Volume V Part 11 (2/2)

_Don Pedro_ adorn'd himself with the Liveries of _Agnes de Castro_; and this fair Maid, who had yet found no Consolation from what the Princess had told her, had this new cause of being displeas'd.

_Don Pedro_ appear'd in the List with an admirable Grace; and _Don Alvaro_, who looked on this Day as his own, appear'd there all s.h.i.+ning with Gold, mix'd with Stones of Blue, which were the Colours of _Agnes_; and there were embroider'd all over his Equipage, flaming Hearts of Gold on blue Velvet, and Nets for the Snares of Love, with abundance of double _A's_; his Device was a Love coming out of a Cloud, with these Verses written underneath:

_Love from a Cloud breaks like the G.o.d of Day, And to the World his Glories does display; To gaze on charming Eyes, and make 'em know, What to soft Hearts, and to his Power they owe._

The Pride of _Don Alvaro_ was soon humbled at the feet of the Prince of _Portugal_, who threw him against the Ground, with twenty others, and carry'd alone the Glory of the Day. There was in the Evening a n.o.ble a.s.sembly at _Constantia's_, where _Agnes_ would not have been, unless expresly commanded by the Princess. She appear'd there all negligent and careless in her Dress, but yet she appear'd all beautiful and charming.

She saw, with disdain, her Name, and her Colours, worn by _Don Alvaro_, at a publick Triumph; and if her Heart was capable of any tender Motions, it was not for such a Man as he for whom her Delicacy destin'd them: She look'd on him with a Contempt, which did not hinder him from pressing so near, that there was a necessity for her to hear what he had to declare to her.

She treated him not uncivilly, but her Coldness would have rebated the Courage of any but _Alvaro_. 'Madam, said he, (when he could be heard of none but herself) I have hitherto concealed the Pa.s.sion you have inspired me with, fearing it should displease you; but it has committed a Violence on my Respect; and I could no longer conceal it from you.

I never reflected on your Actions (answer'd _Agnes_ with all the Indifference of which she was capable) and if you think you offend me, you are in the wrong to make me perceive it. This Coldness is but an ill Omen for me (reply'd _Don Alvaro_) and if you have not found me out to be your Lover to-day, I fear you will never approve my Pa.s.sion.'

'Oh! what a time have you chosen to make it appear to me? (pursued _Agnes_.) Is it so great an Honour for me, that you must take such care to shew it to the World? And do you think that I am so desirous of Glory, that I must aspire to it by your Actions? If I must, you have very ill maintain'd it in the Tournament; and if it be that Vanity that you depend upon, you will make no great progress on a Soul that is not fond of Shame. If you were possest of all the Advantages, which the Prince has this day carried away, you yet ought to consider what you are going about; and it is not a Maid like me, who is touched with Enterprizes, without respect or permission.'

The Favourite of the King was too proud to hear _Agnes_, without Indignation: but as he was willing to conceal it, and not offend her, he made not his Resentment appear; and considering the Observation she made on the Triumphs of _Don Pedro_, (which increased his Jealousies) 'If I have not overcome at the Tournament, reply'd he, I am not the less in love for being vanquish'd, nor less capable of Success on occasion.'

They were interrupted here, but from that day, _Don Alvaro_, who had open'd the first Difficulties, kept no more his wonted Distance, but perpetually persecuted _Agnes_; yet, tho' he were protected by the King, that inspir'd in her never the more Consideration for him. _Don Pedro_ was always ignorant by what means the Verses he had lost in the Garden, fell into the hands of _Constantia_. As the Princess appeared to him indulgent, he was only concerned for _Agnes_; and the love of _Don Alvaro_, which was then so well known, increas'd the Pain: and had he been possess'd of the Authority, he would not have suffer'd her to have been expos'd to the Persecutions of so unworthy a Rival. He was also afraid of the King's being advertised of his Pa.s.sion, but he thought not at all of _Elvira_, nor apprehended any Malice from her Resentment.

While she burnt with a Desire of destroying _Agnes_, against whom she vented all her Venom, she was never weary of making new Reports to her Brother, a.s.suring him, that tho' they could not prove that _Agnes_ made any returns to the Tenderness of the Prince, yet that was the Cause of _Constantia's_ Grief: And, that if this Princess should die of it, _Don Pedro_ might marry _Agnes_. In fine, she so incens'd the jealous _Don Alvaro's_ Jealousy, that he could not hinder himself from running immediately to the King, with the discovery of all he knew, and all he guest, and who, he had the pleasure to find, was infinitely inrag'd at the News. 'My dear _Alvaro_, said the King, you shall instantly marry this dangerous Beauty: And let Possession a.s.sure your Repose and mine.

If I have protected you on other Occasions, judge what a Service of so great an Importance for me, would make me undertake; and without any reserve, the Forces of this State are in your power, and almost any thing that I can give shall be a.s.sured you, so you render your self Master of the Destiny of _Agnes_.'

