Disquietude. He repeated several Times the Pleasure which his
experienced Mistress enhanced in such a Manner as his devout Consort was
a Stranger to, and at last left this fatal Chamber in such a Temper as
_Jeflur_ and _Kelirieu_ had been contriving; that is, passionately in
Love. Their Meetings were for some Times a Secret, but Passion soon grew
too vehement to be concealed. It became the common Talk of the
Courtiers, and at last it reached the Queen's Ear. But she, instead of
endeavouring to reclaim her Spouse by an endearing Carriage, and the
Ascendency which she had over him, gave herself up to a fruitless
Lamentation for his Misfortune, at the Feet of an Image of _Suesi_, and
this unseasonable Devotion deprived her of all Hopes of ever regaining
her Consort's Heart. _Liamil_'s Husband took upon him to resent his
Wife's Infidelity, upon which he receiv'd an Order never to have any
Commerce with her. Her Father, who was one of the most eminent _Bassas_
in the Kingdom, began also to exclaim against it; but a Quantity of
_Tomans_ which he greatly wanted, effectually silenced him. Even
_Jeflur_ himself, in order to avoid Suspicion, openly censured the
King's Behaviour. The Monarch was offended at his Representations on so
delicate a Point, and sharply said, I have indeed made you Master of my
Kingdom, but I expect to be Master of myself. This Answer completed the
_Mollak_'s Design, and he took Care that it should not be lost to the
People. The general Displeasure which it gave, is hardly to be imagined.
The King's Amour, which had been so greatly desired, appearing to settle
_Jeflur_'s Power, was look'd upon in a very different Light. It was
look'd upon as an odious Adultery, an impious Commerce, which would pull
down divine Vengeance upon the Kingdom. Satires and Lampoons flew about
every where, in which both Lover and Mistress were so openly exposed,
that any one who was a Stranger to their Fickleness, and how suddenly
they pass from one Extreme to the other, would have been apprehensive
that the most dangerous Commotions were at hand. However, _Zeokinizul_
was so charmed with _Liamil_, that he was continually with her. He
pitched upon the House of an old _Bassa_ of the first Rank, for the more
peaceable and secure Enjoyment of the Delights of his new Mistress. All
the Inventions of the most refined Luxury, were employed to add new
Incentives to Wantonness. The House seemed the very Residence of Love
and Delight. Every Thing in it declar'd the Elegance of the Mistress,
and the Magnificence of the Lover. Each succeeding Day brought with it
the most ravishing Scenes, without any Alarm or Disturbance. The old
_Bassa_ and his Family saw no more than the Prologue, only some few
Spectators of approved Discretion and Secrecy, were admitted to be
present at the Plot of the Play, but for the Conclusion, it was
privately transacted between the two chief Actors.
It is a Saying of a great _Kofiran_ Poet, that Virtue is like a steep
Island, there is no setting Foot on it again when once one is out of it.
_Zeokinizul_ was a sad Instance of this. In the midst of these
delightful Meetings, which consisted entirely of Confidence, _Liamil_
obtain'd Leave for one of her Sisters to be admitted. Imprudent
Creature! not to see that after she herself had stifled all Remorse in
her Lover's Heart, their being so nearly related would not be Proof
against Love, nor hinder her from becoming her Rival. This Lady, who
could not boast of more Beauty than her Sister, surpass'd her even in
Wit, and was possess'd of all the Arts and Qualities requisite in a
Favourite. She was as enterprizing as _Liamil_ was moderate; of
unbounded Ambition, haughty, revengeful, entirely bent on her own
Interest, and aiming at royal Favour only for its Advantages, such was
_Leutinemil_. She no sooner perceiv'd how easy it would be to supplant
her Sister, but she formed the Design, and _Zeokinizul_ who began to be
pall'd with the long Enjoyment of so indifferent a Mistress, was easily
inclin'd to vary the Object of his Love. He therefore commenced an Amour
with _Leutinemil_, but however, was far from discarding her Sister, his
View being only to sharpen his Appetite with Novelty, in order to return
with the greater Gust to his first Entertainment. Love is well known to
pay no Regard to the Tyes of Nature; _Liamil_ was so exasperated at
_Leutinemil_'s being her Rival, that she forgot she was her Sister. She
hastened to inform _Jeflur_, and to engage him to revenge her Quarrel.
The _Mollak_ was thunderstruck at this News, for such an Alteration in
the King had shipwreck'd all his Hopes. His two thousand _Tomans_ were
lost, and he seem'd on the Brink of his Ruin. In this Extremity he had
Recourse to _Kelirieu_.
