu- 
 nifhments will fhar ply f courge and revenge thy lafcivious pleafures Except thou dejefl; and proftratethy 
 felfat the feet of his [acred Mercy with true condition, *nd at the Alt,.r of his faving Cjrace with 
 unfeigned repentance for the fame , by reftorini mj Husband to me,and thy f elf to thine , *ni by mi- 
 ning thy peace with God, wh mfo highly and hainoufly thou haft therein offended-, which if thou do, 
 thou majeft then re-eftabltfh thy fortunes , and redeem thy reputation , or elfefor ever affuredly mine 
 both them and thy ft If So if I fee thee to imbrace thi* chafe, and to follow tbh vertiious and rehfious 
 courfe , 1 will again offumc the name of a Sifter, and leave that of a Strumpet 9 towards thee , yea, I 
 will wh lly r or get thefe thy ( almoft unpardonable) wrongs and dif graces which thou offer eft me , and 
 for ever bury them in perpetual filence , and etiYnd oblivion . 
 
 LA PRECOVERTE. 
 
 HerMeflenger arriving at Geneva, he firft finds out Noel, and then fecretly delivers thefe 
 two letters to Harcourt and Mafferina, who much mufing and more wondring thereat, with- 
 drawing themfelves into their Inner Chamber, they there break up the feals and perufe them* 
 Whereat their hearts were galled, and their Confcicnces fo netled and Bung, as they cannot refrain 
 from blufhing for meer (hame, and then again, from not looking pale with meer anger thereat. 
 Thus looking ftedfaftly each on other, their own guiltinefs doth for the time.prefent, fonr what 
 afflift and perplex them. Harcourt wondreth at his Wife's boldnefs in Writing to him ; and 
 Mafferina is not a little difmayeef and daunted, to fee that her Husband hath not written* unto 
 her. Harcourt isdifeontented with his Wife’s peremptory Letter, Mafferina is ap-rehenfive and 
 fearful of her Husbands filence, when again changing their conceits and thoughts, ‘ which incon- 
 rtantly alter, and extravagantly range, without any intrinfecal peace, or tranquillity . Harcourt 
 thinking of his Brother Emories filence, attributes it to N contempt and hatred, and \ Mafferina 
 contemplating and ruminating on her Sifter La Precoverte** choler, reputesit toextream urief 
 forrowand indignation - But at laft confulting together hereon, they both of ihemconcurr and 
 fall upon this refutation ; that to colour out their lafcivious life, they by their anfwers to her 
 mull over-veil it with much Teeming chaftity, and pretended fimftity and piety. And the bet- 
 ter to prevent any danger which may proceed from Vimorys filence, or revenge, they mufi re- 
 move from Geneva , and fpeedily refolve to forfakc and leave it ; When fear giving life to their 
 defpair, and defpair adding wings to their fear, they call for pen and paper , zt\d each return 
 La Precoverte their feveral anfwers by her own meffenger who had drift charge and command 
 from her, to fee them, but not to dare once to fpeak or exchange a word with either of them, 
 the which (according to hjs duty ) he very honeftly and punftually performed, only to l hew 
 her grateful nefs to honeft Mod, fhe gave precifc order to him to render him many hearty thanks 
 from her for his true refpeft and fidelity towards her, which flic would never forget cor leave 
 unrccompenfed, and yet all this while neither Harcourt nor Mafferina were anvway fufpiti- 
 ousthat it \yas their man Noel, which gave La Precoverte intelligence of their refidence in Ge* 
 neva, 
 
 H dr courts Letter to his Wife vvasin thefe termer 
 
 HARCOURT to LA PRECOVERTE. 
 
 D O not rafhly and unjuftly torment thy fclj with jealoufie at my abfence, for thou f halt find as 
 much joy thereof at my return, as now thou believe ft andfeareft the contrary . 1 have vowed to 
 
 accompany 
 
Hift. XVII. Harcourt and Majferina. 
 
 accompany my Sijhr-in-Uw Maflcrina to o,tr Lady of Loretto, which u the kfi Saint 
 Country <f tbt world, Italy, (whither we are now Jetting forwards from this town of Geneva; ) to 
 which holy Lady and blefjed Saint, her Oraifonfor her Husband, and mine for thee, are and (ball be 
 as repleat of pun affetilm and piety, as thou imagine ft they are of iniquity and prophanemfs. True it 
 is, I committed an erronr in not acquainting thee with my departure, which I perceive thou eihemelt 
 a crime , but when jhortly 1 (lull be fo happy to enjoy thy fweet company and pre fence, then my jult 
 rtafons will ju/ily enforce thee both to tyow and ackftowledg, that that pretend J crime of mine is lef s 
 than an trrour, and this errour left than nothing.And thou wilt be yet farther inquifitive why, or from 
 whence our Journey was firfl derived. I pray It t thefe general tearms content thy fear, and fat id fie 
 thy Jealoufie , that it wm her devotion and Confidence to God, not my defire or affMion to her which 
 • gave life and birth to it y therefore 1 hold it rather an unmerited cruelty, than a condign penance 
 either for my heart to be tied to asKforgivemfs of thee, or my foulofGodfor this thy pretended crime 
 of mine, whereof I am as innocent as thy Fear and Jealoufie deems me guilty . Therefore I allow of 
 .thy piety, I accept of thy Prayers , yea, and l rejoycein thy affe&ion to entertain, and thy refolution 
 to welcome me home with thy f miles and kfffeswhcn Icomc, the which pall be, ifnotfofhortlyas 
 thou expect eft or 1 defire,yet asfoon as Reputation and Goodfpecdjh all permit. J 
 
 HARCOURT. 
 
 Mafferhus Letter to her Sifter-in-Law carried thefe Lines. 
 
 MASSERINA to LA PRECOVERTE. 
 
 M T departure andabfhtce bath neither wronged mine own Husband nor abu fed thine, for it is 
 my pure zeal to God, and not any lafeivious luji in my filf which drew me to this delation to fee 
 Lore tto, and him ( through his goodnefs ) to the refolution honourably to accompany me thither , and 
 therefore my heart defies that foul fin of Adultery, and my f out detcjls that odious one of Incell, whereof 
 1 am far m re innocent than thou think^i me guilty. I am forry for thy grief and I grieve for thy 
 affliction, and am fofar from triumphing in the one , or glorying in the of her, as I have given that to 
 my thoughts with pajfion, and this to my mind with comp a ffion, alt bough J cwfefs I have fmsllreafon 
 to place it fo ncer me, in regard thy Jealoufie is the file author, and my fidelity and ebajiity no way 
 the cauft thereof , wherefore I am fo fir from fearing, as I Lve Gods' Juftce, bee safe as mother 
 fins, 1 have offended his Divine Majcjiy, fiolam jure that in this I have no way incurred or merited 
 his indignati m, and do mojl freely refer my fortunes and reputation to his f acred plcafurc, but not to 
 thy Jccrct dif contents and ill-grounded choler from which ( by the plea of a ]ufi provifo ) I have all the 
 rcajnns of the world to appeal, as alj'o for that foul feandal andinfimous Epithet of a StrumOet, which 
 1 thought thee tod vertuous one: to conceive , much Itfs to name, but leajhf all for one Sijicr-in ■ Law 
 (without caufc,or rcafon ) to give to another : But thou art La Free :>verte, therefore I forget this 
 ingrjtcful crime of thine, and 1 am MaJlerina, therefore I freely and absolutely forgive it, and to do 
 thee as much right as thou hall done me wrong , I will jilence it in eternal objsurity and oblivion. 
 
 MASSERINA. 
 
 And is it not worthy of our ohfervation, or rather of our deteftation, to fee how impioufly 
 thefe propnane wretches deny this their Adultery towardsGo:!, and alfo 40 La P rtcoverte, 
 whom they have fo haincufly offended therewith, and which to Heaven and Earth, to God and* 
 bis Angels, and to their own hearts and Conferences are neverthelefs as apparent as the Sun 
 in his biiehteft Meridian, yea, had they not wilfully fi;d from God, and prefumptuonfly 
 abandoned them fclvcs to Satan, to contrive fuch irreligiom excufes, and to frame fuch ungod- 
 ly Apologies for thefe their foul crimes and offences, and foto m?ke hypocrifie thcveilc of 
 their Adultery, and the cloke to cover it from the light and fight of the world : And is it not a 
 rtf dution worthy of a halur in the world, and of Hell-fire in that to come, to attempt marri- 
 age, when the wife of the one, and the Husband of the other, are in perfeft flrength, and full cf 
 life and health, fefpecially^/^riW’sHusband P'intory) as but right now to their ihame, not to 
 their glory, they underftand by La precoverte’s Letters to them. To the Magiftrates of Qenova , 
 they are firm proteftants, and as they pretended, fo they then ( as they con ft anti y affirmed ) 
 intended to live and die. To La Pncoverte in their Letters they are found Roman Catholicks, 
 and in the fublimityand fingularityof their zeal travelling towards the Lady of Lorctto> in de- 
 votion. O wretched Chriftians, or indeed rather O miferahle wretches, thus with your hypo- 
 crifie to think to deceive God, when therein you only deceive your ownfclves and Souls. For 
 can there be a greater rnifery found by us on earth, or fent us by the Devil from hell than to, 
 mike Religion (which c-f it feif is a precious and foveraign Antidote) to become a fatal 
 
 1 i drug* 
 
God's Revenge againji Mnrther. Book IV . 
 
 drug* and a pernicious ingredient to poyfon, not to preferve our fouls, and fo only to delight our 
 earthly humours and affi&ions, and to pleafe our carnal dclires, and concupifcences ? Of all forts 
 of men (after the Atheift and the Murtherer ) the Hypocrite is the veneft Devil upon earth, 
 and he is fo much the more wretched and execrable, in that he guilds over his fpeccbet, life and 
 a£Uons with the feeming (View of piety ar| d devotion, when Gad and his ulcerated confcience 
 know, that he is nothing'lefs. To be luke- warm in Religion, is to be prophane, not Religious: 
 And as wine mixt with water is neither wine nor water, fo he that is of two Religions is of nei- 
 ther. For God who is Hill jealous of his own honour , and cf cur falvation, will not only have 
 our fouls, but our hearts to ferve him, and not only our hearts, but a!fo cur tongues to glorifie him, 
 that is to fay, all cur actions, and all our afteaions, not a piece of our heart, but he will have 
 our whole heart; and not an angle or corner of ©nr foul, but our whole foul; For in matters of 
 his Divine Worfhip and Service, (which confufs in t hat of cur faith, and of his glory ) he will 
 not admit of any Rival or Competitor; nor be ferved, in any other manner, than as henath 
 taught us by his (acred Word and Commandements, and inftrutf ed us by his holy Prophets, and 
 
 bleffed Apotfles. . . 
 
 But again to Earcourt and Mfimai Whofelafcivicus hearts and lewd Confciences not per- 
 mitting them to relf in affu'rance, or relide in fecuriiy anywhere, the very day after they had 
 difpatched ih: meflfenger with their Tetters to La Precovtrte, (holding Geneva no place for 
 them ncr they for Ctneva ) thev trufs up baggage, and fowith much fecrecy leave it, anddi- 
 reCV their courfe to the great and famous City of Lyons ( feme two and twenty leagues thence) 
 and which is rhe frontier Town of Frtnce, and there they think to fhrewd themfelves among that 
 great aflluerceand cor flueoce of people which inhabit and aboad there ficm divers parts: and 
 they make choice to live in this frontier City, becaufeit is near to Savoy, where if any danger 
 fhould chance to betide or befall them, they might fpeedilyand fafely retire themfelves there, 
 and folay hold on the Law and priviledg of Nations, which is inviolable through out all the 
 world. At their arrival at Lyons they take their Chambers and refidence neer the Arfenal, 
 though for the two fiift nights they lit in Panders ftreet. They have not been in Lj ons fifteen 
 dayes, but there befel them an accident very worthy both of our cbfervation, and of their re- 
 ' membrance, which was thus; A. Gentleman of the City of Tholoufe named MonCtear it 
 Blaife , having fome five dayes before treacheroufly killed his eldeft Brother Monfaur ie Barry 
 in the high way as they travelled together* upon a quarrel which fell cur between them, for hav- 
 ing debauched and clandcftinely ftollen away his faid elder Brother Dt Barry's wife from him, 
 and conveyed and tranfported’ her away with him: There, was a privy fearch then, made in 
 Lyons , when that fame night Harcourt and were upon fufpition apprehended 
 
 for them, and laid infure keeping. But the next morning before the Senefchall and Procurcur 
 FifcaU, they juftified sheir innocency, by many who knew Dt Blaife , and fo were cleared, 
 but yet it gave them both a hot Camifado* and fearful Alarum, and left an ominous imprelfion 
 in their hearts and minds, whereof (for the conformity of the circumftances of this a&ion 
 with their own ) hid they had the grace to have made good ufe, theyhadnot (hereafter) made 
 themfelves fo famoufly infamous, nor confequently this their Hiftoryfo prodigioufly deplora- 
 ble. _ 
 
 Harcourt and Mafftrina whiles they Bay here in Lyons, ( as guilt is Bill accompanyed with 
 fear ) do feldome go forth of their Lodgings, and when they do, thev ( for their better fafety ) 
 difguile themfelves in different A pp ire! ; and for her part (he goes Bill clofe masked, and muf- 
 fled up in her Taffata coyffe. Yea, both of them make it their pra&ice to frequent the fields 
 often, but the Churches and ft reefs feldomasif their foul crime of Adultery had made them 
 unworthy the Communion of Gods Saints, and confequently all good company too Worthy for 
 them. He exceedingly fears his Brother Vimorf $ filence and revenge, and fhe highly envieth and 
 difdaiceth her Sifter in Law La Prccovertt’s jeaioufie, and Bill thac difgraceful word of Stiom- 
 pet ( which ftie upbraided her with and obtruded to her in her Letter ) ftrikes and fincks deeply 
 in herheart and remembrance ; infuchfort*. that itfopofleffeth her thoughts with malictand 
 takes up her mind with choler and fierce indignation, as (he vow es her felf not thus to let it pafs 
 in filence, or tovantfh and dye away in oblivion, quite contrary to that which her late Letter 
 to her Sifter La Precoverte promifed and fpake. And here it is that the Devil firft begins to 
 take poffeffionof herheart, and by degree: to feize upon her foul, and to make her wholly to 
 forfakeGod. For knowing La Precoverte to be Wife to her Brother in Law and lover 7/ur- 
 court, ( whom Bie affects a thoufand times dearer than her own Husband, yea, than her own 
 life) fhe is therefore fo great a beam to her eye, fo fharp a thorn to her heart, and fo bitter a 
 corrofivc to her content, as fhe not only aflumes bad thoughts, but bad blood again# her : For 
 
 vowing 
 
Hill. XVII. Har court and M after ina . . 
 
 vowing that none fhall fharc with her in his atfeftion, /he forgetting her Confcfence and Soul, 
 Heaven and God, is fpeedily refolved tocaufc her to be poyfoned, her enraged malice being ca- 
 pable of no other cxcufeor reafon but this, that it is impoffible ihe can reap any perfeft felicity 
 or content inearth, till (lie have difpatcht and Tent her to Heaven To which end /heinfinu- 
 ates her felf into the acquaintance of t.vo Apothecaries of that City, and deals with them fe~ 
 verallyand fecretly toefteft this hcllifli bufinefs, for the which ihe promifed either cf them a 
 hundred /crowns of the fum in hand, and as much more when they have effected it, and fifty 
 more todefray the charge cf their jcurney But the Devil hath made her fo crafty andfubtle, 
 asfheftill retains from them, the name Maffcrina and the place Troyes where the party dwelt * 
 there are good and bad men of all Countries, Faculties and Profcftions; thefe two Apothecaries 
 areas hontftas fhc is wretched, and as religious and charitable as (he is profane and bloody ; 
 fo the one denies her requeft with difdain and cooler, and the other with charity and companion, 
 alledging her many pious confiderations and reafons to di/Twade her from this foul and bloody 
 aft, the execution whereof, though tacitely, yet infallibly threatneth ( fays he ) no le/s than 
 the utter fubverfion of her fortunes, and the ruine and confuficnof her life in this world, if 
 notlikewifeof her ft ul in thattoccme: So (lie being hereat a little galled and flung in Confer- 
 ence, to fee that this great City of Lyons affords poyfon, but no poyfdrers, to aft andfinifh 
 this her bloody projeft : The Devil hath yet notwithftanding, made her fo curious in her ma- 
 lice, andfo induttrious, andrefolute in her revenge, as enquiring whether they were any Italian 
 Emperick, or Mountebank in that City ( whom (lie thought might be made fit and flexible 
 to her bloody defires and intents fhc is advertifed, that there departed one hence lome eight 
 dayes fince, who is gone to refidc this Spring of the year at the Baths at Pougges, a mile from 
 the City of Never s y his name being Seignior Bap ifta Tivoly> ( whom I conjefture may de- 
 rive hisfirnamc from thatpleafant (mail Town of 7*W/, fome twenty fmall miles from Rome , 
 wherein there arc many Cardinals country Palaces, or houfes of pleafure) being very skil- 
 fulin Minerals, and in extrafting the fpirits and quintcflence of divers other vegetives ; of a vain- 
 glorious, and ambitious humour and difpofition, and yet of a very poor eftate and means, and 
 fuchaone, as indeed Maffcrina holds every way a fit agent and inftrument for her turn and 
 purpofe. # # ' 
 
 She is glad of this advertifement, and will neither give nor receive any truce from her heart, 
 or herheart from her revenge, before (lie hath feen and fpoken with Tivoly, The which to ef- 
 feft, fhe to Harcourt pretends a fudden achin her right arm, and l'oupon good advice cells him 
 that fhe is very defirous to go to the Bathes of Pcugges by A levers, there to flay fome fifteen or 
 twenty dayes at fartheft ; Hareourt (no way once dreaming of her inveterate malice, and far 
 lefs of her revengeful and bloody intents towards the fafety and life of his wife La Prccovcte ) 
 approves of her refolution and journey, but intreats her to be wonderful careful of her felf, 
 her health and fafety, and protfereth ro accompany her himfelf: She with many kifles, dearly 
 thanks him for his care of her and affeftionto her herein-, anfwcrethhim that his ftay in I/-’ 
 ons will make her journey the more fafe and fhort, fo fhc accepts of the man for the matter, 
 and only takes Noel along with her, who refpefts herfo well, as he cares not for her fight, 
 much lefs for her company: She arrives nT$jwrs % and ( impacienrof all delay ) the next 
 morning finds outTiW/ at Pottgges , being a very tall man, of a coal black-beard, and of a 
 wan and fullen countenance, fhc by his Phyfiognomy judgeth that her hopes will not be 
 deceived of him ; The fecond day fhe breaks with him about her helliih bufinefs, and finds him 
 traftable to her devillifh intents : They proceed to this lamentable bargain, and flic is to give 
 him one hundred Crovvnsin his hand, andafaithful promifeof a hundred and fifty more wherf 
 heha^h e ffefted it/ as alfo fifty Crowns for thcchargeof his journey, thewhich fhe limits at 
 fifteen dayes, fo having fetled "this her bufinefs, fhe now names the party to Tivoly, whom fhe 
 will have him to poyfon, La Precoverte to be the woman, who refides and dwells with her Fa- 
 ther Monftcur le l^acjtterj^ a poor Gentleman in the City of Troyes in Champaign , and (he a young 
 Gentlewoman of fome twenty years of age, of a flaxen hair, and very fickly. When giving him 
 a fmall ^aphyr Ring from her finger, (lie therewith fwears him both to'the performance, and to 
 tjic fccrefieof this murther, thewhich, armed by the Devil, hedotb. When being exceeding 
 glad of this his bloody imploymenf, which brings him ftore of gold, the which he efteems 
 the Elixir of his heart, and the felicity and glory of hislife, and which indeed, was the main 
 bufibeCs that brought him on this fide the Alps, from Italy to Prance. Thus without any fear 
 of God, or thoughtof Heaven or Hell, thefe murtherous and damnable mifereants have con- 
 cluded and (Fur up this their bloody bargain. Our poor fweet L* ^recover te, having received 
 he: Husbands Letter from Ctneva i and confidcrirg the Contents thereof, as alfo that of her 
 
 1 i % ‘ Siftct 
 
God's Revenge againfi Murtber . Book IV. 
 
 Siftcr-in-Law Majferina, (he knows not what to think either ot their Letters or oj themi'elvcs, 
 flic fees her Letter topromife much zeal and devotion to God, and his much atfe6hon to her, 
 and yetremembring his farmer unkindnefs, I may fay cruelty, towards her ; as alio the man- 
 ner of their bafe and clanddiine departure, then die thinks the fir ft to be falfe, and the fecond 
 feigned, and therefore conceives (he hath far more reafons todcfpair than to hope either of their 
 Innoceccy, or their Return ; But this is her refoluuoo, Harconn is her Husband, therefore the 
 will ftilt love him dearly ; She is his Wife, and therefore (he will for ever pray for him, and his 
 profperity religioufly/ Thus hoping, and many times ( with many heavy fighs and bitter 
 tears ) v\i thing and ddiring his happy return and vertuous reformation, fhe in his abfence lives 
 penfively and forrowfully with her Father, rather as a widow than a wife, and fuch is her miser- 
 able eflatc, and poor and forrowful fortune, that (he well knows not, whether (he may more 
 grieve or rejoyce that God hitherto hath given her no Child: For, ah me, (he is fo invironed 
 wi h afflictions, foincompaffed with calamities, foaffaulted with ficknefs, and fo weighed down 
 with fadnefs and difconfolation, as (he reputes her life worfc than death, and either wifliech her 
 Husband at home with her, or her felf in Heaven with God. 
 
 But alaft, alafs, dear fweet young Gentlewoman, little doft thou think or dream ( now thou 
 defireft death ) what a hellilh plot there is contrived and intended againft thy life by thefe two 
 bloody Favors and Agents of the Devil, Tlvoly , and thy Sifter Majferint 6 Majferwa % Maf- 
 / erina , the difgraceof thy name, the infamy of thy family, the fhameof thy time, and the 
 fcandal of thy fex. O how 1 want words not tears, to condemn thy cruel rage, and to execrate 
 thy infernal malice and fury, thus to rcfolve to imbrew thy guilty hands in the innocent blood of 
 thvehafie and vertuous Siftcr-in-Law, La Prccovene ! For was it not (in and luft enough for thee 
 to have heretofore bereaved her of the love and prefence of her Husband, but that theu wilt now 
 be fo wretched and inhumane, as likewifeto rob her of her life? O grief, O (hame, Opity, 
 that thou ftiouldcft once dare to think thereof, much Icfs to attempt ic, Imeanfo lamentable a 
 crime, and fo bloody a faft, which allure thy felf, as there is a God in Heaven, will never go long 
 enpunifhed on Earth. 
 
 But I muft proceed in this fad and mournful Hiftory, and therefore with an unwilling and trem- 
 bling refoluticn, lam enforced to declare that this limb of the Devil, Tivoly, rides away to 
 7roys, where he fpeedilyand fccretly makes profeflionof his Empery. When underftanding 
 that Monfitur de Ic Vtyuery is conftantly in the City, he ( with an Italian impudence and poli- 
 cy ) foon skrewsand infinuates himfelf into his company. And as it is the vanity of our times, 
 and the weaknefs and imbecillity of our judgments ( in any profeffion whatsoever ) ftill to pre- 
 fer and refpeft ftrangers before our own Countrymen; fo Monfieur de le Vayner hearing this Ita- 
 lian to devour Latin at his pleafure, and rather to vomit than utter forth whole Catalogues of 
 Phy (leal phrafes, which he had ftolleu, not learnt from Ariftot Galen, and Par acelftts, his 
 ignorance believes him to be very learned, and therefore he holds himamoft fitPhyfician to 
 cure his D ugh ter z* precoverte of her Confumption, whereinto (as before) (he was deeply 
 and dmgeroufly fallen, by the unparalleld griefs and forrows which fhe conceived for her Hus- 
 bands former unkindnefs to her, but more cfpccially for hisprefent abfence and flight with his 
 fafeivious Sifter Majftrina. So ( in a moft unhappy hour > her Father Le Vayner j mentioneth 
 it to Tivoly : Which ( being the only occafion and opportunity he gaped for ) he freely promi- 
 feth him his beft art and skill for her recovery, and the next day goes home to his houfe with him, 
 and vifiteth his Daughter : He finds her to be weak, lean, and pale, the which ferves the better 
 for his torn, to colour out this his bloody purpofc to her. When (if there had been any huma- 
 nity in his thoughts, any grace in his heart, or anyfparkof religion or piety in his foul) the 
 very fight of this fweet, this harmlcfs, this beautiful young Gentlewoman would have mo- 
 ved him to companion, and not with hellifh cruelty to refolve to poyfon her. But his 
 (infill heart, his feared confcience, and his ulcerated and virulent foul bad ( in favour of 
 gold ) made this com pi ft vvtrb the Devil, and therefore he will advance, and not retire in 
 this his infernal refolutkm. He feels her pulfe, cafts hereftate in an Urinal, receives thirty 
 Oovvns of her Father for her cure, and fo bidding her to be of good comfort, he admini- 
 flreth her two Pills , three mornings following , whereof ( harmlefs fweet Gentlewoman ) 
 within three dayes after (lie fuddenly dyes in, her bed by night: Tivoly affirming to her for- 
 rwful Father and Friends, that before he came to her, the violence and inveteracy of her Con- 
 fumption, had turned all her blood into water, and exhaufted and extenuated all the radical 
 h imours of her life •, which opinion of this bafe and bloody Italian Mountebank, pafs’d cur- 
 rant with the fimplicitycf his belief and their judgments: So he burieth his Daughter, and 
 with her hii chicfcft earthly delight and jov. Within three dayes after that this forrowful 
 
Hift. XVII. Har court and Majferina. 
 
 and lamentable Tragedy was aftcd, this Mofifter this Devil incarnate, Tiv ly leaves Troyes, 2nd 
 polls away to Nevers , where he ravifhech MaJfeHna's heart with the joyful news and aflurancc of 
 La Tncovertet death and burial, of whom he receives his other hundred and fifty Crowns, the 
 which according to her promife, flie fails not prefentlytopayhimdown. And here again they 
 (olemnly (wear lecrecy each to other of this their bloody fad. 
 
 Wretched fliaferina f catting her heart with joy, and forfeiting her thoughts with content to 
 fee the rival and competitor in her loves. La Precoverte thus dif patched and fent to Heaven ; 
 She now thinking to domineer alone in her H artourts heart and atfedticn, elleems her felf a degree 
 neercr to htm in marriage, that fo of his fitter fhe may become his wife. For this is the felicity 
 and content whereat her heart aimeth, and the delegation and joy wherein her defires and willies 
 terminate. But her husband Vimorys life doth dafh thefe joyes of hers in pieces, as footi as flie 
 conceives them, and ttrangles them, if not in their birth, yet in their cradle. She finds Ntvirs 
 to be a pleafant City, and Pougg-s a delightfnl little place to live in, and when the Spring is pall 
 and the great confluence of people retired and gone home, to be a place of far more fafetyfor 
 them than Lyons . Yea, and (he atfefts and loves it far the better, becaufe here it was fhe fir II 
 heard and underttood of La Prtcovertes death, which as yet for a time (lie clofely conceals to her 
 felf-. Wherefore Ihe fends Noel ( her man ) to Lyons to his Matter, and by her letter prayes 
 him fpeedily to come and live with her at Nevers which (he affirms to him is a pleafant City, and 
 that there Ihe attends his arrival and company with much affeftion and impatiency. 
 
 Har court, topleafe his fweec-heart Sitter Majferina, leaves Lyons, and comes to her at Ne- 
 vers wherewith thanks and kifles, (he joyfully welcomes him, telling him that thefe bathes of 
 Pottg oes t hath perfeftly freed her of herach; but in her heart and mind, flie well knowes, it is 
 the death of La Precoverte , and not thofe bathes, which hath both cured her doubts and fecured 
 her fears. They have not lived in Nevers and Pougges above three weeks fince his arrival, until 
 they there ( but by what means I know not ) underfland of La Preovtrte'% death, whereat he 
 feems nothing forrowful, but fhe extreamly glad and joyful. And by this time, which is at lead 
 a whole year fince their flight and departure, from Saint Smflician and Sens, they in their Tra- 
 vels and other gifts and expenfes, haveconfutned and expended a pretty fum of their money. In 
 all which time, we matt underfland that Vimory hates his Wife and Brother fo exceedingly, as 
 he ( in contempt of their crimes and detettation of their treacherous ingratitude ) fcorns either to 
 look or fend after them ; but the only revenge which he ufeth towards him in his abfer.ee, he pre- 
 tends a °rcat fum of money to be due to him from him, and in compenfation thereof, feizeth up- 
 on the remainder of his lands, and by Order of Juftice gathereth up, and col lefts his rents from 
 his Tenants, to his own ufe and behoof. Which extreamly grieves H^rcoun, and affl fts M*{- 
 ferlna , who ( by this time ) feeing in what obfeurity and coofidering in what continual fear and 
 danger they live in : As their lafeivious affeftions, fo their irregular defires, and irreligious re- 
 folutions, look one and the fame way, which is to fend her Husband, and his Brother V 1 entry to 
 Heaven after his Wife La Precoverte, yea forefolute are they in thefe bloody intentions and de- 
 fires, as they wifh and pray for it with zeal, and defire it with pillion and impatiency. And now 
 their malice is grown fo refolute, and their refolution fo gracelefs in the contemplation and con- 
 ceiving of this°bloody faft, as they bewray it each to other. Majferina vows to him that flie 
 can reap no true content, either in her life or confcience, before, of his Sitter he make her his 
 Wife • Nor I, replies Hare art, before my Brother Vtmory be in Heaven, and I marry thee and 
 he thy’Husband here inearth. When (as a bloody Courtefan and Strumpet) (he gives him many, 
 thanks and kiffes for this his affeftion to her, and malice to his Brother Vimory for her fake, when 
 (working upon the advantage of time, occafion and opportunity) She tells him that in her opinion 
 the fhortttt and furell way is todifpatch him by phyfon. Harcourt diflikes her ju dgment, and 
 plot, as holding it no way fafe in taking away his Brothers life to entruft and hazard his own at the 
 c-urtefie of a ((ranger ( at which fpeech of his, fhtblufhethandpalleth, as being confcious and 
 tuemorative of what fhe had lately caufcd to be perpetrated by 7 tvoly, ) Therefore he thinks to 
 acquaint and imployhisown man Noel in this bloody bufinefs, and proffereth him two hun- 
 dred Crowns, and forty more of yearly pen fion during his life, if he will piflol his Brother C,'- 
 niorj to death as he is walking in the fields. But Noel is too honed a mm, and toogood a v.hri- 
 ttian to (lab at the Majefty of God, in killing Man his creature and Image, and abfolutely denies 
 his Matter, and although he be a poor man, yetherejefts his offer, asrefolving never to pur- 
 chafe wealth, or preferment at fo deer a rate, as the price of innocent blood ; whereat hts Matter 
 bites his lip for difeontent and anger. So conjures him to perpetual fecrecyand filenceof this 
 propolttioo and bufinefs, which Hotl promife; b, but fwears not, He.capon Haraurt to ap^ 
 
God's Revenge againjl Murther. Book IV . 
 
 ■ — — — — 1 — i — - — — 
 
 proach nearer Sens? He and Majferina leaves Nevers, and very fecretly by little journies ( and 
 the greateft part by night ) come to M*fcon> and there his heart ftrikes a bargain with the 
 Devil, and the Devil with his Soul and refolutions, to ride over himfelf to Sens, and there 
 with his own hands to piftol his Brother Vimory to death in the fields, or if his Bullets mif$ 
 him, then to finifii and perpetrate it with his own Sword. O wretched Gentleman, O exe- 
 crable Brother, thus to make thy Hope and Charity prove Bankrupt to thy Soul, and thy Faith 
 unto Gcd ! 
 
 But uothing will prevail with Harcowt, to diflwade him from this bloody bufinefs , 
 Whereunto the damnable treachery and malice of Majferixa impetuoufty precipitates and 
 haftens him onwards, although it be againft her own Husband, So he leaves Mafcon , and in 
 a difguifed beard, and poor futc of Apparel, comes to Saint StmphcUn , purpofely leaving 
 Sensj a little on his left hand. Where waiting for his Brother Vimory , at the end of a pleal 
 fant Wood of his, a little mile from his houfe, where he knew he was accuftomed to walk 
 alone by himfelf folitarily •, He perfonaiing andaftingthe part of a poor begging Souldier, 
 and couterfeiting his Tongue as well as his Beard and Apparel, with his Hat in his hand 
 (efpying his Brother ) he goes towards him with an humble relolucion, and requefteth an 
 Aims of him. Which Vimory feeing and hearing, he in meer charity ard companion of him* 
 becaufe he faw him to be, though a poor, ) eta proper man, and which is more a Souldier, 
 draws forth his purfe, and whiles he looks therein for fome fmali piece of filver - 'Urcourt 
 ( as a Difcipleof the Devil ) very foftly draws out his little Piftol out of his iefcfieeve ('which 
 he covered with his Hat ) and having charged it with two Bullets, he lets fly at him, andfo 
 flioots him in the trunk of his body a little under the heart of which two wounds he prcienr- 
 ly fell dead to the ground, being as unfortunate in his death, as his Brother wasmiferable 
 an J diabolical in giving it him : for he only fetched two groans, but had neither the power or 
 happinefs to fpeak one word. And the Devil ( in the cataftrophe of this mournful Tragedy y 
 was lb flrong with Hareourt, as his malice towards his Brother Vimory , exceeded not only 
 malice but rage and fury if felf, for fearing he was not yet dead, he twice ran him thorow 
 the body with his fword. When leaving his breathlefs body ail goring in his hoc reeking 
 blood, he with all poilible celerity takes his horfe ( which he had tied out of fighr, to a tree 
 not far off ) and Lo with all poffiblc fpecd gallops away to his now intended Wife Mafferina at 
 Mafcon, who triumphs with joy at his relation of this good news, the which to her, vea to them 
 both, is equally pleating and dcle&ablc. But God will not permit that thefe wretched joyes and 
 triumphs of theirs fliall lad loDg. 
 
 This cruel murther of Mon(ieur Vimory is fome two hours after known at his houfe and 
 Parifh of Saint Simplician , as alfo in the City of Sens , and fo difperfed ever all Burgundy, 
 and the Murthercrs narrowly fought after, but in vain’, Ha> court and Majferina meet 
 with thefe reports it Mafcon, but yet they hold it diferetion and fafety, a fmail time longer* 
 to conceal themfelves fccreiiy in ’that Town, and fo to fuffer the heat of this newes to 
 paf* over, and be blown away. But at the end of tw* monetbs Harcourt ( fetting a milk-white 
 face upon his bloody Fad ) arrives at S*ns, and from thence to his Mannor-houfe = of Saint Sim - 
 plicidn, which new by the death of bis Brother Vimoy, who dyed without iffue, wholly devol- 
 ved and fell to him. Who having formerly played the Deuil in murthering his faid Brother, he 
 now as infernally playes the Hypocrite in mourning for his death, making fo wonderful an out- 
 ward (hew and demonftration ol forrow for the fame, as he and ail hisfervants bein^dighted 
 in blacks. A month after he fendsforhis good Sifter-in- Law Mafferina, who comes hometo 
 him, and theyfeem fo abfolutely ftrangeeach todther, as if they hid never feen one another 
 during all the long time of their abfence, and (he likewife feems to drown her felf in her 
 tea;s, and is likewife all in blacks for the death of her Husband * But God in his due 
 time will pull eff this their falfe mask, and dete& and revenge both their horrible Sins 
 ©f Adultery and Murther. Now as clofc as they conceal this their difhononrablc flight 
 and departure , yet it is difeovered and found out , and held fo odious , fo foul , to all the 
 Gentlemen and Ladies their Neighbours ( who yet know nothing of their Murthers ) as 
 they difdam to welcome them home, or (which is lefs) to fee them , which they both 
 are irTrced with grief to ohferve, as holding it to be the reflexion of their own dif- 
 grace and fcandW. The which henceforth to prevent, they within two Months after, 
 fend for their Ghoftly Fathers , as alfo for two Jefuits, and the Vicar of their Parifh, 
 and acquaint them with their defires and refolutions to marry: But thefe Ecdeafticks 
 
 Sfhan it to be direilly oppofite to the Rule* and Canons of the holy Caiholique Roman 
 
 Church, 
 
Hift.XVII. 
 
 Har court and Majjerina. 
 
 -47 
 
 Church, for one Brother to marry the Widdowof another, as aifo againft the written La w of 
 God- and therefore they utterly feck both to perf.vadeaod diflwade them from it, as being 
 wholly unlawful and ungodly, and fo refufe to Confent thereto, much left to perform it with- 
 out a di'fpenfatipn from The Pope, or his Nur.tio now refident at Paris. Theycaufe the Nuntio 
 to be dealt with about it, but he peremptorily refufeth it ; But in favour of money, and ffrong 
 fiends, within three months they procure it from Rome, and fo. they are fpeediiy married ; now 
 thioking, and withal believing and triumphing, that this tlieir Nuptial knot hath power ro de- 
 face and redeem all their former Adu!teries,~and now wholly wiped off their difgrace and 
 fcandal with the World. And therefore in their own vain and topic us conceits, are fecure. and 
 abound in wealth, delight and pleafure ; But as yet they have not made their peace with 
 God. 
 
 Come we therefore firfl to the detedion and difeovery of thefe their bloody crimes of mur- 
 ther, and then to the condign punilhments which they received for the fame : Whereof the man- 
 ner bieflyisthus. *Tis many times the pleafure and providencecf God, to punifh one fin 
 and by another, yea and fometimes one fin for another, che which we ffull now fee apparent in 
 in this bloody and hellilh Italian Mountebank Tivolj, who repairing to the great Fair of Sens, 
 and there beginniog to profefs his Empery to a rich Goldfmiths Wife of that City named Mon- 
 pew dc Rap, he the third day dole a fmall casket of Jewels and Rings from him out of a Cup- 
 board, ((he lock whereof he cunningly pickt, and (hut again) valued at four thoufand Crowns, 
 and the fame. night fled upon that robbery towards Mafcon, thinking there toputhimfelf on 
 the River of Soan, and fo to flip down to Lyons, and from thence over the Alps into Italy. 
 De B ys makes a fpeedy and carious refearch for his thief, whom as yet he could not find, or 
 difeever ; when hearing of this Mountebank Tivo/y his fuc!den denature and flight, betakes 
 him to be his thief, purfues him in petion, and within four leagues of Mafcon apprehends him, 
 (having to that end brought twoProvofts (or Sheriffs) men with him in their Coats, with 
 their P'tflols at Saddle-bow” toalftft him ), De Boys finds many of the Jewels and Rings about 
 Tivolj, and divers others wanting, the wh ch he could never recover : So being brought back to 
 Sens, he wasfirfl imprifoned, and then examined by the Senjhali and the Procurer Fifcal ; 
 When having neither caufe, nor colour to deny this robbery of his, he therefore freely confcf- 
 fedit, the Devil (fill alfuring, or rather betraying his hopes, confidence, and Judgment -, That 
 it is very poflibie, and he thinks very probable and feafible to corrupt his Judges with fome of 
 the Jewels which he hadcloCely conceal’d and hid about him • But, he (ball fpeediiy fee the con- 
 
 For they feeing this Italian Emperick ( by his own confeflion ) guilty of this great and re- 
 markable robbery” they condemn him to be hanged the very next day for the fame. So having a 
 Cordelier (or Gray ) Fry r, fent him that night to prifon to prepare his foul for Heaven ; He 
 the next morning (according to his. fentence of condemnation) is orought to execution : Where 
 on the Ladder, he ( to free his Confcicnce and Soul) doth conllantly and forrowfully confcfs, 
 that he had formerly poyfoned Madamoyflle I a SPrccovcrte, daughter to Monfiettr de U Vaque- 
 ry of Troyes , and that he was hired to do it by the Lady Maffcrina , of whom at Postages he re- 
 ceived two hundred and fifty Crowns and a finall Saphyr Ring to perform it, as alfo fifty Crowns 
 more, which fheoave him for his charges from fevers to Troyes-, audio he dyes m theconflant 
 confeflion of this his foul and lamentable murther ; and is hanged for his Robbery ; And his bo- 
 dy afterwards burnt for deftroying and poyfoningof this young Gentlewoman La P recover te, 
 whom many Gentleman andLadyes there prefent wall knew, and exceedingly bewailed, for 
 the goodnefs of her fweet nature and pure beauty as alfofor the excellency of^ her honourable 
 perfections and religious vertues 5 And although the Spectators of this wretch hvoly hisoedtn 
 expeCted fomefpeech from him, at the taking of hislaft farewell of this world, yet (befides 
 bis former confeflion ) be fpake nothing, but mumbled out feme few words to htrnielf, which 
 were not underflood s Acd’thus he lived wretchedly as hedyedmiftrably, giving no teftimo- 
 nyof his contrition or forrevv to the-World, or any fparkof grief, or repentance, towards 
 Ciod 
 
 Now before his body was fully confumed to Allies , This our Wretched and bloody 
 Gentlewoman Maferlna , together with her old Lover bur new Husband Hncoun , are 
 (by order of the Judges of Sens ) apprehended and taken Prifoners in their own houfe of 
 Saint Simplician, as they were walking and killing together , without any thought of dan- 
 ger , much lefs of death] They hereat look each on other with grief and aftomfliment, 
 efpecially Majftrina, who’ undemanding (by fome of thofe that apprehend them). That 
 
God s Revenge againji Murther. Book I V. 
 
 it was the Italian Mountebank livoly , who at his Execution accaftd her, but not her Hus. 
 band Harcourt for having and caufing him to poyfon her Sifter La Precoverte , (he then fees 
 her felf ro be a dead Woman, and no hope left her in the World of her life, hut every way 
 a firm affurancc and confidence of her death *, yet feeing livoly dead, (he rcfolves to hand 
 upon her Juftification. She is all in Tears at this her lamentable difafter, curfeth the name 
 and memory of livoly for ruining her, wirh himfclf, and now, when it is too late, (he blames 
 herfclf of indiferetion, for neglefting, and not dealing effectually with livoly in Prifon, to 
 conceal this her fa& and name. 
 
 As for her Husband hiarcourt , he (knowing himlelf absolutely innocent of this mur. 
 ther ) he grieves not for the d^ach of his firft Wife La Prccoverte y but now extreamly mour- 
 ncth and lamented] to think of this, of the fecond W r ife Mafferina y for live, he fears (he 
 cannot He bids her yet be of good comfort, and wifpereth her fecretly in her Ear, 
 that he will give all his eiiate and means to five her life, orclfe that he will dye with her- 
 ihe thanks lum with a world of (ighs and tears, and rounds him as privately in his Ear 
 with many deep Oaths and Affeverations, that her tongue (hall never daretofpeak any 
 one word or fyllable to her Judges, which (hall tend to the prejudice of his reputation, 
 fafery or life, and fo they are by their apprehenders feparated •, and when feverally conveyed 
 ro the Prifon of Sens, Mafferina is firft arraigned by the Judges, where ( according to her 
 former refolution ) (he ( not with tears but with high words and fpeeches ) (hods upon her 
 Innocencyand Juftification, they inform her how ftrongly livoly at his death declared (he 
 had given him two hundred and fifty Crowns, a Saphyr Ring, and fifty Crowns more to 
 pay his charges at Pougges, and how he at her inftigation, and in favour of this her Gold 
 poyfon ed La Precoverte at her father Monfteur de Vacjuery* houfe at lroyes y (he terms Tivoly 
 witch and devil, yea worfo than a thoufand devils, thus to accufe her falfely of this murthtr 
 of her filler Precoverte, whereof (h$ vowes to God and the world, to Earth and Heaven, that 
 fhe is as innocent as that damned Italian was guilty thereof ; but the Judges ( notwithftanding 
 all thefe her great fumes and cracks; do prefently condemn her to the rack, the which as 
 jfoon a; (he faw and confidered the (harp nature of thofe exquifice torments, then God wasfo 
 merciful to her foul by his grace, though (he was not fo heretofore to her body by the perpe- 
 tration of her foul fins, that (lie would not permit her tender dainty limbs tQ be expofed to 
 the mifery of thofe cruel tortures, but then and there confeffeth her feif to be the author of 
 poyfon in g La Precoverte her filter, as Tivoly was the a&or thereof, when being here by her 
 judges farther demmded whether herlaft Husband Harcourt were not likewife acceflary with 
 her in poyfoningof his firft wife La Precoverte , (he with much afluranceand conftancy clears 
 him hereof, and is fo kind and loving to him, as (he fpcaks not a word to them, of his pift oiling 
 to death of her Husband his Brother Vimory : So for this foul and bloody faft of hers, (he 
 is condemned to be hanged the next morning and for that night again returned to Prifon, where 
 (he and her forrowful Husband, make great fute to the Judges that they may fora ihort time fee 
 and fpeak one with the other, bur it will not be granted them ; When Harcom bein» as confi- 
 dent of his own life, as he was of his wife’s death, makes fecret proffer (by feme friends of his) 
 to the Judges, of all his Lands , and demanded tofave his wife, but they ( refemblin* them- 
 felvesj do fo much fear God, and reverence and honour the facred Name of Juftice,°as they 
 are deaf to bis requefts. 3 
 
 1 he next morning ( according to her fentence ) (he is brought to the place of 
 her Execution, but (at her eameft and importunate rcqncft ) fo early, that very 
 few people were prefent at her death , where being afeended the Ladder , fhc there 
 again curfed the name, and execrated the memory of that wretched Villain Tivolj y 
 and YVifhed much prosperity and happinefs to ' her Husband HARCOURT. 
 when turning her Eye about, and feeing a Cofen German of his there prefeat, named 
 Monfleurde Purport (he calls him to her , and is fovain at this laft period ( as it were ) 
 of her lire, as (he takes off her Glove and Bracelet from her right hand and Arm, 
 and prayes him to deliver it to his Cofin and her Husband Harcout , and to afliire him 
 from her that (he died f his moft loving and cooftant Wife , which Monfitur Pierpoint 
 faithfully promifed her to perform ; then a Subordinate Officer of Juftice bein* thereto fee 
 
 i n . tc . s hef th3C he VV ‘ S now by the Judges his Superiors, to tell her, 
 
 that (he being now to leave Earth, and fo ready to afcerd tnto Heaven, they prayed her 
 in the name and fear of God to declare to all thofe who were prefent, if her Husband 
 Har court y yea or no , had any hand , or were* knowing or acceflary with her in the poy. 
 ioning of his firft Wife La Precoverte > apd that ihe (hould do pioufly and Chriftianly to 
 
 dilcover 
 
Hift.X VII. Harcourt and Mafj'erma. 
 
 dilcover the truth thereof, which would undoubtedly tend to Gods glory, and the falva- 
 tionof her own foul : When (he folemnly vowed to him, and to all the people, that her 
 Husband Harcourt never knew, nor in thought, word, or deed, was any way acceftjry, 
 knowing, or contenting with her or Tivrty , in poyfoningof his Wife, and this which fhe 
 now fpake was the pure truth, as (he hoped for Heaven ^ anti now after a few tears, fhe 
 moll vainly and idly fell prayhng and commending of him, efpccially how tenderly and 
 dearly he loved her i with other ridiculous and impertinent fpeeches tending chat way, 
 which I hold (every way; unworthy of my mention and repetition, but had not the grace, 
 either to look up to Heaven, or to God with repentance,or thegoodnefs to look down in- 
 to her own heart, confcience or foul, with contrition and furrow for all tho(e her toul A- 
 dulteries and Murthers •> Neither to pray to God for her felf, or to requell thole who were 
 prefent to pray to God for her: Andfoflhe was turned over, all wondring and grieving at 
 her bloody crime, and therefore fome few lamenting or borrowing for this her infamous 
 death: But (he there fpeaks not a word, or the (liadow of a word, either of her Husband 
 Harcomts piilolling to death of his Brother her rirft Husband Vimory , or of her knowledg 
 thereof or content thereunto. 
 
 Now though Harcourt feemed outwardly very forrowful for this (hameful death of his 
 wife Majferina y yct he is inwardly exceeding joyful, that her filence at her death, of murlher- 
 ing his Brother Vimory , hath preferved his life with his reputation, and his reputation with 
 his lifei Whereupon being that day freed and acquitted by thejudges of Sens\ both of his pre- 
 tended crime, as alfo of his impiitbnment*, Hecompoiing his countenance equally betwixt 
 joy and forrow, returns to his houfe of Saint Simflician^ where now thinking himielf abfo- 
 lutely difeharged and cleared ot all thefe his former Adulteries, as alfo of his late cruel mur- 
 thering of his Brother, He within two, or at mod within three months after his wife MaJJe - 
 rinas Execution calls od his mourning apparel, ( which he wore for her death; and neither 
 thinking of his foul or his confcience, or of Heaven or Hell, he Bants and fioliquesit out in 
 brave apparrel, and becaufe he is now fortunately arrived to be chief Lord and Mailer of a 
 great eiiate both ii|^\nds and Money, therefore he thinks it not his pride,but his glory, and 
 not his vanity but hisgeneroiity to dight and put himfelf now into tar richer Apparrel than 
 ever formerly he had done, whereof all the Gentlemen his Neighbours, yea, all the City 
 of Sens , ( with no little wonder ) took efpecial notice thereot : Yea, he is fo tar from 
 once dreaming or thinking either of his murthering ot his Brother Vimory , or of the deplo- 
 rable and untimely ends of his two Wives, with as much vanity, and with far more haftc 
 than diferetton or confideration,he now fpeedily refolves to take and marry a third. But his 
 hopes will deceive him, becaufe God in his facred juftiefc 6c judgment will deceive his hopes. 
 
 For, when he thinks himfelf fecure and fafe, not only trom the danger, but likewife from 
 the fufpition of any fatal or difafterous accident which can poflibly bctall himj then, the tri- 
 umphant power of Gods revenge will both fuddenly and foundly furprife him. Hishoneli 
 man Noel , (with an obfervant eye, and a confcionable, and forrowful heart ) hath heard of 
 LaPrecovcrtts poyfoning, and of Vimory's piilolling to death, and hath likewife feen the 
 hanging both of' 'Tivoly, and of his lalt Millrifs Mafferina. In all which (everal accidents, as 
 one way he wondreth at the malice of Satan : So another way he cannot but infinitely ad- 
 mire and«applaud the juft judgments of the Lord:He likewife knows what his Mailer Har - 
 court is to him and he to his Mailer, and in time of his ferviceand attendance under him, 
 what different and levcral paflagesof bufinefs and fecrets have pall between them: He hath 
 remarked far more vices than vertues in his Mailer, whereat he much grieveth, but he was 
 infinitely more enforced than defirous either to fee or know them, and this again doth ex- 
 ceedingly rcjoyce him : He well knows that fidelity is the glory ot a (ervant, and yet it is a 
 continual fenlibk grief to his heart, and vexation to his foul, to fee that his Mailer ferves 
 God no better:He doth not defire to know things (which concern his faid Miller) thereof 
 he is ignorant, but doth wifh and pray to God that he were ignorant of many things which, 
 he knows, and of more which he fears ^ and being very often perplexed in his mind with 
 the rcludlation of thefe different caufcs and their as different effe&s, he cannot but in the 
 end fatisfie himfelf with this refolution •> That as Harcourt is his Earthly Mafter, fo God is 
 his Heavenly Mailer. But here betides an unexpected and unwifhed Accident to this Noel, 
 which will fpeedily try of what temper and metal both himfelf, his heart, his conlcience 
 and his foul is made, and what infinite difparity there is betwixt Earth and Heaven. 
 
 By the pleafure and vifitation of God, he is fuidenly taken extream fick of apeftilent fea- 
 ver, but not in his Mafter Harcourts houfe, but in his own Fathers houfe, who dwelt fome 
 
 K k four 
 
 249 
 
Gods Revenge againfl Murther . Book IV. 
 
 four leagues thence at a parifh called SJnt Laz.ire, and his Phyfician yielding him a dead man, 
 he, as a religious Roman Catholick, takes the Excream Un&ion, and then prepares himfdf to 
 dye: But he is fo moral, andfo good a Chrittian, as ( the premifes confidered ) he refolves 
 to carry his confcience pure, and his Soul white and unfpotted to heaven. He prays his Father 
 therefore, that he will fpeedify ride to Sens ( in vvhofe Jurifduftion Saint La^are was ) andco 
 pray two of the three Judges to come over to him, for that he hath a great Secret to reveal them 
 now on his death* bed, which conduceth to the glory of God, theferviceof the King, and the 
 good of his own Soul. His Father accordingly riefes to Sens, and brings two of thole Judges 
 ipeedily with him to his Son’s beds-fide, to whom ( in prefence of three or four more of his Fa- 
 ther *$ Neighbours) he, very fick in body, but perfe&ly found in mind, tells them, that his Ma- 
 iler Harcourt would ( heretofore ) have had him piftol his Brother Vimory to death, and prof* 
 fered him two hund reel Crowns in money, and fourty Crowns Annuity during his life to per- 
 form it, but he lefufed it, and knowing the faid Aionfunr dc Vimory to be fince murthered by a 
 Piftol, he therefore verily believes that it is either his faid Matter, or fome other for him, which 
 is guilty of that lamentable murther, the true detedion whereof (hefayes) he leaves toGod 
 and to them, and within half an hour after, ( yea before they were departed his Father’s houfe) 
 this TS(j>el dyes. 
 
 Hereupon, thefejadges wondring at the providence of God, in the evidence of this dying 
 min for the difeovery of this lamentable murther, Theyfpcedily fend away their Officers who 
 apprehend Harcoxn in his own houfe of Saint SimplicUn , carowfing and frolicking it in his beft 
 Wine, iri Company of three or four of his debofhed Contorts and Companions^ and fo rhey 
 bring him to Ser.s : Where lying in Prifon that night, the next morning the Judges of that City 
 caufehim to be arraigned before them ; and charge him with pittolling of his Brother MonCtcttr 
 de Vimory to death, which ( fortified and armed by the Devil * he ttrongly and ftoutly denies ; 
 they read his man Noels dying Evidences againtt him, to prove it : So they adjudg him the fiery 
 torment of the Scorpions, for the vindication of this truth, the which he endureth with a won- 
 derful fortitude and conttancy, and ftill denies it. When their heart bein° prompted from Hea- 
 ven, and their fouls from God, Thathe was yet the undoubted murthersrlfi 'his Brother, they 
 thefecond time adjudged him to the rack, whereon permitting himfclf to be fattened, and the 
 tormenters giving a good touch at him, Gcd is more merciful to his foul, than his Tortures are 
 to his body, and fo with tears in his eyes, he confefleth that it was he which Pittolled his Brother 
 Vimory to death, and which afterwards ran him twice thorow the body with his Rapier ; Where- 
 upon for this bloody and unnatural fad of his, His Judges (without any regard tohis extrafrion or 
 quality) condemn him the next afternoon between four and fiveof the Clock, to be broken 
 alive on the wheel at the puBlick place of execution: Some few Gentlemen his Kinsfolk folicite 
 his reprival, bccaufe as yet they defpair not of his pardon, but their labours prove vain, and they 
 purchafe no reputation in feekingit, for now all Sins and the adjacent Country cry fie on him, 
 and on his foul and enormous Crimes of Adultery and Fratricide. 
 
 So the next day, ( at the hour and place appointed ) he is brought to his Execution, where a 
 mighty concourfe of people, both of Sens, and the adjacent Country, flock to fee this Men ftet 
 of nature take his laft farewel of this World* Being mounted on the Scaffold, in a Tawny Sat- 
 tinfute with a Gold Edge, He confefleth himfeif guilty of murthcring his Brother Vmory, and 
 yet he grieves far more for the death of his laft Wife Majfcrina than he doth for that of his firft, 
 La Prec verte : He demands forgivenefsof God, and the World, for this his foul crime of 
 Fratricide, and prayes all who are there prefent to pray to Almighty God for the falvation of bis 
 foul, and that they become more charitable and Religious, and lefs bloody and prophane, by his 
 example. So commending his foul unto God, his body to the Earth from vv hence it came, and 
 marking himfeif three or four times with the figq of the Crofs, he willingly fuffers the Execu- 
 tioner t^faften his Le-s and Arms upon the Wheel, the which as foon he breaks with his Iron 
 BaF ; unfit he have feized upon death, and death on him. 
 
 And thus was the wretched lives, and miferable, and yet deferved deaths of thefe our cruel and 
 inhumane, graedefs Murtherers • and in this manner did the Triumphs of God's Revenge juftly 
 furrrize them to their IBame, and cut them off to their Confufion. May we read this Hiftory 
 to Gods glory, and as often medicate thereon to our own particular reformation and inftru&ion. 
 
 GOD’s 
 
GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XVIII. 
 
 Romeo ( the Lacqucj of Borlary) Radegonda, the Chamber-maid of theLadyVcWhnruin 
 the ftrett , and is hanged for the fane? ; Borlary afterwards hircth Caftruchio ( an Apothecary ) 
 to poyfm her Htubond Seignior Planeze • for the which Caftrucbio is hanged ) and his body thrown 
 into the River , and Borlary is beheadedy and then burnt . 
 
 IT is a thoufand griefs and pities, to fee that Chriflian.*yvho are honoured with that glorious title 
 * and appellation, fhculd fo wilfully and wretchedly lofe it, by imbrewing their guilty hands in 
 the innocent blood of their Chriftian Brethren, and thereby to bereave our fclves of that rich 
 ornament, and ineftimable Jewel, which God (in his Son Chrifijefus ) hath lent us for the 
 planting of our Faith ; and given us for the extirpation of our prophanefs, and rooting out of 
 our Impiety. But this is the fubtle malice, and malitious fubtilty of Satan, ( the profeffed e- 
 nemy and Arch-Tray tor of our fouls) asalfoof his infernal Agents and Faftors, who thereby 
 make themfelves fire-bands and incendiaries of their own felicity and fafety. And becaufe the 
 examples of the wicked, do ftrike apprehenfion and fear to the godly, and that the punifliment 
 and death of murderers, doth fortifie the Charity, and foment and confirm thelnnocency of 
 the living. Therefore (for that Reafon, and to this end ) I have purpofely given this next 
 hifiorya place in my Book, wherein we fhall feeCholer* Malice, and Revenge, to a& many 
 deplorable and bloody parts ; Let us read it with a jealous fear and a Chriftian fortitude, and fo 
 we ftiallalfuredly bate this foul and crying Sin in others, and rcligioufly, and conftantly avoid it 
 in oor fclves. 
 
 Thd 
 
 Hid XVIII. 
 
 K k t> 
 
The foundation of this Hiflory, is laid in the fair and famous City of V ’rona, ( antiently a 
 great Colony of the Rorhans, fince a free Efiareof itlclf, but .flow dependent and fubjeft to 
 the Eftate and Seignior of Venice j whercm ijiere lately dwelt sn old Gentleman being a widow- - 
 er, and'one of the chiefeft ancTnobleft families of that City, nsmed Seignior Fahtium 
 vvhovvas rich inlands, but exceeding wealthy- in money/ ( whereof h -had put a great andre- 
 markablfcSum in the bank of Venice ) he haefone only Child*, a daughter of feme eighteen years 
 I of age, /named DoKflFetifama, who was wonderful fair, and a molliovdy fweet Cloture. tall 
 ; and (lender ojfcftature, pf yellow golden iiair, andfaqgutne damask Role Complexion v , Now 
 ! as her beauty-was <very vyay anfweraWe t^her birth and *ex.trad\ion, no lefs were btr/fitfgalar 
 j vertuel and fvVe’fet-perfedSdns to her beauty, and as wealth, beauty and vcrtue.cortcurfing and 
 !. meeting togjtther^ are tbreqpowerful lures,.. and attridlye Adamants to* draw tbed^fif&and 
 afFefttQ^’if’Aahy 'noHIe : 5Smiemen to -feek her in marriage ; So tvvooTterdiief Suitors and 
 who chiefly. flattered their hopes to enjoy thU Eveet and precious jewel of nature, and who i 
 flood in belt poilibiliry to bear away her affe&ion and her iclf, was Seignior 'Thomas a j 
 
 brave yout^ Gcntiemia of the Neighbour City of Mmova^ of a fweet prefence, and proper j 
 | comely feature, cl fome twenty five years old v not very rich, , vet endued with compcteiit means 
 ; to maint^in'himfelf like himfelf, but infinitely well bred,- and adorned and honoured with all 
 thole generous parts and endowments which are requifite to make the Gallants of cur timcscotn- 
 . pleat; and the other, Seignior Jnan de Bor\a^yi a very rich Gentleman of the fameCifycf 
 L r.ema^ \ proper man of -countenance, but of pcrlonagefcjmewhat crook- backt, and much G^- 
 ^trd dravvi^towards fourty years of age ; but . of education, conditions and qualities, 
 j fo ignorant and uncivil, ashefeemedto be rather a. Citizeiifhari a Gentleman, orindeed,. more 
 a Clown than a Citizen, and yer otherwife of metal and courage enough. AndThat we may 
 the more apnarentlyfep, and perfectly know, upon what tearrfts they both fland, as well iff the 
 opinion Of tfifc Fatbcr, as the affedioncf the Daughter * ? ' ftimata]* infinitely de.firditsoT For - 
 Urj fo£ his Son.-in-Law, but not of Plants sndFetifama is exceedingly offe&ed to take 
 , Planer {ot her Husband, but not For l ary ; which they both perceiving, whiles Bor/ary intends 
 tofeek theaffeflion and confentof the Father before thit of the Daughter ; pfdne&e fhapcsi 
 contrary-ccurfe, rcfolvesto feek and prefer that of the Daughter before the Father. The regard 1 
 of Bor l ary his wealth, and of Planers poverty with a covetuous Miniata , like a furious 
 flream, or impetuous Torrent, bears down all other regards and confiderations before it. But 
 the confideration and refpe&of Borlary his deformed perfonage, and then thatef Planers 
 fweet feature and deportment with amorous Feli;anna, as a delicious charm, and heart- raviftiing 
 extafie, fweeps away all other regards and refpe&s whatfoever. The Father bids Borlary to be 
 couragious and cheerful, and then he (hall not fail to have his Daughter for his Wife; But the 
 Daughter wills Plantz,e to be difereet and conftant, and then fhe will not fail to take him for her 
 Husband j Miniata to fticw his love to Borlary , forbids Pla*ez , ? his houfe and the company of 
 his daughter; Feli[dn* a to reveal her dear and fervent affe&ion to ‘planez,e> aflurcth him he 
 fhall often enjoy both her fight and -company, but confidently if not peremptorily, prohibits 
 Borlary to approach her prefence. Thus whiles Borlary often frequenter h and converfeth with 
 the Father ?publikely, no lefs, orindeed faroftner doth Plants privately, and whiles the firft 
 hath mor/fcaufe todifpair, thanreafon to hope of her attention and confent to be his wife : The 
 fecond hath all the reafons and caufes of the world, not only to hope, but to affure himfeif there- 
 of-, But the patience of a little time, will fhortly refolve our curiofity, whereunto thefe differ- 
 ent affe&ions will tend, and what the event and iffue will be of thefe their oppofite intentions and 
 refolutions. 
 
 /; But becaufe the ambition and vvifdom of Borlary will make it confpicuous and appa- 
 rent to his Miftrifs, That there is much difference betwixt him and PUntz>e % as there is 
 between her felf , and her Chamber-maid Roie^onda • He therefore feeing that he cannot 
 hitherto gain her by the perfwafion of her Father, now hopes and attempts it hy this her 
 maids folicitftion ; as holding her to be a fit inflrument for the compelling of his dcfircs, 
 and a proper Agent for the perfe&ing and crowning of his vvifbes, becaufe his bed genius 
 and intelligence informeth him, that (he hath a great power and bears a great flroke and 
 fway with- her Miftrifs : But we Hull fhortly fee, and he toofoon find the contrary, and that 
 thefe his ill grounded hopes and undervaluing attempt of his, will both deceive his ambiti- 
 on* and betray his vvifdom and judgment. Now to gain this her chamber-maid R^adcgonda 
 to his will, that thereby with the more facility and cheerfulnefs , (he may obtain him he* 
 Miftrifs, her favour, and affe&ion : He bribes her with filver- aad gold, and many other 
 
HiftXVIIL 
 
 Plane^c and Feiifanna. 
 
 ojfts, if not toocoftly for his giving, yetlamfure too rich for her receiving, and in requital 
 thereof fhe with her tongue promifeth him her bed power and affiftaccc towards her Miflrift, but 
 in her heart intends the "contrary, which is directed to betray him ; He fends likewife by her to 
 his love and her MitVifs, divers curious rich Prefents'acd two T etters, and prayes her to take 
 time at advanta°e, and fo to deliver them to her from him ; the which likewife (he faithfully pro- 
 mifeth, but yet intends nothing lefs, fo The holds it rather a vertue thanav4ce, to keep thefe 
 Prefen'ts for her fslf, and to give the Letters to his Corrival Planez.e, to whom (by folemn Oath,; 
 fhe had formerly ins aged her belt art and power, and her cbiefeft ailifiance. Which policy, or 
 rather which fallacy 1 of hers is not fo fecretly born betwixt 'PUr.tz.c and her felf, but Borlary (by 
 fomc fmifter accidental means ) hath perfect notice thereof, which he takes fo unkindly at R.ule- 
 cond i’s hands as ( confuting more with paffion than reafon ) his heart is fo inflamed with Cho- 
 f-r ' and his refolution with revenge againft her, that (impatient of alldelayes) he (ends for 
 ' her one afternoon to meet him at th’ Amphitheatre, and from thence goes with her to the next 
 ftreet to a friend’s houfeof his, where afeending a Chamber, and bolting the door withuflide to 
 • him "he ( with choler and threats ) chargcth her with this her ingrateful infidelity and treachery 
 toward him • when drawing all the truth from her, by making her felf a witnefs againft her felt; 
 as well of the delivery of his Letters to PUnezx, as alfo cf keeping her prefents for her felf, and 
 that her Miftrifs and he are folemnly contracted each to other: He there, in tracer revenge to her, 
 ,nd In malice and difdatn to her Miftrifs, pulls eff her head attire, and very bafdy and violent- 
 T cuts Sway all her hair, andthrowsit intothe fire, notwithftanding that Radegouda firflfellon. 
 her knees ‘ and with infinite tears and prayers befougbc him to the contrary : But as he hath made 
 it an aft of his revenge to Radegonda, and of bisditdam to her Lady, his unkind Miftrifs F./»- 
 Ur.»a fo he now likewife refolves to make it one cf his juftifications to the world. Poor Rade- 
 Ledais all in teats and choler at this her digraceful accident received of Borlary, and no' lefs, 
 but rather fir more is her young Lady and Miftrifs Feiifanna, the grief of the one mgendring 
 .he other veathis ignoble and malicious faftot his doth fo deeply ftrike in her 
 heart and' mind and fol-xtreamly cxifperate.h her againft him, as ftiemakcs her lover /7*- 
 ~:x.e acquainted therewith, who (notwithftanding her Fathers prohibition) was then cfefcend- 
 cd his Coach and afeended the Parlour to vifit her. Planer wondreth and grieves at this mci- 
 vil and bafe indignity of Bor Ur y towards Radegonda, which he every wayes i fees can no way but 
 refUft on the clrher part of himfelf Feiifanna, and foconfequenfly on himfel : When ( betng 
 . nr-f.ncel the naffior.s of his affection, and the fumes of his revenge fo far eclipfe and 
 ranfporths judgment, as he freely proifereth her his Sword, and felf, to right 
 wronoonthe perfonand life of Borlary, the which courtefie and noble affeft.on and refpeft of 
 his FcHUnr.a takes moft lovingly and kindly of him, but yet loves him fo tenderly and dearly, 
 tha’t bv no means (he will permit him to ingage •, much lefs to hazard himfelf in this trivial quar- 
 rel • which bein° f as Ate affirmed ) more feminine than mafcul.ne, did therefore more pro- 
 periy belong to her own deciding and requital, the which (in that regard) fhe prayed him 
 
 wholly to leave and refer to her felf. _ ... c . . 
 
 TUrlarr f bv fome of Miniatas domeftique fervant?, whom in favour of mony he hath 
 made to be his friendly Spies and intelligencers) hears hereof, and especially takes notice of 
 planers forwardnefs to fight with him for the quarrel of a poor Chamber-mud, fo feeing that 
 he could hope for nothing but for defpair inhisafteftion from Feiifanna, he takes thi.ffi ill 
 from Phil, (who although he be his rival and competitor yet being in a manner but a 
 ftratwer to him j thathe cannot, he will not be out-braved bv this Mantovtffe in any po.ntof 
 cm ra'e or valour, and therefore to prevent his infulting and daring generofity and to give him 
 a touch and tall of his own : He the next morning by his Lacquie Romeo fends him this Chal- 
 lenge. 
 
 BORLARY ro PLANEZE. 
 
 I Af retard ,hou could ft not cm thy fell to bereave me cf the Lady Feiifanna, who r e 
 I Id Lues are by far .ore dear a K d precis* to mt .ban my Itfe but that (mthwch often, at on 
 ard malice ) thou likewife makcfl it, thy 7 rofhee and Glory , to oft -r her the facnfice of my death 
 only forth c trivial ref peH of her Chamber-maids ban ; Therefore becaufe thou make ft fo fmall 
 a Jeiteemofmy life ; my reputation invites, and mnc honou- conjures me to fee what care thou m t 
 
 °f * hi * ««• r ‘ whic \ '*?' Ifr X he - t0 m Z w 7s 
 
 nw ( betwixt five and ftx of the do. f bthe afterno n ) with thy jingle %jpier wsthout fecond . 
 b the 0 meadow mtkoHt the Vtnifenfa-gate of this City, where I mi attend, hy arnval, nilh 
 
 j* K > 
 
Gods Revenge agatnji Murther. Book 1 
 
 much z,t*l and im pau^rxy : 7 hou art Noble enough to be fo generous, and I generous enough to trj if 
 thou wilt appear, and approve thy [elf fo Noble, 
 
 BORLARY. 
 
 The Lady Felifanna well knowing Romeo to be Borlary his Lacquie, and feeing him deliver a 
 letter to her Lover Plancz,e, which (he feareth to be fome challenge, (he thereat ( adorning and 
 beautifying her Lilly checks with a Rofcat blu(h ) prayes him to tell her what Rorlary his letter 
 contained ; When ( his own honour getting the fupremacy of his affevSion towards her ) he tells 
 her, that R rlary therein only requeued him, to meet him the next day in the *Domo ( which is 
 the Cathedral Church of that City, dedicated to Saint Athanajitis ) the which he is now going 
 to grant him in his anfwer. But Felifannt^ Rill jealous and fearful, prayes him to (hew her 
 thofe qpo Letters, which he pkafantly puts off with fome kiffes, and yet her blood and heart fo 
 freezeth within her with fear, as (he ufeth the beft power of her art, and the chiefefl Art of her 
 affe&ion, to conjure him not to fall out, much lefs to fight with Borlary, at their meeting in the 
 Church. Planer tells her, he is too religious to be fo prophane, to diftain and pollute that facred 
 place with the effufion of Chriflian blood, becaufe it is the Temple of Prayer, the houfe of God, 
 and therefore every way fitter for a peaceful atonement and reconciliation, than for a contentious 
 quarrel. Now (as the malice of men is finite, but of woman infinite) Felifanna feeing her Pla- 
 net* going to write his Letter, revenge andcholler being then extravagantly predominant in her 
 looks and refolutions, fhe hafiily Reps down into a Chamber next to the Garden, where (he fends 
 for Borlary* s Lacquie %omeo, and caufeth three of her Grooms ( whom (lie had purpofely 
 placed there) by force and violence to cut off his right Ear •, which they prefently do, notwith- 
 Handing that he ufed a thoufand intreaties and prayers to her to divert her from this her unworthy 
 and malicious fad, and then hafiily departing from him, (lie fpake this to him: Tell thy Mafter 
 Bor/ary , that I have caufed thineearto betutoff, to requite the affront and difgrace which ‘he 
 offered me in cutting off my Chamber-maid R^degonda's hair. 
 
 Phmsje having fecretly to himfelf read Borlary his challenge : He thinks fo honourably of < 
 himfelf, andfo difgracefully of him, as he not a little wendcreth to fee, that he bath the cou- 
 rage to write to him, much lefs the refolution to fight with him • When grieving that he can- 
 not now have the felicity and honour to maketryalof his valour to himfelf, and affedion to his 
 Miftriisupona more generous Spirit, and nobler Perfonage than iW^ry, he accepts his chal- 
 lenge and in this anfwer promifeth him to meet him and perform it , the which he honourably 
 conceals from Felifanna $ fear and jealoufic, and fo fealing up his Letter, he goes down to deli- 
 ver it to Borlary his Lacqute, and refolves to difpeed and baften his return, but contrary to his 
 expedition he finds this Lacquie Romeo bitterly ftorming and weeping • and fo demanding the 
 caufe thereof, he then and there by a Gentleman his fervant, is firfi informed of the Lacquie's 
 difgrace, and* of the manner thereof as we have underftood ; Plants is wonderfully grieved at 
 this difafterous accident, but love prescribes fo powerful a law to his diferetion, as he isintorced 
 to bear up with the time and fo to diffemble it, and when in the language of a Vi&ory and a 
 triumph Felifanna acquaints him therewith ; he holds it diferetion, rather to wink at it, and dif- 
 femble it with filcnce, than to remember it with choler or reprehenfion towards her ; So he to ac- 
 quit his ignorance, reputation, and honour herein towards Rorlary, calls his Lacquie again, and 
 vows and protefteth to him, as he is a Gentleman, that he is free from being any way knowing or 
 acccffary to this his difgrace and difafier, and bids him to affure his Mafter from him, that he is 
 every way Innocent hereof, the which he would have fignified to him in writing, but that his 
 Letter was fealed before he knew it, and fo giving him fomc crowns to wafti down his anger and 
 forrow, he then takes leave of him. 
 
 Romeo { ayes little but thinks the more, and as he difdaineth to bewray any appearance of grief 
 hereat, fo he cannot cloak that of his choler nor overvaile or fmother that of revenge, in their 
 fatal eftefts, which time will too foon produce. 
 
 Romeo in great hatte and more choler, arives to his Mafter Borlary* s prefence, gives him Fla* 
 sieve's Letter, who very fpeedily and haftily breaking up the feals thereof, finds therein thefc 
 lines. 
 
 PLANEZE to BORLARY. 
 
 T tsfckjtorrledg it to be rather thy misfortune than my merits that indneeth the fair and vertuous La* 
 x dy Felifanna to give her affeclion to me , and not to thyfelf the which as a rich treafur e, and pre - 
 tions Jewel I do not only eft etm equal to my life , but a thoufand degrees above it, and therefore it 
 
Hift.XVIII. Planers and F elifanna. 
 
 2S$ 
 
 wxs with much aftciion and z.eal to htr, and with no ofimation or malice to thy (elf that It rdrel 
 
 1ne.y »*#¥ hfilh ftyinrp tn<rtnlnt l*** *■£ 2 Im J. . /. j • »/» m r ’ 
 
 £i»r/ r;hath no fooner pe;ufed and ore-read this Letter cf PUneze, but findirr’ h's challenge 
 accepted, he is exceeding glad and joyful thereof, as if his glory conlifled in his fhame, and his 
 fjfety in his dangers Then his Lacquie Romeo acquaints him with his difgrace, adted, faith he 
 wholly by Dona Fclifrma, and no way as he vows and thinks by the confent or knowledg of I'la- 
 ”**■*> ,nc * f° relates all that he and Ihe charged him to report unto him: The which Btrlary 
 hearing and undemanding , he extr^mlyHorms to fee his own affront and difgrace, offered and 
 brought home imtohirn in that of firs Lacquie : When having other affairs and bufinefs in his 
 head, he contents himfclf for that time to give him fomeGold, thereby the fooner to make 
 him forget the lofs of his Har, which his locks better than his looks coutd now overvaile and 
 
 Thefe two inconfiderate Gentlemen, ( being infinitely more ambiti us to preferve their ho- 
 nours than their lives, and more careful of their reputation towards the foolifh people of the 
 world, than of their fouls towards God) are now fitting of iheir Rapiers and Chirur°iotW to 
 difpatcb this their rafh enterprife and irreligious bulinefs, and it is not the Icaft part of *P Unez.es 
 difcretion and care to play the Mercury, and now to blind the Argtu eyes of PeliUnna'i fear and 
 * vigtlancy, and how to fee a beginning and end to this duel with his generofity and fame, that he 
 w be noway dtflurbed or prevented by her in the performance thereof : The prefixed hourbehw 
 come, BorUrj (with his Chtrurgion) as Challenger, comes firfl into thefieid, I mean into the 
 Meadow, the defigned place and theatre where they intend to a& this their bloody Tragedy, and 
 he hath not flayed half a quarter of an hour, but ‘Plante the Challenged arrives there Ii’kewife 
 with his Chirurgion : When their malice isfo furious, and their courages fo inflamed eacha- 
 gainft other, as palling over their faluting ceremonies without a ceremony, they puttiV them- 
 lclves into their fliirts, do both of them draw, and fo approach each other. At their firfl com- 
 ming up, Planer runs B u rUry through the left thigh, and Bor Ur y him in the right fhoulder, and 
 the light of their fcarlet blood upon their white fliirts doth rather revive than quench their coura- 
 ges. At their fecond meeting, Vnrlary runs PUnesce into tne right atm of a large and deep wound, 
 and PUnt^e dies not in debtforit, butrequites it with a dangerous one in tne fmall of his bel- 
 ly, which went near to prove mortal, for it fetcht mnch blood from him. made him begin to faint 
 and flagger , lo being both of them well near out of breath, they make a Hand to breathe and take 
 the benefit of the air, buc their hearts and animofityare fogreat, is they will notyetdefitt or 
 leave off, but now begin afrelh to redouble their blows and courages, and here they traverfe their 
 ground to gain the advantage of the Sun .* With far more ad vifement and difcretion than before. 
 Now at this their third coming up,tf« larj prefents Plaae^e with a furious tbruft.but he very aft. 
 ively and nimbly wards it offhim, and in exchange runs BorUrj into the neck, a little wideofhis 
 throat- howl Whereat P’ane^t inftantly doling with him, he fairly attempted to whip up his 
 heels, but that Bor/ary his flrength prevented VUxezFt agility : When each having the other by 
 the collar of their fliirts with one hand, and their Rapiers in the other, as they arc {hiving and 
 ftrugting together, God ( more ontof his gracious goodnefsand mercy, than of their defircs 
 an 1 wi flvs) is pleafed that neither of them ffiall for this timedye. For the Earl of Lucema ride- 
 ing pr-ft ( with three Gentlemen in his company ) from P'irmce Towards Turin , chanced toefpie 
 and fee them in the meadow, almoft all covered over with fweat, blood, and dull, when he and 
 they leaping from their Horfes, he very honourably and charitably runs to them and parts them j 
 cfftrin? them hit bell power and a pretty parcel of his time, toend and fhut up their differen- 
 ces in a friend! y^ atonement and reconciliation, but fo inveterate and ftrong (bv this time) il 
 th:ir malice each toother, ashefound it no way feafeablebut impollible to effoff it : So this 
 oraye ar.d honourable Earl contents hinifelf, to recond if and fee them fafe into the City,’ 
 
 PLANEZE. 
 
 cover. 
 
 where 
 
Gods Revenge againft Murther. Book IV. 
 
 where privately leaving them to their future fortunes, he again takes horfe away. Our two Du- 
 cllifts having firfl thanked him for his noble Courtefie cowards them, but otherwife they are ex- 
 ceedingly gneved to fee the Victory pul’d out of their hands, for the vanity and impiety of ei- 
 ther of* them flattered and bounded their hopes, with no lefs ambition and felicity than each their 
 own life, and either of them the death of his adverfary. But as they are grateful to the Earl 
 citucermio: this his honourable courtefie towards them-, yet they arc fo irreligious as they 
 look not up to Heaven, nor once have the grace to think on God, much lefs to thank his divine 
 'Majefty, for now fo mercifully and fo gracioufly withdrawing them as it were from cut the very 
 jaws of death 5 but Bill they retain their malice, and cheriiB and foment their revenge each to 
 other, efpecially Borlarj to PUre^e, for it is a continual private grief and a lecret Corrofive to 
 his content and mind, to fee that he is inforced to wear the Wiflow-Garland, and that Pianist 
 mufi bear away his fair and beautiful Miftrifs Felifanxa from him : But we will for a little time, 
 leave them to their thoughts, and their thoughts to God, and fo again fpeakof Romeo , thcLac- 
 quie of Borlarj , who as a wretched and moft execrable villain comes now to aft a bloody and 
 wofui part in this Hiftory. 
 
 For we mufi here underftand, that this lewd Lacquie Romeo, is fo extreamly incenfcd with 
 cholerand inraged with malice againfi the Lady Felifawa for thelofsof his Ear, as (being re- 
 duced and incouraged by the Devil ) he was once of the mind to have murthered her in the llrcer, 
 the very firfl time he had met or feen her ; hut then again refpefting his Mafter Borlarj whom 
 he knew affe&ed her tenderly and dearly, he forfook that opinion of his, and ref olved to wreak 
 his wrath and indignation upon her three fervants, who were the A6T:orsof cutting off his Ear, 
 as (he was the Author thereof * But then again remembring that he knew them not, nor any of 
 them for tint they were all purpofeiy masked aeddifguifed ; He then fwaps a bargain with the 
 Devil, and the Devil with him, that the ftormof this his malice and revenge fhould alfuredly 
 fall on Raiegonii her Chamber-maid, from whom it originally proceeded, and from this refolu- 
 ticn he is fo execrably prophane and bloody, as he vows that neither Heaven or Earth, God or 
 Man (hall divert him. 
 
 But as Envy cannot prove fo pernicious an enemy to others as to her felf,fo Revenge will in the 
 end afiuredly make us miferable, as firfl: it falfly promifed to make us happy. 
 
 Romeo co’ntinueth ftill refolute in his rage, and implacable in his revenge towards RUegonda 
 ( and yet poor innocent harmlefs foul, (he was not fo much as guilty of a bad thought, much lefs 
 of a bad a&ion or office towards him, and therefore left deferving this his revenge ; ) when wait- 
 ing many nights for her, as fhe iffued forth in the ftreeton her Ladie’s errand, he at lafi in a dark 
 night found her, and there flew her with his Rapier, giving her four feveral wounds, whereof 
 he niought have fparcdtbe three laft, becaufe the very firfl was mortal, and thereupon betook 
 himfelf to his heels, and fled through theftrects, where the people flocked together at the re- 
 port and knowledg of this lamentable Murther, but God is fo exafperated at this foul and lamen- 
 table fa& of his, as ( in his Star-chamber of Heaven) he hath ordained and decreed, that 
 Romeo fhall infbntly receive condign punilhment for the fame, as not deferving to furvive it. 
 For running through the flrects to provide for his fafety and life , he at laft took the River of Ad - 
 dice, near the old Caftlc, where thinking to fwimover to the other- fide, or to hide himfelf in 
 fome of the Mill-boats, he was difeovered by the Sentinels f for the watch was already fet) and 
 the news of this murther was by this time refounding and ecchoing in all parts of the City, The 
 Sculdiersof the Caftle fufpefteci him to be the murthcrer, they fend a Boat after him and appre- 
 hend him; fo by the criminal Judges he is committed toPrifonfor that night, and being the 
 next morning accufed by Seignior Miniata by way of torture, and the Lady Fclifann* his Daugh- 
 ter by legal order for the murtheringof her Chamber-maid Radegonda, he without any thought 
 cr fear, or fhew of lorrow or repentance, freely confeffeth it, for the which he is prefently con- 
 demned to be hanged, and thefame day after dinner be was accordingly difpatched and executed, 
 rotvvithftanding that his Mafter Borlarj ufed his beft friends and power, yea and proffered two 
 hundred zeebins to fave him. Thus we fee there was but one poor night between Romeo i 
 taking away Radegond*es life and iofiog of his own , and between her murthering and 
 his hanging .• At his execution he fpake not a word cither of the lofs of his Ear by 
 the Lady Pelifanna , or of that of Radegordats Hair by his Mafter Borlarj , whereat 
 both of them exceedingly rejoyce, and no lefs doth Plants. But for the other fpeeches which 
 ttys bloody Foot-man delivered on the Ladder at his execution, they were either fo ungod- 
 ly, orfo impertinent, as the relation thereof no way deferves my pen, or my Readers know- 
 kdj 
 
Plane and Felifanna. 
 
 And here to leave the dead Servant Romeo , return we anain to fneak l • i T7 i 
 Hilary : who after he had (pent much time and 1 abouT.anfus I mf/t r an hi'?* ' 
 
 and wit out of breath, to (ctk to prevent that Plancze mieht nor L ^ r ‘ lv , ei . n,on 
 hath n o tw i t hftand i ng, to his mat chiefs grief, and unfe parable forrow Icon 
 
 u a'u Va V n ’ ° r by th ' S tlme ftc > through the importunity of her tears i crave s hith 
 obtained her father Mmiaucs cunfi »t, to take and eniov Sienlr PL* * l P u u h 
 
 » h “ -» b °-v Wr **** “■* st: 
 
 tha height of pomp and bravery as is requifite to their noble rank & quality. When Plan l 
 ze the more to pleafe his new wife leaves Mantoua , and wholly builds up his reWence m K’ 
 raw with her, and m her Father Mmiataes houfe whenever bated hi!rl u ^ 
 
 ^ i ' t P l r s **“ <i lorn him, •ndm^lS i.^rte^hhe'lKlfddi?! 
 ved that aff,<flion of the father and this love of the Daughter, fith the luffre and venue ot 
 his actions made it apparent to all Verona, yea to all Italy, that he proved a molt kind and 'l? 
 v mg Husband to the one, and a molt obedient and refpedive Son in Law to the other 
 Now although Felifanna be thusmarryed to Planeze, yet the afledtion oi Borlary to her isftil 
 fo far from fading cw withering thereat,as it reviveth and flourifheth at the Ikru of her pure 
 and delicate beautyifor thofe golden trefles ofher hair,thofe refplendent ray? of her fpark- 
 hng eyes and thole delicious Lillies & Rofes of her cheeks do adt luch wonders in hJ heart 
 and ms heart in h,s refolut.ons i that his luff eclipfing his judgment, and out-braving his 
 diferetion.he cannot,he will not refrain, to try if he can yet procurcScget her to be his friend 
 though not his witeiand fo luturely toobtain that courtefie from her by the by which for- 
 meHy he knew it .mpoffible for him to get by the main. To which end hisaffedhon or ra- 
 thet, tns folly giving no truce to his thoughts, nor peace to his mind, becaufe both the one 
 and the other were lhll ranging and ruminating on Felif annas fweet Idea, and delicious 
 feature. He enters into a confiderauon and confutation with himfclf, whether he fhould be- 
 wray h.s amorous flame to her by himfelf or by fome other, or either by his pen or his 
 P'Tw, & f“ h “6 cd P°o, «.fi>ns & tiivhl Motives ft. 
 
 r V. h h f Ik r”r h ' ’•feT'f* “ “ d .° " M^tttn.wlw h,,„ 8 himfclf his 
 
 Clofet,he traceth her thefe line S> which by a conhdent friend of h.s he forthwith fends her. 
 
 BORLARY to FELISANNA, 
 
 I but °f m y f‘ fHm love affetiim to tbcc •, for none 
 
 can letter tejhfit, hot* 1 always made it my chicfeft Care and Ambition to male the dignity of my 
 zeal an fever able to that oj thy beauty and that this might be as truly immortal, •« that is djinly 
 rare, and rarely excellent, yyhich to confirm, 1 havefealedit with fame blood,but with m ,re tears fo 
 thouhj H'ven thy affethonjromme to Planeze, yet my heart and foul tells melt is 
 
 TdltvfPvTl Tit 10 f? ^ *1° tht L T y F j lifanna '^ W / c thoucanfi not be my wife, there- * 
 fore I pray be pleajed to re five to live my friend, as in requital I do die thy Servant. I coifs I am not 
 
 worthy of thy affSi ion, much left to enjoy the fweet fruit thereof, thy fweet f elf, yet becaufe 1 cannot be 
 more thine than dam, therefore 1 pray thee makftby felf as much Lineal thou may eft be. 7 by heart 
 
 1 \ a ScCret V tU ° Ur ‘ben my tongue, and for the times andplaces efonr mec- 
 
 tings , I wholly refer it to thy will and pleafure, which mine fall ever carefully attend, andrcligioujly 
 
 thin F e ^ htemy J aokhtart ‘ M bfdm this Letter, andif thou vouchfafe to return me a piece f 
 thine in exchange. Heaven may , but Earth cannot crofs our ajfettion. 
 
 BORLARY. 
 
 iS/hfc " ith wdnder,& ore-reads it withmorccon- 
 
 rnore doth ^ oler ’ for ‘ f ^ d ' fcla,n ^ d Borlar y and his affe&ion when fhe was a Maid, much 
 . d , h ,Y! Y Wh e n S°? 2nd ^ Husband have made her a wife: Once (he was of opi- 
 mon to have thrown this h.s letter into the fire, & have anfwered ,t with difdain & filence. 
 Eut then agam confidering the vanity of his thoughts, and the obfeenity of his defires, fhc 
 » nCLlVc c m, 8^pcrad venture) impute her filence to a degree of confent:& therefore, 
 hough not in atfedion to him, yet in diferetion and love to her honour, fhe refolves to re- 
 urn him an aniwer when knitting her brows with anger, dipping her pen in Gall and Vi- 
 negi r ,and fetnng a fl^arp edg of contempt & Choler on her refolutions, fhe haftily frames 
 )1S £ ,ves u t0 ^ ,s own Meilengcr to deliver it to Bor/jrj/;whofe heart fieering his 
 
 k 1 courfe 
 
 2 57 
 
God's Revenge againjl Murtber. Book IV. 
 
 courfe betwixt hope and fear till he receive it : he flrd killing it, and then haltily breaking 
 up the feals thereof, finds that it fpcaks this language. 
 
 FELISANNA to BORLARY. 
 
 I F thou want any witneffes of thy folly, not of thy ajfettion, thy objUnate and vain perfeverance 
 herein, of one makes me capable to J'erve for many. And if thou hadftbecn as truly careful and am- 
 bitious of thine own honour, as thoufalfiyprctendtjl to be of my poor beauty, thou wouldeji not/oof- 
 t(n bavejacrificed thy jhamc to my glory, nor fo fottijhly have caji away thy blood or tears on my con- 
 tempt: How thou intendejito difpofe of thy felf , I neither defire to know, nor care to underfi and. 
 But as 1 have given my foul to God, Jo Godhath given my heart to my Husband Plan tie from whom 
 neither the malice of Satan or power of Helijhall withdraw it \ and therefore as lam Felifanna, Ide- 
 
 « l thy lujlful fuit , and as Planezes wife, 1 defie both it and thy felf-, And thus to be thy friend, 
 on /halt find me thy friend, butforfuch fervants as thy felf, I leave them to their own proper Infa- 
 my and Repentance. I malty God the Secretary of my adions, and my Husband of my afAHons, 
 therefor it /hall pleafe me well when I underfiand that thy tongue will recant thy folly, 1 repent t by 
 diferetion towards me: infeeking to creel the Lrophees of thy lafcivious lujl upon theruins ofmygure 
 and candid honour: Andlaf/ure thee, that if hereafter thou injfire and fortifie not thy heart with 
 more religious , and left finful defire s and affepions, that Earth can and Heaven will malty thee as 
 truly miferable, as now thoufaljly thinkyli thy felf fortunate. 
 
 J FELISANNA. 
 
 Borlary at the reading of this Letter of Vclifama, is lb galled with grief,and nettled with 
 forro w, to fee his refufal fent him in her difdain,as he knows not to what paflions to betake 
 himfelf for eafc,or to what Saint for comfort, for the confideration of her coynefs & cruel- 
 ty, makes his defpair to gain fo much on his hopes, that once he was minded abfolutely to 
 lorfake her, and to court her affe&ion no more, but then again his luffful heart and deiires, 
 remtmbring the frdhnefs of her beauty, and the fwectnels of her youth, he held himfelf a 
 coward, every way unworthy to enjoy fo fair a Lady,Sc lo fwcet an Angel, if he retired up- 
 on her firft denial, efpecially becaufc as thofe Cities & Cadies, fo thofe Ladies & Gentlewo- 
 men who entertain a parky, are already half won.In which confideration becaufe it many 
 times proves an error in Nature v but dill in judgment, to flatter our felves mod, with 
 that which we mod hope for and defireiHe therefore once more refolves to hazard another 
 letter to her, as having l'ome reafons to believe, that his fecond may perchance obtain that 
 from her which his fird could not, for that he knows that molt Ladies and Gentlewomen 
 pride thcmfolves with this felicity, to be often fought, and importunately fued unto by their 
 lovers, wherefore refolving once more to try his fortune, and her court die, he by his former 
 Meflcnger greets her with thefe lines. 
 
 BORLARY to FELISANNA. 
 
 r FHy fweet and excellent beauty hath cnkjndled fo fervent a flame tnmy heart, that thy late dif- 
 rcjpcli and contempt of me in thy Letter, is it not fufficiently prevalent to maky me, or fo foon, or 
 fo flcightly toforfaky thee. For although thou term my love folly, and my ajfettion obflinacy,yet until 
 thou ceafetobefair , find it not grange, if it be impoffllefor metoceafe to be a/fettionatc : Neither 
 do I facrifice my Jhamc to thy Glory, or ca(l away my tears on thy contempt, fith I perform it more 
 out of duty that complement, and rather out of true zeal than falfe hypocrifie. And as the firong- 
 efl Cities and Caflles by the rule of War, fo the faireft beauties by that of love , deferve to be honou- 
 red with more than one affault andfiege and that Cavalier cannot juftly be termed , either a Gentle- 
 man ,a Soldier, or a Lover, who will refolve to be put off with the firfi repulfe, efpecially from fo fweet 
 and Jo beautiful an enemy as thy felf : Neither can it any way breed infamy or repentance in me to be 
 fervant to Jo dear, andflave to/o fair a Mifirefs, becauje the excellency of thy beauty is every way cap- 
 able both to confound fenfe, and to fubvert and overthrow Reafon. Be then but as courteous as thou art 
 fair, and as kl nd as I am conflant , and thou j halt find that I only defire to erett the Trophces of mine 
 honour and glory upon thofe of thy content, to facrifice my befilife at the /brine and altar of thy beauty, 
 and to divote and profit ate mybefizealandferviceto the feet of thy Commands : which if thou pleaje 
 to grant me. Earth will not mak,e me miferable, but Heaven fortunate . 
 
 BORLARY. 
 
 The Lady Felifanna having received 3c ore-read this fecond Letter of Borlary, as one way 
 die laughs to fee the conltancy of his folly, and indifcrction,fo another way (lie dorms, and 
 yet gzieves to fee her felf to be both the object & the caufe thereof', When returning to the 
 
 party 
 
Hifh XVIII. Plane^e and Felifanna. 
 
 party who brought it her, (he thinks to vent part of her choleronhim, taxeth his 
 and rafhnels herem,& ftri&ly conjures him to bring her no more ot B orlary his letters , yea 
 ihe is fo tar tranfported with paffion and cholcr againrt Borlary for fending them to her as 
 now the retolves to anfwer tins with tilence, & henceforth to burn all other which are font 
 or brought to her from him, becaute if his lolly make him culpable offending, the will ndt 
 iuturcly make her felf guilty of receiving any more.But here again, her thoughts are taken 
 up With tear, and her heart furprized with refolution and doubt, whether (yea or no ) the 
 fliould thew thefe his two letters to her Husband : For her aff'edtion isfo tender, fo faithful, 
 lo conflant to him : becaufe flie likewife knows that his is reciprocally fo to her, that Hie 
 will rather dilplcafe her felt, than any way difeontent him, or adriviniitcr him the leaft caufe 
 whatloever,to run the hazard of his difpleafure Or indignation. For as by concealing them 
 from his knowledge knows this bufinefs will be for ever hufli’d up in (ilente,& pelpetu- 
 - a >ly buried in oblivion, So contrary wile,' if either through Borlary his malice to her, or indif- 
 cretion tohimlelf, it (houlJ any way come to her Husbands ear, then (lie thinks (he (hould 
 ■ give him a juft caufe of exception and offence againft her; Wherein, if the fubtilty of the 
 Uevil (hould once put his foot, or the malice of any of his members, their tongues or fingers 
 than his jealoulie might call her Honour and Fidelity in queftion,& make him fufpedf & fear 
 her to be diflioneft, though heretofore (in heart and foul ) he confidently knows & believes 
 the contrary : (he farther knows, that there is nothing fo eafie, as to entertain jealoufic nor 
 lo difficult, as to expcll it;and therefore, that it is not enough for us to prevent a fcandal’but 
 like wile to remove the original caufe thereof ; fain fhe would conceal thefe foolifh Letters 
 of Borlary from her Husband, but yet (he doubts it, and willing file is to acquaint him there- 
 with, be yet (lie fears it. And although her chaftity and innocency perfwade her to perform 
 .the laft,yet her dilcretion and judgment encourage and prompt her to execute the fecond- 
 & here our beautiful and vertuous young wife is perplexed as a Traveller, who meets with 
 two different ways, and knows not which is the belt for him to take: and her heart and 
 thoughts here in this accident, is as a (hip at Sea, at onetime (urprizedand met with two 
 contrary winds and tides. For preferring her honour to her life, and her affedtion to her 
 Husband, & his to her before any other earthly refpedt or felicity whatfoever,fhe in the in- 
 tricacy and ambiguity of thefe doubts, widieth that Borlary had flept when he writ and fent 
 her thofe letters, or (he when (he received and read them. But at lalt confulting with rea-- 
 fonand Religion,with her Soul and God, then her chaftity gives a commanding law to her 
 fear, and her innocency to her doubt, So tirft hoping, and then praying, that nothing herein 
 might breed bad blood in her Husband,or difturb the tranquillity and (incerity of her mar- 
 riage; (he watching a fit opportunity, (hews her Husband the firft Letter of Borlary to her 
 with her anfwer t hereof; & then his (econd Letter, the which (lie informs him, (he anfwered 
 with (ilence and contempt, adding withal ; That had (lie a thoufand lives, as (lie hath but 
 one, (lie would cheerfully Lcrifice and lofe them all, before (lie would be guilty of the leart 
 thought to dirtain the honour of his bed, or to break her (acred vow of Love and Chiftity, 
 which in prefence of God and his Church, (he religioully made and gave him in Marriage. ’ 
 Plaiuze at the hearing ot thefe fpeeches,and the reading of thefe Letters, doth at one in- 
 ftant both blufli and pale,for as he looks paid with envy towards Borlary, to fee how fectetly 
 and fubtilly he endeavourcth to ruin his honour in that of his wifes; fo he bluflieth for love 
 towards her, to fee how l weetly & chaftly (he had demeaned her felf in her anfwer to him 
 as alfo what a wife & loving part it was in her fo pundually & fully to acquaint him there- 
 with ; when in requital hereof he gives her many praifes and kifics, extolls her chaftity and" 
 vertues to the Sky, and condemns Borlary his luftful vices to Hell. And although ("for the 
 prefcnt) (he finds fomc incongruity in his Ipeeches, and obferves fome preturbation in his 
 looks; yet he fnakesjiis affedtion fo apparent to her, and diflembleth his hatred and choler 
 towards Borlary Co feeretiy and artificially ; that his wife Felifanna wholly rejiofing her felf 
 upon her own intcgrity,& her Husbands difcretion,(lie (Tweet innocent Ladyjlittle dreams 
 or thinks of any dilafter which will enfue hereof, much lefs what difma! effedts threaten to 
 proceed from this inconfiderate adt of hers,in acquainting her Husband with thofe Letters. 
 But (lie will have time enough to fee it to her grief, and know it to her forrow;yea,(hc will 
 find occafion enough to repent, but never any means how to remedy it, except it he too 
 late, and which then will mecrly prove Phyfick after death. 
 
 Plartezc (dswchoivc formerly underftood,) isextreamly inccnfed againft Borlary , thus to 
 attempt tobereave him of his fvveeteft Joy, which ishis wife’s afledhon, and (he of her moft 
 
 LI 2 pretious 
 
Gods Revenge againft Murther . Book IV- 
 
 “ ri( 3 T cwe i her chaftity : And although ( both in real'on and Religion} he had tar more 
 K to See than to grieve at this accident, in regard he was both allured and confident 
 that his Wites chaftity triumphed o’re BorWs luft,& her glory was apparent in his fliarne , 
 for as obiefls foadions being beft drftingniftied by their contraries, therefore through the 
 obfeure clouds of Borlari his obfceneconaipifccnce,that oi tdifamx Angelical chaftity, asa 
 . • rhr Tclucen't Sun (hined forth moft radiantly and fweetly with far more vigor 8c glory, 
 y ctiunau being a man compofed of corrupt flsfh Sc blood, and therefore fubjed topaliwrri 
 and thofc paffions to errors and imperfections j So he takes a courfe and refolution herein 
 contrary to all judgment, and to all reafon, yea, diametrically oppoffie to the rules ot 
 Niturcwid precis of Grace. For although his heart be upright m the opinion of his wifes 
 chaftity and^ honour, yet as the deareft and pureft affe&ions cannot be exempted ot fome 
 lhadow or Ipice of fear, ib although his heart looked direftly on Borlan Wlth 
 cannot poffibly refrain, nor retain his thoughts, from glancing fquint-eyed on his wife 
 with jcaloufic. And although he knows it to be a moft ignoble ingratitude, 6c irreligious im- 
 piety in himf,thus to call her honour in queftion,or (in the beft fenfejto revoke it to doubt, 
 by making any publick (hew of fufpition or diftafte to her, or by fccking any pri\ ate rev enge 
 on Borlan . yet becaufe bet beauty and vertue is a thoufand times dearer to him than n« : lire , 
 and the purity aud integrity of her attention to him as dear as his foul : He therefore thinks 
 he fhall not propliane bis good opinion of her, nor offer her merits or his own reputation 
 any wrong, if he refolve to tight both her and himfelf on Borlary , when conlulting not 
 with reafon or charity, but with their oppofites, malice and revenge, he will not be at peace 
 with his heart, nor at truce with his thoughts, before he have fought with Borlary , albeit 
 (indeed) his deli ft and offence towards him, moredeferved his (corn than his care, and was 
 every may far more worthy of his oblivion,than of his'remembrance. To which end (by a 
 Chirurgion which he had made choice of ) he fends him this challenge. 
 
 PLAN EZE to BORLARY. 
 
 T Hy crime is ft foul, and fo apparent unto me , infeekjngby thy two hfeivious Letters to d'tjlain 
 my honour in that of my wifes chaftity, as nothing but thy life is capable to expiate it, or mine to 
 deface and forect it : Wherefore , if thou have as much courage as thou wanteft grace , bring thy fdf, 
 thy Rapier , & 1 thy Chirurgion with thcc to morrow at fix of the clockjn the morning in the City Ditch 
 without the outer Gate , which lookj towards Brcfcia, and there myfelfand my Chirurgion (who is 
 hearer hereof) will fdently and honourably wait for thee . And if thy obfeene heart retain yet any 
 IP ar K of gen crc(ity,er thy vicious brain of judgment, thou wilt refolve to perform this my requejt, and 
 to excufemy refolution herein, fith it is wholly derived from thy iafeivi onfnefs , and receives its life 
 and birth from thy treachery . 
 
 PLANEZE. 
 
 Borlary receiving and perufing this Challenge of ?laneze,he is much grieved and forrow- 
 ful,to fee that Felifanna had fo little diferetion for her felf,and fo much hatred again ft him, 
 to fhew her Husband thefe his Letters, and except (he meant to make her felf the prefent au- 
 thor, and the caufe of her future affliction and mifery, he knows not elfe what (he intends 
 hereby.But for Plancze his fpleen Sc refolution againft him ,Borlari knows it to be both juftfc 
 well grounded in the beft fenfe , Sc in the worft to be yet a requital of that Challenge Sc Dud 
 he formerly lent 6c prefented him:Only he doth a lit le admire(ifnot wonder )that hefhould 
 now again make trial of his valor and courage, whereof he fo lately had experience, and 
 tafted. And although he had far more reafon to reft allured than doubtful, that this fecond 
 Duel of theirs would not prove fo fortunate as their firtt,but would rather terminate in one, 
 if not in both of their lives, He yet loves Felifanna fo dearly,albeit fhc hate him extreamly, 
 that he will by no means refufc to fight with her Husband once again for her fake,yea,6c to 
 kill him for his own, if poffibly he can, the Devil making him ftrongin the vanity of this 
 belief and confidence^that if it prove now his good fortune to kill Fiancee, that he can then 
 requite and limit his vi&ory with the reward of no lefs happinefs and felicity, than by his 
 death to obtain his widow for his own wife. But this is to write upon t he water, and to 
 build Cattles of vaitt hopes in the Air, which the leatt breath of God’s mouth, or wind of 
 his noftrils will eaflly reverfe and blow away. For this is to confult and refolve with Satan, 
 and not with God*, and , therefore no marvel, if he fee his lafeivious defires to come too (hort 
 
Hid. XVIII. Pianeze and Felifanna. 261 
 
 of his ridiculous hopes,and both his hopes, and deiires herein to end in as tnuch true mifery, 
 as they began in falie hope of felicity and joy* 
 
 So Bor/ary having made a turn or two in his Garden to refolve upon this buGnefs, which 
 fo much imported both his honour and life: He at laft,with joy in his looks, and courage in 
 his countenance, turns, to Plants his Chiiurgion,whom after he ufed refpc&ively and cour- 
 teoufly,he fecretly rounds him thus in his Ear j Tell Signior .Pianeze from me, that I will not 
 fail to meet him to morrow morning, according to his requeft and expectation, and fo he 
 difmiffeth him, who as foon returns this anfwer of Borlary to Pianeze , whom he now finds 
 haying for him in the Church of the Augufine Froxj^but God knows, with no intent or de- 
 votion to pray, or to invoke his Divine & Sacred Majefty to divert him from this his inten- 
 ded blood yent e r pr ize,bu t rather to recondudt home the Lady Felifanna his wife, who harm- 
 lefs fweet Gentlewoman, was there in that Church, upon the Altar of her heart, proffering 
 up the molt religious Prayers, and zealous Orifons of her foul unto God, without once fur- 
 mifing or thinking what a mournful and dangerous part her husband was refolved to 
 the next morning to the prejudice of her content,if not to the utter diffolution and ruin of 
 her Matrimonial joy and felicity. But her Husband Pianeze bears this buGnefc, and thefe his 
 intentions fo fecretly from his wife, as it was impofliblcfor her to have any fufpition, much 
 lefs knowledg of this bis next days intended Dud. 
 
 The night, which brings reft to others, hath not power to give it to our two inilamed 
 Duelhfts. For the conlideration of their honours and their lives, of their quarrel, and the 
 caufe thereof, doth equally poffefs their brains, and pre-occupate and prevent their eyes of 
 their Get ping faculties. So preferring their danger to their fafety, their refolution to their 
 reft, and the field to their beds, they'' under other pretextsjare not long from it, I mean from 
 the City ditch, the prefixed place of their rendezvous : Which Pianeze firft entreth,& there 
 makes hall a dozen of turns before he have any news of his Contendant or Adverfary Bor- 
 lary , whereof he doth not a little tnufe, yet he no way dcfpairs of his coming, becaule ("by 
 late experience ) he knows him to be couragiousand valiant. But to put Pianeze his muting 
 out of doubt,and his doubt out of queftion,in comes Borlary all unbraced and untrufled,and 
 afar oft’ drying Pianeze in the ditch before him > He (afhamedof this advantage he had, be- 
 caufe of long itay ; with his Hat in his hand, prays him to excufe this error of his * affirming 
 it to be the tault oi his watch, but not of his heart, which he alleged ihould ever go true with 
 his Honour and Reputation. When Pianeze returning his Complement by approving of his 
 Apology, (without any further expoftulation)they draw, and here fall from words to blows. 
 
 At their firft meeting , Borlary gives Pianeze a wound in the right arm,and Pianeze requites 
 him with another in his right fide, which if his Rapier had not met with a rib, it had then 
 undoubtedly ended the quarrel with his life.But although it make him lofe much blood, yet 
 he hath ftrength and courage enough not to die in his debt tor it, only he deiireth Pianeze , 
 that they maybreathe a litle,the which he generoufly granteth.At their fecond corning up. 
 
 Plane*,* prefentsa thruft to Borlary , but he wards it, and runs Pianeze into his left thigh, of a 
 deep wound, anJ yet they will not give over, although their Chirurgions do earneftly pray 
 them toddlft, as having now already herefuftuiently teftified their courage and valour. Ac 
 their third meeting o c \oy riu\£. ) , < planeze gives Borlary a lick o’re the fore-head, which makes 
 his blood ftream down his face and eyes, and Borlary fully incenfed and prepared to requite 
 it, drives a fair thruft to pianeze his brealfibut he very dexterouily and fortunately wards it, 
 beating down the point of Borlary his Sword into the ground, and then with much agility, 
 leaps to him, and whips up his heels, who falling upon his own Rapier breaks it in two pie- 
 ces, at which unlooked tor difaftcr, Borlary feeing his naked breaft expofed to PlanezeH is 
 bloody Rapier, and confequently his life to lie at his mercy, (^without once ftriving or en- 
 deavouring to grapple with his enemy ) he (more defirous to live with flume, than to die 
 with honour; defeendsfo far from true and noble gencrolity, as he begs his life of Pianeze j 
 when (although many hot and jealous fpirics would gladly have taken hold of this advan- 
 tage^ wreaked the utmoft of th$ir Gall and Spleen upon the misfortune of this accident ) 
 yet Pianeze is (o truly noble and generous, asdildaining to fight with an*unarmed man, and 
 fo to eclipfe or blemifh the luftre of his reputation in killing him who beg’d his life of him, 
 and when it lay at his pleafure to give or take it, as he throws away his Rapier, making him 
 promife, and (wear he will never henceforth attempt againft the honour of his wi tkbPlantzc 
 very freely and chearfully gives him hislifeund to (hew himlelf the more, generous in this 
 his courteiie,knds him his hand to raife him upon his fee ti for which infinite kindnef$ 7 Bj/7<iry 
 yields him many thanks : When mufHing up their faces with their Cloaks, they part very 
 good friends, & fo get chcmfelvsinto two of theneareft houfesofthefuburbs, very fecretly 
 
 L I a and 
 
2' God's Revenge againji Mur t her. BopkTV. 
 
 and filently to drefs their wounds,and at night they return to their houfes. Where our dear 
 and fair Fdifanna underhanding the^manner and caufe of this combat betwixt her husband 
 and Borlary, it is impartible for me to define whether fhe wept 6c fighed more for the lofs of 
 her Husbands blood, or rejoyced and praifed God for the favingand (paring- of his life. 
 
 Yet this Combate of theirsisnot fo fecretly a&ed, but in lefs than two days, all Verona 
 hath news, and prattles thereof. When meafuring the firft Duel ot PL?: czc and Borlary by 
 the fecond,and the fecond by the firPt>They extoll Borlary his courage to tight with Planezt 
 but infinitely applaud the noble courtelie 6c generofity of Phneze, in giving Borlary his life* 
 when it lay in his power and pleafure to have taken it from him. And as molt coir. mended 
 the Lady Felifanna for difdaining to make ftiipwrack of her honour on the Scylla and Cbj~ 
 rybdisoi Borlary his litft, and for not facrificing her chaftity to his lafeivious affections and 
 dciires > So, in general,all Gentlemen and Ladies condemn her of indiferetion, in thewipg 
 his Letters to her Husband, and acquainting him with his fuitsand defires, it having been 
 fufficient for her fecretly to have given him the repulfe and denial, and her fclf the glory 
 Again, there want not divers, efpecially the younger fort of the Nobility and Gentry o( Ve- 
 rona ^ who UXfiorlary of cowardize, in (hamefully begging his life of Plan when either 
 his good fortune in ftrugling, or his piece of Sword in his defence, might, perad venture 
 have preferved it. Thus every one fpeaks according to his own fancy and afledtions. 
 
 Borlary having loft fo much blood for the alfedion which he bore to FcHfama,8c received 
 and reaped nothing from her but difdain and hatr.ed,he is not a little grieved 6c vexed here- 
 at. But when he underftands that he hath now made himfelf the laughter of all Verona in 
 this his cowardly begging his life of Plancze , and that his reputation doth therefore univer- 
 fally fufier in this adtion, he is then as it were pierced to the heart with forrow, and to the 
 foul withfhame. He knows it were, far better for him to be born a Clown, than to be held 
 and efteemed a Coward, and that having once purchafed that bale title, he fhall difficultly 
 ever lofe it. Yea,wherefoevcr he goes, he hears and fees, that his Superiors, his Equals, and 
 his Inferiors, not only prattle at his flume, but point at his infamy herein, fo that he Win 
 a manner) a (harne to all Gentlemen, and therefore almoft a flume to himfelf. But fee here 
 the vanity and impiety of this inconfiderate Gentleman, and if it be not worthy the readers 
 curiolities, yet it will deferve his companion and pity, to fee what ufe, or rather what abufe 
 he makes of this his imaginary diftionour : For neither with reafon, which is the foul of his 
 heart, with Religion which is the life of his foul, doth he once look up to Heaven to thank 
 God for fo mercifully protecting, and fo miraculoufly preferviug of his life in thefe two 
 Duels, when he as it were,ftood on the brink, and in the very jaws of death, and when be- 
 twixt his life and his death there was nothing but the point ot Plancze hi s Rapier,and of his 
 pleafure. No, no, Borlary is too much a man, to be fo much a Chriftian, and too much the 
 member of Satan, to be fo much the child of God ; For having formerly given up his heart 
 to the turpitude of lafeivious defires and luft * now as a limb and agent of the Devil he will 
 wholly abandon it to infernal rage and helliffi revenge , for knowing Plancze to be both the 
 Author and objeCt of his difhonour,and theinftrument and caufe of his difgrace, he there- 
 fore retains this Diabolical and bloody Aphorifm in his heart *, that as long as he lives it 
 will live with him, and when he dies it will die with him j and therefore toretfefh his ho- 
 nour out of his infamy, his heart wholly facrificing to malice, and his thoughts and refolu- 
 tions to revenge, he moft ingratefully and defperately, refolvesto murther Plancze or at 
 leaft to caufe him to be murthered. 
 
 Lo, here the woful eftate, and wretched refolution of this execrable Gentleman Borlary , 
 and what a monftrous ingratitude and prodigious cruelty is this in him to confpire his 
 death, of whom (in amanner)he but lately now received hislifc,he little knows,or( which 
 is worfej he will not know, that revenge (till proves as pernicious, as plcafing to their Au- 
 thors, and that murther endeth inasmuch true mifery, as it begins in falfc content and joy j 
 for it is a bitter oblation and odious facrifice to the Lord, who is the God of peace, and tho 
 Father of all unity and charity. * 
 
 But the Devil is fo familiar a gueft, and fo frequent acouncellor to Bar/^ri<,that he wret- 
 chedly vows and execrably fwears, that Plancze (hall no longer live but die. Once he was 
 of opinion, either to piftol or ponyard him in the ftrcct by night, but then again, feeing 
 the imminency of that danger in the misfortune of his LacquyRw»co,hc rejects it as ruinous, 
 and rdolvs on poyfon, which he thinks is the fliorteft and fafcli way for him to fend him for 
 Heaven, and thinks none fo fit for his purpofe to give and adminifter it to him as Plancze his 
 
 own 
 
Hid. X V I II. P iane^e and Feltfanna. 
 
 own Apothecary Caflrucbto, being the more confident in this his choice, bccanfc he knew 
 him to be a wonderful poor man, and withal, extreamly vitious and debauched, as neither 
 faring nor carn.g tor God but more an Atheift than a Chriltian, and more a Devil than a 
 Cithohck^nd therefore believes that a little money will ad wonders in his heart and refo- 
 lution. Neither doth he fail in his judgment, or deceive himfelf in the hopesof his choice 
 or he nofooner prortereth him three hundred Duckatons, to poyfon ?Lezc (one half in 
 hand, and the other when it ^performed) but he accepts t hereof, engager h himfelf (by half 
 and oath; fpeedily to difpatch and hmfh it, a „d lb like two Fadors or furies of Hell, both of 
 them (wear fecreiie each to other herein. 
 
 ... Bofl P lon S»“& and Cafiruchio defiring to Hnilh this Tragedy on Tlawze, that he miuht 
 hkewife touch the laft one hundred and titty Duckatons s The Spring approaching, wherein 
 Planczc every year for the preiervation of his health, was accuftomcd to take Fhylick of 
 CajMno he no looner font for him to that erted, but firft purging,then bleeding him, he 
 then artificially P erfwades him to take a Vomit, the next morning, whereumo PUn,z, ealily 
 confents, fo he adminiftreth it to him and therein infufing poyfon, he within lix days after 
 dies thereof, when Cajimcbio demanding hisother one hundred and fifty Duckatons, Stir/arv 
 fpeedily pays it him with much content, }„y and deledation : But let the firlt know and 
 the lecond remember, that it is the price of innocent blood. 
 
 lca t SuSn ? W ^ asit wereb y the hand) to our forrowful young 
 Widdow Fehjanna, who poor foul, (not dreaming any way in the world cither of pov- 
 fon or of Borhry ) i is ready to weep her felt to death, that (he muft furvive and cannot die 
 with her dear and fweet Husband Plants, and that as one bed,fo one Grave might contain 
 “*«»>, yea her grief is fo great aud her furrow fo infinite for the lols of this her other part 
 oi her telf, that neither her father *, Kinsfolks or friends can pollibly comfort her > for Itill 
 lne lees him before her eyes, as it he were not buried in his Grave, but in her heart, or that 
 it vyas wholly impoflible tor him to die as long as flit lives : which excefs of forrovvs fi&hs 
 and tears ot hers to withered the Rofes and Lillies of her beauty, and fo eclipfed the lultre 
 ot her Iparkling eyes, that to the eyes and judgments of all thole who faw or knew her, (he 
 became fo pale and lean as the was no longer fdij'ama , but only the poor lick Anatomy of 
 tdijattna. 
 
 We have feen this wretched Gentleman Borlary , and this excerable Apothecary, Caflm- 
 cbio y commit this horrible murthcr upon the perfon of noble and generous Planczc , and we 
 Hull not go far, before we (hall fee the facred Juft ice, and juft punilhments of God to fur- 
 prize and overtake them tor the fame^For God is now refolved fo triumph o’re thofc bloody 
 mi(creants,and although they havefo clotely afted and perpetrated this then lamentable 
 murther, as there are no earthly eyes to detect, nor witnelsto give in evidence againft them 
 tor the fame : yet our good and gracious God, who is the true fearcher of our hearts and 
 reins, will to his glory and their confuiion bring this to light, by an accident worthy of 
 our deepeft confederation, and of our moft ferious and religious oblervation ; The manner 
 whereot is thus. 
 
 This wretched Apothecary Cafiruchio , having received his other hundred Duckatons of 
 Borlary (as we have formerly underftood ) tor ininiftring this bloody butinefs, and being ( as 
 we ktiow^) of a moft vicious and debauched life,he had already in his riots and prodigalities 
 1 pent. and con lumed all his E(iate:& v nd now this three hundred Dukatons which he received 
 of Borlary tor performing this bloody butinefs, makes him by many degrees far worfe than 
 he was before ifor( as by Gods facred & fecret providence) it was impoftible to profper with 
 him,fo his prophanc vices and fins, and his beaftly pleafores and prodigalities made it con- 
 iume and melt away as Snow againft the Sun.in fuch fo r t,thatit feemed to him, that he was 
 a thief to himfelf, and that oneoi his hands and pockets hourly couzened and bttrayed the 
 other i, and although for a time he bore this his vicious courfe of life very clofe and fecret 
 from the eye and kuowledgof the worl d, whereby his eredjt far exceeded his Eftatc.fo after 
 the committing of this toul murther,both his eftate, credit, and all went to wrack dcfpoil, 
 tor he left nothing either unfpent or unpawned, and which is yet worle, he fell into many 
 amrjges, oc debts which at laft grew fo clamorous fefpecially when his prodigal 3c beaftly 
 life ot whoring, druilkenuets and dicing, came to be divulged and fpread to the worldjthat 
 by three ot his greateft Creditors he is arrefted and clapt into Prifon,and his Shop feized on 
 by them, which they hnd as empty of drugs,ashis Matters heart wasot pity, and his foul of 
 piety ; And as it is the nature (or rather the mifery^ of Prifon$,that where one man ver^ 
 tuoufly improves his lite and actions there, a hundred do vitioully ruin themfelves, fo 
 
 Gaftruckii 
 

 
 Gods Revenge agamji Murtber. Book IV- 
 
 
 Cajirucbio being one of this hit number, he there walteth and confumeth all that he hath, or 
 which he can poilibby procure, and in a ft w weeks rcduceth himfclf to lo extream poverty 
 and beggcry, that he is dapt into the common Gaol among the poorcft fort ofPrifoners, 
 who live by the alms & charity of well diipofed people, his clothes being all tottered and 
 torn, having no bed to lie on, nor hardly bread to futficc nature, or to maintain life, being 
 abandoned of all his friends & acquaintance, who will rather fee him ltarve and die than re- 
 
 
 lievThimT Aud yet in all thefe extremities, 6c at the very loweff ebb of thefe his wants and 
 miferics,he will yet neither look down into his Confcicnce, heart and foul with forrow,nor 
 up to Heaven or to God with repentance for all his foul tins and vices, efpecially not for this 
 
 
 his cruel and lamentable poyloning of ‘Plancze, which are the true reafons and the efficient 
 
 r l »-rrirr«-aKl^ ralamit Ipc artH QffiidinnQ vpa hit; Ufanrs and milrries at c in prpar 
 
 
 and infinite here in Prilbn,thEt none wholoevcr will come thither to fee him, much Ids to 
 pity him, and leaftofali to relieve him. Only Vorilla (a filthy old Baud ot hisj more out of 
 importunacy to her, than ot her courtelie or charity to him,' although (he dildaintogo 
 her lilt into prifon to lee Cajirucbio,yct (he is contented fometimes to fend him her Son Ber- 
 
 
 tion pregnant 6c clear- lighted, after he had tried all his friends 6c acquaintance with Notes 
 6c Letters, which return itill empty tiitcd,his memory at the laff falls 6c pitchethon Borlary 
 who(for the bloody reafon formerly mentioned,) he thinks the only fit man of the world to 
 
 
 redrels his wants, and to relieve his weather-beaten fortune^and to him he often fends Ber- 
 nardo with many pitiful requelts and intreaties for mony, but to write to him he dares not. 
 
 Borlary contidering that he hath far more caufe and reafon to love Cajirucbio than to hate 
 him, for that(by vertue of the prcmifesjhe fees his own life to beat the mercyof his tongue, 
 although he rather wilh him in Heaven than in Prifon, yet being ext reamly covetous, & yet 
 holding himfelf both in confcicnce and dilcretion bound to relieve him j he therefore fends 
 him feme fmall lums of money, but no way enough to buy him Clothes, or to maintain his 
 former prodigalities, but rather hardly fufficicnt to maintain life in him, much lefs toche- 
 rilh or pamper him. And fo often doth Cajirucbio fend the boy Bernardo to Borlary for mony, 
 that at laft being weary thereof, and refolute to part with no more mony ( God here makes 
 hiscovetoufnels partly the means to chalk out a way to his own confufionj and is refolved 
 neither to (peak nor to fee Bernard <#, to that effed gives order to his fervants : when little 
 Bernardo feeing that he wears out his time, and his (hoos in vain,to hunt after Borlary^ whom - 
 he knows will not be fpoken with by him, he tells Cajirucbio that he provide himlelf of ano- 
 ther Melfenger towards Borlary , for he will go no more to him,becaule he fees it is wholly 
 
 
 impcflible for him to fpeak with hitiu and at this difeourtelie of Borlary , Cajirucbio doth 
 now bite his lip with difcontent, and hang his head for anger, and from henceforth he be- • 
 v gins to affume bad blood, and to conceive dangerous thoughts againff him, but as yet the 
 
 S ' 
 
 conlideration ot his own latery or danger makes him patient and lilent ; But God will not 
 have him to continue fo long, for almoff prefently we fhall fee his patience burll forth into 
 violence and impetuolity, and his filence break out into extream choler and indignation 
 
 i 
 
 againff him. 
 
 His old Baudp 0 nJ/<*,(as an expert Hag of her finful profe(Iion)as often as (he hears or knows, 
 that Cajirucbio had any mony from Borlary , fo often (he would come to the Prifon to him, 
 and fpcedily caroufe and conlume it with him j but when by her Son Bernardo (he fees his 
 purfe (hut, that fountain exhauffed, and that her boy could no more fee Borlary but a 
 woodden face,I mean his door (hut, then (lie (refembling her felf) again fbrfakts Cajirucbio , 
 and will neither fee him nor come near his Prifon, fo that at laff he not feeing Bernardo,not 
 once hearing from Borlary in three week$,or well near a month together,and being ready to 
 perifli, ffarve and die under the heavy burthen and preffure of his wants, he earncftly (ends 
 tor Dorilla to come to him,and caufeth her to be informed, that if (lie will come to him and 
 
 
 deliver a letter to a friend of his, he will fpeedily fend him fome (lore of mony, and then (he 
 (hall have a (hare and part t hereof, fo when no other refpe&or conlideration will, then this 
 
 
 of money again brings this old filthy Beldam Vorilla to the Prifon to Cajirucbio, who having 
 provided her a Bottle ot Wine, and live Gazettaes to drink by the way ( thereby the more 
 carefully to afflfl his bujinels, he exceedingly incenfed with choler and revenge againff 
 Borlary for this ingratitude towards him)writes him this angryLecter,and deeply chargeth 
 
 I 
 
 lsuiiuj. wun lpeea jCare,ana liciine to deliver it into uoriary ms own nanas and to no otner, 
 which Letter of his fpake this language. 
 
 
 CASTRU- 
 
 CASTRU- 
 
H i fr . X V 1 1 1 . P lane and F elifanna. 
 
 CASTRUCHIO to BORLARY. 
 
 T HoH 11 lhat f or ,hree h "” dred Dutkaton, which thou gaveft me, I foyfined Seignior P! a 
 
 ncze in a Fomit, find ro.lt thou now he fohurd a„d cruel- heated agalnfi me to fuffer n.e to die /„ 
 Vnfon for want of [of null a fun m cu twenty D ckatons > 1 am made of the (am' jtefh and blood .u 
 thou art and alth ugh my fortunes be low plunged, y t my heart u fo high-feaicd and elevated that 
 J give thee to under [lard that l will rather eotffent to be hanged than fiarved . therefore became my 
 Tragedy will infallibly prove thine, if thou mean to prevent thr one y and to [cure thjfelf from the 
 other, fail not jpeedily to fend m< the [aid twenty Duckatons by thu bearer Dorilla, whom I have en- 
 trust with my Letter fa faff ale d ( and fo ma (l thou with thine ) but for the fecret therein (which 
 thou w left of ) fhe u wholly ignorant ef it : In performing me this court eft e thou [halt not only tye 
 my tongue and pen , but m/ heart and foul to filence , or elfe not, Amidfi thy Health remember rn y 
 foverty, which if thou forget, God hath refereed me to make thee know, that thou doek notufa 
 tut atufe it, and ther.in thi felf. 
 
 CAST R U CHI O. 
 
 Dorilla receiving this Letter from Cafiruchio, (lie puts it into her purfc and promifeth him her 
 beli care and fidelity for the delivery thereof to Seignior Bor Ur y, although fhe confelTeih that 
 flie neither knew him nor his hcufe : But f. e here the providence and mercy of God which clear- 
 ly refplends and fhines in the deportment and a&ionof this beaftly old Bawd, for fiie meeting 
 vvithfomeof her Gamellcrs and Goflips inthedreet ( though contrary to the cuttom of Jtj/y) 
 away they go to a Tavern, where they all fwill their heads and brains with Wine, efpecially Do- 
 rilla. So the day being far fpent, her bufinefs for Cafiruch o is ended ere begun ; for Ihe forget- 
 ting her felf cannot remember his Letter, but as fall as her reeling legs will permit her, away (he 
 fpeecis towards her own houfe, which was fome half a mile off in the City, But when fhe was 
 in the flreets and had a little taken the Air, then Ihc calls Cafiruchio' s Letter to mind, and her 
 promife to him to deliver it, but to whom ( through her cups ; fhe hath quite forgotten * for 
 lhe cannot once hit on the name B »rldry. But at lalt remembring the Letter to b; in her Purfe 
 and (lie by this time in themidllof the City, flic takes it out in her hand, and feeing a fair j 
 yet forrovvful young Lady to (land at the ftrc’et door of her houfe all in moarning Attire, and 
 nobody neer her, after fhe had done her duty to her, fhe reacheth her the Letter., 0 and humbly 
 requefiteth her to tell her the Gentlemans name ro whom it was directed, when God out of 
 the Profundity of his Power and Immenfity of his pleafure, having fo ordained and ordered 
 it, that this fair young Lady was our fweet Felifanna, ( who for the death of her dear Husband 
 Plants, hath dighted her felf all in mourning attire and apparel, thereby the better to mike it 
 correfpond with her heart 0 Who reading the fuperferiptien thereof, and finding it directed to 
 Seignior Bor/ary ( by fane motion or infpiration from Heaven ) her heart could not refrain from 
 fending all the blood of bet body into her face, when demanding of this woman. From whom this 
 Letter came ; ‘Dorilla ( as drunken in her fidelity and innocency, as fhe was guilty of drun- 
 kennefs ) tells her, that the Letter came from an Apothecary who lay in Prifon, named 
 Cafiruchio : At the very repetition of which name, our Ftlifanna again binfhed, and then pa- 
 feth, as if God had feme news to reveal her by this Letter, beciufe (lie remembretb that 
 this Caftruchio , as we have formerly underftood was the very fame Apothecary who gave 
 her Husband Plants Phyfick a little before his death ; Whereupon fhe praying Dorilla 
 to come with her into her houfe, becaufe fhe purpofely and politiquely affirmed (lie 
 could not read written-hand her felf, but would pray her Father to do it ; die leaves her 
 in the cuter Hall, and her felf goes into the next; room, where breaking up the Seals of this 
 Letter , fhe at the very firfi fight had knowing that her Husband was poyfored , and 
 by whom, and that God had now m:raculoufly revealed it to her through the igno- 
 rance and drunkennefs of this old woman, fhe for meer grief and forrow, is ready to fall 
 ro the ground in a fwound, had not her Father and feme of his fervants, who over-hear- 
 >,ig her palfionate out-cries , come fpeediiy to her afliftance ; which yet could not a- 
 w.^ke Donlla , who had nofooncr fate her felf down in a chair in the Hall, but being top- 
 hv-vy with Wine, fhe prefently fell afieep, Mimata roufing up his fainting and forrew- 
 ful Daughter , brought her again to her felf; and feeing her in a bitter agony and pafiion of 
 forrow , demands of her the caufe thereof: When the brio fh tea s ‘trickling down her 
 
 vermilion cheeks, fhe eroding her arms, and fixing her eyes towards Heaven, had the 
 will, but not the power to fpe.?k a word to him , but reacheth him the Letter to read ; 
 Mia at/ perufingir, is as much aflonifhed with grief, as his Daughter is afflicted with forrow 
 
 Mm at 
 
2 66 God's Revenge again)} Murtber. Book IV. 
 
 at this poyfoningof her Husband and hisSoo-in-Law Plamz.c , fo inquiring of her who brcu^hc 
 her this Letter, fhe afcer many (ighs and paufes tells him, that it was th : mercy and providence 
 of the Lord, who fent it her by a drunken woman, whowasferth in the Hall .* Theyboihgoto 
 her, and finding her falf 11 reping and footing, Afimata pulls her by the fleeve and wakes her, 
 and then demands of her, before his Daughter and lervants, Where, and frem whom fhe had 
 this Letter ; who as drunken as this Bawd is, fhe is conliant in her full fpeech, andconfifiion to 
 Felifnnn , that fire had it from Caftruchit an Apothecary who lay in Prifon, but fhe had forgot- 
 ten to whom (he was to deliver it, and then prayes them both to deliver and give her back her 
 Letter again. But AFimata feeing and knowing that it was the immediate finger of Gcd which 
 thus lirangely had revealed this muriher of his Scn-in- Law 7> />*»«.*, he calls in two Gendcwo- 
 nien his next Neighbours to comfort bis D.iughier FcH/anna, and fo leaving ‘Dori/la to the Quid 
 of twoof hisfervsnts, he ( with two other Gentlemen his Neighbours,' takes his Coach, and 
 having Ca/lruchio’s Letter in bis hand, hedrivisawaytothe State- heufe, where he fines cut the 
 Podeilate and Prefed of the City, and (hewing them the Letter which ievealed the poyf nine 
 and Poyfcnersof PUnt^c his Son-in -Law, they ( in honour tojuftice', and cut of their refped 
 to the forrovvful Lady his Daughter) take their Coaches, and return with Minlm.i home to his 
 houfe : Where they firll examine the Lady Fe/iftnna, and then Dorilla, who isccnflant in her 
 fitll Dcpofirion. Whereat thee grave and old perfonages, wondriog and admiring that a Gen- 
 tleman of B riar? his rank and quality, fhculd make himfelf the guilty and bloody’ Author of fo 
 f<ul a murtheri they likewife (admiring and bleiling Gods providence in the d e ted ion there- 
 of J do prefently fend away their Isbiers ( or Sergeants ) to apprehend Borto&y ; and fo ihey 
 goto their Fovum ( or feat of Juftice ) and fpeedilyfend away (arCifruchio, ’to be brought 
 from the Prifon before them ; Who at the very firfl news of their accufation of him, and the 
 prcducingof his Letter to Borltry, curfeth theperfon and name cf this old Bawd, Do ilU 
 who is the prime Author of hit overthrow and death, and then confeffeth himfelf to be the Ad- 
 or, and Seignior BorUrj to be the Author, caufe, and initiator of this his poyfoningof PU- 
 ntu ; but never puts his hand on his confidence and fcul, that the ((range detedion of this lamen- 
 table murther came diredly from Heaven, and from God. 
 
 The Sergeants ( by order from thePodeftate and Prefed- ) find BorUry in his own houfe 
 ruffling in anew rich fute of Apparel, cf black Sattin, trimmed with Gold-buttons, which he 
 that day put on, and the next was determined to ride to the City of Btrgame-, to feek in mar- 
 riage a very rich young widdow, whofe Husband lately died, drowning himfelf ("as it were ) 
 in pleafure and fccurity, without fo much as once thinking of his poyfoningof PLr.o^e ’ or 
 how he was revealed to be the Author thereof by Caflruchio his Letter, fent unto him bv’D«- 
 r,lU ) He is amazed and aftonifhed at this his apprehenfion, cow beating his breli, and then re- 
 penting ( wht n it was too late ) that ever he imbrewed his hands in the innocent blood of PU- 
 So both himfelf and Cajfmchlo are brought to the State-hcu'e, where the Podeilate ar.d 
 Prc.eit firll examine them apart, ar.d then confront form each withother. Where findin" 
 that neither of them deny, but both of them do confefs themfelves guilty of this foul tr u-thcrl 
 they pronounce fenrer.ee of death againft them, and condemn BorUry to have his head cutoff 
 and then his body to be burnt, and Caflruchio to be hanged, and his body to be thrown into the 
 Kiverof Aadice, wherecn he was fitft taken. the which, the next morning, was accordingly 
 executed All is, as it were, but one tongue to talk and prattle of this fcul and lamen- 
 table murther, and cfpeci ally of Gods miraculous detedion thereof bv this drunken Bawd Do- 
 V . » 7° havin 8 heretofore often brought Caftnchio to whores willingly, now at lafl the 
 
 wherf ther -‘fl ' ’f Ga ! l0W f aR3lRa £ J n the mcrnin S ,he y are brought to their execution, 
 where there flock ard retort a world of Spectators from ail parts of the City. And although 
 
 iS ir" y M fend them Pneffs and Friers todired their fouls for Heaven- vet 
 
 C t” h \’c ke T* no vva y repentant or forrowfu! for this his foul Fad, 
 u cr o a fh art prayer to himfelf, and fo caufed the Top-man to turn him ovsr, which he did, 
 
 foe <c ffoH 7 b ° dy W3 f thr ° Wn in, ° ,he River ' But for B ‘ rUr h he came to 
 
 the c.flold hater refdved and prepared; (or with grief in his looks, and tears m his eyes, he 
 thereupon delivered this flaort and religious fpeech in ms eyes. 
 
 That he grieved in his heart, and was forrowful in foul, for this lamentable mur- 
 
 eff d it h, r C °T 1! r Cn t t e r Pe ?° n l 0f u 7>/ ^’ SS Jlf0f0r facing of C*ftruchio to 
 fl y n n- ,Cy f f n | ’ i f ’ Vhofi de L th hc affirmed , he was likewile exceedingly af- 
 flid^d and lorrrwful ; That it was the temptations cf the flefti and the Devil who firll 
 dr, w him lawfully to affedthe fair, chaff, and vertuous Lady, 7nd coSeniy 
 
 to muriher her Husband, in&ll hope afterwards to obtain her for his wife, or for h^Cour- 
 
 tefan 
 
Hid. XVII I. Vlaneze and Feltjdnna. 
 
 t»fan : Thai he w*s infinitely forrowful for >H t hefc hisenormous crimes* for the which hereli- 
 gioufly asked forgivenefs, firfiof God, and then of the Lady Fetifdxha, and likewife prayed all 
 thofc who were there prefent, to pray unt^; C^od for hisfcul ; that he was more careful of his 
 reputation towards men, than of his falvari^^ttfvyardsGod ; and that his ncgle&of Praver,. 
 and of the participation of the blcfled Sacrament cif the EuchtriQ, was the origin*!' ciufe.of 
 this his mifery. So digain, commencing himfelf to the prayers* 'and recommending hisfinful* 
 yet forrowfnl foul into the h*nds of his Redeemer, the "/ore of the Px-cnioner at one blow 
 made a perpetual divorce between his foul and fiis body, whi dr tipusVnd wurreous fpeeca of his, 
 was asgreitacontolation to the vertuous, at his death ; wasaterrour to 
 
 the vitious Sped 2 tors and Auditors; So to confirm the fentencc, tSc’dead &o r Urj\% 
 
 prefently burnt. . 
 
 And thus was the bloody lives aod deferred deaths of theliff three irreligious and u: fortunate 
 perfons: Of Romeo theLacquie. Of BorUry the Gentleman j and of ^rutbio the Apo- 
 thecary. And in this manner did the juftice.of the Lord of H6fts ( in idiK me^ uittf tri- 
 umph or’e their execrable crimes in their fharp punilhmeocs, and (bameful end*; .Pi«y we 
 that we may read this their Hiftory with fear, and; as religious and Godly Chrulians, remember 
 their lamentable murthers with horrouc and dctdlatioD. 
 
 V 
 
 • ■ ■ ■■ ■ ■ rr 
 
 Mm 2 
 
 GOD’s 
 
2 66 God' x R evenge again ft Murther. Book IV . 
 
 at this poyfoningof her Husband and hisSon-in-Law PUmx.e , fo inquiring of her who brought 
 her this Letter, (he after m3ny figh's and paufes tells him, that it was th : mercy and providence 
 of the Lord, who fent it her by a drunken woman, who was forth in the Hall: They bosh go to 
 her, and finding her faftflreping and faking, Miniat* pulls her by the fieeve and wakes her, 
 and then demands of her, before bis Daughter and fervaDts, Where, and from whom fi-,e had 
 this Letter ; who as drunken as this Bawd is, flie is conliant in her firft fpcecb, andconfaflion to 
 Felijtxn , that flie had it from Caftruchio an Apothecary who lay in Prifon, but flie had forgot- 
 ten to whom flie was to deliver it, and then prayes (hem both to deliver and give herback her 
 Letter again. But Miniat* feeing and knowing that it was the immediate finger of Gcd which 
 thus ftrangely had revealed this niurther of his Sen- in- Taw ‘Tinned, he calls in two Gentlewo- 
 men his next Neighbours to comfort bis Daughter Fe/i/anna, and fo leaving c Dorilla to the Quid 
 of ttvoof hisfervants, he ( with two other Gentlemen his Neighbours y takes his Coach, and 
 having Caftrncbio’% Letter in bis hand, he drives away to the State-hcufe/ where he fines cut the 
 Podellate and Prefed of the City, and Chewing them the Letter which ievealed the poyf nine 
 and Poyfonersof PUnt*.e his Son-in- Law, they ( in honour tojuflice', and out of their refped 
 to the farrovvful Lidy his Daughter ) take their Coaches, and return with Miniat* home to his 
 houfe : Where they firfl examine the Lady Fe/ifanna, and then DorilU, who isccnflant in her 
 tirfl Depofirion. Whereat theie grave and old perfonages, wondring and admiring thu a Gen- 
 tleman of B-rl*r<, bis rank and quality, (hculd make himfelf the guilty and bloody’ Author of f 0 
 f< ul a tnurtber ; theylikewife ( admiring and blefling Gods providence in the detedion there- 
 of J do prefently fend away their Isbiers ( or Sergeants ) to apprehend BorUry • and fo they 
 goto I heir F&rttm ( or feat of Juflice ) and fpeedtlyfend away for Cajiruc hlo, ’to be brought 
 from the Prifon before them .- Who at the very lirft news of their accufation of him, ard'rh: 
 producing of his Letter to Borlarj, curfeth the perfon and name of this old Bawd, Do i!U 
 who is the prime Author of hi* overthrow and death, and then confefleth himfelf to be the Ad- 
 or, and Seignior Borlarj to be the Author, caufe, and indicator of this his poyfonin« of PU- 
 mio ; but never puts his handon his ccnfcierxe and fcul, that the llrange detedion of this lamen- 
 table murther came dircdly from Heaven, and from God. 
 