_Don Alvaro_ pleas'd, and vain with his Master's Bounty, made use of all the Authority he gave him: He pa.s.sionately lov'd _Agnes_, and would not, on the sudden, make use of Violence; but resolv'd with himself to employ all possible Means to win her fairly; yet if that fail'd, to have recourse to force, if she continued always insensible.

While _Agnes de Castro_ (importun'd by his a.s.siduities, despairing at the Grief of _Constantia_, and perhaps made tender by those she had caus'd in the Prince of _Portugal_) took a Resolution worthy of her Virtue; yet, amiable as _Don Pedro_ was, she found nothing in him, but his being Husband to _Constantia_, that was dear to her: And, far from encouraging the Power she had got over his Heart, she thought of nothing but of removing from _Coimbra_. The Pa.s.sion of _Don Alvaro_, which she had no inclination to favour, served her as a Pretext; and press'd with the fear of causing, in the end, a cruel Divorce between the Prince and his Princess, she went to find _Constantia_, with a trouble, which all her Care was not able to hide from her.

The Princess easily found it out; and their common Misfortunes having not chang'd their Friends.h.i.+p--'What ails you, _Agnes_? (said the Princess to her, in a soft Tone, and with her ordinary Sweetness) And what new Misfortune causes that sadness in thy Looks? Madam (reply'd _Agnes_, shedding a Rivulet of Tears) the Obligations and Ties I have to you, put me upon a cruel Tryal; I had bounded the Felicity of my Life in hope of pa.s.sing it near your Highness, yet I must carry to some other part of the World this unlucky Face of mine, which renders me nothing but ill Offices: And it is to obtain that Liberty, that I am come to throw my self at your feet; looking upon you as my Sovereign.'

_Constantia_ was so surpriz'd and touch'd with the Proposition of _Agnes_, that she lost her Speech for some moments; Tears, which were sincere, express'd her first Sentiments: And after having shed abundance, to give a new mark of her Tenderness to the fair afflicted _Agnes_, she with a sad and melancholy Look, fix'd her Eyes upon her, and holding out her Hand to her, in a most obliging manner, sighing, cry'd--'You will then, my dear _Agnes_, leave me; and expose me to the Griefs of seeing you no more? Alas, Madam, (interrupted this lovely Maid) hide from the unhappy _Agnes_ a Bounty which does but increase her Misfortunes: It is not I, Madam, that would leave you; it is my Duty, and my Reason that orders my Fate. And those Days which I shall pa.s.s far from you, promise me nothing to oblige me to this Design, if I did not see my self absolutely forc'd to it. I am not ignorant of what pa.s.ses at _Coimbra_; and I shall be an Accomplice of the Injustice there committed, if I should stay there any longer.--Ah, I know your Virtue, (cry'd _Constantia_) and you may remain here in all safety, while I am your Protectress; and let what will happen, I will accuse you of nothing. There's no answering for what's to come, (reply'd _Agnes_, sadly) and I shall be sufficiently guilty, if my Presence cause Sentiments, which cannot be innocent. Besides, Madam, the Importunities of _Don Alvaro_ are insupportable to me; and tho' I find nothing but Aversion to him, since the King protects his Insolence, and he's in a condition of undertaking any thing, my Flight is absolutely necessary.

But, Madam, tho' he has nothing but what seems odious to me; I call Heaven to witness, that if I could cure the Prince by marrying _Don Alvaro_, I would not consider of it a moment; and finding in my Punishment the Consolation of sacrificing my self to my Princess, I would support it without murmuring. But if I were the Wife of _Don Alvaro_, _Don Pedro_ would always look upon me with the same Eyes: So that I find nothing more reasonable for me, than to hide my self in some Corner of the World; where, tho' I shall most certainly live without Pleasure, yet I shall preserve the Repose of my dearest Mistress. All the Reason you find in this Design, (answered the Princess) cannot oblige me to approve of your Absence: Will it restore me the Heart of _Don Pedro_? And will he not fly away with you? His Grief is mine, and my Life is ty'd to his; do not make him despair then, if you love me.

I know you, I tell you so once more; and let your Power be ever so great over the Heart of the Prince, I will not suffer you to abandon us.'

Tho' _Agnes_ thought she had perfectly known _Constantia_, yet she did not expect to find so intire a Virtue in her, which made her think her self more happy, and the Prince more criminal. 'Oh, Wisdom! Oh, Bounty without Example! (cry'd she) Why is it, that the cruel Destinies do not give you all you deserve? You are the disposer of my Actions, (continued she in kissing the Hand of _Constantia_) I'll do nothing but what you'll have me: But consider, and weigh well the Reasons that ought to counsel you in the Measures you oblige me to take.'

