The fair one of Tunis, or, The generous mistres a new piece of gallantry / out of French.

Donna Isabella to Don Pedro.

I Have at last prevail'd with my Cousin to deliver you this Letter, a favor that she has granted in your consideration as well as mine, and that you are to ma∣nage with your best discretion; she will not refuse to bring another from you, and therefore loose not the opportunity, for a∣bove all things in this world I long to be satisfied under your own hand that you still continue constant and faithful to me. I do here franckly declare unto you, that it will be no hard matter for me to dye, but it would be utterly impossible for me to live without your love. Love me then (my dearest) and remember that the indigna∣tion of a Father incenst to the degree that mine is, is nothing so insupportable as the absence of him I love above my life. Fare∣well.

This beautiful young Cousin of mine was engaged too far in our confidence to recede, and her severe humor with the aversion she had for Love intrigues, grew pliant by degrees by conversing with so much flame; and although Don Pedro with all his wit had not had the

power to perswade her into that com∣placency, my sufferings nevertheless had awak'd her pity; and indeed the condition to which I was reduc'd would have touch'd a soul of marble with compassion. She restor'd my dear Lover from death to life in delivering my letter to him, there was nothing of grateful and obliging he did not say to thank her, and he had in his transport of joy thrown himself at her feet to embrace and kiss them (had she not hindred him from doing it) for the fa∣vor. He was quite another man after he had read it, and put on another countenance, his looks before overcast with melancholy clear'd up, and joy sparkled in his eyes. Which my Cou∣sin seeing, and that he was so thankful for so small a service, she could not for∣bear making him a voluntary offer to carry back his answer, which he also sent me, and which I will now shew you; This is it.