 The Sergeants ( by order from the Podeftate and Prefed ) find Bor! ary In his own houfe 
 ruffling in anew rich fate of Apparel, of black Sattin, trimmed with Gold-buttons, which he 
 that day put on, and the next was determined to ride to the City of Bergamo, to feek in mar- 
 riage a very rich young widdow, whofe Husband lately died, drowning himfelf fas it were ) 
 in pleafure and fccurity, without fo much as once thinking of his poyfoningof PLr.cuc or 
 how he was revealed to be the Author thereof by Caflrnchio his Letter, fent unto himbv’Do- 
 nlU ; He is amazed and aftoniflied at this his apprehenfion, row beating his bred, and then re- 
 penting ( when it was too late ) that ever he imbrewed his hands in the innocent blood of PI*- 
 M3je - ^ c o both himfelf and Cajhnchio are brought to the State-hcu'e, where the Podeflate and 
 Prefeit lirft examine them apart, and then confront them each vvith other. Where findin" 
 that neither of them deny, but both of them do confefs themfclves guilty of this foul murther! 
 they pronounce fenrencc of death againft them, and condemn Bor Ur y to have bis head cut otf 
 snd then his body to be burnt, and Caflruchio to be hanged, and his body to be thrown into the 
 River of wherecn he was fitft taken, the which, the next morning, was accordinHv 
 
 executed. All l iron* is, as it were, but one tongue ro talk and prattle of this foul and lamen- 
 table murther, and Specially of Gods miraculous detedion thereof bv this drunken Bawd Do- 
 V . ’ w k h ° hav, L n 8 heretofore often brought Caftnchio to whores willingly, now at iafl flie 
 
 S ‘o th l Ga l0W * aS31Ca h V W ‘ H * J n ,he mcrnin § ‘hey are brought to their execution, 
 where there fleck and r elort a world of Spedators from all parrs of th; City. And althou«h 
 
 [5? y u the,r J U ^ fend them Prie(?s and Friers todired their fouls for Heaver. • vet 
 ‘ miferabie wretch, Caftmchto feeming no way repentant or forrowful for this his foul Fad, 
 u cred a fliort prayer to himfelf, and fo caufed the Top-man to turn him eves-, which be dief, 
 
 S hi*, b0U r*t aft ? h u b ° dy mS throWn int0 the River - for BcrUry, he came to 
 the .c iftold better refalved and prepared ; for with grief in his looks, and tears in his eyes, he 
 thereupon delivered this fliort and religious fpeech y ’ 
 
 tbJffhhT §r rl" f iS h T’ - nd 7“ ‘‘ orrowfuI in ^r this lamentable mur- 
 
 fff d t L 'T-' r°" P er 'o"of ss alfofor feducing of C*ftruchio to 
 
 n: j | •- ,/C ^ T ? r vv oe sffirmed, he was likewife exceedingly af- 
 
 flidedand forrotyfal ; That it was the temptations cf the flefh and the Devi! who* firft 
 
 dr. w him luflfully to affed.he fair, ch.aft, and vertucus Lad , F^Z, Sd conTe! quently 
 tomunher her Husband, mfalj hope afterwards to obtain her for his wife, or for hi?Cour- 
 
 re fan 
 
Hi ft. XVIII. Planeze and Felif anna, 
 
 $6 7 
 
 : That he wts infinitely forrowful for all thefe hisenormou? crimes? fcrthc which hercli- 
 gioully asked forgivenefs, fir ii of God, and then of the Lady Feiifantia, and like,' vife prayed all 
 tbofe who were there prefenr, to pray unto Cycd for hisfcul ; that he was more careful of his 
 reputation towards men, than of his ialY^rifjh Edwards God ; and that his ' negleft of Prayer, 
 and of the participation of the bleffed Satfament of the fiucharift, was the original' caufc of 
 this his mifery. So again, commending nimfejf to the prayets, *nd recommending hisfinful* 
 yet forrowful foul into the hands of h:s Redeemer, the S'-vord of the L : x .rent! oner at one blot* 
 made a perpetual divorce between his foul add his body, which (aiOuTcndvjurreousfpeech of his, 
 was as great aconfolation to the vertuous, at his death ; asthat'df Cajirachio was a terreur to 
 the vitious Spectators and Auditors ; So to confirm the fenrence, the dead '-''-••of B^rlarj i$ 
 prefently burnt. _ . 
 
 And thus was the bloody lives anddeferved deaths of thefethree irreligious and ur fortunate 
 perfons: Of Romeo theLacquie. Of Bor (ary the Gentleman ; and of r ruFhi» the Apo- 
 thecary. And in this manner did the jidtice.of the Lord of Hofts (in due mej) jhftly tri- 
 umph or'e their execrable crimes in their fharp pumfhmenS, and fbameful ends. .Pray we 
 that we may read this their Hiftory with fear, andj as religious andGodly; Chriilrans, remember i 
 their lamentable murthers with horreut and detefiation. 
 
 
 
 Mm 2 
 
 GOD’s 
 
Book IV. 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againfl: the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XIX. 
 
 Beaumarays and hit Brother Montagne^il/Champigny and Marin (bit Second) in a Hud, 
 Blanchevillef ti>e reiddow c/Champigny_) in revenge thereof, hireth Le Valiev ( Tenant to 
 Beaumarays J to murther hit faidMajler with a Piftol, which he doth ; for the which Le Val- 
 ley is broken on the Wheel, a W Blanche ville hanged for the fame. 
 
 L ET all Religious Chriftians examine their hearts and fouls, with what face we can tread 
 on Ea«h, or look up to Heaven,when we flab at the majefty of God,in killing and mur- 
 tnering Man, his Image; a bloody crime, fo repugnant to nature,as reafon abhors in a fcar- 
 let and crying fin, fo oppofite to Grace, as God and his Angels deleft it. And yet if ever Eu- 
 rope were flamed or fubmerged with it, now it iss for as a fwift current, or rather as a furi- 
 
 r n j°r fl T S) r al ? d 0verfl °" s in moft Kingdoms, Countries and Cities thereof, 
 infomuch as fin defpight of divine and human Laws; it is now (almoft) generally grown 
 
 ? and tha ] a,moft t0 a fecond naturc< A fatal example whereof, this 
 
 enfuing Hiftory will report and relate us. Wherein God’s Jufticc hath fo fharply and fe- 
 verely pumfhed the perpetrators thereof, that if we either acknowledg God for our Father, 
 
 chaTahl/ht t°h ^ C f * and f f rVant J s ’ 1 ic wil1 teach us t0 b e lefs revengeful, and more 
 
 charitable by their unfortunate ends, and deplorable judgments. 
 
 CaliTilofT r r late , 3nd b l°° dy Hiftory,which betided in the fair City of Chartrefthc 
 dec olBeauJfe) fo famous for her fumptuous Cathedral Church, 
 In3Jr he , hleffedFtrgtn Mary, as alfo for that Henry the fourth f that great King, and 
 I eiln d CaP j'? °‘ . F,4 f0 during the combuftions of the League, was (defpight of the 
 League; crowned therein. In which fair and plcafant City, as there flill dwell fome Noble- 
 
 men. 
 
Hift. XIX. S ireni and bis three unfortunate daughters, 
 
 men and many Gentlemen, inrd'pe&ot the fweetair, and goodly Champaign Counirev 
 thereabouts (fecond tor that to no other in France^ ) Soof late years there refid ’ ‘ wo rich 
 and brave youngGentlcmen,well defended, being both of them heirs to their tu . .V:f !j 
 Fathers. The one of them named Monfuur dc Campigny, and the other Monpeur de ikium*- 
 rays , and their Domains and Lands lay within feven Leagues of this City, in the way to- 
 wards Vendofme. Now the better to ice. them in their true and natural Charaders^ T* y 
 were both of them tall and ilender, and of fair and (anguine compltxions v an<l very neat 
 an age : For Champigny was twenty fix years old, and Z>t aumarays twenty four, and yet the 
 Jatf had a beard, and the hrlt none > and of the two, Champigny was by tar the richer, but 
 Beaumarays the nobler defeended. Now to lay this Hiftory upon its proper ipt, and natural 
 foundation, we muft underhand that there was a very.rich Counfellor of tbePtdfidul- 
 Court of Chartres, named Monficur de Rofaire, whQfe wife being dead, left him no other child, 
 but one fair young Daughter, of the age of tome eighteen years, named 
 Blanch (ville^ very tall and ilender of fiature, and of a wan and pale complex ion, and. coal 
 black hair and eye-brows, and of deportment and gehure infinitely proud, coy, and imperi- 
 ous, to whom at one time both thefe our two Gentlemen, Champigny and Beattma-ays were 
 importunate-Sutors, and paffionate Rivals to marry her, infomuch as the one of them could 
 difficultly be abfent from the Fathers houfi,and Daughters company,but f he othcr was pre- 
 fent, which ingendred fome malice, but more emulation between them. Butin the end (af- 
 ter a whole years re-fearch and more ) as the Willow was dkAined and reserved for Bt ju- 
 marays , fo was the Laurel for Champigny for, to his joy, Blancbwille’s ddire, and her Fathers 
 content he marries her. Whereat Beaumarays , knowing his birth to be more noble and his 
 breeding far more generous than that of Champigny ^though not in outward (he w, yet in in- 
 ward feufe) was extreamly difeontented and l'orrowful, but to remedy it he could not. 
 
 In fuch, and the likerefufing accidents, diferetion is ever far better than palfion,and con- 
 tempt than care. But Beaumarays cannot, or at leaf! Will not, be oEthis temper, ^e forfakes 
 reafon to flic to choler, and lb lofeth his real and folid judgment, in the Labyrinth of he* 
 imaginary beauty. For, being at flipper in company of fomc five or fix Gentlemen, where 
 mention was made of Blattchevilk , he tranfported with malice and revenge toward her, for- 
 gat himfelf fb far, as ("between jeftand earndf) to let fall circle mdifereet and ra(h words, 
 Ibatjhe was more difdainful than chajle:* fpeech which he fhall have time enough both to re- 
 member and repent. The honour of Ladies and Gentlewomen ought ftill to be dear and 
 precious to all Gentlemen of Honour, becaufe their lofs thereof can ieldom be repaired, but 
 never fo well or fo fully recovered, but that there Hill remains fome ltain or blemifiithere.^ 
 of. This undeferved fcandal of Bcaumarays to his j^tf^aw-Miflrifs, Blanchmllt , falls nqtto 
 the ground, for the iniquity of our times, and the depravation of our manners are fuch, as 
 there are few companies without a Fool or a Traitor to their friends, and lome are accom- 
 panied with both. Monfieur Marin , a Gentleman of Chartres ( more vain than hone ft ) will 
 make himfelf one of this lalt number : for he being ambitioufly defirous to skrew himfelf 
 into thefavour and familiarity of Blancheville ( whom from her infancy he a fie ded and* lo- 
 ved^) reports and tells her this fpeech of Beaumarays, whereat (he is exceedingly incenfed 
 and exalperated : But for that time ( as a true woman ) fhe dilfcmblesher malice and re- 
 venge towards him, and fo rakes up the memory thereof in the embers of lilence > but yet 
 with this condition and refervatiou, that hereafter fhe will take time to make it flame 
 forth (^towards him^) with more violence and impetuoiity. 
 
 In the mean time, there falls out an unexpe&ed and untimely difference between her Husband 
 and Beaumarays, whereat flic is fo far from grieving, as fhe rejoyccth : Beaumarays quarrel* 
 leth with him for his priority and precedency of feats in the Church ( as being both of one Pa- 
 rifh) as alfo for that he takes the holy Bread firft, and goes before him in all Procclfions, aspre- 
 tending it due to him by his right of extraction and propriety. Champigny is of too high a grain 
 to yield that to him which he never yielded, and is therefore refoluteto fuHifie his equality of 
 birth and confequcnrly not to wrong his Anccftours in himfelf* When feeing Bcaumarays pif* 
 (ionately bent to maintain and prefer ve that which he had undertaken, he flies to Juflice, and fo 
 prefently puts him in fuit of Law for the fame in the Prefidial Court of that City. Blanchevillc 
 ( whofe pride in her felf exceeded her birth, and whofe malice and revenge towards Beaumanys, 
 at the lead furmounted her diferetion and reafon ) brings no water to quench, but oyl to inflame 
 this quarrel betwixt him and her husband, when feeing them already entred into a deepprecefs of 
 Law ; fhe difdaining to fee her felf thus abufed, and her husband thus wronged by him, cant 
 reap no truce of her thoughts, nor they any peace of her choler, before (he have vvfitten him 
 thefe lines. ’• 
 
 Mm 3 
 
Gods Revenge agawfl Murther. 
 
 Book IV. 
 
 BLANCHEVILLE to BEAUMARAYS. 
 
 W As it not enough for thee to have heretofore wronged mine honour in thy fa fe and fcandalotts 
 [veches to Moniieur Mario, W others, hut thou mu[t now attempt to dif grace my Husband 
 in the Church ? And becaufe t'.efe c imes of thine are fo u» ;uft and odd us, as they deferve acknow- 
 ledgment and fatufaLllon from a far better Gentleman than thy feif ; therefore I fpeed.ly ex pelt the 
 ter form met thereof from thee , either by thy Letter or pre fence, which if thou deny us we mil 
 mah thee know, what it is, to abufe thy {elf and us, in points of theft t high natures ; whereof the fir jl 
 cannot, the fecond will not admit of any other exeufe or expiation But to write thee now the truth of 
 my mind ; as thou haft heretofore vented me the malice of thy heart, l have not as yet acquainted 
 my Husband herewith, or with this my Letter. Confidir therefore ferioufly with thy felf, what thou 
 haft to do herein, for the vindication of my honour , and thine own diferetion , and as / oon as I re- 
 ceive thine anfwer and refolution , I win not fail fpeedily to return thee mine. 
 
 BLANCHEVILLE. 
 
 Havino written this her Letter, flic is irrefolute with her felf, by whom to fend it him; but at 
 hft fhe fends it by her Chamber-maid Martha, to whom only (he intruded) this great fecrct, 
 and chargethher to deliver it to Bcaumarays his own hands, and to crave his anfwer thereof. 
 UWartha being a witty fair maid, of fome two and twenty years of age, goes to Bcaumarays 
 houfc, and fpeaks with a young man of his, nttncdLe l alley, who tells her, that his maderis 
 now bulie with two Gentlemen in his Study, and that flie lhall immediatly fpeak with him as 
 foon as they depart. In the interim, his eyes cannot refrain from amoroufly gazing and rangeing 
 upon the excellency of hcrblulhing beauty, and upon her fweet Vermilion cheeks, great rol- 
 ling eyes, and flaxen hair, wherewith bis heart at the very firfl cncouncer, isfurprized andra- 
 vifhed. * Here Le Valley kiffethand rekiffeth Martha ; and entertains her with much prattle, 
 and manypleafant lovc-fpeeches, yea, then and there loves her fo dearly, as he vows fhefliall 
 remain his midrefs, and he her fervant till death. So fome half an hour after, the two Gentle- 
 men take leave of his mafler, and then Le Valley brings Martha to him, who orderly delivers 
 him her miftreffes Letter and meffage : fo he wondring atthe lad, receives thefirft, leaves her 
 in the Hall with his mm Le Valley, andfodeps to his Study, and with much admiration, and 
 mote laughter, peruferti this Letter. Here he accufcth his own ndiferetion, in fpeaking againft 
 Blancheville’s chadity, and exceedingly condemneth Marins treachery in revealing it to her. 
 Once he was of opinion to have returned her his anfwer by Letter, butatlaft fcorningher and 
 that refolution, he then contrariwife rcfolves to anfwer her with filence, and fo fleps forth to 
 Martha, and with a difdainful frowning look, bids her tell her midrefs from him, that her ma- 
 licious, proud, and foolifli Letter lhall have no other anfwer from him, but contempt and filcnce. 
 Martha yet holds it her duty to pray him for his anfwer in writing to her midrefs, but Beaum a- 
 rays his fird refolution is his lad; fo flie departed) from him infinitely difeontented. But the 
 mafier is not fo unkind to Martha, as his man Le Valley is courteous ; for he being deeply en- 
 amoured of her beauty , brings her the one half of her way heme, and goes into a Mercers Ihop, 
 buys her r fair pair of Gloves; and as the plcdgof his future affe&ion, beflowsthem on her, 
 the which ( without farther excufe or ceremony ) die thankfully accepteth, and promifeth him 
 to wear them for his fake. Martha returning home to her Lady and Midrefs, Ihe delivers her 
 Beaumarays his anfwer, virbatim as he told it her, but no Letter. Blanchtville feeing her felf 
 thus Wi ongr > and flighted of him, in chat he difdaineth to give her any fatisfa&ion, and which 
 is Wtr.e, that he peremptorily refufeth and fcometh to anfwer her Letter ; She is fo ftrangely 
 tranfported with malice and tholer towards him for the fame, as flie vows to cry quittance, 
 and to be revenged of him > but as yet fhe knows not in what manner to perform and perpetrate 
 it ; only flie again refolves, not as yet to acquaint her Husband therewith, but to attend and watch 
 for fome delired opportunity. 
 
 Two years are aimed pad away, wherein 'Beaumarays and Champ! gny ( to their great cod 
 and charge) do vehemently conteft in Law about their Church quarrel for precedency, but 
 they do it far more out of malice towards themfelves, then any way out of piety towards 
 God. And as mod of the great Judicial Courts of F ranee are too too frequently oppreffed 
 with Law futes of this nature; fol m.y affirm with a? much truth as pity, that this is a fatal 
 reck , whereon many hot contentious French f fir its do meft irconfiderately fuffer ftiip- 
 wrack. Atthe end of which time (as the lofsof one party proves dill the gain of the other) 
 She Prcddiai Court of Chartres ptonounceth fectencc in favour of Beaumarays, adjudging 
 
Hid. XIX. Champigny andB lane bevi lie. 
 
 him the precedency in the Church, and condemning Chummy in five hundred Crowns, charge 
 and darnmage, to Beauwarays. I his thundering icntence fo prejudicial and contrary to Cham, 
 piny his proud wive's hopes and expiation, drives him into extreme chqlcr, and her cur of all 
 patience towards Beaumarayt. He bites his lip with grief, and his wife is enflamed iVithragcac 
 the report and knowledg hereof : And although he were once minded to appeal from this Ten- 
 tenceof the Prefidial Court of Chartres , to the Court of Parliament at yet being pow- 
 
 cr fully diverted by his bell friends, be as foon abandoned as embrace! hub at refolution : He can - 
 nox fee Beaumarays but with envy, nor bis wife hear fpeak of him, but with infinite malice and 
 decollation. She is all bent on revenge towards him* and with her ipeeches and anions, both 
 ‘day and night precipitates her Husband onwards to it. And now her old grudge and malice a- 
 gainfi him begins afrefh ro revive and flourifh, and now fhe thinks it a very fit time and oppor- 
 tunity, to acquaint her Husband with Beaumarays his bafe and fcandalous fpeeches again!! her 
 honour, the which with much pafiion, and many tears foecffr&s, and alfo (hews him the Co- 
 py of her Letter, which foe lent him by her maid Martha , whercunro foe 'mforms him, he. 
 difdainfully returned her no anfwcr, but contempt and filence. Champigny is fo deeply incenled 
 hereat again!! Beaumarays, as his wife needs not many words or circum fiances to induce and 
 perfwade him to revenge iron him: When prefcntly he being as incapable of delay, asofbet^ 
 ter advice and counfeb he finds out Marin, who ( more in love to B/anchevllle , than in hatred 
 to Be a I mar ay s ) confirms as much to him, as he would have him affirm. Now, as Blanch evil l e 
 thinks that her Husband Champigny will quettion Beaumarays by the Law of Juttice, for this 
 his crime towards her : He ( as a valiant and generous Gentleman ) flies a higher pitch, and af- 
 lame* a contrary refolution, to doit by that of hisfword. When having prayed and procured 
 Marla to be his Second, ind they both agreeing to fight on horfe-back, he (confuting with na- 
 ture. not with grace ) the very next morning by Serou his foot-man, fends Beaumarays this 
 Challenge. 
 
 falflj v mi ted forth aga in ft the honour and chaftity of my wife. And becaufe crimes of this nature 
 are fh rf odious to men, and execrable to God , and no way to be tolerated by a friend, much lefs to be 
 dice fled and fuff's, ed by a Husband : Therefore thank^thy [elf, if (for reparation hereof ) thy folly now 
 call on my valour, to invite thee and thy Second Jo meet me and mine, with your Swords on korfe-back, 
 on 1 uef day next, betwixt fix and [even in the mornings without the North hedg of the very fir ft 
 Fine yard beyond the River , where you [hall find we will at end you % and comparing the equity of my 
 cattfe, to the injufticeard infidelity of thine, it maker me fully confident, that the iffue of this Duel 
 will p*ov glorious for me, and fhameful and ruinous for thy felfi 
 
 Serou ( according to bis charge and duty ) finds out Beaumarays in hisownhoufc, and very 
 fccretly gives him Lis Matter’s Letter ; who much mufing thereat, Heps to the window, and there 
 privately reads it to himfeif : When blufoing and failing to fee the bold folly of Champigny , the 
 fooliiJi m dice cf bis wife Blanchcville, and the bafe treachery of Marin towards him; be is fo 
 couragious and generous, as he diidains to be out- braved by any man whatfoever in the point cf 
 honour, ( which he efteems far dearer and precious than his life;,) efpecially by Champigny , 
 who he holds to be much his inferiour in valour and blood. He therefore trips to his Study, 
 and writes C hampigxy this Letter, the which he returns by his foot- man in anfwer of his. 
 
 
 CHAMPIGNY to BEAUMARAYS. 
 
 S thy k*owledg is Judg.fo Monfieur Marin is Witnef < , what bafe and ignoble fp c eches th 0 u haft 
 
 CHAMPIGNY. 
 
 BEAUMARAYS to CHAMPIGNY. 
 
 fee thy choler now exceeds all the bounds of reafonffor that thou art fo monfideratly anirafh - 
 cinusjofeek and preferve thy wifes honour with the lofs and ruin ofrrine; know there fore, that 
 
 under ft and, that / wi h my fecond , will at the time and place appointed , meet thee and thine on 
 
 It h your fuptriours , as well in val u r as in blood and extraction. 
 
 BEAUMARAYS, 
 
Gods Revenge agawfl Murther. Book IV. 
 
 BLANCHEVILLE to BEAUMARAYS. 
 
 W As it not enough for thee to have heretofore wronged mine honour in thy fa fe and [carjaloiu 
 [vetches to Monlieut Mario, and others, hut thou mufi now attempt to difgrace my Husband 
 inthe Churchf And becaufe tiefe c’imes of thine are f o mm ft and od,< us, as they deferve acfnow- 
 le dement andfatufaUion from a far better Gentleman than th) felf-, therefore I f peed, Is expett the 
 perform, nee thereof from thee, either by thy Letter or Prefence, which if thou deny m we w,U 
 make thee know, what it is, to abufe thy {elf and us, in points of theft t high natures • whereof the fir [l 
 cannot, the fecund will not admit of any other exeuft or expiation But to write thee now the truth of 
 me mind ; at thou haft heretofore vented me the malice of thy heart , l have not as yet acquainted 
 me Hutb.nd herewith, orwiththis my Letter. Confidtr thenfire ferioufly with thy [elf, what thou 
 haft to do herein, for the vindication of my honour , and thine own diferetion , and as foon as I re- 
 ceive thine anfwer and reftlution, 1 win not f,il fpeedily to return thee mine. 
 
 BLANCHEVILLE. 
 
 Havin<> written this her Letter, (he is irrefolute with her felf, by whom to fend it him; but at 
 laft (he fends it by her Chamber-maid Martha, to whom only (he intruded) this great fecret, 
 and chargeth her to deliver it to Beaumarays his own hands, and to crave his anfwer thereof. 
 eJManba being a witty fair maid, of fometwo and twenty years of age, goes to Beaumarays 
 houfc, and fpeaks with a young man of his, named Le l alley, who fells her, that his matter is 
 now buliewith two Gentlemen in his Study, and that (he (hall immediatiy fpeak with him as 
 foon as they depart. In the interim, his eyes cannot refrain from amoroutty gazing and rangeiog 
 upon the excellency of herblulhing beauty, and upon her fweet Vermilion cheeks, great rol- 
 ling eyes, and flaxen hair, wherewith bis heart at the very firft encounter, isfurprized andra- 
 vilhed. ’ Here Le Valley kiffeth and rekifleth Martha ; and entertains her with much prattle, 
 and manypleafant love-fpeeches, yea, then and there loves her fo dearly, as he vows (lie (hall 
 remain his miftrefs, and he her fetvant till death. So fomehalf an hour after, the two Gentle- 
 men take leave of his matter, and then Le Valley brings Martha to him, who orderly delivers 
 him her miftreffes Letter and meffage : fo he wondring at the laft, receives the firft, leaves her 
 in the Hall with his man Le Valley, and fo Heps to his Study, and with much admiration, and 
 more laughter, perufeth this Letter. Here he accufeth his own ndiferetion, in fpeaking againft 
 Blancheville’s chaftity, and exceedingly condemneth Marins treachery in revealing it to her. 
 ODcehewasof opinion to have returned her his anfwer by Letter, but at laft fcorning her and 
 that refolution, he then contrariwife rcfolves to anfwer her with filence, and fo Heps forth to 
 Martha, and with a difdainful frowning look, bids her tell her miftrefs from him, that her ma- 
 licious, proud, and foolifh Letter (hall have no other anfwer from him, but contempt and filence. 
 Martha yet holds it her duty to pray him for his anfwer in writing to her mittrefs, but Beatima- 
 rayt his firft refolution is his laft; fo (he departed) from him infinitely difeontented. But the 
 matter knot fo unkind to Martha, as his man Le V alley is courteous ; for he being deeply en- 
 amoured of her beauty , brings her the one half of her way heme, and goes into a Mercers (hop, 
 buys her a fair pair of Gloves; and as the pledgof his future affc&ion, beftowsthem on her, 
 the which ( without farther excufe or ceremony ) (he thankfully accepteth, andpromifeth him 
 to wear them for his fake. Martha returning home to her Lady and Miftrefs, (he delivers her 
 Beaumarays his anfwer, verbatim as he told it her, but no Letter. Blancheville feeing her felf 
 thus wrongea and flighted of him, in that he difdaineth to give her any fatisfa&ion, and which 
 iswtrfe, that he peremptorily refufeth and fcometh to anfwer her Letter ; She is fo ftrangely 
 traofported with malice and choler towards him for the fame, as (he vows to cry quittance, 
 and to be revenged of him > but as yet (he knows not in what manner to perform and perpetrate 
 it ; ori y (he again refolves, not as yet to acquaint her Husband therewith, but to attend and watch 
 for uime dciited opportunity. 
 
 Two years are almoftpaft away, wherein 'Beaumarays tndChampigny (to their great coft 
 and cha;ge) do vehemently conteft in Law about their Church quarrel for precedency, but 
 they do it fat more out of malice towards themfelves, then any way out of piety towards 
 God. And as moftof the great Judicial Courts of trance are too too frequently opprefled 
 with Law-fiites of this nature; fol may affirm with a< much truth as pity, that this is a fatal 
 reck, whereon many hot contentious French ffirits do meft irconfideratelv fuffer (hip- 
 wrack. At the end of which time (as the lofsof one party proves (fill the s*iocf the other) 
 She Prcfidiai Court of Chartres pronounceth fentence in favour of Beaumarays, adjudging 
 
Hill. XIX, Cbampgny and c Blanche c i;illc. 
 
 him the precedency in the Church, and condemning Champigny in five hundred Crowds, charge 
 and dammage, to Beaumarays. I his thundering fentence To prejudicial and contrary to Cham. 
 V<*1 his proud wive's hopes and expedition, drives him into extreme choler, and her cur of all 
 patience towards Beaumarayt, He bites his lip with grief, and his wife is enflamed vvith rageac 
 the reportand know Iedg hereof : And although he were once minded to appeal from this fen- 
 tence of the Prefidial Court of Chartres , to the Court of Parliament at yet being pow- 
 
 erfully diverted by his bell friends, he ss foon abandoneth as embracet bihat refohmon : He can - 
 not fee Beaumarays but with envy, nor his wife hear fpeak of him, but with infinite malice and 
 detection. She is all bent on revenge towards him, and with her fpeeches aod adions, both 
 'day 2 nd night precipitates her Husband onwards to ir. And now her old grudge and malice a- 
 gainfi him begins afrefh to revive and flourifh, and now fhe thinks it a very fit Yime and oppor- 
 tunity, to acquaint her Husband with Beaumariys .his bafe and fcandalous fpeeches againfi her 
 honour, the which with much palfion, and many tears Ihecff'ds, and alfo (hews him the Co- 
 py of her Letter, which fhe Cent him by her mdd Martha , whercunto fhe informs him, he 
 difdainf ully returned her no anfwcr, but contempt and filence. Champigny is fo deeply incenfed 
 hereat againft Beaumarays^ as his wife needs not many words or circumftances to induce and 
 perfwadehim to revenge it on him : When prefcntly he being as incapable of delay, as of bet^ 
 ter advice and counfel, he finds out Marin , who ( more in love to B/ancheviHe , than in hatred 
 to Be a v mar ays ) confirms as much to him, as he would have him affirm. Now, as B/ancheville 
 thinks that her Husband Champigny will queftion Beatmarap by the Law of Juftice, for this 
 his crime towards her : He ( as a valiant and generous Gentleman ) flies a higher pitch, and af- 
 lumes a contrary refofution, to doit by that ol hisfword. When having prayed and procured 
 Mari j to be bis Second, and they both agreeing to fight on horfe-back, he (confuting with na- 
 ture, not with grace) the very next morning by Scroti his foot-man, tends Beaumarays this 
 Challenge. 
 
 CHAMPIGNY to BE A UMAR AYS. 
 
 ^ S thy kjnowledg is Judg.fo Monfieur Marin is PRitnef t , nohat bafe and ignoble fpgechcs th 0 u haft 
 fa/Jlj v mited forth age, in ft the honour and chaftity of my wife .And becaufe crimes of this nature 
 arc ftiil odiotu to men, and execrable to God , and no may to be tolerated by a friend , much lefs to be 
 digefted and fuff's ed by a Husband : Therefore thanl^ thy felf, if ( for reparation hereof ) thy folly now 
 call on my valour,to invite thee and thy Second, to meet me and mine, with your Swords on korfe-baclfy 
 on 1 ne f day next) betwixt fix and fevenin the mornings without the North- he dg of the very fir ft 
 V \neyard beyond the River , where you fhall find rve mill at end you, and comparing the equity of my 
 c a nfe, to the injufticc'ar.d infidelity of thine, it mafet me fully confident , that the iffue of this Duel 
 will p r ov glorious for me, and (hameful and ruinous for thy felfi 
 
 CHAMPIGNY. 
 
 Serort ( according to his charge and duty) finds out Beaumarays in hisownhoufc, and very 
 fecreily gives him bis Matter’s Letter; who much mufing thereat, fleps to the window, and rhere 
 privately reads it ro himfelf ; When blufhing and finding to fee the bold folly of Champignj y the 
 foolifhnrlicecf his mteBUncbcvillc y and the bafe treachery cf Marin towards him; he is fo 
 couragious and generous, as he diidains to be out- braved by any man whatfoever in the point of 
 honour, ( which he efteems far dearer and precious than his life;) efpecially by Champigny y 
 who he holds to be much his inferiour in valour and blood. He therefore trips to his Study, 
 and writes C hampigvy this Letter, the which he returns by his foot- man in anfwer of his. 
 
 BEAUMARAYS to CHAMPIGNY. 
 
 A S’ / u ill not makg my felf Judg , fo / defire not to be IVitnefs either of thy wifes chaftity or nn~ 
 
 * ( ha ft it y. It is (nfficicnt for me to leave her to her felf, and her felf to thee , Marin fhall have time 
 enough to repent his treachery t wards m e y and thou to exchange thy jealoufie into Judgment, But bc- 
 caufc I fee thy choler now exceeds all the bounds of rcafonfor that thou art fo inc mfi derat ly ani r apt- 
 ly and acinus ,to feck and preferve thy wifes honour with the lofs and ruin of nine ; know there fore, that 
 to cherifh and maintain it equally with my life y I cheerfully accept thy challenge , and do hereby give 
 t 1 ee to under ft and j that Iwi h my feeond , will at the time and place appointed, meet thee and thine on 
 h irfe-b ci wh re we doubt not but to acquit our felves y as our felves y and to make thee and thine ac - 
 knowl dg. that our 'words are composed of a good temper , and our hearts of a better ; and confequently > 
 that * o ■ i may, perchance , m (t with your fuper tours y as well in val u r as in blood and extrattion. 
 
 BEAUMARAYS* 
 
 He 
 
272 
 
 God's Revenge ngainft Murther. Book IV.. 
 
 "ZTXtio fooner ended this his Letter, bat he prefently begins to think of his fecond, when 
 
 5? hiS hi Brother Montague highly applauds his generous refolut.on for accepting <h.s chal- 
 s thanks him for the*honout and favour he now doth him, in making him h.s -fccond; vows, 
 that if* he had many lives as he hath but one, he is ready to facr.fice them all at his feet and fer- 
 vice andcou^iLfly tells him, he Atculd have taken it for a fenfible affront, d.fgrace, andin- 
 iuS ’ if he baVmade choice of any other then himfelf : So they both prepare their horfes, 
 Swords, and courages againft the approaching time, and no lefs doth Champtg y and Mann. 
 
 Beaumaris and his Brother Montague conceal this bufinefs from all the world ; and fW|- 
 „ bearHt foclofe and fecret, as he makes not his ambitious and malicious w,te : acquainted here- 
 Stb butfofavourof his love to her beauty, and reputation to b.mfelf toothers . tup 'wHoice. 
 Tu fd i morning being come, our four impatient champions are in the field at their Rendez- 
 vous Sufi arrived C^Vi»; and Marin, and prefently after them, Beaumaray and his bro- 
 ther 'Mmtdgne, all of them being bravely mounted upon neighing and trampling couriers. At 
 their entrance, Marin comes with a fcft troi toward Beaumaaysj thinking to apologize him- 
 S'tohim, But Beaumarays isfobrave and generous, as he is deaf tohis Caches, and will 
 no hear him, but tells him, that it is Swords, not Tongues, which muff now decide their dif- 
 ference and prove him innocent or guilty : So Marin miffing of h.s .aim, he returns again up- 
 on thefame trot to Champigny, andnow, according to the order and nature of Duels, it is or- 
 dered between thefe four defperate Gentlemen, that their principals -fiiall fearch the feconds 
 and the feconds ' the principals, to fee whether their doublets were any more then Sword proof, 
 k,,f .i le y rnii'ht well have faved themfelves that labour, for they are all of them too noble and va- 
 liant, any way to taint their reputations and honours with the leaft fhadow or t.naure of c war- 
 dize - fo they call off their doublets, divide ihemfelves, and toen draw, and the firft that mull 
 and will try their fortunes, are Champigny and Beaumarays (who being fome fourfeore pacesoff) 
 they °ive fours and rains to their horles, and part as lwift as the wind, or rather fo furioufly and 
 fuddenly, as two claps of thunder, or flafhes of lightening : At their firft '"counter Beauma- 
 rays runs Chmny through his fl.irt-band, into the right fide of h.s neck, and Champ, guy 
 him into his left moulder, whereat reciprocally inflamed as Lyons they make fiiort turns with 
 their horfes, and fo fall to it amain with their Swords, whtti again Be^umarayi r gives Champigny 
 two other wounds, and he returns him one in counterexchange, whereof neither of them being 
 
 mortal, theya u ain divide themfelves to breathe, which having done, and both of them as yet 
 unfatisfied, they met the fecond time : at which cloze, ^ Champigny mitleth Beaumarays^ and 
 hurts bis horfetn the neck, but Beaumarays gives Champigny a lick witnhis fword ore his fore- 
 head ( which bled exceedingly ) but yet they are too couragious todefift, asfcornmg, rather 
 than carin' 1 for the Dumber of their wounds. They to ita 2 ainthe third time, which proves as 
 fortunate for Beaumara;*, as fatal to Champigny; for as his horfc fiumbleth on hu forefeet, 
 Beaumarays In his bending, runs him thorow the body, a little above his left Pap, where his Sword 
 meeting and cutting the firings of his heart, he prefently, in a fainting and faltering language, 
 fpake thefe his laft' words; Beaumaris, 1 forgive thee my death, a„i God It merciful unto my 
 Soul, and with the fame, fell flarkdead from bis horfc to the ground • When Beaumarays, 
 as a noble Gentleman, leapt prefently from his horfe to his aftiftance, and fo did his owd fe- 
 cond, Marin, but ’their charity and care to him was in vain, for already life had for fake n hts 
 body, and consequently, his foul was fled to his place: So he lies there gored id his Wood, and 
 whiles Maein was covering of his breathlefs body with his Cloak, Beaumarays (heaths uphts 
 Sword, and with hands and^eyes elevated to Heaven, rendreth thanks to God for this his vtfler 
 
 ry . 
 
 No fooner hath Montague congratulated with his Brother Beaumarays for his good fortune, 
 b it with a heart and courage worthy of himfelf, he calls out to his Rival (JHann, and bids 
 him prepare to fight; When his Brother Beaumarays notwithfiandiog his lofs of much 
 blood, doth infinitely defire to fpare his Brother Montagu e from fighting with Mann and 
 fo to perform it himfelf. But Montague is too couragious and generous either to underuand 
 this motion, or to relilh this language from his Brother, ar.d foin hot words and high terms 
 he peremptorily tells him: That he c ameto fight with Marin, and fight he would: whereupon 
 his Brother Beauma-ays gives him his prayers, commits him to his good fortune, and fo 
 with his Cloak muffled about him fits down a Spcftator to their combat : When Men- 
 
 
Hif hXlX . Champgny and Blanc beville. 
 
 tag,u remounting his Steed, he calls out again to Marin and bids him TT 
 
 Mann no way appalled or daunted with the unfortunate- dif ii Vi - P pirC t0 b b t,r - 
 ther the morecxalperated and incouraged thereat he as a ' V ^ r 11S P™»cipal, but ra- 
 
 £ 7ft *•& »„ ,hc mX!s h :£ti' y “^2£« » « 
 
 themlcivs and draw.and {opart each towards of h^r I knmv n i « ich the y divide 
 
 ■ *5 I 1 " 1 
 
 a flight wound and in exchange he cuts Mann a great flafhon hj W chTel whi h h X 
 back i„ Ad, H.irts with ,hd, Sw„„l s d5„“ "ifi, ' ’fS »i2,T" “A" 0 *' 
 
 fpcaking a wold more immcdJJ, d,J ' S “'' “ d th "> “ d w.lhout 
 
 fcn* the dead We f ?££ con ? bat > wbe «°f 1 being fully informed andfatisfied by them, he 
 i r . . tat «*£« ^ Cbampigny and Mann to Chartres in his Coach; And underftandino 
 
 l:Z m 7% f! J , llS ^ roth et Montague, that for the prefervation of their fafeties and lives” 
 y cro rcfolved to leave Cbsrtres and Beautfe . and fo thwarting o’rc Normi t/L kw V * 
 
 frildfh^ thence , t0 P f the Scis i,U0 E^^AtHlTheT; 
 
 ,Jt V r '- L lat,on and memory of his name a place in this Hiftorv b 
 
 hmMv v/™ th£ ^quefiot is ravelling towards Paw, and and his 
 
 i otitr Mrnagne polling for Cam, come we briefly to Chartres, which now refounds and 
 / Wlt h thc report and iflue oi thiscombate,whereGentlemen and Citizens an \ a nr 
 cordmg to their paffions and anions; fpeak differently thereof- fome SE^SE 
 O eauntarays t o \ rhers the folly and treachery of Marin , but all do highly extoll the courage 
 4 , .^ Cl - er ° U J 0! , c,,im P&ny and Mmtagne. But leave we them to their cenfures and come 
 we again to l peak Oi Mancheville, who takes the tiewsof this untimely death of” her Hus' 
 
 is re K dy toi r n herrdt 
 
 y a »ner to Her mart to lee, but a terrour to her conlcience, to know that her H..shmd 
 Charnptgny arid her friend Matin, have both of them loft their 1, ves fm her faL and wheu ‘ 
 again (he falls on theconhderation and remembrance, that the firft died by the hand and 
 
 EfeESi sr?f T my - 7i tl " c ™ d b ? *» o?ht bX£ 
 
 We6fCoudb-,sA uT l h " r heart antl brtft with iighing thereat. She is fo uncapa- 
 
 and H ^ ;r a P, ar 0t 00 C0 r r ° ,at,0n ’ T fpCak ot a,, y tb,n 8 but of her mahee 
 levcnve of hers r h Sprays ; and to write the truth , tins implacable wrath and 
 aiffions luP , h ;- fjkeS , Up a!l her thoughts and fpeeches, hercontemplations and 
 w °; h ,U ' r t,naeai,d hcr felf - To which end flic converts moft of her Corn and 
 
 ! ;'! , ! , rt°- niO r* y ’^ 0 r/ 0 caftsber fel f at che King’s feet, and to the feet of that great 
 
 rVispPP oi f J, ‘ ,ument f°r Juft ice, againft Beaunurays themurtherer of” her 
 
 r • H r Wmch a P‘ r d a ^n><hc al 9 ud refounds and ccchoc forth to their ear we, 
 
 kf ,4gC " f ° ai!d fo dutragiohs towards him, that not with S3S?ffi 
 
 N n body 
 
274 
 
 Cois Revenge ngainfl Murtber. Book IV' 
 
 body is abfent, yet (he (pends five hundred Crowns in Law to have him according to the 
 Law and Cuftom of frame to be hanged up in effigic : But although her fuit b: juft, yet by 
 reulbn of his great friends in Court ) ihe tees her (elf fo unfortunate, that flic cannot obtain 
 it. Whereupon, after twelve months vain lLy in l J ar;s, and a profuk expence of money, (lie 
 ("with much grief and forrow^ fecretly vows to her felf, that if ever he return again to 
 Chartres , or which is more, into France , that (he her felt' will be both his Judg and Executi- 
 oner, by revenging her Husbands death in his, and from this helliih refolution of hers, (lie 
 deeply fwears,that neither Earth nor Heaven (hall divert her. 
 
 Now, to follow the natural ftream and tide of this Hiftory : Wc muft again bring Beau- 
 mar ays and his Brother Montagne on the Stage thereoftFor the Reader mult underftand,thac 
 their wounds being drefled and iecured, havingbeftowed both their horfes on the Chirur- 
 gion and guide, the two fervantsof theaforefaid Marquefs of Bellary , and like wife written 
 him a thankful Letter for his honourable courteiie extended to than, and therewith like- 
 wife prayed him to folicite the King for their Grace and pardon in their ablence, they pri- 
 vately (* without any followers^) embark themfelvcs upon an Englifti Veflel at Caen , and (6 
 with a prolperous gale arrive at Rie, and from thence take horfe tor London, where they fet- 
 tle up their abode and relidence, from whence Beaumar ays fends to Chartres (or two of his 
 foot men, and his Brother Montagne for one of his,which come over to London to them fome 
 fix weeks after, and bring their Mailers word how earneftly and violently their advcrlaries 
 follow the rigour and feveritv of the Law againft them in Pari*, but efpecially againft Beau- 
 maraysy they receive thefe advertifementsfrom their fervantsand friends, rather with grief 
 than contempt, and therefore to prevent their malice, and their own dilgrace and danger, 
 they often write from London to Paris,to the M irqut ffc of Bcliary , and like wife to the Bifliop 
 of Chartres( their dear friend andKinlman) to halkn their pardons from the King: So that 
 Noble Lord, and this Reverend Prelate, pitying their dauger and ablence as much as they 
 wifh their fatety and return, take time at advantage, and the King in a well difpofed humor, 
 andfodo moll effectually and powerfully acquaint bis Majefty,how thefe two abfent Gen- 
 tlemen and Brothers, Beaumar ays and Mont agne,w ere without juft caufe or reafon, provoked 
 to this unfortunate combat by their adverfaries, that they were the Challenged, not the 
 Challengers : that heretofore they had never committed any a£t unworthy either of their 
 honour, or of themfeives : That they had formerly received many wounds in his Maj flies 
 Wars *, and that their valour and courage was fuch, that in thefe times, which threatned 
 more trouble then promifed peace, they would undoubtedly prove happy and necefTary 
 members for his fervice, with many other prevailing motives and reafon* conducing that 
 way, which at laft fo weigh down the heart and mind of the King, that he freely conceded 
 and gave them their pardons under his great Seal, the which to make the more aurhentical, 
 they caufed them to be enregiftred and confirmed by the Court of Parliament ok Paris , and 
 thereupon both the Marquefs and Bifhop joyntly and fpeedily write to them thereof from 
 Paris. Aud after fome few months of their flay in London , they fend them over thefe their 
 Pardons, which are delivered to them by the Earl of TtWieres , then ordinary Embafladour 
 there for this prefent French King ,Lcwis he which they receive with infinite honour, 
 content, and*joy. 
 
 This good news of theirs makes them now like the air of France, better than that of Eng- 
 land . So they fpeedily pack up their baggage, leave London, and with all celerity pofte away 
 to Dover, Calis, and Paris. Where being arrived, the firft thing they do, they find out the 
 Marquefs of Bcliary, and the Bifhop of Chartres , to whom they owe their peace, as they do 
 their lives to the King: to whom they exprefs a thoufand demonftrationsof unthankfulnefs 
 for this their honour and favour (hewed them. They likewife burn with defire to teftifie fo 
 much to the King, when the Marquefs, feconded by the Bifhop, prefents them to his Majefty, 
 who falling to his feet, he gives them his Royal hand to kifs. They can better exprefs their 
 thankfulnefs in deeds than words to him, and in language of their fwords, than in that of 
 their tongues : Only they tell his Majefty, that having received their lives of his meer cle- 
 mency and Royal favour, thety moft humbly therefore implore him to grant them the fa- 
 vour and honour, that they may fpend and end them in his fervice. He allows of their zeal 
 and humility, and to redouble his favour, he gives them again his hand to kifs adding far- 
 ther to them, that it is rather likely than impo(lible,that he (hall (hortlyhave occafion to ufc 
 their Swords and fervice, and fo difmifleth them. 
 
 Thefe our two Brothers remain a month in Paris , wherein almoft daily they render 
 their thankful refpectsand fervice to the Marquefs and Bifliop, at the end whereof leaving 
 their duties, and receiving their commands, they take horfe and return home for Chartres , 
 (■from which by reafon of their difafter they have been fo long abfent ) where all their Kins- 
 folks 
 
Hi ft. X IX. C bampgny and Blanchevifle. 
 
 folks and friends welcome them home with infinite delight and irnT~i^ i 7T TT - ^ 
 
 trexa'ud the Gentlemen thereabouts, exceedingly “efeXtSffiuS ^ ^ 
 
 On:y the Parents of Mmn do envy Monugm deeply and S/ltebS ^ raurns - 
 incenled Widdow of Cbamfignyl, ates Beaumarays deadly. As for Mwtasnc' {y rov y tul an 4 
 good means and friends, 'that in lefs than t wo months he' 
 
 of the Juft s but although Bcanmjr.iys have made many fair overtur-s and moffcrVn? 00 
 tenement by h,s friends to the fecund, yet in fix months he f^sT^o Iv Sfffi l£f? 
 him to procure it of her, and which is worle, (he is (till outratt.ous and * P ?' f °. r 
 
 Wm .tete.bh.ksh,™™ 0,»„ > 
 
 and fall her malice and indignation againft him, tpakes her conflant in her former he^ hh 
 and b.oody refolution, that by one means or other (he will c ' re long murther him as 1 i 
 
 marked and fee,, the implacable intended malice and rev^fiSm^lr 
 
 ly' jl^ An SiTvc'w/fhTl^^^ 
 
 BUM. For whiles Le Valley Is lo^ngl/TL^ 
 
 h^art ot the frrii it is full of kindnefs and courtefic, as the mind avA y c i r 
 
 Zir of t N r Rt * to *->■ £ 
 
 member, that in all this time of two years and upwards fincc Le ViU uhrrt r \ r u 
 wi.h l,i S[ fw«,- hca.t his ,^;Ft k r e 
 
 tween them , but as yet he could never draw her content to marry him /for dill (he tells 
 h,m that (he loves her nuftrefs fo dearly, that (he will not depart from her fervice nor 
 wed any man, without her free confine,. and therefore that they have far more riafon to 
 doubt thantohopeot this match between them, conffderine the lamentable accident ->nd 
 which I, a, I, pall between .heir Malic, s. UVA, SgS Srtrt. th= Si 
 llrUs, belore he can wed the maid, with his fweetaiearls advice, refolves lo leek B Untbt- 
 villi, s confent thereto, the which he doth in (air and orderly terms. Blancbeville who had 
 formerly heard an inckling how dearly Le Valley affeded her maid Marti i n the wav of 
 marriage, now by this motion thereof to her fclf, (he is fully confirmed thereof When 
 
 rwh ° ra °. re P r 1011 J, hjn * ud iS m ent, as wcl1 in his afledion to her maid as in his 
 fp.wwhcs to her fells die preiemly fbeing indudrious in her malice, and vigilant in 
 ner revenge tdwards Beaumarays) forgets God and all Goodnefs; abandoneth all Chri- 
 diamty and humanity, and Co the Devil brings herarilor k u 
 
 amt head tetchc -it from Hell She t hinks that this poor fervant Le Valley , 'isTrit a gen t 
 and m irument for her tuher topoyfon or piltol his Mader Bea^narayst 0 death and 
 thot ils love to her maid Mmba , and his conlideration of her frcJh youth and beauty is 
 a n He, cut halt and powerful lure to make him undertake and perform it, and here J (he 
 lettles up her bloody resolution. To which end Blancbeville having already fuffickn ly 
 woven tms treachery ,n her heart, and clofely and finely (pun it in hem brains, (he poS 
 
 onfX^el sti?r T that r hc u fliaI1 fhortl y marry her maid Martha ; 
 
 on y (he tells him lhe mud confer with. her, foleehow (he (lands affeded to him and that 
 
 ,t he repair to her again at the end of the week, (he will then affuredly W^m fuch an 
 
 Butleo^deSr for C °Tw “ d ?k f llim ’ or elfe che ^all be his : 
 
 L ut to eondude rur (peech,(he cnargeth him not to fpeak or utter a word* hereof to his ma- 
 
 mi!it(T/mh/m a 'd W ,C 5 U VjUCy ta , ith i Ily pr P mifeth her t0 perform. Hegoesfrom the 
 he belies Pnf T\ reports _^^ ^ told ™d fpoken,fo thefe young folks flat- 
 „ ,j , . ’ , ? hcy vc 7 Portly (hall be man and wife. Blancbeville (whole heart 
 
 viTvTT T /- UP K 1 r b a° dy r \ Ven§C t0Wards no (boner underdands 
 
 h r if Uy & ° rth her d °° rs ’ but lhe fcnds for hcr maid \brtb* into her Cham- 
 fj; rc w :*y a ^.amting her with her bioody intent and policy) (lie char^eth her to 
 
 do - h wher , » >!,•- ^^nigo lur ?dvi v e andeoanfcl herein, which AfartJw (blemnly 
 hcrt0t t^Sffiihctoiisana Vir.didivc Dime is exceedingly glad and fatistied. 
 
 Nn2 xhc 
 
Gods Revenge againfl Murther. Book IV. 
 
 The end of the week being come, away comes LcValley to his fweet heart Martha, to 
 know if (he'be (hortly refolvcd to marry him, who having been pcrteCtly taught her lelfon, 
 tells him plainly, that (lie will be his wife, conditionally that he can gain her miftrefs Blast- 
 dbewl't’s confent thereunto, but never without it. Whereof he being exceedingly joyful, 
 heeivingher many kiffes, intreats her to bring him to her Miitrefs, and that he hopes 
 to receive pleating news from her, to both their contents. Blancheville ( with much longing 
 impariency) attends his comming, and receives and welcomes him into her Clofet with a 
 cheerful countenance, where bolting the door, this heilith trymis (not Heavenly Urania) 
 paffionately tells him, that it (hall be impoflible for him ever to enjoy or marry her maid 
 Martha, except he hrlt fwear to her to perform a fecret bufinefs for her, which infinitely 
 concerns her content and fervice. Lc Valley defires to know of her what it is, but (he rirlt 
 ivvears him to fecrecy herein, both from Martha, andfrom all the world, the which he 
 freely fwears : Then Blancheville ( with hypocritical, yea with diabolical tears in her cyesj 
 bein' 1 inftruCted and prompted by the Devil, reprefenteth unto him, how foully his Mafter 
 Beaumarays had firlf wronged her chaftity and honour, thenabuled her Husband in the 
 Church, and after wards killed him in the field, and therefore that he fhould not only marry 
 her maid Martha , but that (lie would likewife give him three hundred Crowns of marriage 
 money with her, if for her fake, and at her requeft ) he would kill his faid Malter, either by 
 Poyfon, Ponyard, or Piftol, of which fum (he told him he fhould have the one hail in hand, 
 and the’ other when he had performed it;the which if he refuled to do, (he fwore by her part 
 of Heaven, that he (hould never marry her, nor come near her. 
 
 Le Valley is amazed and aftonithed at this bloody propofition and requeft of hers, the 
 which (be might well perceive by the diftraClion of his looks, and the perturbation of his 
 countenance. He tells her, that although he loves Martha far dearer than his life, yet he 
 cannot find in his heart to kill the pooreft Chriftian in the world, much lefs fo good and 
 (o dear a Mafter as Beaumarays was to him. Blancheville ("being now as fubtil in her malice, 
 as (he was malicious in her revenge towards Beaumarays ^)lhews Le Valley the three hundred 
 Crowns in fair Gold, which was far more than ever before he had fetn s Tells him what a 
 dear friend flic will ever remain to him and his wife, and ('in a word^) leaves no lure unpra- 
 ctiled,nor charm unattempted, to draw him to the enterprize of this dcplbrable, and to the 
 execution of this helliflr fad. But finding him as frozen as (lie was fiery therein, (hebids 
 him to take a weeks time to confider thereof, then to bring her his laft relblution, & withal 
 to remember his oathot fecrecy herein from all the world, both which points he conftant* 
 iypromileth her to perform. As he defeends the (lairs from her, his fweet-heart Martha 
 conies prelent ly to him to know the mind and refolutionot her Miftrefs, whom he thinks 
 good then tofatisfic with this pleafing anlwer , that he hopes a fmall time will work and 
 compafs. both their deiircs, So after a tew kiflfes and embraces, they for that time take leave 
 each of other. He is no fooner returned home, but his heart is as penfive and (orrowful, as 
 his mind and brain is perplexed and troubled for the caufe thereof. He confults with him- 
 felf,and his relblutions are as different as his defires.He cannot as yet hud in his heart to kill 
 his Mafter, and yet he can refolve rather to die, than to lofe Martha his Miftrefs. True it is, 
 that the light of the Lady Blancheville’s Gold doth ad wonders in his heart, but far more 
 the fight and remembrance of Martha’s fweet youth and delicious beauty : So the firft 
 tempts him exceedingly, the fecond extrcamly, and the Devil in both of them infinitelyi 
 ytc notwithftanding, his faith and (bul are fo ftrong with God, that hitherto he cannot 
 confent to be drawn to imbrue his hands in the innocent blood of his Mafter. But here be« 
 falls an unexpected accident which violently precipitates and throws him headlong on the 
 contrary rtfplution. 
 
 His Maiter Beaumarays ("not for want of any refpcCt or love to Blancheville, but becaufehe 
 perfcdtly knew (he cxtreamly hated him) having formerly charged his man LcValley, 
 that he (hould not frequent her houfe, nor no more dare to leek her maid Martha in mar- 
 riage the which he confidently promifed him he would. He now underftands that contra- 
 ry thereunto, his in an Le Valley the very day before was there , and continued (till an 
 earnelt. (iii tor, to hers lb he hereupon calls him to him, and gives him five or fix found 
 boxes on the Ear, for his difobeying him, and vows that if he ever any more return thither, 
 and feek Martha in marriage, he would utterly cafhicr him, and wholly difcharge him 
 from his fervice. Le Valley not accultomed to receive blows of his Mailer, was fo extream- 
 ly ineeiuld hereat,as dildaining the blows for his Ma(ter,and his Mafter for theblows fake, 
 they engender fuch bad blood in him, as he prefentiy (trikes a bargain,firft with hischoler, 
 then with the Devil, that he would now adhere to the requeft of Blancheville, and fo fpeedi- 
 ly return his Mafter a (harp requital and bloody revenge tor the fame, and indeed from that 
 
 tiros 
 
Hift.XIX. Champgny and Blanc heville. 
 
 time forward he never looked on him but with an eye of hatred and defoliation. 
 
 So without farther delay, the fame night as foon as his Mailer was gone to bed," he flips 
 away to Blancbeville's houfe, informs her at large what had pail betwixt his Mailer and 
 himf'elt, and therefore allures her that he is fully and conllantiy refolvcd to murther him 
 within three or four days, if (he would perform her promife to him, to give him the three 
 hundred Crowns, and that alfo within a Month after he fliall marry Martha , whereat Blau- 
 chtville being beyond meafure .joyful, Ihe faithfully and folemnly fwears him the perform- 
 ance thereof, whenf as a pledgof the reft)flie prefently pays him down the tirft hundred and 
 fifty in Gold, the which Le Valley joyfully purfeth up. But the Receipt thereof fhall coil 
 dear. 
 
 From the intended matter of the murther of Beaumarays, thefe two agents of Satan and 
 Hell, Blanch eville and Lc Valley , proceed to the manner thereof, (he propofeth that infernal 
 drug,poyfon s but he rejedeth it, as dangerous to be bought, and difficult to be applied. And 
 becaule (he dillikes to have him ponyard’d, therefore they both conclude and agree, that he 
 (hall piftol him to death: and this is their definitive, cruel, and hellifli refolution. Le 
 Valley having thus difpatcht his bufmefs with Blanch evilly and taken leave with kiffes of his 
 iweet Martha , ( who poor fouj i$ as innocent, as they two are wholly and folely guilty of 
 this deplorable conlpirationj he puts a cheerful countenance on his revengeful heart, fo re- 
 turns home, and the very next day gets his Mailer’s pocket Piftol, which he loads with a 
 brace of Bullets, and watchcth every day and hour for a defired opportunity to fend him to 
 Heaven. So the third after Monlieur Montagne going abroad a hawking with his Brothers 
 Hawks and Spaniels, and taking almoft all his menTervants with him, and leaving Le Valley 
 to wait and attend on his Mailer, then and there this fatal occaiion anfwercd his prodigious 
 expectation. For that very fore-noon, his Maiter Beaumarays comming from the houfe of 
 Office,hecallsupLeF*%tohim in his chamber to trufs his points, which wretched Villain 
 he is bulie in performing, but alas, in a molt barbarous and bloody manner: For as that good 
 and NobleGcntleman thought of nothing lefs than of his danger or death, then this monitor 
 of nature lingering his hind points with his left hand, very foftly drew his Piftol out of his 
 pocket with his nght,and then and therc( with an infernal courage and audacityjffiot him 
 into the Reyns of his back, nearly oppoiite to his heart, whereof he prefcntly fell down dead 
 to thcj> round, without having either the power or happinefs to utter one prayer or word 
 whatever, but only two or three (mall fainting, or indeed dying groans. 
 
 This bloody and execrable wretched Le Valley , feeing his Mafter dead, he triumphs in his 
 good fortune, to fee what a brave Butcher he had proved himfelf in fo fpeedily and neatly 
 difpatchinghim. When to put the better varnifli on his villany,and fo to make it appear to 
 the World, that his Mafter was his own Murtherer, hetaketh the Piftol and placeth it in 
 his dead right hand, Sc layes the Key of the Chamber upon the Table, and the door having 
 a ftrong Spring-lock puls Sc (hutsit faft after him. When again, to make his innocency the 
 more clear Sc confpicuous to the world, he fpeedily 8c fecretly taking a horfe out of the Sta- 
 ble, a Hawkon his lift, and a Spaniel at his heels, and fo very joyfully gallops away to the 
 fu Ids, where (after fome hour at lead, or hour and half at moftj he finds out Monlieur Mon- 
 tagne , and tells him his Mafter diipatcht him to him with a frefh Hawk, which was his 
 belt and chiefeft Gallia wk. They Hawk all day together, and LE FALL ET 
 C as accurtomcd ) is very officious and diligent to Monlieur MONLAGNE , 
 who towards night returns home to Chartres , having ("between them d\\) taken eight 
 Pat ridges, and one Phefant. He arrives at his Brother’s houfe, where miffing him, he gives 
 the Phefant Sc four of the Patridges to the Cook to drefsfor their Supper, when afterwards 
 again miffing his Brother Beaumarays, and enquiring for him,the menial fervants of the out- 
 houfes tell him they faw him not to day.Suppcr being preparing,and the Table covered, he 
 fends up Le Valley to look him in his Chamber, who returns him this anfwer,that his Mafter 
 is not there, but the door is (hut iMontagnc marvellethat his Brother’s long & unaccuftom- 
 td ahfence, and fo do all his fervants. They find his Cloak, Rapier and Belt, hanging up at 
 a pin in the Hall, and therefore deeming him not far, but at fomc neighbour’s houfe,he fends 
 Le Valley one way, and the reft of the fervants to other places to find him out i but whiles 
 they feek after him, Lc Valley (favoured by the nighty) trips away fpe Jiiy to the Lady 
 B lanchiviSVs houfe, and there moft briefly and fecretly acquaints her how bravely he 
 Hath diipatched his Mafter that forenoon. She cannot contain her (elf for joy of this 
 iweet news, nor exprefs it to him in lefs than a kifs, he fays he will tell her the reft 
 ro morrow night, and then come and receive the remainder of her promife to hith, 
 the which (h? again and again fwears to him, (lie will perform it with afuiplulagc and 
 
 Nil 3 advantage, 
 
278 
 
 God's Revenge againfi Murther. Book I V . 
 
 advantage, fo he kiffeth his fweet- heart Martha, and again difpeeds himfelf-- ‘home : Where 
 he and the rellof the fervants who were lent into the ftreets, return Montagu no news of 
 their Maher his Brother : Supper bring more than tully ready, his long miffing of him, doth 
 at laft bring him much doubt, and lome fufpition and tear of his welfare. It runs hill hi 
 his mind, that he may be yet ailccp in his Chamber •, wherefore he afeeuds thither with 
 Le Valley, and others of his fervants, who call aloud, and bounce amain at the door, but 
 they hear noanfwer nor fpfcefch of him, the which doth the more augment his doubt, and 
 redouble his fear of his Brother ; At lali he commands them to force and break open th : 
 door, but it being exceeding t hick and llrong, they cannot Montagues tender care of hi$ 
 Brother, doth by this time infinitely increase his fear of him, which at laif fo powerfully 
 furprifeth him, that he preiently commands a Ladder to be erttfed to his Brother’s Cham- 
 ber window towards the Garden, and lends up one of his Lacquys with a Torch to look 
 into the Chamber, the Lacquy forced open the Cafement, and then thriVff in his Torch 
 hrd, and his head after, which he fpeedily withdrawing very paffionatdy criefh out : That 
 his Mader hath murthered himfelf with his Pittol, and lies there dead all goared in his 
 blood. Montague at this lamentable news tears his hair, weeps, and cries out amain for fur- 
 row thereof, and fo do all his fervants. Among whom Le V alky is observed to be one of the 
 mod, who weeps and crys mightily thereat- Montague beingalmofi as dead with grief 
 and forrow hereat,as hisBiother Bcaumarays was with his wounds ; he bids the Lacquy to 
 teak* down the Cafement, and to enter and unlock the door, which he doth : So he with Lc 
 Valleys nd the red of the fervants, aicend and enter the Chamber, where' to their unexprei- 
 liblc grief and forrowj they fee this mournful and murthered perfonage,with the difehar- 
 ged Fidol fad in his hand, and the key of the Chamber-door on the Table, as hath been al- 
 ready txpreiled. Once Montague thought that his Brother might be robbed and killed by 
 Thieves, but feeing all his Trunks fad locked jand then opening his Study door, and finding 
 all his Gold, Silver and Jewels there in good order, he abandons that fufpition and Jealou- 
 fie'and then both he and they all believe, that he hath abfolutely murthered himfelf. The 
 report of this Tragical and forrowful accident founds loud through the dreetsof Chartres. 
 Montague fends for the Kings Attornc7,and the Fifcal to fee,6c Chirurgions to viiit his dead 
 Brothers body, they all concur and agree in opinion with Montague and his fervants, and fo 
 generally affirm and conclude, That Bcaumarays hat h( with his little Pi&oljfhot him£df in- 
 to the back with a brace of Bullets, whereof he died, which is fweet mulick and melUfy to 
 Le Valley , but his wormwood and gall comes after. And now Montague with all requiltte 
 order, hate and decency, folcmnizeth his Brother’s Funerals, and not only all Chartres but 
 all Keaujfe, and all Gentlemen who knew him, yea, the Bifliop of Chartres , the MarquefsoL 
 Bellary , and the King himfelf much lamented and bewailed the unfortunate lofs of this 
 noble and valiant Gentleman. 
 
 The grief and forrow of Montague for bi$ Brother’s untimely death, is the joy and felicity 
 of Le Valley and Blanch cvilfeii# as he triumphs, fo for her part, flic is fo extreamly delighted 
 and ravilhed with this fweet news, as at their next meeting (which is the very next night ) 
 the gives him his hundred and fiftyCrowns,and becaufe he hath difpatched his Matter Bean- 
 mar ays (b fpeedily and fecretly^ (he therefore takes a Diamond Ring off her finger (worth 
 one hundred crowns)and likewile gives it him : When to make good her oath and promife 
 to him ! as alto to make his pretended joy compleat) the very fame day month after, marri- 
 ethhim to her maid Martha. But marriages that are founded and cemented with innocent 
 blood, never have profperous ends. Now is Blancheville proud in her revenge for the death 
 of her mortal enemy Beaumarays,& now like wife is LeValUy^\n his conceit 6c mindjrapt up 
 into the third heaven of )oy,in injoying his fair and fweet wite Martha^nd neither of them 
 hath the confcience to think of, or the grace to repent this foul and bloody fad of theirs ; 
 Which, (when they kaft dream t hereof) we fhall fee God in his facred mercy in JufttCe,will 
 fpeedily detedf, revenge and punifh as the fequel thereof will declare and inform us. • 
 
 As the matter and manner of the dete&ion of this lamentable murther of Bcaumarays pro- 
 ceeded primarily from God, fo it did fccondly from his forrowful Brother Montague , who 
 wanting all other witneffesand evidence (6c wholly guided by facted power, and lwayed by 
 divine influence) was led to it by four remarkable circumfiances and confident ions, every 
 way worthy of oUr knowledg,and retent ion; The firft was his finding and perilling of Blan- 
 chmlle's Letter to his Brother Bcaumarays (which formerly we have feen) wherein he ob- 
 ierved a wonderful deal of inveterate malice towards him from her; The fecond was Le 
 Valley'* Hidden marrying of her Chamber-maid Martha, by the which he conceived, that 
 that fufpition Itrongiy rcfk&ed on her, and this on him : The third wa v sfrom the fight of 
 the Diamond- Ring which Le Valley wore on his finger ("being the fame which we have 
 
 formerly 
 
HiflXI X. Champtg ny and BlancheviHe. 
 
 formerly feen Blancheville to give himj for Montagne behaving thathc had ffoln 
 dead Brother, his Matter, he challenged him tor' it by 
 
 c himfclf of tills pretended thsft.wM i, . forced .. i„Lm b «h toAlSfc 
 
 it was given him in marriage with his wife, by the Lady BlancheviHe her Miltris- th! w hi h 
 conftffion of h.s, indeed added much fufpiciomand jealoulie of them both to the heart and 
 mind of Montague , as believing that it mult berfoine extraordinarv tve and forvicc i 
 
 Vahy CJpablc t0 defervc ‘o great a bounty and reward of her.But the fourth 
 and I all conlideration was tar more powerful and prevalent with him than all the three for- 
 his lulpition againft LeV alley for this murthering of his Brother and where - 
 in the Reader may defervedly admire and wonder at the celeftial providence and jutticeof 
 
 2J C m h m f f mi / aculou,? y and d ‘ vl ‘ ld y ^PP^rs herein i for the fame day two months 
 after the motthcio(Beaumaray , .and the lame day month that Lc Valley married his Wife 
 
 J f. h % P^d the Lord (m h,sfecrct P leafurc an d juft ice) to fend him a Gangrene in 
 b jfod V la f d d , whl ? h be g'n»>ng to extend and fpread, his Chirurgions, to lave his life 
 ad ” ed , j ld halld . t0 be f P ecd,1 y cut off, which was accordingly performed. ’ 
 
 rhl * . lu dden cutting off Le Valley's right hand, by advice of his Chirurgions, brinos tcr- 
 h! B/swcbo idle, and aftonifliment and admiration to Montane, who fled bv 
 
 le immediate fpirit and huger of God; doth now confidently believe, "that it was that 
 
 ^u'flFfh V h,S B , r0t ' ,er . t0 deatb ’ aild that it might be rather probable than 
 that Blanch, vile might be the Author, and he the Actorof this cruel murther 
 
 lifo diV 8r r, Unding 1 m S hlS ?? ong lu( P ltlon u P° n the piety and innocency of his Brothers 
 
 life and difpofition, as alfo on his own four former premifed ferious confidcrations and cir- 
 
 C n«fntlT% hC /fc C / ,the j v" n »° r Wl11 Uke any contrar y La w or peace of his thoughts ; But 
 
 i 01 M Ci, ’ , '“ d “ c “ r ' ,h '» “>' <•* 
 
 The wife and prudent Judges advertifed the Prefidial Court thereof likewife : So they 
 prel tly caufl - d h,m t0 be apprehended and impriloncd for the famesthey charge him with 
 
 nv' fearful Oaths” *° I ° im,tted . on the P cr [ on ot h > s Mailer, but he ftoutly denies it with ma- 
 ny fearful Oaths and Imprecations ; But his Crime being greater than his Apology, they 
 
 ad judg him to the wrack, where m the midft of his tortures,God fo deals with his heart and 
 P r r^.r, b bls oul > tbat bcconfeffed, it was he who murrhered his Matter Beaumaravs 
 wum fiito charged with a brace oi Bullets, and that he was hired to perform it by the La- 
 d y BL»cKwl/e, who gave him three hundred Crowns in gold, and a Diamond Ring to tffed 
 and hnilh it. At the relation and confdlion whereof, Montague and the Judges exceedingly 
 admire and wonder and being by them again demanded if his Wife Martha were not lixe- 
 wile acceflary with them in this murther, he freely and conftantly told them that (he was 
 nor, and that he would take it on his death,that fhe was every way as innocent, as himfelf 
 and BlancbcvtUe her Miftns were guilty thereof. 
 
 f T h l J ?i StS 0i ' k‘ S < 7- 0Urt f P>‘ cdi| y Pcnd Serjeants away to apprehend BlancheviHe , who is fo 
 ar from the apprchenlion or fear ot any danger, as fhe dreams not thereof :They hud her in 
 her own houfe playing oil her Lute, and hnging in company of many Gentlemen and Gen- 
 tlewomen her friends : The Serjeants feize on her, and tell her her accufation and crime 
 whereat (he is amazed and weeps exceedingly, and no lefsdo thofe who are with her : She 
 is brought before her Judges, who ftrongly accufe her for being the Author of this cruel 
 murther ot beaumarays , and acquaint her with Le Valley's full and free confeffion thereof as 
 we have formerly underftood : When here,fometimes with tears,and then again with pafli- 
 on and cliolcr, foe tells the Judges, That Le Valley is a devil and a villain thus to accufc 
 hei falily-That foe never gave him a Ring, or three hundred Crowns to do it, and takes God 
 to witneds that foe is not guilty, but wholly innocent of that murther. 
 
 But this poor and palfiouate Apology of hers will not pals current with her Lyncic-eyed 
 
 Sf C hcr . t# be u 0n r fr - 0I , ltcd ^ith Lc ?*** wh o hands firm to his former accu- 
 g. n cr, and yet her faith is fo weak with God, and fo ftrong with Satan, as with 
 many cries and curfcs foe again and again cries out and protefteth of her InnocencyiThey 
 \ ro lUI \- ler . al J d P art her Gold, but foe boldly denies, and ftoutly forfwears botluSo 
 
 [n k a; 1 ; C ?j uc ^f ier t0 whereto with much conitancy fhe permits her lelf 
 
 fo e ai ne . ut at the very Hrft touch and wrench thereof, her dainty delicate limbs not 
 i j e t0 )r00 ^ f 10 ^‘ exquilite torments, God was pleafed to be fo gracious and merciful to 
 *er on , as (he prefently (with many tears) cries out that fhe was the guilty Author of this 
 n L further, and fo in all points and circumftances concurs and agrees with Lt Valley’s 
 c tp° it.on and accufation againft her : Here her Judges again demand of her if her Maid 
 l\U tba were never acceffary or confuting with her and Le Valley in this their bloody 
 
 Fa<2 
 
O go God’s Revenge againjl Murther. Book IV- 
 
 Fa ft but (he vows to them, that upon peril of her Soul, (he wasabfolute ignorant thereof, 
 
 " ( 0 hereupon this our inhumane Lady Blancbeville is again loofed from the Rack, and 
 brought away to the Tribunal of Juflice, and fo likewife is Le Valley, here Mmtagne and 
 the King’s Attorney prefently crave judgment of the Prefidctits againft thefe two Mur- 
 therers,who after a long and religious f^eech which theymade,bot h to them and to all who 
 were prefent upon this bloody taft and crime of theirs : They conclude and adjudg U 
 Valley ,t lie very next day to be broken on the Wheel alive, and Blancbeville then likewife to 
 be hanged, which gave matter of Univerfal fpcech and admiration to all Chartres and 
 
 ' We have feen the perpetration and dfteftion of this inhumane and lamentable murther, 
 committed by thefe two unfortunate Wretches Le Valley and Blanch iville : And nowfby 
 the mercy and jufliceof God) we are come to fee the Triumphs of his Revenge to light 
 againfl them in their condign punifliments for the fame. They by their J udges are that af- 
 ternoon returned again to their prifons,and the fame night are there effectually dealt with 
 by Divines, who (out of Chriftian Charity^) direft and prepare their fouls for heaven. So 
 the next morning, about ten of the clock, they are brought to the common place of Execu- 
 tion in Chartres, where a world of people attend to be Spectators of thefe their unfortunate 
 ends, and deplorable Tragedies : And tirfl Lc Valley afeends the fcaflold,who is fad and pen- 
 live, 'and fays little elfe in effeft but this, that it was partly Blancbeville s Gold, but chiefly 
 his love to her Maid, his Wife Martha, which rirfl drew him to' murder his dear Maher Beau - 
 marays , whereof he affirmed he was now heartily repentant and forrowful, and befought 
 the Lord to pardon him>He here took it to his death, that his faid Wife Martha was every 
 way innocent of this murther, and therefore befeeched Moflfteur Montague to be good and 
 charitable to her after his death, whom he likewife prayed to forgive him, when-uttering a 
 tew Ave Marks to himfelf, and often marking himfelf with the fign of the Crofs : He was 
 by his Executioner prefentiy broken on the Wheel, whereof he immediately died. 
 
 Le Valley was no looner difpatched, but up comes our Femal Monltcr Blanchcville on the 
 Ladder ,whofe youth and beauty drew pity from'the hearts, and tears from the eyes of moft 
 of her Spectators ; in her countenance (he was very fad and mournful, and yet I am enfold 
 ced to confefs this truth of her, (that in the laft Scene and Aft of her life) her Pride and 
 Vanity fo far ufurped on her judgment, her piety, and her foul, that (he came hereto take 
 her lalt leave of the world, apparelled in a rich black razed Sattin gown, a crimfon dAiask 
 Petticoat laid with white Satrin guards, a rich cutwork falling band, her hair all ftrewed 
 with tweet powder, decked with white Ribband Knots and Rotes, and a fnow-whitc pair of 
 Gloves on her hands, fo flic there craves Jeave of the people to fpeak a few words before (he 
 dies,which with a well compoled countenafice,and behaviour, (he doth in thefe terms. 
 
 She faid that her dear and tender atfeftion to her Husband Champtgny occafioned her 
 deadly hatred and malice to Beaumarays, and that as foon as he had (lain him in the field} 
 (he in revenge thereof inftantly refolved and vowed to fend him to heaven after him : (he 
 affirmed that (he was now forrowful from her heart and foul, that (lie had caufed Le Valley 
 to kill this his Maher - , alfo that (lie was fo unfortunate and mifcrable, as now to fee him die 
 for her fake and fervice,in requital whereof fhe gave all her apparel, and fome of her Plate 
 and Jewels to her old Maid, now his new Wife Martha , whom (he affirmed in prefence of 
 God, and his Angels, was no way gwilty or confenting to this lamentable murther, which 
 (he befeeched the Lord to pardon and forgive her: (he likewife befought Montague and Mar- 
 tha to forgive her, and entreated all who were prefent to pray to God for her fouhffie conju- 
 red all Ladies and Gentlewomen who were forrowful eye- witnejffes of her untimely death, 
 to beware by her unfortunate example, and fo to hate Malice and Revenge in thcmfelves 
 as much as the loved it : When again praying all her Spectators to pray to God for her, flic 
 alter a few F ater-nofters ,zud Ave Maries was turned over. 
 
 And thus was this lamentable, and yet deferved death of thefe two bloody Wretches, Lc 
 Valley and Blanchcville, and in this (harp manner did God juftly revenge and punifli this their 
 horrible crime of murther ; Whofe untimely and unfortunate deaths left much grief to 
 their living Parents and Friends, and generally to all who either faw or knew them. May 
 we read this their Hiftory, tirfl to the honour of God, and then to our own Inftruftion and 
 Reformation : That the fight and remembrance of thefe their punifliments may deter us 
 from the impiety and inhumanity of perpetrating the like bloody crimes, Amen. 
 
Hid XX. 
 
 281 
 
 Qreiizo 'JTtrtni <l 
 
 tar an. 
 
 "ermtCL 
 
 orcnza 
 
 iToreitzc tvith. 11/ho res 
 
 if rung Lorenzo 
 
 JLorvtiz iut: cates his ivij 
 
 ftrmtafcnJt her dull J.crmz«- cut, IZ wif„ thnnt buTy^hertumt Ihiefc by &/„„ fTofZSnUficM 
 
 GOD‘s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 history XX. 
 
 Loren 10 murther eth his wife Fermia: He feme twenty yews after ( as altogether unknown) roh. 
 heth his (and her) Son Thomafo: Veho liky'ieife (not knowinghotmzo to be his Father') doth 
 accttfe him for that robbery' for w! icb he is hanged. 
 
 'JpHofe who (by the pernicious inflation and fatal temptation of Satan) do wilfully imbrue 
 their hands in innocent blood, and fo make themfelves guilty of Murther, are no longer men, 
 but have prodigioufly metatnorphefed themfelves into the nature and quality of Devils. ° And as 
 after this their crime, they are worthy of all true Chriftians deteflation •, fo moft commonly 
 ( without Gods faving grace and mercy ) their hearts are fo obdurated with impenitency of fecu- 
 rity, and their fouls feared up and abandoned to all kinds of atheiftical prophanenefs ana impie- 
 ty, that they are fo far from thinking of God, as they believe there is no God ; and fofar from 
 fearing of his Judgments and punirtiments, as they are defperately confident they have not de- 
 ferved any .• But becaufe their hearts and aftions are as tranfparent to Gods eyes and knowled*, 
 as Gods decrees and refolutions arcinvifible to theirs, therefore ( defpight this their blindnefs 
 and the Devils malice and fubtilty to obfeure and conceal it ) this woild will afford them no true 
 peace, nor this life produce them any perfect tranquillity. But Wherefoever they go orlive, their 
 guilty thoughts and coniciences, as fo many hcllifb blood-hounds, will inceirantly purfueand fol- 
 low them, till in the end they drag them to condigne flume, mifery, and confufion for the fame: 
 Which this fubfeqnent Hiftory will verifie and make good to us, in a wretched and execrable pet- 
 fonage, whom it mournfully prefents to our view and confederation. Let us read it in the feat 
 of God, that wc may weigh that benefit by it which becomes good Chriflians to make, * 
 
 O o 
 
§ 2 Gois Revenge again jlMurtherT Book IV. 
 
 It is not the meannefsof the perfonages, but the greatnefs and eraincncyof Gods Judg- 
 ments, which hath prevailed vyieh roc to give this Hift or y a place among my others : T he which 
 to draivfrorn the heid-fpring, and original we mutt underttand, that in ITALT y (the 
 Garden of Europe, as Europe is that of the whole World ) and in the City of Genova, ( fat- 
 ed upon the Mediteranean Sea, which the Italians for the fumptuoui'nefsand ftateiinefsof her 
 bti il dings, do juftly ftile and ihtitle, Proud Genova) near.tothe Arfenal upon the Key, there 
 dwelt (of late years) a proper tali Young Man, of a coal-black-hair, fome twenty five years 
 old, named A nit i a Lrcnzo, who by his Trade was a Baker, and was now become Matter of 
 ti$ Profettiofl, and kept both his Oven and Shop fofhimfdf ; wherein he was fo induftrious and 
 provident, that inafliort time he became one of the prime Bakers of that City, and wrought 
 to many Ships and Galleys of this Eftate and Seigniory : He in few years grew rich, was proffer- 
 ed many wives, of the Daughters of many wealthy Bakers and other Artificers of GcnMa: but 
 he was ttiil covetous, and fp addifted to the world, as he could fancy none, nor as yet berefol- 
 ved or perfected to feek any Maid or Widdow in Marriage, fith he knew it to be one of the great- 
 eft and mott. important a&rons of our life, and which infallibly draws. with it, either our chiefcft 
 earthly felicity, ormifery. 
 
 But as marriages are made in Heaven, before confummated on Earth ; So Lorenzo going on 
 a time to the City of Savona, which ( botjrby Sea and Land) is fome twenty little miles from 
 Genova ; and heretofore was a free City and Eftate of it felf, but now fwallowed up in the pow- 
 er and opu’ency of that of Genova \ he there fell in love with a rich Vintners Daughter, her Fa- 
 ther named Juan Baptifta. M ron y and fhe Fermia Moron y who was a lovely and beautiful young 
 Maiden, of fome eighteen years of age, j)Qing tall and (lender, of a pale complexion, and a 
 bright yellow hair, but exceedingly vertnais and religious, and endowed with many fweet qua- 
 lities and perfe&ions ; who although fhe were fought in marriage by divers rich young men, of 
 very good familiesof that City, with the worftof whom ( either for eftate or extra&ion ) Lo- 
 renzo might no ivay compare, yet flic could fancy none. but him, and he above all the men o£ 
 the world flie { fecretly in her heart and mind-) defired might be her Husband. Lorenzo ( with 
 order and diferetien ) feeks Fermia in marriage of her Father l M oron* w ho is too ftrongof 
 purfe, and too high of humour to match his Daughter to a Baker * or to any other of a mechani- 
 cal Profeffion, andfo gives him a flat and peremptory denial. But Lorenzo finds his Daughter 
 more courteous and kind to hisdeiires, for fl\c being as deeply enamoured of his perfonage, as 
 he was of her beauty and vertues, after a journey or two which he had made to her at Savona, 
 fhe confents and yields to him to be his wife, conditionally that he can obtain her Fathers good 
 will thereunto, but not otherwife i which Lorenzo yet feared and doubted would prove a diffi- 
 cult task for him to compafs and procure ; for her Father knowing Fermia to be his own and 
 only child and Daughter, and that her beauty and vertuous education, together with the con- 
 fideration of his own wealth and eftate, made her every way capable of a far better Husband 
 than Lorenzo. As alfo that his Daughter, inreafon and Religion, and by the Laws of Hea- 
 ven and Earth, was bound to yield him all duty and obedience ( becaufe of him flie had former- 
 ly received both life and being , ) therefore he was refolure that Lorenzo fliould not have his 
 Daughter to wife, neither would he ever hearken to accept, or confent to take him for his Son- 
 in- Law. 
 
 Lorenzo having thus obtained the heart and purchafcd the affe&ionof his fweet and dear 
 Fermia, he now (out of his fervent defire and zeal to fee her made his wife, and himfelf her 
 Husband) makes ir both his ambition and care ( according to her order) to draw her Father 
 M iron to content thereunto, wherein the more importunate, humble, and dutiful he ( both 
 by himfelf ^nd friends ) is to Moron y the more imperious, averfe, and obftinate is he to La- 
 renzoy as divining any farther to hear of this bis futeand motion for his Daughter. ButLo- 
 renzo loves the Daughter too tenderly and dearly thus to be put off with the firft rcpulfeand 
 denyaUf h?r Father, andfo ( notwithftanding ) he again perfevercth in his fute cowards 
 him, with equal humility and refolution : He requefteth his confent to their affeftions with 
 prayers ; and his Daughter Fermia ( having formerly acquainted her Father with her dear 
 and inviolable love to Lorenzo ) fhe now prays him thereto with tears : But ( as one who had 
 wholly wedded himfelf to the Angularity of his own refolution and pleafure ) he again 
 proudly refuferh him with difdain, and peremptorily rejetfeth her with choler and indig- 
 nat n, and fo fecretly vows to himfelf, and publickly fwears to them that he will firft dye, 
 and frlute his Grave, before ever he will permit him to marry his Daughter. Which un- 
 kind anfwer and clmndnng refolution of his, proves the extream grief of his Daughter 
 
 Fermia 
 
Hift. XX. Lorenzo and Fermia. 
 
 Fermia , and infinite 2 ffedion and Lorrow*of her lover Lorenzo y who hereupon are enforced rd 
 bear up with the nme, yea and to make a verrue ot necetiity, by fepa rating their bodies,, buc not 
 their hearts and affe&iors. So he returns to Genova^ and fhe lives and remains with her Father 
 in Savon* having no other comfort left (hem in their abfence, but hope, nor no other confola- 
 tion, but femetimes to vifiteach other wtb their Letters, which they do. 
 
 Old (JAloron now finds his young. Daughter Fermia, far more penlive, referved, andforrow- 
 ful than heretofore, and therefore although he grieve to lee her affection intangled with this Ba- 
 ker L reKz,o, yet he rejoyceth to fee, that he comes to Sav na, as alio to underttand that his 
 Daughter hath no way ingaged her felf to him in prom.fe of marriage, but with the condition of 
 his free will and confent thereto, which as heretofore, fo now again, he deeply fwears, he will 
 never be drawn orperfwaded to grant. And thefooner and better eternally and fuflytodafli 
 thefe their irregular loves and affe&ions, he thinks it fit for him to provide and requisite to pre- 
 rent his Daughter with anlther Husband To which end he gives her the choice of two or three 
 proper young men, and of very good families in Savona^ but fhe will have nonoof them, for 
 her affe&ion is fo deeply fixed, and conftandy fctled on Lorenzo , that fay her Father what he 
 will, or do he or they what they can, he can hardly draw her to fee, much lefs to fpeak with 
 any one of them : Whereat he calls her foolifh Giggler, and fond Girl, and fwears that he 
 will wholly renounce her for his Daughter, and abfolutely difiaherit her, and leave her a beg- 
 gar, if fhe marry Lorenzo , and then and there flies from her in rage and choler, and leaves 
 her to her felf, to entertain her difconfolate and fad thoughts, with a world of fighs and 
 tears. 
 
 As for the Letters which pafsfrom(7^»^ to Savona, and that arealfo returned from Sa- 
 vona to Genova, between thefe our two Lovers, Lorenzo and Ftrmia, deeming them imperti- 
 nent to (bis their Hiftory, I have therefore purpofely excluded, and for order and brevities fake 
 emitted them: The which entertained their time, and took up thair affedions and patience fo 
 long, that three years are now pafl and blown over, fincethey firft faw each other, arid fincer 
 Lorenzo firft motioned Moron for his confent to marry his Daughter, during all which long trad 
 of time, which to thefe cur two young Lovers feemed at leafi fo many ages ; the Reader is pray- 
 ed to underftand and take notice, that Lorenzo hath made five or fix journeys from Genova to Sa- 
 vona, to fee his Fermia , and hath importunately requefled her Father Moron for his confent, and 
 that at leafi many times fhe likewife hath imployed all her Parents and friends towards him, yea, 
 and hath been more often on her bended knees to him to beg it, but all thefe their requefis and 
 felicitations towaros him ptovc vain. 
 
 When Lorenzo at laft confidering and remembring, that he had ufed all the lawful means he 
 could poffibly invent, and Fermia all her beft indcavotirs and inventions which lay in her mortal 
 power to draw her Father Moron to their defires and tyifhes of marriage, and that neither they, 
 nor all the world, could prevail with him, he thinks it now high time ( as well for the feeling of 
 his fortunes and trade, as alfo for the confirmation of bis hearts content ) to lay clofe fiege to his 
 Fermia , that ( notwithftanding her Fathers refufals ) fhevvculd confer^ and yield to marry him, 
 and fo very fecretiy by night to leave him and Savona, and to come live and die with himielf in 
 Genova, telling her, that all hough he had never a Duckaton of marriage-mony with her from her 
 Father, yet that God had given him eftate and means enough to maintain her and his family, in 
 full and plentiful prosperity, and that he would be a thoufind times more tender and careful of 
 her than of his own life. I hus with a world of fweet vVords and fugred promifes and perfwafi- 
 ons, tbisfweet and fair young maiden ( contrary to her former wholfome, virtuous, and obedi-, 
 eht refolutiom) is atla'fi, drawn and tempted away by him, now to prove difobedient to her 
 Father, yea, and to forfake and flic away both from his houfe and hirafclf. So Lorenzo having to 
 that end fecretiy provided himfelf of a finefmall Frigot, of four Oars on each fide, he therewith 
 comes by night into the key cf Savona , (which the policy of Genoueffes, have dammed up, 
 and made uncapable of (hips of burthen, that thereby all the trade and commerce by Sea, may 
 arrive to their own Capital City, where giving notice toFcrmiaoi his being there, fheinthe 
 dead time of the night, when her Father and his fervants were fift aflecp, and all things be- 
 in.^ hufhed up in filencc, feemed toconfpire to her rafh and inconfiderate efcape, fhe by the 
 Garden-door, iffuedfatfh to LoUr.zo, who there received -her with much joy, and many kifles, 
 and fo conduds her to the Frigot, where the wind proving very fair, theyhoife up fail, and 
 early the next morning are at Genova ; where Lorenzo conduds her to Saint Saviours Church, 
 and there very fecretiy cfpoufcth and marries her. But, O Fermia , how l pity thy 
 youth and beauty, thy innocencv and indiferetion, thy few years, and many vertoes, thy 
 affcdion and misfortune , and thine ignorance and credulity , fo rafhly and difobcdicntly 
 
 Go a to 
 
 
Gods Revenge againfi Mart her. ■ Book IV. 
 
 to flic from S*von* to -Genova, and to take away thy fdf from thy Father, purpolely to give thy 
 felf in marriage to Loreto, for which iodiferect and difobedientfaftof three, « is not unpof- 
 fible for thee to fee this enfuing pofiuon verified and confirmed in thy fdf, That these u nothing 
 Co eaftein young people as to commit err ours , nor Jo difficult as to repair them. 
 
 Whiles thus our young married couple celebrate their nuptials in Geno'u* with delight ana joy, 
 old Moron the Father, grieves and llorms thereat in Savon*, for the fudden flight cf his Daugh- 
 ter • When fearing and believing that Lore***, hadftoilcnher away, he lecretly makes enquiry 
 Thereof athishoufeef Genoua, , from whence he hath per feft notice, that flic is there, and mar- 
 ried to him ; whereat he paifionately converts his grief into chcler, both again ft her and him, 
 and ( in regard of this their difgrace and difhonour offered him ) mod conliantly vows to him- 
 f c jf and to all who are near him, that they frail never touch nor enjoy the value cf one Docks- 
 ton of all his Eftate and wealth, as long as he or they live, and that he will not once fend after 
 them, nor ever hereafter fee them, which (harp vow and bitter fentence 2 gainft our Lorenzo and 
 Firmia, we frail be enforced to fee him too carefully to keep, and too feverely and punctually to 
 
 1 e Some'ten dayes after this marriage of Lorenzo and Fermi a, when their wedding joyes and plea- 
 fures had given them fome truce and time to confidcr of their worldly affairs, becaufe they know 
 and repute it folly, to think to be able wholly to live by love, Lorenzo confidering the injury and 
 difrrace which he bad offered his Father in Law Moron in this aftion, and therefore very dehreus 
 yet°now again to feck his confent and good will to this their marriage, that thereby he may par- 
 tiripate and frare of feme part of his wealth, he determineth frortlyto ride over t o Savon* 
 to him. and with his beft refp fits and duty to comply and labour with him for a reconciliation ; 
 and yet nevei thelefs, he thinks it very fit, and holds itmoft expedient, that his wife in the 
 mean time, frouid firft excufe her felf to her Father by her Letter, the which fre doth in thefe 
 terms. 
 
 PERM I A to MORON. 
 
 A Lthougk the caufe animanm r of my departure from you and from your houfe mke me more wor - 
 ** thy of jour Mignatiom ban of your pardon, yet when you (hall p/eafe to remember that you are 
 my Father , and my felf your child and Daughter , and that God and his holy Church, hath cf Loren- 
 zo my friend, now made him my Husband ; and alfo that for the term of three whole years, 1 with 
 tears and prayers , came many times proflrate to you on my bended knees to obtain jour confent there - 
 untoythtn 1 hope you will at leaft excufe, if not wholly forget and pardon this errour of minr.Or if thefe 
 reafons be not powerful enough to intercede with your difleafure ,/ moft humbly befetch yon further to 
 cenfider,that herein I have neither blemifhed nor dtfgraced your repute ion with any point of difhonour; 
 For as / came tom y Husbands bed a pure Virgin, fo I will live and die with him a chafi Wife ; and 
 that as this clandefiir.e fight and marriage of mine was the firft , fo it (hall be the l a ft aft of my difo- 
 btdience towards you. Some fmall portion of your wealth at our fir ft beginning , will do my Husband 
 and felf a great deal of gtfod in our trade-.but this I leave, as at your confiderationfoto your pleafurt; 
 Only in all humility and duty ( as low as the e*rtb or lower if I could ) 1 defire jour blefftng to me, 
 and implore your prayers td'Qodfor me, the which in religion you cannot, and in nature I hope yon will 
 not deny me. My Husband will fhortly fecond this Letter of mine to you with his prefence , and will 
 then commit t^at task^to his tongue, which I have now obediently impofed and commanded to my pen ? 
 my prayers and hopes , and his promifes and vertues do affnre me, that (in his ref peels a dfervice to 
 you ) you fall ever find him to be as much you r fervant as your fon-in-Law .God ever prof per your age 
 with health , and blefs your keulth Kith profperiiy. 
 
 FERMI A. 
 
 Moron received this Letter in Savona, and underftandirig by the Meffenger who brought 
 it, that it came from his Daughter Fermi a, from Genoua, he was at fir ft in fuch a fret and fume 
 cf choler thereat, as he once thought to have thrown it into the fire, without vouchfafing 
 to read it? But after he had made three or four turns in his Parlour, and fo fomewhat aba- 
 ted the violence of his paffion and choler, he then procures fo much time from his pleafure, 
 and fomuch patience from himfelf, as he breaks up the feals thereof and perufeih its the 
 wtjjcivs focnashe had performed, he in prefence of the meffenger who brought it, tears the 
 Letter in pieces, and then f all enraged with choler^ throws it into the fire, when again turn- 
 ing himfelf to him, he bad him tell the Gigglet his Daughter, 7k her carriage had been fo 
 lajfe, difobedient , and tngrauful to him , that he difdained to return her any anfwer to her Letter , and 
 was very for ry that he had fomuch d'fcendedfrom himfelf as to have received and read it > When 
 without once enquiring of him how his Daughter did, yea, without giving the Meffenger 
 
 any 
 
Hift- XX. 
 
 Lorenzo and Fermia. 
 
 any reward, or, which is lcfs, without nuking him drink, he haftily and cholerickly fl ngsfrom 
 him, and will no more fee or (peak with him ^ who returning to Genoa*, and reporting t q Lo- 
 renzo and his Wife what cold entertainment his Letter and himfelf had of her Father Moron in 
 Savona-^ fhe grieves and ftorms thereat publickiy, and he privately, and at their firft relation 
 and knowledg of this her Fathers unkindnefs in anfwering her Letter with filence, they look eac.i 
 on other with their countenances, compofed partly of difeontenu and partly of forrow, and for 
 her parr, fhe cannot refrain from tears, till at laft, her Husband Lo enz Heps to her, when (as 
 much to diffipate her grief, as todiffemblc his own) he gives her many fmiles, and comforts her 
 with thefe tpeeches. 
 
 That according toherpromife ( In her Letter ) to her Father, he will the next week go over 
 to him, md then will bear himfelf fo refpedively towards him, that he hopes hts prefence fh all 
 purchafe his Atfe&ion, which her Letter could not: fofhehcreat remains better fatisfied than 
 her Husband contented with this harfli carriage, and unkind refolution of their Father towards 
 
 Now fome eight dayes after, Lorenzo rides over to Savona, ( handfomly clad, and rather a- 
 bovethan below his quality ) and putting uphishorfe in an Inn, he a little before fupper-time 
 goes to his father-in-Law, Morons houfc, where inquiring of his fervants for him, they tell him he 
 is above in his chamber, when defirous to fee and fpeak with him, one of them Heps up to him, 
 and informs him thereof ; Whereat Moron Harting up, as if he had been fuddenly awaked out of 
 adream, heat the firft mention and name of Lorenzo, but efpecially ot that of his Son-in-Law 
 Lorenzo, bolts himfelf faftin his chamber, and then calling up his fervanrs to him he flatly char- 
 «eth them to deny his being within to Lorenzo , and as foon as he is gone forth, to fhut ihc doors 
 again H him, and at any hand, not to admit him into his houfe, for that his pleafnre and relolu- 
 tion is, neither to fee nor fpeak with him. Lorenzo bites his lips at this baffle ot his fervants, 
 firH, to fay tfieir Matter, his Father-in-Law,, was within, and then in one breath to contradict 
 and deny it. When for that time he holds it diferetion to depart, goes to his Hoftary (or Inn; 
 to Supper, and returns thither again fpcedily after, but finds the fame anfwer. So thcn fearing 
 the truth, that his Father-in-Law Was (infallibly) within, and yet would not be wirhin, he re- 
 turns to his lodging, and in much choler, betakes himfelf to hi? bed : But this difccurcefie of his 
 Father- in- Law will not permit him any found reft, but only afford* him many broken difcontent- 
 cd {lumbers. The next morning, very^arly, he returns thither again, to fee and fpeak with 
 him, but the firft proved the laft anfwer of his fervants, whereat Z«m*9 (all netted with choler 
 and anger ) takes horfe, and rides away for Genoaa. 
 
 Allow we him by this time returned to Genoaa, where he truly and fully relates to his wife 
 Frrww the difeourtefie of her father towards him, from point to point, as wc have formerly un- 
 derftood, which (poorfweet fcul ) exceedingly grieves her heart, and infinitely perplexeth 
 her mind and thoughts, but how to remedy it fhe knows not ; for as (he knows, (he ( by her 
 difobedient flight and marriage againft her Fathers confent ) hath committed a great fault to- 
 wards him, fo now (he fees, that ( of recertify ) (he mult own and make the belt of it : When 
 he comforting his wife with encouragement, and (he reciprocally encouraging him with comfort, 
 they refer the ifliie of this their fathers pleafure or dtfpleafure unto God ; but yet rather hoping 
 than difpairing, that a little time will make him more tractable and flexible to their defires, they 
 pafs away tr.eir time merrily and fweetly together, he proving a courteous and loviDg Husband to 
 her, and (he a kind and dutiful wife to him. He exceeding provident to get and thrive by his 
 trade, and (he as careful in her heufe and family, to fave what he gets, and thus in fix months af- 
 ter, they neither go nor ?fend to their Father, thinking and hoping, that although it be unlikely, 
 vetic is not impoflible but that hereafter of his own free accord and good difpofition and nature, 
 he may thortly ‘exchange his difpleafurc into courtefie, and his malice into affeftion towards them: 
 llutas yet, they (fill find the contrary, for in all this time, he never fends to them, nor fo much 
 as once hearkens after them. 
 
 At the end cf fix months Lorenz') prayes his wife Fermia to ride over to Savona to lee 
 what alteration this long time hath wrought in her Father’s affeaion , and fo recommends 
 her portion from him to her care and remembrance , but refolves not to write to him be- 
 caufc of his unkindnefs to him at his laft being at Savona, Fermia ( more in obedience to ner 
 Husband, than out of her own willingnefs or defire ) accepts cf this journey , but Hill (he 
 tears that fhe (hall find herfather to be one and the fame man in his difeontent and difple*- 
 fure againrt them. But yet in regard (he is bis own flefh and blood, his only child, and there- 
 fore a great part of himfelf, (be yet flatters hcrfelf with this hope, that he cannot be fo un- 
 nauraf to her, as he was unkind to her Husband. She comes to Savona j but look what en- 
 
 O© 3 tertamment 
 
God's Revenge againft Murtber. Book I V 
 
 fertaintncDt her Husband Lorenz,* found from her Father, the fame in all refpeds and points doth 
 fhe, and no otherwife : For he wilt neither fpeak with her, nonorfee, nor permit her, either 
 to lie, eat, or drink inhisheufe, but molt uncourteoufly and unnaturallv caufeth bis doors to be 
 fait fhut againft her ; yea, and to add cruelty to his unkindnefs, he is extream angry with his fer- 
 vants, for daring to admit her to fpeak with him, and with her Aunt AUjna ( his own Sifter ") 
 for receiving and lodging her. ' 
 
 Our fweet Firmia the Daughter is extreamly perplexed, affli&ed, and grieved at this her 
 Father's bitter unkindnefs and cruelty towards her, the which fhe feals with many li»hs, and con- 
 firms with infinite Rivulets of tears which trickle down her beautiful cheeks, as lomanv pearl- 
 ed drops of dewon blufhing and fragrant damask-Rofes : When again employing her aforefaid 
 Aunt Alcyna , and likewife intreating father- Bemardin de Monte , her father’s ownghoftly Father 
 to perfwade him in her behalf, which they do. Rut at laft feeing the riquefts of the one bootlef-’ 
 and the fpiritual exhortations of the other vain and to no effed, then, as (he came from Genoua 
 to Savona, with fome hope and joy, fo fhe is again conftrained to return from Savona to Genoua 
 with infinite grief and defpair; Where from point to point ('betwixt Anger and Tears ) fhe 
 relates to her Husband Lorenzo the unnatural difeourtefie which her Father had offered her - 
 Whereat, as before, fonow he again diffembleth his difeontent thereof, and with many fweet 
 Speeches, and feme few Kiffes, feeks to comfort and pacific her: But (fill the remembrance 
 hereof, flicks deep in he: mind, and yet far deeper in his thoughts: for the knowled^of his 
 Father- in- Law Morons difeourtefie firft offered to himfelf, and now to his Wife in Savona be- 
 ing known and reported to many of his Neighbours and Friends in Genoua, they feoff and taunt 
 at his foolifh Ambition, in marrying and Healing away his Wife, and in all Companies which 
 he frequented), they give him this quip, that he had done far wiferto have married a poor 
 Trades-mans- Daughter in Genoua withafinail portion, than a rich Vintners in Savona with oo- 
 thmg: Which foolifh and maltcrous fpeech of theirs, falls not fo cafily from his Memory as 
 from their Tongues , but leaves an impteffion therein. For from henceforth Lonnzo of a wife 
 roan, proves himfelf a fool; of anhoneft man, a knave; and foof a good Chriflian to God 
 an extream bad Husband both to his Wife and himfelf : For now feeing the mountains of his 
 hopes of a Rich Wife turned to Molehils, and they to nothing through his Father’s difnleafure 
 and unkmdnefs to them, he looks not on his Wife with fo kind and refpedive an eye as hert to 
 fore, although poor harmlefs young woman, fhe knows far better to lament and o r j ev e than 
 howto remedy her Fathers cruelty towards them: But this is but the beginning o/° his inorati 
 tude and her unfortunacy, for before a whole year be pall fmee their Marria°e, her HusWd 
 fo far forgets hts love to his Wife, his regard to himfelf, and his reputation and credit to the 
 world, as he firft begins to flight her, and then to negleaboth himfelf and his profeff 10 n • And 
 here now tt is, that Idlenefs begins firft to enter into his Hands, Vice into his Heart, and Sin 
 into his Soul; and here it is, that he firft fails into bad courfcs, and wicked Company, from 
 J all C fidet Che Cnd fCa ° W,llproceed ^ng but (liame, repentance, mifery and confufion 
 
 He who formerly prayed often with his Wife and Family in his houfe, and was a devout and 
 religious frequenter o his Church, irowfie is fo dangeroufly fled from God, and fo defperately 
 fo lowing of the Devil, as he fcorns the Chuch, and will neither pray himfelf at home with his 
 Wife, nor (’ which is wc.rfe; permit or fufferher to do it at home with her Family He hath 
 forgott -n her dear affetf ion and conftancy to him, and how tlie hath incurred her Father’s indica- 
 tion for making him her Husband, and her felf his Wife.- He hath forgotten his former oaths 
 and promite of hts tender affe&ion and conftant love to her, and how that in life and death he 
 would five and die more hers than hi, own ; He hath forgotten how for hi, fa£, Vnd ft th7f e ; 
 vent love flie bore him, that the forfook divers rich young men of Savona , who were every way 
 his Supenours m Birth, Wealth, and Profcffion : Or elfe if he did remember ir, he would not 
 thus flight her by day, or he from her by night in lewd and lafeivious Company, fpending both 
 his time his means, and himtelf upon Panders, Bawds, and Strumpets ; from which uncdly 
 life and finfiil converfation neither her prayers, intreaties, requefts, perfwafions, fi , hs or n tea ^ 
 can poffbly reclaim him ; but he lets all things run at random and confufion without o°rder, care, ‘ 
 or confident, on fo that withm tbe compafsof one wholeyear and a half, his Trade isnSffi 
 his Credit crackt, h,s Reputation loft, his Eftate fpent, and nothing left either to mSS 
 himfelf or relieve ner, butGnet, Sorrow, Defpair, and Mifery. She fets all his beft ffields 
 and moft vert, ions acquaintance to convert him from this his abominable life, yea fte hX 
 more ftiame than fin to acquamt his Confeffor therewith, who taking a fit time, deals roundly 
 with him for his Reformation, and fails not to paint out bis fins and vices as alfo their deferve^ 
 puntfliments in their fouled and moft hideous colours : But (fill her Husband Lorenzo is fo 
 
 ftrongly 
 
Hi it. XX. Lorenzo and Ferrmia. 
 
 ftrongly linked to the Devil, and fo firmly wedded to his bcaftly vices and enormities, that'all 
 the world cannot divert or diflivade him from them ^ and (till he is fo far from abandoning and 
 forfaking them, as he adds new to his old : For the Devil hath now taught him to delight in curf- 
 in° and ('wearing ; for in his fpecches and aftions, heufeth many fearful oaths and defperate ex- 
 ecrations : He begins to revile her, and to give her foul language, terming her beggar,' and her 
 Father Villain, and that he is bound to curfe them both, becaufe ( faith he ) they have beggar- 
 ed him ; when God and his finful foul and confcience well know, that there is nothing more un- 
 true or falfe .• For if his-piety towards God, or his care and providence of himfelf and his family 
 had equalized hers, he had then made himfelf as happy as now he is miferable, and Ihc as joyful, 
 as now we fee her difconfolate and forrowful , and then no doubt, but time and God would have 
 drawn her Father CMoron to have bellowed fomc portion on him with his Wife, whereas now the 
 knowlcdgof his impious life and lafeivrus prodigalities doth j'uftly occafion him to the contrary. 
 Again, here befalls another accident which brings our forrowful Fermia, new Grief, Vexation, 
 aod Tears: for (he fees her fclf great, yea quick with child bv her Husband Lorenzo, fo as that 
 which ftie once hoped would have been the argument of her joy, now proves the caufe of her 
 affliftion and forrow ; for his vices hath fcarcc left her wherewith to maintain her fclf ; and there- 
 fore it grieves her to think and confider, how hereafter fhe (hall be able to maintain her child 
 when God in his appointed time (hall fend it her ; for he hath fo confumed his eftate, and fpenr, 
 fold and pawned all their beft houfhold (luff and Apparel, that aimed, they have nothing left to 
 give themfelues maintenance, hardly bread : But yet Hill how lewd and irregular foever Loreto 
 be, his vertuous and forrowful wife Fermia ferves God duly and truly, and fpendsa grea< part of 
 her time in prayer. Hill fcefeeching the Lord to give her patience, and to forgive her tusbmd 
 all his foul fins towards him, and cruel ingratitude towards her fe!f •• When, in the micll of this 
 her poverty and mifery, once (he thought to have left her Husband in Genoua, and to have caff her 
 felf a. her Fathers feet in Savona, that he would pardon, receive and entertain her: But 'hen 
 again confidering bis flinty heart and cruelty towards her, and that he would rather contemn t ban 
 pity her youth and mifery, but efpecially calling to mind her duty to her Husband, and her Oath 
 oiven him in marriage, in the prefence of God and his Church, for better, forworfe, for richer, 
 for poorer^ Then, I fay, the confiderauon and remembrance thereof, is fo ftrong a r/c to her 
 Confcience’, and fo drift an obligation to her foul, that (he thinks his vices and poverty, hath 
 now n^re need of her alfiftance, prayers and company, then of herabfcnce; fo, as a vertuous 
 wife, and a religious Chriftian (he will not confent to forfake and leave him, butrefolves today 
 and live with him, tofeewhat the Lord is pleafed to impofeon her, and ( for his fins aod hers ) 
 what affliftions and miferies he hath ordained and decreed for them : And yet being defirous to 
 draw hope and comfort anyway, becaufe (he finds grief and difpair from all parts, (he refolves 
 to acquaint her Father with her calamities, asalfo ( earneftly and humbly ) to pray him to relieve 
 them, the which (he doth in this her forrowful letter to him, which (Ire fends him fafely to Savona. 
 
 FERMIA to MORON. 
 
 I N TO find to my grief, and know ** m 1 ^ aMe Repentance, that my df obedience in marrying Lo- 
 
 tenzo again/} your confent and without your bbfftng, is the reafon why God bath thus punifhed ms 
 with a bad Husband in him, rrboft fervent effeflion to me is fo foon forgotten and frozen, and whofe 
 venues in himfelf are fo [ uddenly and JinfuUy exchanged into vices, that his frodigalitie hath /pent 
 and confumed all his eft ate, and left not wherewith either to give himfelf or me maintenance : In which 
 regard becaufe my affiittions are fo great, and my miferies fo infinite, that I rather deferveyour pity 
 th-n your difpleafurr, Therefore if not for my fake who am your living Daughter, yet for my mothers 
 fake and remembrance , who is your d ad wife ; either give my Husband means tofet up his old trade 
 and forfake his new vies in Genoua, or elfe t«ke me home to live with you again in Savona ; And if 
 you win not inTfaturerefyeii me ass your Daughter, yet in companion entertain me as your Hand- 
 maid, and I moft humbly andreligioufly befeech you think.a»d confider with your felf, to what great 
 wants and neeeffitie I am now reduced , Jtth l write youthis my Letter rather w,th tears than Ink.: 
 God direll your heart to wy relief and confolation, as mine is eternally devoted to your fervice, and 
 
 ' fermia; 
 
 Her Father Moron after a long confultation and reluftation with himfelf , whether he (hould 
 read or rejeft this Letter of his Daughter ; He at I aft (having formerly underftood of her 
 Husbands prodigality, and her poverty and mifery ) breaks up the Seals thereof and peru- 
 feth it, and furely if there had been any fpark of humanity or reafon, or of good oatnre 
 or pity in him at* all, his former knowledgof her miferies and now this prefent affurance 
 
Gods Revenge agamft Murther.' Book IV 
 
 and confirmation thereof, fliould have perfwaded him to grant her, if not the fir ft, ye: the fe. 
 cond of her requefts, which was to receive her, and give her maintenance : but he is ftill fo 
 hard-hearted to her as he will neither relieve her wants,nor pity her aflhftions, but (more out 
 of hatred than affeftion to her ) thinks he hath done enough in lending her not his Love, but 
 this his lharp Letter in anfwer of hers. 
 
 MORON to FERMIA. 
 
 I F th J Husband prove not to thy liking , thou haft juft reafon to thanl^thy f elf, and condemn theine 
 oVpn temerity & dif obedience in c hoofing him. & if his affeftion befo foon forgotten or frozen to thee: 
 it is a juft pumjhment ofG$d y bccaufe thine yea s jo firft to me y whereof as that is the eff .ftyfo doubtlefs 
 this is the prime,and original caufe thereof and as his vices and prodigality hath ffen t all his Eft ate, 
 fo I have not fo little judgment y( though thou fo (mall under /landing) to think^that mine /hall redeem 
 it , which ( upon the Vehole ) were then to imitate and fecond him in his folly, and conf tqttenfly to ma^c 
 my f elf gudty in confuming it • And becaufe thou fleddeft with him without my kyiowledg from Sa- 
 vona to Genoua, and didft ihcre marry him without my confent , therefore it is neither thy Grief nor 
 AL if cry, or thy [hamt & repentance ,which /ball induce me either to refptft or pitty thee as my Daugh- 
 ter, or which is lefsyto relieve & entertain thee my handmaid^you both are young enough to \Vorl^& la- 
 bour f r your living, as thy mother and my (elf did for oursyand therefore kpow thy youth deferveno 
 compajfion from my age, and if this will net fatisfiethecythen the beft advice and counfel which I can 
 or will give thee is that thou continually dire ft thy prayers toGcdffor thy relief and confolation :And 
 herein thou wilt then ferve thy felfpleafe mc y nnd glorifie him : And as thou regar deft my Commands , 
 or aifireftmy btejfwgy let me neither feethee y or hereafter hear any more of thy vain and foolifi 
 Letters . MORON. 
 
 The receitof this her Fathers unkind and cruel Letter to her, doth atone time kill both 
 her hopes with dtfpair, and her heart with grief: or if that do not, then the mad tyranny, 
 and new cruelty of her debauched Husband doth : for now contrary co nature, beyond reafon 
 and oppofice to Grace, he many times beats her *, Ihe is all in tears hereat, ufeth all polflble 
 means co reclaim him from his new vices to his old vertues.* She continually perfwades him 
 fairly with exhortations, fwectly with fighs, and deerly with tears, yea poor fweet young wo- 
 man, Ihe many times calls herfelf at his feet, and with Tier arms crofted, her hands elevated 
 towards Heaven,her hair difhcvelled and dangiing about her cheeks, andjher pearled tears be- 
 dewing the Lillies of her mournful and difconfolate countenance, begs him to forfake fcs vices 
 to himfelf, and his undeferved unkindnefs and cruelty towards her : But ail this is in vain, 
 for he proves deaf to her requefts and prayers, and blind to her fighs and tears.He hath no lon- 
 ger raony to buy Corn, and is fo far from felling any bread to others, as he hath fcarce enough 
 to give ro himfelf, and cobisgreat bellied-wife : andasforhis fervants heisinforced to put 
 them all away : His vanity to himfelf and cruelty, co his wife is too too lamentably notorious 
 and remarkable ; for when he wants mony, he beats her, if Ihe will not prcfently fupply his 
 wants, and furnifh his expences. Now in the midde/l of all thefe her griefs and miferics, God 
 fends her a fair young Son, of whom the Father is not worthy, no nor of his vertuous wife 
 who bore it : For had not the ca e, affeftion, and charity of her Neighbours been far greater 
 than that ofher Husband to her,b>th the mother had mifcarryed,and the child perifhed in the 
 lharp throws and agony of her delivery •, and the name of this her little Son whom Ihe caufeth 
 to be chriftened in a very poor manner and ceremony, is Ihomafo : For Ihe is fo poor as Ihe 
 hath nothing but rags to cover him with, and therefore with much grief and Ihame, (he begs 
 poor linnen clouts of her Neighbours to keep him clean and fweet : when it is waking, Ihe 
 looks and kifieth it often with joy, but when it lleeps or fucks, then Ihe grieves that it is fo un- 
 fortunate both in a wicked father, and in a poor difconfolate mother, who hath more means 
 to lament and pitty than milk to feed and nourilh it : She often Ihews her husband his child, 
 and importunately begs him henceforth to have a more provident care of himlelf for his childs 
 fake, and of his child for his own fake. But he as a lewd Husband and too degenerate a Father 
 doth neither love nor carefor either, but hates both of them:, yea his vices and cruelty makes 
 her forrow fo infinite, that Ihe reputes herfelf a burthen to her felf, and a thoufand times 
 wilhech Ihe were in Heaven • And one time among the reft after her Husband without caufe 
 tad given her many bitter words and fome lharp and cruel blows, her child being in its Cra- 
 dle, he gene forth, from choller Ihe falls down on her knees to.prayer «, the whieh fo foon as Ihe 
 had ended, and her child awaking ard crying, (he takes it up in her arms, and mournfully 
 fitting down on the floor by her bed fide, (fhe weeping as fall as her poor infant Babe fucked) 
 having bolted her Chamber door, was over-heard by one of her Neighbours twixt whom and 
 her felf there was but a Wainfcot enterclofe and partition ) to pronounce thefe (or the like ^ 
 forrowfu 1 fpeeches to her felf. 
 
 O poor Fermia, it had been an infinite happinefs for thee if thou baddeft never feen thy huf- 
 
 band 
 
Hi flXX . Lorenzo and Fermia. 
 
 band Lorenzo , or perilhcd & funk in the Sea when tho^ fledd^kh him Irom 
 
 , ’ ^ C i 0re ^ was {] 'y Husbjnd. for furely thou haft great caufe to think, and reafon to 
 
 God v Cnie rh ty F f t' S t0WardS thee ’ ,S a ' uft pla 8 uc aid punilhment fent thee from 
 God, for di (obeying thy Father,in marrying without his confcnt and blefling , with whom 
 
 Wed to" ri ,V ? ft h ". 8le V th0U ^ fo much feUcit * and knewert no! whit be- 
 
 "! d fnn^riZ "T ‘T 8 3 Wlfc t0 this th y Husband, thou art inforced 
 
 to tafte lo much grief and mifery as thou knoweft no more what belongs to joy and felicity 
 
 Then thou diddeft (urfeit with the choice of the coftlieft meats and viands, and now thou 
 
 tonrThCwh V 6 T y d for K Wa r ° f u bread 1 Then ^ 3 P pard was «ich,but now rent and 
 '° ‘ ;T hen th J ^ au fy m . ade thec f ou 8 ht in marriage by divers, and now thy griefs and for- 
 ro ws having defaced and withered it, thou art contemned and hated of him who married 
 
 I Hnsh?nd aD o 7 Bn h / matche r d ’° r th * a , dions and Arrows paralleld, when thou halt 
 Husband who neither fears nor ferves God, who will neither go to Church or pray him- 
 
 <elf,or permit or lulfer thee to do it, and who is fo far from loving thec, as he loves nothin* 
 better than to hate, revile, and beat thee : For (aye me) he drowns himfelf and his wits m 
 wine, and keeps whores to thy No(e,fpends all his eftate upon them,aud upon Bawds Pa<i- 
 
 hiVtimc d a?d r ldmf df (the ,° rf * lcutr | and Cat etpillers of the world) with whom he confumes 
 is time and himfdl, making night day, and day night in thefehis beaftly revels, and ob- 
 
 feene voluptuouhiefs, and upon whom he hath (pent fo much, as he now hath nothing left 
 ei ther to (pend, or maintain himfelf and thee, yea, thy miferiesare fo great, and thyafBi&i- 
 ons and forrows fo fliarp and infinite, that thou haft no parent left to fuccor or relieve thee, 
 and which is lefs,no frigid who willaffift or comfort thee.Poor young woman, and difeon- 
 folate forrowfu! wife that thou art, it were ablefTed happinefs, and a happy blelfmg for 
 hce that thou wert unborn or unmarried. Alas, alas, thymother died too foon tor thee when 
 thou wert young and therefore flie cannot, and thy Father lives, (and is exceeding rich)yet 
 hates thee lomuch as he will not affift and relieve thec. And as all thy Kinsfolks refufe to 
 lend or fend thee any comfort in thefe thy wants and calamities s fo thofe who profeffed 
 thcmfclves thyfriends in thy profperity,will not now either ice thee in thypoverty,or know 
 thee in thy mifery When again and again looking on her pretty babe, and giving it many 
 tender kiffes,then(her tears interrupting her words,and her iighs again cutting her tears in 
 piecees) ihe continueth her ipeech thus : And thou my fweet babe, what ihall I fay to thec, 
 nth al molt I can do nothing for thee,for I have no food to give my fe!f,how then can I give 
 rm k to thee?andyet I love thee fo dearly and tenderly, that although thy unkind & cruel 
 tat l u r f °L dead ly> y et 1 wil1 ftarve before thou (halt want, yea, I will cheerfully 
 
 work, and' lf 0cca [ 10 " &"?) be S my felf to death to get fuftenance and neceflarics for the 
 preservation of thy life. For live thou my fweet babe as happy as thy poor mother is mife- 
 rable & untortunate.-And if I die before thee, (as I hope I ihall not live longjfay thou hadft 
 a mot er w io oved thee a thoufand times dearer than her own life, and who was rich in 
 care and affection, though poor in Eftate and means to maintain thee. And iflleave thee 
 nothing behind me, fbecaule I have now nothing left me either to give or leave thee)yet I 
 i 8lVl | tn j L " ™y b ' c ^ in 8’ and leave thee heir tothefe my molt religious prayers, That 
 
 u u hlS , dlVlnclt fa r our and merc y wil1 noc P°ur down his wrath and puniihments on 
 thee, but thou mayeft live to be as happy m thy vertues, as I fear thy Father will be mife- 
 rable in h.s vices i and as true afervant and inifrument of God’s glory, as (with grief and 
 tcarsj I ice he is of his own difgrace and diflionour. 
 
 Neither is our vertuous Fermia deceived in the clofe of this her paflionate and prefaging 
 tpeecluo wards her Husband, tor he continues his odious and ungodly courfeof life both to- 
 wards God and her, and now (as well in his freih as his drunken humors) makes it his pra- 
 dhee to revile and his delight and glory to beat heriwho notwithftanding yet thinking and 
 hoping to - work Ionic good in him.through the fight of this poor infant his Son : She often 
 (hews it to him, and with fighs and tears prays him to leave oft this his finful life towards 
 God, and thefe his cruel courfes and adhons towards her felf. But he is (fill the fame man, 
 
 ° WiUc ^ dl y debauched and vicious* as he will not endure to think of making 
 uitiIl. uteijttd i to lay the truth, I believe and think that the Devil cannot poflibly make 
 
 nim worle > t^hich his poor forrowful wife perceiving, as alfo that her child being now 
 7 t is time a moft two years old, Hie hath not wherewithal in the world to maintain it in 
 meat or clothes, Ihe is inforced to make a vertue of neceflity, and fo works exceeding hard 
 with her Needle, thereby to give life to her felf and her pretty young Son > and yet fay ihe 
 
 P F what 
 
29 ° 
 
 God's Revenge agamjt iViurther . Book IV. 
 
 what (he will with' tighs,and do (he what (he can with tcars,hcr Husband (till forcibly takes 
 away the two parts of the poor profit, and lmall rcvenew of her labours, both (rom her felf, 
 and her little Son Ibomafo, nnt caring it they ftarve or dic,fo he Have to maintain his vicious 
 expenses among his leud Contorts and Companions^ yea, her miferies and wants are now fo 
 great, and her affe&ion to her child fo dear and tender, that when (he hath no means to let 
 her felt to work,nor can procure any from others, then (though to her matchlefs grief and 
 (hame) (he defends fpfar from her (elf, as (ham', fully and fccretly in remote flrects and 
 Churches, (he begs the almes and charity oi dome well difpofed people for their fubfiltcnCe 
 and maintenance. But at length, when (he fees that her Husband is informed & acquainted 
 therewith, and that heisfo inhumane in himfelf, and To cruel-hearted to her and her Son, 
 that he likewife takes thele fmall monies away from her , which in etfedt is to take bread 
 out of their mouths, and life out of their bodies):then not knowing what in the world to 
 do, or which way to wind or turn her felf any longer to maintain her Son, which (by many 
 degrees) (he loves better than her felf, (he rctolves to write to her Father to take him home 
 to him at Savona,md maintain him, which (he doth by this her enfuing Letter, which carri- 
 ed him this humble language and petition. 
 
 FERMIA toMORON. 
 
 T He iflereafe of my Husbands vices are tbofe of tny wants and miferies , which are now grown fo 
 extream and infinite , that I have not clothes nor food lift to maintain my felf or my poor little 
 Son Thomafo, nor fcarce to give life to us. And confidering that 1 am your Daughter (yea your 
 only child) methinkj both in Nature and Cbrifiianity , that my Father jhould not fee me driven to 
 thefe Jharp and bitter extremities , without relieving me , cfpecially , btcaufe as heretofore , fo now my 
 fighs btgg it of you frith humility for charities fakg, and my tears with forrow for Gods fakg.Or if yet 
 your heart will not diffolve into pity , or relent into compaffion towards me, at leafi let it towards my 
 poor and pretty young child, whom now with prayers and tears 1 befeech you to takg from me and 
 maintain, though not as a great part of me, yet as a little piece of your felf, and whom God(in bis 
 J acred power and fecret providence) may (for bis honour and glory) referve to be as much bappmfs 
 to you, as I your forrow ful Daughter, and his poor Mother fee my felf born to afflittion and mifery : 
 God will requite this your charity to him, and thereby I fhali the fooner forget your unnatural unkind- 
 nefs and cruelty towards my felf And fo may you live in as much projperity, its l fear IJhall jhortly die 
 in extream indigence and mif rry . 
 
 FERMIA. 
 
 Her Father Moron recciveth and perufeth this third Letter of his Daughter Fermia , 
 whereat being yet nothing moved in charity , or touched in compallion towards 
 her, but only towards her young Son ( and his grand child^ Lbomafo , he returns her 
 this Ihort Anfwer. 
 
 MORON to FERMIA. 
 
 I Sec thou art both wilful and objlinate in difobeying my commands, with thy Letters', wherein 1 be- 
 lieve thou tatyl more glory, than either I conceive grief at the relation of thy wants,or forrw at the 
 repetition of thy miferies , the which 1 amfofar from relieving, as I only pity it that I am thy Father 
 but not as thou art my Daughter. And yet becaufe thy young Son Thomafo is as innocent as thou an 
 guilty of my difpleafure and indignation , therefore give him to this bearer whom 1 have purpojcly fent, 
 to receive him of thee , and I will fee whether it be the pita fur e of God that IJhall be as happy in him 
 its I am unfortunate in thy felf, and if in his j acred providence he hath ordained and decreed that he 
 prove as great a comfort to thy agents thou art a cmfj and calamity to mine , which if it prove fo, then 
 give God the only praife and glory, which is the beji ufe and requital which thou canji ma^ or Ide - 
 
 1 ar 
 
 MORON. 
 
 Our poor and defol ttc Fermia having received and over-read her Fathers Letter, although 
 
 flic 
 
Hid XX 
 
 Lorenzo and Fermia. 
 
 2QI 
 
 fhe be wonderful forrowful at the perfeverance of his cruelty towards her felf, yet (lie is in- 
 finitely glad and joyful at his compaffion and kindnefs towards her young Son, whom appa- 
 relling the very belt that poffibly (he could ( which God knows is ragged, mean, and poor ) 
 fhef with a thoufand fighs, tears, prayers, blcffingc, and kiflesj gives him to her Father’s Mei- 
 fenger,to whofe affeftionand education, as alfo to God’s gracious protection and preferva- 
 tion,fhe religioufly recommends him •> whenfto her exceeding grief and fenfible affliction ) 
 fhe fees it out of her poffible power once to perfwade her Husband Lorenzo cither to kifs or 
 ro fee him at his departure, as if it were no part of his affection to blefs it, or of his duty 
 to pray to God to bids it,much lefs to kifs it at parting. A moll unkind and unnatural part 
 of a father to his fweet and pretty young Son. Which llrange and difcourteous ingratitude 
 of his, it is not im poffible for us to fee God as lirangely both to requite and re- 
 venge. 
 
 Sorrowful Fermi* having thus fent away her little Son Tbomafo to her Father Moron at 
 Savon a, flic the very fame night dreams in her poor Bed and houle in Genova , that fhe fhall 
 never be fo happy to fee him again \ when being awaked,and remembring this her fbrrow- 
 ful and fad dream,{he for meer grief bitterly weeps thereat, and although fhe would, yet (lie 
 cannot poffibly forget or fupprefs the remembrance thereof, or once put it out of her mind*, 
 fo that thinking her felf fortunate in placing this her little fon with her Father, and his 
 Grandfather, fhe is now very penfive and forrowful for his abfence, becaule (lie can no lon- 
 ger fee him, play with him, and kifs him, and is infinitely difconfolate and mournful when 
 fhe thinks of her dream of him. In the mean time her lewd Husband grows from bad to 
 worfe, fo that her co-habitation is but a bondage with him, and her marriage and wedlock 
 but an indenture of flavery,aiid a contract of mifery under him. Such is her incomparable 
 grief, fuch her unparalleld afflictions and calamities. 
 
 Five years our dilconfolate Fermia lives in this mifery, and miferable poverty with her 
 Husband, and yet all the whole world cannot perfwade her Father Moron to take her home 
 to him and maintain her. She hath no confolation left her but prayers, nor remedy but en- 
 forced patience > fo fhe arms her felf with the lalt,and adorneth her felf with the firfh She 
 was contented to beg for the maintenance of her little Son TbomaJ'o, but now being eafed of 
 that burthen fhe will give itover,fo fhe works hard to get her hard and poor living, which 
 yet flie cannot get fo faft as her Husbands fpends it prodigally and lafeivioufly Her care and 
 vertues make her the pity, as his lewdnefs and vices make him the fcorn and contempt of 
 their Neighbors. So while (he fits at home clofe at her needle in poor apparel, he idly wan- 
 ders abroad until he have brought his apparel to rags, and himfelf almoft to nakednefs. 
 And here it is that wretched Husband Lorenzo now firft begins to harken to the Devil, yea, 
 to prove a very Devil himfelf, to wards this his dear and virtuous Wife, for he enters into a 
 confutation with himfelf that if he were once rid of his Wife Fermia, he might marry fome 
 other with a good portion co maintain him, and fo again fet up his Trade of Baking, which 
 now had forfakenhim, becaufehehad vitioully and unthriftily forfaken it. When his 
 faith being as weak with God, as his infamous life and vices were odious to the world, he 
 affumes a bloody and damnable refolution to murther her, and hereunto the Devil is (fill 
 at his elbow to provoke and egg him onward, and continually blows the coals to this his 
 malice and indignation againlt her : So neither his mind or heart, his confcience or foul can 
 divert him from this tearful enterprize,and lamentable bloody bufmefs. The which to per- 
 form and perpetrate, he on a great holiday ( which was the purification of the bJefltd Virgin 
 Miry ) takes her with him into a Vineyard fome half a mile from the City of Genova under 
 colour to recreate themfelvcs,and to take the air, which God knows, fhe poor foul,takes for 
 a great ,becaufe an unaccuftomed favour and courtefie at his hands, where fhe moft lovingly 
 and vviljingly goes with him, and there feigning himfelf fait a fieep, and fhe ('innocent 
 harmless young woman J then and there flept foundly, and everyway being as devoid of 
 fear, as he was of grace, he with a barbarous and diabolical cruelty, (feeing the coaft clear ) 
 fottly rifeth up and cuts her throat, without giving her the power, time or happinefsto ut- 
 ter one word before her death : Where leaving her weltering and goring in her blood, he , 
 fpeedily and politkkly enters Genova by a contrary gate, thereby to avoid all fufpition of this 
 his bloody andd®nable faft. 
 
 The very fame night this her breathlefsmurthered body is found out by fome of Genova, 
 who accidently walked th3t way, and they cauiing it to be brought to the City, it is known 
 by fome oi Lorenz?* Neighbours, to be his Wife Fermia , whereat to add the better cloak to 
 
 Pp 2 
 
 his 
 
292 
 
 God's Revenge againfl Murther. Book IV. 
 
 his knavery, and (hadow to his villany, he Teems to be wondertully fad, and pjflionately 
 forrowful for the fame, and To requelteth the Criminal Officers, both in and about che 
 City to make curious refearch and enquiry for the murtherers of his Wife, which they den 
 but this hypocritical fainefs and falfe (orrow of his, though (to thfeeyeol the world) it 
 prevail for a time, yet (to that of God’s Mercy and Judice) in the end, it fhall little avail 
 him : fo he gives her a poor and obfeure burial, every way unworthy the Tweet nefs of her 
 beauties, and the excellency of her vertues. Her Father Moron hath fpeedy notice of this de- 
 plorable death of his Daughter,who confidering how (he had cad away her fclf upon fo bad 
 a Husband as Lorenzo, though outwardly he Teem to bewail and lamenr it, yet inwardly he 
 much cares not for it * and for her little So nThomafo, his tew years defpenceth with his ca- 
 pacity from underhanding, much lefs from lamenting and mourning for this difafterous 
 end of his Mother. A month after the cruel murther and burial or this vertuous, yet un- 
 fortunate young woman Fermia , her bloody and execrable Husband Lrenzo, is yet fo de- 
 void of grace) as he goes to Savona to requeft his Father in Law Moron, to give him Tome 
 maintenance, in regard he had no portion from him with his Wife his Daughter, asalfoto 
 fee his Son Ibomafo. But Moron by hislervants, fends him a peremptory refufal to both 
 thefe his requeds, and fo will neither fee him, nor differ him to fee his Son, but abfolutely 
 for ever forbids him his houfe : Whereat Lorenzo all in choler leaves Savona and returns to 
 Genova , where felling away his wife’s old Clothes to provide him new, he fecks many May- 
 dens and Widows in marriage, but the fame of his bad life, and infamous carriage and de- 
 portment with his late Wife, is fotrelh and great, that they all difdain him *, fo that utterly 
 defpairing ever to raife himfelf and his fortunes by marriage^ he forfakes and leaves Genova, 
 inrolls himfelf a Bandetti^ and for many years together prattilefti that thievifh profeflion, to 
 the which we will leave him, and fpeak a little of his young and little Son T bomafo. 
 
 Old Moron Trains up this his Grand-child Ihninafo , very vertuoufly and indudrioufly, 
 and at the age of fourteen years, bids him chufe and imbrace any trade he bell Iiketh:When 
 Thomafo exceedingly delighting in Limming, Graving, Imagery, he becomes a Goldfmith, 
 & in four or five years after, is become a fingular, expert and skilful work-man in his tradei 
 His Grand-father loves him dearly and tenderly, & intends to make him his heir * but Jho - 
 mafo( led as I think,by the immediate hand and providence of God, or out of his own natural 
 indination)being of a gadding humor to travel abroad, and fee other Cities and Countrys, 
 and having a particular itching defire to fee Rom , ( which he underdood is one of the very 
 prime and chief places of the world for rich and curious Goldfmichs). He finding a French 
 lhip of Mar fellies (which by contrary winds ftopt in the Road of Savona bound up for Civita 
 Vecbia t very tecretly packs up his trunk and trinkets, and fo goes along in that (hip : Now 
 as Toon as his Grand-lather Moron underftands hereof, he very much grieves at this his ralh 
 and fudden departure:So Thomafo arrives at Civita Vcchia,voes up to Hijiia by fea,and thence 
 on the River Tiber to Rome, where he becomes a fingular ingenious Goldfmith, and thrives 
 To well, (as alter a few years) he there keeps (hop for himfelf, and conftantly builds up his 
 refidence.ln all this long tradf and progreflion of time,which(;my true information telsme) 
 is at lead twenty four years * his Father Lorenzo continues a thievilh Bandetti in the (late 
 of Genova and Luca , where he commits fo many leud robberies and drange rapines, depre- 
 dations and thefts, as that country at lad becomes too hot for him, and he too obnoxious for 
 t d,fo lie leaves it, and travellethinto ‘ lufeany , and to the fair and famousOity of Florence , 
 which is the Metropolis thereof, where with the monies he had gotten by the revenues of 
 his robberies, he again Tets up his old trade of a Baker *, in which profeflion he knew him- 
 ielf expert and excellent, and here he fetleth himfelf to live and dwell takes a fair com- 
 modious houfe, and looks out hard for fome rich old Maiden, or young Widdow to make 
 his new Wi fefluf God ml Ipr event his thoughts, andfrujlrate hisdefignes and de fires herein: For, as 
 yet his bloody thoughts have not made their peace with his foul, nor his foul with his All- 
 Teeing and righteous God for the cruel murthering of his old Wife Fermia, which as an 
 impetuous dorm and fierce temped, will Tuddenly befal him, when he lead dreams or thinks 
 hereof, yea, by a manner To drange, and an accident To miraculous, that former ages, have 
 Teldom, if ever paretleld, or given us a prefident hereof \ and wherein tj^Powcr and Pro- 
 vidence, the Mercy and Jullice of God refplends with infinite ludre anflm mi ration i and 
 therefore in my poor judgment and opinion, I deem it mod worthy of our obfervations, as 
 v/e are men, and of our rememberance as we are Chridians. 
 
 Charles , now Cardinal of Aftdicc/, going up to Rome to receive his hat of this prcTent Pope 
 
 Vrban 
 
Hift.XX. Loren^b and Fermia. 
 
 Vrban VIII. and Cofinos the great Duke of Florence his Brother fin honour to him and their 
 Illunrious blood and tamilyi whereof they are now chief) refblving to make his entry and 
 abode in that City of Rome to be ilately & magnificent i He caufeth h,s Houfe and Train in 
 all points to be compofcd o t double Officers and Servants, to whom he gives rich and cofiiy 
 liveries, and among others our Lorenzo is found out, de<2ed and pricked down to be one of 
 his Bakers for his own trencher in that Journey, where in Home he Hants it out mcfl gallant- 
 ly and bravely in ricji Apparel, and is Hill molt deboifhed & prodigal in his expenccs before 
 any other ot the Cardinals menial Servants, without ever any more thinking or dreaming 
 of the murtheringof; his Wife Fermia, but rather abfolutely bdieves, that as he, fo God had 
 wholly buried the remembrance of that bloody fadt of his in perpetual lilence and oblivion- 
 but the Devil will deceive his hopes.For now that lamentable murther of his cries aloud to 
 Heaven, and to God for vengance, wherein we (hall behold and lee, that it is the Providence 
 and Pleafure of God, many times to punifh one lm in and by another, yea, and fometimes 
 one fin for another,asreferving it in the fecrec Will and infcru table Providence, to punifh 
 Capital offenders, whereof Murthercrsare infallibly thegreateff, both when, where, and 
 how he pleafeth’, for earthly and (infill eyes have neither the power to pry into his heavenly 
 decrees, nor our mind and capacity to dive into his divine actions and refolution, becautc 
 many times he accelerated* or dclayeth their punifliments, as they fhall Hand mofi fit and 
 xequifite for his JuHice and their crimes. 
 
 When therefore, the Panders and Strumpets, and the nevv pride and bravery of our Lorenzo 
 had eaten out all his money and credit in Rome, and that (to his grief) he now law, that by 
 no polfible means he could procure or borrow any more there, being infinitely unwilling 
 to let his vice and prodigality ftrike fail, and fo as he vainly and foolifhly thinks to difgrace 
 his Lord Cardinal slervicc inficad of honouring it • He once was minded and refolved to 
 Heal fome gold out of the Argcntiers or Pay-maHers Trunk. But then confulting with his 
 judgment and diferetion, and finding that attempt to be full of danger, ingratitude,and in- 
 famy :He buries that refolution asfoon as it was born, and then gives conception and life to 
 another, which was to Heal fome pieces of Plate out of a young Goldfuuths (hop there in 
 Rome with whom he was familiarly acquainted, 6c whole (hop and company, he ( with divers 
 others of his fellows) very often haunted and frequented fince his coming to Rome ; The 
 which watching, and taking his time he doth, and from him takes away two fair rich guilt 
 Chalices, 8c a curious fmall gold crucifix fet with a few Saphiresdc Emeralds, all amounting 
 to the value of four hundred and fifty Duckatons. This young Goldfmith ( whofe name we 
 (hall anon know ) is amazed at this great lofs, when being guided and directed by the im- 
 mediate finger ot God, he knows not to whom fufpedt or accufe for this robbery but Lo- 
 rtw-fc'? the Cardinal of Florence his Baker: whom he law, and oblcrved did very often and too 
 familiarly frequent his fhop, and far the more doth he fortifie and inertafe this his fufpition 
 of him, becaule then making a curious inquiry and refearchof his former life and actions, 
 he found both the one and the other in all points fo vicious and debauched, as we have for- 
 merly underiiood, only the murther of his wife Fermia excepted, which as yet none but 
 God and himielf knew : Whereupon well knowing that he lay not in his Lord Cardinals 
 Palace, which as all others are priviledged as fandfuaries, but in a Taylors houfe near ad- 
 joyning : he with ail Officer fearched his Chamber and Trunk, wherein he found one of 
 his Chalices, but not the other, or the gold Crucifix, which Lorenzo immediately had fold 
 both to pay his debts, and to put fome double Piftols4n his pockets for his vain and prodi- 
 gal expcncesiwhen hunting after this his thief Lorenzo y hc prefently finds him, commits him 
 to priion,and accufeth him to the Captain aud Judges of Rome : Who upon knowledg and 
 light of one of the Chalices found in Lorenz's Trunk,and alfo upon his confeffion of having 
 fold away the ocher, and likewife the Crucifix of gold, they condemn him to be hanged the 
 very next day for the fame. Lorenzo (bitterly weeping and fuming at this his difafter) doth 
 mofi humbly fue and petition the Lord Cardinal his mafter to beg his life of the Pope, who 
 confidering him to be a bale Companion, and no Gentleman, and his fadt ( during this his 
 fervice) to be very foul and Icandalous. He is too Noble and wife to attempt or undertake 
 it, and therefore becomes deaf to his requefiss Whereupon Lorenzo is that night returned 
 to his prifon, where he hath leifurc though not time enough to think upon his confcience 
 and foul, upon the bafeneffe of this his robbery, and the foulneiTe and bloodinefle of mur- 
 thering his wife Fermia. 
 
 1 he next morning he is brought to his death, at the common place of execution at the 
 
 P p $ Bridge- 
 
Gods Revenge againji Mnrther. Book IV. 
 
