_The Story of the enamoured Portuguese._
"In the briefest possible words with which a tale can be told, I will
give you the history of my life, which will itself be brief also, if I
am to give any credit to a certain dream which disturbed my repose last
night.
"I am, sirs, a Portuguese, of noble blood, rich in fortune's gifts, and
not poor in those of nature. My name is Manuel de Sosa Coutiño; Lisbon
my native place; and my profession that of a soldier. Near my father's
house, with only a wall between, was that of another gentleman, of the
ancient family of the Pereiras, who had an only daughter, sole heiress
of his wealth, which was great, the hope and prop of her family, who,
for her high birth, riches, and beauty, was sought in marriage by all
the best and greatest of the land; and I, who as a near neighbour, had
many opportunities of seeing her, saw her, knew her, and adored her,
with but a faint hope of ever obtaining her as my wife. To save time,
and knowing that neither words nor gifts would avail, I determined that
one of my relations should ask her of her father for me, since neither
in birth, nor condition, nor yet in age, was there any difference
between us. The answer I obtained was, that his daughter Leonora was
as yet too young to marry; that two years should pass, and that he
would give his promise not to dispose of his daughter during that
time without letting me know of it. This was the first blow upon the
shoulders of my patience, and on the shield of my hopes; but not for
this did I cease to declare publicly my open suit, which was soon known
throughout the city; but she, retired into the citadel of her prudence
and the recesses of her discretion, modestly and with her father's
permission, accepted my service, and gave me to understand, that, if
she did not return my attentions, they were at least not displeasing to
her.
"It happened that at this moment I was sent by the king to command one
of his armies in Barbary, a post of great importance and trust. The
hour for parting arrived; and since that of my death came not also,
it is clear that absence cannot kill nor grief destroy. I spoke to
her father, and entreated him to renew the promise he had given of
the two years during which I might hope. He took compassion upon me,
and consented that I should take leave of his wife and his daughter
Leonora, who, accompanied by her mother, came forth to receive me in a
parlour, and with her came modesty, grace, and silence. I was stupified
when I saw so much beauty so near me; fain would I have spoken, but
the words stuck in my throat, and my tongue cleaved to the roof of my
mouth. I neither knew how nor was able to utter a syllable, and my
silence proved the tumult of my soul so plainly that it was evident to
the father of my beloved, who was as courteous as he was prudent. He
embraced me, and said: 'Farewells, Don Manuel, were never the time for
many words, and perhaps this silence may speak more in your favour than
any eloquence. Go and perform your duty, and return as speedily as you
can. I will not fail in the promise I have made to you. My daughter
Leonora is an obedient child, and her mother always wishes to please
me, and I have a kindness for you; so it seems to me, with these three
things, you may indulge good hopes of success in what you desire.'
These words remained graven on my memory in such a manner that I have
not forgotten them, and never shall whilst life endures.
"Neither the beautiful Leonora nor her mother said a word, nor could I
utter one, as I have said before.
"I departed for Barbary, where I remained two years, and fulfilled the
duties of my office, giving satisfaction thereby to my king. I returned
at the end of this time to Lisbon, and found that the fame of Leonora's
beauty was noised abroad to the furthest limits of the kingdom,
extending even through Castile and other places, from whence came
ambassadors, asking her in marriage for princes and great noblemen;
but, as she submitted her will entirely to her parents, I could not
hear whether she was or was not favourable to any of them. Seeing now
that the two years were come to an end, I went to renew my suit to her
father, and implore him to give her to me as my wife. Alas! alas! I
cannot dwell upon this part of my story, for in the very prime of life
death called for me, and I fear I shall hardly have time to relate the
sequel of my unhappy story; if it comes, I shall no longer consider
myself unfortunate.
"At last I was informed, that on a certain approaching Sunday, my
beloved Leonora should be delivered to me, which news nearly killed me
with happiness. I invited my relations, called my friends together, and
sent presents, with all the requisite preparations, to show that I was
about to be married, and that Leonora was to be the bride.
