Patient's Bed, who also protested, that Death had nothing bitter to him,
but the leaving his Mistress and his Subjects. But no sooner was the
Monarch sensible of his desperate Condition, than a Cloud of awful Ideas
broke in upon his Mind. The Principles he had imbibed by Education,
revived in his Conscience. He reflected on all his Conduct to the
present Time, and the Thoughts of his being on the Point of passing into
another Life, impress'd on him strongly the Conditions on which his
Religion offers eternal Happiness. All _Kelirieu_'s Care to conceal
these penitential Dispositions, could not hinder their being known among
the Courtiers. The _Kam Kertras_, Grandson to the _Kam_ of _Anserol_,
late Regent, at the Instance of his Father, who was a very religious
Prince, resolv'd to make Use of them, in order to restore the Queen to
her Rights, and deprive the wicked _Lenertoula_ of her Usurpations.
Taking with him a _Mollak_, equally venerable for his Birth and Piety,
he went to the sick King's Apartment. _Kelirieu_ knowing how much it
concerned both him and her whom he served to hinder this Visit, dared to
refuse them Admittance, under Pretence that the King was going to sleep,
and would see no Body. Although the _Kam_ and the _Mollak_ plainly saw
through the Deceit, yet Regard to the melancholy Juncture, made them
quietly withdraw, in Hopes of a more lucky Opportunity, which yet they
never would have found, had they contented themselves with such Excuses.
They returned the same Day, and _Kelirieu_ gave them the same Answer,
which provoked the young Duke beyond Measure, being naturally very
fiery. What, said he, with a threatning Air, shall you, who are no
better than a Lacquey, dare to deny Admittance to your Master's nearest
Relation? and at once kick'd open the Door, and went forward into the
Apartment, followed by the _Mollak_.
Upon _Zeokinizul_'s asking the Meaning of that Noise and Bustle,
_Kelirieu_, who had acted without any such Orders from him, durst not
make any Answer, but the young _Kam_, whose Heat was not over, gave the
King such an Account of it, as made him very angry; for he not only
condescended to ask the _Kam_'s Pardon, but forbad _Kelirieu_ his
Presence. The judicious _Mollak_ laid hold of that Instant to discourse
of the Concerns of his Conscience to the dying Monarch; and as his own
Reflections, had beforehand suggested preparative Ideas of it, he was
the sooner brought to the wished for Contrition and Repentance.
The Behaviour of the _Mollak_ is certainly very praise-worthy, but it
would have been much more so, if after having, with a truly Apostolic
Zeal, pathetically represented to the Sovereign the Enormity of his
Crimes, the Certainty of his Death, and the Punishments to be dreaded
after such a licentious Life, he had stopp'd at bringing him to a due
Sense of Things, and strengthening him in such a pious Disposition, but
he shewed more Zeal than Discretion, for his Devotion being sharpened
with Resentment, made him imagine, that he was ruining _Lenertoula_
beyond Retrieve; whereas he was, in Reality, doing nothing less than
paving the Way for her greater Exaltation, in Case the King recovered.
Thus, under a Pretence that true Repentance required more than a
Detestation of what was past, and guarding against future Relapses, he
signified to _Zeokinizul_, that it was still his farther Duty to make
some signal Satisfaction for the Offence which he had given to the whole
Kingdom. That in order thereto, he must disapprove and abrogate all his
Grants and Favours to _Lenertoula_. _Zeokinizul_, who now was intent
only upon dying in the Religion of his Ancestors, pleasing his People,
and carrying their Esteem as well as their Grief with him to the Grave,
complied with all the _Mollak_'s Injunctions, ordered _Lenertoula_ to be
immediately dismissed the Court, with a Prohibition from ever appearing
in his Presence.
Having thus settled all the Affairs of his Conscience, _Zeokinizul_
became senseless, so that he was thought dead by all his Attendants. But
this sudden Alteration was the happy Crisis which saved his Life. During
this Interval of Inanition, the Mind recover'd its former Situation, and
freed itself from all its Anxieties. The Body performed its Functions,
and the Passages which all the Art of the Physicians could not relax,
opened of themselves, which was followed by such copious Evacuations as
saved the Patient. This joyful News spread itself rather quicker than
the other, so that it was as soon known at _Kofir_ that the King was out
of Danger, as that there was no Hopes of his Recovery.
In the mean Time, the Queen arrived. She made Use of the _Mollak_'s
pious Impressions, and tho' her Austerities and Vexations, together with
her advanced Age, had rendered her no tempting Spouse, yet the kind and
grateful Monarch was so taken with her Tenderness and Diligence, that he
vowed, that from this Time his Heart should be her's, and her's alone.
