SIR,

_You declared Publickly at the Ball, you were my Rival in Love and

Honour: If you dare prove it by Maintaining it, I shall be to morrow

Morning at Six, at the Back-part of St. +Mark's+ Church, where I

shall be ready to fall a Sacrifice to both._

Gonzago.

_Dangerfield_, on the Perusal of this Challenge, began to reflect on

the Strangeness of that Evening's Adventure, which had engag'd him

in a Passion for two Mistresses, and involv'd him in two Duels;

and whether the Extravagance of his Passion, or the Oddness of his

Fighting-Appointments, were most remarkable, he found hard to Determine;

his Love was divided between the Beauty of one Lady, and Wit of another,

either of which he loved passionately, yet nothing cou'd satisfy him,

but the Possibility of enjoying both. He had appointed the Gentleman at

the Ball to meet him at the same Time and Place, which _Gonzago's_

Challenge to him imported; this Disturbance employed his Thought till

Morning, when rising and dressing himself very richly, he walked to the

appointed Place. _Erizo_, who was the Gentleman whose Sword he had

broke, was in the Place before him; and _Gonzago_ entered at the same

Time with him. _Erizo_, was surprized to see _Gonzago_, as much as he

was to find _Erizo_ there. 'I don't remember, Friend (said _Gonzago_)

that I desired your Company here this Morning.' 'As much as I expected

yours,' answered _Erizo_. 'Come, Gentlemen, (said _Dangerfield_,

interrupting them) I must fight you both, it seems: which shall I

dispatch first?' 'Sir, (said _Erizo_) you challeng'd me, and therefore I

claim your Promise.' 'Sir, (reply'd _Gonzago_) he must require the same

of me first, as I challenged him.' Said _Erizo_, 'the Affront I received

was unpardonable, and therefore I must fight him first, lest if he fall

by your Hands, I be depriv'd of my Satisfaction.' 'Nay (reply'd

_Gonzago_) my Love and Honour being laid at Stake, first claims his

Blood; and therefore, Sir, (continued he to _Dangerfield_) defend

yourself.' 'Hold (said _Erizo_ interposing,) if you thrust home, you

injure me, your Friend.' 'You have forfeited that title, (said _Gonzago_

all in Choler,) and therefore if you stand not aside, I'll push at you.'

'Thrust home then, (said _Erizo_) and take what follows.' They

immediately assaulted each other vigorously. 'Hold, Gentlemen, (said

_Dangerfield_ striking down their Swords) by righting your selves you

injure me, robbing me of that Satisfaction, which you both owe me, and

therefore, Gentlemen, you shall fight me, before any private Quarrel

among your selves defraud me of my Revenge, and so one or both of you,'

thrusting first at _Erizo_. 'I'm your Man,' (said _Gonzago_) parrying

the Thrust made at _Erizo_. The Clashing of so many Swords alarm'd some

Gentlemen at their _Mattins_ in the Church, among whom was _Rinaldo_,

who since the Death of his Wife, had constantly attended Morning-Service

at the Church, wherein she was buried. He with Two or Three more, upon

the Noise ran out, and parting the three Combatants, desired to know the

Occasion of their Promiscuous Quarrel. _Gonzago_ and _Erizo_ knowing

_Rinaldo_, gave him an Account of the Matter, as also who the Stranger

was. _Rinaldo_ was overjoy'd to find the brave _Britain_, whom he had

received so great a Character of, from his Brother the Admiral, and

accosting him very Courteously, 'Sir, (said he) I am sorry our

Countrymen shou'd be so Ungrateful as to Injure any Person, who has been

so Serviceable to the State; and pray, Gentlemen, (added he, addressing

the other two) be intreated to suspend your Animosities, and come Dine

with me at my House, where I hope to prevail with you to end your

Resentments.' _Gonzago_ and _Erizo_ hearing him Compliment the Stranger

at their Expence, told him in a Rage, they wou'd chuse some other Place

than his House, to end their Resentments in, and walk'd off.

_Dangerfield_, on _Rinaldo's_ farther Request, accompanied him to his

House.