 Bridg-foot,in a little walled Court clofe to theCaftlc of Saint Angelo, where a world ot peo- 
 ple flock from all parts of Rome to fee the Cardinal of Florence his Baker take his lall leave of 
 the world, being the night before prepared by a Frier, in his fouls journey towards Hea- 
 ven, as loon as he afeended the Ladder, he there confelfeth this his robbery : And likewife 
 that his name was Andrea Lorenzo , and that he (about fome twenty and three years fmee ) 
 murthcred his own wife,named Fermia Moron in a Vineyard necr Genova : whereof he faith 
 he will no longer charge his loul : The which the young Goldfmith (whole name was Uo- 
 mafo Lorenzo over hearing) he prefently burft forth into tears, and very paffionatcly and 
 foriowfully crys out,that this man on the Ladder is his own Father-, and that Fermia Moron 
 was his own Mother, and therefore he with a world of fobs, lighs, and tears prayeth the 
 Officers, and then the Executioner of Juftice to forbear, and leave the prifoner for a fmall 
 while, which accordingly they do : When at the defeent of his Father from the Ladder, 
 Tbomajo (”in prefence of all that huge number of people who were prefentj throws himfelf 
 athisfeet, and deeming to drown himfelf in his tears for forrow, confelfeth himfelf to be 
 his Son, and acknowledged Fermia Moron to be his Mother, and therefore prays him to for- 
 give him this his innocent ingratitude towards him, infeeking his death of whom he had 
 received his own life : And although the conlideration of his Mother’s lamentable murther 
 doth pierce him to the heart with grief, yet knowing him likewife to be his Father, & him- 
 felf his Son, he freely and willingly otreTS the Captain of Rome ,and the Judges all his Eftate 
 to fave his Father’s life, but this his robbery is fo foul, and that former murther of his fo in- 
 humane and lamentable, yea fo odious to God and the World, and fo execrable to Men and 
 Angels, that none will prefume to dare to lpeak in his behalf : So the next day Lorenzo is 
 hanged, having firft freely forgiven his Son Ihomafo, and entreated him likewife to forgive 
 him for murdering of his Mother, and for any other thing elfe, he at his death faid little i 
 But curfed the name and memory of that miferable and covetous wretch his Father in Law 
 Moron , whole unkindnefsand cruelty he faid had occafioned and brought him to all this mi- 
 fery. But he fpakc not a word of his grief or forrow for having murthered his wife Fermia 
 Morons Only he faid and believed that this his untimely death was a jull revenge and 
 punilhment of God to him for the fame. 
 
 The common fort of the fpe&ators and people of Rome, feemed to tax the Cardinal of 
 Florence his Matter for not faving this his Bakers lifei but the wifer and more religious fort, 
 applauded hisgenerolity and piety for not attempting it from the Pope: but all do admire 
 and wonder at God’s facred providence and divine Juftice in making the Son the caufe and 
 inftrument of his Father’s hanging for murthering of his Mother, the which indeed gave 
 caufe of fpecch and matter of wonder at Rome, Genova i Savona , and Florence, yea, to all 
 Italy. And thus was the wicked life and deferved death of this bloody Villain Lorenzo , and 
 in this manner did the Juftice of the Lord triumph o’re his crime in his punifoment. And 
 as for his Son 7bomafo( the GoldfmithJ after this infamous and fcandalous death of his Fa- 
 ther, he could no longer content himfelf to live in Rome, but returned to Savona to his 
 Grandfather Moron, who received him with many demonttrations of Joy, and aftedion, 
 and after his death made him foie heir to all his wealth and Eftate. 
 
THE 
 
 TRIUMPHS 
 
 OF 
 
 GODS REVENGE 
 
 AQAINST 
 
 The Crying and Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 expressed 
 
 In Thirty feveral Tragical Hiftories, (digefted into Six 
 
 Books), which contain great variety of mournful and memorable 
 Accidents, Amorous, Moral, and Divine. 
 
 j B oo \ Fifth . # 
 
 Written by JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
 OH 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed by zA. Maxwell for William Lee , i6yo. 
 
RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 C And truely Noble ) 
 
 FRANCIS, LORD RVSSELL , 
 
 Baron of Thomehaugb , and Earl of Bedford. 
 
 Right Honourable, 
 
 W Hen I had the honour to refer, to that Valiant , Wife, and Honcft Nolle * 
 man Arthur Lm* Chichefter, Baron of Belfaft (i rhofefublimc merits 
 do herejujtly deferve and challenge this Tejlimony front my Duty , that he 
 was too good for Earth, and therefore is now Jo foon crowned a Saint in 
 Heaven ) 1 then had firji the happinefs to know and to be known of your Honour at 
 your Chefwick 5 In whom (becaufe I ever hold it afar lefs crime to [peak the truths 
 than either to filenfe or dijfemble it') I then found fo many Prints and Stamps of 
 true Honour, and Characters of ancient Goodnefs and Nobility, that (with a plea- 
 fing content and delegation) I was enforced to be again and again enamoured of 
 Vertue and Honour for your fake, and reciprocally, to love and refpeft your Lor dthip 
 for both their fakes. Since when, ( out of your generofity, not my expectation or 
 deferts) your Honour was pleafedto confer a favour on me, the which though you 
 forget, yet the remembrance thereof I will ( with equal Zeal, and Ambition ) 
 Jlriveto make as eternal, as 1 know my felf to be mortal andtranfitory. Lou are a 
 Religious Chriftian, and atrue-heartedEngWOnmin’, and therefore as it is your 
 Glory, fo it is our Happinefs, that you are both a conjiant Lover of God and his 
 Churc h‘, and afrm and faithful Honour er of your Prince and Country: and you are 
 now Lord Lieutenant ( under our Gracious Soveraign J of that famous County of 
 Devon, and fair and honourable City of Excefter, to which I owe my nativity 5 
 and in both which the Ruflels ( Earls of Bedford ) your Noble Ancestors have con- 
 dignly left behind them many honourable Trophees of their V alour , and fweet and 
 precious perfumes of their Vertue. 
 
 Thefe Premifes being fo powerful in truth, and fo conftder able and prevalent in 
 reafon, Itherefore flatter my felf with this hope, that your Honour will attribute it 
 rather to Duty, t ban Prefumption in me. If I now publicity attempt to profer and 
 facrificc upjomething to the Honour of your illufirious Name, and to the Dignity of 
 your refplendcnt Vertues .• Miffing therefore of that def red happinefs ( byfomerare 
 or elaborate piece) fufjiciently to teflifie toyojcr Lordjhip and the whole World, what 
 you are to mb in the height of Honour, and what l am, and defire to be. found of 
 you in the lownefs of Obtervance and Humility } It will therefore be no lefs my Fe- 
 licity, than your Goodnefs, if yon vouchfafe to accept and patronize this my Fifth 
 
 Q q ’ Book 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory, 
 
 Book.of forraign tragical Hiftories, and alfo pleafe to permit them to travel and 
 feektheir Fortunes abroad in the World, under the anfpicious Tlanet, andauthen- 
 tical fafeport of your\Noble protection : Wherein you may behold and fee, how 
 feundly, how facredly the Juft ice of God meets with this crying and Jcarlet Sin of 
 Murther, which ( tn theje our depraved, and Jinful times) in contempt of the 
 Laws of Heaven and Earth, make fo lamentable and fo prodigious a progrefjion 5 
 ancthow jharply and feverely it ( defervedly ) punifhelh (thofe Butchers, and Mon. 
 fiers of Nature) the perpetrators thereof 3 And if I may borrow {for I defire not 
 toufurp) any part of your Lordfidps hours of leafure, to give fir si to the Knowledge 
 and then to the Contemplation of thefeHifiories, and the fever al Accidents which 
 they report and relate 3 Ilhall then triumph in my good fortune,, as having obtained 
 that Honour and Favour, which tingonmufly acknowledg , lam far more taxable 
 to defire than deferve. 
 
 I come now to implore pardon of your Honour for this my Preemption, in in- 
 fer ibing and adventuring jo mean a work, to your Noble acquaintance^ And 1 have 
 ended this my EpiBle, asfoon as begay, to ajfurcyou, ihatiwiU tver {religioufly) 
 pray unto Cod to accumulate all profperities and blejfings on your Honour * as alfo 
 on your molt FertuousCounttk,andfucceJfively on your Honourable and FlourifiAng 
 Potterity, who now promife no lefs thana happy andfamous perpetuity toyour thrice 
 Noble Name, and Family. 
 
 .s 
 
 Y our Honours in all 
 
 : t; jM'i 1 ., \ "Vj * 1 tot *• 
 
 Duty and Service, 
 
 i 
 
 r * 
 
 ^ xs\yu*. 
 
 1 ‘t b 
 
 

 bn Pit Jit nd and Antargniha. a letter feut to Stveni 
 
 J 0 quintet Courted 
 
 rekffaquinta ycyf om 
 
 tn Etmardo Turin Jit 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XXI. 
 
 Baptiftyni and Amartntha poyfon their elde ft Sifter Jaquinta, after which Amarantha aufethher 
 fervants Bernardo and Pierya, to (Hjle her Elder Sifter Baptiliyoa in her Bed \ Bernard 
 breads his neck.with the fall of bis Hor ft. PiejiaiV hanged, folikerpifeis Amarantha, andbtr 
 body after burnt. Bernardo being buried, his b'dj is ag*w taken up, hanged to the Gallons by his 
 feet , then burnt) and his Aftoes thrown into the air. 
 
 T'HE Golden times being part, what doth this Iron or flinty age of ours produce, but Thorns 
 -*• forRofes and Brambles for Lillies, I mean bloody and barbarous ads in (lead of deeds of 
 Companion and works of Charity, Not but that Chriftiaoity ( as a fair and glorious vail ) co- 
 vercth the face of Europe, asthe firmament of Heavendoth that of Earth ; and that (by the-, 
 mercy of God ) there are now great variety of learned and Godly Preachers, who ( by the 
 fandity of their lives, and the purity of their Dodrine ) fpend thegreatel* part both of their 
 time, andof themfelves, to propagate Y'ertuc and Piety in us, and Confequcntly to root out vice 
 and Sin from among us. But it is the vanity of our thoughts, the corruption of our depraved 
 Natures, the infirmity of our Judgments, the we&nefs of cur Faith, the coldnefs of ouf Zeal, 
 and our negledof prayer, which Cmetimes (Otharl might notfaytoo toooften) tranfport- 
 eth cu r felves beyond our felves, and our rcfoluti ns and adions beyond the bounds of reafon, 
 yea and violently carriethus to defperate and inhuman attempts, which rh?^ next deplorable Hi- 
 ftory will fo apparently and perfpicuoufly verifie unto us, th>t we fiaall difficultly read it without 
 fighs, nor underhand it without tears ; at leaft if we have but the fpar v s of fo much Charity in 
 our hearts, and Piety in our Souls, asthe unfortunate Authors, and miferable Adou.s hereof 
 wanted, Qq » ^ 
 
 ySernador ytocher fearchi ' 
 
 Amarantha fleet 
 
 xjt tn vr 'ifon. With hir mayd both hanjed X\ 
 
 is ca 
 
 Siretti fendt tv 9 
 
" __ * — — *r -v y . » .g 
 
 God's Revenge agatnjl Murther. E : :oPv. 
 
 If Jvfeany be the beauty and glory of Italy, .then Florence ( the capital City thereof ) ajuft 
 needs be that of Tufcany ; or elfe it could not fo juftly and generally defe:vc that true and ex- 
 cellent Epithet of Faire. It is a City which hath.given botJt Life and bring to the llluftricus 
 Family of the Medicit^ (or, as fomc affirm, they to it,) The wof ft Grounds about it are Vine, 
 yards, and the beft are dainty Meadows, anddelicare Gardens, -os -rather their Gardens ace Mea- 
 dows for their fpacioufaefs/and their Meadows are. Gardens for their fertility and. beauty. , Ic 
 is divided afid crofled-in two parts by the famous River Arm, and J&fct R;y$j again by ivyo fti'tt:- 
 ly Bridges enrioufly imbeUflied and adorneef witb m^ny MaiWc;^ 
 
 Streets hereof are well paved, broad and long • the Buildings ( for the moft part ) rather Pala- 
 ces than private Houfes, and the Temples for fumprtioufnefs and beauty, nothing ipfericur to 
 the beft, and richeftof Italy, efpecially the twomoft fumptuous and unparalleled Chappelscf 
 the Baptiftaria, and Saint Lorenzo, asalfo the Dorn, and Campanella f which is the Tower) 
 thereof, it being a moft magnificent and ftately Cath:dral Church, which not only catcheth our 
 eye with wonder, but furprizeth our thoughts with admiration, as all our Englifti Noblemen 
 and Gentlemen Travellers, do (peradventure) know far better than my felf : I fay, in this rich 
 and fair City of Flounce, near the Church of the Dominican Friers, in the Latter dales of'the 
 great Dake Ferdinand, there dwelt an ancient, vertuous, and generous Cavalier, named Seigni- 
 or Leonardo Stre»i, defeended of a noble Family, near to the City of 'Piftoia, where his An- 
 ceftours left hin? many fair Demeans, and a very rich Patrimony, thewhich ( through his Fru- 
 gality, Vertue, and Wifdom, the true foundation of the chiefett Houfes, and beft Families of 
 Italy ) be managed and -improved fowell, that within thefpaceof twenty years, he became 
 exceeding rich and opulent. But near about this time, that the fweecnefs of his content might re- 
 ccivefome chtckof bitter affiiftioo, tofhewhim thatmanis fubjeft to God, and that there is 
 no perfedl or permanent felicity here on earth, his Lady Alcidlna died, which brought him much 
 forrow and affli&ion, having only yet this Joy and Confolation left him, that he had byherin 
 marriage, three proper young Ladies to his Daughters, named Jaquirta, Baptifiina,znd Ama~ 
 rantha • who albeit, he hoped would prove the ftayes and comforts of his Age, yet they will 
 futurdy afford him far lefs felicity, and more miferythan he can expeft, or my Readers (as 
 yet) any way conceive or imagine : thewhich, to approve and verefie, they are by me prayed 
 to underfland, and remember, that thefe two youngeft Daughters Baptiftina, and <*Amarantha, 
 are wonderful fair and beautiful, of a reafonable tall ftature, very ftreight and {lender \ but ft- 
 qtiln-a, the eldeft Daughter is of a brown complexion, Thor r, and crook- backr, but fhe hath 
 ihisfleight, that her Tailor’s art ferves to overvailthedefedb, and to cover the deficiency of her 
 Nature -, and fhc her felf hath the skill to put on frefh tinfture and complexion on her face, vi- 
 ces which the purity and fimplicityof former Ages were not acquainted with, or elfe purpcfelv 
 difdained and hated, although the Pride and Vanity of thefe our times do ambitiowfly allow 
 and praftife them. Again, Jaquinta is proud and ftately, Bapttflina cholerick, fallen, and re- 
 vengeful ; and Amarantha (to the eye and judgment of the World) pleafant and courteous. 
 Have we but a little patience, and we (hall fhortly fee each of thefe three Sifters, appear in their 
 true colours, and in very different wayes to aft their feveral Parts upon the Stage and Theater of 
 this their Hiftory. 
 
 Streni feeing himfelf a widdower, not fo much favoured of God to have any Son to enjoy his 
 Name and Lands, and all his three Daughters to be now capable of Marriage. He ( as a provi- 
 dent and loving Father ) holds it a great point of afft&ion and diferetion in him new to leave his 
 Mannour Houfeof Cardura near Pifioia f and to betake himfelf to live andrefide in Florence, 
 hoping thereby with lefs difficulty, and far more advantage, to look out and provide fit Hus- 
 bands for his Daughters, anfwerabie to their Rank and Degree ; which Difpofition and Rcfoiuti- 
 on of his pleafed them well, and adminiftred them caufeef great content and joy, fitbitisnow 
 grown to a cuftom, and an habit, that young Ladies and Gentlewomen do infinitely defire to live 
 in great Towns and Cities, where they may fee, andbefeen; and efpecially in thofe of Italy, 
 more then in any Country of the World, where the whole Nobility and Gentry make all their 
 aboad and refidence, the which indeed is one of the main points, and effential realons, why their 
 Cities arefo rich, populous, and fair. 
 
 Thus we fee Streni and his three Daughters by this time come to Florence , and dwell 
 ( as I have formerly faid ) neer the Monaftery of the ^Dominican Friers , where his 
 Wealth, Brith, and Port, caufe him to be Vifited and Frequented of the beft and nobleft 
 fort of that City, and as the time of his refidence, fo the number of h icquaintanw 
 cncrcafeth , for vertue is capable to purchafe Friends every where , and his weal b and 
 
 Dauih- 
 
Hid: XXI. 
 
 Streni and his three unfortunate Daughters. 
 
 ■ Jt * 
 
 Daughters beauties like fo many powerful Lures and Adamants draw many young gallant 
 Gentlemen toh s Houfe to fee and ferve them ; Where although Baptifipa and ^Amarantha, 
 are beloved and fought in marriage of many, yet their Father is refolnte to marry their el- 
 ded Siller Jaquinta firft; wherefore when any Noblemen or Gentlemen come to h:s Houfe, 
 (he is to belecn, and courted, but Baptifijna and Amaranth a are mewed and faft locked up in 
 a Chamber. They grieve hereat, but they can neither alter nor remedy this their Fathers 
 refolution,'for his word moft be their Oracle, and his will their Law. Now before I proceed 
 farther in the dilation of this Hillory, as lone way commend Streni his refolution to mar- 
 ry his eldeft Daughter firli •, foyet, in approving his difererion for her preferment, I muft 
 neverthelels taxe’his want of affeftion, in hindring that of his two youngeft Daughters • For 
 as it was a courtefie of him to have Jaquinta feenof Suters, loit wasadegteeof dif-refpeCIj 
 I may Dv, of cruelty, in him to confine Baptifijna and Amarantha as Prifoners to their 
 Chambers, when divers of them came purpofeiy and honourably to his Houfe, both to fee 
 and feek them in marriage. 
 
 But faqmnta farmed with her Father’s love and authority) grows extrc-imly imperious 
 and (lately : She trinmpheth in conceit to fee her felf preferred of her Father before her Si- 
 fters. She fees her two Sifters Baptifijna and Amarantha are fued and fought for in marri- 
 age by divers Cavaliers, and the very confideration hereof grievs, and the remembrance af- 
 flitfts her : but withal (heobferves, that they dare not difobey, or contradid: their Fathers 
 command to affect or fpeak with any, and therefore the very knowledg and remembrance 
 hereof again rejoyceth her. As it is a happinefs for us to purchafe friends, fo it is a nailery to 
 lofe them. Her Sifters love her, but fhe loves not them: they are as unworthy of her hatred, 
 as fhe is of their affeftion. Nature ( indeed ) hath given her the prerogative, and priviledg, 
 but yet fhe fhould confider, that they are her Sifters, and not her Servants, and that their 
 blood is hers, and hers theirs, it is an argument of indiferetion and infolency, for one bro- 
 ther or filler to think themfelves better than another, But many Gentlewomen who are 
 Sillers, efteem pride a fecond beauty, or at leaft an excellent Grace and Ornament to them, 
 and therefore, to prefer and elevate' themfelves, they care not how they difparage and dejeft 
 others. The beauty of Bapt'fijna and Amarantha is an eye-fore to Jaquinta, The tree of ma- 
 lice never ptoduceth good fruit : It is Hill a bappy vertue for us to check and vanquifti our 
 own vices. She knows that many Gentjcmen love them, but fees and obferves with grief 
 that none affedt her. Her defire to marry is foimmodcftly licenciousand boundlefs, as (be 
 could willingly refolve to accept of any Gentleman for her Husband, that would be content 
 to take her for his wife : but incontioency proves ftill a pernicious Counfellor to young La- 
 dies and Gentlewomen. No.v as dantharidet fly Hill to the faireft Flowers ; fo (he fees ( and 
 Indeed infinitely bites the lip, and grieves to lee ) that all Lovers and Sutors file to one of thefe 
 her two Sifters, and wholly abandon and forfake her felf: but being a woman, (he wants not 
 an invention to apply a prefent remedy to this her difeontent and choller. She muft have 
 her Sifters beauties and braveries eclipfed, that hers may appear more bright, and rcfplend 
 and (hine witlynore luftreand glory : She knows thatCryftal feems precious when Dia- 
 monds are notm place ; to which end, flu verv paffionately, and yet fubtiily works upon the 
 affections of her Father, and obtains of him, that as her years, fo her apparel may excel and 
 exceed that of her Sifters, the which he inconfiderately grants her v and this fhe receives and 
 conceives to be a ftep to her advancement, and an obftacle to theirs. So if they formerly 
 grieved to fee themfelves impnfoned in a Chamber, whiles fhe to her content and plerfure 
 rejoyceth both to fee, and to befeen of Gentlemen ; So now their difeontent thereof grows 
 into choler, and their choler into rage, to fee this their eider Sifter Jaquinta not only to 
 ftep Tome degrees beyond them, but like wife many beyond her felf in her apparel. 
 
 It is ever a’wifs and difereet vertue in Pai ents to diftribute their favours and aflfedions e- 
 qually to their children, or if they chance to affed one better than others, at leaft that they be 
 foreferved and cautious, as to conceal it fecretiy to themfelves, that the reft may neither 
 perceive nor know ir. That Streni fought to marry J quinta before Baptifijna and Amaran- 
 tha ( as I formerly have faid ) he did weft; but yet to make them lefe when they might find 
 and gain a fortune, was withal to be indifereet, if not unnatural. Mens fancies and affedions 
 in marriage are many times counfelled and led by theF.yc, as the eye is by the Heart. Some 
 will prifeand affeCf beauty without vertue, others vertue without beauty ; but where both 
 meet and concurr, if doth not only pleafe, but delight, and fo joyntly fympathize to rmkd 
 each other excellent. Many of the'beftand nobleft Cavaliersof Fh'rcnce love Baptifijna and 
 Amarantha, but not Jaquinta •, or if they Teem to court Jaquinta, ^ is but with a referved hope 
 and intent to enjoy the fight and company of Baptifipa and Amarantha , but as jealoufic and 
 
 - ' malietf 
 
God's Revenge againfi Mur t her. Book V. 
 
 malice have alw ayes four eyes infteadof two; fo it is at lead a torment, if not many deaths, to 
 Jsq.ima, tofeeher twqSiders to live and be beloved of all Suters, andherfdf of none- the 
 which to prevent, andfo to flop the progrefsof their Triumphs, and confequently of her own 
 difeontent and affliction, (he fnotddirous to have two fuch Stars of beauty to appear, and thine 
 together in th: Firmam nt of her Fathers Houfe in Florence) doth fo fecreily undermine, and 
 fo cunningly prevail with him, as her two Siflers ( when they leaf! dream or ihink thereof ) are 
 by his order and command fuddenly fent away by Coach to his Countrey- Houfe of Cardura, near 
 Yiftoia (whereof we have already mide mention ) notwithdanding all their requeds, fighsand 
 tears to the contrary , and there by his appointment to be privately and difconfolately fliuc up, from 
 any accefs (or converfation of any man vvhatfoever, and under the charge andcudcdyof an old 
 ill-favoured Beldame ( fometimes their School-MidrifsJ named Dona Maltvola. 
 
 Baptiftina and Amarantha, being enforced to banifhment from Florence to Cardura, bdeved 
 that it proceeded as well by the pride and malice of their Sifter Jaquinta, as by the feverity of 
 their Father ; They know not from what Saint to implore aid or adlftance, or from what point 
 their Arc or Invention to expe& for hope for redrefs hereof ; but at length (being conftrained 
 to make a Vertueof Neceflity ) they brook this their difgrace, with as much patience as they 
 may, no way doubting ( much lefs difpairing ) but that a little time will work a great alteration 
 in their Eftates and Fortunes. But feeing a month pad over, and their Keeper MaltvoD ftdl 
 more and more bent to redrain them of their liberty, without (uffering them to fee or fpeak with 
 any dranger, or any ftranger with them, they at lad recoiled, and pluck up their fpirits to them- 
 felves, and fo rcfolve to write a fair Letter to their Father, and a peremptory one to their Sifter 
 Jaquinta, to procure their return to Florence which they do* and fend it by one Bernardo, a 
 a trudy Servant of theirs ^ That to their Father fpake thus, 
 
 BAPTISTYNA and AMARANTHA to STRENL 
 
 T T it with much a (lorn foment and grief to us, that you have fo fuddenly bant food us from jour fre+ 
 •* fence, and from Florence, to live here rather at Prifoners than your ‘Daughters , in your Country - 
 houfe of Cardura • And hazing the honour to be fo guar a pot of y 0 urfe/f we do not a little wonder , 
 what our Errors or Crimes fhottld be ghat we mu ft be enforced to be deprived of that f elicit j, and fuffer 
 this rnifery. If we have been [ought unto by any Noblemen or Gentlemen, it hath been in ; he way of 
 mar* tage, and therefore in that of honour , and jet we have ftiU fo ftritUy tjd our fancies to our 
 Duties , an i our affections to our obedience towards jou, that in the lea ft decree we have notfwerv’j 
 from you-' confentf but have done, and d^ ft ill inv.ol ably mak* jour P leaf ure therein our resolution, 
 and jour will and commands our Law. But we are confident that although you are the eauf e> yet our 
 Sifter jpquinta is the f ole Author of this our forrowful and imm.rited Sequeftration ; JVho [gptrai- 
 venture) in regard tha t her beauty comes foort of ours, that her malice therefore mu ft not only exceed 
 the bounds rf Re a f on, but of Nature. And although fhe alledg her Priviledge and Prerogative of 
 years a gain ft us, jet becatife our blood is as good as hers , and our hearts and educate n no worfe , there- 
 fore we be fetch )ou to be f fav urable and kind to us , that in regard her Malice and Pride hath made 
 her our Accufer > and which u worfe our Enemj , that yon will not make her our fudg, but that we 
 maj fpcedilj re- obtain the happFefs to return and live with you in Florence, without which we ft* ll 
 affurtdly either live ha e in Defp.iir,or foortly dye in Difcontent and Mifery : which requeft of ours is 
 fojuft and equal , as you catmit deny it to us , either in affeftion or nature , much lefs in re a [on or pity . 
 God ever b lefs you with happinefs , and make us happy in your bleffinr . 
 
 BAPTISTINA 
 
 AMARANTHA. 
 
 Their Letter to their Sifter Jaquinta depainted thefe paftions. 
 
 BAPTISTYNA and AMARANTHA to J AQUINT A. 
 
 H Aving curioufty examined our thoughts and anions, we cannot find the le aft foadow of caufeywfch 
 lefs of Reafon. )drly thou fhouUft four ply exaf per ate our Father again ft us,[o fuddenlj to banifo 
 and exile us from Florence Cardura, neither do we think., it is for that we are fairer than 
 
 thy 
 
Hid XX I. Strem and bis three unfortunate daughters. 
 
 thj felf* but that thou art more malicious than us y which hath oe caponed thee , and thou precipitated 
 him , to this (harp refolution again/} us. If thou art deft rom of a Hatband, bt it content thee* that as • 
 yet vi t no way intend or deftre to become Wives to any y and th rtf c re if thou wilt not bel'nve U4 y at It a ft 
 believe this truth from us y that then haft far more reafon to doubt thine own hafte y tUn any\vuy o fti- 
 fpttt or fear ours therein : for whiles thou pray eft for a Husband, wc -vo ill fir ft make it our friers to 
 God , that we may be capable and happy to deferve good ones . Wc advife thee therefore in Love , and 
 counfelthec in Affe&Un and Charity , to conftder ferioujly with thy fe/f y that we an thy Sifter s f not 
 thy Servants, much lefs thine Enemies; and in that regard that we are #s unworthy of thy malice % as 
 unwilling and uncapablc to die eft itftccaufe the priority of thy years can no way juftly Introduce an in- 
 equality in our blood : And if thou wilt not infer ecus to degenerate from on * /elves, and con equcntly 
 from the nature and affeftion of Sifters , thoufhalt do us great right y and to thy felf moreieaftn y to 
 jfauje my Father to recall us home to him , with as much celerity and favour , as he fent us away 
 from him with difcourtcfic and indign it ion. 
 
 BAPTISTYNA. 
 
 AMARAN THA. 
 
 The Lackey Bernard * arriving at Florence, and having delivered thefe two Letters to St'tni 
 and JaquintAy they breaking np the Teals thereof, perufed and read-over their Contents • when 
 * he fmijing to fee the indiferetion of thefe his two daughters, attributed this their difobedience to- 
 wards him, and their difcontent towards their After Jiquintay rather to ignorance and (implicity, 
 than to malice, and yet he could not but wonder at this their b6ld and peremptory Letter lent 
 him; But for jaquinta y (he was fo galled and netled with her two filters infoTem carriage and 
 Letter towards her, that it exceedingly troubled and perplexed ber, but efpecially, and far thfc 
 more, for that (he feared that their Letter to her Father might caufe him to grant their return to 
 Florence , the which to her poffible power (he would no way willingly permit or fuffcr, as deflfcus 
 to rule and and govern her Father alone, and fo to raign foie Lady over his humours and houfe, 
 without rivals and competitors : To which end fhc goes to him, and in the fofteft and fwcet*ft 
 terms which either her Art or Malice could invent, (he extreamly incenfeth him againft her Sift- 
 ers, alledging to him that their flay in Cardura was neccflfary, and their difobedient motion for 
 ibei; return to Florence too infolent and infuppor table; and that fiie hoped with confidence, that 
 he tv uld not permit their malice fo un juftly to fall and refleft on her, becaufe (he was as innocent 
 as they guilty thereof : and that for any thought and defire of a Husband, (he vowed fhe had none, 
 but that his will and pleafqre (hould in all things be hers, as refolving both to live under his com- 
 mands, and die in his favour and fervice : Which fugred and treacherous fpecches of hersfo pre- 
 vailed and vanquifhed the credulity of her old Father, yea and fo powerfully wrought -and trench- 
 cdupon his affe&ion, that being all in choler againft Baptiftyna mdAwarantha, he refolyes 
 with himfelf to return them a (harp anfvver; and commands Jaquint* to do the like, the which 
 they '.both write and fend back to them by B ernardo^ who returning 'to Cardura , he delivered his 
 two yourg Ladies, and Miftrefles thefe two Letters, and they fpeedily and privately retiring them- 
 felves to aclofe fhadoyved arbour in the Garden, they there with much earneft defire and impati- 
 crey, firft break up that of their Father, wherein contrary to their hopes, but not to their fears, 
 they find this language. 
 
 STREN1 to BAPTISTYNA and AMARANTHA. 
 
 j F it be not pnrpofel j to crcfs your own good fortune s y y oh would not fo raftly and peremptorily have at - 
 * tempted to c> ofs my good intentions end affettions towards yoU y in fending you to C ardura, but mould 
 have b credit with as much patience as 1 fee you do with difcontent ;and before this tfl of your difobi + 
 eH*ncc< now reveahd mein your letter , 1 held you for my Daughter j, m for mine Cntbits, and mine 
 houfe of Cardura to be rather a palace than a prifonfor you : fo if you know how ill thofe err ours of yours 
 bu rnt you , , you would rather redeem them with repentance and tears than remember them either with 
 the le.ift thought of delight y or conceit or fenje of joy, Nay think your fclvcs what mode ft j it wot, 
 vhm r if Jem it u y for ytHr preen youth to prefume (or to dare to prefnme) to teach my gray age. how 
 or when to th ofe you husbards; when God knows that neither y;uv years nor your difcretioUydo as yet 
 mafe yeti capable to thi*koj husbands: And if you have any judgment remaining in youthen judge* 
 with ’ cur {elves how fat fc and incongruous ycur reaftw are,when in words you pretend to obey mj com- 
 mands, and f(t in effetts you wilfully oPf oft and contract} them. A nd having u fed me with [o [mail 
 re' feel fie. again with bow much untruth and envy you abufe your fifter Jaquinta,^ to my k» w/edg 
 u as tnntCent cf thofe fafe afperpons of Pride and Malice towards you, as yourfelvs are guilty of them 
 
 towards 
 
2 1 4 God's Revenge againfl Murtber. Book V. 
 
 towards her, fit h fhe loves nothing more, ond yen effett nothing lefs than humility and charity f their 
 contrary, si for , believe me, I find her tobeyour true friend , and jour [elves to be the greateft and only 
 enemies to your [elves ; for otherwise you cannot live in the jmal/eft degree o c defpair , dtf content or mi - 
 fery % bccaufe Juch ts my care of your education and maimenance y that no y mg Ladies of Tufcany, 
 and few of Italy, of your ranl^and quality , are brought up in more braver .) , delight , and honour : the 
 which my indul^ency and affiftion (hud ft ill continue to you, if your difobedience and folly her.ct forth 
 give me no further motive to the contrary: and therefore as you tender my blejfingft charge you to make 
 u your delight and practice to think^of God y mt of husbands y of your love to your fifter Jaquima not of 
 her hatred to you* and of your Pra)Cr- bovks y jour Lut es y and your Needles y and not of fuch vain conceit s y 
 and paffionsjr herewith you have Jtuffed and farced up y<ur Letter tomes he which toge her with the 
 Copy of this of mine to you y I now inc/ofe and return to jcur G^vernefs Malevola, that fhe hereafter 
 may be m re careful of your con Ml ion and carriage , and that you give more hours to difcret'ion an ^ 
 honour, and lefs to idlenefs and vanity , to the end that fhe feeing her fault in yours fhe may thereby the 
 better future !y know howto teach y andyou how to learn to refoi mthem. And fo / befeech God who bath 
 made y u my Daughters , to b'efs > and make you his faithful [ervants. 
 
 STRENJ. 
 
 They having thus perufed their Fathers Letter, and feen hisfpleen and paffions towards them 
 they cannot fo much accufe him of choler, as they believe they have reafon to condemn their 
 fifter faquita of cruelty towards them- wherefore with more fpeed than affc&ion, and with 
 m i t hafte than charity, they likewife break up the feali of her Letter, wherein fhe greets them 
 
 thus. 
 
 JAQUINTA to BAPTISTYN A and AMARANTHA. 
 
 T Am fo far from inccnpng y or precipitating our Father againfl you , as I voW to God , and to you y that 
 * h&f ending of you from Florence to Cardura, was not only without my confent, but. without my 
 knowledge and for calling in queftion either the thought of jour beauties, or of my husbands, you 
 equ illy wrong me y and the truth therein: for it is that moft wh reof I trouble my heart and mind leaft: 
 <md therefore my hafte to marry c mts infinitely fbort of y ur jealoufic and fear *, and except it be out 
 of your pride and malice , of Sifters to become mine Enemies berein y I know no caufe in Nature, and lefs 
 ytafonin Grace , why thofe falfe fuggeftions of yours fhouli fall within the compafs cf your conceits 9 or 
 \ thofe untrue fcandals within the power of your heart and petty and it is as vain as ridiculous either for 
 your love or counfel ever to thinks to make me believe or conceives he contrary . As for the priority of my 
 years , it fhall never make me efteemworfe of you than of w y felf ; for my confcience to God , and my 
 actions to the World fhall ftill make it Apparent, that although you contemn my friendfhip y / will yet 
 corroboYate and c her ifh yours , and that there fhall want no good will or z*eal in me y that ( acc r ding 
 to your defres andexpeftation) our Father do not fpetdily recall you from Cardura to Florence, where 
 your prefence fbull ftill be my happinefs y and your company my content and felicity : And except your 
 deportments and carriage towards me give me not henceforth juft caufe to divert me from this fifthly 
 affection and ref elution, 1 am conflantly rtf oiled both to live and die in the fame, 
 
 JAQUINTA. 
 
 Bapttftyna and Amor ant 1 a paving thus read and confidered thefe two feveral Letters of their Fa- 
 ther and Sifter Jaquinta y they are infinitely incenfed and cholierick to fee his difeourtefie, and 
 her diffimulation and cruelty towards them, in that they muft be enforced telive a folitary coun- 
 try-life in Carduray whiles fhe triumphs in pride, andflaunts it out in bravery in Florence ^ and 
 as they much repine and murmure at hisdif-affe&ion, fo they infinitely difdain and complain of 
 her imperious courfes and carriage towards rhem, adding no belief to her Letter, but judging it 
 to be hypocritical. They pity the wcaknefs cf their Father’s judgment, in fuffering himfclf to 
 be fo violently tranfported and carried away by the fubtii policy and fecrct malice of their filler 
 towards them ; wherein although their duty and obedience do fome way excufehisagc, yet their 
 blood and beauty can no way poftibly difpence with the pride and malice of her youth, which 
 they hourly fee confirmed and made apparent in the unaccuftomed ftrift and hard ufage of their 
 Governefs Malevola towards them, which with her beft endeavours and ambition fought as well to 
 captivate their minds as their perfons, by miking her felf to be as much their Gaoler as their Go- 
 vernefs • but they vow to requite her unkindnefs, and to revenge their Siller pqu'ma's cruelty 
 towards them : They fee her deformity in their beauty, her malice in their love, and her pride in 
 their humility • fothey alter thccourfeof their natural affc&ion, and now decline, infiead of 
 incrcafing, in (ifterly love and charity towards this their fifter. vTo go retrograde in vertue, is to 
 
 go 
 
Hift. XX I. Streni y andhis three unfortunate Daughters. 
 
 go forward* in vice; for as it is the mark, foil is the duty of Chri/lians, To render *ood for evil 
 but not evil for good : Yea all contrary Examples and Axioms are ill taught, and worfe nra&ifed ' 
 and it is to be feared, that the end thereof will produce at leal! forrow, if notmifcryand de- 
 llru&ion. 
 
 But Baptiftina and Amarantha are too young and wilful to make goodufc of their fitter Ja- 
 quintas bad affaftion and malicious carriage towards them . forelic, had they had as much wit 
 as beauty, or as much affc&ion as malice, they would then flic that which they follow, andde- 
 tefl this bloody defign and refolutionof theirs, which they now intend to embrace and put in 
 pra&ice. They are weary of their Sifters hard ufageof them, they cannot digeft her imperi- 
 cufnefs and pride, and ( in all outward femblanceand appearance) if they ftay from Marriage 
 till flic be married, they may all die Maids, and, as cur Englifti adage goes, whip Apes In Hell 
 for Company. They prefer their beauty before hers, as much asfliedoth her age before theirs ; 
 and deeming it impoflibie for them to have Husbands ere fhe be a wife, they thereupon abandon 
 all reafonand religion, and fo at one time begin both to defire and to plot her deaths and of 
 thefe two wretched fitters, Baptiftina is the moft forward in this their intended deplorable bufi- 
 nefs ; for fhe is fo weak with God, and Satan fo ftrong with her, that fhe fays often to her fclf, 
 fhe can reap no content in this world, before her fifter Jaqtiinta fee another. It were better 
 for us not to fore-fee a fin, than feeing it, not to prevent, but perpetrate ir." To which end, 
 fhe purpofely lets fall fomc words to her fifter Amarantha, tending and bending that way; but 
 Amarantha is itoo courteous to be fo cruel, and too religious, to be fo oucragious and diabolical 
 4o any, efpeciallyto her fifter: Had fhe lived in the piety, and perfevered in the integrity of 
 this opinion and conference, peradventure, her days hadfeen better fortunes, and her end been 
 freed from fo much mifery. It is not enough for us to be vertuous and godly, except we reli- 
 gioufly and faithfully continue therein ; for conftancy in all good and pious actions, makes men 
 and women excellent, and of being wholly mortal, to become (ini manner) partly divine: 
 But ( to report Truth in her naked colours ) Amarantha is too weak to refift her fifter Baftifii- 
 na\ ftrong temptations and perfwafions. It is an excellent vertue and happinefs in us to have 
 our ears ftill open to good counfel , and (hut to that which is evil and pernicious ; but Amaran- 
 tha hoping and defiring to gain a good Husband, makes her in a fmall time confent to the lofs of 
 a bad After; and now fhe sis therefore fully refolved to joyn with Bapti/lina to ttnkejaquint a 
 away. Good God! what cruelty, rage, and barbarifm is it, for two Sifters to refolve tomur- 
 thcr their third! But this is not all; forwefhall fee more blood fpilt upon the Theatre of this 
 Hiftory, before we fee the Cataflrophe thereof. Thefe two unnatural young Gentlewomen, 
 having thus fwapt a bargain with the Devil, todifpatch their Sifter Jaquinta, they now confute 
 on the manner thereof, whether or no they fhould perform it with Ponyard or Poyfon •, but at 
 laft they agree upon poyfon, butdifagree which of them flhall adminifter it to her, and’if there 
 were anyfparkof grace remaining in either of thefe two bloody-minded Sifters, it was \o Ama- 
 rantha ; for fhe cannot find in her heart or confcience to do ir, and yet fhe is fo gracelefs and 
 impicus; as die freely gives way to the performance of this bloody Faft ; fo in the end, they 
 fall upon this ungodly refolution, that lots muft decide it : thus the Devil holds, and they as his 
 infernal Faftors and Agents, draw them, and it falls to Baptiflina to do ir. t But here ere they 
 proceed farther in the progrefs of this lamentable bufinefs, and how to execute it ; they are now 
 aflailed with a doubt and difficulty of no mean importance, for as they bold it requi fire for them 
 to perform this murthcr in Florence , fo they know not how to efcapefrom their watchful Gover- 
 ned Malevola from Cardura : But they are Women, and therefore they will be induflrious in their 
 malice ; they arc Ladies, and therefore they will be fwift and fubtil in their revenge s for having 
 gold (though not their liberty) at their command, they refolve that the firft (hall fpeedily procure 
 rhefecond : To which end, they, by their fervant Bernardo f fecretly hire a Coach for four 
 Duckatoons, the next night to carry them away very elofely and privately frem Cardura to 
 Florence , and with fo many more to corrupt the Gardiner to give him the Key of the Garden 
 Poftcrn gate; both which ( with much care, fidelity, and fiknee ) heeffe&eth, being him- 
 felf only by them appointed to attend, and commanded to accompany them in this their Jour- 
 ney. 
 
 Thefe two revengeful fitters having thus given order for their efcape, and fecretly packed up 
 fuch things as they held neccflary to carry with them, aflboR as their Governefs c JitaUvol* 
 was in bed and faft a deep, who was as innocent as they were guilty of this their clandettine 
 departure, in comes Bernardo about midnight to their Chamber-door, to which giving a foft 
 knock, they prefently defeend the ftairs with him Co the Garden, aid from thence to the 
 Coach, wherein fcating themfelves they leave Cardura, and fo with great fpecd drive away 
 
 R r for 
 
Book V. 
 
 Gods' Revenge againft Mur t her. 
 
 for Florence* where they arrive at their Father’s houle, betwixt nine or ten of the clock the 
 next morning: he much wondrmg, and their Siller Jaquinta extreamly perplexed and grie- 
 ved at this their fudden and unexpected arrival, they call thcmlelvesat their Father’s feet, 
 and crave his blefling and excufe, but he receives them with more anger than joy, and lo 
 gives them frowns and checks inikad of kiffes : he hears their reafons of their unlooked-for 
 departure from Cardura, which he rejects both with contempt and cholprfffurply reproves 
 their difobedience, and voweth fpeedily to return them > they anfwer him, that his pre- 
 fence is the foie felicity and glory of their life,and that they had rather die with him in Flo- 
 rence, than live without him in Cardura . As tor their Siikr Jaquinta , (Fie diffembles her love 
 to them as they do their malice towards heritor whiles flic lecrctiy wilhcth them out of Flo- 
 rence, fo(in counterchange) do they as iilently wilhand ddire her in heaven : but after a 
 day or two was pad over, then their hypocrilie and diflimulation was fuch each to other, as 
 (to the eye of the world) it feemed they could not be better triends, nor dearer or kinder li- 
 fters, then now they were > fo artificially could all of them overveil their malice, and lo cun- 
 ningly could they conceal their different intentions, thereby the better to compote their 
 countenances and fpeeches. But when Jaquinta again perceives that the gallants of Florence 
 do afrelli repair and flock to her Father’s houfe,purpofely to’negledt her, and to admire and 
 adore the excellent beauties of thefe her two younger lilters,then her old jealoufie revives, 
 and inflames her new malice towards them ; io as with all her power and art, (he again fe- 
 crctly tampers with her Father, either to return them again to Cardura, or to contra# a de. 
 fpeufethem to a Nunnery, that (Fie might thereby triumph alone at her pleafure, and being then 1 
 foie Heir to all his Lands and Eftate, might wed her fdf to the greater fortune, and nobler hus- 
 band, and ftie wanted neither fighs nor tears to draw him to this her earned defire and refclu- 
 tion. 
 
 This is not fofccretly born betwixt their Father and Sifter faquinia, but B aptifUna and Am* 
 rant ha have prefent and pregnant notice hereof, the which ftrongly and fully to prevent, they 
 now ( encouraged and animated by the devil ) refolve to reduce, and draw their bloody con- 
 templation intoa&ion, andfo (with more haftethan gcodfpeed) to difpatch their After for 
 heaven, bccaufe they loved Florence, difdained Cardura, and above all (from their hearts and 
 fouls,) infinitely detefted to fpendandend their dayes in a Nunnery; when neither having the 
 fear of Godin their hearts, nor his Juftice or Judgments before their eyes, %Awarantha buys 
 the poyfon, and Bapti flint adminiftreth it to their lifter Jaquinta in a Lemmon Poller, which 
 theyobferved fhe often ufed to drink in the Summer time, lo that feme ten dayes after flic died 
 hereof, when none but Gcd, befidesthem, was witnefs of this their unnatural and bloody bufi- 
 nefs : So they rejoyce as much as their Father grieves and forrows hereat, and now they are alone, 
 and domineer at.their pleafures in their Fathers heufe at Flounce, without Rivals or Competitors: 
 But God is as juft as they are finful, and therefore they (hall reap but poor and miferablc fruits 
 of this their bloody vi&ory* For within left chan fix weeks after the deplorable death of ft- 
 quinta, a fudden languiftiing ficknefs oretakes and furprifeth Bapttftina, fo as the white tin&ure 
 of her face looks yellow, and thefrefti Rofes and Lillies of her beauty did exceedingly fade, and 
 whither of the Jauncjies : A ficknefs which I think God fent her purpofely to punifti her for that 
 execrable crime of hers in poyfoning her filter. But the beauty of Baptiftint cannot be fo much 
 eclipfed or deformed, as that of ^^rrf^dailygrowsmoredeliciouflyfweet, and fweetly de- 
 licious and amiable ; fo as all thofe Nobles and Gallants of Florence zndTufeany, who come to 
 feck Streni his Daughters in marriage, do infinitely prefer Amarantha before Bay ti flint, and 
 paffionately delirc the firft, as much as they now Height and negleft tbefecond •, Baptiflinais not 
 ignorant hereof, but fees it with grief, obferves it with forrow, and remembers it with cholerand 
 indignation ; and yet fhe feeks and ftrives to conceal it from her Father, and to diffemble it to her 
 After tAmarantha. , She in this wane of her beauty and joy begins now to participate of her 
 dead After faquintas living humours and conditions ; (he is now become the cldeft lifter, and 
 therefore will not permit or fuffer her younger to be her mate, or equal, much Icfs her fuperiour ; 
 and although her ficknefs hath deprived her of a great part of her beauty, yet it hath no way di- 
 minifheef, but rather increaled and augmented her defire to marry, (he envies the fight and 
 fame of her filter Amaranth* s beauty, as much as (helamenteth thedecaycs, and pittieth the 
 ruins ot her own; and, both grieves and fcorns to fee fo many Gallants court and feek 
 her in marriage , and none her felf ; Now as pride and malice (for the moft part) 
 are inseparable Companions, fo her difeon tent hereat made her fo devillifhly malicious, as flic 
 fecretly vows to her felf, that (he could almoft find in her heart to make Amaranth* as 
 well a Companion of Jaquinta $ Fortune, as of her blood; but God then prefenting her firft 
 i^.urtncr to her eyes and remembrance, the Devil was not then enough prevalent or power- 
 
Hift.XXI. Streni, and his three unfortunate Daughters 
 
 Tul with her todraw her tocon ceive cr commit a fecond. Thus not being vyiJIing ro add mu:thcf 
 
 to murther, andfoto gallop inftcad of pacing to hell and defiruction, the nevcrtbcJelsdeccrmi- 
 nately rcfolvcs tocmulare and imitate cheadionsof her dead Sifter Squint*, towards her living 
 one Amaranth* $ and yet fo to wreak her malice and revenge on her, as clofely toinfinuate, and 
 under-hand furreptitioufly to prevail with her Father, that ihe befpecdiiy eclipfed, and again Tent 
 away to Cardura, under the guard and cuftody of Mahvola, the which flic effeduallv and briefly 
 obtaineth of him ; fo our young and fair Amaranths, ( though infinitely againft her will ) is now 
 enforced to leave Florence , and fuddenly ( when flic leaft thought or dreamed thereof ) isaoain 
 confined andbanilhed to Cardura ; notwitbftandingad her fighs, tears, and prayers toherFa- 
 thcr to the contrary. 
 
 Amaranth* ( vv th much forrow and more indignation ) being arrived at Cardura, flieisnota 
 little perplexed and grieved thereat, but rather exceedingly difeontented with her Father, and in- 
 finitely incenfed again!* her Sifier Baptiftina for the lame, as well knowing that it wholly pro- 
 ceeded from her meer pride and malice towards her ^ the which flie now doth not conceal, but 
 make apparent to her old Beldam Governed Malevola, both in her looks, fpeecbes, and a&ions. 
 she wondrech that her Sifter is fo inconfiderate of her felf, and fo imperious and bitter towards 
 her ; and how it is poifible for her fo foon to forget either their joynt crime, or their feveral dan- 
 gers, fc It their fo inhumanely and cruelly poyfoniog their elder Sifier Jaqmnta ; the confederation 
 tnd remembrance whereof is of fo (harp and bitter digefiion to her, as her thoughts vow to her 
 heart, and her heart fwcars to the Devil, that fhc neither can nor will long endure it $ yea, the 
 timeCems fo irkfome to her, and her fiay in Cardura fo infinitely long and tedious, as if hours 
 were years, and dayes ages, that (he often thought to fieal away from thence to Florence, either 
 on foot or horfe-back, and fo to have put her felf into fome difguifed apparel, that none fhould 
 koo# thereof, before the came to her Fathers houfe and pre fence : But at laft confidering, that 
 her reputation and fortune might fuffer much in this adlion, fhe holds it not amifs, rather conve- 
 nient, firft to write to her Father and Sifter, to fee if her Letters may prevail with them for her re- 
 turn, the which Ihe doth, and fends them to them to Flortncc by her old trufiy fervant Bernardo. 
 
 Her Letter to her Father bewrayed thefepaflions. 
 
 M Y obedience hath not Jefervtd fo much contempt and hatred , as that ( without caufe or reafon) 
 you fbuld thus again b <nifh me from Florence to Cardura ; and Vcith how much grief and for- 
 row I di*c(l it, lean better relate with dif confine, than conceal with patience : How dear Jour fight 
 and pre fence was , and ever {hall be tome, if you will not know , and withal remevsber. Cod doth ; 
 for mi foul appeals unto him , and my heart to Heaven , that 1 made it the cHefeft life of my joy, 
 and the fwetteft joy of my life \ So as if you are not thecaufe, lam fure my Sifter Baptiftina is of 
 this ( undefer ted ) cruelty towards me ; who out of her pride, ambition, and malice, ftrivestobe 
 04 unnaturally imperious to me 1 as my deceafed Sifter J aquinta Vo as both to her felf and me. The re- 
 medy hereof is every way worthy of you, as you are my Father, aril of my felf, os God and'K^ture 
 have made mi e your Daughter {for if you will not permit me to refpireand breathe the air c/Florecce, 
 1 will ftjortiy h^ard my life to enjoy that of Heaven: For already this my enforced exile hath brought 
 me to extream difeontent , and that almoft to utter defpair. 
 
 AMARANTHA to STRENI. 
 
 AMARANtHA* 
 
 Her Letter to her Sifter Baptiftina carried this Meflfage. 
 
 AMARANTH* to B A P TI S TIN A. 
 
 tatner to mazy me live mijeraoie ncre m i^aroura r jj <wr aijter j^qumr* ■* oiooa *u*mvy 
 sold, or is the memory as rt ell as the manner and caufe of her death already of thee forgotten, and fo 
 raided up in the duft of her Crave ? fudg with thy felf ( if thou art not wholly as devoid of fudg- 
 menty as of afftttion and charity J tvhat a palpable , yes what a grofs and fjttifh , vice it is in thee , 
 hereby to make thy felf both guilty of her pride , and Heir apparent to her malice . 1 remem- 
 
 ber rhofe ir grateful crimes and vie s of he, towards us with pity , and 7 pny tkefe of thy felf to me 
 with admiration, in that thou wilt not fujfcr me to live at ihe corn tefte of thy tongue, when thou 
 well knowjl that thy lifeftandsat the m rcyof mine • Not that I am either fo malicious to thee, or • 
 
 Rr 2 f$ 
 
Gods Revenge again ft Murther. Book V. 
 
 jo uncharitable or undifcrcct to my felf\ to wijh thee any dyfaficr or danger to the prejudge of mine 
 own happinefs, attdfafety : For I defire all peace , ajftftion, and atonement betwixt us \ the which if 
 thou wilt grant me , by caufing our Father tv recall me home to Florence, hejhall then fee, and thou 
 ajfuredly find , that J will be as much thy Handmaid as thy Sijler , and that I will far Jooner hope and 
 pray for a good Husband fur thee, than for my f elf : but if thou deny me this court efie, then blame 
 not me , but thyfelf if the event and iff He of this thy cruelty come too (hort of thy hopes, and fo 
 ( per adventure ) jiie a pitch far beyond thy expectation, 
 
 AMARANTHA. 
 
 Bernardo being thus charged by his Lady Amarantha, for the Cafe and fpeedy delivery of 
 thefe her two Letters, as alfo to procure her Father’s and Siftcr’sAnfwers to them, he rides a- 
 way to Florence , where he is no fooner arrived at Streni his boufe, but meeting with the 
 young Lady haptijiina , and thinking to deliver her Letter ( whether it were out of halte,or 
 misfortune,or bothj he delivers her her Fathers Letter, in ftead of her own, the which (he 
 well obferving, (he haftiiy and purpofely breaks up the Seals thereof,and filently reads it to 
 her fdf* whereat growing rirft red with choler, and then again pate with envy, (he folds 
 it up, and committing it to her pocket, turns to Bernardo, and demands him for her (liter A - 
 maranthai Letter to her fclf, for ( quoth (he) that which I have already read and pcruled, is* 
 hers to my Father*, when Bernardo (as much amazed at his error, as affii&edac his fbolifh 
 limpiicity) reading the direction or thefecond Letter, and finding her (peeches and his mi- 
 ltaking true, he then gives her her own Letter, and delircsback the other for her Father, as 
 alfo both their aufwers thereunto, for his Lady and Miftrefs Amarantha *, w hereunto, when 
 foe had pe ruled her own Letter, foef with difdain in her looks, and malice in her eyes;t*ars 
 her Father’s Letter before Bernardo's facc and then returns him this bitter Anfwcr : Tell that 
 proud Girl thy M ijirefs from me, that it is my Fathers pleafnre and mine ,t hat jhe Jhall ft ay in Cardu^ 
 ra and not fee Florence till Jhe receive other order from us\ and for any further anfwer ,cither from our 
 Father, or my Self it is both a vanity and a folly for her to expett : And fo (in much cholcr and 
 indignation ) foe Hies from him, and violently throws faft the door againft him. Bernardo 
 not expt&ing fuch foarp and cold entertainment, and feeing it now wholly impoffible for 
 him to have any accefs to Streni, or anfwer from Baptifiina, he leaves Florence, and (peedily 
 returns to Cardura to his Lady Amarantha, to whom he pun dually and fully relates the' bit- 
 ter reply, and foarp and proud anfwcr which her filter Baptifiina had given and fent her,and 
 leaveth not a lyllable un-rehearfed, but only illenceth his miftaking, in giving of her her 
 Father’s Letter in (lead of her own, as right now we und^rftood. 
 
 Amarantha is all inflamed with choler at this proud and cruel carriage of her filter Bap- 
 tifiina towards her, yea, the remembrance thereof, fo tranfporteth her thoughts with envy, 
 and her heart with revenge againft her, that foe vows foe neither can, nor will brook it at her 
 hands, and here, not hearkning either to Reafon, or Religion, or to her Conference, or Soul, 
 (he now violently (educed, and exafperated by the Devil, doth refrefo and revive her old 
 malice, and refumes her former pernicious resolutions to her Sifter Baptifiina ; She hath nei- 
 ther the wit, much iefs the grace, to coniidcr, That choler increafeth her own torment and 
 mifery, and that if we vanquifh not our own malice and revenge, it is more to be feared 
 than doubted,that it will in the end both vanquifo and ruin us. She had formerly confented 
 to poyfon her eldeft Sifter Jaquinta, and now (he likewife vows, that foe will caufe her elder 
 Sifter Baptifiina eithtr to be poy foil’d or piftoll’d to deathfout which of thefe to make choice 
 of, as ye t foe is irrelblute and upon this bloody buflnels her thoughts run inceffantly to her 
 heart, as fo many lines to their centre. O that fo young a Lady, and fofweet a beauty foould 
 make herfelf acceflary and guilty of fo foul and inhumane crimes > but this I may write to 
 her foame, and the Reader may pleafe to obferve it to his comfort, and retain it to his jn- 
 imiction , That had foe had the grace to have been formerly forrowful and repentantfor 
 het hr ft Murther, foe had then never proceeded fo far, as to have made her felf guilty of 
 contriving and refolving a fecond. 
 
 Baptifiina hath a Chamber-maid named pierta , of fome twenty four years old, who was 
 far more fair than rich, as bung heir to much beauty, though to no lands, or eftate, and ha- 
 ving heretofore for fome trivial relpe&s, fome times incurred the anger and difplcafure of 
 her Lady, and for the fame received many a foarp word, and bitter blow from her, as being 
 a freer Gent lewoman of ha hands, than of her purfe : She now accidentally chancing to 
 bicak a fair rich Looking-glafs of hers, her Lady doth not only exceedingly beat her, but 
 ado without pity or humanity draws and drags her by the hair about ha chamber, and 
 
 then 
 
Hift- XXL Strem^anclbu three unfortunate Daughter r. 
 
 then again and again kicks her with her foot. P lc ri * 9 s heart is not To iil lodged, nor her t xtn&ion 
 and quality To contemptible, but that (he is very fenfiblcof this her difgraCe, as holding hec 
 fault far inferiour to her correction : and therefore, difdaining any longer to ferve fo cruel: a mi- 
 ilrefs, Hie very privately packs up her apparel, leaves Florence, and flies to Cardur^ foifakes 
 Baptiftwa, and fo rcfolves henceforth to live and die with her yourger filter An ar a ntha : But 
 as there are many of both thefe places, who report that it was only her hatred to Baptifiina , and 
 her affection to tsfmaKntha, which drew her to (his refolution $ yet there are divers others both 
 of Florence^ Cardura, and Piftoia, who (better acquainted with Fima and herfeercts) have 
 folidly affirmed to me, that it was wholly her affedion to Bernard), which was the truett reafon, 
 and ttrongeft motive thereof, and the event and iflueof this Hiftory , will confute the firft, 
 to confirm this fecond opinion of thefe her deliberations and refolutions ; For, fir the 
 term of at leaft three or four years heretofore, pieria was known to be paifiona:elyin # love 
 with Bernardo, and fhe hadimployed many friends toward* him, toperfwade and draw h : m to 
 marry her; but he was ftill as averfc, as (he forward in this fute : For although he were ena- 
 moured of her beauty, and loved her tall and (lender perfonage, yet he hated her poverty, and 
 ( becaufc of fome fraall Lands and means he had ) as he thought himfelf too good to be her hus- 
 band, fo flic in regard of herfcfeauty, youth, and cnaftity, both highly and infinitely difdained to 
 be hisftrumpet s and indeed the paffage and procefs of thefe their affections was not from time to 
 time unknown \c Amarantha. F'tcria is as welcome to ^Amarantha, as Bptiftina isforrowful 
 for her departure; and the youngeft fifler now entertains her with as much courtcfie, as theeldett 
 formerly retained her with cruelty : As for Bernardo , he inwardly delights though outwardly will 
 not feem to repycein her company, and fo gives her his eyes, though not his heart ; And for 
 Pieria , her carriage was fo modefl, and yet withal fo refpeftful to him, as if (be endeavoured to 
 make it her chiefefi ambition and glory, that her vertues and chafticy fhould make as free and as 
 perfeft a conquefl of his heart, as her beauty had of his eyes : As for Baptifiina ( her quondam* 
 Lady ) (he is now angry with her felf, as loon as (he knew of her departure from her • hut when 
 fhe underfiands that P/W* is fled to Cardura, and lives with her difeontenred fifler Amarantha, 
 then (under hand) (he makes ftroog means for her return again to her fervice, intimating to 
 her that lhe is ready to redeem her former difeourtefie tovvardsher, both with acknowledgment 
 and requital. But thefe her hopes will deceive her, for (lie will find, thaterrours are not f foon 
 repaired as committed, and that her want of kindnefsto her Chamber-maid Pitria mayintbe 
 end ( perchance ) prove cruelty to her felL Pieria is deaf to all thefe her requefls, and endea- 
 vours father to tie her felf to Amarantha her new affc&ion, ihtnto'Baptiftina her old unkind- 
 nefs, as preferring the courtefiecf the firft to the choler and indignation of ihe fecond. On the 
 other fide, Amarantha is glad of this refolution of her new maid Pieria ; for the Devil being 
 ftill at her elbow, he continually fets fire to her malice, and (as an infernal Incendiary ) perpe- 
 tually blows the coals to he: revenge againft her filler Baptifiina • yea, and now he focaptivateth 
 her foul, and extinguifheth her devotion and zeal towards heaven, that I write it with pity and 
 forrow, and not with paifion, but companion, (he had neither the power to pray, notthehap- 
 pinefs or grace, either to frequent the Church for Gods fake, or to defire Gods prefence andaf- 
 hftance for her own;No,no,Such thoeghts of piety were far from her prophane thoughts and mind ; 
 for as her beft blood, fo her beft zeal was now corrupted and polluted with revenge towards her 
 fitter. And here, as a wretched Lady and a bloody fitter, (he doth yet far worfe: For ( by the 
 Devils fuggeftion ) fheaflumes this horrible refolution, not only to engage and hazard her felf, 
 but others therein, as if fhe took a pride, and conceived a glory, not to (hipwrack her felf alone, 
 but to confound and caft away others with her for company in this prodigious and lamentable bu- 
 finefsof hers. The manner is thus : . 4 
 
 She knows , that by reafon of her Arid exile in Cardura , (be muft needs employ fome 
 
 Fa&ors and Agents , either to poyfon or murther this her Sifter Baptifiina in Florence : 
 
 and therefore Ihe thinks none fo fit and proper to attempt and perform it, as her old 
 trufty fervant Bernardo , and her new Maid 'Fieri* his Sweet- heart , whom ( by de- 
 grees ) fhe purpofely draws and obligeth to her by gifts and promifes ; and her reafon 
 for this coaceit and opinion of hers , that they will concur with her in this bloody 
 Fad, is derived from this foundation and ground, that Love and Money may eafily 
 
 aft wonders in the hearts and minds of thofe who defire the one, and want the other ; as 
 
 alfo, for that (be perfeftly knows, that for many years Pieria hath deeply loved Her* 
 nardo , and dearly defired and wilhed him for her Husband , and that he hath ever affe- 
 ded her, but only di (liked her poverty; Wherefore believing that (lie would do much for 
 the obtaining of this Husband , and he fi.r preferment and gold, (he is refolute in miking 
 
 Rr 3 this 
 
G ocls K evenge againji Murther. 1: o ( k V . 
 
 ThishT bloody proportion to them ; when, not caring any more to write to her Father, lie i; 
 now as hafty as bloody in her malice and revenge towards her Sitter ; ana fo, impatient of delay 
 fand without aDy further ccr,fideration with her felf, or corfultation either with her Soul, or with 
 God) fhe taking time at advantage, firlt breaks with pitria about this bloody bufincls, adding 
 withal, that hcr°defire and refolution is ter have her Siller Baftifiina liifl.'d in her bed. hot now 
 the Devil hath call ctf her refolutiens from Poy fon or Ponyard, to which etf< dl, flic promtfeth to 
 L - a i n her Btrmrdo to her Husband, and to give them wherewithal to maintain themfelves well 
 b e j D o married, if (he will content with him to undertake and perform her requeli : Which prof- 
 fers and promifes of her Lady do found fo tweedy in poor Pieria’s ears, and work fo deep an mi. 
 predion in her heart, efpectnlly that die thall hen by enjoy B c rn*rao for her Husband whom die 
 loves fardearerthan herownlite, that being wholly vat, quithed with the conhderation thereof, 
 as alfoinchanted with the fweet melody of her Ladie’s fugred perfwafions, the without any tear or 
 thought of God, as an inconfiderate and gracelefs Maiden, yields to her ungodly and inhumane 
 requells ; who then fwearing her to fecrecy, (lie within a day or two after, hkewife boatdeth her 
 fervant Be nardo upon this bloody bufinels, the which if he will perform for her, and tike Pi, 
 eria to his wife, fhe faithtully promifeth to give him an hundred ana fifty Dutkatoons of yearly 
 Annuity, curing his life ; and to remain their true and cccllant friend for ever. At fird Pi rnardo 
 wondereth and (faggereth at the bearing of this cruel and lamentable project, as amazed and ado- 
 rn flied thereat, as”f he were now fo good a Chridian, that Grace triumphed above Nature m 
 his heart, and God above Satan in his loul * but at lad, beiDg deeply enamoured of LtW's de- 
 licate vouth and beauty, which he likes well, and of this yearly fum of gold for thur maintenance 
 in Marriage, which he loves dearly, he forgetting himfeif, and which is worle, God ; wiihout 
 any further rubs or rumination, gives his Lady Amaranth a his. free corfentand promife to perform 
 both her requells, as well of the muriher as marriage. Whereupon die carries him to her Clofet, 
 and there callsfor l ima, and acquaints her with her and her Bernardo's conclufion ; fo in her pre- 
 fence, they ( by joyning of hands ) contrail themfelves each toother, and then they all three 
 do feverally and joyntlyfwear fecrefie, as alfo punctually toaccomplifli this which they have 
 concluded.- When this wretched and execiablc ^Amaranth* ( the fader and (tronger to tie 
 them to her defires and their promifes ) opens a Casket of hers,- and gives each of them fif- 
 ty Duckatcons in gold, as a pledg and earned-penny of her love to them ; and then faith- 
 fully promifeth to reward them withfo much more asfoon as they have Gene herSider Bap- 
 tiftina to Heaven; when Bernardo and Pitria ( to teftifie their thankfulnefsto her ) do both 
 vow and fivear, that herein (as in all things elfe) her will dial! be their Law, and that their heft 
 fe; vices and bed lives fhall for ever be prollrateto her commands. But they fhall repent the 
 taking, and Amarar.tha the giving of them this gold, becaufc it is the price and hire of innocent 
 blood. 
 
 This lamentable ( becaufe finful ) compact, being thus fecretly dint up, and impioully con- 
 cluded between thefe three wretched perfonages, then Bernardo and c Pteria fall fo clofe and thick 
 to their amorous kiffes, as being defirous to become one in body, as already they arc in hearcand 
 mind, theyrequed their Lady Jmarantha, that die would pleafe to permit them to finifhand 
 confummate their marriage, before they perpetrate the murther of her Siller Baftifiina • but die 
 (who was clearer-lighted in her malice and revenge to her faid Siller, than they in their judg- 
 ments and affections to themfelves ) confidering that this Seal of theit marriage was the great tye 
 and Gordian knot for them to perform and finilh her defire, the which, if it were once folcm- 
 nized, then their devotion and zeal thereunto might ( peradventute ) afterwards either grow 
 cold, or freez, if not (hortlv wither and dye away upon theDefign; fhe drongly oppofes and 
 contradiCls it, as affirming they fhall fird difpatch her Sider before they marry : the which Ber- 
 nardo well obferving and confidering, he thinks it no folly in him to learn by her, and fo to make 
 her diferetion his; and therefore that this murther being once commitred, (he might after 
 at her pleafure revoke her verbal Annuity given him , the which to prevent ( and fo to 
 be as wife in his Covetoufnefs, as fhe was cruel and bloody in her bounty ) he tells his Lady 
 Jmarantha, that according to her defirc, he will willingly defer his marriage till then, but 
 withal , humbiy requells her to give him her promifed Annuity written and figned with 
 her own hand ; the which, becaufe fhe cannot well refufe, fire then and there doth in thefe 
 terms : 
 
Hift-XXI. Str em y and bis three unfortunate Daughter f . 
 
 T N couji deration, that ntj ftrvant Bernardo do efpoufe, and take to his Vrifc my Chan ter- maid Pie- 
 ■*ria, l do prermje that (aftirthe awfummation thereof ) upon my fidelity and honour, 1 mil y curt j 
 give and pay Unto the [aid Bernardo or his Affigns^ during all the term of his life , the full and intire 
 fum of one hundred and fifty Duckatoons of Florence money j And in mtnefs and tefiimonj of this 
 truth, I hereunto fuhfigne my ^ame : 
 
 AMARANTH A. 
 
 A promife and contrail written with more blood than ink, or rather not with ink, but wholly 
 with blood, and which therefore God, in his divine providence, may hereafter produce, and 
 bring to light, toferve as a powerful witnefs, and inftrument of his glory, and, perad venture, 
 to the infamy and confufion of thofe who gave and received if. ' , 
 
 nAmarantha having thus given this premife to 'Bernardo, and like wife received his md his in- 
 tended wifesP/mVsoaths in countercharge , (he now thinks with her felf, that fhe mutf again 
 return Ticria to Florence, and by feme file hypoc ri fie, to re-invert and ferew her anew into her 
 old Lady Baptifiina s fervice, thereby to be the more able and fit to difpatch her. Now as fhe 
 is malicioufly ruminating on this invention, there falls out an accident which feems both to favour 
 her hopes, and to further her defires and expe&ation herein 2 For by this time, Baptifiina writes 
 over to.Afa levola to deal fecretly and ferioufly with Pieria for her return to Florence to her fervice, 
 and that fhe fhall find her welcome to exceed her expectation and defirej: So the truth is apparent, 
 that Pieria ( inrtrudted by the Premifes ) now needs not many great perfwafions from Maltvola , 
 to draw her to confent to this rcfolution ; for as fhe and her Bernard) receive the firli motion of 
 this ( unexpc&ed ) news with ioy, fo Amaranth* imbt^Mh and entertains it with delight * and 
 now their latt confultationisheldbetweenthem, about the condufion and finifhingof thismeurn- 
 fulbufinefs. To which end, Pieria is difpatched for Florence, and the fiftcenth day after, Ber* 
 nardo isiikewife fecretly and precifelyto arrive there to her by night, and then is the direft 
 and appointed time for them to elefe and fhut up this Tragedy, We murt now allow and con- 
 ceive Pieria to be again entertained of her old Lady Baptifiina in Florence , with much courtefie 
 and joy; and for the fcal andcimentof this their reciprocal reconciliation, her Lady gives her a 
 new black wrought Silk Gown, and a purple Damask Pcticoat, the which (as a treacherous 
 diffembling wretch ) fhe feems to receive of her with much content and thankfulncfs, the 
 which yet we fhall fhortly fee her requite with a meft inhumane and prodigious ingratitude ; for 
 her defire of marriage, and Icng'ng for a Husband, makes her think every hour ten, before 
 the fifteenth day be arrived, and for her late Lady lAmarantba ( who ices by no other eyes, 
 but by thofe of malice and revenge towards herSifier ) fhe thinks every day an age, before 
 fhe hear of her difpatch. At the expiration of which time ( according to their former agree- 
 ment) B emardo arrived by night at StrCni his houfe in Florence, and at one of the clock after 
 midnight, he finds the little Garden door open, and his Pieria there purpofely to receive and 
 welcome him i fo they begin their meeting with kiffes. She leads him by the hand to the out- 
 er door of her Ladies Chamber, and they two having agreed on the manner how to rtifle her in 
 her bed. Hie had there to that purpofe, provided two pillows, keeps one, and gives him an- 
 other to effe&it : Thefe miferable wretches (for the more fecrecy) put off their fhoes, and 
 cut the candles; and the darknefs of the Moon, and the obfeurityof the night Teeming to cen- 
 fpireto their confpiracy, they foftly enter her Chamber, go one by one fide, and the other by 
 the other, where unfortunate Baptifiina lying foundly fleeping and fnoring, they ftifle her 
 with their pillows, and then a little whiles after, thruft a nandkercher into her mouth, and their 
 fury and malice was fo fierce and implacable towards her, as fhe hath neither fpacc to fpeak* 
 nor power to fcreech or to cry. Thus fhe who had formerly povfoned her elder fifier Jaquinta, 
 is now alfo cruelly murthered by the treachery of heryoungert filter Amarantha, which makes 
 me cry, out and fay ; O Lord, as thou art immenfein thy mercies , fo thou art infcrutable in thy 
 judgments , and that therefore , as we ought not , fo we cannot refifi his divine power and eternal pre~ 
 ir dination. 
 
 Bernardo and Fieri* (as two limbs of the Devil ) having finifhed this cruel Murther on 
 Baptifiina, they leave her breathleft body on her b-d, and then withdrawing themfclve* 
 from her Chamber, they foftly pull fart the door, which had a Spring- lock, and then fhe 
 fecretly throws in the key within fide, at a private hole, or cranny; when her fweet heart 
 and her felf defeended the ftairs, and with wonderful filence ftalk away to the Garden, 
 without the Pcftcrn door whereof, his Horfe, tyed up to an Iron Ring in the wall, await- 
 ed and attended him; where with a multitude of kiffes they part, he faithfully promifing 
 
Book V. 
 
 Gods Revenge againft Murtber. 
 
 her to return to her again at Florence within a moneth after at moft, and then to marry her: So 
 whiles Fieri* now ( in the depth and dead of this difmal night ) betakes her felf to her bed, 
 and there fas devoid of fear as of grace) deeps foundly, her Sweet- heart Bernardo, that very 
 obfeure night, gallops thorow the ftreetsef Florence towards the gate which leads to Piftoi*: 
 Where God fin his all-feeing providence ) cauieth hishorfe to Humble, and fall with him to 
 the ground, whereof he brake his neck, and prefently died, and his horfe then riling, fksfrom 
 him ftraglingly in the ftreets, leaving the breathlcfs Corps of Bernardo in the ftreet, having not 
 the happinefs either to cry or utter one word at this his fudden and difafter cus death ; God having 
 fo ordained and decreed in his Star-Chamber of HeaveD, that although for the murthering of the 
 Lady Baptifitka he deferved a more fhamefulcnd, yet that this poor horfe which brought him to 
 Florence, fhould at the fame time and place be his Executioner, as alfo that there was fcarce one 
 hour between his crime and his punilhment, between her murther and his own death: An and 
 example of Gcdsjuftice, worthy of all men to know, and of all Chriftians moft efpecially to 
 remember : fo fecret and facred are the Judgments of the Lord of Hofts ! All that night Bernar- 
 do's dead body lay gored in his blood ( which abundantly iftued forth his mouth ) as alfo in the 
 dirt of the ftreet, unefpiedof any mortal eye; but affoonas the morning began to appear tho- 
 row the windows of Heaven, then it was found, and likewife to be done by the fall off a horfe; 
 whereof his neck, the beholders faw, was broken : the which the fooner they were induced and 
 led to believe, becaufe they likewife found a horfe neerhim, ftraglingin the ftrects without his 
 Rider : This his dead body is therefore prefently expofed to the Criminal Judges of that fait and 
 famous City, who forthwith, caufe his pockets to be fcarched, where, inftead of gold, they, by 
 the dire&ionof God, find the before nominated promife of a yeerly Annuity, which we have 
 formerly underflood Amaranth* gave him: Whercopon, they knowing the Lady Amara n tha to 
 be Seignior Leonard) Streni his daughter, and by this Note, confidently believing this dead man 
 to bethefam zBemardo } and he to be Amaranth a* $ fervant; they ( without once fufpe&ingor 
 dreaming of any murther committed by him) hold it a part of their office and duty to acquaint 
 Streni herewith. But the news of this dead found Corps ratling thorow the ftrects of the City, 
 it dc vanceth this care of theirs, and fo fpeedily arrives to Streni his houfe before them ; whereat 
 Pieria (looking for nothing lefs) takes fo hot an alarm of grief, fear, and defpair’ that her 
 guilty thoughts and confcience f like fo many Blood' hounds) ftill purfuing her. She feeing this 
 unlock’d for difafter and death of her Bernardo to be an adf of God, and a blow from Heaven, 
 which infallibly prcdidTed both her danger and death; fhe therefore prefently flics out of doors, 
 and (with much celerity and more fear) betakes her felf to the lcaft frequented and moft re- 
 moteft ftreets cf the City for her fafety. Bythistimc the Criminal officers are arrived at Streni 
 his houfe, whom they acquaint with this mournful accident, fhewing him this affu ranee of An- 
 nuity, and inquire of him .if it be the Lady Amaranth* his Daughter’s hand, as alfo the dead 
 corps, and if this were her fervant, who ( with a countenance compofed of aftonifliment, fear, 
 and forrow) acknowledged to them, that it is his Daughter Amaranth*'* own hand-writing, 
 and the dead perfonage to be her ferving-man Bernardo : Whereupon they confidently believe, 
 and he forrowfully fears, that this Death of his, and that Aflurancc of hers, doth either 
 import or include Ionic greater difafter and misfortune : Whereupon, they again, modeft- 
 ly, yet juridically, demand of him for his Daughter Amarantha, and her Chamber-maid, 
 Plena, who returns them this anfwers that the firftisat hisMannorof Cardura, neer*, 
 Pijloia, and the fecond here in this houfe, and now ferving his eldcft Daughter Baftijtina : 
 
 . they demand to fpeak with Pieria, whom he caufeth to be fought in all places of his houfe, 
 but fhe is not to be found, fo he fends to look her in his Daughters Chamber, her Miftrefs: 
 but his fervants return and report, that the door of that Chamber is faft lock’d, and that 
 they can get no fpeech either cf her, orof the Lady Baptiltina > which anfwerof theirs 
 doth exceedingly augment t»he jealoufie of the Judges, and the fear of the Father: So 
 they all refolve toafeend therafelvesto that Chamber, where they aloud again calling 
 both the Lady and her Maid, and hearing no anfwerof either of them, they inftantly 
 caufe the door to be forced open -> where (contrary to their expedition ) they find the 
 Lady Baptijiina dead, and well near cold in her bed, and caufing her body tobeiecretly 
 fearched by fome Chirurgions and neighbour Gentlewomen , they are all of opinion, that 
 fhe is undoubtedly ftifled in her Bed, and her face very much black and fwoln with ftrug- 
 hngfor life again ft death. They are amazed, and her Father Streni almoft drowned in 
 his lorrowful tears at the fight of this deplorable accident and mournful Ipedfacle, and 
 therefore what to fay, or how to bear himfelf herein, he knows not. 
 
Hift.XXI. St remind bis three unfortunate Daughters*. 
 
 But the Judges upon further knowjedg and confideration of the flight of PitrU, the death 
 of Bernardo, and the promifed annuity of Amaranth* upon their marriage ( as it wer£ 
 prompted by God ) do vehemently fufpett and believe that thecal! three were undoubtedly 
 confecting and guilty of BaptijUt u’s death* notwithftanding tharthc key of her chamber was 
 found thrown in within fide: So they prcfently leave this forrowful father to his tears, 
 and, betaking tfyemfelves to their fear of Juftice, do inftandy caufe ail the gates of the City 
 to be (hur, and a ftri& and curious fearch to be made in all parts thereof, for the appre- 
 henfionof Pirn*, which ( in their zeal and honour to facred jultice ) they perform with 
 fo much care and fpeed, as within three hours after fhe is found out* and ipprehended in an 
 Aunt’s houfeof hers, who was a poor woman and a Laundrefs of that City, named Elea- 
 nor* Fracafa. 
 
 The Judges being prefently advertifed hereof, convent her before them, and (by vertue 
 of this annuity ) charge both her and her Lover Bernardo to be the A&ors, and Amar a ntha y 
 to be at leaft acccffary, if not the author, with them of murtheringof Baptiftina ; fhecan 
 , hardly fpcak for tfars at this her examination, bccaufe her Gghs (fill cut her words in pie- 
 ces- and yet (he islo far from grace and repentance, as at firft (he ftoutly denies all, and boldly 
 affirms, That both Antarantha y Bernardo , and her felf, were every way innocent of attempt- 
 ing any thing againft Baftiflinas life, and that if file were dead, fhe died only of a natural 
 death by the appointment of God, and no other wife ; and to this anfwer of hers the Devil 
 had made her fo ftrong, as (lie added many fearful oaths and deprecations, both for her own 
 and their juftificacion * but yet (notwithftanding this her Apologie; thefe grave and clear- 
 lighted Judges are fo far from diminiftiing, as they augment their fufpicion both of her and 
 them, and fo they commit her to prifon, and forthwith to the Rack. Ac the pronouncing of 
 which fentence. Pieria'is much daunted, feems to lecfall fomc of her former fortitude and 
 contiancie, and to burl} forth into many paffionate tears, fighs, and exclamations ; butthey 
 will nothing avail her: For, feeing her pretended husband Bernardo dead, in whom lived 
 the imaginary joys of her heart, flic fo fainted, as at the very; fir ft fight of the Rack (with 
 fome tears, and more decp-fetcht fighs; flic confefTed to her Judges, char ftie and Bernard 9 
 had ft i fled her Lady Baptifiina in her bed ; but ftill conftantly affirmed that her lifter Ama- 
 ranth* was wholly innocent thereof, flattering her felf with this hope, that for thus her clear- 
 ing of her Lady Amaranth* from this crime and danger, (he ( in requital thereof; could 
 do no lefs than be a means to procure a pardon for her life : But thefe hopes of hers will de- 
 ceive her, and flie as fali from her hereafter, as ever flhe formerly did from God. So the 
 Judges ( in detection of this her foul and bloody crime ) adjudghcr to be hanged for the 
 lame ^ but firft they fend her back to prifon, and the very next morning, before break of 
 day, theyfecrctly fend away thrceof their hbwtt ( or Sergeants) toCardura, to fetch 
 the Lady %^Am* ant ha to Florence, being very confident ( notwithftanding Pteria’s denyal ) 
 that flit likewife had a deep finger and lharc in her lifter B*ptifi:n*s murthcr. 
 
 Amaranth a not dreaming in Cardmra whit had bended in to Bernardo and ?!eria t 
 
 but flattering her felf with much hope and joy, that bythis rime they had undoubtedly 
 made away her fifter Baptifiina, and eonfequeatly that (he fhould fhortly revifit Florence y 
 and there domineer alone, and obtain fume gallant Cavalier of her father for her Husband ; 
 fliein expectance of her lcrvanc Bernard} his return, and of his plealing news, had that day 
 (as it were in a bravery and triumph ) purpofely dighted herfelf up in her be!} attire, and 
 richeft apparel ; and fo betaking her lelf to her chamber, and to that window which looked 
 towards Florence, (he with a longing defire expefteth every minute when he will arrive 5 
 when about ten of the clock before dinner ( contrary to expe&acion ; (he feci three men to 
 enter into the houfe, apparelled as Florentines, whereat Ihe much mufeth andwondreth, as 
 not knowing what they, or their coming fliould import. Thefe three Sergeants having en- 
 tered the houfe, they are brought to the Governefs MalevoU, who brings them to her young 
 Lady Amaranth* in her chamber * to whom ( with a diflembling confidence ) they report 
 to her, T hat Seignior Streni her father, hath fent them to conduS and accompany her fpee- 
 dily to Florence. Amaranth* inquired of them for her Fathers Letters to that effetft, wherc- 
 unto one of the fubrillellof them makes anfwer very Oily and artificially to her, that her 
 Father’s hafle, and her preferment, would not permit him to write to her, for that he per- 
 fectly knew from him, he was now upon matching her to a rich and noble Husband : Her 
 Governefs Makvola likewife demands of them, if he had not written to her Self, they an- 
 fwer, No, but chat he bad them tell her, chat he willed her without delay to bring away hit 
 daughter Amaranth* with her, and themfelves to Florence by Coach, and only one Foot* 
 boy. The Pupil and Governefs confult hereon,/ and the very name of a Husbind make* 
 the firft as willing, as the fecond is difccntc-ntcd to go to Florence without a letter * a but the 
 
 b f policy 
 
3H 
 
 Book V. 
 
 Gods Revenge ngainfl Mart her, 
 
 policieof the Sergeants fo prevail with the fimplicity of this young Lady and old Gentlewoman, 
 that theyTpeedily pack up their trunks, foetine, and then take Coach and Horfe, and away for 
 Florence ; during which.thcu journey, ^although the mirth and joy of Amarantha be great, yet 
 fhe finds fo many different reludtitions, and extravagant thoughts in her mind, attheabfcnce 
 andfilenceof her man Bcmnrdo, as (he cannot poflibly again refrain from mufing and wonder- 
 in° thereat. They ail arrive at Florence, where thefe Sergeants ( having learnt their parts well, 
 and afting them better ) infteadof Amarantha s fathers houfe, do clap her upclofe prifoner in 
 the common Gaol of thatCitic, notwithftanding all her prayers and cries, fighsand tears, to 
 the contrary ; *and then fend her Govcrnefs Maletoola home to her Laid father, to adyertife him 
 hereof ; who tearing the fnow-white hair off his head and beard at this fad news, and extreamly 
 fearing the dangerous confequence of this deplorable accident, he ( with tears inhiseyes, for- 
 row in his looks, and fighs in his fpeeches) repairs fpcedily to the Judges, to whom for- 
 rowfullyand humbly cafting himfelf almoftaslowas their feet, heprayesthemtothinkof his 
 age, and of his imprifoned daughter’s youth, and that having unfortunately loft his cldeft daugh- 
 ter, that they would not deprive him of his youngeft, nor c'aft her life away her upon bare pre- 
 emption or circumftance, or upon the wrongful reports and malice of his and her enemies : But 
 thefe grave and Lynce- eyed Magiftrates (who look as deeply into the priviledg and dignity of 
 Juttice, as he dpth into the paffions of paternal affeftion and nature ) cut him off with this 
 fharp reply. That they honour his age, and refpeS his daughter’s youth, that fhe (hall have juft- 
 ice, and that by the Laws of Florence he muft expeft no more •, with which cold anfwer he re- 
 turns hr me to his houfe, as difconfolate, as he came forth forrewful, being not permitted, but 
 defended, to fee or fpeak with his daughter ^Amaranth* inprifon, only he hath permiffionto 
 bury his murthered daughter Baptiftina:' the which he performeih with far more grief andfor- 
 row thanfolemnity. 
 
 The truth and decorum of this Hiftory muft now invite the Reader to v\f\t Amarantha inpri- 
 fon, who being here debarred from fpcaking witfr any, or any with her, except ( thofe mifer- 
 able comforters ) her Sergeants and Gaolers * fhe now feeing the imminence cf her danger, 
 and fearing the aflfuranceof her death, for. that fhe heard a fecref incklibg ( from the lower 
 Court, through her chamber window) 7 hat Baptiftini wot mimhtredy hertJMail 
 
 £ieria imprifonU y and (he her felf vehemently fufpetted for the fame : She: therefore now begins 
 to think of her former bloody crimes with repentance, and of mefrfilr inhumane cruelties to- 
 wards her two cider fitters with contrition, and folemnly vows to God, that if his Divine Ma* 
 jeflic will now plcafe to faveher life, fhe will henceforth rcligioufly redeem the firft and fecond 
 with repentance. So in the midft of thefe good thoughts, though vain defires andwifhesof 
 hers', fhe yet ftill flatters her felf with this poor hope, that if her man Bernardo be living, then 
 her promifed annuity to him, written with her^ own hand is ftill fure, and therefore tacitly 
 dead in his cuftody^ and that both he and Plena cannot any way wrong her, without infi- 
 nitely wronging themfelves, and endangering their own lives; So albeit her Judges have 
 matter pf fufpition, yet they can have no caufe of death againft her ; or if peradventure they 
 have, yet nat the power of her Father! grcatncfs and friends are fo prevalent in Florence 
 and Tuicany, that if (tbeworft fallout) he and they can obtain at leaft her Reprival for the 
 prefent, if not her pardon for the future. But ( contrary to all thefe her weak arid trivial 
 hopes) the very next morning fhe isfeqr for before her Judges to a private examination, who 
 ( after they had made a grave and religious fpecch to her ) they demand her, firft. If fhe em- 
 ployed not her fervant Bernardo , and T.icria to murthcr her fifter Baptlftina, the which flic 
 firmly arid conftintly denies : . Secondly, If fhe had not given an annuity of ijoDuckatoos 
 driring his life to marry Picria> the which fhe Iikewife denies ; then they produce and fhew 
 it her under her own hand-writing, whereat (they meafuring her "heart by hei* counte- 
 nance) fhe feems to be fo much perplexed with forrow,*' and amazed with fear , as fhe 
 cannot refrfin from giving them lefs wo<ds, but mor£ 'lists; Of which her Judges con- 
 ceiving a good opinion and hope, and therefore deeming themfelves now to be in a fair 
 way*, and a dired courfe to obtain the whole truth of this lamentable bufinefs from 
 her) they bethink themfelves of a policie, thereby to effeft and compafs it, which is 
 every way worthy of themfelves and their offices , of their diferetion and juftice. They 
 tell Amaranthay that in regard of her youth and beauty, and of her Fathers age and nobi- 
 lity, they defire and intend to favc her, if fhe will not wilfully caft her felf *way ; That 
 her fafetyand life now confiflethin her plain confclfton, and not in her perverfe denial and 
 conteftation, of being acceflary and confenting to the murther of her fifter Baptiftina. That 
 they have proofs thereof, as’ clear, and as apparant as the Sun : And that they having 
 
 cauftd 
 
 * 
 
Hift.XXI. St remind his three unfortunate Daughters. 
 
 caufecl Picria to be executed for the fame this morning, fhe confefTed it to them at her death, 
 yea and dyed thereon. At which fpeechesof her Judge?, and confcffion and death of < pieria i 
 this wretched and unfortunate Lady *mar*»th* ( feeing her felf lo palpably convi&ed of this 
 her bloodv and inhumane crime ) being wholly vanquished either with fear toward her felf, or 
 choler toward Picria, fhe falls on her knees to her judges feet, and ( with a great ihoweref 
 tears) makes her felf (by her freeconfertion ) to be the prime author of her filler Baptifiina’s 
 murther* That fire had hired BemaUo and Pier it to perform ir, and given him an Annuity of tyo 
 Duckatons per annum, and to each of them 50 Duckatons more in hand to that elfett, conceal- 
 ing no point or part thereof, as we have already formerly underftood : When ( contrary to the 
 expedition of her Judges) flie mod bitterly exclaimed on the name, m mcry, and ingrati- 
 tude of this bafe wretch Puria ( for fo fhe then termed her ) in that fhe could not be contented 
 • to die her felf, but alfo as much, and as maliciaufly, as in her power, to think likewifeto hazzard 
 her own life with hers. And now our choleiick, and yet forrowful vAmarant ha (between thefe 
 two different extreamsof hope and fear) layes ho'd cf her Judges latepromife and profer’d 
 ' courtefie to her to fave Her, and then and there ( with many reverences, tears, and wringing of 
 her hands) moft humbly befqecheth them for Gods fake, and for honours caufe, to be good un- 
 to her, and to give her her life, although iheconfeflfedi lhe is moft worthy of death, in bein£ 
 fa degenerate and bloody-minded towards her own Sifter. But they (having by this commend- 
 able means, and artificial policy, drawn this worm from Amarantha's toDgue, I mean this truth 
 from her mouth ) are exceeding forrowful, and as much deleft this her barbarous fad, as they 
 pity her defeent, youth, and beauty; but well knowing with themfelves, that God is glorified 
 in the due and true execution of juftice up n all capital malefadors, and efpeci.illy on murther- 
 ers ( who are no lefs than monikers cf nature, the difgrace of their times, and the very butch- 
 ers of mankind) and that the greatnefs of their quality and blood doth only ferve but to make 
 thsfe crimes of theirs the greater: Therefore ( 1 fay) thefe wife and religious Judges prove 
 deaf to her requells , and blind to her tears ; ■ and fo having firft caufed her to figne this her con- 
 feffion, and then confronted her with P.eria, who now to Amarantha’s face confirmed as much 
 as flic her felf right now confdfed and affirmed, they now in expedation of this her cruel mur- 
 ther, adjudg he” likewife to be hanged the next day, at the common place of Ex cution, in 
 company of Plena ; although her aged forrowful Father Seignior Streni ( being well nigh weigh- 
 ed down to his grave with the extream grief and for row of thefe his misfortunes and calamities ) 
 proffered the Judges and the great Duke, the greateft part of hiselfate and lands, to fave this 
 his yomv'elk, and Wv his only Daughter Amar.wtha : But his labour proved loft, and htscarc 
 and affedion vain in this his fuit and felicitation, bccaufe tbofe learned Judges, and this prudent 
 and noble Duke, grounded their refolutions and pleafures .upon this wholefome and true Maxim, 
 Thar Juftice is one of the greateft CololTus’s and ftrongeft columns of Kingdoms and Common- 
 wealths, and the trueftwaV and means to preferve them in flourifiiing profperity and glory, and 
 confequently, that all wilful and premeditated murtherers cannot be either too foon extermina- 
 ted, or too fcverelv punifhed, and cut off from the world. So amaranth a with more choler 
 thenforrow, and Pieria, with more fear than choler, are now both fent back to their prifons ; 
 and that ni°hr Strati fends his Daughter, and the Judges fend Piertaiomz Fryers and Nunns to 
 prepare their fouls for Heaven, but ( in honour of the truth ) 1 muft affirm with equal grief and 
 pity that both thefe two female monfters had their hearts fofealed, and their fouls fo feared up 
 with impiety, that neither of them could there be perfwaded or drawn either to think of repent- 
 
 3n< Whilcs ^bus Florence refounds of thefe their foul and inhumane crimes, as alfo of their juft 
 condemnations, the next morning about ten of the clock, they are brought to the deftin’d 
 place of Execution , there to receive their condignc piimfhments for the fame. Pten* hrft 
 mounts the Ladder, who made a fhort fperch at her death, tothiseffed; That her defire to 
 obtain Bernard, for her husband had chieflydrawn her to commit this murther on her Lady 
 B aptiftina and that it was far more her Sifter Amaranth*’* malice to her, than her own, which 
 reduced her to this bloody refolution-, and that this her own frameful death was not half fo 
 orievous to her, as the unfortunate end of her lover Bernardo, whom fre there affirmed to the 
 world and took it to her death, that file loved a thoufand times dearer than her own life, 
 with manv other vain and ridiculous fpeeches tending that way, and which favoured mote 
 of her fond affedion to him, than of any zeal or devotion to God ; and therefore I hold them 
 every wav more worthy of mV filence, than of my relation : And fo fre was turned over. To 
 fecond whofe unfortunate and frameful end, now our bloody and execrable ^Amaranth* 
 (with far more beauty than contrition, and bravery than repentance ) afeends the Ladder; 
 who ( to make her infamy the more famous ) had purpofely dighted anc. apparelled her felt 
 v Sf 2 m 
 
Gods Revenge againft Mart her. Book V. 
 
 "in a plain black Sattin Gown., with Silver lacc, and a deep laced Cambrick Ruff of a very large 
 Set, with her hair uovailed, and decked with many Rofes of lilvec Ribband : At her afeent, 
 ber'extradion, beauty, and youih, begat as much pitty, as her bloooy and unnatural crime did 
 detection, in the eyes and hearts of all her fpe&ators : When, after a pute or two, fhe (vain- 
 ly ccmpofing her countenance, more with contempr, than fear of dealer J there to a world of 
 people, who flecked from all parts of the City and Country ro fee her dye ( with a wondrous 
 boldnefs ) ccnfefled, That flie had not only caufed her Sifter '£*p ifttna to beflifledin her bed 
 by Be may do and Picria, but that htrfaid Sifter Baptifiina andhcrfelf had formerly poyfoned 
 their elder Siller J<tqni»ta , and that it was only their imperioufnefs and pride towards her, which 
 drew her to this reiolution and revenge againft them both; the which fire affirmed, fhe could 
 now as little repent, as heretofore remedy, and that fhe more fenfibly lamented, and grieved for 
 the forrows of her Father’s life, than for the (frame and infamy of her own death When, without 
 any (hew of repentance, without any fpeech of God, or, which is Jcfs, without fo much as once 
 looking up towards Heaven, or inviting or praying her fpe&ators to pray to Gcd for her foul, the 
 with a gracelefs refolution, and prophane boldncls, conjured her Executioner fpeedily to per- 
 forms his office and duty, which by the command of the Magillrate he forthwith did. So this 
 wretched Amarantba was hanged for her fecond murther, and then by a fecond decree and fen- 
 tenceof the criminal Judges, her body is after dinner burnt to allies for her firft; who likevvife in 
 honour to Juftice, and to the glory of God, do alfo caufe the dead body of Bernardo (for two 
 whole dayes ) to be hanged by his feet in his Hurt at the fame Gallows, and then to be caft into 
 the River of Arno. And here the Judges alfo, to fhew themfelves, thcmfelves, were cnee of 
 opinion to have unburied ’Maptiftina, and likewife to have given her dead body fome opprobri- 
 ous puniftiment, for being accellary with her Sifter Amarantba topoyfon their elder fitter Ja. 
 quinta ; but having no other evidence cr proof hereof, but only the teftimony of her condemned 
 dying Sidy Atmrantha, whom it was more probable thin impoflible, (lie might fpeakitmore 
 out of malice than truth , as alfo that God had already afflicted a deplorable end and puniftiment 
 to her, they therefore omitted it. And thus was the deferved end«, and condign punilfiments 
 of thefe wretched and execrable murtherers ; and in this manner did the juft revenge, and facred 
 juftice of God meet and triumph over them and their bloody Crimes. 
 
 And now here fully to conclude and (hut up this Hiftory in all its circumftances : The griefs and 
 forrows of this unfortunate old Father was fo great and infinite, for the untimely and deplorable 
 deaths of all thefe his three .only Daughters and Children, that although Piety and Religion had 
 formerly taught him, that the afflidions of this life are the joyesof that to come, yet being 
 wholly vanquifhed and deprefled with all thefe different bitter crofles and calamities, he leftFA- 
 rtnet , and retired himfelf to a folitary life in Cardura, where he not long furvived them, but dy- 
 ed very penfivcly and aiournfully. 
 
 1 
 
 
 Gods 
 
 * . •• 
 
Hid XXII. 
 
 Ccrittiana- CteiUtjia Catherina 
 
 gloves > KOnJfeda. Jcu 
 
 dues CyrtUa a. letter Jvr Cecillia na J)on JLarUna Ids and. 
 
 CcetUina a itfizard J)pn ^miino; father Jhamarjt 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XXII. 
 
 Martino poifontth hit brother Pedro, and murthereth Monfredo in the fircct ; He afterwards 
 rrrcWs mad, and in confejfion reveals both thefe hit mnrthees to F ather Thomas his Ch'jlly Fa- 
 ther, who afterwards dying, reveals it by his letter to Ceciliana, who was widow to Montredo, 
 and pfterto Pedro and Martino. Martino hath firfi his right hand cut off, and then is hanged 
 for the fame . 
 
 A S it is a dangerous wickednefs to contrive and plot murther ; fo much more it is a wretch- 
 ed and execrable /one to finilh, and perpetrate it i for tokiil cur Chriftian Brother who 
 figuratively bears the image of God, is an aCt fo odious, as Nature cannot excufe, and 
 fodiabolical, as no Clemencie can pardon: And yet this age, and rhis world is but too 
 plentiful and fertil of fuch bloody Tigers, and inhumane monfters, and Butcbersof nunkiod, as 
 if they had not a coyfcicnce within them to accufcthem, a GoJ ab we them to condemn them, 
 and a Hell below them to puoifli them ; or as if they had not thefacred Oracles of Gods eter- 
 nal Word, I mean the Law and the Gofpel, and the bleffed precepts and doctrine of the holy 
 Prophets andApofiks ; yea, of Chrift Jcfus himfelf, the great Shepherd , and facred Btfiiop 
 of our fouls, to teach us the rules of mercy, meeknefs, and long-fulfering, whiles ive live in 
 this vale of mifery here below, and that we muff embrace and follow peace and charity with all 
 men, if ever we think to participate of the true felicity and joyesof Heaven above: Butnever- 
 tf ekfs (yea directly contrary hereunto ) this enfuing Hiftory will produce us one, who though 
 fufficiently infttu&cd in the rules of piety and charity, yet be wilfully abandoned thefirft, and 
 contemned thefecond, by cruelly and unnaturally imbrewing bis hands in innocent blood, lor 
 the which we (hall fee, that he in the end fuffereth a fevere and fhameful death. May wc read 
 ' this Hiftory to the glory of God, and the inltrufiion of our felves. 
 
 • S f 5 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther. Book V. 
 
 The Scene of this Hiftory is laid in Spain, in the famous province of old Cafiilc, and in the 
 fair and ancient city of Burgos, where lately dwelt a noble and I rich old Gentlewoman, termed 
 Dona Catherim Antun(~ (i Siroamc much known, and famous in that city, province, and king- 
 dom ) who had by her dcceafed husband Dorr Rodtrigo de Ricaldo, two fens, DoaPedni and 
 Don Martin , and one daughter named Dona Cicihana. Her elded fon Don Pedro was a val- 
 iant Cavalier, of feme eight and twenty years of age, tall and weli-timbred, by complexion 
 and hair black, and of a fwart and martial countenance, who for the fpace of feven years, fer- 
 ved as a voluntary Gentleman under that wife .and vaiiatlt'Commander Don Gonfalct, de Cordova 
 in Germany, and againft the Lords States of the Netherlands, and fines in the Vcltolinc and 
 Millane, againft the Grifons and French - In both which wars he left behind him many memora- 
 ble teftimonies of his prowrefs, and purchafed divers honourable trophees of ttue valour and ge- 
 nerofity; but for any other intelic&ual endowments of the mind, he was no fchollar, but of'arj 
 indifferent capacity, yet very honeft, courteous, and affable, particularly to his friends, and 
 generally to all- the world. His brother Don 'J^ia tino was of fome four and twenty years of 
 age, ftiort of ftiture, very flender, but crook-back’d, of an Aubrun hair, a withered face, a 
 fquint eye. : ; of inclination extreamly lullen, and of difpofition and nature envious and revenge- 
 ful, asdefifous rather to entertain a night- quarrel in the ftreet, than a day-combat in the field.; 
 but as Gcd is many times pleated to countervail and reward the defeds of nature in the body, with 
 fome rich gifts and perfedionsof the mind, fo though not by prefeffion, yet by education be 
 was an excellent fcholar^o? an adive and (harp wit, a fluent tongue, and Angularly able either 
 to allure or divert, to perfwade or diflwade, according as the ftream of his different paflions and 
 affedions led him : Venues enough relucent and excellent to build a fame, and fufficient to 
 raife an eminent fortune, if his former vices, do not too fatally edipfc the one, and deface the 
 other. Their filter C eel liana (aged of feme twenty years ) was of an indifferent height, bat 
 growing to corpuletjcie and fatnefs, of a black hajr, an amiable brown complexion, 'of abi" 
 rolling eye, and the airpf her countenance rather beautifully amorcu', than modeftly beauti- 
 ful.* She was of a nimble wit, of humour pleafant and facetious, yet fo referved in the external 
 demonflration thereof, thatthrough her mothers pious and- auftere education of her, ftie (in 
 r all outward femblance ) Teemed rather to be fit for a Nunnery than a Husband, and more proper 
 to inake a Saint than a wife ; but is the face proves not ftill a true Index of the heart nor our 
 looks and fpeeches ftill a true Sybil of our fouls ; fo how retired foever her mother kept her from 
 the company of men, yet her wanton eye confpiring with her hfeivious heart, made her the 
 more defirous thereof : and far the more licentioufly , in regard fhe was ftridly forbidden it ; fo 
 as { not to contradictor difiemble the trutfi ) I am here enforced to relate and affirm, that’fhe 
 imparteth her favours upon two or. three young Gentlemen of that city, of her private acquaint- 
 ance, and is more familiar with them, than 'medefty can well warrant, or chaftity allow of. 
 But there is a young Gallant of this city likewife ( more noble by birth, than rich in efface and 
 means; named Don Balthazar de Moxfredo, who ( deeming Ceeiliana as famous for hercbafli- 
 ty, as for her beauty ; bears a Angular affedion to her; yea, his heart and thoughts are fo fer- 
 vently intangled in thefnaresof her delicious beauty, that in publike and private^ in his defires 
 and wifties, and. his fpeech and adions, he proclaims her to be his M iff rife, and himtelf her fer- 
 vant ; and if he affed and defire Ceeiliana for bis wife, no lefs doth fhe Monfrtdo for her hus- 
 band ; fo that they many times by Health meet and conferr privately in remote Churches and 
 Chappels, it being rather a prophane than a religious cuflom of Spain ( wherein Heaven is too 
 much made to ftoop to earth, and Religion to impiety ) for men to court their intended wives, 
 and ( which is worfe ) many times their courtizaas and ftrampets. Ceeiliana (oftentimes war- 
 ranted by her mothers indilpolition) can no fooner take coach, to enjoy the pleafure and benefit 
 of the frefh air abroad in the fragrant fields, but Manfreds affuredly meets her, where leaping 
 from his coach into hers ( and leaving his Page to accompany her waiting Gentlewoman in his 
 own) they at firft familiarly kifs and conferr, andinafewof thefemeetings atlaft e ffedually re- 
 folve to give themfelves each to other in thefacred bonds of marriage ; fo he gives her a rich 
 Diamond Ring, and fhe reciprocally returns .him a pair of gold Bracelets, in token of marriage, 
 and they then and there ( calling God tovvitnefs) very folemnly contract themfelves man and 
 wife, yet for fome folid reafons, and important confederations, which conduce to tbebetterac- 
 complifhing of their defires, they for a time conclude to bear it fecretly and filently from all the 
 world ; and it is concluded and agreed between them, that a tnoneth after and not before he 
 ihal! attempt to feek her publikely in marriage, both of her mother the Lady Catherine as alfo 
 cf her two brothers, Don Pedro t and Don Martino. 
 
 So 
 
BfoXXII. 
 
 iVlonfredo and Ceciliana. 
 
 — 312 
 
 So when this moneth is paliov-r ( which to thefeour two Lovers fee ms to bemanyageO 
 Mwfre&o very fairly and orderly feeks her of her mother in marriage, and Jikewiie ( in rearms 
 fit for him to give, and them to receive ) acquaints her two'brotbcrs With his lute and atfe&ion 
 to their lifter, and with his beftart and eloquence endeavoureth ( on honourable tearms ) to 
 gain and purchafe their confcnis thereunto. As for her mother , llic f prefer, ing 
 wealth to honour ^ and riches to content ) ccnfidcring the weaknefs of MonjredA ellate, 
 the/ death of his Parents, whereby (he fees him deprived of all future hope to raife nis for- 
 tunes, doth abfolutely deny to betiow her daughter on him in marriage ; and the more to bewray 
 her extream diliafteof this his futc and diflike of himfclf, fhe ( with much obftinacy and cho- 
 ler; forbids him her daughter’s company, and ( with more incivility and indignation ) conjures 
 him to leave and forbear her houfc, telling him fhe hath already firmly tngaged her word and 
 promife to Don Alonfo Delrio^ mat he fhall fhortly efpoufe and marry her. Now although this 
 lharp anCwerof hersfeem to nip Manfr<do% hopes and defires in their bloffoms, yet relying 
 more on the affeftion and conftancy of the daughter, that on the power or refolution of the mo- 
 ther, he again and again ( with a molt refpc&ive and honourable importunity ) foliciteth her 
 confent ; but he fees it loft labour, becaufe fhe is refclute that herfirftfhall be her lalf anfwet 
 to him herein. *Asfor her brother Don Pedro, he loves bis' filter foperfedily, and her content 
 fo dearly, that ft finds him to ftand wellaffe&ed to their affediflhs, and in regard of his love 
 to her, "andrefpedl; to him, that he utterly contemns the moli n and mention of Delrio ; and 
 therefore faithfully promifeth Monfrcdo his beft aftiftance towards his mother for the etfc&iog 
 of their delircs. But for her younger brother, Don Martino, he finds a contrary nature and 
 difpoficion in him .; for he never loved, but hated his filter Ceciliana y and therefore hates yl/cw- 
 fi edoi'o r her fake, and loves Delrio , becaufe he hears fhe hates him, and fo animates his mother 
 againft them ; and thus he gives Monfredo cold anfwers, and ( (he fooner and better Co convert 
 his hope into defpair ) tells him plainly that Delfiotnuft and ihall marry his fitter, and none but 
 he. Thus Monfredo departs, as glad of Don Pedro bis love, as he is forrowful for his mother 
 and brother Don Martinos hatred. And here ( to oblerve the better order in thisHiftory* 
 and Jifcevvife to give the curiofityof the Reader the fuller fatisfuftion ) it will not be impro- 
 per, rather pertinent* for us to underftand, that Don Delrio was alfo a well defeended Gen- 
 tleman of the fame city of Burgos, rich inlands and monies, but atleaft fifty five years old, 
 havmg a white head and beard, of a hard and four favour, and exceedingly Baker-legged > 
 yet, as old as he was, he was fopaftionately enamoured of the frefti and fweet beauty of Ceci - 
 lian*i that he thought her not too young to be his wife, nor himfclf too old tc be her husband, 
 but, led more by his Juft than his 'judgment, and encouraged by Dona Cathtrim her mother, 
 for that his great lands and wealth wholly inclined and weighed down her affe&ion to- 
 wards him , he often vifiteth her daughter Ciciltana , and with his belt oratory and power 
 feeks *nd courts her affe&ion in the way of marriage.* But lhc having her heart fixed on Mon - 
 fredo’ s youth, and comely feature, fhe highly flights frozen age, and difdaining to 
 
 make her felf a May to "this December, becaufe fihe apparently knew, and perfe&ly believed, 
 that he was every way fitter for his Grave, than for her Bed; for it was Alonfredo , and only 
 Mo f redo, whom her heart had efedted and chofen for her fecond fclf and Husband : And fup- 
 pofe ( quoth fhe ) that Adonfredo benotforich as Delrio, yet all Cafiile, yea all Spain, welt 
 knows, that by defcent and generofity he is far more noble; and that there is as great an Anti- 
 thefts and dil parity between the vertues of tbe-firfl, and the defeftsand imperfeftions of the 
 Uft,' as there is between a Clown and a Captain* a Peafant and a Prince ; therefore let my 
 mother fay what fhe will, Delrio what he can, or my brother Martino what he dare, yet they 
 fhall fee, and the world know, that l will be wife to none but Monfrcdo 1 and that either he, or 
 mv^rave fhall be my husband. 
 
 Btlt the Lady Catforina her mother ( notwithftanding her daughters averfenefs and obftma* 
 cy ) layes her charge and blc fling upon her to feffak tMonfredo, and take ‘Delrio, urging to 
 her the poverty of the one, and the wealth of the other, what delights and contentments the 
 tafi will give her, and what affluftionsand mifery the firft do threaten her - But the affaftion of 
 Ceciliana is ftill fo firmly fixed, and ftronglv fettled, afad Ccemented on her Mcnfreda, ihat fhe 
 is deaf tothefe requefts, and blind to thefe rcafons of her mother, in taking to dilfwade her 
 from him, and in Rotating and perfwading hert6 accept of Delrio to her Husband; and al- 
 though her Mother follow her in all places as her Thadpw, and haunt her arail times as her 
 Ghoft> to draw her hereunto ; yet (lie ftill finds her daughter asrefolute todeny, as fhe is im- 
 portunate to requeft itbf her, vowing that fhe will rather wed her fclf to a Nunnery, than to 
 Delrio, whom flie faith flic cannot affedt, and therefore peremptorily difdaineth to marry. Her* 
 mother feeing her daughter thut cenftantly and wilfully to perfevere in her cbftimcy againh 
 * h$r 
 
God's Revenge againft Riurther. Book V. 
 
 her dcfires, (he ( with much cholcr and grief j relates from pome to point to her fon Don Mar- 
 tin o, what had paft between them whom (he knew did as much love Delrio y and hate Afon. 
 fre«io , as her eldeft fon Don Pedro, hated T>clrio , and loved MonfrUo for their lifter in mar- 
 *ri«ge. Martino takes advantage of this occafton and opportunity, and thinking to give two 
 blows with one Hone, by crofting his fitter in her attention, and his brother in his defwns and 
 wifhes, doth now more than ever incenfe his mother againft her, alleaging that it would be a tar 
 greater honour, and Icfs fcandal to their name and houfe, that (he were rather married to a Nun- 
 nery than a Beggar, and with many powerful reafons, and artificial perl wafions, drives to make 
 her inclinable to this projeft, and flexible to this rcfolu ion of his, as indeed iu a little time (he 
 doth : For the mother being thus wedded to her will, and therein now confirmed by the (lie poli- 
 cy, and fortified by the fubtile infinuationof her fon Don Martino, fhc hereupon conftantly 
 rcfolves to betake and give her daughter to God and the Church, affirming that fhc dial 1 never 
 reap any true content in her thoughts, nor peace in her heart, before (he fee her cloyftcred up, 
 and efpouied to a Nunnery. But this compadof theirs is notfo clofely carried between then/ 
 but the vigil ancie of Don Pedro ( whofc affedion and care aims to give CMonfrcdo and his lifter 
 content ) hath petfed notice and intelligence hereof, the which for a time he holds fit to conceal 
 from them both * when firmly purpofing to prevent ir, and fo to crofs his mother and brother 
 who herein delight and gicry to crofs him, he bethinks himfclf of an invention^ worthy of him* 
 felf) how and which way to effed it. He fends for Don Alon[o ‘Delrio to the Cordeliers 
 Church, and there relates him the friendfliiphe bears him, that he will not fee him run himfclf 
 into anerrour, infeckinghis filler Cesiliana in marriage, whom he knows he cannot poflibly ob- 
 tain *, fhe ( to his knowJedg ) being already firmly contradcd to Monfredo , notwithftandin® 
 all that his mother and brother Don Martino have faid, or can do to the contrary. Delrio hearti- 
 ly thanks Uon Pedro forthe exprctTionof this love to him, the which he affirms hefhall ever 
 find him ready both todeferveand requite; when meafuring the time future by the prefenr 
 and of Cecilianas blooming youth by his weather-beaten and blafted age, he vows to Don Pel 
 dro , that he will henceforth no more defire or feck his filter in marriage, nor yet fpcak with 
 her, or come near his mother or brother; fo that bufinefs is for everdalhcd, and receives an 
 end, almoft as foon as beginning. The which Don Martino (out of his deep reach and politick 
 pate) undemanding, and knowing that this falling off of Delrio , from farther feeking his 
 filter in marriage, proceeded wholly from thefccret undermining of his brother Don Pedro 
 he is cxtreamly in choler againft him for the fame; andfo ( with more palfion thin difcrccion j 
 goes and chargcth him herewith: Whereupon thefe two brothers fall at great contention and 
 variance, and many bitter words and outra^ious fpeechcs here interchangeably paf$ between 
 them, the repetition whereof I think good to bury in filcocc, bccaufe it matters not much to 
 give it a place in this hittory *, only ( to deal on generals) I muft fay that Don Ped) o was high, 
 and Don Martino hot, and that the firft fpake notfo much as he dared, and that the lift dared 
 not fomuch as he lpakc. But this Tonguc-combatcof theirs was fo violent and blutterous, 
 as the iffue thereof redounding to Don Pedro* glory and gcncrofity, and to Don Martinis 
 fname and bafenefs ; and Martino finding that he had more will than power to be now revenged 
 hereof on his brother, he is inflamed with choler and revenge againft him for thefame, is, con- 
 futing with Satan, not with God, he isfo revengeful and inhumane', as he wifheth hir faid 
 bro her in Heaven, and from thenceforth plotteth with himfclf howtofinifh it, rcafonin 0 thus 
 uncharitably and damnably with himfclf ; Tb*t he being dead, and his fiftcr pent and mewd up 
 in a Nunnery, he (hall then be foie heir and Lord to all the lands and eftarc which his father left 
 him. 
 
 Thus in the heat of his choler, and the fumes of his revenge againft his brother Don Pedro, 
 he repairs to his mother, informs her how it is he and his policie which hath beaten off 
 Delrio from feeking his fiftcr Ctciliana in marriage, and that through his clofe treacherous 
 dealing, he bath prevailed with him forever to abandon her * yea, he here leaves no inven- 
 tion unaffiyed to incenfe his mother againft his brother, nor means unattempted to inflame 
 her againft his fitter, by (fill putting her in mind of his rafhnefs towards Dcfrio , and for her 
 difobedicnce towards her [elf; and here (he remembring his own avaritiousend ) doth again 
 modeftly perfwade, and then again importunately pray his mother to conftitutc her to a Nun- 
 nery ; whereunto ( as we have formerly underftood ) he knows (he is already refolutely bent 
 and refolved .• When flic ( being vanquifhed with her own defires, and his importunity ) pro- 
 mifeth him very fhortly to effedt it. But firft (he fends for her fon Don Pedro , and in a language 
 of thunder, rebukes and checks him for his double crime, in diffwading Delrio fromfo fuddetL 
 Iv forfaking his fitter, and in perfwading fo ftrongly to affc& CMonfredo : adding withili, that 
 * vithftanding his treachery and policy, and her ingrateful difobedicnce to her, (lie is in- 
 
 violaly 
 
Hitt. XXII. Monfredo andlfetidimf. " 
 
 violably rcfol ved (hortly to fend Monfredo to leek another wife, and to give and betake her 
 to no other Husband then a Nunnery. Don Pedro, holding it his duty to entertain this 
 choler and thefefpeechesof his Mother rather with modeity than paflion, returns her this 
 anfwer, that he hath not faid nor done any thing to Dt7rz<;, but what he can well juftifie 
 with his obedience to her, and his honour to the whole world * that his affedtion to his Sitt- 
 ers prelent condition, and care of her future profperity, makes him atf'ume this belief and 
 confidence, that Delrio is as unworthy of her, as Ihe worthily befto wed on Den Mmfredo i 
 and therefore that it is both pity and fhame, that the vvealrh or the ttrtt Ihould be preferred" 
 to the nobility and generofity of thefecond * he prayes her to confidcr, that as Cectliana is 
 her Daughter, lb (he is his Sitter, and that he isfo well acquainted with her difpofition and 
 fecrets, as not to diflemble her the truth, he holds her far more fit to make a Wife than a 
 Nun, and a Nunnery therefore (everyway) to be improper for her, and (he for it , that 
 he is not ignorant that it is the policy or rather the malice of his Brother Don Martin, 
 which hath wrought thefe falfe imprdlions in her belief again tt himfelf* and this her un- 
 charitable reiolution againit his Siller * for which bife treachery and ingratitude of his, if 
 he thought him as worthy of his care, as he knows he is of his (corn, he would not fail to 
 call him to adrift account for the fame, but that Nature and Grace prelcribe him contrary 
 rules. Donna Catbcrina being far more capable to dittatte, than to relilh this bold anfwer 
 of her Soil Don Pedro , and contenting herfelf to have now delivered him her mind and 
 reiolution at full, (he leaves him, and finds out his Brother Martino , to whom (he punctu- 
 ally relates what had palled between her and his Brother Don Pedros whereat he is afrefh 
 fo nettled with choler, and inflamed with revenge againtt him, as what before he hath 
 defperately plotted and refol ved againtt his life, he now vows and fwears fhorrly to exe- 
 cute, whereat his bloody thoughts ( without intermiflion ) aim and tend, and next 
 thereunto he defires nothing fo much, as to fee his Sitter made a vowed and vayied 
 Sitter. 
 
 Whiles .thus his Mother and himfelf are deep in conference, and bufie in confultation 
 how to eifeft and compafs thefe their different delignes * Don Pedro goes to his Sifter 
 Ceciliana , finds out Monfredo , and to them botiilincerely delivers what had paft between his 
 mother, his brother, and himfelf, in their behalf* yea it is a jeit both worthy and well be- 
 feeming his laughter) to fee-how between earnett and jeft he tells his Sitter (in prefence of 
 her lover Monfredo jthat (he mutt ftiortly prepare her (elf tor a Nunnery, for that their brother 
 Don Mdrtino hath decreed it, and their mother Dona Catberina fworn it : Arthis pleafailt 
 paffage and conceipt of Don Pedro , Ceciliana cannot refrain from blulhing, nor Monfredo 
 from fmiling ; For looking each on other with the eyes of one and the fame tender affecti- 
 on and conttancy, he (miles to fee her blulh, and (he again blufheth to fee him fmile hereat, 
 here (he tells her brother Don Pedro plainly, arid her lover Monfredo plealantly, that (he 
 will deceit her mothers hopes, and her brother Don Martino’s delires, in thinking to 
 make her a Cloyftered Sitter, when again metarnorpholing the fnow white Lillies of her 
 cheeks into blufhing Damask Roles, (lie with a model! pleafantnels , Jirefting her 
 fpeech to Mnfredo ( vs ho then lovingly led her in the Garden by her arme ) tells him, 
 that his houie Ihould be the Nunnery, his arms the Cloyfter * and himfelf the Saint, 
 to whom ( till death ) (he was ready to profer up, and facririce both her attention and her 
 (elf > that as (he did not hate, but love the profeffion of a Nunn in others, fo tor his fake 
 (he could not love, but hate it in herfelf, adding withal^ that for proof and confirmation 
 hereof ( if it were his pleafure ) Ihe was both ready and willing to put her fell into his pro- 
 teftioif, and to repofe her honour in the confidence of his faithful affe&ion and integrity to- 
 wards her. 
 
 Monfredo firft kitting her, then infinitely thanking her for this true demonlfrationof her 
 dear and conftant attention to him, when again intermixing kiffes with (miles, and fmiles 
 with kilfes, he fwears to her, in prefence of God, and her brother Don Pedro , that if the La- 
 dy her mother wholly abandon her, or refolve to commit her to a Nunnery, he will receive 
 and entertain her in his poor houfe with delight and joy, and preferve her honour equally 
 with his own life, and that in all things (as well for tm: time prefent, as the future) he will 
 (leer his aftions by the ftarr of her defire, and the compafs of her prefent brother Don Pedros 
 commands; For which free and faithful courteiie of his, Ceciliana thanks him, and no lefs 
 doth Don Pedro , who in requital hereof makes him a general and generous tender of his bell 
 power and fervice to aft and confuminate his delires * and fo for that time, and with this 
 refolution they part each from other, leaving the progrefs of their atfeftions, and the fuccefs 
 thereof partly to time, but chiefly to God, whom they all religiouily invocate to blefs their 
 defignes in hand, T t leave 
 
God's Revenge againji Murther. Book V. 
 
 I.eavc we them for a while and come we now again ( cursorily ) to fpeak of their mother Do- 
 ra Catkcnna, and of Don Martino their Brother, who being the Oracle from whom Hie derives 
 and diredts all her retaliations, fhe nftillconftant toherfelf, and therefore ftiJ] vehemently bent 
 againft herSonDon Pedro , her Daughter Ceciliam and Monfredo y fwcaring both folemnly and fc- 
 rioufly, that (he will rather dye than live to fee him her Son-in- Law : And yet what foever Don 
 Martino doth fay, or can allege to her to the contrary, (he yet loves Don Mlonfo Delrio fo well, 
 and her Daughter Ccciliana fo dearly, that before (he will attempt to Cloy tier her up in a Nunnery, 
 fhe hoping to reclaim him to affedt her, and to revive his fuit of marriage, doth by a Gentleman 
 her feevant fend him this Letter. 
 
 CATHERINA to DELRIO. 
 
 I Am whdly ignorant why thou thus for fake ft thy afftttion and fuit to my Daughter Ceciliana, 
 v hettofy bef re I am refolved by thee, 1 have many rcafons to f sfpett and thinks* that it was at 
 feigned as thy Tromifes and 0«ths pretended it to be fervent. Sure I am , that at E n vy cannot ecliffe 
 the fame of her virtues towards the world) fo Truth dares not contraditt the [incerity of my well-wifkts 
 and affettions towards thee , in defiring to make thee her Husband, and her thy Wife. Her poor 
 beauty ( which thou Jo often f wort ft, thy heart fo dearly admired and adored ) hath lofi no part of its 
 luftre, hut is the fame ftid j and fo am /, who have ever wijhed, and ever will faithfully defire , that 
 of admen of the world , thy fe/f only may live to enjoy it . If thou thinly her affection be bent any 
 other way, thou doe ft her no right, but offer a palpable wrong to thy own judgment y and to my know le dr. 
 Or if thou imagine the portion to be too fmall.wbicb / promifed to give yand thou to receive with her in 
 marriage , thou (halt comm nd that augmentation from me, which non . but thy fe/f fhiH ever have 
 caufe to requeft, or power to obtain ; yeay thou {halt find, that for the finifhing and confummating of 
 fo good a work, ( which thou fo much defervefi, and 1 fo much defire ) I will willingly be contented te 
 enrichhcr fortunes with the impovcrifhing of mine own. If thou fend me thine A nfrver hereunto, I 
 fhall take it for an Argument of thy unkindnefs : Bur if thou bring it thy felf I will efieem it as or.e 
 of thy true rtf setts and affettiuns to me, 
 
 CA THERINA* 
 
 Don Martino being folicircd and charged by his Lady mother likewife to write cffe&ualfyto 
 Delrio to return to feek his Siller Ceciliana in marriage, yet nocwithlianding drawn thereunto for 
 his own covetous ends, fecrctly to defire and wifli that he might never marry her, but fihe a Nun- 
 nery ;> he therefore to that effedl writes, and fends him a moil diffembling and hypocritical Letter 
 by the fame meflengcr, to accompany hers, but he isforeferved and fine, as he purpofely con- 
 ceals the fight and reading thereof from his mother. This Letter of his, which was as falfeand 
 d ublc as himfelf, reported this language. 
 
 MARTINO to DELRIO. 
 
 M r 'duty ever obliging me to efteem my Mothers requefts as commands, 1 therefore adventure thee 
 this Letter , as defiring to know who or whit hath fo fuddenly withdrawn thee , $r thy afettion 
 from my Sifter Ceciliana. 7 boss can ft not be ignorant of my hearty well wifhes and love to thee in 
 obtaining her to thy wife . and yet it is not poffiblefor thee to conceive , much lefs believe the hundredth 
 part efthe bitter fpeeches , which I have been inforced to receive and pac^up, from her and my Brother 
 Don Pidro, for defiring and wijhing it. I know, that inforced affettions prove commonly mote fatal 
 tfanfortunte and more ruinous than profperous ; therefore l am fo far from any more perf wading thee 
 to f ck her in marriage , that I leave each of you to your J elves , and both unto God. * And to the end 
 then maid fee how much the Lady my Mother affetts thyfute , and diftaftes that of Monfrcdo to my 
 Sifter , fhe upon thy forb arance and abfence hath vowed unto Gody that , if thou be not, he fhall n% 
 but a Nunnery muft be her Husband, My Mother is defirous to fee thee , and my felt \ofpeak,with 
 thee ; but bee aufe marriages ought fir ft to be made in Heaven , before confummated on Earth , therefore 
 thou kjjowe ft far better than my fe/f that in all attions ( efpgeialy in marriage) it is the duty of * 
 Chriftian to wait onGodsfecret providence , and to attend his jfacred plea fur e with patience. 
 
 MARTINO. 
 
rzrrr. 
 
 Hift.xxn. _ Monfrecio and C ecihana . __ _3 2 9 
 
 IHlrio receives and reads thefe two letters, and ( confuting them with his judgement ,) finds 
 that they look two different vvayes ; for Dona Cathtrina the mother would marry her daughter 
 to himfelf, but not to M nfreh, and her fon Mar ino aims, and defireth to have her married to 
 a Nunnery, and not to himfelf; wherein wealth and ccvetoufnefs arc the chicfeU ends and am- 
 bition of them both, without having any rei'pect to the young Ladie’s content, or regard t . her la- 
 tisfa&ion ; and although the fpecch which Dan Pedro delivered him in the Cordeliers ( or Gray 
 Friers ) Church, have fo much wrought with his aftettion, andfo powerfully prevailed with his 
 refolution, that he will no further feek Cecilia** in marriage, yet in common courtefie and civility, 
 he holds himfelf bound to anfwer their two letters : the which he doth, and returns them by char 
 own melfeuger. That to the Lady Catherine had thefe words. 
 
 DELRIO to CATHERINE 
 
 T Hough you fufpefl my ftnctrity , yet if you will believe th- truth, you ftall find, that the afftion 
 *>hch I intended 'the Lady Ccciliana your daughter wsufirvent, not feigned-, and btc ufe you 
 are d'firow to k”ow the reafont why / forbear to { ek. her in marriage , 1 can give you no other bat 
 this , that / kno-te {he is too worthy to be my wife, and believe that 1 a>n not worthy enough to be her 
 husband t So though er.vit (honld dare to be ft ignorant, yet it cannot pojfibly be fo malicious-, either to 
 telipfethe luflreof her beauty , or the fame of her vermes, fuh the one ts fo fweet a grace to the other , 
 and both fo precious ornaments to her felf, that infinite ot hers befides myfelf, hold it as great a pro - 
 phanenefs net to adore the la ft, as a happi-efs to fie and admire the fir ft. For y 0 ur afeihonin defiring 
 n) y felf herSj and [he mint in fr,arna;e^ 1 can live yon no other rcquital y hut thankj ! or the frefent % 
 and my praj ers and fervicefor the future. How your daughter hath , or a ill difpofe of he afftclion, 
 
 God and her felf be ft know ; and therefore / {hall do her right, and your kjiow'edg and my judgement 
 no wrong, rather to proclaim my ignorance, than my tnrioftt y herein : But this I ajfure you, that if 
 hers to me ha* equalised mine to hers , 1 JboUld then thankful/] have taken , and joyfully received her 
 with a far le r portion th-u you would have given me with her. To your felf / rnfh much proj pent y, 
 and to the Lad - your daughter all happinefs. I muft return you this mine anfwer by mme ownf r- 
 vant , and whfher yottmakfit an argument of M) uukiaduefs, or aft c then ; in f leafing your fi/f you 
 • {hall no way dijpleafe me. 
 
 DELRIO. * 
 
 Mis Letter to Don Martino fpake thus. 
 
 DELRIO to MARTINO. 
 
 T Have ( by my Letter ) given the Lady thy mother the re.ftons why I defififrom any farther feekiig 
 J t hy ftfter Ccciliana in marriage ', and becaufe 1 knowjbe willacquaint tbetjbcrewiih, therefore I 
 
 hope they willfuffice blob for thee and her. I am itf thankful to thee for thy wcll-wijhcs , to have obtai- 
 ned her for my wife, as [grieve to unde ft and that thou haft received any bitter Jpeeches, either from 
 her or thy brother Von VcHoJormyfake: irjejoycetb me to/ce theeof the opinion that tnforced mar- 
 riages prove commonly fatal and ruinous, in which belief and truth, if thou and thy mother perfevere 
 I hope you will efpoufe your filler to Don Monfredo, and not to a Nunnery becauje (tj 1 amnotmij- 
 informed ) her aft, (dims fuggeft and a (jure her, that(hejhali receive at much content from thefirjt, at 
 Jifiry from the fecond. As thym.nher is.defirm to Jee me, fo am l to erve her , and li^wife thy 
 felf , and at thou writeli religioufty and truly, that marriages fhouldjirji be made in Heaven, ere fo- 
 lemnized in Earth-, fo ,' doubt lefs, Godbatb referred tin filer for ajar better husband than De.no, 
 and him for afar worfe wife than Ce*i!ianaj And thus (asaChnfium) I recommend her with zeal 
 to the providence, andmy felf with patience, to thcpleajure of Almighty God. 
 
 DELRIO; 
 
 When in regard of his former affedion, and future refpea, devoted to the beauty and ver- 
 mes of Ceciliana, and feeing her felf, her mother, and brother Don eJMarttno, bent to difpofe 
 otherwifeof her in marriage, he will yet befo jealous cf her good, and fo careful of hts own 
 honour and reputation, as he holds himfelf obliged to take his leave of her by letter, fith not 
 in nerfon, and fo to recommend her and her good fortunes to God , the which he doth, an,, 
 •fives his Letter to the fame Bearer, but with a particular charge and fecret mfirudions to de- 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther. Book V. 
 
 liver very privately into the Lady Ciciliands hands, without the koowledg either of her mother"^ or 
 broth r Don GMarfmo, which he faithfully promised to perform: His faid Letter ro her was 
 charged with thefc lines. 
 
 DELRIO to CECILTANA. 
 
 B Ping heretofore informed by our brother Don Pedro , of your dear affection toDon 
 Monfredo. ,audyour conftant refolution to make him your husband-,1 held my Jel f 
 bound out of due regard to you , and firm promife to him , to J'urceafe my fuit to you. and 
 (becaufe thejbortefi err ours are ever bcjlffo more to jlrive to make impojfibilities pof- 
 fible. in perjevermg tofeekyou in marriage, whom I fee (Heaven and Earth have con - 
 J pi red) mother mujt obtain and enjoy : And when I look from my age to your youth, and 
 from that fl/Monfredo’s, I am fo far from condemningyour choice, as I both approve 
 and applaud it , praying you to be as refolute in this confidence , as lam confident in 
 this refolution, that my left prayers and wijhesfhall ever wijhyou the befi profperities. 
 Jlnd to the end you may perceive that my former affection fhali dill refplend and fbittt 
 to you in my future ref pelt , I cannot, l will not conceal the knowledg of this truth 
 from you, that by Letters which right now ( by this Bearer ) I received from the La - 
 dy your mother , and brother Don Martino, they have fomc exorbitant and irregular 
 difign in contemplation , fhortly to reduce into action , ' againft the excellence of your 
 youth and beauty, and thefweetnefs of your content and tranquillity, which howfoever 
 (to yourfelf and the world) theyjeem tofisadow and over-vail with falfe colours ; yet 
 alt hough they make Religion the pretext, you (if you fpeedtly prevent it not ) will in 
 the end find that their malice to your WrMoniiedo is the true and only caufe there- 
 of. God hath endued you with a double happmefs, in giving you an excellent wit to 
 fecond and imbeUtlh your exquiftte beauty : whereunto if in this bultne/s you take the 
 aavtce of your belt friend Monfredo, and follow that of your noble brother Don 
 V-dro, you will then have no cauje to doubt , but all the reafons of the worldto allure 
 your (e/f that your affeUions and fortunes will in the end fucceed according to mi 
 prayers, and your merit and expectation. J 
 
 DELRIO. 
 
 TJeaeffenser firft publikely delivered the two former Letters to his Lady Dona Catherine, 
 and her fon Don and then privately the other to the young Lady Ceciliana, according 
 
 to h,s prom ie and Don Welno s t requefl .• As for the mother, ft* grieves to fee that Ddrio will 
 not be reclaimed, but hath quite forfaken her daughter : but for icr fon Don Martino, heisex- 
 S"? J0 J/“‘ ber “;5 ‘or now he is confident, that (according to his plot; his mother upon 
 7h r r fi S win ( « meer mdice to MffrUo ) affuredly commit his fitter to a Nunnery : 
 
 d rh n ! ,;a blS ends and • w CS> not vvho m:fs their «- As for Ceciliana, Ihe 
 
 Jmn r h C /. e, 7 C ! at Delr, °* Lecter ‘o her, and at his conftant refolution to leave and 
 T“ n kr toMoufnJ,; yea, (he reputes his advice to her concerning her mother, and her 
 b. oth r Dm Mam- o s intended difconrtelie towards her to much refpeft and honour. She ac- 
 qu unts her brother Don Pedro, /and her Monfredo) with thts Letter of Ddrio, who now piail 
 ly fee their mother and brothers former refolution confirmed, in aiming and intending to make 
 
 JfT* \ b ° L S ‘ C n i WnerCJt Uu§h 3Dd J - ft at her ’ and fl,e t0 ,bem > for in ' hcir 
 
 Ddrio's rf ble refnedf an^' “at ^ VS -° P r * VCDt ir> But the Y cannot but highly approve of 
 P*, nb,e fi pea and ‘me difcrcuon, in being foconftant to give over his fuel to her, and yet 
 f^urteous and honeft towards them al!, in this his kind and refpeAful Letter to Cuiliana • the 
 
 En S eCrfU,, ^T' Ves > and joyfully welcomes; that lire refplves 
 
 h« “ n 0 (o <i‘ and “ rwci h,s Lc, " r ' vi,h ^ of 
 
Hift.X-XII. 
 
 Monfredo and Cectliana. 
 
 CECIL! AN A to D E L R I O. 
 
 vv: 
 
 Hat my Bro h r Dot] Pedro informed you concerning Monfredo and my fe if , was t he vt~ 
 rj truth and I incerltty of thofe fffetlions wherewith God hath ihfpi ed our hearts, and (ct- 
 Udotir re folk tions each to other , As l was never doubtful of ' your well wlfhes and love , f> now / am 
 not a little thankful to you for your dear refpett towards m , in approving my choice, and in p aping to 
 God to mike it profptrcMSy w l ereasthe objlinacy of my Lady Mother, uni the malice of my Broth r 
 Don Marrino ( without gr u*d or reafen ) effirm it muft needs prove ruinous. I have heretofore been 
 fdvertifedj and now { by your care of me , and rtfpll to me wh'ch clearly rtf pltnds andfhines in your 
 Letter) awfully confirmed that my f aid Mother and Brother have fame and ferved defign againfl me, 
 and my content ; arid although my poo- be uty and filly wit * ' way deftrve thofe exc ilenc praifes of 
 your Fenya my’hert fb jII con fait wi h Don Pedro W o bear m felf in this fo weighty an * impor- 
 tant a bujinejs , whereon (although the caufe be malice and the pretext Re i a ion) I know depends either 
 rny future content 0 r affllttion, my hapftnefs or my mifery . In the mean time 1 w ll pray far thofe who 
 ■vicioiifly hate me and bon ur thofe who vertuoufly affett and h , nour me < Of which la ft number, I inge- 
 nue fifty and gratefully acknowledge that you' g ner 0 ftty,not my m rits , h*thcondig,:ly made you one , 
 
 CECILIAN a. 
 
 When (he had difpatched this Letter to Delrio, then Monfredo by her content, and the advice 
 of her Brother Von redro, hold it very requifite now once again to found tne affection, and to fed 
 thepulfeof their Mother Dona Cache im's refolution towards him, to fee whether yea or no (he 
 will ,'leafe to give him her Daughter in marriage ; ard it is agreed of all (ides he ween them, that 
 at the very time and hour which he goes there, that flie and her Brother A* fVWr-i will purpofely 
 abieot thcmfelves, and ride abroad in their Coach, to take the air ; which they do. To this ef- 
 fect Monfredo t.,krs his Coach, and goes directly to the Lady Cat beam’ houfe, and fends up his 
 name to her, asd.Tiri g to have the honour to falute her, and kits her hand, but fh is fo enraged 
 and twnf ported w th cboler at his arrival and meffage, as (he fends him down a flv and peremp- 
 t -y denial , That the will not fee him, and as formerly flic prayed, h now the commands him to 
 < epart, and ever hereafter to forbear her Hcufe. An anfwer fo unkind and uncivil, that Monfre- 
 do knows not whether he have reafon to digelt it with more choler o laughter ; fo returning her 
 a iw'-r bv her Waiting-Gentlewoman, that he will obey her command , and no more trouble ei- 
 ther he' houfe or her patience, yet that he will (till remain her moft humble ferva"t, and although 
 (he refufe to fee him that he will ever pray for her long life and profpCnty : Don Martino is now 
 at home and laughs in his fleeve as aGipfie tofeewnac brave entertainment h s Mother gives 
 Mrfelox he expeits alfo that he (hould vifit h;m, but becaufe hi* Mothers ftcmack is fo high, 
 therfore he cannot defeend fo low, as owing him no fuch duty and fervicc . and fo takes Coach and 
 away • ar.d knowing where Don redro and his Millrifs Ceciliar.a were, in the fields, he drives a- 
 way prefenriy to them, and very pleafantly relates them the whole long fioryof their Mother's 
 fliort entertainment to him, which adminillreth matter of laughter to them all, and fa he more, 
 in regard neither of them expected lefs; fo Monfredo flaying an hoar or two with -hem in the 
 fields, and then bringing them to the Gates of the City, they for that time take their leave each of 
 otMr, and all appoint to meet the next dav after dinner in the Garden of the >*» ttjhne Friers, 
 and there to provide and rcfolve for their affairs, againfl the d.fcontent of char Mother, and the 
 malice of their Brother Don Martmo. 
 