But that Man knows himself but very little, when he is in Danger; and
that the Assurances of Amendment which he then makes, are weak and
transitory when he has recover'd his Health, is what the Sequel of this
History will abundantly demonstrate.
_Zeokinizul_ was soon perfectly recovered, and then his Generals whose
Ardour had been restrain'd by Fear and Grief, soon made their Enemies
feel, that their King was restored to them, for they forced them to
repass the _Nhir_ with considerable Loss; and the most Skilful in
Military Affairs do not scruple to affirm, than if the _Kofirans_ had
not been headed by a General prudent even to a Fault, not so much as a
single Soldier would have been left to have given the Queen of _Ghinoer_
an Account of their Expedition. This General so deficient in the ardent
Bravery of his Country, was call'd _Leosanil_; he was afterwards
disgraced, and though his Age was still fit for Military Functions,
he was taken into the Cabinet, which was a fitter Theatre for his
Abilities; for there being out of the Reach of Swords and Guns, and left
to undisturbed Reflection, his Advice and Schemes were of excellent
Service. I now shall leave _Zeokinizul_ in the pure Embraces of his
Consort, and preparing to besiege a Place of Strength, to follow
_Lenertoula_ in her Disgrace.
She did not betray any great Confusion, when _Zeokinizul_'s harsh Order
was notified to her; but she little knew what she was to go through upon
the Road. She took a travelling Chariot, accompanied by her Sister, and
followed by a few Domestics. Here was an Instance of such Strokes with
which Fortune now and then seems to warn the Insolent and Ambitious.
After having led her Favorites to the Altars to be worshipped like petty
Deities, she afterwards drags them thither to be sacrificed like fatened
Victims.
This Woman, who lately saw the most illustrious among the _Kofirans_
cringe at her Feet, and practise the basest Submission to obtain only a
single Look, now sees herself exposed to the contemptuous Insults of the
very Meanest; the whole Nation combining to plant Daggers in her Heart
by their Reproaches and Shouts at her Downfal. It having been whispered
among the Country Folks, that _Lenertoula_ had occasioned the King's
Illness, and they being possess'd of a Notion, propagated by her
Enemies, that she had been bribed to poison the King, crowded all the
Roads in her Way, loading her with Curses and Invectives, threatning to
tear her to Pieces, had they not thought it would be a more galling
Punishment to her Pride, to let her pass on amidst the same Hisses and
Outrages of their Fellows, for above eighty Leagues successively. It was
next to a Miracle that she escaped with her Life, for she was put to all
Manner of Shifts and Precautions to deceive these furious Clowns who
vowed to revenge their King; whenever she came near any Town, she
stopp'd above half a League off, whilst one of her Out-riders went
before to take fresh Horses, and observe the Bye-roads, that thus she
might avoid the Tumults of the Inhabitants. At last she reach'd _Kofir_,
which she found disposed to receive her in the same rough Manner as the
Country had done. The whole Nation appeared determined against her. One
Day she happened, a little indiscretely, to take the Air in her Chariot,
while the Streets were full of People, who were celebrating the happy
Recovery of their King with all Kinds of Sports and Rejoicings. Possibly
she might flatter herself, that the easy _Kofirans_ seeing her appear
Abroad to join in the publick Festivity, would relinquish the Suspicions
they had harbour'd against her. But they were too inveterate, and the
Event was quite different, for had it not been for the Dexterity of her
Coachman, and the Swiftness of her Horses, she had infallibly fallen a
Victim to the Fury of the Populace. This hazardous Experience of their
Malice, brought her to lead a Life at _Kofir_ very different to her
Inclinations, being ashamed to shew herself in any Assembly, where she
must have been their Jest and Scorn, and much less daring to appear in
the public Walks. When she was not shut up in her Palace, she used to
amuse herself for a while in a Garden, which, tho' one of the finest in
all _Kofir_ was the least frequented. Here it was that such a mortifying
Accident befel her, as exceeded all the rest, and which sensibly shewed
her how low she was fallen from her former Grandeur.
It was as follows: An Officer who, tho' her Relation, had not felt the
happy Influences of her Favour, because he never made himself known to
her, which renders his Impoliteness, I may even say, his Brutality
inexcusable, resolving to give the finishing Stroke to her Anguish.
