The rogue: or The life of Guzman de Alfarache. VVritten in Spanish by Matheo Aleman, seruant to his Catholike Maiestie, and borne in Seuill

THE ARGVMENT.

Continuing the Story of the loue of Ozmin and Daraxa, are recounted the troubles and griefes that befell them both: as also those publike Feasts, that were made by diuers Knights and Gentlemen, for to glad and cheare vp the dis-consolate Daraxa: and of the valour which Ozmin in disguise and vnknowe, did performe in them.

DAraxa seeing so sudden a change, began to suspect that his former sorrow had its birth from that new successe; and now by the sequele assured her selfe it was so: whereupon adding one euill to another, sorrow to sorrow, and griefe to griefe, wanting the sight of her espoused Lord; albeit the poore Lady did dissemble it all that shee could, yet this was that, which did most trouble her. Giue them leaue to weepe, howle, sigh, cry, and talke, that find themselues afflicted: for albeit they doe not there-with take

away the burthen of that paine which they indure, yet it doth lessen sorrow, and makes the load somewhat lighter. She was so depriued of all content, so heauily sad, and so bodily afflicted, that you might read her griefes not onely in her face and countenance, but throughout all the course of her carriage. Our inamoured Moore would not change his estate and condition of life; for as he went clad before, the same stile he still continued, and in the habit of a day-Labourer, he followed his painefull fortune: therein hee had had good successe, and he hoped the like with aduantage. He daily followed his worke hard, where there was ought to be got, going in this sort from place to place to proue his fortune, trying if by this meanes he could come to heare or hear∣ken out any thing that might import him, or serue his turne concerning Da∣raxa: for no other end or interest in the world had he but this, to labour so hard as he did; for he had liberally to spend with a large hand for many dayes together, out of the meanes that he had brought from home in money and in Iewels. But as well for that vvhich hath beene sayd, as also because hee vvas well knowne in that habit, that he might haue the freer licence wheresoeuer he came, and himselfe remaine safe in his person vnder this disguise, lest his designes might otherwise be ouerthrowne, he continued his wonted weare.

Those young Canallero's that serued Daraxa, knowing the fauour that she bare to Ozmin, and that he was now no longer seruant in Don Luys his house, euery one did couet him for himselfe and his owne ends, and happy vvas he, that could make the first purchase; so generall was their desire to haue him theirs.

But Don Alonso de Cuniga got the start of all the rest, being a Gentleman of that City, one that was borne to a great estate, young, gallant, and rich, and one that was confident, that others want, and his wealth, by the helpe of Ambrosio, should carry the businesse. He commanded him to be sent for, in∣tertained him in his seruice, did him many knowne good turnes, made him more aduantageous proffers, gaue him many kind and louing words, and in conclusion, a kind of friendship was begun betweene them, (if any such thing may be found betweene master and man:) notwithstanding, inasmuch as man is compatible, it is commonly called by the •…•…ame of Priuancie or In∣wardnesse; vvhereinto men grow by some deseruing seruice, vvith whom hauing runne ouer some passages, he came in the end to discouer his desire vn∣to him, promising him great rewards: all which was •…•…ut an opening vnto him of his old wounds, and a ripping vp of his sores, to make them greater then before: if he were ielous before of one, now he had two Corriuals, and vvithin a short time after, he knew of many which his Master had discouered vnto him, and which way they marched, and the meanes whereby they thought to preuaile: but for his owne part he neither sought, nor desired any furtherance of others, saue onely his good intelligence, beleeuing (as he verily perswaded himselfe) that solely his intercession should bee sufficient to ef∣fect it.

I am not able to imagine, much lesse to expresse the griefe vvhich hee con∣ceiued, seeing himselfe now the second time to be made a Bawd to his owne wife: and how fitting notwithstanding it was for him to past▪ thorow all these pikes with a discreet kind of dissimulation.

He intertained him with good words, for feare lest it might happen vnto him, as it did with Don Rodrigo; and if he should carry himselfe violently and inconsideratly with the rest with whom he had to deale with, he should finde his hands too full, and giue himselfe a great deale of trouble, and in the end lose all, and not come to the knowledge of any thing concerning his bestbelo∣ued. And if we will peaceably inioy the end of our desires, we must put on Patience and sufferance in the atchieuement of them.

