WONDERFUL TALES. 
 
 Londm, published June t, 1803 ^ 
 
 j 
 
THE 
 
 ¥ 
 
 
 Baitful Marriage^ 
 
 A NOVKL: 
 
 A 
 
 FOUNDED QN FACTS. 
 
 translated FRCM the SPANISH, 
 
 .4-r' 
 
 
 TO WHICH IS AD1>EB> 
 THE 
 
 # 
 
 4‘:- •-■ 
 
 
 H I S T O R XMS:: 
 
 o*’ 
 
 
 
 Oronoque & Alla-Moor.; 
 
 an aftitan ©afc* 
 
 Shewing how AlIa-MoOr was forcibly taken on Ihipboard, and fold 
 a'Tyrant of the name of Alaric, who committed her to a fubterr^ 
 neous Cave, where ihe inevitably muft have perifhedj had it not 
 been for %fman, a native of Abradore, 
 
 ^ .-T ■ '* 
 
 
 =«■; 
 
 -V. 
 
 •v>; ' 
 
 tIFERPOOti 4 
 
 TAINTED AMO SOLD BY T. SCHOPlELOi REAR TBjlrl 
 
 EACRARCE,. x8o«4 
 
 
8^ S’ B;l9^ 
 
 
 V 
 
 BALEFUL MARRIAGE. 
 
 I 
 
 ip 
 
 R oger, King of Sicily, had a brother and a the 
 
 iirfl, called Mainfroy, revolted "againft him, andiil^ted 
 up a dangerous and bloody war in the kingdom ; but had the 
 misfortune to lofe two battles; and fall into the hands of the. 
 King, who contented himfelf with punifhing his rebellion;, 
 r"by depriving him of his liberty. This clemency ferved onl)r 
 H to make Roger pafs for abarbarian in the opinion of one part 
 of his fubjeiSs, who faid he had only fav^ed his brother’s lifei 
 in order to exercife upon him a flow and inhuman reVctige;. 
 But all the reft, with more foundation, imputed the harfh 
 ^ treatment that Mainfroy fufFered Jn prifon, to his After Ma- 
 — tilda alone; for flie had, in effect, always hated the prince* 
 - and did not ceafe perfecuting him as long as he lived: but 
 v.flie died Toon after Kim, and her death was looked upon as a 
 juft punifhment of her unnatural dirpofltion. ‘ 
 
 ' . ' Mainfroy having left two fons, as yet in their infancy, 
 
 ' Roger' ♦rilhed to get fid oA them* fearing that when they 
 ^ . fhould arrive at a more advanced age, the defire of reVenging^ 
 ■ , their father would induce them tb revive a fa6lion which was 
 ^ not 'fb much qiidled, but that it might occafion new troubles 
 in ftate. He imparted his defigh to the Senator Leotttio 
 Siffredi; his minifter,- who, to divert him from putting it 
 into execution, uiidertookthe education of-Pripce Henriquez, 
 fKJ the eldefty and advifed him to commit the youngeft, who was 
 callediDon Pedro, to the care of the Conftable of Sicily,— 
 ' Roger, perfuad'ed that^hfe nephews! would be brought up by 
 tbeie men iii ‘that fubnriffiofi and duty which they owed to 
 , him, left‘^he princes 'to their condu^, and took upon himfelf 
 the ' care of ‘ his niece- Conftantia, who was of the feme age 
 r With ‘Henriquez> and only daughter of theTrrncefe Matilda ; 
 
 A 2 
 
4 
 
 THE BALEFUL 'MARRIAGE. 
 
 he furniihed her with women and malFers, and (pared no- 
 thing in" her ^'ducatioft.’ "V 
 
 Leontio Siffredi had a caftle two (hort ie^ues fromPaler- 
 mo> at a place called Belmont: and there that minificr em- 
 ployed hinifelf in rendering Henriquez worthy of mounting 
 one day the throne of Sicily. • feh foon obferved in that prince 
 fuch amiable qualities, that he applied himfelf to the culti- 
 vation of them as clofely as if he had no children of his own. 
 He wasblelTed, however, with two daughters ; the eldeft of 
 whom, called. Biinch, by a' year than rhfe. jbrince, 
 was adorned <Vith the rrK>n: pcrfe 61: beauty'; the othernamed 
 Porcia, whofe birth occafioned her mother’s death, tvas ftiU 
 in the cradle. Blanch and prince Henriquez, as foon as they 
 were capable of love^ ,enLe.r|^fl, 4 d a. mntual paffion ; though 
 they had not the liberty of converfing in private. The prince, 
 however,, did not fail to find opportunities fometinaes; and 
 knew fo well how to profit by thefe precious mornents, that 
 -engaged ;the daughter ofFSiffi'edi to'allow hint t6 execute 
 a projedl he .had ;for;med; Juft .about this it happened 
 that Leontio was obliged,, by the 'King’s orders, to make a 
 Jpurney ima one of the.iniQft remote provinces of the ifiand : 
 and during lib abfence,,* Henriquez caiifed an opening to be 
 made in the wall of his apartmene, that was' contiguous tp 
 the chamber of Blanch ;, fupplying it with a, Aiding partitioar 
 of ;Wood, that opened ahd Aiut without beji ng perceived ; be-^ 
 caufe it vvas fo clofely joined to the ceilings that the eye could 
 not .•difcoYer the artifice*, -A (kilfui areh.itc6f, wfiom- the 
 prince Jiad made his friend, performed, tfie work with equal- 
 diligence and fecrecy. 
 
 Through this pafiage the amorons, Henriquez introduced 
 himfelf fometiines into the chamber of liis mi ft refs': but he 
 did not abufe her favour : for though, :fhe was imprudeqt 
 envHigh to alio him a private entrance into, her .apartment*, 
 i|>e q id not cohdefeend fo far untilihe had affured l^r* .that 
 he-vyould jnever adk any AHing that innocence, could not granti 
 <i>ne night, he found her veryuneafy, ‘becaufe Aie had heard 
 that Roger was very ill, and had fent for (Siffredi, ;a« High 
 iChanceJior of the kingdom, in order to entruft him with h.is 
 Jaft will. She reprefented to herfeif already, her dear Hen- 
 riquez. on the throne; ^ and being afraid of^iofing him in that 
 high flation, was under the urmoft anxiety, and the tears 
 flood in her eyes when he appeared. “ Heavens I you vyeep^ 
 ]V|adam-- VVhat muff’ 1 think of thatfofrow with which 1 
 fee you fo overwhelmed Sir,’*' replied T 
 
 ■“ .cannot conceal my alarms t the King, you r uncle, >¥11* 
 foon ceafe to live, and you will fucceed him. . WJfien I 
 “ therefore forefee how far your new greatnefs will remove 
 “ you from me, I own I ca^nnot be unconcerned. A monarch 
 
THE BAtETUL 
 
 « feMom bcWds things with a tov^er’s feye, and that whkh 
 “’'was his utinoft ambition while he' was a fubjeft, afFe6ts hiria 
 “ but (lightly when he is on 'the throne. Whether it be an 
 “ unhappy prefege, or reafon only that infpires me, I feel 
 “ my foul agitated' with emotions that all my confidence 
 ** in yoiu* good ne’fs cannot affuage j and though I dare nOt 
 “ doubt your generbfity, 1 cannot help diftrufting my oWn 
 “ deftiny.’’—- “ A*dtofable Blanch !” 'replied the prince, “ your 
 “ fears are obliging j and' juftify my attachment to your 
 “'Charms ; but the e"5C€fef8 ' of yoiiif doubts injure my love; 
 “ and if I may ‘be allowed to fay fo, the efteem which ymi 
 “ owe me. No f think not that my deftiny and your’s can 
 “ ever be feparated. Believe rather, that yoii will always be 
 “ the objefl: of my happinefs and joy. ^Lay afide your feaV, 
 “ therefore, and let it not difturb fuch endearing moments.” 
 — “ Ah, Sir,” anfwered the daughter of Ledntio, “ as foo'n 
 “ as you are crowned, your fubjefirs, perhaps, will demand 
 “ for you ‘a queen, a princefs defeended from a long race of 
 “ Kings, whofe fplendid nuptials may add new reahWs to 
 “ yours; and, perhaps,- alas ! you will anfvver their expedla- 
 “ tion, eveti'ar the expence of your inclination.” — “ Ah f 
 “ why,” replied He-nriquez* with fome warmth, “ why afe 
 “ you thus jM^one to torment yourfelf, by raifvngfuch an'af. 
 “ flirting image of what will never happen ? Should heaK'eir 
 “ difpofe of the King, tny unele, and- make me maltet* of 
 “ Siciiy, 1 fwean that I AVitl efpoufe you jn Palerrnb, in pre'- 
 “ fence of all my court, and I invoke all that is facred to 
 “ condma; my oath;” . . 
 
 SifFredi’s 'dau|hca?w.as cheared byrheproteftationsof lTen- 
 riquez; -andthe reft of their conveTfation turned on the King's 
 diAemper i on wi^ch occafionv Hentrique./ difeoveted^ the 
 gdbdhefs of his heart m lamenting his uncle’s fare, with wlich 
 he hadjnro great reafon to’ be affefted : the force of blood 
 makings him regret ;a prinief^ by whole death he ihould ac- 
 quire a crown. Blaioih', as -yet v 'did not know all the -mis- 
 fortunes that threatened hdr.^'^ The X^ohftable. of Sicily had 
 . met her coining cut of her father ’s-aipartment^ one* day when 
 he was atMthe cadle of Behhont,' on fome ii»p<ortaiit affairs^ 
 was' captivated with her beauty, . andmext day demanded Her 
 in marriage of SilFredi, who oonfohted* to the match; but 
 Roger’s diftemper intervTsning, the nuptials-^ were deferred,, 
 and Blanch knew nothing of the matterf 
 ^One morning, juft as Henrique^a hadidOBd milling, he 
 furprifed to fee Leontio, followed if B-teneh> cofoie into hk 
 apartraent. Sir,” ’faki xh& miniftef no hint, I 
 
 ‘f bring ar4 sfiiidting, hut. the JCosTdaiion \V4tH- they 
 awended, cugli«. to wtedsthtft pB 
 
 ' D u I,?..; ■ : -.1- 
 
THE BALTFUI MARRIAGE. 
 
 € 
 
 ‘‘ your ur^cfe is dead, after having kft you heir to his fceptre^ 
 “ and Sicily is fubjeft to your fway. The grandees of the 
 realm, who attend your orders at Palermo, have com- 
 ** milfioned me to receive them from your mouth, and I am 
 ** come, Sir, with my daughter, the firft of your new fub*^ 
 je£ts, to offer our early and ffneere homage.” The prince, 
 who knew very well that Roger had laboured two months 
 under a difeafe that gradually conluroed him, was not much 
 ““furprifed at this piece of news; neverthelefs, ftruck with the 
 fiidden change of his condition, he felt a thouland confufed 
 emotions rife within his breaft ; and having mufed fome time, 
 broke filence, by addreffing himfelf toLeontioin thefe word& : 
 “ Sage Siffredi, I ihall always look upon you as ray father; 
 
 glory in regulating my conduct by your counfel, and you 
 ** fhall be as much a King in Sicily as lam.” So faying, he 
 advanced to a table, on which there was aftandilh, and taking 
 a fheet of paper, wrote his name at the bottom of the page. 
 ** What are you about to do, Sir?” laid Siffredi to him: “I 
 ** am going to manifetl my gratitude and efteerh,” anfwered 
 Henriquez, prelenting the flieet to Blanch, and faying, “ Re- 
 “ ceive, Madam, this pledge of my faith, and of the empire 
 over my inclinations which I now yield to you.” Blandi 
 took it blufhing, and made this anfwcr to the prince: I 
 
 ** receive with refpe6t the fayours of my King; but I de- 
 pend upon a father ^ and I hope your Majefty will not take 
 ** k ill,, that I deppfit this paper i» his hands, to be ufed as 
 his prudence lhali dire<5l him.” 
 
 She accordingly gave the fubferiptiort of Henriquez to her 
 father, who then obferved what, till that moment,, had ef- 
 Japed his penetration. He difeerned the prince’s fentiments, 
 and faid to him, “ Your Majefty fhall have no caufe to re- 
 proacji me, for I will not abufe thy confidence.” — “ My 
 dear Geontio,” cried Henriquez,. interrupting him, “ Don^t 
 ** imagine yoq; can abufe it. Whatever ufe you fhall make 
 t)f the paper, 1 will approve of your determination. But 
 ** go,** added he, return to Palarmo, order" the prepara- 
 ** tions to be made for my coronation, and tell my fubje£ts, 
 •• th^t I will follow you immediately thkher, imorder to ra- 
 ** ce^ve their oaths of allegiance, and affure them of my af- 
 feftion.” The minifter obeyed his new mailer *& orders,, 
 and, with his daughter, fet out for Palermo. 
 
 A few hours after their departure, the prince took the 
 fame road, more engroffed by his love,, than by the high rank 
 ta \vhich he was raifed.. ’ As fooh as he arrived in the city, 
 he was faluted witlr innumerable fhouts of joy, and am id ft 
 the acclamation? of his people, entered the palace, where 
 every thing was already prepared for the ceremony, and 
 
 Wliere he fgund the Cgnft^Rti» in deep mouimng> 
 
THE BALEFUL MARRIAGE. 
 
 7 
 
 and, to all appearance, very much afFefted with Roger*^ 
 dpath. As they owed one another a mutual complimen-r of 
 condolance on the event, they both acquitted themfelves very 
 handfomely ; but it was more cold on the fide of Henri--* 
 qiiez, than on that of Conftance; who, in fpite of the en- 
 mity fubfifting between their families, could not hate the 
 prince. He placed himfelf on the throne, and the Princefs 
 fat on his right-hand, in an elbow chair not quite fo high. 
 The grandees of the kingdom took their places, each accord- 
 ing to his rank: the ceremony began, and Leontio, as high 
 chancellor of the ftate, and keeper of the late King’s will, 
 opened and read it with an audible voice. This deed con- 
 tained in fubftance, that Roger, feeing himfelf without ifTue, 
 named the eldeft Ion of Mainfroy for his fuceefTor, on con- 
 dition that he Ihould efpoufe the Princefs Conftance; which 
 if he refufed to perform, he Ihould forfeit the crown of Sicily 
 to the infant Don Pedro, his brother, who Ihould fenjoy it oa 
 the fame terms. 
 
 Henriquez was confounded at thefe words the reftri(51:ion 
 gave him incredible pain, which became ftiil more violent, 
 when Leontio, after having read the wdll, pronounced to the 
 whole alTembly, My Lords, having reported the laft in- 
 tentions of the late King to our new Monarch, that gene# 
 rous Prince confents to honour bis couftn, the Princefs 
 “ Conftance, with his hand.” At thefe words, Henriquez 
 interrupted the Chancellor, laying, “Leontio, remember the 
 ‘• writing with Blanch.”— “ Sir,” faid SifFredi, with preci- 
 pitation, before the Prince had time to explain himfelf, “here 
 it is. The grandees of the realm,” ad?,ded he, (hewing the 
 paper to the affembly, “ will here fee: by your Majefty's au* 
 “ gull (ignature, the efteem you have for the Princefs ^ and 
 the deference you pay to the laft will of the deeeafed 
 “ King,^your uncle/’ Having fpokc thefe words, he read 
 the deed which he himfelf had iilled the paper, con- 
 tainmg the ^^oft: folemn engagememt to mairry Conftance, 
 conformable to the intention of Roger. The hall rung with 
 repeated (houts of all prefeot, who cried, “ Long live our 
 “ maghanimous King Henriquez for, as nobody was ig- 
 norant of the averfion which that Prince bad always mani- 
 fefted for the Princefs, tt was feared, not without reafon, 
 that he would revolt againft the condition ©f the will, and by 
 thefe means raife commotions in the kingdona. But the read* 
 ing of this paper entirely compofed the minds of the nobles 
 and people, and exdted thofe general acclamations,, which in 
 fecret tortured the Monarch’s foul. 
 
 Conftance, who, both on account of her own glory, and 
 her paflion for Henriquez, enjoyed the public fatisfaftion 
 2nor« body, this, tuae to affure him of her gra* 
 
^ THE BALEFUL ^^ARIUAX;E. 
 
 titude. But the Prince, in vain endeavouring to couft’ratfti 
 himfelf, received her compliment with great affli6lion, and 
 was indeed, in fuch diforder, that he could not even perform 
 what decency required. At laft, yielding to the violence of 
 his paffion, he approached SifTredi, whom the duty of his^ 
 office (^ligcd to’ ht pretty near his perfon, and, with a low 
 voice faid, ‘^'What have you done, Leontio? . The fubfcrip- 
 “ tion which I put into your daughter's hands, was not in- 
 “ tended for this ufe. You have betrayed — " — Sir," faid 
 SifTredi, interrupting him, in a refoint'e tone, confider your 
 own glory ; if you refufe to follow the will of the King, 
 your ancle, you lofe the crown of Sicily.’’ He had no 
 fooncr fpoke in this manner, than he removed at a greater 
 diftance from the King, that he might nyt have an opportu- 
 nity to ri^piy. < Henriqiiez remained in tile utmoft perplexity, 
 and felLi^felf agitated by contrary emotions.' He was in- 
 cenfed ag!^ ft SifTredi, he could not refolve to abandon Blanch : 
 but, diftradted between her and the intereft of his glory, it 
 was fome time before he could come to any refolution. How- 
 ever, he was determined at laft, and thought he had fallen^ 
 upon a methbd to preferve the daughter of Sififredi, without 
 renouncing the throne. He feigned fubmiffton to the will of 
 Roger, and purjx)fed, while a difpenfation for his marriage 
 with his confin ihould be foliciting at Rome, to gain the nobles 
 of the rccllm by his bounty, and eftablifti his powei fo well, 
 that he ffiould not be obliged'to fulftii its conditions. 
 
