Court. This angelic Creature had spent the first Years of her Youth in a
_Mosque_ of holy Women, who, to make themselves amends for the Vow they
have taken to renounce the World, employ themselves in breeding up young
Ladies according to its current Maxims, and most fashionable Practices.
There was no beholding her youthful Charms, tho' not yet arrived at
their full Perfection, without Admiration. A _Bassa_ of the first Rank,
thought her entirely deserving of his Homage. Accordingly he paid his
Addresses to her, and in a short Time was so happy as to gain her
Consent. Some weighty Motives however, oblig'd them to keep their
Intimacy private; but Love cannot be conceal'd, Discretion and
Tenderness being seldom found together. _Zeokinizul_ perceiv'd that the
young _Bassa_, who till then had talked loudly against Love, was become
more pensive than usual. He himself had too much Experience not to guess
the Source of this Alteration. He mildly banter'd him upon it, and
diverted himself with raillying him for a Sensibility, which he often
had boasted he would ever resist. There was no Way for the young _Bassa_
to make the King give over these stinging Ironies, but by discovering
his Passion. The Excess of his Love made him unhappily Eloquent in the
Description of its charming Object. _Zeokinizul_, was inflamed by such a
beautiful Description; and, having designedly provoked him, by saying,
that as the Picture was drawn by the Pencil of a Lover, he suspected the
Likeness; the imprudent _Bassa_ forgot to whom he was speaking, and how
reserv'd he ought to have been with a Prince of such amorous
Disposition, he offered to justify all he had said of his Mistress. This
was the very Thing _Zeokinizul_ wanted. The Offer was agreed to, and
this enchanting Object brought into his Presence. The King no sooner saw
her, but he loved her. The Idea of a Rival so dearly loved, did not
occasion any Despair in the King of being happy; and, as a King makes
Love in a different Manner from a Subject, instead of making his
Mistress forget the young _Bassa_ by Presents, and other Endearments,
he made Use of his Prerogative, by sending him away on an honourable
Pretence. He also took sure Measures to deprive him of the melancholy
Comfort of taking his Leave of her, and to prevent those two Lovers from
maintaining their mutual Affections by a Correspondence of Letters,
which would confirm _Nasica_ (for so was this adorable Lady called) in
rejecting his Passion. At hearing of the _Bassa_'s Departure, her Heart
immediately became a Prey to Grief, Jealousy and Resentment; and
imputing his Conduct to his Indifference, she resolv'd to banish him
from her Remembrance, or if this was impossible, yet, at least, she
would appear to have done so. _Zeokinizul_, was soon informed of the
disorder'd State of her Mind. Few Confidents are to be found, who can
withstand the Solicitations of a King. She whom _Nasica_ had chosen, was
one of the weakest. She discover'd to the King, the Rise, Increase, and
several other Circumstances of her Mistress's Love for the young
_Bassa_, and gave him a full Account of the Grief and Resentment she had
shewn at his unexpected Departure.
In order to give these Emotions Time to arrive at such a Height, as to
subdue Love, _Zeokinizul_ very carefully avoided speaking one Word to
_Nasica_ of his Passion for her. However, as often as he happen'd to
see her, he never fail'd passing a Compliment upon her Beauty, but it
was always with such Calmness and Moderation, as was so far from being
thought to proceed from Love, that it was only accounted a proper
Complaisance in the Prince, who was willing to do Justice to such a
celebrated Beauty. The young _Bassa_, being ignorant that his Letters
were intercepted, had wrote several in so soft and persuasive a Style,
as to alarm _Zeokinizul_, and make him redouble his Precautions to
prevent any of them from falling into the Hands of those to whom they
were directed. But the Confidence he had of his Mistress's Affection,
not allowing him to suspect that _Nasica_ could prove faithless, began
to think that some third Person interposed in their Correspondence.