But it was no longer this Courtier's Interest to serve him. The two
thousand _Tomans_ were all he could get of the vast Riches which had
been promised him, and as _Liamil_ had shewn but little Concern for her
Friends, he sided with her Sister, who was like to prove a powerful
Benefactress to her Creatures. So that all the soothing Speeches of the
_Mollak_ made no Impression on him, neither was _Jeflur_ greatly
concerned at it; for, being long practised in Wickedness, he had already
discovered a Way to remove his Fears, without hazarding his _Tomans._
Endeavour, says he to _Liamil_, to preserve those Remains of Favour
which the King still has for you. Be blind to those Fondnesses which so
deeply affect you; let not your Sister's Rivalship alarm you: I will
soon bring it to an End. Flatter _Zeokinizul_; I know him, Fondness and
Complaisance are the only Means to preserve his Heart.
Pursuant to these Instructions of _Jeflur_, _Liamil_ so far from
troubling the King with Complaints, was more eager in her Caresses, and
the Prince overjoyed to Love and be beloved by two such easy and
unsuspecting Rivals, carried on with both of them an Amour, whose Guilt
seemed to make it the more delightful. _Leutinemil_ became with Child,
and as she protested that her Husband had no Share in her Pregnancy, it
must be attributed to _Zeokinizul_. _Jeflur_ was not at all disturbed at
it, he was only affraid of the Mother, and here was a favourable
Opportunity to dispatch her.
She went her Time very happily, and was safely delivered. _Zeokinizul_
paid her his Compliments in the most tender Terms; but a few Days
changed all this Joy into the deepest Sorrow. She was seiz'd with
violent Pains in her Breast, which were followed with such terrible
Convulsions, as, in a few Hours proved the Death of this unfortunate
Mother; nor could the Physicians, or at least they would not, declare
the real Cause of it. _Zeokinizul_ was so afflicted at this unexpected
Loss, that he intermitted every Pleasure and Diversion. _Liamil_ seemed
to indulge an excessive Grief on a double Account, and so artfully
concealed her Joy for her Rival's Death, that the compassionate King
dismist his Sorrows to put an End to hers. This Shew of Sympathy and
Tenderness in _Liamil_, imposed on many, and reunited _Zeokinizul_ to
her with more Fondness and Attachment than ever.
Though he had a very important War upon his Hands, it did not divert him
from the Gratifications of Love; he left the entire Management of every
Thing to the _Mollak Jeflur_. The Welfare of his Troops and Glory of his
Arms were to depend on Generals of the Minister's Appointment, whose
Weakness and sordid Parsimony, occasioned several very ignominious
Miscarriages to the _Kofirans_. _Zeokinizul_ had such a paternal Love
for his People, that the Loss of a hundred thousand brave Soldiers, and
above seven Millions of _Tomans_ would have greatly afflicted him, had
his Passion for _Liamil_ left him any Freedom of Thought, but in her
Company, he was insensible to every other Concern. The disinterested
Fondness of this Favourite, who only loved the Lover in the King, must
have made her the happiest that ever was, if relying less on her Merit,
or warned by a recent Experience, she had guarded against some of her
own Sex, whom she must think envied her Elevation, and watch'd her Ruin;
but as an illusory Conceit that a Passion which had subsisted for many
Years, would never be extinguished, brought her into the very Misfortune
from which _Leutinemil_'s Death had delivered her.
She had three Sisters still remaining, who all longed impatiently to
show themselves to their Sovereign, though they were none of Nature's
Master-pieces. Coquetry and something worse had always been hereditary
in this Family, who yet seem to have bewitch'd _Zeokinizul_. The eldest
of these three Sisters, was the Widow of a _Bassa_ of the second Rank,
she expected the Precedence as being a little more sprightly than the
others; and full of a high Conceit of her Desert, she depended on
keeping her Station long enough to put the others out of all Hopes. She
had a great deal of _Leutinemil_'s Temper, only still more Ambition.
There had formerly been a very close Intimacy betwixt her and
_Kelirieu_, and it is thought, that he espoused her Interests as much
through Gratitude, as Envy and Revenge to displace _Liamil_.
Her continued Familiarity with _Zeokinizul_, had worn away even that
little Modesty which the most abandoned Prostitutes are seen to retain;
and having been long in Possession of his Spouse's Rights, she came to
look upon herself as such; and made no Scruple of seeing Company when
she was just coming from her Lover's Arms, and her Face full of the
Marks of his eager Caresses. I have been assured by several Noblemen,
that one Day she threw herself out of an Arbour, under Pretence of
avoiding _Zeokinizul_'s Embraces with her bare Breast and loose Hair,
and said to them, very unconcernedly, for God's Sake see how this
Fornicator has handled me. She had now lost all Relish for these
delightful Parties of Pleasure, whilst they were to be in private, and
was continually importuning her Lover to chuse a Set of Associates.