_Maria_ had newly risen, and with her Night-gown only thrown loose about

her, had look'd out of the Window, just as her Father and _Dangerfield_

were approaching the Gate, at the same Instant she cast her Eyes upon

_Dangerfield_, and he accidentally look'd up to the Window where she

stood, their Surprize was mutual, but that of _Dangerfield_ the greater;

he saw such an amazing Sight of Beauty, as made him doubt the Reality of

the Object, or distrust the Perfection of his Sight; he saw his dear

Lady, who had so captivated him the preceeding Day, he saw her in all

the heightning Circumstances of her Charms, he saw her in all her native

Beauties, free from the Incumbrance of Dress, her Hair as black as

Ebony, hung flowing in careless Curls over her Shoulders, it hung link'd

in amorous Twinings, as if in Love with its own Beauties; her Eyes not

yet freed from the Dullness of the late Sleep, cast a languishing

Pleasure in their Aspect, which heaviness of Sight added the greatest

Beauties to those Suns, because under the Shade of such a Cloud, their

Lustre cou'd only be view'd; the lambent Drowsiness that play'd upon her

Face, seem'd like a thin Veil not to hide, but to heighten the Beauty

which it cover'd; her Night-gown hanging loose, discover'd her charming

Bosom, which cou'd bear no Name, but Transport, Wonder and Extasy, all

which struck his Soul, as soon as the Object hit his Eye; her Breasts

with an easy Heaving, show'd the Smoothness of her Soul and of her Skin;

their Motions were so languishingly soft, that they cou'd not be said to

rise and fall, but rather to swell up towards Love, the Heat of which

seem'd to melt them down again; some scatter'd jetty Hairs, which hung

confus'dly over her Breasts, made her Bosom show like _Venus_ caught in

_Vulcan's_ Net, but 'twas the Spectator, not she, was captivated. This

_Dangerfield_ saw, and all this at once, and with Eyes that were adapted

by a preparatory Potion; what must then his Condition be? He was

stricken with such Amazement, that he was forced to Support himself, by

leaning on _Rinaldo's_ Arm, who started at his sudden Indisposition.

'I'm afraid, Sir, (said he) you have received some Wound in the Duel.'

'Oh! Sir, (said he) I am mortally wounded'; but recollecting himself

after a little Pause, 'now I am better.' _Rinaldo_ wou'd have sent for a

Surgeon to have it searched. 'Your pardon, Sir, (said _Dangerfield_) my

Indisposition proceeds from an inward Malady, not by a Sword, but like

those made by _Achilles's_ Spear, nothing can cure, but what gave the

Wound.' _Rinaldo_ guessing at the Distemper, but not the Cause of it,

out of good Manners declined any further enquiry, but conducting him in,

entertained him with all the Courtesy imaginable; but in half a Hour,

a Messenger came from the Senate, requiring his immediate Attendance; he

lying under an indispensable Necessity of making his personal

Appearance, begg'd _Dangerfield's_ Pardon, intreating him to stay, and

command his House till his return, and conducting him to a fine Library,

said he might there find Entertainment, if he were addicted to Study;

adding withal, as a farther Engagement of his Patience, that he should

meet the Admiral at the Senate, whom he wou'd bring home as an Addition

to their Company at Dinner. _Dangerfield_ needed none of these Motives

to stay, being detained by a secret Inclination to the Place; walking

therefore into the Library, _Rinaldo_ went to the Senate. _Dangerfield_

when alone, fell into deep Ruminating on his strange Condition, he knew

himself in the House, with one of his dear Charmers, but durst not hope

to see her, which added to his Torment; like _Tantalus_ remov'd the

farther from Happiness, by being nearer to it, contemplated so far on

the Beauties of that dear Creature, that he concluded, if her Wit were

like that of his t'other Mistress, he wou'd endeavour to confine his

Passion wholly to that Object.