He bore him fayrely in hand, albeit his heart was all on fire, his various

thoughts gaue him many a shrewd battell, and assaulted him on euery side, galling him in such cruell manner, that like a Bull inraged, he knew not how to helpe himselfe, nor whither to fly for succour, nor behind vvhom to runne, nor could he find any comfort for to ease those intolerable torments which he indured. The Hare was single, the Grayhounds many, and all light-footed, they had certaine Falcons too in their fauour, that for all their high place, would not refuse to stoope to their Lure, for hope of reward: to these I may adde a number of she-friends and acquaintance, comming to visit and ban∣quet with Daraxa, who too too vsually set fire to the honour of many a faire Lady, and blow the coales of Lust in many Noble houses of good re∣port and honest fame: many Ladies and Gentlewomen enter (for such they are in appearance) and all forsooth vnder the faire name of Uisites; some, out of the difficulty they find at home in their owne houses to effect their purpose; others, to worke deceite, and to bring innocent Dames, by one deuice or other into the same net, wherein themselues haue beene caught. Of these kind of creatures there are great store, the world is full of them, and the pra∣ctice too too common. Nay, out of the principallest and grauest sort of La∣dies, the Diuel hath not beene carelesse in working them to become pot-lids, and couers to these boyling vessels of concupiscence. These are those siluer Plates, that couer many a sweet morsell, after which your Gallants so eagerly long to licke their lippes, and are so sharpe set. All these things did hee feare, and many more, but most of all Don Rodrigo, to whom both himselfe, and the rest of the Riuals bare great hatred for his false arrogancie, vvhereof hee cunningly made vse, to haue them thereby to desist from their purpose: and the more to daunt and amate them, hee made them all beleeue, or at least would faine haue them so to thinke, that he was the onely man that was like to carry Daraxa, as hauing the best meanes and opportunity, (besides his owne desires) to grow into her Loue and fauour. Hereupon they spake cour∣teously vnto him, but in their hearts they wish't him hang'd; they powred hony to him out of their mouthes, leauing rancour and poyson in their brests; they saluted him kindly, but curst his very bowels and intrailes, desiring to see them burst in a thousand pieces; they smiled vpon him, but as dogges doe grin at Waspes, they long'd to haue a snap at him: this is the common fashi∣on now in Court, and more particularly amongst those of the greatest ranke and quality.

Now let vs returne againe to Daraxa, and speake of the torments which she suffered; of the care which she tooke to know what was become of her dearest Loue, whither he was gone, what he did, how it was with him in his health, how he spent his time, and whether he had got him some other new Mistresse; and this did trouble her most: for albeit mothers haue likewise some sorrow for the absence of their children, yet notwithstanding the case is not alike: for they onely feare the life of their child, but a wife the losse of her husbands loue, lest some other woman with fawning blandishments, and smooth flatteries should draw his affection from her. What dayes so sad as those, what nights so tedious, as for a woman to weaue and vn-weaue her thoughts, like Penelope's Web, with the chaste desire of her beloued Ulysses?

I shall vtter much by being silent in a passage of this nature, for to paint foorth such a sorrow as this, small was that cunning, which a famous Pain∣ter vsed vpon the death of a young damosell, who after hee had painted her dead, stretcht out to the life lying in her Coffin, hee placed round about the Coarse, her parents, her brethren, her kinsfolkes, her friends, her acquain∣tance, and her houshold seruants in their proper places; and with that griefe which was fitting for euery one of them in their seuerall degrees: but when he came to her father and mother, he left off to finish their faces, giuing euery one licence and free libertie to pourtrayt foorth such a sorrow, according as

he himselfe should there with be affected; for neither words nor pensill were any way able to manifest a parents loue, or the sorrow that they conceiued, saue onely some actions, which wee haue read of Heathen people. The same course must I take. The pensill of my rude tongue, shall bee but a grosse vn∣hewen sticke, fit onely to forme blots and blurres; and therefore it shall bee wisedome to leaue it to the discretion of the hearer: and to him that shall vn∣derstand History, to referre it to his consideration in what manner such pas∣sions as these are to be apprehended. So that euery man may measure it by his owne imagination, iudging others hearts by their owne.