_Kelirieu_, to compass his own Aim, seconded the Favorite's Desire with
such flattering Stories, that his Master recommended to him the Care of
finding out some Persons of both Sexes who were fit to bear a Part in
these Festivals of _Bacchus_, and the _Cytherean_ Deity. The Confident
laid hold of this Opportunity at length, to gratify _Lenertoula_'s
Impatience to be introduced to the King. Her Sister _Liamil_, who had
entertained no Suspicion at her Punctuality in shewing herself at Court,
was as easy with Regard to her being admitted as one of the Guests. But
_Zeokinizul_ was not so indifferent about her, for he fell violently in
Love with her at her first Appearance. _Lenertoula_ observed him very
attentively, and artfully avoided any Steps which might give him Reason
to conclude, that she was his own. The Monarch was caught in the Snare,
and when she perceived the Force of his Love was equal to her Wish, she
declar'd to him the Conditions on which alone she would yield herself up
to his Embraces. _Zeokinizul_ could refuse her nothing. Rank, Titles,
Riches, all was laid at her Feet; and _Lenertoula_ being now in no
Danger of Disappointments, or at least in a Condition to support them,
was under no Apprehension of her Intrigues becoming publick.
This second Act of Perfidiousness in her Sisters, fill'd _Liamil_ with
Rage. As she had imagined the King's Heart to be her Property by right
of Prescription, she bitterly reproach'd him for his Inconstancy. But
her Reign was over, for _Zeokinizul_ dismissed her coldly, without so
much as even debating the Matter with her, and within a few Hours, he
notified to her by one of his _Eunuchs_, that she should immediately
leave the Court. This was a Step of _Lenertoula_'s Policy. This new
Favourite, fearing lest her Sister, than whom none better knew the
King's Temper, might lay hold of one of his soft Moments, when he could
refuse nothing, to recover her Property. She objected some religious
Scruples which could not be satisfied but by removing _Liamil_. This
unfortunate Creature, who, after so long a Continuance in so high
Favour, had nothing left but the Sorrow for losing it, and the Shame of
having purchased it at the Price of her Honour, retired into a _Mosque_,
where she is said to have spent the Remainder of her Life in penitential
Devotions. I must, for my Part, be of Opinion, that her Grief was much
greater for the Loss of her Lover, than for having ever enjoy'd him.
However, tho' she had lost _Zeokinizul_'s Love, she felt his Generosity;
for he order'd all her Debts to be discharg'd, and settled on her a very
large Annuity. _Lenertoula_ was so fully satisfied by such evident
Proofs of her Sovereign's Love, that she now consented to make him
happy. The Monarch's Desires were heightened by Enjoyment, which was
recompenced with the Power of disposing, according to her Fancy, Titles,
Posts, and Monies; so that she greatly exceeded all her Predecessors in
an unbounded Authority. _Jeflur_ was now no longer in a Condition to
contrive her Fall, as he had that of _Leutinemil_. He was too much
shock'd at the Sight of his approaching End; for a few Days more were to
terminate his Greatness. He employed them in salutary Counsels to his
Master in Relation to the Government of his Dominions. Yet he persisted
in his Perfidy and Ingratitude towards his best Friends, even till his
last Moments, by alienating the King from a _Mollak_, whom he had often
promised to recommend for his Successor. This old Minister died
unlamented by all but the King, who being ignorant of his Incapacity and
Mismanagement, especially in the last three Years of his Life, shewed a
sincere Sorrow for him, and ordered a stately Monument to be erected to
his Memory, in the royal _Mosque_ of the Capital of the Kingdom. But
when after having declared, that he would admit of no prime Minister,
and began to govern himself, he plainly saw how unworthy _Jeflur_ had
been of the great Trust reposed in him, he no longer lamented him; but
not to carry his Resentment too far, he only countermanded his Orders
for the Monument, and left the Ashes of his ignorant and treacherous
_Visier_, to remain in the obscure Corner where they had been deposited.
The Death of his Minister soon changed the Face of the whole Court.
_Zeokinizul_, who hitherto could not bear the least Application to
Business, now regularly shut himself up every Day for some Hours,
in order to consult Means to repair the Losses of the Nation, and
retrieve its Strength and Character. Now all Remembrance of its many
disheartening Miscarriages was soon lost in the Glory of his Conquests.