"The day arrived, and, accompanied by all the highest and noblest
gentlemen of the city, I went to a convent called that of the Mother of
God, where I was told my bride had been awaiting me since the preceding
day, for, that it was her wish to have the celebration of her betrothal
performed in the church, by the permission of the Archbishop of the
City." Here the melancholy cavalier paused for a moment, as if to take
breath to pursue his narration, and then continued--"I arrived at
the convent which was adorned with royal pomp; some of the principal
persons of the city came out to meet me, who were assembled there with
many of the noblest ladies also. The church resounded with music both
vocal and instrumental, and at this moment, appeared from the cloister,
the peerless Leonora, accompanied by the abbess and many of the nuns.
She was dressed in white satin, slashed, and a gown with a train after
the Castilian fashion; the slashes were adorned with rich and large
pearls. Her gown was lined with a rich stuff of gold and green; her
hair hung down over her shoulders, so bright and golden, it would
have shamed the sunbeams, and so long, it nearly swept the floor. The
girdle, necklace and rings that she wore, were worth almost a kingdom;
and again I repeat, she shone forth so beautiful, so lovely and
graceful, and so richly adorned and decorated, that she was the envy of
every woman, and the admiration of every man, present. For myself, I
can only say, that at sight of her, I felt I could never be worthy of
such a creature, even though I had been the emperor of the whole world.
"A kind of stage had been erected in the middle of the body of the
church, where was an open space, in which the ceremony of our espousals
was to take place. The beautiful maiden went up to it first, where she
stood revealed in all her loveliness: she appeared like the bright
Aurora at break of day, or as ancient fables tell, so looked the chaste
Diana in the woods. Some thought she could be compared to nothing but
herself. I went up to the stage next, feeling as if I was going up
to heaven, and I knelt on one knee before her, as if I was about to
worship her. Then there arose a cry of many voices, and the voices
said, 'May ye live long and happy years in this world, O lovely and
loving ones; may beauteous children grow around your table as a crown,
and may this love extend to your children's children; may ye never know
anger or jealousy; may doubt and suspicion never dwell within your
breasts, may envy be trampled under your feet, and good fortune never
cease in your house.'
"All these good and holy wishes filled my soul with pleasure, seeing
with what universal joy my happiness was received. But now the
beauteous Leonora took my hand, and there, as we stood together side by
side, she raised her voice and said to me:--'Don Manuel de Sosa, you
know well how my father gave his word to you that he would not dispose
of my person for two years, which were to count from the day when you
first asked for me to be your wife, and if I forget not, I also said
(seeing myself pursued by your solicitude, and feeling obliged by the
many benefits bestowed by you on me more from your courtesy than my
deserts) that I would take no other spouse on earth, but yourself.
My father has fulfilled _his_ promise to you, as you have seen, and
I wish to accomplish _mine_, as you will see; and therefore because
I knew that deceits, although they may be honourable and profitable,
yet carry with them a kind of treason, when they are long delayed and
entertained, I would wish that mine should appear and be made known
to you at this present instant. I, my Lord, am married, and my Spouse
being alive, I can in no way marry another. I have not left you for any
man on earth, but for a Bridegroom in Heaven; that is, Jesus Christ,
God and Man. _He_ is my espoused one, I gave my word to him before I
gave it to you; to him without deceit, and with my whole heart; to you
deceitfully, and without any truth. I confess that if I were to choose
an earthly husband none could equal you, but having chosen a heavenly
one, who is like God? If this seem to you like treason or unseemly
usage, give me any punishment you please, and call me any name you
like; but neither death nor promises, nor threats, shall divide me from
my crucified Lord and Spouse.'
"She ceased to speak, and instantly the abbess and the nuns began to
strip off her rich apparel, and to cut off the precious ringlets of
her hair. I, strangely moved, and anxious to repress the signs of
weakness, strove to keep back the tears which filled my eyes, and
falling on my knees I pressed her hand to my lips, and she, Christianly
compassionate, let her arms embrace my neck; then, standing up, I said
in a voice which every one present could hear, 'Maria Optimam partem
elegit;' and thus saying I left the church, and, accompanied by my
friends, returned to my own house, where, by turning and returning in
my imagination all this strange history, I well nigh lost my reason,
and now for the same cause, I am about to lose my life." So saying,
he heaved a deep sigh, and gave up the ghost, falling heavily to the
ground.
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