 The -next morning, the Udy Cathenn* fftorm.ng at Monfredo’s yefterdayes preemption 
 and holdnefs) fends for her Daughser Ceciliana into the Garden to her as being fully refolved 
 to deal effectually with her for ever to forfake Mon'udo ; or if (he cannot then to commit her 
 to a Nunnery. She comes, when fin great privacy and efficacy) (lie laies before berthepover- 
 tv of Monfredo, the which lhe affirms will bring her to more mifery than (he can expect or 
 think- f or indeed which flic defer ves; at leaflif fhebe notfo wilful torume herfelf and her 
 fo'tunes, as fhe is to preferve them. Cedlia»a now feeing har Mother bent to play her prize 
 ao ai- ft the merits and honour of her Monfredo, and therefore againfl the content and felicity 
 w" ich flie expeffs toenjoy byenjoying him, (henolong-r able to brook oroigcltif, cutshef 
 off wi i h this reply, that ( her duty expected ) it is in vain for her, either to feek co difparage 
 r Monf edo or any way of the world to attempt to withdraw her aff-Ction from him; and there- 
 fore with much obfervance and refpea prayes her to aftcit and honour him, if not for his 
 own fake vet for bers. Her Lady-mother weeps to fee her Daughter thus obft.inate ( fhe might 
 have faid. thus conftant) in her affection to Monfodo, and therefore (with frowns in her looks, 
 S ancer in her eyes) fhe thunders out a whole Catalogue of d.fpraffes and recriminations 
 againfl him; and becaufe yet Aie defpaireth to prevail with her hereby, (he now ( thinking^c 
 3 T t ^ 
 
Gods Revenge again ft Mur t her. Book V. 
 
 high time ) refolves to divert and change the ftream of her affeftion from Him to God, and fo at 
 laft to mew and betake her to a Nunnery, whereon her defires and intentions have fo long rumi- 
 nated, and her wifhes and vows aimed at ; To which end calming the ftorrm of her tongue, and 
 compofing her countenance to patience and piety, (he with her beftart and eloquence fpeaks to 
 her thus ^ That in regard (he will nor accept of "Don Del io for her Husband, with whom fhe 
 might have enjoyed profperity, content,* and glory, but will rather marry Monfredo , from whom 
 {he can, and muft expeft nothing but poverty, grief, and repentance • She therefore ( out, of 
 her natural regard cf her, and tender afteftion to/he'r ) hath by the direction of God, bethought 
 her felf of a medium between both, which is to marry neither of them, but in a religious and 
 fanftified way to efpoufe her felf to God and his holy Church ; when (thinking to have taken time 
 by the forelock ) fhe depainteth her the felicity and beatitude of a Nun’s profeflion and life, fo 
 pleafing to God and the World, to Hewen and Earth, to Angels and Men : When her Daughter 
 Ceci liana being tired and difeontented with this poor and ridiculous Oration of hers, /lie lifting 
 up her eyes to Heaven, with a modeft boldnefs, yet with a bold truth ; interrupts her mother thus. 
 That God hath infpired her heart to affeft Monfredo fo dearly, and to love him fo tenderly, as fhe 
 will rathcr contcnt her felf to beg with him, than to live with D Irio in rhe greateft profperity 
 which either this life or this world can afford her ; that although fhe had nd bad opinion of Nuns, 
 yet that neither the ccnftituticn of her body, muchlefsof mind, wasproper for a Nunnery, or 
 aNunneryfor her; 'in which regard, fhe had rather pray for themthan with them, and honor 
 $han imitate them : When the Lady her mother not afyle to contain her felf in patience, much lefs 
 in filence, at this audacity ( and, as fhe thought ) impiety of her Daughter, fhe with much 
 choler and fp^ccn demands her a reafon of thefeher exorbitant fpeeches. When her Daughter, 
 no way dejeft ing her looks to Earth, but rather advancing and railing them to Heaven, requites 
 her with this anfwer i That it is not thebody, but the mind, nottheflefh, but the foul, which 
 is chiefly requifitc and required to give our (elves to God and his Church ; that to throw, or 
 ( which is worfe ) to fubmit our felves to be thrown on the Church through any caufc of conflraint, 
 or motion of diftafleor difeontent, is an aft which favoureth more of prophanenefs than piety, 
 and more of Earth than Heaven *, that as Gods power, fo his prefence is not to be confined or tyl 
 ed to anyplace, for that his Center is everywhere, and therefore his circumference no where ; 
 that God is in as well as in Paleftir.e or Hiertifalem, and that Heaven is as near us, and 
 
 we Heaven, in a Manfion houfe, as in a Monaftcry or Nunnery ; that it is not the place' which 
 fanftificih the heart and foul, but they the place ^ and that'Churches andCloyflers havenopri- 
 vikdgc or power to keep cut fin, if vve by our own lively faith, and God by his all- (avibg^ race 
 do not. Which fpeech of hers asfoon as fhe had delivered, and feeing that the Lady her Mother 
 was more capable to anfwer her thereunto with filence than reafon, fhe making her a low reve- 
 rence, and craving herexcufe, departs from her, and leaves her here alone in the Garden to her 
 felf a :d her Mufes. 
 
 Her Mother having a little walked out her choler, in feeing her Daughter’s firm refolution not 
 to become a Nun ^ fhe leaves the Garden and retires to her Chamber, where fending for her fon 
 Martino, fhe relates him at full what conference had there part between his Sifter and her felf, 
 who likewife is much perplexed and grieved hercat, as putting their heads and wits together, they 
 within a day or two, vow to provide a remedy for this her obftinacy and wilfulnefs. As for Cecu 
 liana, fhe likewife reports this verbal conference, which had pafl between her Mother and her 
 felf, to her Brother Don Pedro, and Monfredo, when (according to promifej they met that af- 
 ternoon in the Auguftirxs Garden, who exceedingly laught thereat*, and yet again fearing left the 
 malice of their Brother Don Martino towards them, might caufe his Mother to ufe fome violence 
 or indurance to her, and fo to make force extort that from her will, which fair means could nor, 
 they bid her fo affume a good corage, and be chearful and generous, promiiing her that if her Mo- 
 ther attempted it, that CMonfrcdo fhould (leal her away by night, and that he, as he is Don Pedro 
 her Brother, will affift her in her efcape and flight;whereon they all refolve with hands, and conclude 
 with kiffes •• Neither did their doftbts prove vain, or their fear and fufpition deceive them herein; 
 for her incenfed mother being rcfolute in her will and wilful in her obftinacy,to make her Daughter 
 a Nun, ihefhuts her up in her Chamber, makes it no lefs thin her prifon, and her Brother Doh 
 Martino her Guirdian, or rather her Gaoler, Poor Ceciliana now exceedingly weeps and grieves 
 at this cruelty of her Mother and Brother *Don Martino, which as yet her dear Brother Don Pedro 
 cannot remedy, by perfwading or prevailing with them tordeafe her; he acquaints Monfredo 
 witn it they both confuting, find no better expedient free her from this domegfcal imprifon- 
 ment than counterfeifly to give her Mother to underftand and believe, that her daughter hath now 
 changed her mind, and that (by Gods direftion; fhe is fully refolved to abandon Monfredo 
 
 
 
Hi ft. XXII. Monfredo and Ceciliana. 
 
 and (b to fpend and end her days in a Nunnery i but contrariwile, they reioive to fetch her 
 away by night, and without delay. Accordingly hereunto Ceciliana ads her part well and 
 pretends now to this fpiritual will and refolutionof her Mother, as before fhe wasdifobedi- 
 tnt.Her Mother infinitely rejoyceth at this her converfion,and no lefs (or rather more j doth 
 her Brother Von Martino, who to fortific and confirm her in this her religious refolntion 
 they (end fome Friers and Nuns to perfwade her to appoint the precife day for her entrance 
 into this Holy Houfe and Orders v which with her tongue (he doth, but in her heart refolves 
 nothing lefs, or rather dire&ly the contrary. The Mother now acquaints both her Sons with 
 this relolution of their Sifter, which is, the next Sunday to give her felf to God and the 
 Church, and to take holy Orders > when Von Pedro purpolely very artificially Teems as 
 llrongly to oppofe, as his Brother Von Martino chearfully approves thereof, now extolling 
 her devotion and piety as far as the sky, if not many degrees beyond the Moon i fo the day 
 appointed for her entrance and reception drawing near, the Lady Abbels is dealt with by 
 her Mother, her Cell provided, her fpiritual Apparel made, all her Kinsfolks aud chief friends 
 * invited to a folemn Feaft, to celebrate this our new holy-Sifter’s Marriage to God and the 
 Church. But whiles thusVona Catberina the mother, and Von Martino her Son are exceeding- 
 ly bufie about the preparation and folemnity of this fpiritual bufinefe, Von Pedro and Mon- 
 fredo refolve to run a contrary courfe, and fotoftcal away Ceciliana the very night before 
 the prefixed day of her entrance into the Nunnery, as holding that Saturday night the fitteft 
 time, and moft void of all fufpition and fear, whereof ("both by tongue and let ter J they give 
 her exadt and curious notice j which finking infinite joy to her heart and thoughts, (he ac- 
 cordingly makes her felf ready, packs up all her Jewels and Bracelets in a fmall Casket, 
 and acquainting none of the world therewith, for that her Brother Von Pedro's Chamber 
 was next to hers, and he as vigilant and watchful as her felf, for Monf redo’s coming about 
 midnight, which was the appointed hour for his Kendezvouz. When at laft both their feverai 
 Watches(in their feverai Chambers) alluring them that it was near one of the clock, it be- 
 ing the dead time of the night, none of the houfe ftirring, but all hufhed up in filence, as if 
 every thing feemed to conipire to her cfcape and flight, then, I fay, Von Pedro iflues forth of 
 his Chamber to hers, where the door being a little open, and her candle put out, he finds his 
 Sifter ready, when conducting her by the aim, they Toftly defeend the ftairs, and fo to a Fo- 
 fterndoorof the Garden, where they find Monfredo ( joyfully ready to receive the Queen 
 regent of his heart ) aflifted with two valiant confident Gentlemen his friends, who were 
 well mounted on excellent Horfes with Swordsand Piftols, and for himfelf and her,a Coach 
 with fix Horfes: When briefly palling over their Complements and Congees each from 
 other, they ( with a world of thanks) leave Von Pedro behind them, and fo away as fwift as 
 the wind, who feeing them gone, fecretly and foftly returns to his Chamber and Bed, lilent- 
 ly (hutting all the doors after him, whiles Monfredo with his other felf and his two friends 
 drive away to Valdebdk , a Maimcr-houfe of his i'ome eight leagues from Burgos . 
 
 Von Pedro lies purpofely long in his bed the next morning, thereby the better to colour 
 out his ignorance and innocency of his Sifter’s clandeftine flight and cfcape : So his Mother 
 about five, or near lix of the clock, fends Felicia her Daughter’s Waiting-Gentlewoman to 
 her Chamber to awake and apparel her to receive many young Ladies and Gentlewomen, 
 who were come to vilit her,and to take their leaves of her before her entry into God’s houfe: 
 but Felicia fpeedily returns to her with this unlookt-for anfwer *, That her Lady*s Chamber 
 door is faft locked, whereat (he hath many times called and knock’d aloud, but hears no 
 fpeech. The Mother is amazed hereat, and no lefs, (rather more ) is her Son Von Martino ^ to 
 they both run to her Chamber, and knock and call aloud, but hearing no anfwer, they fores 
 open the door ^ where they find the Neff but the Bird flown away > whereat the Mother in^ 
 finitely weeps,and her Son! Jon Martino doth exceedingly rage and ltorm,at this their affront 
 and fcandal, he tells his Mother he will engage his life, that his Brother Von Pedro is accef* 
 fary to his Sifter Ceciliana s flight, and gone with her ^ fo they both run to hisChambcr,but 
 find him in his Bed faft fleeping and fnori«g,as he pretends, and they believer their out-cries 
 awake him i but they (lull find him as fubtil and referved in his policy towards them, as 
 they were in their malice to his Sifter j fo he hears their news, puts on his apparel, fceins to 
 be all in fire and choler hereat, proffereth his Morher his beft endeavours and power to reco- 
 ver his Sifter, and to revenge himfelf on the Villain who hath ftoln her away. But his Bro- 
 ther V on Martino is fo galled and netled at the efcapc of his Sifter, and thefe words of his 
 Brother, as he tcls him to his face, in the prefence oftheir Mother,that his fpecchesand prof- 
 fers are counterfeit, and himfelf a diffembler, and that it is impoflibk but he afliiiedand fa- 
 voured her efcape and departure j for which uncivil and foul language of one Brother to 
 another. Von Pedro gives him the .lie, and feconds it with a Box on the Ear, aud then ire ry 
 
 cunning- 
 
Gods Revenge againft Murther. Book V. 
 
 cunningly "betakes himleft to confolate and comfort the Lady his Mother, who is not a lit- 
 tie grieved and angry at this her fecond affli&ion, and the more in regard he did it in her 
 pretence •, fo Von Pedro rccondudting her to her Chamber, and leaving her weeping in com- 
 pany of many of their forrowtul Kinsfolks and Neighbors, he then calls for his Horfe; and 
 under colour to hnd out his Sifter, he rides to Valdtbelle, to her and Motif redo, ftays there fome 
 eight days, where being exceeding careful of the prefervation of his Sifter’s honour and re- 
 plication, he before his departure fees them folemnly, but fecrctly, married •, where leaving 
 them to their Nuptial joys, and pleafures, he again returns to Burgos , and tels his Mother it 
 'is impoflible for him to hear any news of his Sifter. 
 
 And now what doth the return, fight, and prefence of Von Pedro do here in his Mother’s 
 houfc at Burgos , but only revive his Brother Von Martino's old malice, and new choler and 
 revenge againft him for the lie and box on the Ear, which he fb lately gave him? tor the 
 remembrance thereof To inflames his heart and thoughts againft him that he forgetting his 
 confcience and foul, yea, Heaven and God, as he affumes and gives life to his former bloody 
 resolution to murther hftn, and thinks nofafer nor furer way for him to efte<a it, than by 
 poyfon, that ingredient of Hell, and drug of the Devil, But Von Martino is refolute in his 
 rage, and execrable in his bloody malice and revenge againft this his generous and noble 
 Brother Von Pedro-, fo difdaining all thoughts of Religion, and confiderations of Piety, 
 heprocurcthapairof poyfoned perfumed Gloves, and treacherouily iniinuating them in- 
 to his Brother’s hands, and wearing, the fatal invenomed feent thereof in lefs than two days 
 poyfoneth him fo he is found dead in his Bed *, When V on Martino , the more elofely to over- 
 vail this damnable fad of his, purpofely gives it out, that it was an Impoftume which broke 
 within him, and fo he died fuddenly thereof in his bed, there being no fervant of his own, 
 nor none die that night near him, or by him to affift him, and this report of hispaiTeth 
 currant with the world , fo the Lady his Mother and himfelf caufe him to be buried with 
 more lilcnce than folemnity, and every way inferior to his honourable birth and gene- 
 rous vertues, becaufe fheftill affeded and loved Von Martino far better than him; io his 
 death did not much afflid or grieve her, and far lefs his Brother Von Martino . But for his 
 Sifter Cmliam , as foon as (he underftood and heard hereof, (he is fo appalled with grief, and 
 daunted with forrow and defpair, that (he fends a world of fighs to Heaven, and a deluge of 
 tears to Earth for the death of this her beft and deareft brother. Her Husband Von Monfredo 
 (fox henceforth fo we mud callhim^), like wile infinitely laments Von Pedro's death, as ha- 
 ving loft a conftant friend, and a dear and incomparable Brother in law in him ^ and yet all 
 the means which he canufeto comfort this his forrowful wife, hath will, but not power 
 enough toefted it •> for itill fhe weeps and fobs., and ft ill her heart and foul do prompt, and 
 tell her, that it is one Brother who hath killed another, and that her Brother Von Martino 
 is infallibly themurthercr of his and her Brother Von Pedro j but (lie hath only preemption, 
 no proofs for this her fufpition, and therefore (he leaves the detedion and iflue hereof to 
 time, and to God. 
 
 Now by this time we muft underftand that Vona Catbcrina hath perfed news, that it is 
 Monfredo who hath (loin away her Daughter Ccciliana , and keeps her at his houfe of Valde- 
 belle , in the Country, but as yet (lie knows not that he hath married her > wherefore being 
 delirous of her return, not lor any great aftedion which fhe now bore her, but only to ac- 
 complifti her former defires, in fruitrating her marriage with Monfredo , and in marrying 
 her to a Nunnery, (he again ftill provoked and egged on by the advice of her Son j Don Mar- 
 tino , fends him to Valdtbelle to crave her of Monfredo , and fo to perfwade and haften her re- 
 turn to her to Burgos, but writes to neither of them. Von Martino arrives thither, and having 
 delivered Von Monfredo and his Sifter Ctciliana his Mother’s meffage for her return to Burgos , 
 he then vainly prefumes to fpeak thus to them from himfelf. He firft (harply rebukes her of 
 folly and difobedience, in flying away from his and her mother, and then (with more pafli- 
 on than judgment,) checks him of difhonour to harbour and (belter her j that this was not 
 the true and right way to make her his Wife, but his Strumpet, or at leaft to give the World 
 juft caufe to think fo s and if he intended to preferve her profperity and honour, and not to 
 ruin it, that he fliould reftore his Mother her. Daughter, and himfelf his Sifter, and no lon- 
 ger retain her * but fpeaks not a word of his Brother Von Pedro's death, much left makes 
 any fliadow to mourn or (hew to grieve or forrow for it. His fifter Ceciliana (Tt his firft 
 fight ) is all in tears for the death of her brother Von Pedro^nd yet extreamly incenfed with 
 him for thtic his bafe fpeeches towards her and her Monfredo, lhc once thought to have gi- 
 ven him a hot and cholcrick reply, but at laft confidering better with her felf, ( as alfo to pre- 
 vent Monfredo, whom fhe fa w had an itching defire to fit him with his anfwer) (lie then in ge- 
 neral terms returns him this (hort reply > That fteisnowaccomptabletononcbuttoGod 
 
Hid. XXII. 
 
 Monfredo and Ceciliana. 
 
 for her adtions, who bell knows her heart and rd'olutions, and therefore for her return to 
 her mother at B»rgos , or her hay here at ValdtbeBe , (lie wholly refers it to Don Mmfredt^ 
 whofe will and pleafure therein (hall ahuredly be hers, because flte hath, and lfill finds him 
 to be a worthy and honourable Gentleman : when (before (he conclude her (peech to him) 
 (he tells him, that (he thought his coming had been to condole with her fur the death of 
 their brother Don Pedro ^ but that with grief (he is now enforced to fee the contrary, in regard 
 his fpecches and adltons tend to affluSt not to comlort her, and rather to be the argumen t of 
 her mourning, than the cauic of her confolation. But Monfredo being touched to the quick 
 with thefe ignoble and bale fpecches of Don Martino , both to himfelr and Cctiliana , lie is too 
 generous long to digeft them with file nee, and therefore preferring hisaffe&ion to her, be- 
 fore any other earthly refpe&-, and her reputation and honour dearer than his'life, he com- 
 pofinghis countenance todifcontenc and anger, returns him thisanfwer :That it any other 
 man but hitnfelf, had given him the lealt part of thofe unworthy fpecches, both againft hi$ 
 honour, as alio againft that of his filter Ceciliana^ hisRijpier, not his Tongue, fhoukl have 
 anfwered him ? that hisafte&ion and refpeds to her, are every way vertuuus and honour- 
 able ? and that (lie is, and (hall be fafer here in Valdebelle, than the lite of his noble brother Don 
 Pedro was in his Mother’s houfe at Burgor, that as the young Lady his lifter is pleated to refer 
 her ftay or return to him, fo (reciprocally to requite her eburrtefie) doth he to her ? and for 
 his part, he is fully refolved not to perfwad^, rmjch lefs to advife her to put her (elf into her 
 Mother’s protection, or his courtciie?fqr that he is fearful, if not confident in this belief, that 
 the one may prove pernicious ? and the other fatal and ruinous to her And fo with cold en- 
 tertainment, and (hort Ceremonies, Von Martino is enforced to return to Burgos to his mo- 
 ther, without his filter, where, as foon as he is arrived, he tells his mother of his After Cecilia- 
 wj'sconftant resolution, from whence he thinks it impoflible to draw or divert her, becaufe 
 he finds Monfredo of the fame opinion ; but whether he have married her or no, he knows 
 not, neither could he inform himfelt thereof. 
 
 And here yet Don Martino is fo cautious to his Mother, as he fpeaks not a word or fylLWe 
 of any fpeech or mention they had of the death of his brother Don Pedro. But as loon as 
 he had left his Mother, and retired himfelf to hi? Chamber, then he thinks the more there- 
 of? yea, then he again and again remembers what dangerous fpecches he publick y > cei- 
 ▼ed from his Sifter Ceciliana and Monfredo , concerning that his fudden death wncreby they 
 filcntly meant, and tacitely implied no lefs than Murther: Wherefore heisfo hellilh aud 
 bloody-minded, that he refolves (hortly to provide a plaiftef for this fore ? and he knows, 
 that to make their tongues eternally filent, he cannot better or fafer perform it, than by 
 murthering them, whereof he fays the reafon is apparently and pregnantly true : for as 
 long as that fufpition lives in them, he therefore can never live in fafety, but in extream 
 danger himfelf. But becaufe of the two, Monfredo leemcd to intend and portend him the 
 .greateft choler, and the moft inveterate rage, therefore (as a Limb of the Devil, or rather 
 as a Devil incarnate himfelf) he refolves to begin with Monfredo firft, and asoccafions and 
 accidents (hall prefent, then with his Sifter Ceciliana after, without ever having the grace 
 to think of his CbnCcienceor Soul, or of Heaven or Hell, or without once confidering, thac 
 our own malice and revenge doth more hurt us than our enemies ? That auger is a fhorc 
 madnefs, and that it is a moft allured happinefs for us rather to forget offences, than to re- 
 ft venge them ? and which is more, that (in a manner) it is but right now that he came from 
 poylouing of his own Brother, whofe innocent blood is yet hardly cold in his untimely 
 grave, but ftill cries aloud for vengeance from Heaven on his head, for that cruel and dam- 
 nable Fadt. , ^ , . 
 
 But this flume, this monfter of Nature, DonMartino , who fears none lelsthan God, and 
 loves none mure than the Devil, will not thus forlake his cruel malice, nor abandon his exe- 
 crable revenge : but undemanding that Monfredo fometimes (though te«ctly)leaves Valde- 
 kelleto fee Burgos, he hearkens out therefore for his next coming thither : when being allu- 
 red that he was now in theCity, he wailing for him as he iilued forth his houfe, which he 
 did between eleven and twelve at night, he with his fmall Target, and dark Lan thorn in his 
 left hand, and his Rapier drawn in his right, runs him twice thorow the body therewith, of 
 which two mortal wounds he prcfently fell dead in the ftreet : his misfortune being then fo 
 great as he had no Servant nor Friend prefent to aflift him, and his fear and care ol himfelf 
 Jo fmall as he was killed before he could fee his enemy, or have the leifure to draw his 
 (word in his own defence and a (Tift a nee? fo fierce and fudden was Martino s rage and malice, 
 in murchering of this harmiefsand innocent Gentleman ? the which as foon as he hid per- 
 formed,he fecretly hies home to his Mother’s houfe, and fpeedily betakes himfelt to his bed* 
 where the Devil rocking him afleepin fecurity, he as his infernal Agent, and bloody Factor, 
 
 11 u nothing 
 
33 ° 
 
 Gods Revenge againft Mur t her. Book V. 
 
 nothing cares what God or man can do unto him. The next morning at break of day this 
 breathlefs body of Von Moufndo is found in the ftrect : to all Burgos refounds of th.s his 
 lamentable Murther, but no mortal eye hath feen, or tongue as yer can tell who the Mur- 
 thercr (houldbe. But God (m his Divine Jufticc, and for the exaltation of Ins facred Glo- 
 ry) will flrortly bring both it and him to light, by an accident no leis ((range than remark- 
 
 Zh Vona Catherines hears hereof, and is fo far from grieving, as fire rejoycet h thereat, no way 
 doubting but Monfredo being dead, (lie with much facility (according to her dciireS and vw- 
 fiies) (hall now of two refolutions, draw her Daughter Ccctliana to ertibraefc and follow one , 
 that is, either to marry Velrio in earned, or a Nunnery no more m jell. The next day alter 
 Dinner, the Relation of this deplorable accident arrives at Valdehllc, and conkqucnt.y to 
 the knowledg of our Ceciliaita, who fo pitifully weeps and mourns thereat, as tor nicer grief 
 and forrow (he tears her hair, bolts her (elf into her Chamber, and there throws her felt 
 down on the floor, and neither can,nor will be comforted, no, nor permit any one to admi- 
 nhtcr it to her, or, which is lefs, to fee or fpeak with her. So although . A s Kinsfolks 
 $nd Friends do infinitely lament this his unfortunate death, yet all their lighs and tears put 
 
 together, are nothing in regard ot thofc of his young Wile, and now Widdow, Citdiant, 
 
 who (out of the immoderate cxcefs of thisher anxiety and affliction J is now become fo rea- 
 fonlefs and defperate, that firft the murther of her dear Brothel Dot: Fcdro, and now this of 
 her fweet Husband Monfredo, is both a grief to her thoughts, and a totrfiefitto her heart and 
 mind, yea, to her very foul i For ftill (he remains confident in this opinion, that her Bro- 
 ther Don Martino is infallibly the Murtherer of them both *, and from this fufpition of hers, 
 (he cannot, flie will not be diverted i yea, her living affection to their dead memories, isfo 
 ext ream and fervent ,that to be allured whether it be him, or who die that hath murthered 
 them, it leads her mind to a refolution,to prove an Experiment, which though prophanc cu- 
 riofity in feme per forts fometimes feem to allow and pradifeas tolerable,^ yet fecred -Reli- 
 gion muff and doth for e,vcr both rejed ai?d contemn it as Diabolical. She difguiftth her 
 felf in her apparel, and very early in the morning rides to oile Alphonfo Sanchez, a famous re- 
 puted Wizard or Sorcerer, who dwelt at Arena, fome fix Leagues off from ValdcbcFe, and 
 giving him the two Pidures of her murthered Brother and Husband, aS alfoa perfed note 
 of their age, and horofeope qf their Nativities, (he prays him to difeover arrd foew her in*a 
 Looking-glafs, the true pidures and representations of their murtherets^ When, to have 
 him difpateji both it and her felf the fooner, {he gives him ten Duckats, upon the receipt 
 whereof he promifeth her his beft Art and Skill, makes her ftay till altrroft dark night, and 
 then fools her off with this flam, that he hath effedually invocated and raifed his Spirit, froth 
 whpm he could get no other anfwer, but that God for that time would not permit him to 
 (hew her thefe Murtherers Pidures in a Glafs > whereby this Wizard proving himfelf more 
 a cheating Knave than a Sorcerer, and more a true Impoflor, than a Chriftian, he herein 
 makes a (ool of this forrpwful young Lady, in thinking to make her know that which it is 
 both a foul fhamc, and a (harmful ignorance for any Chriflian to be ignorant of, ( to witj 
 *1 hat it is not the "Devil, or his Agents,, hut only God, who (in bis Divine ftleafure and Providence )hatb 
 power to reveal Murther s and Murtherers, both when, where, bow, and by whom itfeems mofi agreeable 
 andpleafing to his Ah-feeing and j acred Majejly m 
 
 Ceciliana ve turning home, more loaden with doubts than 'Gold from this Monfler of Men, 
 fbecaufe in ciEd he makes it hisprofeffion to be lefs a man than a devil ) foe is afhamed of 
 her ignorance and impiety herein, and (lor meer grief and forrowj weeps to fee that the 
 foundation of her faith fhould be fo weak and reeling, as not conftantly to relie upon the 
 Providence and Jufticc oi God, but torepofe her foolifo curiofity and belief upon this pro- 
 phane and fottifh Sorcerer, for the de ted ion of thefe Murtherers. But leaving her for a 
 while in her difcpnfolation and fdrrow at ValdebtUe, I come now to this wretched villain, 
 DonMarting, her Brother, in Burgos, who having thus committed thefe two cruel and !a’ k 
 mentablc Murtfiers, doth for the firft two or three months after put a chearful and frolick 
 countenance thereon, thereby the more abfolutely to betray, and blear the eyes of the 
 World, that theieaft fpark or iliadow thereof foould not diffiife or refled on him. But here 
 before I proceed further, the Reader is requefted to cbfcrve this one remarkable circum- 
 ftance of God’s jjatiiceand Providence, in deteding of Von Martino, to be the fblc Author and 
 Ador of thefe two* unnatural and deplorable murthers. For as the devil had made him fo 
 cautious in his malice, and fubtile in his Revenge, that he imployed no other Minifter, nor 
 uftd no ether Agent or Affiftant herein but himfelf* fo being deprived of any witnefs, ei- 
 tiur toaccufe,or make him guilty hereof*, God (\ fayj out of the immunity of his Power, 
 and profundity of his Providence, will make himfelf to become a witnefs againft himielf 
 
 and 
 
Hift.XXlI. 
 
 Monfredo and Cealiana. 
 
 and wanting ail other means, will makchimfelf the only means both co detect anddertcoy him- 
 felf# The manner thus. 
 
 As there ii no felicity to Peace, fothereis no felicity or Peace comparable to that of aquietand 
 innocent Coofcience ; It is a precious Jewel of an ineflimable value, and unparalield price, vea 
 a continual Fcart, than which Heaven may, but Eirth cannot afford us a more rich or delicious .- 
 And the contrary it is, where the heart and confcience have made themfelves guilty of fo.me foul 
 and enormous crimes, and efpccially of Murther, wherein we can never kill Man the Creature, 
 but we affuredly wound God the Creator ; For then, as chofe, fo this ( with lefs doubt and more 
 a flu ranee ) gives in an heavy and bloody evidence agaipftus, and which commonly produceth us 
 thefe three woful and lamentable efforts, Defpair , Horr 0 ur , Tetroar . the which we fhall now 
 fe^ verified and mrtanecd in this bloody and milerable Wretch, T)on Martino, who ( as I have 
 formerly faid ) hath not fully part over the tearm of three months in external mirth, jollity, and 
 bravery, thereby to cart a cheerful countenance and varnifh on thofe his bloody Villanies, but God 
 fodirtraded his wits andfenfes. rtruck fuch an artoni/hment to his thoughts, and amazement to 
 his Heart and Confcience, as it lecmed to him, that ( both by night aud day ) theGho'isof his 
 harmlcfs brother Don PUro y and of innocent Don Monfredo, (fill purfue him for revenge, and 
 jurticeof thefe their Murthcrs. And now his looks arc extravagant, fearful, andgafily, which 
 arertill the ligns and fyo&ptoms either of a dirtempered brain, a polluted Confcience and Soul,- 
 or of both. He knows not to whom, or where, or where not, to go for remedy herein, bur ftill 
 his heart is inamntinyand rebellion with his confcience, and both of them againii God He is 
 afraid of every Creature he fees, and likewifeof thofe who fee him not. If he look back, and 
 perceive anyone to run behind him, he thinks it is a Sergeant come to arreft him ; and if he 
 chance to behold any Gentleman in a Scarlet cloak coming towards him, he verily believes and 
 fears it is a Judge in his Scarlet Robes to arraign and condemn him. He hath not the grace to go 
 into a Church, nor the boldnefs to look up to the Tower thereof, for fear lert the ooe l wallow him 
 up alive, and the other fall on him, andcrufhhim to death: If he walk in any Woods, Fields, 
 or Gardens, and fee but a leaf wag, or a Bird ftir, he is of opinion, there fome furies or execu- 
 tioners come to torment him ; or doth he hear any Dog howl, Cat cry, or Owl whoot, or 
 fcrcetch, he is thereat fofuddenly appalled and amazed, as he thinks it to be the voice of the De- 
 vil, who is come to fetch him away. He will not pafs over any Bridge, Brook, or River, for 
 fear of drowning, norover any plank, gate, or flile, left he rtiouid break his neck. The fight 
 cf hisfhadow isacorrofive to his heart, and a Panique terrourto his thoughts, becaufe he both 
 thinks and believes, that it is not his own, but the Hangmans ; and when any one ( out of charity 
 orpity) comes to feeorvifit him, he flies fromhim, as if Hell whereat his back, andthc De- 
 vil at his heels. The very fight of a Rapier ftabs him at his heart, and the bare thought, or name 
 of Poyfon, feemsto infort and kill his Soul •, and yet miferable Wretch and Mifcreant that he is, 
 all this while he hath not the good nefs to look down into his heart and confcience with contrition, 
 nor the grace to look up to heaven and to God with repentance. The Lady Cat her in* his Mother 
 is wonderfully perplexed and grieved hereat, and fo are all his Kinsfolks and Friends in and about 
 Burgos, who caufe fome excellent Phyfitians and Divines to deal with him, about adminittring 
 him the means to cure him of this his Lunacy and Diflratrtion. But God will not permit, thac 
 either the skihul Art of thofe, or the powerful perfvvafions of thefe do as yet prevail with him, of 
 perform it. Two Moons have fully finilhed tbeir cccleflial courfe, whiles thus his Phrenzie and 
 inadnefs poffeffeth him *, and in one of thegreatert, andmoft ourragicus fits thereof, he (with- 
 cut wit or guide ) runs to St. Sebaftianos Church, finds out Father Thomas his Confeffor, in pri- 
 vate and ferious confeffion, reveals to him, how he hathpoyfo*ed his Brother Don Pedro, and 
 alfo murthered Dn 'JMonfrcdo •, adding withal, that God ( out of his indulgent mercy) would 
 no longer permit him to charge his foul with the concealing thereof, and then begs his Absolution 
 and Rcmiffion for the fame. 
 
 His Confeffor (being a religious Church- man ) much lamenting, and wondring at the fcul- 
 nefsof thefe his ( Penitent's) two bloody faerts, although he find more difficulty than reafon to 
 grant his defire, yet enquiring of him, if there were any other acceflary with him in thefe mur- 
 tners, and Dqh Martina freely and firmly acknowledging to him there was none, but the Devil 
 andhimfdf; He ( after a ferious check, and religious r e prime rM ) in hope of his future contri- 
 tion and repentance, gives himafliarp and fevere Penance (though noway anfwerable to his 
 crimes ) and fo abfolves him *, and y^c for the fpace of at leaft a whole month - after, his Lunacy 
 (by the permiffioncf God) fiiil follows him, when (for a further trial of his comportmem, 
 and hope of his repentance ) Gcd is again pleaf ed to flack the hand of his Judgment, and fo 
 frees him from his madnefs a«d difirartion, to fee whether he will prove Gold or Drofs, a Cbriffiau 
 ©; a Devil. 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther. Book V. 
 
 Not long after this, his Confeflor, Father Thomas ( being Curate of one of the neighbouring 
 Parifhes^ falls extream fick of aPlurifie, and fodangeroufly tick, that bis Phyfician ( defpairing 
 of his life) bids him prepare his body for death, and his foul for Heaven and God: Who then 
 revoking to mind ( what he had heard and feen ) how grievoufly and forrowfully the Lady CV- 
 cilidna takes the death of her Brother and Husband, and the more, in that fhe is ignorant who are 
 their Murtherers, he is no longer refolved to burthen his cor-fctence and foul with concealing there- 
 of, but to write it to her in a Letter. The which he chargeth and coojureth his own Sifter Cjrilla , 
 to deliver into her own hands, fomc three dayes after his burial ; the which we (hall fee her fiiortly 
 perform ; For the PricH, Father Thomas her Brother, lived not three weeks after. 
 
 In the mean time, come we to the Lady Dona Catherine the Mother, who having outwardly 
 wept for the death of her eldeft Son Don Pedro, for the difobedient flight and clandefline marriage 
 of her Daughter Cecilia na to Monfredo , who is now marthered, but by whom fhe knows not, and 
 feeing her faid Daughter thereby made a forrowful Widdow, ihe ( as an indulgent and kind 
 MotfTer ) forgetting what fhe had formerly done and been, and now defirous to comfort her, 
 and to be comforted of her, again fends her Son Don Martino to V aide belle, to follicite his SiHcr 
 to return, and to live with her in Bur go » .• Who ( detefting this projeft and refolution of his Mo- 
 ther ) is very forrowful thereat, but feeing that (he will be obeyed, he rides over to faldebelle, 
 to his Sifter, and there delivereth his Mothers will and meffage to her ; but in fuch faint and cold 
 tearms, as fhe thereby knows, he is far more defirous of her abfence than her prefence, and of 
 her ftay,chan her return; yea, (and to write thetruth of her mind)his very fight ftrikes fuch flames 
 of fear into her heart, and of fufpition into her thoughts, that flie ftill afliimesand retains her old 
 opinion and confidence, that he is the abfolute Murthercr of her Brother Don Pedro , and her Hus- 
 band D n CMonfredo ; but herein (lie now holds itdiferetion to conceal herfelf to her felf, and 
 fo gives him kind and refpe&ive entertainment, lheprayes him to report her humble duty to her 
 Mother, that fhe will confider of herrequeft, and cither fend or bring her her refolution fhort- 
 ly : But inwardly in her heart and foul, flic intends nothing lefs, thab either to hazard her content 
 upon thedifeontentof her Mother, or ( which is worfe ) her life on the inveterate malice of her 
 Brother Don CMartino . 
 
 And now we approach and draw near, to fee the Judgments andjafticeof God overtake this 
 our wretched Don Marino, for thefe his two moft lamentable and bloody murtbers. And now 
 h : s Sacred Majefty is fully refolved todeteft them, and his Arrow is bent, and Sword whetted, 
 to punifhhim for the fame; for we muft underftand that the very fameday which her Brother 
 Don Martino was lift with her at Valdebellt, his Confeffor, Father Thomas, died; and forne 
 three daies after, his Sifter Cjrilla ( according to his dying Order ) rides over to the Lady CecL 
 liana , and delivereth her the Prieft her Brother's Letter ^ it the receipt whereof, Ceciliana finds 
 different emotions in her heart, aod paffions in her mind : When, going into the next Room, fhe 
 breaks up the Seals, and finds therein thefe Lines# 
 
 Father THOMAS to CECILIANA. 
 
 T7T7£// knowing that the Laws of Heaven are far more powerful and J acred than thofe of 
 V ** €*rtb % as I now lye on my death- bed, ready to leave this Life, and to flieinto the Arms of 
 my Saviour and Redeemer Chrift f e fus t I could not go to my grave in peace , before 1 had fignified un- 
 to thee , that very lately thy Brother Don Martino, in St. Honours Church, delivered uniomt in 
 Cwfflion, That he had firftpojfonrd tfsj Brother Don Pedro with a pair of perfumed Gloves, and 
 then after murthered thy Husband Don Monfredo with his Rapier in Burgos : And although I mufl 
 and do acknowledge that he was in his fit of Lunacy and Madnefs, when he thus made him felf a 
 witn-fs again fi himfelf hereof \ yet no doubt the immediate finger and Providence of God led him to 
 this refolution , as an API which infinitely tends to Hit Sacred Honour and Glory . J fend thee this 
 Letter by my Sifier Cyrilla, whom I have firittly charged todelivcrit to thee three dayes after my 
 Burial , b caufe . I hold it mofi confmant to my Profeffion and Order , that not my Life , but my Death 
 Jbmld herein violate the Seal of Confejfion, and thou [halt jhew thy /elf a moft Religious andChri- 
 ftian Lady y if thou make this uje hereof , that it is not my felf , but G od who fends thee this news by 
 me. 
 
 Father Thmas , 
 
 Ctciliana 
 
Hift. X-XII. Monfredo and Ceciliana. 
 
 — OF 1 _ 
 
 Ceciliana having over- read this Letter, and therein underftood and found out that her Brother 
 Don Martino is the cruel Murtherer, both of her Brother Don ftdro, and her Husband Don Mom- 
 fitdo , her Grief thereat doth fo far overfwiy her Reafoo, and her Malice and Revenge her Relu 
 gion, as once (he is of a mind to Murther him with her own Hand, in requital hercoT ; but then 
 again (Wangling that bloody thought in its conception, (he vows, that if not by her own Hand, 
 he (hail yet infallibly dye by the hand of the Common Executioner : When Love, Pity, Nature, 
 Reafon, Grief, Sorrow, Rage, and Revenge, ading their fcveral Parts upon the Stage of her 
 Heart, (he finds a great combatem her Heart, and rcludancy in her Soul, what, or what not 
 to do herein ; when with many tears and Prayers ( by the Advice and Counfel of God ) (he en- 
 ters into this confultation hereon with her felf. Alas, unfortunate and forrowful Ceciliana | Jus 
 upon no light preemption, or trivial circumfianccs, that I believe my Brother Martino to be the 
 iihumane Murtherer of my Brother Don P(dro ; and Husband c Monfredo; for befides that God 
 ever prompted mine heart, and whifpered my Soul that this was true, yet nowhere ishisoWn 
 Confcffton to his Ghoftly Father, and his Ghoftly Father’s own Letter and Confclllon tome, to 
 the fame effeft, evidences, and witnefles, without Exception, as dear as Noon-day, and as 
 bright as the Sun in his hotteft and brighteft Meridian, That he, and only he, was the Murtherer 
 of them both: But oh poor Ceciliana ( quoth (he) to what a miferable eftare and perplexity 
 hath thefe his bloody fafts and crimes now reduced me! For he hath murthered my Brother and 
 my Hnsband, (hall I then permit him to live ? But vjithal, he is likewife my Brother, and (hall I 
 then caufe him to dye ? True it is, I cannot recall their Lives, but it is likewife as true that I may 
 prevent his Death ; for as the firft lay not in my power to remedy, yet all the World knows, that 
 the fecond meer l y depends of my pity, courtefie, and companion to prevent.* Butalafs, faith 
 (he J the tyesof Heaven are, and ought to be infinitely more ftrongthan thofeof Earth, and 
 the glory of God to be far preferred before all our natural affe&ions and obligations to our beft 
 friends, or neareft or deareft Kinsfolks whofoever. Therefore, as to dete& tbcic Murthers of his, 
 thou art no Friend to Nature, fo again, to conceal them, thou thereby makeft (by felf anegemy 
 to Grace: for affure thy felf (unfortunate Ceciliana) that God will never be appeafed, nor Juft- 
 ice fatisfied, until their innocent blood be expiated, and walhcd away in his, who is guilty there- 
 of ; becaufe, asbydete&ingMuither, we bJcfs and glorifie God , fo by concealing it, we heap a 
 fatal Anathema*, and curfe upon our own heads. 
 
 331 
 
 As Cloud* arc ditfipated, and blown away, when the Sun arifeth and tnounteth in hi* vertical 
 luftre and glory, fo Ceciliana having thus ended her confultation with her felf, and now began her 
 refolution with God, fhc leaves VdldeMle, takes her Coach, and difpeeds away to Burgos; 
 where in (lead of going to her Lady Mother’s, (he goes dire&ly to the Corrijadds ( or crimi- 
 nal Judges ) of that City, and with much grief andforrow (her tears interrupting her figbs, 
 and her fighs her tears) before them accufeth her Brother Don Martino to be the bloody Murther- 
 er of her Brother Don Tedro, and her Husband Monfredo ; and for proof of this truth, pro. 
 duceth the Letter of Father Thomas his Confeflbr. The Judges read ir, and are aftonirtied with 
 this report of hers, and far the more, in regard they here fee a Sifter call the life of her own Bro- 
 ther io queftion ; but they fee, that fhe hath as much right and reafon for her Accufation, as her 
 inhumane brother Don Martino waded for his malice, in miking himfelf guilty of thefe foul and 
 bloody Crimes Wherefore attributing it wholly to the Pleafure and Providence of God, they 
 highly extol her Piety and Integrity towards his Sacred Majefty, in preferring his Glory before 
 the fcandal and mifery of her fo wretched and execrable Brother j and then ( out of their zeal 
 and honour to Juflice) they ( to evince and vindicate the truth of this lamentable bufinefs ) fend 
 away for Cjrilla. and ( as foon as fhe came ) upon her Oath propofe her thefe three Queftions; 
 Firft, whether (he had this very Letter from her deseafed Brother Father Thomas his own hand, 
 and that he gave her order and charge to deliver it to the Lady Ceciliana, three dayes after hisde- 
 ce u'e ? Secondly, if it were of his own writing and fealing ? And thirdly, if fhe, with her own 
 hands, delivered this Letter to the Lady Ceciliana ? To all which three Queftions, Cjrilla (with 
 a ftaid look and countenance) anfwereth affirmatively, and thereupon (with hafte and fe- 
 crecy ) they grant out a Warrant to apprehend Bon Martino , when he was as it were drowned 
 in Voluptuoufnefs, Security, and Impenitency, as making it his vain-glory to build Caftles of 
 content in the Air, and to ereft Mountains of wealth and preferment in the Zftopia of his am- 
 bitious defires and wifhes , without ever having the grace , either to think of his former 
 horrible Crimes, or future punilhment for the fame. He is amazed at his Apprehenfion by 
 the Sergeants, but far more at the fight and prefence of the Criminal Judges, before whom 
 he is now brought. Thev fharply accufe him of thefe two aforefaid foul Murthers, and for 
 
 U u 3 evidence 
 
554 
 
 God's Revenge againji M nrther. Book V. 
 
 evidence and witneffes, produce him hisCpnfeffor Rather Thomas his Letter, his Sifter Cyril!*, 
 and his own fiftcr the Lady CicilUn* ; at the fight and knowlsdg whereof, he at the hr ft feemed 
 to be much appalled and daunted, but at laft recollcaing his Spirits ( taking counfel of the Devil, 
 and not of God) illumes a bold countenance, puts himfelf and his Tongue on the points of De- 
 nial and Juftification, and fo to his Judges tearms his Confeffor a Devil, and no Man, and Cy- 
 rilU and his Sifter Cecil liana Witches , and no Women, fo unjuftlyand fat fly to accule hunof 
 thefefoul Murthcrs whereof he affirms not only the aft, but the very name and thought isodious 
 and ex'crable to him. But God will not be mocked, nor his Judges deluded with this his Apo- 
 lo°y • So they adjud° him to the Rack, the firft tortures whereof, hemdureth with an admirable 
 fortitude and patience, but the fecond he canaot, but then and there confeffeth himfelf to be guil- 
 ty and the foie Author and Aaor of both thefe deplorable murthers : But yet his Heart ana Soul 
 is Hill fo obdurate by the Devil, as he hath neither the will to be forrowful, nor the grace to'be re- 
 
 ^ For expiation of which his inhumane and bhodv Crimes, his Judges condemn him to be hanged, 
 *nd his right hand to be firft cut off and burnt the next morning, at the common place of Execu- 
 tion, notwithftanding that his afflifted and forrowful Mother ( out of the natural and tender at. 
 feffion which flie bore him ) imployed all her friends and poffible power yea, and offered all 
 her ownEftate and Lands tofave his life ; but (he could not prevail or obtain t'r. So the next 
 mornino (in obedience to this his fentence). this Moofter of Nature, Don Martin*, is brought to 
 the common place of Execution, to take hislaft farewelof this life, and this world: He was 
 clad in a black filk Grograin Sute, with a fair white Ruffe about bis neck, and a black Beaver Hat 
 on his head, which he drew down over his eyes, that he might neither fee, nor be feenof that 
 great concourfe of people there prefent, who came to fee him conclude the Hft Scene and Cata- 
 strophe of his life , When after his right hand was cue off and burnt, which held the Rapier, 
 whereby he murthered Dm Monf’cdo, he then afeended the Ladder: Where the Sped a tors ex- 
 pecting fonie repentant and religious Speech from him before his death, he referobling himfelf 
 < I me°an rather an Aiheift than a Chriftian, and raiher a Devil than a Min ) as be lived fo he 
 would die, aprophane and gracelefs Villain; for fomefpeeches he ( betwixt his teeth ) mum-' 
 bled to himfelf, butfpakenot one word that could be heard or unde rftood of anyone: Aodfo 
 moft refolutely, he himfelf putting the Rope about his neck, although all the people, andefpe- 
 cially two Friers near him, cried to him to the contrary, he faved the Hangman his labour, and 
 fo with more hafteand defperation than repentance, he caft himfelf off the Ladder, and was 
 hanged. And thus was the bloody life and deferved death of this Hell-hound, and Limb of the 
 Devil Djh Martino i and in this fort and manner did the juft revenge of God triumph ore bis 
 foul and bloody Crimes ; which may all true Chriftians read to Gods glory, and to the Inftruftion 
 of their own fouls. 
 
 And if the curiofity of the Reader make him farther defirous to know what became of the old 
 Lady Catberina the Mother, and of Dm* Cee : liana the Daughter, after all thefe their difmal and 
 difaftrous Accidents, I thought good ( by the way of a Poftfcript ) brie fly to add this for his fatis- 
 faftion; That the Mother lived aot long after, but her Daughter was firft reconciled to her, and 
 (he to her Daughter, to whom (he ( having no other Child ) left all her whole Eftate .♦ Aodfrf 
 her, who was now become likewife very rich, ashaving a fair yearly Revenue and Joynture out of 
 her deceafed Husband Don Monfredo's Lands and Means, although (he were again fought in mar- 
 riage by feme noble Gallants of Caflile and Burgos, yet (he refolved never to marry more •, and as 
 I have within thefe few years underftood, (he then lived fometimes n Burgos, andfometimes it 
 YaldubilU, in great Pomp and Felicity. 
 
 GOUs 
 

 
 HiftXXIII. 
 
 
 335 
 
 
 ^{Iphonja JhooU Cafst tu) 
 
 t/jjhonJ’o fourtrfs after Confefnth the trmriher is Jr then /Ted 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XXIII. 
 
 Alphonfo poyfonethhis own Mother Sophia, and after (hoots and kills Caflino ( as he W<» walking 
 in his garden) with a (hort Musket (or Carabine) from a window. He is beheaded for tbef* 
 two cMmherj, then burnt, and his afhes thrown into the River. 
 
 A S Filth and Prayer are the two Pillars of our Souls, and may well be called the For- 
 trefsof Chriftian Piety againft the tentations of Satan.- So by the contrary we expofe 
 and lay open our felves to the treacherous lures and malice of the Devil. For if by 
 Faith vve do not firft believe, then pray unto God for our own prefervation, it will be no 
 hard matter for him to tempt us in cur choler, to quarrel with our beft friends, and in our malice 
 and revenge to murther even ourneareft anddeareft kindred. O FJth, the true foundation 
 of our'Toveraign felicity! O Prayer, the fweet preservative and facred Manna of our fouls, 
 how bieffed do you make thofe who embrace and retain you! and contrariwife, how mife- 
 rable and wretched are they who contemn and rejeft you! Of which laft number, this cnlu- 
 ino Hiftorv will produce us one, who ( by his debauched life, and corrupt conversion j tram- 
 pled thefetwo heavenly Vertues and Graces under his feet, without thinking of God, or re- 
 oarding, much lefs fearing, his Judgments : But how God ( in the end ) requited him for the 
 fame, this Hiftory will tikewife ihew us. May we therefore read tt to Gods glory, and to our 
 
 own inftruftion. , , . . 
 
 In the City of Cerceli, ( after Twin, one of the Chief eft of Piedmont ) bordering near to 
 the Eftatc and Dutchyof Ml Han. there lately dwelt a'rich Canon of that Cathedral Church, 
 named Aloefim Crffino. who had a dainty fweet young Gentlewoman to his Neece, named 
 Bona Eleonora, whofe Mother ( bein^-Sifter to Caflino ') named Dona IfabellaCceha, lately died. 
 
 
 
 M 
 
334 
 
 God's Revenge againft M briber. Bock V. 
 
 evidence and witness, produce him his Confeflot Father Thomas his Letter, his Sifter C;r, 7/4, 
 and his own lifter the Lady Ctcilian* ; at the fight and knowledg whereof, heatthefirft feemed 
 to be much appalled and daunted, but at laft recolkaing his Spirits ( taking counfel of the Devil, 
 and not of God) aflumes a bold countenance, futs himfelf and his 1 ongue on the points of De- 
 nial and Tuftification, and fo to his Judges tearms his Confeffor a Devil, and no Man, and Cj- 
 r>7/4 and his Sifter Cedlliana Witches, and no Women, fo unjuftlyand falflyto accule him of 
 thefe foul Murthers whereof he affirms not only theaft, but the very name and thought is odious 
 and ex'crable to him. But God will not be mocked, nor his Judges deluded with this his Apo- 
 lo°y • So they adjud° him to the Rack, the firft tortures whereof, he indureth with an admirable 
 fortitude and patience, but the fecond he cantor, but then and there confeffeth lumfelf to be guil- 
 ty and the foie Author and Aftor of both thefe deplorable murthers : But yet his Heart and Scnl 
 is hill fo obdurate by the Devil , as he hath neither the will to be forrowful, nor the grace to be re- 
 
 ^ For expiation of which his inhumane andbl'ody Crimes, his Judges condemn him to be hanged, 
 and his right hand to be firft cut off and burnt the next morniDg, at the common place of Execu- 
 tion, notwithftanding that his affixed and forrowful Mother (out of the natural and tender af. 
 fedtion which (lie bore him ) imployed all her friends and poffiblc power, yea, and offered all 
 her own Ertatc and Lands tofave his life ; but fhe could not prevail or obta.inir. So the next 
 mornio° (in obedience to this his fentcnce) *this Monfter of Nature, Don Martina, is brought to 
 the common place of Execution, to take his laft farewel of this life, and this world: He was 
 clad in a black filk Grograin Sute, with a fair white Ruffe about bis neck, and a black Beaver Hat 
 on his head, which he “drew down over his eyes, that he might neither fee, nor be feenof that 
 great concourfe of people there prefent, who came to fee him conclude the lift Scene and Cata- 
 ftrophe of his life ; When after his right hand was cut off and burnt, which held the Rapier, 
 whereby he murthered Don Mtmf’tdo, he then afeended the Ladder: Where the Spectators ;x- 
 pedting fome repentant and religious Speech from him before his death, he referobling himfelf 
 / I mem rather an Atheift than a Chriftian, and rather a Devil than a Man ) as he lived fo he 
 would die, apr'ophane and gracelcfs Villain ; for fome fpeeches he ( betwixt his teeth ) mum- 
 bled tohimfelf, but fpake not one word that could be heard or under (food of any one : And fo 
 moft refolutely, he himfelf putting the Rope about his neck, although all the people, and efpe- 
 cially two Friers near him, cried to him to the contrary, he faved the Hangman his labour, and 
 fo with more hafte and defneration than repentance, be caft himfelf off the Ladder, and was 
 hanged. And thus was the bloody life and deferved death of this Hell-hound, and Limb of the 
 Devil Djh Martino \ and in this fort and mannet did the juft revenge of God triumph ore his 
 foul and bloody Crimes ; which may all trne Chriftians read to Gods glory, and to the Inltrmffion 
 of their own fouls. 
 
 And if the curiofity of the Reader make him farther defirous to know what became of the old 
 Lady Catberha the Mother, and of Dona Cee : liana the Daughter, after all thefe their difmal and 
 difaftrous Accidents, I thought good (by the way of aPoftfcript) briefly to add this for his fatis- 
 fa&ion; Thar the Mother lived not long after, but her Daughter was firft reconciled to her, and 
 fhe to her Daughter, to whom (he ( having no other Child ) left all her whole Eftate : Aodfct 
 her, who was now become likewife very rich, as having a fair yearly Revenue and Joynture out of 
 her deceafed Husband Don Mo»f relo’s Lands and Means, although (he were again fought in mar- 
 riage by fome noble Gallants of Cafiile and Burgos , yet fhe refolved never to marry more •, and as 
 I have within thefe few years underftood, fhe then lived fometimes at Burgos, and fometimes at 
 ValdehtlU, in great Pomp and Felicity. 
 
 GOD* 
 
HiflXXIII. 
 
 335 
 
 Cafst no _E icanora 
 
 SOpftin. tlean.org. 
 
 ’.pair Cajsind 
 
 Ivanova. 
 
 Mjrktnfo foun/fs after Confcfnth. the' murther is 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XXIII. 
 
 Alphotifo peyfoneth his own Mother Sophia, and after (hoots and kills Caffino ( as he W<w talking 
 in his fjarden) with a jhort Musket {or Car aline) from a window. He is beheaded for the f* 
 two tMmhers, then burnt, and his afhes thrown into the River. 
 
 A S Faith and Prayer are the two Pillars of our Souls, and may well be called the For- 
 trefsof Chriftian Piety againft the tentationsof Satan.- So by the contrary we expofe 
 and lay open our felves to the treacherous lures and malice of the Devil. For if by 
 Faith we do not firft believe, then pray unto God for our own pfefervation, it wilt be.no 
 hard matter for him to tempt us in cur choler, to quarrel with our beft friends, and in our malice 
 and revenge to murther even ourneareft anddeareft kindred. O F«lth, the true foundation 
 of our Toveraign felicity! O Prayer, the fweet preservative and facred Manna of our fouls, 
 how bleffed do you make thofc who embrace and retain you! and contrariwife, how twfc- 
 rable and wretched are they who contemn and rejeft you! Of which laft number, this cnlu- 
 ino Hiftorv will produce us one, who ( by his debauched life, and corrupt convention; tram- 
 pled thefe'two heavenly Vertues and Graces under his feet, without thinking of God, or re- 
 oarding, much lefs fearing, his Judgments : But how God ( in the end ) requited him for the 
 fame, this Hiftory will likewife ftrew us. May we therefore read it to Gods glory, and to our 
 
 own inftruftion. ’ " . , . , . . 
 
 In the City of Ferceli, (after Turin, one of the dhiefeft of Ptedmont ) bordering near to 
 the-Eftate and Dutchyof Millay there lately dwelt a'rich Canon et that Cathedral Church, 
 named AUMm Csfno, Who had a dainty fweet young Gentlewoman to hi* Neece named 
 Bona Eleonora, whofe Mother ( being 1 Sifter to Caffino ) named Beta Ifabella Coelta, lately died. 
 
God's Revenge agatnji Murtber. Book V, 
 
 ^nd left this her only Daughter and Child her Heir, very rich both in demeans and monies, when 
 her Uncle Caffino^ being neared her in blood, takes Sierra and her efface into his protection 
 and wardfhip, and is as tender of her breeding and education, and as curious of her comport- 
 ment and carriage, as if Ihe were his own Daughter ; for there is no fweet quality, nor exqui- 
 fite perfc#ion requifitc in a young Gentlewoman of her rank and extra# ion, but he caufed her 
 to become, not fupcrficial, but artificial therein, as in Dancing, Mufick, Singing, Painting, 
 Writing, Needling, andtheiike, whereof all the Nobificy and Gentry of Vcrceli cake exa# no- 
 tice andknowlcdg ; yea, her beauty grew up fo dciicioufiy with her years, that Hie was (and 
 was juftly reputed to be ) the prime Flowec 2nd Phoenix of the City. C affine confidcring that his 
 Houfe was defiitute of a Matron to accompany and overfee this his Neece Eleanor a that his age 
 was too Stoical for her youth, arc) that his Eccfefialbcal Profeflion anc) Function called him often 
 to preach and pray i he therefore deeming it very unfit and unfeemiy ( in the Interims of his ab- 
 fence') to leave her toherfelf, and to be ruled and governed I by her own fancy and pleafurc, ft* 
 being now arrived to twelve years of age; lie therefore provides her new apparel, and other per- 
 tinent neceffarics, and giving her a Way ting maid, andamanof hisownto attend her, hefends 
 her in his Coach Co the City of Caffal , in the Marquifatc of Montfcrrat , to the Lady M*'gunita 
 Sophia , a Widdow Gentlewoman, left by her dcccafed Husband but indifferently rich, buten- 
 dowed with «H thofe ornaments of Art and Honour, which made her famous not only in Piedmont 
 and Lombard'^ but alfo to all Italy . and to her he therefore writes this enfuing Letter to accord 
 pany his Neece, and chargeth his mm with delivery thereof to her. 
 
 CASSINO to SOPHIA. 
 
 T O fat is fie your courteous requefts , and my former promife , I now fend you my Neece Fleanora to 
 Offall, Kbom 1 heartily pray thee to ufe as thy Daughter , and to command as thy Hand-maid. 
 She hah no other Vncl* but me , nor I any other acqtta ntarie Put thy felf y with whom / would entrujl 
 her for her Education , and recommend her for ker InftruEUon. She is not Inclined to any vice that / 
 kn- w of ; except to thofe imperfeElions wherein her youth excufeth her ignorance , and it is both my or * - 
 der a d charge to her , that fhe carefully and curioufiy ad >r n her felf with vertucs in thy example and 
 imitation, without which the priviledges of N^atu e and Fortune (as Beauty and W alth) are but only 
 obfeure Jhadows , and no true fubft»nces y becaufc there is as much difference betwixt thofe and thefe y as 
 between the purity of the foul and the corruption of the bod , or be ween the dignity and excellency of 
 Heaven, and the invalidity and bafenefs of Earth . Iam content to lend her to you for a few monthly 
 but do infinitely defire to give her to thy Fertues f r Cvtr.In which my voluntary tranfaElion and dona- 
 tion.thou wilt confer much happinrfs to her , and honourt^me , and confequently for ever bind both her 
 Touth, and my age to thee inaftnEl obligation of hanky and d. bt tvhat apparel , or other neceffaries 
 thou deem eft ht r 1 0 wantyt hj will jhall be mine .God ever blefs her in his fear y *nd you both to his GRry. 
 
 CASSINO* 
 
 The Lady Sophia receives this fweet young Virgin with much content and joy, yea, (he few 
 her tender years already adorned with fuch excellent beauty, and that beauty with fuchcxquifite 
 vertues, that it breeds not only admiration, but affection in her towards her, whom fhe enter- 
 tained with much refpe#.and care, as well for her own fake, asalfogfor her Uncle Caffi»o’$ y 
 whofe Letter fhe again and again reads over, highly applauding his virtues and honourable care 
 of his Neece, whom in few years fhe hopes will prove a moft accompliflhed and gracious Gentle- 
 woman ; when Cafmo's Coachman after a dayes fiay, deeming it high time f r him to return to 
 Vtrctli to his Mailer, he takes his leave of his yovng Miftrifs Eleanor a y who, cut of her few 
 years, and tender affeftion and duty to her Uncle, with tears in her eyes, prayes him to remembec 
 her heft fervice to him at his coming home ^ and the Lady Sophia by him likewife returns and (ends 
 him this Letter in atlwer of his. 
 
 SOPHIA to CASSINO. 
 
 I Know not whether you hare made me more proud y or j yful y by fending me Eleonora, wherein you 
 have given me far more honour than / deferve y though far left than fhe mtriteth , and who henceforth 
 (hall be as much my Daughter in affe Elion, as fhe is your Neece by Nature and if J have any Art i» 
 Nature , or Judgment in Inclitatins , her vertuej and beauty do already anticipate her years : for as 
 the one is f mulcts* of Tame } and t hi other of Glory: fo (as friendly Rivals, and yet honourable friends') 
 they already feem to firm and contend in her for [upremacy : to the laft of which (as ding indeed the 
 
Hift. X-XIII. Soph id) and her wretched Son Alphonfo. 
 
 wofi prtcious and [over a ign) If my poor capacity, or wtak. endeavours may add any things I mil efietni 
 it my ambition for jour lake , and my felicity for hers . But if you rcfulve not rather to give her to me 
 for feme years , tha r to lend her to me for a few months , you x\ ill then kill my hopes id their bud's , and 
 my joyes in their bhjfoms , and fo make me as unfortunate m her abfcncc^at l fiati U h ppy in "her fight 
 and comp mf. As for her Appard, and other necejfaries [he [hall want nothing which u either fit for 
 her to have , or you to give. Let yottr pra ytrs to Cj od ever defire , * nd follow her welfare , and then reft 
 confident that her p ayers and m.ncfhJl never fail to wifi you longlife , and to implore all p of pe ity 
 for you . 
 
 SOPHIA. 
 
 Cajfino did well to place his young Neece Eleanor a wi.h the Lady S 0 [lia 9 but ill in forgetting 
 that (he had a very debauched young Gentleman to her Son, named Seignior Alphonf of feme 
 two and twenty years of age, who ( to her griet and fliame ) haunts her and her hotife as a Gholt, 
 makes himfclf rhepublique laughter and pity of all the different humou s of Caffal ; yea, the 
 Icwdnefs of his life and the irregularity of hisconverfacion and aftions, La:h reduced him to this 
 fatal point of mifery , that he holds it a noble vertue in him, to participate hi mfelf and his repu- 
 tation into bafe debts, vices, and company; making this his fhame his glory, and lewd vices his 
 honour, till in the end not caring for the world, the World will not care for him; nor he for him- 
 felf, until he have wholly loft himfelf in himfelf, without either defert, or hope ever rob: found 
 or recalled again. But at lad feeing fo Tweet a beauty, and fo rich an Heir as Eleanor* fallen in 
 his Mothers hands, and therefore he vainly thinks into his ; and hoping tha t her wealth fhall re- 
 deem his prodigalities, and revive his decayed Eftate and Fortunes, hefecretly Courts her; But 
 Eleanor a ( as young as Hie is ) fees his vices with difdain, himfelf with contempt and his affect- 
 ion to her with fcorn. He is importunate in hisfute, and fhe perverfs and obftinatc in her denial, 
 but rtic rcfolves to conceal it from all the World. As for A! pbqnfo, he (afrer fomc fix months 
 time) acquaints the Lady Sophi^ his Mother herewith, and with his fervent defire andaffeftion 
 to marry Eleanor* \ but fhechirgeth him on her blcifiog, never to proceed any further herein, 
 without nerconfent and order; and quoth fhe, if here (in the prcfeoceof God and himfc.f 
 thou wile now fwear wholly to abandon all thy former vices hencctorth to be abfolutely led by my 
 advice and counfel, and tofteer all thy aft ions by the liar of Honour, and the card of Vertue, 
 then Twill promi(ethee toufeall my beft endeavours and polfible power, withC Jfmo, and 
 Eleanoya , to eflkft thydcfircs. Alphonfo hereat ( with much courtefic add humility ) ihanks 
 his mother, and folemniy fvvears to God and her, to perform all thefe points carefully and punctual- 
 ly ^ and to add the more Religion and reverence to this Oath, he doth it on his knees ; and it is a 
 wonderful joy to her, to fee that the fruits and effefts thereof do accordingly ft /I out and follow : 
 for this her Son Alphonfo in a very few dayes become a new man, and ihe from her heart and 
 foul praifeth and giorifieth God for this his happy converfion : And if his Mother Sophia be glad 
 thereof, no lefs is oar fwcet young Eleanor a; for now hereby fhe fees that flic is rid, of her Sutor. 
 
 Cajfino comes over three feveral times to Caffal to fee his Neece. The Lady Sof ia gives him 
 her bell entertainment. He is wonderful glad to fee that ihe hath imprinted fuch Characters of 
 vertue and honour in her ; and, during his flay there, Sophia chargeth her Son ^Alphofo not to 
 fpeak or motion a word to Caffmo , of this his affeftion to his young Neece E 'canora So he bears 
 himfelf exceeding modeftly and repeftivcly towards him; and for his Mother, (he holds if fit not 
 is yec to b eak or fpeak a word hereof to Caffmo. Caffmo ( no way dreaming of their intents and 
 defires towards his Necce) tells the Lady So r hia y he is infinitely joyful to fee that her Son Alphonfo 
 proven Fame to be true, but a tailing goddefs, in his condition, and converfation ; whereat fhe 
 heartily thanks him.- And thinking then ( though refervedly and fecretlyj to take time and op- 
 portunity at advantage, die leaves not a vertue of her Sons either undifplayed, or unmagnified, 
 but extols them all totheskie, and himfelf beyond the Moon, and fo leaves the remainder here- 
 of to time, and the iffueto God. But yet revolving and ruminating in her mind, how (in a 
 fair and honourable way ) to obtain this rich and beautiful young prize for her Son ; and holding Jc 
 diferetion, not as vet either to motion or mention it to her, flie fecredy layes wait at fiercely to 
 know when Caffmo will have home his Neece, art'd fo fome three weekes before that time die holds 
 it fit to motion it to him by her Letter, which fhe doth in thefe cearms. 
 
 SOPHIA to CASSINO. 
 
 T He fervmt affeftion, and virtuous defire of my Son Alphonfo, tomtrry yottr fifeece Fletncri 
 is now the foie caufi and argument of this my Letter to yoU y the which I hid not attempted to 
 write or f nd you , bu> that I know his love and z,eal to her is as pure , as her beamy and venues art 
 excellent. He (without my privacy or knowledg) hath already motioned his fute to her , and as he 
 tells me, fie bath returned him her denial in fiead of her confent, whereof I held my felj bound to ad- 
 
 X * wrtife 
 
God s ■ Revenge againji Murther. Book V. 
 
 vertife you becaujehu mbition and mine herein ufo honourable, at it frail go hand in hand with jour 
 oood u ill and probation, but > ever without it, tfp, c ally tn regard you have pl t afed to recommend 
 her to my charge and Cuftody, wh rein 1 fdthfuUj prcmif you, nothing frail be defigned or prM.ftd 
 to the prejudice of her k anonr or your content . All the ejlate and me ns which i can give, or you re- 
 quire of me, to make mj Son a fit Husband for jour Neece , I w II freely and cheer f ult y depart with, 
 and yet were! not fully and ft ml y affured , th t he is no* a> deeply enamouedof venue and goodnefs 
 as heretofore he was of their Contraries , neither mj tongue or pen had dared thus to h we prejented his 
 fate to her acceptance and your confideration. The joy and b ejp g of which Marriage[if God in hu /#- 
 ere and f acred Providence refolve to make it a Marriage , will , 1 hope, in the end be theirs , the ho- 
 
 nour mine , and the content Jour own ; wherein I rtqueft jour anfr er , and ntrc a t Jon to remain mofl 
 confident, that loth in this, and in all things e/fe Alphonfo’* Kill and t tfolHtion frail ever be Sophia*/ ; 
 
 ambers, Caflino’s. , 
 
 Cajfino t upon the receit and per.ufal of this Letter of the Lady s pbia , is not a little difpleifed, 
 to fee tier ambition in defiring his Neece Eleanor a for wife to her S< n Alphonfo • and although he 
 be formerly well acquainted with the weaknets of the Mothers eftate, as alfo perfectly advertifed 
 of her Son's debauched life, and corrupt and prodigal convention, howfoever fhe pretend to put 
 a veriuous glofs and colour hereon to the contrary; yet he holds it difcretion to feem to be igno- 
 rant of the°cne, and not to take notice of the other, but will frame his excufe to them here- 
 in, that he hath already difp< fed cf his Neece, and that their motion to him for her came too late, 
 when in heart refolving to make her preferment and fortunes more aflured, and not fo do b-ful ; 
 and to mach her in a higher blood, and nobler family than that of theirs ; he yet in d>fcretion 
 and honour, knowing himfelf b und toanfwer the Lady Soph a s Letter, call for Pen and Paper, 
 and by her own Servant and Meflengcr returns his mind and rclolution to her thus: 
 
 CASSINO to SOPHIA. 
 
 A lthough the tender pears of mj Neece EJeanori make her incapable of marriage , jet jour rich 
 defer s and resplendent merits , and jour Son AlphonfoN honourable affection and^al to her 
 ( r vhic^ every way exceeds her poet beaut j and virtues ) had infallibly made me to ?rant her for his 
 wife , which . i am now infored to deny , In regard 1 have already (by mjpnmife) difpofed and given 
 her to another before jour Letter came to mj ba»is y and confequently before th t m tton of hta arrived 
 to my kjtow/edg and under (landing : For to me it would and frould have been both a fweet joy and * 
 fingular hono ur , to have (ten y ur Son matched to my Neece in the linens of Wedtyc^ But r - od having 
 otherwife deer edit \ Touhavem ny re ions toreff co>fideni\ that your Son is referved for her better , 
 and fre pomfed to hi tnferiour : an t therefore- the freenefs of this yo«r profe ed courtefic to her , and 
 of your honourable refpett and affeftio n towards me, frail for ever t ye me to a thankful acknowledgme t 
 and an immortal obligati n ; and 1 will make it my chiefeft Felicity and Ambition , if ( in requital 
 thereof) / may any way either fert e you in your Son A lphonfo, or him in his Mother Sophia, ofwhofe 
 convey (ion to virtue, nd pro' enfion to goodnefs, your Letter hath fo firmly and joyfully affured me, 
 that the truth hen of will, J hope, heeafterp eove his happinefs in your c ntent And gl ry - 9 tkewhich 
 my moft t Religious prayers frail frill deftre of God, becaufe be is your only Child and Son by Nature , 
 and your filf my mofl honourable friend, both by defert and purchafe. CASSINO. 
 
 Wuhin three weeks after that Ca/fmo had difpicched away this his Letter to the Lady Sophia, 
 he then ( in contemplation andcoofidcranon of the dcbiufhed life and corrupt prancks and vices 
 of her Son Alphonfo) not thinking his Neece Eleanor a tobefafewith her in Cajfal, for fear left 
 h?ro!dwit, or his frnooth tongue migbr per idventure too far prevails and work upon her young 
 years and indifcrect affe&ion : He therefore fends over his Coach, and one of his fervants to bring 
 her home, and to the Lady S phia writes this GratuUtory Letter for her honourable education and 
 entertainment. 
 
 CASSINO to SOPHIA. 
 
 A ccording to my Lafl Letter to you, having heretofore privately contracted my Neece Eleanora 
 to a Husband, reaf on and Religion, his rtqueft and my promife n 'w require , that I take her fr in 
 you in ( affal to five her to him here in Vercely ; tr which effcEl l here fend my Coach and Serv >nt to 
 you for her, and defrre you to return her to me with your be ft prayers as Ifent her to you with my be ft 
 a jf Elion i And had not God now vi filed me with 1 cknefs , my ref lu i n for her return had not been 
 either fo fud ain or fo fieedy. V r your honourable care in adorning l er few years with fo many ex- 
 cellent v rt'ts an j f wee perfcElions , I k*ow not how deferve, much lefs how to requite, except tn my 
 Prayers and 0 ifons to God for his be ft favou s and graces to you and the be ft prof ferities and honours 
 to your S u : But if my age now cannot , 1 hop her youth hereafter will endeavour partly to free me of 
 that debt, and to acquit h rfelf of that ft r o”g obligation , till when as l \\>Hl not fail to f ive it a place 
 in my heart, Co l am fure will not fre like wife to allot it one in her remembrance : In which mean 
 time , I forget not my chiefeft ref pc Els fir ft to jour felf then to your Son . God give m all his Grace that 
 we may live * nd die his Servants . CASSINO. Now 
 
Hift. X^XIII. Soph id. and her wretched Son Alphonjo. 
 
 Now as C*JJi- os firft Letter to Sophia ( wherein he denied her Sen to marry h is Neece) ex- 
 ceedingly afticted and citlcontented her, fo this his fecond to her wherein he fo fuddenly Tends for 
 her away frr m her, doth extrcamly aftiid and toimenr her, and not only her, but likew fe her Son 
 Alfhonjo^ wh - is all in farrow, all in grief hereat: For now they fear that their hopes of this 
 young Lady arc fiuftrared, and fhe according to her Uncle’s report in his Letter is contracted to 
 fome^GalUnt cf Vnctllj : When Alphonfo again laying before his Mother the fervency of hi« af„ 
 feCt ion to Eleanor a and reprefeuting unto her the extremity of the grief and mifery. which her re- 
 fufalof him, andhislofsof her, will occafnn him; he with fighs and tears again and ag:in entreats 
 his M ther tofeek out fome cure for this hi$difconfoIation,and that fhe will pleafe once more to try 
 her c'niefeA w its and invention to change E Icanor a s refufal, and her Uncle Caffino's denial of him 
 to b.‘ her Husband : when at lafi his Mother being much moved and induced with thefe his forrow- 
 ful palfions and importunities, fhe before her departure doth her felf break this motion for her Son 
 to her, wherein her wit and age Lets upon the innoccncy and fimplicityof her youth, with the 
 fweeteli Oratory and moft delicious fpcechesand perfwafions, which potflblyflie could invent ; 
 but fhe finds her Art to be Ignorance, and her FJoquencc folly therein. For Eleanor a is (as 
 youn° as fhe is,) deaf to her req iefls, and dumb to her entreaties and perfwafions ; returning 
 contempt to the firfi, and little deafnefs to the fecond, and difdain to both-; fo as in deteflation of 
 his Cute, and envy of bis affection, fhe will no more hear the Mother for the Sons fake, nor fee 
 the Son for his Mothers fake. When yet again, although Sophia defpair of the Neece, yet fhe 
 will once more make father trial of her Uncle Caflino> flattering her felf with this hope, and her 
 hope with this conceit, that bis pretence of precontracting her to another, might be but only a 
 policy cf his to try her Son's affcCtion in his conftancy towards his Neece, and her own zeal in her 
 perfeverancc thereof towards himfelf : Wnen feeing (Brcak-fafl being ended) the Coach prepared, 
 and 8 lea 0 ra ready to depart, (h t betakes her toherClofet, where taking ‘pen and paper, fhe 
 haftilvfcribles out a few lines, and fealing up her Letter, delivercth it privately to Eleanor*, 
 whom fhe fecretly prayeth, and effectually conjureth to deliver it carefully to her Unde Cajjino 
 at her commits to V* ctlj y which this young Lady confidently promifeth her, when likewife tak- 
 ing her own Coach, fh .and her Son conduct her three or four miles in h.r way, where the Mo- 
 ther with many furred f^eches and complements, and the Son wirh many amorous fighs regards 
 and kiffes, take their leave of her * they returning to <>/*/, and fhe driving away to her Uncle 
 Ca/Tino at fiercely who receives her with much joy, and welcomes her with infinite gladnels and 
 humanity • to whom (he delivering the Lady Sophia's Letter, he hafhiy breaking up the feals there- 
 
 of, finds therein Ihis Language. ^ p H , ^ CASS.NO. 
 
 Efore liras fo happy to a n fw e r your fir (l Letter, your fecond -which now calls home your Neece 
 -■ row me, makes nw a atn d ub/c-unfortunate : Neither do I hold it your ref olution, but rather 
 jourpleaf re, or at leafl you' policy, in thinking <o make me believe you have formerly contracted her 
 to another. I will not fay. but that fhe deferves my Sons be ters in m a rriage;but thus much J will peak 
 f.,r him out of mi kn»wledg of his aftdion, and confidence of his z.eal towards her, that in heart and 
 lout he is a perfeff honourer of her Venues, a,id a true admirer of nr Beauty Yea, and no way t» 
 
 B 
 
 Death at ier command-. Think, uotthen foflightlyof him, whotbinkj fofrtoufly and Sncerelyof 
 her . and this if re you - felf, that if you will giv her to hem in mar tage, / will give nothing which 
 t the world from Urn. In obedience to jour reqttefl and order , J now fend you your Ne ce. 
 
 1 eni y in the world from him. In obedience to your requefl and order , I now \end you 
 an Ham fun that her proficiency as her flay, hath been J fmall with me m Cafial, as it neither do- 
 ftrvet herdeht or yiur obigatioi, your requital or her remembrance. My Son was do fir out to h ,ve 
 vifited you with this Letter, bur that J commanded his Pen ani refolution herein to fi/ence : And n>t- 
 withltand'ng all your prayers for his pofpritv, / am a fared he is more your real Servant than you as 
 yet are his intended f tend, 'od b/efs your felf and my Son, your Neece and mj felf -and make us all the 
 
 lovers o f his Grace, and the heir • of his Glory. . S< ? 
 
 Caffiso upon the perufal of this Letter, perceiving that the Lady Sophia and her Son tsll- 
 thonfo where fofar from giving over their fute to his Neece Eleanora, as they now proiecu ed 
 it w,th more importunity and violence than before ; be not only calls her refped towards 
 him but her diferetion in her felf inqueftion, to fee that (he is incredulous mac he at l pre- 
 contrafted her, or that his former Letters to her in that behalt .are not worthy of her belief 
 and confidence: Whereupon being fee fib! e of a kind of dif-refpedJ and w r ong, whereof (lie 
 had voluntarily nrde her felf guilty towards him, in the paffage of tats bufinefs and abto- 
 lutely refufing tohearken to, or entertain anyother parley, andto tocaft away his Necce on 
 ' 1 Xx a ' ,nc 
 
God's Revenge againji Mnrtber. Book V. 
 
 the vicesand prodigalities c,f her Sod, He arming hispenwnh difcontent and cholcr, returns her 
 this peremptory anfwer, which he covenanted and refolves with himiclf, fliall be the very laii that 
 he vvill either write, or fend to her in this nature. 
 
 C ASSINO to SOPHIA. 
 
 T Had well hop'd ttd thought, that jour ifttion and judgm nt would have decnterlmy fo-mcr L lt - 
 *tcrstojou (in contraViingmy Netce) to he currant, not arntt rfeit , yea, to be the pure truth, and 
 the fore no way my policy to inform you of the contrary • fir fuck procudmg to any one , efpecia/ly n 
 your fe/f (whom J fomuch re- peblfi’ your Birth aid honour for four vert net J ar m unwotthy o] me, 
 at l am a. dwt. 1 be ignorant o] them: As fw yo. r Son, i is repeal to my Netce, or hie effeflionto her 
 ft mice in the way of Marriage ; if it be as pure and ferve t as you affirm it, (he k. the more bound to 
 him-, but I ttotwitbft andiug, the left to your felfyi* that y it mdeavour to n . kj me an enemy to my fclf 
 and to mine own honour , which next to my Soul h the beft part of n.y fe/f, i n pet J wading me to taf. her 
 from a Gentleman , to whtm(by faith and pr . nil ft J have foitmnly given h r-,and as this tt as n,yfi (I, 
 foit ffiad bemy lafl refohuionand anfwtrtoyou-, which J effure you 1 write m flight ty i but (oufe 
 your own words ) ferioufly and Imcerely : 7 btrefort J tharf you ft imyefir.g file nee to y ur Sons pen. 
 And if you will henceforth hkewife prefcribe the fame Law to your own herein , I will taltj i t both fora 
 Coi-rtefie and , refp [l from you ; ml yin an, other matter w' at f sever that y u will thin h we capable to 
 ffead lim , or f eve you, ycur will and p/eafure fhall be my L«w, and your Letters fh»ll receive mny 
 rtf pith and kyffes from mee. I ha e received my Neect\ ana her tongue, and mine eye and ear informs 
 me, howmuci n>e both are bound to you f r pour care, and her profcienci* in Caflal , the which my 
 Age and her Tout h will expo fe toUfury before 1 have the honour to pay ycuthe principal, and fheethe 
 interejl thereof. God ever blefs j oh and your Sin Alphonfo, and give yiu no lefs joy ana honour if 
 him , then I hope and dc/ire to find in mine own Neece JEleanora. 
 
 CASSINO. 
 
 The Lady Sophia grieves, and her Son eAlphonfo ftorrr es at the receipt of th's unkind Letter from 
 Ceffimo whereby they lee their hopes of his Ncece Eleanor a revoked and fruftra ed ; and although 
 this his flat refufal made her of opinion no more to flu or intermcdcle herein, yet (as Lovers -re im- 
 patient of denials and delayes) fomc three weeks after, he prayes hi-- Mo.her tc tide over to fiercely, 
 again to prove Caffmo , and likewife to motion (again) and folici'e it to Ele a *ora, hoping that her 
 prefence may purchafe that which her Letters cannot procure ; and he. is very ddi.'cus andwillno 
 to accompany her himfelf. His Mother Sophia grants both hisrequefls; they arrive to V.rcely, 
 where the Mother courts the Uncle, and the Son theNeece; and although they find exceeding 
 great Cheer and noble Entertainment, yet in the point of their bnfinefs, wnich is A 'pbor.jSg Car- 
 riage to El ano a, they find themfelvesloft, and their futeinvain, andfo they are a forced to 
 return to C offal with their definitive fentence of Denial, which makes her to bite the lap, and infi- 
 nitely grieves and exafperates her Son ; fonowhee again cafts off i he Cloak of Vertu.-, and far 
 vvorfe than ever, flies to his old vices and fins, which his Mother with her fwcetperlwa (ions and 
 retnonftrar.ee* can no longer retain or conceal, efpecially from his Whoring and Drunkennefs : yea, 
 and which is moft lamentable and deplorable, he will nolonger ferve God, either abroad or at 
 home: for he forfake* the Church, and wholly abandonetb that fweet and Heavenly vertue of 
 Prayer, which is the fpititual food and life of the Soul. His Mother, Sophia exceedingly weeps and 
 grieves hereat. but how to remedy it fhe knows not : For his difcontent hath made him fo vicious, 
 his vices focbflimte, and his cbflinacy fo outragious and violent, as his Mother furfeits with his 
 Love-fute to Eleanor a, and will no more intermeddle with it. He prayes and reprayesher to 
 make one Journey mere for him to V wly to fee what alterations time may have wrought in the 
 hearts of Caffmo and Eleanora ; but fhe is as averfe and wilful, as he is obftinate and peremptory : 
 And therefore confhntly vows, neither to write, nor ever to confer more with them herein. Eut 
 this refolute anfwer of the Mother breeds bad blood in the Son, yea it mikes a Mutiny io his 
 thotighis,a Civil War inhisHeart, and a flat Rebellion in his refolutions againft her for thefame, 
 to which the Devil f the Arch-enemy, and Incendiary of cur Souls ) blows the Coals; For 
 he who heretofore looked on his Mother with obedience and affection, cannot for at leaft will 
 not) fee her now but with contempt and malice ; yea, he is fo devoid of Grace, andfo exempt 
 of Gnodnefs that he looks from Charity to Wrath, from Religion to Revenge, from Heaven 
 to Hell, andfo refoivcs to murtherher, thinking, with himfelf, that if hehadoRcedifpicbtber, 
 he Avoid then be foie Lord of all her wealth, and that then this his great and abfolute Eftate 
 would f<on induce C afftno ard Eleanora, to accept of his affeftion : But he reckons without 
 his Soul and wrhoutGod* and therefore no marvel if thefebis bloody hopes deceive and be- 
 tray him. His Religion and Confcience cannot prevail with him, neither hath his Scul either 
 grace or power enough t 0 divert him from this fatal bufinefs, and execrable refolution, for he 
 
 will 
 
Hilt. XXIII. Sophia, and her n>r etched Son A Iphonfo . 
 
 will be fo internal a Monger of Nature, as toatft her death of whom he received his 'life. He 
 coafults with himielf, and the Devil with him, whether he fhould ftab or poyfon her: but 
 he holds it far more fafe and Id's dangerous, to ufe the Dng than the Dagger; and fo 
 concludes upon poyfon; to which end he being refolute in his. rage, thustomakc away his Ma- 
 ther, he as an execrable Villain (or indeed rather as a Devil ) ptoviaes hitnfclf' of poyfon, the 
 which be Hill carries about nim, wai ting for an opportunity, to give an end to this deplorable hufi- 
 nefs, the which the Devil very fhortly adminiftreth him : The manner, thus. 
 
 This refufal of Sophia to her Son A phonfo and his miferabh rclapfe to Whoredome, Drunken- 
 nefs, and negleft of Prayer, doth exceedingly diftemper the Lady Sophia his Mother’s fpirits* 
 and they her body, fo that (he is three dayes lick of a burning- Feaver ; when to allay the fervour 
 of that unaccuftomed heat, fliecaufcth iome Almond*m:lk tobemideher, the which fhe com- 
 poundeth with many cool herbs and other vvholfome Ingredients of that nature and quality, which 
 (he takes three times each day, at morning, *fter dinner- and before (he goes to Bed : So the third 
 day of her ficknefs, walking in the afternoon in one of the fhaddowed Allies of her Garden with 
 , her Son, and there with her bett advice reifying anddire&ing his rcfolutions from Vice to Ver- 
 tue, (heisuoexpe&cdly furpnfed with thefympteme of her Feaver, when fitting down, andcau- 
 fing her waiting Maid to hold her Head in one of the Arbours, fhe prayes her fon Alphonfo to run 
 to her Chamber, and to bring her a fmall wicker Bottle of Almond-milk, the which he doth, but, 
 bloody Villain that he is, nothing can withold him ( but his heart being tempered with inhumani- 
 ty and cruelty) hefirft pours in his Poyfon therein, and then gives it her, who, goody Lady, 
 drinks two great draughts thereof ; when a fwcat prcfently over-fpreadiog her face, and fhe begin- 
 ing to look pale, he ( as a wretched Hypocrite ) makes a loud out-cry from the Garden to r the 
 Jfoufe, and calling their fervants to her affiftancc, he likewife calls for a Chair, fo fhe is brought 
 to her Chamber, and laid in her Bed, and within few hours after f as a vertuous L *dy and inno- 
 cent Saint ) fheforlakes this Life and this World fora better, and rhe ignorance of her Servants, 
 and her bloody Son ( drench'd as it were in the rivoiets of his feigned tears, together with his ex- 
 ceflive lamentation^) do coffin her dead body up fomewhat privately and fpcedtly, f > that there 
 is no thought nor fuf. ition of Poyfon ; and 'bus was the lamentable Muriher, and deplorable end 
 of this wif and religi us Lady S pbia committed by her own wretched and infernal Son. 
 Now this Devil Alphonfo ( to frt the better luftre on his forrows, and the berrer varniffi and 
 colour on h s mourning for the death of his Mother) gives her a (lately Funeral • the pomp 
 and co ft whereof, not only equdizoid, but exceeded their rank and quality : For he lefr no 
 Gentleman or Lady in or about Cafal uninvited to be at her Burial, and his Fcift 5 , and digh- 
 ted himfclf and *11 hisKinsf Iks and Servants in mourning attire, thereby the better to carry 
 off the leaft reflexion or (haddow of fufpition from him of this his foul and inhumane Mar- 
 thcr. 
 
 The news of the Lady Sophias death, runs from CaJJal to Vtrc?lj y where Caffino and his Neecc 
 Eleanor a underftanaing (hereof, they both of them exceedingly lament and forrovv for it, in re- 
 gard (he was a very honourable, wife, and religious Lady, and to whom the tender youth of E- 
 leanora was infinitely beholding and indebted for many of her fweet vertues and perfe&ions : fo 
 that as her U> clc honoured her ; fo this his Neecc held her fetf bound to reverence her, as mak- 
 ing her eminent and lingular vertues the mould and pattern whereon (he framed all her ecrrcftrial 
 comportments and actions : which in few months after were fo many, and fo excellent, that as 
 (he was known to be one of the moft beautiful, fo fhe was likewifc juftly reported to be one of the 
 wifeft young Ladies of all that City and Country, which together with her ow-. great Eftate, as 
 alfo that of her Uncle C^Jfmo\ to the full enjoying whereof ( in contemplation of her vertues 
 and confanguinity ) he had juftly both defignedand adopted her his foie Hit ; the which made 
 her to be fought in marriage by divers young gallants of very noble and chief houfi. s ; moft where- 
 of were fuperior to Alphonf$ t both in blood and wealth. When her Undeatlaft ( with her own 
 free affection and content) privately marries her to Seignior ElUronjmo Brafciano, a rich md 
 brave young Gentleman of V**rctlj y who was Nephew and Heir to the Bilhopot that City; but* 
 he being likewife very young, the tendernefs of both their ages difpenfed them from as yet lying 
 together; and both the Biftaop and her Uncle C4j?/w ( for fome important reafoiw heft known to 
 themfelves ) caufcd this their carriage as yet to be concealed from all the world with great privacy 
 and fecrecy ; he for the moft part living with the Bifhop his Uncle at the City of Tttrtn f which is 
 the Court of the Duke of Savoy ) and (he in ftraly with her Uncle Cajfino : only they vifit each 
 other with their Letters, which is all the familiarity that as yet they arc permitted to reap and re- 
 ceive each of other. 
 
 And here the true order of our Hiftory calls us again, Co fpeak of this degenerate ana de- 
 bauched Gentleman Alphonft , who had no fooner embrued his guilty hands in the inno* 
 
 Xx j een« 
 
542 
 
 
 
 
 
 God's Revenge againfl IVlurlher. Book V. 
 
 cent blood of rhe Lady Sophia iiis Mother ; but he then without arty farther lbew of forrew, or 
 fi u hr, or fenfeof repentance for the fame, again defpcrately abandorethhimfelf toall old vices 
 and prodigalities, flaunting it out in brave apparel ( for his mourning weeds he fpeedily cad off) 
 and fwimming as it were in the vaft Ocean of all his carnal Delights, ard worldly Pleafures, and 
 Senfualities, never thinking of Religion or Prayer, but paffeth away whole dayes and nights, 
 yea confumcth whole weeks and months in all licentious riots, apd exceffive prodigalities with his 
 debauched Companions and Strumpets, which began to drewn bis Eftate, and to devour his Lancs 
 apace: And in the heat and ruffle of thefe his jovial follies and exorbitant intemperaccies he be- 
 thinks himfelf again of the wealth and beauty of the young Lady Ehanora, ar.d fo ( in the vani- 
 ty of his conceits, and the imbecillity of bis judgement) flattering himfelf, that being now 
 Lord of all his deceafed Mothers Lands, and Wealth, her Uncle Cojfir.o -could not refufe to give 
 her him in Marriage, not fo much as once dreaming or remembring how plainly and peremptorily, 
 both he and fhehad formerly given him the repulfe: To which effeft he dights himfelf and his 
 fr lowers in exceeding rich Apparel, and (with a train too worthy of himfelf ) he rides over to 
 V>rctlj , and there becomes a moft importunate Sutcr, both i6C*JJi> o and Eleanora ; firflfeeking 
 her, and then courting her Unde for her : But all in vain, for he puts him off with difrefpeft, 
 and fho reje&s him with difdain 5 and when yet they fee, that his importunacy herein paffeth the 
 bounds of reafon, andexceedeth the limits cf diferetion and civility, then Cajfmt tells him plain- 
 ly that his’Neecc is married ; and that therefore ( in that confideration ) he forbids him his houfe 
 and her company; which point of difeourtefie, and ( as Alphonfo tearms it ) ofdifbonour to him, 
 he takes in fo ill "pirt frem Cajfino , that exchanging his reafon into rage, and forgetting h : mfelf to 
 be a man, or. which is more a Gentleman, or which is moll of all a Chriflian, he again flrikts 
 hands and agrees with the Devil, and for mper defpight and rag'c vows that he will mnrther Caf- 
 fino: The Devil making him flrong in the vanity of this belief and confidence, that this fpeech 
 and fuggeftion of his, that his Neece Eltar.ora is married, is but fabulous and falfe, and that 
 if he were once dead, he could not impeach or hinder him from in joying the fair and rich Elea- 
 nor a to his Wife, which is the fame prodigious bait and lure whereby Sathan formerly drew, and 
 betrayed him to poyfon his Mother : The Devil Hill fo clolcly over-vailing his Confcience 
 and Soul, and fo eclipfing, and winking his undemanding and judgement, that as his hand, 
 fo his heart is inured, and obdurated to the effufion of ir.nccem bl ,od, and therefore he will 
 not retire with grace, but onwards with impiety to the fini (Ring of -this cruel Murther of C«ffino\ 
 and although he had an itching defire, and an hellifh ambition Iikewife toefted it byP yfon, 
 yet in regard he was denied accefs to his houfe and compary, as alio for that he was unacquainted 
 with any Apothecary or Phvfitian of Vtrctly, he therefore refclves with the Devil to do it by a 
 Car., bine, which many times by night he wore and carried about him. There is nothing eafier 
 than to do evil ; and as it is the nature, fo it is the policy of Sathan, as well to furnilRus with 
 the means, as the matter thereof : For when we call our felvts from Malice to Revenue, and 
 from Revenge to Murther, he then makes us induftrious, firfi in the contriving, and "then in 
 the execution thereof ; but in the end God will fo ordain, that this hellifh policy ftiall turn to mi- 
 fery. 
 
 A!fhonfo‘s malice againll Caffwo will give no peace to his thoughts : fo he informs himfelf, that 
 every morning and evening be. is accuftomed to walk alone in his Garden, for ah hour or two'in his 
 fpiritual Meditations, and therefore he thinks this a fit place ( from fome adjacent houfe or win- 
 dow ) to (hoot at him ; when being Iikewife allured, that there was a poor fmall Tavern ( not 
 much frequented with company ) that lay fomewhat neer and commodtous to CaJfi„o’s Garden, he 
 refolvsto make choice of that, and there to give end to this bloody bufinefs, which his heart fo 
 much defireth ; fo, abandoned by God, and guided and conduced by the Devil, he about fix of 
 the clock in the evening rides thither, and tying up his Horfe to the door, he io a difguifed futeef 
 ^pparel, pretending there to flay for a friend of his, which promifed to come thither to meet him 
 *1, and having purpofely Cent away his Servants before him to Cajfal } he goes up into the Chamber, 
 callsfor Wineandfomcthingtoeat, the better to favour and colour out his ftaythere, when bolt- 
 ing the Chamber- door to him, he ( putting afide the paper Cafemeots, which they ufe in Itdj to 
 expel the fervency of theSun) fromthence ( according to bis former intelligence,) plainly per- 
 ceives C Jfmo walking in his Garden with his Hat in one hand, and his Breviary (or Prayer- 
 book, wberein he read< ) in another: with which he was as bufie with God in his mediations and 
 devotions, as he was with the Devil in charging his Carrbine with a brace of Bullets, and dref- 
 fing of his Fiie-Iock, and priming of his powder-touch-hole ; when, without the leaf! fpark 
 
 V.' . of 
 
Hift. X A III. Sophia, and her wretched Son Alphonjo. 
 
 of “race, or fear of God, or his punishments, he lets fly at him ; and the Devil had made him 
 fo expert a Markf man* that, as Cafflno was foftiy camming on, walking towards the Window; 
 wherein he fecretly and fceleroufly flood, both the bullets htt him right in the breft, at a lit I e be- 
 low the left Pap, whereof this hartr.elefs and religious old Gentleman Caff no tell presently ocad to 
 the “round, and none being in the Garden with him (wherein 1 myfelf have lince fcme:imes 
 been) Icoulfl not underftand, that he had the power or happinefs to (peak a word: Bucweflufl 
 fee that this inhu'mane and bloody murtherer, (hall not go far before the Judgments of God will 
 furprife and overtake him. The manner whereof is thus: 
 
 As foon as Alphonjo had given this bloody blow, and feen Cafflno fall dead to the ground, he 
 unbohin” the Chamber, presently refolves to take horle and fly a way, but God ordained the con- 
 trary : For as he had again put up his Carabine into his belt, God prefently (truck him into a ftu- 
 pefied [worm, whereof falling tothe ground, the noifeof his fall, the report of his Carabine, 
 
 " and the ratling of his Sword and it, prefently invited the people of the houfc below, to fee what 
 had bcfaln above to this Gentleman, where finding him groveling and gafping for life, they fby 
 „Gods immediate direction) dotninkthat he hath there (hot ami murthered himfelf ; whende- 
 ' veftin® him of his Apparel, and laying him in bed to fearch for his wounds, they find none ; but 
 yet it « an hour before they perceive any motion, or a&ion of life in him. And then opening, 
 his eyes, he with adiflradted look and amazed countenance deeming himfelf upon the very point 
 of death ; and that for his murthering of C a ft no, the Lord in his judgment bad infallibly ftruck- 
 en him with fudden death, he finding this foul and bloody ad of his, to lye heavy upon his foul 
 and confcience, in this hit Scene ( as he then thought; of bis life, he (rather raving than 
 fpeak'mg ; in the heat of his madnefs and diftra&ion, crycs out again and again, that he had mur- 
 thered Cafftm : The which the people of the houfe are exceedingly aftonifhed to underftand. 
 And now by this time Cajfxo is found dead in the Garden, a id (hot through with a brace of Bul- 
 lets. So bis Neece Eleanor a is all in tears hereat, and all Fercelj refounds of this his lamentable 
 murther. When Caffno's friends and fervants make fpeedy fearch for the Murtberer, and finding 
 a Horfe tyed to tbit little Tavern door, they find the Man, Wife, and Servants thereof ioout- 
 cryes and amazement: So they afeend the flairs, find Alphonjo in bed, with his Carabine by him 
 on the Bench , and his clothes on the Table, and examining the people of the Houfe, they report to 
 them this fuddain accident of his fwooning, and therein of his oonfeffion of the murthering of 
 Caff, no ; fo they all praifeandglorifie God, in that they have/fo foon, and fo readily , found out the 
 
 inhumane Author and Aftor' of this bloody Murther. , _ , n a ■ ■ u 
 
 But here before I proceed farther,, I ( in the name and fear of God) do requeft and invite the 
 Reader to take notice of another remarkable (I may fay miraculous ) circumflance of Gods mer- 
 cy and “lory which likewife appears in this detection and confeflionof Alphonjo , to be the cruel 
 murtberer of this innocent, harmlefs Gentleman Caff, no ; for he being no better than diftraCted 
 of his wits before God hadcaufed and brought him toconfefsit, which elfe he had never done, 
 but that in the a“ony and arxietv of his ftupefied fpirits, he (as I have formerly faid ) thought 
 himfelf on the point and brink of death, and no (haddow of hope left him, either of this life or 
 this World- Then, I fay, as foon as he had confefl'ed it, God in his good pleafure and provi- 
 dence prefently reflored him again to bis perfea health, flrength, and memory, fo that being put 
 in mind, and again remembring his confelfi n, and feeing the .mmmency of his danger by the 
 Defence of Caff no s friends and fervants, who were there present about his Bed, to apprehend 
 and carry him away to Prifon for the fame ; he now with tears and bitter oaths, and curfes, de- 
 clines and recants what he hath formerly fpoken thereof, and rather as the Devil than a Chriflian, 
 in lofty and proud, fpecches ftandsupon the terms of his juftification, alledging and affirming to 
 them farther, that what he had formerly confefl'ed, or faid to them, concerning the murther of 
 Cafflno proceededfrom the diftemperature of his heart and brains, in th|t of his dittra6tioo, or 
 elfe from the delufions and temptations of the ( )evit, and no otherwise. But hi. own confeffion, 
 the teftimony of thofe of the houfe who heard it, and the refl ot the preemptions and c.rcum- 
 flances are fo pregnant and apparent that he is the undoubted murtberer of Cajfnon they believe 
 /not what he now fays in his own behalf and Apology, orthat it .s any way the delufions of the De- 
 vil but the good pleafure of God. which brought him to this detedion and conviflion of him- 
 felf for the fame : So they being deaf to bis requefts and Oaths, they enfoce him 10 draw rnh:s 
 apparel and then by order of the criminal Judges, they that night commit him to Pnfon, 
 where the Devil hiving brought him, he now leaves him to himfelf. and to his own tnifery 
 and confufion, which it is to be bd eved, that the Lord hath ordained fhail fpeedily befall 
 
 him. 
 
God's Revenge againfl Mur t her. Book V. 
 
 The next morning this Monlier of Nature Alfhonfo , is called to his arraignment, where being 
 by his Judges, charged with this foul murther, the Devil hath as yet fo obdurated his ticarc as 
 he not only denies it, but contefts againft it with vehemcncv and execrations. So the Vintner 
 3Dd his Wife, and Servants, arc produced againfi him as witnelfcs, who acknowledg andconfcfs 
 his own confeffion thereof, as alfothe report of his Car bine, and the vicinity of their houfe 
 and profpttft from the Chamber wherein he was, to C< ffwo s Garden, wherein as he was walking 
 he was fhot to death. When the mournful and forrowful young Lady Eltatora, is likewife 
 brought forth as awitnefs agsinft him, who informes his Judges, that Alfhonfo was a mold im- 
 p rtunate Sutor to her, both in his Mother’s houfe a; C*ffat, as alfo at her decealed Uncle’s boufe 
 herein Fcrcdj • adding withal, that (in bar heart and foul ) fhe verily believes him to be the' 
 muttherer of her faid Uncle. But Hill he denies it with choler and indignation .* Whereupon, the 
 pr lumptions and circumfiances hereof, being more apparent to his Judges, than the khowledg 
 of this truth, they adjudg him to the Rack, where, at the very firft torments thereof , he with 
 tears confeffcth it ; and God is now fo merciful to his foul, as he feems to be very forrowful and 
 repentant thereof.* So they feeing him guilty, pronounce fentence againft him, the next day to 
 have his head cutoff for the fame, and that night the judges ( out of their honourable zeal to 
 charity and piety ) fend him feme Friers to prifon to him, to dired his foul to Heaven ; who wil- 
 ling him to disburthen bis conlcience and foul of any other capital crime, which he mi- hr have 
 committed in all theccurfeof his life, to the end that it might not hinder her pafVage and tranf- 
 migration from Earth to Heaven 5 He then and there reveals them, how be had alfo formerly pov- 
 fonedhis own Mother, the Lady Sophia, at Cafal ; for the which he likewife craved abfolution 
 both of them and God. Whereat his Judges are exceedingly amaz’d and a/lomfh’d, to fee a 
 Gentleman fo degenerate, inhumane, and bloody, as to be the death of his own Mother, of 
 wh m formerly he had received his life. 
 
 The day foliowing ( according to his fentence) Alfhonfo is brought to the place of executi- 
 on, clad in a black fute of Silk Grograin, and a falling Band, where amending theScaffold, and 
 drawn to much humility and contrition, by his fecular Pricfts and Friers, he in prefence of a “teat 
 concourfe of people, there made this fliort fpeecb. Tbatthefe two murthers of his, and efpe- 
 cially that of bis own Mother, the Lady Sofkia, werefo odious in the fight cf God’ and Man, 
 that he acknowledged, he no longer defer ved to tread on the face of the Earth, or to lookup to 
 Heaven. That he knew not juHly, whereunto to attribute this infamy and mifery of his, but to 
 his continual negledf and omiffionof prayer, whereby he baniflied himfelf from God, and there- 
 by give the Devil too great in interelf over his body and foul ; that he defired God to forgive him, 
 thefe his two foul and bloody crimes of Murther, as alfo that of his negletSof Prayer ; and fo 
 (with tears in hiseyes) befought all who were there prefect, likewife to pray unto God forhim: 
 When again befeeching the vertoous young Lady Eltanora, to forgive him the murther of hes 
 good old Uncle Cajf,no y he often making the fign of the Crofs, and recommending himfelf into 
 the hands of his Redeemer, bad the Execihioner do his office, who ptefently with his Sivord fe- 
 vered bis head from his body, and both were immediatly burnr, and the allies thrown into the Ri- 
 ver of Ticmo s without the walls of ^crer/y, althoughhis Judges were once of opinion, tofendhis 
 faid head and body to C A S S A L, for the Judges cf that place to do their pleafure therewith, 
 for there poyfoning of his own Mother, the Lady Sofhit. 
 
 And thus was themiferable (and yetdeferved) death and end, of this bloody and execrable 
 Gentleman Alfhonfo , and in this fort did the judgments and punilbments of God befall him ’> For 
 thefe his two moH inhumane, and deplorable Murthers. May God of his infinite grace and 
 mercy, ttill fortifie and confirm our faith by conftant and continual prayer ( the want whereof 
 was the fatal Rock whereon heperiflied) thatfo vvcmayfccure ourfclvesin this World, and 
 our fouls in that to come. 
 
 GOD’s 
 
HiHXXIV. 
 
 CQahnJ} s* la X\atirre 
 
 la Prat ter t 
 
 Val/gntain. jrtryfomd 
 
 ALzriet'a- 
 
 nac'k trafo .Ht'ritfa wtrttsr/ 
 
 cxrcutuTi 2. ^ 
 
 GOD’s. Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XXIV. 
 
 Pont Chaufey h$s La Roche in a Duel . Quatbriflon caufeth 
 foy fori his own Brother Valfontain* Moncallier after falls , and 
 Stairs. Quatbriffon lil^ewife cauftth his Father's Miller , Pierot , 
 ricta in her Bcd y and to throw her Body into the Mill-Fond. Pierot 
 IVheef and QyatbrifTon firfi beheaded, then burnt for the fame . 
 
 W E may truly affirm, That the World is in her wane, whe 
 practice of Chriftians, which indeed is the proper office 
 ijucntly thofe woful accidents happen, we cannot think of, but w 
 member, but with grief of mind, and compaffion ot heart : for, * 
 wilful Traitors and Rebels to God, to violate his Divine Maje 
 aiid refembhnee? yca f isit not the high-way of Hell ? But t 
 fuch Monfters of Nature, read we but thisenfuing Hiftory 
 innocent blood died, we know not whether more wilful! 
 
 urther is become the 
 e DeviHand how fre- 
 i nor re- 
 ake our felves 
 his true Image 
 ot outproduced* 
 ill inform us of much 
 dly. 
 
 It is not unknown* that the Province of Little Eritfain wa&^fong fince) annexed and uni- 
 ted to the flouriffiing Kingdom of France , by the/narriage mi Charles the Eighth, with Anne 
 the young Dutchefs thereof, not withftandmg that (he was Formerly contra&cd to Maxi- 
 milian( Arch-duke of Attjlria); where wc fhall underftand,that in the City of Vannes- formerly 
 the Court and Rtfidence of thofe BrmijkDukesjthere of late years dwelt a NoblcGeitfl.eman 
 (of rich Dcmains and Re venues ^termed Monfnur de Cagrjlaing, who by his Wile Msdamoyftlle 
 
 Y y k 
 
34‘6 
 
 Gods Revenge againft Murther . Book V. 
 
 dele Ville Blanche , had two Sons, the eldeft named by his title , Monfieur de Quatbriffon > and 
 the youngeft, Monfieur dc Valfontaine. The firft aged of t wenry tour years, being (hort and cor- 
 pulent * the lecond of twenty, being tall and flenderv both of them brave and hopeful Gentle- 
 men, as well in their outward perlonages* as in the inward perfections and endowments of 
 their minds : for in all refpe&s, the care and afledtion of their Parents had made their edu- 
 cation anfwerabie to their births. Valfontaine (forthetnoft part ) lived in the City of Nantes 
 (the fecond of that Dutchy ) with an Unkle ot his, named Monfieur de Manficy being Prelident 
 of the King’sChamber of Accounts which is kept therc^who frequenting thcBallsor publike 
 Dancings fwherhinto the youth of F ranee are generally addicted) amongft many other ex- 
 cellent Beauties wherewith that City is graced & thofe paftim^s 6c meetings honoured > he 
 fees a young Gentlewoman (being a ftranger v & newly come, to the City ) lo infinitely rich 
 in the excellencies of nature, & the trealure of love lint fs& beauty, as (with a kind of impe- 
 rious commanding pewer) (he attraCts all mens eyes to behold, to admire, to aflcCt her. So as 
 although Valfontaine s youthful heart and years had never yet hooped or facririced to Love, 
 yet at the very firlt light of thisfweet young Gentlewoman, (whole name we (hall not go 
 far to know ) he cannot retain his enamoured eyes from gadding on the Rofes, 6c ranging on 
 the Lilliesoi her lweet complexion, nor his rciolutions from enquiring what her name and 
 her felt was* when being informed that fbe Was the only Daughter and Heir of a rich and 
 noble Gentleman, a Widower, termed Monfieur dsPennelle , ot the Parifh of Saint ArgnaWy 
 four leagues from the City, and her name Madamoyjelle la Pratierc , of the age ot tome kven- 
 teen ; he at the very light likes her fo well, and loves her fo decrly, that (it her interior vir- 
 tues come not too Ihortof her exterior beauty and feature ) he vows he will be her Sutor 
 and Servants i and fo he attempts to court and feck her for his Wife. 
 
 To which end he (more like a Tutor than a Pupil in the Art and School of Love) islo 
 far from neglcCbing any, as he curioully and carefully feeks all opportunities and occalions to 
 enjoy the felicity of her company, and fo (for the moll part) he ccmdu&s her to and from 
 the Dancings, Ins and talks with her in her Lodgings, meets her at Church , where as well 
 at Veffers as M^/>, he accompanies and prays with her i and briefly) (he can difficultly be 
 prelent any wnere, where he is long abtent from her : for by this time (which isfcarce a 
 month fince he tirlt law herjher peerlefs beauty, and unparallefd virtues and difcourfe,have 
 acted fuch amorous wonders in his heart, as he vows he muft either live her Husband, or dye 
 her Martyr.But iee the providence and pleafure of Gods for if Valfuntairte tendeny love our 
 fweet and fair La Pratkre , no lefs doth (he him; for knowing him to be the Son of his Father, 
 and therefore a Gentleman of noble extraction and worth , and feeing him to be wile , dif- 
 creet, and propers as alfo, remembringand marking, that he fervently and infinitely affc&s 
 herslhe is fo delighted with his neat feature and perfonage,& ravilhed with the melody ot his 
 difeourfe, as albeit at firft her tongue be fo civil and model* to conceal her affedtion from 
 him, yet her eyes (the Ambafladors of her heart) cannot but in dumb Eloquence, and filent 
 Rhetorick, bewray it him. So asfto omit the gifts, prefents,and efpeciaily the letters which 
 interchangeably paft between them) and which indeed powerfully aflifted to the fympathi* 
 fing and cimenting of their youthful aftediions, it fufficeth that we take notice and know- 
 ing , that V dlfontain’s prefence was La Prature’s delight sand the enjoying of her company, 
 his felicity and glory, and that (he in life and death would remain his obedient and faithful 
 Wife, and he her faithful and loving Husband , only fhe prays him carefully and relpeftiully 
 to conceal her afleCtion to him, 6c lb likewife to obferve her Father in feeking his content to 
 their marriage , the which he promifeth her fhortly to perform : for as foon as La Prature 
 hath left Nantes, and purpofely retired her felf home to her Father's houfe, at Sr. Argnarv y 
 Valfontaine \s not many days behind hers where he acquaints her Father Pennelle with his 
 affc&ion to his Daughter, feeks her in marriage, requefteth his confent, and with many rea- 
 fons fairiy and difcrcetly endeavoureth to induce him thereunto, where for three or four 
 days he takes up his lodging and residence, under pretence to court the Daughter, whom we 
 know he hath already won*, but his fuit is no way pleating , but diftaftful , to PemteBe s who 
 although he know that Monfieur de Caerjiaing his Father (as well for Lands as Bloody) is every 
 way rather his Superior than his Equalsyet becaufe his Daughter La Pratierc is his only child 
 and Heir, and Valfontaine but a Cadet (or younger Brother), therefore cove toufnefs makes 
 him affumc this rcfolution, that he will have none of him tor his Son-in-la w:but thisreafoa 
 and conclulion he conceals to himfelf, and fo (in general terms) gives Valfontaine a cold and 
 avcife an I wer, little better in effect than a flat denial : and thus tor his firft journey, Valfon - 
 tuine takes leave of his fweet La Pratiere , and no way doubting {but that his fecond to her 
 will prove lefs diftaftful, and more fortunate, he leaves Nar.teSy and rides home to Vannes. 
 
 Being 
 
H (I.XXIV. 
 
 Being arrived a tVannes, he acquaints his Father and M nher with his affedion and fuit to 
 Madamoyfellc La Pratierc , the only Dapgntcr and Heir ( as we have heard ) of A imfieur dc 
 TewteUe y of Saint Argnarv, whercunto (bkcaufe they knew him to be rich and noble, and his 
 Daughter fair and virtuous^) they give good approbation and allowance «> when Vulfontainc 
 praying his Father to ride over to h/lonfuur dc Pcnncllc ^ to confer with him about this bufinds, 
 whofe prefence, he hoped, will effect that with him, which he fears 6c knows his poor power 
 cannot.But his Father, although he be very glad to procure his Son’s adyancement and con- 
 tent by this Mitels yet being at the time much troubled with the Gout, he excufeth himfelf 
 upon hisownindifpoiition,6c ft) defers off the journey to another tin* e. Valfontain miffing of 
 hisFathcr, deems itrather expedient, than impertinent,to intreat hisbrother^^r/j(/o#; here- 
 in, to whom he fully relates what hath pait between Pcmicllc and himfctf,but withal, conceals 
 upon what terms he (lands with La Pratiere y or that (he is any way his, or he hers, either by 
 contra# or promife,to the end that he may have no juft caulc either to tax her immodefty, 
 or condemn her indifcretion,in fo fuddcnly giving hpr l'dfto Wivo^J^uatbriJfon very willingly 
 yeclds to hisBrothcr’s requeil>when( followed with a train and equipage aniwerable to their 
 rankand quality, and armed with their Father’s Letter to M^nfuur dc Penncllc) they take 
 horfe and ride to Saint Argnaxv. Now as it is the error ( or nature; of Lovers to be (till uri- 
 fecrct Secretaries, in delighting to talk and prattle of their M i It r cites , whom they efteem 
 their Soveraign good, and chit left felicity. So all the way between Cannes and Saint Argnaw^ 
 Valfontaine could neither refrain , nor reftram his tongue from painting tortn La Praticrt 
 in all the excellency of herpraifes, and from extolling her beauty and perfections above 
 the skies-, yea, he ran fo curious a divifion,and fo ample a comment on the wonders and rarity 
 of her beauty, that his verbal relation already prepared his Brother’s eyes to behold a female 
 Mafter piece o\ Nature in L * Prttkre, but being arrived to her Father’s Houfe(a little before 
 Dinner-time land feeing and ialuting liift him, then her, at the very hrft encounter 6c (ight 
 his (enfes are fo iurpiiicd with the iweetnefs of her countenance, and fo taken with therx- 
 quifitenefs of her feature, as he now finds that his Brother’s report and praifesofher,comc 
 infinitely (hort of the dignity and excellency of her beauty. 
 
 Dinner being ended, Jj^tatbriffon delivered his Father's Letter to Pennelle : with whom 
 making a flight and fupeiticial coniercnce concerning his Brother’s afledion and fuit to his 
 Daughter, he turns from him to her,who dying her milk-white checks with a rofeate bluft* 
 to entertain him, he raviftied with the delicacy of foamorousan encounter, 6c fweet objed, 
 could not likewife refrain from blufhing to fee her bluftv>when enquiring of her, it (he plea- 
 fed to take the air of the Garden ( where her Father and his Brother were already gone and 
 attended them), 8c (he replying that his pleafurc therein fhould be hers, he taking her by her 
 hand, conduds her thither, where Valfmtaint in civility purpofely walking aloor oft; becaufc 
 he hoped and allured himfelf, that his Brother Jgujtbrjjfon now meant eifcdually to (peak 
 with his Millrclsin his behalf, there being then no witnelfcs to their conterence,but only the 
 fweet QuiviftersoFthe woods (the Thruihesand Nightingals) who purpofely 6c plealantly 
 
 fate on every bu(h and tree, to delight them with their mellifluous melody i the very hrit 
 
 words he adminiftred and direded to her, was, That if (he plcafed to ( wear her tongue to fe- 
 crdie to what he (hould now fay 3c deliver to her, he would reveal her a fecret which (hould 
 infinitely import her good. La Pratia e( wondringat the nature of Qjjubriffon * s tirll fpecch 
 & rcqucftjSc what it might mean 6c concern^ftood a little while mute 6c fiknt, not knowing 
 what to conceive thereof, much lefs what to anfwcr thereto But at la ft confidering,that Kj/- 
 fontaine was her Lover, 6c guatbriffon his Brother,(he imagined there was fome plot (ccretly 
 compaded between them, that if her Father would not condefcend to their ddircs,that the y 
 had then refolved to (leal her away from him , and fo to make it a clandetline marriage : 
 Whereupon (her affedion being defirous to know the certainty hereof, and her curiofity am- 
 bitious to lee this abft rule myftery unlocked) (he grants him his requeft , vowing to impofe 
 iecrecy to her tongue in what he (hould deliver or entruft her with. When, he kilfeth her, 
 an d evaporating many fardetchd iighsfas the Heralds to proclaim his uffedion)he tells her. 
 That her incomparable beauty hath captivated his thoughts, 6c made his heart both her tri- 
 bunal, and her prjfoncr,that he envies his Brother’s happiuefs, in having the honour to fee 
 her before himfelf. That as he is his Superior in years, to he is in arfedion to hcr> 6c that he 
 knows his Brother is as unworthy of her, as himfelf worthily bellowed on her ; L* Ptaticr & 
 f whofe affedion and thoughts ran a dired contrary Ciriere , left dreaming of that 
 which (he is now enforced to underftand ) is fo afthfted , and wit hall lo incenled at 
 .thefeunexpeded fpeecfres of ^n 4 tbrijfon\ that (her pailion giving a law to her civility ) 
 
» Gods Revenge again ft Murtber. Book V. 
 
 catting a {how-white veil over her erimfoa cheeks, 6c bending her brow (in whofe furrows 
 it ieetned that diicontent and choler fate now triumphant ) her atfe<3ion is too linccreand 
 entire to Valfontaine , as (he returns his difeourteous Brother, this (hort and (harp 
 
 anfvt er Qnatbrijfonf quoth (he} to have offered this unkind nets of yours to your friend, had 
 been ignoble ingratitude* but to do it to your own Brother, can be no left than treachery.* 
 and therefore this know from me,that I ofteem your primogeniturefliip as inferior toValfon - 
 tains Vermes, as they are in all refpefts fuperiors to yours* and had you not tied and wedded 
 my tongue to filence, I would now prcfently publifbtt to the world, to the admiration and 
 deteftation of all good men * and fo(wit'h a look irtgeridred from eheflet, and derived from 
 difdain J(he haftrly & fuddenly trips away from him, leaving him alone in the garden to his 
 Mules* j&dtbrifoH bfting his lip at this (harp rcpuUtbfL^P^atkr^isyet *efolute not thus to 
 leave her*whcn hoping to find her Father more tra&able and propitious to his fuit, than his 
 Daughter, he feekshinf put, and in fair terms inforths hrrri of hisaflc&ion and love to her, 
 and that rnotwithttanding his Brother’s re-fearch of Her ^he him fell infinitely delirethher 
 to be his own wife. Oldf entitle (being more covctOiis df his Daughter’s Preferment , than 
 any way careful ot her content ) gives an attentive ah if jJlfcafmg'ear to this motion of Qwu* 
 brijfin, and is fo delighted with the melody of hisfpeexrhes , as already in heart he wilheth 
 her married to him * but how to anfwer or give content to Valfontaik, he knows not. 
 
 Now tfye better to effect, and to conipafs this match; fbfnuch wi(hed of ^natbriffotf^ and 
 detiredof Pemtclle, he (in the abftncc o i Valfontatn) fends for his Daughter into hisClofet, 
 fhews her what preferm ent and ha ppm £ (s is noiy offer’d her, if (he will torfake Volfontain, and 
 accept of hft elder Brother Quatbriffon for her Husband. LaPratiere \ both moved and grie- 
 ved with this her Father’spropofition andfpdechcsjytTy hambly beleechcth him, that if ever 
 he will relpeft her content, or regard her life, that Falfmdine may be her husband, and not 
 ^jtMj[)fa«,becaufe (he confeffeth ibe loves the younger brother, but that (he neither can nor 
 will aftedt the elder. Now although this her refoluteand obttinate anfwc 4 f,do exceedingly af- 
 fljdt and grieve her Father, yet hoping that a little time wil prove capable to draw her to his 
 defires, he fecretly bids ^uatbriffvn to ride hofrie toVannes to take his Brother with him, and 
 fhortly after to return again to Saint Argnaxc without him, and that he (hall find no caufe to 
 fear, or rCafoinodoubt, but that he (hall enjoy his Mifitdfs * the managing whereof , he 
 prays him to refer to his care in his ab/ehce.Thus weiec the Father and daughter differently 
 affeded* he loves and not Valfontaine ^ and (he Valfontaint f, but not QuatbnffoK> 
 
 who grieving ks much* at the Daughter’s refufal, as he* rejoyceth at her Father’s confent He 
 how venteth his maliceon the innocency, and his treachery on the integrity of his Brother, 
 by acquainting him, that he hath u(ed hjs befl power and art of folicitation towards Pemellcy 
 and that fie finds it impoffiblc to draw him to reafon: adding withall, that he is fo far from 
 Contenting that he (hall obtain his Daughter in marriage, as f upon the whole } in terms 
 enough clear and apparent, he future y denies him accefs to his houfe ; Wherefore Brother 
 (quoth hejfbecaufe I fee with grief that youftrive againft the ttream, and that in alladions 
 and accidents whatfoever, the (horteft errors are (fill beft , let us to morrow take horfe and 
 away, and let this indirterency be your refolution, That if God have decreed it (hall be a 
 match, it then wil be*otherwife not Valfontain's heart bleeds at Pennell's averfnefs & cruelty, 
 and his eyes overflow with tears, fo foon toforfake the fight and company of his Daughter, 
 of his dear and fair Miltrcfs La Praticre\ but being ignorant of all his Brother's palfages and 
 treacheries intended and meant towards him, he holds it folly to impugn or contradidl his 
 jSleafure, and fo refolves to leave Saint Argnaw , and depart home with him to Varner . 
 
 Our fair La Fratiere, feeing all things bent to crofs her defires, and her Valfontain's wifties, 
 (lie (out ot her tender affedfion to him (refolves to give him a private meeting and confer- 
 ence* when that very night(as her Father and his Brother were in their bcdsfoundly deep- 
 ing}fhe fends for him into her chamber, where feeing him extreamly penfive and forrowful, 
 (he bids him be cheerful and couragious* telft him, that he hath no reafon to defpair, but t$> 
 hope, (or that in life and death (lie will be his, and only his * and then informs him, that in- 
 ttantly upon his arrival to Fanner, (he will write and fend him a Letter, wherein (he wil J ac- 
 quaint him with the palfage of a bufinefs, whereof he neither Can conceive or dream* «onju- 
 ting him now to enquire no farther what it is, for that her tongue was enjoined to fecrefie, 
 and (worn to (Hence* and fo ( with much chat, and more,ktffes ) he giving her a Diamond- 
 Ring (torn his fingers, and (he him a pair of Pearl-Bracelets trom her arms, in token o i 
 their mutual conftancy and atfediion each to ocher, they (infinitely againft their minds jare 
 enforced to take leave each of other, and thefucceeding morn being come, the two Bro- 
 thers prepare and dilpofe themlelves for thtfr journey. 
 
 When 
 
Hill. XX IV. Volfontain and La Prattere. 
 
 When breakfaft ended, according as it was concluded betwixt Vennclle and QuatbriJfw.PeH- 
 Helle takes Valfontain afide to a window, and in (hort terms prays him hexicelorth to lorbcar 
 hishoufe, and refrain his Daughter’s company, for that he hath provided another Husband 
 for her> fo having feverally and folemnly taken their Congees, firlt of the Father, and then 
 of the Daughter, they take Horfe and away.Now as they are riding home towards Vanned 
 as it is a fenlible and heart-killing grief to La Prdtiere, fo foon to be deprived of her Valfok - 
 tain's dear and fweet company, fo again, (he cannot refrain from fmiling,to fee how ingrate- 
 fully and fubtilly Quatbriffon goes to work to betray his Brother, in feeking to obtain her for 
 himfelf in marriages but me^furing the integrity of the onq, by {he treachery of the others 
 and likewife remembring her promife to Valfontain , to write to him at the end of two days 
 after their departure, (he (by a confident Mcffenger ) accordingly fends him this Letter* 
 
 LA PR ATTERE to VA LFON t'Al N. 
 
 M X Promifepwes you this Letter > whereby Xgive you to underftdnd, that Hqtow not whether 
 you have greater cuufeto.love me, or hate your Broth er Q^raihriffqn , in regard he vows he 
 affefts m, dearer thjuymr felf, and hath attempted id rob you of your tFife, and confegucntty me of 
 my Husband : and as tbv h ingratitude in a friend, fo it muji needs be treachery in a Brother. I have 
 Jnardhia Courting, and feen his Complements tending that way, but for your fakgl rdlifh thofe with 
 dijiafie , tbefe with n{gU8 , and bimjtlf with contempt and difdain. He hath won my father to hit 
 will-, but re ji you confideut ( my dear Valfontaine) that be neither can nor Jhalldraw me to his defeat 
 Andbecauje true afft&ion, efpecially in accidents of this nature, cannot fill be exempt of Tear, there-* 
 fore if any arije or ingender in your thoughts, let this di flip ate anddijpelit float although my Father 
 have banijhedyou his looufe, yet has Daughter is (till death ) conftantly refolved to retain and cbmjh 
 you in her hearty and none but you . Manage this your Pratiere’r '$W\ with difereim towards my 
 Father, and not with cboler towards your Brother *, andbe but <? little time a patieqf Spectator of my 
 affettiwi and of n fancy to you, andyouftsallaffuredly fee himaQ bn own Jhame, and your glory-, bis 
 atfliilion, your content and defire . 
 
 ' 1 v c ' - LA PRATIERE. 
 
 Valfontaino having received read this Letter, the bafe ingratitude and foul treachery 
 of his Brother guatbriffon, doth extr earn ly affii& and torment hims yea, the knowlcdg and 
 remembrance thereof, throws him into fuch pafGonsof choler, and fumes of revenge, as 
 once he refolved to right himfelf on him, by Ending him aChillenge,and fighting with him: 
 vowing that die bonds of Nature w^re not by far fo ifrong,as thole of Afft&iomand that hjs 
 Brother having given the firti ca-qfe of offence and breach of amity £>etwixt them, it was no 
 marvel that he took that courfe,and preferred that form of proceeding to anyother.But then 
 a^ain coniideringhis dear La Frttiercs injunction and prohibition from choler, this laft rea- 
 son qverl wayed and prevailed again# his former refolutiom when knowing himielf infinite- 
 ly obliged to her for her courtefie aiidconftancy,fo fweetly expreifed to him in this her Let- 
 ter, he can do no iefs than return her an Anfwer thereof in requital > the which he doth by 
 her own Mdlcnger, in thefe terms. 
 
 VALFONTAIN to LA PRATIERE, 
 
 O F all. men in the world, I kali thought that my Brother Q^atbriiTon would have proved my ri- 
 val,™ attempting to love you\ hetaufe he perftUly ktiorvs , I affect, you far dearer than the 
 whole world , yea,M En,r,(or M you jufily fermit, this Treachery ) of bio, it fo odiotu f» 
 tpjjwe to me , as it bad far exceeded my belief , if your afeOion andconjlancy bad not fo court eoujly re- 
 zealed it to me in your Letter , the which l both blujhcd and palled toperuje . Neither UitMty t, bangs, 
 to him, that be mijfed of his defire , in miffing of you , rather to your virtue, w felf, which dijlajlcdbu 
 Courting and Complements for his- own fakj, and difdaining him for mine • Dear ami fweet La Pra- 
 ticre, in that my Brother hath won four Father, I exceedingly grieve, but in that lhavemtM his 
 Daughter, £ far more triumph and rejoyce . But why thinly I of lofing you , fith to call W#r 
 c onjiamy incucftion, is no lefs than to propbane your affdiion a n d my / udgrtt en t , andj o to mage my felf 
 both uncap able and unworthy of you : for, how can my love to you, retain any ffict or fparl^of fear for 
 th at being bunifbed your Fathers Houfe, I am yet fo happy to newer fo fafe an Harbour ana San - 
 ft nary , yea, f o precious a Temple, at your heart ; In which regard its every way fit , tbftyour Ke~ 
 futjis fitpuld be to me Commands : for other wife my Sword had already called me Coward, if by this 
 
Gods Revenge againft Murtber. Book V. 
 
 time 1 had not called my Brother to a jtrift and fever e account for this hss treachery. I mil ftill obferve 
 ywr Father with refpefti though he refufc to refpeSl me with ubfcrvance ; and for my ingrateful and 
 treacherous Brother , he may aft his own jhame and affli&ion, but cannot cotiduce to content our dcfire y 
 becaufe that mujt fitly proceed from your Jelf \ fith in the fweet enjoying of you to my Wifejoonffts 
 the only content of my ///<?, and the chief eft of all my earthly felicity. 
 
 VALFONT AINE. 
 
 Some two days after that La Pratiere was made joyful with this Anfwer of her Valfontaine^ 
 (he hath again torrowiul news of ^uatbriffons arrival to her Bather*' houfe at Saint Argnaw, 
 who had purpoicly given it out to his Brother Valfontaine at Vaunts , that he rides to Atnnbon . 
 He here renews his late fuit to the Father and Daughter, but he finds them both in the fame 
 humours and resolutions he left them’, he willing, and (he coy * he dtfirous to have him nis 
 Son-in-law, and (he refolute never to make him,but his Brother Valfontaine ^ her Husband.Hc 
 pi\ ffercth her many rich Gifts and Prefents, and a blanck to write down what Joynture (he 
 pleaicth todemand> but (he peremptorily retufeth it all, and bids him bcitow it onVome 
 other, of whom it may find better acceptance > yea, 1 may fately lay, and truly affirm, that 
 their arfc&ions are moreoppofite and contrary than their lexes* tor the more he lees her,he 
 loves hers and the oftner (lie beholds him, the more (he hates him : fo that when he appa- 
 rently perceives that (he deeply vows to her Father and himfelf only to marry his Brother 
 Valfontaine, or her Grave, he feeing his labour for the time prefent loft, and his affe&ion to 
 her in vain > having nothing left to comfort him againit the repulle of this amorous fuit, but 
 the conftant iriendfhip of her Father, he forrowfully takes his leave of them, and rides home 
 to Vannes \ but as clofe as he bears this his journey from his Brother Valfontain^ yet La Pratiere 
 holds her felf bound to fignifie it to him, the which the very next day (he doth by her fc- 
 cond Letter, which fpeaks thus : 
 
 LA PRATIERE to VALFONTAINE. 
 
 I Hold it a part of my duty and affMion , to advertife you y That thefe two days lhave been again 
 importunately haunted and folicited by your unkjnd Brother , Quatbriffo n,/<?r marriages but he 
 hath found my firfi anfwer to be my fecondandlajhycs , I have fo nipt his vain hopes in their bl Jfomj y 
 by fgnifying to him and my Father my inf allible resolution either to wed you or my Grave , or 1 thinly 
 ( (xcept their hopes betray their judgments) the one is afjurcd , and the other confident , that time will 
 makgit apparent to the world, that my words wiliprove deeds , and that thelafl willmaly the fir p re- 
 al. But if your faid Brother will yet notwithftanding farther exercife his folly in my patienci , and 
 fo mak# bimjllf as ridiculous to me, as to you he is treacherous : I out of the dear affeiiion and ttnder 
 reftett which I bear you , will then fall on my kpees to my Father , to hajlen his confent to our marriage\ 
 that in feekjng my content , you may therein find your own : and this is my refulution , wherewith 
 if yours concurr and fympathize , Heaven may, but Earth Jhall not crofs our defires. 
 
 LA PRATIERE. 
 
 Valfontaine receives this fecond Letter from his Miftrefs withfmilcs and frowns » with 
 (miles, to fee her inviolable conftancy and affc&iomwith frowns, to behold his Brother $uat» 
 briffon*s continual malice and treachery towards himsthe which confideringf as alfo becaufe 
 it fo nearly concerns him), he refolves to tax him thereof, and to fee whet hereby fair requefts 
 and pcrfwafions) he may reclaim him from affedFing his fair and dear La Pratiere , andio to 
 give over hi$ fuit to hery but firft he knows himfelf indebted and obliged to return her an 
 anfwer to this her laft Letter, the which he doth in thefe terms : 
 
 VALFONTAINE to LA PRATIERE. 
 
 I T is every way your affettion, no way your duty ( fweet La Pratiere ) which again advertifeth me 
 of my Brother Quatbriflon * s p erf ever ance in his treachery towards me , by feekjng to betray and 
 bereave me of your feif , in whom my heart and thoughts imp aradife their moji fweraign earthly 
 felicity > and your refolution in nipping bis hopes , andyour Father's will , by eletting me or your Grave 
 for your Husband , doth fo ravifh my heart with joy , and fo wrap my conceit sin an act afie of fweet 
 content , as l am confident God hath refervedLi Pratiere, to be Valionfain’s fweet Wife , and he to 
 be her dear Husband. But of I tytow not whether my unkjnd and treacherous Brother will yet far - 
 
Hift. XXIV. V olfontian and La Pratiere . 
 
 tber bewray you hit folly , in exercifing yon patience with hts importunity ■, fo to faveyou that labour 
 and penance , winch for my fak, g and love you are ready to impofe oh your f elf lam both ready and re- 
 vived, Hot only to fall on my knees to your Father , hut aljo to your fweetfelf , that cur marriage he 
 baftned: fir, as your refilutinn herein is. and ever fiall be mine -, fo our hearts and thoughts fympa- 
 thizing in theft wifhes, I hope that both Heaven andEarth haverefilvednt to crofs,but Shortly to 
 eonfummate and finijh our defires. 
 
 VALFONTA IN. 
 
 He having thutdifpatched and fent away his Letter to his fweet and fair Miftrefs,he now 
 refolves to have fame conference with his unkindBrother,to fee what a brazen face he either 
 will or can put upon this ingratitude and treachery. But guatbrijfon’s policy will anticipate 
 and prevent him : for he having his heart and contemplations decplyjfixed on La Pratiere ’$ 
 beauty, and having run over all the inventsons of his art and afFedtion,how to make her for- 
 fake her coyne(s,and fo how to obtain her for his wife, he at laft refolves to fain himfelf fick, 
 ?nd fo then to reveal to his Brother Valfintain, that it is his dear and fervent affedtion to La 
 Pratiere, which is the caufe thereof. To which purpofe he keeps his bed, and in his perfedt 
 health is twice let blood, thereby to look ill i wnen fending for his Brother to his Chamber, 
 and exempting all other company then e, he acquaints and informs him, That fincc hefirft 
 faw La Pratiere, he ftill moll tenderly loved her, and that he muff now dye, becaufe (he will 
 not affed and love him. He prays and conjures him fby virtue of all the fame blood which 
 equally dreams in both their bodies’^ for the favingand prefer ving of his life, that he will 
 now abandon his atfe&ion from her, and fo yeeld him up all the power and intereft that he 
 hath or pretends to have in her, and that in requital thereof (if occafion require^he (hall ftill 
 find him ready not only toexpofeall hisMeans,but his deareft Blood and Life at his com- 
 mand. A requeft fo unjuft,and a propofition fb devoid of common fenfe and reafon, as Val fin- 
 tain ob(ervingit,and therein feeing his Brother’s impudency , now grown to the height of 
 bafenefs and folly, he exceedingly incenfed thereat ("with a dildainful lookj returns him this 
 (harp & bitter,yet defervedreply; Was it not enough that 1 underftood your treachery by my 
 fair and dear La Pratiere , in feeking and attempting to bereave me of her, but that thou 
 art thy felf become fo fottifh, to make thy tongue the Advocate as well to plead and apolo- 
 gize thy treachery to me,as to publilh thy (hame to thy felf, and to the whole world, in feek- 
 ing and defiring me to furceafe my affc&ion to her,and to renounce my intereft of her to thy 
 felt. No,no,bafe Quatbrifintfot hencetorth I highly difdatn to term or efteem you my Bro- 
 aher)I give thee to undtrftand and know,that in heart, and in honour, fhe is mine, and I hers-, 
 and therefore you (hall dye and damn, before 1 will permit thee to enrich thy felt with my 
 ' lofs of her, whom I affed and prife a thoufand times dearer than my felf,or than all the lands 
 and treafurcs of the World j when without any other farewell, he haftily and cholerickly 
 flings forth out his Chamber from him. 
 
 guatbrijjon feeing his Brother’s furious departure, and remarking his peremptory and in- 
 civil anfwer to him,he in his heart and thoughts Jvows revenge,and in his refolution fwear 9 
 to make him repent it. To which efftd, forfaking his Bed, and abandoning his counterfeit 
 ficknefs, his choler hardly affording hi* patience three days to recover his blood and 
 ftrengthi but knowing his Brother to be now ztNantes, with theit Unkle VeMaJfy,he fecks 
 out a dear and intimate friend of his, named Monfieur La Roche , whom engaging to be his 
 Second in aDuel againfthtsown Brother Valfontain,they ride over to Hants, when coming to 
 a (mall Parifh termed St. VaVerge, within a league of the City , he writes a Challenge, deli- 
 vers it to La Rnthe,and fo difpeeds him away with it to his Brother. L j Roche comes to Nants , 
 finds out Valfintain at the Prefident his Unkle’s houfe, being in the company of a very inti- 
 mate friend of his, of that City, named Monfieur de Pont Cbaufey , and dclivereth him his 
 Brother’s Challenge fati fealed, the which he haftily breaking open , andperufing, he finds 
 that it (peaks this language ; 
 
 QUATBRISSON to VALFONTAIN. 
 
 I N regard it is impojjible for both of us to enjoy the fair La Pratiere to Wife, therefore it it fit that 
 oneof us dye, that the other may furvive and live, to be enriched with fofpccious a treajitre, and t 
 crowned with fo inefiimable a blejjing and felicity \ which considering, as aljo becaufe my m defi re- 
 quefis have (undefervedly) met with thy uncivil carriage, and been reauitedwith thy malicious exe- 
 crations , therefore find it not jlrange to fee AjfeUiongtve a Law to Nature, and mine honour to con- 
 tempt , 
 
2^2 Gods Revenge againft Murther . Book V. 
 
 temn thy contempt and malice, in inviting thee and thy Second, to meet me and mine with your fingle 
 Rapiers , to morrow 7 twixt two or three after dinner, in a fair Meadow at the Eaji-end of St.Vallery, 
 within a little flightshot thereof ^ where thou jhalt find this Gentleman ( whom 1 have prayed to be 
 the Bearer hereof ) who will fafely condutt thee to me, where l will patiently attend thee : Iexpett 
 no other Anfwer but thy felf * neither do I any way doubt ( much lefs defpair J of thy meeting me, 
 fince by birth I kpow thou art Noble , and by inclination pretendefi to he Generous „ 
 
 Qja ATBRISSON. 
 
 Valfontain fitiilesat the reading of this Challenges and in conceit laughing at his Brother 
 Gjhtatbrifjons errors and folly, he cheart'ully turns himfelf. to La B^ochc , to whom he fpcaks 
 thus : Monfieur La Roche,l make no doubt but you are £*atbriffon\ Second: to whom he re- 
 plies,My refpedi to your Brother hath engaged me thereunto, inftead of a more worthysand 
 yet 1 ingenuouJjy confcfs & proteft,Sir(quoth he)that I havepromifed no more to him, than 
 (ifoccation prelented jr am ready to perform for your felf Valfontain thanks him, and prays 
 him to return his Brother ghtatbriffm this Anfwer, That to morrow at the appointed hour 
 and place, he Will not tail to meet him. When entreating La Roche to walk with him into the 
 next chamber^he told him,he prefumed he (hould fhew him his Second^ when Valfontain ta- 
 king Pont Chau fly to the Window, he (hews him his Brother’s Challenge, and prays him to 
 honour him in being his Second. FontChaufey (not out of any fear in himfelf, but in love 
 to thefe two Brothersjas a Chriltian Gentleman ,proffereth to ride over to §>uatbrif[on to St. 
 Vallery, and to ufe his belt power and endeavours to take up and reconcile thefe differences 
 between them : but LaRoche tells him, he may fave that journey and labour, for thatftohis 
 knowledge Quatbriffon is both reiolute and irreconcilable in that quarrel : whereupon Font 
 Chaufey freely-engageth himfelf to Valfontain •, and fo thefe two Seconds ("though not as lo- 
 ving friends, yet as friendly and honourable enemicsjvery (ecretly that evening provide their 
 Rapiers: which done. La Roche rides back to Saint Valley, acquainting ghsatbrijfon with his 
 Brother Valf ontain s generous refolution, to meet and fight with hnrfthencxt dav ; as alfn 
 that Font Chaufcy is his Second. 
 