 As foon as he had formed this defi gn, he became more tran- 
 quil, and turning to Conftance, confirmed to her what the 
 High Chancellor had read before the whole aftembly. • But 
 in the very moment when he betrayed himfdf fo far as to 
 plight his troth to her, Blanch arrived in the CounciUhali. 
 She came tiiither by her father’s command, to pay her re- 
 fpe6fs to the Princeft, and hen ears were ftruck with th‘e 
 words of Henrijquez at her firft entrance^ Beftdes, Leontio 
 .being deftrou^ that ihe: lhouJd have no caufe to doubt of her 
 m:isfortune, faid, white he preXented har to .Canftaiice,-^ 
 “ I>aughtBr,’ do homage to your Queen, and wifti her all the 
 ‘^-Lweets. bftk^flouriftiiag -reign and happy inaTriagc,’* This 
 terrible ftroke overwhelmed the unfortunate Blanch : in vain 
 ,lhe endeavoured to conceal her grief j ihe blufticd and grew 
 alternately, and ftiook through every limb* . Neverthe- 
 iefs, the Princefs had not the leaft fufpicion of the caule, but 
 .attributed the diforder in which ihe paid her compliment, to 
 /the perplexity of a young creature bred up in folitude, and 
 altogether unaccuftomed to the court. It was quire ©rhcrwile 
 hviththe young Kings the fight of Blanch abaflied him; and 
 the defpair he obferved in her eyes tranfported him quite be- 
 iide liimfelL He did hql doubt that^ judging bjr 
 
THE'BALEFUt' MARRIAGE. ‘ 
 
 9 
 
 ihe belie^red him unfaithfuL He would have been lefs uneafy 
 couijd he have fpoke to her : bat how could he find an^oppor- 
 Xanity, ivhen ail Sicily, as one may fay, had his eyes upon 
 him, Befidesj’the cruel Siffredi deprived him of that hope : 
 for reading the thoughts of theTe two lovers in their looks, 
 and^iwiWirtg to prevent the mifchief which the violence of 
 theirs paiiion might create. in the iiate, that miniften, in an 
 artful manner, carried his daughter out of the affembly, and 
 Ibtxmt ’with her on his return to Belmont; refolved, for more 
 reafous than one, to have her married as foon as poffible, 
 
 ' They were nofooner acrived, than he made her acquaint- 
 ed wirii ail the horror of her fate; by^declaxitig, that he ’had 
 pnomifed her in marriage to the Conftable. . “ Jult heaven V* 
 cried fhe, in a tranfport of grief, which her father’s prefence 
 could not reprefs, “ for what direful piimihn^e3ittis..fciie tui^ 
 fortunate Blanch referved !’* Herdefpair was evnn-fc vid- 
 jent, as to fufpend ail , the faculties of . her foul. She was 
 feifed with an univerfal chiline fs, and becoming clay-rcold and 
 *yan, fwooned awky in the arms of her father. He was af- 
 fected with her condition ; but, though he ihared her aiSic- 
 litiu with ail the tcadernefs of a parent, his firft refoiutioa 
 {till remained unftiaken. Blanch, at length, recovered her 
 fpirits, more through the exquifite; fenfations of her grief; 
 than through the water which SifFtedi. fprinkled on her fa'cej 
 Jvhich perceivings while file opened her langiiilhing eyes’,^ — ^ 
 Sir,” faid fhe, with* a feeble voice, 1 am afhamed that 
 you have feen my weaknefs ; but death, which mud foon 
 t* end ihy torments, wili,:in a little time,' rid you of an. un- 
 ** happy daughter, who has dared to difpofe of her heart 
 “ without your confent.’W“ No, my dear Blanch,” replied 
 Leontio, “ live, and let virtue refume its, empire fn yout 
 “ bread. The Canilable’s pafHon. do€*s you honour;, is 
 the mod confiderable match in the kingdom.”-r-f^ 1 edeem 
 h.is 'peffon and his merit,” faid Blanch, interrupting him, 
 but,, Sir, tile King had made me hope*”— Daughter,” 
 faid SjATredi, cutting her fhort in ids turn, “ I know all that 
 ** you can fay on that fubjefl. I am not ignorant of your ten- 
 dernefs for the Prince, which, at another conjun6ture, I 
 •* (liould not difapprove. ' You fhould even fee me eager 
 ‘‘ enfure you of the hand of Henriquez, if the intered of 
 his glory, and that of the State, did not oblige him to be- 
 «* dow it on Conftance. It is on that condition only, that 
 the late Kirig defigned him for liis fiicceffor; and would 
 ** you have him prefer you to the crown of Sicily ? Believe 
 me, I fympathize with you in tl^ cruel droke you fuffer, 
 “ but fmee we cannot vvitlvftand the^decrecs of dediny, make 
 “ one generous effort. Your glory is concerned, in conceal- 
 “ ing from the kingdom the vairr hope with which you Eat.- 
 
THE BALEFUE MARR.IAGE. 
 
 lO 
 
 ** tered yourfelf. Your fenfibiiity for the King may raife re«i 
 ports to your difa<ivantage j and the only tn^ans .of pre- 
 “ venting them, will be to marry the Conftabfe. . In ,ftort; 
 
 Blanch, this is no time to deliberate. The King yiilda you 
 “ for a throne, and marries Conftance. . The Coniffeble has 
 ** my promife, which T beg you will perform ; andi'f l/rUuft 
 ufe rny authority to bring you t© this re.roiutioi3i,;>J. coidej 
 you to comply.” * ■ ■ . ' 
 
 So faying, he left her tOirefle61: upon what ilie had heard^ 
 hoping, that after having matu ely confidered the arguments 
 lie had ufed, to fupport hervirtue againft the- inclination, fhe 
 would refolve ofherfelfto give her hand to the Conilablc.-^ 
 In tlms he was, not miftaken. But .what pangs did it coft th^ 
 meianjcholy Blauchj hefoife/ Ihe came to that determlnatioh t 
 She was in axondition, vvliich, of all others, was .moft wor-» 
 thy of compaffion.! :<Orief far feeing her prefages of the and- 
 delity of Henriquezrchanged untoxertaiiity, and for'heingr 
 conftrarned. An Jofmg him,, to give ih^rfelf away to andtheri 
 whomvfh® could hot love, created in her fuch violent tranf* 
 ports of ion, that every moment was,atrended with new 
 torture. “ If my misfortune is certain,” cried how 
 
 “ can I rehft it without dying? Cruel deftiny !. Why was f 
 ;‘ied wi|h the= moft^i delicious hope, ‘when I was' doomed td 
 “ fuch ah abyfs of mifery ? And then perfidious lover i how 
 durd thou betrothe thyfelf to another, after thou hadft 
 prom ifed -eternal fidelity to me ? Haft thou fo foon forgot 
 the faith which thou haft fworn ? As a punifhment tdr 
 having fo cruelly deceived me, may heaven make the nup^-i 
 “ tial bed, which thou art going to ftain with perjury, hot 
 a fcene- of pieafure, but remorfe ! May the careftes of Con- 
 V ftance convey poifon to thy unfaithful heart f And may thy 
 marriage be as> baleful as mine ! Yes, traitor, I will efpoufe 
 the Con ftable> whom T cannot love, to revenge me upon 
 my feif>atid punifti me for having fo indifcreetly chofen the 
 ‘^obje(^ of- my love., Since my religion forbids me to make 
 an attempt upon my life, the days I have to live fhall be 
 ^‘nibthing elfe than an unhappy feries of trouble and difquiet. 
 if thoii ftill preferveft any tehdernefs for me, thou wilt be 
 mortified ^at feeing me throw myfelf into the arms of ano- 
 ^‘'ther; and? if thou haft entirely forgot me, Sicily, at leaft, 
 ** may boaft of having produced a woman, who puniftied her- 
 ‘‘ felf for having too fimply difpofed of her heart.” ^ 
 i 1 n fuch a fit nation did this unhappy viclim of love and duty 
 pafs the night that preceded her marriage with the Conftable ; 
 fend Siftredi finding her next day ready to comply with his 
 defire, made hafte to take the advantage of that favourable 
 dd'pofirion. He fent for the Conftable to Belmont that fam'e 
 d.tv, and mavried him privately- to hi^ daughter^ in the chape t 
 
11 
 
 THE BALEFUL MARRIAGE: 
 
 of *rlie caftle. It was not enough -to renounce a crown, to lofc 
 for ever a perfon whom flie loved, and bcftow hei^felf upon 
 the objea of her hatred, but Ihe was alfx> obliged to diffem- 
 ble her fentiments-befote a*hufband who was inBamed with 
 the moil ardent palhon for her, and naturally of a jealous dif- 
 pofition. That fpoule, charmed with the poffeiriou of what 
 he held moil dear, was continually in her company, and did 
 not even allow her the fad confolation of bewailing her mis- 
 fortune in fecret. When night approached, the daughter of 
 Ltontio felt her afflidlion redouble : - but what were her pangs, 
 when her vdomenj after having undreiTed, left her alone with 
 theConftable! alked, in a refpeafurmannei% the ca^fe 
 
 of chat forrow with which ihe deemed to be deprclTed ; and 
 Blapch, perplexed by the queftion, feigned herfelf indifpGfed. 
 Thihdeceived her huiband at firft, but he did not’long con- 
 tinue in this miftake ; for, as he was really concerned at the 
 condition in which he faw herj and preffed her to go to bed, 
 his ' in treaties, which fhe mihnterpreted,^'prefented fuch a 
 cruel imagelto her imagination, that, being unable to contain 
 herfelf any-longer, ihe gavedrec vent tb herTighs and tears. 
 What a fight was this for a man, who believed himfelf at 
 the very furamit.of. his happinefs • He no longer doubted that 
 the afRi6lioti of his wife, portended fomething finifter to his 
 love. Neverthelefsi, though the knowledge of it threw him' 
 into a fituation. almoft as deplorable as that of Blanch, he had 
 fuchift cornmitnd of. himfelf, . that he concealed his fufpicioiis. 
 Hfe redoubled his intreaties, and coniLnued toprefs hisfpoufe 
 to go to reft, affuring hery that' he would not interrupt the 
 repofe which flie feemed fo much to want. He even offered 
 to call herr women, if ihe thought that their alSftance could 
 allevaate her indifpoiitidii. Blanch, encouraged by this pro- 
 mifd', told him, that her prefen t weaknefs only required "a 
 little deep. He pretended to believe her, and going |o bed 
 together^ they paffeda night very different iProm thofe which> 
 Cupid and hymen on two lovers infpired bly mutual 
 
 paffion. * * rr . ; ? ’ . . x. 
 
 ..While Siffredi’s daughter indulged her forrqwv^the; Con-*' 
 liable endeavoured, within himfelf, to divihe thb eaufe that ■ 
 rendered his marriage fo unhappy^ He concluded, that thert 
 was a rival in the cafe ; but was bewildered in his own imagi- 
 nation when he attempted to difeover who that rival was; 
 and the foie refult of his conjectures was, that he Was the 
 moft unhappy of all mankind. He had already fpent two- 
 thirds of the night 'in thefe agitations, when his ears were 
 ftruck with a hollow noife^ and he was not a . little. fufdtJifed 
 to hear fomebody walking foftly in the chamber. He b^eved 
 himfelf miftakan ; for he remembered that he himfelf had 
 ifckod the door, after Bfeach’s women were gone> and drew 
 
vz 
 
 THE BALEFUL MARRIAGE.' 
 
 back the curtain to difcover, by the evidence of his eyes, the 
 caiile of the noife which he heard ; but the hght, which' 
 had been left in the chimney, was dxtinguifhed, and, in at 
 little time, he_heard the name ’of Blanch repeated feverat- 
 rimes, in a foft and languifoing tone. — Then his jealous fuf.'T 
 picions were inflamed to fury, and his honour alarmed, obv 
 liging him to rife, in order to prevent an affront, or take ven- 
 geance for it, he feized his.fvvord, and moved towards thac 
 fide whence the voice feemed to come. Feeling a naked fword» 
 oppofed to' his own, he advaheed; the other ;reured, he. pur-1 
 fued, and the other van iffeed from his purfuic. In vain did* 
 he fearch for him, who feemed to fly^ through all the corners 
 of the roomj as much as the dark nefs would allow ; he could' 
 not find him; he ftopt, liftened, and heard nothing* AH 
 feerned to be enchantment.! ..He went tothe!doc«r, which he 
 imagined had. favoured the flight of the fecret .enemy of his: 
 honour, but he found it faft locked as before.. Not being &bhe ' 
 to compi-^hend any thing of this ad vent ufe» he called thofeof 
 hjs, people who were neareft, .and; as. 'he .opened tlie door foici 
 that purpole, he flood da the paffage, rand kept himlelf onhpsl 
 guard, that -the perfon whom he fought might not efcapfe*. ■ ^ 
 Some fer.vants hearing his repeated cries, came running-whh' 
 lights'; upon which he took a candle, and madeanew fearch 
 in the chamber fword in hand; but found nobody, nor the 
 ieafl mark of any perfon’s having been there. He did not 
 even perceive ihb private] door, ^ nor the opening through 
 which there was a paffage. He could not, however, blind- 
 fold himfelf, ! with regard to thei circiimftances of his misfor-' 
 tune, bu.t remained in a ftrangC' Cdnfufion of thoughts,-^ 
 Should he have recourfe torBlanch». (he was too much ijm- 
 cerned in the truth, for him to expe^ an explanation 
 her. He therefore refolved:to go and open his heail’t to te- 
 ©ntio, after having difmifl'ed his fervants; telling them,^that 
 Le thought he had heard.a noife in: hjs chamber, butiwas.mif- 
 ^aken. He met his father-in-law. coming out of his apart- 
 ment, at the difturbance he had heard, and recounted to him 
 what had happened, with all the matks of extreme agitation 
 and profound grief. rii i; v 
 
 Stifredi was furprifed at the adirentiire, which, though it 
 did not feem natural, he nevertheleft believed ; and think- 
 ing that the King’s love was capable of any thing, was very 
 much affli6led with that con fide rat ion. But, far from flat- 
 tering the jealous. fufpicionS'Of his ion-in-law, he reprefented 
 to him, with an air of affurance, that the voice, which! he 
 thought he heard; and ^ he fword that was oppofed to his, 
 could be no other than phantoms of an imagination mmed by 
 jealoufy ; for it was impofiible that any body could have gone 
 into his. daughter's chamber; that with regard to the lueian-* 
 
THE BALEFUL MARRIAGE. ^3 
 
 fcholy whibh he h’ad.obferved i« his wife,, it might be pcca- 
 fiortcd by Tome' indifpofitibn i that honour ought not to' be 
 anfwerable for the viciiiitudcS of temper;: that the change bf 
 condition in a’girl ufed to live in Iblitude, who fees herfelf 
 on a fudden delivered to a ihan, whom flie has not had time 
 to»knO\v aftd to love, might be the caufe of thefe tears, fighs, 
 aft^4ithe^i1iarp ^«aiort‘ of which he' complained; that love 
 to be kindled in ihaidens of a noble birth, by any* 
 ©cheT‘n11a«s- than tithe and aHidnity ; for which reafons he 
 exhorted him to calm his difquiet, redouble his^tendernefs 
 and carel in brdef to difpfofe Blanch to become more fenfible 
 of-his merit; dnd intreated him to return to his chamber, be- 
 ing perfuaded that his dnearmefs and diftruft were injuries 
 don 6 to the vit-fue of his wJfe, ' ' ■ 
 
 ' The Conhable made no anfwer to the remonflrancrs of 
 his fdther-iri«! lawf; Whether-h^ really began to think that he 
 might’ have bcfen impbfed uj)ori by the diforder of his mind, 
 or judgdd it a wifer cqatTe’ to- diffemble, than to undertake, 
 in vain, to: convince the -old man of an event fo void of all 
 probabilky- — he returned t6 his apartment, lay down by his 
 wife, and Wied to obtain, b/ilj^py fome'^eTpite from his dif-- 
 quiet. Blanch; on her fide, was not' iefs uneafy than he : 
 ihc had bfit tob 'well heard that which alarmed her hufband, 
 and could not confider as an illufion an adventure, the fecret 
 and motives of which (he ktiew.—Surprifed that Henriquez: 
 fliould leek to introduce himfelf into he^ apartment, after 
 having fo folemhiy pledged his faith to Conftance; in {lead of 
 approving ot-feejing the leall glimpfe of joy at this Hep, Ihc 
 looked upon it as a new outrage, and her heart was incenfed 
 againft him. • 
 
 Whilft the daughter of Siffredi, prejudiced againlTthe 
 young King, believed him the moft unfaithful of men, that 
 unhappy Prince, more in love than ever, wilhed for ah in-^ 
 terview with Blanch, in order to encourage her againft the 
 appearances that condemned him. He would have come 
 fooner to Belmont for that purpofe, .had he been permitted 
 by the multiplicity of bufinefs in which*' he was neceCarily 
 engaged ; ,but he could not Real away from court before that 
 night. He was too well acquainted with all the private cor- 
 ners of a place where he had been educated, to be under any 
 difficulty of getting unfeen:into SifFredi's caftle ; and he llilL 
 kept the key of a private door that belonged to the garden, 
 through which he got into his old apartment, from whence 
 hCpalTcd into the chamber of Blanch. — You may imagine the 
 nllonilhment of that Prince when he found a man there, and 
 felt a Iword oppofed to his own. He had well nigh^difcovered 
 himleif, and punilhed on the fpot the audacious wretch who 
 
 B 
 
THE BALEFUL MARRIACE. 
 
 durR lift his facrilegious hand againft his lawful King *, but 
 the tefpedt he owed Leontio‘^s daughter fufpended his refent- 
 tnent. He retired in the fame manner as he had entered, 
 and, more affli^ed than ever, rook the road to Palermo.; 
 jvhere arriving feme moments before day, he ihut himfelf up 
 in hi? apartment. But the. agitation of his fpirits depriving 
 him of reft, he r-dolved tOj return to Belmont ; his _faf^ty, 
 honojur, and above, all, his. lore, nof permitting him to remain 
 longer ignorant of the Leaft .circumftance of fuch a cruel ad- 
 yenturc. 
 