In the mean Time, _Maria_ was no less confounded, she knew herself in

Love with a Stranger, whose Residence was uncertain, she knew her own

Modesty in concealing it; and alas! she knew her Dumbness uncapable of

ever revealing it, at least, it must never expect any Return; she had

gather'd from her Sister's Discourse, that she was her Rival; a Rival,

who had the Precedency in Age, as the Advantage in Wit, and Intreague,

which want of Speech render'd her uncapable of; these Reflections, as

they drew her farther from the dear Object, brought her nearer Despair;

her Sister was gone that Morning with her Unkle, the Admiral, about two

Miles from _Venice_, to drink some Mineral Waters, and _Maria_ finding

nothing to divert her, goes down to her Father's Library, to ease her

Melancholy by reading. She was in the same loose Habit in which she

appeared at the Window, her Distraction of Thought not permitting her

any Care in dressing herself; she enter'd whilst _Dangerfield's_

Thoughts were bent by a full Contemplation of her Idea, insomuch that

his Surprize represented her as a Phantom only, created by the Strength

of his Fancy; her depth of Thought had cast down her Eyes in a fix'd

Posture so low, that she discover'd not _Dangerfield_, till she stood

close where he sat, but then so sudden an Appearance of what she so

lov'd, struck so violently on her Spirits, that she fell in a Swoon, and

fell directly into _Dangerfield's_ Arms; this soon wakened him from his

Dream of Happiness, to a Reality of Bliss, he found his Phantom turn'd

into the most charming Piece of Flesh and Blood that ever was, he found

her, whom just now he despair'd of seeing; he found her with all her

Beauties flowing loose in his Arms, the Greatness of the Pleasure rais'd

by the two heightning Circumstances of Unexpectancy and Surprize, was

too large for the Capacity of his Soul, he found himself beyond

Expression happy, but could not digest the Surfeit; he had no sooner

Leisure to consider on his Joy, but he must reflect on the Danger of her

that caus'd it, which forced him to suspend his Happiness to administer

some Relief to her expiring Senses: He had a Bottle of excellent Spirits

in his Pocket, which holding to her Nose, soon recover'd her; she

finding herself in the Arms of a Man, and in so loose a Dress, blush'd

now more red, than she look'd lately pale; and disengaging herself in a

Confusion, wou'd have flung from him; but he gently detaining her by a

precarious Hold, threw himself on his Knees, and with the greatest

Fervency of Passion cry'd out: 'For Heavens sake, dearest Creature, be

not offended at the accidental Blessing which Fortune, not Design, hath

cast upon me; (She wou'd have rais'd him up,) No Madam, (continu'd he)

never will I remove from this Posture, 'till you have pronounc'd my

Pardon; I love you, Madam, to that Degree, that if you leave me in a

distrust of your Anger, I cannot survive it; I beg, intreat, conjure you

to speak, your Silence torments me worse than your Reproaches cou'd; am

I so much disdain'd, that you will not afford me one Word?' The

lamentable Plight of the wretched Lady every one may guess, but no Body

can comprehend; she saw the dearest of Mankind prostrate at her Feet,

and imploring what she wou'd as readily grant as he desire, yet herself

under a Necessity of denying his Prayers, and her own easy Inclinations.

The Motions of her Soul, wanting the freedom of Utterance, were like to

tear her Heart asunder by so narrow a Confinement, like the force of

Fire pent up, working more impetuously; 'till at last he redoubling his

Importunity, her Thoughts wanting Conveyance by the Lips, burst out at

her Eyes in a Flood of Tears; then moving towards a Writing-Desk, he

following her still on his Knees, amidst her Sighs and Groans she took

Pen and Paper, writ two Lines, which she gave him folded up, then

flinging from him, ran up to her Chamber: He strangely surpriz'd at this

odd manner of Proceeding, opening the Paper, read the following Words:

_You can't my Pardon, nor my Anger move.

For know, alas! I'm dumb, alas! I love._

He was wonderfully Amaz'd reading these Words. 'Dumb, (cried he out)

naturally Dumb? O ye niggard Powers, why was such a wond'rous Piece of

Art left imperfect?' He had many other wild Reasonings upon the

lamentable Subject, but falling from these to more calm Reflections, he

examined her Note again, and finding by the last Words that she loved

him, he might presently imagine, that if he found not some Means of

declaring the Continuance of his Love, the innocent Lady might

conjecture herself slighted, upon the Discovery of her Affection and

Infirmity: Prompted, by which Thought, and animated by the Emotions of

his Passion, he ventured to knock at her Door; she having by this Time

dressed herself, ventured to let him in: _Dangerfield_ ran towards her,

and catching her with an eager Embrace, gave her a thousand Kisses;