 And although (by the mitigation of Satanjthat Choler and Revenge make minutes feem 
 hours, and hours years, ere it hath wrought his wifhed effe&s, Scetfedfed his bloody deiiens: 
 So thefe our four ra(h and ineoniiderate Gentlemen ( more full of Valour than Virtue and of 
 Courage than Chriftiamty Jthe hour appointed for the Rendezvous approaching an d®uat- 
 hriffon with his Chirurgeon being firft in thcTield, hath difficultly made two turns bdorc 
 La Roche ufhereth in his Brother Valfontain, his Second Pont Chanfey, and their Chirurgeoir 
 when they all tying up their Horfcs to the Hedg, they (according to the cuttom of Duels ) 
 do all throw oft their Doublets, and each unbooting his fellow , they appear in their lilk 
 
 Stockings, and white Pumps, as if they were fitter to dance Coranto 9 s or Favins , than to h^ht 
 Dues. . o 
 
 So the two Brothers firfi draw and approach each other; and at their firft coming up Val- 
 fintam ( without bung touched himfelf ) gives ^uatbiffbn adeep wound in his right thkh; 
 and if his Rapier had not beaten down.thc thruft , it had undoubtedly nailed him to the 
 ground : at their fecond encounter they-are both hurt, gnatbriffon in the right arm and 
 Waljontam oi a fear m the neck : and herethey make a hand to take breath, QuatbrifTon not 
 as yet defpairing, nor Valfontain triumphing or alfuring himfelf of the Victory; and the 
 light and eilulion of their blood , is fo far from rebating or quenching, as it rather revives 
 their Courages Avnh more fpleen andanimofity; fo they will again try their fortunes: They 
 now traverfe their ground, and approach each other; and although they are not lefs valo- 
 rous than before, yetfto the eyes of their Seconds and Chirurgeons ;they are now more cau- 
 t'ousin theu plea, and more advifed in chuling and refufing their ground; when Valfon- 
 tam breakinga thrult ('which his Brother prelcnted himjhe then calling to mind the fweet- 
 neis of his UFratun s beauty and the foulnefs of hisBrother’s malice and treachery towards 
 !!! m ’t d , riVeS i 0m ^ rt t UU r at L 1 '?’ | whlch tnteret h betwixt his fhort ribs, and making the 
 
 mft f 0 ^ f ?t rth ’ d rf h l °° n ^* ail h u S coura S eifo as he who right now thought 
 hmilelf Mailer of his Brothers life, now tears his own; fb that he thinks he hath given 
 
 ‘i 0 ( r c CC r Ved \°° mUch U1 counter ‘ exc bange, as well to fecure his reputation from 
 £X d r f h ‘ s fnends * ast0 warrant his Generofity from the detraction ot his Enemies; 
 apd therefore throwing away his Rapier, he I with more wifdom than honour > begs his 
 
 £Lm S Ll / th f r ’ VO r W "’ 6 wholly toforfakc and leave him La Pram-re, and to 
 
 love him as dearly, as formerly he luted him deadly: Which cowardife of his, is fo far from 
 
 being 
 
HidXXIV. , V alfontaitfand La Pratiere. ~ 
 
 being relifhed, or approved of the Spe&acors, and it proves the wonder of Valfontain , the 
 laughter of Pont Chaufey, the difdain of his own Second, LaRocbe&nd the contempt of both 
 their Chirurgeons : but Valfontain was as benign, as guatbriffon was bafe and enviousjand as 
 noble, as he was treacherous* and foupon his iubmillion, he Iheachs up his Sword, gives him 
 his life, and withhis Hat in his hand embraceth him * and thus with many fraternal words 
 and complements, thefe two Brothersfin all outward (hewjare again rcconciied,and become 
 perfedf friends. But the end proves all things. 
 
 But to follow the Bream of our Hiftory, and the ceremonies of Duels, we muff pafs from 
 Quatbriffon and Valfontain , the Principals, to Le Roche and Pont Chaufey their Secpnds, to fee 
 in what thape they will come forth, and how they rcfolve to bear themfelvcs in the conclu- 
 jion and knitting up of this reconciliation; As for Pont Chaufey, he thinks it nodifpiragement 
 orfhame to him now to refui'e to fight, iith his Principal hath given iiis Enemy rheioyl, m 
 giving him his life*but contrariwi(e,La Roche being Second to the Challenger, not the Chal- 
 lenged, he therefore holds it no lawful plea or excufe for him to exempt himfeiffrom fight- 
 ing. Pont Chaufey s modefty feems to over-veil his valour with fiicnee and indiffercncy* 
 which the iufulting vanity of La Ruche dothfo far roifconfter,as he erroneouily attributes it, 
 rather to fear and cowardife,than to ieafon or judgment.The work of Pont Cbaufy's malice’ 
 venteth no other fpeechesand language, but that he will follow & abide the ceni are of their 
 Principals, whether they, being their Seconds, ought to fight or no * and accordingly he is 
 ready either to retire or advance : but La Roche’s intemperate paffions flying a higher pitch, 
 with much vehemency and cholcr protclteth, that he came into the field purpofuy to fight 
 and not to keep (beep or to catch flies with his Rapier : the two Brothers interpofc and con- 
 fult hereon, ancj do joyntly affirm, that becaule they thcmfelves are reconciled, and become 
 good friends, they hold it repugnant to reafon, and corn radidfory to the right and nature of 
 Duels, that their Seconds (hould once draw their weapons, much lets fight, But this neither 
 doth, nor can as yet fatisfie La Roche, whofecholer is now become fo bound left, as he in lof- 
 ty terms elevateth Valfontain’s valour to the Skies, and dqe&czhjguatbrijfjns cowardiie as 
 low as Hell, begging permiffion of the one to fight with the Second, and peremprou y in- 
 forming the other, that he will fight*but both £uati?ri(fon 3c Valfontain condemn tnofe fumes 
 and this heat of La Roche, and are fofar from applauding it, it> him, as they in down-right 
 termsj repute it to temerity and ra(hnels,and not to magnanimity and valour, yea, his impa- 
 tiency hathfo provoked and moved their patience, as(not in jek,but in earneflj they bandy 
 thefe words to him, That he glorieth fo much in his gencrolity, as in now ambitiouily feek- 
 ing to add to his valour, he fubflra&eth from his judgment. When Pont Chau fey- to retort 3c 
 wipe off the leak taint or blemifh which either La Roche or the two Brothers might conceive 
 lay on disreputation, thinks it now high time tofpeak, becanfeas yet he had ipoken fo lit- 
 tle, and prays La Roche to find outfome expedient, either that they might return as loving 
 friends, or fight it out as honourable enemies* and that for his part he is fo far from the leak 
 fhadow of fear, or conceit of cowardife, as he tells him plainly, he (hall find his R apier of an 
 excellent temper, and his heart of a better. Whereupon vain and miferabie La Roche, confult - 
 ing with nature, not with grace, he to give end to this difference, refolves on an expedient as 
 vvretched,as execrable, the which he propofeth to Pont Chaufey 3c the two Brothers,in thefe 
 terms, That the only way, 6c his lalt refolution is, that a fair pair of Dice (lull be the judg and 
 umpier between them* 3c that who throws moft at one cak, it fhall be in hftchoice either to 
 fight, or not to fight*whereunto Pont Chaufey willingly confenteth, although Quatbriffon and 
 V alfontaiu do in vain contradid and oppofeit;but the decree is pak,and La Roche vi ry offici- 
 ous in bis wickednefs,and forward in his impiety) fpreads his Cloak on the ground, draws a 
 pair of Dice forthof his pocket, & becaufe he was of the Challenger’s lide,he wil throw ftrfty 
 which he doth, and the fortune of the Dice gives him (even * Pont Chaufey follows him, and 
 likewife taking the Dice, throws only five : whereat La Roche gracelefly iufulting and tri- 
 umphing, with an open throat cries out. Fight, fight, fights and fo prefently draws his Rapier; 
 Pont Chaufey feeing his enemy armed, thinks it no longer either fafe or honorable for him to 
 be unarmed, when yet( with a kind of religious reludancy,and unwillingwillingnefsjhe like- 
 wife unffieathshis Rapier,and fo without any farther expokulation, they here approach each 
 other : but bccaufe(for brevity’s fake) I refolve topafsover the circumkances,and only to 
 mention the iffue of their (ingle combat, let me ( before I proceed further ) in the name and 
 fear ot God, conjure the Chrikian Reader here to admire with wonder and admiration, at 
 his facrcd Providence, and divine Jultice, which in the iffue of this Dud is made confpicuous 
 and apparent to thefe two raffiand inconfiderateGentlemen,theCombitants,and in them to 
 all others of the whole world : for lo,juk as many picks as each of them threw on the Dice, 
 
 Z i Co 
 
954 
 
 Cods Revenge ngainft Murtber. Book V. 
 
 fo many wounds they feverally received each from other, as Pont Cbaufiy five, and La Roche 
 feven-, and he who foextreamly dtiired to tight, and foinfatiably thir (ted after PontoChau- 
 J'cy* s blood, is now here by him nailed dead to the ground, and' his breathlds corps all gored 
 and wafoed in his own blood. A fearful example, and remarkable precedent tor all bloody 
 minded Gentlemen of theft our times, to contemplate and look on , becaufe wretched Li 
 Roche was fa miterable, as he had no point of time to fee his error, no fpar k of grace to re- 
 pent it. 
 
 guaibriffon and his Chirurgcon fas forrowful for his death, as hi^ Brother Val fort tain is 
 glad thejcof> take order for his decent tranfporting to the City, whiles Valfontain congra- 
 tulates with Pont Chattfey for his good fortune and vidfory ", who for his fatety flies to BJa- 
 ifety Until the Duke ot Kayes (to wiiom he was Homager /had procured and fent him his par- 
 ‘ don from the King *, the which in few weeks atcer he efledted. NIonfuur de Caerfiainge , and 
 MadamoyfeUe Ville-blanche his Wife, are adverulcd of their two Sons quarrel at SamtVaSery, 
 and of the oaufe and iflue thereof, who condemn ghtatbrifion for his treachery and malice, 
 and applaud Valfontain for fo nobly giving of his Brother his lire, when it lay in his power 
 and pleafure to have deprived him thereof which news is like wifefpeedily conveyed firft to 
 Wants, and to Samt-Argnavp , where Pcnnclle as much grieves at Quaibrijfvnstoyl and dif- 
 grace, as his Daughter, our fair La Pratkre , triumphs at her Valfontain s vidory,and becaufe 
 the will no longer be deprived of his prefcilce, whofe ab fence deprives her of all her earthly 
 content and felicjtys foe makes her prayers and tears become fuch inceiTantOrators, and im- 
 portunate Advocates to her father, as foe now draws his free content to take Valfontain for 
 her Husband, which at lali to their own unfpeakable joy,and the approbation and content of 
 all their Parents ot cither tide, is at Saint-Argriaw performed and conlummated with much 
 pomp and bravery. \ ... 
 
 But alb. it Ghidtbnffon ( as we have formerly underftood) have all the reafons of the world 
 to be fuily and tnrly reconciled to his Brother Valfontain, yea, ( and according to his promife 
 and oath j to aflect him tenderly and dearly «, yet where the heart is not fan (Sifted, and in 
 peace,the tongue may pretend, though not intend it:for the more he gazeth on his Sifter-in- 
 law La Pratitre's beauty, the more thd frefondsand delicacy thereof revives and inflames his 
 lafcivious lull towards her* whfeti knowing her to be as chaft as fair, & being confident that 
 he was out ot all hope to receive any immodclt courtefic or familiarity from her , whiles 
 her Husband, his Brother l&lfaAfattl', liv^cs j the D^vil hath already taken fuch full pofTdfi- 
 onof his foart, as( with dhellilh ingratitude and impiery; he wretchedly refolves to de- 
 prive him ot his life, of whom as it were but right now he had the happinefs to receive his 
 own. 
 
 As (bon as we think of revenge, we meetly forget our felvesfout when we confent to mur- 
 fher,we ablblutely forget Godrfor that heflifo contemplation, and this inhuman and bloody 
 adtion,do inftantly work fo wretchedly in us, that ofMtn we becotne Monfter$,and( which is 
 worfe jor Chriftians,Dcvils,for thereby we make our felves his flavesand members.Amifery 
 to which all-others are- mot comparable, becaufe^thbfe are finite .in regard they have only re- ‘ 
 lation to the life of our bodiesfout this infinite,in regard it occafioneth the death of our fouls. 
 Bur notwithstanding, it is not in jeft,but in earned, that §htatbrif[on aflumesthe bloody refo- 
 lution to murther his Brother Valfontain : for feeing that it was neither in his power or for- 
 tune to kill him in the Duel, he therefore holds it more fafe, lefs dangerous, to have him 
 poyfoned, and lo deals with hi* Brother’s Apothecary, named Moncallier , to undertake and 
 perform if, and in requital thereof, he afoureth him 6f three hundred Crowns, and gives him 
 the onlbalf in his hand i whereupon this Fattor of the Devil, this Emperick of Hell, con- 
 fidently promite th him fpeedily to effedt and perform it, the which he doth. 
 
 - The manrierthus. 
 
 ntsiq ' - . * • 
 
 VaJJbntain within fix weeks of his marriage, finds his body in an extream heat,lome repu- 
 ting it to an excefsrtt wine which he.had the day before taken at Pfl>mwt’Fayr>and others,for 
 having beeil, too afoorous and uxorfous to his fwcet young wife LaPratierc, but it matters not 
 \Vhich excels of thefe t wo gu vc him his ficknefs56tifylet.it fatisfie theKc^cr,that(as we have 
 already hcardjhis body was very fouefi enflamed & hot, the dangerous fymptoms either of a 
 Burning- Fever, or a Pluriiie*, the which to allay and cool, he fends for his Apothecary Mon- 
 cMerftom Vannes to Saint Argnarv, and after their confutation, he openethhim a vein very 
 timely in the morniirg 1 & draws ten ouncesof blood from him, 6c towards night gives him 
 a Glitter, wherein ht intuied ftrong poyfon, which fpreading o’re the vital parts of his body, ” 
 
 • t % , doth 
 
 
Hift.XXl V. Valfontm and La Pratiere. 
 
 doth fo Coon work its operation, and cxtinguifh their radical moiiiure, that bung the molt 
 part of the night tortured with many fharp throws, and heart-killing convulfions, he be- 
 tore the next morning dyes in his bed. His Wite La Pratiere being delparately vanquifhcd 
 vvithforrow, doth (as it were ) dillblve and melt her I'elt into tears, at this fudden and un- 
 expected death ot her Husband Valfontain-, and indeed, her griefs and forrows are tar the more 
 infinite and violent, in that (he fees her felt a Widow, almott as loon as a Wite. Her Father 
 is likewife penlive and forrowful for the death of his Son-in-laws and fo alio is his own Fa- 
 ther and Mother at Vaunts. But for his inhuman Brother, ghtathriffon, although he neither 
 can or lhall blear the eyes of God, yet he intends to do thoie of men, from the knowledg 
 and detection of this foul arid bloody faCts for he puts on a mournful and difconfolate coun- 
 tenance, on his rejoycing and triumphing heart for the death of his Brother, the which he 
 endeavoureth to publith in his fpeeches and apparel fo he rides over to S aint -Argnatv, to his 
 Sitter-in-law Fratiert, condoles with her tor her Husband and his Brother’s death, and with 
 his beft Oratory thrives to diffipate and dil'pel her forrows: but ltill her thoughts and con- 
 ference do not withltanding prompt her, that ( conlidering his former affection to her , and 
 his fighting with his Brother, her Husband, lor her ) lure he had a hand in his deaths but in 
 what manner, or how, Ihe knows nots and fo as a molt virtuous and forrowful Lady, leaves 
 the revealing thereof to the good pleal'ure and providence of Gods and the curious heads 
 both ot Hants and Vaunts , concurr with her in the fame conceit and belief. 
 
 But three months are fcarce pall over, lincc Valfontauf was laid in his Grave , but guat- 
 irilTon is ttill fo deeply befotted with his own lutt, and the beauty of La Pratitre^s he fells his 
 wit for folly ,8c again becomes a Suitor to marry her, having none but this poor Apology to 
 colour out his incetiuous detires, That he will procure a dilpeafation from Rome toapprove 
 it s and that he hath already fpoken to Ivon , Bitliop of Reimts , to that effeCi, who was many 
 years PcnitcntiaryCor AlmoneQto Pope Paulus guinm. And what doth this indiferettonof 
 his work with La fY<jiitTe,but only to encreafe her jealoufie, to confirm her fufpition, and to 
 make her the more confident that herHusband had been ftil in this world, if he had not been 
 the means fo foon to fend him into another. Wherefore the rejecleth both his fuit and him- 
 felfstells him, that if he can lind in his heart & confidence to marry her,the cannot ditpenfc 
 wit h her foul to efpoufe him, and therefore that he thall do wel to turceate his fuit;, either to 
 the Pope orBilhop,fith if it lay in their powcr,yet it thould never in her pleafure to grant ,or 
 rel'olution to cfkCt it. But this peremptory refolutionof hers, cannot yet caufe guatbrtfon to 
 lot fake & leave her: for if.his luft and concupifcencc formerly made him peevifh to leek her 
 lor his Wife, now it makes him meerly fottifh and impudent to alter his fuit, and io to at- 
 tempt and dclire to make her his Strumpet.But he hath nofooner delivered her this bafe & 
 obfeene motion,but all the blood of her body flufhing into her face, the highly ditdam d both 
 his fpeeches and himlelf, and vowing and tcorning henceforth ever m-'re to come into his 
 company ifo Ibe informs her Father ot his dithonoiable intent, Sc unchait motion to her, who 
 to rid himfelf of fo uncivil and impudent a Gueft,thereupon(in fharp tcrms>rbids him his 
 Houle Sc his Daughter’s company, as having hereby altogether made himfelf unworthy to 
 eniov the priviledg of the one, or the honour of the other. When this fweet and chalt young 
 I advf to be no more haunted with fo lafeivious a ghofi and fpirit) being fought in marriage 
 b v divers noble and gallant Gentlemen, the among them all (after a whole year s mourning 
 tor tlv lull ) makes choice of Monficur de Pont Chanfey, for her fecond Husband, and marries 
 him 'ottatbriflon feeing himfelf fb difdainfully ileighted and rejected of LaPrauere , he as a 
 bale Gentleman, and dithonorable Lover ) metamorphofed hisaffctftion into hatred towards 
 her and vows that his revenge (hall Ihortly match her ditdain and me^et with her ingrati- 
 tude and forties her light and company, as much as he former y defired it. But as the belt 
 revenue is, to make our enemies fee that we profper Sc do well, fo he, quite contrary, makes 
 ,t his practice and ambition to do evil: for from henceforth, among many other of his vices, 
 he derileth his body with Whoredom, and gives himlelf over to Fornication and Adultery, 
 which hath taken up fo deep a habit in him, as it is now grown to a fecond nature : for he 
 wholly abandyneth himfelf to Queans and Strumpets, that be the Maid, Wife, or Widow, 
 his wanton eye fcarce fees any , but his luliful heart dehreth , and his lafeivious tongue 
 
 kC Now Q uatbriffon (among many overbearing that a poor Peafant or Co | ln " y ;" lan ; ter ,‘ 
 med Rcmuertalliot, of the Pariih of Saint Andrews, three miles from VamusMi a fweet and 
 fair young Daughter, he therefore very leudly refolves to fee her , and to tempt her to is 
 obfeene defires, when provoked and hauled on by his luft, as that was likewife by the Devi , 
 
 Zl 2 
 
3 59 
 
 Gods Revenge agamfl Murther. Book V 
 
 he rides over to her Father’s houfe,and a-lighting from his Horl'e, calls there for fome wine 
 but with his Hawk on his rift, and his Lacquy and Dogs at his heels, thereby the better to 
 over- veil and colourout his lalcivious delign & intent. And that the Reader may the better 
 and apparently behold this Country- Virgin Marietta, (he was aged of fome lixtetn years and 
 towards her feventeenth,tall & ltraight, & rather a little inclining to fatnefs than to lean 
 nefsiher hair was of a bright flaxen colour,and fhe of To frdh a beam y,& fweet delicate com 
 plexion,that her eyes were capable to inflame dcfire,& lx>r cheeks to ingender and exadf af- 
 fection-, lo that as it was a wonder among many to rind io delicate a Country-lafs it wasalfo 
 many wonders in one, to fee how lwectly her rich beauty graced her poor clothes whiles 
 they (though mvamjendeavour to diigrace it. Qnatbrtpn no fooner lees Marietta but (he is 
 fo fair and amiable in his eyes, as they intorm him, that report comes infinitely (hortofher 
 beautys when burning in the flames of his bealtly concupilcence towards her, his luft fb ex- 
 ceeding y out-braves his reafon,that his eyes and heart do already do homage to hers and he 
 is lo tar caught and mfnared in the contemplation of her frefh youth and beauty,as he vows 
 to leave no art unattempted to obtain his luftful derires in enjoying of her Virginity - To 
 which end he very often and fecretly vilitethher, difeovereth her his lend defires and affe- 
 ion, gives her Gloves, Bone- lace. Lawn, worlfed S.tockins, and the like trifles, thereby the 
 fooner to prevail with her , when God knows, this fair poor Maiden was fo chaff, as yet fhe 
 knew not what belonged to unchaflityi fuch was her obfeure dwelling, and mnocent edu! 
 cation . and yet behold the Devil was lo bufie with her, and guatbrifibn with the Devi! to 
 draw and prof ltute her to hn,as the was fo tar in love with his gay clothes, fugered Ipeeches 
 and fau promife?, rich gifts, and efpccially becaufe he was a Gentleman, that in a few weeks 
 fhe had hardly the power or will to deny him any thing, no not her fl-lf. k 
 
 But whiles thus guatbnfrw lays clofe liege ro the chaltity of the Daughter, her Mother 
 Jane Cbaumett,i bang of a quick wit, and (harp apprehenfion, meafuring his youth bv her 
 
 SiS hi bea “ ty jbt «' nS . t0 mi hruft and fear, that by h, soften vifits he etfdcavolred to put a 
 rape on her virtue, in leekmg to enrich himfelf with the lots of her Maiden-head- the JEh 
 to prevent, (lie forbids him her houfe, (hewing him, that fhe had 
 
 hm,? JU H V n u 5t ; Umpet V ad ^"8 Either , that if hereupon he dfd not forbear her 
 hou e,and her Daughter s company (he would forthwith acquaint his Father , Mmfklr i 
 Catrjlawg) therewith, alledging, that hovf clofe fover he bore himfelf (he knew him rn I i • 
 Son ,„d Heir, and rermed ^.„»„.wh,=h croft fpeecEf TiTdSrfK “d pc,” 
 p ex him, and the more, becaufe he fees he cannot now approach Marietta, and, which is worff 
 
 ir^F ”waswclT at^urinted wkh «i 
 
 miny ,im “ “■ swisris 
 
 ■ of Vitkina fbmt of hi k;' P i , 1 ‘he wind of opportunity Junder the pretext 
 
 the Conntlviwk™ ‘ V ‘ h '? and ,0 ***•'» iSnift in 
 
 l«u. fo, hit <?*«■? h |” fdf ' h ' t '"" 
 
 briffbtt i there Malitot and his Wifi I rL d ? h ot th,s love-bufinefs (otMonfteur ®uat- 
 enfe to Churci: men t0 * c JW" d Ber- 
 ing no colt too much,' nor any meat carloifourlnnT “Sri V"? think ' 
 
 on him. But we (hall fee him requite lpem and beftowed 
 a bafe ingratitude. 4 Holpitality, and repay this courtehe of theirs with 
 
 t ' 'Ranched Frier reaeherh rhei, fair 
 
 ■ *- « -js&'z&sz 
 
 he 
 

 Hift.XXIV. V alfotitian and La Pratiere. 
 
 he will (hortly fteal licraway from her Parents,and either maintain herOentlewoman-liKe, 
 in brave apparel,or el(e marry her to lome rich Serving-man, or Farmer’s Son, with whom 
 (he might live merrily, and at her heart’s content, all the days of her lifesadding withal, that 
 it was pity her delicate frefh beauty (hould be fo ltridly and obfeurely mewed up in her Fa- 
 ther’s poor Cottage, and that it was a (hame to her to prove an Enemy to Nature, who had 
 been fo bountiful and fo true a Friend to herswith many more obfcenc reafonS,and debauch- 
 ed fpeeches, looking thft way,the which fin modeity) I cannot remember without (hame, 
 nor relate without deteftation. So this Pandariling old Frier ( degenerating from his habit, 
 profeffion, and name) what with the honey (or rather indeed the poyfonjofhis Ipeechesand 
 promifes, and the fugar of forne gifts and tokens which he delivered her from uatbrijfin , 
 he draws thisharmlefs & innocent poor Country Maid, fo far to forget her fclf,her Parents, 
 and God, that in hopes-of rich apparel, and a good Husband, (he tells her Father Sy my Helm, 
 that (he is wholly at Quatbriffons commands and that for his fake and love, (he isabfoluteiy 
 refolved to forfake her Father and Mother, and to go with him any night or day , when he 
 plealeth to fetch her s the which he (hortly doth, and (he accomplifheth. And this was the 
 odious ingratitude of this Frier Symphcun , towards honeft Mabiot and his Wife , for his 
 good cheer, lodging, and entertainment, to betray and bereave them of their only Child 
 and Daughter, whom they well hoped would have proved the joy of their life, and theltafF 
 and comfort of their age. 
 
 Jguatbriffon ( in the vanity of his voluptuous thoughts ), having thus by himfelf and the 
 Frier, play’d his prize in healing away fair Marietta , he by night brings her to his own old 
 Nurfe her houfe, which is a little mile diftant from that of his Father , where he fecretly 
 keeps her, takes his pleafure of her, and as often as he pleafeth,lies with her whole nights to- 
 gether-, but Marietta's forrowful Father and Mother feeing thcmfelves thus robb.d of their 
 onlyjewel, their Daughter, they bitterly lament her lofs,and their own misfortunes therein: 
 They complain to all their Neighbours thereof, and leave few adjacent Parilhesor Houles * 
 unfought for hers yea, her Mother Jane Cbaumtt's grief and jealoulie tranfport her fo far, as 
 vehemently fufpeding that Monfieur de <j> uatbriffon had (loin her away, (he trips over to his 
 Father’s houfe, and therefwith l'orrow in her looks,and tears in her eyes)acquaints both him 
 and the Lady his Wife thereof, whoprefently fend for their Son gjteatbriffon before them : 
 They (hew him what an infinite fcandal this foul fad and crime of his will breed him, and 
 likewife refled upon themfelves, and all their Kinsfolks and Family , How the Jullice of 
 God infallibly attends on Whoredom and Fornication, and that he hath no other true courfe 
 or means left him to expiate and deface it,but Confedion, Contrition, and Repentance,and 
 by returning the poor Countrey Girl again to her aged and forrowful Parents. But Quat- 
 briffon their Son t as a bale debauched Gentleman) denies all, terms old Malliot's Wife an old 
 Hag and Devil, to charge him thus fallly with the Healing away of her Daughters andfo 
 without any other redrefs or comfort, this poor Mother returns again home to her forrow- 
 ful Husband v and Jguatbriffon fecretly to his Nurlc’s , tofrolick and fport it out with his 
 fweet and fair Countrey- Millrcfs, Marietta. , ffJ . , ... u ... 
 
 But to obferve the better order and decorum in the dilation and untoldmg ot this Hiltory, 
 leave we (for a fmall time) this lafeivious young couple, wallowing in the bealily plcafurcs 
 of their fenfuality and fornication, and come we a liltle to (peak how luddenly and (harply 
 fat unawares )the vengeance and julliceof God furprifeth our execrable Apothecary Mon- 
 cSer who fo wretchedly and lamentably ( as we have formerly undertloodj had fent inno- 
 cent Valfontain from Earth to Heaven,by that damnable drug and ingredient of poyfon.The 
 
 manner whereof briefly thus. , - 
 
 G'uatbriflbn (as we have already feen) having exchanged his former affed.on into future 
 mahee and envy towards his Sifter-in-law La Prattere, doth (fill retain fuch bloody thoughts 
 a^ainft her as ('(hiking hands with the Devil)hc (in favour of three hundred Crowns more) 
 hath again engaged his hellifh Apothecary, Mb«Mllicr,likewife to poyfon her at his firftadmi- 
 niftringof Phyfick to her > which intended deplorable Tragedy of theirs, is no fooner pro- 
 , ded and plotted of the one, than promifed fpeedily to be aded 3c performed by the other, 
 to the end fquoth thefe two miferable wretches) to make her equal, as in marriage, to m 
 death, with her firft Husband Valfontain. Thus guatbrifin longing, and Moncalher heark- 
 en* out for La Pratiere's firft ficknefs, two months are fcarce blown over fince her marriage 
 with PontCbaufey , but (he is furprifed with a Peftilent Fevers when he, as a loving and kind 
 Husbandf at the requeft of his fick Wife) rides over to V attnes for this Monfter of his protefli- 
 onand time, Moncallier, to come with him and give her Phyfick : the which prefen tly f wit 
 as much treacherous care, as feigned forrow he promifeth to efted;and to mward.y iei ^^ 
 
 Z z 3 
 
 
 ■W 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 I ■ ' 
 
Gods Revenge againft Murther. 
 
 Book V. 
 
 with the Devil and himfelf to poyfon her : but we lhall tee here, that God’s providence will 
 favourably permit the firft, and his goodnds and mercy miraculoully prevent the (e- 
 cond. 
 
 Mmcj liter fees this his fair and fweet Patient, Tratiere, but he is yet fo far from (hame or 
 repentance, that he had poyfoned her firft Husband, as ( with a gracelcfs ratiocination ) he 
 confirms his former itnpious resolution likewifc to difpatfch her fdfi^ut (or that time he con- 
 tenteth himfelf only to draw fix ounces of blood from her, and pfBmifcth to return to her 
 the next morning with Phyfick, and therein to infinuafe and intule thepoyfon. But here 
 ( in the fear, and to the glory of God) lecitierequeft the Chriltian Reader to admire and 
 wonder with me at the flrangenefs of this fudden and divine pimifhment of God, then and 
 there fhown on this wretched Apothecary, Moncaliier : for as fie was ready to depart , and 
 being on the top of the flairs ( next to the Chamber-door where La Prattereliy (ick)cbm- 
 plementing with her Husband, Pont Cbanfey , at his farewell, be trips in his Spurn , and (o 
 falls down headlong at the foot thereof, there breaks his neck •, and, which is lamentable 
 and fearful, he hath neither the power or grace left him to fpeaka word, much lefs to 
 repent his cruel poyfoning of Valfontain , or to pray unto God to forgive it him. And thus 
 was themiferable end of this wretched Moncaliier , who when he abfolutely thought that 
 that bloody fad of his was quite defaced and forgotten of God, then God (as we feezin' his 
 due time remembred topunilh him for the fame, to his utter confufion and deftrudiomthac 
 as his crime was bloody, fo his punifhmentfhould be fudden and {harp. 
 
 Return we now again to Qnatbriffon, who f amidft his carnal plealbres with his young 
 and fair Marietta y is advertnedof Moncaliier s fudden and unnatural death at Saint- Arg- 
 nate, whereat (refembling himfelf ) he is lo far from any appreheniion of grief, as he 
 exceedingly triumpheth and rejoyceth thereat* yea, he is as glad that he hath tnus’ broke 
 his neck, becaufe he can now tell no tales s as forrowful, 4f; now before his death he have 
 * not poyioned La Pratiere, as formerly he did her Husband, Valfontain, his Brother. Whiles 
 thus dhtatbriffm's joy in enjoying Marietta, proves the grief and dilconfolation of her Pa- 
 rents •, tor it is now generally bruited in Vanne^ that guatbrijfon hathlioln away Mali tot's 
 Daughter, Marietta, whereof her Father and Mother being Yorrowfully acquainted ( he 
 being weak and fickly), (he again repairs to Monfieur dt Cderflaing and his Lady, and 
 with tears in her eyes, throwing her felf at their feet, acquaints them with this publick re- 
 port, humbly befeeching them to be a means to the Gentleman, their Son , that he reitore 
 them their Daughter : but they are in a manner deaf to her requefts , and fo only return 
 her this general anfwer , That they will again examine their Son, and caule all their Te- 
 nants houfes near about, to be narrowly fearched for her : and this is all the redrels and 
 confolarion which this forrowful Mother could get for them. Whereof giuatbrijjbn being 
 advertifed , he (with much fecrefie and hafte) about mid-night, caufeth Pterot his Father’s 
 Miller to fetch Marietta away from his Nurfe’s houfe,to his Mill, which is fome quarter of 
 a League from his Father’s houfe * the which accordingly Pierot effedieth, The very next 
 morning guatbriffon goes fecretly to the Mill, and vifits hcrvhe informs her how her Parents 
 have incenfed his againft him, and againft her felf likewife, he bids her be of good comfort, 
 that (he (hall want nothing, that he will very (liortly procure her a better lodging,and pro- 
 vide both for her fafety and reputation, and fo continually frolicks it out , and there takes 
 his pleafure of her s yea, he lies fo often with her, many whole nights , and fome days, at 
 this Mill, that at lad her belly (wells, and bothof them apparently perceive that (lie is with 
 child by him : when, poor lbul, feeing her felf as it were pend up in prifon,that (lie had no 
 new apparel, nor was towards any Husband i yea, looking back into the toulnefs of her 
 fault, and feeing that (he had made her felf the grief of her Father and Mother, the laugh- 
 terof the world, and almoft the difdain of guatbriffon, who ( forfeiting in his pleafures 
 with her ) began now to look lefs familiar, and more ftrange to her, than accuftomed i (lie 
 with many fighs^nd tears, repents her felf of her error > but how to remedy it,(he knows 
 
 As for Qttatbriflon , he fuppofmg he had his Father’s Miller, Pierot, at his co'mmand, proffer, 
 eth him two hundred French Crowns to marry her : whereat this Meal-cap Miller (being a 
 lufty young fellow of fome five and twenty years old Jcould not at firft refrain from blufh- 
 mg and laughings when lecing Marietta to be young and fair, he is (o tar in love with her 
 as at firft he wifheth her to his wife, but then again confidering, that (he hath a great belly 
 by his young Mafter, that he lhll lies with her, and that if he (hould marry her, he would 
 undoubtedly be more Mafter and owner of her, than himfelf; he prays him therefore to ex- 
 cufe him, (or that he is fully rcfolved not to marry her. 
 
 When 
 
Hill XXI V. Valfontain dud La Pratiere. 
 
 When guatbriffon yet further defirous to draw him to take her to his wife, prorfereth 
 rot a new Leafe 6cEltate of his Mill from his Father, for feven years^at his own coil and char- 
 ges. But this Miller (being a pleafant jovial wagjtells his young Malter,thae he had rather 
 never hear the clacking ot his Mill, than to live to fee himfelf cornutedi 6c fo upon no terms 
 will marry Marietta -, but for any other fervice, he fwears to him that he is,and ever will be, 
 wholly at hiscommand.Poor Marietta now feeing her hopes grow final!, 6c her belly great, 
 and confequently her joys decline, and her (orrows cncrtale^ finding that the is now rather 
 ghidtbriffon’s priloncr,than hisprize,and the Miller rather her Gaoler than her Landlords 
 with many far-fctch’d fighs,and brinifh tears, very paffionately befeechcth ^uajbrijJ'un on her 
 knees, that he will fpeedily either provide her aHusband,or permit her with her .flumeful 6c 
 iorrowlul burthen to return home to her afflicted and angry Parents. Two requelis.Se both 
 fo reafonabU (quoth (he to him), as it it be not in your power to grant me the hrfl,yet I hope 
 it will be your pleafure not to deny me the fecond.But^A^i^ri^^notwjthflanding all thefe 
 tears and prayers ot Marietta, he is (till fo vexed, as well with her importunity, as with the 
 (harp complaints of hisown Parents, and the bii ter lamentations 6c outcries ot hers, that! (in 
 theheat'ot fottifli choler, and ingrateful difdainj he flies from her, abfents himfelf longer 
 than accuftomed, and thenceforth (by degrees ) begins as much to Iothe her, as he formerly 
 loved her .Marietta perceiving this his unexpected and ingrateful unkindnefs towards Jur^C 
 pierceth her very heart with grief, and her foul with dcfpair. She requefts the Miller to tell 
 Alonfwtr At Ghfatbritfw, that (he prays him to fee her, or to permit her to lee himfout he per- 
 xeiving that hisyoung Mailer flighted her, & that his hot atfeCtion was by this time waxed 
 cold and frozen to her, he refufeth to go himfelf, and fo fends his Boy. But what doth this 
 importunity of hers procurfe or eflc<3: with <g*atbriJfon, but only the more*cnflame his choler, 
 and therein the rtiore encreafe her own forruws,6c accelerate and haflenon her mi levies? for 
 he bids the Boy tell her, that he is gone to Rennes , and will not return in a month und with- 
 ■all,lie wills him to bid hisMalter to come fecre.tly to him in the morning, at his Father’s Or- 
 chard. So, if Jguaibriffms unkindnefs to Marietta formerly made her feem to be rhe pi&ure 
 of forrow*, alas,now this his difeourteous departure, and difdaimng either to fee her, or once 
 bid her farewell, makes her really to be forrow her felf * for (he tears her hair, and ( with a 
 mournful and forrowful ambition ) endeavoureth to drown her felf in- the Ocean of her 
 tears ", yea, her griefs are fo infinite, and her difeontents fo infupportablc ( in that fhe hath fo 
 deeply difobeyed her Parents, 6c oflended God with her Fornication ) as the remembrance of 
 theie (insand crimes of hers, make her not dare to look up to Heaven for alii (lances a thou- 
 fand times fhe repents her felf of her folly, & as often faith and di&ateth fo her felf, that fhfe 
 ihould be as happy as now fhe is miferable, if fhe agafo were a child, and r.ot with child*, and 
 that (lye were again as living in herMother’sbelly,asnow by this time (he hods her own poor 
 unfortunate innocent babe is in hers. She as high as Heaven cxciaimech on Quatbrijfun's in- 
 gratitude^ curfeth the name 6c memory of Frier Syntplician, as low as hell, for thus betray- 
 ing and (educing her to (in, which hath now brought her to npifery and difconfolations yea, 
 her unfortunacy is fo gre«t, as (he cannot Write for afliftance from any wheresor if (he could, 
 (he knows noc from whom once to expedt,much lefs to receive itsbut rather fees her felf re- 
 duced to flich exiream aflh&ion and mifery, that (he is every way far more capable to weep 
 or ligh forth her forrows to her felf, than tofpeak or make them known to the world. 
 
 Whiles thus Marietta is penfively and pitifully ecchoing forth her complaints to the bare 
 walls of her poor Chamber, Piero* the Miller finds out his young Matter Q ttatbrijfon in the 
 Orchard behind hisFatherVhoufe, according to his appointments where betwixt this wret- 
 ched and execrable couple, th e%/ader mutt prepare to fee them confult and conclude a moft 
 bloody and mournful bulmefs, which will both exad pity,and command lamentation from 
 the vnott flinty and barbarous heart*, yea, in a word, from any living mortahman, whole pro- 
 phanc lifeand impiety hath not abfolutely made him a mee ? r Devil. For Qttatbriflon having 
 thus fatiated and forfeited himfelf in reaping his btaftly pleafufes of poor Marietta , and (as 
 before)exchanged his fatniliarity into malice,and his affection into envy towards her, know- 
 ing that (he will be a perpetual eye-fore to his Parents, and a continual (Fame and fcandal to 
 frrm(clf,asloilgas (lie lives in this worlds he therefore roptt ungratefully and cruelly refolves 
 fpeedily to fend her into another^ and no confederation whatfoever, either of her youth, or 
 beauty*, of her great belly T or erf his quick child within her, dr of his own foul, can prevail 
 with him to the" contrary But the Devil is fo flrong with him, that he is milerably refolute 
 not to retire,but to advance in this bloody buflnefs. Towhich effedt,he breaks with Picrot the 
 Miller to attempt and flnifli it, and again promifeth him the Fee- Ample- (or at lea ft a Leafe ok 
 (even years)of h!S Mill, to Hoifh it^ which this bloody Mifcreanc(out of his hellilh covetoul- 
 
n 
 
 Book V. 
 
 q 6 o Cods R evengc again/i Murther. 
 
 lids, and itching ddlre to pleafe bis young Maherjpromifcth to accomplifh.They now con- 
 fultol the manner how to murther Marietta. ThcMilier affirms it to be the lurch way under 
 fome pretextj to take her in the next Wood by night, and thereto murther her^ which 
 brijfon concradidetfobecaufef'laith he; her dead body being found fo near his Father's houfe, 
 this her murther will refltd on him*, and therefore to make fore Work, he bids the Miller to 
 llrangleher by night in her bed, and fo to bury her in Ins outer yard, bccherc tp clap a wood- 
 vine over her* whereon th>y both agree; when (wearing perpetual fecrdieeach to other, this 
 execrable Miller here. promifeth ghutbriffon todilpatch her within three days at fart heft. 
 
 This bloody bargain and compact being thusconcluded between them, Pierot the Miller 
 returns to his Mill, where poor Marietta (little fufpeding or dreaming what adifrna! ftrata- 
 gem was plotted and refolved againh her life)foe( finding comfort from no where, & there- 
 fore feeking it every where; enquires of him ft hecametrom Monfieur de Caerflaings houfe* 
 and if his Soh,M onfiwr ^uatbri[fon, were departed from Kernes, as his Mill-boy had told her> 
 whofhere the better to lull her afleep, thereby with more facility to finifo his bloody defigu 
 on her; tells her that he was gone thither, but that before his departure, he had left feerct 
 word for him to ufe her courteouily in his ablence,the which he (wore to her he would care- 
 fully perform*, whereat Marietta thanks him ; but yet, again prying more narrowly into this 
 Miller’s looks than his fpceches,foc found that he now looked more fullen and haggardly on 
 her, than accuhomedjor elfc, that either her conceit, or his countenance and phyiiognomy, 
 deceived her therein. But here f before I proceed further Jlet us mark the ftrange etfc&s and 
 events hereof ; for as Dreams prove feldom truc,becaule they are as uncertain as rheir cati-' 
 fcs, which for the moll part either proceed from the influence of the heart,or elfe flow from 
 the operations of the brain, in their different pdflons of atfedtion, envy, hope, fear, joy, for- 
 row, or the like ; fo it pleated God, that the very fame night Marietta dreamt that Pierot 
 the Miller killed her, and threw her dead body into the Pond *, the which remembring the 
 next morning v fhe likewiferemembred to acquaint him therewith,who (vile wretch , dC dif*^ 
 fembling Hypocrite; feemed to be ill cooler thcreat,vowing and fwearing to her with ma- 
 ny oaths and deprecations, that (lie was, and foould be as fate in his Mill, as if (he were either 
 in the Tower of Bylin, or in the Cable of Blavet, which indeed are reputed to be two of the 
 (trongeft and mob important pieces ot Little- Brittany, whereat poor Marietta again & again 
 thanks him. But this notwithltanding, 1 now here tremble to report , that the very next 
 enfoing night ^Marietta proving too true a Herald and Prophetefs to her own immediate 
 mournful Tragedy;, as the night had given truce t.o her tears, and ileep adminib’red reft to 
 her eyes, as foe lay in her poor Pallat-bed, then this bloody villain Pierot the Miller very 
 (ecretly enters her Chamber, and fof^lv.conveighs a fmall cord under her head, and fa fining 
 it to her further bed-poll (his brength confpiring with his malice,) he then and there bran- 
 dies her dead, giving her neither the power or time to cry * muchlefsto fpeak one word ; 
 and as Toon as thisAgent ot Hell had bereaved her(and conlequently the fruit of her womb) 
 of life, he within left than an hour afterfnot to give the lye to her own dream;changeth his 
 purpofe in the manner of her burial,and Co( in her clothes as foe was;carries her to his little 
 Mill-boat in the Pond, where fabning a great piece of an old broken Mill-bone, to her mid- 
 dle for walk) by a lirong new Rope which.he had purpofely provided, he there throws her 
 into the deepeb place of his Pond, hoping, yea, alluring himfclf,that he foould never fee nor 
 hear more of her. 
 
 The very next morning after the flmfoing of this deplorable fad , Pierot the Miller (not 
 able to flecp for jqy)at the very break of theday,diipceds himfelfaway with the news here- 
 ot to his young Maher ^aatbnjJoHy who hears and receives it with much content and joy 
 when ( by his promife and oath again afluring the Miller of his Mill J he the better to bear 
 and wipe ofl the fufpition which this Murther might refled or cab onhimfifit foould ever 
 hereatter come to be deteded or difcovered; rides away to the City of Rennes, where the 
 States- General of that Province (which we in England term our Parliament) was then to 
 afoenible, where re joycing that he had fo happily difpatch’d his elownifo Strump tt, Marietta, 
 and Pierot the Miller at home, likevvife (inging and triumphing at this hiseafiepurchafe of 
 his Nii!l,they not fo much as once look up to Heaven and God, or down to fheir own conlci- 
 cqces and iouls,what this foul and detebable Murther of theirs deferves. And, not to go far, 
 by this time the Lord thinks it high time to bring this their cruel Murther to light*, by a 
 (i range, I may jultiy fay by a miraculous accident, which at unawares, and when they leab 
 think thereof, will ( amidft their mirth and Jfecurity; befall them. 
 
 A Month, is not full pah over fincc this Murther of Marietta, but’ God (in his (acred mercy 
 and jubicc) is now refolved to make Monfwr de Pont,Cbatffey t (U Prathre's fecoad Husband; 
 
HiflXXV. Valf ontatn aud La Pratiefe. 
 
 to be the firifc means for the dete&ion rhereorT &- in ■ 
 
 ing Of ValfmaiH), W ho bung one day at Vannes wi th h^oth^' Ae ™ t4 */* fi' P ° yfon ' 
 dclirous to hunt a Duck with two of his owi^mnicls • and bacnds ’ke ,s 
 
 tliat of MotijuMr dc C*erflai»a\ he makes choice P thereof ■ f , \ .‘l ° bt 0r ,lcar as 
 
 Pond, and the Dogs after he^but t^ft wo poor hamdefLurU t ^ Ck “ "° f °T r “■ thc 
 JPrcy, as they come to the place wher c Marietta?* At** A k i r Hril ? ,n 8 ea S er ^y lor their 
 lutfUtuAktUouth^ 
 
 nofes in the water, they molt lamentably let up the.Ttunes md 'l ’ A fA W , ifh thclr 
 other, without departing or ft.rring thenceuhe winch ** 
 
 well obferving, God mllantly infpires their conceits with this apprehenfion V 1 1 ' " ] '' mLn 
 with this jcalouhe,That peradventure there W) « fnm P "Sapprefieniion, & their hearts 
 
 drowned lhe,e.»d that f, tXXiS M, a.l , S St? P'"^ 
 Agents and Officers to drfeoveHErwberpu^rthe^nct refolee^fodrji^uo'thc'jlijce 10 ^”* 
 let out all the water ol thePondtbut tirllthey relbl ve to make another ,,-n <h . 1 ’* nd '» 
 
 tfifion of Pan, O-tufoand his Allodates.wi.o (to vnidicitchsrud'.a^", 1 *"? ? PprC ' 
 thu, former ptopoli, ion, and delite oiler tin, out the “SS rf.UZj ,h. T"h 
 tempt toellecf : but then this wretched Miller ferine himfell now h. ’ wt itch they at- 
 trumps and Ihtfrs.and therefore know.ng it SSS to mevem Vl TfflZ'* “* 
 to provide lor his own fafety and iifc.he with many humble and fuLdVpeKhdfnoVfeem' 
 
 the midll ofa ho, It dry Summ U, Si &ES 
 
 ... a week or two after, which wil infallibly begger him, and thercforcfSoft wA tears ) he 
 bwicechtth them to dciill from their purpofe,&not to turn out the water ot his pnnrl vn k > 
 peaks fo pafltonately and pitifully to them, as his rcafons prevail with the fh«e “hte S5! 
 tlcn.en, but with i Pont Cbattfey they caunot,but rather the more confirm his former appre- 
 
 f b f lle '’ that fure t,ure was fomc one or other drownedi and withal God doth a* 
 
 frelh dilt.l and infuie .nto his imaginations, that this very Miller himfclf might have fomc 
 
 rl wh^h n ’A7 U p h r\ and /' ng | aH | hlS hUmb,e prayerSand lmooth Speeches to the contrary. 
 
 , r which end Pm Cfua/ey the better to efted hisdclireand refolution, hefas a wife and 
 
 em h" ,8raiKS thL '- Mlller his re qu'eli,when purpofely fending away his Servants 
 £e,s m^SlXr'TS' “"S* h ; Hite or Crrdsht htsMtlls SIS 
 
 Act " u f r h 1 c Cards j b L Ut 110 D,cc * So ,nt0 the Mill they all four go , and play at 
 Lansknight for Cartdefcussand the Miller, now ravilhed with joy to fee how his fair tongue 
 
 * W ° ndCrtUldil f nt t0 Wa,Mnd 0fHci0USto atteHd ‘hem 
 
 But they having played an hour, Pont Chaufy now thinks it high time for him to effed his 
 ddignand rtfolut.om and then tells Pkrot the Miller, that he is very dry & thirlly demand 
 mg ot him it there be any wme to fell near his Mill i who tells him there is none nearer thi 
 the Town, where he willingly proftereth to go and fetch fomc fpeedilys which indeed is ha? 
 very part and point whereat Pont Chaufy only aimed : So he gives him money to fetch two 
 grand lots of Wine, when this inconl.derate and fecure Millerf without eith/r tear or wit ) 
 eems rather to flye than to run to the Town with joy for itithinking and alluring that the 
 T 1 e ir h p d Af r , WaS T a ,' ready ^ u,tc plft and bl °wn over , but he is no fooner out of 
 & b A hauf ‘ y P u fc ? tly tbr0WS up theCards ’ & Prays the reft of the Gentlemen to 
 allift hum in drawing U p the lluce,& emptying the Pond, for that his heart ftill prompts him 
 
 there is lome one drowned therein s whereunto they all give free confent : fobythat time 
 
 tine water is halt out lo ( with much adoration and pity) they behold a dead body float- 
 ing therein, and I yet faltned with a Rope Co the bottom of tfie Pond. And prying more ■ 
 -„ r !?' V yto d,p, - c r n if, they fby the Coats it wore,! perceived it to be a woman, whom they 
 n P ,n r ^ ie Mill-boatibut her flcfh is forivd’d and withered with the water 
 
 foodiAfl" 3 " dl5h f rcd b \ th f fift ’ aS ‘A 35 impoffib!e know whit (he was s & foe flunk 
 oaioully,as a.moiMione durft approach her. Pont Chaufy ( 8c his aflbeiates) foeing this wo- 
 
 Aaa {u j- 
 
Goff Revenge againji Murther. Book V. 
 
 — , , ' ' r o \ rnmnirin? therewith theMiller’searncit retufai 5 not to per- 
 
 SESt S<L o, Mh. Of .his cod Mojjte.To^kh oriM hi, 
 
 EaS lay exad and curious wait for his return wit h the Wm« who coming therewith 
 Allocates lay fin „ inR & not fo much as once dreaming what had hapned at the 
 
 pTd he amending the top of the Hill by the Wood’s iide,6c elpying his Pond emptied,then 
 the fouln sofhis tadt andconfcience,and the imm.nency ot h.s danger, doth io ternhe and 
 nl h m l at he lets down his pots of wine on the ground and (commuting his fafety to 
 ?he celeriTy and fwiftnefs of his heels)he with all pollible fpeed runs away towards the cen- 
 ter of the Woods the which font Chanty and the reft of the Gentlemen efpy.ng, they need 
 mother Evidence but this his flight, to proclaim himfel guilty of this ^rthersand fo they 
 him an j within one hour after, he is found out, apprehended, Sc brought 
 and he asrefolutely excufing himfelf rf this Murther, but 
 notwithftanding, they (but him upclofcin hisown Mill, till it be found what thisdrowued 
 
 accident, being fpeedily divulged fo^« f r,andbrutedin the 
 incrcpui* ui npode who from all parts flock to the Pond to be 
 
 S^S’^jSdidwtnaniaiid amongft the reft, tvo* M.W«,and ^WikJamCbar.mt, 
 iKfoSncr underltand hereof, but knowing it to be a woman, Sc drowned m Monfieur de Cav- 
 ZJZ pond they exceedingly fear it is their Daughter Marutta ; and to fee the iffue oc truth 
 hereof fhe runs before, and he limps after asfaftas he can,as it they flmuld not come time 
 enough to make themfcl ves miferable with the fight & objed of their milery.No w they are 
 no fooner arrived to the Pond, but they fee all the people Hand aloof from this murdered 
 Corps becaufe of the ftink thereof, butthey ( hardned by their tear, Sc encouraged by their 
 aikdtion) do willingly rufh towards it, -but cannot as yet difeern what fhe was, by reafon the 
 Fifhc-s had almoft eaten away all the flefh from her bones, which therefore no way fat.sly.ng 
 their curiofuv and enquiry, they then fall to wath away the mud and ozc from her clothes, 
 hoping to draw fome information and light from them, as alas they now in ftantly do,: tor 
 they fold the Waftcoat and two Pettycoats,that of Afh- colour Serge, and theft, of green and 
 red Bayes, tobc the very fame which their Daughter Harutta wore when fhe either fled, or 
 was ftoln from them, whereat crolhng their arms, and tending theuhghso Heaven and 
 
 their tears to Earth, this poor afHided f ather Sc Mother cry out, that it was the dead body of 
 their fair and unfortunate Daughter Marietta and doubtlefs, that either htmfieur Qnatknffo* 
 or Fiern the Miller, or both of them, were her Murtherers: whereat all the people admire 
 and wonder, every one fpeaking thereof as their Several fancy led them, and as they flood 
 affected or difatfedled to Qujtbrijfott and the Miller. , . r . , 
 
 But Pont chanty rides pefently to tot (leaving the other three Gentlemen h.s friends 
 to guard the Miller in his Mill jand advertifeth the Seneftnl!,oc the other two judges, of this 
 deplorable fad, lb they fend for this Miller to tor, and the next day being brought before 
 them, they examine and accufehim for thuMuurt haring of Marutta, but fhavmg learnt his 
 anfwer and refolutron of the Dev,l)he with many bitter oaths and curfes denies xt, depofing 
 and {wearing, that he never knew her, nor few hersbut this falfe anfwer and counterfeit com 
 of his, will no way pafs current withlns Judges, but they forthwith ordain him » the hack. 
 Our wretched Miller Plcrot is amazed and ternhed at the light hereof, yea now h.s courage 
 begins to fail him, as fearing it to be the true Prologue,and fatal Harbinger to hisdea h,fo .he 
 endures the f.ngle torment reafonable wehbut feeling the pinches and tortures of the iecond, 
 and wel knowing, that his heart, joynts, Sc patience, canneyer endure it, he ‘hen* there con- 
 fcffcth to his judges, that he was the only author and a&or of this murtner ,8c that he ftra g 
 kd her in bis MiU,and then funk her in h.sPond,becauic fhe would never content or ye, Id to 
 be his wife, but fpeaks not a word oi§Pnatbri$btf,ot that he had any way (educed or lire n 
 to commit if, but fed his exorbitant thoughts Sc erroneous hopes with the air of this vain be- 
 luf That when he was condemned to dye here in l annes , that he would then appea ici u 
 to theCourt of Parliament of &.«»«, where lie knew his young Matter gualknjfon then was, 
 oc where he prefumed he had fo many great Sc noble friends, as he fhould not need to fear h,s 
 life. Butfcontrary to thefe his weak Sc poor hopesjthe very next mornmg when he expend 
 to hear the fentence of death pronounced againft him, his Judges again adjudg him to the 
 torments of the Scarpints,to know if hlonficnr ^atbrilTm, «r any other, w c^accdT^*.h 
 him in thismurthcr, when they caufe h.sleft foot to he burnt fo found ly, a, ..c “ 
 
 dure to have his right touched* and fo confeffeth that h.s young Matter, foduced 
 -and hired him to ftrangle Mamtta iu her bed, m his Mill, and prom, fed him the Fec-fimpk 
 or Leafe thereof, to perform it i that he it was who hkewife threya Her into the Pond, and 
 that lu alfo believes fhe was quick with child by his faid Matter. 
 
Hi ft. XXI V. V alfontain and La Pratiere. 
 
 All fames wonder and talk of Qa atbrijjons bafe ingratitude and cruelty towards this filly 
 and harmlds young Country-Maiden, Marietta^yca , this foul and lamentable Mutcher,admi- 
 niftreth likewife talk in all the adjoining Towns aiid Parifhes So this execrable Miller, Pie - 
 r 0 /,isby the Senefchal condemned to be broken alive on the Wheel* but yet ( in regard of the 
 nccefiity of his confrontation) they defer his execution t\\]§natbriJfon be apprehended in Rat - 
 res , where the Scnefhal and King’sAttorney-General o{Vartnes,do by poll fend fend away his 
 accuiation to that famous Court ot Parliament-, where, while he is prauncing in the Greets of 
 that City on his great Horfe,and ruffling in his Scarlets 8c Sattins, with three Lacquie$(rich- 
 Jy clad^at his hccls,the height of this pomp & bravery, makes his fbame the more apparent, 
 and his ciimes the more foul and notoriousffor then when he thought himfelf to be far theft 
 from danger, lo the Juftice and Providence of God brings him near eft to it : for he is now 
 here ( by a band of Huyfters,or Purfevantsjtaken oft' from his horic, apprehended and impri- 
 foned by the command of the Lieutenant-Criminal oi that great Court, who yet vainly re- 
 poling on the fidelity andfccrefie of Pierot, his Father’s Miller, he fee ms to be no way dihruid 
 or daunted thereat ; but when he hears his Accuiation and Indictment read, that Mariettas 
 murthered body was found in the Pond, that Pierot the Miller was apprehended 8c imprifon- 
 ed for the fame,and that he had confefled him to be the Author, and himfelf the Adtor of this 
 her cruel murther* then, I fay, he is fo appal led and daunted, Ik fo far from any hope of life, as 
 he utterly dcfpairs thereof, and palpably fees the image of death before his eyes : Whenfwirh 
 a few tears.and many lighs)he here to his Judges confeffeth himfelf to be the Author of this 
 toul fa&,and fo begs pardon thereof of God : for from thefe his grave and iacorruptible Ma- 
 gi ft rates, he is aflured and confident to find none. Whereupon, although four of the Council, S 
 and one of the Preiidents, were refolved, in regard of this his inhuman and bafe crime, to 
 have him hanged*yet the reft of that wife and honorable Senate, knowing him robe the Son 
 and Heir to a very ancient Gentleman, nobly descended, they o’re-fway and prevail wirh the 
 others - , and fo they adjudg him the very next day to have his head cut oft*, although this his 
 forrowful aged Father, Monfieur de Caerjiaing, offered the one half of his Lands to lave his 
 life, and likewife wasa moft importunate Suppliant to the Duke of Tremovide ( who then and 
 there preiided at the Eftates for the Nobility;to intercede with that Parliament for bis re- 
 prieval,and with the King for his pardon, but in vain: for that noble Duke fconfidering the 
 bafenefs and enormity of this his inhuman fadt) was too wife to attempt the one , and too 
 honourable and generous to feek the other. So the very next morning guatbriffon ( apparel- 
 led in a Sute of black Sattin, trimmed with gold Lace)is brought to the Scaffold(at the com- 
 mon place of Execution, which is in the rnidft of the City)., where a very great concourfe of 
 people of all forts,refort and flock to fee him take his laft farewell of this world, of whom the 
 greateft part and number lamented and pitied,that fo proper and noble a Gentleman ftiould 
 tirft dcferve,and then receive fo untimely a death : When, after the Priefts and Friers have 
 here prepared and dire&ed his foul, he, afeending the Scaffold, with fo me what a low voice, 
 and dejeded and forrowful countenance, he delivered this (hort fpeech : 
 
 That in regard he knows that (now when he is to take his laft leave of this life) to charge 
 his con (lienee with the concealing of any capital crime, is the diredt oc true way to fend his 
 foul to Hell inftead of Heaven, he will now therefore reveal that he is yet more execrable 8c 
 bloody, than his judges think or know, or his Spc&ators imagine* for that he not only hired 
 Pierot , his Father’s Miller, to murther Marietta > but alfo the Apothecary, MoncaUier , to poy- 
 ion his own Brother, Va!fontain\ of both which foul and bloody crimes of his, he now freely 
 con ft filth himfelf guilty, & now from his heart and foul forrowfully lamentcth & repenteth 
 them-, that his filthy luft and inordinate affc&ion to women, was the ftrft caufe, and his neg- 
 ledFbf prayer to God, thcfecond, which hath juftly brought him to this (hameful end and 
 con full on* and therefore he befeecheth all whoareprefent,to be ferioufly forewarned of the 
 like, by his woful example, and that fin Chriftian charity ) they will now joyn their devout 
 prayers with his, to God for his foul. When on the Scaffold praying a little while filemly to 
 himfelf kneeling, and then putting off his Doublet, he commits himfelf to the Executioner, 
 who at one blow fevered his head from his (boulders. But this punifhment 8c death of g*at- 
 brijjb/tjuthccth not now to give full content and fatisfa&ion to his Judges, who (by his own 
 confdfion)confidering his inhuman and deplorable poyfoning ot his own Brother falfon- 
 t/m > they as foon as he is dead, and before he be cold, adjudg his body to be taken down,and 
 there burnt to afhesat the foot of the Gibbet, which accordingly is performed.^ 
 
 And here our thoughts and curiofity rrmft now return Port from Rennes to Vannes , and 
 from wretched gnat brifin, to the bafe and bloody Miller, Pierot, whom God and his Judges 
 have now ordained (lull likewife fmart for this his lamentable murther on poor and harm- 
 
 A a a a left 
 
Gods Revenge againfl Murther. Book V. 
 
 lefs Marietta. He is brought to the Gallows in his old dully mealy Suit of Canvas, where a 
 Prieft preparing him to dye, he(either out ol impiety, or ignorance .or both) delivered! this 
 idle fpeech to the people, That becaufe Marietta was young and fair, he is now heartily lorry 
 that he had not married her? and that if he had been as wife as covetous, the two hundred 
 Crowns, or the Leafeof his Mill, which his young Matter ^Monfuur J^Hatbritfon , proffered 
 him, might have made him wink at her difhonefty? and that although Ihe were not a true 
 Maid to her fclf, yet that fhe might have proved a true and honett Wife to hing with many 
 other trivolous words,and lewd fpceches, tending that way-? which 1 purpofely omit, and re- 
 folve to pafs over in lilence, as holding them unworthy either of my relation, or the Rea- 
 der’s knowledg : when not having the grace once to name God, to fpcak of his Soul, to de- 
 fire Heaven, or to feem to be any way repentant and forrowtul tor this his bloody oflcnce, 
 he is ttripped naked, having only his Ihirt fattned about his watte, and with an Iron Barr hath 
 his legs, thighs, arms, and breatt, broken alive, and there his miferable body is left naked and 
 bloody on the Wheel, for the fpace of two days, thereby to terrifie and deterr the beholders 
 from attempting the like wretched crime. And the judges of Vannes being certified from 
 the Court of Parliament at Rennes , that ^natbrijfon at his death charged the Apothecary, 
 Mnncallier , to have ( at his hiring and inftigation ) poyfoned his Brother Valfontain , they hold 
 the Church to be too holy aplace for the body and burial of fo prophane and bloody a Vil- 
 lain : when, after well near a whole year’s time that he was buried in Saint Francis Church 
 in that Town, they caufe his CofHn to be taken up, and both his Body and it to be burnt by 
 the Common-Hang-man, and his allies to be thrown into the air ? which to the joy of all 
 the Spectators is accordingly performed. 
 
 Gods 
 

 J afJ _ V gjh'b c ats his n<ifj> 
 
 Salynas 
 
 throws him ha J itch- 
 
 f ajU. poyfcvs his tvife V*Us kcuj’jyetJ ~4buH frfsgs Vafd- 
 
 mm 
 
 Hift.XXV. 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY Xxv. 
 
 Vafti firjl murthcreth his Son George, and next poyfonctb his own Wife Hefter > and being after- 
 wards almojl killed by a mad Bullin the fields , he revealeth thefe his two Murthers\ for the which 
 he is firli hanged , and then burnt . 
 
 T O religious hearts, there can nothing be fo diftaftful as Sin , nor any Sin fo odious and 
 execrable as Murther : for, it being contrary to Nature and Grace, the very thought, 
 much more the ad thereof, (hikes horror to their hearts and confciences. Wherefore, if this 
 foul and bloody Sin be fo difpleafmg to godly men, how infinitely more deteftafcle is it then 
 to God himfelf , who made all living creatures to ferve man, and only created man purpofe- 
 ]y to fervehimfelfV But asCholer and Malice proceed from the paflions of men, fo doth 
 Murther from the Devil : for elfe we (hould not fo often and frequently fee it perpetrated 
 in moft Countreys and Cities of the World, as wedo. A mournful Example whereof I here 
 produce to your view and feriousconfideration. 
 
 The place of this Hiitory is TriboitrgCzu ancient City of Switzerland), which gives name 
 to one ot the Divilionsfor Cantons jof that famous and warlike Country: wherein (of frefh 
 memory .dwelt a rich Burger named Peter who had to his Wife a modeft,difcreet, and 
 Virtuous woman , named Heller , by whom he had one only child, a Son called George Vafii y 
 
 A a a 3 whom 
 
God's Revenge againfl Murther. Book V. 
 
 whom God fent them the latter end of the full year of their marriage i and from the term 
 of fometcn years following, this married couple lived in moll kind and loving fort each with 
 other, yea, their hearts and inclinations (o fympathiz'-d in mutual and interchangeable afie- 
 £fion, as they held and reputed none of their neighbours Id. rich in content as theml'elves: lor 
 (lie was caretul oi her family, and he very diligent and induilrious to maintain it j both oi 
 them being chafte and continent in theml'elves, very religious towards God, and exceeding 
 
 charitable, affable, and courteous to all their Neighbours and Acquaintance j only they ate 
 
 fo temperate in their drinking, as he would not, and (he could not be tainted with that beaft- 
 ly vice of drunkennefs,whereuntothat Country, and the.greatell part of that people are but 
 too exotffively addicted and fubje&.So that had fajti (fill embraced and followed thufe Vir- 
 tues in the courfe and condu&ion of his life, he had not then defiled this Hillory with the 
 profulion of fo many tins, norbdprinkled it with the effufton of fo much innocent blood, 
 nor confequently have adminiltred (o much (orrow to the Reader, in perilling and knowing 
 it:but,as contrary Caufes produce contraryEffetftsffo he(by this tiflaejpol luting himfelf with 
 filthy and pernicious company, it is no marvel if he leave his temperancy, to follow drun- 
 kennefs, his chaftity to commit fornication and adultery s yea, it is no marvel, 1 fay,if thef'c 
 foul (ins (as Bawds to Rage and Revenge ) exad fuch power in his heart, and predominaey 
 in his foul, as in the end to draw him to murther : tor, good men cannot receive a greater 
 plague, nor the Devil afford or give them a worfepeftilence, than bad company. It is the 
 fatal Shelfs , and difmal Rocks, whereon a world of people have, and do daily fuffer (hip- 
 wrack i yea, it is the grief of a Kingdom and Country, the banc of our Age, and the corrup- 
 tion and poy Con of our Times : for it turns thofe who profefs and purfue it, out of their E- 
 ilates and Homes, which they are then enforced either to fell, or rather to give away toU- 
 liircrsand Cormorants, and confequently, which makes themfelves,and their poor Wives & 
 Children, ready to ttarve and dye in our llreets. So this is now the cafe of our Vajli, and 
 therefore it will be his happineis, if it prove not his mifery hereafter; for after twelve years 
 time of a moll peaceable cohabitation, and godly converfation between him and his virtu- 
 ous Wife Hejhr , it is a thoufand griefs and pities that (he muff now be inforced to lee lb brui- 
 tifli and bealtly a Metamorphofis in her Husband', for he is no more the man which he was, 
 not the Husband which (lie formerly found him to be. He loves neither his houfe nor his 
 wife, but flays abroad every day with his Whores, and then at night returns home to her 
 (lark drunk,in lamentable fort reviles 8c beats her, whereas heretofore he would father have 
 loft his life, than have ftrucken her, and whereas heretofore he affc&ed 8c loved her fo dearly, 
 as he thought he could not be kind enough to hcr,now( in the extravagancy of thefe his de- 
 bauched humours Jhe hates her fo deadly, as he deems and fuppofeth he cannot be fuflicientijr 
 cruel to her, although her affetff ion be ftill fo fervent to him, and her care fo vigilant and re- 
 fpebtful of him, as (he gives him nothing but either fweet words, tears, iighs,lilence, or pray- 
 ers, yea,Qie proves good a woman to fo bad a man, and fo courteous and virtuous 
 
 a wife to lb unkind and v^eipus a husband, as to the eyes and judgments of all theirKinsfolks 
 and Neighbours, they krfbw it is now her praife and glory, 8c fear it will hereafter prove his 
 (liame and mifery. She leaves no means uneffayed,or invention uufought Sc unattempted, to 
 divert and turn this foul inundation of his vice, into the fweet ftreams of virtue, and the pure 
 rivers of godlinels,but alas good woman! her care proves vain, and her affetftion 8c zeal im- 
 poflible herein, altlibugh h'fcV pale cheeks, mournful eyes, brinifh tears,far-fetch’d lighs, religi- 
 ous prayers,aiid fweef pCtlWalions, do (fill fecond and accompany her endeavours in this her 
 defired hopeof his reformation: for (lie is enforced to know that he keeps a young Strumpet 
 named Salyna \ at the Town of Claaux, (ome lix leagues from Fribourg , whither molt morn- 
 ings he goes to her'Und to make himfelf the more treacherous a diffembler to his wife, 6c the 
 more execrable a tray to^ to fils foul ,he fortiticrh and coloureth out this his accuftomed jour- 
 ney to hisSt runfpet,with this falle Apology, that he goes to Cleraux to hear the Sermons of 
 Mr. Abraham vifty famous and religious Preacher there, when God, and his ulcerated 
 
 foul and confcience, know the contrary, and that this pretended excufe of his, is but only a 
 falfc cloak, to over-veil hisf'riie Adultery, and prophane Impiety : for he needed not to have 
 formerly added whoicdoftlVo hisdrunkennefs,and now ingratitude, cruelty, and impiety, to 
 his whoredom, in fifgard tHcU&ftbf thefe enormous crimes and (ius,affuredly have the pow- 
 er, and will infallibly find the means to make him futurely as miferabte, as now he fooliftily 
 thinks himlelf happyi for thefe his journeys to Cleraux,ne only the Pilgrimage of his wan- 
 ton Lull. Salyna Is the Saint of his voluptuous devotion, her houfe the Temple of his'ob- 
 feene wifhes, anil Adultery the oblation and facritice of his lafeivious defires. 
 
 We can difficultly make Our (elves guilty ot a fouler fin on earth,than to feem fatidlified in 
 - • ' ; ’ our 
 
Hift. XXV. , Vatti and Hefler. 
 
 our devotion towards God, when we are prophane, or to endeavour to appear found with- 
 out when we are rotten within in our faith and religion: for as man is the bell and nobleltof 
 all God’s creatures, fo an hypocrite towards God, is the worftof men, yca,0r rather a Devil 
 and no man : for our hearts and adions, and our moll retired thoughts, and fecret darlmg- 
 iins arc confpicuousand tranfparent to God’s eyes, as his decrees and relblutions are vilible 
 to ours fith he fees all things, and we fee nothing when we do not fee him. Amilerable 
 height of impiety, in making of our felves foolilhly turners, and wilfully hypocrites, and yet 
 it is a more fatal and tearful degree thereof, when we fo delight in lm, and glory in hypo- 
 crite as to make Apologies for the lame. 
 
 But K*|ii not thinking either of Religion or God,froIicks it out with Salyud hisSttumpet, 
 in Cleraule whiles his own virtuous wife Hejhr weeps at home at Fribourg , and when he re- 
 turns thence he is hill fo hard-hearted and cruel to her, as he continually beats her. Now by 
 this time Georoe their Son is iixtecn years of age, of a man’s courage and Hat ure, 3c of a very 
 oretruant wit t fo that as young as he is, he hath been long enough a forrowful eye-w.tnds 
 of his Father’s cruelty in beating of his Motherthehath formerly letn the lamentable elicits, 
 and now he falls on his knees to her, and ( with tears and prayers) bcfeecheth her to ac- 
 auaint him with the true caufe thereof, and from whence it proceeds: when his Mother, 'ad- 
 dimt more confidence to his wifdom,than to his youth)»rom point to pomt fully relates it to 
 him accordingly as we have formerly under Hood. George bur ft forth into forrowful paflions 
 at her repetition, & his knowledg hereof, as not able to refrain from iighing to fee her hgh, 
 nor from weeping to.fee her weep.Heasmuch grieves to be the Son of 1b vicious a father, as 
 he reioveeth and gloneth to be that of fo virtuous a Motherfo he makes her forrews h.s 3c 
 here weds himfclt to her quarrel/ with promife and oath)either to right it with Ins father, 
 oTto revenge it on Salym, whom he knows to be the original caufe of all thefe florins and 
 tempells of all thefe artliilions and miferies which befall his Mother, and in her himlelf. He 
 * uiVTlnntrer he a child becaufe God 8c Nature hath now made him a Man:fo the very next 
 lime he feef his Father beat his Mother, he ftepsto her aiV.ltancc , and defends her from the 
 tyranny of his blows-, and then advanceth fo tar, as he performs it with an unwilling willing 
 iefiflance of hirmthe which his Father takes extreamly illand choletickly from him, gives 
 him fharp words, oc menaceth him with bitter blows George his Son,hrll returns him a brief 
 , liL.hp wrongs and indignities he ftilloffereth to his Mother, when procdhng of his 
 r L l- him he ’vet tclk hfm, that he is willing to entertain his words, but no longer 
 
 capable to digeft & receive his blowsv adding withal- as a palfionate CoroIlary>hat ere long 
 capable to aig g mC i era »x, and make her feel a part of her bale carriage and 
 
 11 ddervings both towards his Mother and himfelf. VM is much aftonifhed at th.s audacity 
 j his Son but far more to hear him name & threaten Salyna, the very thought 
 
 to his heart, and grieves him to his fouhfo he puts water ni 
 ?. UaUc it for that time a virtue to be no longer ftormy, but calm>& then(eljplerick- 
 
 , h ' S departs to his Chamber, leaving his Wife and his Son 
 
 Y m the Parlour towf with molt affutance,and leall fcandalj they may provide tor 
 
 thrif affairs The next morning, his Father keeps his bed, & gives order, that neither his 
 
 JSJ 0 ri r Son have admittance to him, the which difeourtefie of h.s, gives h.s Son a frefh and 
 Wite or bon nave aa , , j;r conttlU aaainh his Father , and his cholcr again# 
 
 iitons Mother die Good-morrow^and craving her bldling,hef purpofcly, 
 
 Sjly.,* when biddmghis Mo* vc, yl ,r,»»..ln*« 'wrlc,.,,d .hat 
 itamcsancxcu fclo hg K_hc, ^ ^ ” >j; imfelf , & J? si far more worthy of laugh- 
 
 morning ads a buiinds every y » 1Tulice t0 Salyua, as his affedion to his Mother 
 
 H ii th whfoh 0 cMHes y him Jnd his refolution to Cktaun where entring Salyna's lloufc hefw.th 
 
 in h s look” and thunder in his fpeeches)calls her whore 3c llrum P et,chatgeth her for a- 
 tire in his looks, ana tnu a r . hi f His c h 0 i er cannot retaih her patience, 
 
 butrng ^llraUb^id^cr^ai^d A^^lo^cs 1 UJthr! contrary i blit difdaining as jnuch to life his 
 
 a Mold i, 0» a lirurnpct,he takes his man's jta. »W,and gives he, 
 
 .rSl adora, blows on her back, arms , and Ihooldcrs thetewrt 1 , # 
 
 fearing to ha,' Thar if (He Make not his lather ahd nquilaC* 
 
 mounts htshoribnind prclc.^ly ii^r^o ^o^Vis^McMllcr.^horTi he acqwaiiie^tlaevevvith, 
 
 oiho his cholcr againlthcr lelf, or a propclihon 01 rtveng b 
 
 
^68 
 
 Hi 
 
 w 
 
 But this joy of Flejhr, and her Son George, proves the lighs and tcarsof Salyna, who not ac 
 culiomed to receive i'uch fliarp payment 6c mage from any man’s hands whomever, it makes 
 her extream cholerick and vindidtive,(o that her llomairk is (o great,and her heart fo highly 
 and impciiouily lodged, that (he will not fuffer this cruel affront offered her by George Vaiti, 
 to go unrequited: but yet ihe will be as adviled and fecret in her revenge towards him, as he 
 was rafh and publick in his toward her.To which end and purpofe, feeing that Valli his Fa- 
 ther came not to her that dayfwhereby (he judged he Was wholly ignorant what had befal- 
 len her from his Son), (he that night writes him a Ihort Letter^ and the next morning finds 
 it home to Fribourg to him, by a confident Mcffenger of hers; who arriving there, and finding 
 him penfivcly walking in his Garden, he refpctftfully delivered it to him ; who bteakingup 
 the Seals thereof, found it fpake thus: 
 
 SALYN A to V ASTI. 
 
 f 1 all the inviolable love and tender affiilion which is betwixt US, I pray and conjure you to leave 
 Fribourg, W come over to me with hafle and expedition to Cleraux, bccaufe l have a great and 
 important fecret to reveal to you, which equally concerns Ur, and which I dare not to commit to Pen and 
 Paper, for that the relation and kttowUdfj thereof, needs no other witnejfes but our f elves. If you any 
 way negleii this my a deice, orderly or defer th/s myrequcjl , tbigricf will be mine own, but thepreju- 
 dicc and repentance yours hereafter. I writeyop thefefw line's wirhinfinite affliClion andjhrrow, which 
 toothing can deface, but your fight-, nor remedy, but your prefence ; and when you come to me. Prepare 
 ycur heart and refolution to receive it from me with far more tears than kjjjes. 
 
 J SALYN A. 
 
 This Letter of hers doth fo nettle Vajli with apprehenfion and fear, that his Son George hath 
 offered her fome violence and out-rage, as he is almofl as loon in Cleraux, as he is out of Fri- 
 beurg;, where his Mifhels, Salyna, very paflionately and cholerickly informs him of his Son’s 
 cruelty towards her, and uto add the more efficacy to her'fpeeches, the more power toher 
 complaints, and the moreoyl to the tire of his anger and revenge)fhe forgets not to paint out 
 to himf'in all their coloursjthe number of his Son's blows, and the nature and quality of his 
 threats given her; when watering her words with her tears, flic fwears,that if he fpeedily do 
 not right and revenge thefe her wrongs upon his faid Son,{hc wil never kifsor fee him more 
 £4# thefe fpceches from Salyna's tongue y and placeth them in his own heart; yea he 
 hereat is fo cholerickly intended toward his Son, & fo fottiChly aft. died to her, as confulting 
 with rage, but not with realon, and with Satan,not with God; he (to exhale her tears, and fo 
 fo give confolation to her forrows) tells her, That he lovfeS herfo tenderly and eonftantlv 
 as he will not (ail to kill hisSpii for this uncivil & inhuman fadf of his towards her .Salyna is 
 ama7cd and aiionifhcd at this his unnatural refolution to hisSon;thc which(as vicious as llie 
 is) (he abhorrs and condemns in him as foon asunderftands. So (he tells him plainly that al- 
 beit flic have given him her heart and body ; yet, that flie is not fo exempt of grace, nor lo 
 wretchedly mltruded in Piety, as to take away her foul from God; and therefore that al- 
 though (he be guilty of Adultcry,yet (he wil never beof Murtherffo in religious termsfwor- 
 thy o t an honelter woman than her (elf (he powerfully feekstodiffwade him from this bloo- 
 dy and unnatural attempt, as well to prevent their future wrongs and fears, as to fccure their 
 dangers and reputations ; and fo prays him to feek out fome other remedy and requital to- 
 wards his Son ; the which he promileth her, and Teals it with fome oaths and many kiffes; 
 flays and dines with her, and immediately takes horfe and rides homewards. His Son George 
 finding his Father ridden forth, and being alcertained that he was gone to Cleraux to his 
 Strumpet Salyna, where (he would acquaint him at full with his beating of her;he fearing his 
 cooler, ho ds it more diferetion than obedience in him, to take his Sword with him for his 
 defence; when chuling a good horfe out of the ftable, he deems it more fecure, and lefs dan- 
 gerous, to meet his Father halt way betwixt Cleraux and Fribourg, and theFe in the open 
 Fie.d toexpedt and attend what he had to lay to him. Vajli feeing his Son George afar off 
 come rid.ng towards him, with his Sword by his fide, he much marvelleth thereat ; when 
 Well kno wing his courage and valour, and that (as young as he wasjhe had lately at Sbafoufe 
 acquitted himfelt of a Duel to his honour and reputation; he therefore refolvcs to makeat 
 a Tongue, and not a Sword-quarrel with him; and lb they meet : George doing his duty to 
 bis Father with his Hat off, and his Father fpeaking not angerly, but mildly to him. Their 
 Meadow- conference which they then and there had betwixt them, was thus : 
 bet. What realon hadlt thou fo cruelly to beat poor Salyna > 
 
 So. A tboujhid times more than you have to beat my Mother Helter, 
 
 Fa. Tell roe why > 
 
 So 
 
X 
 
 Hift. XXV . V ijii and Hefier. 
 
 So. The reafon is jujl and pertinent, becaufc that is your lafiivious whore, and ibis your . chjjk 
 and virtuous Wife. 
 
 Fa . What haft thou gotten by this thy rafh choler in beating her > 
 
 So. Not by far fo much as you have loli by your fottijh lufi in kjjjintr her. 
 
 Fa. It is thy Mother’s jealoufie which hath fown 6c fcattered t-hefe untruths in thy belief. 
 So. I pray excufe me , for they are palpable and apparent truths , and fuck as it is wholly impuffibfe 
 either for your hypocrifie or policy to root thence . 
 
 Fa. Since when becameft t hou fo fawey and peremptory > 
 
 So. From thak very time l firfl underfloodyou were become fo vicious. 
 
 Fa. I have a mad Son in thee. 
 
 So. It were a great happinej) both for my Mother and my felf ’ if you proved a tarter Husband to 
 her, and an honefier Father to me. 
 
 Fa. If thou follow thofe courfes, to love thy Mother better than my f,If- y I vow I will 
 wholly difinherit thee. 
 
 So. If you follow thefe courfes, to love Strumpets better than my Mother, I fwearyou will (hortly 
 confume all your Ejlatc, and difinherit your felf fir ft . 
 
 Fa. This word Strumpet is very rife in thy mouth. 
 
 So. I wtfh to God that the thing were not fo frequent in your heart. 
 
 Fa. Wilt thou be friends with Salyna , and reconcile thy felf to her 
 So.Tes,wben I fee yon become an enemy to her, and a friend to my Mother andy our felf ,& not before. 
 Fa. Why, Charity is the true mark of a Chriftian. . , d 
 
 So. But I affure you, fo is not Adultery and Cruelty. 
 
 Fa. Shall I makepeace betwixt thee and Salyna > 
 
 So. No *, but 7 would make u j°y °f m y heart, and the glory of my life, if I might befo happy 
 to knit and confirm a good peace betwixt your felf and my Mother. 
 
 Fa. Wilt thou attempt it, if I requeft thee ? * 
 
 So. 7 will, if you pleafe to command me. 
 
 Fa. I pray thee George do. 
 
 So. My bejl endeavours floall herein wait on your defires , and dutifully follow your commands. 
 
 Fa. But be careful to make my reconciliation with thy Mother eternal. 
 
 So. It can never fubfiji nor profper , if you henceforth refohe to make it temporary, becaufc affe - 
 Umi and amity which once receive end , had never beginning. 
 
 Fa. Here 1 vow conftantly a reformation of my life from all other women, and a perpe- 
 tual renovation of my aifedhon to my Wife thy Mother. 
 
 So. God and his Angels blefs this your converfion, and confirm this refolution in you. 
 
 Fa. And God blels thee my Son for wifhing and ddiring.it. 
 
 So. 7 thank-you. Sir *, but l humbly pray you likgwife to forgive and forget this myboldnefs to 
 you in my Mother *s behalf. 
 
 Fa. George, here in the prefence of God I cheerfully ai\d freely do it from my heart. 
 
 So. Amen, Amen, Sir. 
 
 This Meadow-conference thus ended between them, they ride home towards Fribourg, and 
 by the way Vafii willeth and prayerh his Son to finith this peace between him and his Mother 
 that very night, and to difpofe her fo efledf ually thereunto , as that they may make a merry 
 (upper ot it, and all former differences between them to be then and there ended, and forever 
 trampled under footsthe which George his Son to the befi of his pofljble power cheerfully and 
 joyfully protnifeth him. So home they comei Fafii walks in his Garden, and George finds out 
 his Mother in her own Chamber, being newly rifen from her prayers, wherein (lie was fo 
 zealous & religious, as fhe fpent the greateft part of her time.Here George informs hisMother 
 Hifitr at full, what conference had now paft in the open fields betwixt him and his Fatherland 
 in a word jhc here adts his parr and duty fo well and difcreetly,as he leaves no part nor per- 
 fwaiions unattempted, to draw her to this attonement with hisFathcr. When at firft, con- 
 lidering the nature and quality of her Husband’s unkind and cruel ufage to her, (he found an 
 oppufition hereof in her mind, and a reiiftance in her will, and a reludfoncy in her nature and 
 judgment. But at laft giving now her former difeontent to charity,her pallions to peace,her 
 forrows to filence, her refolutions to Religion, her anger to affebtion, her malice to oblivion, 
 and her grief unto God,fhe(after a brief confutation, 6c a (hort cxpottulation hereof between 
 thetnj with a cheerful countenance thanks her Son (or his care of her, 6c his atfedfion to her 
 herein , and fo informs him, That (he having never juftly offended her Husband in thought, 
 word, or deed Js as willing of peace and reconciliation with him, as he can pollibly defire or 
 wilh > and here to teftifie it to her Son, as well in adtion as words,fhc would then have gone 
 
 Bbb down* 
 
God’s Revenge a gainft Murtber . Book V, 
 
 down with him to herHusband, there privately to have concluded thisChriftian bufinefs be* 
 twixt them, had her Son not diverted her from it:for being exceeding careful to preferve his 
 Mother’s right and reputation, he prays her to ffay, alledging, that he would prefently fetch 
 and condudt his Father to her Chamber to her, as holding it more requifite 6c juft, that the 
 Delin que n t, fhould tirff lee & leek the party wrong'd, bdorc the party fecit the Delinquent, 
 whereat (he cannot refrain from finding, & then bids him go. So George defccnds to the Gar- , 
 den, and acquaints his Father with his Mother’s free difpolition and cheerlul refolution to a 
 perpetual peace with him j whereat he feems infinitely glad and joyful > and to afeends her 
 Chamber*, and-, having faluted her, tells her, that he is very forrowtul and repentant for his 
 former ill carriage and unkindnefs towards her, whereof he prays her pardon, and constantly 
 vows reformation; fo this his virtuous and kind W i fe , Hcfter ,fr eel y forgets and forgives Vajii 
 her Husband-, and then he gives her many kiffes in requital , and bids his Son George to pro- 
 vide good cheer for Supper s and the better to leal and folemnize this their reconciliation 
 and attonement,he bids them to invite lbme of their Kinsfolks and Neighbours to be prefer** 
 thereat, who were formerly acquainted with their debates and differences j where no good 
 cheer, and choice wine, is wanting.So they are wonderful frolick,plearant,and merry,all re- 
 joice at this good news, and highly applaud their Son Geooge for his difcreet carriage & care 
 in the managing of this bufinefs. Thus all things feem to be fully reconciled, and here Vajii 
 drinks many times to his Wife Hejier, and Hie again to her Husband, with much affe&ion and * 
 joy. When Supper being ended, their gueffs departed, and their Son George having received 
 both of their bleflings, they betake themfelvcs to their Chamber and bed. 
 
 Now ( in all human fenfe and rcafonj who would once conceive or think, that alter this 
 Meadow- conference of Vajii to his Son George, but that this his now table-reconciliation with 
 his Wife Hejler, were true,and pronounced with much integrity from himfelf, with deep af- 
 fedion to her, and infinite zeal and devotion to Godibut alas, nothing lefs: for, here I am in- 
 forced to relate, that Vajii the fame night had not lain in bed by his Wife five or fix hours, 
 but (he (good woman ) fleeping in her innocency,he(as a Devil-incarnate Jwas waking in his 
 malice and revenge, and laughing in hisileeve to fee how cunning and fubtilly he hath lull’d 
 alleep the courage of his Son with a Meadow-conference, and the jealoulie of his Wife with 
 a Supper, and a few fweet words and kiffes; when here again the Devil blowing the coals to 
 his luff, and marfhalling up his former oblcene defires and refolutions, only his body is in bed 
 with his Wife Hejicr here in Fribourg , but his affedion and heart is ffill in the bofome of his 
 Strumpet Salyna in Clcraux, yea, the Devil, I fay, is now both fo bufie and fo ftrong with him, 
 that fas ahelliffi Counfellor, and prodigious Pen-man ) he writes down this definitive fen- 
 tence in his thoughts, and fatal refolution in his heart, That Salyna he will love, and his Wife 
 Hefter he cannoGand that fhortly he will give fo (harp a revenge to his Son George for his dif- 
 obedience towards him, and for beating of his Salyna, as fhe fhall have no further caufe to 
 fear his cruelty, nor himfelf his courages and becaufe he preferrs her love to his own life fas 
 being dangeioutly intangled and captivated in the fnares of her youth and beauty ) he like- 
 wife rcfolves to write and fend her a Letter the very next morning. 
 
 Now judg, Chriftian Reader, is not this like to prove a fweet reformation and reconcilia- 
 tion of Vajii to his Wife and Son,fith thefe are the lparks which diffufe and flye out from the 
 tire of his luff, and the fatal lines which iffue forth from the Center of his bloody heart, and 
 iinful foul, for in the morning before his Wife is out of her bed, he is ffirring, and writes 
 this Letter to Salyna , which he (ends her by a truffy meffenger. 
 
 V ASTI to SALYNA. 
 
 I Am plotting of a bufinefs which will infinitely import bo eh our contents : fo if thou wilt rc five to 
 brook^ my abfcnce with as much patience , as 1 do thine with forrow, 1 JhallfiniJh it the fooner, and 
 confecjHOitly the fooner fee thee. 1 have met with an Accident which 1 thought was wholly impoffible 
 for me to meet with j and: though at firji it brought me fear and affUttion^yet at length l was inforud 
 to interpofe difcrction infiead of courage , thereby to draw fecurity out of policy , which l could not hope 
 for out (f nfijlancc : for I mujl inform thee of this truths That if my zeal and affettion to thee , had 
 not been :f greater power and confederation than that of mine own life , I fhouldthen with more faci- 
 lity and wiflingnefs rather have hazarded it for thy Jake, than have referved it for mine own. But the 
 mijlslf thvfe doubts are now diffipated, and the Clouds of thefe fear s blown away: or if not, l will 
 fhortly ta\e that order , that thou Jhalt have no caufe to fear the one , or I to doubt the other. IVhiH I 
 jhall be fo happy to fee thee , 1 k^tow not * but if fortune prove propitious to my defires and wifhes , my 
 return fall be ailed with its much celerity , as it is eagerly longed for of me with ajfeflion andpaffion. 
 
 VASTI. 
 
Hi ft. XXV. Vafli and Hefler. 
 
 Salyna receives this Letter oiVajiis with equal fcar and joy; tor as the was glad to hear of 
 him and his news*, fo the was fcrrowfu!,as fearing that for her fake he thould embark him - 
 iclf in fome bloody bufinefs, which might prove ruinous to them both. And although her 
 apprehcnlion do far exceed her kno wledg herein , yet her fufpition will give her no truce * 
 ^either can her jealoutie adminilter any peace either to her heart or mind, before (lie be rc- 
 folved by Vaflioi the doubtful and different truth thereof. She is fo propkane and iafeivi- 
 ous, as the can content her felt' to make him guilty of Fornication but yet Religioh hath 
 left fome fparks and impreflions of Piety in her , that (he would Hill have him innocent of 
 Revenge and Murther ; to which effe<3:,by his own Metfengcr Ihe returns him this Anfwer; 
 
 ' S ALYNA to V ASTI. - v 
 
 B EcaaJe you deem me unworthy to lytow your J)tfiigns, therefore l have afifumed the boldsicfs to fear 
 them* in which regard and confideration, find it notflrange that 1 now entreat you to engrave hi 
 your heartland imprint in your memory , Fhat Malice is mofit commonly fquvit-ey^d, and Revenge fiill 
 blind: therefore if you will not ruin our affeEUons And fortunes, heed that you imbrue not your 
 
 heart and hand in innocent blood : for Murtloer is a crying and a fear let fin, which God may forgive 
 and tnakg white by his Mercy, but wiU not by his Jnflicc whereof this my Letter oj Advice to you, 
 fhallbe a witnefs betwixt God, your felf and me : and therefore, its you love me, buzzard not your life 
 for my fake, but preferve it for your own. As it is in your will to makgyour jiay from me as long or its 
 floor t as youpleafe * foit floallbein mypleafure to judg thereof and thereby, like wife of your ajfeftion 
 to me. Iwiflo I could be more yours than I am , and your felf as often in my fight aftd company, as l 
 defire God profper you in your flay, and me in yoitr bbfence. 
 
 SALYNA. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 Vafli having thusfetled hisaffe&ion and affairs with Salyna, he fees (with grief) that it is 
 now ulmoft impollible for him to fee her in C/er*#*, becaufe of the vigilant and watchful eye 
 of his Son George over himftlf and his adtionshere in Fribourg-, wherefore, notwithlhnding 
 her wholefome and religious advice to him to beware of blood-, yet his luftful affedtion to 
 her, doth fo outbrave and conquer his natural love to him, that to fatisfie his inordinate con- 
 cupifeence, and to give content to hisobfeene and beaftly defires, he vows he will fhortly 
 fend him to Heaven in a bloody Coffin. Now the fooner and better for him to compafs and 
 finifh this his deplorable ftratagem, and unnatural refolution againft his Son, his counfellor, 
 thffDevil advifeth him, that he muff for a fhort time make wonderful fair weather with him, 
 and gild over all his fpeeches and adtions to his Wife Hefler,with much refpedi and courtefiei 
 the which Vajii doth Ipeedily put in pradtice. So for a month or fix weeks time, he fees not 
 Salyna^ but all thingsfto the eye of the world)go in great peace, affedtion, and tranquility be- 
 twixt Father, Mother,and Son. But this falfe lun-fhine will be too foon o’retaken with a dif- 
 mal itorm and temped : for what Religious or Chriftian fhew foever Vafli externally makes 
 unto them, yet although he hath God in his tongue , he nevertheless internally carries the 
 Devil about him in his heart :fo again and again he definitively vows and fwears to himfelf, ' 
 that his Son George fhall not live, but dye.Thus being refolute in his bioody purpofe,he like- 
 wile reiolves to add policy to his malice againft him, as thinking and hoping thereby , with 
 more facility, to draw him to the lure and fnare, which (in his Diabolical invention jhe hath 
 ordained for hisdeftruction.He fills his head with the fumes and honour of military adtions* 
 inflames his courage with the gencrofity and dignity of a Soldier, whereunto as alfo to travel 
 into other Countreys, he knew that this his Son of himfelf was already ambitioufly inclined 
 andaffedted. At other times he reprefenteth to him, to how many damages and dangers 
 idlenefs isexpofed and fubjecF, and what a noble part and ornament it is in young men to 
 learn virtues abroad, thereby to be the more capable to know how to pradfife them at homey 
 and with what renown and glory their Anceftors have heretofore beaten and ruined the 
 Dukes oi Burgundy, their proteffed enemies, and now made themielvcs and their Country fa- 
 mous to the grcatelt Princes ^Potentates of Europe, efpecially to the kings of France BtSpain, 
 who thefe.many years,3c now tiewife at prefent (quoth hej do equally .court our affedtions 
 & fer vice, though not with the line or like integrity. And thele,& fuch trcachcrousLedfures,» 
 doth Va)H ft ill read unto his Son\W£c r as often as he calls him into his company & prefence 
 uKtil at tali the fame and name of a. Soldier, and the honour of travel, have fo lurpnfed his 
 youthful aftedtion, and Seiz'd on his ambitious rdolutions, that at laft he bcleecheth his Fa- 4 
 thcr to fend him abroad in fome Martial fervice, o$ generous employment. But the Father 
 hi mg as cunning as hisSoti is raftv & inconfiderate,fuffereth himfelf of purpoie to be earndily 
 
 Bb b and 
 
V 
 
 Gods Revenge againfl Murther. Book V. 
 
 and frequently importuned by him to that effedhthe which he doth: When at lad his Father 
 promifeth to fend him to Rome^to his Unkl c Andrew Vajii, who' he faith) is a chief Captain of 
 one of the Companies of thisprefent VopcVrban VI 11 his Guard}who was an old mun,viry 
 rich, & without wife, child, or kinfman with him. George thanks his Father for this his cour- 
 t^ile and honour, and importuneth him again and again to haiten this his departure 6c jour- 
 ney to Rome to his Unkle}the which he then firmly promifeth him; but yet thegreated diffi- 
 culty hereof is, how he may obtain his Wife’s confent to this journey of her Son, who at firft 
 oppofeth it very drongly and pa(fionately,as knowing her Son to be beronly child, her right 
 arm, a great part of her felf, the delight and joy of her life, and the prop and ftay of her age. 
 But the Father leaves his Son to draw & obtain his Mother’s confent, as politickly knowing 
 and forefeeing,that the lefs himfelfySc the more his Son importun’d her, the fooner (he would 
 grant it}the which indeed fel out as he expcdcd;only, whereas theSon requeued today four 
 years abroad, his Father gave him but three, 6c his Mother would grant him but two} where- 
 unto at lalt both Father and Son were enforced to condefcend : and now this cruel-hearted 
 Father, provides his courteous* natur’d Son George a new Suit of Apparel, aHorfe, and Money, 
 and refolvcs to accompany 6c bring him as far as Turin in his journey, which courtefic of his 
 hisWifeand Son. take mod lovingly and thanktully.The morn of (Jeorge his departure comcs> 
 and becaufe his Mother the precedent night dreamt that her Son (hould dye in this journey, 
 (he was now exceeding forrowful to let him go and depart from her, but being again foi titled 
 and redfified by the advice of her Husband, and likewife vanquiffied by the importunate re- 
 quefts 6cprayers of herSon,fhe bedews his cheeks with her rears, gives him much good coun- 
 fd,lome gold. 6c her blelling}and fo they take leave each of other, God putting appreheniion 
 into her heart, 6c theDevil atfurance into herHusband’s re(blutions,that (he fhould never ice 
 her Son again: And indeed I write with grief,that we fhall progrefs very little farther in this 
 Hiftory, before we fee her dream verified, and her appreheniion confirmed. The manner thus: 
 
 For Vajlii being privately as refolute in his malice and revenge to his Son, as this his Son is 
 innocent in not deferving it of his Father jis lb far from bringing him to Tarings he will not 
 bring him as far as Geneva , but a mile before he comes to Lofanna, ( where he tells his Son he 
 wou d lye that night), the night approaching, and in a long narrow Lane, where he law that 
 no earthly eye could fee him ( being wholly deprived of the grace and fear of God, and ab- 
 folutely abandoned toSatan and Hell)as his Son rides clofe before him, he (hoots him thorow 
 the back with his Piftol, charged with a brace of Bullets, who immediately falling dead to the 
 ground, he there dtfeends his horfc, and ( without any remorfe or pity, as no Father,but ra- 
 ther as a Devil incarnate ),cuts off his nofe,moft lamentably fcarrs & mangles his face, that he 
 might not be known, Sc fo takes him on his (boulders, 6c there throws him into a deep ditch 
 or precipice, as alfo the faddleand bridle of his horfe}6c turning the horfe to feek his fortune 
 in the wide fields,hefto provide fbf his fafety ) rides fwiftly to Morges^nd there very (ecretly 
 hufheth him (elf up, pretending to be lick, and eight days being expired (which was the pre- 
 fixed time and day he gave his wife for his return) he by a contrary Road- way of Me and 
 St. Claude , arrives home to Fribourg to her, brings her word of the health of her Son, and of 
 the remembrance of his duty to he*, and that he left him well in Turin , expe&ing the bene- 
 fit of good company to travel up to Rome\ whereat his harmlefs loving Mother, (he weeps 
 for joy, and yet rcjoyceth in weeping. 
 
 And now for fome ten days after his return from adting this woful and deplorable Tra- 
 gedy on his Son, he keeps a good correfpondency and decorum with his Wife Heller * but at 
 the end thereof ( fblciy forgetting his heart and foul, his God and hisconfcience,his promifes 
 and oaths, and his atonement and reconciliation) he again falls into the dangerous relapfeof 
 nis former old vice, whoredom, and drunkennefs} and yet counfelled by a better Angel than 
 his own, he forbears to be at her, as well fceing,and now knowing, that thereby nothing re- 
 dounded to him, but fcandal and fcorn from all his neighbours, friends , Sc kinsfolks. But now 
 his luff is again (o great, and his defires io fervenr ly lafeivious towards Salyna.t hat in (laying 
 lefs than eight weeks, he thinks he hath (fay’d more than feven years from her^when pretend- 
 ing to his wife another journcy,he rides over to Cleraux to her. Salyna gives him many kiiTes 
 for his welcome, and a many more for relating to her that h-Jiath fent away his Son George 
 to Rome ^ and torefide and live there: for (he being his Father’s Urumpct, her guilty and finful 
 conick nec made her (land in extream tear of him} but yet air idil her kiffes Sc pfeafures with 
 him (remembring the tenor and contents of his lad Letter to her, and her anfwer thereof to 
 him J her thoughts are (omerhing touched with doubt and her mind afiaulted and perplexed 
 with fear, that the father had pLy*d no fair play with his Son, but that in regard of his in- 
 tegrate malice f o him for beating her, he might have fent him to Heaven, and not to Xpme. 
 
 To 
 
Hift.XXV. 
 
 / atti and Hejler. 
 
 To which purpolc (he feels and founds him every way, but he is as confiant to deny it, as Ihe 
 curious to enquire after it. So the believing that he had affumed no bloody thoughts agaiurt 
 his Son, (he is not yet fo devoid of grace, or exempt of goodnefs, but (he gives him thi^reli- 
 gious caveat for a Mememo,wh\ch (he delivers to him accentively and paflionacely,That if (Ire 
 knew he had made away hisSon by any untimely end, or unnatural accident, or that he were 
 anyway acceffary to any prodigious difalter which had befaln him, (lie vow’d to God, and 
 fwore to him, that (he would fpit in his face, difdain his company , and rejed his affe&ion 
 and himfelf for everj for that (he was mod affured and confident, that God (in his due time ) 
 would pour down vengeance and confufion on thofe whom the DlviI had feduced and 
 drawn to embrue their hearts and hands in innocent blood. But Va\\i ispalt grace 5 and there- 
 fore ilightly paffeth over thefe virtuous fpeeches of his vicious Salyna , with a denial &a kifs 
 and then they fall to their mirth and familiarity, and he itays there all that day, and lies with 
 her the whole night following* but hill Salyna (“rcfembling her felfand her profcflionj is ve - 
 ry fing’rative of his Gold, and he as fottiflily prodigal in giving it to her , as (he is covetous 
 to crave and delire it of him: fo (after he had glutted himfelf with his beaftly plea lure of 
 Salyna ) he the next day rides home to his wife, who knowing where and with whom he had 
 been, and confidering it to be the rirtf time of his new error, and hisfirft relaplc into his old 
 one, (ince their reconciliation, (he fays nothing to him to difcontent him, but yet chinks and 
 fears themore.When retiring her (elf into her Gardenf after many bitter lighs and tears for 
 thefe her immerited crolfes and calamities) (he there grieves and repents her felf for permit- 
 ting her Son George to go to Rome, and a thoufand thoufand times wilheth his return, to aililt 
 and comfort her. But her tears herein prove as vain, as her wilhes are impoffiblc to be effe<3> 
 ed, although at prefent very needful and neceffary for her. 
 
 For now Vajii her Husband(to make her forrows themorc infinite, her hopes the more de- 
 fperate,and her afflidions the more remedilefs) falls again to his old practice of beating her, 
 notwithstanding all his late oaths and new promifes to the contrary* but he the more cfpc- 
 cially plays the tyrant with her in this kind, when he comes home to her from his Cups and 
 Whores: lor (he knows with grief, that he retains and entertains more than Salyna -, only (he 
 is too (ure, that Salyna hath hispurfe, his company, his affedtion, and his heart, at her com- 
 mand, iar more than her felftfhe fends her lighs to Heaven,and her prayers to God,thatfout 
 of the profundity of his mercy and goodnefs, he would be plcafed either to amend her Huf- 
 band, or to end her felf * for gricfs,forrows,and a(Hi<3:ions,are fo heaped on her, andflike the 
 waves of thcSea^) lal) fo faft one upon the neck of the other to her, that (he is weary of her 
 life, and cf her fell. When on a time after he had cruelly beaten her, torn off her head-attire, 
 given her a black eyc,and fwoln face, and difhevel’d dcdifparpled her hair about her ears and 
 fhouldcrs, making God her Protedtor,and Chamber her Sandua/y, exempting her fervants 
 who came to afiiit and comfort her, and fail bolting her door , Ihe to her felf very penfivdy 
 and mournfully breathes forth thefe fpeeches. 
 
 O poor Hejler ! what fenlible grief is it to thy heart to think,& matchlefs torments to thy 
 mind, to fee and remember, that whiles thou art true to thy Husband F-iJfi, he proves both 
 ingrateful and falfe to chee, and that he continually makes it his delight and glory to hate 
 .thee who art his dear wife,purpofcly to beftow his time and his affedion,yea to cart away his 
 elhteand himielfon his lewd young Strumpet Salyna. 0 ,were he more happy 6 c lefs guilty 
 in that lafei vious and bealily crime, I (hould then be lefs mifcrablcyuul more patient 6 c joy- 
 ful in the remembrance thereof. G how wretched is his efiate and condition ! and therefore 
 h,ow miferable is thine, in that he wilfully foriakes God and his Church , to follow adultery 
 and drunkennefs* and abandoneth all piety and prayer, to (hipwrack himfelf, and ( which is 
 worfe^) his foul, upon all carnal pleafures,and voluptuous feniualities. .The which grieving to 
 fee, and almofi drowning my felf night and day in my tears to underfund. I have none but 
 Gud to alfilt me in thefe my bitter afflictions and miferies i and, under God , none but my 
 hopeful Son George , left. to comfort me in thefe my unparallel’d calamities and dilcontblati- 
 ons. Therefore, O God, if ever thou heardeft the prayers , or beheldefi the tears of a poor 
 milerable dillreffed wyman, becaufe I car. neither now fee, nor futurely hope for any refor- 
 mation in the life and actions of my debauched and vicious Husband, be( I be fee eh theejfo in- 
 dulgent and gracious ro me,thy moft unworthy Hand-maid, that either fhortly thou return 
 me my (aid Son trom Romf,or fpeedily take me to thy felf in Heaven. But yet, O my blef- 
 fed Saviour and Redeemer, not my, but thy will be done in all things. 
 
 She having thu:- ("privately to her felf) vented her (orrows,buc nojt as yet found the means 
 cither how to remedy or appeafe them, becaufe her Husband is no Changeling, but is (till 
 iefolute in his iBgrateful unkindnefs and cruelty towards her, (he is now refolved 
 
 B b b 3 (“though' 
 
374 
 
 Cod's Revenge agninfi Murther. Book V. 
 
 (though with infinite grief and reki&ation ; to acquaint the Preacher of the Pariffi,and feme 
 two ot her Husband’s dea.rcft and ntartft Kinsfolks,to (peak with him again, and ,to acquaint 
 them with his pernicious rclapfe into all his old vices of Drunhennefs. WHoTtdom,andP/ght- 
 mgs and to defire them to ufe all their poffible power to divert him from it > wherein her 
 resolution hath this juft txcufe, That if they cannot work it , none but God can. But all 
 their care, aftt&ion, and veal, cannot prevail with him: for he, with the filthy Deg, returns 
 to his vomit, and, with the bruitifh Swine, again to wallow in the dirt, and welter in the mire 
 of his former vices and voluptuoufnefs. for now her Husband Vajii isoftner at Chraux with 
 his Salyna,i hail at heme at Iribeurg with his Wife, who ( as formerly we have underftoodj 
 hill makes him pay dear for his pleafures s and, as a fiibtil rooking Strumpet, emptieth his 
 Purfe of his Geld, as faft as he foolifhky hi leth itshe being not coriu nted to wafte his body, to 
 fhipwrack his reputation, to calf away his time, but alio to call away hisehatc and himfelf for 
 her : the which his virtuous wife cannot butebferve with forrow, and remember with grief 
 and vexation -but, (lie fees it impellible for her how to redrtfs it: for (lie is not capable to dif- 
 fcmble her difeontent to him lo privately, as he publickly makes known his cruelty to her: 
 wherefore her thoughts fuggeft her, and her judgment prompts her, to prove anorher expe- 
 riment and trial on him. To which end (he tells him^hat if he will not henceforth abandon 
 beating of her, forfake his old vices, and become a new man, and a reformed Husband, that 
 then fall delays fet apart J fhe will fpeedily (by fome one of her neareii kinsfolks ) fend P<?ft 
 to Rowe, to his Brother Captain Andrew Vajii, that her Son George return home to her to Fri - 
 botirgy the which fhe is more than confident, upon thoreceit of her firft Letter, he will fpee- 
 dily and joyfully perform. 
 
 Her Husband Vajii is extreamly galled with this fpeech, and netled witli this refolution of 
 his wife He/fer,becaufe( wretched villain as he is)he(but too welljknows he hath already fenc 
 his Son to Heaven in a bloody Winding- (beet, and therefore both fears and knows, that by 
 this his wife’s fending Poft to Rome , his deplorable and damned fa6t wil infallibly bur/1 forth 
 and come to lights the which therefore to prevent, hef as bad and cruel-hearted as the Devil 
 himfelf ; is execrably refolved to heap OJfa upon Pelion, to add blood to blood, and murther 
 to murther s and fo now to poyfon the Mother, his wife, as he had lately piftol’d his and her 
 only Son to death. O Hcjfer,it had been a fingular happiivels for thee, that thou hadll not thus 
 thr earned thy Husband Vajii, to fend to K one for thy Son George > but that thou hadll either 
 been dumb when thou lpak’li it, or he deaf when he heard itsfor hereby thinking ropreferve, 
 thou haft extreamly endanger’d thy felf*, and hoping to make thy Son thy refuge and Cham- 
 pion,l fear wirh grief, and grieve with fear, that thou haft made thy felf the ruin of thy felf. 
 
 For Vajii is fo lirong with the Devil, and fo weak with God, in this his bloody defign, to 
 murthet his wife Htjhr, as neither Grace or Nature, Religion or God, thefear of his bodie’s 
 tortures in this life, or of his foul’s torments in that to come, are able to divert him from it, 
 he having no other reafbn for this his damnable rage, nor no other caufe for this his infernal 
 aird hellifh cruelty, but this trivial and yet pitiful poor one, that his v/ifejHbjhr is an eye-fore 
 to him, bccaufe his Salyna is ft) to her. A wretched excufe, and execrable Apology 7 and 
 no lets execrable and wretched is he that makes it. So he ( turning his back to GodTand his 
 face and heart to the Devil Jprovides himfelf of ftrong poyfon, and cunningly infuling it into 
 a Musk- me lion, which he knew (he loved well , and refolved to eat that day at dinner, (he 
 greedily eating a great part of it, before night (Ire dies thereof. When very fubtity he gives 
 out to his Servants and Neighbours, that fire dyed of a Surfeit in then and there eating too 
 much ot the Musk-mellon > andloallof them confidently believe and report. 
 
 Thus wc have feen with forrovv,and unde-rftood with grief, that this execrable wretch Va - 
 Jli hath played the part of a Devil, in poyfoning his virtuous and harmlefs wife Hejkr , and 
 now we (hall likewife fee him play the part of an Hypocrite to conceal it, as if it lay in his 
 power to blindfold the eyes ot God, as wel,or as eafily, as to hood-wink thofe of men, from 
 the fight and knowledg thereof. He feems wonderful forrowful for his wife’s death, dighfs 
 himfelf and his fer vants all in black, provides a grearer dinner , and performs her Funerals 
 with extraordinary folernnity. But notwithftanding, God looks on him with his eye of Ju- 
 ftice, for boththefc his cruel inhuman barbarous murthers of his Son and Wife, and there- 
 fore now (in his Providence Jrefolvcs to punifti him (ln^ply and fevereiy tor the fame j as, 
 mark the fequel, and it will inftantly inform us how. 
 
 Out debauched and bboefy Vajii, immediately upon his wife’s death and burial,doth with- 
 out inter million haunt the houfe and company of his lafeivious (trumpet Salyna, at Cleraux , as 
 if the enjoying of her fight, prefencc, and telf, were his chieteft delight, and moft krveraign 
 earthly felicity .He fpeiids agreat part of hiseftatcoii her, and to fatisheher covetous and his 
 
 luftiul 
 
Hift. XXV. 
 
 Vajli andHefter. 
 
 375 
 
 lulltul defires, he is at laft enforced to mortgage and fell away all his Lands: for as long as he 
 had money, (he was hiss but when that failed him,then(he(asanght Strumpet, ading a true 
 parr of her felf ) failed in her accultomed kindriels and familiarity towards him, and calls, 
 him off. 
 
 The judgments of God, and the decrees of Heaven, are as (octet as facred, and as miracu- 
 lous as juft, which we (hall lee will now by degrees be apparently made good and verified in 
 this Monller of men, and Devil of Fathers and Husbands, V aji i. for his Manfion-houle, and 
 all his Utenlils and Movablesin Fribourg , areconfumed with a (udden fire, proceeding froth 
 a (la(h of Lightning from Heavens as alfo all his granges of Corn, and (tacks of Hay, and yet 
 thofeof all his Neighbours round about him, are untouched and (afe. His Corn alio which 
 grows in the field, brings forth little or no encreafe,his Vines wither & dye away, all hisHor- 
 ies are ftoln from him, and molt of his Cattel,Sheep,and Goats, dye of a new and ltrange di- 
 feafe: for being (as it were mad; they wiKully and ontragioully run themfelves to death one 
 againft the other.He is amazed at all thefe his (unexpected Jwonderful Ioffes and croffes, and 
 vet this vile mifereant and inhuman murtherer,hath his conlcience (till fo feared up, and his 
 heart and foul fo (tupiried and obdurated by the Devil, that he hath neither the wil'.powcr, 
 or strace to look up to Heaven or God , and fo to fee and acknowledg from whom and tor 
 what all thefe afflictions and calamities befall him He grows into great poverty, and again 
 to raife him & his fortunes, he now knows no other art or means left him, than to marry his 
 ftrumpet Salyna^ to whom he hath given great ftoic ot Gold, and on whom fas we have for- 
 merly heard jhe hath fpent the greateft part of his Lands andEftate.Hc leeks her in marriage, 
 butfhearing of his great Ioffes, and feeing of his extream poverty jftiewil not derogate from 
 her felf but very iugratefully denies and difdains him, and will not henceforth permit him 
 to enter into her houfe, much lei's to fee or fpeak with him : he is wondertul bitten and gal- 
 led with this her unkind repulfc,& then is driven to fuch extream wants and neceffity, as he 
 is enforced to fell and pawn away all thofe frnall trifles & things which are left him thereby 
 to Rive himfclf a very poor maintenance. So (as a wretched Vagabond whom God had juft- 
 lv abandoned for the enormity of his delids and crimes)hc now roams and ftragleth up and 
 down the llreets of Fribourg , and the Countrey-Panfhes and Houfes thereabouts, without 
 meat money, or friends, and which is infinitely worle than all, without God.But all thefe his 
 calamities and difafters, are but the Harbingers and Fore-runners of greater miferies and 
 pumfflmcnts, which are now fuddenly and condignly prepared to furpnfe and befall him, 
 whereof the Chriftian Reader is religioufly prayed to take deep notice and full oblervation, 
 becaufe the glory of God, and the Triumphs of his Revenge, in thefe his ,udgments,do moll 
 
 divinely appear and (hine forth to the whole world therein. 
 
 SL a time returning from CUraux towards Fribourg (where he had been to beg fome 
 money or meat qf Salyna(cithcr whereof (he was fo hard-hearted to deny him;, the P rov.- 
 dence^and pleafure ot God fo ordained it, that in the very fame Meadow and place, &near the 
 (ami time and hour which formerly he 8c his Son Gcorgo had their conference tRere <>ng 
 vm S and weary ) he lay himlelt down tdfleep at the foot of a wild Cl.elnu t-trer, 
 v he there llept fo fbundly,the Sun being very hot, that he could not hear the great node 
 I,,d out-cry which many people there afar off made in the Meadow, for the taking of a furi- 
 ous, mdBffll, this Bull l lay, no doubt but being fent from God, ran dnredly to our deeping 
 ousmad cum t *\ cc up in the air on his horns, tore his no(e,and fo wondertul ly 
 
 mangled hfs L^that all who came to his affirtancc, held him dead: but at lait they knowing 
 nm to be Fribourg, and finding him faintly to pant and breathe for hie againft death 
 
 thevuke offhis clothes and apparel, and then apparently d, (cover and fee that this mad Bull 
 with his horns hath made two little holes in his belly, whereof at one of them almallp.ece 
 . i . ' . Q nurrhev carrv him to the next Cottage,& laying him down fpeechlas,tney 
 
 ° j K-^Velf believe' he cannothvc half an hour to an end;, and as yet he (till remains fpeech* 
 
 lefs, but at laft brcathinga ‘to open the eyes of 
 
 to purge and cleanfe the po ,u tot ; j q 0 j now fo ordaineth and difpofeth 
 
 he now becometh a witnefs a 5 a, “ l * ' ’ .. s a Ge „ ge with a Piftol.and who tince 
 
 fo, whioh two foot gab**- «*<* 
 S he Sd iron, In, l, cm and foul lK 5S <d pardon and Krotltaa of God. 
 
37<S 
 
 God's Revenge _againft MurtberT Book V. 
 
 Here upon this coupon, fe me of the company ride away to FribomZ^^^TTi^ 
 Criminal Ofccmof Mice thereof-, who ipcedily fend two Chmugtons t t ? d e s t 
 wounds, and (ourf.m-w/ to : bring V.jli thither alive, jl p< flibly they can. They feardiir!! 
 wounds, and although they find their mortal, yet they believe he n,ay live three or fnnr 
 So they bring him to Fribcurg in a Cart , and there he likewife confeffeth to 
 the Magnates, his two atcrcfaid bloody and cruel furthers, drawn thereunto, as he iaith 
 by thetreacheiousalJurerncntsand temptations ol the Devil. So the feme day, they ffor fa 
 tisfadhonof thefe his unnatural cr.mes, do condemn him to be hanged, and then his bodv 
 to be burnt to allies. Which is accordingly executed at Fribourg , in the prefence of a great 
 concourfeof people, who came to fee him takchis laft farewell of the world s but thev 
 thinking and exposing that he would have made feme religious fpccch af his death he 
 therein deceived their hopes ar.d delires v for he only prayed to himfelf privately, and Ihea 
 repeating the Lord s Prayer, and the Creed, recommending his foul to God , and his body 
 to Chrifiian burial, without once mentioning or naming his Son George, his Wile Heft* 0 r 
 Saym ? hC ^ lft ' n , 8 UP L h ' S ? y£S t0 Heave >0 was turned over land although ( bc- 
 on the ground' 0 ^ ^ ^ R ° pC and tdl > F« he Was <^nd Hark dead 
 
 w *f. thc -/welched [&, aud deferved death, of this bloody Monftcr of Nature 
 v *lh. May we therefo re read this his Hiltory to God's gloiy , and toour own reformation! 
 
 The end of the Fifth Bool \ 
 
THE 
 
 TRIUMPH 
 
 OF 
 
 GODS REVENGE 
 
 AGAINST 
 
 The Crying and Execrable SIN 
 
 o F 
 
 MURTHER 
 
 EXPRESSED 
 
 In Thirty feveral Tragical Hiftories, (digefted into Six 
 
 Books), which contain great variety of mournful and memorable 
 Accidents, Hiftorical, Moral, and Divine. 
 
 The Sixth Boo\ 
 
 Written by JOHN REYNOLDS. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed by <*//• Maxwell for William Lee , l6yo. 
 
To the Right Honourable 
 
 Sir f AM E S STANLEY, 
 
 Knight of the Bath , Lord Strange , Son and Heir apparent to William Earl 
 of Derby , and one of the moft ancient Knights of the Illuftrious 
 Order of the GARTER- 
 
 My Lord , 
 
 P ■ ~^HE firft time that I had the honour to fee and k>ioro your Lordfjip, was in 
 France, when you then began your Travels , accompanied with your No- 
 J bie and Generous younger Brother , Sir Robert Stanley ( likewife 
 Knight of the Bath) who now lives with God- And ( if my fancy de- 
 ceive not my judgment Jit is equally worthy both of my thoughts , and of your Lord- 
 flip's memory ,to fee how propitious God hath fince proved to your content, and re- 
 mains to your felicity , in fo highly recompenftng this your lofs of a Noble Bro- 
 ther, with the rich gift of a Virtuous W ife, your Right lllullrious Lady , who is de- 
 fended from no meaner Houje than the famous Dukes of Tremoville by her Father , 
 and the Ei&orious Princes of Orenge , by her Mother and[who being tr an fated 
 from France, and (in the Sacred Bonds of Marriage) here matched and incorpora- 
 ted to your Lordfjip, hath (by the Mercy and Providence of God ) in a few years 
 brought you many fweet Olive-Plants and Branches to perpetuate your ancient 
 Name, and moft Honourable Family of the Stanleys. 
 
 And what are all thefe benefits of Nature, andblejfmgs of Grace, which God hath 
 Jo opportunely fent, and gracioufy given you, in and by them, but fuch , andfofub- 
 lime andtranfeendent, that they are frong proofs of his Mercy and Goodnels to- 
 wards you, and I doubt not but (in a pious refolutien) your Lordfjip reciprocally 
 makes them the caufe of your eternal gratitude and thankfulnefs to his Sacred Ma- 
 jefty for the fame. 
 
 And indeed, who can pojfibly have, or conceive a different thought, that obferves 
 how your Lordfjip conduits all your allions by Realon, andnot by Pallion? That 
 as youefteem Virtue to be the chiefefl Earthly Honour, fo you likewife value Piety 
 and Godlinefs to be the beft and moft Soveraign Virtue. That you are confident , 
 
 , that in Hearts and Souls., which arc well and fairly endowed. Honour ^WHonefty 
 
 fiould Hill be Twins, or infeparable Companions and Individuals , becaufe the for- 
 mer without the latter, is but as fire of Hr aw to the Sun- fine 3 and to (hut up this 
 point, that your Honour gives the chief eft funltiohs and faculties of your Soul to 
 God, and the fecond to theprofperity and fervice of your Prince and Countrey, 
 
 ' that being the true mark of a Religious Chriftian, and this of an excellent Subjell, 
 and Honourable Patriot. ! 
 
 And this (my good Lord) was the Original caufe , and thefe are the prevailing 
 Motives and Reafons,why I trench fo far upon your Lordfjip s Greatnefs and Good- 
 nels, in proffering up this my Sixth and lajl Book °f God’s Revenge againft Mur- 
 thcr , to your Noble Protection and Patronage 3 not that your Lordfjip is the 
 lift in my Affedtion and Zeal, > much lejs in my Refpcdts and Oblervance : 
 But , that I could give no fat isf all ion to my Jclf , before I had prefixed your 
 IilultriouS Name, to this my unpoSifed lVorkj> and before I had gi- 
 
 Ccc-2 vtn 
 
ven a publicly tefiimony to the whole world in general, and more epe daily to our lit- 
 tle world , England, in particular, what place and power your Honourable Birth and 
 Virtues We defervedly taken up in my heart, and worthily pur chafed in my mojl 
 referved and intire afellion. 
 
 The H iftories which this Book relates, are memorable and mournful and , to give 
 your Honour my opinion of them, they are as lamentable for the bloody falls] as me- 
 morable for the far p, yet juft punijhments infilled for the fame , wherein God’s fa- 
 cred Tuftice^ Revenge ( with equal Truth WGlory) triumphed ore their 
 wret ched Perpetrat on. I have cafi them in a low Region of language-, and therefore 
 if they come port of your Lordpip's accurate Judgment, my Prefumption in this 
 my Dedication to you, hath no other hope of excufe or pardon , than to flye to your 
 Lordpip s innate Goodnels, andto appeal to your kyiown and approved Generolity 
 and Candor, as making it your Honourable Ambition to cherip Virtue in all men, 
 and to cief :nd it againjl unjufi fcandal , and malicious detraSion. 
 
 Precccd,myLord,as you have fairly and fortunately began , in the happy exer- 
 cife and progrefs of Piety, Virtue, Honour $ and as the hopes are now ours fo 
 may the happy fruits and effells thereof, infallibly fiiU prove your Lordpip’s 
 hereafter, until it haveperfelled and compleated you to be amp/l.ll luftrious Pat- 
 tern of Goodnefs in this World , and a glorious Saint in that tocome the which 
 
 P r ?y God for , with more true Zeal , nor defire with more unfeigned 
 Affedhon, thdn J 
 
 Your Honour’s humbleft 
 
 devoted Servant, 
 
 God's 
 
Hift. XXVI. 
 
 377 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 history xxvi. 
 
 Im-p'eria, for the love Jhe bears to young Morofini, feducetb and caufeth him ( with bis two Confirts 
 Attonicus and Donato ) toftifle to death her old Husband Palmerius, in his bed. Morofini mif- 
 fortmatdy letting faH his Gloves in Palmerius his Chamber , that night which he did if, they are 
 found by Richardo the Nephew of Palmerius, who kpows them to be Morofini’si and doth there- 
 upon aceuft him , and hit. Aunt Imperia, for the murther of his. Vnkje: fo they , together with 
 their Acceffaties, Aiionicus and Donato , are all four of them apprehended and hanged for the fame. 
 
 T Hofe intemperate and lafcivious affcdions which favour more of Earth than Heaven, 
 archill attended on with lhame and repentance, and many times followed by mifery 
 and contufion: for God being our Maker by Creation, and our Saviour by Redemption, con- 
 Uqutntly (hould be of our loves and aftedions, and the true and foie objed, in whom only 
 t hey (hould begin and terminate. For Nature muft be a Handmaid, not a Millrefs to Grace, 
 becauleGod in his Divinodecree and creation of manjhath made our bodies mortal, but our 
 Ends immortal. And the like Antithelis which there is between Lull and Charity, the feme 
 there is between finful Adultery, and fandified Marriage. But where our youthful aftedions- 
 b fin in Whoredom, and end in Murther, what can be there expeded for an i(lue, but ruin 
 and defolation. Crimes no lefs than tilde, doth this enhiing Hiilory report and re ate. A Hi- 
 fturv 1 ConfdSjlo di plorable for theperfons,theirfadsand puni(hmcnt,that 1 had little plea-* 
 hue to pen it, and leLs j- y ropublifh it, but that the truth and manner thereof gave a con- 
 trary Law to my retolutions,in giving it a place among the reftoi my Hiltories, that the 
 light and knowlcdg of otiurs harms, may the more carefully and conlcionably teach us to 
 avoid and prevent our own. 
 
 Ccc z The 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther. Book Vf 
 
 The free Eftates and Common- weals of Italy, more efpecially the famous Seigniory of 
 V enice,( which for wealth and power gives place tonootherof Chrifltndcm) holds it no de- 
 gree of diiparagement,but rather an happy ard honourable virtue in their Nobles and Gen- 
 tlemen,tocxercife the faculty and proftlGon of Merchants, the which they generally perform 
 in Turkic, & ailother partsof the Levant- Seas, with as much profit as glory, to theadmirati- 
 on of the whole world, and the envy of their private and publick enemits : of which number 
 of Venetian Gentlemen, Seignior Angelo : Honfni is ones a young man, of feme twenty and 
 four years of age,del'cendtdof a Noble Name and family , and (if reports be true) from 
 whenceours herein England derive their Original. Hc\istalland (lender of ftature, of a 
 lovely (anguine complexion, a bright Cheflnut-coloured hair , but as yet adorned with a 
 fmall apparition of a Eeard : he is a&ivc of body, of a fwcet carriage, and nimble wit, and a 
 molt pleating and graceful fpecchsand he is not lo young, but he hath already made t wo’ ft ve- 
 veral voyages to Constantinople zn6Altxdtidria,m both which he rtfided fomc five or lix year’s 
 and t hrough his wifdom and induitry won Ibmc wealth, but more reputation and fame info- 
 much as his deportments and hopes, to the eye and judgment of the world, promifeth him a 
 fortune equal, if not exceeding his blood & extraction. Holding it therefore rather a (hamc 
 than a glory as yet to marry, or,whith is a thoufand times worte,to pal's his time vainly and 
 lalcivioully at home among the Ladjes and Curtizans of Venice, upon whom ("by the way of* 
 a premonition and precaution Jhe law fo many debauched young Gallants to call away their 
 EltatesaiuLrhemfelvcs, he affumes his former ambition to travel, and fo undertakes a third 
 Voyage to Conjiantinople: He embarks himfelf upona good Ship, named the little St. Marl^of 
 Venice ■, and in company of Seignior Afionicus, and Seignior Philippo Donah, likewife two young 
 Gentlemen, Merchants of Venice, of his dear and intimate acquaintance : with a pleafant «ale 
 and merry wind, they fet fail from Ualanoca , the Port of that City, and fodirtd and llfape 
 away their courie tor the Illands of Corfu and Zant, where they art to flop, and take in ibme 
 Con. modifies, and from thence thorow the Archipclagtn, by Candy and Cyprus, to the Port of 
 the Great Seignior. But as men propole, : and God difpofeth ot alj terrelirial actions and ac- 
 cidents, fo they are overtaken by a ltorm , and with contrary winds put info the Harbour 
 and City of Ancona, a rich, populous, and llrong City, which belongs to the Pope, and which 
 is the Capital ot that Province of the Morca Anconitona, from whence it aflumes and takes its 
 denomination,and wherein there are well near three thoufand Jem Hill refident,who pay a 
 great yearly Revenue to his Holinefs.The wind being as yet contrary for our three Venetian 
 Gallants s and they knowing that our Lady of Loretto (the grcatell and molt famous Pilgri- 
 mage of the Chriltian world; was but litteen fmall miles oif in the Countrey whereas yet 
 they had never either of them been, they in meer devotion ride thither, their Ship now be- 
 mg fait anchored and moored in the Peer of Ancona, which Itands on the Chriltian lide, upon 
 the Adriatic^ Sea, vulgarly termed the Gulf of Venice. 
 
 ^ And here it is neither my purpol'e or delire to write much, either of the (pretended Jpietf 
 ot this holy Chappel of Loretto, which the Romanics fay was the very Chamber wherein the 
 YngtnMary brought up her Son,our Saviour Jefus Chrilhor of her Pidure,which they like- 
 wile alledg was drawn by the hand and pencil of the Apoftle Saint Luke , and both the one 
 and the other, as they affirm, miraculoully brought over the Seas from PalejUne by Angels, 
 and hrlt placed by them on the Hills of R«*g»<m( three little miles thencejand longllnce by 
 the laid Angels tranllated and placed here in this (mail Town of Loretto. But as for my (elf 
 this Legend is too weak to pal's current with my faith, much lefs to efteem it as an Article of 
 my Creed jonly this I will confefs and fay, That as it was Devotion, not Curiofity,which ear- 
 ned our Morofim Ajlonicus and Donato thither s lb it was my Curiolity, not my Devotion, 
 which made me to take the light thereof in my Travels : where, in the rich and fumptuous 
 Qu.reof a (lately Cathedral Church, I law this little old Brick Chamber (now termed the 
 Holy Chappel jvery nchiy adorned with great variety of malfie Gold and Silver Lamps,and 
 this Pidureot the blellcd Virginia a Ihrmeof Silver, mod richly decked with Chainsand 
 Robes, imbroidered wirh Gold and Silver, and fet with precious Stones of ineflimable va- 
 lue, which ( to exprefs the truth in one word^) bred much admiration in my thoughts, but 
 no veneration at all in rriy heart. So I leave Loretto, and return again to our Hiftory, which 
 
 was the only Rehque that I brought thence. 
 
 The two hrft days,our three VenetianG allants vifit this holy Chappel with much folemnity 
 and devotion, where not to'Jelus the Son, but to Mary the Mother, they offer up their prayers, 
 and pay their vows of thankfulnels for theitdeliverance from the late (form, which put them 
 and their Ship m (afety at Ancona. But the third day there betides an unexpected accident 
 
Hifl.XX V I. Morofini andlmperia. 
 
 to Mrofini, which will adminiftet matter and life to this Hiitory. Heleaves histwoTiiends 
 and Companions in Bed, and fteals away to the holy Chappel, where being on his knees a** 
 his Devotion, he near to him feesafweet young Gentlewoman likewifeon her knees at her 
 Devotion and Onions, very rich in Appaiel, but incomparably fair and beautiful; He curb 
 oully marks her Rofeat Lilly Cheeks, her piercing Eye, the Ambef-treffcs of her Hair, her 
 Alablafter Neck and Paps, and her ftraight and llender Wafte ; all which made her to be the 
 Pride and Glory ol Nature. At whofe light and contemplation, his mind is fo fuddenlv in- 
 flamed with affedioft to her, that he who heretofore could not poffibly be drawn to love 
 any Gentlewoman or Maiden, now defpight of hiinfelf (and of his contrary inclination 
 and refolution j he at fir ft light is enforced to love her, and only hcr.For the more he fees her, 
 the more he affeds her } which ingendereth fuch ftrange motions, and fudden pallions in his 
 heart, that the fweetnefsof this fwcet Objed enforced his eyes inceffantly to gaze on her, 
 both with aftedion and admiration. Our Mnofmi would lain have boarded and Talutcd her 
 there, but that he would not make heaven lo much ftoop to earth, nor prophane the hoJmefs 
 of his affedion, and of this place, with fuch impiety. But at lafl feeing her to rife from her 
 prayers, and fo to depart the Chappel, he could not, he would not fo leave her, nor forfake 
 the benefit of this (weet opportunity, to make himfelf known to her : when, withdrawing 
 his devotion from the old Lady of Loretto , to give it to this his young Lady ( and pretended 
 Miftrefs ) in Loretto > he trips away after her into the body of the Church', where feeing her 
 only attended by a well-clad Boy, and her young Waiting-Gentlewoman (after falutcs on 
 both lides performed) he there proffereth her histervice in thefe general terms ; 
 
 Morof. I know not, fweet young Lady, whether I may term my felt happy or unfortu- 
 nate, in being this morning honoured with the light of fo beautiful a Nymph and Virgin 
 as your felf* becaufe in thinking to gain my foul, I fear I have loft my heart in the amorous 
 extaiies of that delicious Objed and Contemplation : therefore I befeech yon think it not 
 ftrange, that having received my wound from your Beauty, I flye to your Courtefie for my 
 cure and remedy thereof s and that feeing you fo weakly guarded, I prefume to requeft 
 thd favour of you, that you will pleafe to accept of my company to recondud you to your 
 home. 
 
 This young Lady feeing her fclf fo much gazed on by this unknown -Gentleman, in the 
 holy Chappel, and now lo courteoufly faluted by him in the Church , fhe could not refrain 
 from dying her Lilly-Cheeks with a Vcrmillian-bUifh > when having too much beauty to be 
 too unkind, and yet too much coynefs and modefty at firft to prove too courteous to him, 
 (lie (brooking her name well ) returns him this anfwer : 
 lmper. Sir, you being fo happy to have given up your foul this morning in your devotion to 
 the blclTcd Lady of this place, I do not a little wonder that you fo loon prophane it, by endea- 
 vouring to make me believe, that you have loft your heart in the contemplation oi fo poor 
 and fo unworthy a Beauty as mine : for herein, as you prophane your zeal to her,fo your af- 
 fedion to me, lith that fhould be more Sacred, and this not fo much feigned or hypocritical. 
 Bdt fuch wounds ftill carry their cures with them^and therefore as my beauty was not capa- 
 ble to occalion the one, fo lhall not my courtelie be guilty in granting the or herrit my weak 
 guard be not llrong enough to condud me to my home, my Inrtocency and Cbafhty are, as alfb 
 ro defend me from the Inares and lures ot thofe Gentlemen, whofe belt virtue conlifts more 
 in their tongues, than in their fouls*, and more in their complements, than their adions: of 
 which number,tearing and taking you to be one, and my Father’s houfe bang fo nigh, I (hall 
 not want your company, becaufe as 1 deferve, fo I delire it not : and thereiore l will leave 
 you, and yet not without leaving my thanks with you for this your proftered favour and un- 
 expeded coumiic. 
 
 Although Morofini could not refrain from fmiling at this her (harp and witty anfwer^ yet 
 he feeing his complements retorted, and his courtelie returned with aorefufal, he could nor 
 yet refrain from biting his lip thereat. But again, confidering her to be exceeding fair and vir- 
 tuous, and hoping withal that her Father might Hkewife prove rich, he would not difgracc 
 his bleeding, nor make himfelf a Novice in Love, to be put off with this her trrft repulle, 
 but again founds her in thefe terms. 
 
 JShrof. My devotion to the Mother of our Saviour, doth nor prophane, but f hope blefsand 
 fandifie my affedion to you , and therefore if it be not the cuftom of the young Ladies and 
 Gentlewomen of Loretto to ufe ftrangers with this difeourteiie , I cannot believe that you 
 would purpofely thus excrcile your wit in my patience, by infliding on me thisyeur unjuft 
 rcfufal. As for your feigned thews of hypocrifie, lam as innocent of them, as you fufped and 
 term me guilty, and have no-more fnares or lures, in proffering you my affedion and fervice, 
 
 * than 
 
Gods Revenge againji. Murtber . Book VI 
 
 than that which your pure Beauty and chafl Virtues gives me. Neither am I of the number 
 of thole Gentlemen whom you pleafc to traduce and difparage, becaulc their Hearts and 
 Tongues agree not, or for that their actions prove hot their Speeches -and Compiements 
 real* becattfc I as much difdain, as you condemn them. Therefore if you cannot give me 
 the courtciie, T pray at leali lend me the favour, that I may wait on you to your Father’s 
 houfe, whom i (hall ever be ready to ferve with as much humility for your fake, as to cherifli 
 and obey your felf with affe&i n tor mine own. 
 
 This Anfwer of MOROSINI , makes this young Gentlewoman (whole name he and 
 we fliall anon know ) as fwcetly calm, as right now (he was unkindly pallionate s fo that 
 looking ftedfaftly on him, and compoiing her countenance rather to l'nules than frowns, (lie 
 rejoyns him thus : ' 
 
 IMPEMA. It is the cuftom of the Ladies and Gentlewomen of Lcretto , to ufc Strangers 
 rather with too much Rclped^than too little Favour, especially thofe Gentlemen who fa- 
 vour more of Honour than Vanity. It therefore I have any way wronged mine own judg- 
 ment, in fufpedting or not acknowledging your merits, I know 1 am yet ;S worthy of your 
 excufe, as of your reprehension. And becaufe I utidcrftand by yon, that you are a Arangcr to 
 this place, though not to this Count rey>.as alto, that you feem to be fo importunately deii- 
 rous and willing to conduit me to my father’s houfe, I will therefore give a contrary Law 
 to my own will, and now make civility difpenfe with my difcretion , by accepting of this 
 your Kind proffer *, and you fliall not accompany me neither to him with fo much Kdpcdt 
 and Zeal, as I will you with Obler vance and Thanks. 
 
 Which kind lpeech the had no iooncr delivered , and MOROSINI deceived, but he again 
 cl o fed with her tints : 
 
 ftiOKOSINl. Sweet Lady, this courte fie of yours, feconding your Beauty, (lull eternal- 
 ly oblige me to your fer vices and in requital thettot, I will ever eftcewit my befl happinds 
 to receive your Father’s commands, and my chiefeU telicity 3c glory to execute yours*, when 
 reciprocally exchanging falute$,he takes her by the hand and arm, and very gracefully con- 
 duds her to Iter Father’s houfl ,not far off rrom this fumptuous Church, and by the way thi- 
 ther, among other Speeches and Complements, he gathers from her,that her Father’s name 
 is Seignior Hu.ro me Bornm^ and hers Donna Jmperia , his only Daughter. Wherein he, for the 
 former fame of ms Wealth, and the prefent fight of her Beauty, doth both delight and glory, 
 as dreaming ot a future felicity, which he (lull enjoy in her fight and company, whereof for 
 the time prefent he hath far more reafon to flatter, than to allure himfelf. 
 
 Now we mult here underhand, that this Seignior Bon Jim her Father, is a Gentleman ofan 
 Ancient Home, and Noble Defcent, and of a very great Eflate both in Lands and Meansv 
 and vs i.hal, he was exceeding covetous, as glorying more in his Wealth, than in his Gencro- 
 iity ■> and more in his Fair and Beautiful Daughter Imperia^ than in any other of his Chil- 
 dren. Here Morcfini brings Imperia home, and (he prefents him and his courtefie ro her Fa- 
 ther, wno receives him relpedfully, and kindly thanks him for this his obfervance and ho- 
 nour to his Daughter, who led by the lufler of her Eyes, and the delicacy of her Beauty, was 
 fo extreamly enfiam’d with affeaion towards her , as at that very inflan t he proclaimed 
 himlclt her lcrvant,and (lie Lady-Regent of his heartland deliresund then it was that he flrfl 
 acquainted her with his Name and Quality, with his intended Voyage to Confktminople , but 
 chktiy with hisconflant defire aud rcfqiution to feek her in marriage both of her felf and 
 her Father. Wherefore, to contrad this Hiflory into a narrow Volume, I will pafs over his 
 often coin tings and vilits of her, asalfo thofe fweet fpeeches, and amorous difeourfes and 
 conferences which pm between them, during the {pace of three weeks *, wherein the Wind 
 proving contrary Co his Voyage, proved therefore propitious to this his fu it andvaffe&ion.In 
 which time he proved himfclt fo expert a Scholar (or rather a MaflerJ in the Art of Love, 
 that he exchanged hearts with her, obtained her affedtion and confent to be his Wife, upon 
 his hr A return Iroih Constantinople > but yet it was wholly impoffible either lor him or her to 
 draw ha bather s content nertumoyal though many times he fought it of him with prayers, 
 and (he with tears. For he making Wealth to be the very linage and Idol of his devotion, 
 and gathering (hat Mrofinis Birth rar exceeded his$tatc and Means*, asalfo, that in his opi- 
 nion, his Eflate was yet tar greater tiunhi> Capacity or Judgment, he would never hear- 
 ken to him, much Ids give any way that he flibuld be his Son-in-Law ; but with muchob- 
 fliuafy and rdolntion , vow d that he would mfl rather fee his Daughter married to her 
 Grave, than to him ^the winch rro ward and harfh refblution of his, makes our two Lovers 
 exceedingly to grieve and lament thereat. But how to remedy it, they know nor. Morofini 
 now acquaints his two Contorts, AjtunicM and Donato , wieh nis a ffeCfion to Impend , and 
 
Hi ft. XXVI. 
 