 , Lt.\v,as no foQaer day than he comm.anded hkhuhting equi- 
 page to be got ready, and, und-^r pretence of, taking that di- 
 verfioi^, rode far into the for eft of Belmont, attended by his 
 fportlmen and fome courtiers. H-e folio wed; the chafe fonye 
 tiine^ the better to conceal his defign; and when he faw 
 eyery'one eagerly engaged at the heeis'of th,e hounds, he fe- 
 parated himfelf from them, and,/ all akbne, took his wa)Ato 
 Leonxio’s caftle. He was too well. acq.uain ted with the paths 
 of the foreft to lofe himfelf,. aifid:hk impatience not permit- 
 ting him to fpare his horfe, he in a little time over-ran: the 
 eiftanoe that Separated him fropi the obje^. of hi^ love. He 
 was juft inventing fome plauftbie pretext to procure for him- 
 felf a private interview with the daughter of Siftredi, wlten, 
 crplBng a fmall road that led by one of the park gates,* he 
 perceived, hard by, two women fitting in clofe converfation 
 ^t the root of a tree. As he did not doubt that thefe perfons 
 belonged to the caftle, the fight of them rafted within him 
 fome emotion : but he was much more tranfported, when the 
 women -turning towards him at the noife.of his horfe’s feet, 
 he knew one of thiern'to be his dear Blanch, who.had efcaped 
 from the caftle with Nifa, one of her women, who ecj.ayed 
 the great-eft ihare of her confidence, to bewail her misfortune 
 at full Uberty- 
 
 He flew—ie threw himfelf headlong (if .1 ma> ufe the 
 «xpr.eflion;) at her feet ; and perceiving in her eyes all the 
 marks of the mo ft profound a^idtion, was'melted at the fight. 
 Fair Blanch,” laid he, “ fufpend the emotions of your 
 grief: appearances, I confels, reprefent me guilty to yoiu* 
 eyes : but wh€;n you are made ftcquavnted with the defiga 
 which I 'have formed in -your behalf, that which you now 
 look upon as a crime, will appear to you as a prwf of my 
 “ innocence and excefs.^ love.” Thefe words, which Hen- 
 riquez thought capable of moderating, ferved only to redouble 
 theafflidtion of Blanch, who would have anfwered him, had 
 not her voice been choaked up -wkh her fighs. The Prince, 
 aftojiiflied at her diforder, faid, “ How, Madam, cann-t I 
 “ then calm your dif^uiet? By what tnisfortune have I loft: 
 “ your confidence ? I, who hazard my crown, and even my 
 
THE BALEFUL MARRIAGE. 
 
 life, to keep myfelf yours ! ’^ — ’Twas then that the dangh- 
 of SifFredi, making an effort to explain herfelf, replied, 
 “ Sir, your promifes are now unfeafonable. Nothing hence- 
 forth can bind ray deftiny to yours.”— Ah, Blanch !” 
 faid Henriquez, interrupting her with warmth, ** what cruel 
 “ words are thefe I hear ! Who dares ravifh you from my 
 ** love ? Who dares oppofe the fury of a King, who would 
 “ put all Sicily in flames, rather than fuffer you to be torn 
 “ from his hopes?” — '* All your power. Sir,” anfwered Sif- ' 
 fredi’s daughter, in a languifhing manner, ‘‘ cannot remove 
 V the obftacles by which we are feparated —I am the Cou- 
 “ ftable’s wife.” — “ The Conflable’s wife !” cried the Prince, 
 daggering backwards, and unable to- go on. He was con- 
 founded and overwhelmed -by this unexpe6i:ed blow; hvs 
 ilrength forfook him, and he dropt down 'at the root of a 
 ~tree that grew behind him. — Pale, trembling, and depreffed, 
 he had nothing free but his eyes, which he fixed upon Blanch, 
 in fuch a manner as gave her to imderftand how deeply af- 
 fedled he was with the unhappy tidings flie had declared. — 
 She, on the other hand, looked \ipon him -with an air which, 
 convinced him, that her emotions were little di^erent from 
 thofe he felt ; and thefe two unfortunate lovers preferved be- 
 tween them a filence that had foraething terrible in it. Af 
 length the Prince, recoIle6ling hlmfelf a little, by an effort 
 of his caurage, refumed the difcourfe, and faid to Blanch with 
 a figh^, “ What have you done, Madam > your credulity liasi 
 ^‘ ruined me, and undone yourfelf.” 
 
 Blanch, piqued at^the Prince's feemihg to upbraid her/ 
 when fbe thought fhe had much more caufe to. complain of 
 him, replied, “ What, Sir I do you add diffimulation to in* 
 “ fidelity? Would you have me difcredic my own eyes ar.d^ 
 ** ears, and believe you innocent, in fpiie of the evidence of 
 “ my fenfes ? No, ,Sir, I own myfelf , incapable of fuch an 
 effort of reafoii.” — ‘‘ Neverthelefs, Madam,” anfwered 
 the King, ** you are impofed upon by. thefe v^ry witneffes 
 “ which feem fo faithful; even they have aflifted in berray- 
 “ ing you; and that 1 am innocent and faithful, is no Ids 
 true than that you are the Conftable’s wife.” — “ How, 
 Sir V laid fhe, ‘‘ did I not hear you confirm to Con fiance 
 “ the prefent of your hand and heart ? Have you not affured- 
 “ the nohles-of the kingdom, that you wouid-fulfil the con- 
 “ ditions of the late King’s will ? and has not the Princefs 
 “ received the homage of your new fubjedts, in quality of 
 ^‘'Q^een and fpoufe of Henriquez ? Were my eyes then be- 
 witched ? Say, fay rather, unfaithful Prince ! that you 
 ** did not think Blanch ought to balance in your heart the in- 
 terell or a. throne ; and, without fiooping, to feign a paf^ 
 
THE- ELALEFUL MARRIACr. 
 
 i6 
 
 fion that you no longer feeh- and perhaps never felt, con- 
 ‘‘ fefs that the crown of Sicily appeared to you more fixed* 
 “ with Con fiance than with Leontio’s daiigh"er.-^You are' 
 ** in the right, Sir; a fhining throne was no more my due' 
 “ than the heart of a Prince, fuch as you are. J was too 
 “ vain to pretend to either; bur you ought not to have in- 
 “- dulged me in my error. — You know the alarms 1 fe!t oii 
 ‘f. account of lofing you; a misfortune that then feemed to 
 ‘• me almoft inevitable. Why did you encourage me with' 
 “ hope ? Would to heaven my fears had not been diffipated ! 
 
 “ I fhould have accufed fortune, -not you; and you would 
 “ have, at leaft, preferved my heart, though at the expence 
 of a hand which no other fhould ever have, obtained, Jt 
 “ is now no time to 'juft if y yourfelf,: I am the Conflable’s' 
 “ wife — and that I may fpare myfeif the confequence of a 
 “ converfation that makes my glory bluih, give me leave, 
 
 “ Sir, without failing in that refpc6l which 1 owe to you^ to 
 “ quit the prefence of a Prince, whom 1 am no longer at 
 \ “ liberty to hear/* 
 
 So faying, fhe left Henriquez with as much hafte as her 
 prefent weak condition would allow. ** Stop, Madam !’' 
 cried he, “ and do not drive to defpair a Prince, who will 
 rather overturn that throne, which you upbraid him with 
 “ having preferred to you, than fulfil’^ the expe6laiion of his 
 “ new fubje6tsP — “That facrifice (faid Blanch)- is at pre- 
 “ fent vain. While 1 am married to the Conllable, -thefe 
 “ generous tranfports will not avail : fince 1 am then no lon- 
 ger at liberty, it is of fo fmail importance to me that you 
 reduce Sicily to afhes, or to whom you give your hand. If 
 “ 1 have been weak enough to let my heart be Jurprifed, I 
 “ lhall at lead have fortitude enough to ftiBe its. emotions, 
 “ and let the new King of Sicily fee, that-the Conftaolc’s 
 wife is no longer the lover cf Prince Henriquez.’ v Wheit ' 
 jQie pronounced thefC words, being xlofe -to. the park- gate, fhe 
 entered it of^a fudden with Nifi; a'nd,^ locking' it on. the 
 ocher lide, left the Prince overwhelmed with dorrow, ' He' 
 could not recover the blow which Blanch iiad' given him, by 
 tilt account of her marriage. “ Unjuft Blanch!” cried he,' 
 “ you have loft all remembrance of our mutual engagement! 
 
 in fp te of our reciprocal vews, we are for ever parted : 
 “ and the idea which I had chcrifhed of polKiTing your 
 charms, was no more than a vain illufion. cruel 
 
 “ maid! how dearly did I' buy your approbation of my 
 
 “ Hame.*’ j • r m 
 
 Then the image of his rival’s happinefs prefented itfeh to 
 bis fancy, with all the horrors of jcalouly ; which took fuch 
 full pofleiiion of his foul for fome 'moments, that he was on 
 ti*s point of facrlficing the Conftable; and even Siftredi him- 
 
THE BALEFUL MAkRlAGF. 17 
 
 felf, to his refentment.— Reafon, however^ by deg;rees; al- 
 layed the violence of his tranfports : but the impoiribilky he 
 perceived of banifhing from Blanch the impreffions Ihe re-* 
 tained of his infidelity, threw him again into defpair. — Lie 
 flattered himfelf with the hopes of effacing them, provided 
 he could converfe with her at liberty ; for which purpofe, 
 judging it neceffary to remove the Conftable, he refolved to 
 have him apprehended, as a perfon fuipedted of defigns againft 
 the ftate; .He accordingly charged with this office the captain ' 
 of his guards, who repairing to Belmont, fecured his' perfon 
 in the twilight, and brought him prifoner to the caffie of 
 Palermo. ' 
 
 This incident filled all Belmont with conft^rnation. Sif- 
 fredi fet out immediately to offbr himfelf to the King, as fer 
 curity for his fon-iu-law> and to reprefent the troublefome 
 confequences' of fuch an arreft. The Prince, who expe6ted 
 this ftep of his' Minifter, and who was refolved, at all events', 
 to obtain a fair interview with Blanch, before the Conftable 
 iliould' be releafed, had exprefsly ordered, that no peiTon. ‘ 
 whatever Ihould fpeak with him till next day. Biit Leontio, 
 notwithftanding this order, finding means to get accefs'tdfiie 
 King’s chamber, prefented himfelf before him, faying, Sit% 
 if a loyal and refpedtful fubje6l may be -allowed to complain 
 “ of -his maker, 1 am come- to complain of you to yourfelf. 
 
 “ What crime has my- fon-in-law committed? Has your 
 ** Majefty duly refiefted on the eternal reproach you have 
 fixed upon myTamily ; and on the confequences df*ah inl- 
 ** prifonment,. which may alienate from your fervice the 
 hearts of thofe who fill the moft important poffs of the 
 ‘‘ realm ?” — “ I have certain intelligence,” replied the King, 
 
 “ that the^Conftable carries on a criminal correfpondenc^vvith 
 the Infant Don Pedro.”— •“ Criminal correfpondence I” 
 cried Leontio, with furprife, “ do not believe it.— Your Ma- 
 ** jefty is'impofed upon : treafon never entered the family of 
 Siffredr; and the Conftable’s being my Ibn-in^iaw, is • 
 “ pough to fereen him from all fufpicion. The Conftable - 
 is iniiocent ; but other fecret views have induced ton tb 
 ‘"arreft him.”. ^ - . 
 
 “ Since you. talk to me fo freely,” replied the King, T 
 ‘‘ will fpeak to you in the fame "manner. — You cornplaih of 
 “ the Conftable’s being imprifoned : what! have I not *m ore 
 4* of your cruelty.? ’Tis you^ barbarous 
 
 bjffredi! who have robbed me of my quiet, and reduced 
 me, by your officious cares, to a. condition^ that makes ^me 
 envy the loweft of mankind. But don’t flatter yourfelf 
 
 into your fcheme my m^iage with 
 Conftance is refolved upon in vain,” — « How,. 'Sir,’* cpifd ' 
 
 B3 
 
THE BALEFUL ^RRIASE. 
 
 Leop^jq,^ trembling, can you refufe to marry the princefs, 
 after haying flattered her with that hope before your whole 
 people If 1 deceive their expe^ation/* replied the 
 
 King^ “ afcribe it folely to yourfelf. 'VVhy did you lay me 
 “ under the neceflTity of pronVifing that which I could not per- 
 “ form? Who compelled you to All a paper, which I gave 
 your daughter, with the tho name of Conftance ? You was 
 not ignorant of my intention.— .You tyrannized over the 
 heart of Blanch, in making her marry a mao whom flie 
 ‘‘ did not love, But what right had you to difpofeof mine, 
 in favour, of a Princels whom I hate?-^Have you forgot 
 “ that flie is the daughter of that cruel Matilda, who, tramp- 
 Hng under her feet all the ties of blood and humanity, made 
 “ my father breath his laft under all the rigofurs ^ capti- 
 vky? And fhali I efpoiife her? No, Sifredi ! lay afide 
 that hope.— Before you fee the toreh of thefe direful nup- 
 tials lighted, you will fee all Sicily in flames, and itsaflies 
 quenched in blood!’’ 
 
 ' “ What do 1 hear!” cried Leontio, Ah, Sir, what a 
 << profpc^ have you fnewn me! What terriW threats ! — 
 ** But I am unfeafonably alarmed,” added he in another tone, 
 “ you love your fubje<5ts too well, to' entail upon them fuch 
 ** mifery. You will not allow yourfelf to be overcome V^y 
 love. — You will not tarnifli your virtues with the weak- 
 nefles of ordinary men. if 1 have beftowed my daughter 
 on the Conftable, it was done, Sir, with a view of acquir- 
 ‘f ,ing for your Majefly a valiant fubjedt, who can fupport 
 ** with his arm, and the troops which are at his dirpofal, 
 your interefl: againfl; |hat of the Prince I>on Pedro. I 
 thought that in attaching him to my family, by fuch inti- 
 “ mate, ties— ” “ 1 thefc are the ties,” cried the Prince 
 
 Hennquez, “ tbefe are the flatah ties that have undone me!’ 
 Cruel friend 1 why did you inflift fuch a heavy ftroke upon 
 me ? .Did I order you ta manage my concerns at the ex- 
 pence of my heart ? Why did you not leave me to fupport 
 my rights by myfelf ? Did 1 want cop rage to reduce tfaofe 
 who fliouid rebel againft me r I fhould have known how 
 to punilh the Conftable, had he difobeyed me. i know that 
 Kings ought not to be tyrants, and that the happinefs of 
 ** their people fliould be their chief aim j but muft they, there- 
 fore, be the flaves of their fubjefts, and, from the moment 
 that Heaven chbofes them to govern, lofe the right that na- 
 ture grants to all men, of difpofing their afFeftions as they 
 plcafe > Ah ! if they muft not enjoy the priviledge of the 
 ciafs of mortals, take back, SiflFredi, that fove reign: 
 power iKhich you would confiria^at the. expcnce of iny 
 ?5repofe.’^ ... 
 
 ^ ■■ r 
 
THE BALEFUL MARRIAGE. 
 
 59 
 
 You know very well, Sir,’' replied theMinidcr, ‘‘ that 
 your marriage with the Princefs was, by the late King, 
 made the condition of your fuceeffion to the crown.” — 
 And what right,” anfwered Henriquez, “ had he to cfta- 
 “ bliih that difpofition ’? Had he received fuch an unworthy 
 law, when he fucceeded to his brother King Charles ? And 
 how came you to be fo weak as to fubmit to the unjuft 
 condition ? For an High Chancellor, methinks, you are 
 « very ill informed of our cuftoms. In a word, though I 
 have promiffd my hand to Conftance, it was not a voiun- 
 ♦♦ tary engagement, therefore I do not intend to keep my 
 word; and if Don Pedro, from my refufal, conceives the 
 “ hope of mounting my throne, without engaging the people 
 in a quarrel, which might coft too much blood, let the 
 “ fword de^cidein Tingle combat, which of us is moft^nvor- 
 “ thy to reign.” Leontio, not daring to urge him any far- 
 ther, contented himfelf with aiking, on his knees, the enlarge- 
 ment of his fan-in-law 5 which he obtained.-^“ Go,” faid the 
 King to him, return to Belmont, whither the Conftabie will 
 ‘‘ foon follow you.” The Minifter went away, and got back, 
 to Belmont, perfuaded that his fon-in-law would not be long 
 behind him. Butdn this he was miftaken : Henriquez re- 
 foived to/ce Blanch that night, and therefore deferred the 
 releafe of her hufband till next day. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Conftable was tortured with the moft 
 cruel refte6Uon8 ; his imprifonment had opened his eyes with 
 regard to the true caufe of his misfortune : he therefore aban- ; 
 doned himfelf entirely to his jealoufy ; and renouncing the 
 allegiance he had hitherto fo commendably preferved, breathed 
 nothing but vengeance. As he concluded that the King would 
 not fail of being with Blanch that night, in order to furprife 
 them together, he begged the Governprof the eaftle of Pa- 
 lermo, to let him out, alfuring him that he would return 
 -to prifoH next morning before day. The Governor, who was 
 entirely devoted to him, confented to this the more ealily, as 
 he knew that Siifredi had already obtained his liberty,^ and 
 even furnifhed him with a horfe to carry him to Belmont; 
 where the Conftable being arrived, he tied his horfe to a tree, 
 entered the park by a little door, of which he had the key, 
 and was fo lucky as to get into the eaftle unperceived. He 
 went ftraight to the -apartment of his wife, and concealing 
 himfelf in an anti-chamber behind a fereen, which he. found 
 there,.-propofed to obfprve from thence all that fhould pafs, 
 and to appear fuddenly in Blanch’s chamber, at the leaft noife 
 he fhould hear.— While he was in this f^tuation, he faw Ififa 
 come out from Ji-ex niillrefsj aud retire to the xlofet yvbere 
 H(hc lay. 
 