According to the gallant Custom of the _Kofirans_, he politely
approached towards _Lenertoula_, who was taking an Evening Walk, in
Company with her melancholy Sister, and wished for nothing more than for
a third Person to join them, whose Chearfulness might help to dissipate
the continual Gloominess of her Temper. After the first Compliments,
which are not short among this ceremonious People, the Gentleman
entertain'd the Ladies with the most refined Gallantry. He expressed
himself in so graceful and charming a Manner, that they were both
infinitely taken with his Conversation. _Lenertoula_, that he might talk
more at Ease, desired him to sit down by her upon a Bank of Turf, and
after some Questions on the Condition of his Fortune, offered him her
Services, if needful, for its Improvement. This Person, of all Men the
most rude and brutish, for he was insulting over the Disgrace of an
unfortunate Woman, who was extremely desirous of obliging him, and had
made him an Offer of an unusual Generosity. He gave her a full Answer to
the first Article. "I was a general Officer in the King's Army, said he
to her, where I served honourably for twenty Years. But having been
injured by the Ministry, I retired to my Estate, with which and some
small Marks of Distinction, which could not be denied my long Services,
I live contented." "But my Lord," interrupted _Lenertoula_, who was for
knowing how she stood in the Thoughts of People of Quality, "I am
surprized that you never address'd yourself to the Favourite, in order
to obtain, by Means of her Interests, the just Reward of your Services.
She took a Pleasure in countenancing Merit, and certainly such as yours
would have engag'd her Favour." "I, Madam," replied the Officer, with
Indignation, "should I make a Prostitute my Refuge? I am her Relation,
and it is the only Blot that I know of in our Family. I am too tender in
Point of Honour, to hold any Thing from the Hands of a Woman, who has so
notoriously trampled it under her Feet." At this _Lenertoula_ was indeed
as one thunder-struck. She endeavoured several Times to make some Reply
to this ungrateful Officer; but her Voice failed her. He left them, and
her Sister was obliged to call her Slaves to lead her to her Chariot, in
order to carry her back to her Palace.
_Zeokinizul_, in the mean Time, had crowned his Campaign, by taking the
important Fortress he had besieged. His Soldiers encouraged by his
Presence, had at once surmounted Nature, Art, a severe Season, and the
Efforts of a numerous and brave Garison. Having now nothing to do but
repose himself under his Laurels, he returned towards his Capital. Then
it was that his Subjects, in an Extacy of Loyalty, were seen to prepare
him a Reception answerable to their Love, and present the most affecting
and pleasing Sight to the Eyes of a Monarch, who aimed more at reigning
over their Hearts, than subduing them by Fear. If the News of his
Sickness had dispirited them, the News of his Approach rejoiced them.
But when they came to see him, their Transports were beyond all
Description, their Eyes overflowed with Tears of Joy and Affection,
whilst the Sky rung with their Acclamations. How happy is such a King
amidst such a People, and how formidable when he heads them against
their Enemies! _Zeokinizul_ stayed three Days at _Kofir_, as a Testimony
of his Regard for this cordial People, who also to shew their Sense of
so much Condescension, and to celebrate his Return, invented Variety of
polite Entertainments. The King and People seemed to strive who should
be kindest, for he gave Orders, that all the Inhabitants without
Exception, should have Admittance into his Presence, that they might
feast themselves with the delightful Sight which they had so
affectionately desired. It is affirmed, that the Idea of his late
Danger, from which he was often told, that nothing less than a Miracle
delivered him, being still strong upon his Mind, he had a real
Tenderness for the Queen, whom he had restored to all her Rights. They
were more than once surprized in such Attitudes as clearly shewed their
Reconciliation.
But how frail are Vows drawn from us only by Danger, how soon effaced by
Safety and Temptation! Scarce was _Zeokinizul_ returned to the Hurry,
Brilliancy, and Diversions of the Court, but those Impressions which it
was hoped would be as lasting as they were salutary, were by Degrees
soon dissipated. His Love for _Lenertoula_ appear'd to have been like a
sudden Fire, ready to burst out with greater Vehemence. At first he was
sorry for his using her so abruptly; than he began to frown on the
Advisers of her disgraceful Removal, and recall'd _Kelirieu_ and others
who had sided with his injured Favorite. _Kalontil_, Governor to the
Prince, the presumptive Heir of the Crown, was banished from Court, for
Reasons which were never thought fit to be made publick. Some imputed it
to his endangering his Pupil, by having brought him to his sick Father,
without any such order, and without Attendance. Others charge him with a
Project for aggrandizing himself upon the King's Death. But the most
knowing conclude, that he must have spoken ill of the Favorite, in order
to set the young Prince against her. _Zeokinizul_ seemed afterwards
mightily to affect Solitude, nor did even Hunting itself please him,
unless when he went without Company; which gave Occasion to suspect,
that there were some private Meetings carried on in order to a
Reconciliation with the Favourite, and to which _Kelirieu_ was only
privy. At last, weary of constraining his Temper, he complained openly
of the Abuse put upon him at a Time when he was incapable of Reflection,
and of the Indignity offered to his Honour, in urging him with terrible
Threatnings to disgracefully remove, and expose to Contempt and
Violences, a Person whose only Fault towards him was an Excess of Love.