The chief Motive of this War, was to lessen the vast Acquisitions of the
Emperor of the _Maregins_. His Daughter the Queen of _Ghinoer_, who was
an aspiring, lofty, and resolute Princess, in contempt of the many
Treaties made to prevent it, insisted that her Sex did not exclude her
from inheriting all her Father's Dominions. Besides, an Army of tried
_Veterans_ which had served the late Emperor with so much Honour, her
heroic Courage, together with her extraordinary Beauty so universally
engaged the Hearts of her Subjects, that to a Man they offered to inlist
and support her Claim at all Events. _Zeokinizul_, very well knew, that
the Efforts of his whole Power would be requisite to humble such a
formidable Enemy; yet, had he not exerted himself above common
Measures, all would have been feeble and insufficient, on Account of the
Emptyness of the Treasury, the Decay of Trade, the Scarcity of Men, and
the Discontent of the People. To regain the Esteem of the _Kofirans_,
whom his Indolence, and the weak and wicked Ministration of _Jeflur_ had
alienated, he caused it to be declared, that he was resolved to head his
Army in Person: Surprising Turn, fortunate Instance of the Easiness and
Loyalty of his Subjects. All the King's Deviations, though of such bad
Consequences, were instantly forgotten. He had now been on the Throne
near thirty Years, yet they made this generous Change the Æra of his
Inauguration. Not a Murmur was heard, there was no longer any
Appearance, at least any Complaint of Distress. Old Noblemen came
with Pride from the farthest Provinces, to place their Sons in their
Sovereign's Houshold Troops. Farmers freely parted from their lusty
Children, though the helpful Companions of their Labours, and a part of
their last Farewel, was to fight manfully in the Presence of their King,
who so nobly would share in the Danger, for the Honour of the Nation.
In fine, _Zeokinizul_'s Amours, which had so greatly disgusted the
_Kofirans_, because they had been disappointed in the Effect they wish'd
and expected from them, were indifferent Matters to them, now he
manifested a Genius for Glory; instead of Ridicule and Invective about
his Irregularities, War was all the Subject of Discourse, and every one
according to the Fertility of his Invention, laid magnificent Schemes to
raise their King to an unparallell'd Glory. This general Complacency and
Zeal were duly reported to the King, who was not wanting to encourage so
good a Disposition; prompted by the Importance of answering their
endearing Idea of him, and verifying their Wishes, he shewed himself
such as really he was, but hitherto restrained and seduced by his crafty
_Visier_. Yet amidst these mighty Affairs, he was not totally diverted
from Love; for it never was held to be incompatible with the Desire of
Glory, and he always allotted his Time so properly, that neither of
these Passions encroached upon the other. His Fondness for _Lenertoula_
did not slacken his Pursuit of Glory, it rather tended to animate and
increase it, she being exorbitantly ambitious, and esteeming her Lover's
Laurels her own; upon a Persuasion that her Grandeur would increase with
the King's Power; then her Pride could not bear the Thought that the
Queen of _Ghinoer_ and her Allies should prescribe Laws to a Prince,
whom she would have under no Controul but her own.
The Magazines being at last formed, the Plan for the Campaign
determined, and the Troops at the general Rendezvous, _Zeokinizul_ set
out for the Army, which was to act against the _Bapasis_. Never did a
saved People shew greater Marks of Gratitude to a brave Father of his
Country at his Return from a dangerous War, than were shewn by the
affectionate _Kofirans_ to _Zeokinizul_, wherever he came.
_Lenertoula's_ accompanying him to the Army, seemed not to be minded.
The King, the King, was the Cry, and they would see nothing but the
King.
This Ardour induced the King unalterably to persevere in his Resolution
of committing the Welfare of so loyal a People to none but himself, and
during the Remainder of his Reign, whenever he has been advised to ease
himself of the Fatigue of Government, by deputing some faithful and able
Minister, this has always been his generous Answer, "The _Kofirans_ Love
me so as to shed their Blood in my Cause, and they are so dear to me,
that I cannot do less in Return than to watch myself over their
Welfare." There was not, among all the Generals of the Age, one of more
Bravery and Experience than he whom _Zeokinizul_ had appointed to serve
under him. Tho' he was a Foreigner, he was not the less belov'd by the
_Kofirans_; for as he was perfectly acquainted with their Customs and
Temper, he modell'd his Behaviour accordingly. This great Man was famous
for Military Qualifications, only, if so noble an Excess may be term'd a
Fault, he was perhaps too brave. But this Intrepidity, which in any
other Country would have hindered his Preferment, promoted it among the
_Kofirans_, and raised his Character with that People, who are all Fire
and Spirit. His Name was _Vameric_. He has been reproached with
interrupting the Actions of this Campaign, which was not so glorious as
its Opening had promised. It is certain, that this General, to make
_Zeokinizul_ more in Love with War, and to animate him by great
Successes, had weakened the other Armies, the better to enable that
under his Command to perform some signal Exploits, which gave the Enemy
an Opportunity to make an unexpected Irruption. A strong Army of the
Queen of _Ghinoer_, forced the Passes of the _Nhir_, and penetrated into
a Province of the _Kofirans_. This Misfortune stopp'd _Zeokinizul_ in
the midst of his rapid Conquests. He chose about twenty eight, or thirty
thousand of his best Troops, which he would lead in Person, to reinforce
a small Number, who, being far inferior to the Enemy, had been obliged
to shelter themselves under a Fortress. To encourage these brave Men in
their long and painful Marches, he travelled at their Rate; but he had
no sooner reached a Town near the Place appointed for the Junction of
his Forces, when he was seized with a Distemper which had a fatal
Appearance.
