The glory of God's revenge against the bloody and detestable sins of murther and adultery express'd in thirty modern tragical histories : to which are annexed, The triumphs of friendship and chastity in some illustrious examples / by Thomas Wright ...

HIST. IV. Van Zwerts and Marinda.

Jacob Van Zwerts, after many signal proofs of his Cha∣stity, takes shipping for Spain, but in his Voyage is ta∣ken Prisoner by the Turks, and sold to Ali Pigget, a Turkish Merchant, whose Sister falling in love with Jacob, sollicits him to Debauchery, and upon his refusal of her lewd Embraces, accuseth him of a Rape: Ali Pigget being sensible of her Treachery, first stabs her, then gives Van Zwerts his liberty, who soon after his arrival at Spain is married to the virtuous and beauti∣ful Marinda, who by a notable Stratagem preserved her Chastity.

NOt many years since at Rotterdam, a Port-Town in Holland, one of the United Provinces belonging to the States, lived Iacob Van Zwerts, second Son to the Heer Van Zwerts, a very wealthy and creditable Merchant, of ancient and reputable Extraction. Iacob Van Zwerts (whose Virtue and Chastity was as re∣markable as any left upon the Records of Time) being weary of the Debaucheries of that City, to which he was often and frequently sollicited by some extrava∣gant Youths of his former acquaintance, did by the next opportunity resolve for Spain, whither he might retire with an intimate acquaintance of his Fathers, and reap the peaceable enjoyment of himself and his Virtue. While his Father was weighing the consequence of this design, the unpleasant News had reach'd the ears of the roaring Debauchees his late Companions, who having let loose the Reins of Sobriety and Virtue, had plung'd themselves into the greatest Exorbitancy, and therefore nothing could be more unwelcom than the desertion of one of their beloved associates, on

whom (as he was rich) they had some flattering hopes of dependance, and therefore were resolved, if possible, to convert him to themselves; to which end they sent for him in the names of some later Friends, (of whom he was less shie) to drink with him at the Sun-Tavern not far distant from his Fathers, not doubt∣ing thereby to prevent his Voyage to Spain. Van Zwerts (according to their request) went to them, where he found them caressing each one his Strumpet, and using even the most immodest and lewdest actions. They observ'd Van Zwerts, that his eye was fix'd, and his countenance austere, as declaring the inward re∣sentments of his mind; yet however they presented him with one of the most beautiful of their Company; but he declar'd his aversion to such lewdness, saying, Gentlemen, Have ye neither sense of Honour, Virtue, nor Conscience? Think ye that Iustice sleeps for ever? No, Heaven will be speedily mov'd, lay all its Mercy down, take up revenging Bolts of Thunder, and dash all such pro∣fligate offenders to inevitable ruine: Why then— But as he would have proceeded, they interrupted him, and said, What, Jacob, always preaching! will you never give over canting? Let dull Religious Fools, who never knew the sweets of stolen pleasures, be ty'd to the strict Rules of Virtue; but Love's a roving Libertine, scales the weak Battlements which Virtue raises, and tramples upon Ho∣nour, to obtain a place safe in the arms of Beauty. Alas! thou art lost, thou huntest after shadows, and followest imaginary Heavens, while we have ours in possession. 'Tis ill trusting to Castles in the Air, or, like Astrologers, have twelve Houses they know not where, yet never a one for themselves to live in. No, 'tis we alone enjoy Honour, Beauty, Happiness, and Heaven on Earth. To which Iacob reply'd, O prophane wretches! have you no remorse of conscience? what means—But they interrupting him, said, Go preach conscience to the Spaniard; 't might per∣haps make him less proud, though no ways abate his amo∣rous

inclinations, for he'd love his Wench in spight of Fate, or twenty Consciences; and so dismist him.