_Don Pedro_, who had not seen the Princess all that day, came in then, and finding 'em both extremely troubled, with a fierce Impatience, demanded the Cause: 'Sir, answered _Constantia_, _Agnes_ too wise, and too scrupulous, fears the Effects of her Beauty, and will live no longer at _Coimbra_; and it was on this Subject, (which cannot be agreeable to me) that she ask'd my Advice.' The Prince grew pale at this Discourse, and s.n.a.t.c.hing the Words from her Mouth (with more concern than possest either of them) cry'd with a Voice very feeble, '_Agnes_ cannot fail if she follow your Counsel, Madam: and I leave you full liberty to give it her.' He then immediately went out, and the Princess, whose Heart he perfectly possest, not being able to hide her Displeasure, said, 'My dear _Agnes_, if my Satisfaction did not only depend on your Conversation, I should desire it of you, for _Don Pedro's_ sake; it is the only Advantage that his unfortunate Love can hope: And would not the World have reason to call me barbarous, if I contribute to deprive him of that? But the sight of me will prove a Poison to him--(reply'd _Agnes_) And what should I do, my Princess, if after the Reserve he has. .h.i.therto kept, his Mouth should add anything to the Torments I have already felt, by speaking to me of his Flame? You would hear him sure, without causing him to despair, (reply'd _Constantia_) and I should put this Obligation to the account of the rest you have done. Would you then have me expect those Events which I fear, Madam? (reply'd _Agnes_) Well--I will obey, but just Heaven (pursued she) if they prove fatal, do not punish an innocent Heart for it.' Thus this Conversation ended. _Agnes_ withdrew into her Chamber, but it was not to be more at ease.

What _Don Pedro_ had learn'd of the Design of _Agnes_, caus'd a cruel Agitation in his Soul; he wished he had never loved her, and desir'd a thousand times to die: But it was not for him to make Vows against a thing which Fate had design'd him; and whatever Resolutions he made, to bear the Absence of _Agnes_, his Tenderness had not force enough to consent to it.

After having, for a long time, combated with himself, he determined to do what was impossible for him to let _Agnes_ do. His Courage reproach'd him with the Idleness, in which he past the most youthful and vigorous part of his Days: and making it appear to the King, that his Allies, and even the Prince _Don John Emanuel_, his Father-in-law, had concerns in the World which demanded his Presence on the Frontiers, he easily obtain'd Liberty to make this Journey, to which the Princess would put no Obstacle.

_Agnes_ saw him part without any Concern, but it was not upon the account of any Aversion she had to him. _Don Alvaro_ began then to make his Importunity an open Persecution; he forgot nothing that might touch the insensible _Agnes_, and made use, a long time, only of the Arms of Love: But seeing that this Submission and Respect was to no purpose, he form'd strange Designs.

As the King had a deference for all his Counsels, it was not difficult to inspire him with what he had a mind to: He complain'd of the ungrateful _Agnes_, and forgot nothing that might make him perceive that she was not cruel to him on his account, but from the too much Sensibility she had for the Prince. The King, who was extreme angry at this, reiterated all the Promises he had made him.

The King had not yet spoken to _Agnes_ in favour of _Don Alvaro_; and not doubting but his Approbation would surmount all Obstacles, he took an occasion to entertain her with it: And removing some distance from those who might hear him, 'I thought _Don Alvaro_ had Merit enough (said he to her) to have obtained a little share in your Esteem; and I could not imagine there would have been any necessity of my solliciting it for him: I know you are very charming, but he has nothing that renders him unworthy of you; and when you shall reflect on the Choice my Friends.h.i.+p has made of him from among all the great Men of my Court, you will do him at the same time Justice. His Fortune is none of the meanest, since he has me for his Protector: He is n.o.bly born, a Man of Honour and Courage: he adores you, and it seems to me that all these Reasons are sufficient to vanquish your Pride.'

The Heart of _Agnes_ was so little disposed to give it self to _Don Alvaro_, that all the King of _Portugal_ had said had no effect on her in his favour. 'If _Don Alvaro_, Sir, (answered she) were without Merit, he possesses Advantages enough in the Bounty your Majesty is pleased to honour him with, to make him Master of all things, it is not that I find any Defect in him that I answer not his Desires: But, Sir, by what obstinate Power would you that I should love, if Heaven has not given me a Soul that is tender? And why should you pretend that I should submit to him, when nothing is dearer to me than my liberty? You are not so free, nor so insensible, as you say, (answer'd the King, blus.h.i.+ng with Anger;) and if your Heart were exempt from all sorts of Affection, he might expect a more reasonable Return than what he finds. But imprudent Maid, conducted by an ill Fate, (added he in fury) what Pretensions have you to _Don Pedro_? Hitherto I have hid the Chagrin, which his Weakness, and yours give me; but it was not the less violent for being hid. And since you oblige me to break out, I must tell you, that if my Son were not already married to _Constantia_, he should never be your Husband; renounce then those vain Ideas, which will cure him, and justify you.'

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