Daraxa was so surcharg'd with sorrow, that her outward remonstrances manifested her inward afflictions. Don Luys seeing her so wholly taken vp with melancholly, as also Don Rodrigo his sonne, both of them for to cheere her vp, ordained certaine feasts; as that of the running of Buls, and their juego de cannas: And because the City was so well fitted for these pastimes, it shortly after tooke effect. Now those that were Actors in these sports, had euery one of them his seuerall deuice, wrought in different sorts of silkes and colours, expressing therein their diuers passions; one, his Despaire; another, his Hope; this, his Captiuity; that, his Iealousie; some their Ioy, some their Sorrow, and some their being in Loue, and the like. All which, and more too, did meet in poore Daraxa.

As soone as Ozmin knew that this appointed feast was to bee performed, and that his Master was one of the number he thought with himselfe, that it were not time ill spent to see his Mistris, by giuing some proofe of his valour, and setting himselfe forth that day amongst the rest. Which being come, iust as the Buls began to rune, he mounted vpon his horse, both he and it being in euery point very well fitted. His face was scarfed with watchet Taffata, that he might auoid the common eye, and his Horse had his eyes vayled with a bend of blacke. He feigned himselfe to be a stranger; his seruant went before him, bearing in his hand a goodly strong Launce, he rounded the whole place, beholding many things of admiration which were therein: but aboue all, the beauty of Daraxa did out-shine the rest, as the day doth the night; and in her presence all the other Dames were but darknesse. He placed himselfe right ouer against her window; whither he was no sooner come, but hee saw the place much altered, euery man flying as fast as he could from a fierce Bull, which at that instant they had let out of the Paddock; it was a Bull of Tarifa well growne, cunning in the carriage of his head, and as stout as a Lyon, and as full of rage. Who was no sooner let forth, but giuing two or three nimble bounds, put himselfe into the midst of the place, making himselfe Master of all that Round, to the great affright and terrour of all that were there. Hee turn'd his frizzled front from side to side, whilest diuers darts were throwne at him, which he did easily shake off, and vsed such art, that hee would not suffer them to gall him in the flanke, or other his inferiour parts: and this hee did auoid, by vsing certaine light friskals, which he performed so dexterously as they could not touch him. Now, there was not a man in all the place that durst to incounter him a horse-backe, and those that were a-foot, durst not expect his comming, nor looke him in the face, though he were neuer so farre from them. So that for very feare they left him all alone, and not one man saue onely Ozmin, and his seruant, was to be seene any thing neere him in all that circuit of ground.

The Bull, as if he had rode on the wings of the winde, ranne with all the speed he could, directly towards this Gentleman; so that hee was forced to betake himselfe suddenly to his Launce, which he had not taken into his hand, when the Bull was first let loose, and lifting vp his right arme, bearing his Launce for his best aduantage, whereat was fastened Daraxa's Handkerchiefe which she left behind her in the Garden (as you haue heard heretofore) with

a gracefull kinde of actiuenesse, and a gallant ayme in the carriage of his arme, he charged home vpon him; and making way by his necke, hee ranne his Launce quite through his body, which made no stay till the point thereof had nayled the hoofe of one of his farther feete to the ground, leauing him there for dead, without any motion in the world; there onely remaining in his hand the short broken truncheon of his Launce, which hee casting away from him in a carelesse fashion, he victoriously, but modestly quitted the place.

Daraxa was much reioyced in the sight of him: for when he first made his entrance, she knew him by his man, who had sometimes also been her seruant; as likewise by his handkercher, which after the Bull was slaine, he wore about his arme. All that were there present, with a generall murmure, remained full of admiration, giuing him due commendation, in clearing the happinesse of the stroke, and the strength of this vnknowne Knight. Nor was any thing else in the mouthes of the multitude, then the discoursing of the braue per∣formance of this businesse, deliuering the manner thereof one to another; and though they had all seene how it was, yet euery one spake thereof a-fresh, and it seemed to them as a dreame; some in wonder clapping their hands; others highly extolling his valour; one speakes with his fingers; another stands amazed; a third blesses himselfe; a fourth lifts vp his arme; a fifth acts it with his hand, all of them hauing their mouthes and their eyes full of ioy; a sixt bowes downe his body, and suddenly leapes vp againe in the ayre; some bend the browe, and some being ready to burst with content, make gracefull Matachines, with many other pretty Antike-gestures.