'Madam, (said he) you find that pardoning Offences only prepares more,

by emboldning the Offender; but, I hope, Madam,' shewing her the Note,

'this is a general Pardon for all Offences of this sort, by which I am

so encouraged to Transgress, that I shall never cease Crimes of this

Nature'; Kissing her again. His Happiness was interrupted by

_Belvideera's_ coming Home, who running up Stairs, called, 'Sister,

Sister, I have News to tell you': Her Voice alarms _Maria_, who fearing

the Jealousy of _Belvideera_, shou'd she find _Dangerfield_ in her

Bed-Chamber, made Signs that he shou'd run into the Closet, which she

had just lock'd as _Belvideera_ came in: 'Oh, Sister! (said

_Belvideera_) in a lucky Hour went I abroad this Morning.' In a more

lucky Hour stay'd I at home this Morning, thought _Maria_. 'I have,

(continued she,) been Instrumental in parting two Gentlemen fighting

this Morning, and what is more, my Father had parted them before, when

engag'd with the fine _English_ Gentleman we saw at the Ball yesterday;

but the greatest News of all is, that this fine _English_ Gentleman is

now in the House, and must Dine here to Day; but you must not appear,

Sister, because 'twere a Shame to let Strangers know that you are Dumb.'

_Maria_ perceived her Jealousy, pointed to her Limbs, intimating

thereby, that it was as great a Shame for her to be seen by Strangers;

but she made farther Signs, that since it was her Pleasure, she wou'd

keep her Chamber all that Day, and not appear abroad. _Belvideera_ was

extreamly glad of her Resolution, hoping that she shou'd enjoy

_Dangerfield's_ Conversation without any Interruption. The Consternation

of the Spark in the Closet all this while was not little, he heard the

Voice of the Charmer, that had so captivated him, he found that she was

Sister to that Lady, whom he just now was making so many Protestations

to, but he cou'd not imagine how she was Instrumental in parting the two

Gentlemen, that shou'd have fought him; the Occasion was this:

_Gonzago_ and _Erizo_, parting from _Rinaldo_ and _Dangerfield_, had

walk'd towards the _Rialto_, and both exasperated that they had missed

their intended Revenge against _Dangerfield_, turned their Fury upon

each other, first raising their Anger by incensed Expostulations, then

drawing their Swords, engaged in a desperate Combat, when a Voice very

loud calling, (_Erizo_, hold) stopt their Fury to see whence it

proceeded; when a Coach driving at full Flight stopt close by them, and

_Francisco_ the _Venetian_ Admiral leaped out with his Sword drawn,

saying, 'Gentlemen, pray let me be an Instrument of Pacification: As for

your part, _Erizo_, this Proceeding suits not well with the Business I

am to move in Favour of you in the Senate to Day; the Post you sue for

claims your Blood to be spilt against the common Foe, not in private

Resentment, to the Destruction of a Citizen; and therefore I intreat you

as my Friend, or I command you as your Officer, to put up.' _Erizo_,

unwilling to disoblige his Admiral, upon whose Favour his Advancement

depended, told _Gonzago_, that he must find another time to talk with

him. 'No, no, Gentlemen, (said the Admiral) you shall not part 'till I

have reconciled you, and therefore let me know your Cause of Quarrel.'

_Erizo_ therefore related to him the whole Affair, and mentioning that

_Dangerfield_ was gone Home to Dine with _Rinaldo_; 'With _Rinaldo_ my

Father?' said _Belvideera_ from the Coach, overjoy'd with Hopes of

seeing _Dangerfield_ at Home. 'Yes, (reply'd _Gonzago_ surpriz'd) if

_Rinaldo_ the Senator be your Father, Madam.' 'Yes, he is,' reply'd

_Belvideera_. _Gonzago_ then knew her to be the Lady he was enamour'd

of, and for whom he wou'd have fought _Dangerfield_; and now cursed his

ill Fate, that he had deny'd _Rinaldo's_ Invitation, which lost him the

Conversation of his Mistress, which his Rival wou'd be sure of. 'Come,

come, Gentlemen, (said the Admiral) you shall accompany me to see this

Stranger at _Rinaldo's_ House, I bear a great Esteem for him, and so it

behoves every loyal _Venetian_, for whose Service he hath been so

signal.' _Erizo_, unwilling to deny the Admiral, and _Gonzago_ glad of

an Opportunity of his Mistress's Company, which he just now thought

lost, consented to the Proposal, and mounting all into the Coach, the

three Gentlemen were set down at the Senate, and the Lady drove Home as

above-mentioned.