!iO THE BALEFUL MARRIAGE. 
 
 Sl^r^di s daughter, who h^d eafily difcerned the motive of 
 her hufband’s imprifonment, concluded that he would not re-' 
 turn that night to Belmont, although her father had told her 
 the King allured him the Conftable would fet out Iboii after 
 him. She did not doubt that Henriquez would take the ad- 
 vantage of that conjunaure to yifit and converfe with her at 
 liberty; and in thjs opinion fhe waited for the Prince, in 
 order to reproach him with an aaion which might have ter- 
 rible confeqaences in regard to her. Accordingly, in a little 
 ^time after Nifa had withdrawn, tne partition opened, and the 
 King came and threw himfelf at Blanch’s feet, faying,--^ 
 “ Madam, do not condemn before you have given me the 
 “ hearing : if I have ordered the Conftable to be imprifoned; 
 “ confider that it was the only means I had left to juftify my- 
 “ felf j therefore impute that artifice to yourfelf alone. Why 
 did you, this morning, refufe to hear me? Alas ! fo-mor- 
 row your hiilbandAviil be enlarged, and I fhall never have 
 an opportunity ofTpeaking to you again. Hear me then,, 
 for this iaft time : if the iofs of you makes me the moR 
 “ forlorn of all mankind, at leaft giant nie the melancholy 
 confolation of convincing you, that my infidelity is nor the 
 “ caufe of my misfortune; fpr though I confirmed toCon- 
 “ fiance the offer of my hand, it was what I could not dif- 
 ‘‘ penfe with doing »in the fituation to which your father had 
 ^‘'reduced me. — There was a neceffity for my deceiving the 
 “ Princefs, for your intereft: as well as my own, in order to 
 “.fecLire to you the crown as well as the perfon of your lover. 
 This J flatter myfeif with accomplilhing, and had already 
 taken mcafures to break that fatal eng?igement ; but you 
 “ have deftroyed my plan, and, by giving yourfelf away too 
 “ inconfiderately, laid up a fund of eternal forrow^for two 
 “ hearts, which might have been rendered happy by the 
 ** moft inviolable love!” 
 
 He ended this complaint with fuch vifible marks of real 
 defpair; that Bianch was touched with his condition, and no 
 longer doubted his innocence, which at firft gave her feme 
 joy ; but afterwards, ftung with the confideration of her mis- 
 fortune : “ Ah, Sir !” faid fhe to the Prince, “ after the cruel 
 determination of our fate, you increafe my affli^lion by 
 ** letting me know that you were not guilty ! What have 1 
 done ! U nfortunate that lam! my refentment has betrayed 
 “me I 1 thought myfeif abandoned, and in revenge accepted 
 ** of the Conftable’s hand, which wasprefemed.by my father ! 
 
 “ I am guilty of the crime, and have been the* caufe of our 
 “ mutual mishap 1 Alas ! while 1 accufed you of having de- 
 ** ceived me, it . was .1, too credulous loverd it. was 1 who 
 broke thofe bonds which 1 had fworn to keep for ever inr 
 violate ! Revenge yourfelf, Sir, ip your turn. Hate the> 
 
THF. BALETOL MARRIAGE. 
 
 21 
 
 ungrateful Blanch,— forget her.” — “ Ah, Madam,” faid 
 Hennque 2 , interrupting her with a melancholy air, “ how 
 “ d^all I find; means to tear from my heart a paflion, which 
 “ even your injuftlce cannot extingiiifli !” — “You inuft, how- 
 “ everj Sir, make that effort replied SilFredi’s daughter, 
 fighing. “ What ! are you capable of that effort yourfelf ?” 
 iV.id the King. ■ “ 1 cannot promjle to fucceed;” anfwered 
 “ but 1 will fpare no pains in the endeavour.” — “ Ah, 
 “cruel Blanch!” faid the Prince, you will eafily forget 
 “ Henriquez, fince you are able to form fiich a defign ?” — 
 
 “ And what can you expert,?” replied Ihe, in a molt refo- 
 “ lute tone, “ t>o you hatter yourfelf, tliat I will allow' you 
 ** to continue your addreffes ? No, Sir, abandon that hope. 
 Tho’ 1 was not born to be a Q^ueen, heaven never form- 
 ed me to liden to difhonourablc love. My hufband, as 
 well as yjDUy Sir, is defeended from the noble houfeof- An- 
 “ jbu 5 and if my diny did not raife an infurmoufttable ob» 
 ftacle to your gaHantry, my glory would hinder me from 
 “ enduring it : 1 conjure you,. therefore, to-retire. We muft 
 fee one another no more.”'-*“ Heavens ! what barbarity !>” 
 replied the King: “ Ah, Blanch ! is it poffible that you fhotild 
 “ treat me with that'rigour? You do not \hink, then, that 
 “ your being in the aims of the Conftable is enough to over- 
 “ whelm me ? you muft alfo forbid me your fight, the only 
 confolation I had left I” — “ Fly me, rather,” anfwered the' 
 daughter of Siffredi, fltedding f>me tears, “the fight of what 
 one tenderly loves ceafes t6 be pleafing when the hope of 
 “ poffcftiiig It is loft. Adieu, Sir! Fly from me. You owe 
 that effort to your own glory and my reputation. I aik it 
 “ alio for my quiet : for,*in ihort, although my virtue ftiould- 
 “ not be alarmed by the emotions of my heart, the remem- 
 ** brance of your tendernefs will entaif upon me fuch cruel 
 “ conflidbs, that 1 lhall fcarce have -ftrengih enough to main- - 
 “ tain them.” . , ' 
 
 ■ She pronounced thc.fe words fo paffionately, that flje unwit- 
 tingly oMemirned a candieftick. which fto(Kl on a table behind 
 her; and the candle going out in falling, fhc took it up in 
 order to light it again, for-whieh purpefe fhe opened the door 
 of the ami-chamber, and went to the cl ofet or Ni fa, who 
 ^Yas not yet gone to bed. The King, who waited for her 
 return, nb fooner fa\y her approach with her light, than he 
 made preffing inftanccs to. her,- that file would fufter his at- 
 tachment. The Conftable hearing the Prince’s voice, rallied 
 into the chamber fword; in hand, almoft at the fame time that 
 his wife entered, aiid advancing towards Henriquez, with all 
 the refentment that his rage iufpired, “ This is too mudi, 
 “ tyrant ! -(oried he) don't think that I am fo bafe as to en- 
 ‘<^dure the affront thoii hall done my honour.”— “ Traitori” 
 
o 2 
 
 THE BALEFUL MARRIAGE. 
 
 replied the King, putting himfelf in a poflure t)f defence, 
 
 “ don’t imagine that thou art able to execute thy deigns 
 with impunity” With th<de words they began a combat 
 which was too furious to lah long : the Conftable fearing that 
 Siffredi and his fervants, alarmed, at the cries of Blanch, ' 
 would foon come and oppofe his vengeance, fou'ght without 
 caution. His rage divefted him of all judgment ; he took his 
 meafures fo ill, that he run upon his adverl'ary’s fword, which 
 entered his body to the hilt, and the moment he fell, the 
 King checked his indignation. 
 
 Leontio’s da\]ghter, touched with the' condititm in which 
 fhe faw her huiband, and furmouniing the natural reluctance 
 Ihe had for him, threw herfelf on the floor, and rupportecT' 
 him with the moft eager concern. But that unhappy fpoufe 
 was too much prcpolTefled againft her, to be affedted with' 
 thefe expremons of her grief and companion. Death, whofe 
 approaches he felt, could not fupprefs the tranfpom of- hk 
 jealou fy : he faw nothing in his iaft moments, but the happi- 
 nefs of his rival, and the idea appeared fo horrid, that, re- 
 coiledfing ail the ftrength he had left, he lifted the fword 
 which was flill in his hand, and plunged it in the breaft of 
 . Blanch. “ Die,”4aid he, while he ftabbed her ; die, un- 
 “ faithful woman, fince the ties of marriage have been too 
 “ weaK to preferve that faith which you fwore to me at the 
 akar ! And thou, Henriquez,” added he, boaft not cf 
 “ thy fate. Thou canft not enjoy niy misfortune, and there- 
 ** fore I die fatisfied.” Having fpokc thus,. he expired, and his 
 countenance, covered as it was with the ihades of death, ftiil 
 retained fomething fierce and terrible. That of Blanch pre- 
 fented quite a different fpeftacle. The blow flie received was 
 mortal ; flie fell upon the body of her dying fpoufe, and the. 
 blood of this innocent vi6tim wa% mixed with that of her 
 murderer, who had executed.his cruel refolution fofuddenW, 
 that the King had not time to prevent its effe6ls. 
 
 The unfortunate Prince feeing Blanch fall, uttered a loud 
 cry, and more confounded than fhe with the blow that rob- 
 bed her of life, haftened to give her the fame fuccour that^ 
 fhe had offered to the Conftable. But fhe faid with a faulter- 
 ing voice, ‘‘ Sir, you may fpare. yourfelf the trouble. I am 
 the vi(^im which unpitying fate demands : rnay it appeafe 
 “ the wrath of heaven, and fecure the happinels of your 
 reign 1” As fhe pronounced thefe words, Leontio, brought 
 thitiier by her. cries, entered the chamber, and ftruck with 
 the obje6ts that prelented themfelves to his _eyes, became 
 motionlefs where he ftood ; while Blanch, without perceiv- 
 ing him, continuing to fpeak to the King, faid, “ Adieu, 
 
 “ Prince — cherifh ray memory ; my love aud misfortunev^ 
 claim that favour. Entertain no refentmcnt .''gam ft my 
 
THE BALEFUL MARRIAGE. 
 
 23 
 
 ** father. Comfort his age and forrow, and do juftice to his 
 Absyrc^alU niahe- rny vifidocence knowil. This is 
 what I recommend to you more than any thing. Adieu, 
 “ ray dear Henriquez — I die — receive my laft breath.’' , 
 
 So faying, die expired ; — ^apd the King having kept a me- 
 lancholy filence for fome time, faid to SifFredi, vrno was over-, 
 whelmed with woe, “ Behold, Leontio, contemplate your 
 own work,, ^nd fa.thi^4,ragijcal event,, .conlitler the fruit of 
 your officii^s care and ^eal for nae,k'-^The' 'old man was 
 fo penetrateef with forrow, that he made no reply. — But why 
 Ihould I pretend to deferibe thofe things which no language 
 can exprefs ? Let it fuffice to fay, that both uttered the mod: 
 moving complaints, as foon as the greatnefs of their affliction 
 allowed themithe ufe of Jpeech. 
 
 , i'te Kmg h:is hfe .prefeaped the moft tender remem- 
 brance of his miftrefs, and could never be prevailed upon to 
 marry Conftance ; who being joined by the Infant Don Pedro, 
 they fpared nothing to ay.a.ii themfelves .of Roger’s laft will: 
 but they were at laft obliged to yield to Prince Henriquez, 
 who fubdued all his enemies. 
 
 ♦As for Siffredi,. the gi ief he felt for having been the caufe 
 of fo many misfortunes, detached him' from the world, and 
 rendered .his native country infupportable to him : he there^ 
 fore abandoned Sicily, and crofflng over into Spain withPor- 
 tio, the .onty child he had left, purchafed this caftle, wLere 
 he iiv.ed near ’.fifteen years after Blanch’s death, and had the 
 comfort .^before he died ;of feeing Portio fettled : ffle married 
 Don Jcrxime de .Silva, .and T am the only fruit of that mavu, 
 riage. This (added the widow of Don Pedro de Pinares); 
 is the diiftory of my family, and a faithful account ofthe mis- 
 foi'tunes reprefentedib that^ pi<fture, which ray grandfather, 
 Leontio, ordered to be drawn as a monument of the fatal ad' 
 venture his ipofteri.ty;' ' ' 
 
II I S TORY' 
 
 • ■‘jr ■■ i : ,-j' r ; r-^/ • 
 
 ■ ■ i ' ' ■ i : - ■ ^ ' I . ' : . I ; : ' ' • f ' j r?L. ■ • ' ■ • j 
 
 ...... - OF. ' . . .. 
 
 Oronoque & Alla-Mo 
 
 • • ' - mmm\f ''' ‘ 
 
 , ■. ■ ■ •. L . ^ r _ i ; o o >f£; 1 ■ , „ i ': : f 
 
 ‘ , .v .) “ o iy' 
 
 O SMAN, ofie of the oharaders of thns. Jittie tab,, was a 
 native of Abradore, which lies within ten leagues of 
 the . .large and. populous town of Saadi, near thennmintains 
 Gabel el Ared, in Arabia the Happy. His father, Abdallah, 
 wa^ lord of the valiies of Abradote ; he was opulent and 
 powerful,, and haying no^ other child, had every 'attention 
 paid to. his education, which paternal cafe could procure and 
 wealth gratify. . He? recoil e^ed but little ’of diis mother, for 
 file died in her infancy. / ; > 
 
 The days of his childhood; .palTed. iii amufements natural 
 to that period; but as he gee w rolder they became-more .dan- 
 gerous, and, notwithftandmg.tlie., frequent renioaftrances of 
 his father, purfued them with unabating ardour. It was )tis 
 glory to roufe the grim lion from his den, and to provoke 
 the blood-thirfty tyger to battle. In all thefe purfuits, how- 
 ever, he had conftantly the good fortune to efcape unhurt. 
 
 After he had attained his twentieth year, his father calling 
 him to him: Ofman, faid he, it is now time thou Ihouldll 
 quit the beafts of the. foreft, and become acquainted with thy 
 own fpecies; thy ignorance eife will perpetually lay thee 
 open to their artifkes. Amongft them thou wilt find pride, 
 envy, malice, cruelty, deceit, and a thoufand other detefta- 
 bie qualities, more fell than the favage beads thou haft been 
 accuftomed to encounter. Thou wilt End the weak a prey 
 to the ftrong; the fimple to the crafty, and the good to the 
 bad. Shun their vices — embrace their virtues — relieve and 
 prote£l the oppreft — and, above ail, never lofe fight of juftice 
 andEumanity, Go, my fon, — heaven profper tircej and fetch 
 
ORONO^UE Am ALLA-MOOR* ^5 
 
 thee back in fafet^ to my arms. Having faid this, he em- 
 braced him tenderly, and bid.T:iitii farewel. , 
 
 After many days tr vel, he arrived at a village on the ex- 
 treme borders of Slave aia, juft as the fun was fetting upon 
 the earth. Being fatigued with the length of his journey, he 
 looked out for fome place of entertainment, when, j:o his jio ^ 
 fmall joy, he obferved a caravahfera not far from the road 
 It had a decent appearance, and was pleafantly fituated. A 
 iruddle-a^^ed man was fitting on a bench beneath the fhade. 
 of a large"^ oak that ftood at the front of the houte a few yards ‘ 
 from itrobferving that Ofman was a ftranger, he pafticularly 
 noticed him, and thus accofted him : Friend, fays he, you ap- 
 pear to be' a ftranger in this country, and in want of refrefli- 
 tnent— ^turn in here, you lhall be welcome to the beft my 
 houfe affords : you may go further and perhaps^ meet with 
 •worfe entertainment- Ofman was fo well pieced with this 
 frank and hofpitable' invitation, that he accepted it .without 
 fcruple. V - 
 
 Having taken a flight rep^lft, he was prevailed upon by his 
 hoft to' adjourn td the old oak, and enjoy the cool breeze of 
 the 'evening. Here Ofman entered into gpnverfation with, 
 him, and found him to be a fodlable and intelligent man. ^ He 
 infd^med Ofrhan his narhe was Abraddin, that he was neither, 
 a native of the village of t ullandicum, where he then lived, 
 nor a' Slavonian ; blit that fevefal years fihee he had left Ara- 
 bia Felix to come and reftde on that fpot ; ^hd that it had 
 pleafed heaven to profper his affairs, and blefs him with in-, 
 dependency. 
 
 Finding his gueft very attentive, he feated Himfelf and con- 
 tinued hi's difeourfe.' — Slavoriia, fays liei is fo called from the, 
 bafe condition of its inhabitants, who are all in a ftate of the 
 moft ;abje6f flavety. It lies iti- the horthern regions of the^ 
 earth, equally remote from the eaftern and vveftern worlds, 
 and tho’ many degrees from the fun, enjoys the benign in-, 
 fluence of his rays, without any of thole .fierce effulgencies* 
 which mark his track in the' torrid zone. J t is a country fpa- ! 
 cious, fertile and delightful ; every where agreeabl’y diverfified" 
 with’ hills arid valiies, and fruitful in allthe coh.ye nip rices and 
 even luxuries of life: I will riot detain you longer now, to- 
 morrow, pe'rhaps, I may' fhevy you fomething not unworthy 
 your attention. 
 