All which to Daraxa seemed so many degrees of glory▪ Ozmin with-drew himselfe out of the Citie into certaine back-Gardens, out of which he for∣merly came; and (leauing his Horse, and changing his cloathes, vvith his Sword vnder his arme, returning in the habit of Ambrosio) he came to the place; taking his Stand where he might see what hee most desired, and was seene againe by her, who lou'd him more then her owne life. They tooke great pleasure in beholding each other; howbeit Daraxa was very fearefull, lest some mis-fortune might befall him, standing there a-foot amongst the multitude: she made signes vnto him, that he should get vp vpon a Scaffold: but the made show that he did not vnderstand her meaning, standing there still, till the Buls began to runne.

By this time the euening was farre spent, and with the approaching of the night, those that were to sport at the juego de Cannas, made their entrance in manner following:

First of all, the Trumpets, Fifes, and Drums, accompanied with diuers o∣ther sorts of Musicke, presented themselues, being cladde in rich Liueries of sundry colours; after whom followed the Azemilas, or Sumpter Mules, laden with bundles of Canes.

The Companies that were to maintaine this sport, were likewise eight, answering to the number of their bundles of Canes. Euery one had his Sump∣ter Cloth of Veluet cast ouer the Canes, richly imbroydered with the Armes of their Master in Silke and Gold, the Garrotes belonging thereunto, being all of siluer.

After these, entred two hundred and forty Gennets, richly furnished for 48. Knights, which were fiue a piece for euery man, besides that which came in with the Canes, which made vp fixe in the whole. But they that entred first on the right hand, came in two Files, opposing themselues against the aduerse part. The first two horses (which as if they had beene yoaked toge∣ther, ranne on in an euen and equall course) were assisted by fiue others of a side, bearing their Owners Targets at the Arson of their Saddles, offering their fairest show to the eyes of the Spectators; wherein were depainted their Em∣blemes

and their Motto's, set forth with faire Scarfes, rich Ribbonings, Tas∣sels and Buttons of the best both silke and gold, with sundry other borderings and costly imbroyderies, euery man suting himselfe according to his own hu∣mour, and particular fancy. Most of the Horses had their Pettrels stucke full with Bels, all their other furniture and trappings being very rich and curious, they had sumptuous head-stals of gold and siluer, set with precious Stones, as thicke as they could stand each by other: it shall suffice, for the better ampli∣fying of what I haue spoken, that they were in Seuill, where there is no small store of them, nor make little esteeme of such things; and that these Knights and Gentlemen were Louers, Competitors, rich, and young; and the Lady for whom they stroue, present amongst them. These entred in at one gate of the Place, and when they had giuen it a round, they issued out at another neere vnto that by which they entred. So that the one did not hinder the o∣ther either in their comming in, or their going forth: and thus they past in very good equipage as could be desired.

The Horses hauing quit the place, these Gallants entred in againe, the whole eight squadrons running two and two together, well attired themselues, with their Liueries attending vpon them (as before hath been deliuered) and with their Launces in their hands, which they strongly brandishing, made the stock and point thereof seeme to meet together, whose nimble shaking caused eue∣ry single Launce to appeare to be foure. Presently vpon this, incouraging their proud Gennet with their lowd shoutes and cryes, and wounding their Sattin sides with their sharpe Spurres, you would haue thought them rather to fly, then runne; their Masters, and they, seeming but one ioynt-body, so closely did they keepe themselues in their seates. Nor is this any Hyperbole, or ouer-indearing what was done, since that in all parts almost of Andaluzia; as Seuill, Cordóua and Xerez de la frontera, they bring forth their children (as it is com∣monly said) from the Cradle, to the Saddle, as in other parts they accustome them to carry Canes. And it is a wonder in such tender yeeres, to see such hard steeles, and such dexterity and agility of body. For to doe these things, is an ordinary exercise amongst them. They gaue a turne about the Place, running to and fro from all the foure parts thereof: and then leauing the place for a while (to recouer fresh breath) and to giue some pawsing to the Spectators) they entred againe, as before, (changing still their Horses) with their Targets on their armes, and their Canes in their hands.