Van Zwerts remain'd unshaken in his resolutions, and hastning his Voyage, embarqu'd the night following, but e're he had reach'd the Coasts of Spain, he was taken by a Turkish Pirate, (whose Power they were not able to resist) and straightway convey'd to Turkey, and (as Providence had appointed) sold Slave to Ali Pigget, a Turkish Merchant, formerly a correspondent of his Fathers, which Ali Pigget by questioning him concerning his Countrey, Education, and Extraction, found out, but did not discover it to Van Zwerts, only pretending civility on the account of his Learning, (for he was a good Linguist, and an excellent Penman and Accomptant) he employ'd him as Steward of his house. Ali Pigget's eye was always severe and strict over Van Zwerts and his own Sister, (whose modesty he had reason to suspect) judging that she who had formerly so little respect to her Honour as to admit of the lewd embraces of a common Slave, would not be backward in promoting her lustful inclinations to such a qualified person as Van Zwerts; neither was his sus∣pition or jealousie in vain, for she omitted no oppor∣tunity of spreading her Charms to catch the heart of Van Zwerts, neither was she asham'd to tell him many times, that he was a person of the most winning and obliging good nature, that he had fir'd her heart, and she should never know any greater happiness than to be blest in his Embraces. Thus she often assaulted him, but found her amorous passion still defeated by the Chastity of the virtuous Van Zwerts; yet she resolv'd with all the power and Charms imaginable, and the strongest temptations of Lust, once more to besiege his Virtue, which she did in this manner.

Ali Pigget being to ride out of Town some miles distant, about his Merchandise, she thought it her best and securest time to put in practice her unchast design.

Accordingly upon the departure of Ali Pigget she or∣dered Van Zwerts to wait on her at her Chamber within the space of half an hour at farthest: Van Zwerts (whose Honour was his guard) suspected not the lewd intentions of this Lady, but went into her Chamber, where finding her in bed, began to retire, when she call'd to him as to speak with him, and lay∣ing hold on his hand, said sighing, Iacob, hast thou no sense nor compassion for a poor suffering Lover? must I for ever burn in the••e hot flames, and will you never yield to cool my passions? Fye! leave these youthful blushes, and come into thy Lovers arms.—Not for ten thousand worlds, reply'd Van Zwerts; and so striving to withdraw his hand, she turn'd her Lust to Revenge, crying out, A Rape! A Rape! Ali Pigget suspected her design, and therefore return'd immediately after his departure, and conceal'd himself in the next Appartment to the Cham∣ber they were in, he heard her lustful Courtship, and his chast Answer, and upon her crying out went in, and with his Sword stabb'd her in that Bed which she design'd for the consummation of her Lust; and as a reward for Van Zwerts's Fidelity and Chas••ity, bad him ask any thing in his power, it should be granted him.

Iacob, who still longed to see Spain, begg'd (since his bounty did extend so far) that he would give him his liberty, and fit him for that Voyage. Ali Pigget (to whom Iacob's Father had sent 2000 Cobs for his Ran∣som) gave him his Liberty with his Ransom. Van Zwerts taking shipping, in a short time arriv'd at Spain, where he had not long resided e're he found his breast heated with Love, and his inclinations and affections tend towards the virtuous and fair Marinda, whose unblemish'd Chastity in Spain was most conspicuous, and spread far on the wings of Fame. She was indeed the Mirrour of her Age, and had as large a share of Beauty as any in that Countrey could boast of, which probably might occasion her more temptations to try

her Chastity, than others who were less beautiful; for in the Civil Wars, when Rapine was fierce and preva∣lent, and Virgins knew not by what means to resist or reclaim the extravagances of enraged Souldiers, she by a notable Stratagem (tho' very irksom to her self) preserv'd her Chastity, which she effected in this man∣ner: Under her Arm-pits she plac'd raw Bief, and re∣tain'd it there till by the heat of her body it became so loathsom that none could endure to come within her sight, much less endure her Embraces. The relation of this, and the like Triumphs of her Chastity, well pleased Van Zwerts, who after the formalities of Court∣ship (which he was well vers'd in) obtain'd her con∣sent, and was espoused to her, returning shortly after to his Fathers house in Rotterdam, who in a short time after his Sons return dy'd, and left him Master of a plentiful Estate, upon which this chast Couple liv'd many years happily. Such are the rewards of Heav••n here frequently to them who become strict Votaries of Chastity and Virtue.

Thus we have seen in divers Examples the eminent Rewards of Chastity, by the Mercy and Providence that attends upon Conjugal Faith, and Matrimonial Loyalty: for as Chast••ty, Friendship, and the other branches of a virtuous Life, do carry some part of their reward in the pleasure of their Performances, so Constancy and Perseverance in the same crowns our Fidelity with the consummation of a perfect and glorious Felicity.