 Next mo?nirig he took me to an eminence about a mile 
 from his houfe : having gained its fummit, 1 looked around, 
 arid was ftriuck with aftonifhmerit at the beauty and gran- 
 deur of the feene. The Whole country of Slavonia was vifi- 
 bte to its utmoft edrifines, and prefented one great landfcape. 
 
z6 
 
 THE HISTORY OP , " ' - 
 
 In the afternoon, Abraddin propoied paying a'V'iii^ r6 his 
 neighbour Bruin, and a{V.ed. me whether! would accompany 
 Jiirn ; to which, without hcfitation, 1 ,^plied in the affirma« • 
 tivc, and we went accordingly. 
 
 ^ The door was opened to us by a flouf man apparently about 
 forty, whom, by the iron ring in his nofe I judged to be 
 Bruin^ his featrures were regular, his eyes hern, and his 
 brows thick and lowering, After frrveying us Tome time, 
 he interrogated, in a gruff tone, Abraddin : Who have you got 
 ' here? fome fpy 1 fuppofe — Come walk in. This blunt quef- 
 tion did not by any means prepofTefs me in his favour; how- 
 ever, I was filenr, and we followed him into the houfe, where 
 we found feveral children of both fexcs extremely beautiful, 
 playing upon the floor. Upqp being acquainted with the par- 
 ticulars of my vilit^ he fhook me cordially by^the hand, told 
 ine I fliould be as heartily welcome at all times to his houfe 
 . as if 1 was his own fon, and that he would do every thing 
 in his power to render my Ray agreeable. 
 
 I was juft going into converfation with him, when I was 
 prevented by the appearance of the loveliefl obje6l my eyes 
 ever beheld. She was then entering the room, and feemed ^ 
 to be about feventeen. She Jflarted upon feeing me ; but, 
 Abraddin acquainting her that 1 was his particular friend, and 
 that i had not been long in town, upon which !he politely 
 bade me welcome, and hoped flie Ihould have the pleafure of 
 again feeing me with my friend. I was fp highly gratified by ■ 
 this kind invitation, that I profeft my obligations to her in the 
 warmeft terms of gratitude : we took our leave, though I had 
 enjoyed the happinefs of her company a few minutes only, 
 
 “ Jfhe had fo far engaged my attention that 1 did not quit her 
 without fegret. ' - 
 
 Many'days paffed in which I enjoyed uninterrupted felicity 
 in the company of Abraddin, Biruin, and his fair daughter, 
 whom I did not fail to vifit every day. A mutual p^ion was 
 ^he confequence of thefe vifits. Her father was not ignorant 
 ^ of it, . and he did not feem averfe to the tender connexion that 
 fubfifted between us. . ^ 
 
 One morning, after having been abfent fome days on a jour- ^ 
 ney, I went to pay a vifi^to Sylva, as ufual, but was told there 
 was nobody at home, though juft before 1 had feen her father 
 at the window. Surprifed and alarmed, I returned and com- 
 municated my apprehenfions to Abraddin : he acknowledged 
 they were well founded^; and that a report had for fome time 
 been in circulation, that Bruin was going to marry again, and 
 that Sylva, who fince her mother’s death, had fupenntended 
 his houfe, was intended to have been married on the lame 
 day toCLodius, a neighbour’s fon. The latter marriage, adde<|J 
 he, is prevented from taking place at prefent j for Sylva 
 
‘ ORONOQUE AND ALLA-MttOR. &7 
 
 5ng expreiTedher difliketo Clodius in the ftrongeft terms, her 
 father imputing it to l^er partiality for you. Anxious to pre- 
 vent ail further correfpondence between you and hisdaugluet,. 
 he hath fent her to a diflant relation far towards the fct ting 
 fun, where he intends Ihe fliall remain till your departure 
 from Slavonia. • ^ 
 
 Abraddin bade me not defpair, I can give you farther in- 
 formation, continued he, that may lead you to the hght or 
 her again. TVie name of her relation is Alaric; his caf le 
 hands beyond the great defart of Atalanta : he is mercenary 
 and cruel,' not fo much by natur^^ as habit ; and though he 
 hands in awe of Bruin, every thing is to be dreaded from a 
 man of his principles. I would, therefore, advife you to iofc 
 no time in following Sylva ; I fhail part with you reluctantly, 
 
 , but I prefer your happinefs and her’s to tne i^eafure I enjoy 
 in your company. You willfin(ftn that country an old fridnd 
 ofminenamedlfidorus, to whom the caftle formerly belonged^ 
 but the injuft ice of Alaric hath difpoffeflTed him of it, and he 
 now lives With his two daugipters, in a cottage a Ihort dayV 
 journey frpm the caftle. He wili for my fake entertain you 
 hofpitably, and give you every information you may require. 
 
 If you recover her, as I doubt not but you will, I woul^ 
 recommend you to take her to your father^s, if (he can be pre 
 veiled upon to accompany you. In the mean time, 1 wil- 
 ufe my l^ft endeavours to reconcile Bruin to the event, and I 
 hope I fliall fucceed, Farevvel, my dear Ofman. Heaven prof- 
 j>er you wherever you go, I embraced my generous friend^ 
 and thanking him, made the beft of my way acrofsthe plain. 
 
 Having entered the defart, I foon loft fight of Abraddin 
 and Gullandicum; and after many days travel, arrived, one. 
 afternoon, at the foot of a long ridge of mountains on the 
 borders of Novolonia, which I afeended: I had not reached 
 the top, when I thought Jj^could hear the plaintive murmurs 
 of diftrefs. Anxious to know from whence they proceeded, 
 I haftened forward, but, though I diftin6Uy heard the found 
 ofa human voice, it feemed weaker than at firft, which made 
 me conclude 1 had taken a wrong dicedtion. However, I 
 purfued my courfe without deviation, till at laft every found 
 died away. 
 
 When I had gained the fummit I looked around me, if, 
 perchance, I might difeover the obje6t of my fearch ; but I 
 could perceive nothing, fave the dreary defart of Atalanta on 
 one fide, and the thick woods of Novolonia on the ocher. I 
 liftened, but in vain —not the leaft found was to heard. S 
 then defeended on the'oppofite fide, and had not proceeded 
 far, when the fame mournful murmurs again affailed my ears. 
 I accordingly fearched carefully on both lides of the mquntain 
 for ayi opening, but not the leaR crevice was to be feon. 
 
the history m 
 
 I? 
 
 relinquidjed my fearch, concluding, that the vofce 
 inuit have been either illufion, or fupernatural, and was 
 proceeding penfiveJy on my journey, when, juft as \ was about' 
 to enter the woods, 1 eroded a path I had not before men, 
 which led winding up. towards the top. My hopes nov/ re- 
 vived-.! followedthetrack till it loft itfelf among the thickets, 
 "^i ^ here found an enormous trap-door, 
 
 which having raifed with great difficuity, I difeovered a paf- 
 lage defeending into the mountain. I drew my poinard (for 
 the paffage was too confined to allow my fabre to be of any 
 uje) and, having entered, the door clofed after me, and I 
 round myfelf enveloped in total' darknefs. Hov/eyerj I ex- 
 plored my way without accident, till I came to a oavern fo 
 exceedmgly fpacious and lofty, that it might be thpnght to oc- 
 cupy the whole mountain. At the farther end glimrneve-d 
 ^he blue flame of a lamp, within the narrow fphere of whofe 
 dilmal illumination, 1 faw one, whom I judged to be the ah*' 
 je6t of my fearch, I fheathed my dagger, and approached 
 fier. She was fitthig in an ex^ation of the rock her elbow 
 tefled upon a fragment of it, and her head was recliired upon 
 her hand. She appeared to be about eighteen, exquifltely 
 beautiful, and admirably proportioned rather beneath than 
 exceeding the middling ftature. Her deep black hair flowed 
 in ringlets over her neck and flioiilders, which w:ere feamed 
 with ftripes, as were alfo her arms and face. At her feet lay 
 many ponderous- implements of labour, and large quantities 
 of gold and filvcT, intermingled with chains and whips, and 
 various inftruments of torture. Upmimy flrft approach, Ibe 
 raifed her bead, and feemedfurprifed at feeing nve. you need 
 not be alanned, madam, faid I, you fee before yoii, not an 
 •enemy, but a friend ; one who is anxious to knowhow he can 
 be of fervice to you. I pauftd,. expecting an aiifwer ; but her 
 countenance fettled into its former deje^ ion, and her head 
 drooped. L’ovely ftranger, refumed i, tell me w^hat fniurman 
 favage hath injured you — -tell me where he is to be found, .that • 
 I may fly to his deflrudtion. She again raifed her head, ajid 
 exclaimed in a languid tone — is there than a kind being which 
 intcrefts itfelf in the misfortunes of one deferred by all the 
 Yvorld — ^but why do I detain thee, generous ftranger 1 fly 
 quickly, left thou meet from rnytnrmentors the fate that 
 awaits me. I can obey you in any thing elle, anfwered 1, but 
 in this I cannot. I will never leave you thus. 7 eil me— 
 Why are you here ? Who hath injured you ^ And 1 wifl die 
 or fee you righted or revenged. My iorrov^^, returned flie, 
 are too mighty, my opprdfions too heavy — thou canft not re- 
 iieve me. Shutout for ever from the light of day, J am 
 doomed to this cheerlefs cave, to labour beyond my ftrengtii, ' 
 withoitt any other reward than punilbmenr, or any other end 
 
ORONOQUE ANis ALLA-MOOR. »9 
 
 than death. But why ftayeft thou here ? my talk is not finifli- 
 ed, my ftrength is unequal to it — my tormentors will foon re- 
 turn, and thou wilt fall a vi6\im to thy humanity. Fly, and 
 leave me to my fate. I cannot quit you, replied F,-— I will 
 prote6t you, if death follow. What can I do to fave you ?— 
 We now heard^thetrap^door raifed, and the trampling of feet 
 in the pafifage. Oh ! 'tis too late, cried fhe ; they come-— Hy 
 to yon cell, the nightly repofe of my forrows, aird I charge 
 thee return not till they be gone—- thy prefence would lofe both 
 thyfelfandme— retireinftantly; and I conjure thee to inter- 
 pofe not. I obeyed her, fcarely knowing what I did ; im- 
 mediately two men entered the-cave, and approached her: • 
 
 Haft thou done ? interrogated one harlhly, and in a tone of 
 authority ; Ihe did not reply, but, throwing herfeif upon her 
 knees, ihook her head, and looked up for mercy. Unmoved 
 by her diftrefs, the inhuman brute ordered his comp’anion to 
 apply the lafli. He obeyed, and file fell at his feet rending 
 the vaulted roof with her cries. This light operated as an 
 dearie Ihock to my fpul : IJfeivered with horror; and, not- 
 wiihftanding the injunction of the diftreft fair, drew my fabre, 
 and rulhed forward to her relief. The favage executioner 
 was the fir ft objeCt of my vengeance : I plunged my weapon 
 in his breaft, and he fell dead at my feet. The other, afto- 
 niftied at my appearance, drew a piftol from his girdle, but 
 firing it too precipitately, the ball only grazed my ftiouider ; 
 feeing it fail of effeCl, he fled ; but fear was too tardy of re^ 
 venge; before he reached the paftage I overtook him, and at 
 a Angle blow fevered his head from his body. I returned and 
 found the unfortunate fkir almoft ftupified with what ftie had 
 feen. Brave ftranger, exclaimed Ihe, thou haft revenged me ; 
 now begone^ — thy ftay would fubjeCt thee to the moft crufei 
 death. 1 can never leave you in this diftrefs, replied I ; ra- 
 ther fly with me, and efcape the inhumanity of your oppref- 
 Ibrs. I fear 1 cannot, anfwercd llie, my weaknefs will be 
 the deftruCtion of us both. Hearing this, J aftifted her to 
 rife, but Ihe could fcarcely ftand. Permit me,, faid J, to bear 
 you out of this infernal cave, and we {hall be fafe, i faid no 
 more, nor did Ihe reply, but, as i ftooped upon my knee to* 
 take her up, funk down in filence upon my breaft. 
 
 Having got clear of the cave, and defeended into a fmaft 
 valley, my fair companion entreated me to fet her down. I 
 had no fooner complied, than Ihe dropt upon her knees, and, 
 With her hands clafped, and her eyes overflowing, looked up 
 in gratitude tq heaf cn. After the firft tranfports of her gra- 
 titude had fubhded, I reprefented to her the danger we ran, 
 in remaining fo ' near the fatal cave. Finding he rle If abler ifo 
 wlk, flie refted upon my arm, and we. turned toward tlifc' 
 
 Cs 
 
gir THE HISTOHY. OF 
 
 left into the woods that flood upon the declivity of the moun-*- 
 ^ins. ^ 
 
 Notwithftancling the darknefs (for it was now night) we 
 purfired our journey, but fhe was yet too weak to make any 
 confiderable progrds ; and the leait noife fHled her with ap- 
 prehenfions of a purfuit. However we palled the woods' with- 
 ^GUt interruption, and. in the morning came in fight of a cot- 
 tage that flood about a mile up the country acrofs the meadows,. 
 My heart dilated at the fight, on account of Alla-moor (for 
 I had now learnt the name of my fair companion) and we- 
 diredted our heps thiiher. . ^ ^ 
 
 Fk)rt.unate]y this proved to be the refidence of Ifidorus and- 
 his two daughters. 1 found him worthy to be the friend of 
 Abraddin, His eldcfl daughter Euphemia, though fenfible. 
 and goad- humoured, could not be called handfome ; but her 
 lifter Flora was as beautiful as an a^ngel. We were welcomed 
 by this little family with every mark of - hofpitality ; and, 
 when they underilood thatl was the friend of Abraddin, they 
 vie^d with each other in ftriving to oblige me. 1 here took the 
 opportunity of recommending Alla-moor to his protect ion 
 when he replied, that her handing in need of it was of itlelf 
 ftifficient recommendation ; and that he fhould thenceforth 
 confider my fair friend as one one of his daughters. 
 
 While the two daughters of Ifidorus" were tenderly atten-. 
 live to Alla-moor, 1 acquainted him with the chcumftances of 
 meeting with her, and alked whether llie would be fafe imder 
 his protection. Ofman, 1 find the villain who hath injured 
 your fair friend, is Alaric, the man who hath injured me, and 
 who is fereened from my juft refentment by my age and infir- - 
 niities ; biit we have nothing to fear from his injuft ice here. 
 
 Thus, for a Ihort time did humanity triumph over love 
 though my heart bled for this amiable unhappy girl, yet Sy Iva 
 jiow refumed uncontrouled dominion in my breaft. 1 commu- 
 nicated to Ifidorus my motives for vifiting F^volonia, and he 
 efpoufed my caufe with all the warmth of friendlliip. Ofman, 
 faid he, if you have propofed to yourfelf any plan for reco- 
 vering Sylva, it cannot too foon be carried into execution ; 
 for the violence of Alaric’s difpofition is fueh, that every mo- 
 ment of delay is pregnant with danger. Its only inhabitants 
 now, befides Sylva, are Alaric and' two domeftics. 
 
 The next moring was the time fixed for the enterprife-, 
 I difguifed myfelf in the habit of a pedlar^ and by the aftift- 
 ance of an. artificial beard, was fo effedlualiy metamorphofed 
 that even Ifidorus did not at firft know me., I had a Itaff in 
 my hand, my fabre was flung by my fide beneath my cloak, 
 and my poinard was ftuck in my girdle 5 but neither of them 
 could be feen. ^ t r a - 
 
 Tl>e beauty of the morning had invited us to breakfaft la 
 
ORONOOrE AND ALLA-MOOR. jr 
 
 tile arbour at the top of the garden. We had juft rmlfhed,. 
 when Alla-moor, accompanied by Flora,' returned from iier 
 im^rning^s walk. Alla-inoor Rood file at for forne inomcms, 
 with her eyes fixed upon the ground ; then, turning to ine^. 
 fticfaid, nodlfgutle can everconce'al you from me ; you nre 
 my deliverer. l am apprifed of your intended journey ; may 
 I accompanv you ? Dear Alla-moor, replied 1, L cari refute 
 you nothing — but recolleft, my compliance would again place 
 you under Aiaric, and perhaps draw down dcftruaion upon 
 us both. If feme latent caufe excite you to perfevere, unr.>!d 
 it; you know me — 1 will die or you tliall oe tatisfied. She 
 here fixed her eyes upon luine, and after a ihort paufe ex- 
 claimed,.. Oh! Ofman, T have a caufe; and burft into tears* ’ 
 Every eye was inftantly upon her, with the moft tender and 
 iiicjuifttive folicitude ; when recovering herielf ilie continued . 
 Excufe me my generousbenefaeffors-; perhaps you ought before 
 to have been acquainted with the fate of an unfbrtunate vvretch,. 
 \vhom you have deigned to take under your protedion. If I 
 intrude not on your inor^ important affaiis, I will ciifclofe to 
 you the caufe of my anxiety to accompany Ofman. Ifidorus^ 
 Euphemia, and Flora, all joined me in. one wifh-— to know,, 
 and to alleviate her forrows ; a.nd, after a Ihort filence, began 
 as follows : 
 
 Many days journey towards the rifing fun, there lies a va!e^ 
 bounded on each fide* by thick woods, and lofty mountakis. 
 Backwards its extediris unknown; and,, in die front, it is- 
 wafhed by the fait Tea. Thfj climate is fubjebt to intcofeheats^ 
 which are moderated, however, by the cool breezes which 
 conftantly fet in from the ocean. 
 