After having long consider'd who could be this jealous Rival who thus
deprived him of his only remaining Comfort, his Suspicions fell upon his
Master. When he called to Mind the Suddenness of his being sent away in
an Affair which required no such Haste, it was but too evident, and his
Doubts increased to a Certainty. His whole Dangers and Misfortunes
immediately presented themselves to his View. He was not ignorant that
it was an unpardonable Crime to be a Rival to his Monarch, had his Love
been unsuccessful; what then could be expected, when his Happiness was
the sole Obstacle to his Sovereign's Love? However, not valuing his
Disgrace, provided his Mistress continued faithful, he wrote her a
Letter in the most moving Terms, representing to her, that a Crown ought
to come in no Competition with Love; that it was the Heart only which
ought to engage a Lady, who has a true Sense of that delicate Passion;
that upon this Principle he yielded the Preference to _Zeokinizul_, if
his Love was more pure, more respectful, or more perfect than his own.
This Letter was committed to an old Servant, in whom he placed the
greatest Confidence; but the Misfortune was, that this Slave's good
Qualities were mixed with several Vices, and particularly Drunkenness.
Being come to a Place where he was to change his Horse, he resolved to
rest himself a while, and empty some Bottles. This was the very Place
where the Spies of his Master's Rival used to intercept his Letters.
They knew by his Habit, that he belonged to the young _Bassa_, which was
enough to make them mistrust him. They went up to him, and after some
Excuses for their Freedom, invited him to drink of their Liquor. One of
them offer'd to bear him Company as far as _Kofir_, as he was going to
that City. The Slave overjoy'd at meeting with a Fellow Traveller, and
relying on the Swiftness of his Horse, staid here longer than he ought.
The Wine overpower'd him, and his artful Companion plying him with
Bumpers, soon disabled him from going any farther. The Sot fell asleep,
his Pockets were searched, and the Letter was known by the Direction to
be one of those which they were order'd to intercept. One of them
immediately set out to carry it to him who had appointed the Ambuscade,
and he flew to deliver it to _Zeokinizul_. As the young _Bassa_ appeared
to know who was his Rival, suitable Measures were to be taken, and such
an Answer sent to him as might throw him into Despair, and make him
abandon a Passion which was now become dangerous. That it might have the
better Effect, _Nasica_'s Hand was exactly imitated, and every
discouraging Argument forcibly urged. This counterfeited Letter gave him
to understand, in the Name of his Mistress, that a crowned Lover being
more acceptable to her than a private Subject, she strictly commanded
him never to write, or speak one Word more of his presumptuous Passion.
This little Artifice proved of very happy Consequence to _Zeokinizul_.
The young _Bassa_, who had a most respectful Regard for him, thought it
became him to return Contempt for Contempt. His Answer was carefully
deliver'd to the King, who could not but be highly pleased that the
Credulity of his Rival should promote his Love. To complete his
Satisfaction, he ordered a Letter to be writ to _Nasica_, in which her
Lover freely exhorts her to take him for a Patern, and make another
Choice. All these Batteries being so well disposed, _Zeokinizul_ began
to think of disclosing himself. He gave a Ball to his whole Court,
in order to favour his Design, at which all the Ladies having an
Opportunity of entertaining themselves with their favourite Diversions
were highly delighted, and full of Gaiety. _Nasica_ alone, seem'd
insensible in the midst of all these Entertainments. She retired at a
Distance to avoid the Conversation of the gallant Nobility. The soft
Languor of her Eyes sufficiently declar'd the Sorrow of her Heart, and
that the proper Person was wanting to dissipate it. _Zeokinizul_, chose
this Time to begin his Addresses. Charming _Nasica_, says he, his Eyes
sparkling with Love, what Disquietudes are those to which you seem to
abandon yourself. Is there any Mortal so happy as to cause them? I do
not think, Sire, return'd she, that what your Highness calls
Disquietudes in me, can Interest you so far as to ask me the Occasion of
them.---- Ah, Gods! not be interested, replied the transported Monarch,
can you doubt of it, have not my Countenance, my Eyes, even my very
Silence, which I have respectfully observ'd till now, have not all these
informed you, that my Happiness entirely depends on your Repose and
Contentment. Let not the charming _Nasica_ be angry, continued he,
perceiving, that she heard him with Resentment, I love you indeed, but
my Passion is so pure, so submissive, that it can give no just Offence
to your severe Vertue. I little imagined, interrupted she, that all
these splendid Entertainments of the Court concealed any Design of
throwing me into such alarming Apprehensions. Alarming Apprehensions!