_Rinaldo_ in the mean Time was not idle in the Senate, there being a

Motion made for Election of a Captain to the _Rialto_ Galleon, made void

by the Death of its former Commander in the late Fight, and which was

the Post designed by the Admiral for _Erizo_. _Rinaldo_ catching an

Opportunity of obliging _Dangerfield_, for whom he entertain'd a great

Love and Respect, proposed him as a Candidate for the Command, urging

his late brave Performance against the _Turks_, and how much it

concerned the Interest of the State to encourage Foreigners. He being

the Admiral's Brother, and being so fervent in the Affair, had by an

unanimous Consent his Commission sign'd just as his Brother came into

the Senate, who fearing how Things were carried, comforted _Erizo_ by

future Preferment; but _Erizo_, however he stifled his Resentment, was

struck with Envy, that a Stranger, and his Enemy shou'd be preferred to

him, and resolved Revenge on the first Opportunity. They all went home

with _Rinaldo_, and arrived whilst _Belvideera_ was talking above Stairs

with her Sister. _Rinaldo_, impatient to communicate his Success to

_Dangerfield_, ran into the Study, where he left him; but missing him

there, went into the Garden, and searching all about, returned to the

Company, telling them he believ'd _Dangerfield_ had fallen asleep in

some private Arbor in the Garden, where he cou'd not find him, or else

impatient of his long stay, had departed; but he was sure, if he had

gone, he wou'd soon return: However they went to Dinner, and

_Belvideera_ came down, making an Apology for her Sister's Absence,

thro' an Indisposition that had seized her. _Gonzago_ had his wished for

Opportunity of entertaining his Mistress, whilst she always expecting

some News of _Dangerfield_, sat very uneasie in his Company; whilst

_Dangerfield_ in the Closet, was as impatient to see her. The short

Discourse she had with her Sister, gave him assurance that his Love

wou'd not be unacceptable. _Maria_ durst not open the Closet, afraid

that her Sister shou'd come up every Minute, besides, 'twas impossible

to convey him out of the Chamber undiscovered, untill 'twas dark, which

made him Wonder what occasioned his long Confinement; and being tired

with sitting, got up to the Window, and softly opening the Casement,

looked out to take the Air; his Footman walking accidentally in the

Court, and casting up his Eye that way, spy'd him, which confirm'd his

Patience in attending for him at the Gate; at length it grew Dark, and

_Maria_ knowing that her Sister was engag'd in a Match at Cards with her

Father, _Gonzago_ and _Erizo_, the Admiral being gone, she came softly

to the Closet, and innocently took _Dangerfield_ by the Hand, to lead

him out, he clapt the dear soft Hand to his Mouth, and kissing it

eagerly, it fired his Blood, and the unhappy Opportunity adding to the

Temptation, raised him to the highest Pitch of Passion; he found himself

with the most beautiful Creature in the World, one who loved him, he

knew they were alone in the Dark, in a Bed-chamber, he knew the Lady

young and melting, he knew besides she cou'd not tell, and he was

conscious of his Power in moving; all these wicked Thoughts concurring,

establish'd him in the Opinion, that this was the critical Minute of his

Happiness, resolving therefore not to lose it, he fell down on his

Knees, devouring her tender Hand, sighing out his Passion, begging her

to Crown it with her Love, making Ten thousand Vows and Protestations of

his Secrecy and Constancy, urging all the Arguments that the Subtilty of

the Devil or Man could suggest. She held out against all his Assaults

above two Hours, and often endeavoured to Struggle from him, but durst

make no great Disturbance, thro' fear of Alarming the Company below, at

last he redoubling his Passion with Sighs, Tears, and all the rest of

Love's Artillery, he at last gain'd the Fort, and the poor conquered

Lady, all panting, soft, and trembling every Joynt, melted by his

Embraces, he there fatally enjoy'd the greatest Extasy of Bliss,

heightned by the Circumstances of Stealth, and Difficulty in obtaining.