 Three years are now elapfed fince I was an inhabitant of 
 this happy plain. My father not fufficiently afflruent to live 
 without employ, cultivated his little patrimony with his own 
 hands. My mother fup^rintended the concerns of the houfe. 
 I was their feeond daughter, and then about fixteen. My 
 lifter Jeffica, who was the youhgefl, was near fifteen. There 
 was alfo an infant daughter of my eldeft lifter’s (who was 
 ^ead) which my mother was peculiarly fond of. This made 
 up our whole family. 
 
 We had a little flock, which felt to the lot of my fifterand 
 me to attend. It was our.earlieft care in the morning, and 
 in the evening our lateft. But tliis did not employ our whole 
 attention. We frequently amufed ourfelves with reading ; 
 cither on the funny bank, or beneath the lhade o^^fpread- 
 ing tree. How oft have we been delighted with t^^yen- 
 tures of others 1 Our breafts have been filled with r^tures at 
 their joys ; and we have wept m fympithy for forrows not 
 our own, while our iambs fported unheeded before us. But 
 
THE HISTORY 6f ' 
 
 S3 
 
 thefe emotions \A/ere tranlient : the ferenity of our minds fooa 
 returned, and fbrrow was a Granger to our hearts. 
 
 . Our days had long g'ided on in this happy hate, when one 
 mornmg as our flock was feeding between the thickets 
 at a confiderable diftance from the houfe, we were alarmed at 
 the fight of an enormous tiger, ififuing from the \y.oods, and 
 making towards us. We fhrieked with teri-or. , He ftill ap- 
 proached us ; and we redoubied our cries. We had oiven 
 oudelves over for ioft, when, hearing a noife from the 
 left, we turned, and beheld a youth defcending from the 
 hills like lightning. The fa v age animal was now within a 
 few yards of us, and thrbatened us with immediate death ; 
 but the gallant youth came up jufl in time to intercept its fury, 
 Difappointed of its. aim, it fprung athim. He had wound his 
 cloak around his left arm, which he opofed to the jaws of the 
 fero’vious beaft ; and, with a well directed blow, planted his 
 dagger in his heart. The monfter fell, and the earth re- 
 loiuuled with his fall. 
 
 Jnfpired with the liveliefl fentiments of gratitude, we threw 
 ourleives at the feet of oar deliverer ; but he would not fuffer 
 us to remain in this humiliating pofture ; he kindly raifed us, 
 and congratulated us on our fafety. We were about to ex- 
 prefs our obligations to him, when he ftopt us faying, the 
 office he had performed was only in obedience to the commoi^ 
 didfates of humanity; and, that the pleafurehe received from 
 the thoughts of having faved us, ^mply repaid him for the 
 iitrle rifque he had run.* 1 could not avoid obferving thatv 
 while he fpoke,^ he paid me particular attention ; but I did 
 not, at that time, impute it to the right caufe. 
 
 We now collected our little flock, and drove them before 
 us ; our deliverer attending us nearly to our owhi door, when 
 he left us. We related to our parents our fortuna'te efcape ; 
 which, while it filled them with the moll alarming fenfations, 
 they contemplated with a grateful joy ; but neither of them 
 were able to conjedture who our brave deliverer might bei 
 
 After this, we ventured no more upon the vale, hut fed 
 our flocks on the plains by the fea-iide. We had done this 
 for feveral days ; when, one morning, as we were refledfing 
 upon our late adventure, we were furprifed by the appear^ 
 ance of our deliverer. Alia- moor, faid he, you feem pen- 
 five— What is 'the matter? Sir, replied I, I was contem- 
 plating with gratitude my obligations to you. Why, an- 
 Iwered he, are you fo anxious to enhance the value of that 
 fervice I had not the power to withhold from you 1 Think you 
 that I reap no pleafure from an adtion that faved your life ! 
 Yet, I fear I fbail have reafon to repent my vidlory. How, 
 Sir,, anfvvered I, haflily, and ignorant of his meaning, ! hope 
 you were jaot wounded I Indeed Alia-moor, replied he, I 
 
S3 
 
 OPvONOQUE aj^’d ALLA-MOOPv. 
 
 was; aud I fear favally — I here gazed upon him, with a mix- 
 ture of furprifc, eompaffjon aqd curiofity ; when he conti- 
 nued, Not by the tiger, Alla-moor — but by thee. His full 
 meaning now flafiied i^on my mind: f found my face fuf- 
 fufed with bluflies, and hid, it in, Jeffica’s bofom, unable to 
 4>eak. After a Omrt filence, he to.ok my hand, which I could 
 not withdraw, and refumed — my fate, beauteous Alla -moor, 
 is at your difppfal. 1 have not been able to withlland the 
 paflion witlr -which you have infpired me; and am intpatienc 
 to lay myfelf and fortune at your feet. 1 am Oronoque, the 
 Con of the king of, the mountains ; ami yet,-'! ihali eileciTi 
 feif honoured by your notice. Suffer me to entertain the^^ond 
 hope, that my love does not offend you: for, flioiild it,'- ra- 
 ther than give you a moment’s unhappinefs, I would banidy^ 
 myfelf for ever from your prefence, and bury my paffion in 
 eternal oblivion. ' ■ ' - 
 
 This unexpe6led declaration ferved only toincreafe my coft- 
 fufion ; yet, I m-uftered refolurion enough to reply — Prince, 
 what do you fay ? You know my birtii,. , my condition, my 
 fortune, are all inferior to your’s. Ceafe then -a language and 
 a purfait fo derogatory to your honour. Forbear, anXwered 
 he, to wound. ray fpirit with obje^fts 1 defpiie. What is birth ' 
 rWhat is fortune, when put in cemperition with you I You 
 ennoble birth, and render. fortune ddpicabie. You unite iit 
 your-felf, aU that under heaven I deem worthy my purfuit^t 
 Then blefs me with your efteeni-— your love — it is all I re- 
 quire*. My efteem, my '^iord, anfwered I, 1- cannot ref ufe 
 you; but why fhouid you prefs me. J could hot p-'cceed; 
 and:Oronoc]ue int.erpretin.g my lilc^rce as ?.fevoirfable omen to 
 bis Icve, dafped me in bis arms, and imprinted upon my lips 
 the ardeat teftunony of his pafiion. , • * 
 
 . From this tirne, not a day paffed* but he wss in cur com-i 
 pany. He would He at our fed and divert us with a thoufand 
 tender tales ; and afterward’s'fympathife with us in the, griefs 
 himfelf had railed. He would then apply to his own pa f- 
 Hon, and repeatedly proteft, that he could quit it only VvifR 
 Hfe. At ether times, he would cull the mofl beautiful and 
 tragrant flowers to decorate my breafl. Thus did my davs 
 pats in thefe unbirerriiptcd Icenes of blifs: nndT am not ^ 
 amamed to confels, that 1 felt for Oronoque all thofe render 
 fenfarions he had endeavoured to infpire me with. 
 
 One afternoon, as Oronoque, my lifter and 1 were walkin^^ 
 upon the-fhore, near the fpot where he ftrft difcloled his paf- 
 hoii to me, the ikies lowered, and the bofom of the occ«n, 
 though then as clear as giafs, laboured. with difcordanc grum- 
 blings, Immediately, the furface of the Tea was troubled ; and 
 the wind, ftrft bellowing ata diftance, now drove impetuoufty 
 . Nothing could withftand its lage. The bed of old 
 
34 
 
 THE HISTORY 
 
 ¥ . 
 
 ocean was laid bare ; his waters were raifed in billows equal 
 in height to the loftied mountains, which, impatient as it were 
 of controul, roared incefifantly ; and feemed to contend with 
 the gloomy fldes. Some clalhing in horrid conjunftion, widely - 
 diffufed their foam around, while others, driven with incre- 
 dible fury, laihed the Ihore in quick fucceffion, and were dif- 
 perfed in dew over the plains. 
 
 ^ After this conflidb between the heavens and the waters waj 
 over, we thought we could difcover at a diftance, a man ftrug- 
 gling in the waves. This fight awakened the humanity of 
 Oronoque, and he refolved to fa\:e him if poliible His de- 
 termination w^as too fud deni for me to interpofe : he plunged 
 into the fea, and, with feme difficulty,' brought the man in a 
 Hate of infen fibility to the fiiore. But tho’ his attempt filled 
 nie with apprehenfiotis for his fafety, yet, this noble inflance 
 of his courage and humanity, endeared him more than ever 
 to my heart. 
 
 In a fliort time, the flranger was fo far refiored as to he 
 able to wa'k; but he was yet far from being completely re- 
 covered. Oronoque, therefore, propofed that he fhould be 
 condufled to my father’s, w^here he might be taken care of. 
 
 1 could have no objedlion to this. Accordingly* vv it h Oro- 
 ’ noque’s afliftance, he reached the houfe, and met with a very 
 holpitable reception from my parents, who were happy in hav- 
 ing it in their power to relieve a fellow-creature in diflrefs. 
 
 Our new gueft was now perfectly recovered^^ He exprefTed 
 in terms of the warmeft gratitude his obligations to us ; and 
 lamented that the me reliefs waves fhould have ftript him of 
 every thing, and deprived fiim of the power of making us a 
 recompence. W e all replied, that the pleafure of haying ren- 
 dered him afliftance was recompence fufficient; and that we 
 tieither expefted, nor deftred any other. He then informed 
 us, that he had been long upon the fea ; that the late ftorm 
 had dafhed his veffel to pieces on the rocks behind the moun- 
 tains, and that he believed all his companions were loft. We 
 exprefTed ourfelves concerned at his misfortunes, and he an- 
 l\vered us with repeated proteftations of gratitude. 
 
 After he. had been with us a few days, I could perceive, 
 that the beauty and mockft flmplicity of my fifter Jeffica, afc^ 
 tradted his particular attention. He would frequently call- 
 hcr his~ little angel. He \vould entertain, her wdth accounts 
 of his. own country-— tell her how beautifully the ladies were 
 ornamented there — whaT adoration \yas paid to them----and 
 wo^ld conclude by wiiliing, for her lake, that his veflel had 
 not been loll. Tefllca, who was innocence itlelf, iiftened 
 to thefe tales with unfulpe^ing pleafure, and feemed to enjoy 
 . much fitisfadlion in his company. Thus, for many days 
 loufid no reafon to repent uur horpitaluyj but at iengtn, a. 
 
ORONOQUE and ALLA-MOOR* aS 
 
 drcuninance happened', which made imprefTions on our minds 
 hy no means to his advantage. 
 
 There is a feafon in the year (even in our country) wherein 
 the nights are long and ftormy — when the variegated blofiom 
 vanilhes, and the green leaf falls. The beauties of nature 
 are then hid in her deepeft recefles. The feathered inhabi- 
 tants of the grove, expofed to all the inclemencies of the Tea- ’ 
 fon, and the frill more pungent tortures of famine, no longer 
 charm the ear, but droop, and unpitied, die. ‘This time was 
 now come : Yet my filler and I continued our cuftomary avo- 
 cation, regularly accompanied by Oronoque and the ftranger. 
 
 There were two little birds which hunger had driven from 
 the woods to the garden behind our houfe. Jdlica had ob- 
 ferved them, and fed them every morning. This had ren- 
 dered them fo attentive that they regularly came ; and, hop- 
 ping from fpray to fpray, \yaited the appearance of their { 
 kind benefad:refs. 
 
 One morning as we were going out according to cuftom, 
 Jeffica recollc6ted thatfhe had forgot to feed her little charge. 
 She immediately propofed that we fhould return back ; but 
 the ftranger appeared rather averfe to it, telling her, that one 
 day could make no great difference. However-Jefhea was 
 not to be diffuaded from her purpofe, till being affured by 
 him that he could fetch ^them both v%hthout flirring-from the 
 place, fhe expreffed her deiire to have it done ; upon this, he 
 took a long tube, which he wore flung at his back, and level- 
 ing it towards the garden, an explbhon immediately followed, 
 fimilar to that which I obferved, when you, Ofman, refeued 
 me. We were both terrified, for we had never feen or heard 
 the like; but, perceiving the ftranger fafe^ our apprehen- 
 fions fomewhat fubfided. Then, looking up, we faw one of 
 Jeifica’s little favourites dying to the woods. She anxioufly 
 enquired for the other, when the ftranger told her he believed 
 it was dead. Hearing this we haftiiy 'returned, and found 
 the little creature with both its legs broke, and in the Itrug- 
 gles of death. Jeffica took it up, and burfl into tears ; I was 
 not iefs affected ; bi^ fearing chat Oronoque might be waiting 
 for us. We joined the ftranger, though not without fome re- 
 pugnance, and walked towards the fhore. 
 
 Oronoque \yas not there, but he came foon afterwards, and 
 found Jelfica in tears, with the bird lying in her lap. What 
 is the matter, JelTic^? faid he. Upon being informed of the 
 caufeof her afiliaion, he looked fternly at the ftranger, and 
 feemed agitated. But r^overing himfelf, and turning to Jef- 
 fica, belaid, Jeflica, ^ will procure you another. Alas! 
 faid flie, that will not do — it will not be the fame ; and where 
 \yill you find a companion for its mate ? They were nearly 
 iifelefs with cold and hunger, and waiting for the little por- 
 
THE HISTORY OF 
 
 gG 
 
 tibn thatAvas topreferve them from perifliing; when the un-- 
 thinking hand of cruelty deftroys one, and leaves the other 
 to pine for its lofs. ^ Well JelTica, faid Oronoque, as no bor- 
 row can recal it to life-, and as you chei iibed' it \vhiie living, 
 pay it the laft tefthuony of your regard now dead. Inter it 
 beneath the fpray it frequented, and 1 will write its elegy. 
 Perceiving that this -propokjl pleal'ed her, he fat down, and, 
 in a few minutes, read to us the following lines. I remem- 
 ber them well, for they were the compofition of Oronoque, 
 
 ELEQY. 
 
 Beneath this turf for ever fleeps, i 
 
 _ . Cold as its native day, 
 
 A little chirping; haplefs bird,' * “ ' 
 
 That hopp’d upon the neighb’ring fpray. . 
 
 « Hard was its lot-«‘Compe]Pd to rove, . 
 
 In winter’s dreary air ; 
 
 .The blalls of all the long bleak-nighty 
 Its little iinibs were doirm’d to bear. • . 
 
 ^ But keener than the wint’ry blaft, 
 
 Was Imtiger’s' piercing call; 
 
 And yet — ^In hopes of ftniHng fp ring, 
 
 Tdiis little creature boi'e them all.' 
 
 But ahf The fmiling fpring neTr came, ' 
 
 To-chear its dreary dayj 
 
 For, fee ! 'The gunner’s fstai tube, ; 
 
 , [T’s lev eU’d at the neighb’ring. fpra^^^ - 
 
 TIh, fpSj^e 1 Oh, fpirC my faithful love ! 
 
 ■ Its httle paitneF .'Cfiei ; ■ < ‘ 
 
 . Alas f. In yain {he mercy crsvCS t - 
 
 Tier faithful lover 'drops-'--ahd dies. 
 
 A tender friend W'ho fometinics cheerM, 
 
 With'^ few crumbs Its aching break f, ' * 
 
 Now drops a tear at its fad fate,. 
 
 And lays its little bones to reft. 
 
 Farewel, ttiy little hapleft'bfMd f 
 
 Though wrapt in dull, cdld clay,* • 
 
 Tgy faithful mate each jrrtorn fl'i'air chirp 
 Thy dirge upon the neighb’ring fpray. ! 
 
 He ftnpt — and I, could not forbear drawing a comparifoa 
 beuveen him and the ftranger, by no means in favour' of the 
 latter. Orofioque feemed impreffed with fimilar fentiitiefits j 
 tut; at my requeft, took no farther notice of th’s affair. In 
 regard to JeiTica, though fhe wa^, at fir ft , certainly difplea- 
 fed v/irh the ftrang-er, a recon cfliatrbri took place, and tve 
 lived in the fame harmony as- before ; but I 'rn.Uft con fefs that 
 nothing could efface the imprellioh this wanton adl of Cruelty 
 had made upon my heat t. 
 
ORONOQUE AND ALLA-AIOOR. S? 
 
 Several days after this adventure, as we were neai; the Hiore, 
 we obferved a veflel lying at a di^ance, and a boat with fix 
 tnen in it rowing towards the Ihore. When they landed, we 
 ,tould perceive the ftranger’s countenance brighten; and we 
 loon learnt that they were his companions, who, having ef- 
 caped the florin, had refided at a finail village further down 
 the Country, whence they had been taken by the vefTel we 
 then faw. ^ TJieir meeting was joyful ; and they congratulated 
 each other on the profpei^ they now had of once more vjfit- 
 jng their native country. 
 
 Our gueft immediately took leave of us, and went with his 
 compauidns to the veffelj but ih the afternoon they all came 
 back again. He told us, he now had it in his power 4:0 make 
 US fame return for the favours he had received from us ; for 
 that the veffel now riding at anchor was his own. He then 
 made us prefents of feveral curiofities peculiar to his country, 
 and concluded, by invking us all to take a repaft on board. 
 