 Morofini and Imferia. 
 
 brings them the next morning to fee her, who highly commend his choice, and extoll hX* 
 beauty and virtues to the skies ; i hey in Morofini behalf deal effectually with Bondino r 
 draw his confect to this match, mount his praifes and merits as high as Heaven, and in s 
 word, they leave no friendly office, or reafons unattempeed to perfwade and induce him herr- 
 unto: out they fpeak either to the wind, or to a deaf man ^ for his will is his law, and therefor* 
 they find it a worK,not only of extream difficulty, butofmeer impoffibility toeffed it:for crL 
 ther they nor Morofini, can fo much pray and exhort Bondino to this match, as he with fham 
 words aid bitter threats feeks to divert his Daughter from it ; which pierceth andgalleth theft 
 two Lovers to their very fouls. For by this rime their affedion* and hearts are fo frrongly an d 
 hrmly united, taat Impcria loves Morofini a thoufand times dearer than her own life, and he 
 ner no left. So when they think of cheir feparation and departure each from other, the verv 
 conceit and thought thereof draws even drops of blood from their hearts, and an Ocean of 
 rears from their eyes. Butbecaufe they are more amorous than fuperftitious in their devotion 
 and affedion each to other, and that (in their thoughts and defires), they faerffice more to 
 the Altars of , than i to that of the Virgin Mary ; Therefore Fortune more envvine than 
 pittying them, and therefore rcfolving to feparate their bodies as far afunder, as their heart? 
 are nearly linked and combined together- the wind comes fair, and the Matter of cheir Shin 
 lends fpeedily frorn Ancona to them to Loretto to come away, for that he is refolute to omit 
 no time, but with all expedition to weigh Anchored fee fail for Corfu. 
 
 Morofini receives this news with infinite forrow, and Imperia with extream Grief and 
 amazement, fo as if grace had not prevailed with nature, and her obedience to her Father van- 
 qmfhed and given a la.v to her affed ion towards Morofini • fhe could then and there have 
 found in her heart to have Witltalj, and accompanied him in his Voyage to Turhie and Con- 
 ftantinople, fo fweet was his fight and prefence, and fo bitter was the very thought of his ab~ 
 fence to her heart and mind. Here Morofini comes again with his Hat in his hand and 7W- 
 na on her knees with tears to her Father, chat he will grant they may contract themfeives 
 each to other before his departure, but he is deaf to his rcquefts,and inexorable to her tears and 
 prayers ; for he vows he cannot, and fwcars he will not confent thereunto. And therefore 
 here the Reader mutt conceive, for it is impottible for me to exprefs the thoufand part of the 
 lighs which he, and the tears which fhe expends, at this their forrowful departure, infomuch 
 as I cannot truly define, whether he then gave her more kiffes, or fhe him tears So here fhe 
 vows to remain unmarried till his return, and he both promifech and fwears,' that he will 
 return within one year tocher and marry her ; the which the more authentically to feal and 
 confirm, he gives her a rich Emerduld Ring from his finger, and fhe him a fair Carkamet of 
 Orient Pearls from her neck, with which the great drops of her tears trickling down her 
 vermillion cheeks feemed to have fome perfed fympathy aud rcfemblance. Of which in. 
 terchangeable and mutual con trad Aftonicus and Donato arc joyful wicneflcs, who feek to 
 add comfort and confolacion to thefe her unfpeakable forrowg, and unparalleld affiidions 
 for this their feparation ; whiles Imperia in the mean time at the very thought and confede- 
 ration hereof, (flic gazing on her Morofini) feems to burft her heart with fighing, and 
 drown the Rofcs and Lillies of her beauty, with the fhours and rivolcts of her tears 
 So Morofini being again and again called, away by Aftonicus and Donato> he then takes 
 leave of Bondino , and efien-of his dear and fweet Daughter Imperia, in whofe heart and breft 
 he imparadilfcth all his moft Religious Prayers, and treafureth up all his amorous defires and 
 withes ,*and from thence (with his two faithful friends and companions) takes horfe for Ancona 
 where as foon as they come, their long Boat is afhore and takes them in, when the wind 
 continuing ftill exceeding fair, they are prefently for Corfu and Conftantinople , where we will 
 leave them floating upon the Seas, expofed to the favour and mercy of the winds; and ac- 
 cording to the order of our HiRory, come we again to fpeak of Bondino, and of his fweet and 
 fair daughter Imperia, to fee what matter they wifi adminifier us,and what aftions and accidents 
 they will produce. ^ 
 
 Whiles our fair Imperia day and night weeps andfighs for the abfence of her dearefl and fe? 
 cond felf iMorofni^nd with her eyes and hands ereded to Heaven, continually prays for his 
 profpericy and return,her old bather Bondino afiumes a dired contrary courfe and refolution- 
 for within two ox three Moneths of Morofim s departure, he makes it his greatett care and ami 
 bicion to provide another Husband for his Daughter. He is not ignorant of her tears and 
 penfivenefs for his. abfence, and knows full welL; that her foliciry walks, and pale thin checks, 
 look frill conftantly to him, and never from him. But he is refolute chat his old covetouf. 
 nefs (hall [prevent and deceive this, her young affedion, and that to work on the advantage of 
 Morofini s abfence, his befr and flior^eft courfe is to heave him oux of her heart and mind, 
 
 D d d wd 
 
 
3$2 
 
 Golf Revenge againft Mart her. Book VI. 
 
 and contrarywifc to propound and place another husband in bis ftcad. To which end his laid 
 daughters beauty and his own wealth having already procured her two or three Suitors, who 
 earneftly feek her in marriage, he likes none of them fo well as old Seignior Palmenus a rich 
 Merchant of Ancona, aged of at leaft .fixty years •> whereas his fair Daughter Imperia was not 
 above twenty four, who was of fo deformed and decrepit a perfonage and conftitution,thac he 
 feemed but as a withered January to this frelh Lady M*j y and his age but a frozen Winter to 
 the fragrant flourifhing Summer of her youth and beauty.But this old dotard Palmerins (who 
 is every way fitter for his own grave, than for Imperial bed) is fo taken with the daintinefs of 
 her perfonage, as he hopes that her youth and her father’s age, will ftoop and ftrike fail to his 
 wealth • and therefore he tricks and prides himfelf up, both in his apparel and beard, as if love 
 had taken aw^y much of his age, now purpofely to add it to his vanity and indiferetion, fo 
 he comes to Bondlno'% houfe at Loretto, and feeks this his fair daughter in marriage, where the 
 confederation of his great eftate and wealth, a& fuch wonders with her Father’s heart and refo- 
 Iution,that her Father & he have already fwapt a bar gain, that he, and none but be fhall marry 
 tiis daughter, before as yet he have the happinefs to fee her. But at laft her Father brings her to 
 him, chargeth her with bis commands, to difpofe her felf to affeft and marry him, and [peaks 
 to her, not onlyin the language of a father,but of a Kingjfor fuch is his pleafure.Thcfe fpceche* 
 of her Father, and the fight of her old lover, yet new Suitor P aimer in, doth much amaze and 
 terrific his young Daughter ImperiaXo flie receives and hears thofe with infinite affli&ion and 
 forrow, and him with much contempt and difdain •, for fhe rejefts his fuit and himfelf, and 
 boldly tells both her Father and him, that Morofini is too deeply lodged in her heart ; for any 
 other of the world to have entrance or admittance, and therefore (with fighs and tears) calls 
 her felf at her Father's feet,and prays him that he will not force her to marry Seignior Palme- 
 nW,whom fhe affirms, flie cannot poifibly affed, much lefs obey; But her father i$ refolute to 
 have it fo,and therefore (palling over all other refpe&s and confiderations ) he adds threats to 
 hiscommands, and vehemently chargeth her again and again to confent thereto. But her ab- 
 fent Morofini is ftill fo prefent in her heart and mind, and fo frefh and pleafing to her eve and 
 memory,that flie cannot, flic will not forget him. So that for this time her father can no more 
 enforce her to fpeak with Palmerius, or draw her to fee him: and thus (he puts him off for his 
 firft coming to Loretto to her. Imperia being now infinitely glad to have thus given her Father 
 the foyl,and old Palmerius the repulfc,flie raifeth a thoufand new Trophecs of /oy, and vido- 
 f ies of delight in her heart for the fame, as if that outragious florm 3c tcmpcft(fo contrary and 
 difpleafing to her heart) had received end almoft asToon as beginning. Thus now ruminating 
 on nothing lefs than on Palmerius, nor on nothing more, than on her fweet-and dear Aforofi- 
 #<‘,( to whom in his abfence fhe facrificeth all the flames of her heart, and all the vows, defires 
 and wiflies of her foul} flie paffeth away her time in perpetual praying for his return, for the 
 which fhe leaves not the Lady, no nor any other Saint of Loretto unadored, or unprayed to. 
 But contrary to her hopes and defires herein, this her old Suitor Palmerins, (having wholly 
 loft the folidity of his judgment in the excellency of her beauty he ftill keeps good corre- 
 fpondence, and curious intelligence with her father, and continually his heart runs a* much 
 on her youth, as her father's covctoufnefs doth on his wealth and gold v fo within two monrtis 
 he returns again to Loretto, where he is received with as much joy of Bondino, as with extreim 
 difeontent and forrow of his daughter Imperia : who now poor foul can receive no peace nor 
 truce from either of them, but they inccffantiy haunt her as her ghofts, and fail not day and 
 night to importune her for the consummation of this contract and marriage ; but her heart is 
 fo.clofe united and wedded to Morofini, that it is as yet impoffiblefor eicher t or both of them to 
 divorce or withdraw her from him, Palmerius thinks to gain her by rich gifts and prefents, buc 
 fhe reftifeth them all for the fake of the giver : and her Father now tempts her with fweet 
 fpeeches and perfwaiions,and then again terrifies her with bitter commands and threats, hoping 
 thereby in the end, to make her flexible to his defires and wifhes: But his daughter Imperia not- 
 withftanding all this, f with a conftancy worthy of her beauty^ and every way equal to her 
 felfj refolves to fruftratc the hopes of the fir ft to annihilate and make vain the expectation of 
 the fecond ,and fo to deceive the defires and wifhes of them both, and to keep her heart wholly 
 for Morofini , as file hath formerly promifed and obliged her felf to do. 
 
 But although Ptlmtms were heretofore the firft time fo cafily beaten off with Imperils re- 
 fufal, he will not be fo the fecond; and therefore his heart and mind telling him, that the 
 fweetnefs of her youth, and the delicacy of herfieauty, deferve a Wronger, and longer fiege 
 of his affection. He ('by the free advice and confent of her father) refolves to flav and burfl 
 all that Summer in Loretto, hoping that time would change her refolution and make that fea- 
 fable in his daughters affe&ion, which now in a manner feemed to be impofiiblc. Thuiif 
 
 ~ i Palmeritr 
 
Hi ft. XXVI. Morofini and Impend. 
 
 Pal nur ins ufe his bell endeavours to bear and conquer lmptm oneway, no left 
 another wav, for the firft gives her a world of iugred words and promifej,and the fecond of fbarn 
 and bitter treats to c fted it ; Poor Imperia feeing her felf thus ftreightly and narrowly b*°irt on 
 both Tides, Ae hath again rccourfe to her fighs and tears, the only weapons left her in the abfence 
 of her Morifim, to defend her atfedion and confbncy, againft the luff of TalmeAus, aodth- 
 powcr and tyranny of her Father B,„d w. A thoufand times a day fhe wifticth that Confia«tm vie 
 were Loretta, or Loritto Conflanttuople, and as often prays, that either fhe were in Mosofun’s 
 arms, or he here in hers. But Palmtritts being as obftinate as her Father was refolute and furious 
 m this fuit and motion towards her, [he [hats her felf up in her Chamber, where feemin- to drown 
 her felt m a matter of this weight and importance, and what invention fhe Ihould find out and pra- 
 ttice, to abandon / 4/ r r, W) andtocall home her Morofni to marry her, than which under 
 ifcaven (he defired nothing more, or to write truer, nothing elfe. So at tail (he refolves to 
 fend one purpofely to Cenflantmople, to halten his return, (which now wanted but a little of his 
 prefixed time of a year) when making choice of a dear friend of his of Ancona, named Seignior 
 . CMereano, and furmfhmg him with gold for a long journey, as to fail from Brundifmm to Ragufa. 
 and fo from thence, by Poft to C or.fi dntineple ; fhe takes pen and paper, and thereon fas much 
 With tears as iok^ tracetn her Morofent thefe lines, wherewith fhe difpatcheth him away. 
 
 IMPERIA to MO ROSIN I. 
 
 I Should betray my affdlion to thee, and confequentty make my felf unworthy of thine, if by t hit my 
 Letter (which 1 purpofely fend thee by thy friend Seignior Mcrcariojf didnot now acquaint thee 
 with how much impatience and furrow my ( elf, and with how much joy my Father broods thy long ab- 
 fence, Thou kfiowtjl in what ajwcet and jlrifl fympathy of Love , our hearts are united. So at me a fit - 
 ring Morolini by Imperia, I am confident that all thofe Seas between Ancona and Conftantinople 
 are not capable to wafh away the remembrance thereof, either from thy heart or my foul. And yet 
 bolding it a part both of my duty & of my felf, 1 am enforced to command my pen to relate thee,that my 
 bather Bond ino begins to txercij e a point ,not only of his will, but of his power, yea, I may juflly fay, 
 cf bis tyranny over me,to perfwade me to leave my young Morofini, to make me marry his old Palme- 
 xius. In which regard and confidcration, if my poor beauty or merit have left any impnffion in thy 
 brefior memory , l now mofi heartily pray thee to leave Turky for Italy, and Conftantinople 
 'for Loretto, and to make me ns happy in enjoying thy fight and prefence, as I am tmferabk without 
 it.' And when our God, and my good fortune, Jhall permit this my innocent and forrowful Letter to 
 fallintt thy hands, think., yea, i*MS with thy felf , what an ingratitude, yea what a crime it will 
 ■ be, for thee not to bring me thy felf, but to fend me any excufe whatfoever to the contrary. Farewell 
 my other felf, my [met felf , and may God and his Angels ever prove propitious to thy defines andniy 
 mjhes. 
 
 IMPERIA. 
 
 Mcrcariofia three weeks time) arrives zlConfiuntin-ple, and finds out his friend Morofini, to 
 Whom he delivereth his Miftris Imperial Letter ; the which he firft killing, prefently perufeth it, 
 and very paffionately both rejoyceth and grieves thereat : So Cdfonfini very kindly feaflshis 
 friend CMercario there fome eight days, and then returneth him home with an anfwcr, which in 
 lefs than a months time, be delivereth into Imperia' s own hands in Loretto, who is extreamly 
 glad thereof, and then beautifying her fnow-white cheeks, with fome crimfon blu(hes,[he hies her 
 to her clofet, and breaking up haftily the feals thereof, finds it traced and charged with this 
 meftagfj 
 
 MOROSINI to IMPERIA. 
 
 T Hy health and conflancy makes mt as joyful in the receit of thy Letter, as thy Father Bondino 
 his difreffetl to me, and love to Palmerius, makes me f arrow fa’, forfo dear and tender is the true 
 *jf At ion of my Imperia to her Morofini, Cr the fympathy of our hearts fo fwcttly andfacredly United , 
 that for my part , not only thofe fmall Rivers of the Mediterraneura stud Adriatique Seas between Con- 
 ftantinople and Ancona, but that of the vaft 0 can is incapable to wafh off the leaf fenfe or memo • 
 ry thereof. But as in the actions and accidents of human life,r’putation and profit, defervts fometimes to 
 be intermixed with pleafure,becaufe the /»(#*(/< thereof is Hill made [water by its fub fiance and per- 
 manency. So by the Seigniory of Venice ,*nd by Landy their Embaffador prefider.t here in Conftanti- 
 nople, {contrary to my expectation or merit), I am nt'ti made Corfu l of Aleppo. / cannot 
 
 Ddd a tkfrtg 
 
384 
 
 God's Revenge againfl JVLurther. Book VI. 
 
 thcrefo e f foon leave Turky for Italy, which / infinitely defire , nor in that confideration fo f 0 on im - 
 brace and kjfi my fair and c,ear Imperii, which above all the Crowns ad Sc yte^s of the world l 
 chiefly love and lorgfir-, but what this year cannot perform, the next jhall, and then (all delays and 
 txiufetfet apart) J will brngthee Morofini with at much t ue joy , as he tranj port'd himfelf 
 front thee b i b bitter tears ar.d unfair ed fir rows ; in the mean time, my hopes and heart tel! me, that 
 thy off Elion to me, jhall furmount thy Father* > tyranny t > thy felf, and that thy beauty and merits are 
 f/inc mparablyfplendentythat though Palmerius be t hi foyle , yet Morofini Jhall live «nddie the flf- 
 amord if thy love, and the love of thy hearty as Gcd is of thy foul. O then, my dear and fmetlm - 
 peria, repute it no ingratitude, much lefs a crime in me, to fend thee this Leterrf excue. in fie ad 
 of bringing the* my fclf - 9 for I fpeak.it in the prefence of God and his os4ng e ls, that a* thou art my 
 other half , fo 1 am wholly thine ; and that thou canfi not be the thouftnd part fo forr awful, as I am 
 miferable n this our (hort.yet too long f ccjue fir ation : Farewell, farewell the only Saint of my hearty 
 ar.d goddefs of my affcEl ions, and affurethj felf , that no mortal man whatfiever, is, or can be fo much 
 thy faithful Servant and Slav?, as 
 
 MOROSINl. 
 
 Our impirla kiflfcth this Letter a thoufand times for her Morofims fake, who wrote and 
 Cent it her , and again as often Weeps to fee, that he loved honour and profit better than her 
 felf, and 7 urkjt better than Italy . fo whereas flie formerly hoped, now flie begins to dcfpair 
 of his fpeedy return, andefteems her felf as miferable without him, as fhe thought to have been 
 happy with him. She reads over this Letter again and again, and then weeps as fad as fhe 
 reads, at the very perufal and confideration thereof ; fhe would fain draw comfort from any 
 part or branch of it, but then his intended day, affords her nothing but a difconfolation and 
 forrow inftead thereof. She blames her own misfortune, as moth as his uokin dnefs , and 
 then again imputes this impatiency of hers, more to her Father's cruelty , than to Morofini^ 
 difeourtefie . fhe loves him as much as fhe hates Palmerius, and hates her felf, bccanfe Morofini 
 will not love her more, and palmerius lefs. But Morofini is fo firmly feated and enthronized 
 in her heart, that fhe is conftantly refolved to flay his return, and rather to die his Vi&im and 
 Martyr, than to live ‘Palmerius his Wife. And heie her affe&ion a&s a great part in paflton, as 
 this paflion doth in Love, (he cannot refrain from enquiring of Mercario, how Morofini lives, 
 and how he looks $ who performs the part of a friend, to his friend, and tells her, that he live* 
 in great pomp and reputation, and is the propercfl and braved young Gallant, either of Venice 
 or Italy which he faw in Confiantinople ; at the report whereof, fb^ could not refrain from 
 blufliing and fmiling, as if her delight and joy thereof were fuch, as flie could not receive or 
 hear it, without thefe publick expreffions and teflimonies of her private zeal and ipteriour 
 affc&ion to him. But all this notwithdariding, wherefoever fhe goes or turns her felf, her 
 Father as her ftiadow, and Palmerius as her fpirit, are never from her, bnt dill follow her in 
 all times and places without intermifli on. It is a wonder to fee and confider their obdinacy to 
 make it a match and her refolution and refufal againft it , as if they were wholly compo- 
 fed and made of commands, and flie cf denials. In which interchangable comportment, and 
 different carriage of theirs. We mud allow fix months time more pad and flidden away, 
 where, in defpight of Palmerius his importunities, and her Father's power, flie dill remains 
 inflexible to them, condant to her Morofini, and true to her promife# But at lad this old lud- 
 ful Lover Palmerius (who was fitter tokifsan Image in the Church, thanfofweet and fair a 
 young Lady as Iwperia in her bed) feeing that he had confutncd and fpentfo long time in vain 
 by courting her, and that flie flighted him and his fuit as much, if not more now, than when 
 hefird meant and intended it to her; he bethinks himfelf of a new policy and propofition to 
 gain her, which love cannot fo much excufe, as diferetion juftly condemn in him : He goes 
 to her Father Bondino, and proffers him, That if his Daughter will become his Wife, that he 
 willinfeoffe, and endow her with the o^e half of his Lands, and give all the reft of hisEflate 
 and Wealth into his hands and cudody, for him to purchafe her more. Which great and un- 
 expected proffer of bis, doth folely and fully weigh down her covetous Father to Palmerius his 
 will and defire, as he condantly tells him, that in lieu of this his great afFe&ion and bounty 
 to his Daughter, he will fpeedily ufe all his power and authority with her, fully to difpofehcr 
 to and content him ; To which end, Bondino goes to his Daughter Imperia , ac- 
 quaints her with this great gift, and voluntary proffer of Palmerius to her if (he will marry 
 him; he laycs before her, how infinitely it will import his content, and her own good and re- 
 putation, and that few Gentlewomen of Loretto , or Ladies of the whole Morca of osfncenita- 
 na, do enjoy fuch rich Fortunes ; that his wifdom and wealth is far to be preferred to the 
 
Hid. XXVI. Moropni and Imperii. 
 
 385 
 
 yanity and prodigality of c Moropni^ and that the firft will affuredly bring her much content 
 and profperity, but the fecond nothing eife but poverty, mine, and mifery, and therefore he 
 tnoft importunately conjures and commands her to cut and caft off all delays, and fo forthwith to 
 difpofe her felf to love and marry Patmcrius, orelfehe vows for ever to renounce her for his 
 Daughter, and no more to acknovvledg himfelf for her Father. A cruelty, which fin my opt- 
 nionand judgment) ought to be admired with pitty, and pittyed with admiration, and not to 
 ferve fora precedent and example to other Parents, becaufethis of ‘Bondino's was grounded or} 
 far more paftion than reafon, and covetcufnefs than virtue > and which Nature hath all 
 the reafons of the world , rather to tearm tyranny than providence, or fatherly affection 
 
 in him. m . 
 
 Our Imperials, as it were, (truck dead with grief andforrovv, at the thunderbolt of thefe her 
 Father's cruel fpceches towards her, fo that Hie cannot fpeak, nor yet weep, for fighing and fob- 
 bing ; but at laft encouraged by her own virtue, as miich as (he was daunted and difmayed by her 
 Father’s feverity and cruelty towards her, (he ( cafting her felf at his feet) with a trembling heart 
 , and faultering voice, returns her heart and mind to him in thefe terms. 
 
 Honoured Sir, although my affli&ions and forrows are fuch, and fo infinite, that I am far more 
 capable to weep and figh,than to breathe or fpeak them forth to you, yet I hold it my duty, not 
 my difobedience, toaeqaaintyou, that becaufe' Marriages are firft made in Hfcaven, before con- 
 tracted or coniummatedin Earth ; therefore being fo happy firft to love Moropni , before I was 
 fo unfortunate as to fee Seignior ^Palmerim, I hope it is the pleafure of God, that he hath ordained 
 the firft to be my Husband, and confequently my felf never to be Wife to the fecond 2 I am 
 proud in nothing, but in my humility and obedience, and therein I hope I (hall Hill both triumph 
 and glory; and yet I far more under-value Palmeriw wealth, than you do Moropni 9 s virtues. If 
 thenyou will not for my fake, I humbly befeech you for my Mother's fake, or which is more, 
 for God’s fake, to make me Wife to Moropvi, and not to Palmer ins > becaufe my heart and mind 
 tells me, that I (hall be as happy, in the company of the one, as miferable in that of the other. 
 In granting me which juft defired favour and courtefie, my foul (hall become pledge and caution 
 for°my heart , and my heart for my tongue, that you (hall have no true caufe cither to renounce 
 me for your Daughter, or to deny your felf for my Father- And to conclude this my forrow- 
 ful and humble speech, it is impotfible for you to wrong me, but you mu ft and will ex- 
 > trcamly wrong your felf , by attempting and refolving to enforce me to the contrary^ 
 But if yet you will not be feofible hereof, then I invoke God to be a juft witnefs and judg between 
 us, of your cruelty towards me, and of my candid innoccncy towards you, and my betrothed Spoufe 
 Moropni. 
 
 Jmperia had no fooncr (with lighs and tears) delivered this her fpeech to her Father on 
 her knees, but (as if he had lightning in his eyes, and thunder in his tongue) ho fuddenly 
 rufheth forth her company, when more to difpleafeher,thanto plaafe himfelf, he looking back 
 on her, gives her this fharp anfwer, and cruel farewell .• Minion (quoth he ) I 
 will very Ihortly cool thy courage and thy tongue, and make thee know with repentance, 
 what it is to difobey thy Father , in making fo much efteem of Moroftni, and fo little of 
 Seignior Palmiriut, contrary to my advice and requefl to thee ; for I fay, confider ivell with 
 thy felf, and thou fhalc then do j well, fpeedily to forfake this errout and obllinacy of thine, 
 except thou refolve to die as miferable, as I defire thou fhouldft live happy. Once more 
 Girle, confider and remember what I have now faid to thee , and beware leaft Moropni 
 prove tby (hame, as much as Palmeritts will thy glory. Impena weeps, beciufe (he can weep 
 no more at thefe heart-killing fpeecbes of her Father to her, againft her abfent Moropni •' 
 Sobeing not well, (he betakes her felf to her bed, and there again confute with God land her 
 felf, what flic fhall do in this perturbation of mind, and affliction of heart, and then, ana 
 there, (with waking eyes):, reads a whole nights LeCture to her felf, of her obedience fo 
 her Father: and her affiftion and conftency to the other half of her felf Moropni ; when in 
 the morning being prompted by her thoughts and defires , that fhe fhall receive mo^e de- 
 VcUttt m A invc frnm rhp bft. than difeoments from the firft ; fhe at her up-rifiog refolves 
 
- - i- — - 
 
 God's Revenge againft Murther. Book VI. 
 
 cy, the which (he affirms to him (lull ever live and die with her. Mercarto having received his 
 commiflion from Imperia, as alfo more Gold for the difeharge and defraying of his journey, he 
 hires a fmall Brigantine to tranfport him to Corfu, and from thence embarq«es himfelf on a Ship 
 of AlarfeiUcs, which accidently flopped there, and fo failed firfh to Aleppo ^ where being arrived 
 in lefs than three weeks, and finding his dear friend Motofim robe Conful there for the Seigniory 
 of Venice^ he fecretly delivereth this Bracelet and Letter of Imperia to him in his fiudy, where 
 he was then haftily writing a difpatch for Con ft ant inop! e : But the arrival cf Mtrcario , who he 
 knew came from his deareft friend and Miftrefs Imperia , for mecr joy; made him prcfently to 
 caft away his Hat and Pen, and fo to kifs and receive this her Letter and Token from him, 
 whereof with much haftc and more affeftion breaking up the feals, he therein found couched theie 
 enfuing Lines. 
 
 IMPERIA to MOROSINL 
 
 I Hai little thought (bee a* (t left deferved) that either profit or preferment had been dearer to the 
 than Imperia, or that the Seignior y of Venice, or their Emb^ffador Landy, had had more power 
 to ft ay thee in Aleppo, than fire to have rtquefted or conjured thy return to Loretto ; for if my poor 
 beauty or rich affettion to thee, be of fo low and bafean efteem , as thou preferreft thy wealth and repu- 
 tation to it, then 1 a* as inferable f as l thought my felf happy in my choice, and the f wee me fs of Ly 
 defires and wifhes confequently have end, as foon as they received a beginning. And fee what a palpable 
 incongruity , yea, what an apparent contradiction there is between thy heart And thy pen , fith fa'inedly 
 endeavouring to make me belitve thot* love ft my kjjfes and embraces, above aU the Crowns & Scepters in 
 the world ; / yet am truly enforced to fee , that thou Uveft Turky far better than Italy, and art well 
 contented, that Palmerius fhould love me better than thy felf, for elfe thou wouldft never permit , that 
 my £ at her* s tyranny tomc,flsould(intby abfence ) give a Law to my ajfeHionto him, or conjent that 
 Palmerius fhould be the Diamond,and thy felf prove only the foyl of vry heart and love: dnd if this in- 
 gratitude of thine be not a crime, I know not what a crime is,nor how, nor in what tear ms to define or de- 
 termine thereof, fudg therefore with thy felf (at haft, if the n art not as wholly exempt of judgment 
 as of love) what a poor half yea,what a fmall part 1 am of thee, when by thy voluntary abfence thou 
 'wilt wholly refign me up to another, and that Palmerius muft be my Husband,when my heart and foul, 
 yea, when God and his Angels well know, 1 defire nothing under Heaven fo much as to live and die thy 
 wife ; or elfe ticou would ft n t have been fo Unkind, U confine thy will, or to bound thy obftinacy , to no 
 lef f than a whde years feq He Hr at ion and abfence from me, whic h if thy heart were equal, or but t he 
 leaftjhadow of mine, thou wo ulde ft deem to contain as many months as hours, and as many ages as 
 months. But god forbid this difeourtefie of thine fhould prove fo great a cruelty to me y or before I kyioVt 
 what belongs to fertunacy, 1 fhould be con fir. lined to feel and fvfcr f 0 much infelicity. Come away 
 therefore, my dear Morofmi, and my figbs, tears, and prayers (hall implore the Winds and Seas to prove 
 prop nous to thy fpeedy return ; and blame not mzfiut thy f tlfif thy abfence, and my Ethers obftinacy 
 bereave m; o f my f wc L t Morofini, and thee of thy dear J M p E R I A. 
 
 eJMorofmi could not refrain from bluftiing, at the reading of this his Miftrefs Imperia * s Letter, 
 as afhameu to fee what an exceeding advantage her courtefie had got of his unkindoels. He often- 
 times kiffeth this her Letter and Bracelet, as the two fw.eec pledges of her fweeteft love fl and affe- 
 dion to him, the which he vows to requite, and shortly to make his return, redeem and ranfom 
 the ingratitude of his long flay from her. He fhews this Letter of her to his two old Comrades, 
 AHomcus and Donato, (for their friendship and familiarity is Kill fo great, as they cannot, they 
 will not forfake each other) who infinitely tax bis unkindnefs. and condemn his inconftancy, in 
 fequeftring himfelf fo long from fo fweet and fair a Miftrefs as Imperia . Now for the fpace of fome 
 ten days, Merofmt feafteth his friend Merc Mo in Aleppo, wherein he forgets not continually to 
 folemnize his Impends : health in thebeftand richeft Greek Wines * at the end whereof ("very 
 bountifully rewarding his love and pains, for fo often crofting thofe dangerous Seas in his behalf ) 
 he chargeth him with his Letter in anfwer of his, and in requital of her Bracelet of fparks of Dia- 
 monds, he returns and fends her a fair Chain of Gold, and a rich Diamond Ring faftned to the 
 end thereof, with a pair of 7 urkjfh filver Embroydercd Bracelets, and fo commits him to the 
 mercy of the Winds and Seas; who in fix weeks after, arrives fafely to Ancona, and the next 
 morning pofis away to where repairing fecretly to W«Vs houfe,he finds out his Daugh- 
 
 ter alone, foil tartly walking at the farther end of the Garden among ranks of Sycamore 
 and Olive- trees : Whonofooner efpies Mer carlo, but all her blood flafhing into her face for 
 joy, the fpeedily trips away towards him, who (after falutesj biddihg him a thnufand times wel- 
 comehome, and he giving her Mcrofmt Letter and Token, fte claps the lalt in her pocket, and 
 halhly killing and b; caking up the feals cf the firft, fttps afidc a pace or two, and there finds and 
 reads thefe line*. , mor o. 
 
Hift. XXVI. j Morofini and Impend. 
 
 MOROSINIto IMPERIA. 
 
 T 'Hj ffrtet beauty, and rich affeSHon and confiancy flail not only command my ref elution but my 
 f elf and it is impoffible either for my profit or reputation to give, but to receive a Lafr thereof ; 
 for thy requefis being to me commands .and confequently thy felicity and mifeiry equally mine , I 'frill 
 therefore florten and hafien the time of my ftjy, and fo convert a whole year into a fefr months: For if 
 Jmperia be Palmerius his Wife, Morofini C4# then never be either him f elf or his ofrn friend. And to 
 write thee the life of my heart, as thou hafi now the heart of thy foul, it is not the ambition of a Con- 
 / alary dignity., nor all the treafure of Turky,or the Indies, which flail keep me from enjoying of my 
 fair and fweet Imperia, whofe divine cheeks and eyes my heart hath imparadi^ed all my mofi fove - 
 earthly felicity ; So that I not only deny , but dcfiiy that Palmerius or any other of the world , is ca- 
 pable to love her thethoufandth part,or fo tenderly oc dearly as my felf to frbofe fake and fervice I 
 frill fill be found ready to lay down my beft bloody and to profit ute and facrifice my diareft life . O 
 . then , my fair and fweet Imperia, live therefore my dear Wife, and MoroGni will affuredly die thy 
 levin? and confiant Huskanfland thou flalt briefly fee , that I frill hate ingratitude, as much as thy 
 incovfiderate Father loves and intends cruelty tofrards thee, and make thee as fiyful in my prefence, as 
 thw frritefi me thou art afflicted and forrowfulin my abfe*ce. I come my fweet Imperia, and if 1 
 frant Winds or Seas to bring me to thy bUffed prefence , myfighs flail increafe the one , and my tears 
 fupfiy and augment the other toeffcH it. Prepare therefore thy heart and eyes to fee and falutc me, as 
 J do mine arms and lips to embrace and kjfs thee , and I both hope and ref confident > that my prayers 
 and confiancy fecondedby thine , will make thy Father s vbfiinacy vain, and prove Palmerius his at- 
 tempts and hopes ridiculous % in thinking to have thee to his Wife, frho art already mine by choice and 
 from if* ' MOROSlNl. 
 
 This Letter of Morofini affords n p fraail mufick to the heart, or melody to the mind of our 
 Imperia, for (he fweetiy and carefully creafurech it up in her breft and memory, and now in 
 hope of his fhort returnee leaves no Church or Chappel in or about Loretto unfrequented to 
 pray for ir-yea^Ihe is io religious and virtuous, as (he gives her fclf wholly to prayer,the foon- 
 <?r to obtain it: whiles (in the mean time) her cruel Father Bondino (contrary to her expedi- 
 tion and defires) cuts her out new work, in refuming his old refolution to marry her to her old 
 Lover Palmerius, who ftili loves her fo tenderly, that for her fake, he will not forfake Lorem 
 to live in A ncona. So that here the Reader is prayed to underhand and know, that Bondino fi- 
 nally , (and once for all)to caft his Daughter Imperia & her affeCtion from Morofini to Palme - 
 riusy feeing that all other means will not prevail, he infinitely debars her of her liberty, takes 
 away from her, her chiefelt apparel and Jewels, (the delighr and glory of young Ladies and 
 Gentlewomen ) as alfo her belt viands and diet ^ and in a word, treateth her fo rigoroufly, 
 as(upon the matter )he makes her more his prifoner than his daughter. Imperia who was never 
 heretofore acquainted with fuch (harp feverity, and coarfe entertainment, bites her lip, and 
 hangs her head hercac. But the more (he prays her Father to referve her for Morofini, the more 
 tyrannoufiy he commands her fpeedily to marry Palmerius, fo that all her fighs and tears to 
 the contrary ,do rather exafperate than appeafe his indignation againft her, and now file finds 
 the long Bay of Morofini from her, nbt only to exceed her firft expectation, but alfo his laft 
 promifes to her in his Letter, and is enforced to fee, that her Father is as cruel, as Valmcrius is 
 obftinace and refolute in his fuit to her. She hath nothing to comfort her, but the raembry 
 and letters of Morofini, and yet nothing doih fo much confound her hopes and patience, as 
 her Fathers cruelty m eroding this her affcftion.But at lafl: defpairing of Morofini *s return and 
 vanquifhed by her Father's tyranny, (he (with an unwilling willingnefs) is enforced to fuffer 
 her felf to be overcome by him, as alfo to permit the walls of her affc<ft ion, and the bulwarks 
 and fortifications of her conftancy to be battered and razed down, by the>ceffant follicita- 
 tions, gifcs,and prayers of Palmerius . So that forgetting her promife,and her felf, and putting 
 a rape on her former refolution, fhe is at laft contracted and married to him, or rather to the 
 calamities and miferies which we fliall fhortly fee will enfue thereof. 
 
 Here now then this old dotard Palmer ins is married to fair Imperia, who efteems himfclf as 
 happy as (he finds her felf unfortunate in this match. His Age is too old for her Youth, and 
 her Youth far too young for his Age *, Difparity of years feldom ( or never) breeds any true 
 content or felicity in Marriage, He cannot fufficicntly eftimate, much left deferveor requite 
 the dainties of her youth: fo that truth muft here needs implore this difpenfatton tor me of 
 modefty, to affirm that his chiefcft power was defire; and his beft performance but luft to- 
 wards her*, for whiles every night* as foon as he comes to bed to her, he falls to his 
 
God's 'Revenge a gainfl Mu rther. Bo6k VI 
 
 flecpifo poor young Gentlewoman, (he turns to her repentance, wifliing ('from her verTheart 
 and foul) that her Husbands bed were her grave, and that her Nuptials had been her Funerals 
 A thouland times every day and night flie accufeth her Father's cruelty,and (with bitter fighs 
 and tears)as often condemncth her own levity and inconttancy for confenting thereunto, she 
 can neither honour or love her Husband, or rather not love him,becaufe flie fo tenderly loves 
 the perfon.and honouretb the memory of Morofini. Thus whiles Palmerins retaineth and en- 
 joyeth our Imperia in his bed, no lefs doth flie her Merofwi in her heart; io that the firft hath 
 only her body, but the fecond wholly her mind and affection. The forrowfu! confideration 
 and remembrance whereof, doth fo tofraenthcr heart, and perplex her mind, that flie protett- 
 eth publickly to her felf,and privately to all the world, that there is no calamity equal to bers, 
 nor no mifery comparable to that of a dilcontented Bed. Thus being as much a maid as a wife' 
 and yet more a Nun than a Maid, flie makes fpiritual Books her exercife, folitarinefs her pa- 
 ftime, her Chamber her Chappel, and her Clofet her Oratory, to pray to God to for°ive her 
 Father's cruelty, and her Husband's indiferetion towards her ; as alfo her own inconftancy and 
 treachery towards McrofinU which foul ingratitude and crime of hers, flie cannot remember 
 but with extream grief, nor once think of, but with infinite fliame, forrow, and repentance 
 Although this her old Husband Palmeritts,hc fo amorous and kind to her, and fo tender of this 
 his fair young wife, that he leaves no coft unbellowed on her, as well in rich apparel, as 
 Chains and Jewels, wherein the Ladies and Gentlewomen of Italj chiefly pride themfelves- 
 yet this was not the content and felicity which our Imperia defired, becaufe deferved’ 
 But her frefli youth, and her Husbands feeble and frozen age, call her heart on other oppo- 
 fite conccits,and her mind on other different contemplations. * 
 
 Whiles thus Bondino and Palmer ins as much rejoyceas lmperiamomns and grieves at this 
 her unequal and difeontented Match, and Morofini confidently relying on the firm affe&ion 
 and contfancyof his Imperia made his flay in Aleppo, fome ten months longer than his pro- 
 mife to her: He at laft led by the ftar of her beauty, and his own affeftion to her, leaves Turks 
 and(in company of his conltant old Friends Ajlonicus & Domojfets fail for Italj and purpofe- 
 ly puts in with their Ship into Ancona, where they and he are no fooner arrived,’but Mercario 
 finding him out, entertains him with the welcome of this forrowful news, that his Miftrefs 
 Imperia is now in this City of Ancona, and married to old Seignior Palmcri»s,W hereat Morofmi 
 infinitely grieves, and AJlonictes and Donato much wonder. He is ftricken at the heart, at 
 this forrowfu! news, and (too too foon for him) believes it with as much affiiftion as admirati- 
 on. By this time likewifeis Imperia advertifed of his and their arrival, whereat fhe feems to 
 drown her, felf in a whole deluge of tears;yet not for forrow, but for joy of hisarrival.Heim- 
 pioys Mercario to her.to grant him a private vifit, the which moll joyfully the next night (he 
 doth' in her own houfe,her old Husband being in bed, and fnoring fall afleep. At Morofmtt 
 firfl fight and entrance into her Chamber, (where fhe all alone privately flays for him), fhe 
 throws her felf on her knees at his feet, and with fighs, tears, and bluflies, begs his pardon for 
 her unconftancy in marrying T aimer ins. the which fhe no way attributes to his long flay, but 
 rather to her Father’s cruelty and her own misfortune. is as joyful of her fighc,as7or. 
 rowful of this her error, and fo will not permit her to kneel, hecaufe he fees and knows, and 
 alfo aflureth her, that flie is ftill the goddefs of his heart and affe&ion. He takes her up in his 
 arms, and there embraceth and freely pardons her ; and fo they reciprocally fpeak each to o- 
 ther in the fweet language of love, I mean, of kifles, fighs, and tears, with the laft whereof,they 
 ag*in and again, bedew and wafh each others cheeks, as if love had made them far more ca- 
 pable tofigh than fpeak, and to weep than figh : Here their old affeftions revive, and flame 
 forth anew, with more violence and impetuofity. She hath no power to deny him any thin*, 
 no not her felf. For as be fwears to live her fervant, fo flie conftantly vows to live and die h°is 
 handmaid, and that his will (hall ever be her Law, and his requefts in all things her com- 
 mands. Here his heart heats for love, and her breft pants for joy. For as he promifeth her, 
 that fhe ftiall be his foie and only love.foflie (willingly) forgets her felf fofar,asfoIemnIy to 
 proteft to hjm, that he fhal! be more her husband tha n Falwerius, when with many embraces 
 and kifles, they for that night part- 
 
 The next morning Morofini and his two Conforts, Afionicus and Donato, (by the feigned 
 way of a rejoycing complement) do vifit his young Millris Imperia, and her old Husband Pal- 
 mcrists, who (more out of his own goodnefs than their defects) bid them all moft kindly and 
 courteoufly welcome. They congratulate with him for this his happy match with Imperia, 
 for which, old Palmer ms refpedhvely thanks them-, but he knows not what dangerous fnake* 
 lurk under the green leaves of this their pretended fair courtefie. As for his wife Imperia fi ic 
 - is lo. reserved in her comportment, and fo coy in her carriage towards them, that(accor- 
 
Hi ft. XXVI. Morofini and Imperil. 
 
 ding to the ciutorn ot Italy ) her Husband can hardly per fwade or caufe her to fee and falute 
 them,the which at laftlbc faintly and feignedly performs, rat her with an eye of dildain,than 
 of refpedh 1 hey all fee the young Wife with love and pity, but look on her old Husband 
 with contempt and envy ye t- Morofini then and there in Health fees Imperials heart in her 
 eyes, when, in counterchange , fhe knows his heart by his enamour’d looks and counte- 
 nance. SaPalmerm( being as innocent as aged) having difeourfed with them about their 
 voyage, and about Turkj e and Conjiantinopk , and courteouily prayed them to be no ftrangerS 
 to him and his houie, whiles the contrary winds kept them here in Anconal which they rea- 
 dily and thankfully promife him ), they for this time take leave each of other •, Afioniw and 
 Donato highly applauding the beauty of Imperia-, and Morofini infinitely condemning and 
 contemning the limplicity and age of her old Husband Palmerm. 
 
 But this is not allftor that very afterncon Morofini( out of the intemperate heat and puffioii 
 of his lovcjby a confident Meflcnger, fends to pray Imperia to meet him at three of the clock 
 in her Garden, which was a pretty way diftant from her houfe,the which fhc joyfully grants 
 hinuand here it is where they meet, and where I am enforced to fay, that in the Pavil lion-or 
 Banquetring-houfe of this Garden, there thefe two youthful lovers f after a thoufand fweet 
 kifles and embraces) firft received each of other thofe amorous delights and pleafures which 
 modefty will not, and chaftity and honefty cannot permit me to mention as alio, for that 
 thefe Pills of Sugar are moft commonly candied in bitter Wormwood and Gall,and but too 
 frequently prove Honey to the Palat, but Poyfon to the Heart and Soul. 
 
 And here in this her Gardenfl lay again)was the very firft time and place where our fair 
 Imperia , who was fo famous in Loretto and Ancona , for lierTiety and Chaftity, forgetting the 
 firft, made fhipwrackof thelafhand where, of a Gentlewoman of Honor, (lie loft her honor 
 by committing this her beaftly fin of fenfuality and adultery. When the winds, which were 
 contrary to Morofini $ voyage, proved fo favourable and propitious to his luftful defires, that 
 he thinks of nothing Ids than of his return to Venice, nor of any thing fo much as of his Hay 
 here in Ancona with his fair & fweet Love Impeiia, who like wife finds lefs content and plea- 
 fure in the company of her Husband Palmerm, than fhe hoped for> and now far more in her 
 dear Friend Morofini , than fhe either dreamt or expe&ed. In which trivial regard, and finful 
 confideration,fhe(in a manner)abandons the firft, and gives her felf wholly over to the will 
 and pleafure of the fecondsand fo turning the cuftom of thefe their lafeivious dalliances, into 
 a habit, and that into a fecond «ature,both in her garden, and her own houfe,fhe very often 
 ( both by day and night) commits this batter-fweet fin of Adultery with Morofini, whereof a 
 fubtil young Nephew of Palmerm, of fome eighteen years old, who was his Sifter’s Son, and 
 termed %}cbardo, takes exad: and curious notices and once among the reft, he peeps in at the 
 key-hole of his Aunt’s Chamber-door, and there fees her & Seignior Morofini on the bed to- 
 gether, and in no lefs familiarity than was requifite or could be expedted betwixt his tinkle 
 her Husband Palmerm , and her felf ; whereupon fecretly envying and hating her, becaufe 
 he was afraid fhe fhouid bear away all, or at leaft the greateft part of his faid tinkle’s Eltatc 
 and Wealth from him (who for want of Children, hoped that he therefore fhouid be his 
 adopted Heir>)hc therefore malicioufiy bears the remembrance of this objed and accident in 
 his mind, with an intent,that when occafion ftaould hereafter prefent the report and know- 
 ledg thereof to his faid tinkle, he might juftly caufe him wholly to heave and raze her out 
 of his good opinion and aftedion. 
 
 As for Morofini and Imperia, they ( not withftanding all this do ftill ftrongly endeavour 
 to blear the eyes of her Husband Palmerm , who ( thinking his Wile to be aschaft as fair, 
 and rather a V'jana than zLait) out of his good nature doth fometimes in his houfe feaft 
 Morofini and his two Conforts, Afioniw and Donato. But they will prove pernicious an‘& fa- 
 tal Guefts to him : for ere long we (hall fee them requite this hofpitality and courtefic of 
 his, with a prodigious and treacherous ingratitude. In which mean time, all Ancona refounds 
 of the great expence and profufe prodigality of Morofini and his two Alfociates ; for they 
 here revel it out in the beft Taverns and Companies of the City > and not only exceed o- 
 thers, but alfo themfelves, in the richnefsand bravery of their AppareL but moft especially 
 Morofini, whofc Apparel is every way fitter for an Italian Noble-man, than a Venetian Mer- 
 chant. Our Luftful and Lafeivious Jmperia , is never well contented or pleated, but in his 
 prefence, or her Husband’s abfence. And here, to relate the truth of her heart, Morofini is 
 more her Husband than Palmerm \ or rather, Palmerm is but the fhado w, and Morofini the ei- 
 fential fubftance of her Husband : and therefore I defire the Reader to know and remem- 
 ber, that in that regard and conlideration I have purpolely entituled this Hiftory not t,o be 
 
 •f Palmerm and Imperii, but of Morofini and Imperii . 
 
 £ee Morofint, 
 
Gods Revenge again ft Murxher. Book VI. 
 
 M jrojini, Aftoniciu, and Vonato , (in their Lodging and Chambers ) have many times many 
 private Ipocches and conferences, what pity it is that fo fwecC and fair a young Gentlewo- 
 man as lmperit y (h ould by the conflraint of her unkind and cruel Father ;thus be clogged and 
 chained in Marriage to fo old a Dotard as Valmcrius, (tor a more favourable Epithete their 
 Vanity and Folly could not afford to give him ) and Rforufm fin the dumb eloquence and 
 Logickof Imperial fighs and tears ) apparently believes, that (in her heart and foul,) fhe in- 
 finitely detireth and wifheth, that Yalmcrm were in Heaven, and him (elf now her Husband 
 here on Earth in his place. He reads as much in her looks and countenance- and is therefore 
 confident, that her heart and ambition afpire to no Tweeter earthly felicity. He hath not loft 
 his Wit in his APfcdion, nor wholly drowned his Judgment cither in the frefh Rofes and 
 Lillies of htr Beauty, or in the refplcndenc lul'ter of thole fparkling Diamonds and Starrs 
 her Eyes He Knows that his Eflate is far inferior to his Birth and Extradion * and yet, that 
 his prodigalities and expences(both in lurlqe and Italy) are far fuperior and above his Elhtc* 
 he would fain ( therefore) find out the means to bear it up. Then, i fay, what his demands 
 could not obtain of her, his kiffes do, when f wearing him to fupport,& confcquently to pre- 
 ferve his Reputation with the whole world, the which he elieems equal to his life, if not a- 
 bove it. He knows that Lnperia is already iqore his Wife, than her Husband’s*and is very con- 
 fident, that he can make her apt for any impreflion, and capable of any defign, which may 
 advance his own fortunes, 6c confirm both their contents* whereunto conjoining the fv*:et- 
 nefs of her beauty, and the excellency of her feature, and the exceeding great wealth of her 
 old Husband*he adding all thefic coniiderations together, they here weigh him down to Hell 
 and Satan, by terminating his thoughts, and fixing his heart upon this hellifh refblution To 
 fend him fpeedily to Heaven in a bloody Winding-fheet * and no other charitable thought, 
 or Chritiian conlideration, can divert him from this inhuman and bloody projedf * neither 
 can hepoilibly reap any truce of his thoughts, or peace of his heart, before he have attempt- 
 ed and finifhed it. 
 
 To which end, the very next night that he lay and wantouized in bed with his Imperia, 
 (7or,God knows, herold Husband lay but feldom with her ) finding her extraordinarily 
 to figh,he lays hold of this advantage and opportunity, 6c very earneitly demandsofher what 
 aylshev * whereather tongue then fled to her heart, becaufe her heart war then flying from 
 God to the Devil* fo (he continues her fighing, but is Rill mute, and returns him noanfwer. 
 That at 1 a R hbrofini f u l pc ct i u g that in her, which his hopes defired,and his defies hoped for* 
 then I fay,what his demands could not obtain of her, his kiffes do*when, (wearing him tofe- 
 crefie, fhefafter many far-fetch’d fighs)tells him, that (he loves him fo dearly and tenderly, 
 
 for bfe fake fhe either wifheth her felt in her Grave, or her Husband Palmerius in Heaven* 
 which is the tweet Mufick and Melody that Morofmi expe&s, and which to his unexpreffabk 
 joy he now receives from her* when paying her the principal and interefl of this her dearelt 
 love and aflidfion cowards him, with many kiffes, he paflionately entreats her, that (he will 
 employ him to finifh this pleafing Tragedy* but fhe is again mute hcreat * and therefore he 
 again more earneftly entreats her to confer this favour on him * who then taking counfel of 
 her Luff and of Hdl,(he grants his firft requeft herein, with filence*but his feccnd with a free 
 and cheerful confenr. When fas two wretched and bloody Mifcreants) they reciprocally 
 fwear fecrefic herein each to other, as alfo they will fpeedily difpatch him, and fo in a very 
 fhort time after marry each other* and no longer live in ANCONA, but in VENICE . 
 But what a fatal , what a heliifh Contra# was this, which they equally confirm as well 
 with Oaths as Rifles? And how atone time do I pity both their Youth and Folly , and hate 
 their obicene affections each to other, and their foul crimes unto God herein ! They cannot 
 content themfelvcs with luff, but with blood* for they are fo refolutely inhuman and impr 
 ous, as tl^ey will needs add murther to aduiury*asif one of thofe two foul fins were notfuf- 
 ncient enough to malic both of them wretched in this life, if not mifcrable in that to come. 
 But the Devil is (oftrong with them, as they vow to advance, and difdaiii to retire in the 
 perpetration of this deplorable hufinefs; fo from the matter , they proceed to the manner 
 hereof. Morofm prnpoieth poyfon* but Imptria reje&s this his opinion , as being dangerous 
 bothin the procuring and adminifiriug. When (he propounded to have him Rifled by 
 night in his bed: fo the which, utter two or three paufes and confident ions, he well and 
 freely confemeth. So hereon they both do finally agree and refolve. But becaufe Morofini 
 knows this Imperia to be a wife but weak woman, and therefore fitter for counfel than exe- 
 cution, and himfeJf alone peradventure not itrong enough (with fafety) to perform it, 
 without fome other men’s affiftauce * he therefore tells her , that he will likewife engage 
 his faithful friends and companions, Ajlpniciu and Dmiato, herein. But Imperia is extreamly 
 
 againft 
 
H id. XX VI. Morojini and Imp eria. 
 
 againll it, as grounding her apprehenfioii and tear upon this Maxim, Tfut as one is -more 
 capable and proper to keep counfel,than t woj fo conRquently arc two, than four. But when 
 (in anfwer hereof ) he vows and (wears to her. That tncy are no Ids his fairhtul friends and 
 fervants,than he hers : then (with much alacrity and joy jfhe ye elds thereunto, fo they, con- 
 firming this their agreement with many oaths, Sc lealing it with a world ©fkilfes, he leaves 
 this his fair Sweet-heart in bed, and at break of day departs from her, and lo hies him home 
 to hisold Lodging to his two companions, Ajionicns and Donato^ who ( the premiles confi- 
 dexedj do perfe&ly know at what Mid-night-Mals he hath been, what Shrine he hath vifi- 
 ted, and what Saint he hath adored and prayed to. 
 
 Some three hours after they all call for their break-fads, the which as foon as they have ta- 
 ken and ended, (Tor dill as yet the wind is contrary for them tofet fail for Venice) Morofinl ' 
 prays them forthwith to walk with him, up to theZX/ms (or Cathedral Church) of that Ci- 
 ty which (lands over it on a high rocky hill, and there proudly looks up towards the Moun- 
 tains of Loretto , and Recagnati, and down to the aiured plains and valleys of the Adriatic^ 
 
 - Sea, (whereon Boretf rings his Northern Peals, and Neptune danceth his Southern Lavolta’s) 
 So here in this famous Church , ( which wasburltfor offering up religions prayers to God, 
 and not for making up bloody conferences and contracts to, and witn the Devil ) Morofini 
 firfi; acquaints them with this bufinefs, and with his, and his Imperils rtioff earned prayers, 
 and alfedfionate requefis for their aflillance therein , Sith the life of her old doating Husband 
 was no lefs their affliction and mifeiy, than this his death would infallibly prove their pro- 
 fperity, triumph and glory, becaufe (he was formerly contracted to him fell, long before he 
 married her : which (he was enforced and conftraincd to do, through the cruelty and tyranny 
 of her Father. Now as there needs not many good words and perfwalions to bafe hearts 
 and polluted and prophane fouls, who of themlclves are already difpofed to wickednefs and 
 prepared to finful actions : So (becaufe of Morofinfs old friendfflip and familiarity of Imperial 
 beauty, and her old Husband Palmerius his exceeding great wealth and riches ) thefetwo 
 gracelefs wretches, Alhnicus and Donato^ do cheerfully promiie Morofini the very utmoft of 
 thetr polfible powers for theaccomplifflment hereof, whereon theyall three do there folemn- 
 ly and interchangeably give their hands and oaths, as alfo for eternal fecrelie. Which done, 
 they return to their lodging, and at dinner ( when they had purpofely lent away their Ser- 
 vants^ alfo thofe of the houfe)they in very great glades of Albania-mne do on their knees 
 drink Healths to the profperity of this their intended great bufinefs: the which after dinner 
 Morofini{ with much joy Jfully relates to his Imperia , and (he (for her part; underllands and 
 receives it from him with no lefs delight and exhilaration. When-being ( as llrongly feduced 
 and provoked by their lafeivious defires, as they were meerly propagated and engendred by 
 the Devil, who was the full and foie Author thereof ) impatient of all delays, they conclude 
 to finifh this bufinefs the fecond night after, which(* as I have been credibly informed m Anco- 
 na) was the very Eve of the Purification of the bfed'ed Mary)'o famous and lamoulcd in Loret- 
 to ). And hereon thefe our two lultful and lewd lovers, Morofini and Imperial o give and take 
 exa fle and curious direction each from other, both of the hour and the manner, thereby the 
 better to diipatch it with lefs danger, and more aflurance and facility : and they are fo lalci- 
 vioasin their wiflies, fo vain and prophane in their hopes, (b cruel and inhuman in their dc- 
 iircs,and fo fierce andbloody in their refolutions,a$ they think every hour an age before they 
 fee it effe&ed.All this while our innocent and harmlefsold Palmerius ^ albeit he have the will, 
 but not the power to pleafe his young wife Imperia by night, yet by day yea, and almoll every 
 diy) he hath both the power and! will tobeftow fome rich gifts and prefents on her, and to 
 rain doWn (howers of Gold into her lap, as Jove did to his fair Danae* and as oneway he held 
 it his felicity to gaze and contemplate on the excellency of her pure beauty, fo again he made 
 it his delight and glory to fee her flant it out in rich and brave Apparel, and a! lo tq provide 
 her the moll rarell Viands and daintie ft Diet that Gold or Silver could procure.. But poor 
 Palmer ins 1 ( all this coll and courtefie of thine to thy Wife notwithllanding) I am enforced 
 to write with equal pity to thee, and fflame to her *, little doft thou conceive or think what a 
 dangerous Cockatrice or pernicious Viper thou harboured, in harbouring her in thy houfe, 
 thy bed, thy bolbmc. 
 
 The difmal night being now come which thefe four execrable perfons have defigned and 
 dedined for the finilhing of this deplorable bufinefs * it is no fooner twelve of the Clock by 
 Morofini s Watch, but he, with Ajionicns and Donato (with their Rapiers and Piftols, without 
 any light^) ilTue forth their lodging, and prelently trip to Palmerius houfe, where (according 
 to promifejthey find the dreet-door a little open, and Imperia as a fury of HclOtherc ready 
 to receive them, when although it were a time and place far more fitter for them to tremble 
 
 Eee 2 than 
 
Goets Revert^ againfi Murther . Book VI. 
 
 than kifsj yet fo fervent is the fire of Morofini and Imperial lafcivious and furious atfc&ions, as 
 they cannot yetrefrain from giving each other one or two.at leaft. When ]eayingD0#<*/0( with 
 his Rapier drawn) clofe within the door, to guard and make it good againfl: all opposing and 
 intervening accidents, Morofini leads Impcria by her right arm, and Ajlonkw by the left ^ and 
 fofor the moreiecurity ( purpofdy ) leaving their (hoes below with Donato , and drawing on 
 woollen pumps, they all three afeend the (fairs, when (he ( with wonderful liknee) firlf con- 
 duds them to her own Chamber, (which was feme two di/tant from her Husband’sJ where 
 the windows being clofe (hut, and a (mail wax caudle burning on her Table, and her Prayer- 
 book by it, wherein ("Hill expedting the hour of midnight Jfiie iilently reads while the Devil 
 i held the candle to henfhe there gives each of them a pillow to work this damnable fad, ha- 
 
 ving filcntly given fuch order, that her Husband’s Nephew, Rtdwr^?, and all thefervants of 
 the houfe,were gone to bed above three hours bcfore.Thus this treacherous (he-devil Impcria 
 f for I can no more term her a woman, much lefs a wife, and lead of all a Chriftianjis the fa- 
 tal guide to bloody A lorofini and Ajlonicm who brings them firft to the door of her old Huf- 
 bund Falmcrius hisChamber, which (lie had purpofely left a little open,& then to his bed who 
 is deeply and foundiy lleeping in his innocency towards them, as they were but too too 'wide 
 waking in their inveterate malice again/! him s (he keeping the door, and Morofini (landing 
 by one tide of the bed, and A[lonicu6 by the other, they there ( in regard of his impotency and 
 weaknefs ) do eafilylfifle him to death, not fo much as fullering him either once to cry or 
 fcreechs and then, to make Pure work, they fpeedily and violently chruft a ftnall Orcng c into 
 his mouth, thereby the better to cover and colour out this their villany to rhe world, in ma- 
 king all men believe , that it was Falmcrius himfelf who had put that Orenge into his own 
 mouth,therebypurpo(ely toddlroy himfelf: when, leaving his breathlefs body in his bed, they 
 fecretly ifliie forth the Chamber, and (he draws faft the door after her, and fo defcends'witli 
 them down the liairs to the ftreet-door, where with much triumph, joy, and thanks between 
 them Morofini giving his Impcria many kifies,and (he defiring them all three immediately 
 to repair to their lodgings, & not fo ilir thence till they hear Irom her, which (he promifeth 
 Morofini (hall be as foon as conveniently and poflibly (he can, they depart home. When (he, 
 rirft loftly bolting the Street-door, and then her own Chamber-door , (he prefently ( with 
 much fecurity, and no repentance)betakes her felf to her bed, where (vile wretch that (he is) 
 (he no more wakes for grief at the life, but now lleeps for joy at the death of her old doat- 
 ing Husband Talmcrius . But we (hall not go far before we fee God convert thefe her triumphs 
 into tears, and this her falfe joy, into true mifery and confufion for the fame. 
 
 The manner thus : 
 
 Whiles Morofini, Aftonicut, and Donato , do in their lodging, for joy of this their bloody facS, 
 carowfe the remainder of the night, and the next morning keep their beds till nine of the 
 clock, without once thinking of God or Heairen, or of fearing either Hell or Satan. Impcria 
 putting an Angel’s face on her deviliifli heart, goesf according to her accufiomed manner) a- 
 bout fix of the Clock in the morning, away with her Waiting-maid, and her Pravcr-Book 
 and Beads in hand, to hear Mafsat Saint Franck (which is the Gray-Fryers) Church, near to 
 the Jem Street, with an intent to (lay there in her Orifons till pad eight. But let the Reader 
 judg with what a prophane zeal, and prodigious and impious devotion, (lie doth it , as alio 
 farther know, that God who is the great judg of Heaven and Earth (in his (acred Jufiice) is 
 now refolved to bring this lamentable murthcring of Falmcrius to dete&ion and light, and 
 to proclaim and publifh it to the fight and knowledg of the world, by a way nolefetfrange 
 than remarkable. 6 
 
 Within Ids than halfan hour, that Impcria went away to Mate at Saint Franck Church an 
 Inn-keeper of Lorctio, who dwelt there at the fign of the Crown,named Antonio Herb as ar- 
 rives there m Ancona to Falmcrius houfe,with a Letter for him from his Father Bondino •, who 
 fpeaking with his Nephew Ricbardo , he delivercth and fendeth up the Letter to his Unklc 
 who then opening the latch of his Chamber-door, he no (boner entreth, but with his foot he 
 Aumblcs at a pair of rich Gloves, which taking up, and knowing them to belong toSe ienior 
 Morofini, becaule fome two or three days together he had feen him wear theimhe with a (mile 
 claps them into his pocket •, and fo giving his Unkle the good morrow, he advaneeth up to 
 his bed, to ddiver him this Letter: when, withdrawing the Curtains, he (contrary to his ex- 
 pectation finds him dead, and well-near cold in his bed , with a whole fmall Orenge in his 
 mouth ^ whereat he makes fo lamentable and forrowful an out-cry, that the noife thereof 
 brings up twofervantsof the houfe, to enquire and know what the caufe thereof might be, 
 
 who 
 
Hi ft. XXVI. Morofni and Imferia. 
 
 who being, likewife fad fpc&ators of this their Maher's fudden and unfortunate death, they 
 conceive and believe, that he had voluntarily Hopped his own breath, and deifroyed himielt 
 by putting this Orange in his mouth* and that his face being black and (woden, was only his 
 own Urugling for life againft death : which opinion of theirs, in common fenfe and real on, 
 was probable enough, if God had not here refolved to difpiove it, in verifying and making 
 apparent the contrary. For Ricbardo(who was of a pregnant wit, and of a (harp and quick ap- 
 prehenfion) confidering that theie were Morofinfs Gioves, which he found there in his tin- 
 kle’s Chamber* and his memory now telling his heart what lafciyious dalliances and ob- 
 feene embraces and familiarity his eyes had lately feen and known between him & his Aunt 
 Imperii * asalfo, that God heretofore prompted and informed his foul, that they both had 
 an equal (hare and hand, in this lamentable murther of his Unkle, and that it was tar better 
 for him juitly to ruin her now, than flic unjulily to begger him hereafter . He therefore 
 ( with tears in his eyesjpraysthe (ervants to if ay a little while in the Chamber with his dead 
 Unkle, till his return*and therewith thofe Gloves in his pocket, and this Letter in his hand) 
 he fpceds away to the Podeftatefor Criminal Judg) of this City, named Seignior Lndovic it* 
 Ceranno , and in a paflionate and forrowful fpeech, makes him know as much as himfclt 
 knows pf this lamentable murther of his Unkle Palmerm^ox the which, he Itrongly chargeth 
 Nlorofinh and his (aid Aunt Jmperia , to be the author and adtor, and fo craves Juft ice on than 
 both for the fame. This grave perionage is very forrowful at this lamentable accident, ana 
 Jikewife at this relation and accufation of Richardo , as well for the manner tlv.reof,as tor the 
 quality of the perfons who he hears and fears are interdkd herein* when walking a turn or 
 two, deeply contemplating hereon in his Chamber, he fits himielt down m his Chair, and 
 then f bidding Richardo approach nearer to him) he feriouily demands of him theie four 
 Oueftions ; Firtt, If he were allured that thefc were M orofm s Gloves?To which Richardo an- 
 iwered He perfectly knew them to be his, tor that he had feen him wear them three or our 
 feverai times. Secondly, Where Morsfmi was lodged in that City * ^ ercat 
 That he and his twoAflociates^fotficW and Donatory at the Ugn of the Ship, upon the Key, 
 Thirdly, Where he thought his Aunt Imperia now was/ Whereat he tells him. She is now in 
 St. Fri Church, in her devotions. And fourthly. What Letter that was which he held 
 faft fealed in his hand ? When he aifo informed him. That this was the very .fame : Letter 
 which he formerly told him of, the which SeiffmRondm (the Fat ^ 
 
 Lent to his Unkle this morning from Loretto, by an Innkeeper of that Town named Arnomo 
 Herb*, whom he {aid he had brought along with him to affirm fo much . the w uch bung 
 called up before the Podeftate, he upon his corporal Oath did to . when the Podcttate ta- 
 king that Letter from Richardo, ar.d breaking up the Seals thereof , he finds it to (peak, this 
 
 language. 
 
 BONDINO to PALMERIUS. 
 
 ■JT was a fenfihk grief to mt\ when I firft heard of Morofini s arrival f om Turky 
 I hut far the treater when l firii underjiood of bh long and hngnng fray then . and to write thee 
 
 f° r him t0 t lot Th g dtlt b Z c 7u la v/nice t hen bum this, Letter in Ancona, 
 
 very malicious and revengeful. If he depart Jpeedily to , farther Vrotratt his (lav 
 
 (which I no tv fend tine here by my inhotcJo, where my Houfcjhall 
 
 f° r th y fdf: slight m thu , my c 7 f f l J>tdt T dcr t 
 
 advice to thclbut rather refolvelith confidence , that as God gave itjirjl to my heart Jo f, om my hear 
 Imoji affectionately now fend it to thee . BONDINO. 
 
 The Podclfate being afeertained of all thefe Evidences, from tne 
 
 Gloves of Morofini, the Letter of (Win*, and Imperial her lover 
 upon he verily believes that Falmertm was (lifted in his bed by ms vv i / , 
 
 Morofini , yet f as a wife Judg and a prudent Magiftratej he wi ndo deplo- 
 
 important point more for the better diction fr iend of his, to'the ‘ 
 
 table bufmefs : He will not fend any fubordmate Officer, but P kn0W s to be Ste- 
 
 Hoite of the Ship upon the Key, where Mmfint lo ^M»3^ e o ufly aUu£ c him hoiric to 
 pbano Fundi, and that("in favour of a Cup of Wine)hc 1 ' hi? 
 
 r Eee 3 
 
God's Revenge againji Murther . Book VI 
 
 his houfe and prefence,the Which that friend of his performs; where the Podeftare 
 
 h ‘ Y b '“ '; f °T d ty **"■ ,h ” ht *» !««• "»», and .he" ", S J 
 - h r t0 h,lT | the truth °. f three denia " ds which he ihall make unto E 
 
 tuft, It Nbrofrn, and his Friends Aliomm and Donato, lay in hrs houfe all the la ft niehtW 
 not, When they went abroad, and at what hour returned. When F**Ti (performing his di, tv 
 and reverence to the Podeftatejtells him, that they all three went forth of his houfe together 
 the lalt night, with their Rapiers, without any lights, a little after twelve of the clock and ' 
 returned home again a little before two, as near as he could guefs. Secondly The Podeffate 
 (hews hun the Gloves,and asks of him if he thought thefe were Mmfwi'J to which he an 
 
 S ; h h Jid •*” “IF*- /I'r'"’ •? ,lu ' he hid — r <«**<£ wm «t Sr 
 
 Thirdly, He enquires of him, ,1 he knew where Morofmi, A^onum, and Donato, now we rT> 
 W hereunto he made anfwer, that after they came home to his houfe the laft night they mV 
 nly caroulcd and drank in their Chamber till fix of the clock in the morning, that the? then 
 went to fheir beds, and there as yet they all lay roundly fleeping. The Podeffate 
 happily cleared all thefe rubs, he makes no doubt they were the murtherers ofPalmerUu and 
 therefore relolves fpeedily to lay fure hold of them all. But he is fo folid and wife i, his Sf 
 niffration of Jufnce as he will add fubtilty to his power, and diferetion to his authority S 
 therefon.- m friendly manner he conhnesF»«di to a chamber here in his own houfe.to P Jeven<- 
 that he fhould not return home to tell tales to Morofm and his aflfociates. Then he orcfentlv 
 fends away two of his own Sons, who were gallant young Gentlemen, named Semtior Alex- 
 andro and lbomafoCeramo( who were ignorant of all this matter jwith his coach to St Francis- 
 Church, 3cwhen they there fee the fairGentlewoman Imferia to ilTue forth, then in courteous 
 manner, not to fail to bring her away in coach with them to his houfe, under pretext and co 
 lour, that the Lady Hmona their Mother doth defire to fee & fpeak with her & that (he wil 
 F f j r r ’ °”f wi'h to in h„, Ga,d e „, with whom „d „hi, e IhS Vh^tiy of5 
 fits; had formerly fometimes been. Thefe two young Gentlemen fin obedience to their Fa- 
 ther s commandsjdrive away to that Church, and prefcntly efpy ImUtna on her knees who 
 now rtfeth and goes forth; they follow her, and in the (freer, with their Hats in 
 do prefent theirLady- Mother sreqdeft and errand to her,as we have formerly hVrH Tm ' * 
 knowing them to be the Podeftate’s two Sons, (he at to is fo 
 
 amazed hereat, yea, (he is hereupon vexed and tormented in foftrange a manner,1hat with 
 much perturbation of mind (he now (through her foul and guilty confciencelloVs pale for 
 forrow, and prefentJy red again for fhame; fo that in the turning of an hand and twmklin^ 
 of an eye, flic exchangeth the Lillies ofher cheeks into Rofes, and thofe Rofcs as foon again 
 into Ldliestbut then( fearing her danger leaff , when (he had all the reafonsof the world both 
 to doubt and fear it mod) confidcrmg that the Podeffate & the Lady his Wife were her kind 
 and honourable good friends, and had now fent theirCoach for her;asalfo obferving the fair 
 cartage and courteous language of thefe two young Sons towards her;(he thenfbefog Win- 
 ded by the Devil j doth fo wholly forget both her crime and her danger, her judgmem and 
 her ielf, that rejecting her fear , and compofing her countenance to a model! dfearfulnefs 
 (he wt hngly obeys the Mother s commands, and accepts of the Sons courtefie, and To goes’ 
 along home with them in their Coach: Wherebeing arrived, thefe two young Gentie- 
 
 P Vrt° f U fh r a, i. d C ,° ndu<a her up ^ Gallery, where not the Lady their Mother, but the 
 c eftate thur lather (accompanied with two other grave Officers of Jufficejattended her 
 coming. Their very hrft fight isfufliciently capable to daunt hcr courage with fear and to 
 tranfpierce her heart and foul with forrow: When the Podeffate calling her to him he with 
 
 T^ n h^fr tenanCC r 8 ' V u S h r r f th,sthundering *pea1for hei Good-morrow and Break-faff : 
 That he is forry to fee that fo fair a Gentlewoman as her felf , fhould harbour and enfhrine 
 
 0 ° U * le f rt ; j lat .' er g ood Husband, Seignior Palmermjs this morning found ffiefld 
 to death in his bed with an Orange in his mouth ; and that he both thinks and affureshi.n- 
 ielt, it is done by her, and by her bloody Ruffian and Enamourato, Morofmi ; for the Which 
 he faith he is conftraindfin honor to Jufticejto make her Prifoner to the Pope his Holinefs 
 h,s Sovera.gn Lord and Matter : whereat this falfe hypocrite Intperia fwith a world of S 
 
 LkT] J r PUUnd r , CllS That fll£ ldt herold Husba " d PAmorm in perfedtheaffh 
 in his bed this morning, that therefore foe hoped and truifed in God he is not Lrthered or 
 
 ,f ^' L b a’l hat !i t f mU ! needS bC d ° ne h,S wrctched Nephew Ricbardo , who impatiently ga- 
 ped and hoped for his great Wealth and Riches , or clfcby fome Devil in hislhape ofhis 
 leducing and hiring him thereunto. That Morofvti is not her Ruffian or Enamourato but 
 a brave Merchant by his Profeflion, and an honourable Gentleman of Venice by Birth and 
 nxtradrion -, and fh at flie dare pawn her life for his , that they are both of ?hem as in- 
 
 nocent 
 
Hift.XXVI. 
 
 Morofini and Imperia . 
 
 nocent of this foul crime, as the Infants who were born hut theLfl night, and that (lie hath 
 far more reafon to weep lor the death of her Husband, than any way to fear her own life, be- 
 caufe (lie knows thatGod is the defender of innocents, &thc protestor of the righteous* with 
 many other palfionute and (orrowful ipecches conducting and looking that way ; but thelb 
 her lpeeches 6c tears cannot prevail with the Podeftatevtor both he and his two Colleagues 
 do yet firmly believe that (he is guilty of this inhuman murthcr. So he imprjioneth her in a 
 Chamber ot his own houfe 1 for that day, and intends at nighc to fend her totlie Common- 
 Gaol of thatCity.Now as (he is led along between two Ufhcrsfor Ser jeants)through a lower 
 room, where all the Podeflatc’s Servants, and fome few others of the Cicy,werc flocked thi- 
 ther to fee hcr.pafs byflhe infinitely more caring for her Morafinfs life,and fearing his death 
 than her own, it is her chance toe tpy \krcario whom we have formerly underflood live fenc 
 with her Letters to him to Confimtinopk &ndAkppt),d.nd knowing that the Serjeants would 
 then difficultly permit her to (pea it with any of. the company* (he, amidfl her tears, bethinks 
 her felt of a pretty policy; lot as (he pait clufc by MercartoJ . he purpofely lets fall her G.oyes 
 and wet-Haudkerchicf for him to fake up, the which he doth * and as he was flooping to 
 efledit.fhe fecretly and fwiftly rounds him in his ear thus; I pray goinflmtly upon the Key 
 to Monffini's lodging, and tell him that I am a prifoner in die Podcflate’js houfe, for the bu(i- 
 nefs he knows of, and therefore that he.(aind Ajionicm an dDonato j do fpecdiiy provide for 
 their fafety*as alfo,chat it I had a thouiand fives, I would willingly lofe and facriflce them all 
 for to prefeive his, and that I will live and dye his molt loving friend Sc faithful handmaid: 
 the which as loon as the had uttered, {he is imprifr ned in- a dark Chamber, where fne hath 
 none but her guilty Confluence, the bareWalKand the twoSrrjeants,for her miferable com- 
 forters. And yet here( thinking to breathe and draw fome hope among all her defpair 6c lor- 
 rows, (he prays one of the Serjeants to report her humble iervice to the Lady Honoria, the 
 Podeflatc’s Wife,6c to pray her to oblige and honour her fo much, as cofee and Ipeak a word 
 with her. But the having been informed by the Judg her Husband, that heablblutely held 3c 
 believed her to be the murtherefs ot her own Husband, Scigtfitfr Palmerw / he was too honou- 
 rable to grant Imperia thiscourtelie* and therefore ( in deteiiation ot her foul fadf Jhighly dis- 
 dained to afford her this chanty and conlolation, and fo flatly denies either to lee or fpeak 
 with her. And now do the Prodcflate and his two Colleagues, lit and debate in Council with 
 themfelves,how and in what manner tofurprife Morofint, Afionictis, and Donato', for although 
 they are not fure,yct by their abfence the laft night from their lodging with Morofini , they 
 think that they two are accelfaries with him herein:rirfl,they are of opinion to feize on their 
 Ship, which is at anchor in the Road, termed the Realto of Venice/, a name I think derived and 
 taken from the Merchants Exchange of that City, termed the Realto\or clfe from the' Rcaho- 
 Bridg, which ( for oneArchJ isdoubtlefs therareft, fairefl, and richeft Bridg of the World ) 
 which Ship was of fome three hundred Tuns, and bore fome twenty pieces of Ordnance, and 
 then prefently after to feize on themfelves in their lodging.But upon more mature delibera- 
 tion, they refolve to abandon this their opinion,6c fo to feize on their perfons,but not toar- 
 refl or make flay of their Ship * and although their zeal to ]uflice,and hafle for their appre- 
 henfion, be very great*yet Mercariu,out of his refpe&s to Imperial attention to Morofim, trips 
 down through the by-Areets,6c nearefl way to the Key,fo fwiftly,as he had already fecretly 
 related him and his two Conforts, the for rowful news which Imperia font them by him. 
 Whereat, with fear in their hearts and courages, and amazement in their looks and counte- 
 nances, they all three leap from their beds to their fwords,difchargc their Inn , pack up their 
 Trunks and Baggage, and refolve with all poilible fpeed to flye to their fhip* and then if not 
 with, yet againft the wind, to put into fea,and for their fafety to leave Ancona, and fail for Ve- 
 wice.But yet here Morofini $ heart is perplexed with a thoufand torments,to underfland of his 
 Imperials imminent and apparent danger* and with many Hells, ir.ftead of one,to fee that he 
 mufl now thusfuddenly leave her dear fight and company, which he every way cfleemsno 
 lefs than either his earthly felicity, or his Heaven upon Earth. 
 
 -v But here again, violently called away by the importunate cries o (Aftonicus and Donato, and 
 yet far more by the conlideratiomof his own proper fear and dagger* M rcarin is no fooner 
 Aollen away from them, but they all three, with their Swords dra wn,ru(h down the flairs 
 with equal intents and refolutions to exchange their Inn for their Ship, and thereby to me- 
 tamorpnofe their danger into fecurity. But they fhail fee, that thefe vveikand reeling hopes 
 of theirs wil now deceive them ; f or they find all the doors of their Inn lockr within-fide, 
 
 6c furrounded 3c beleagurM without, with many armed Serjeants, Soldiers, and Citizens, for 
 their apprcheulion: and although Morofini, Ajionicus , and Donato, were fo inflamed with their 
 youthful blood and courage, as they were once generoufly refolved to fell their lives dearly. 
 
Book VI. 
 
 Gods Revenge againfi Murther. 
 
 and with their Pillolsand Swords, to prefer an honourable to an infamous death* yet being 
 far over-malhcd with numbers, are therefore enforced to tike aLaw of the fironger*where- 
 unto they the fooner hearken and content, in regard the Serjeants and Officers do politickly 
 cry out to them, and pray them to yeeldjas affirming, that to their knowledg, their refoluti- 
 on and fear doth far exceed the danger of their offences. They make a virtue of nectflity, 
 and unlocking the doors of their Inn and Chambers, do cheerfully yeeld up their Perfons, 
 Piftols,aud Swords, to the Pope’sOfficcrsot Jullice , who foon convey them all three to the 
 Common- Prifon of that City, which was the fame wherein our not fo foirowful as unfor- 
 tunate Imperia was already entred* and where, to her unexpreflible grief, and Mir o finis un- 
 paralleled affliction and dilconfolation, fuch exa<S charge was given of thePoddiate, and 
 fuch curious heed obferved and taken of the Gaoler, that he could not polfibly be permit- 
 ted cither to fee or fpeak with her, or lfie with him > the which indeed they conceived to be 
 far more fharp than their crime, and infinitely more bitter than the coniideration cither of 
 their fear or danger. 
 
 Now tlie news of thefe lamentable accidents being fpeedily polled from Ancona to Loretta . , 
 our Imperia s cruel Father Bondino no fooner is afeertained thereofbut feting his Son-in-law 
 Valnunm murthered in his bed, and his Wife^his own only Daughter, Imperial with her Ruf- 
 fian Morufm, and his two Contorts J to be imprifoned as the Authors and adtors thereof, he 
 for the love he bore to her life, and the tender pity and forrow he felt of the infamy of her 
 approaching death,fuddenly falls lick and diesjwhercof his imprifoned Daughter Imperia un- 
 derfunding, (he (in regard of his former fe verity towards her ) is fomuch paflionate, and fo 
 little compaHionate, as ffie rather rejoyceth than lamenterh at it* only lfie prays God to for- 
 give his foul of that cruelty of his in enforcing her to man y Falmcrw. which fhe knows to 
 be the original caufe and fatal cloud, from whence have proceeded all thefe difmal (forms 
 of affliction* and tempers of untimely death, which ffie tears muff very ffiurtly befall both 
 herfclf, and herfecond telf, Morofim. 
 
 Whiles thus Ajiomcw and Danato grieve at their hard fortune and danger, & Moroftni and 
 Imperia do reciprocally more lament and forrow for their feparation, than for their impri- 
 tonment* and that the Podeflate and other Officers of Jufticeof Ancona, are refolved firfl 
 to inform the Pope, and then to expedt his Holincfs pleafure for the arraignment and pu- 
 niffiment of thefe four Prifoners. It pleated God exceedingly to vilit the Town of Loretto, 
 and efpecially the City of Ancona, w.ith the Plague , whereof many thoulands in a few 
 months were fwept away : fo, by fpccial Commifflon and Order from Rome, they (m 
 company of divers other Prifoners ) are conveyed to the City of Poligmo , two fmall days 
 journey from Ancona , and there to be arraigned and tryed upon their lives and deaths ; at 
 which time, as they pall by the old little City of lolentino , where 1 then ( in my intended 
 travels towards Rome) lay upon my recovery of a Burning-Fever* when, I fay, the nature of 
 their crimes, and the qualky of their perfons, made my curiolity fo ambitious, as to fee and 
 obferve them in their feveral Chambers of the Inn, where they that night lay , which was 
 at the Sign of the Pope’s Arms ; as for Ajlonicm and Donato, I found them to be rather fad 
 than merry * Morofmi to be far more merry than wife * and Imperia to be infinitely more fair 
 than fortunate* and all of them to be lefs forrowful for their afflidfion and danger, than for 
 the caufe thereof. 
 
 Within three hours of their arrival to Polignio, they are all four convented before the two 
 Criminal Judges, who are purpofely fent from Rome thither, and are there and then feverally 
 charged with this foul murtheringor fiifling todeath the old Seignior Palmerm in his bed, 
 which all and every one of them apart do iiifly deny, notwithstanding that Fundi the Hofte, 
 and Richardo the Nephew, give in evidence of ftrong preemption againft them, and alfo 
 notwithstanding of Morofim's Gloves, and Bondino’s Letter written to his Son-in-law Palme - 
 rius. and delivered by Herbas^s we have formerly underltood. But thefe two grave and pru- 
 dent judges yet firongly fufpedfing the contrary, they will not be deluded with the airy 
 words and fugred fpeechesand proteftations of their pretended innocency, but confult be- 
 tween themfeives what here to refolve on for the vindication of this truth ; fo at laft they 
 hold it expedient andTequilite,firif to expofe Afiomcw to the torment of the Rack*the which 
 he ( being a ilrong Sc robuftous man) endureth with a firm refolution Scconifancy everyway 
 above himfelf,6c almofi beyond belief, 6c dill confeffeth nothing but his innocency and igno- 
 rance of this deplorable fadh whereof the Judges relfing not yet fat isiied, they within an hour 
 after ad judg Donato to the tortures of the Scarpfnes,who being a little timbred man, of a pale 
 complexion, and weak corSlitution of body, his right foot no fooner feels the ur.fuiftrabie 
 fury of the fire, and his torments then confidently promifing him all defired favour from his 
 
 Judges 
 
H i ft . X X V I. Morofini and Impend. 
 
 Judges,it he will confers the t'ruehi but after fume forrowfol tears, and pitiful cryes' heWlv 
 and amply doth and m the lame manner & form -as in all its circuttAatoces we have touner 
 ly underhood. The which when the fudges hear of, they cannot refrain Krit from admire 
 and wondering thereat, and then from lamenting that Perlbnages of their rank and quaiitv 
 fhould be the authors and adors of fo foul and lamentable a Murfher, efpecially of this fair 
 Gentle woman hnpuia^ to her own good old Husband Palmerifa. Now by thfis time alio ar * 
 Marofm, Imptrta , and Ajionim, acquainted with this fatal confeffion and accusation oVDjtuto 
 againlf them tor this murtherswhereat they do infinitely lament and grieve, b-caufe they >r& 
 thereby perfedly affured,that it hath infallibly made them all three liable and obnoxious to 
 deathj as alfo, tor that their fuppoftd firm friend Dor.ato proved himlelf fotalfe a man, and lo 
 true a coward, to be the caufe thereof > wherein they fo much forget tl.emfelves, as they do 
 not once think, and they will not therefore remember , that the detedion of this their toul 
 Murthcr proceeded immediately from .Heaven, and originally from the Providence and lu- 
 ftice of the Lord of Hofts. J 
 
 The very fame afternoon, the Judges fent for Morofini, Upma, and Ajhmim ; toappear be- 
 fore them in their publick Tribunal ot Juftice, where they tuft acquaint & charge than with 
 Donato' s confeffion and accufation againft them for murthering ot Palmerm \ whereat they 
 are fo far from being any way difmayed or daunted, as they ail do deny and refel his aecu* 
 iation, and fo in higli terms do fraud upon their inhocency and juftification. But when they 
 fee Donato brought into the Court in a Chair ( for His fiery torments of the Scarpines had fo 
 cruelly fcorched , and pitifully burnt away the flefh of the foie of his right foot, aim jft 
 to the bone, that he was Wholly unable either to go or ftandj and that they were to be con- 
 fronted face to face with him s as alfo, they being alfo hotly terrified and threatned by the 
 Judges with the torments ot theR.ack ScScarpines, then God was fo gracious to their hearts, 
 and fo merciful to their fouls, that they looking mournfully each at other, fhe weeping, and 
 they lighing, and all of them defpairing of life, and too perfedly allured of death, they all 
 confefs the whole truth of this foul fad of theirs, and fo confirm as much as Hondto had for- 
 merly affirmed of this their bloody crime of murthering falmerm in his bed : when one of 
 thefe two reverend and grave Judges, immediately thereupon do condemn them all four td 
 be hanged the next morning at the common place of Execution of thatCityjalthoughZWj- 
 /<?, becaufe of his confeffion thereof, in vain flattered himfelf that he fhould receive a pardon 
 for his life. So they are all fent back to their Prifon from whence they came, where all the 
 courtefie which the importunate requefts of Morofini^ and the inceffimt lighs and tears oflw- 
 ficria , can obtain of their Judges, is, that they grant them an hour of time to fee,converfe,and 
 lpeak one with the other that night in prifon, in prefence of their Gaolers, and fome other 
 perfons, before they dye. When Morofini being guided towards her Chamber, fuch is the 
 weaknels of his Religion towards God, and the fervency for rather the exorbitancy; of his 
 affedfion towards her, that as he pafleth from Chamber to Chamber, he.isfo far froraonce 
 thinking, much lefs fearing of death, as he abfolutely believes he is going to a vidfory and a 
 triumph : here Morofini , with a world of fighs,‘ throws himfelf into his Imperials neck and 
 breafi v and here! mperia y with a whole deluge of tears, embraccth and encloiftereth her Mo- 
 rofiwi in her arms;, when, after a thoufand kifles,they beg pardon one of another for being the 
 tifential and adtual caufe each of other’s death, and do interchangeably both kifsand fpeak, 
 fometimes privately, and moll times publickly,bcfnre the fpe&atorsi that, if thole reports be 
 true which [ firft heard thereof in ‘ Tclentino , next in Polignio , and laftly in Rome-, I fay. to de- 
 paint and repreftnt it at life , in all its circumftances, I fhould then begin afecond Hiftory, 
 when I am now on the very point and period to end the firft i neither, in my conceit, is it a 
 task either proper for me to undertake, or pertinent for my pen to perform , becaufe ( to 
 fpeak freely and ingcnuoully;l hold the grant and permiffionof this their amorous vifit and 
 interview in prifon before they dye, to be every way more worthyof the pity, than of the 
 gravity or piety of their Judges. 
 
 If therefore 1 do not content and plcafe the curiolit y,I yet hope I flial endeavour my felf to 
 fatishe the judgment of my Chriftian Reader, here briefly to ligriilie, this their limited hour 
 is no fooner paft,but to the (harp affli&ion of Morofini , the bitter anxiety of Imperia , they by 
 their Gaolers are fcparated,and confined to their feveral Chambers, wherefby the charity of 
 their JudgesHhey find two Friers and two Nuns attending them, to prepare their fouls for 
 Heavens and in a lei's vain, and a more ferious and religious conference, to entertain both 
 their time and themfe Ives, from an cartlily,to the fpeculation and contemplation of a divine 
 and Heavenly love*, as alfo, from them to A\lortim and Donato. Eut before I proceed farther, 
 we mud under ftand,that the two Friers have not been with M >rofini y &hd the two Nuns with 
 
 Ff f Imperia y 
 
Book V I. 
 
 Gods Revenge agarnji Murther. 
 
 Imperia above Tn hour ,buc by the two Judges there is a chief: lubordinate Officer of their*? 
 lent to prifoiyo tell Imperia, that her Unkie, Seignior Alexandro Bondino , a great Senator and 
 famous Judg of Route, hath obtained her pardon of this prefent Pope Vrban VIII. But (he 
 is not fo glad of his news, as (he is then curious to enquire if her Mmftni be likewife pardon- 
 ed* fo the Officer tells her, no, and that he abfolutely rnuft fuffer death : then (be weeps far 
 farter than (he rejoyceth*, and affirms, that (he will not live, but dye.The Judges fend lor her, 
 and perfwade her to lives but (lie begs them as importunately to give Mtitdfmi his life, as they 
 do her, to accept 3c receive her own.They tell her, they have not the power to grant her the 
 hrrtjand (he replies, that (he then hath not the will to embrace 6c entertain the (econd. They 
 acquaint Morofmi herewith, who by their order, and by their (elves, dp (trongly perfwade her 
 hereunto, but her firrt anfwer 3c refolution is her laft,that (he will accept of no life if he mult 
 dyesneither wil he refute any death conditionally, that (he may live to fury tire him.Thc two 
 friers and two Nunns ufe their beft art and oratory to perfwade her hereunroibut they meet 
 with impoffibility to make her affe&ion to Morofmi , and her refolution to her felf , flexible 
 hereunto. Her life is not half fo precious to her, as is his^ for if (he had many,as (he hath but 
 one, (he is both ready and refolute to lofe andiacrihce them all for his fakes 6c would efteem 
 it her felicity, that her death might redeem 6c ranfom his life: the Judges(out of their ggod- 
 nefs and charity J afford a whole day to invite and perfwade hereunto : but (he is ftill deaf 
 to their rtquerts, and (fill one and the fame woman, defirous to live with him, or conifant 
 and refolute to dye for him. Therefore, when nothing can prevail with her, becaule dye he 
 muff, fo dye (he will ^ to the which (he chearfully prepares her felf, with an equal affection 
 and refolution, which I rather admire than commend in her. 
 
 So the next morning they are all four brought to the place of common execution to fufftr 
 deaf h. Where Donato is firrt lifted up to the Laddenwho, being fuller of pain than words, laid 
 little in effe<fi,but that he wilhed he had either dyed in Confantinople or Alcfpo,oi elfe funk in 
 the Sea before he came to Ancona , and not to have here ended his days in mifery and infamy. 
 The next who was ordered to follow him, was Ajlomw *, who told the World boldly and 
 plainly, that he cared lefs for his death, than for the caufe thereof and that he loved Morofmi 
 ib perfectly and dearly, that he rather rejoiced than grieved to dye for hinBOnly he repent- 
 ed himfelf for alfirting to murtherPrf/mmftf,and from his heart and foul befeechedGod tofor- 
 give it him*, 6c fo he was turned over.Then Mbrofmi afeends the Ladder, clad in a hair-colour 
 Satin-fuit, and a pair of Crimfon filk Stockings, with Garters and Roles edged with iilver 
 lace,being fo vain in his carriage, adtion, and fpeeches, as before he once thought of God, he 
 (with a world of fighsjtakes a folemn league of his Sweet-heart Imperia, &with all the pow- 
 ers of his heart and foul, prays her to accept of his life, and fo to furvive him. He makes an 
 exadt and godly confeffion of his fins to God & the Worlds and yet ticverthelefs he is fo vain 
 in his affection towards Imptria , as he takes both to wit nefs, that had he a thouland lives, he 
 would cheerfully lofe them all tofave and prefer ve hers. As for Imperia, fuch washer dear 
 and tender affedtion to him , as (he would fain look on him as long as he lives * and yet (he 
 equally defires and refolves rather to dye than to fee him dye : and becaufo (he hath not the 
 power, therefore (lie turns her face and eyes from him, and will not have the will to fee him 
 dye : when he having faid his prayers, and fo recommended his foul into the hands of his 
 Redeemer, he is alfo turned over. 
 
 Now although our Imperia be here again and again foliated by the Judges, Fryers, and 
 Nunns,to accept of her life*, yet (he feeing her other felf, Morofmi, dead, (he therefore difdains 
 to furvive him ; (he hath fo much love in her heart , as now (he hath little life , and lefs 
 joy in her looks and countenance. She afeends the Ladder in a plain black Taffata Gown, a 
 plain thick-fec Ruff', a white Lawn Quaif , and a long black Cyprefs Vail over her head, 
 with a white pair of Gloves, and her Prayer- Book in her hands* When being far more ca- 
 pable to weep than fpeak, (he cafting a wonderful fad and forrowful look on her dead lover 
 Morofmi , after many volleys of far-fetch’d fighs, (he delivers this (hort fpeech to that great 
 concourfe ok people, who from City and Countrey flocked thither to fee her and them 
 dye : 
 
 Good people , I had lived more happy, and not dyed fomifcrable, if my Father Bondino 
 had not fo cruelly enforced me to marry P aimer m, whom I could not love*, and to leaved 
 rofmi; whom in heart 6c foul I ever affedted a thoufand times dearer than mine own life* and 
 may all Fathers who now fee my death, or (hall hereafter hear or read this my Hirtory , be 
 more pitiful and lefs cruel to their Daughters, by his example. I do here now fuffer many 
 deaths in one,to fee that my dczxMorofwi is dead for my fake:for had he not loved me dearly, 
 and I him tenderly, he had never dyed for me, nor I for him,with fuch cheerfulncfs and ala- 
 
 crify 
 
Hift . XXV I. Morofini and Im^eria. 
 
 pent that ever I was guilty of his innocent and untiLely deafh- Thatch GoTf' “* 3nd rC ' 
 and I likewiferequelt you all to pray unto God toforcive if m, ’ a a C1 (j0c ^ forgive me, 
 
 limbic the tnithV m, hem, I g,i/,“” ot ,od,c 
 
 lolc for my Morofm's affe&ion and fake I have and do devour! ^ 1 have no more lives to 
 and fo 1 heartily requeft and 
 
 py and profperous lives, my felf to a pious and patient death in earfl, Zj - y ? , , toIla P' 
 rious rdurredion in , Heavenjwhen figning her felf often whh the 
 her vail down over her face, and fo praying thatfhemizht h.hnri^t ; 1 „ j e pulls 
 G«,c wi.hM.^i.ihe bad the Executioner pcrfo.m hi Office c who jfe 
 
 tance j and I^ria, with more repentance than refolutionT tJswas SK’Sff* 
 their deaths May wc extrad wUd 9 m out of their folly, anSa^^SrS^ 
 fo (hall we live as happy as they dyfed miferably,and finifhour days and lives in as mSh con’ 
 tent and tranquil, ty, as they ended theirsin fhame, infamy, and confufiom 
 
 Fff 2 
 
 God's 
 
Book VIS 
 
 jlunthneti+n tji 1 1 v ■**' ' 
 
 GOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XXVII. 
 
 Father Juflinian a ?riefl,anl Adrian an Inn-keeper, poyf on De Laurier ,who was lodgedin hie boufe , 
 and then bury him in hie Orchard \ where , a mmh after , a Wolf digs him up, and devours a great 
 part of his body- > which Father Juftinian and Adrian undemanding, tbtyflye upon the fame, but 
 are afterwards both of them apprehended and hanged for it. 
 
 W Here our hearts are given to covetoufnefs and cruelty, there is little fign of grace, 
 and therefore lefs hope of our profperity either in this life, or the next;for thole are 
 fins which fo eclipfe our judgments, and obfeure and darken our underftandings , that we 
 thereby run blindfolded and headlong to all mifery and confufion * and makes our eftates fo 
 defperate, that we (hall not delerve to be pitied of others, becaufe we would neither pity 
 nor compaflionatc others, or ( which is worfejour felves. A deplorable example whereof, 
 this enfuing Hiftory will prefcnt to our knowledgand confederation , in the perfonsof two 
 execrable wretches, which did wilfully call away themfelves and their lives, upon foul and 
 enormous motives. May we religioully read it, to the information of our confidences, and 
 reformation of our lives. 
 
 A Rich Goldfmithof Dijon ( the Capital City of Burgundy) named Monjieur Vc Lanrie>\ 
 ^ged of feme threefcore years or upwards, having been at Frankford Mart , and there fold 
 ii: any ; wels, Bracelets, and Chains of Pearl, for the which he had there receiv’d fome 1700 
 Ciovviis>a‘s he returned homewards with all that great turn of money , coaverted into double 
 
 Pillols. 
 
Hid. XXVII. Adrian and Jfabella. 
 
 Piltols, which he carried behind him in his Cloak-bag* and fume remaining Jewels in a pr j_ 
 vate Leather Gifdle next tohisbody.lt chanced that ht fell lick on the way, whereof find- 
 ing himfelf ill and weak, and the retore both unwilling & unable to travel^ got into a poor 
 Countrey-Tavern upon the high- way, fotne rive leagues ott'from thcTown blMynes , where 
 he took up his lodging for that night* 6c there three other Merchants who were in his com- 
 pany ( whereof one was of Auxone, and the other two of Troy*/ in Champagne) very unkindly 
 fortook him, and left him alone to himfelf. His licknefs that night eric rearing ( which o aV e 
 him much pain, 6c little red), he not liking his lodging, and fearing himfelf not lafe therefthe 
 next morning takes horfc, 6c very foftly rides towards Salynes , where he arrived about iome 
 two of the clock after dinner, and went into the very tirft Inn which he met, at the excream- 
 ell end of the Town, at the Sign of St. Vcnii, whereof the Hoad of the Houfe was named 
 Adrian , and his wife Ifabcllab they were both of them about fome forty years old, very Ihort 
 of ftature, and weak of contfitution of body: he, of a cole-black countenance, but fhe tau,aiid 
 of a pale white colour. As for him, he was of adiffolute Hfeandcarriage^cxtreamly given 
 to Wine and Women * he was of poor parentage, and born to no Means stall* but (he was 
 well defeended, and brought him at lead two thoufand Crowns to her portion in marriage* 
 the which he had prodigally wafted, and debauchedly fpent and fquandted away, in follow- 
 ing of his vicious riot,and obfeene pi eafures and prodigalities. As lor her, (he was of a modeft 
 carriage, and ofa virtuous difpoiition and inclination^ chat, by Antithesis, I may very well 
 aver and affirm, That his bafe vices made herfweet virtues the more apparent and cofilipicu- 
 ous,& her virtueshis vices, to all that knew them. She made chariity and piety to be the two 
 fweet ornaments and Jumeal virtues of her life*yea,to be the Elixir of her life, 6c the life of 
 her foul.lt was therefore an extream grief to her heart, 6c a matchlefs torment to her mind, 
 to fee the fordid acSitms and humours of her Husband, as being every way more capable to 
 pity than to remedy them. She grieved to fee howfbccaufe he would not fcrveGod, fhe could 
 not ferve him, and therefore,that he had vitiouily fpent lo much, as now in a mH&t he had 
 almoft nothing more left to fpenjJ : the fight and knowledg whereof , drowns a-H tbeplea- 
 furesof her life,infomuch as fhe could facririce to nothing but to for row and repentance-and 
 that which grieved her moft and word of all, was, to fee that hedifdained her advice and 
 counfel, and that he was fo far from reformation, as his vices grew and encreafed with his 
 years* and had now not only taken up a habit, but a fecond nature, in the perverfity of his 
 lewd a&ions and affe&ions. All the Lillies of her joys, and the Rofes of her content, were 
 turned into thorns of grief, and briers and thiftles of her vexation* infc-much as ffie was far 
 more able to figh,than to fpeak forth her calamities and miferies. He loved not his houfe*and 
 ( which was worfe) he hated her company :yea, his edate wasfomiferable,fo deplorable, as he 
 never converfed with God in prayer,and very feldom frequented his Church, the Service, or 
 Sacraments* and, to IhcV? himfelf the more prophane, he hated all Prieds and Preachers of 
 God’s holy Word and Ordinances, and loved'^ne fo well as his riotous and roaring compa- 
 Tiions, the very bane of the heart, and the true poyfon and* contagion of the foul. 
 
 And into this houfe, and to this vicious Hoaft Adrian , is our rick Ve Laurier entred, for the 
 end of his ficknds,and the recovery of his hea1th*and 1 write ratherwith tears than Ink, that 
 it was impoffiblc for him to have entred into a worfe: but fuch was his fate, fuch his misfor- 
 tune. He likes the carriage of J/iMUhisHoftis, far better than the countenance or conditi- 
 on of Adrian her Husband* but as his difeafe gives him no truce,fo confcquently he can give 
 no peace to his patience. He grieves to be rick in an unknown place, and among ftrangers* 
 but far more to be fo tar off from his own houfe, and from his only Child and Son, Leonardo , 
 whom he loves far dearer than himfelf. It is another affli&ion to him, that his money and 
 fome Jewels, are here, and not at home * and, if his judgment tail him not, he fuggefterh 
 to himfelf,! hat the tight and knowledg thereof may engender him far moredanger than ie- 
 curity: but he conceals and diffembles that, far better than he can his ficknefs* for he puts his 
 little Casket wherein it is, under his Head and Bolder. He caufcth Adrian his Hoad tobnng 
 him a Phyfician named La /Vfom*who feeing his water, 6c feeling his pulfe, tells him he is ve- 
 ry dangerouily rick of a Burning-Feventhc which to prevent, he lets him blood two feveral 
 days folio wing,and then gives him far more hope than defpair of hishealth*but all thisnot- 
 withdanding, VeLaurier rinds himfelf very, weak, and his ficknefs rather much foencreale, 
 than any way to dimimfh. As for IfabeVa , according to the Laws of Hofpitality ( which ought 
 to be inviolable to all the world), fhe tends him with much refped and diligence, and in 
 a word, performs the part and duty both of agoodHoftis, and of a good Woman. But 
 for her Husband Adrian , his thoughts and refolutious tun another contrary courie and 
 career • for he, imagining Ve Laurier to be rich, doth therefore verily hope and pray, that 
 
 Fffa he 
 
402 
 
 Gods Revenge againji Murther. Book VIL 
 
 he may~ [peedily dye in his houle, or tile he hath already fwapc a bargain with the Devil to 
 murther him, thereby to make up the breaches and ruins of his poor and tottering eftate. He 
 finds it not only a work of difficulty, but of impoffibility, to know what rich Huff he hath in 
 his Casket and Cloak-bag, becaufe he dill keeps it under his pillows and yet gathering and 
 wrefting from him, that he is a Goldfmith of Dijon, and that he came now from Fran l{ford 
 Mart, he therefore believes that he hath ftore of Gold and Jewels rbout him. His poverty and 
 his covetoufnels gives the (witch to the Devil, and the D<.vil gives the fpurr to him, to raife 
 his uncharitable contemplation into bloody a#ions, and his thoughts and refolutions as (o 
 many lines, run to terminate in this one only Center, which is that of De Lauricr'j death. He 
 fets his wits & inventions on the Tenter-hooks, to difeover this imagined Indicrjnit he finds 
 him to be as cautious and fecret in concealing, as he himfelf is curious to bewray it. Hepur- 
 pofely keeps all company from him, fie will not fo much as permit his Phylician or Apothe- 
 cary to fpeak a word with him, but he wil ftill be prefent to hear and underhand it. He with 
 oily-words and filken-fpeechcs,pryes into his deepeft fccrcts,and purpofely endeavoured) to 
 inlinuate and fcrew himfelf into his familiarity. But Pe Lanricr doth rather fear than love 
 him, and foelleems the revealing of his Gold to be the accelerating of his dangers to the 
 which end, with many colourable cxcufes and evalions, he puts him off the knowledg 
 thereof. But he is fo miferable to fee his miferies approach , becaufe the violence and impe- 
 tuolityof his Fever doth every way advance, noway retire: and now it is that his hopes 
 of the recovery of his health, do fade, not flouriflu and rather quaile than profper. Hcre- 
 folvestobeasreligiousasheisfick, and therefore prays his Hoall, Adrian, tobiing him a 
 Pried to give him the Sacrament : Adrian performs his rtqucft, but brings him a Pried na- 
 med Father Juftinian , of his own humour and complexion, and who loves Whores and 
 Wine, better than he doth either Wifeor God: fo this unfpiritual Father gives him the Ex- 
 tream Un#ion,and prepares him for his journey and tranfmigration from Earth to Heaven. 
 His continual vanities and prodigalities , have likewife made him podr : fo being equai 
 with AdridT; both in vice and poverty, he is likewife equal, and fympathizeth with him in 
 hope and delire to repair his indigence, and to enrich hiifflelf by thei'uppofcd treafure and 
 
 death of P c Lauricr. But as this debauched Pried is malicious in this his policy, fo he is alfo 
 
 politick in this his malice, for imagining that Adrian levels and aims with him at the fame 
 Butt and Mark. He dares, but yet will not acquaint him with this his bloody purpofe , to 
 contra# a helliffi league and confederation with him, for the violent difpatch, and inhuman 
 and untimely difpeeding of him away from Earth to Heaven. Whiles thus Pc Laurier \ iick- 
 nefs and weaknels encreafeth, & his Pried and Adrian's covetcufntfs begins wholly to weigh 
 down their fouls and refolutions, to haden his deplorable death i as the Pried is ready 10 
 break his mind to Adrian, how and in what manner they fhould finifh and compafs this bloo- 
 dy bufmefe, Adrian contrari wife, yea, and dire#ly contrary to the Riz.les of Nature, and Laws 
 of Grace, breaks his mind hereof to his vicious and religious Wife IfabcUa , whom he feeks 
 to draw in as an adtor in this mournful, & as an agent in this cruel Tragedy.He is as gractlefs 
 as impudent in this foul & fatal attempt of his, tor he fets upon her with the fweeteft i'peech 
 and fmoothelf perfwalions that either art could fugged,or the malice of the devil invent or 
 didfatc to him, and therein ever and anon leaves not to conveigh and didil in her mind, yea 
 and to imprint in her memory their fore-paft wealth, their prefent poverty and mifery and 
 the undoubted great riches of Gold and Jewels which Pc Laurier had with him, in that fas 
 formerly we have obferved; he very carefully day and night kept his Casket under his Pil- 
 lows and in a helliffi eloquence reprefents unto her the facility of this fadf, either by Poni- 
 ard, or Poyforn adding withall,that the danger thereof would infallibly dye with hinn with 
 a thoufand other damnable alluring fpeeches, conducing and looking that way, which I am 
 far more inclinable to lileuce, than exprefs :But wretched Villain, and execrable Mifcreant 
 that he is, he (peaks not aword,nonot afyllable, of God or his Juftice, of Heaven or 
 Hell, or of the toulnefsot that fa#, or the juft revenge and punilhment incident and due 
 thereunto. 
 
 His virtuous wife IfabcUa is amazed and aftoniffied at this bloody and inhuman propofition 
 H u s b and y an u all trembling, with iighs and tears, receives it from him with no Id's true 
 anecnon and iorrow, than he delivered it her with cruelty and impiety. Her cheeks were as 
 red for ffiame as his were pale with envy thereat, when God infufiog as much goodnels in- 
 to her heart 3 c tongue, as Satan had cruelty into his foul and refolutions,ffie tell on her knees 
 to Ins feet, Si with her eyes and hands ere#ed towards Heaven, delivered him this virtuous 
 and religious fpeech : That it was with infinite grief Sc amazement that ffieunderftood this 
 his bloody proportion to her, which ffie knew he could derive from none but Hell & Satan i 
 
 She 
 
Hift. XXVII. 
 
 Adrian and Isabella. 
 
 4 
 
 She repretents to him( with much grief and paffionjthat as punilhment is ever the reward of 
 fin s fo that of all tins Murcber was the fouleft, and the mod pernicious and diabolical. She 
 tels him farther,that covetoufnefsis the root of all mi [chiefs hat for her part Ore is as thank- 
 ful to God, as he is difpleafed with himfdt,for their poverty^and that (he would ever chafe 
 rather to live in want, than to dye in mifery and (hamc,and, which is word of aU^ulier to 
 live or dye in the horrors and terrors of a guilty and ulcerated confidence; that it is pro- 
 phane and prodigious impiety to violate the laws of Hofpitality j but a fearful, yea,horrib!e 
 crime, to kill any one unde* our own roof, and who ("in the right of Humanity and,Chrf[lu r 
 mcy)comes to us for (belter and protection, When riting again frpm her knees, (he takes him' 
 about the neck,.and(bedewing his cheeks with her tears; conjures and prays him, by the re- 
 membrance of her youth and beauty, which hadformerly been fo dear and precious to hum 
 by the memory of her lixteen years tweet cohabitation and convcrfation together in the ho- 
 ly efiate of Wedlock •, yea, for his own lake, for his foul's fake, and for God’s fake, that He 
 would defie the Devil, which thus with his two bittcr-fweet Pills of Covetoufncfs & Mur 
 ther, mocked and fought to betray him j and that therefore (jii the name and fear of God; 
 he would thenceforth refume and put on a con (tan t and religious refplution, no more to jb* 
 ducc her, or to futfer himfelf to befeduced by the Devil, in emjbruing their guilty hands in 
 the innocent blood of this honed and harmlefs Goldfmith VeLaurier , whom God hath 
 now made their gueft and lodger > in doing whereof (quoth fhej the fame our (acred Lord 
 and God (in his due time) will be graciouily pleated to encreafe our citato and means,and to 
 blefs our poverty with plenty. But her Husband Adrian (as a mod wretched Villain; take? 
 rhis godly refufal and denial of his Wife, in ill part* and in requital and conii deration there- 
 of, henceforth looks on her with a (quint-eye,l mean with an eye rather of contempt and en- 
 vy, than of affection* but at board and bed, yea, day and night, he haunts her as a ghod,and 
 never leaves purfuing of her with his prophane and importunate follic itations, to draw her 
 content to the aCling and perpetrating of this bloody bufinete • but God (o well aifilted her 
 mind and thoughts with the grace of his holy Spirit, and fo divinely fortified her heart and 
 foul with his facred fear,that herHusband’s fweet per fwa.fions could notgain,nor his threats 
 or. menaces obtain any thing of herdnit ftill (heanfwcr’d this murtherous requefi of his forne- 
 times with religious refulals, and then again with paflionate peremptory denials > and 
 therefore the more that (he fees her Husband bent to malign and hate Vc Lajfrier, the more, 
 devoted and refolute (lie is to refped and tend him, Hill bearing a curious a cartful, and a 
 vigilant eye over him, during all the time of his ficknefs, to fee that no difatter whatsoever 
 might befall him in her houfe; 
 
 Adrian miffing of this his pur pofe and defire in his Wife, he is yet fohafiy and violent in 
 this his bloody malice taMards Ve Laurier , that meafuring of Father J0\MK the Pricfi, by 
 himfelf, and finding a conformity in their debauched vices and inclinations, he the foonet 
 hopes to’find a fympathy in their attentions and refolutions * and therefore although he be a 
 Prieli, yet knowing him to be extream poor, he therefore fhe more eafily believes, that the 
 hope of Gold and Silver will ad wonders with him, and make him aft wonders for the ob- 
 taining thereof. . . w , 
 
 Upon thefe hopes, and this confidence, he delays no time, but on a Monday-morning 
 repairs to his houfe > and after their morning-cups, telling him he hath a fecret of great 
 importance to reveal him , he takes him into a little Grove ot Walnut-trees, behind his 
 houfe , and there (fwearing him to fecrefie) reveals him this his bloody bulinefs , where 
 this vicious Prieft, Jujiinian^ in hope of Ve Laurier 7 s wealth, needed no great labour or in* 
 dultry , to be drawn to make one in this deplorable Tragedy : for, had pot Adrian novy 
 opened* it to him, fuch was hisinfatiable third and defire of Gold, though with blood, that 
 the next day he was fully refolved to doit to him : fo he freely confents to him herein, 
 and fwears toaffid and fecond him in murthering of Ve Laurier s and the tye J n ^ c ? n “ 
 dition of this their hellifh bargain is, That what Gold, Silver, or Jewels, they (nail find 
 him to have, they will inftantly after his death equally divide and (hare between them : 
 and hereunto like (two bloody Hell-hounds; they interchangeably give hands and lo- 
 lemnly (’wear each to other. Now from the matter of this their bloody deiign ana 
 refolution, they proceed to the manner and time thereof, but they then are prevented 
 therein: for father Jujliniavts little Boy, which was accudomedto anlwer him at Malle, 
 comes thither haitily , and with his little Wine-Pot on his finger, tells him, that there 
 were many perfons who ftayed for him before the Altar, on their knees, and earneitly enqui- 
 red for him to fay Matte: whereupon they both refer the conclusion hcreol to the very next 
 morning, and in the very fame place and Grove, but at lead an hour (oonex; So awa ^? cs 
 
Gods Revenge againft Murther . Book VJ. 
 
 Adrian home to his houfe, & away likewite- trips Father; fujiinian with his Surplice under his 
 Arm, and his Breviary (pr Mattins-book) in his hand to tlieChuich, where everyone may 
 imagine what a prophane lacrifice his bloody hands and heart offereth up to the Lord ' 
 
 They this night thinking of nothing but of Gold and Blood, in the morning they (impa- 
 tient ot all delays) come at the alorefaid time and place of their rendezvous, where they pie- 
 iently fall to their former confultation of the manner 5i time of murthering Ve Lauricr, firft 
 they propnfe to flab him in his bed todeath;but this they rcjeCt,becaufe the blood would ap- 
 pear in the fheets, bed, and chamber. So they refol ve to poyfon him; and to this end Adrian 
 buys the poyfon, and father Jujiinian will give and admmjftcr it to him in a Wafer or An- 
 nul Dei, the which he isfometimes accuftomcd to give him in his licknels. Bui here Father 
 Jujiinian fuggetleth another doubt, and propofeth another defigm which is, that Adrian mult 
 likewife draw in his Wife Ifabella, to make one in this bloody confpiracy and murther or elfe 
 he al ledge th that it can never be fafe for them to attempt or ctfedt it .Adrian anfwcreth him 
 that he hath heretofore with his bell power and art fought to fed tree his Wife hereunto but 
 that he finds it wholly impoffible to draw her to this confcnt. But father Jujiinian will yet 
 make another trial and experiment on her himfelf ; (o he and her Husband Adrian fet alrdh 
 on her, to allure her, to bring at leaf! her content, if not her hand, to the murthering of De 
 Lauricr. But our fweet and virtuous IJabella is (fill one and the fame woman , fer tee hears 
 thefe bloody fpeeches and perfwafions cf theirs, with infinite difeontent and deteffation. She 
 is too much a Chriftian, tobefo much a Devil , to content to the murther of this honed: 
 mam and therefore (with a world of tears and prayers ) tee fecks to divert them from it, but 
 efpeciaily her Husband, becaufe (quoth tee) theiflue thereof will infallibly prove ruinous to 
 the,m both. They are both much grieved at this her refolute repulfc and denial, and yet, to 
 make a virtue of nectffity, and to call the better glofs and varmte on their villany,they now 
 fallly feem to be difi'waded from this Murther, by ihe fight of her tears, and the confidcrati- 
 onof her rcquelts and prayers: wherefore ( with a prophane and hcilifh diffimulation) they 
 tell her, that God by her religious fpeeches and diflwafions, hath now made them wholly to 
 abandon that bloody attempt of theirs again!! Wanner, as alio the very thought thereof;* 
 therefore they conjure her to keep & (wear fecrelie herein from all theWorldjthe which tee 
 willingly doth. But yet her fear prompts her heart,that this human converfion,and religions 
 refolutiou of theirs is only falte and feigned, as every way favouring more of diffimulation 
 than truth. .In which regard tee fears with fufpirion , and fufpedts with doubt, that no lefs 
 than honefl and innocent Ve Launer's. life, lies now at the fiake of their bloody malice and 
 envy . 
 
 Here Father Jujiinian and Adrian (to make fmooth and clear work ) do conclude and.re- 
 folve,that Ifabella mull be fpcedily removed from Salyncs,zo fonie place in theCountry, with- 
 out once feeing or fpeaking with Ve Lauricr,- jvhen a favourable occafion feconds their dam- 
 nable intents and dclires herciir.tur now thcreis unexpectedly brought them word, that her 
 own old tather,\vho dwelt fome four leagues off from S.alynet,is very fick.&not like to live: 
 whereupon Adrian prefently difpatchcth away his wife Ifabella to him,& with her, their fer- 
 vant-maid Graceta.Lut before her departure, fhe is defirous to fee Ve Lauricr, and to take her 
 leave of him, but her Husband will by no means permit her : fo tee goes from her home, 
 and from him. into the Countrcy, with a forrowf ul and a trembling heart ;as far more fear- 
 ing Ve Launer s unnatural death, than doubting of her Father’s natural caufejfor her heart 
 frames her fo many apprehenfions, fears, and terrors , that her Husband and Father Jutii- 
 man are fully refolved to murther and make away Ve Lauricr, as tee abfolutcjy and forrow- 
 fuUy believes that he teail never tee her more, nor tee him. Poor Ve Laurier takes hisHoftefs 
 lJabeU s ludden and unexpected departure from him, very penfively and heavily,and far the 
 more, in i that (he could not be permitted to tee him before tee wentihe holds it for a bad pre- 
 lage,and fatal Omen to him, in regard tee was as diligent as her Husband dillruftful to him, 
 tot that her Care and carriage towards him,pleafed him as much,as his harfh looks and fowr 
 countenance difcontented himiand now it is that God firft imprints in his heart & thoughts 
 a fearful fufpition,and a fufpitious fear,that his Hoaft Adrian, and Father Jujiman the Prieft, 
 have affurcdly fome dangerous and execrable plot both againft his Gold and his Life. For he 
 now fees himlelt reduced to this mifery & delpair,that he can be permitted to fee no body, 
 nor no body to fee h.m, except only they two. He prays them both, that his Phyfician La 
 Mae, may come to lum to confer with him about the Hate of hisficknefs;but they maliciouf- 
 ly and wilfully deny it him, and tell him he is gone into France: this refuling anfwer of theirs 
 doth now very much appale and daunt our fick and difcontented Ve Lauricr, fo that his fear 
 encreafeth. with his licknefs,&his ficknefs with his fear.Every day 8c night brings him more 
 
 caufe 
 
Hi(h XXVIi. Adrian and Ifabeila. 
 
 fight and prefence HeOill corc-ak h s C n M f ^ ?• h fcltn> t0 t ' nUo ' t hltI > «* his 
 
 ° reared art - » 1! > Gold and Jewels t rom this Pried and his Hoafl, with tie 
 
 inundation, but will afo ™ h ■*? ' h “' ,he ™ f » >-"lv tba 
 
 whtfpcrinai togotbe, and (till bo 
 
 countenances, »h,ch infallibly toll him that all i, not well. Ard.lK w v” •«- So 
 
 L *u c T ° f da ?8 e f than dlfcret,on ' « well for the matter wnich his Letter rmt<br ~ S’ 
 and fickneftb^h^, 7 h k “ rry ,r thither t0 bi m - BuI leave "* him a little to his wt aknefs 
 vveaoainrornMV lS i CUbtS l a j^ ^7- and - t0 hlS forrovv? > calamities and perplexities, and ertne 
 tofeeinwha^tv. °* W / ctC ^ d his Haaft, and of prophane Father fufiinian the Pried' 
 
 itory h ftjpCS thCy WlI,come forth t0 aa their bloody parts upon the rtage of this Hi. 
 
 Jt? reb ,°' h f tbcr )} fo ‘"humane and cruel in their refolution tomurther poor lick De Lau- 
 
 Sftfe ESP *? CBB& fr£ “ 8-1 " » rechim « Avert them from 
 
 e h 0r 5 ,Sh I I i lftl H0lft he is fo wilful and batty in his malice 1 
 
 hwh - b ler that they delay too long from tnurthering De La, trier, and that it is 
 
 fefetoTm ,hem t0 dif P ltch bim ‘ Rut for Fatber 7“Pi*"» who was no 
 
 Usraalicujus inhisfubtilty, but vet tar more fubtil in his malice towards De Lamer ■ He Jfav 
 
 ssr fiderms ; hjt r^ b u th , a t '° i,y and a madnefs for tbem to murthe[ ww/tLy 
 
 2 i" e 7 b: T f icb * and ,batbe bad fome ftore of Gold about him. be the r afore in fweet tern , 
 and phrafts pathetically adviLth him to write and fend for his Son DuPont to come over to vilic 
 2«l When likwifc, the better to guild over his fpeeches with the more plealtng 
 
 and palpable fhew of arfeAion, heproftereth to ride to Di, n himfeif to deliver it him with his 
 own hands. Our poor fick le Lamer taking this Pricfts kind advice to him in good part, thereupon 
 hrtt (hanks him for this his courteftc, but then again deeming and fearing that it proceeded more 
 rom alie treachery, than from any true or real afteCfion to him, he begins to grow cold therein 
 and lo rather to rejeft, than imbrace and follow that refolution ; but at lift weighing and confidcr- ' 
 ing ms ficknefs by his danger, and his Gold and Jewels by both, as alfo if he Ihould chance to die 
 or mifcarry there, that his. Son were then confequently ruined in the lofs thereof ; he thereupon 
 changed) his refolution, and prefcntly refolves to write and fend over to Dijon for his Son, and to 
 that end requefteth Father Jufhman to excufehim, and fo prays his /foaft Adrian to undertake 
 that journey and hufinefs, the which he willingly and chearfully granteth. Now the reft of chat 
 day, and the greateft part of the next night De Lan ier lies ruminatieg and muling in his bed what 
 he Ihould write to his Son, and no lefs doth Father Juflima* and Adrian to think and know what he 
 would write him ; the next m -ming ,fix of the clock having ttruckeo, De Laurie * takes his pen and 
 paper, and with a weak and trembling hand writes this Letter to his Son. An hour after, Adrian 
 comes into his Chamber booted and fptfrred to receive his commands,whom he bade to take and 
 ride his own horfe, then gives him four double Piftofs to defray his journey, and fofeals and gives 
 him this enfuing Letter, and prays him and his Son Du Pout to make all polTiblelpeed back from 
 Dijon to him, 
 
 DE LAUR1ER to DUPONT. 
 
 S Omsfeven weeks fathoming from Franckfort CMatt, Ifcllfickat Salyn cohere I fit l l lie very 
 weak i» body y and muehdif contented in mind y ia the hottfe of mine Ho a A Adrian( the bearer hereof) 
 whom / purpo/ely fend ver to thec y to pra y and command thee to come ride hither to me >fcitb *11 pojfible 
 fpecd : I have here with me Gold ani Jewels to the value tf one thou [and f even hundred Crowns % 
 and ( for fome private reafons) 1 fear that nether it nor my life is fafe here ; Come away with a n in- 
 tent to find me dead o r dying . Conceal this Letter frem all the world. Love this CMeffengerfru trufi 
 him not ; Godprofpermy healtb y and ever kiefs thy prof ferity. 
 
 DE LAURIER. 
 
 As Toon as De lanrier had delivered his //uaft Adrian thij Letter, and he taken leave of 
 him, Father Juftinian begs leave of De L**ricr to fe$ AdritoUks horfe. But alas thefe two 
 
 G g g lewd 
 
 4 ° 5 
 
f 
 
 Gods Revenge againfi Mur t her. Book V f. 
 
 lewd Villains do deceive his honelt hopes, to pertorm their ovvn treacherous intents & pur- 
 pofess for they fly to a low parlour, md then lock and bolt the door to them i where (as 
 it the Devil had thrown them on covctoufncfs, or cove toufnets on the Devil; they hafiily 
 break up the fealsof Di Laniers Letter to liisSon wh ; ch we have already fee n and under- 
 ftoodj wherein they glut and furter their hopes with joy of this new deiired treafure, and 
 d'tfcovered Indies, and fo they prefen tlylacrifice it to the tire, and wretchedly rcfolve to 
 make that wery fame enfuing night to be the very lait of De Lamms time, and the firlt of 
 hiseternity. To which end Adrian hulheth himfelr up privately in his houfe trem the light 
 of all the world, and efpecially trom De Lanier's knowledg.and to here he ends his pretend- 
 ed, but not his intended journey to Dijon, before he began it : And he having procured ex- 
 ceeding ftrong poilon, there with that night to fend Ve Laurier to H.aven, whereof giving a 
 little to his great old Maftiff-dogiii a piece of bread fora trial, he therewith prelently tell 
 dead to the ground ; he likewife fends away Thomas his Ollier a days jourr.y into the Coun- 
 try upon feme feigned bulinefs, to the end he lliould be no witnels of this foul and cruel fad 
 of theirs > and then all things being full by the Devil, and then by thefe his two execrable 
 agents prepared in a readineis i Father Jujitniin goes up to Ve Lanier's Chamber, and trea- 
 cheroully entertains him with the hope of his recovery of his health, the halie of Adrians 
 journey, and conliquently with the fpeedy return of his Son Du Pont to him from Dijon . But 
 I write it with truth and grief that DeLaurier's heart 6c mind is preoccupated with too ma- 
 ny obnoxious apprchenlions,and fears, and taken up with too much doubt and defpair to the 
 contrarytFor as moll fickneffes and difeafes.are molt commonly devanoed and preceded by 
 their fyptomes, {ball that day, and all the evening he found a fwimming iu his head, and 
 his light obfeured and darkned, as if fome black fcarf,or fatal cloud had been drawn and ex- 
 tended before his eyes. His heart likewife pants, beats and trembles within him, as if it and 
 his fenfes were in a tadfious mutiny each with other at this their direful departure and fatal 
 fcqueftration. For ftill his fears and doubts inform him, and his apprehenlions and defpair 
 prompt him, that either Father Jujiinian the Prieft, or his Hoall Adrian, or both oRthern, 
 had confpired to murther him, the which he once thought tohave revealed to Father Jujii- 
 man. but yet again he dares not, as holding 'it more lolly than diferetion, and that it might 
 therefore produce him more danger than fafety \ he neither can, nor will eat any thing that 
 day, and his heart and mind is fo inceffantly perplexed with fear, that he fears he lhall not 
 'out-live the next enfuing night; And now indeed comes that lorrowful and difmal night, 
 wherein thefe two bloody Villains have fully refolved to poifon bin ^Adrian having in a low. 
 er room the poifon ready, and Father Jujlinitm above, almoft ready to call for it: Whiles 
 thus the Candle in De Laurier ' s Chamber burnt dim and obfeure, as difdaining to fee, or be 
 acceffary to fo cruel a murther s near about twelve of the clock of that night he awakes Out 
 of his forrowful diftra&ed llumbers, and prays Father Jujiinian to give him a little fpoon- 
 fol or two of warm wine, in a fmall earthen pot wherein he was ufed to drink s when this 
 monitor of men rejoycing for this fit opportunity, he fteps forth to his bloody companion 
 Adrian, takes chupoifoned wafer from him, and pours the poifon from it into this fmall black 
 pot of wine, and fo warms it a little by the fire in De Laurier's Chamber, and then gives it to 
 him to drink, the which he as greedily as innocently doth, whereof, after many ftrong con- 
 vulfions and ftrugling,he within one hour after dieth, having neither the means to utter one 
 word, or t he power to fcritch or cry, and yet for fear and doubt hereof, like two furies, or 
 Devils incarnate of Hell, they with the Bed-ltaves ram in a great Holland- towel intohis 
 mouth, that he may tell no talcs, when God knows that deadly ftrong poifon had wrought 
 its operation before, made a full conqueftof his life, and given up his foul into the hands of 
 his Redeemer, of whom he had formerly received it. 
 
 As foon as thTe two wretched mifereantshave difpatched this lamentable bulinefs, then 
 they tear off his fecret Leather-girdle full of Gold from his waffo, and then break open his 
 Casket which was under his pillow,wherein (before his brcathlcfs body was halt-cold ) they 
 find this afbrelaid great futn of Gold and Jewels.the which they prelently divide, and equal- 
 ly (hare between them i when having curioully fearched his Purle, Pockets, Doubles, Hofe, 
 they make a great fire, and immediately burn it all,as alfo his Riding-coat, Casket and Lea- 
 ther girdle, yea, and his Hat, Band and Cuffs, that no marks might remain either of it or 
 him, and likewife turn his Horfe into the open field and high- ways, to feck for the fortune 
 of a new Mafters (o wife (as they thought) were they in their vil)any,and foinduftrious and 
 cautious in this their devillifh cruelty and inhumanity. By this time, as the murthered corps 
 ot De Laurier grew cold, thefe two Fa&'ors of Hell likewife begin to provide for his burial i 
 lb a little after two of the clock, they nig a pit in Adrians Orthard, next adjoyning to his 
 
 houfe. 
 
Hift. XX V II. Adrian and IfabelU. 
 
 houfe,and \o giving him no other windir.g-fheet or Coffin hut his (Hire, they fccT^ly and fi~ 
 lently carry down his body between them, and there burv him • ar. d to make ail things lure, 
 they cover over the pit, or his grave with green turffs, that no mortal eye might take fufpiti- 
 on or notice thereof This bloody bufinefc being thus a$ed ar d perpetrated by thefetwocx* 
 ecrable wretches, Father fuflinian and. Adrian, who now iurfetin Gold .and' wallow in Jewels, 
 they prefently dightchemfelves into new apparel, andcoftly fines, and then day and night 
 haunt and frequent the Taverns and Stews, as if they wilfully meant to drown themfeives in 
 all forts of ungodly riots, prodigalities and voluptuoufnefs, Whereof their Neighbors* yea, aii 
 Salynes take exad obfervation and knowledge wondring at the manner, buc far more at the 
 caufe hereof, or from whence it fhculd proceed, 
 
 Some three weeks being paft over, Adrian t\ovj holds it lie to fend home for his Wife Ifa- 
 bella to Salynes, the which he doth ; who much wondring at her Husband' unaccuftomed bra-* 
 very, (he prefently enquires of him for Monfieur T>e Lazier, as if (he had far more caufe to 
 think and fear of his danger, than any way to afltire her felf of his fafety and welfare. When, he 
 putting on a brazen face, and ftecling and tempering his tongue with equal falfhood and im- 
 piety, tells her that he departed thence fafe and well fome ten days fince, that he gave him fifty 
 Crowns for the charges of his entertainment and lodging, and for a token of his love, had 
 likewife left her and Father J ufiinian, to each of them twenty other Crowns in Gold : But his 
 Wife Jfabella (out of her goodnefs and piety) deeming thefe fyeeches cf her Husband to be as 
 falfe as fatal, and verily fufpefting and fearing, that he (with the aflift'ance of Father Jv/lini- 
 an ) had fent that harmlefs good old man to fln untimely death and Grave ^ fhe burlts forth 
 into immoderate fighs and tears-as fufpe&ing all was not well, yea fearing nothing more, and 
 believing nothing lefs,than that which he affirmed to her herein. He proffers her the twen- 
 ty Crowns in Gold, but (good vertuous woman ) (he fearing it to be the hire and price of in- 
 nocent blood, her tender confcience is too prevalent, and her harmlefs heart and foul too 
 powerful with God to accept thereof, and therefore (he refufeth it with as much difdain and 
 difeontedt, as he endeavoureth to give it her with affeftion and delire. And chat the Header 
 may the more fully be informed of her integrity and charity herein, I mean to the preient 
 memory and well-wifhes of abfcnt Be Laurier, whom (he filently fears is for ever abfent, 
 both from this life and this world ^ (he never goes into the Chamber where he lay fick, buc 
 fhe facrificeth fome fighs to forrow in his behalf, and her imaginary apprehenfion of his death, 
 makes her mournfully conceive, that either (he dill fees his living pi&ure, or his dead ghoft, 
 and representation, fuch was her charitable care of him , fuch her Chriftian fear for 
 him. 
 
 We have feen this deplorable and cruel murther committed on the harmlefs perfon of old 
 Be Laurier y by thefe two members of Satan Adrian and Father Juftinian the Prieft, and if the 
 truth deceive not my hopes, we (hall not proceed much farther in this their Hiftory, buc we 
 (hall fee God’s juft judgments miraculoufly to refplend and fhine forth in his puniflhments on 
 them for.thefame:For I may properly tearm murther and punifhment to be individuals and 
 companions, in regard the one follows the other, as the (hadovv doth the body* as the firft 
 derives its original from Satan, fo doth the fecond from Gcd, to whom (in a language of / 
 blood ) it ftill crys for relteuration and fatisfa&ion. Bur nevertheiefs God is fecrcc and facred 
 in difpofing of the manner and time thereof, and in ordaining by whom, when and how 
 he will affii& and execute it : It is no falfe axiome in Philofophy, but a true ccnent and 
 maxime in Divinity ; That God who made all things, fees and governs all things, and that no- 
 thing can be concealed from the eyes of his facred Popper and divine Providence. All the four Ele- 
 ments are the Minifters of his juftice, yea. Men and Angels, the Sun, Moon, and Stars, the 
 Fowls of the Air, and the Beafts of the field prove many times the Agents of his revenge - of 
 which laft fort and nature, the Reader (to God's glory, and his own information and admirati- 
 on) may here obferve a lively examples nd receive a moft powerful precedent, buc whether 
 more ftrange for the truth, or rare for the ftrangenefs thereof I know not, and therefore will 
 not define. For the fame day moneth next after, that Adrian and Jaflmian had buried the 
 dead body of Be Lanrier , behold a huge and ravening Wolf (being lately arrouled from the 
 adjaccnc vaft woods) feeking up and down for his prey, came into Adrian % Orchard next 
 adjoyning to his houfe (purpofeiy fent thither by God as a Minifter of his facred juftice and 
 revenge) who fenting fome dead carrion ( which indeed was the dead Corps ot Be Laurier, 
 that was buc (hallowly buried there in the ground) he fiercely with his paws and nofe tears 
 up the Earth, and at iaft pullsand ckaggs it up, and there till an hour after the break of day 
 remains devouring and eating up of the flefh of his Arms, Legs, Thighs and Buttocks. 
 But (as God would have it) he never couched any part of his face, but leaves it fully undif- 
 1 Ggg 2 figured; 
 
GocTr Revenge again ft Mart her. Book VJ 
 
 figured • When inftantly feme Gentlemen hunters of Sa'ynes > and the Neighbour-Pariflies, 
 being afeertained by fome Peafants in the fields, that the Wolf was part that way, they clofe- 
 Jy followhim with their Dogs and Horns, and (o at lad find him in Adrian s Orchard, eating 
 as they think of fome living bead or dead carrion ; But the Wolf being terrified with the 
 noifeof the Hunters loud (Tioutsand cries, as alfo of their Dogs fierce yawling and bawl- 
 ing, prefenrly forfakes his prey^ and faves his life by his flight, although the Dogs and many 
 Peafants do eagerly purfue him ; Whiles all the Gentlemen (as if led by the immediate fin- 
 ger of God ) with their Javelins and Borefpears in their hands, rufh into the Orchard to fee 
 and # find out whereon the Wolf had preyed; when loe (contrary to their expeditions,) their 
 amazed eyes are enforced to behold the pitiful fpe&acle, and lamentable objedt of a mangled 
 dead man's body, miferably devoured and eaten bythatfavage Wolf, and the which they 
 faw he had digged and torn up, as they fully believed from his untimely Grave ; They 
 therefore at fird dand aftonilhed with grief, and amazed for forrow at this prodigious and 
 deplorable fight, and yetfuch was their living compundfion to this dead Corps, and confe- 
 qucntly their zeal to God's glory and juftice, as confidently believing that he was proditori, 
 oufly murthered by fome inhumane perfon or perfons $ that the odious flinch of this long bu- 
 ried body, could not hinder them from approaching to furvey and behold it ; They find 
 the greatefi part of the flefh of his body devoured by the Wolf, but (as before ) his face whole 
 and umouched, when they fee (and extreamly grieve and forrow to fee) that it was a grave 
 old man with a long white Beard, but fo befmeared with earth and dud, as they could not re- 
 frain from fighsand tears to behold it. Here they ceaft to purfue the Wolf, and becaufe nei- 
 ther of them knew this poor and rmferable dead carkafs, they therefore dep to the other end 
 >of the Orchard, and there confult what is fit to be done in this lamentable bufinefs and acci- 
 dent. But their opinions as fo many lines concur and terminate in this center, that abfolutely 
 this dead body was cruelly murthered, and thereby the muriherers privately and filently 
 buried. They farther vehemently fufpeft and believe, that becaufe it was buried in Adrian 's 
 Orchard, that therefore it was apparently probable, it was he with his Wife and Servants 
 who had murthered and buried him there ; wherefore to keep thefe fufpe&ed bloody Birds 
 in their Cages, they fas wife and judicious Gentlemen) place a drong Guard of their Ser- 
 vants and Peafants to watch the doors and windows of Adrians boufe, that none iffue forth 
 thence,ahd they themfelves go prefently to the Criminal Judges of the Town,, and acquaint 
 them with this lamentable objedt and accident. 
 
 In the mean, our harmlefs and virtuous Ifabclla , hearing thefe loud 'fhouts and outcries at 
 her doors fofoon in the morning, fhe in the abfence of her Husband (who lay forth of his 
 houfethat night debauching and revelling with his cups and queans) fearing that all was not 
 vvell,and therefore her amazed and forrowful heart, not willing to know that whereof (he w« 
 infinitely defirous^to be ignorant,fhe lay (fill bitterly fighing and weeping in her bed, becaufe 
 her thoughrsand mind, her fufpicions and fears told her, that this unfcafonable alarm and 
 noife might defeend and refled: from fome fatal news which had betided De Laurier, and if 
 this dorm and temped fell not on her,yet alas (he extreamly fears and doubts it would fall on 
 Adrian her Husband, whom (he vehemently thought and feared had imbrued and imbathed his 
 hands in the innocent blood of this honed man. As for Thomas her Odler, and Graceta her 
 Maid, although this unaccuflomed noife made them fuddenly forfake their Beds, and apparel 
 themfelves to receive their Midris commands, how they (hould bear themlel ves in this hurly- 
 burly, yet becaufe they were white with innocency, yea, fo innocent as they knew no hurt or 
 thought of danger , they only deemed, that it was either fome unlawful affembly of Peafanrs, 
 or elfe fome call and disbanded Soldiers from Flanders , who came to rob their Matter's houfe 
 or Poultry hi his abfence-, wherefore, meer fear hereof kept them from either opening the 
 doors, or looking out at the Windows.By this time the Gentlemen hunters bring the Criminal 
 Judges on the place to view this dead body,and with them come a great number of the Neigh- 
 bours and Inhabitants of Saljncstoio the like, and amongd the red, thePhyfician La Alette 
 (of whom this Hidory hath already made mention) and he of all the red knows the dead bo- 
 dy, and therefore with much pallion and forrow cries out * that it was a Goldfmith of Vijo #, 
 earned Monftevr DeLauAer, who lay Jong fick in Adrian s houfe, and that he had formerly 
 given him Phyfick there, and fo he faid and affirmed that he perfe&ly knew him to be the fame, 
 and verily imagined that he was brought to fome untimely end, and fo buried there but by 
 whom he knew not. 7 
 
 The Judges therefore believing the report of this honed Phyfician La Mottt; cheycaufe 
 the remainders of the flefh of this dead body to be fearched and vifited, the which they find 
 without any wounds. And yet neverthelefs deeming both Adrian, his Wife IfabdUy and 
 
 their 
 
Hift. XXVII. 
 