replied the King, is it then Matter of Grief to the loveliest Person now
present, that her Charms have captivated her Sovereign? Yes, Sire,
replied _Nasica_, resolutely, your Highness can only offer me a guilty
Passion, and I would incur your utmost Displeasure, I would die, rather
than condescend to it. Judge yourself, Sire, whether I have not Cause to
be alarmed. But no, my Fears are too hasty. The great _Zeokinizul_ is
too just and generous to harbour a Thought of disgracing a Family which
has always served him with Zeal and Honour, and it was merely to try his
Subject, that he has demean'd himself to offer such Discourse to her.
Immediately making a respectful Courtesy, she returned to the Circle of
the Ladies.
_Zeokinizul_, was not a little piqued at the Manner in which _Nasica_
had received the Declaration of his Love. He expected that Modesty and
Reservedness would have been her only Defence, and that, at least, she
would have spared reproaching him with such disagreeable Truths. After
having for a long Time watched all Opportunities of seeing and speaking
to her, finding himself disappointed and rejected, he lost all Patience,
so as not to care whether his Addresses to her were heard by the whole
Court, or not. One Day, as she was talking with the Ladies of Honour in
the Queen's Anti-Chamber, he came to her. A proper Respect made them all
withdraw, and the Monarch laid hold of this Occasion to renew his
Protestations. But all his ardent Entreaties had no more Success than
his first Declaration. _Nasica_'s Modesty disengaged her with Honour
from so delicate a Situation. _Zeokinizul_ admired her Constancy, and
tho' he despair'd of ever gaining her, yet he could not prevail upon
himself to give over seeing her.
In the mean Time, the young _Bassa_'s Resentment began to subside, and
he became sensible, that what he had mistaken for Indifference, was only
Love disguised and agitated with the most cruel Disquietude for the Fate
of his dear _Nasica_. This State of Anxiety grew insupportable, he would
be informed of the Truth at any Rate, and being at a Loss whom to trust,
since the most faithful of his Slaves had fail'd of reaching _Nasica_'s
House, he resolv'd to go thither in Person. All the Dangers which he ran
in disobeying his Sovereign's Orders, were too weak a Check for his
Passion, and he set out with a Willingness to perish, provided he could
once more throw himself at the Feet of the Object of his Love. After
many Hazards of being known and stopp'd, tho' under a Disguise, he
happily arrived at _Kofir_. But after a few Days employ'd in contriving
Means for an Interview with his Mistress, whom he had informed of his
Arrival, by a Letter convey'd to her by an old Governess, which
contain'd a Vindication of himself as well as his Surprise at her
Behaviour, he was known, and immediately surrounded by the Spies, placed
by the King to watch him, and whose Diligence was to be highly rewarded.
He stood upon his Defence, but being over-power'd, he was carried to one
of the Court Prisons. _Zeokinizul_, whose Passion had stifled his
natural Sentiments of Humanity, was pleased to hear that his Rival lay
in Chains. His Disobedience to the Royal Orders afforded a specious
Pretence for putting him to Death, and the King's Heart was immediately
inclined to such a cruel Expedient; but how was he struck, when
_Nasica_, being inform'd of the dreadful Condition of her Lover, threw
herself at his Feet all in Tears, conjuring him that the same Stroke
might put an End to both their unfortunate Lives. Let him live, Sire,
cried she, mournfully, or order that Death may unite us both in the
Grave. If your Highness be offended at the Refusal of my Heart, it was
no longer mine, Love having disposed of it in Favour of the unhappy
_Bassa_, who is now to fall your Victim. But his Views were honourable,
nor were mine less innocent. Let your Highness pronounce the Decree of
his Destiny, mine is inseperably annexed to it whatever it be.