_Lenertoula_, who never would leave the Prince, was the Cause of it; for
how contrary to all Reason is it to attribute it to the Fatigue of the
March, _Zeokinizul_ having been inured to much greater in his continual
Huntings. As all the Courtiers in this Kingdom are Officers, and as the
Expedition these thirty thousand Soldiers were upon, required all their
Precaution and Activity, none but the Favourite was left for the Monarch
to divert himself with. But Conversation between two Lovers, who are
continually together, would soon become insipid, if they confined
themselves to common Topics. These Lovers were not so Phlegmatic, they
ardently repeated their Protestations to love each other with an eternal
Constancy. They mutually urged that the present Vehemence of their
Passions, was a Pledge of its unalterable Permanency. Then they
proceeded to sensible Proofs, and demonstrated, that the Conjunction of
two Bodies is an Emblem of the inseperable Union of two Souls. With
mutual Ardour, they repeated the Demonstration; till at last the
Demonstrator quite spent, sunk under the Fatigue of the Arguments. In
this Manner _Zeokinizul_ and _Lenertoula_ amused themselves, when he was
informed of the Barbarity with which his Enemies carried on the War in
his Country, at which he was deeply affected. The Impossibility of
quickly meeting them, made him very impatient; the Account of their
Forces added to this Uneasiness; in fine, Joy, Grief, Hope and Fear,
distracted his Heart, and the Shock of such opposite Motions was too
strong for his attenuated Body. A violent Disorder seiz'd upon his whole
Constitution, which was succeeded by such a Fever, whose first Symptoms
seem'd to presage Death.
This melancholy News was soon spread over the whole Kingdom. The
_Kofirans_ seem'd quite stupified at it; they fell into an inexpressible
Grief and Consternation at the Thoughts of losing such a Sovereign, and
at such a Juncture. The Queen, who by this Time had seen her Folly, and
heartily repented of the superstitious Credulity, by which she had lost
the Embraces of a real Husband in seeking those of an imaginary one,
left her Palace, and, prompted by Grief and Love, flew to the sick King.
She was still in Hopes, that the Deity meant only to alarm the Nation;
and therefore she was for forwarding by her Presence, and deserving by
her kind Offices, the happy Return of his Affection, which she did not
doubt would be the Effect of this Correction. All the People used to
gather about the Governor of _Kofir_'s House, and flock to the Palace,
where Expresses arriv'd every Hour, shewing such Concern, that their
Fate seem'd to depend on the Death or Recovery of _Zeokinizul_. Never
was there such an universal Affliction; never was a Father more lamented
by affectionate Children. They looked at each other with Tears in their
Eyes, and could not speak for sighing. Paleness and Dejection sat on
every Countenance. The Artificers had no Heart to work. All Diversions
and Shews were suspended, and that vast and splendid City, which seemed
the Center of Gaiety and Pleasure, was now changed into a general Scene
of Silence and Melancholy. Yet it was observed, that the _Imans_ and
_Dervises_ did not in the least sympathize with this publick
Consternation. Some will be apt to imagine, that these pious Men had a
divine Intimation that the King would not die. But whoever knows them,
will much rather conclude, that, like Physicians who are never better
pleased than in Times of general Sickness, they only concealed a selfish
Joy under the Mask of an affected Calmness; and it is really scarce
credible what Advantage they drew from this public Calamity. The King,
being given over by the Physicians, seemed to be lost without miraculous
Relief from Heaven, and as the meanest of his Subjects was not wanting
in his Endeavours to procure it, so that _Sesems_, which in that Country
are Devotions of about a Quarter of an Hour, perform'd by the _Imans_,
are known to have risen to such an Extortion, as not to be said under
two _Tomans_ each.