 Jeffica, pkrafed with the novelty, was for accepting the in- 
 vitation immediately ; but Oronoque thought it would be pru- 
 dent, firft to acquaint our parents whither we were going; 
 and 1 agreed with him that we Ought. Accordingly, we re- 
 jurned home, and the flranger^ accompanied us. By the way» 
 they exprdflbd their wifh, that our parents might alfo be of 
 ^he party. BU't my father vVas then out, and, however de- 
 firoiis my mother might be to accept the invitation, Ihe was 
 obliged to-dccline it on account of her family affairs; but ap- 
 peared extremely willing that Jefficaand I fhouldgo, provided 
 Oronoque would atted-d us. Oronoque, 'hovyever, excufed 
 himfelf, alledging, that he was fuddenly indi^ofed.- Thus 
 the entertainment was put off for this time, and the (Irangers 
 returned to their veffel, apparently chagrined at being difap- 
 pointed of our company. • 
 
 When they were gone, I anxioufly enquired of Oronoque 
 what was the matter with him. 1 feel, replied he, a preffure 
 on lily fpirits that I cannot account for. i have not Jiked the 
 Granger lately. Let me intreat you. to be upon your guafA 
 againft him.- Ofonoque had too great an afeendancy over me, 
 independent of my own fulpicions, to fuffer me to hefitate a 
 moment; I inftantly declared that my apprehenfioUs entirely 
 coincided with his, and that I Ihould difapprove of any con- 
 fidence that might be put in the ftranger. My mother and 
 •Jcflica, however, diffented from our opinion,. and afferted that 
 we had nothing at all to fear. , * 
 
 Juft before Oronoque left me in the evening, I felt an uni 
 tniHil depreffion of fpiritsr ; arid he Complained that his indif- 
 pofitjon ftill continued. He' clafped roe in his arms, amd made 
 trie protaife again and again, never to ftir out without him, tiU 
 
sS ■ THE -HISTORY OF 
 
 the v«fTe! \vas gone : for, added he, were I to lofe thee, Aila- 
 moor, 1 think 1 could not furvive the fliock. Life, without 
 thee, would be -one uniform gloom I Ihourd’ never wander 
 through. — How well grounded, Oronoque, was thy prefenti- 
 ment !— He tenderly bade me farewel, and I have never feen 
 him fince. 
 
 About midnight, Jeflica and I (for we lay together), were 
 awaked by the mod horrid rufliing and crackling. We con* 
 eluded the houfe to be on hre, as was the cafe, and in the ut- 
 mod trepidation fled down flairs. Hut, heaven j what was our 
 adonifliment and terror, when we faw our perfidious gueft and 
 his cruelxom pan ions, e-ncompaifiingthe door with drawn fword-s 
 in their hands 1 Reduced to the dreadful alternative, of perifh- 
 ing in the flames, or fallinginto the hands of thefe'monfters, 
 we had no power either to go forward, or retreat. But our 
 fufpence was of fhort duration. They no fooner faw us, than 
 they immediately feized and bound us. Ifnmindful now of 
 my own fituation, I r^nt the air with my flirieks for my pa- 
 rents : and, when 1 faw' my mother iffuing from the houfe 
 with the infant child clinging to her breaft, a gleam of difmal 
 joy darted thro’ my bofom for the fi^fety of my dear parent. 
 But alas ! it was foon extinguifhed for ever. For, feeing the ^ 
 barbarous wretch, at whpfe hands we had all deferved better, 
 exulting at the cruel fpedtacle of which he was the author—- 
 the fliock was too mighty— flie dropt the child — fhrunk back 
 —and periflied in the flainesv The unfeeling ruffian, enraged 
 at lofing her, ordered the little helplefs creature to be thrown 
 dfter her, and he was obeyed. My father now rufhed from 
 the flames \yith his fabre in his hand : they attempted to take 
 him alive, but in vain: the firft who approached him fell a 
 vidtim to his defpair. This exafperated the refl:, and- they 
 all attacked him. He defended himfelf bravely; but, feeing 
 the fabre of his ungrateful gueft lifted againfl his life, his 
 weapon dropt from his hand — he funk down covered with 
 wounds, and, with his laft breath, implored their compaf- 
 iion for his dear Jeflica and me. ’During thefe barbarities, 
 flie had fainted ; and I was nearly petrified with horror, fear , 
 and grief. Thus was our little family reduced in a few mo- 
 ments to death and mifery. 
 
 After this inhuman tranfaftion, Jeflica and I were hurried 
 off to -the veflel, in a ftate of infenfibility. When we reco- 
 vered, we found ourfelves in a' noifome dungeon, amongfl: 
 many other unhappy creatures, whom, like ourfelves, the 
 rude hand of barbarity had torn from their native fhores. 
 
 In the morniug, my filler and I were brought upon deck, 
 by order of the capea n ; and 1 looked back, if perchance I 
 might fee my dear natal fpot Once more. But alas ! we we.re 
 BOW far from it^ and only tlie ikies and the green fea were to 
 

 ORONOQUE AND A3LLA-MOOR. 
 
 be feen. We were now ordered tO’ approach him : we dared 
 not difobey, and the fight of him ftruck me with horror. Jef- 
 fica, faid he to her, come nearer. She went tip to him, her 
 head hanging-on.her bofom ; for flie was fcarcely half dreffed, 
 and all his brutal ruffians ftood about him. I have not, con- 
 tinued the wretch, forgot- your kindnefs to me you fliall be 
 well treated on your palTage — but why- do you not look up', 
 Jeffica ? She fighed, but could not fpeak, and her eyes were 
 Hill directed downwards. Come, added he more harffily, 
 don’t be baffiful, girl — hold up your head. But neither in^ 
 treaties nor threats, could overcome her invincible modefty. 
 Her head ftiH drooped in filence;,and the harfli language of 
 the wretch, for whom I believe ffie had a regard, drew the 
 tears from her eyes, already fwelled with weeping. Finding 
 her inflexibly modeft, he attempted fome indecent liberties mtl\ 
 her; but unaccuftomed to any ufage except that of the ten- 
 dereft nature, ffie ffirunk from the rude touch of brutahty. 
 This, to her unfeeling perfecutor, was an unpardonable crime. 
 Confcious of his power, ah infernal fmile lucceeded upon his 
 countenance, and he malicioufly exclaimed: Your modefty is 
 troublefome, Jeffica, I will foon find a way to rid you of it — 
 befides 1 owe you a good turn-r— you remember the bird, don’t 
 you ? He faid no more to her, but immediately ordered his 
 myrmidons firft to bind me, that I might be a fpe^tator of 
 the heart-rending fight which followed, and they obeyed*.: — 
 Jeffica was then the objedl of their malignity. They feized 
 the unprote6led girl, and dripping her, fufpended her naked 
 by the wrifts, expofed to the view and feoffs of them all. In 
 this agonizing fituation ffie long continued, and was repeatedly 
 bidden to look up ; but ffie ftill held down her head and wept. 
 How, my friends, ffiall I relate what followed 1 — How hide 
 iny burning bluffies from you! — But the irrefiftible force of 
 truth urges me on, and I cannot be filent. Not ladsfied with 
 thus abufing this poor friendlefs, defencelefs creature, vvhg 
 had reafon to expedt better ufage at his hands, the inhuman 
 wretch ordered her to be taken down, and fufpended by^the 
 legs.^ In this ])ofiure (hide me my friends from my own 
 thoughts— from you ! ) ffie was compelled to fee my virgin 
 honour ravlffied from me ; and afterwards to be a fp'eftator of 
 my repeated pollution. — Oh 1 Oronoqi^e ! where then was 
 thy protecliiig arm 1 — Afterw^ards, to gratify the diabolical 
 fpirit of her perfecutor, yet unfated, every cruelty, and in- 
 decency was pradtifed upon the poor girl, that ingenuity could 
 contrive, and brutality execute, to torture her body, .and w^ound 
 the delicate feelings of her mind. Tired of perfecuting her, 
 ffie was at length releafed. But, the ffiock her tendenframe 
 had undergone, was too violent. Weak and trembling, ffie 
 fell — then riling, ffie approached me with faultering ft^ps, hid 
 
THE HISTORY OF 
 
 4 » 
 
 her face in my bofomy and fobbing, bedewed it wiih her 
 tears, unable to fpeak. Then- — embracing, and ki/Tmg me 
 
 for the laft time— fhe fell into con-vullions, and died, 
 
 Dunng the latter part of her recital^ Alia-»moor feeined to 
 labour under the moft excruciating agonies. Her eyes rolled, 
 her breaft heaved,, and her whole frame was convulfed. She 
 had no foQ)ier pronounced her lair words, than fbe clafped 
 Flora in her arms, and concealing her face from us in thebcfoin 
 of her friend, a flood of tears burft forth to her relief. Flora 
 embraced her, and wept in fympathy; and Ifidorus, and Eu- 
 phemia caught the tender infection. For my part, the tern- 
 peft in my foul was lb ungovernable, that my whole frame 
 ihook with contending paflions. Infernal villain ^ exclaimed I, 
 Who is he ? Does-the earth yet groan beneath the burden of 
 fo hellifh a momifer or hath forne generous, vindidlive hand, 
 fent him to thofe regions, where even devils are too exalted 
 to be his companions! Juftice 1 where is thy fword 1 Ven- 
 geance I where thy arm, that fiich a nionfter Ihoiild ever be 
 fuffered to outlive his villanies ! — or even to exiil at all ! — 
 Then addrefiing myfelf to Aiia-moor : Much injured fair, 
 continued I, who is he .'-r-where does he live ? * She here 
 raifed her head, iemewhat mpre compofed, and, paufmg, re- 
 plied, I do not know his name ; but I think now he lives at 
 Guliandicum, and is the principal man there. — This operated 
 as a frelh fljcck to me, but horror kept me filent. I however 
 determined to renounce for ever ail correlpondence with a 
 wretch who had been guilty of fuch enormities ; and I rauft 
 own that, for a Ihort time, Sylva, though undefervedly, lud 
 fome portion of that influence Ihe had over my heart. 
 
 Though I was almoft in a ftate of inTenfibility, continued 
 Alla- moor, I could perceive the wretches laughing at my for- 
 row. Without any ceremony the body of my lifter was tbrov/a 
 overboard ; and I once more caft into the dungeon .—FareweJ, 
 Jeflica! — Thy forrows have been longat an end. Thou haft 
 reached thofe happy plains, from which thou waft torn, where 
 injuflice, cruelty, and ingratitude are not known. ^ 
 
 W hy need I ^rouble you with a farther detail of particukirs. 
 Let it fuflice to fay, that, having endured every evil attendant 
 upon the paflage to this country, 1 was fold to Alaiic, who, 
 after forcing me to lubinit to his loathed embraces, turned me 
 from him in difguft, and doomed me te labour in the difnial 
 cave from which you, Ofman, reiealed me. Here, expofed 
 to the infuks an.l controiil ot his no iefs brutal domeftics, 1 
 drai^ged on a miferable exiftence of three years, in alternate 
 poliution, toil, and tormenr.- 
 
 Th'is have 1 furvMvediuy family and my honour ! Bin think 
 tiOC meanly of me, O my generous friends, — no power coind 
 have induced me to do it, but the hope of once more feeing 
 
ORONOQUE AND ALLA-MQOR. 
 
 This hath - 
 
 my much-loved and long-lamented Oronoque. 
 been my confolation in all my forrows. — I havereafon to be- 
 lieVe he is ft ill Fivine;, and fomevvhere under the opprellion of 
 Alaric. To be afce^rtained of the fate of a perfon lb dear to 
 me, is n^y motive, Ofinan, for wifhjng to accompany you, 
 Notahat 1 would carry pollution to the arms of my noble loveif 
 :^No— But I would convince- him, that though cpniaminated, 
 i am Innocently fo— that my fpirit is yet pure, and worthy 
 to accompany his, wheurthe friendly hand of death fliail have 
 
 fee me free. \ ' r c u r 
 
 Alla-moor here finilhed her narration. But fuch fall poi- 
 feffton had it taken of my foul, that the vibrations of her 
 charming voice Hill hung upon my ear ; and a long lilence 
 enfued before I coniidered that Ihe had done. Every one of 
 us was folicitous to confole the fair mourner ; I alTured her, 
 in the ft rongeft terms, that I would ufe every effort to dil- 
 cover and refeue he,r lover. Oveifvv helmed by the flood c£ 
 tender fenfations which this affurance let in upon her mind, 
 fhe eagerly fnatched my hand, and kifling it with rapture, 
 bathed it in her tears.— The fudden tide had well nigh overfet 
 me*; but collecting my fpirits, I tore inyfelf from her, and 
 let out for the caftle, followed by the benediCtionS'of all, and- 
 their wilhes for my fuccefs. 
 
 Themext morning prefented me with the turrets of AlaricV 
 caftle. After a Ihort deliberation, 1 went round to the front 
 of the building, and;rung at the great gate for admittance. — 
 Prefently a 1 mall wicket opened, and a man of afad counte* 
 nance looking through it, alked me what 1 wanted. I told, 
 him that I was a poor pedlar, deftitute of money, that^ I 
 wanted to raife a little upon the fale of forae of my wares, 
 which were endued. with many magical properties ; and that f 
 IHould be glad to difpofe of them at a reafonablerate. Having 
 heard this, he left me, and foon after returned, in company 
 with another man of large ftatute and ferocious coun'tenanee’, 
 who, as I conjeClured, was Alaric; He leemed extremely 
 anxious to fee what J had to fell, and I fpread my goods before 
 him. — ^Perceiving amongft the reft a -handkerchief, not new 
 ( which I had formerly received of Sylva in exchange for one of 
 mine)-, he alked me what peculiar virtue it could poffefs, to 
 induce me to give it a place among my ne w arricles. I replied, 
 that it was the moft valuable^of all my commodities : that it 
 would, lighten the hand of affliction — retard the hour of death 
 ‘ — and, if prefented to a beloved pbjeCl, wpu Id. conciliate hen 
 affection. , He eagerly enquired the price, when I anfwered,t 
 that 1 had no great inclination to part, with, it, but, th|t 1 
 could upon no account rake, ids than fifj:y fequins for itv 
 He then alked me whether I were willing to remain as a; 
 
 \ P 3 < 
 
41 THE HISTORY OF ^ > 
 
 pledge of its cj^icacy; and upon my attfwerlng in t)ie affir- 
 mative, he immediately paid me the mbney • and, taking the 
 iiandkcrchief, went away ; after having ordered his fervant 
 to let me in, and fallen the gate upon me. 
 
 This was done— -and 1 followed Saib (whiclt \vas the fer-> 
 vanc*s name) into the kitchen, where I fdiihd-en /bJd woiiian 
 who fuperintended his hou /hold affairs, - They invited me to 
 fit down, entertained me with gr€^t zeal ahd kindnefs, and 
 began to difeourfe of their mailer’s affairs with freedom and 
 tmconcern. 1 here heard repeated the ftory of Alla«rnooj’s 
 flight, and the death of her two peiTecutors. They were then 
 proceeding to relate fome particulars concerning Sylva, when 
 Saib, /being fummoned, was filent, and difappeared in a mo- 
 inent 5 but he foon returned, and told me that the fady Want-' 
 ed to fee fuch an extraordinary old man, and that 1 rhuft fol- 
 low him directly. This meflage caufed a fudden palpitation 
 of heart not in my power to fupprefs. I followed him through 
 many large and lofty rooms, till, coming to a door half open, 
 he flopped. I doncluded this to be the end of iny jourhe'y, 
 and went in. The firft objedts that prefented rhemfelves to 
 my fight, was Alaric, fitting oh a fofa, and Sylva ftanding 
 by him, her eyes fvvelled with weeping. Though my difguife 
 might hide me from lefs diferiminating eyes, it could hot hide 
 me from her’s. She faw me — knew me, arid, givinga ftid- 
 den fhriek, funk fenfelefs upon the fofa. Alaric darted up^ 
 ancifixing his eyes fternly upon me, faid, V^iUain-, who art 
 thou ? What brought thee here ? Then, without waiting for 
 a reply, he drew his fabre, and ran tow^ards -hre Avith great 
 fury. Seeing that I had no time to lofe, I un-fheathed mine, 
 and, throwing off my cloak, was prepared for his reception j 
 though the fudden onfet, fcarcely giving me time to draw, 
 obliged me to retreat feveral paces. We how fet to in earneil, 
 and I forind that I had a much more fkilful adverfary to- con- 
 tend with than I expe 6 led. • For though, at firft, he fought 
 with incredible rage, his judgment foon moderated^^ his ardour, 
 and he became cool, colie 6 ted, and determined. He, fluffed 
 Ills ground with aflonifhing addrefs and a 6 liyity-^gaarded 
 with dexterity, andftruck rapidly,' and with great force. Oh 
 the other band, infpired by love and revenge, I oppbfed my 
 sntagonift with equal ardour ; and, in the beginning of the 
 combat, had the advantage ; but, he^changing his mariner of 
 fighting, the equilibrium was refiored, and viCiory*continued 
 for fome time doubtful 5 when, by a yiolent clalh, my. fabre 
 broke Ihort. 
 
 Sylva was now recovered, and feeing my danger, fhriek ed 
 with terror : and Alarit conceiving himfelf fare of me, was 
 . preparing for the final blow. But. happily, my prefence of 
 mind did not forfake me at this critical junfturc j I faw his 
 
‘ ^ ^ORONOQUE ALLA-MOOR. '43 
 
 feimi and diverting it bjr a fiidden. feint, 1 drew/ itiy pdinard, 
 and, rpringirig upon him, plunged it in his throat. The room 
 was iniiantly befprinkled with black gore. His weapon dropt 
 from his enfeebled hand. He funk down at my feet, and 
 wach a horrid groan expired. 
 