He restored her to her Rank, Titles, and Privileges; but openly
declaring, that all this was only to prevent her former Commerce with
him proving her utter Ruin; for that he was determined not to keep her
any longer as a Mistress. Yet notwithstanding these Protestations,
private Measures were forming in order to procure as fond a
Reconciliation as ever. The Reality of these Assurances were soon
illustrated, when he broke the solemn Promise he had made to the
_Mollak_, and recall'd his dear _Lenertoula_. But this was too slender
a Reparation for what she had suffered. She required of _Zeokinizul_,
a more complete and signal Triumph. Immediately the pious, but
over-zealous _Mollak_ was dismissed the Court, and ordered to his
_Mosque_. A _Visier_ also whom the Favourite particularly hated, having
always opposed her Amour, was ordered personally to declare to her, that
_Zeokinizul_ again acknowledged her Mistress of his Heart, and only
waited her Orders, and a List of her Enemies, in order to revenge her to
the utmost. The _Visier_ obeyed; but at the same Time he took secure
Measures that he might not be upon the fatal List, and to prevent this
imperious Woman from abusing the King's Weakness, an infallible Poison
which he found Means to have given her, worked at the very Instant that
he went to perform his Commission. As she was soon violently seiz'd with
the Approaches of Death, it was believed by the Generality, who had no
Notion of foul Play, that _Lenertoula_ had been overcome by an Excess of
Joy, which is always more forcible than that of Grief, especially in
Women. Upon this Notion, a _Kofiran_ Wit made four Verses, which may be
thus rendered in _English_.
_'Tis needless now my famous Blood to name,
This Act alone will immortalize my Fame.
My King, on gaining Life, return'd my Pow'r,
For which I dy'd his Glory to restore._
It was thought for a long Time, that this would prove an inconsolable
Loss to _Zeokinizul_. He seemed to have no Ease, no Satisfaction, but in
heaping Gifts and Favours on all _Lenertoula_'s Relations, to manifest
how dear she was to him. However, the Marriage of his only Son, to a
Daughter of the King of _Jerebi_, his Relation, the Magnificence and
Diversions at the Celebration of the Ceremony, and the Congratulations
from all Parts, at last gave a chearful Turn to his Disposition; and he
wisely began to think, that the Honours he conferr'd on the Sister of
his dear Mistress, besides sixteen thousand _Tomans_ which he gave to
her Husband; together with a tender Remembrance, which he vow'd always
to retain for her Ashes, was amply fulfilling all that the most tender
Passion could require. His Courtiers, who were surprised to see his
Heart continue for a Time disengag'd and inaccessible to any new
Passion, were in daily Expectation of seeing the Liberty which he had so
happily recovered, offered up to some youthful Beauty. But the Court
Ladies strove so eagerly for this Prize, that their over Forwardness
made him averse to having an Intrigue with any. They were ignorant that
Resistance inflames Desire, and he at that Time scorned Enjoyments too
easily procured. _Kelirieu_ in the mean Time grew uneasy at his Master's
Indifference, as it deprived him of the most substantial Emoluments of
his Post. He saw his Favours entirely depended on his being subservient
to the King's Pleasures, so that he spared for nothing in order to
restore that Employment which he had executed so much to his Master's
Satisfaction, and his own Advantage. The Nuptials of the young Prince
opened a Way to it. Nothing can equal the Joy, Magnificence, and
Splendour, which appeared on that Occasion. The City of _Kofir_
distinguished itself above all others in the Kingdom; for as it has not
its equal for Largeness and Riches, so it surpassed them all in the
Eclat of its Zeal and Affection for the Royal Family. In twelve of the
most remarkable Parts of the City, there were large and superb Saloons,
where all without Distinction, were admitted to dance. There was a
Profusion of Refreshments of all Kinds. The best Musicians had Orders to
attend. The Sound of such an infinite Number of Instruments, accompanied
with harmonious Voices, added to the Murmurs of the Fountains of Wine
which were playing every where, inspired such a rapturous Gaiety to
numberless Crouds of People, that no Stranger, however, acquainted with
the Affairs of this Kingdom, could, at that Time of excessive Mirth,
have imagined, that it had for many Years been involved in a bloody and
expensive War.