_Zeokinizul_ was moved with such exalted Virtue, and being naturally
tender and compassionate, he was grieved at seeing the Afflictions of
two Lovers whom he himself had render'd unhappy. A Ray of Wisdom opened
his Eyes, and restored him to himself. He raised up _Nasica_, and gave
Orders himself for the Preparations of her Marriage with the young
_Bassa_, who afterwards became one of his chief Favourites.
So difficult an Act of Justice against himself, is one of the most
glorious Periods of this Monarch's Reign. His Love for _Nasica_ settled
in a tender Friendship for this virtuous Lady, and soon after taking a
Disgust at the Commerce of Women, he fixed a Resolution to abandon it
entirely. His People became his whole Care. They adored him for the
Wisdom and Goodness of his Administration during the Remainder of his
Reign, which was much shorter than they desired. He endeavoured by his
Instructions and Examples, to leave in his Son a worthy Successor, whose
Virtues might keep up a lasting Idea of him. Such noble Cares were not
disappointed, for the Name of the great _Zeokinizul_, and the
illustrious Heir of his Crown, will be held in immortal Remembrance
among the grateful _Kofirans_.
A KEY
For the better understanding the Amours of Zeokinizul.
Anagrams. French. English.
Africa Europe Europe
Alniob Albion _ou_ Angleterre Albion _or_ England
Alnobiens Albioniens _ou_ Anglois Albionians _or_ English
Anserol (_Kam_) Duc d'Orleans Duke of Orleans
Bapasis Païs-Bas Low Countries.
Bileb Bible
Duesois Suedois Swedes
Ghinoer Hongrie Hungary
Ginarkan Carignan
Goilaus Gaulois Gaules
Goplone Pologne Poland
Guernonies Norvegiens Norwegians
Houris Dames Ladies
Jeflur Fleury
Jerebi Iberie _ou_ Espagne Iberia _or_ Spain
Imans Prêtres Priests
Junes Provinces Provinces-Unies United-Provinces
Kalontil Chatillon
Kam Duc _ou_ Prince Duke _or_ Prince
Katenos Toscane Tuscany
Kelirieu Richelieu
Kertras Chartres
Kigenpi Pequigny
Kismar Marquis Marquis
Kismare Marquise Marchioness
Kofir Paris
Kofirans François French
Kranfs Francs Franks
Lenertoula La Tournelle
Leosanil Noailles
Leutinemil Vintimille
Liamil Mailly
Liegnelau l'Evangile the Gospel
Lundamberk Cumberland
Manoris Romains Romans
Maregins Germains _ou_ Allemand Germans
Meani du Maine
A Mollak, le Cardinal Richelieu
p. 4.
Another Mollak, le Card. Mazarin
p. 5.
An old Mollak, le Card. Fleury
pag. 13.
Mollak, l'Evêque de Soissons the Bishop of Soissons
p. 49, and 50.
Mosque Couvent Convent
Neitilane Italienne Italian
Nhir Rhin Rhine
Nodais Danois Danes
Omeriseroufs Sousfermiers
d'Ourtavan Vantadour
Pamenralt Parlement
Pepa le Pape the Pope
Reinarol Lorraine
Sesems Messes Masses
Sicidem Medicis
Sokans Saxons
Suesi Jesus
Tesoulou Toulouse
Vameric Maurice, _Comte de Saxe_
A Visir, p. 9. _le Comte de_ Maurepas
Vorompdap Pompadour
Vosaïe Savoïe Savoy
Zeoteirizul Louis treize Lewis the XIII.
Zokitarezoul Louis quatorze Lewis the XIV.
Zeokinizul Louis quinze Lewis the XV.
_FINIS._