 Adrian andjfabella. 
 
 their Servants, to be the murthereisof this honeft man, they breakopcn rhe doors,6c milling 
 Adrian hey fcizc on his Wife IJ'abclla, as alio on his Oilier Thomas, and her Maid Grketa, and 
 then bring them to the fight of this dead body,with whofe murther they flatlycharge them, 
 and enquire what is become of Adrian himfclf. At this unexpe&ed ferrowful news and ob- 
 )eQ,lfakcll* is all in tears, yea (he is fo extrcamly perplexed and aftiided : as wanting all other 
 affiftauce and comfort, (he implores that of God.She tels them that her Husband Adrian Ly 
 not at home with her the laft night •, and freely and plainly affirms to them, that thar dead 
 body was Moniieur Dc Lauriir a Goldfmith of Dijon, who lay long lick in her houfe as he.canie 
 from Franckgord Mart, but how he came to his end, or by whom, (he takes Heaven 6c Earth to 
 witnels (he knows net, and with this her depofition do her Oilier 3c Maid concur and agree 
 in all proofs and circumftanccs. The Judges likewife caufing a curious fearch to be made in 
 Salynes for Adrian, it was found out that that night he lay in Father Ju\iini. houfe the Pridt, 
 and two whores in their company drinking and revelling all night , and upon the very firit 
 report they heard of De Lawier's unburial by a Wolf, they bothfgalled with guilty conkien- 
 cesjbetake thcmfelves to their heels, and left both their two Strumpets to their repentance. 
 Their flight proclaims their guiltinefsof this murther to all the world, efpecially to the 
 Judges. Who upon knowledg thereof,to find out the truth of this deplorable difaller,theyad- 
 judg If abella, Thomas and Graceta to the Rack:as for Thomas mdGraeet a , their innocency makes 
 them brook their torments with admirable patience and conllancy, for they can never be 
 drawn to reveal that of which they are ignorant, nor to accufe thcmfelves ot that whereof 
 they are not guilty. But for Ifabefo, the inceffant prayers and importunate reemefts and felici- 
 tations of many of her honed Neighbors, doth ingrave fuch deep impreflions ok her virtues 
 and piety, and of her fweet inclination and difpolitioriin the hearts of the Judges, as they 
 change their refolutions againfl her,and fo difpence with her for that torture;when fending 
 every way abroad to purfue Adrian and Father Juftinian, they content thcmfelves to keep 
 the Midris,the Man and the Maid clofe Prifoners. They are fo advifed in their judgments, 
 and fo judicious in their advice, as they fpcedily fend away Pod to Dijon to acquaint Du Font 
 the Son, with this difaderous accident which had betided his Father DeUmier here in ^/y- 
 ms who at the fird alarm of this fad uncxpe&ed news, feems now to drown himfelt in his 
 tears thereat, and fo thereupon rather to fly than pod away from Dijon to Salynes , where he 
 confers with the Criminal Judges of that Town, who report to him the flight of Father 
 Juliinian & Adrian ,as alfo ot their imprifomng of his Wife Ifabctla, of her Maid Graceta,8c her 
 Oilier Thomas; in whofe hqufe his Father lay lick. So Dn Pont vifits the dead dinkmg man- 
 gled body, and finds it to be that of his Father, whereat nature and duty prefenbe him fo 
 
 powerful a law, as at the fight thereof, he burds forth into many bitter tears and lamentable 
 cries and paflloijs. When giving him a decent and folemn burial in the next Church he in- 
 forms the Judges, that to his knowledg, his Father had good (lore of Gold and Jewels about 
 hirm fo he intreats them, that Adrian and Father Juftinian s houfe may _be curioully fearched 
 for the fame, which is performed, but finding no part thereof, 3c both of them fled, he iscon- 
 fident in his heart, that their flight proclaims them guilty ot his father s murther, an con- 
 SS,y that Ifabclla, her Odler and Maid, infallibly were acceffanes thereunto Whereupon 
 he^reoairs again to the Judges, and with many importunities prays them, that all three of 
 d cm may 5 put to the Rack for the fame, thereby to bolt and find out the truth of this 
 lamentable accident v the Judges approve of D* M's hying affedion and zeal to his dead 
 FaTher butf as impartial Oracle! and Officers of JufticeJ) they tell h,m,that hey have alrea- 
 IhomaLd Graceta to be racked, and that they both have ftrongly juft.fied their 
 innocency of his Father’s murther, by lutfcnng their torments with mcred J bl f d 
 
 _ af : l>nce And as for their Ifabella, they tell him, they are fully refolved and allured, 
 
 th * was many days abfent w.th her father 
 
 i,, the Country when by all likelihood and circumlhnce, his Father was murthcred , as alfo 
 S and voices of all her Neighbours reported her to be a very v.rtu- 
 
 ousand rehgTouTwoman,and that therefore in their heartsand confciences,they mud needs 
 
 eX But P thTy' told him f«ther°that in honour to juftice,and to fee what God and time might 
 product they would detain them all jlifthian^li^Ad^n^un- 
 
 d^btedl^wae't'he nmrther' "rs of 'his Father l UurUr, they therefore F^wade fom with 
 
 S-S Jw l»«M to h« lore.. . tog*, ci.cuma.ntc, ol no men .mpor- 
 
 Gr 2 £ 
 
 4° 9 
 
4 1 o . Gods Revenge againfl Murtber. Book V [. 
 
 tance, the o million whereof might very well have made his refcaich ot them vjin. For lie 
 forgat at Salynes to take with him their Pidures 5c Effigies whereby to rind them out in the 
 Country, with far the moreeafe and facility, whereot he afterwards much repented himfclf.. 
 As for our tvi*> execrable wretches, Father Jttftinian and Adrian y thGn guilty thoughtsand ’ 
 confcicnces{ like lo many Ghoftsand Blood-hounds fo mediant iypurfued them, and ihipiti- 
 ed their judgments,that refolving to flieand fave them (elves, Irom the free Country, into 
 Switzerland, they hufh themfelves up the day for (heifer in fume thick Grove or Wood and 
 travelling all night from Salynes, they notwichftanding the next morningf to their unfpeak- 
 ab!e fear and vexation^faw themfelves again within a little league thereof, & in this manner 
 they tor fomc eight nights following, travelled a foot through unknown ways and Woods ; 
 und yet here let the Reader behold and obferve the wondcriul jufticeot God towards them* 
 for at the end thereof, they are not as yet fully gone feven leagues otf from Salynds, and they 
 could not afeend the lea ft Hill or hillock, but they looking back behind them, the Towers 
 and Turrets of Salynes were ftill apparent and eonfpicuous to them, as if they purfued and 
 followed them: the which indeed (truck extream fear to their guilty hearts, and infinite 
 terror and amazement to their foul and trembling confciences. But this circunvftanee of 
 God's wrath and revenge towards them, is forthwith feconded and followed by another i 
 wherein his divine providence and juftice miraculoufly appears and (hines forth v ( with infi- 
 nite luftreandglory)toallthofe who (hall read, or hear this Hiftory.For the tenth evening 
 after their flight from Salynes, they being extreamly wearied 8c tired with their foot travels 
 (for horfes they dared not buy anyjand within a mile off entring into a great Wood, they in 
 a fair plain, feeing no body prefent,they at Iaft efpied an erring horfe, without Rider, Saddle, 
 or Bridte j> which refolving to feize on, thereby to recreat their wearied limbs 6c bodies, they 
 approach and furgrizc him. And then Adrian knowing him well to be Ve Lanrier\ horfe 
 which( we have heard Jthey had formerly turned off in Salynes the fame night wherein they 
 murdered his Mafiet, they extreamly joyful of this unlooked for good fortune, make a halter 
 of their Girdles and Garters, and fo calling their Cloaks under them, they both ride away on 
 bim,and night drawing on, they hope to recover the Town of Pontarlin before break of day; 
 But God is here ftrongly bentagainft them,fo that this horfe which they took for thecaufo 
 Of their joy, will very (hortly prove the matter of their nailery, and that which they thought 
 would be the matter of their iafety, will fall out to produce their inevitable danger and con- 
 fufion. For God ( in his revenging jutticej carrying their horfe, and he them a ftraying, and 
 masking that night through contrary ways and lanes, they the next morning at break of day 
 to their unfpcakable grief, do fee themfelves three great Leagues off from Pontarlin , when 
 their foul faffs and conferences make them ftill fo trembling fearful, that every bufh they be- 
 held, every bird they heard, and every leaf they found wagging, they think are fo many Ser- 
 jeants come to arterft themes alfo every tree they faw,thcy confidently believe are fo many 
 Judges come to fentence and condemn them to death for this their cruel murthering of Ve 
 Laitrkr,{ uch was their prodigious defpair,fuch was their ominous 6c fatal fear for the fame. 
 But here their horfe(orecharged with this foul 8c monftrous burden) begins to fail them ■> 
 fo the more he leftbneth his pace, the more it increafeth their apprehenfion and fear : And 
 here they confult what to do, whether to retire with their horfe into the next Wood till 
 night,or elfe to advance toward Pontarlin . But their Bread 6c Meat failing them, 6c they fee- 
 ing the coalf clear, they rherfore refblve fo ride thither, 6c far the fooner do they affumeand 
 imbrace this rc.fo Huron * becaiffe as^yet they knew it was timely in the morning, and confe- 
 quently few or no people ftirring. Now to difpatch their journey the fooner, Adrian is con- 
 tent to walk on foot, and Father Jttjtinian to ride, and both of them are equally refolved to 
 puuhcarlul faces on their perplexed and trembling hearts. And here, as I will not fay, it 
 was their bad, but* their juit fortune, which conduced them within Ids than one League of 
 Pontarlin , without being efpied or feen <$f any: So it was like wife the providence and 
 julticc of God, at that very hour and place, firft to bring Vtt Pont in fight of them, vVho in 
 two days was parted from Salynes^ and in all that time had left no Hamlet, Village, or 
 1 own unfought, to find out and apprehend thefe mnrtherers of his Father jNow as he draws 
 near thcm,his eyes tell him, that the horfe wherondne of thefe two men rid, was of the very 
 lame hair and (liap^ as was that of his Pathcrs*,whiehliruck fome ftftpition and apprehenfion, 
 in his heart, that (ure thefe were Father Jttfthiiayi 8c Adrian, and far the morc,bccaufe by his 
 habit he knew that he who rid was a Prieft. The better therefore to be fully affured hereof, 
 he rcfolves to out-ride them, thereby the more narrowly to obfetve both the horfe 6c them’, 
 the which he doth. He pafleth by them, and views them with his countenance purpofely 
 CQjppofed more of negtedf than of obfervation towards them.- when perfectly knowing 
 
 the 
 
Hift.XXVII. 
 
 Adrian and Ifabella. 
 
 thehorfe(by his two white feet, and white liar in his forc-hcad jto be hjs Fathers, md there- 
 fore they by all conference and appearance to be his murtherers : then I fay nature and 
 grace intuit d a fecret reludhtion into his heart and foul, whether he fhould more grieve of 
 rejoyce to fee them > Now as he is loth to leave them behind him, fo he bethinks himfelf of 
 a pretty policy. For riding fume hundred paces before them, he defeends from his horfe, ties 
 him up to the branch of a tree, cads down his Sword and riding Coat in the high way, un- 
 trulTuh his points, and fteps within the hedg, as iF he purpofe y meant to eafe himfelf but 
 indeed it was to have thempafs before him, that fo he might incompafs them as two mur- 
 thering Wolves in a Toyl , At his defeent from his horfc(as guilty confidences are dill afraid 
 of all things) Father Jujtinian and Adrian firft begin to fear this Stranger, as being fent to ap- 
 prehend them, and fo rcfblve to trud to their heels, and the woods for their fafcty,but when 
 they fee his Sword and Coat in the way,and himfelf within the hedg with hishofe down, 
 then they again take courage and heart at grade, and fo proceed on the way towards the 
 Town, but dill they look back on him, as it the ioulnefs of their fadt continually made their 
 fears and dangers the more eminent. This is carefully and curioufly obferved of DuPont. 
 who (now comes after them a foft trot) contenting himfelf to fee them a flight fhot before 
 hitmas well knowing that his horfe was far nimbler and fwifter than theirs, and that there- 
 fore he might fetch them up at his plcafure.By this time' they two arrive at Pontarlin., which 
 they enter > where (being hungry and fearful, and their horfe weaiyand hungiyj they 
 take up one of the next Inns, which is at the iign of the Tjgrr, where thinking thcmfelves 
 free of him who followed them,theyrecommendtheir horfe to the Odler,6ccalling forfome 
 Mutton, Bread and Wine, they there privately hufh themfelves up in their Chamber. Bur the 
 vigilant eye 6c care of Vu Pont fees where they are entred, fo he puts up his hoife'to another 
 Inn clofe by, and prefently with much filence & celerity, trips away to theTjgrr Inn where 
 they are, and knowing them to be above the dairs in their Chamber at break-fad, he cals for 
 the Hoad thereof, takes him into a clofe low room next the door , tells him that the Pried 
 and the other man which entred his houfe right now, had cruelly murthered his Father in 
 Salyncs , and therefore mod courteoufly and eaxneftly prays him, to dep prefently and fetch 
 the Criminal Officers of that Town to apprehend them for the fame, and till his and their 
 return, that he will give him two of his iervants to guard the doors that they efcape not a- 
 way; The Hoad of this houfe in detedation of this foul fadt of theirs, and to the honour and 
 repu tation of himfelf and his houfe, fpeeds away to the Officers, who prefently arrive with 
 him to whom Vu Pont forrowfully and paflionately relates, That this Pried named Juftinian 
 and this Adrian who was an Inn-keeper of Salynes^iiA now above, had very lately in his own 
 houfe murthered his Father Ve Laurhr, who was a Goldfmith of Dijon ript and robbed him 
 of much Gold and Jewels, and then buried him in his Orchard* and therefore (with tears 
 in his eyes) conjures them to do him judice by fpcedily apprehending them for the fame, the 
 which they as foon grant him. So they all afcend to their Chamber where they find them 
 deeply tiplingin their Cups, as much devoid and infenfible of danger as of grace. Here Du 
 Pom (with equal paffion and forrow) drongly chargcth them both with the murther of his 
 Father Ve Laurier^s alfo for robbing of his Gold and Jewels, and for burying of him in the 
 Orchard. But thefe two bloody fadtorsof Hell, witha world of flout looks, impious oaths, 
 and fearful afleverations,vow and 1 wear the contrary. So the Officers take them afide and 
 examine them feverally herein. But they can receive nothing from them but peremptory 
 
 denials, and prophane execrations. 
 
 The which Du Pont hearing and undemanding, he ( with much affection to his lather 
 and diferetion to himfelf) to vindicate and know the truth hereof with the more facility 
 and the lefs time, intreats the Officers to fearch them both narrowly for his Father’s Gold 
 and Jewels, which by God’s dircdion;hey do, the one after the other •, when they find 
 quilted up in their doublets and hofe, AoreofGbld, and fome rich Jewels and Rings yet 
 thefe two bloody Villains deny this murther of theirs with much .audacity and impudency, 
 {Wearing that they found this treafurein a Casket in the high way, a little League beyond 
 SAxnu. But this lie of theirs is asfalfe, as their murther and robbery of hone.lt old Ve Lav- 
 mr was too true, which God (in his mercy and juflice) will briefly bring to light andpu- 
 nifhmcnt far fooner than thefe bloody mifereants either think or fear of. 
 
 Vu Pont (all this notwithflandingjconftantly affures thefe Officers,that all this Gold and 
 Jewels, and much and many more were his Fathers, and therefore are now his both by right 
 and propriety, as being his only Sou and child, and fo demands pofleflion (hereof. But thefe 
 Officers mildly deny this requefl of his, tell him they muft take them by an Inventory, and 
 ib together with the two Pulbners to fend them to the Judges of Salynes under whoje jurif^ 
 
God's Revenue again ft Mu rther. Book VI 
 
 di&ion they affirmed they were. So for that night they commit Father Juftinian and Adrian ; 0 
 two fever al Prifons, where they Oiall h'nd Icifurd, though not cnou,h,to repent this foul and lamen - 
 table fad of theirs. Which was no fooner done, but Du Tout ('h iving (han-.ed tnefe Office s c f 
 Por.tar/in) fends away a Poft to Sa/ynis, to acquaint the Judges'tbereot, of his apprehending of 
 thefe the two murtherers of his Father, whom heearneHIy bdought to bafkn their executions” | 0 
 according to his requefl at the end of two days thefe two Pnfoners ate lent for, and brought frcnj 
 poYitt.rhn to Sjlynesy and there impri Toned. . 
 
 The very next morning the Criminal Judgesfend for them tq,one of their houfes, and firft 
 feverally private, and then publickly by confrontation, examine them on this cruelty murrher 
 and robbery, but the Devil is dill foltrong with them, that with much courage and vehemen- 
 cy they continue and (land firm in their negative refolution and denial ; bur Be Lauritr bein” now 
 found and known to have lain f me feven weeks Tick in Adrian's bcufe, as well by the coufeilion 
 of Jfaitlla his W.fe, of Grac her Maid, and of Thomu their Heftier, as alfo of the Ado. 
 thecary La then his body found buried in the Orchard, and Adrian and Father Jt'fti- 
 
 man them fudoen flight upon the fame ; and now laftly, his Horfe, Gold and Jewels found upon 
 them to Pontarlin by the Officers of that Town, and his Sen Da Pont, were evidences as bright 
 and apparent as the Sun, that fin honour to Juflice, and in glory to God, from whom ajltiue 
 juftice is derived; thefe wife and grave Judges of Sxljnts, do rejetft thefe denials of Adrian-wi 
 father juftinian, as lalfe, profane and impious, and therefore that very inftant adjuda th-tn 
 both to the Rack, at the hearing of which fcntence theyfeem to be appailed and daunted , l'ut 
 they being advertifed that I,abella his Wife was hkewifeimprifoued for thisfadf, flie for her part 
 by feme friends of hers makes fuit to the Judges, that (lie may be permitted to fpeak with h»c 
 Husband, and fo doth Father Juft,»ia„, that he likewife may fpeak with her. But the Judges 
 them b ° th ° f thefe lhCIf requeft! t0 be v,in and ' m P 2rt ' ncnt > aD< i therefore flatly contradia and deny 
 
 So Adrian is firft brought to the Rack, who though he be weak of conftitution, yet he is (lilt Co 
 ftrong in his villany, as he will not be perfwaded or drawn to confefs it, but with much course of 
 body, and ammofity of mind, fuffers himfelf to be faflned thereto, whereof the Judges being 
 advertifed, they in their diferetion hold it expedient to delay his torments for a time, and fo firft 
 to make trial of Father Juftinian, to fee if thefe his torments will make him left (tout, and mo~e 
 flexible in the confelfion thereof. Wherein (I write it with joy) their judgments nothin? de- 
 ceive them, for at the very firft wrench of the Rack, God is fo merciful to his foul, and r 
 pitious to his new converfioo and repentance, that he then and there coofefferh this lameja table 
 murther, in all its branches and circumftances fa s we have formerly underftood>ffi ms onb bt m - 
 felf and Adrian to be the Authors and Aaor* thereof j . )i 'wears that Ifabella , (haetta ac .. Tbm as 
 were every way innocent thereof, and had no hand or knowledg therein whjif ever. Where- 
 upon the Judges fend again for Adrian , and caufe him anew to be brought to the Rack, hut firft 
 they hold it fit to confront him with his bloody companion Father Juftinian, who boldly rffi.mir'- 
 and conttantly confirming all his former depofition to him in hisface to be fincere d ;rue. Adri- 
 an is amazed and daunted thereat, as alfo at the fight of the Rack which was again prepared and 
 brought for him, when the Devil flying from him, and he cafting his heart and foul s, thefacred 
 feet of God's mercy, he there veryforrowfully confirmed all Father Juftinian s confcflion to be 
 true, and then falling on his knees,be (with many bitter fighs and tears ) faid again and a^ain aloud- 
 that his Wife, his Man, and his Maid were as truly innocent, as Father Juftinian and himfelf were 
 alone truly guiltv of this foul and cruel murther and robbery of De Laurier, 
 
 When their Judges, a? much rejoycing at the detedipn and confefiion of thefe their crimes, as 
 tr.ey lamented and detedkd their perpetrations thereof; they condemn them both to be hanged the 
 next morning ; ana becaufe Father Juftinian had violated his facred Order, and Adrian the hu- 
 mane and ( hriltian Laws of Hofpitality, their bodies after to be burnt to afhes. 
 
 So as foon as Father Juftinian was degraded of his Sacerdotal Order and habit, and com. 
 mitted to the fecular powers, he together with *. Adrian were for that night returned to their 
 Prilon and repentance, where two Pricfts, and one Frier of the order of the Jacobin? t prepare 
 their fouls for Heaven again!! the next morning. It was a grief to IfabelU’s heart to hear that 
 hewas gmlty of this foul and lamentable murther, but a far greater torment and hell to her mind 
 to underftand that he mull fu (Ter death for the fame, and that (he fliould neither fee nor fpeak 
 wtth him any more either in this life, or this world. Again, looking from him to her felf, 
 asflie couktjwt hope for his life, fo flie thought (he had feme fmall caufe, or at Jcaft Temple 
 toooubt and fear her own, in regard it lay at the courtefie or cruelty of her Husband and Fa- 
 tLer Juftinian, for that fas wc have formerly underftoodj they acquainted her with their in- 
 tents 
 
K-w ^,wu l nnuu uuaum^,« ( oocn which amounted to iome i i,or 1200 
 
 Crovvnj) theef wife and honeft Judges deliver up unto *D« Pont, who receives it from them • 
 
 ... . ir» r ■ 0 r — 1 "“w ivvciYou irom incm 
 
 with joy and thankfulnefs, but, as a good Son, re/oycs far more at the now approaching de- 
 ferved deaths, of thefe two bloody and execrable wretches, Father fklimian and Adrian the 
 murtherers of his good old Father Be LaurUr^f whom fome twenty and five years before 
 he had the bappinefs to receive his life. 7 ’ 
 
 Some two hours after,which was about ten of the clock in the morning, thefe our two con- 
 demned malefactors are brought to the place of Execution, where a great concourfe of peo - e 
 of Saljnesfini the Country thereabouts attend to fee them finifh the Jaft Scene and Cataftro- 
 pheof their lives. The firft who afeends the Ladder is Adrian, who fpeaks but little • only he 
 takes it to his death, that his dear wife Ifabella, bis Servant-Maid Graceta, and his Hoftler 
 Thom as, ire as abfolutely innocent of this mnrther of Pc Lanrier, as he himfelf here again con- 
 fefleth he is guilty thereof. He prays God to forgive him this foul faft, and befeecheth all 
 that are prefent to pray to God for him,and for his wretched and referable foul.the which he 
 knoweth hath great need and want of their prayers, when catting hi? handkerchief over his 
 face, and privately ending fome few prayers to himfelf, he is turned over. Inftaritly after him 
 Tather'Jufiman mounts the Ladder, who (in his looks and countenance) feems to be very re- 
 pentant and penitent for this his foul and hainous faft, the which he prays God to abfoive and 
 forgive him ; he here again clears Ijabella, Graceta and Thomas of this murther. He much 
 lamenteth that he hath fo highly fcanc'alized the facred order of Priefthood in his crime and 
 perfon; and therefore befeecheth all Priefts and Church-men, either prefent or abfentto 
 forgive it him ; when repeating fome Ave Maries, and often, making the fign of the Crofs, he 
 was likewife turned over. 
 
 And thus was the miferable life and death of this impious Prieft, and wicked and bloody 
 Hoafl, and in this fharp manner did Gcd juftly revenge himfelf, and punilh them with fharae 
 and confufion for this cruel and lamentable murther. Immediately after which execution of 
 theirs, the Judges fet our vertuous and innocent 1/abe/la, zr\d her Maid, and Hoftler free from 
 their undeferved indurance and troubles,whereatall the Spectators do as much praife God foe 
 the liberty of the three latt, as they deleft the foul crime, and rejoyce at the juft punilhments 
 of the two firft. If we make good ufeof theknowledg of this forrowful Hittory, the profit 
 and confolation thereof will be ours,and the Glory Gods, which God of his belt favour and 
 mercy grant us. Amen. 
 
 Hhh 
 
 Gods 
 
Gods Revenge againfi Murther . Book VI. 
 
 ^ r 
 
 GOD’s* Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XXVIII. 
 
 Hippoleto murtbereth Garcia in the jlrect by night, for the which he it hanged. Dominica and her 
 Chamber-maid Denifa poyfoneth her Hatband Roderigo : Denifa afterwards Jirangleth her own 
 ' "'new-born Babe, and throws it into a Pond, for the which Jhc it hanged. On the Ladder Jke confef- 
 fedthat Jhc was accejfary, with her Lady Dominica, in the poyfoning of her Hatband Roderigoi 
 forj.be which Dominica it apprehended, and likfwifi e hanged. 
 
 eafily doth malice and revenge enter into our hearts, and how difficultly do we ex- 
 il pel and baniffi it thence<’& what doth this promife,or rather threaten unto us, but that 
 it is a wretched fign and teffimony,that the Devil hath more power with us than Godithat 
 we more dearly affid Nature than Grace, & Earth than Heaven? In many fins there is fome 
 pretence or ffiadow of pleafures but in Murther there is none, except we defire that it lhould 
 bring grief and repentance to our hearts, horror and terror to our confidences, & mifery and 
 contution to our fouls: which indeed, defpight of our earthly policy and prophane preventi- 
 on, it will infallibly both (hew and bring us. But (to (hew our wickcdnefs in our wcaknefsj 
 through the ilye fubtilty and treachery of Satan, we think we ad 8c perpetrate it fo fecretly, 
 that it cannot be found out of men, nor deteded or punifiied of God. Wherein, what fottiffi 
 fools, and fooliflr mad men 3ie we,thus to deceive and betray our (elves with falfe hopes and 
 erroneous fuggeftions ? For although men may be deluded, and ‘not fee it , yet can God be 
 mocked, or will he be blinded and deceived?Oh no,his decrees and refolutions ate fecret and 
 
 facred 
 
Hifh XX V III. Rod erigo and Dominica, 
 
 & K K ,a / d °T CyCS ’ yet 0ur ^Jnsand aSions arc ini'S^’hS T" 
 
 lor he (in his all-(eeing Providence) referves to himfelf the manner and time how and 
 
 Tv f L PUn r 'h f? S rC l d , wc tlm f F° 3thin 6 Hiftory, and it w,ll confirm as much™ the 
 lives and deaths of feme bloody and inhumane perfonages, who were born to honour ard 
 conkqucntly to have lived more happy, and yet died more ignominioufly. 
 
 In the rich and populous City o( Gran* Jo (which Fcrdintnd and Ifabclla, King and Queer 
 s F a ^ Auno ! 49 2 - fo famoufly and fortunately conquered from the Moors) there (within 
 thefe few years; dwelt an ancient Lady,namcd D« Alicia Cervantclla, who was defeended of 
 
 tV P rr n ] ag ^rn d | b J her at , C , p | usbjnd T)on Pctr0 dc Cardinas(dym & a chief Commander in 
 flic lFefl-lndies)(ht: had two children, a Son and a Daughter , he named Don Garcia, and (he 
 VonaDomtnUa i he of feme twenty years of agc,and (he of feme eighteen , he tall of ftature 
 but fomewhat hard-favoured,and (he (hort, but exceeding fair and beautiful. Tlieir Mother 
 Ccrvanulla being not left rich by her deceafed Husband, did yet bring up thefe her two Chil- 
 dren very honourably and virtuoufly, and maintained them exceeding gallant in their ap- 
 pareh though (he clad her felt the worfe for it, for their fakes.She obferves her Son Don Garda 
 to be of a mild d.fpoi.tion, and very witty and judicious s but for her Daughter Dominica (ti- 
 kes with fear, and ears with gricf,that her wit will come (hort of her beauty,and her chafti- 
 ty of her wit:m which regard and confutation, (he loves him better than her and yet b-ars 
 lo vigilant an eye over her anions, that as yet (he keeps her within the lifts of modelty and 
 the bounds of obedience,as holding it far truer diferetion to make her more beloved than 
 feared of her, or rather that fear and love by turns might adt their feveral parts upon the 
 Theater of her youthful heart and refolutions.There is an old rich Gentleman of that City 
 nobly defeended, termed Dan Hippolito Sevino, commonly known and turned Don Hippolito 
 aged of fome threefcore and ten years, and much fubjedt to the Gout,a difeafe better known 
 than cured, and which loves rich men as much as poor men hate it : And this old Hipbolito 
 in the troft and winter of his age, falls in love with our fair young Lady Dminica^nd Co by 
 the Ladythe Mother feeks her Daughter in Marriage. As for the Mother (he loves HippoliJs 
 Gold better than her Daughter doth his age, and affedts his Lands as much as (lie hates his 
 TPerfonage. But VonGarcia, at the often requeftsof his Sifter, being at laft vanquifhedby her 
 importunity, foon changeth his Mother’s opinion and good eftectn of Hippolito, and fothey 
 all three give him the rcpulfe and denial.But his affedtion to this delicate trcfli young beauty, 
 makes him more perverfe and obftinate than his age, fo he will take no anfwer, for an an- 
 fwersnor a refufal,for a refufal from them, but (will or nill) frequents their company daily, 
 and their houfe almoft hourlys they are all three tired with his fottifh incivility, and doting 
 import unacy,efpecially Dominica, who meafuring his age by her youth, and knowing him to 
 be far fitter for his Grave than a Wife, (he therefore fcorns him as much as he loves her: but 
 yet fay (he what (he will, or do her Mother and Brother what they can, yet they cannot free 
 their hou(e,or (hilt their hands of himsalthough they many times make him look upon bare 
 walls, content himfelf to converfc with the meaneft of their fervants,and fo to return with- 
 out feeing either of Mother, Son or Daughter. 
 
 But Dominica holdingtier beauty and years now to be worthy of a Husband, (he isfoinci- 
 vil and incontinent, as (he prays her Mother to procure and provide her one: For(to ufe her 
 own words) (lie faith. She is weary to lie alone , and live pngle, and fully rejobedno longer either to 
 trifle away her time, or to caji away her youth and beauty. Her Lady Mother (in moil virtuous 
 terms) checks her impudency, blames her impudicity,and concludes, that if (lie forfake thofe 
 immodeft humours and inclinations' and fo ferve and fear God religioufly, then there is no 
 doubt but in good time he (of his propitious favour and goodnefs towards her)will provide 
 her one, when turning from her Daughter, the very tears of forrow fall abundantly from her 
 old eyes, to fee her thus immodeft, thus irregular and wanton, as doubting and fearing that 
 in the end it will prove ominous and fatal toiler. 
 
 But her lafeivious Daughter Dominic* is uot contented with this general anfwer of her 
 Mother s for (lie is yet fo vainly imprudent,and fo vicioufly impudent, as (he importunately 
 prays her Brother Don Garcia,- effectually and fpeedily to folicite her Mother to provide her a 
 Husbands whereat he rather laughs, than gives ear. But when again he ruminates and 
 conliders with himfelf this her foolifti levity and wantonnels, fearing the word s and to the 
 end (he might not hereafter prove a difgrace to her felf,a fcan dal to their hou(e,and a diflio- 
 nour to their blood, he ("taking time at advantage) breaks and treats with his Mother here- 
 on : who concurring in opinion with him, returns him rather her content than her denials 
 the which he reports to his, immodeft Sifter Dominica , who is thereat as joyful, as before (he 
 was difeontented. 
 
 Hhh 2 
 
 Nor 
 
, u 5 Golf Revenge againft Mur t her. ~ BookVl. 
 
 Not long after it fell out, that Vommci with her Mother gofog on a great Holy-day in the 
 morning to the Church ot the Betti dittine Monks, and being behind heron her knees at her 
 Beads and Orifons, her devotion was fo cold and her Zeal to fiozen towards God, as feting 
 a very proper young Gentleman; richly apparelled^likt wik iheic on his knees at his prayers 
 not Lr trom her ** (he as a poor' 1 may tay as a prophane; Chriftian, beckons her Mother’s 
 man to come to her, and whifpers him in the ear, that he difcnetly go and enquire what that 
 young Cavalier is, whom (he deferibes to him by his Apparel, and dptcialiy by a rich Dia^- 
 mond King which he wears on his hngtr;Hei Mothei’s man demanding ot the Gentleman $ 
 feivants, returns fpeedily to his young Lady, and tcls her in her ear, that it i sVonRoderigo, 
 Son and Heir to Von Emanuel de Cor nz, where at her lulttul afc&ion makes her heart leap and 
 dance within her for joy > for fo uncivilly unchaft is (he in her dt fires and wiftes, that at his 
 very firii light (he delires him for her Husband, before any other man of the world, yea, be- 
 fore any other earthly felicity. Whereupon (he vows, that her Mother (hall have no truce, 
 nor her Brother any peace ot her, before they powerfully make this motion of Marriage tor 
 her to Von %i'dcrigo \ who being often folicited and provoked by her importunate requefts, 
 they confute hereon, and both ot them approve and defire it, as holding ir a match equally 
 honourable to them both. The Son will have his Mother tuft to break the Ice ot this moti- 
 on to Von Rodcrigo, but the Mother will have her Son tuft to perform that office to him, and 
 fo to take a fair occafion to invite him home to her houfe to (peak with her * the which Von 
 Garcia performs, and deals herein foeffe dually with P on Rodaigo, that home he comes with 
 him. The Lady Cervantella ( after many complements and fpeeches) prefects this motion 
 to him. He fees the young Lady P omintca, her Daughter, and finding her to be exceeding 
 fair and witty, he likes and loves her, and fo takes time to advife hereon with his Fathertor 
 the Lady his Mother was formerly gone to Heaven. Rodcrigo breaks this motion to Von 
 Emanuel, his Father* who not pleated therewith, feeksto divert his Son from it, in regard 
 he knows that her Mother Vona Cervantella is very poor,and of a weak eftate, as being much 
 incumbred with the great debts of her deceafed Husband. Rodcrigo alkdgefh to his Father, 
 his true afte&ion to the true beauty and virtues of Von tinicj, and that her defeent and blood 
 is no way inferiour to his. But his Father being of an exceeding covetous difpofition, will 
 have wealth to overfway beauty, and not beauty wealth, and fois refotnte to heu no more 
 of this motion** whereat his Son Roderigo bites his lip,and is much difeontented. Yet never- 
 thelefs, he hath caft his affedionfo deeply and firmly on the frefh and delicate beauty of 
 Vominica,t hat holding it to be the Gold of Nature* and (he the Queen and Phoenix of Beau- 
 ty,he cannot, he will not refrain, but very often frequents Vona Cervantella s houte, and her 
 Daughter's company : To whom (not withftanding his Father's diftafte of her; he yet gives 
 her tar more hope than dcfpair, that he will be her Husband, which ravifheth her with de- 
 light, her Mother Vona Cervantella and her Brother VonGarcia with content. 
 
 But the order of our Hiftory invites us for a while to leave P on Rodcrigo , to feaft his eyes 
 and forfeit his thoughts and contemplations on the Rofcs and Lillies ot his Miftris beamy, 
 and again to return to fpeak of our old Dotard Hippolito > who now (led by his luft and vo- 
 luptuous defires, as they are by the inftigation of the Devil) cqjacs to perform and ait a 
 bloody and deplorable part on the ftage of this Hiftoiy. He fees tvifh grief, and grieves to 
 fee that he is refufed of the Lady P ominica, whom he loves far dearer and tenderer than his 
 life* and underftanding that VonRodcrigo dc Cortez doth ftillfrequent her company, hath 
 gained her afFe&ion, and (hall (hortly marry her, he thereupon turns his reafou into rage, 
 converts his judgment into revenge, and fo refolves to murther him by night, as foon as he 
 finds him to iffue forth of the Lady Ccrvantella's houfe * the Devil making him ftrong in the 
 vanity of this belief and confidence, that he being once dead, undoubtedly the fair Vominica 
 will fall for his (hare and Wife. So he is refolute in this his bloody and damnable defign, 
 and confolts with himfelf, whether he (hould do it by himfelf, or by fome fecond inftru- 
 ment * but finding it dangerous to effed: it by another, becaufe he muft then commit his 
 life to his courte(ie,and feting that his Gout had now forfaken him, he therefore refolves to 
 do it by himfelf. But firft he thinks it not improper, rather pertinent for him, to write Rode- 
 rigo a Letter : the which he doth in thefe tearms, and fends it him by one of his own confi- 
 dent fervants. 
 
 HIPPO- 
 
Hift. XXIX. Santfifiore and Vrfina. 
 
 417 
 
 HIPPO LI TO to RO DERIG O. 
 
 w Ert thou informed but of the hundredth fart of my dear aflettion to the fair young Lady Do- 
 miriica^and reciprocally of hers to me,thou wouldji (if not out <f honour, yet out of judgment J 
 furceaft thy fuit to her, and not to maty thy objiinacy ridiculously thinking to obtain her to thy Wife : 
 and although Jhe feed thee with Sugar of many fweet proteftations andprumifes to the contrary, yet if 
 I have any eyes in my header thou Judgment in thine , to difeern the truth hereof, thou haft far more 
 reafon torclie upon the integrity of my age, than the vanity and incnnjiancy if htr youth : And rent 
 thou not a Gentleman whom 1 love for thine own, and honour for thy bather's Jaty, I had not fo long 
 permitted thee to frequent her company, nor Jo often to converfe with her to the prejudice of my content 
 and thy diferetion : Andif this friendly Ambaffadur of my heart, my Letter, will not yet induce thee 
 to leave her to me, whom Heaven and Earth, God and her Mother have given me ■, I will thin, either 
 by thy Lather , or by the ufual courfe of J ujiice, taty that order with thee therein, as Jh all redound as 
 - much to my honour and fame, as to tlry infamy and difreputation. 
 
 HIPPOLITO. 
 
 Koderigo having received and read this Letter of Hippolito , he cannot refrain from folding 
 and laughing, to ice his fottifh error and ridiculous ignorance herein*, for he perfectly knows 
 that both Dominica and the Lady Cervantella her Mother, are long fince refolved to hear no 
 more either of him or of his fute, and therefore he holds it more worthy of his laughter 
 than of his obfervation, likewife to fee, that this old Dotard, when Nature is ready to wed 
 him to his Grave, that his luft fhould yet be fo forward, to defire to marry fo young and 
 beautiful a Lady as Dominica ; The which confidering, once he thought to return him no 
 other anfwer but filence,but at lajft,refpcdfing his age and quality more than his indiscreti- 
 on or power, after he had (hewn his Letter to Cervantella, to Dominica , and her Brother Don 
 Garcia , who all concur in opinion with him, to make it the publick objedf, 3 s both it and 
 himfclf were the private caufe of their general laughter ^ he calls for a Pen and Paper, and 
 (rather with contempt than choller) by Hippolito's own fervant returns him this aufwer. 
 
 RODERIGO to HIPPOLITO. 
 
 I Have as fmall reafon to doubt of thy ajfettion to the young Lady Dominica, as to believe that hers 
 is reciprocally fo to thee,and therefore l fee no juft caufe in honour, or folid ground in Judgment to 
 furceafe my futt towards her, much lefs to deem my ob{iinacy ridiculous in hoping to obtain her for nty 
 wife . And although it be in thy pleafure , yet it U not in thy power to maty me doubtful of her fair 
 words, or callin queftion orfufritton her fweet promifes and proteftations to me, ftth that were to pro- 
 phane the purity of my Zeal to her, and of her true and [metre affettion tome, the which yet to do to 
 thee a courtefte, 1 will rather excufe than condemn in thee,bccauje I am confident it exceeds thy tyiow- 
 ledg, though not thy fear, and in this behalf and affurance, thine eyes cannot fo much prevail with my 
 Judgment, but that 1 will more relic upon the integrity of her youth, than the vanity of thy age . At 
 for thy love to me, or honour to my Father, when I find it fo, I will actyiowledg it to be as true,as now 
 I conceive it fanned: but for thy threats to me in thinking thereby to matymeforfaty the cmverfatxon 
 and company of that fair andvertuous young Lady, I do rather pity tbanefteem them, and every way 
 more contemn than care for them. Afuring thee that 1 cannot pofpbly refrain from laugh ter, to fee tbic 
 fo devoid of common fen ft, as to thintyto be able either to fcare me with thy power of the Law, or to 
 daunt me with the prerogative and authority of my Father in making me to forfaty her, whom in life 
 and deat h, 1 neither can nor willforfaty refolve therefore henceforth to prevent thy infamy andfif- 
 reputations for I will be left to my f elf to eftablijh mine own content and honour, as Ipleafc. 
 
 RODERIGO. 
 
 Hippolito upon the receit and confideration of this peremptory Letter of Don Koderigo,\sfo 
 inflamed and incenfed againll hitmto fee that pertorcejhe will make him wear zlPillowGzt- 
 land, asf without any more delay es or expoftuIations)under(hnding him to be that veryfame 
 night which he received his Letter, with his Lady Dominica at her mother’s houfe*,rhe Devil 
 caufcth him to gather all his malice, wits <3e ftrength together about him that night to mur- 
 ther him as he ilfueth forth to go home, which bloody lfratagera of his to effedt 6c finifh, he 
 chargeth a Pihol with three Bullets and he waits his comming thence > but Von Garcia ac- 
 
 0 u u k o ticientallv 
 
Gods Revenge againfi Murtber. Book V 1. 
 
 cidentally i filling forth all alone privately to go vilit a triend of his not far off,this wretched 
 old villain Hippolito taking him to be Roderigo lets tly at him, and all three Bullets pierce his 
 body,fo he fats down dead to the ground.Thc blow is heard, and the breathlefs body of Don 
 Garcia is found reeking in his blood, whofe Mother, Siller, and Don Roderigo are amazed and 
 afionilhed at this deplorable difaficr, and ready to drown theotfelvesin their tears forforrow 
 thereofcSo Roderigo leavingfome Neighbors to comfort them, he takes order to find out the 
 murtherers,and goes himielf fpeedily throughout the lireet to that etfed * When the good 
 plcafure and providence of God direds his cuurfe to find out this old execrable vvrefch Hip * 
 polito going hrping and limping in the Greets, having thrown away his PifioI,and only hold- 
 ing his dark Lanthorn in his hand, which then(the better to colour out this damnable fad of 
 his)he opened to light him .Roderigo meafuring things paft by the prcfent,and finding Hippo - 
 lito therein the Greets all alone, at this undue and unfeafonable hour of the night > God 
 prompts his heart with this fufpition, that he in likelihood was the murtherer ot Don Gar- 
 cia , and fo lays hold of him, and caufeth him to be committed to the Prifon, notwithftand- 
 ing all the entreaties, means and friends, which he could then poflible make to the contrary. 
 The next day all Granado rings and refounds of this murthcr, and of the fufpition and im- 
 prifonment of DottHippolito tor the fame, when the Lady Ctrvantella goes to the Criminal 
 judges of the City and accufeth him for the fame, and with grief, forrow, and pallion, fol- 
 lows it clofe againfi him *, and although Hippolito at his firft examination denies it, yet being 
 by his clear-lighted Judg adjudged to the Rack for the fame, he at the very firfi tight there- 
 of confefieth it, for the which bloody and lamentable crime of his, he is ftntenccd the nexc 
 day to be hanged, although he proffered all his eftate and means to fave his life s But the zeal 
 and integrity of his Judges was fuch to the facred name of Jufiice, as they difdained to be 
 corrupted herewith. 
 
 So the next Morning this old bloody wretch Hippolito is brought to the common place of 
 exccu:ion,where a very great concourleof people repair from all parts of the City to fee him 
 take his lafi farewell of the world, molt of them pitying his age, but all condemning the e- 
 normity of this his foul and bloody crime. He was dealt with by forne Priefis and Friers in 
 Prifon, whole Charity and Piety, endeavoured to fortitie his heart 2 gainfi the fear of death, 
 and to prepare his foul for the life and joyes of that to come. But the Devil was yet lb firong 
 with him, that he could not be drawn to contrition, nor would not be either perfwaded or 
 enforced tojrcpentance,or to ask God, or the world for giveuefs of this his bloody fad, but as 
 he lived prophanely,fo he would die wretchedly and defpcrately,for on the Ladder he made 
 a/ot)1i(h fpeech, the which becaufe it favoured more of beafily concupifcence and lufi, than 
 of Piety or Religion, I will therefore bury it inoblivion, and lilcnce, and fo he was turned 
 over. 
 
 Come we now to fpeak of Von ’Emanuel de Cortez the Father, who underftanding of his 
 Son Roderigo his continual frequenting of Vona Ccrvantella y s houfe, and her Daughter Vomi - 
 nicas company, and now hearing of this murthcr of her Son at her door, his own Son being 
 then therein prefentvhe is much difeontented therewith, and becaufe he will fequefier him 
 from her fight,ana provide him another Wife, he fends him to Afnatlos, a Mannor-houfe of 
 his,16me ten leagues off in the Country, with a firong injundion and charge, there to refide- 
 till his farther order to return:Rodm^ is wonderful forrowful thus to leave the fight of his 
 fyir and dear Mifiri s Dominica, and (to the view of the world) nolefsisfhe, fohe tranfport- 
 eth.only his body to Afnallos , but his heart he leaves with her in Granado . But a month is 
 fcarce expired after his departure, but the Lady Cervantella (by the death of her Son Von 
 Garcia ) wanting a man to condud and govern her affairs, efpecially her Law-fuits, where- 
 with (as we have formerly heard) (he is much incumbred, (he thereupon fas alfoat the in- 
 fiant requefi of her Daughter^ writes Roderigo this Letter for his return. 
 
 CERVANTELLA to RODERIGO. 
 
 A S thou tender ejl the profperity of my affairs, and the content and joy of my Daughter, I requefi 
 thee fieedily io leave Afriallos, and to return t o rifidebere Granado, for 1 wanting my Son 
 Garcia, who wot the joy of my life ' and Jhe her Roderigo, who art the life of her joy, thou muff 
 not.finditftrange,iftnyage, andher youth, andif my Law -fuites, and her love ajfettions and \de- 
 fres affume this r evolution : Thy Rather is a Noble man of reafon , and bis Son JhaU jind this to be a 
 requejt bo.tb honourable andreajonablc, except thou wilt jo farpublijb thy weafnefs to the world, that 
 thou doji morefear thy Father than love my Daughter, for if thou flsouldejl once permit thy obedience 
 to him jo jar to give a Taw to thy ajfettion to her , thou wilt then makg thy felf as unworthy to be her 
 
 Husband, 
 
Hi ft. XXVIII. Roderigo and Dominica. 
 
 Husband, Of I difire it with zeal, and Jhe with pajfion. She is rtfolvedta fecund ibij my Letter with 
 one of her own to thee , to which I referr thee : God hlcft thy fay , and hajhn thy return. ’ 
 
 CERV ANTEtL A, 
 
 / 
 
 Dominica refolving to make good her promife to her Mother, and that of her Mother to 
 Roderigo, (he withdraws her felt to her Chamber to write*, and knowing her Mother’s Mef- 
 fengcr ready to depart, chargeth him with the delivery of her Letter to her Lover Roderigo 
 and to call the better lufter and varnifh over her affc&ion, (he takes a Diamond-Ring from' 
 her finger, and like wife fends it him for a token of her love. 
 
 DOMINICA to RODERIGO. 
 
 AS the death of my Brother Don Garcia, made me extnam forrowful ,fo this of thy abfwcc made 
 x me infinitely mifierable: for its that nipt my joys and hopes in their bloffoms , fo this kjlls them in 
 their riper age and maturity. When l firfi received thy love , and gave and returned thee mine in ex- 
 change , I had well thought thou hadfi affetied me too dearly , fofoon to leave my fight, and to banijh thy 
 fielf from my company ; but now l fee with grief and feel with Jor row, that tboulovejl thy Father far 
 better than me\ and deligbtefi to prefer his Content before mine; for elfe thou badfi not made me thus 
 wretched by thy abfience,who amfiosit were )but ending into the happinefs of thy pr cfence.lf thou canji 
 find in thy heart to obey his commands , btfore thou grant my requejis , then come not to Granado, but 
 fiay fiill in Afnallos *, but if the contrary, then leave Alnallos, and come to me in Granado, rr/W I 
 will chide thee for thy long fiay, and yet give thee a world of thanky andkjffes for thy fio foon return j 
 and as my heart and foul doth defire it, fo the projperity of my Mother's affairs doth lilqwife want , 
 and theref ore crave it. Judg of the fervency of my affeftion to thee, by thine to my felfi and then thou 
 wilt fpeedily refolve to f ee thy Dominica, who defires nothing jo much under Heaven, as to have the 
 happinefs of thy fight , and the felicity and honour of thy Company . 
 
 * DOMINICA. 
 
 Roderigo receives thefe their two Letters, imputes that of the Mother, to much refpedhand 
 this of her Daughter,to infinite affe&iomfo as the very knowledg and consideration thereof, 
 makes him rejoyce in the firfi, and triumph in the feconds'and therefore knowing himfclf to 
 be a man, and paft a child, and that as he is bound by nature and reafon to obey hisFather,(o 
 he is not tyed to be commanded by him beyond it*, wherefore he rcfolves to give content to 
 the Mother for the Daughter’s fake* and to the Daughter for his own fake* and fo by their 
 own MeflTenger returns them thefe Anfwers 2 That to the Lady Cervantella , fpake thus : 
 
 RODERIGO to CERVANTELL A. 
 
 1 S 0 much tender the profiperity of thy a fairs, and thy Daughter's content and joy, that my refolutions 
 jhallfo difpofeof my fielf towards my Father, asveryjhortly 1 will fee thee with rifpett and obfer - 
 vance, andviftt berwitlraffeftion and zeal • for this defire of hers, andrequefi of thine, is fo honou- 
 rable, fio reafonablc, as my Father fhouldbe guifty of unlqndnefs to deny the one, and my felf of in- 
 gratitude not to grant the other : Or if he willyet continue to crofs our affeftions, Iwill thennuke it 
 apparent to the world, that Iwillnot fear him the thoufiandpart fo much as I will love her * and that I 
 cannot receive a greater felicity and honour , than to fee her my Wife , and my felf her Htuband.I have 
 given an anfwer to her Letter , and very Shortly l will give her my felf every.way anfwerable to her me- 
 rits, to thy expectation and my promife . 
 
 RODERIGO. 
 
 His Letter to Dominica was charged and fraughted with thefe lines. 
 RODERIGO to DOMINICA. 
 
 T O deface thy Sorrows for thy Brother's death , and thy mifieries for myabfience, and likgwife tn 
 preferve thy joys in their bloffoms, and thy hopes in their riper age and maturity, 1 ant fully re- 
 vived very fhortly to grant tbyrequefiin leaving Afnallos, to live and dye with thee in Granado* 
 and thou doji offer a palpable wrong to the truth, and an immerited difiparagement to the purity and 
 tandorof my affedion, to thinly that l any way prefer my obedience to my Father , before my affeUi - 
 on to thee , or confequcntly his content to thine. Therefore prepare thy felf to kjjs , not to chide me, 
 for elfe I will refidve to chide, and not to kjfis thee at my return. My befi endeavours Jhali wait on the 
 J profipenty 
 
Gods Revenge againji Murther. Book VI. 
 
 profPenty d f thj Mothers affairs and my heft love and fervicejball eternally attend on her Daugh- 
 ters gUufttre and command* ^and judg thou if my z.tal to thee^do not exceed thine to my felf fithEnth 
 is, not fo dear to me, as the Honour of thy fight t nor Heaven as the felicity of thy company, 
 
 RO DERIGO. 
 
 He hath no fooner difpatched thefe two Letters to his Miflris and her Mother, but the very 
 next day 3fter he enters into a refolution with hirafclf* that he (hall not do well fu Coon to 
 difoblige and difobey his bather, by fo fpecdiiy precipitating his return from A( n allos to Gra- 
 nadoy as urging this reafon to his confideration, and propoting this confideration to his judg- 
 ment, that Dominica's affeftion and beauty can difficulty make him rich, but that his Father's 
 difeontentand difpleafure towards him maf eafily make him poor : Whereupon refolving to 
 cherift) his confiancy to her, and yet to retain his obedience to him, he holds it no fin if a little 
 longer he dilpence with his content, and prefume to temporize for his diferetiori and profit,as 
 grounding his hope upon this confidence,and his confidence upon this prefuming infallibility, 
 that his Lady and Miftris Dominica is as chafi as fair, and will prove as conftanc to him as (he is 
 beautiful in her felf. But (he is a woman, and therefore (he may deceive his hopes, and he is 
 a man. and therefore it is polfible that her beauty mav betray his judgment, the which predicti- 
 on and proph.efie (to his grief and forrow, and to her (hame and miferyj we (hall (hortly fee 
 made true and verified': , jtbe manner thus. 
 
 Dominica (z s we hayq formerly underftood) being of a wanton difpofition and carriage, and 
 Very unchaftly and lafciyioufly eodined, (lie finding Roderigo' s Ray in Afnallos to exceed bis 
 prMnife and her expe&ation ; (he cannot live chafte, (he will not remain conftant in his ab- 
 fence, but bath a friend or two, I mean two proper young Gentlemen of Granado , to whom 
 sfbe many times privately imparteth her amorous favours and affection, the which (he afteth 
 nOt fo clofely, but the. Lady her Mother (being a Lincy-eyed, and curious obferver of her 
 actions (hath notice thereof, and thinking to reclaim her from this foul fin of fornication and 
 whoredom, ‘which threats no lefs than the ruins of her fortunes, and the Shipwrack of her re- 
 putation ; (he firft attempteth to perfwade her by fair meins with tears and prayers^but fee- 
 ing (he could not thereby prevail with her, then (he gives her many (harp Fpeeches and bitter 
 threats, and menaces, as wholly to deprive her of her Father's portion, and either to make her 
 fpend her days in a Nunnery, orendthemin aPnfon. That (he is not worthy to tread upon 
 the face of earth, or look up to Heaven, bccaufc this her foul crime of fornication, makes her 
 odious to God, and an infinite (hame and fcandal to all her Parents and friends in general, and 
 to everyone in particular, with many other reafons looking and conducing that way, the which 
 for brevities fake, I refolve to omit and bury in filence< 
 
 % But this leftureof the Mother prevailes not with the Daughter, but rather inflames than 
 quencheththe fire of her inordinate and lafeivious luft *, the which (he perceiving,and to pre- 
 vent her own fcandal in that of her Daughters, fhe fas a careful Mother and a wife Matron) 
 mew.etli.her up jn her Chamber, where Dominica (for meer grief and coller) to fee her felf 
 thus debat'd of her pleafures in the reftraint of her liberty, (he grows very fick, looks exceeding 
 wan^pale and thin, and fo keeps her Bed, the which the Lady Cervantcila takes for a fit occa- 
 fion aadj opportunity again effe&pally to write to Roderigo to haften his return to Granadoj as 
 doubting lead her Daughters Belly (hould chance to fwell and grow big in his abfcnce. This 
 her L'cker, tQ-Jipde; igo, reported her mind, and reprefented her defires to him in thefe terms. 
 
 ■ i r'. J k ■ ' 
 
 • CERVANTELLA to RODERIGO. 
 
 ’• *• * * * + 
 
 T Hoh doflthy felf no rights but me and my Daughter infinite wrong, in flaying fo long from 
 Granado,^ regard it is contrary to thy promije , to my expectation, and to her deferts and me- 
 rits : f r her affMion is fo intire and fervent to thee , becaufe fhe conceives and hopes that thine (in 
 reqmtalfisfo to her, that (he bath this many months hnguijhecl in expectation of thy return j whereof 
 beginning to dfpair , that dfpair hath Jirucl { her into fo dangerous a Consumption, that I fear it will 
 fln fitly prove fatal to hertfor already the Lillies have banijhed the Rofes of her cheekj , yea , her cheeks 
 ape jtfopn. thin *, and thoj off arising flats, her eyes, have lojiagrjatpartof their wonted luflre and 
 glory* affitiiorir will not, yet pity jhould move thee to hajlen thy return, to fee and comfort 
 
 her, Cf [foully jit b t h>u w ill Jcarc, know her when thou feejl her > in regard I may (almjijjuftly af- 
 firm, tkrtfbkty ato[longer^ Dominica, but rather the living Anatomy of dead Dominica. How thou 
 canfl anfo ir fob this her j^njs to thine honour (which is oecafmted by thy unkjndnefs )i kyow not \ 
 but Jure l am ifjhcgq to her Grave before thou come to her , thou canfl never fufficmtly.anjwtr it to 
 
Hid. XX VIII. Roderigo and Dominica. 
 
 thy conference, nor thy conscience to God , hi her fic\-bed thou art the only Saint to reborn fire offa'.tb 
 ujr her devotions > and therefore it mil be a inferable ingratitude in thee to permit her to dye thy 
 Martyr , ” J 
 
 CERVANTELLA. 
 
 At the receit and perufal of this Letter* R odcrigo is infinitely forrovvful,efpeciaI!y when he 
 confidereth,that it is only Dominica's dear affe&ion to him, and his long (lay trom her, which 
 hath occafioned her licknefs : whereupon his love confuting with his honour , his honour 
 with his confidence, and his confidence with God he conjureth the MdTengtr to return 
 fpeedily to Granado , to the Lady Cervantella , and her Daughter Dominica, from him , and 
 to allure them, that all bufinefs of the world let apart, he will be there with them the next 
 day, and bring them the anfwers of their Letters himfelf*, whereat, at the Meffcngcr’s re- 
 turn, they both of them exceedingly rejoycc. %pderign now ( according to his promife ) 
 comes to Granado, vifiteth Cervantella, and hisfick Miftrefs Dominica \ falutes the one with 
 complements, the other with kifles. Dominica intending to give him her body, but not her 
 heart, diffembleth her affedion to him, and frowns on him exceedingly, as if her love to 
 him, and his to her, were dearer to her than all the world, and far more precious than her 
 life. But contrariwife , Roderigo intends as he fipeaks , and fipeaks as he intends * yea, he is 
 fo fincere and real in his affedion to her, as (lie is counterfeit and treacherous to him. So, 
 glorying in her beauty, and triumphing in her youth , he with much difficulty obtains his 
 Father’s confent, and marries hen their Nuptials being folemnized in Granado with hate 
 and bravery, anfwerable to their defeents and qualities: but he will find a wanton Lais, 
 for a conftant Lucrece i and a lafeivious Phryne, for a chaft Penelope. Never Husband bore him- 
 felf more refpedfully, loving, and courtcoully to his Wife, than doth Roderigo to his Domi- 
 nica^ for he thinks that her fare cannot be too curious, nor her Apparel coftly enough for 
 her •> yet fuch was his tender refped of her, and affedion to her, that he willingly permit- 
 ted her to go where (he would, and to come when (he plea fed -> contrary to the cuftom of 
 Spain, and generally of moft Spaniards , who hold it far more folly than affedion , to give 
 this licentious freedom and liberty to their Wives, which we do in England and France > the 
 which we (hall fee verified in our young Bride Dominica * for the more her Husband Rode- 
 rigo loves her, the more (he (lights him > and the more he refpeds her, the more (lie neg- 
 ledsand contemns him : whereat he grieves, his Mother-in-law Cervantella ftorms , and 
 his own Father, Don Emanuel de Cortez , repines and murmurs. But as it is labour in vain to 
 think to make an Ethiopian white j fo all of them cannot reclaim Dominica to love her Huf- 
 band, nor fcarce to lye with him. He conceives infinite grief hereat , which breeds him a 
 lingringConfumption in earneft, as his Wife Dominica was formerly pofieffed of one in jeft: 
 whereat (he the more hates him, in regard the extremity of hisficknefs and weaknefs,will 
 not permit him to perform the rites and duties of a Husband towards her : but (he need not 
 care, much lefs grieve thereat, for (he takes her obfeene and lafeivious plcafurcs abroad, 
 whiles her dear lick Husband ( for grief of body and mind ) is ready to dye at home. He 
 bewails his hard fortune in marrying her *, but yet loves her fo tenderly and dearly , as he 
 will not (peak ill of her himfelf, nor fuffer any other to do it, either in his prefence, or her 
 abfencc. Yea, her love is fo frozen to him, though his be (fill conftantly and fervently in- 
 flamed to her, as (lie difficultly lees him once in three days , nor yet fipeaks two words with 
 him when (he fees him*, and yet when he is fo happy to obtain her light and company, he fo' 
 exceedingly rejoyceth thereat, that it feems to him his pain for that time gives him peace, 
 his forrows truce, his fickncfs eafie, his heart comfort, and his thoughts confolation. But Do - 
 minica hath not deferved the leaff part of all this true affedion and courtefie from him here- 
 tofore, much lefs will (he requite it to him hereafter, except in a moft ingrateful and bloody 
 manner^ which is thus: 
 
 The Devil refolves to trouble the harmony or ferenity of their marriage , or rather our 
 Dominica hath helliftily derived and drawn this refolution from the Devil, to poifon her Huf- 
 band * and the fooner (he fixeth her mind upon this infernal ingredient, and fietteth her bar- 
 barous cruelty upon this deviilifh Drug, becaufe the violence ot his Confumption having al- 
 ready made almdft'an Anatomy of his body, (he therefore flattereth her felf with this opini- 
 on, that no fiufipition at all can feize upon the belief of any, that he is poyfoned, much lefs of 
 his Father, or her Mother.She cannot procure poyfion her fell,and therefore albeit (he be un- 
 willing to acquaint or employ any other herein, yet (he is enforced thereunto. Of all her ac- 
 quaintance , ihe thinks (he may more Lately entruft and repofie this great fiecret with her 
 Chamber-maid Demfa: for having formerly made her acceflary to her fins of fornication 
 
Gods Revenge againft Murther. Book VI. 
 
 aifcT Adultery,. (he thinks (he may with lets difficulty, and more cafe, now draw her to con- 
 ceal and participate in this Marcher with her, the which the better and fooncr to effect, (he 
 iiivcs her fifty Duckats, and adding thereunto many fweet perfwalion^and fugred promifes, 
 of her continual care and atfe (Sion for her preferment, this wretched miferablc Wench 
 yields her content thereto. So they give their hands, and fwear fecrefie each to other, the 
 Devil laughing at this their bloody compadt and capitulation. 
 
 So (without either the grace or fearot GodJ they are refolutein their Tage, and outra- 
 geous in this their barbarous cruelty, thinking every minute a mouth, and every day a year, 
 before they have finifhed and perpetrated this lamentable bufinefs. So this Fury, this Shc-de- 
 vWVominica, being as impatient in her lafeivious lull toherfdL, as in her deadly malice tQ 
 her kind and honeft Husband Roderigo , the makes V unfa fecretly to procure fome ftrong 
 poyfon from fomc remote unknown Apothecary, and not only caufeth, but fees her t® put it 
 into fome white- broth for him, which the Chamber-maid brings, and the Wife and Mifiris 
 gives to her Husband in the morning, before he was out of his bed, under pretence and co- 
 lour of fome comfortable Broth, and hot Meat*, whereof ( O grief to think it l O pity to 
 report it ! ) before night he died thereof. And V on Enunuclde Cortez, his Father, being at that 
 time ridden to the City of Seviljn the Province of Andonlefia, about fomc important bufinefs 
 of his, (he (taking the opportunity and advantage of his abfence, thereby the better to over- 
 veil this her foul and bloody fadt jdoth fpeedily caufe this his breathlefs body to be cncoffin- 
 ed,and i’o buried fomewhat privately, but not in that folemn manner as was requifite) either 
 for his quality, or her reputation s yea, contrary to the opinion of the Lady CervanteUa her 
 Mother, who much grieved and feared at this fudden death of her Son-in-law Roderigo , in 
 doubting left her Daughter, his Wife, had too haftily and untimely lent him to Heaven in a 
 bloodv Winding- fheet.ThismournfulTragedy thus adied, our wretchedPjwi«icj,ofa difeon- 
 tented Wileys now become a joyful and ftolick Widow : and now her exorbitant luff, and 
 lafeivious defires, break pail, and range both beyond the bounds of chafiity, and the limits of 
 discretion : for (he will hearken to no advice,nor follow any counfcl from the Lady Cervax- 
 tell a her Mother, but forfakes her houfeand her fight the greateftpart ot the day,and, which 
 is worfe, many whole nights, to keep company with thole vicious Gallants, and debauched 
 young Guitlemen, of her former acquaintance and familiarity, with whom (lie delighteth 
 to lofe her honour, to caft away her chafiity , and to (hipwrack her reputation, if not her 
 foul i when neither thinking of God or her Confcience, of Heaven or Hell, of her murther- 
 ing Self, or murthcred Husband, (he fo ince(Tantly( without any intermiflion or repentance) 
 abandons her (elf to her prophane and beaftly Whoredoms , that in a very (hort time (he 
 makes her felf the laughter of the worfi, and the pity of the better and moft vertuous fort 
 of people of Granado’i yea, her adtions are fo devoid of Grace *, and repleat of Impiety, that 
 her own Mother is aftiamed to fpeak with her, and Don JLmznucl de Cortez, her Father-in-law, 
 to fee her* 
 
 And here, Chriftian Reader, let me requeft thy curiofity to obferve , and thy piety 
 to remark, how ("by degrees^) the Indignation and Jufiice of God falls upon this debauch- 
 ed young Lady, for the foul nefs of thefe her Crimes, the very cry and fent whereof hath 
 pierced the Windows of Heaven, and are now afeended to the ears and noftrilsof the Lord 
 of Hofts, to draw down condign vengeance on her for the fame *, yea, and at thole times 
 when (he leaft dreams or thinks thereof, and when (he is in the very prime of her prophane- 
 nefs, and the chiefeft ruff of her lafeivious jollity, and voluptuous lenfuality. The manner 
 whereof is thus : 
 
 T wo months are fcarce expired fince (he fent this her Husband Roderigo thus untimely and 
 cruelly to his Grave, but having as it were drowned her Wits and Senfes, her Reafon and 
 Judgment, yea, her Heart and Soul, in the Ocean of her beafily lufts, and luftful defires and 
 pieafurcs, (but to her own (hame,to the grief of her Mother,and the contempt and anger of 
 her Father-in-law Ve Cortez) (he marrieth Von Lems de Andrada , one of her former Favou- 
 rites and Paramours, for her Lover I cannot, and therefore I will not term him : a very pro- 
 per Gentleman of his perfonage, but every way as debauched and vicious as her felf i and 
 therefore a fit Husband for fuch a Wife. That fhc washonefi, he knew the contrary*, but ho- 
 ping that her wealth fiiould fupply his wants, and repair the ruins of his decayed fortunes, 
 was that which folely induced him to become her Husband. But at lafi , when he faw her 
 wealth to come (hort of his expedtation,and her luftful defires to exceed it, then he thinks it 
 high time to be wife, in not imitating the example of his Prcdeceftor Roderigo in his carriage 
 and condudlion towards this his lafcivious'Wife Vominica , fo he holds a ftridi hand over her, 
 and in a manner makes her no better than a Prifoner to her Chamber, and a Scholar to her 
 
 Book 
 
Hilt. XXVIII. 
 
 Roderigo and Dominica * 
 
 Book and N.-edle, in fucfi i fort, tnat her ranging unchaft thoughts are now bounded in 
 new Husband s ).-alouiie.,& pent and immured up in her own grief and difcontent • Bor thus 
 he realo'nt'th wnh himfelt,tHat although formerly he made her His Curtizan,yet now he wi 
 not pe rmit that (he make him a Cuckold ; then he was her Friend, now her Husband ■ and 
 then (he was ant w^ rable for her own life and a dt ions, to God^but now he is, both for his own 
 and for hers. But this her prd'enr affliction and millry , is but the fhadow and lealt part of 
 her future : for Andrada her Husband being as refolutein reforming her, as (he was neither 
 to digcli or endure if, he, the better to curb her incontinency , and to debar her from any 
 more returning to her former leud pranks, and debauched life and convention , he keeps 
 her very fhort of money, takes from her moil of her beft Apparel, and all her Ring?. Chains 
 and Jewels, which the Ladies of Spain ( mote than any others of the world ) hold to be a 
 great part of their earthly felicity. y 
 
 Dominic j is amazed, yea all in tears, to fee this Arrange alteration of her fortune, and differ- 
 ence of her two Husbands, and now ( though too late) (he fees Roderigo’s love, in Andrades 
 hardnefs towards her : (he fpfcaksio her Mother to reconcile her to her Husbands but having 
 (hut up this her fecoard Match without her knowledgor content, fhe rejedfsand abandoned 
 her from her favour, to feck her own fortune, as holding her unworthy of the Blood which 
 Nature, and the Education which God and her felf had given her.She was cruel to her hr A 
 Husband, and therefore no marvel if the fecond prove unkind to her,yet he doubting of her 
 frerct malice towards him, he apprehends her revengers much as he condemns her lubricity. 
 He wil not add faith to her diffcmbling promifes,nor hazzard belief to her treacherous tears 
 and kiffessbut keeps her Ail rather as a priloner than a wife, and more like a criminal than a 
 companion: and yet as clofe and retired as he kept her in his houle, his vigilancy and jcalou- 
 iie was enforced to meet with this unknown misfortune, that (he was no (ooner abroad, but 
 (he had another Friend or Ruffian at home, with whom he very often and very diihoncAly 
 familiarized* infomuch, that fhe had infallibly murthered her iccond Husband, as (he had 
 formerly done her firfi, if God foutof theineAimable treafure of his mercy and goodness ) 
 had not prevented her rage, and difappointed and diffipated her bloody delign and revenue, 
 by another accident as mournful as miraculous , and wherein the JuAiceand Ptovidcnce^of 
 God doth equally refplend and (hiue forth unto us for our infirudtion, with a moA chvtnc 
 power and heavenly influence. 
 
 Eor we mult here know and underfland, that the fifty Duckats which Venifa had given 
 her of her Lady Dominica, for confenting topoyfon her Mafier Roderigo , gave her new ap- 
 parel, and they likewife procured her anew Suitor or S weet-hearr, named Hxgo(who made 
 the w to marry her, but intended it not), with whom (he wantonized fo often, as in a fliort 
 time fhe became guilty of a great belly, the which ffie concealed from all the world, except 
 from Hugo, the Father of her unborn child-, who upon notice thereof, either for (car of pre- 
 luit punifhment, orof future danger, or that he fhould be con ft rained to marry her, and fo 
 to maintain her and her child, when he had not means to maintain himfelf * he fled from 
 Granado to Mnricia, without taking his leave of Venifa, or any way acquainting her there- 
 with * and now, when it is too late, this wretched wench exceedingly grieves thereat, when 
 knowing his return uncertain, his affe&ion to her doubtful, her felf poor, and her Lady and 
 MiArefs Dominica, as then not able to maintain her or her child, (he affumes another bloody 
 refolution, which is, that as fhe was formerly acceffary to thepoyfoningof her Mafier, fo 
 (he now will be principal adtor in furthering and making away of her own child as loon 
 as it (hall be born, and neither confluence nor her fear are able to divert her from this her 
 bloody and damnable purpofe. For being provoked thereunto, ffirfi by her Ihame, then by 
 her necellity, but chiefly and efpecially by her fatal Counfellor and InAigator the Devil, ffie 
 being delivered ( almofi a Month before her time ) of a fair young Soft* as foon as he had 
 cryed once f to bewail his own mifery,and his inhuman Mother’s cruelty^ (he as an execra- 
 ble Fuiy of Hell, Arangles it, giving him his mournful and untimely death in that very fame 
 hour and infiaix which God and her felf gave it life* and the very fame evening wrapt it in 
 a clean white linnen cloth, and with a pack-thred ties a great fione thereunto,and'the De- 
 vil giving her Arength^) the very fame night carries it half a mile off to a Pond without the 
 EaA-gate of the City, where feeing no body prefent to fee her, fhe (not as a Mother, no not 
 as a Woman, but rather as a Fury of Hell) there throws it in, which before her departure 
 thence, prefently funk to the bottom. 
 
 And here let us behold and contemplate on the wonderful mercy and judgment of God, 
 in fo fpeediiy revealing this deplorable and cruel murther of this harmlefs and innocent 
 little new-born Babe, whom being fo newly brought from the adulterate womb of his pi- 
 
 I i i 2 tilefs 
 
Gods Revenge agawft Murther. Book VI. 
 
 tilcfs Mother* (he maliciouily call into that Pond, giving it death tor life, the Pond for irs 
 Cradle, a Bank of Mud and Oze tor its Bed and Pillow. For upon the inftant of DettijA 
 delivery, and her furthering and throwing of this her Infant- babe info the Pond, God (to 
 revenge this foul and bloody tadt of heis)dtpnvtd her ot dilcretion and judgment to return 
 for that night to her Matter’s houfe : for the thinking to make fure and (bund work tor her 
 own reputation and fafety, (he that very night takes up her lodging in the next poor Inn, 
 which was at the Sign ot S {.John's Head, where to the Hofi and Hoftefs flic pretends lame- 
 nets by the receit of a fall. But God will give her but (mail time to relt and repofe her ft If 
 in the guiltinefs of this her cruel fin of murtheiing her own innocent new-born Babe s tor 
 within one hour after, a Groom riding to water his horfe in the fame Pond, his horfc tiiuh 
 feth and karts exceedingly, pawing in the water with his farther tore-foot, and many tune 
 thrufts down his head therein. 
 
 The Groom gives him the fpurr and fwitch to bring him off, but in vain : for the horfe 
 the more paweth with his foot, and fnuffeth with his notes yea, to long, till at laft(it fee ms J 
 the Pack-thred being broken, the white Cloath appears and floats upon the waterswhich the 
 Groom, upon the ftrange behaviour of his horfe ( but indeed by the immediate Providence 
 and Pleafure of God, who then and there was well-pleafed to make this reafonLfs Bcaft an 
 ifllfrutnent of his glory, in the detection ofthiscruel murthcr)caufeth to be fetched a-(hore*> 
 where opening the Cloth in prefence of fomeochers who flock thither to the Pond-tide to 
 fee what this may be, they find a fweet young Infant-boy, whofe body was as white as the 
 fnow, with a flaxen-coloured hair, a cheerful look, a cherry-lip , and fome blacknefs about 
 his throat and neck, whereby they gueffedit to be newly horn, and ftrangled of fome Strum- 
 pet, His Mothers whom to detedt and find out, they fearch all the adjacent houles,and at laft 
 find out Vcmfa in her Inn : when the Officers of Juftice, letting a Midwife, and tome three 
 or four elderly women, to fearch hers they (defpight of her refinance or prayers to the con- 
 trary J give in evidence againft her, that (lie was that day delivered of a child : fo (lie is im- 
 ptifoned,and the next day brought to her arraignment, where(threatned with the Rack)(he 
 confdfeth the ftrauglingof her child, and the throwing of it into this Ponds for the which, 
 ioul and inhuman fa dt of hers, (he is the next day condemned to be hangeds when detirous 
 to iavc her foul, though (through the mitigation of Satan J (he hath miferably calf away her 
 body, the entreateth that FatherE&rjh*ce,aPrieft of her acquaintance,may be fent to her in pri- 
 fon,to prepare her foul for her fpiritual journey to Heaven, who is accordingly feat hers who, 
 after a long and a religious exhortation to her, falling on this point. That (he fliould do well 
 to disburthen her conLcience of any other capital crime, which in all the whole courfe of 
 her life (he might have committed s as affirming, that the revealing thereof exceedingly 
 tended to God’s glory, and the felicity of her own foul: (hefwith tears and iighsj deeply 
 thinks thereof that night in prifon. 
 
 . . Now the next morning (he is brought to the place of Execution, where a great number of 
 people flock together to fee her ends3c therein the Ladder, after fhe had again confelfed the 
 ti rangling of her Infant, and the throwing of it into the Pond ; (he likewife then and there 
 confelfed, That (he wasacceiTary, and contented with her Lady Dominica^ to poyfon her Ma- 
 tter Rodcrigo^ which (he affirmed they both effedfed in the fame manner as we have formerly 
 under flood. The confeffion of this her other foul murther, as alfo of her Lady Dominica, doth 
 much amaze her Auditors, and aflonith her Judges s who to clear and vindicate the truth 
 hereofjthcy caufe her todefeend the Ladder, and to be confronted with her faid Lady Domi - 
 mci s who by this time, in the midfl of her fecurity, is likewife apprehended and brought be- 
 fore the criminal Judges, where, contrary to her expedition, being enforced to underhand 
 t he effedt and tenor of hcrChamber-maid Dcrtifa 9 s confetfion 8c accufation againft her for the 
 poyfoningof her Husband Rodcrigo , (he with muchpaflion and choler terms her Witch and 
 Devil, and curfeth the hour that ever (he foftered up fo peftilent a Viper in her houfe,to eat 
 out her own heart 6c life: when with more confidence and boldnefs,than contrition and re- 
 pentance (being firfl by her Judges threatned with the torments of the Rackjflie conieffeth 
 her felf Jikewife to be guilty of murthering'her firfl Husband Roderigo.Su Dtnifa's fentence is 
 alceredsfor (he is condemned to be hanged for her firfl Murther, 8c her dead body after to be 
 burnt Kfafhes for her feconds8c the Lady Dominic* to be hanged for poyfoning her Husbands 
 which news fo refounds and rattles through all the flrccts and corners of Granadojhxi aJmoft 
 all the people ot that City flock the next morning to the place of Execution, to fee this cruel 
 Miftrefs,anJ her bloody Chamber-maid, take their laft farewell of this World : for the Lady 
 Dominica mutt likewife dye, notwithftanding her Mother CcrvantcUJs tears, and her Husband 
 An IradSs importunate rcquelts, and paffionate prayers to her Judges to the contrary. 
 
 And 
 
IP! 
 
 dctmer,fhe is turned over.When immediately alter this, our wretched UdfpmmLis Bk*I 
 wtfc brought to her execution, whom the vanity ot her heart, and the impurity and profane- 
 
 fiefs Of ftfr fr>nl hurl nnrnnrplo in !•>/»*. LaA j •_ * l .1 . * . K 
 
 impietyi but as there, fo here on the Ladder, (he enters into many deep execrations and cur- 
 fes, as well agamft her fecond Husband Andrada, as againtt her Chamber-maid Deni fa who 
 the laid was now rather gone to the Devil, than to God : but no fpark of grace, nor lhcw of 
 forrow,nor fign of repentance, could appear in her looks, or be heard in her (beeches for poy- 
 loning ot her Husband 2Werig0,but with much cholerand vehemeneyflie there ut.tt red ma- 
 ny other lewd and lafeivious fpeeehes/he which grieved her Chrittian Auditors to hear and 
 therefore I will not defile my Pen, or offend the Reader’s religious and chart heart, with the 
 Jtnowledg thereof : fo this mifcrable and wretched Lady was turned over the Ladder, who 
 made her death anfwerable to the foulnefs and enormity of her life, being not fo happy in 
 her death, as her bloody Chamber-maid Denifa-, and I fear me, as exempt ot grace and eood- 
 nefs as the Devil could with her. But God is the Lord of Jurtice, and f ather of Mercy, to 
 whom I leave her. 75 
 
 The youth and Beauty of this cruel and inhuman Lady Dotni/ticj^ was pitied of many, but 
 her foul fadf abhorred and detefted of all who were prefent at her death : May we who read 
 her Hiftory, cherifh her virtues by the fight and knowledg of her vicessand fortihe oui fouls 
 with Religion and Piety, as (lie ruined hers by the negled and want thereof. Amen. 
 
 Gods 
 
 
 
Urr,„ 
 
 Cod 
 
 Ou-erturtul 
 
 , <jOD’s Revenge againft the Crying and 
 Execrable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XXIX. 
 
 San&ifiore (upon prmife of marriage jgets Urfina wijth child , and then afterwards very ingrate- 
 fully and treacbcroufiy rejefleth her , and marrieth Bertranna. Urfina being fenftble of this her 
 difgrace, difguifetb her J'elf in a Fryer's habit, and with a Cafe of Pijlols ki’Jf San&ifiore as he is 
 walking in the fields ; for the which Jbe it hanged. 
 
 I T is a poor profit, a wretched pleafure,for the fatisfa&ion of choler and revenge, to em- 
 brue our hands in the innocent blood of our near kindred, fith in feeking to wound him, 
 we more properly kill our felves in foul and body, ftriking him ( who is the figurative 
 Image of God) we prefumptuoufly ftabat theMajefty of Godhimfelf, by whom our fouls 
 muft, without whom they can never be faved.Therefore if we will not know as we are men, 
 yet we ought firmly both to know and believe as we are Chriftians, that Revenge and Mur- 
 ther are (he two prodigious twins of Satan, the laft being engendred and propagated of the 
 firlf, and both from Hell : for Revenge is not half fofweetinthe beginning, as bitter in 
 the end; nor Murther by many degrees fo pleafing, as it proves pernicious to its Authors; 
 as this enfuing Hiltory will verifie and make apparent unto us. 
 
 Let your thoughts be carried over thofe high hills of Europe, theAlps and Appemines,to the 
 noble and famous City of Naples, the head and capital of that llourifhing Kingdomfand from 
 vvhence it receives and derives its denomination;; a City exceeding rich, populous, and fair, 
 
 - £nJ graced and adorned with more Nobility and Gentry of both Sexes, than any other of 
 ■/Italy whadoevy. Wherein of very late years (when the Duke of Offttm was Viceroy thereof) 
 
 there 
 
Hill. XXIX. SaaSifiore ami Vrfina. 
 
 427 
 
 
 
 there dwelt two rich & beautiful young Gentle women, the one named Vonn* Vrfina Placedo 
 the only Daughter and Child of Seignior A ugujlino Placedo , and the other, Donna Bertram* d 
 Troes, likewile the only child and daughter o! Seignior ThjmaJo de Troes,tht hr It native of Fe- 
 renzolo, in P#/w,-.and eliefccond of A liutana in Calabria, both of them being exceeding rich 
 and well-defcended Gentlemen, who with their Wives 3 e Daughter, for the moft. part built 
 up their refidence in ^p/er,but efpecialiy all the winter- time. No wbcciiufe thefe two young 
 Gentlewomen ("whom henceforth vne will term by their Chrifiian, and not by their Sir- 
 names) are two of the chicfeft Perfonages which give life to this Hiftory , therefore I hold 
 i t not impertinent for me, fuperhcially to give the Reader their different charaders and de- 
 lineation s.Vrfina was pah the twentieth year of her age, and Bertranna cntnnginto her eigh- 
 teenth. Vrfina was tall and Sender, Bertrams (hort and fomewhat crook' backed. Vrfina was 
 the fairer of the two*but Bertranna by far the lubtiller and wifer. Vrfina was of a deep Am- 
 ber hair, but Bertranna of a coal-bl^ck ; and, to conclude this point, Vrfina was affable and 
 courteous, but Bertranna coy, proud, and malicious. 
 
 The truth and order of this Hitlory muft here inform us, That although thefe two rich 
 young Gentlewomen had divers brave Gallants who werciuitors to them for marriage, yet 
 none of them ;o dearly and paflionately loved Vrfina , as the Baron of San&ifiore of Qapua,* 
 very rich young Noble man, but far more proper than wile* and withall,far more laicivious 
 than rich: nor did or could Bertranna in her heart and mind affed any other but the laid 
 Baromm ither was it poffible for her Father DeTroes to perfwadc or draw her to defire any 
 other Nobleman or Gentleman for her Husband,than him. Thus we fee Saa&ijkte deeply to 
 love Vrfina, and Bertranna him, but hot he her * and we (hall not go far ull wfc likewise fee 
 what effeds thefe their different affedions will produce* 
 
 Whiles Vrfina is affured of Santtifior’s love to her, Bertranna contra ri wife, by her fclf and 
 her friends, makes it her chiefeft care and ambition to perfwadc and draw , r o foriake Vr- 
 
 fina, and to lOve and marry her felt * but (he will find more oppofition and a 1 y therein, 
 than (he expeds.T rue it is,that although the Baron oiSanfifion do continually i e . nt Pla - 
 cerfA houfe, and his Daughter Bertrdnna’s company*yet underfianding and confi , « </nh 
 himlelf, that Bertranna honoured him with her conftant love and affedion,ht there tore i: ^ 
 himfelf in a manner bound fometimes to fee and vjfit her, although indeed it was every - 
 
 more to content and pleaie her,than himfelf* where, albeit that her policy to her felf,& 
 affedion to him, gives him many quips and jerks of his Miftris Vrfina^ yet his reputation a, I 
 diferetion makes him comport hisadionsand fpeeches fo equally towards Bertranna, that al- 
 though he give her little caufe to hope, yet he gives her none to defpair of his love and affe- 
 dion to her, in requital of hers to him * and upon thefe and no other terms liand Santiifiore 
 and Bertranna . But as for Vrfina , her hopes and heart of San&ifiore's affedion to her , (ails 
 on with a more pleafing and joyful gale of wind: for (lie loving him as deeply as he doth 
 her dearly, (he accounts her felf his, and he hers * as we may the more particularly and per- 
 fedly perceive, by four Love-letters of theirs, which fecretly and interchangeably pah be- 
 tween them * the which, for the Reader’s better fatisfadion, I thought good here to infert 
 and publilh * whereof his firft to her fpake thus: 
 
 SANCTI FIORE to URSINA. 
 
 T HE fweetnefs of thy Beauty, and the excellency of thy Virtues, have fo fully takgn up my thoughts 
 and fo firmly furprifed and vanquijhed my heart , that I am Jo much thineboth by conquefi and 
 duty, as l kjiow not whether I do more affett or honour , or more admire or adore thee. Wherefore if 
 . thou art as courteous as fair , and as loving to me, as I am faithful to thy felf, then return me thy 
 heart, as I now give and fetid thee mine * andaffure thy felf, that my affedion is fo infinite and in- 
 tire to thee , that I love and defire thee a thoufand times more than mine own life , and will efteem my 
 death both fweet and happy, if thou wilt henceforth live mine by purchafe , as l am new thine by pro- 
 mife. Thy will (hall be my Law * and as there in a God in Heaven, Jo Urfina bath not fo fervent a Lo- 
 ver or confiaut a Servant on Earth as her » 
 
 SANCTIFIORE. 
 
 Vrfina' s Anfwcr hereunto was couched in thefe terms : 
 
 URSINA to SANCTIFIORE 
 
 I F thy heart be as full of affedion, as thy Letter is of flattery tome , 1 Jhould then have as juft caufe 
 thankfully to believe that, as now I have to fujped and fear this : For the iniquity of our times , 
 and the mifery of many former examples, do prompt and tell me, that mojl men love more with their 
 
 tongues , 
 
 
 
 
Gods Revenge againjl Mur t her. Book VI. 
 
 tongius, than with tbeit hearts ', and that they all know far better how to profifs than p ref erve their 
 affections and fidelity to their Mijinffis. As fo+mefjudg with thy felf how courteous and loving l am 
 to thee : for if 1 perfectly tyttw that thy Letter were the true Ambafjador and unfeigned E echo of thy 
 heart, I would both fay and promife thee, that I would love thee, and none but thee : Makg my felf thy 
 Wife, when andtf foon as thou wilt pleafe to be my Husband: for in life and death Ihere now promife 
 thee to be more thine, than mine own.Refolve me of this doubt, and free me of this fear, and then manage 
 this affcUion andfavour of mint with diflretion , and requite it with fidelity to thy 
 
 U R S I N A. 
 
 The Baron of SattC1ifiore 9 s fecond Letter to her, contained this Language, 
 SANCTIFIORE to URSINA. 
 
 A S 1 am not guilty, fo I am not anfwer able for other mens crimes of infidelity, but doosjuftly de- 
 tijl and f corn , as you mjujflyfear them in me. 7hat my affeClion is pure and facred, and (hall 
 be inviolable to thee, be God my Judg, and my heart and confidence my witneffes. 7 her if ore to rtfahe 
 thy doubt, and to free thy fear thereof, Ivow by thepurenefs of thy beauty , and the dignity of t by 
 virtues , that both my former Letter, and alfo this , are the true Ambaffadors andEccboes of my heart, 
 and , which is more, of my foul • / will floor tly hjfs thee for thy love to me, then love thee for thy kffes, 
 and after embrace and thankthee for both\ and when I fail of my affeClion and fidelity to thee, may 
 G id then fail of his grace and mercy to my felf: I will ntak$my felf thy dear Husband, and thee 
 my fweet Wife, when tjoouplcafeft to crown and honour me with that fweet joy, and to ravijh my heart 
 with this defired felicity . SANCT1 FIORE. 
 
 Vrfina's Anfwer hereunto, was traced in thefe terms : 
 
 URSINA to SANCTI FIORE. 
 
 R Elying on the purity of thy affeClion, and the prefervation and performance of tby conjlancy to 
 me,) or the which thou haft invoked God for Judg t , and thy heart and confluence as witneffes there- 
 of. I now freely ackpowledg my felf to be thy Wife by Purchafe,and thou to be my Husbandly Promife , 
 and do therefore wholly tal^e me from my felf, eternally to give my felf to tbce. Idefirctbc enjoyance 
 of thy company and preflnee, with as much impatiency as thou longeftfor mine,and thou Jhalt find,that 
 I will m tkg it my chief eft care and ambition to love thee, and my great efi glory to honour andobey thee : 
 and let both of us beware of infidelity each to other \for God willaffuredly punijh it witbjujtice requite 
 it with revenge, andrevenge it with mifery , on the Delinquents andOffenders . 
 
 URSINA, 
 
 By the perufal and confideration of thefe four precedentLetters,wemay plainly perceive, 
 what a hrm promife, and fecret contra6f,there was paft between the Baron of Sandifiore^nd 
 the Lady Vrfvta, and how fervently and fwectly they had given themfelves each to other in 
 the promife and affurance of marriage,fo not contented to have gotten the Daughter's go >d 
 will, he in very honourable fafhion and terms likewife feeks her Father Seignior P l aado's 
 confent thereto, whom though for fome few months he found to be averfe & oppofitc to his 
 deiires thereimyet upon SanSifiorts importunate entreaties, & hisDaughter Vrfwa's frequent 
 tears, he at laft conlenteth to this their marriage, only he delay'd the confummation thereof 
 for fome fecret reafons 8c confederations beft known tohimfelf, the which I cannot publilh, 
 becaufe Lcould never gather or underhand them.Whiles thustheBaron of SanClifiore remains 
 in NapLs, his long ltay,gicat train,prodigal expences there, 8c his abfence from Capua, where 
 his lands and means lay, made him be in fome dift refs and want of moneys and not knowing 
 how to procure it there, therby to fupport his fame & reputation with his pretendedFather- 
 in -law, and alfowitn his intended Wife, his Daughtenit greatly perplexed 8c troubled him: 
 but at laft he fa w himteli reduced to this extremity, that he was enforced to borrow of one 
 Nobleman and Gcntlemm of his friends, to pay another* a courfe which he well faw could not 
 long endure and (uoliit, without clamorouily calling his reputation in queftion : The which 
 to preveiu,kn owing Seignior Placedo to be a hide-bound and clofe-fifted old Gentleman, who 
 loved his Gold far better thun hisGod,and that if he offered fo borrow any of him, he would 
 absolutely rerufe and deny to lend it him*and that it was not impofTible,but rather very pro* 
 bable, that hereby the prodigality of the one, and the cove toufnefs of the other, might prove 
 a great blot and hindrance to this his marriagr,he therefore, as a debofhed and vicious youn|j 
 N blemam defpairing of the Father's love, refolves to make lure work with the Daughter s 
 aff dtion,who with a thoufand amorous fpeechcs,and lafcivious lures, dalliances, and tempta- 
 fiuns/ecks to draw her to his lulilul defiresiand fo by ufurping on her chaliicy (which is the 
 
 honour 
 
Hift. XX IX. San'dtfiore and ‘Orjina. 
 
 world, and yet her honour and challity a thouland tim^ m ^ i 31 ^ rcr *ha*» fht whole 
 
 own lilejintinitely grieves and wonders at this his intemn ! Tr prCCIOUS tha » her 
 chait and virtuous Gentlewoman ) fhe with lighs and teare iWlxfoMh?/^ i ^ htn r “* 
 ration, and reprefents to his heart and foul, the leudnei's of hfcdclirc th£2K V* r^ d? ' 
 quclr,the tou nels and odioufnefs of this lad, both to God and man the lols of he/ ° f h ' S U ' 
 and honour, both with her Father and with all the w „ r u 1 A , , ' cr r<r P u 'ation 
 
 fured.y prove the break-neck of ^heir Ma^e! "a, 
 
 contents and fortunes > asalfo that Ihe is ready to be his wile bur Ail',U,, ..k tbe ' r 
 btrumpet.with many other wife and godly realons tending that way and thereto ^° Ve 1r 
 rcfufeth to blemifli or fhipwrack her chaltity, by participating with him in F 
 
 iaicivious and impious bn of fornication,and indeed it had been * InrW r j" arCoPt hts 
 worthy both of hit felf,and of her honourable 3d FatfcrJ fhe had 
 contmued in the piety of this chart and virtuous reloluS. ^ ^ a " d 
 
 ut this lafcivious Baron Sandifiore, feeing his lull fo rtrongly oppofed by her ch ifrifi, I • 
 fo tar from grace and from God, as he redoubled his violence LdfmpetuoliTv^ 
 
 mah e hl5 r| UrCSan<1 pra y er T s ’ ot h,s art and P°*'cy,to enrich himfelf with her lols of that 
 mable and irrecoverable Jewel.her Virginity i fo that day and night fhe cannot be ; '" ' 
 for him, nor he without hersbut ftill he follows her as he/trtinft tk a bL 11 quiet 
 
 falfe oaths and feigned fighs’and .«£ ^ 
 
 heart that his delire of thisfweet'pleafure which he requefteth from her proceeds whnrtf 
 from his tender artetftion to her j and fo with a thoufand lafcivious words he makes fo larl^ 
 
 & fo impious an Apology to her for this hisobfcenc requeft.that becaufe modeftv cannot & 
 dlfcretion will not permit me to relate it, as well knowing, that the expreflion & publifhin 
 
 o h ^ W,,, h CVCr r Way PJ ove 1 “ n P r °rt tabIe t0 the Reader, & no way pleafing but difpleafiiif 
 to God . when this weak and inconfiderate Gentlewoman .loving him farlk-arer rim 
 own life.and confidently relying on his fworn affe&ion and fidelity to her, which he lb n If 
 fionately and fo often had reiterated to her.fhe fo rafhly 3c foolifhly permitted her felt' to h- 
 weighed down, overcome and vanquifhed with the importunancy of his rcquefls and oaths 
 that it was neither in her power or will to deny him any thing.no not her felf; but as the 
 
 “ m ” n<,of het £ 
 
 Thus SaH&ifiore bereaves and unparadifeth his Miftris Vrfuta 0 ( the moft precious Jewel 
 ,f/, ch .- r Lad y-Nature gave her i I mean, her chalfity and honour : but both of 'them 
 (hall (hortly pay dear for thefe their b.tter-fweet p!cafures/or rather f, ns jot fenfualiry and 
 fornication and (hall redeem and ranfom them with no lefs than (hame and repencanccThe 
 manner whereof is thus. v 1 nc 
 
 After he had thus defloured and taken his obfeene pleafure of his young and beautiful Mi- 
 rtris, 8c Hayed an hour or two Complementing with her, he then takes his leave of hen when 
 triumphing more in the conqueft of her fhume.and his folly, than in his own repentance for 
 occasioning the one and committing the other : he within a week or two after, again makes 
 her (o flexible and tradfable to his defires, as he three or four times more familiarly wantoni- 
 zeth with her in this lafcivious manner.and fhe with him;as not contented to /lain and Me* 
 mifh.but wholly to defile 8c pollute themfelves in this their beaftly fin of concupifccnce and* 
 fornication. But here now begins his infamy ,and her grief and mifery: For/as a bafe Noble- 
 man jhe forgetting his oathsand promifes to her, and her extraordinary love and afftdion rc 
 him, and which is more, his honour and himfelf, and his foul, and his God, he rbv decrees) 
 now begins to freeze in his affe&ion to her.vifitcth herfeldom.and then but faintly and cold- 
 ]y,and whenf with equal blu/hes 3c tearsjlhe mentioneth him to Marry her, he is either deaf 
 to her requefis or die anfwereth her fo impertinently & ambiguoully, as( with much pertur- 
 bation of mind and afflict ion of heart J (lie begins to lufpect and doubt with her /elf, that /he 
 hath more reafon to fear, than caule to hope of his future affection and fidelity towards her 
 Neither is her fear vain, or her judgment and apprehenfion deceived of him herein : for as 
 menjovc Nofc-gays in the morn, and throw them away ere night, Co this ignoble Nobleman 
 Sanciijiore , alter he had (urfeited and fatiated his defire of this hi> intended and contracted 
 Wife Vrfinjjhe in lefs chan three months after, is fo ingrateful and treacherous towards her 
 as in a manner he abandoned her Father’s houfe,and forfakes her. fight & company,leavin^ 
 her nothing to comfort her, but her lighs, tears,and repentance* 3 and which is wor:e,a erow^ 
 ing great Belly, as the true feal of her prefent grief and forrow, and the undoubted piedg 
 
 K ^ k anc | 
 
Book VI. 
 
 Gods Revenge againf} Murtber . 
 
 ~and prcfager of her future (hameand mifcry, which torments ard terrifies her heart and foul, 
 but how to remedy it (he knows not. And now (with as much (peed as vanity and infidelity) 
 away goes Santti'iore «o It's other fecond Sweet-heart Bert tf»w*,who not for her beau'y,bur for 
 her Father’s great wealth, and his own prefling wants, he now feems to sffed: and court a thou* 
 fand times more familiarly ard tenderly than before, whereof (he is infinirely glad and joyful. 
 For having a longtime loved him in her heart and mind, and therefore defiring nothing fo 
 much under Heaven, as to fee him her Husband here on earth, and having to char end her fc- 
 cret eyes and fpies every where abroad upon his life and addons, (he is at Jaft advertifcd, that 
 there is feme great dfrafte ard difference fallen out between him, and the I ady VrfihJ, as a/fo 
 that being far from his home, he wanteth Monies to defray his Port and Expences in Napfrx ; 
 fhe being of a (harp wit and deep judgment,thinks that the lift of his defects was the caufe of 
 the firli, and that perad venture Sanciijiore having attempted to borrow fome Mony of her Fa- 
 ther SetgnW' PUc^o, and received the repulfe,be therefore was fallen out ard become difpka- 
 fed and difconrented with his Daughter : And although her conceit and judgment m.ffcd of 
 the truth herein, yet the better to eftrange San ft fare from Vrpna, and confcquencly the more 
 powerfully and ftrongly to unite and tye him to her fclf, (he well knowing thar her own Fa- 
 ther^T^r/ exceedingly loved him, anddefired him for his Son in Law, as much as (he did 
 for her Husband : (he therefore as much in love to hsm, as in difdain and malice to Vrfi »a y 
 doth underhand deal fo'politickly.and yet fofecrecly wi h her Fa.her to lend Sa n piv>re fome 
 Monies, that he meeting him the very next day in his houfc, he takes him slide in his ftudy and 
 told him, that in regard of his abfcnce from Capua^ and his long flay and great hxpencc* 
 here in Nap es , it was rather likely than impoflible that he might want fome Monies , and 
 therefore he freely lent, and then and there laid him down 500 double Pfftols : adding wirh- 
 al,that if he needed more, he ftiouldhave what he pleafed, and repay it h;m again when he 
 pleafed, ard that if he would honour him fomuch as to Marry his Daughter, he would give 
 him all the Lands and Wealth he hid. 
 
 This great courtefie of Ve Tores to the Baron of Sanftipore he held was redoubled to him in 
 the value, in that he lent it him fo freely and undemanded, as alfo for that it came fo oppor- 
 tunely and fitly to pay his Debts, and fatisfie his wants, as after a long and refpeftivc Com- 
 plement between them, S*n ft fare's neceflity fo eafily prevailes with his modefty, that he 
 moft thankfully akes this Gold of Delons, and like wife gives him more hope than defpair 
 to his motion of Marrying his Daughter the Lady Bertranna ; wherewith the one refts well 
 fitisfied, and the ether exceeding well contented. This point of courtefie being thus perfor- 
 med between them, Sanftfare's joy thereof was fo great, i may fay fo boundlefs, as he pre- 
 fently finds out his new Miftris Benran'ia, and with a frolick countenance and chearful voice, 
 relates her, how much her Father had obliged him, and from point to point, what had paft 
 between them, and immediately after no lefs doth her Father •, the Mufick of which news w?s 
 fo plealing to her mind, and fo fweet to her heart and thoughts, that fhe hereupon flatters her 
 fclf with a confident hope, that he will fhortly Marry her : and in this hope doth he ftill feed 
 and entertain her, being feldom or never from her, but ever and anon both together billing 
 and killing, drowning his judgment fo wholly in her company, and his heart ranging and drea- 
 ming fo fully on her youth and beauty, and on her father's great wealth and eftate; that he 
 hath not the grace, no nor which is lefs, the will or good nature once to thi'k of his poor defo- 
 late and totlaken ‘Vrfna, of whom in her turn l come now to (peak* 
 
 We have formerly underllood with forrow, and our forrowfu! and unfortunate Vrfin* 
 hath to her grief too too foon feen, how unkindly San ft fare hath ufed, and how bafely and 
 rreacherot fly abufed her in the points of her honour, and his infidelity * and yet all thisnot- 
 withflar, ding, her love and affeftioh is ftill fo dear and conftant to him, and her hopes fo con- 
 fident of him, that all tins difeourtefie of his to her, ,5 only but to try her patience, and that 
 conlidering ivhac familiarity haih paft between them, it is impofiible for him to be fo cruel- 
 hearred towards her , as in rhe end not to marry her. She hath I kewife acquainted him, that 
 (lie is widi Child by him, and when all other reafons and perf.vafions fail, (he hopes this will 
 prevail ro reclaim his sffeftion 10 her, and to induce him to lake pitty of her, and compafiion 
 of his unborn Babe within her. But to refeil and diffipaie all thefe her flattering and deceitful 
 hopes, and which .5 worfe. to make her lofc all hopes of this her defired happmefs and good 
 f rrune from him, his new contracted and inceffant familiarity between him and the Lady 
 Benrannd, is not fo privately carried and hufhed up in filence between them, but (he hath fecret 
 a^d forro.vful notice thereof; which fo inflames her mind with hot jealoufie, and likewife 
 afflicts her heart with cold fear and apprehenfion, that (he hath feduced and drawn his affe- 
 ction from her to her fclf, as alfo that he will utterly forlake her to Marry Fen anna, that (he 
 
 fully 
 
Hi ft. XXIX. Sancfifiore and ZJrjina. 
 
 fully believes chat the wind of his difeourteous alienee from her proceeds from this point ot 
 thccompals. Wherefore tearing that which (he already know$,but far more that which (he 
 knows nor of this their familiarity between them, all her hopes of SaniHjiore are almott va- 
 nillicd and banilhed, and her heart isasit were wholly deprdfed 6c weighed down with bit- 
 ter grief and forrow thereof. She dates acquaint no body with her difgrace,much Id’s her Fa- 
 therland her looking on her great belly, doth but infinitely augment her forrows, 6c iucreafe 
 het aiflidions,)n regard that that which (hould have been the caufe of her joy and glory,fhe 
 now knows will (hortly prove the argument of her fhame and mifery. A thoufand times a 
 clay, yea, I may truly fay as many times as hours, fhe wiffieth file had been more chaff 6c Ids 
 fair, and not fo eafily to have hearkned to Santtifiores fugred oaths and temptations, as to have 
 loft her honour and fortunes, in feeking to preierve them in her atfc&ion to him < (he would 
 fain draw comfort from all thefe her calamities, or from any one of them,ahd yet (he knows 
 not from whom,except from her Santnpor t when prefently (he checks her folly, 6c reproves 
 her ambition lor terming him hers, when (hebelievs (lie hath far more caufe to (car than rea- 
 (bn to doubt,that he already is,oi; fhortly will be bertrannas Husband. And yet again, becaufe 
 excefsof her forrows hath more eel ypfed her joys than her judgment, and more dulled and 
 obfeured her heart than her underttanding, therefore judging it a Matter-piece of her poli- 
 cy, if (he can icquefter and reclaim her SaniUfiore from Bertrama ^ and fo retain him to her fclf 
 in marriage > the to that end, that very morning fends for Sebaftiano her Father’s Coachman 
 (whom (he knew to be faithful to her)and taking off a rich Diamond-Ring from her finger, 
 which Satittifiore well knew, (he bade him find out the Baron of Sanftifiore at his lodging, or 
 elfewhere,to deliver that Ring as a token of her love to him, 6c to tell him, that (he infinitely 
 defires him to honor her with his prefence at her Father’s houfe fometimein the forenoon* 
 Sebajliatto accordingly finds out the Baron,and delivers him his young Miftris Ring and tnef- 
 fage,by whom he returns thisanfwer i Commend me to the Lady Vrfina , and tell her I will 
 be with her immediately after dinner. Whiles thus our forrowful Vrfina (betwixt hope and 
 fear, grief and confolation) prepares to receive him, he arrives to her in his own Coach, and 
 her Father’s fervants attending for him,condu<S him up to her Chamber,, where compofing 
 her countenance to affecSion,and yet to forrow, (he meets him at the door,and conduces him 
 to the Window which anfwcreth and looks into the Garden, where he giving her only one 
 flight kifs,and (he abfenting her Father’s fervants, (he bur fts forth into tears and fighs. 
 
 She complains of the coldnefs of his attention, of his long abfence fifom her,of the violation 
 of his oaths and vows to her, and of her great belly by him, which (he tells him he may bet- 
 ter fee than (he conceal, but efpecially of his deep promife to marry her, praying him to let 
 down the time and place when he will perform and confummate it, and that he would infal- 
 libly prove his fhame and infamy, if he forgat himfelf, his honour, and confcicnce, to forfakc 
 her and marry the Lady BertraHna , whom (he affirms to him with tears, that (he underftands 
 is the Mittris of his thoughts and heart, and the Queen Regent of his defires and affedlions. 
 When this bale Baron isfo cruel-hearted to her, as' preferring his fury to hisaffe&ion, <k his 
 paffion to his compaflion) he replies not a word to all the former parts and branches of her 
 ipeeches 8c complaints, but only to the two laft he gives her this thundring and heart-killing 
 an (wer:KnowX/rJm<z that I have ufed all lawful and poffible means with my Parents to draw 
 their confents that I might marry thee, but it is out of my power ever to obtain it of them, 6c 
 without it I will never marry : as for Bcrtramt ^ he is not lo much thy inferiour in beauty, as 
 (he is thy fuperior in virtues, therefore provide thou for thy fortunes,and fo will I for mine , 
 when with a look ( which favoured no way of love, but wholly of contempt and indignati- 
 on) he haftiiy throws her her Diamond Ring, and without once kitting her, or bidding her 
 farewell, fuddcnly ruflieth forth her Chamber, wherein he leaves her to her fel£ and her 
 muzes > and fo takes Coach and away, vowing to himfelf as he went forth the doors, that 
 he will not beFather to a Battard, nor Husband to a Whore. 
 
 Here let all virtuous Ladies and Gentle women, and all true-hearted and generous Noble- 
 men and Gentlemen judg, if this Santtifiorc did not (hew himfelf a mod bafe Nobleman, and 
 a cruel-hearted Tyrant towards this fweet and unfortunate Gentlewoman, fith the confide- 
 ration of her youth and beauty in her fclf, of her tender love and aifebtion to him, of his 
 oaths and promifesto be her Husband, of the lofsof her honour and fortunes s yea, fith the 
 light of her lean and thin cheeks, wherein the Rofes and Lillies of her former beauty were 
 withered with her forrows and his infidelities, and the fight and confiderationofher great 
 belly which he had given her, together with her birth 6c quality, and the infinitenefs of her 
 fighs, prayers, fobs 6c tcar c ,could draw no more reafon or compalfion from him towards her. 
 
 ‘ And now it is, that at the fight 6c confideration of this his barbarous cruelty towards her, 
 
 li i 2 her 
 
4 3 1 2 
 
 Gods Revenge again ft Murther. Book V [, 
 
 her very heart and foul is wounded and pierced chorow with form w s and how it is that die 
 looks back on her former folly and error, and on her prefent affliction and grief, and on her 
 future lhamc and mifery,and now it is, that deeming him loft to her tor ever, and on her felt 
 conltquently ruined without him •, that her fonovts and miferics are fo great, fo infinite that’ 
 (he is ready to drown herftlf in her tears, and molt willingly ddirous to forfake this life and 
 this world, to fly up to Heaven and to God, upon the wings of her figns and prayers, But 
 alas poor foul, thou art too unfortunate to be yet fo happy, becaufe thefethy affli&ions and 
 forrows do as it were but now begin s therefore thou mult prepare and aim thy felt to 
 fuller them with patience, and to end them in lefs pfflion , and more repentance and 
 piety. 
 
 Although this ignoble Baron triumph in this his cruelty towards his former love Vrfrna 
 and fo Ipcedily poite away and acquaint his new one Bertranni therewith, who as much re’ 
 joyceth,as the other bitterly weeps & latnents thereat, yet ( according to order; I mull again 
 fpeak of our forrowful Vrfina,w ho hath other more mournful parts, and lamentable paflions 
 to ad upon the ftage of this our Hiltory. Who having thus received the repulfe and refufal 
 from her treacherous lover £*«<9i/tW,fhe( within a month after ; with a forrowful heart and 
 courage, refolvcs' as well as fhe may)to difpcnce for a time with her tears, and to provide for 
 her reputation, Are hath as yet acquainted none but Sanclifiore with the dtl'grace of her great 
 belly,tor neither her Kinsfolks, Friends, Neighbors, Father, or his Scrvants,do as yet know its 
 fhe is of a weak body and feeble con!litution,and therefore to conceal this fcandal from her 
 Father, as alio from all the world, and to provide for the lying down of her great bellv (he 
 holds it requiflte'to difeover this great and important fecici but only to one,and fo to'c’rave 
 the aid and aflillance of this confident bofom friend. To which end,fhe thinks none fo fit for 
 her purpofc,and therefore makes choice of no other, but of an old Aunt of hers, who was her 
 Mothers Sifter, named Dnw MeHef ant a, who being a wife and rich widdow woman, dwelt at 
 Putsteole fome ten fmall miles diflant from Naples : a place fo famous for its fubterranean 
 Grots, Vaults and Water-works, when inventing anexcufe to her Father, which was as wor- 
 thy of her art and policy, as fhe was every way unworthy of thefe her crofTes and affli&ionsi 
 fhe tels him, that it is not unknown to him, how fhe hath a long time been weak and fickly 
 that the air of Naples is neither wholfome for her, nor pleafing to her s and becaufe fhe hath 
 often dreamt fhe (hall in a little time recover her former health in Futzeole , fhe humbly be- 
 fcecheth him, that he will fpeedily fend her thither, to live fome fmall.time there with her 
 Aunt Mellefanta.Het Father Seignior de Tores, whofe age, contentment, and joy, lived chiefly in 
 the youth, profperity and health of this his only child and Daughter, makes her will and de- 
 fire herein to be his, when not knowing any thing of the diffafte that had paft between his 
 Daughter and the Baron of SanOifiore, oi of hisafle&ion to the Lady Btrtranna-,he demanded 
 of her, when you are at Fntzeole,whzt (hall become of the Baron of Santlifiore? to whom (ra- 
 ther from her apronftrings than her heart)(he returns this witty and fpeedy anfweriif £<*»<!«- 
 fiore love me, he wil then leave Naples and vi fit me, orifhedonot, I will not love him ; 
 which reply of hers pleafed her Father fo well, that he caufeth her to fit up her Apparel and 
 ^ J g& a 8 c » a,1< * within three day s after, (attended on by a Chamber-maicf,and a man of his) 
 lends her away to Yutzeule in his Coach to his Sifier Mellefanta^hcic being arrived (he fpee 
 dily and privately with this great fecret of her great belly, which fo much imports her repu- 
 ration, or diigrace,and alfo with all the circumltances thereof, and fo prays her bell love and 
 alTirtance to her herehi,the which (he faithfully promifeth her, adding withal, that becaufe 
 (he is of her own blood, (he will regard and love her as her own Child, telling her, that (he 
 highly commended her policy, for thus blinding the eyes of her Father, and for leaving Ap- 
 ples, to come lay down her great belly with her in Tutzeolc, yet (he could not chufe but blame 
 her for the cauie thereof, in fuffering herfelf tobe thus abufed and betrayed, byfobafca 
 Nobleman as the Baron of S anclifior e,bnt then again fheexcufeth that error of this her Neece 
 upon the (rcOineisot her youth and beauty, and bids her fear nothing, but torefolve to be 
 here cheeirul, couragious,and merry with her. 
 
 1 ru:ned,and fo treacherouily had fir ft fbrhdun and rejected her* but here 
 
 cc Kr P c ' r l° ir h nothing tefsjfor although fhe yet hold him to be intangled 
 
Hill XXIX. San&ifiore and XJrJinu. 
 
 . her to marry the UidBer*™^ ***** 
 
 ihc very often again reads over his two fmmer Tester whi^ / rc ‘ olut '°“ rile ^ 
 
 therein finding, that by hisconlcience and foul, and by Heaven^ nd^God ^chadl’ ""J 
 himfclf to marry her, and to live and die her faithful flushing i li ^ , Abound 
 
 God bfc ? 3COnCC u’ th u r,n ? e tnd his c0n,citl)ce will focal! home his thoughts Si 
 God his confcience, that he will marrv her felf aiidnon.- h„f i,-, r»)f a • 00 *’ n i -7 and 
 
 and treacheroully by him) (he thinks it a good way, and an excellent expedient for fw ^ 
 fcck,„ reclaim him ,o h„ b, a Lmer.rheprotf Jhercof KXtaK 
 had not as yet practiced or cxperienccddiut as (he began to fall on this refolution her haJ 
 Z dd ^7r Ut ^^.^Ft hcr'^ andaffeflion to him make her meet and fall 0 P n 
 afionm hS *d W , hether(h f lhcu J- d w . rite k ‘ ndl y or cholcrickly to him ; but at Lit her 
 vinal * h w’ det ' ,nn ]8. a,,d ex cufirg his infidelity to her, and her love and courtdie gi- 
 her derrr Ur d b K- C0nftrud,0n to h,s « uclt y Awards her, the holds it more behoveful for 
 < ? ’ 1 r d h ' S , retU u^ t0 WntC J t0 h,m P a| h°natcly and effcdually,but not harfhlyor fe- 
 
 whfih ho d C t0 d h fl £Ct a " f f ^ y r Wh I ch fl,C ddJred ’ but " ot *»* and y bitter 
 which he deferved : when flying to her Clofet,fhe (full of grief and tears! writes him this 
 
 enfuing Letter, the which, without the knowledg of her Aunt MelUfanta, tt\e fends him to 
 Naples^ y her trufty meflenger Sebajliano her Father's Coachman. 
 
 URSINA to SANCTI FIORE. 
 
 T 'Ojnfcrv' thine own honour, and fervent mine oxen difgrace andjhame, I have left Naples to 
 fijourn here fir a ttme in Putzeole with the Lady Me) lefanta mine 4unt , where thy preface 
 mu make me as truly joyful and huffy, as I fid and know my felf infinitely miferable without it , For 
 although of late (but fir what cauje, or reafonfiod fnowsf kgtow not ) it hath f leafed thee to exercife 
 
 Tu a * dp T HCC ,! n ‘ h ? y C °. M . m } y , Ct f T W rdl am % ^ b fnrebafifith tbouartmy 
 and by ftomije, whereof the opes of thy former Letters mil inform and remember thee that 
 ,hou maatji bod the judg, and thy fiul and confcience the witneffes, I cannot believe that thou art 
 jo irreligious, or that thou beared mefi little love, orfi much malice , to make thy felf guilty of fab 
 fiul infidelity to me, andtmftety towards God, and I affcal to them all, if my tender and untainted 
 affection to thee, have no, every way defined the contrary at thy hands. Again, as in hoping to marrv 
 thee I gave thee my heart, fo in ajj urance and confidence thereof, thou didfi likewife bereave me of 
 my honour > andtherefire i) the counterfane of that contrail doytny way fade or die in thy memory yet 
 *0*2 that the Original lives Itill in Heaven, as the fledg and fed thereof doth now in my 
 unhappy Womb here on car, h. Mifiakg me not my dear Sandiiior e,for I write not this out of any ml 
 liceM out oftrueoffeUion to thee, to the end, that thou may ell thereby firioufly confide/, and re fa 
 gioufly remember with thy Jelf, what lam to thee, thou to my felf, and what that unfortunate in- 
 nocent unborn Babe m my belly is to us both. And although 1 am thy Wife before God „ yet I will now 
 tn all humility makg my felf tby handmaid, and with a world ojfighs and, ears, throw my felf at 
 thy jeet (and lower ff I could) to conjure and beg theeyhy my poor beauty which oncethou didlfomuch 
 arlmite and adore •, by the memory of my lofi Virginity, which thou wrfiedfi from me with fi many a- 
 morowfigbs and tears -, by all thy deep oaths, vows, and ' promifis which thou jo religioufly gaveli me 
 to remain fill loving to me , by thine honour which fauld be dearer to thee than thy lifiybythy confci - 
 end andjoulyvhich o^njot to be far more precious to tbeejhan all tbe livts and honours of the worldyea 
 f f thy poor Infants fa up ? and l aft Ly for Gods /<*%, abondon thy unjujl dijpleafure andimmeriud dif 
 anient conceived azainU me , andmv dear SAii&ifinn* /* >•»* ^ .. j 
 
 , J } , J J )<**>&•> Mvnwm i»y unjuji uitfieajure ana imm^rtted Uip 
 
 content concaved again t me and my dear Sandihore cmc away to me to Putzeole, and there make 
 r nf in the fight of bis Church and 2 topless lam already in that of Heaven and his Angels f 
 
 li i 3 
 
 me thy IVifc , 
 
 fay 
 
GoLs Revenge againjl Murtber. Book V I. 
 
 fay again, come away to mt my fweet San£t\horc, for thy fight will delight my heart, and thy pf (Jena 
 and company ravifh my foul with joy „ It is imp'ffible for Bertranna, either to love or honour thee the 
 thoujand part jo dyarly as thy Uriina doth , and till death rejolvc tn do I will freely forget all thy 
 former efcapes and difeourtefies. towards mo, and do attribute tbitn more to herfoulifb vanity , than 
 any way to thy unjqnd difpifitton or inclination * yea, I will not kgtit my brows when thou comeji to me, 
 but willcbearfully and joyfully prepare myjelf to ftajl thee with Jmilej , and to Jurfct thee with kjjjcs ; 
 But if contrariwije thou wilt not hearken unto me y vr this my Letter, or regard thrfc my requefis and 
 forrows.nor obey and follow God and thy conference herein, in fttedily repairing to me, to makg me thy 
 joyful Wife : then what (hall 1 do or Jay, but according as I am bound in ajfefiion and duty to thee , I 
 will notwithjianding jiill ref dvc to love thee dearly, though thou hate me deadly, and to pray for thee 
 though thou curfe me > yea, I will then leave thee to God, and religioujly befeccb his divine Majefty, 
 to be a jufi Judg between both of us, of my firm ajfeftion and conjlancy to thee,and ttf thy cruel ingrati- 
 tude and treachery to me. Live thou as happy, as thy conjlant Urfi.na kjtows that without thee, / he JhaU 
 ajfuredly live jlrrowfully and die mijcrably. 
 
 URSIN A. 
 
 Her Meffenger Sebajiiano arrives privately at Naples, and finds out the Baron of SanUifiore c 
 in his Chamber by the fire, to whom he gives and delivers this Letter, who at firft (knowing 
 from whom it came) ftood a pretty while muling and confuting with himfelf, whether he 
 fliould read or burn it s hut at laft he breaks up the feals thereof, and with much ado affords 
 himftlf the time and patience to perufc it, which having done,akhough he no way merited 
 to receive fo fweet and loving a Letter from VrfindQct not bluffing for ff ame, but looking 
 pale with envy & malice thereat, he darting forth a difdainfui irown,and tearing the Letter 
 in pieces, throws it into the fire, when turning himfeif haftily towards Sebajiiano, who ftood 
 near him, and faw all that he had done, he in great choller (pake to him thus > Jell that proud 
 andfooiifbgigglet Uvfina, that I difdainher as much asjhe writes Jhe loves me, and that as now, fo 
 ever hereafter, I will return no other anfwcr to her and her Letters, but contempt andfilence * when 
 to exprefs his greater fury, Sebajiiano was no fooner forth his Chamber, but he very haftily 
 throws fall: the door after him *, and in this furious and chollerick manner doth this bate 
 Santtifiore receive the love, and entertain the Letter of our fweet and forrowful Vrfi - 
 na. 
 
 Sebajiiano as much grieving as admiring at the uncivil choler and rage of SanUifiore , pre- 
 fently leaves Naples,* nd carries home this poor news and cold comfort to his young Miftris 
 the Lady Vrfina at Putzeole, the which he faithfully and punctually delivers to her, who ex- 
 pected nothing lefs but direCtly the contrary thereof. She is amazed to underhand this his 
 difdainfui, barbarous, and cruel an fwer, and infinitely perplexed in mind, that he ffould 
 firft tear, then bum her Letter * and for converting his pen into Sebaftiano's tongue for Iris 
 anfwer thereof But above all, that Word of his gigglct, kill'd her very heart with for- 
 row, to think, that for all her former courtdics (hewed him, he ffould now at laft repay 
 her with this foul ingratitude and fcandalous afperlion *, at the forrowful thought and con- 
 fideration whereof, refolving to make her piety exceed his cruelty, ffe could not refrain 
 from bedewing her rofeat cheeks with many pearled tears, nor from evapourating this hea- 
 venly ejaculation from the profundity of her heart, and the. center of her foul : God for- 
 give the* Baron of San&ifiore , and be merciful to me Vrfina, a great and wretched (inner * 
 had (lie continued in this godly mind and refolution, ffe had done well, but alas (not with- 
 ftanding the wholfome comfort and counfel of her Aunt Mellefanta ) we (hall ffortly fee her 
 run a contraiy courfe and career. 
 
 It is a common pfirafe and Proverb, that misfortune feldom comes alone, which we ff all 
 now fee our forrowful Vrfina will verifie by her deep fighs, and confirm by her bitter tears, 
 for this difcourtelieof SanBifiore towards her, for ffe hath fo deeply nailed it in her mind, 
 and riviftd it in her heart, that it begins to impair her health and ltrength,and consequently 
 to pervert and alter the conftitution of her body i fo that whereas her poor unborn babe had 
 lived but one rull month within her, ffe now finds fo many fudden throws,and unaccuftom- 
 ed cpfivuilions, chat the is lpeedily conftr.ained to betake her fclf to bed, when calling upon 
 her Aunt titelhfania, and with all poffible hafte fending away for the Midwife, ffe after many 
 fo $rp torments, and bitter cxys and groans/; to the great peril and eminent danger of her life) 
 is delivered ofa very pretty little fon, which God tends into the world dead bornmow al- 
 though foe want no curious care,comfort,& attendance from her Aunt, in this her ficknefs & 
 extremity, yet (lie weeps bitterly & pitifully,for the abortive birth oc untimely death or her 
 
 poor 
 
Hi ft. XXIX. SanUijiore and Vrfina. 
 
 poor innocent Babe and Infant ; and bccaufe her Aunt fees, that (bis Jaft effliftion and forrow 
 of her Neece,doch infinitely encreafe and revive her formerand that (he alfo alfo conceives a 
 wonderful fear in her heart and fcruple in her confidence, that it is only her ia.rm derate grief 
 and forrow which hath killed her Child • therefore as a difereet Matron and wife Lady, (to 
 remove this Article out of her Necces belief and memory) tells her plainly and freely » that fhe 
 is exrrcamly deceived in that point and doubt of fear, and that it is not her forrow, bur the 
 bafe ingratitude and treachery of her falfe Lover ro her felf, which kill'd her Child 
 
 within her. A tart, and yet a true fpeech, which Vrfna neither will fo Con, nor can fo ealily 
 forget, as her Aunt Mtllefanta hath fpoken it. But (hall 1 here term this to he affection in Vrfi* 
 na towards Santtifiorc, or a needlefs vanity,or fuperfluous ceremony in her felf, for (he defires 
 to kifs her breathlefs innocent Babe for bis fake, which (he doth • when giving it a thoufand 
 kiffes, then waffling his face with her tears, and lamenting and grieving that (he could not 
 breathe life into it with her figf^fhe recommends it again co her Aunt, and fhe the fame night 
 to its fecrec and decent burial. 
 
 W hiles thus Vrfna remains very weak and fick in her bed, yet Bill her heart and affeftion 
 looks conflantly on SsniUpore, as the needle of the compafs doth to the North, notwithftand- 
 ing ill bis bafe ingratitude, and cruelty from time to time fliewed towards her * and becaufe it 
 is a thoufand griefs and pitties that ever he fet his eyes on her, or fhe on him* and as many 
 fhames for him, firft to (educe, and then to betray her ; therefore who wou'd any way com- 
 mends her for continuing of her Jove to him, or rather, efpecially who would not infinitely 
 blame her of folly, and condemn her fm* want of wit and judgment, ever any more either to 
 hope or hearken after him.And yet this^illy young Lady is fo bewitched to him, as in the ve- 
 ry roidft of her ficknefs and forrows, and contrary to all fenfe and reafon, here breaks forth a 
 fparkle and flaffi ot her policy in her felf, and of her affeft ion towards him. She neither can, 
 nor dare trufl any other but Sebaftiano her Coachman, with this great fecret, which fo much 
 imports her honour or difgracc,or with this her meffage with Santiifior t from whom, (though 
 in vain ) (be expefts fome hope and content ; when exempting all from her Chamber,fhe cals 
 him to her Bed-fidc,and fwearing him to fecrefic,for want of ftrength to write, ebargeth him 
 prefentJy to ride port to Naples again, to find out the Baron of SanhijUre, and to tell him from 
 her, That (he her felf is extream fick,and not like to live, that fheis delivcrdd of his and her 
 Son who is dead born, and therefore fhe begs him, that for God’s fake he will fpeedily come o- 
 ver to her, bccaufe for his good, and her content, (he infinitely defireth to difeharge bermind 
 and confcience to him before fhe go to Heaven.So Sibaftiano (in difeharge of his duty, and his 
 Ladies command) feems rather to fly than poft to Naples, where arriving to Santlifiore's 
 houfe, and finding him within, he fends him his name by one of his men, as alfo, that he moll 
 earnefflv defires to fpeak a word with his Lordfhip : but Sanctifiorc knowing who it was, and 
 therefore imagining from whom he came, bids his man carry Sebaftian. back this anfwer, that 
 he will neither fpeak with him. nor lee him. Sebaftiano is perplexed with this his fhort and 
 (harp rep’y, but becaufe his Meffage is of great importance, as alfo for that he exceedingly 
 refpeftecK and honourcth his young Lady and Miilris, he rcfolves not to return to her as a 
 fool , to which end, at the foot of the (lairs, he enquires of another of his fervants, when he 
 thinks his Lord will go forth, who tells him, he will take Coach within half an hour, whereof 
 Sebaftiano being exceeding glad, he thinks it be/l to flay for him in the firens, where ( with 
 much vi^ilancy and impatiency) be attends his coming * fo at lad he fees him iflue fonh his 
 gate, when prefently Sebaftiano placeth himfelf beowixr him and his Coach and with his Hat 
 in his hand, very refolutcly and orderly delivered) him his Milir is her Meffage at full, the 
 which San&ifiore underfianding he at firft fmiles thereat, hut then prefently again entring in- 
 to choler, he rounds Sebaftiano this anfwer in his ear. Tell that Strumpet thy Mi[\mVrft*a 
 from me, chat 1 wifh (he were buried with her Baltard, and that they were both with the 
 Devil* and fo without fpeaking any one word more, in a mighty fume of anger and difdain, 
 he throws him felf away from Sebaftiano into his Coach, and fpeedily hurries away to his 
 sweet-hearr Bertranna, from whom he is feldom or never abfenc, to whom he revealed all 
 that had pi ft in this paffitge, endeavouriog as much as in him lies, to make it fo be her laugh- 
 ter, as h s own contempt and (corn. 
 
 Now here ere I proceed farther, I know there is no Chrfflian what fee ver . but thn hisverv 
 heart and foul will yearn within him, at the reading of thele cruel, barbarous, ar.d hellirfi 
 faeechesof this bafe- hearted Nobleman, againft our forrowtul and unfortunate Vafina, and 
 her poor harmless deceafed Babe, and no lefs doth Sebaftiano inhearing, and my feif in pen- 
 ning and reUt.ng them. Do 1 term him Nobleman ? O let me (with refpeft and repentmee^ 
 revoke thar noble title from Santtiftv r, and to give him his due, let me term him, a« he is, a 
 
 monfter 
 
4 3 6 
 
 God's Kevertoe agawfl Murtber. Book Vf 
 
 monller of men, or if he will, a noble debauched villain, or whether he. will or no a meer 
 Tyrant, or elfe a Devil in the (hape of a man, to ufe fuch ingrateful cruelties, and hellif], 
 actions and fpecches againd thefe two innocent perl'ons, who contrariwife in the hi»htit 
 degree, defeivedfrom him all manner of affedion, refped, charity, pit ty and com pa (lion 
 but let him look to himfelf, as well as he can, yet , God being as jult as merciful; it is not 
 impoflible for him in theend, to pay dear for theie his foul infidelities and cruelties. 
 
 Return we now to SibajliaM, who( by this timers returned to f#rzco/e,whereof he prefen f- 
 ly fends up notice to his young Lady and MidrisZ/r/ix^who Hill keeps her bed through dif- 
 content and licknefs v but at the news of his arrival, or rather hoping that he had brought 
 herfome good news from her Santlifiore * (he without any regard to her weakndsand fick- 
 nefs)rifeth trom her bed by the Hre,& calls her Chamber-maid for her night-Gown which 
 having drawn on, (lie bids her for a while to ablent her (df, and to fend up her Coach-man 
 Sebajtiatto to her * and although in his fprrowful looks and countenance (lie may already ta- 
 citely read a large ledure of the bad news he brings her from SaHtiifiore, yet (he cals him to 
 her, and bids him (peak ombut alas he (peaketh too (bon for her, for ( with a fairring & trem- 
 bling voice; he tels her the harfh entertainment which Sattllifion gave to him, and his mci- 
 fage in Naples , and the inhuman and cruel anfwer which he bad him return to her in Putzeolt 
 without any way adding ordimini(hing a word thereof* the which as foon as (he underlined 
 (lie lor the extremity ot her grief and (orro w hangs down her head, and croflin g her arms 
 uttereth this palhonatc fpeech: Good God, is it peffiblc that S«n{lifiore will thus abufc 
 
 f his f hr* favour u/hirh I mull in 
 
 is this the favour which I muff exped ot him, ‘in r capita lot tholb exmordinL^coumlies 
 
 ind down her Chamber, (he thanks Stballiano 
 
 1 1 ft Anri en n J l_ . .. * ^ a A . ^ 
 
 he hath received from me! 1 when walking up and «u*»u ucr «~namoer, inetiianKs Sebaliiano 
 and giving him (ome Gold (or his pains, bids hin/to leave her, and to fend up her Aunt A/ 4 /. 
 lefanta , and herChamber-maid to bring her to bedswho thereupon running up hadilv to her 
 her Aunt chides her tor that little care (lie had of her own health, but more for herfoolifh 
 tears and indilcrcet forrows : Now after they had laid her in her bed, and that Vrfma had 
 purpofely lent away her Maid, (he prays her Aunt to (hut her Chamber-door and then tn 
 lit down by her beds fide for that (he had fome fecrets of importance to reveal unto her ; 
 when with athouiand fighs and tears,bedewingtheRofes and Lillies of herfrefh and love- 
 ly c-heeks Oie acquaints her from point to point, what had now again pall between Santnfiore 
 and her (elf, in this (econd journey of Stboftiano to him at Naples . Her Aunt MaVefanta laughs 
 as much at this tolly of her Neece Vrfma, as (he her felf weeps at her own forrows and aftli 
 dfion * and having as much wit as the other had weaknefs,(he makes bold to call her foe and 
 tool, to care lor him, who contemned and fcorned her, and (or fetting that to her heart 
 which he did at his heel, yea, (he advanced further in this her paffionatc choler to her and 
 (aid, tie,he Ncecc (ell your forrows to buy more courage and wit, and fo becaufe that bale 
 Baron banttipore and defies you, pay him in hisown coyn, and do the like to him : a 
 (harp and bitter (pecch, which Vrfma famidd her forrows) now conveys to her heart and it 
 may be we dial! her eat ter fee her to remember it, when her Aunt Mallefaiita hath forgotten 
 
 v : P l , ,0r ^° ul ’ (he as i£ werc , ^d weighed down, with the multitude of 
 
 isamifiore s alfront;, and ditgraces, and o( his treacheries and cruelties to her, (he hath went 
 (o much, as lhe yet weeps becaule (he can wetpno more thereat * asif the difference of their 
 conftellations and horolcopes were fuch, that as Santlificre was ben, to hate her, fo wasfhc 
 notwithstanding,' as yet) toaffedfc and love him. 
 
 Alas Vlfwa, It is true indeed, that the lead of thefe treacheries and cruelties of Sanclifiore to 
 thee, are caul ts enough of all thy tears and forrows * but yet the confederation and com Da 
 ring of thofe with theie, conduds and leads me to this dilemma . That I know not whether 
 he be more to be blamed tor committing the fird, or thou for permitting the fecond in re- 
 gard they are every way more worthy of thy fcorn than of thy care, and of thy contempt 
 than pf thy afflidton. His ingratitude and crimes to thee I know arc many in quantity and 
 very bale and odious in quality, yea, the number is fo great, and their nature fo foul, that their 
 recapitulation cannot be drawn within a fmaller, nor their repetition contradcd in aS 
 or narrower volume than this , he hath betray’d his love, violated his (aith,and falfified his 
 oaths and ptomdes to thee, ^ hath bereaved thee of thy Virginity, torn and burnt thy Li - 
 ters, drained to fee thee ca ed thee giglet & whore * thy innocent Babe baftard, and which 
 
 IhJn? V r‘ ' f y and cholenckly w.fhed both ot you tothe Devil, fo judg with 
 
 thy fell Vrfma it all theie be not (air motives tor thee dill to love Santlifiorc, or rather if the* 
 be not jull realons and provocations for thee now at lad to hate him, or if thou think they 
 be not enough to work and edablifli this metamorphofis in thee. Have but a little oa^ 
 tience, and it is not impofhble for thee to find more to effed and finifh it , (or now whiles 
 
 her 
 
Hid. XXIX. Sanefifiore and Vrjina. 
 
 her Aunt Mellefanta is rating and ratling hTTfoT^t calling off her heart7^dfoW ro ,T 
 r h”r t r k a " d ^'^ ('n counter-exchange) chiding her Aunt bicaufc flie cannot eiidure 
 
 tv rtf h J {d f cr , na y ° vc J™’ l ? cre . falls out an unexpe&ed accident (within a moneth 
 after : (he had prettily recovered her health and (Length; wh.ch we (hall preftmly ft* W1 )j 
 
 work and produce ftrange effedls both in her heart and mind, as alfo in her affections 7nd 
 and ItSeThinr 8 ^ 5 ** Sa ” £h ^° fe>t ° I aS Y ct (privarely to her felf) (he many times lb terms 
 
 On a fair afternoon, when the Sunfthat glorious iamp of Heaven 'had in his fiery eliftrine 
 Chariot taken leave ot the South, and was polling towards the Weft, to view the At Untick 
 Seas, as the Lady Mellefanta carried her Neece Vrfina forth in her Coach to take the air and 
 to recreate her forrowful ipirits, in a great walk of Orenge- trees, orderly and pleafantly 
 growing upon the banks of a fine Cryltal Brook, about a mile from Putzeole , they afar offfii, 
 the Boot of the Coach}elpied two Horfmen galloping directly towards them, when Vrfina, 
 flattering her felt with hope, and therefore blu(hing for joy, that it was her SanlMore who 
 was purpolely come from Naples towards Putzeole to fee her, (he therefore crys out to her 
 Coachman Sebafttano to flay the Coach, and to attend and expedi them v when prefcntly (he 
 fees her hppes deceived, and her joys ended as foon as began, for the one was a fervant of 
 Mellefanta s, who from Putzeole conduced thither to Vrfina a fervant of her Father Placet's 
 who came from Naples with a Letter from him to her, whereupon the Aunt much won- 
 dring, and the Neece tar more, what this fudden bulinefs might be, they both defeend the 
 Coach, and Vrfina taking her Father s Letter from his man, (Ire fteps a little alide from her 
 Aunt Mellefanta, and breaking up the feal thereof, (directly contrary to her expectation 
 and dclires^ finds thefe lines therein. 
 
 PLACEDO to URSINA. 
 
 H oping that by this time the facet air of Putzeole hath recovered thy healthily will andorder 
 therefore to thee now is, that thou faedily return home to me to Naples, (in thy Coach ) by the 
 bearer hereof whom I have purpofely fent to conduit tbee father. I believe that thy Country abfence 
 hath loft theca good fortune bereinthe City, for yefterday morning the Baron of Sandifiore was(in 
 the Auguftines Church ft married to Dona Bertranna, Daughter to Seignior de Tores, with 
 great Jlate and folemnity, whom I hadwell hoped Jhould have been thy Husband. I remember my beft 
 r effects to my Sifter , thy Aunt Mellefanta, and my beft prayers to Godfor tby virtues and profberity, 
 as being tby loving Father 
 
 ,. v •- U V • 
 
 PLACEDO. 
 