The ruin'd Lady now too late deplored the Loss of her Honour; but he

endeavour'd to Comfort her by making Vows of Secrecy, and promising to

salve her Reputation by a speedy Marriage, which he certainly intended,

had not the unhappy _Crisis_ of his Fate been so near. The Company by

this Time had gone off, and _Belvideera_ had retir'd to her Chamber,

melancholy that she had missed her Hopes of seeing _Dangerfield_.

_Gonzago_ and _Erizo_ going out of the Gate, saw _Dangerfield's_

Footman, whom they knew, since they saw him with his Master in the

Morning. _Gonzago_ asked him why he waited there? 'For my Master, Sir,'

reply'd the Footman. 'Your Master is not here sure,' said _Gonzago_.

'Yes, but he is, Sir,' said the Servant, 'for I attended him hither this

Morning with _Rinaldo_, and saw him in the Afternoon look out of a

Window above Stairs.' 'Ha!' said _Gonzago_, calling _Erizo_ aside, 'by

Heavens, he lies here to Night then, and perhaps with my Mistress;

I perceiv'd she was not pressing for our Stay, but rather urging our

Departure. _Erizo_, _Erizo_, this Block must be remov'd, he has stepped

between you and a Command to Day, and perhaps may lye between me and my

Mistress to Night.' 'By Hell (answered _Erizo_) thou hast raised a Fury

in me, that will not be lulled asleep, but by a Potion of his Blood;

let's dispatch this Blockhead first': And running at the Footman, with

one Thrust killed him. _Dangerfield_ by this time had been let out, and

hearing the Noise, ran to the Place; they presently assaulted him; he

defended himself very bravely the space of some Minutes, having wounded

_Gonzago_ in the Breast; when _Rinaldo_ hearing the Noise, came out; but

too late for _Dangerfield's_ Relief, and too soon for his own Fate; for

_Gonzago_, exasperated by his Wound, ran treacherously behind

_Dangerfield_, and thrust him quite thro' the Body. He finding the

mortal Wound, and wild with Rage, thrust desperately forward at _Erizo_,

when at the instant _Rinaldo_ striking in between to part them, received

_Dangerfield's_ Sword in his Body, which pierced him quite thro'. He no

sooner fell, than _Dangerfield_ perceived his fatal Error, and the other

Two fled. _Dangerfield_ curs'd his Fate, and begg'd with all the Prayers

and Earnestness of a dying Man, that _Rinaldo_ wou'd forgive him. 'Oh!'

said _Rinaldo_, 'you have ill rewarded me for my Care in your Concerns

in the Senate to Day.' The Servants coming out, took up _Rinaldo_, and

_Dangerfield_ leaning upon his Sword, they led him in. _Belvideera_

first heard the Noise, and running down first met the horrid Spectacle,

her dear Father breathing out his last, and her Lover, whom she had all

that Day flattered her self with Hopes of seeing, she now beheld in

Streams of his Blood; but what must poor _Maria's_ Case be? besides the

Grief for her Father's Fate, she must view that dear Man, lately Happy

in her Embraces, now folded in the Arms of Death, she finds herself

bereft of a Parent, her Love, her Honour, and the Defender of it, all at

once; and the greatest Torment is, that she must bear all this Anguish,

and cannot Ease her Soul by expressing it. _Belvideera_ sat wiping the

Blood from her Father's Wound, whilst mournful _Maria_ sat by

_Dangerfield_, administring all the Help she cou'd to his fainting

Spirits; whilst he viewed her with greater Excess of Grief, than he had

heretofore with Pleasure; being sensible what was the Force of her

silent Grief, and the Wrong he had done her, which now he cou'd never

Redress: He had accidentally dropt his Wig in the Engagement, and

inclining his Head over the Couch where he lay, _Rinaldo_ casting his

Eye upon him, perceiv'd the Mark of a bloody Dagger on his Neck, under

his left Ear: 'Sir, (said _Rinaldo_, raising himself up) I conjure you

answer me directly, were you born with the Mark of that Dagger, or have

you received it since by Accident.' 'I was certainly born with it,'