 The^'dafliih^ of oar fwords had brought babk Saib, but he 
 did rtot in^feVe ; and, bidding him return to the Idcchen, I 
 flew t(ir the teiief of S-ylva. -She was overjoyed to fee ipe 
 fafe ; ancf, 'as I.w^ a!:|Dut to' congratulate her upt)n herdelT • 
 verance, Ihe exclaithed, Ohf 'Ofmati, how much ‘am I iii- • 
 clebted to your concern for me ! You have refcued me frohi 
 the tyranny^ of Alaric ; and, vvhat is^ribre; ybd^ have pre--. - 
 Jerved my honour. T was fo tranfported with the fe grateful 
 founds, thdt 1 preffed her to my bofpm, a liberty I had never 
 taken beforte : and, though ^e' blufhdd and hung down her 
 ' head, (he did not feem‘ di(pleal^& with this tender proof of 
 myafFedlion. 
 
 Though Sylva had plaimed my. principal attention, I had 
 not forgot .Aila-moorf I briefly related to Sylva the Circum- 
 ftances bf. my meeting with her, but did not recite her hiftory. 
 Sylva fhuddered to find with what a monfief fite had fefided ; 
 and, commilferating the hard fate of the unfortunate fair., ex- 
 preffed her defire of hearing her adventures from her own 
 mouth. 
 
 I now called Saib^ and he came trembling. I told him not 
 to be afraid, for*?hat, if he would be faithful in anfwering 
 fuch queftions as I (hould put to him,^ I would do him no 
 hiift ; but that {lis life depended upon his veracity. He gave 
 me repeated affurances of fidelity, and I enquired if he knew 
 whether any one, had ever been to.ihe callle infearch of Alla« 
 moor. ,, 
 
 After taking fome time fot* recolIe6lion, Saib replied-'- 
 About two years ago, ohe of our fervants, who is now dead, 
 oblbrved a man walking by the garden behind the caftle. By 
 A lark's orders he was invited in, and his bufinefs enquired 
 after,' when he informed us, that he was in quell of Alla- 
 mo6f^ and vvilhed to know whether (he was detained in the 
 Caflie, that he might redeem her. Aiaric replied,' that (he 
 Ayas not in the caftle, but that be had her in his polfeifion, 
 and (hould have no obje<5lion to relinquilh her, upon being 
 pal'd an adequate price. This vvasibon fettled, and though 
 the fum fixed was enormous ahd uhreafonable, the (Iranger 
 did not hefitate a moment, but immediately paid it down. 
 This done he delnatldeS the compfedon of his contract ; but 
 the fight of th^ jewels which yet remained in his poffelficnv 
 had awakened' the avarice of Alaric, who anfwered, that he 
 ftould cheerfully fiiifil his engagement, blit that it would be 
 impoffibie to do it before the afternoon, as Alla'-mobr was n 
 
 > 
 
 V,. 
 
44 THE HISTORY OF 
 
 at a great dIRance from the caftle, in a~ place which none 
 ever vifited but himfeif and his own fervants. The flranger 
 iubmitted to this delay with relu6tance, but he was obliged' 
 to comply, in the mean time Alaric not caring to attack him 
 openly, for by his make and countenance he -Teemed to pofTelV 
 extraordinary Rrengch and courage, invited him to take fome 
 refreihment. He complied, and Alaric took the opportunity 
 toinfufe a foporiferous juice in his -wine. Thk Toon render- 
 ed him inTtuTible ; and in that Hate he was loaded with chainSj 
 and thrown into one of the dungeons of the caftle. 
 
 When he recovered, he Was brought before Alaric. In 
 Vein he reprefented to him the cruelty and injuftice of his 
 uTage : Alaric was too inured to a6ls of violence to be thus 
 moved. The ilranger then offered his whole property for 
 Alla-moor’s liberty and his own $ but this was not iiflened to, 
 for Alaric poffeffed it without. Perceiving his avarice, he 
 offered to difeoverimmenfe treafures, which, he Ibid, he had 
 brought out of his' own country and concealed in this, left 
 what he earned about with him ihould be infufScient. But 
 this offer proved his ruin; for^ as he would make no difcoye- 
 ry till Alia -moor fhould be releaTed, he was put to the moft 
 exquifite tortures. TheTe he endured in hlence, and with a 
 fortitude which aftonifhed us ail. Worn out at length with 
 repeated cruelties, the hand of death preffed heavily upon, 
 him. Juft before he died he fpoke, and begged to Tee Alla- 
 moor once again, Tayinghe ftiould then die happy. This laft 
 requeft being denied him, he fighed — bowed his head — and 
 expired. He lies buried in the woods, about a mile from the 
 caftle. 
 
 Saib ended — Sylva wept. — I was not kfs affiidled, know- 
 ing what afreih fource.of Torrows this melancholy news would 
 open to Alla-moor. — In the afternoon having- enjoined Scib 
 and his fellow- Tervant to remove the body of Alarib, and pre- 
 pare the caftle for the reception of Ifidorus and his family, 
 we Tet out upon our return to his houfe. 
 
 Our return gave unTpeakable pleafure to Ifidorus, Euphe^ 
 mia, and Flora ; and 1 could perceive by the languid fpark- 
 ling of Alia-moor’s eyes, that Ihe partook of the general fa- 
 tisfadtion. Sylva was received with the moft lively congratu- 
 tuiations. -Iftdorus’s daughters thought they never could have 
 enough of her company ; and the beauteous Alla-moor, know- 
 ing how dear Syiva was to me, was folicitous to attraft her 
 notice, and gain a place in her eiteem. 
 
 While theTe were thus engaged, I took the opportunity to 
 acquaint ifidorus with the fate of Alaric, and that the caftle. 
 was ready for his reception. He gave me joy of my fuccefs — 
 thanked me for the fhare he had in my gbqd fortune— aiid 
 concluded by propofing to quit his cottage in a-^ew dfiys. 
 
OROXOCiUE AND ALLA-MOOR. 43 
 
 « 
 
 teut the nioft difficult taik yet remained to be ejfccuted. — * 
 The inquiiitive Iblicitude vifible in i\l!a-moor’s countenance 
 fuihciently indicated the fubjedt on Wliich her heart was in- 
 tent. 1 fludioufly avoided her company, and though ffie 
 hudioudy fought mine, flie feCmed afraid to make any eh- 
 quiries. On the other hand, X was too' concerned for her 
 pcace, voluntarily 'to fiirniffi her with .fo great a caufe of in- 
 quietude as the death of her lover. 
 
 One day faid AHa-mocr, O ! Ormaii, how 'much am I in- 
 debted to yourgoodneis ! how m'uch toSylva’s ! May that kind 
 Being who adminifters comfort to the affiifled, blels you both 
 with length of days and happinefs for your humanity — but, Ol- 
 inan, where is my Oronoque ? Canft thou tell me ? As ffie ut- 
 tered this my fpirits funk— -I looked Sylva — then at Alla* 
 
 moor, and then at Sylva again, but I could not reply — Ofman, 
 refumed fhe, irt;' heart* prefages, that thy filence is pregnant 
 with dreadful, with fatal news —But O’! — ^keep it not froin 
 me — I thiiijk even the cannot overwhelm me — -My for- 
 rows have enabled me to fuflain the prefTure of the wigluitft 
 woes. — Then, Ofman,^ I befieech thee, do not deceive me-— « 
 conceal nothing from ms;— but tejl me— O ! tell me all. I 
 was no longer able to withftand her pathetic intreaties-^I re- 
 plied, Alia- moor, I will not deceive you. Summon all your 
 fordtude to your aififtancc, for you will have need of it all. — 
 Hade, Ofnian, interrupted ffie— keep me no longer in this 
 cruel fufpenfe— is he a captive ftiH ? — -or— is he no more r-*E- 
 His furrows, replied I, are all at an eHd-*-he is Eed to that 
 peaceful ffiore, where injuftice and barbarity are unkoown. 
 ■Then, replied ffie, lifting up her eyes to heaven, it is finifhed. 
 She here paiifed, and her w-hole frame underwent the moft 
 violent emotions : then ftaning, and clafpiug her hands, fhe 
 exclaimed, And art thou then no more, my dear, my faithful 
 Oronoque ! Shall the fight of thee never again blefs my eyes, 
 or thy voice cheer the defpondency of my heart j— Ah, no ( 
 Thou art for fver---foF ever gone. Her agitation. nowT in- 
 cr^afed ; the colour forfook her f heeks, and fue fell fenlelefs 
 into my arms. When fhe recovered, Sylva taking her hand, 
 accofied her in the tendered; accents, and preffed her to be 
 compofed, telling her that her Oronoque was now iisppy, and 
 that e're long fhe would fiy to his embrace, never again to be 
 torn from him. But O, Sylva I where did my lover die?- — 
 when? — how?— rLet me know all. I here acquainted her 
 with the particulars of his fate, as related to me by Saib^ 
 wdiich fhe iifteaed to with the moft eager and fij^-d attention ; 
 till, being informed that his laB w'ifh was to fee her once more., 
 before he died, fhe burffi into tears. ’ ' 
 
 llidorus now began to think of going to the caftley andy 
 as it lay in pur way, Sylva and I agreed to accompany him^ 
 
THE HISTORY OF 
 
 45 
 
 liaving firft prevailed ypon. Alla-moor to go along with us 
 into Arabia. 
 
 ^Ifidorus had been fcvcral days reinftated in the manhon of 
 tiiS” forefathers, when, having nothing more to detain me in 
 Novolonia, 1 began to think of fetting out for own coun- 
 try. ,1 accordingly communicated my intention to Sylva and 
 Alla-moor, and they exprelTed themielves perfedlly ready to 
 ^.rtetld me, whenever I Ihould think fit to go ; but the latter 
 begged permiffion to vifit the grave of her departecipronoque, 
 before die bade adieu to that country for ever. We both 
 cheerfully acquiefeed in her defire, and fignificd our wifh to 
 accompany her, with which fhe feemed pleafed. 
 
 The next morning was fixed upon for the piirpofe. It 
 -came, and a finer never blelTed the earth. ; 
 
 About a mile from the caftie there lies a fmall enclofed plain 
 embofomed in the woods, where, for ages^^aft, have been 
 depohted the alhes of the oppreft, vidfims to fordid gain and 
 inhumanity.' The mighty number hath fwelled the furface 
 far above the level of the furrounding fpots, fo that the whole 
 plain may be faid to Be one great colledtion of 'human afbes. 
 In forae places, the earth fwells with newly depofited duft; 
 Over which the fad evergreen extends its deepfhade, brighten- 
 ed however atunter.vals by the filver light, which the quaver- 
 ing branches admit to dance in mazes upon the bending grafs. 
 In the midft (lands a decayed tower, which, for many centu- 
 ries, hath withftood the all-fubduing hand of time. No record 
 ©r tradition gives any afccount of its eredtion, or mentions ie 
 ever to iiave been different from what it now appears. 
 
 In this plain Oronoque lay buried. We now fet out to pay 
 the laft refpedf to his memory. Saib led the way. Alia-moor 
 had hold of Flora’s arm, and Sylva of mine. Ifidorus did 
 not go with us, for he was indifpoCed ; and Euphemia was ob- 
 liged to flay at home to attend upon her father. We fqon 
 came in light of the folitary fpot. * No found of human voice 
 was to be heard — the flillnefs of death uninterruptedly per- 
 vaded all, except when difturbed by the folemn undulations of 
 the -far-diftant hell — ^by the gentle zephyrs ruftling the leaves, 
 or by the creeping of fome little animal, which, perhaps, might 
 have taken fandluary in the wails of the old tower, far from 
 the wanton cruelty of man: for here barbarity ceales her fell 
 purfuic, and here the perfecuted are at reft. 
 
 ^ We trod in filent melancholy upon the duft of ages; and, 
 at length arrived at the fatal- fpot, where refted for ever, 
 from all his forrows, the once tender, generous Oronoque, 
 the faithful lover of Alia- moor. Tho’ no (igns of his grave 
 appeared (for the green turf ceafing to heave had now be- 
 come level), yet, the fpot might be well knowu : for fame 
 
ORONOOUE and ALLA-MOOR. 47 
 
 friendly hand had placed a fmall monumental ftone upon hh 
 hrcaR, on which he had in large chara6ders, infcribed 
 ORONOQUE. 
 
 This too well certified us we were not raiftakcn. My fenia- 
 tions, whicii before were hill and melancholy, now became 
 turbulent, exquifite, and piercing : What then were thofe 
 dfthetender Alla- moor ’—She wept pot; but, throwing her, 
 ic If upon the green turf which prclTed her departed lover,, 
 contemplated it in filence, whiUl her breaid heaved with the 
 fulnefs of her affiiaion.— She fobbed— and at length found 
 utterance — Oh! Oronoque ! Can it be thee 1-— As flie ejaciu - 
 lated this in broken accents, the tear of grief burfl from her 
 eye; and, as die viewed the facred repofitory of his aihes, it 
 trickled to the^grpund. After a fhort paufe, flie exclaimeo, 
 and is all our love come to this ! — Where now, Oronoque, is 
 thy tender paffion ’ Where thy fmiles which cheered my 
 heart I And the mufic of thy tongue which fo often hung upon . 
 my ravifhed earl — Alas! the hand of oppreiCon too hatji 
 reached thee. They all now forever r-epofe in the filent duh. 
 
 Bur ah ! — Thou heareft me nor. The voice of Alia-moor 
 
 pleads in vain. — Farewel then, my dear, my faithful Oro- 
 noque— Thou tendered, thou braved of thy fex, farewel ! 
 Thou art now arrived at that happy plain, where the. band 
 of oppredion iliali reach thee no more — But thy Alia-moor, 
 unhappy, and unprptecled, is left to lament t^ly lofs. 
 
 The grief of the lovely mourner had fo far afFedted Sylva 
 andF;lora that they had thrown themfelves down by her fide, 
 aud mingled their tears with hers. Even the iron features of, 
 Saib* had given way : And the torrent of tender fenfations, 
 which rufhe’d in tipon my foul, had fooppreft me, that ! could 
 redd it no longer. I threw rnyfclf upon the earth, and wrap- 
 ping myface^in my cloak, I was a prey to the mod agoniz- 
 ing forrow. - 
 
 A dlence of fotne moments enfued ; when Aila-moor as if 
 recolledling herfelf, aiTumed a look of horror — But what do I 
 fay ! exclaimed die, Oh I Oronoque, didd thou not die for, 
 7 / 2 e / — After a diort interval, her emotions feemed to fubdde. 
 She fixed her eyes upon Syiva, and then upon me : Gene- 
 rous friends, faid die, you are-too good to intered yourfelves 
 in the fate of an unhappy w' retch, who would prove a never- 
 ceafing fource of trouble to you both, — I cannot bear the 
 thought — And did'not Oronoque for me ! Saying this, Ibe 
 fuddenly fna'ched my poinard from my girdle, and, before I 
 could prevent the blow, plunged it in her bread. ^ Syiva and 
 Flora Ihrieked. 1 darted' up with horror. — What have you 
 done^ Alia-moor! exclaimed I ; after'feveral attempts to fpeak, 
 die faid; forgive me dear Ofman — forgive me^^^dva — how 
 could I tear myfelf from the a&es of my beloved Oronoque, 
 
THE HISTORY, &c. ; 
 
 • ^ po;'\itcd body through -the earth * unhappy in my. 
 
 ; - b « c ' '3 ; ! >. caufe of iinhappinefs to others O 1—^ 
 
 'Grant ri^c ih,'’ feft reqiieft — lay me by the Remains of my dear 
 Cac-nique — O* — I feel the haiid of death cold at my heart, 
 r iTd light vanilh from mine eves — F'arewel Ofm^n— Svlva 
 -—Fioni — farewel. May you be happy, when Alla-moor, 
 svrapt in the cold embraces of death, lliall be forgotten. Atyi 
 ,0 !— my dear lamented parents ! — my fifter I — - — She here 
 fathered, and drove to pronouace the name of Oronoqiie, but 
 was unable. Then, finking upon his grave, with her bleed- 
 ing bbfom upon the cold ftone, and the name of Oro'noque 
 dili- trembling upon her lips, fhe ek'pired. Neither before nor- 
 this fatal event did my heart ever experience fuch ex- 
 cruciating pangs. Sylva and Flora, overcome with grief, 
 barhea the lifclefs body in their tears, and, catching at the 
 fond hope, that ir might yet contain the fpirit of their be- 
 loved friend, continued to call upon her name in the tendered 
 accerfts — But, alas I (lie was gone for ever. 
 
 . Saib was now difpatchsd to the caftlc for Tfidorus, w'lio, 
 notwpLhftanding his indirpefifion, came, accompanied by Eu- 
 phemia. Seeing the lovely Alla-moor, whom, iir the; morn- 
 ing, they had embraced warm with the breath of life, now 
 cold and motionlefs, they fhook thcir'heads, and di;opt a tear 
 to her. memory. 
 
 In the afternoon, the remains of Alla-moor were depofited 
 by the afhes of her lover>,as fhc had defired — After no more 
 qf her was te be feen, with the point of that dagger by which 
 .fl-ie died, bat which had firil drunk the blood of 'her oppref- 
 for, i inferibed on the monumental ftone, the name 
 
 bRON0QUE, 
 
 ALLA-MOOR. 
 
 Adieu! unfortunate, injured, lamented pair! If Juftice 
 rule the earth, your wrongs diall not go unrevenged j and 
 the tear 'of fympathy fnah be. fhed upon your grave. 
 
 The fun fet—the Ikies io\Vered.— -We took a lafl farewel 
 of Ifidorus, Euphemia, and Flora. ‘ Sylva >entwined her 
 arm in mine; and with heavy hearts, we fet out for the vaU 
 lies of A brad ore. 
 
 (PRIJ^TED BY T, SCHQTiELO, tlVEKVOOL^.^