 Vrfina hath no fooner read this Letter, but every member of her body trembles for grief 
 and vexation thereat, yea her furrows are fo great, as (he cannot fpeaka word, when being 
 ready to fall to the ground,her Aunt Mellefanta iteps to her aflidance,and fo do the two men, 
 but they have ail of them much ado to fupport her up, when at lad wringing her hands, and 
 looking up dedlaftly to Heave n, (he throwing her Letter to her Aunt to read, utters forth 
 this bitter exclamation againd Santtifiore * And hath this bafe Nobleman at lad: requited all 
 my love with this monilrous ingratitude and treachery ! O why do I live to fuflfer icP and O 
 wherefore (hould he live for offering it to me?Hcr Aunt reads her Letter, 6c in de ted at ion of 
 Ssn&ifittres bafenefs,(he adds fuel toithe flame of her Neeces choltr againd him^but (he needs 
 not for this very lad ad of his Marriage with Bertranna } fetsher all in fire 6c revenge againd 
 him, yea. her heart isabfolutely diverted, 6c taken away from him, as heretofore (he never lo- 
 ved him fo much as now (he hates himsftie fwears to herfelf,that (he will make him pay dear 
 for this his ingratitude and treachery towards her,and limits her revenge with no lefs than 
 his death for fo bafely abuiing 3c deceiving her, (he but now threw away his Letter for for- 
 row •, but now (he again takes it up for joy, bccaufe it cals her home to Naples , where as foon 
 as (he arrives, (he againand again refolves and vows with her felf, that (he will murther him 
 her felf, or caufe him to be murthered by fome others:her Aunt Mellefanta by all fweet means 
 and perfwafions fecks to pacifie her difeontent and fury, 6c fo to appeafe and cool the raging 
 tempeds of her heart > but (he fpeaks to a deaf woman, who is not capable either of counfel, 
 conlolat ion or rcafon,for her malice 6c revenge againft SsnUifore, have fo fully taken up her • 
 heart and foul, 6c to abfolutely furprized her thoughts,and poffefled her refolutions, that (he 
 neither refolves nor thinks of any thing elfe, but how 6c in what manner (he may murther 
 himjto which<end(h& takesCoachforP#*We,there packs up her baggage, conceals her bloo- 
 
 L 1 1 dy 
 
God's Revenge againji Murther . Bock VJ. 
 
 dv intents and relolutions towards SattUiprc from her Aunt Mebefanta, thanks her molt lo- 
 vingly and courteoully for all her care of her,and affection to her,thc remembrance where- 
 of Ore affirms (he will bear to her Grave.and from thence to Heaven, & lo within three days 
 takes leave of her, and returns to Naples to her Father,who receives her with much content 
 and joy and is very glad of the recovery of her health, and yet perceives fome fecret d ilcon- 
 tent lie'lurkin" in the furrows of her brows s but flie dilkmbleth it both to him and the 
 world, and fo bears her lelf fairly, modeltly, and temperately towards him in her fpeeclus 
 ond actions, who all this while is every way ignorant of her difgraceful great belly, as aifo 
 of the birth and burial of her Infant-Child. She is no looner come to Napks, but her dead- 
 ly tr aheeand revenge to San&ipre will give no truce to her thoughts, nor peace to her 
 iefolutions, for her heart having confpired with the Devil, and both of them again ft God, 
 to difpatch him to Heaven S (o now from the matrer (lie falls to the manner, and from her 
 confultat ioti to the pradicc thereof. She fir It thinks it beft to get him poyfoned, to which 
 end within ten days after her arrival to Naples, (he fends for her own Apothecary named 
 Antonio Romany, and having (worn him to fecrecy, profers him two hundred Duckatons to 
 jpnyfoti her mortal enemy the Bamn of SanUipu » but Ronuncy is too honeft a man, and 
 too religious a Chriltian to undertake it, and fo utterly refufcth her, and reje&cth her 
 p ro fer i and then and there with many godly reafonsand pious fpceches, endeavoureth to 
 diil wade her from this foul and b'oody fad, but he fpeaks either to the wind,or to a deaf wo- 
 man, tor flic is refolute not to retire, but to advance in this her cruel and inhuman delign,on- 
 ly (he here again flrongly conjures this honeft Apothecary to fecrecy, the which hefokmn- 
 
 ly pfcmifeth. . , 
 
 Vtfina is dill implacable in her malice and revenge againft Santhpre, the.whico revives 
 with more violence, and flames forth with the greater imp.tuoluy, when (he (by her 
 fecret t pics ) is given to underftaud, that he triumphed in her afflidion and fcandal, and 
 reputes it his chiefeft content and fe!icity,to have ereded the T rophees of his joy upon the 
 ruins of her Honour, and the demolitions of her reputation and tame, asalfothat (he and 
 this her difgrace is now become the publick laughter and private fcorn and glory of his 
 proud and ambitious Wife Bertramta : fo flic cannot endure the thought, much lels digeft 
 the remembrance artd confidcration hereof, and therefore fhefpeedily refolves to reduee 
 her malicious contemplation into bloody adion towards him, & to try another experiment 
 and concluiion thereof She in a plealant morning, fomewhat iboner than accuftomed,walks 
 alone with her Waiting-Maid in her Father's curious and dainty Garden, but not topleafe 
 her eyes with the deliciouSfight and fragrant fmellof the great variety, of rareand fair 
 F lowers, wherewith it was richly adorned and diaperd s or to recreate and delight her ears 
 with the mellifluous Ditties and Madrigals, of thole fweet Quirifters of the Air, the Nigh- 
 ting als, Thrufees, and Lennots, who fate Chanting of fomefwect Divifionin fome Trees 
 of this Gardeh.and on feme branches of thefe Trees, or to preferve her lelf from the intem- 
 perate heat of the fcorching Sun-beams s and therefore to pafs her time either io feme 
 lhidowcd Walks and Arbours, or to lit her f'clfdown by feme curious Cryftal Fountain, 
 ■with all- which Delights and Rarities, this her Father's Garden was delicioufly inriched 8c 
 cmbellifhed s O no, nothing lefs, for (he was refolute to make her lelf more miferable,and 
 not fo happy, becaufe her thoughts were wholly bent on blood, and her refolutionson the 
 murther ni'^anStipreM what price or rate foever. Having therefore formerly mill of her 
 ' Apothecafy ! Kv»Mwy to poyfon him,fee clfe knows not any fo fit or proper to difpatch him, 
 as her trutty Coachman Sebapano, who (as we have formerly underflood) was both an eye 
 and an ear witnefs,of this his bafe and ignoble cruelty towards her s wherefore fee by her 
 Waiting-Nftid, fendsfor him into the Garden to her, and with many ruthful looks, and 
 forrowiul fighs, having tuft commended and applauded his fidelity to her, and tnen (worn 
 him to ftcrelie to what fee fhould now relate and deliver unto him s fee tells him, that fee 
 cannot live except that bafe Lord Sanllifior-c die, and therefore (he profereth him an hundred 
 Spjnifh double Piftols of Gold, if he will either murther him by night in the Streets with his 
 Rapier, OT Pillol him to death abroad in the Fields,at his tuft feeing and meeting of him, to 
 the winch fee very earnefily prays and requefts him. Sebapano was amazed at this bloody 
 propofition and entreaty of his young Lady Vefina, whom he ever held to be more chari- 
 table, and not fbcruel-hcartcd to any one of the worldi and although he be poor, yet he is lb 
 ‘ honeft, virtuous and religious, as he highly retufeth to diftain his heart, or dip his hands in 
 innocent blood, for any Silver or Gold whatfoever. So in humble (and yet in abfolutej 
 tc i ms, "he gives her the denial, and (with tears in his eyes) prays her to dclift from this her 
 cruel purpofc, becaufe he affirms to her, that the end of imucher proves moft commonly but 
 
Hi ft X XIX. S an&ifiore and ZJrfina. 
 
 the bcgmmng ot Ihame^repentance^ifery, and cqnfuiion to their authors , fo flie bites her 
 hp,and hangs her head tor lorrow at this nis repolfe and retuial , and yet is To ’cautious and 
 wary in her athons, as the makes him again iwear fecrccy to her in all things, which now 
 doth, or hereafter may concern this huhnefs the which he faithful ly proroitet h her provi- 
 ded that her cott^iand and his lervice, be every way exempt of the etfution of innoceit- 
 b opd,and the peipetratiop ot rourjther,to the which he conflantly vows to her, it is lmportl- 
 ble tor hitn ever to be leduced or drawn,and fo he takes leave of her, and leaves her (olitarv 
 the JO her mutesi but yet as he was illliing forth,flic again calls him to her 
 
 an tndty enargtth imn,tirlt carefully and curioully to inform himlclf, and then he her of 
 
 iith hcr'to ™rform^ Uent llauntS andwalks without the City, the which he likewifepromi- 
 
 ,Pu^ malicious and revengeful ^* is not contented to receive the denial from her Aa 
 pothecaryfCwaHcy, and the repulfe from her Coachman Sibaji'nw , about the riniihing of this 
 deplorable bulinels, but without making any good ufe of their honcll and religious dilfwafi- 
 ons of her from it or without once looking up to God, or thinking of Heaven or Hell fhe as 
 a ftt^ member and prodigious agent of Satan, is Hill refoiute to proceed therein i for heis 
 1W1 iodtrong with her heart, becaufe her faith Sc foul are fo weak with God,that (he fees not 
 her felt fo often m her Looking-glafj with delight, as Ihe both fees, & finds Sanciifiore in her 
 . ai t an , ™ . ivlt b deteiiationitor her malice to him hath quite expelled all reafon, &ba- 
 
 mfhed all charity and piety in her felf,and confequently now made her memorative and ca- 
 pable ot nothing but of revenge and blood towards him s which takes.up every part and 
 ulurps e very point, both of her time, and of her felf.and works fo ftrangc 1 may rather truly 
 c i r™ Cia k C ^ a mctanior ph°fisi n her, as if fhe were now wholly compofed of one, or both 
 ot tilde two impious and diabolical vices;fo that every moment leems a year,and every day 
 an age to her,betore fhe hath difpatchedhim for Heavemfhe now fees that fhe cannot (with 
 iatery) employany other herein but her felf,and therefore day by day, calling upon Sebriiana 
 to know ot him, where Sauftifiore’s ufual haunts and walks were out of the City, he at lafl 
 tfitts her, that heis fully affured, rhat moll mornings and evenings, he takes his Coach, and 
 lumetimes his Page, but many times alone, and fogoesa mile out of the City, beyond the 
 Gate which looks towards St. Germains, and there in a dainty Grove of Olives and Orenge 
 Trees ( near a final 1 River tide) he with his Book «in his hand, and his, Spaniel-Dog at his 
 heels,pafleth an hour or two alone in his private contemplation, his Coach being fometimes 
 out of his fight from him, and ibmetimes returns to the City,and fo comes and fetchetn him 
 back again ; which report is no (boner heard and underftood of Vrfint from her Coachman, 
 but fhe receivethit with much joy, and entertains it with infinite content and delegation > 
 (fie is therefore to cruel in her thoughts, and fo determinate and bloody in refolution$,as fhe 
 will protrad: no time, but fhe fpcedily bethinks her {elf of a hellifhftratagem and policyfno 
 lefs firange than cruel) which the Devil himfdf fuggefted, and found out for her, to wreak 
 her inveterare malice and infernal revenge in murthcringol Santtifiore ; the manner where- 
 qf is thus ; 
 
 She very fecretly provides her fell .of a Frier’s compleat Weed, as a fad Ruffet-Gown and 
 Cowl , with a Girdle of a knotty Rope, and Wooden Sandals, proper to the order of the 
 Bonnes homes ( which is the reformed one of that of Saint Francis) with a falfe negligent old 
 Beard, and hair for his head fuitable to the fame, and in one of the Pockets of this Frock, 
 flie put a (mail Begging* Box, fuch as t hole Frier’s ufe to carry in City and Country, 
 when they crave the Charitable Alms and Devotion of well difpofed People; as alto 
 a new Breviary for fmali Mafs-Book) of the laft Edition and Form of Rome , bound 
 up in Blew Turky-Leather richly Guilt : but in the other Pocket thereof, (he puts a 
 couple of fmali fhort Pifiols which fhe had fecretly purloined out of her Father Place- 
 do's Armoury, and had Charged each of them with a brace of Bullets , fait rammed 
 down, with Priming-Powder in the Pans, and all thefefaral Trinkets, fhe (with equal 
 iilence and treachery) packs and tyesupclofe in the Gown, expebiing the time and hour to 
 work this her cruel and lamentable feat on innocent Sanciifiore , who little thinks or dreams 
 what a bloody Banquet his old Love, and now his new Enemy Vrfina is preparing for 
 him. 
 
 And here I write with grief,that it was the Tuefday after Palm-funday,fa tim6 and week 
 which the blefled Paffion of our Saviour Jifus Chrijl,u\akcs facredand famous, and which all 
 true Chriftians in his commemoration ought to keep holy, & not to pollute or defile it with 
 barbarous and bloody facririces) when our mafculine Monfter, rather our femal fury Vrfuta, 
 being allured by Sebajiiano that the Baron of Santtifiore was that day about three of the Clock 
 
 Lll 2 aft® 
 
Gods Revenge again)} Murther. Book Vf. 
 
 after Dinner gone out alone in his Coach to his atbrefaid ufual place of Walking, a Mile off 
 the City in the Fields > (he infinite glad of this defired occafion and longed for opportunity, 
 bids Sebaltiano make ready his Coach, and filently to leave him without the Pollern-Gate 
 of her Father’s Garden, and fo prefently to come up to her Chamber to her, the which he as* ' 
 foon performs j to whom (he now (prophanely and treacheroufly fays,) Scbaftuno, by the 
 favour and mercy of God) I have exchanged my cruelty into courteiie, towards the Baron 
 of Sanfiifiore, and do therefore prefently refolve to give him a merry meeting in the Fields, 
 Whereac bcfore our departure and return, I know thou wilt rejoyce, and laugh heartily at 
 the ligut hereof*, the which indeed was very welcome and pleaiing news to Sebaj}ian6 y to 
 whom (he then gives this little Fardel, and fo purpofely leaving her Waiting-M3id behind ... 
 ‘her, (he cheerfully and fpeedily follows him to the Coach, wherein being feated, and the* 
 little Fardel likewife within by her, the bids him drive away with all Ipeed to find out£i#- 
 ttifiore, the which (armed with hisinnocency) he joyfully doth. Now as they are come’ 
 within two flight (hots of him, Vrfxna bids Scbijiiano not to proceed farther, but to drive iiF 
 the Coach intofome clofe (hadowed place out of the high way, where th<?y might kcSan- 
 tli()fiore> but not (as yet) to be either feenor efpied of him ^ which accordingly he doth, 
 where (he defeends her Coach, draws off’ her own Apparel, and fo puts on her falfc Frier’s 
 Apparel, as alio the Hair and Beard, having made and prepared all things fit and ready 
 before * and here likewife (he foldeth up the Treffes and Tramels of her own Hair under it 
 and hath purpofely fhaved away the Hair oft' a little part of the Crown of her Head *, and all 
 this whiles heFCOachman Stbaftiano turns her Chamber-Maid here in the Fields to make 
 her ready,, where he cannot refrain from exceedingly fmilingtind laughing to fee what a 
 Orange metamorpholis this now is, that his young Lady Vrfina is here become an old Fri- 
 er, but Hill he hides and conceals her two Piitols carefully in her Pocket from him, as alfo 
 her bloody defignes and intents towards Sdnciifiore, and whereof he was every way as in- 
 nocent, as (lie her felf and only her (elf is giiilty thereof. Now being all in a readinefs, flic 
 Out of her other Pocket, takes her Alms Box, and holds it in one of her hands, and her 
 Hours for Breviary) in her other, and fo taking leave of her Coachman , and ( with a 
 diflembling chearful countenance) charging him to pray for her good fortune, and fpeedi- 
 ly to bring up her Coach to her, as foon as (he fees her wave her white Handkerchief to- 
 wards him, fo,as a jolly old Frier, away this (he-Devil foftly trips toward Sandifior e, having 
 piety in her looks, but prophanefs and barbarous cruelty in her heart and intentions,; and 
 all the way as (he goes yScbaftiauo cannot refrain from laughing to fee this great change, and 
 alteration in his young Lady and Miftris,but dire&ly believing, that fhe in merriment went 
 a Maying or Masking ^ fuch was his ignorance, that he lead: thought or dreamt, that (lie 
 went to commit Murther, or what a Devil was here vailed and (hrouded under this Frier’s 
 Weed. 
 
 So (with more affurance than fear, and with far more impiety than grace) fhe goes on to- 
 wards SanZUfiore, who was there alone walking and reading, to whom approaching, and gi- 
 ving him a duck or tvfro,(he holding up her begging-Box, and counterfeiting an old Frier’s 
 voice, prays him for the blefled V irgin Miry's lake, and alfb for holy St. Rrancis fake, to be- 
 llow fomerhing on him for their Society and Order i which Sanflifiore (being alone, as ha- 
 ving fent back his Coach to the City, (refolving to do *, he feeing that fair new Breviary in 
 the Frier’s hands, he fairly takes it from him, and carefully vieweth and perufeth it, which 
 being that which Vrfina aimed and looked for > (he for manners fake (but indeed purpofe- 
 ly and maliciouflyj Heps behind him, and very foftly drawing out one of her Piftols out of 
 her Pocket, which was already bent, (he levels it at the very Reins of his Back, and fo lets 
 fly at him, whereof he prefently was falling to the ground *, when (the Devil making her 
 nimble and dexterous in her malice) in the turning of a hand, (he whips out the other Pi- 
 ffol out of her Pocket, and to make fure work with him, likewife difehargeth it in his bred i 
 and to make her inveterate malice and revenge to him the more confpicuous and apparent 
 to all the world, as near as he could guefs to his very heart *, of which mortal wounds made 
 by her four Bullets, Sanftifiorc fell immediately dead to the ground, having neither the pow- 
 e^grace^r happinefstofpeak a word *, and (he pulling off her falle Beard, difeovered her (elf 
 to him, as he was dying, and fpurning him moft difdainfully and malicioully with her foot, 
 gave him this cruel fare weH Such death fuch Villains deferve, who triumph and glory to 
 betray harmlefs and innocent Ladies : which having a&ed andfaid, (he waving her Hand- 
 kerchief to her Coachman, he comes up to her with her Coach as fwift as the Wind, who 
 is all amazed and in tears to behold the woful accident and fpc&aclej for defeending fpeedi- 
 ly from his Coach, he finds the Baron of SanVtifiorc dead, and his foul already fled and afeen- 
 
Hift* XXIX. . o i i \ Sanffifiare and Vrfina. 
 
 ded from Earth *0 Heaven > iq whom his Lady Vrfina in a gracelefs infulting braveTyT 
 fays, Rejoyctf with me Sebjfiiava,, that l have now fo bravely and fortunately revenged 
 -l&y fclf on this bate and ttea^to^s Barn Sanclifiore •, but honed Scbajiiano, (being as full 
 true grief , as foe was of fa}& joy ) replies and tells her , Oh Madam! what have 
 you done? for this is no qaufc , and therefore no ti?ne to rejoyec, but rather to 
 lament and mourn for this tyflientable fad and, crime of yours, and not to difl'emble you 
 k the truth, as.mucb as you (in this fatal Frift*s frock) did me your bloody intentions I 
 f h*ye_tar more*eafcnto fear than eaufe to doubt, that your murthering of the Baron of 
 Saftiiifiore will prove the rui-ne and confufion of your felf, except God b, gracioufly pil- 
 led to be more merciful to you,, than you have, been to him > therefore look from his 
 danger and misfortune fpee^iiy t to provide' foryppr, f&ftty *• .which as foon as he had laid, 
 -be fin the fc'rfor's Weeds ) fpeedily takes her up in the Coach, and th:n drives away a lull 
 gallop to the fluddowed thicket from whence (he came,, where flic calls off her f rier’s 
 Apparel, Beard, Hair, Bojc, and Book, asajfo thetvyo Pjhiols, the which they two wrap 
 up all in the Gown, and throw it into a deep Ditch, or Precipice, and fo be’ helps her to 
 put on all her own Apparel and Attire, and then with more hade than good fpecd drives 
 Aome amain toward Naples i and if was a difpu table Qneftion, whether our bloody and 
 execrable wretch Vrfina more rejoyced*, or her hondt Coachman Sebajiuno lamented 
 and grieved at this unfortunate and deplorable. • [JC y * 
 
 nj\We havefeen wuh what a .malidqus'cput^g^and a defperate and prophane refolution, 
 this cruel hearted Gentlewoman Vrfina hath fin the habit of a t rier) murthered this uh~ 
 fortunate Baron Santtifiore, afld the Reader (hall not go muchfurther in thjsjdiUory before 
 jjjjf not in the fame moment, ye? in. the fime;hourJ he fec-.che (acted Juftice of God will 
 blrprize and briogher to condign punifoment JOr jthe fame* ^ if the lalt (as indeed it is) 
 were co-incident and hereditary to the fo#, or as it it Were wholly impoffible for her to 
 jrejoycefo much here on carth for that, as God and his Angels do both triumph and glory 
 dn Heaven for this. ..... .... 
 
 God’s Judgments are as juft as facred > and as miraculous as juft: fo that all people foould 
 jrather admire it with awful reverence, than any way negled: it with a prophane prefumpti- 
 jOfl. But our wretched Vrfina yy ill not make her felf fo happy to be of the firft, but rather 
 dbmiferable to be t of this (econd rank* for (he wholly defpiieth God’s Juftice, and fo abfb* 
 Lately torgets God himfelf, as flic neither thinks of what foe hath now dona, what foe now 
 is, or which is worft of all, what hereafter (lie may be •, but rather as an inconfiderate and 
 wretched Gipiie) laughs in her fleevefor joy, to have thus happily bereaved Sanflifiore of 
 his fife, who fo lately and fo treachcroufly had bereaved her ot her honour and chaftity* 
 Whiles thus forrowtul Sebajiiano is hurrying away his joyful murtherous young Miftris 
 *he Lady^r/tfM in her Coach towards her Father Seignior Tlacedu * s houle in Naples (as 
 thinking to make his way the. foprter andfecurer) he drave his Coach on a narrow path 
 by the fide of a hill i it fo pleafedGod (in his facred Providence)asof his two Coach-horfes, 
 that on the outfiddfell (hear over the path, and drew his fellow-horfe, the Coach, the Lady 
 Vrftm, and net Coachman Stbafliano down the hill after him ^ with which fudden terrible 
 fallThe Coach was lhattered and torn in pieces, foe brake her right arm ( wherewith foe had 
 difeharged thefe twoPiftols) and he his left leg, fo that foe had the power, but not the will, 
 and he the will v but not the power to ftep to her afliftance, only he leaps from the Coach- 
 box to the ground on his right leg, and with his knife cuts off the (lays and trappings of 
 his horfes, that they in their amazed fury might not draw the Coach and thernfelvcs after 
 them > and yet fuch is hcrimpenitency and his affliction, as foe here was not half fo much 
 terrifkd,as he perplexed and aftonifoed at this their misfortunatc difafter>the which though, 
 fhc flighted, as only looking down to her felf, yet he deemed and conceived it to be no lefs 
 than a blow from Heaven, as looking up to God, and therefore that it was a fatal Omen, 
 portending fome difmal calamities and afflictions which were immediately to furprize and 
 betide them. 
 
 As thus diftrelTed Vrfina, and her lame and forrowful Coachman Sebajtiano , (ate down 
 on the bare ground, rather able to behold, than to know howtohelpone theother* and 
 they both grieving to fee their Coacli lie torn on the Sea-lide and foorc of the Hill, and 
 their two Coach-horfes ( without hurt or fear) liccntiouily playing their frisks and figaries 
 below in the valleys, neither he nor foe knew what courfe to take for their prefent cohfolati- 
 onand fafety,and fo to prevent the cminency of their dangerfout at laft foe taking fome ten 
 double Piftols of Spwtifh Gold out of her pocket,& giving it him, foe again makes him fwcar 
 
 Lli 3 fancy 
 
Gods Revenge againft Murther. u'A Book VI. 
 
 facrecy, never to reveal what he had feeiLfkSr perform td Sinchfiore^ tlie which (with more 
 rcludfancy than willingnefs) hfc doth. Then -4$ It was agreed between them, he by feme 
 loud crys and hollars ftiould call in feme cotitadiiies for Couttwy^labourersO tothefr, $!]#- 
 ftance, whom they faw a good fiance the Vines; the whitb&s* 
 
 he was about tO'do, lb God ( in his facred Providence J fobirdained, that the Baron <yf 8a%- 
 ffifiore's Goath came ratling -above them, where they two Ike comfortiefe and io^rowhil 
 J up^ti thfe ground : and in' the (teach was 1 his- Page Hkronyrion Who therewith waS going to 
 Ifetsh hbme the Baron his Mafter, who 4 perfectly feeilig^rid knowing the Lady Vrfina , 
 andj her Coachman Sebdfti*n<y\ nd feeing teF Coacli lie by her aHfevrifed, and ftva<!w 
 'tered and torn to pieces, < griming at this 1 - iW difaftet, 1 hd lor the refpe® he ’bore iidt 
 * for 1 the Baron his MafterV&kejfY whom hc>‘ knew formerly loved to)- takes his Coach- 
 liman with him^ ‘‘and fo defeetids down to her alfiftanc£, where be mg rfi ore - fully) ac- 
 quainted, with the breaking'of her arm-, aridher Coachman Sebajiiand** Ibg-v he vefy hfc- 
 sanely and ooUrteoufly proffers he* his LordV CoScfr, i afod his beftTeFVtee t© conctpgt 
 vtfnd car rythe-nt both home to tier Seignior Plaofilo^ in the 1 City* little tliirfk- 
 
 <iiig or dreaming. that fhe caitie from lb cruelly murtfieiring his kind Lord and Maiiet 
 lSd#8ifiore y ot that liis breathkfs body lay now expofed as * prey to the Fowls of the air in 
 the held. * - *" ™ cF^Y’f- 1 aiq, , 
 
 Sebajlmno is much perplexed and grieved,but his Lady Vrfina infinitely moreat thisunex- 
 pe&td incounter, and ominooS meeting of SaftGifiorc's Pag^ 1 Coach and Coachman, which 
 threatned her no lefs than fear, and this fear no kfs thdn* eminent danger and contiUiort, 
 efpecially to 7 her’ ft If, if not to* him, when lodkftig wiftly and -foi>rowfully each on other^they 
 know not how to blear themfelvs in theviMfbrtunaey of this? accident ,nc it her dare (he accept 
 f or well knows how to refute this protfeirSd courtelieof theVa^eHfe^^^r But atlaftfde*- 
 fpight of her felfjlhe is inforce&to imbrfcee Aisopportyfri^ty^when making a virtue of nth 
 ceflity,fhe( though much again® her wiil)i$cbnftrained ve*y- thankfully to accept, and m&ke 
 life of this kindnefs of Hieronym , who leading the Lady Vrfina by her left arm, arid his 
 Coachman, HdUi by his right, they foftly biing-them up the hill to the Baron their Matter’s 
 Coach, and fo convey her home to her Father Seignior? la cedo*$ houfe in the City, who Was 
 then gone forth tu fup with the Prince of Saterno (who by the Mothers fide was his Coufin 
 German jwhere 'Vrfina (letting a good face -Upon her bad hda*t)give$ the Page many hearty 
 thanks, and the Coachman three DuckatonSror this their courtdie*fo they take leave qf her, 
 and fpeedily return with their Coach into the fields to fetch home the Baron their Matter, 
 to whom they refolve at full to relate this accident * when Vrfina's fears far exceeding her 
 hopes, and knowing upon whsit ticklifh terms and dangerous points both her felf and her 
 life now flood, file (in the abfence ol her Father j fpeedily refolves to provide her a fwift 
 Cbach and fo to fiy from Naples to her Aunt Mdlcfanta*$ houfe in Futzeole , where {he promi* 
 feth-her felf far more fafety and lefs danger than here at home with her Fathefcbut contra- 
 liwife we (hall fee that God is now refolved to deceive both her hopes, and her felf herein, to 
 her utter Ihkttte and'confufion. ' ! ' • >< » 
 
 The Page Hieronymo being forrowful for this Lady Vrfina s misfortune,and yet exceeding 
 glad that he had the happinefs & good fortune to perform this fair office, and friendly cour- 
 telie to her, he now bids his Coachman drive away o’re the fields to that pleafant Grove to 
 find their Lord and Mafter Sanciifiore^whete being arrived he defeends his Coach, and with 
 his vigilant eye looks about every where for him, when alas he hath fcaree gone forty paces 
 oft; but ( dire&ly contrary to his expe&ation) he finds him theredeadon the ground, and 
 molt lamentably all gored, 8c ingrained in his own blood*, at the fight whereof he burfts forth 
 into many bitter tears and out-crys* yea^he throws away his hat, and tears his hair for grief 
 and forrow hereof, and no lefs doth his Coachman. They are here both of them fo ama?ed 
 with grief 8c aftonifhment, 8c with forrow at this lamentable fpedfacle and accident, as they 
 (for a quarter of an hours time) know not what to think or fay hereof, as whether this their 
 Lord and Mafter had here killed himfelf, or were murthcred and robbed by Thieves * but 
 at laft this forrowful Page Hicronymo^ will ftay alone weeping by the breathlcfs body of his 
 Lord 8c Mafter, and fo fend away the Coachman in his Coach fpeedily to Naples^ to acquaint 
 their Lady Dona Bertr anna, and her Father Seignior Ve Tores., with this lad and forrowful 
 news, whereat (he almoft drowns her felf in tears, and he very bitterly laments and forrow- 
 eth for it ; fo ( being incapable of any hope, comfort or confolation) they do both of them 
 take Coach and drive away into the field, where file almoft murthereth her eyes with her 
 tears, to fee her dear Lord and Husband lie thus murthered in his blood. They here fee none 
 i a fight of him, neither do they know any body but themfdvcs that hath feenhim, foby 
 
 whom 
 
Hi ft. XXIX. 
 
 Sanchfiore and Vrfma. 
 
 443 
 
 whom, or how he is killed they cannot asyet either conceive or imagin, when the Father 
 leaving his Daughter to walk and bedew her dead Husbands cheeks with her tears, he him- 
 4elt galiops away in his Coach to Naples, and brings thence along with him the Criminal 
 Officers ot Juilice,hrll to know, and then to be cyc-witneiTes or this (ad and deplorable ac- 
 cident i at the hearingand light whereof (in nature and jullice) they cannot retrain (rom 
 equally wondring and grieving at it, when (to adt the part and duty of themfelvesj they 
 caufe the Coachman to fpread his Cloak on the ground,thcn to remove the dead corps from 
 his blood, and to lay him thereon, and fo they make a Chyrurgion ( whom they had pur- 
 poi'cly brought with thcm_) to unapparel and icarch his body for wounds, who finds and 
 lhtws them, that he was (hot withtwoPiftol-bulletsin his back, and other two in his bred 5 
 when milling likewife of his purfe, they all ofthem do confidently believe, that undoubtedly 
 he was murthered and robbed by Thieves.The which the better to difcOvet,theJudges fait* 
 their Serjeants and Servants, and De Tores likewile lends the Page and his Coachman lcarch- 
 ing and lcouring all over the adjacent fields, to apprehend and bring before them all thofc 
 whom they find there s who are fo tar from meeting of many perfons, as they all of them 
 brrnu in but one poor ragged boy (of feme twelve or Fourteen years old) who fome two 
 
 hundred paces otl, kept a tew Cows (which yielded milk to the City) and him they find 
 littmg within a hedgin a ditch, whom they bring along with them to the Judges, where he 
 lees thir. dead body lying on the ground before them, whereat poor filly boy he flukes and 
 
 1 1 C The Judges demand his name of him, who tels them he is called Barthohmeo Spondy.t hey 
 further enquire of him what his flther is, and where he d wels ; who replies, that hisfather 
 is a poor Butcher, named Pejro Spondy , and dwels at Naples in St. John's Suburbs^ which tire 
 Judges afterwards Hnd true) then theft grave Judges perceiving the poor boy to be bajhtul 
 and timerous, they therefore bid him be of good cheer, and to fear nothing, tor the winch 
 he thanks them both with cap and knee. Then they enquire of him, it he faw any one to 
 come near and kill the Gentleman, to whom in plain and rulhck terms he anlwercd them, 
 that from the hedg within which he kept his Father's Cows, he faw this Gentleman waffi 
 •alone by himfelf atleart an hour, with a Book in his hand reading and t hat then he faw an 
 old 1 Tier come to him, who as he thought begged fome alms of him whom he faw did 
 ffioot off two Piffolsto him,and therewith killed him for he then, and thereupon presently 
 faw the Gentleman fall to the ground : They again demand of him, wlaat atterwards be- 
 came of this Frier s who tels the Judges, that a Coach came up inftantly to him, and Mined 
 him away, but where.he knows not. They ask of him, why he had not cried out again!! the 
 Frier, when he- faw he had killed this Gentleman ? to whom he makes anfwer That he da- 
 red not do it, for fear leaft he would then likewife have killed him with his Piltols. Tne 
 lodges farther demand of him, whether this were a white, a black, or a gray-Fnersto whom 
 he anfwerS.that he was neither of them, but that he wore a mmime,or lad rulTct gown and 
 hood. 'Thereupon they thought it lit again .0 demand of him, how many hories this Coach 
 Ed & of what colour they wercho whom he affirms,that they were two black Coach-hor- 
 
 Es When the Judges to conclude this query, and hisexam.nation,they demand of mm what 
 ies.Wnen tne j , hQ tcls thetn he wore a red cloak, and as he thought 
 
 fome white laces upon if.The which this pregnant poor little boy Bartholomeo had 1 no Tooncr 
 uronounced and fpoken, but Ware’s Pa&Hieronymo crys out and relates to the Judges, 
 m I s Lady Bertrlm , and her father Seignior de Tores , where, and .n what manner and acci- 
 dent he fome two hours iince found the Lady Vrfma , and her Coachman Sehjhano wuom 
 he ferioully affirmed wore a rtdCloak with white laces, Scthat her two Coach horlcswhich 
 ‘ w itraving below in the valley were coal black, right as Bartholomeo hid delcnbed 
 
 I ^ IdinMurther that her Coach was broken with a fall, as alfo her right arm, and his 
 
 mon as the Lady Bertram? ^^^om ^ out tuft to her Father, and 
 
 fchen to tne Judges, tnac , damnable tellow who had here thus 
 
 « » h " 'r ,o ,ht “ 
 
 ciiK-hy niurt.Kita n . • t w em tor die fame, who partly concurring; 
 
' 14 
 
 Gods Revenge again ft Mur t her. Book V[. 
 
 To which efFcd, thefe Reverend Judges, leaving her father, her felt, and her Page 
 and Coachman decently to convey her Husband’s dead body home to rheir houl'e in N*‘>1% 
 they themfelves make great hade thither before, and prefently (end their O/Hcer and Ser- 
 jeants to Seignior PUccdo’i houfe, there to apprehend the Lady Vrfm* his Daughter, and 
 their Coachman Scbajiuno, whom they both opportunely tind bluing forth his Gat- 
 in a frelh Hackney-Coach , fpeedily Hying to Putzeole to her Aunt Mellefanu, for pro- 
 tection and Sandtuary s fo thefe fierce and mercilefs Serjeants do prefently divert and alter 
 their courfe, yea, they furiouily and fuddenly rufh upon them, apprehend and conditute 
 them clofc Priloners in the Common Goal of that City, placing them in two fc veral 
 Chambers, to tire end they (hould not prattleor tell tales each to other where they (hill 
 find more leifure than time, both to remember what they have done, and likewilt to k,v-w 
 what hereafter they mud do. , W 
 
 Whiles thus all Naples generally refound and talk of this mournful fad, and deplorable 
 accident, and Seignior Placedo particularly grieves at thefe his Daughter's unexpected crof- • 
 les and calamities, as alfo of thofc of his Coachman Sebafitano, the which he tears he can 
 tar looner lament than remedy j our forrowful widdow Bertram* ("with the afliftance of 
 her father Ve Tores) gives her Husband the Baron of Sanchfiore a lblemn and fiately burial 
 in the Fitcillantes Church of Naples, correspondent to his Noble Degree and Quality. And 
 then within two days after, at her earned and pallioiiatc felicitation to the Judges; Vrfin* 
 and her Coachman Sebafitano, are feverally convented before them, in their chief forum 
 (or T ribunal) of Juftice, and there drongly accufed by her, and charged to be the authors 
 and actors of this cruel murther, committed on the perfon of Santlifiore her Husband 
 the which both of them do doutly deny with much vehetnency and confidence , and when 
 the little Boy Bartholomeo , is face to face called into the Court, to give in Evideuce againlf 
 them, he there maintains to the Judges, what he had formerly depofed to them in the 
 folds, but lays he thinks not chit this Lady was that Frier s nor can he truly fay that this 
 was the Coachman who carried him, although when his Cloak was (hewed him,’ he could 
 not deny but it was very like it i but Bertram* having now fecretly intimated and made 
 known to tne Judges, all the pillages that had formerly paft between Vrfin* and her Hus- 
 band Sanlhfiore, as his getting of her with Child, and then (contrary to his promife) refu- 
 hug to marry her, they do therefore more than half believe, that it was her difeontent 
 which ure -v her to this choler, her choler to this revenge, and her revenge to this mur- 
 thering of him, as alfo (that in favour of fome gold) (he had likewife feduced and drawn 
 her Coacntnan SebajUano to be consenting and accelfary herein with her : Whereupon the 
 next day they will begin with him and fo they adjudg him to the Rack i the torments 
 whereof he endures with a wonderful fortitude and patience, fo that (remembring his oath 
 of fecrecy to his Lady Vrfin*) he cannot thereby be drawn to confcfs any thing, but denies 
 all, whereof (he havingfecret notice, doth not a little rejoyceand infolt thereat ; now the 
 very next enfutng morning, Vrfin* her felf, is likewife adjudged and expofed to the Rack, 
 the wrenches -and torments whereof, as foon as (he fenf.bly feds, God proves then fo pro- 
 pitious and merciful to her foul, that her dainty body, and tender limbs cannot poilibly en- 
 dure or Tutfer it but then and there Hie to her Judges and Tormentors, confefTeth her felf to 
 be the foie author and ador of piifolling to death, the Baron of Smcltiore, in the fame 
 manner and form, as we have already underftood in all its circumllances,' but in her heart 
 and lou! (he ftrongly affirms to them, that her Coachman Sebaflhno was not accefTarv 
 with her herein > upon which apparent and palpable confetlion of hers, her Judges (in ho- 
 nour to (acred Jufitee, and for expiation of this her foul crime; do pronounce fentence of 
 death againfl her, that (he (hall the next morning he hanged at the place of Common 
 
 Execution, notwithiiandmg all the power and tears of her Father, and Kinsfolks to the 
 contrary. 
 
 So (he is returned to her Prifon, where her Father (“not being permitted to foe 
 her that nighty) fends her two Nuns, and two Friers, to prepare and dired her 
 foul tor Heaven, whom in a little time , through God’s great mercy, and their 
 own pious pcrfWai.ons , they found to be wonderlul humble, repentant and forrow- 
 
 k pn r atC i y % v° rd t0 u her Coachman Sebafitano, that Hie is thankful to 
 him for his refped and fidelity to her on the Rack , and wills him to be affiired and 
 confident , that (he be.ng to die to morrow her Speech at her death, (hall no way 
 prejudice, but ftrongly confirm the fa ety and prefervation of his life. Thus grieving 
 for more at the toulnefs of her crime, than at the infamy and feverity of herpuniffiment, 
 ffie fpends moft part of the ntght, and the hrft part of the morning in Godly Prayers 
 
 and 
 
Hift. XXIX. San&ifiore And Vrfina, 
 
 and religious Meditations, and ejaculations, when, although her forrowful old Father Seie- 
 nior Placedo, by his noble Kmftnan the Prince of Salerno, made orter to the Viceroy the 
 Duke of OJJum, the free gift of all his Lands to fave this his Daughters life, yet the drone 
 felicitation of the hrft and the great proffer of the laft proved vain, and fruiclefs, for they 
 found it wholly lmpofiible to obtain it. y 
 
 So about ren of the Clock in the Morning, our forrowful Vrfitta, is (between two Nuns) 
 brought toiler Execution-place i cladin a black wrought Velvet-Gown, a preen Sattiri- 
 fetticoat, a great laced Ruif, her head drefled up with Tufts and Roles of green Ribbon 
 witn iome artificial Flowers, all covered over with a white Cipres-Vail, and a pair of plain 
 white Gloves on her hands : when afeending the Ladder, (he, to the great confluence of 
 people who came thither to fee her take her laft farewel of this life, and this world with 
 a mournful countenance, and low voice) delivered them this forrowful and relmious 
 fpeech. ° 
 
 Good People, I want words to exprefs the grief of my heart, and the anxiety and forrow 
 of my loul, for imbruing my hands in the innocent blood and death of the Baron of Sancti - 
 fiore, although not to diftemble, but to confefs the pure truth, he betrayed his promife to 
 me of Marriage, and me of my honour and chaftity without it, whereof I befeech Almighty 
 God, that all men, (of what degree or quality foever ) may hereafter be warned by his ex- 
 ample > and all Ladies and Gentlewomen deterred and terrified by mine. I dolikewife 
 here confels to Heaven and Earth, to God and his Angels, and to you all who are herepre- 
 fent,that I alone was both the Author and A<ftor of this foul Murthcr, and that my Coach- 
 man Sebajliano is no way confenting or acceffary with me herein j and that albeit I once pro- 
 mifed and projfcred him a hundred double Piftols of Spanijh Gold to perform it, yet he ho- 
 neftly and religioufly refufed both me and it, and ftrongly and pathetically diffwaded me 
 from it, whole good and whollome Counfel, I now wilh to God (from the depth and cen- 
 ter of my foul) I had then followed, for then I had lived as happy, as now I die miferable. 
 And becaufe it is now no time, but bootlefs for me, either to palliate the truth, or to flatter 
 with God or man, the worft of his crime, I being his Miftris, which (after with my hands 
 I had committed that deplorable fadr) was to bring me home from the fields to my Father’s 
 houfe , and for allifting me to calf the Frier’s Frock, the falfe Beard and Hair, the Almf-box, 
 Breviary, and two Piltols, into the next deep Pit, or Precipice thereunto ad joyning, where 
 (a«yet)they ftilllie* for this my hainous offence, (the very remembrance thereof is now 
 grievous and odious unto me ^),I ask pardon firftof God, then of my own dear Father, and 
 next of the Lady Bcrtranna : and if the words and prayers of a poor dying Gentlewoman 
 have any power with the living, then I befeech you all in general, and every one of you in 
 particular, to pray unto God, that he will now forgive my fins in his favour, and hereafter 
 fave my foul in his mercy •, the which as foon as (he had faid, and uttered fome few fhort 
 prayers to her fclf, (he (often making the lign of the CrofsJ takes lea \/e of all the World * 
 when pulling down her Vail, in comely lort over her eyes and face, and eredting her hands 
 towards Heaven, Ihe was turned over. Now, as fome of her Spe&ators rejoyced at the 
 death of fo cruel and bloody a Female Monftcr, fo the greateft part of them, in favour of 
 her Birth, Youth and Beauty, did with a world of tears, exceedingly lament and pity her, 
 but all of them do highly deteft and execrate the bafe ingratitude, infidelity arid treachery 
 of this ignoble 6aron of Santlifiore towards her, which no doubt was the prime caufe and 
 chiefeft motive which drew her to thefe deplorable and bloody refolutions. 
 
 As for her honeft Coachman Scbajiiano , although his own torments on the Rack , 
 and now this folemn Confeflion of his Lady Vrfina at her death had fufficiently pro- 
 claimed and vindicated his innocency in this murther of Santtifiore \ yet fuch was hi£ 
 Widdow Bertranna's living aflfedion to her dead Husband, and her deadly malice to 
 living Sebajiiano , for thinking him to be guilty, and aceeftary hereunto with his La- 
 dy Vrfiwa^ that her power and malice fo far prevailed with the integrity of the Judges, 
 for the further difquifition of this truth, as they now again (entence him to the dou- 
 ble torments of the Rack, the which he again likewise endureth with a moft un- 
 paralleled patience and conftancy, without confeffing any thing, the which his Judges 
 wondring to fee, and admiring to underhand, and having no (ubftantial proofs > or 
 real and valuable Evidences againfthim, they now fully abfolve and acquit him of this 
 his fufpe&ed crime, when being moved in Charity, Juftice, and Confidence to yield 
 
 Mm m hitni 
 
Go£f Revenge againji Murther. Book Vl. 
 
 him fome reward and fatisfadlion, for thus inteebling his body, arid impairing of his 
 health by thefe his ftnrp and bitter torments, they therefore adjudg the Plaint id' Widdow 
 Btrirawia to give him three hundred Duckatons,whercof foe cannot poflibly exempt or ex- 
 cufe her felt. 
 
 And thus lived and died our unkind Baron Saucufiore y and our cruel-heartcd young 
 Lady Vrfina, and in this manner did the facred Juftice of God requite the one, and con* 
 dignly revenge and punifo the other. Now by reading this their Hiftory, may God (of his 
 bed favour and mercy ) teach us all, from our hearts to hate this Baron's levity, and from 
 our fouls to abhor and deteft this Ladies cruelty and impiety. Amen. 
 
 God’s 
 
Hift. XXX. 
 
 *7 
 
 God s Revenge againft the Crying and Exe- 
 crable Sin of Murther. 
 
 HISTORY XXX. 
 
 De Mora treacheroujly k&lletb Palura in a V uel with two Pijiols. His Lady Eellinda with the aid 
 of her Gcntleman-Vjher Feraflo, poyfoneth her Husband De Mora, and afterwards jhe marrieth, 
 and then murtbereth her faid Husband Ferallo in his bed ; fo (he is burnt alive for this her lafi 
 murther,and her ajhes thrown into the Air for the firfi . 
 
 I N the general depravation of this Age, it is no wonder that many finful fouls arc fo 
 tranfported by Satan and their own outragious paffions, to imbrue their guilty hands 
 in the innocent blood of their Chriftian brethren * and it were a great happinels and felici- 
 ty to mott Countrys and Kingdoms of Europe , if they were not fometimesinfe&ed with 
 the contagion of this bloodyand crying fin, which with a prefumptuous hand fcems to firike 
 at the Majefiy of God himfelf, in killing man his creature j but bccaufe wifhes avail little, 
 and for that examples are more powerful and prevalent, and prove the belt precepts to the 
 living » therefore I here produce a lamentable one* of fo inhumane a condition, that by 
 the knowledg and confideration thereof, we may know how to deteft the like, and to avoid 
 the temprations in our felves. ' ' 
 
 In the famous Kingdom of Portugal, and within a very little league of Stremos , one of the 
 fweeteft and faireft Cities thereof, there( within thefe few yearsjdwclt a noble Gentleman of 
 fome fifty fix years old, named Don Alonfa De Mora, iffued and defended from one of the betf 
 
 Mmm 2 and 
 
Gods Revenge againji Mnrtber. Book VJ. 
 
 and famous homes of that Kingdom, as being Nephew to that great and wife Don CbrijioptKr 
 Ve whonrrlfe Hiftorirstrt Spain and Forittgal make fo often, and lb honourable men- 
 
 tion :anckaf-tho‘ugh.he were by i>is Ancdlors and Parents left very rich in Lands and Poffcf- 
 j^&ns^fct'his tm&rSfti anti g^ndicy carried hUn to ferve his King, Philip third of Spain, in' 
 Tris wai.s of AfipdM'd FtintLfyffiwtdn Ire (pun .t’-h e-great dt part cf his time and of himfelf, 
 won many renowned Latirel^ ahd'-Marfiui Tiophtesot honour, and as an excellent Cavalier 
 ietf behind hint nJS n y ap o jfed marks aiid tclaiinontes of his true valour and magnanimity. 
 But fas allmen are natural!/ coniiant in unebniiuncy, and (ubjed and co-incident to mutj- 
 tions.andilnt.dve world liilt'delights to p'cife us with changes, and to feed out fancies md 
 atfeftions^tlvdiiflrcnt enterprifes and refoludons) io bur^uDe Mira at Lrt, cals honac liis 
 thoughts and him fclf from war to peacir,^ now rcfolves to Ipend the remainder of his age 
 in as much eTj je and pleafurbas formerly he had done, the heat and itcength ot hire youth in • 
 tumults fees that there is no liteiior pleafurc comparable to charted 
 the Country, fornere the fjveetnefs of the imbalmed air, the delicacy of the perfumed 
 and tmamelM fields, the unparaTleldpaltfm of hawking and hunting,and the free and 111141) it r- 
 rupted accels ivhich vve have to Arts in our rtudy,uiid to God in religions prayers and tmdi - 
 , tatibns,nukes it to be no lds,themeithcr an earthly Paradife,or a Heaven uptm Earth* Tor 
 ' the Camp (delptce of Commanders j abounds with all kinds ot iiiloUncies and impieties, 
 t heCityfdefpife of Magtrt rates) with al 1 *f bits of V iee, Deed r,Go vetoufn t Is and pride, and xiij 
 Gourt (delpite of good Kiugsand Princes; too often mil* variety of hypociiiic, perfidi- 
 oufnefsand v* fifty . 1 To his own great Minuor-hOufe near 8 irmos> therefore is our Do Mora 
 retired, witTiVrelblution tor ever, there raeredt and build up his rdidence, making it his 
 grea:c!i delight to have his Hounds and Grey- hounds at his heels, and fee his Hawk 011 his 
 fiff.Now the'&iarms of War Do longer take up his thoughts and ume, neither do the Drums 
 arfd Trumpets, apd the ratling peals & thunder of Muskets and Cannons, diltradi his days- 
 pleafures,or, cut his nights l welt ileepsand /lumbers in picces.He is not addidfed to women, 
 but Kates them as much as they love rnendie fpurnsat love, and (in a difdainful contempt 
 thereof) tcrms f F tnw Whore; and her foil Cupid a boy, and which is worle a Batiurclfin a word 
 he proteffrfh himfelf to be as great, and as mortal an enemy to beauty, as beauty is many 
 times to chaftity, and never thinks himfelf happy, but when either he is out of womens 
 Company, or they not in his. He is fo far from ertedting any marriage, as he pitieth it in o- 
 theis,and for ever abjures &dctdts it in himlelf , he compareslingle life to Rnfes 6 c Lillies, 
 and wedlock to briers and thirties, and therefore in thehigheftand fublimeft degree, fcorns 
 to have any Wire or Mirtris in his houfe, to over marter him. 
 
 But it is not for men to prefume to point out their own dertinies : fith we are but the 
 /lives of time, as the fervant ot God, and cherdore(in this regard) our adt ions are fubjedt to 
 Heaven, not do earth, and to God's appointment, rather chan to our purpoles;and fo prefup- 
 pofc and think the contrary, is a prelumption, every way unworthy of a man, but far morcof 
 a Chriitian/ith nature is fubjedt to grace, and our earthly paflions and refolutions mart rtill 
 Hoop to a iacred power, and ever fubmit and proftrate themlelves to a Divine Providence 
 and ftipcrnatural Predominancy:It is therefore folly, not wifdotn and /implicit y nor difcreti- 
 on in L>e Mora generally to proclaim hate to women, for that he is the Son ci a woman, or 
 to malign and difdain marriage, in regard he is the fruit and offspring of marriage: for thus 
 to violate and pull down the Temples and altars of Love, is obltinacely to oppole nature, 
 and prophanely to fubvert the inrtitution of God himfelf in Paradife, but he Hull not con- 
 tinue long in the clouds of this error. 
 
 In a clear-and fw^ct morning (as foon as Aurora lept from the worry bed of IhetM, and 
 purpofely retired her felt to give way to approaching Pb<xbuf y ( who in his fiery Chariot, with 
 Itisglirtring beams began to famte and guild the tops of thehighert Woods and Mountains) 
 DtMota attended by half a dozen of hisdomertick fervants, goes into the fields to hawk and 
 hunt, wltere having kided one Hare, and let up another, all his fervants left him alone, and 
 with the Hounds purfue the Hare, who tripping through the lanes and thickets, the Hills 
 ernd Valleys, at latt leads them fuch a dance, that in Ids than an hour, his Servants and 
 his Dogs were a little league out of his light , whereat being exceedingly offended and an- 
 gry, and tar the more, for that he was left all alone, he not knowing how to pafs or de- 
 lude away the tedioufnds ot the time, fate himlelf down upon the lide of a fair Hill, or 
 the loot ot a pleafant Grove o: Beech and Chefnut-trees, whole curled tops (hcltred him 
 from t he [torching rayes ot the Sun*, and there takes delight to behold how many frequent 
 windings, and turning Meanders, the Neighbouring Cryrtal River made in that pleufant 
 Valley, as alfo to lee how fwectly the Troops' of Snow-white feathered Swans, proudly 
 
 ruffled 
 
Hift. XXX. De Mora, Ferallo and Bellinda . 
 
 ruffled their plumes, and difported themfelves therein , in their Majeilical and flatd^ 
 bravery s and how many malicious Fowlers, both in Boats and on the Banks of that fweeif 
 River, were curioully watching with their fiery pieces to murther thofe innocent watry- 
 guelts who frequented there* and alfo how the patient Anglers ( with their treacherous 
 hooks and baits; betrayed many harmlcfs Fi flies, to their undefeived. deaths. When 
 Ve Mora, ("impatient ot his folitarinds) liflening with his car, if he might either hear 
 the loud cry and voices of his Hounds, or clle the (hril rebounding Echoes of his Servants 
 hunting Horns, He looking up toward the Sky, beheld a Heron, jfoftly ioariog, and proud- 
 ly hovering over his head, as if (he came purpoidy to bid defiance to De Mora , and his 
 Gof-hawk which he held on his hit, and confequemly to dare and challenge it to an airy 
 combat * whereat De Mora being exceeding glad, and difdaining that his Hawk and him- 
 fclf Ihould be thus out-braved by lb ill-fhaped and unmannerly a Sea- fowl * he fpeedily 
 rifeth up, and (betwixt cholerand pleafure) lets fly his Hawk at her ; But the Heron ftret- 
 chethhcr pinnions, and packs on her feathered fails io nimbly and proudly, that fome- 
 times foiling aloft in the Air, ibmetimes defeending, and (till looking back with (corn 
 on the Gof-hawk, as if flie purpoidy took delight and fport, to fee what infinite toy! and 
 pain this malicious and ravenous Hawk took to furprize and devour her *, (o the (Witter 
 the Heron flew from the Hawk , the fwiftcr the Hawk redoubled her flight, and tugged 
 away after her, when it being unpoHible for Dc Mora to reclaim his Hawk, either with his 
 Hula's or Lure, at laft both Hawk and Heron flew quite out of his light, and which is worie 
 he was fo unfortunate, as never after he could fee either of them again. 
 
 De Mora being fir ft highly difpleafed and offended for the abfence of his Servants and 
 Hounds, he is now doubly enraged>with grief and choler for the lofs of his Gof-hawk, and 
 therefore curfeth the Heron for th^c&ducing and betraying her away from him j when 
 wearying himfclf to run from hill to vale to have news of her j and in the end, feeing both 
 his labour and Hawk lofl, he betakes himfclf to the aforefaid Grove, and (with much dif- 
 contcnt and choler jhrft calling his Hat and Lure to the ground, he then likewife cafts him- 
 fclf thereon to repo fo him, Hill attending and expc&ing his Hunters. 
 
 He had not remained there above half an hour, but clofe by him paffed an aged Coun- 
 try Gentleman, and indifferently well apparelled, with a very beautiful young Gentle- 
 woman following him, clad in a Crimfon Taffeta Petticoat and Walk-Coat, trimmed 
 with filver lace, with a large cut-work plain band, her flaxen hair adorned with many 
 knots of white and crimfon Ribbon, covered with a black Cypies-vail, having a rolling 
 amorouseye, (the true'tndex of delire and lull; > her Snow-white painted b rdf s open, 
 but only a little hidden and over-vailed with curious Tiffeny, whole white purity, her 
 pure white paps (inter veined with azure) infinitely out-braved and excelled. She had her 
 waicing-Maid attending on her, and he a ferving-man bearing his Cloak and Rapier after 
 him, who that morning went lome three Leagues from his own houfe to take the frdh Air 
 in that pleafant and delicious Grove, without the hedg whereof he had left his Coach* 
 this Councry-Gentleman, I fay, palling by De Mora , and well and perfe&ly knowing him, 
 he according to his duty, and the other merits, refpe&fully faluted him by his name, and 
 the young Gentlewoman who followed him, likewife gave him a low and graceful cour- 
 tefie. DcMora furprized with the fuddennefs of their arrival, and the fweetnefs ot thefo 
 their falucations, rifeth up, and having firll faluted him, and kilfed her, he prays his name, 
 who tels him that he is a Gentleman that dwelt fome three Leagues off, termed Emanuel de 
 Gurforo : De Mora demands of him if this young Gentlewoman be his Kinfwomanor his 
 Daughter ? who tels him Ihe is his Daughter : when De Mora again enquires of him, if Ihe 
 be uurried or no, and what name aud age Ihe is of * Curforo replies that Ihe is unmarried, ot 
 fome twenty years of age, and her name Bellinda . De Mora ajgjain tels him, that he is very 
 happy in having fo fweec and fair a young Gentlewoman fo his Daughter, whereat the fa- 
 ther imilethfor joy, aud th: Daughter blulheth for bafnfulnefs and modefty. De Mora 
 again queiliohetfi Curforo, it any bulinefs brought him thither that morning* who tels 
 him he hidnpbuiiiufs, but only came thither with his Daughter to take the A;r, and 
 that he had left his Coach without the hedg* fo they walk together fome turns in this plea- 
 fant Grove, aud from thence De Mora could nor polflbly retrain from gadding and gazing 
 his mamoured eyes, on the Roles and Lillies of bellinda $ fweet and delicate beauty * when 
 p- Mora acquaints Ctrrforo with hismisfortunes,how that morning he came forth a hunting, 
 t hat he had loft his Men,his Hounds, and his Hawk, and that this three hours he was there 
 
 M mm 3 hie 
 
God's Reven ue agam fi Murtber. Book VI 
 
 left alone, and had no news of them, they together make many walks, turns and returns. 
 When VeMora, led by the lull re of Bellinda s lovely attradive, and rolling eye, he ever 
 and anon proffereth to lead and condud her by the arm, the which Curforo modcftly ar.d 
 refpedfully excufeth, as holding it too great an honour for Ve Mora to give, and his 
 Daughter to receive: Here Curforo proifereth Ve Mora to lend him his Coach to carry 
 him home tohis houfe, but Ve Mora freely and thankfully refufeth it, and in counterex- 
 change of thiscourtefie, proffereth Curforo and his Daughter to accompany and conduit 
 them to their Coach, the which undeferved kindnefs, Curforo modeftly refufeth of him. 
 Thus (in point of honour and courtefic^) they a long time (land driving and comple- 
 menting, till at lad Ve Mora hearing the cry of his Hounds, his importunity vanquifheth 
 Curforo’s modefty, and fo, willornill, he conducts him to his Coach, and likewife leads 
 his Daughter Betinda by the arm and hand, and by the way doth at lead ufurp, and deal 
 many amorous kiffes f rom the Cherries of her fweet lips, and damask Rofes of her pure 
 and delicate Cheeks, whereat fhe is more admired than pleafed. As they are thus go- 
 ing towards Curforo's Coach, Ve Moras Hounds and Servants arrive all fweating and 
 blowing, who (in redemption and requital of their long ftay^) do prefent their Lord 
 and Matter with a brace of Hares, and a wild white Fawn which they had kild, where- 
 of he being exceeding glad, he very joyfully bedows the Hares on Curforo , and the white 
 Fawn on his fair Daughter Bel Undo, who tiom thenceforth, he (wears (hall be his mi- 
 drefs, and his Love v Curforo is too moded, and his Daughter too bafhful to accept here- 
 of, fo they a long time reful’e thefe his prefents, with many dilatory and complemental 
 excufes. 
 
 But at lad Ve Mora finds out a means and medium to redoncile this difference, according to 
 hisown will and defire i for he peremptorily ( wears fo&urforo, and his Daughter Belinda 
 that they fhall receive thefe poor prefents f rom him, and that in requital hereof, he will to 
 morrow come over to his houfc,and eat his part of them to dinner with them upon which 
 condition and terms Curforo thankfully receives the Hares, and likewife caufeth his Daugh- 
 ter Bellinda to do the fame by the Fawn, the which (with a very low and obfervant courte- 
 fie ) fhe doth : So he conduds them on to their Coach, and by the way wrings her by the 
 Lilly white hand, plays with the loofe treffes of her fweet hair, her blufhing cheeks, dimp- 
 led chin, downy paps, and Alabaftcr neck, when taking leave of Curforo , and a folemn 
 congee of his Daughter Bellinda, which he again feals and confirms with many new kiffes, 
 they take Coach and away, and Ve Mora with his Servants and Hounds returns home to’ 
 his houfe. 
 
 Thus in a little time we fee an extraordinary alteration, yea a wonderful change and me- 
 tamorphofis in Ve Mora, but whether more ftrange or fudden I know not,for in the morning 
 he went forth a f ree-man,and now before night comes home a flave and a captive; Hereto- 
 fore he fpurned at love, and difdained beauty, and now the very firft fight of our fair Bellinda , 
 lets fire to his blood, and flames to his heart, fo that his old blood is paflionately and amo- 
 voufly inflamed with this new beauty i formerly he (in derifion) termed Cupid a little boy, 
 now he holds him to be a great God s then he called Venus a Whore, but now he recants 
 that Athcifro, and repents himfdf of that blalphcmy, vomited forth againft her Deity, and 
 terms her a coeleft ial and facred Goddefs -> yea now in his heart and thoughts, he ereds Al- 
 tars to the firft, arid confccrates all his vows to the fecond. The (mail and ftrait waft of his 
 honoured Bellinda , together with her fparkling eyes , and fweet cheeks and blufhes, do 
 amaze his mind, ad wonders in his heart, and calls his thoughts into a confufion of many 
 amorous raptures and extalks, yea the confideration of her fweet youth, and tire remem- 
 brance ok her frefh and delicate beauty, do(in his conceit) feem tomakehisageyoung,and 
 to give the he to thole infinite number of white hairs, which time had fnowed on his head 
 and fhowred on his beard. He a thoufand times repents himfolf of his former error and 
 crime in living fo long bugle, and is now allured and confident, that there is no earthly 
 pleaiure or heavenly delight, comparable to the heart-ravifhing kiffes and imbracesofhis 
 fweet Bellinda: he .s ready to lay down all his Lands, and life at the feet of her commands 
 and ler vice, and efteems both of them too.poor,for the purchafingof fo ineftimable a jewel ; 
 whom (in Ins determinations and refolutions) he hath already adopted the Queen of his 
 heart, arid confirmed and crowned the Sovcraign Emprefs of his foul, and the lacred God- 
 dd . so * . . , lrcs ^d aftedions. He thinks not of the great difparicy and Antithefis be- 
 twixt 1ms ucclimng age, and her fragrant and flourifhing youth ; nor what an unequal dif- 
 
 terence, 
 
Hill:. XXX. De Mora , ter alio and Belinda. 
 
 - - — — _ . % 
 
 fercnce and disproportion there isbetwixt his fifty and fix, and her twenty years. He will 
 not coniider whit a poor Sympathy and palpable Antipathy there is between fuch a Jam- 
 nd iuch a May^ but dildains to^nter into confideration with himfelf, that he is every 
 way fitter tor his grave, than for her bed, and for death, than marriage * yea, he flatters 
 himielf fo far in his affection to her, as he hopes he (hall be the joyful Father of many pretty 
 Children by her, fo that he is fo deeply enamoured with the fweet youth of our Belinda 
 and his heart fofaft chained and entangled in the treffes of her hair, and the lures of her 
 alluring beauty, that he upon his firtf light of her,incefTantly thinks of her by day,dreams 
 
 of her by night, and neither thinks nor dreams of any thing but of her, and of his love to 
 
 her ; fo now he advanceth and taifeth the ftandards of Venus and Cupid , as high as ever he 
 formerly dejected them, and delights in nothing more, yea I may truly fay, ir. nothing clfe 
 but in feafting his eyes, and forfeiting his heart upon the heavenly Idea ot her Angelical face 
 and feature, he thinks fo much of love, as if he were now wholly compofed of love, and 
 therefore purpofely made to love Bellinda , and none but her. His HawKs and Hounds are 
 now as far out of hi$jnind,as he is out of himfelf, and no other delight or recreation what- 
 ever can take up any place in his heart or thoughts, becaufe love hath already tane up all. 
 He revokes to mind how Macarius was transformed into a Eird, tor fpeaking againlt Venus , 
 and that it is not his cate alone to be lo deeply plunged and tormented in love,but that the 
 greateit Captains,Pifilolbphers,and Kings of the world*,and as Poets affirm, the gods them- 
 l'elveshave been fubje<£ed,and vanquiffied with this paflion,and foconfh dined them to make 
 it their chietdt delight and glory to adorn the Temples and Altars of C/t/fi^with the obla- 
 tions of their tighs, and the iacrifices of theirs tears. 
 
 Thus our De Mora being at the firlt whoLly inflamed with love towards his fair and beau- 
 tiful intended Miifrils Bellinda, he to Hem tar younger than lie is, he is lo vain in his alio - 
 &ion ? as (contrary to his cuitom.) he (haves his Beard, delights himfelf in an afli colour fa- 
 tin fuit and cloak, with a whitelkaver~hat,and a hat- band of Diamonds, a ri : h plain cut- 
 work bard, and a pair of green (ilk fiockings,with garters 6c rofes laced withiilvcr, uiitable 
 thereunto,and io to perform his promife to Curforo^ takes Coach the next morning,and rides 
 over to him, but not fo much to taite of his good cheer, as to feaft his enamoured eyes on 
 the delicious rarities and dainties of his Daughter Bdlinda* s beauty ; where he finds his en- 
 tertainment 6c good cheer,at leaft to equalize, if not to exceed his birth, rank 8c expectation; 
 but this is not the end and objedf of his viilt, nor the fum and period of his defires •, Din- 
 ner being ended, he acquaints Curjoro with his affection to his Daughter Bdlinda , and his 
 fuit to feek and obtain her for his wifi t. Cur faro wonders that fo great a Lord (hould defcend 
 io low from himfelf to feek fo mean a young Gentlewoman as his Daughter in mariage.But 
 finding De Mota to be in earnefi, and not in jcit, and underflanding that' his age was deeply 
 and pallionately inamoured of her youth and beauty ; he therefore thanks him tor that un- 
 deserved honour of his, promifeth him his beft alfiflanee towards his Daughter, and gives 
 him no defpair, but all hope and affurance, that he (hall (hortly obtain and enjoy her tor his 
 wife. De Mora having thus won the atfedtion and content of the Father, ne now fecks chat of 
 the Daughter, he takes her apart in his parlour, where, of an old man, he plays the young 
 Orator and Loyer.and in fweet terms and fugred phrafes and fpecches feeks to gain her for 
 his wife > but Bdlinda more confidcring De Mora his age, than the greatnefs ot his Nobi ity 
 or eftace,(he bites the lip, 6c hangs the head at this his motion, yca,and feems to be as averfe* 
 as he was forward in this his refearch and purfuit. Her Father lays his commands on her to 
 imbrace this match and no otherfoe conjures her now to confirm, and not to call away her 
 good fortunes in marrying this great Nobleman, and vows that he will for ever renounce 
 her for his Daughter, if (he difobey him herein:fo he conducts her into the Arbour of his 
 Garden, and there freely and courteouily again gives De Mora the opportunity and bene- 
 fit to fpcak with her , and the delired happinefs to kifs her => but Bdlinda is a$ much per- 
 plexed in mind, as they are obflinate in their motion towards her, when (composing 
 her countenance, rather to forrow than joy, and to mourning than mirth) (he makes a 
 modeft excufe to her Father, gives no abfolute or peremptory denial to 2 >j Mera , but 
 fairly and difcreetly craves ©f both of them a moneths time of refpite to refolve on 
 this great bufinefs, which ((he faith) fo much imports her happinefs or her mifery, her 
 content or htr affii&ion > which anfwer and requeit of hers, both her Father andDe Mora 
 finding lo full of diferetion and reafon, they feverally grant, and jointly confent togive 
 her* but in all this interim, fuch was De Mora's dear and tender atfe&ion to Belinda-, thatt 
 he vifitshcr many times in perfon, and very often with his rich gifts and prefents as hol- 
 ding it no irregular way, but a pertinent and prevalent eburfe* firft to make a breach 
 
Gods Revenge againjl Murther. Book Vi. 
 
 in a young Ladies mind and affection, and then to enter and take poffdfion,both of her body 
 and of her felf. 
 
 But before I proceed further in the Narration and Progrefs of this Hiftory, I muft here, 
 unlock and reveal a fecretmyftery to the Reader of no fmall confequence and importance r 
 for he mult underhand, that our Bellinda is not fo chart as fair, nor fo honeft as her educa- 
 tion, youth and beauty prefuppofe and promife her to be -,for her Mother being dead, and 
 her Father giving her too much liberty, and too little virtuous counfel and exhortation, 
 flic for two whole years hath been in love with a poor, yet with a very proper and refolute 
 young Gentleman, offome twenty- five years of age, being a neighbour of her Father’s, . 
 named Von Fernando Falura , who being deeply inamoured of her, had lain fo clofe, focon- 
 ftant, and fo ftrong a liege to her chaftity, as (not to conceal the truth) firft unknown to 
 her Father, then to Ve Mm*, and next to all the world, he had unparadifed her of her Maid- 
 cn-head, and under colour and hope of Marriage, had very often tane his luftful ufe and 
 pleafure of her body^ but his means being very fmaU,& her belly not growing great, (he was 
 not yet fully refolved, but therefore (till delayed to marry him ; True it is, that her Father 
 CurJ'oro was formerly acquainted with Falura s affediion and defire to marry his Daughter, 
 but as heretofore his poverty made him rejeit him for his fon in law, fo now the coniidcra- 
 tion of Ve Mora's great wealth and nobility, makes him fully to difdain him, and commands 
 his Daughter likewife to do the fame. But (he not confidering the premiles, and loving Fa* 
 lura's youth, as much as (he hated Ve Moras age,(hc was nevcrthelcfs (b inconftant by nature, 
 and fo proud and ambitious by fex,as (he could find in her heart and refolution, rather to be 
 a rich La Jy than a poor Gentlewoman, and fo to leave Falura y to efpoufe and marry Ve Mora: 
 but firft her crime and her confcience makes her fencf for Falura , and ferioufly to confidcr 
 and debate hereon with him, which they do * fo Falura perceiving by Bellinda' s looks, and 
 obferving by her fpeeches that Ve Mora's wealth was far more powerful with her, than his 
 poverty , and that fhe notwithftanding (fill aimed to keep him for her Husband, and hirn- 
 fclffor her triend * he at laft tels her, That he will confent and content himfelf that fhe 
 (hall marry Von Alonfa De Mora, conditionally that (lie will firft faithfully promife him, 
 to grant and perform him three Requefts and Articles.So (he bids him propofe them to her, 
 the which he doth to this eftedt : Firft, That he (hall ltill have the ufe and pleafure of her 
 body, as heretofore, and as often as he pleafeth : Secondly, That from time to time (he (hall 
 beftow fome competency of Ve Mora's wealth on him, to fupport his weak eftate and po- 
 verty : And thirdly. That if VeMora die before him, that within three months after his 
 death, (he (hall then marry him. 
 
 Which three unjuft demands, and ungodly conditions of Falura\ his fweet heart 
 Bellinda (betwixt fighsand fmiles> immediately grants him i yea, fhe feals them with many 
 Oaths, and confirms with a world of kiftes, and to add the more piety (I may truly fay, 
 the more prophanenefs) to this their contrail and attoncment, they fall to the ground on 
 their knees, and invoking God and his Angels for witnefles hereof > they with their hands 
 and kiftes, again ratifieand confirm it : But poor finful fouls, how doth Satan abufe you, 
 and your intemperate and iafcivious lufts be tray you? for God will not be mocked, and 
 his holy Angels cannot be deluded by thefe your blafphemies and impieties, for you fhall 
 in the end fee with grief, and feel with repentance, that this vicious league, and obfecene 
 contract of yours, will produce you nothing but fhame, mifery and confufion of all 
 fides. * 
 
 By this time is Bellinda' s moneth expired, which fhe gave her Father and Ve Mora 
 for her refolution of Marriage * and now do they both of them repair to her , to 
 underftand and receive it : when her pride and ambition , having far more prepared 
 and difpofed her tongue, than her aftedlion, fhe (as if fhe were a pure Virgin, yea, 
 a Diana for chaftity) making a low reverence to her Father, and a great refpedfful 
 courtciie to Dc Mora , delivers her refolution to them in thefe terms : That in hum- 
 ble obedience to her Father , and true aftedlion and zeal to Von Alonfa Ve Mora y God 
 hath now fo difpofed her heart and mind , that fhe is refolved to wait on his com- 
 mands, and to be his hand-maid and wife, whenfoever he fhall pleafe to make himfelf her 
 Lord and Husband. This anfwer of Bellinda is fo pleafing to her Father, and fo fweet and 
 delicious to Ve Mora y that in acceptation of her love, and requital of her confcnt, he gives 
 her many kiftes, and then claps a great chain of Pearl, interlaced with fparks of Dia* 
 monds about her neck, and an exceeding rich Diamond=Ring on her finger, and ip 
 moft folemniy contrails himfelf to her, and within eight days after, in great pomp, 
 ftate and bravery marries her, whereat her Kinsfolks aud Friends, and all the Nobility 
 
Hi ft* XXX. De Mora, F er, alio and Bellmda~ “ 
 
 and Gentry of thefe parts do very much admire and wonder • Cm- TZTa T~ = — 
 
 marrying to poor and young a Gentlewoman, others prafio- and »JhZ*‘ 1 *“ ^ ' n ' 
 tune, m matching with fo great and rich a Nobleman P ° d 1 P la,lhn g her good tor- 
 Here we fee the marriage of *De Mom and Belinda h„r »- r l , 
 
 what (harp and bitter fweet fruits it produceth ; for here truTh a law trfm^T 
 commands me to relate and difcover, that he is too old for her youth and Ihe tL ’ 3nd /° 
 his age, yea, here 1 muft crave excufe of modefty to affirm that fl« i< (V, iml t a y ° un § for 
 him not to be fo bold and brave a Cavalier as fhe expended, in regard his E l® ^ hnds 
 her, confilis only in dctire. Thus being in bed together whiles he turn* P ' l r rm J acce t0 
 to her repentance, but (lie knows how to re^KlSS? JS 4 do,h 
 her Husband De Mora only kifleth her, ftJL her he3^ 
 young and fweet Palura , who many times comes over in fhcwtovilit her Hmhjnd 
 cfteato lee her, and as formerly, fo now he lafcivioufly difportsand wantonizeth niih'her 
 and ( in a word ) very often performs and arts that part of love to her which her rU u ‘ 
 band cannot. Now within lefs than two months of theit marriage, *De Mora feei n o that 
 he .snot capable to defer ve, mnch lefs to requite the Dainties of his Wife* youth and B«u 
 ty ; andobfervingalfo, that by degrees (he begins to diftefpert. and fli°ht him, and £ 
 very pleaftng and pieafaat to all Gentlemen who abrood and frequent his heufe - asMhedn 
 ted on her now he grows jealous of her, and fofar forgets bis difere ion nd h mfc f ,t'r 
 he curfeth all thofewho ( in tight of the Laws of Hofpitallty Civility and Honour ? h 
 kif, ter. b„, marc tfpbcWI, „h» te to i,?„ S& «l 
 
 convetfing with his young Lady as at laft his fufpition makes him jealous and his S3 
 confident that, with too much liberty and dilhonefty, he ufurps upon his free hold oSr 
 honoureth him indilhonouring his bed and defiling & Wife ; Khich to drover, 
 
 mrrhh^H b K °1 h „ er f ,berty ’ f ®. that fe «. and grieves to fee her felf to be in a manner 
 
 as much her Husbands Prifoner, as h« wife, yea he fets many eyes over her, as fomany Sen 
 tmcls to watch her and her aftions, and for himfelf, hi. jealoulie gives him more eyes, than 
 ever had to efpy out what familiarity pafi between her and her Sweat-heart 
 
 Belinda, takes thisdifeourtefie and hard meafureof her Husband in very ill part at his hands 
 yea, (lie bites the lip thereat,, and though outwardly fhe feem to grieve and forrow vet 
 inwardly fhe vows to requite and revenge it ; he is fo jealous of her, and fo fearful’ that 
 fhe plays falfe play with him, that as foon as ever Palura comes to his houfe, he carrveshis 
 eye and ear every where, to fee if he can efpy and hearken out, his and his Wife. Love-tricks 
 together; yea, he is fo curious in this queft, and fo vigilant and turbulent in this his refearch 
 and deputation, as if he delighted to know that, whereof, it were his happinefs to be b-no 
 rant or as if he had an itching defire to make his glory prove his flume, and his contend his 
 affliction and mifery. But as mild and fweet perfwifion is ever more capable and power- 
 ful to prevail with women than conflraint, fo our fair B:!lt„da is fo dillafled with the Tuna- 
 cy, and the phrenzy and madnefs of this her Husbands jealoufie, that (lie no fooner fees 
 her Palura arrive in her fight and prefence, but (defpight of his fufpition and feat) fheis f 0 
 obfeene in her lull, and fo lafeiviousin her affertion towards him, that fhe takes pleafureto 
 feek pleafare, and extreamly ddighceth to feek and find delight with him, which ( according 
 to her former lewd promife, and ungodly contiart ) fhe often doth. Now this foolifli yo Un 1 
 couple ( being the obliged fcholars of Cupid, and the devoted votaries of Venus) think to be as 
 wife as they are lafeivious in thefe their amorous pleafures, for knowing that difcrction 
 makes lovers happy, and that fecrefie is the true touchftone, yea, the very life and foul of love, 
 they therefore efteem and keep thclecrets thereof, as if they were f acred, and that no mortal 
 eyes but their own can fee or know it ; But yet notwithftanding all this, 7)c Mora's jealous 
 fears in the detertion , are ftiil as great as their care in the preven tion thereof ; for the very next 
 night after Palura' s departure from his houfe, hepurpofely abfenteth and excludeth his Wife 
 from his bed, and the next morning calling her into the Garden after him, and caufin® the 
 door to be (hut, he then and there, ( with lighting is his looks, and thunder in his fpeeches ) 
 charged) her of adultery with Palura. But this young ffrumpet his wife BeXinJa, at the very 
 firft hearing of this fad and unexperted news, diffembles fo artificially with her Husband, 
 and fo propbanelv with God, as feeming to dilToIve and melt into tears, (he purgeth her felf 
 hereof, with many flrong vows, and cleareth Palura with many deep afleverations. But this 
 fanatick Tyrant, and frantick Monfter jealoufie, (which for the moft part,wecan feldom or 
 never kill, before it kill us ) had wrought fuch flrange impreflions in the brains, andingra- 
 ven fuch extravagant Chimera’s in the heart and belief of old De Mora, that (notwith- 
 ftanding his Wifcs oaths and tears to the contrary ) yet he ftiil vows to himfelf, and her, 
 
 Non that 
 
Gods Revenge againft Murtber. Book V I 
 
 thinks it not fit that her Palura Should fora fcafon approach her houfe or her felF j where- 
 fate by a confident meffenger ftie fends him this Letter. 
 
 '1 _ . . •*._ 7 /V* Cl * < /. 7 I « j*« a * hr. B l\nt 4» +1* ji y* l*s vm ^ 
 
 BELLI ND A to PALURA. 
 
 nour, xo forbear my houfe tolfight.fr fame two months, tn which interim 1 Wl uft my chief eft an, 
 and the utmoft of mj pojfible’power to calm the forms and tempc&s that jea/oUjie hath rafted m him. 
 S^fie thou terete patient as I will be con ft ant, and 1 hope a little time {hall end oar langui/bm, and 
 agqii* \V eur contents and do fires * for though tlvu art abfent from lam fall prefect with 
 
 thetj& albeit mj Husband De Mora have mj body jet Palara and none bat Palura hath my heurf, 
 as known h God, to whofe kft favour and mercy ,/ affetti mutely and zealoafil recommend thee. 
 
 Palara receives this Letter, and although he fetch many deep fighs at the reading thereof, 
 yet he gives it many fweet kiffes for her fweet fake who writ and fent it him, be knows not 
 whether he hath more rcafon to condemn De Mora's jealoufie, or to commend his Lady hti- 
 linda's atfeSion and conftancy to himfelf ; and becaufe be refolves to prefer her content and 
 honour equally with his own life, ‘therefore he will difpence with his luftfuland lafeiviou* 
 pleafures for a time, purpofely to give her beau y and merits their doe for ever j fo in requi- 
 tal of her affe&ionatc Letter, he (by her own meffenger ) returns her this kind and courteous 
 
 I Am as forrowful that thj Husband De Mora hath dif covered car affcElionS, as truly joyful that 
 thou love {l me far better than himfelf ■ wherefore to prevent hisjealoufte and equally to preferve my 
 fiedeiity with thy honour, and thy honour with my life, know fweet and dear Bellinda, that my requefts 
 art my commands, and thy will {hall eternally be my lawfttn which regard l will refrain thy houje all 
 thy long prefixed time, andfo forbear to fee thee, but never to love thee , becaufe thy fweet and divine 
 beauty, is fo deeply ingraveninmj thoughts , and imprinted in mj foul, that thefarther J tranfport my 
 body from thee, the nearer my affdlion brings my heart to thee, 1 will add my chief eft wifhss to thy 
 be ft art; and mi heft prayers to thy chiefeft power, that a little time may 'Ivor four content and defiret : 
 but becaufe there is no torment nor death to languifhing, nor no langtlijhing to that of love, therefore 1 
 ftiall thinfiewery moment a mmth,and evtry hour a year,before we again kjfs and unbrace _• conceal 
 this Letter of mine from all the world > with as much care and fecrefie, as 1 fend it thee ruth fervent 
 x.eal and tender affeftion. 
 
 The perufal of this Letter, and the affeftion of Palura demonftrated in this his refolution, 
 makes Bellinda as glad, as ihe jealoufie of her Lord and Husband De Mora forrowful, and 
 row feeing his rage fo rcafonl efs, and his malice and obftinacy fo implacable towards he, 
 
 * Lam 
 
 BELLINDA. 
 
 anfwer. 
 
 PALURA to BELLINDA. 
 
 PALURA. 
 
Hill X XX D e Mora , FeraUo aniMlmlC ~ 
 
 k hc abandontth her fighs and tears, refolves to ^ , — ~ 
 
 under a female face, a (Turning a mafculine courage and r-fnli r'- C ^I r ?r'V 1 ?' nmem ’ and to 
 loufie, as much as he doth her and her levitv and h P3 rc h r if 11 ’ W tS ‘ 1,m ancl fc,s J ca ' 
 towards him than ever Ihe did heretofore • but this an JSiKff ' "Ert v g ‘ y 3Rd iro P criou % 
 good effcft which (he expels from f W *P rodu «'f> "orrbar 
 
 hers to proceed from fome badcounfel attributing this pride of 
 
 sr * 
 
 H«b»d V,M„. „ isb „ ins ( „ h 
 
 to find cut the marrow and myflery of this^ 'lalftv iousltaffu^h!* a ^° Ut . tbe 0l c h of J«loufi<? 
 in the agitation and condud.on whereof. he is ^Tcrir lf n? V ? h “ W,fe aod 
 Policy is to find out any Letter or Letters of Palma V * / m Pl5 anc * mconfiderate, his 
 
 only places as he fuppofcth, for t£m fo ^ ? ?*" * th < 
 
 -as his Lady 'Belinda is gone to the Parilh Church to hear M*r* . SoODa Monday morning, 
 toeffea this his fecret intent and purpofe and then wr M fs ’ 9 P ur P°‘f , y fia y« at home 
 his jealoufie makes him fo induftrioufof Lock-fmith’s hooks^'/ d en ' srs her Chamber, and 
 lock: So he firft refolves to try and open th« 0 f h ? Oofer £h t0 °P ea ac y 
 
 ry point to do, calling afidc bis eve he fe« th^ r, k h ‘, l I hcn he was on the ve- 
 wore the day before, wherefore he flies to it to fearch andn^tfofp G L° Wa L Vbich hi * Wife 
 keys. Now Belinda’s hate and devotion to the rh "h ' r h Pccke ‘ s thereof > for her 
 Waiting-Gentlewoman, had forgotten the keys of lier Clofctand fheacd her 
 
 one of the Pockets of her faid Gown, wherever Husband left them in 
 being exceeding joyful, he claps up his hooks and inftruments L Twifh 1* I * hereat 
 hafle; opens firft her defer, then her Cabinet ZS s' d C J? ,th qu3 ' jeairufi = and 
 Iaft finds the very fame Letter of Palma to his*Wife Pin' 7 , n .°!^ w o ■j ialca ^hed } he at 
 
 and underftcod, the which ( as the 
 
 her content and affc&ion ) (he had fecretlv erfiirined and tr* r a c - mo ^. P rcci °us jewel of 
 - tin Purfe Embroydered With Odd K Cnmfon Sa. 
 
 faid, I (ball think every moment a month, and every day a year before we 
 
 ' «*““ * S i,lin / If ^ r hiS CXtre3m ie3lUe makej WmS OTC?1 at leaft 8 a s D Se„ « 
 it hath fyllables, for this Letter and this branch of this Letter confirms his iealcufi - *„!? 
 
 nowimakes him fuHy allured and confident, that his Wife and Palura have defiled his ho 
 nour, and his bed, by committing adultery together : when vovvfoo a (ham ,T j ho ‘ 
 venge hereof, he ( with a panting heart, and trembling hand, lays the Velv« PurCe^L^ 
 the Cabinet, then locks it, asalfo her Clofetand Chamber door, havfoa firrt left 2 1 
 in the Pocket of his Ladies Gown, and fo comes down into the Hall amon-hLsefvL S 
 
 Ltr w ■ "'' ich,,i5 
 
 By this timers Wife the lady Belinda is returned from Church ; he Dines with her and 
 he cannot diffemble bis dtfcootent and malice again!* her fo artificially, but that {he ob 
 fervesfomcdiftemper mbts looks, and extravagancy in his fpeeches, but f ( ,ch is her nnX' 
 as The ts no way either curious or Careful! thereof, nor as much as once furmifeth of whS 
 be had now performed and acted. Dinner being ended, as foon as lhebetak»s her Me , 
 walk m the Allies and Arbours of her delicate Garden, her Husband D* “ ! 
 
 jealous and bloody refoluttons are walking a contrary way - heisfo netled «„h r 
 
 and ftung to the heart with malice and rcVen°e as he afeends to hl« a 'I b 
 an excellent Sword and felt, a Cafe of 
 
 Bullets, calls for Emanuel dt FeraUo, his Ladies Gentleman-lifter who wm W ‘ th W ° 
 young man both of his perfon and hands, bids him tocaufe two of hisbeft 
 Horfes fpeedily to be made ready, and wills him to accompany him to the Tow^f ^2. * / 
 los. FeraUo perform! this order of his Lord, and then tells himZ h ^iuZ^ n tr 
 den, and acquamth,s Lady and Millris with his abfence, and to recewe her'eommands be' 
 fote hts departure , but his Lord commands him to the contrary, and neither to fee or fpS 
 
 with her, fo they take horfe and away. Now within half an hour after, the Lady BMrt 
 returns from the Garden, and underiland.ng of their departure, ( in regard of the Sd 
 dennefs and unexpeaat.on thereof; knows not what to fay or think thereof" or whither or 
 about what bufinefs they are gone; but Ibe neither once dreams nor concedes fo much as i 
 thought, that her Husband De Mora had found her Sweet-heart Palura s Letter, much lefs 
 that he bad any mahetous or defperate attempt, fo fuddenly .to put in execution alainft 
 
 N n n 2 D , - 
 
 mm 
 
(j pdf Jtievenge againfi IVlurtber. Ijook \ \ 
 
 ao 1v^ yoLnf Wife SgCfri* »r«, 
 
 2Ki ringe ^ainft «*-, be crudiy' refcl- 
 and this Hlou Uewun . r jd c5 avvay t0VVM ds h.s houfe near a»rr-*-(- 
 
 vingto tnaxehts B <dy ' ™ l jte J‘1^ # L ’ frc m it in a fair green Meadow, fends his 
 l s, and Haying fo - Jf 1 ^ ^ ^ ukc his holfe> and c ero c freak with him 
 
 ® ,n era .0 V v jjj c [, much imports his good ; Ftra », (knowing leaftef thisciuar- 
 
 ihere, aot '° , j Mafter Dt Mora thought mot ) ) fir.ds cut Don Palura at his 
 
 «' rf 1 imi , d=li«c«h him h:” s , which TAI,,. crictod- 
 
 houfe, and in retp l ; exoeedin-lv to doubt and wonder of Dt Moras m- 
 
 re7n ‘ tfhTSSS’&'t and afediom, looking more on the 
 tention. and twfoto • > ^ Dt AJo a her Husband, he fpeedily (with- 
 
 it ibTyAta away with Fera’o to him in the Meadow, 
 
 ?vh TcD Mr a 1 on horfe back ) impatiently attended hh coming. Salutations being here 
 w Vj he. ween them which Pain a obfei ves ih *Z>* Mora to be more fliort than Ceremcm- 
 6 ^ " i* mo 1 e abrupt than refpedtful) D* Mora calls his Man Ftralls to him, and privately 
 ous, andenot* eldowor two*ft and not to dare effer, either to (Ur or draw, 
 
 StToevw fcefeepafs betwixt him and Palura, the which his Man Ft alio obeys, but with 
 much wader and admiration, what this bufinefs might mean or produce between them. 
 
 H e De CMora very pafiionately and cholerickly ebargeth Palura Hr aoutog and diflio. 
 
 * o r h m bv comffiictiag aduberv with his Wife Bellindt ; the w.iich Pa:Ht a t fc- 
 ronijj * > y | £ a jf s afp-rhon, and (as an honourable Gentleman) in 
 
 -n innocency, and his Wifc.be Lady ^ 
 hn ia’s ebafiity very apparent and probable : but thefe feigned excuf. s and falfe oaths and 
 foeeches tf Pa nr a do noway fatisfie, but rather the more ireenfe the je.loufie, and tn- 
 flune the malice and revenge of Do Mora againft him-, whereupon he (hews him his own 
 Letter, and with much bittemefs and vehemency, demands him if that bis own h nd- 
 writin u do not palpably convince him of adultery with his Lidv. '‘Palura is amazed at the 
 fioht of this his Letter,' fothat blufhing for lUime, he cannot here yet refrain from .locking 
 Dale with grief and anger thereat ; neverthslefs, he will not be fo lrgratelul to the beau- 
 tv and aft'Jtio-i of B.ltinda, to think that fbe hath betrayed him, by delivering up thts l.:? 
 Letter to her Husband, but rather (giving a good interpretation and cenftruamn to the 
 purity of her intents and aftedUons towards him 1 he believes with confidence, that he had 
 Lilkr.lv and furreptiticuflv betrayed her thereof ; whereupon to fortthe her reputation, 
 and I) vindicate and clear his own innocency, he ( with high words and loud cracks ) pro- 
 tefteth his Letter robe falfe,- fuborned, none of his ■ and that it was written by fcow Witch 
 or Devil, andfentby fome treacherous enemy of his, purpotely to.aftropt him. and to dif 
 grace his virtuous, chad, and innocent Lady Btllmia , but thefe feigned palliating exo fits 
 of his, cannot pafs currant with the jealoufteand revenge of T>e _Mwa, who now ( 'o r^fe 
 contemplation intoad.on) tells Palura that nothing but h.s death cm c X pute and 
 th ; s his crime, and therefore ( on horfe-back as he was ) draws hts Sword, and bias 
 dothelike. The whicti l 1 alar a hearing and feeing, hecquallyfor the prefervatton ot Bulon- 
 d *», s honour, and bis own life, ( as a brave and generous Gentleman ) like wife ^»«s asL.gb* 
 ly difdaining to have his youth and courage cut-b aved by this old Cavalier i but note be- 
 fore they begin to fight, Palura with many ftrong reafens, and patneticd 
 again and again prays T>e Mora to dcf.ft from the combate, and to reft iitMmihoue 
 truth of his Lady Belindas honour, and his own innocency m this their luppofed and preten- 
 ded crime of adultery: bat he fpeaks to the Wind, for Dt Mora returns him blovyj for 
 
 W °The event and fortune of this their Combat on horfeback is, that in two fever:! meet- 
 ir.^s and inccuotcrs, Palura hath received no wound, but given De Mora two, the one in 
 his 5 neck, and the other in his left atm, whereof he bleeds fo exceedingly, as aebegins to oil- 
 pair of the vidlory, and with his Pillolsto provide for his own lafety and life ; they by a mu- 
 tual confent divide thcmfelves a little dillarxe.off to breathe. When P alma reining his HorW 
 a little too ftrait, and his Horfe being hot and furious, and by rneer ftreugth and force turning 
 round, De Mora with bis watchful and vigilant eye, taking the advantage rf this Lvou. 
 rable accident, C when Palura never cnee dreams or thinks of Pifiols) Ipecdily pulls gK two 
 Pifiols forth his pocket, and moll bafeiy and tread: eroully, with the firft (hoots him tno- 
 row the head, and with the fecond into the reins of his back, of which mortal wourM 
 he prtfently, fed off from his Horfe dead to the ground, having neither the power to repent 
 

 Hid X A X. Dd iVior a } l eratio and oellmda. 
 
 "* i,ns nor ' n f.^ Jcet or “Hvi'-fs to pray unto God for theTfvation cf'hV^fciTT 
 ™ <hu * ' VJS the utuuDd y end > *»< lamentable death cf this valiant young Cavalier fZ 
 
 n, D ' < -^ l,jYa feting PaDradtsd, and having mere naf< n outwardly to rejovee in this his vi 
 XIV ,han ^watdly in tbedaufeand manner tnereef, he waves his Handker-chicf to his mm 
 Fir*Uo tocometph.m, ( who was an cyf-witne(V, and fearer, and co-mate) which he 
 presently doth, t< whom he fpeaks thus • Furt, Acquaiat ^Ws Servants in his houfe thar 
 1 hwi flon their Matte in a Duel ; then ride home, and tell my Wife the Lady Bellinil hat 
 
 ‘t e ;r he ; ffi i n r d , Adukerrr toHe ^ ^ ^ <■««%«&£ cJZJm! 
 
 nex he tak« l«ve of ‘ hfn 1 T "° W ' vhsn throwin S him feme Gold for his joJ 
 
 andatthever y next Town drefletb his wounds, which 
 
 Now doth Fer .Jit face fording to his Lords commiflion and order) inform Palura's Servants 
 ; n,s death, and of hts fa.d Lord and Mailers v.dory, but ( f r his honour and reputations 
 
 oimi T eal, f tr he L bif l y ard treacherou % m him wi( h his Piftols : they are ex- 
 t candy forrow ful for tins his nvsfortunatc end : fo whiles they fetch home his breathlefs 
 
 r-! V l V S ^ Cent BurijI 5 Ftr ’ M ° returns home, and truly and punftuaflV 
 
 i? orils Udv B , t,ie ,fluecf this combat; as alfoof his Lord RAW lpeecbet 
 wh.ch he commanded him to tell her, whom poor Lady is all in tears for the de«h of her 
 Lover Pain a ; and well fhe m.gby, in regard Hie loved him a thoufand times dearer than her 
 own life. So upon the recctt of this forrowful news, the flouts her felf ud in her Chamb-r 
 and for many days together, her grief and lamentations for his death are fo ^finite, as fhe 
 will acm’t of no company, counfd, t>r confolation whatfoever; fhe confidereth how d>eplv 
 the misfortune .of this dtlafter will fcanda|.,ufiyrefle&onher honour, and fall on her retu- 
 tanon and therefore vows to requite Pa!,ir a ‘s death feverely, and to revenge it fharply on the 
 life of her Husband Be Mora who was his mu rt hater, at leaft when fhe fhall be fo happy or 
 rather lo muerable, to fee him return to bet from Lhbont. She exceedingly wondreth at 
 ms lecret malice, and fudden indignation and refutation towards Pa'ura , but more at the 
 cauie thereof, and from what point of theCcmpafs, or part of Hell this furious Wind fiiculd 
 proceea * when at hit, having ncthirg die capable to comfort her, or to give truce to 
 ii.r tears , but the light of ialura‘% aforefaid Letter feDt to her , the which in tender 
 aftedion to bun, ftiefor his f.-ke had fo often perufed and killed ; (he therefore paffionatcly 
 and penfively fl esto herCloiet, and with affedtion and forrow to her Cabincr, tofeaft her 
 eyeswih the fight, and to delight and comfort her heart with the perufal thereof; when 
 ( contrary to hurexpedation 5 flie finds the Letter taken away, her other Papers di/placed 
 and her Jewels reverfed in her Cabinet, and then fiie knows for cert in, that it is her Hus- 
 bindDcMora, who had thus nftai her Cabinet, ard who had bereaved and robbed her 
 of this iwect Letter, which ( next to P *lura‘s fight and prefence) was the chiefeft joy of her 
 heart, and the fweeteft felicity and content <f her mind; the which confidering, ihe there- 
 fore abloiutely believes, that the deteehen and perufal of this Letier, was the the foie caufe of 
 her Lord and Husbands jealpuiit, as that of her fweet Pa'ur \ death ; wherein indeed 
 flie is nothing deceived, for fome fix weeks afeer, he returns home to her from LUb nt, where-' 
 
 ( in favour of pis- Noble Birth and Deice -t, of his m»ny great Friends, and of a hu°e 
 Sum of M mey ) he ( in abfcoce of me Viceroy ) bad obtained his pardon, from the 
 Chamber cf that Cf y, and the very full faluiations that he gave his Lady ‘-Belinda 
 ( i he which, I know t o; whether he d«.l vered to her with more contempt or choller ) was 
 
 Minion ( quoth be ) how many P. ayrrs and Orayfons haft thou faid for the foul of thy ’ 
 Ri ftiw and Adulterer P*l*ra ? when fbe being exceedingly galled to the heart with thefe his 
 fcandalous fpecches, fhe yetto juftifie her own honour and innocency, diffcmbles hergrief 
 for PaUra s death, as much as her jealous Husband triumphs and infults thereat, and fo 
 frames him this fhort reply ; That P .lura was not her Adulrerer, but a Gentleman cf honour, 
 and therefore fhe bciought God to forgive him hjs own heynous fin and execrable crime 
 for fo foully and balely murthering of him. De Mora netled with this his Ladies Apology 
 and juftification, which he knew to be as Life as her, and P dxras crime of adultery was 
 true; he producer h this Letter to her, then reads it her, and in a great rage and fury, im- 
 mediately tears and burns it before hsr face . now although the fighr and know!ed° of this 
 Letter, asalfo hcr Husbands burning thereof, d >th exceedingly vex and perplex our Lady 
 2 itHinda, yet fiie was herewith no way daunted, but again very boldly tells him ; that 
 fiw ca*ot prevent aDy Gentleman to'write and fend her a Letter ; and although in the 
 
 Nnn 3 conclufion, 
 
 457 
 
 B 
 
 
God's Revenge againft Murther. Book V I* 
 
 ccndufion of this his Letter to her had limply and finifterly mentioned kifles end embaces, 
 ■yet Hie peremptorily vowed and f.vore to him , the fufl had not exceeded the bounds 
 of civility, nor the lad violated the laws and rules of hontur •, fo wife and politick 
 was fhe in her anfwers, and fo falfe and hypociitical in her juflification towards her Hus- 
 band. 
 
 The which he well obferviog, and undemanding, as alfo with what a pleafing grace (h« 
 fpakeit, his own luflful age, yet (till doting on the fre/hnefs of the youth and beauty of tbi* 
 his young Wife, feeing that Pal nr a ( who was the caufe and objcCi of his je alcufic ) wa* 
 now removed and dead, he therefore for the prefervation of his own honour and reputati* 
 on, in that of his Ladies, doth content himfelf fo far, as to bury the greateft part of his dif. 
 content acd jealoufie againft her, intheduftof oblivion, or in that of Pal urn’s Grave . and to 
 that end he affords her his Table ft ill, and his Bed fometimes, as if that obligation of cour- 
 tefie, would reclaim her lafeivious thoughts, and again call home her wanton defires to 
 chaftity and honour ; neverthelefs, the better to effeCt and compafs if, he much retrains 
 her of her former liberty, and debars her the company and fight of all Gentlemen what- 
 foever, that come to his houfe. A peeviib Cuftom, which the Husbands of Spain, For* 
 tugal, and Italy, tyrannically ufe towards their Ladies ; whereas contrarivvife the Ladies 
 and Gentlewomen of England and France, are far more happy, beciufc more chaft and 
 honourable towards their Husbands, in ufing, and not abufing this their liberty and free- 
 dom.- 
 
 Bellinda with a watchful eye, and a wanton • heart, obferves thefe paffages and comport- 
 ments of her Husband De <JM,ra towards her, and in obferving laughs at them ; but becaufe 
 her lafeivious mind inceffantly tells her, that there is no Hell to that of a difeontented Bed ; 
 therefore hating his age as much a$ he loves her youth, her Talma being dead, fhe forthwith 
 refolves to make choice of another Lover, and at what rate foever, not to trifle away her 
 time, and her youth idly, but to pafs it away in the amorous delights of carnal voluptu- 
 oufnefs and fcnfuality. To which effect miffing of other Gentlemen, ( and therefore en- 
 forced to make a vertue of nece/llty ) fhe forgetting her felf and her honour, makes choice of 
 Ter alio, her own Gentleman-Ufher, a man every way as proper as fhe is fair, and as well 
 timbred as fhe is beautiful, and near of her own years, which as yet had not exceeded one 
 and twenty : to F ‘ratio therefore fhe freely imparts her affe&ions and favours, who as free- 
 > ly receives, and as joyfully and amoroufly entertains both her and them : fo that to write 
 the beft of truth and modefty, I muft here affirm, , that as he was formerly his Ladies llfber, 
 now he makes himfelf his Lords follower ; and ( unknown to him ) very often ties her fhoo- 
 ft rings, and takes up her Mask and Gloves for her ; and many times when the old Nobleman 
 is afleep, then this ignoble couple of unchaft Lovers are waking to their obfeene pleafures, 
 and fecretly facrificing up their lafeivious defires to wanton Cupid the Son, and to luflful Vt- 
 nus the Mother, but they fhall find Wormwood intermixed in this Honey, and Gall in this 
 Sugar. 
 
 For three months together our Bellinda the Miflris, and Ferallo the Man, drown them- 
 felves in the impiety of thefe their carnal delights and pleafures, as if they made it their felici- 
 ty and glory to continue the practice and profdlion thereof; but at the end and expiration of 
 this time, as clofe as they bear this their adulterous familiarity from Be Mora , it comes to bis 
 knowledg by an unexpected accident and means ; for the Reader mull underftand, that 
 Teral’owhs heretofore diftioneftly familiar, with his Belinda's waiting- Gentlewoman named 
 JJertdia, who ( under pretext and colour of Marriage ) be had many times ufed, at his lafei-. 
 vious pleafurc ; fo that Herodia feeing that Ftra/lo’s affections were now wholly tranfported 
 from her felf to her Lady Bellinda, and that he fiighteth and difdaineth her, to embrace and 
 adore the other ; fhe is lb imaged with jealoufie at the knowledg and confideration thereof, 
 as (be calls a ccunfel in her heart and thoughts, what to do herein, how to prevent it, and 
 again how to reclaim, and regain Ferallo and his affedion, from her Lady to her felf., and (he 
 is foir. flamed with jealoufie towards them, as flie can reap no peace by day of her mind, nor 
 reft by eight tf her heart, before flie have effected it ; to which end, having ran over a whole 
 world of remedies and expedients, (beat laft refolves on this, to acquaint her Lord and Mafler 
 Be Mora with this unchalie and obfeene familiarity, between his Lady Bellinda and her Lover 
 Ferallo , and hetrageisfooutragious, as with infinite malice and celerity (be performs it. At 
 which unexpected and unwelcome news, our :o!d Lord Be Mora , hath now his heart anew fet 
 on fire with jealoufie and malice, both towards his Lady, and herUflier Ferallo, fo that he as 
 foon believes as underftands this their adultery, without ever making a ftand, either to con- 
 lu.er the truth, cr to examine the circumflances thereof; whereupon, to make fliort work, and 
 
Hift. XXX. Be Mora , FeraUo and Bellinda. 
 
 459 
 
 t0 p-ovide a fpecdy remedy fot this unfortunate difafterand difeafe- he without fpeaking a 
 word of r, either to his Lady MHwta, or to FeraUo, fuddenly cafliiereth him from hi? boqfe 
 and fcrvice and in fuel) difgraccful manner, as he will not fo. much as permit him to'hnqw 
 the reafon hereof, or to fee or take leave of his Ladv and Miftris ; and from thenceforth Be 
 Mora looks on'her with infinite contempt and jealoufie. For it galls him ?othe heart, ' 
 to remember her difhonour and difhonefty with Falxra, and now far more to know that lie 
 is doublv guilty thereof with her own domeftick Servant and Gentrenun-Ufher FeraUo ; 
 wherefore he a^ain retrains her of her liberty, and his jealoufie fo far exceeds the, bounds 
 of judgment, and the limits of reafon, as he will difficultly permit her to fee any man, or 
 any man to fee her ; but as Rivers flopped do (fill degorge with more violence, and over- 
 flow with more impctuofitv, fo Bflhnda takes this new jealoufie of her old Husband, and 
 this fudden exile and banifliment of Ferallo her Lover and Gent [eman-Ulher inextreamill 
 , and l af'er flie hath wept and lighed her (ill thereat) die then believes the prime and 
 original caufe thereof, to proceed from the malice and jealoufie of her Waiting-Gentlewo- 
 man Heredia : wherefore being infinitely defpighted and mcenfed agamfi her ; die ( in her 
 dear love andaffefton to FeraUo ) to requite her Husbands courtefie, very ,aifcou ( teoufly 
 turns her away , and for ever ban.flied her, her houfe and fervice : . and to write the truth J?- 
 rall . jikewife in hatred and malice to IJcrodm, will from thenceforth neither fee nor fpcak 
 with her more. But to verifte the Englifh Proverb, that love wilWreep where it cannot go, 
 although Be Mora banifhed FeraUo from his. houfe, and reftraineth his Lady Belfrda of her 
 liberty in his houfe, yet fometimes by day, and many times by mght, they (by the affidance 
 of feme fecret Agents or Ambafiadouss of love ) do in the Arbours of the Gardens, and in 
 of the bonfc vSy amaroully meer, „„d moll tafov.ooll, lij .«d 
 10 u nr* ffYOPther Thev hold many private conferences on their unlawful affeftions , 
 fnAmanv fecret confutations upon their unjufl: difeonrents : fo at lafi both of themjoyn- 
 gte Sa iSSmrmf, *nd ( m'r.rer, »<« Ml belt dittingo tad by . heir too. 
 
 ' 8 „„ ) finding each others company (wet:, and tb«r feqoaltiiicn .nd foarMmnblC.tr; 
 T !iX m„rh foi cet their felves and their fouls, and fo much flye from Heaven and Gcd, 
 lbe /i W s tai and Hell ashotfi of them believe and refolve, they can have no true or 
 t0 XTontent on Earth, ’before Be (Mora be firft fent to Heaven , now upon this bloody 
 perfeff c hclliffi plot they fully refolve, only the gordian knot 
 
 ft 22 S'in. and link fall .hi. tat bulmtf. I., .ha. D' Mr. being dead, M. 
 ftmuftordv af.er Marry ber Gen.ltman-Ufher JM, rtkerermro .tth a. milch 
 l,»da mu " y b ear f u |j v confenteth ; when they are fo prophane, as they seal this 
 joy as vanity _ man 0at h s , and ratifie and confirm it with a world of 
 
 their ungo V . . npqth? thev refolve on that Drug of the DeviJ* Poy- 
 
 kifles : an d ^ V j fear 'e of God, they of Chriftians metamorphofe and 
 
 fon-, fo wuhou* flnd feZJbuxinzihe Poyfon, Bcllinia very fecretly and fubcilly 
 
 ^.toSSirU h«r b»rd .«■ forbid D, M,„ .Mr 
 
 m Dret-Dr nn anQ i j he wu hi n J e fs than four months dies thereof ; 
 
 bong of Stttior Ore- o( grirfand form., ta give, 
 
 ft" Inamof hi. name, and rhe qurli.y of In. dig- 
 
 him a flatly runera,> ! ry , . . . d ; w5 |j pu ll off the Mask of this her monffrous by- 
 nicy and honour, but Our iealous old Lord Be Mora being thus layed 
 
 pocrifie, and in erna p p ■’_ [ (j raV e • his joyful forrowful Widdow the Lady 
 
 and raked up m the duftot his e 3' 0 f her Father Car fro, to the wonder of 
 
 Bellinda, accordmg to her protnife lo tix g wjth this her <3e n tleraan-Ufher Fe- 
 
 fe and bbody Marriages. m oii commonly meet with m.faable 
 
 mance of his affedionsool - y marriage having now madethem equal, they 
 
 though they. ,re irneqqal in birth aq^rank^yctm g ^ b ^ ^ of ^ fmal| parce i 
 
 mutually Ms an ^ de)ights and p | e afures makes him negledffi!, and which is 
 
 of time i V , . t r ; nC catitude, but too often fubjeft to men of his inferior 
 
 WO f C iS w icb the rntfS^of Ladies of honour, very oftenpaysdear for 
 
 rank and quality, ana wn n t k.« ftill with reDentance ) fo that for ten nights, and 
 
 a§ buying it many one . ^ unkind ingr ^ icude of 
 fometimes for fifteen together, h f k and mcans m ^ es 
 
Gods Revenge again# Murther. BookVl 
 
 love towards h cr.But to a fccnd to the head-fpring of this hi. diW^fie towards her aTdfo 
 to fetch and derive it from its own proper original, we mult know, tha: Ticallo was fo viti- 
 ,nc ^ n ^ ant ? and bale, as now he is deeply in love with a new Waiting Genrfpivnm 
 of his Ladies named Chnfialw, * ^cet young Maiden, of feme eiX^ 
 olftatureand (lender of body, andwhofe beauty was every way as clear and Dure^ h 
 name, and yet whofe Maiden-head ( with a few' rich prefents. and many ti e r S * 
 oaths and falfe promifes ) he had I fccretly purchafed and gotten from her •' y-ea his^ffeS 
 was fo fervent to her that part of the day could not content his luflfol defires but he fort« 
 himlelf fo far, as before his Ladies nofe, and almoftin her fight, he muft Jve m ,th 
 whole nights, and which is vvorfe, almoll every night, without fo much as once^F fr* 
 Jus own Wife the Lady Belinda, or either loving what (he cared for, or caring for whatfoe 
 
 But Belinda efteems her felf too good a Gentlewoman, and to great a Ladv tor, a 
 out-braved and difgraced by a Taylors Son ( for fo was Ter 2) and therefore L"f. T 
 
 her heart is too well lodged, and too high fixed and feated in the degree of her hiXn r 
 ..cent, thus to receive and fuflfer an affront, by a man of fo low a beginning andfot 
 noble a quality and extraft.on as he was, and whom (he had raifedTroSthSf/ VS 
 conferred and honoured him with her affeftion and bed, and of her Server "I* ? d 
 her Husband; when for the fpace of fix months tooeJherhav^contLLn ma ? e , h ! m 
 beftof her art, and the chiefefl of her power, herlfwceteft Derfwaficns ! d k fcd th ? 
 fugred prayers and felicitations to make him abandon her Maid ChnftJ;„* 
 gain to reclaim him and hisaffedon from her to her felf- but feeine' aftr , d f ° a * 
 and her prayers and intreaties towards him to prove frivolous “17*' 
 
 with Satan, and not with God ) begins to affume L ^ ? ( S°? fu, ?"S 
 
 agamft him, for this his foul dilloyalty and bafe inerarim !r -Tn d’lhffd ,f even o fuI malice 
 but fir ft before (he attempts it, her Kent and her : 
 try another conclufion, which isto put 
 
 from her fervice and attendance, in horc that Ter all* h«- „ !! . Ge " t,eW(in,J " Chnfialm* 
 likewife put off himfelf and his S from h« £e thi ^ nd tbe « b y 
 
 reaps no fuccefsful iffue according to her defire* bur ^5 / ° )e f ard refo,utIon of hers 
 For he is ftil! fo deeply enamoured, and foconftantlv affeded m cl\ *r { °° n ^ s be § innin g. 
 
 hope of amendment, and therefore defpairing of an v reft r u fec J ng no 
 
 fumes her former bad and bloody thou°hts a°ainrt him andr« «° n th reo ^ ,n b ' m * re - 
 ly rcfolves to mnrther him. Her jeifie Yakes & A * P^emptori'y and definitive- 
 vengeful, and her revenge thus bloodv-hearred and b tb “ s , ma, ' ci0u, » *>er malice thus re- 
 content to pace, bu: foe will ride ^So 1 er confor t0Wards him - Shc “"not be 
 
 murther to murther ; foe hath formerly poy foned SftttS i?” T"’ ^ 
 refolves to Ponvard to death Fcrallo h/r iv> r nnd . c nr t i^L S ^ anc * Mora, and now foe 
 not m J g >, „p" b ,e"„ rf ? r &» .«i «■«*, 
 
 in the performance and execution thereof But thefe sre’th/kv ** r y - tb "l ks bcr felf bappy, 
 2Kf ofeWee, 
 
 Feralo, (without fear ortaTe^w^ and d f o y al Husband 
 
 Strumpet Chrifinlina, this his ungodly Wife, and rcven°efoFLadvB<//"i f S nf “ k I,ty witbbis 
 crefie as treachery) is in requital thereof orenarino „c ?• U i, y , ^ with as much fe- 
 
 «■ r.ge.and fo outrage 
 
 bufcd or defrauded by him, but thinks every hoarmare w / J l ' n<,l ?”S'r be a- 
 
 Heaven. She will no more be controled and over j k ^ hl v ? d,f P at cbed him for 
 
 fervant.and who firft reputed it his greateft hanDmefTrif^l byb ' m , , y ho was formerly her 
 him the honour to kifs her I p»,or JS SSX 1^' her h ? nd - b i^ vouched 
 
 now feet w„h grief,, ba, he Ea'rb beSy dE te^!L“ fa4, '. ber J“ b " W. Sbe 
 b.r to her Maid Ckr lf t„, m >nd J ore ,l,|,’ oa ' h ^E^'°” r r"S InsafFeOionfron. 
 
 confcicnc^ 
 
Hiit. XXX . De Mora , Ferallo and "Belltndd, 
 
 confcience, not her foul, nor the confideration of Heaven or Hell, can diifwade or keep het 
 from this her bloody purpofe,or divert her from the perpetration of this inhumane and cru - 
 elmurtheri but the very firft night that he leaves her maid Chrijialin and lies with her 
 hdf, (he (being purpofdy provided of a very (harp and keen Razor, which (he put in one of 
 her gloves, and clapt it under her Pillow) at break of day, as he lay in bed foundly deeping 
 and fnoring by her, (he as a Devil incarnate cuts his throat, and leaves him ttrugling in the 
 Bed, and weltering in his blood, without once haviiig the power to think, or fpeak to God. 
 
 Thus we have feen the bloody malice, and infernal fury and revenge of this execrable 
 young Lady BeUinda, in fo lamentable and cruel murthering her firtt and old Husband De 
 Afar*, and now her young Ferallo, and becaufe the perpetration of thefe her inhumane crimes 
 and fads are fo odious to God, that their knowledg hath already pierced the clouds, and 
 their fight afeended to the facred prefence and tribunal of God *, therefore his all-feeing, 
 and all-potent glorious Majcfty, being as impartial in his judgments, as divine in his decrees' 
 s hath already (harpned his fword of Juftice, and made ready his arrows of revenge, fpeedily 
 to inflid,and give her condign punilhment for the fame, yea, and far fooner than either (lie 
 thinks or dreams thereof. 
 
 She having thus difpatchcd this bloody buiinefs, and feeing her Husband Ferallo lie 
 breathlefs in the bed by her, (he rifeth up, and the better to colour out, and overvaile this 
 her inhumane and mondrous villany, (he takes this her dead Husband’s Knife out of his 
 Pocket, and goring it all in his blood, (he leaves it on his Pillow by him, thereby ( with as 
 much hypocrilie as treachery) to inlinu&te a belief and confidence in the opinion of all men, 
 that he had there murthered himfelf,and that infallibly he was the author and a&or of this 
 his deplorable death * which having performed, (he takes on a fine clean Holland-Smock, 
 and puts off her Cambrick one that (he wore, which as a fatal mark of her cruelty, and a 
 prodigious Banner of her inhumanity, was all ttained and engrained over with her Hus- 
 band’s blood, and wrapping it upveryclofe together, (he therein likewife envellops and en- 
 wraps her bloody Razor, and alio a two pound brafs Weight, thereby the better to make it 
 fink, for (he refolves that very morning to throw it into a Pond : (6 feerct is (he in contri- 
 ving, and fo politick in the concealing of this her cruel fa dfr. The morne advancing to fix 
 of the Clock, which was dark, cloudy and obfeure, as if fby the fecret appointment, and 
 facred providence of God ) the Sun (with his glittering beamsj abhorted to behold fo 
 pittiful and lamentable a Spectacle. Bellindi hath no fooner apparelled her felf, but tri- 
 umphing in this her falfe vidtory and bloody conqueft, and giving the murthered body of 
 her Husband a farewell, compofed of many curfes and execrations, (he loftly iflueth forth, 
 clapping her bloody Smock and Razor in her Pocket, the which (to make lure work) (he 
 had tied faft with one of her blew Silk Garters, then locks the Chamber-door, and very fo 
 cretly and furely conveys and throws in the Key within fide, and then defeends to the Gar- 
 den, where calling Helena (another of her Waiting- Gentlewomen to her) (he bids her 
 fetch her Prayer-Book sand thus away (he goes towards their Pariflv Church of St. Julianas 
 on foot, which by computation was fome half a fmall League off their houfc,and forbids an y 
 Man-lervant to wait or attend on her thither. She is not a Furlong off, but the more clofe- 
 ly to finitti her defign , (he there purpofely fends 3Way her Maid Hellcna to the Parifli- 
 Church before hex, with this invented and colourable errand i to feekouc her own Pried, 
 Father Sebaflian, and to prepare him then to fay Mafs to her, the which Hellenj doth. Now in 
 the midway between her houfe and the Church, is a great deep Pond, by the which (heds 
 topafs, but a little before (lie draws near it, a poor old maimed Soldier, being cafhiered 
 from the Garrifon of the Cattle of Cajlcayes , (named Rodirigo ) travelling towards his home, 
 and feeing this Lady all alone, and obferving the fweetnefs of her beauty, and the richneft 
 of her Apparel and Attire,his poverty inforceth and incourageth him to requeft and beg an 
 Alms of her, the which with much humility he doth. But the Lady BcBrtdas heart and 
 thoughts,were fo much furprized and taken up with cruelty, as (he knew not what belong* 
 cd to charity *, and therefore having other bufinefs and Windmills in her head, (he is offen- 
 ded with Rodrigo’s begging importunity, as flatly refufing to give him any Alms, (he for- 
 gets her felf fo tar, as inftead thereof, (he gives him many harfh words, and at Iaft fends 
 him away with fomc unkind and foul fpeeches *, the which poor Roderigo , took fo ill at her 
 hands, that f in the fumes of a Soldier j he once thought to have requited it either on her 
 Perfon, or her Apparel *, but then again (by her port and bravery^) deeming her to be 
 fomfc great neighbouring Lady, who that morning had purpofdy left her followers to take 
 the fweetnefs of the air, and therefore fearing his danger more than he loved his profit, he 
 
 O o o abandon^ 
 
462 
 
 * Golf Revenge agatnji Mwrther. Book VT. 
 
 abandoncth that cholerick and infolent rcfolution of his j when taking his leave of her, he 
 fomc two Butts length from her,betakes him to fit down at the foot of a great Pine- Appier 
 Tree, where he might fee her, but not fhe him j and there looking after her with an eye of 
 difcontent and indignation, he bewails his wants and hard fortune, and alfo condemneth 
 the obduratenefs of this unknown Ladies uncharitable heart towards him * and enquiring 
 afterwardsof a Milk* Maid which paffed by what fhe was, he is informed that fhe is the Lady 
 BeUinda , Widdow to the dead Alonfo de Mora , and now wife to Von Emanuel de Ferallo > who 
 hereat doth not a little both grieve and wonder, that fo rich and great a Lady wasguilty 
 of fomuchuncharitablenefs. By this time fhe being arrived to the Pond, looking about 
 her, and believing that no mortal eye had feen her, fhe therein throws her Smock and 
 Raior, (which as formerly I havefaid, fhe tyed faft together with one of her blew Ink 
 Garters) and the ponderofity of the brafs Weight made it inBantly to fink to the bottom * 
 whereof (he being infinitely joyful , away fhe trips to the Parifh Church , and there 
 hears Mafs , and mumbles out many Ave Maries and Pater Nojlers to her felf > but 
 the whole World in general, and the Reader in particular, may imagine with what 
 a foul confidence , and ulcerated foul, fhe then and there performs this her Devo- 
 tion. 
 
 Now although this our wretched Lady Bellinda have murfhered this her fecond Husband 
 Ferallo , with wonderful fecrefie, and buried thefe bloody evidences thereof in the Pond* 
 with fuch admirable care and privacy, that fhe thinks it wholly impoffible for all the Earth 
 to reveal it *, loe if Earth cannot, yet now Heaven will. So here before I proceed fur- 
 ther, let mein the Name and pear of God, requeB the Chriftian Reader here to admire 
 and wonder with me, at the mercy and goodnefs, and at the providence and pleafure of 
 God, in his miraculous detedion, and condign revenge and punifbment thereof > for he 
 muff know and underhand, that it feems God had purpofely brought, placed and feated 
 this poor, old, weary, maimed Soldier Roderigo y at the foot of this Pine-Tree, to be a happy 
 inftrumem of his praife, and a true Sentinel and difeoverer, both for his facred juBice and 
 divine honour i for here although BeUinda carried away her heart and charity from him, 
 yet (as if guided by fome heavenly power and cceleBial influence J, Roderigo could not 
 poffibly carry away his eyes from her, but as clofely as (he threw this bloody cloth into the 
 Pond, heeipiesit, and which is more, -very plainly and palpably difeerns the whitenefs 
 and redneis thereof * when confideringand thinking with himfelf , that this gallant and 
 proud Bellinda might be as unchafie and lafeivious as fhe was fair, and as vicious as fhe was 
 young*, God (with his immediate finger) imprinted in his thoughts, and ingraved in his 
 heart and mind, that either her felf, or fome one of her Waiting-Gentlewomen had had 
 fomeBaflard, and that fhe had murthered it, and now thrown it into the Pond, and was 
 fo itronglypofTelled of this conceit and belief, that neither day or night, nor nothing un- 
 der Heaven could poflibly beat him from it, but for a while he refolves to conceal this 
 conceit to himfelt , as referring the truth thereof to time , and the iffue to 
 God. 
 
 And here the Order of our HiBory calls us again from Roderigo to Bellinda , who as 
 foon as Mafs is done, (with her Waiting-Gentlewoman HellenaJ returns home to her 
 houfe, and by that time they arrive there it is Nine of the Clock, where (putting a 
 pleafantface upon her falfe heart *, and a fweet countenance upon her foyled and finful 
 foul) fhe prelent ly inquires for her Husband Von Ferallo , her fervants make anfwer 
 that they have not feen him to day, and that they think he is Bill in bed, whereat fhe 
 mufing and wondering, in regard he was not accuffomed to ileep at fo high an hour 
 fte therefore fends fome of her fervants to his Chamber to fee if he be Birring: but 
 finding his Chamber-door locked , and calling aloud to him , they can get no anfwer 
 from him i the which they return and report to their Lady Bellinda , who Teeming ex- 
 ceedingly to doubt and grieve thereat, fhe (far more perplexed in countenance than 
 in heart) afeends with them again to her Husband's Chamber, where they all call and 
 knock aloud at the Door to him, and (he far louder than them all, but in vain for 
 Bill they hear no news either ot him, or from him, whereat flie begins f outwardly) 
 to tremble with apprehenlion and fear , and fo commands them to force open the 
 ?°°u°u hl j r U n bcr ’ w h ic h they inftantly do, where they fee their Lord, and fhe 
 her Husband ferallo , to lie breathlefs m his Bed, all begored and reeking in his hot 
 * nd w * r ™ , B1 °° d , with h.s Throat cut ; whereat his Servants for true grief , and his 
 Lady bellinda for falfe forrow, make a lamentable cry , and a pittiful out-cry in his 
 
 Chamber, 
 
Hi ft. XXX. De Mora, Feraiio and Bellinda. 463 
 
 Chamber, which is over-heard in all the houfe, but efpecially the Lady Belinda her 
 felf, who fo artificially diflfembled her Joy, and fo pdfionritely makes detaonftraticn 
 of extream grief and affe&ion, for this deplorable death of her Lord and Husband, both 
 to her Servants and to God, that fhe is all in rears, and cannot, becaufe {he will not 
 be comforted thereat: they find the Chamber Door locked, the Key within-fide, and 
 his own bloody Knife on his Pillow, and therefore they eafily refolve and conclude, 
 that this their Lord and Matter Ferallo hath wilfully made himfelf away, and is un- 
 doubtedly the Author of his own death *, which opinion and refolution of the Servanrs, 
 their Lady and Miftris Bellinda ( fecretlyto her kit ) relifheth with much applaufe and 
 approbation ; and to make her afflictions and forrows the more apparent to them, and 
 / in them consequently to the worfd, (lie doth not refrain from excelfive weeping and 
 fighing. They leave the dead Corps untouched in the Bed, to acquaint che criminal 
 Corrigadors of Strcmos with this pittiful accident, who come, and being amazed at 
 this bloody difatter and accident of Ter alio 5 they viewing the infinity of his Ladies 
 tears, and the forrowful complaints and exclamations of his Servants, as alfo confi- 
 dering their feveral depofitions and examinations • and feeing they found his Cham- 
 ber Door faft locked, the Key within-fide, and bis own bloody Knife by him on his 
 Pillow, they all concur with them in opinion about the mariner and quality of his 
 death, and do absolutely believe and affirm, that he hath defperately made him- 
 felf away, which opinion of theirs is prefencly received, voiced, and rumored in Stre - 
 mot, and in all the adjacent Parifhes arid Country: and yet many curious wits (in re- * 
 gard of Bellinda's youthful affeftions, and wanton dilpofition) fpeak very differently here- 
 of. And now doth this our forrowful young Widdow, fche better tofupport her fame 
 and reputation to the worlds bury this her fecond Husband Ferallo with all requifitc cere- 
 mony and decency. 
 
 But as the juftice and Judgments of God ( conduced by bis divine pleifure, and 
 infcrutable providence ) doth many times goon flowfly, but (till foundly and furely ; 
 fo we mutt: here again produce and bring forth our lame old Souldiet Roderigo to aft 
 another part on the Stage and Theater of this Hittory. He is ftill the fame man, and 
 (till retains his former fame opinion, that undoubtedly it was fome dead Child or Ba- 
 ftard which he faw the Lady Bellinda to throw into the Pond, and his heart inceflant- 
 ly prompted by his fufpition, doth ftill confidently fuggeft and allure him, thai that 
 bloody cloath of hers contained fome fccret, and invelloped fome fhameful myftery 
 towards her, which he thinks all the Water of the Pond could not deface or wadi a- 
 way : fo chat he now underftanding of her Husband Ferallo** difafterous bloody end, 
 doth no way diminish, but rather every way augment this his fufpition and jealou- 
 fie hereof. We mutt: further underftand, that Roderigo (the better to refrefh his body, 
 toreplenilh hrs Purfe, and to repair his Apparel ) ftays fome three weeks in Stremot , 
 and although he be a Souldier, and have his Sword by his fide, yet being out of aftu 
 on and Pay, be is not aftiamed to beg the Alms and Courccfies of the Gentlemen^ 
 
 Ladies and Gentlewomen both in and near about that City. Amongft the reft under- 
 ftanding of the Lady Bellinda*s great wealth and dignity, he therefore hopes, that her 
 new forrows and mourning for the untimely death of her Husband, will now make 
 her as compaftionate to his poverty in her houfe, as lately fhe wa6 difeourteous and 
 uncharitable to him in the fields : whereupon he repaits thither to her , but for 
 three days together, he is not fo happy to fpeak with her, or to fee her, but being 
 ftill preft by his poverty, and again emboldned by the confederation of what he faw 
 her eali into the Pond, he the fourth day finds her walking in the next Meadow ad- 
 joyning to her houfe, attended by two of her men-fervants, and two waiting-gentle- 
 women, all clad in Mourning Apparel : when ( with a boldnefs worth of a poof 
 diftreffed Souldier ) he advanced! to the Lady Bellinda y where ( interrupting her pri- 
 vate walks, and diftrafting her fecret thoughts and meditations ) he with much ob- 
 fervance, again begs lome charity of her ; whereat fhe being offended, becaufe her 
 heart and mind neither thoughr, nor cared for an old Souldier, but were wholly fix- 
 ed on fome defired new Gallant young Husband, fhe very cholerickly difdains him 
 and his requeft, and with much paitton and indignation ( toufe her own words ) com- 
 mandeth her Servants to fee this bold beggerly Souldier depart and pack away, both 
 from her and her houfe. Roderigo hearing thefe her harlh and difcourtcou^ fpeecfrcs, 
 and ^feeing her Servants unkind ufage and enforcement towards him, he with much 
 difeontent and choler leaves her houfe, but in requital thereof, vows that his revenge 
 
Goi X Revenge againft Murther. Book Vl 
 
 fliall not fo foon leave her: for this her fecond affront to him, puThhTalllTdioler 
 and fire towards her, fothat he vows to God, and f.vears to h.rofelf to ufe the heft 
 of bis power, and to work the ch.efefl of his Wits to perpetrate her difgrace When 
 ferret y and 'ffetaally informing himfelf from others, tha? Dor, Gaffer Jou^ who 
 was Nephew, and general heir to her firft Lord and Husband DoHiAL K f 0 J, ' M l . 
 wasat great variance, and bitter contention in Suit of Law with his Ann/ Bttt,nL a - 
 bout Lome Lands and much rich Moveables and Utenfils, which <he unjuft1y deta.nl 
 cd from him* and therefore that he would be exceeding vhA m y a n 
 
 tionorpropofition whatfoever, which might heave her out of the qiiiet e!S n g 7nd 
 poffelTton thereof and thereby procure her utter difgrace and ruin. He repairs to 
 him, and fecretly ( yet conftancly) acquaints him, that fome three weeks E and 
 the very morn, ng that Bon Fer alio was found murthered in his Bed, hefaw he L dv 
 TklUnda fan ; Wife to throw s white and bloody Linnen Cloath into the Pond which 
 
 F“ i a, lT rter ° f a . L j a8ue fier houfe : wherein God and his confcience 
 told him, ftie had wrapt and drowned fome Baftard-Infanr either of hers nr one of 
 
 her Wa^ing.Gentlewomans, adding withal, that he could not poffibly have any Jeace 
 of his thoughts before he had imparted it to him, to the endf that he might reveal it 
 thereof. nmina J ^ ** C ° rri e adors > ofSrrems to hunt out and examine the truth 
 
 Do»Gaf per de Mora doth as much rejoyce as wonder at this unexpefted news and 
 becaufe his inveterate malice to his Aunt (in Law) ^,W^perfwades4im rather to belike 
 than doubt it, therefore (as malice is (till naturally fwifc and prone to revenge ) be 
 ing confident of the truth hereof, he leaves all other bufinefs, rides over to w 
 
 healfo q fa a | nt not e ■*«*£*• and ,akin g fikewife along wkh ftra 
 
 ifliiifc ,?f r % refolutely to affirm, and moft conftantly to confirm it to them ’ 
 
 which thefe wife and grave Judges underftanding thev in honour to rj. 0 “’em 
 
 glory, and in true obedience co ins facred Tuft.ce ’ fwLlr ^ G ° dS ferv,cc and 
 
 se± 
 
 or cod ) l of ird 
 
 Swimming with his left haod, brings it alhore in h., l ’ a . d £ nds *» and 
 who much admiring and rejoycing thereat caufe it JrefJn ?*? t0 th ^ Corr 'g a dors, 
 trary to all their expeditions fSy find no dead ' 
 
 ty ed Kazlr^ wfth a^rafs^weight 
 
 that her Huiband Dm Ftrtt, Wat found murthered in hish!d *'77 ,a ”] e 
 rtofity of Oft , rr here finding.*”™ 'wo firft,„dU?,.w' "“r'T” c “‘ 
 
 in the Cambrick Smock: the Corri^ado^ rh Pn rnnr • * n< * . Let * ers of hee name 
 
 which terminate in one Centre ) that vet m on ^,°P ,ni ^ n » ( as fo many lines 
 
 fo cruelly murthered her »"■>■'» other who had 
 
 Smock, Razor, and Garter with them thev with mnrh hC C | Up °j* ! akl "S tf d s bloody 
 to the Lady Brflinda’s houfe, to apprehend her for M Z f 3 *, n< ! < P < ’ ed, l P oaft 3W3 Y 
 where cruel hearted and lafcivious Lady, file is fofar faSh!"* ,a ” entab,e further, 
 or the thought and apprehenfion of anj fear, aV fte fears none 'ufT ° f g ” Ce ’ 
 all, not the power and iufticeof G™1 e !£ arS ” one » and which is worft of 
 
 luftful in £ S' l* £ ,mmodeft in ^ fo 
 
 rel) that her firft Husband vva* but iatSfS^-S Ck M T mng Actire and Appa- 
 in his Grave, yet ( with great variety of her . lc f ond not yet cold 
 
 dancing, and revelling with divers youn g Cavafiere and^aET h" ^ r f h< J ufc fin § in S’ 
 Country, as. if fh e had no other care thminhrnr L r r T° te f both of tbe c,t y and 
 third Husband, who might amoroufly pleafe her JuftfiiV’ but to make choice of a 
 
 than a pair of Paramores and favourites who Arnold lafr' 8nd ^ eartt an dof no fe/s 
 and affeftions. ’ ° fllou,d Iafci «oufly content her wanton defires 
 
 But thefe wanton vanities, ,nd v.iu,„d 6op„„r !he My 
 
 defcirc 
 
Hift. XXX. Be Mora, Ferallo and Bellinia. 
 
 deceive her : for now the Lords appointed due lime is come, wherein for thefe her two hor- 
 rible Murthers committed on the perfons of her two Husbands, his divine and facred Maje- 
 fty is refolved to pour down his pumflbments,and to thunder forth his judgments upon her, 
 to her utter flume and confufion.The Corrigadors rcfolutely enter her houfe,and then and 
 there, caufe the Sergeants to apprehend her Prifoner, whereat being fuddenly amazed, and 
 infinitely terrified, (he vveeps,fighs, and cries extreamly. But thofe Cavaliers (I mean chofe 
 her fuppofed lovers, and pretended favourites j who were there fingingand dancing with her, 
 neither can or dare eirher afM, or refeue her. Now the plumes of her pride and jollity are 
 fuddenly dejefted and fallen to the ground, yea, her mufick is turned into mourning, her fing- 
 ing to fighs,and her dancing triumphs totears. The enormity of her crime caufe thefe Of- 
 ficers of juftice, to fee her conveyed to prifon, without any refpeft of her beaury,or regard 
 of her fex and quality, where fhe hath mor£ leifure given her to repent, than means how 
 to remedy thefe her misfortunes. 
 
 The next morning fhc is fent for before her Judges, who roundly charge her for cruelly 
 murthering her Husband Bon Ter alio in his bed, the which with many tears and oaths fhe 
 ftoudy denies : then they flhew her thofe bloody evidences, her Cambrick Smock, the Ra- 
 zor, her blew Garter, and the Brafs Weight, and alfo produce and confront Rodcrigo with 
 her *, who as before he had affirmed, now hefwears, hefaw her throw this bloody Linnen 
 Fardel into the Pond,the very morning that her Husband Don Ferallo was found murthered 
 in his bed : and although at the fight and knowledg hereof, fhe is at firft wonderfully appal- 
 led and daunted therewith, yet her courage is fo Rout, as fhe again denies it with many pro- 
 phane and fearful affeverations, and dclightcth to hear herfelf make a tedious juftification, 
 and a frivolous apology to her Judges for her innocency. But thofe grave and prudent Ma- 
 gistrates of juftice, ( in zeal to Gods glory) have eyes not in vain in their heads, will give 
 no belief either to the fweetnefs of the Lady Beflindas youth, or to the fugar of her fpeeches 
 and proteftations,but for the vindication of this crime, and of this truth, they adjudg her the 
 very next morning to the wrack, where (fuch is her female fortitude) as file permits and fuf- 
 fers her felf to be faftned thereunto, with infinite conftancy and patience, as difdaining that 
 the torments thereof, fhould extort any truth from her tongue, to the prejudice of her repu- 
 tation, and to the fhipwrack of her fafety and life ; but herein fhe reckons too fhort of God, 
 and beyond her felf, for fhe confidereth not that thefe torments are truly fent her from God, 
 and this her courage falfly lent and given her from Satan-*, for at the very firft wrench of the 
 wrack, and touch of the cord, finding it impoifible that her tender body and dainty limbs, 
 can endure the cruelty of thofe tortures, God puts this grace into her heart, that with many 
 figbs and tears, fhe prays her Judges and tormentors to defift,and fo publickly confefleth that 
 it was (he, and only fhe, who had murthered her Husband Ferallo , and cut his throat in his 
 bed with th it very fame Razor. 
 
 Upon which confefiion of hers- hef Judges (glorifying God for the deteftion of this cruel 
 murther) they (for expiation thereof ) do forthwith adjudg and fentence this wretched and 
 bloody Lady Bellinda, to be the next morning burnt alive without the walls of Stremos, at 
 the foot of the Cattle, which is thedeilined place of death for the like crimes and offenders, 
 fo fhe being by them then again remaned to Prifon, that night(in Chriftian charity }rhey fend 
 her fome Priefts and Nuns to direft and prepare her foul to Heaven, for this her bloody and 
 unnatural crime was fo odious to men, and fo execrable to God, that fhe could hope for no 
 pardon of her life from her Judges, although her forrowful old Father Curforo , with a 
 world of tears threw himfelf to their feet, and offered them all his lands and means to hjs 
 very fhirt, to obtain it for her. 
 
 Ail S tremor and the Country thereabout* refoundand talk of this cruel murthering of Fe - 
 ratio,** alfo of his Lady Bellinis condign condemnation to death for the fame, and the next 
 morning at eight of the clock, they all repair under the Caftle wall to fee thisexecrable and 
 unfortunate Lady there in flames offire,to aft thelaft feeneand eataftrophy of her life ^ fhe 
 is condufted thither by a St Claires Nun bn her right hand, and a St. Francis Frier on her left, 
 who joyntly charge her upon peril of damnation ,to disburthen her conference and foul be- 
 fore fhe dye, of any other capital crime whereof fhe knows her felf guilty, the which fhe fo- 
 lemnly and 'religioufly promifeth them : about nine of the clock fhe is brought to the flake, 
 where fhe fees her felf empaled and furrounded, firft vyith many*fagots,and then with a ve- 
 ry great concourfeand confluence of people ^ here fhe is fo irreligious in her vanity, that fhe 
 had caft off,her blacks and mournIng,and purpofely deighted her felf in a rich yellow Saccin 
 Gown, wrought with flowers of filver, a large fet Ruff about her neck, and her head cover- 
 ed with a pure white Tiffeny Vail, laced and wrought with rich Cut-work, as if fhe cared 
 
 O o o 3 more 
 

 
 4 66 God's Revenge againft Mur t her. Book VI. 
 
 more for her body than her foul, as if her pride and bravery would carry her foonerto Hea 
 ven than her prayers and repentance : or as if the prodigal coft and Iuftre thereof, were able 
 to dirotnifli either her crime, or her punifliment in the eyes and opinions of her fpettators 
 But contrariwife,the very fight of her fweet youth, and pure frefh beauty, and then the con- 
 fideration of her foul crime, for murthering her own Husband, do operate and work dtffe 
 rently upon all their affedionsand pa(fions,fomepittying her for the firft, but all more mft" 
 ly condemning her for the fecond. When as foon as their clamorous fobs and fpeecbes were 
 pall and blown over, and that both the Frier and Nun had tane their laft leave of her then 
 (|after flie had flied many tears on earth, and fent and evaporated many fighs to heaven \ flie 
 wringing her hands ('whereon flie had a pair of Snow-white GJovesHnd carting up her eves 
 
 towards God, at lafl with a faltering and fainting voice fpake thus. ° ■ ■ 
 
 It is my crime and your charity good people which hath conduced you hither to fee me 
 a miferablc Gentlewoman here to dye Miferably And becaufe it is now no longer time for 
 me, to diflembJe either with God or the world, therefore to fave my foul in Heaven though 
 my body perifli herein earth, I ( with much grief, and infinite forrowj do truly and 
 freely confefs both to God and you, that I am not only guilty of one murther but of 
 two : for as I now lately cut my fecond Husband FerallS s throat . fo I was f 0 vile and wretch- 
 ed heretofore, as to poyfon my fir ft Lord and Husband Be Mor a . At which report and con- 
 felhon ot this execrable Lady EeUinda,(m regard of the greatnefs of her Lord Be MorSs de 
 fccot and Nobility) all this huge concourfc of people ( who are fenfibly touched with grief 
 and forrotv) make a wonderful noife and out-cry thereat ; and now in regard of this foul 
 and double enme of hers, they look on her with far more contempr, and far lefs pittv than 
 before. But the being as patient as they are clamorous hereat,and feeing their cryes now a- 
 gain cried down.and well-nigh drowned and huflied up in filence.recolleaing her thoughts 
 and again compofing her countenance, flie again very forrowfully continueth her Ipeech to 
 them thus. I well know, and indeed ] heartily grieve to remember, that thefe two foifl and 
 cruel murthers of mine, make me unworthy either to! tread on the face of the earth.or to 
 look up to that of Heaven, and in themidrt of thefe my miferies, I have thisconfolation lefc 
 me, that in favour of my true confeflton and religious repentance thereof to God, that God 
 can be as indulgent and merciful to me.as I have been impiousandfinful to him • the which 
 
 S rld’fo ° bta,r V p- feCC f y°“ al ' whoar , e he re prefenttojoyn your prayers with me, and 
 to ood foi me,and this is the Jaft charity which I will beg and implore of you. Now becaufe 
 example is powerful, and no example fo firong and prevalent, as the words of the dying to 
 5 ‘Wo 1 * ( to Gods glory and mine own fliame) give me leave to tell you.thac 
 now Inflf k fpeC ’ a y b ^ 0U , ght an , d induced me to commit thefe foul murthers, as they have 
 now Jnfijy brougr.t me hither to fuffer death for committing them:Firft,My neglctft ofnrav- 
 
 f n’rl ff if m!fi,0n e° fc \ ve * nd fcar God du, y as 1 ought to have done. Secondly, Thfaffofting 
 
 aft !i V ‘f U i L 8nd P ,eafur * s - wh,ch 1 ought not to have done. The 
 
 negled of the fir ft proved the bane of my foul and the performance and praftife of the laft 
 the contagion and poyfon of my life, and both thefe two fins conjoyned aE^ 
 enforce me now here to dye, with as much mifery and infamy, as withoutSTmighr 
 n^ C ‘ VC k ^ <1nd P erchance, ' v 1 ed ,on g) 10 earthly happinefsand profperity. O therefore flood 
 indm^ ware hy my woful example, let my crime be your integrity/my fall your rdin» 
 my fliipwrack your fafety. As I bear not bypccrifie in my tongue, lo I will not bear ma’ 
 
 faw m my af arC ' 2?“?*°“ fr0m ray heart 1 for g ive ^derigo for telling Ga/per de Mora he 
 Aw me call feme bloody l.nnen in the Pond. 1 alfo forgive Gafptr de More, for informing the 
 
 t ^ ere ?^ and they for fo jurtly condemning me to death. I alfo pray my Father 
 
 nJt a Td n ^ t0 /T 8, |! e i, ra f tbe ! C my f r Ul cr j® es ’ and both t0 P ardon and forget the dilho- 
 and f f? d which the infamy of ray death may r efleft and draw on them. And now I 
 
 andmyfoul t0 receive falvatfon^n^is 
 
 eng T e5dr L ed d rafcfDmv1S finill £ d this ' ber , f P cech ’ *} e hearing and confideration thereof 
 h iT P j ty and £ om P affion in the heart, and caufed a world of tears in the eves 
 
 h er fingers ^SheTpcwr B^LelL^f" 5 ^ ^ ^ Here fhetakes offber Rin § s from 
 
 h ?° 8 - ’ r> , p 1 Bracelets from her arms.andfas a token of her JoveVives them ro 
 
 her Waiting-Gentlewoman Helena, who is prefent and not far from her mortbitterlv fob 
 
 S\Z ?ing ' beC3Ufe We Can VVeepn ° morc for thcdeath Of Is heS lSVm! 
 
 If refs, who now repeats many private prayers and Aw MM,, m h,r r.ir Ju y , • M 
 folemn and fotrowful farewell of aN , he" world.llic puib ^wn hecVall over he^Snow^wAe 
 Checks, and then often crolfing her felF with the fign of the Crofs, and faying her laft >» L- 
 
 
 
 
 fine 
 
467 
 
 Hift. XXX. De Mora } For alio and Bellinda . 
 
 tiw tuas, the Executioner (with a flaming torch) fees fire to the ftraw and faggots, wherof (he 
 prefently dies, and in lefs than an hour after, her body is there confumed and burnt toadies; 
 at which all that great concourfe of people and fpedfators,(in favour to her youth and beau- 
 ty) as much affe&ing the piety of her death, as they hate and deteft the caule thereof, I mean 
 the infamy and cruelty of her life, do with far more forrow than joy give a great fhout and 
 out-cry. When the Judges of that City now upon knowledg of this Ladies firft horrible 
 crime of poyfoning her firft Lord and Husband Von Alonfa de Mora y they in deteftation there- 
 of, being not able to add either worfer infamy, or more exquifite and exemplary torments to 
 her living body, they therefore partly to be revenged on her dead allies, do caufe them curi- 
 oufly to be gathered up,and fo in the fame place (by the common Hang-man ) before all the 
 peoplc,to be fcattered and thrown in the air, whereat they rejoyce and praife God, to fee the 
 world fo fairly rid of fo/oul and bloody a femal monfter. 
 
 And thus was the untimely, (and yet defer ved) end of this lafeivious and cruel-hearted 
 Lady Bellinda ; and in this (harp manner did the Lord of Heaven and Earth triumph in his 
 Juft revenge and punilhments againft her, for thefe her two foul and inhumane crimes of 
 murtheringher two Husbands, May God (of his beftand divineft mercy) make this her 
 Hiftory and Example, to ferve as a cryftal mirror for all men, and efpecially for all women, 
 (of what condition and quality fo ever.J 
 
 And now Chriftian Reader,having by God’s moft gracious afliftance and providence here 
 fiuilhed this entire and laft Volume of my fix Books of Tragical Hiftories, if thou find that 
 thou reap any profit, or thy foul anylpiritual benefit by the reading and perufal thereof, then 
 (in the name and fear of God ) I befeech thee to joyn thy prayers and piety with mine, that 
 as in Chriftian Religion and duty we are bound, fo for the fame, we may joyntly aferibe 
 unto God, all poflible power, might, majefty, thankfgiving, dominion, and glory, both now 
 and for ever. Amen , Amen • 
 
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