Then they diuided themselues by sixe and sixe (as the manner there is) and in a handsome well-ordered fashion began their sport. Wherein hauing con∣tinued for the space of a quarter of an houre, or thereabouts, some other Gentlemen thrust in amongst them to part the quarrell, beginning with their fresh Horses a well-prepared skirmish, both the one and the other from all parts of the Place, ranging and marshalling themselues in such good array, ob∣seruing such due both time and measure, that it seemed a very fine contriued daunce: the beholding whereof, as it held the people in suspence by posses∣sing all their faculties; so did it giue them singular content. But this sport was interrupted, and wholly disordered by the sudden approach of a furious Bull, which they had let loose from the other side of the place. Those that vvere a horsebacke, changing their Canes into Iauelins, (which they had ready at hand) began to cast themselues into a ring, seeking to shut him in on euery side: but the Bull stood stocke still in the midst of them, not knowing whom he should first set vpon: he cast his eyes vpon them all, tearing vp the earth with his forked feet; and whilest euery man stood in this manner expecting his chance; one bold Rogue amongst the rest comes athwart him, prouo∣king him to fury with his tottered Cloake, and his shrill shoutes, but little needed any such instigations: for the Bull presently thereupon, like one mad with rage, forsaking the horsemen, made after him with all the eagernesse he

could, who tooke himselfe to his heeles as fast as they were able to carry him; he flyes from the Bull, the Bull after him, and neuer giues him ouer, forcing him to take Sanctuary vnder Daraxa's window, iust there where Ozmin then stood; who deeming it a place of priuiledge for this fearefull young fellow, and reputing it a kinde of iniury offered to his Lady and Mistris, if there he should receiue any ill entertainment, as likewise to himselfe, if this poore Rogue should suffer for his comming thither; as well out of this respect, as also for that he was incensed against those, who stroue to get the honour of the day, and to winne grace by doing something brauely in her presence, brea∣king through the thickest of all the people, he went out against the Bull, who forsaking him he formerly followed, made directly towards himselfe. All that beheld this, thought him either foolish or mad, that should so desperately put himselfe forth to incounter with a Beast of that courage and fiercenesse, loo∣king euery minute, when he should take him vp betweene his Hornes; and tossing him vp aloft, breake euery bone of him in pieces. All of them with lowd voices cride out vnto him, Take heed, for the passion of God, if you loue your life, looke to your selfe; for if you had a thousand liues, they are all in danger of losing. You may by this time imagine with your selues, what a poore taking his Spouse was in: for mine owne part I know not what to say therein, saue that she was as a woman bereft of her proper Soule, and was be∣come an insensible body, through too much Sence. The Bull bowed downe his head for to fasten his blowe vpon him, but this was but an humbling him∣selfe to the sacrifice, for he neuer came to lift it vp againe. For the Moore wrything his body aside, and with extraordinary quicknesse vnsheathing his sword, acting it all in an instant, he gaue him such a cut in the neck, close vn∣to the horne, that parting the bones of the braine in funder, hee left his head hanging by his winde-pipe, and there he lay for dead.

This done (as though he had done nothing) sheathing his sword, he present∣ly leaues the Place. But the common rout that loue nouelties, and hunger as well to heare, as to tell strange tales, (besides many horsemen, and foot-men, that began to flock about him, to know who he was) pressed so hard on euery side to see him, and so throng'd him both before and behind, that they had al∣most stiffled him, being scarce able to wagge amongst them. In the Win∣dowes, and on the Scaffolds, began a new murmure of admiration, like vn∣to the former, there being a generall ioy amongst them all, for that this thing had hapned at the conclusion of these feasts, so that nothing else was talked of, saue onely those two wonderfull accidents of that Euening, doubting which were the greater of the two; and taking in good part this second course which he set before them, hee left their palate well pleased, and their mouthes seasoned with a good rellish, to recommend such braue actions in perpetuall remembrance to all succeeding ages.