answer'd he. 'Just such a Mark had my Son _Cosmo_, who was lost in the

_Adriatick_.' 'How! (reply'd _Dangerfield_, starting up with a wild

Confusion) Lost! say'st thou in the _Adriatick_? Your Son lost in the

_Adriatick_?' 'Yes, yes,' said _Rinaldo_, 'too surely lost in the

_Adriatick_.' 'O ye impartial Powers (said _Dangerfield_), why did you

not reveal this before? Or why not always conceal it? How happy had been

the Discovery some few Hours ago, and how Tragical is it now? For know,'

continued he, addressing himself to _Rinaldo_, 'know that my suppos'd

Father, who was a _Turky_ Merchant, upon his Death-bed call'd me to him,

and told me 'twas time to undeceive me, I was not his Son, he found me

in the _Adriatick_ Sea, ty'd to two Planks in his Voyage from _Smyrna_

to _London_; having no Children, he educated me as his own, and finding

me worth his Care, left me all his Inheritance with this dying Command,

that I shou'd seek my Parents at _Venice_.' _Belvideera_ hearkning all

this while to the lamentable Story, then conjectured whence proceeded

the natural Affection the whole Family bore him, and embracing him,

cry'd out, 'Oh my unhappy Brother.' _Maria_ all the while had strong and

wild Convulsions of Sorrow within her, 'till the working Force of her

Anguish racking at once all the Passages of her Breast, by a violent

Impulse, broke the Ligament that doubled in her Tongue, and she burst

out with this Exclamation; 'Oh! Incest, Incest.' _Dangerfield_ eccho'd

that Outcry with this, 'O! Horror, Horror, I have enjoy'd my Sister, and

murder'd my Father.' _Maria_ running distracted about the Chamber, at

last spy'd _Dangerfield's_ Sword, by which he had supported himself into

the House, and catching it up, reeking with the Blood of her Father,

plung'd it into her Heart, and throwing herself into _Dangerfield's_

Arms, calls out, 'O my Brother, O my Love,' and expir'd. All the

Neighbourhood was soon alarm'd by the Out-cries of the Family. I lodged

within three Doors of _Rinaldo's_ House, and running presently thither,

saw a more bloody Tragedy in Reality, than what the most moving Scene

ever presented; the Father and Daughter were both dead, the unfortunate

Son was gasping out his last, and the surviving Sister most miserable,

because she must survive such Misfortunes, cry'd to me; 'O! behold the

Fate of your wretched Countryman.' I cou'd make no Answer, being struck

dumb by the Horror of such woeful Objects; but _Dangerfield_ hearing her

name his Country, turning towards me, with a languishing and weak Tone,

'Madam,' said he, 'I was your Countryman, and wou'd to Heavens I were so

still; if you hear my Story mention'd, on your Return to _England_, pray

give these strange Turns of my Fate not the Name of Crimes, but favour

them with the Epithet of Misfortunes; my Name is not Dangerfield, but

_Cla_--' His Voice there fail'd him, and he presently dy'd; Death

seeming more favourable than himself, concealing the fatal Author of so

many Misfortunes, for I cou'd never since learn out his Name; but have

done him the justice, I hope, to make him be pity'd for his Misfortunes,

not hated for his Crimes. _Francisco_ being sent for, had _Gonzago_ and

_Erizo_ apprehended, condemn'd, and executed. _Belvideera_ consign'd all

her Father's Estate over to her Uncle, reserving only a Competency to

maintain her a Recluse all the rest of her Life.

NOTES: The Dumb Virgin.

p. 429 _Dangerfield._ This name is not to be found in any one of Mrs.

Behn's plays, but as it does occur in Sedley's _Bellamira; or, The

Mistress_ (1687), one can only conclude that Aphra gave it to Sir

Charles and altered her own character's nomenclature. Mrs. Behn, it may

be remembered, was more than once extraordinarily careless with regard

to the names of the Dramatis Personae in her comedies. A striking example

occurs in _Sir Patient Fancy_, where the 'precise clerk' is called both

Abel and Bartholomew. In _The Feign'd Curtezans_ Silvio and Sabina are

persistently confused, and again, in _The Town Fop_ (Vol. III, p. 15 and

p. 20), the name Dresswell is retained for Friendlove. Sedley's

_Bellamira_ is derived from Terence's _Eunuchus_, and Dangerfield is

Thraso; the Pyrgopolinices, Miles Gloriosus, of Plautus.