This Season of universal Joy, Love chose to captivate again
_Zeokinizul_, after such an Interval of boasted Liberty. The chief
Inhabitants of _Kofir_, who are a distinct Body from the Nobility, the
Magistracy, and the Citizens, had decorated in the most superb Manner
the Sessions House for a Ball, to which they invited the King and royal
Pair. Every one was admitted in their Mask Habits, to give the Citizens
an Opportunity of shewing their Wives the Magnificence, Gallantries, and
Diversions of the Court, which at other Times is out of their Power.
Accordingly _Zeokinizul_, attended by all his Courtiers, came to this
Ball, in Habits as strange as they were elegant. The Sight of such a
beautiful Assembly, struck him with a delightful Surprise. Here was no
painted Allurements, no artificial Charms, such as he was daily
conversant with in his Palace. All here was pure Nature, which seem'd to
have chosen this Day to present him with a Sight of her most beautiful
Productions. The Beauty, the Air, the Motion, and Youth of these lovely
Objects was so enchanting, that they looked like the heavenly _Houris_.
_Zeokinizul_ was enchanted at the Sight of such a brilliant Assembly,
his Eyes wandered from Beauty to Beauty, till they seemed at once to fix
on a young Lady of a distinguished Appearance. She was in the Habit of
an _Amazon_, with her Bow and Quiver hanging at her Shoulders. Her
flaxen Hair, which shone with Diamonds, floated in Ringlets, and her
charming Breast half naked, ravish'd the Sight. "Lovely Huntress," said
the Monarch, "unhappy those whom your Arrows pierce, their Wounds are
Mortal."---- This Speech gave the Charmer a fair Field for returning
such an Answer as might inflame _Zeokinizul_; but whether she did not
dream of such a Conquest, or Presence of Mind failed her, she ran and
hid herself among the Maskers. This Disappointment was in some Measure
relieved by a Company of twenty young Persons, who began a Dance, which
was much in Vogue at that Time, but first invented in the King of
_Alniob_'s Country. They perform'd it so gracefully, that he stood like
a Man deprived of his Senses. The Charms of each of these beautiful
Dancers, threw him into his first Hesitation, which would soon have been
ended, had any one of them uncovered her Face. It is past all Doubt,
that the Heart of _Zeokinizul_, which longed for an Object, would have
received the Impression with Transport. He went to one of the Ends of
the Saloon, where Women of an ordinary Rank were seated in a Kind of
Amphitheatre. Their Dress was in nothing inferior to those of a higher
Rank; and besides, they had those fresh healthful Countenances, which
being the Result of Temperance, and a plain Way of living, was not to be
found among the Quality. _Zeokinizul_ stood viewing them, but his Hour
was come. Love waited for him under a Mask, and she who wore it was now
going to let this mischievous Deity fly into _Zeokinizul_'s Heart. She
was a young Woman, of a brown Complexion, lately married to a freedman,
who having deserv'd his Master's Favour by nocturnal Services, had,
together with his Liberty, obtained a Post among those who robb'd the
Prince, and plunder'd the People. They are called _Omeriserufs_, or
Rogues of the second Class. She, whom Love had already appointed for
Favourite, under Pretence of pulling something out of her Pocket, dropt
her Handkerchief, and as it is said, purposely. _Zeokinizul_ hastily
took it up; and, as he could not reach her Seat, he toss'd it to her in
the most polite Manner. A confused Murmur immediately spread thro' the
Saloon, with these Words, _The Handkerchief is thrown_. The King was too
much taken up with viewing the Person to whom he had been so
complaisant, to take any Notice of such Whisperings. The Charms she
display'd in taking off her Mask, and her genteel Manner of her thanking
him for the Honour, fill'd him with such passionate Love, that he even
there gave her some Intimations how much he was taken with her Beauty.
After this Declaration, he soon left the Ball, for having received such
a Wound, he wanted to be in private with his Confident, in order to
consult about his new Love. _Kelirieu_ had already prevented his
Master's Orders, for as he narrowly watched him, he perceived which of
the Company had captivated him, and immediately informed himself of her
Rank and Condition.