Zayde a Spanish history, or, romance / originally written in French by Monsieur Segray ; done into English by P. Porter, Esq.

SPAIN began to Free it self from the Dominion of the Moors; its People, who had Retired into the Asturies, had laid the Foundation of the Kingdom of Leon: Those who had withdrawn themselves into the Py∣renean Mountains, begun the Kingdom of Navarr. There were that raised themselves to be Counts of Barcelona, and Arragon; so that in a Hundred and Fifty Years after the Invasion of the Moors, more than half Spain found it self delivered from their Tyranny.

Amongst all the Christian Princes that

then Reigned there, there was none more powerful than Alphonso, King of Leon, Sur-named The Great: His Predecessors had joyned Castile to their Kingdom: At first, this Province was Commanded by Gover∣nours, who, in process of Time, had made their Governments Hereditary; and People begun to apprehend, that they would set up for the Soveraignty: They were called Counts of Castile; whereof the most powerful were Diego Porcellos, and Nugnes Fernando; this last was considerable for the vast Extent of his Territories, and the Greatness of his Un∣derstanding: And his Children were instru∣mental for the Preservation not only of his Fortune, but enlarging of its Bounds: He had a Son and a Daughter of extraordinary Beauty; His Son, whose Name was Gonsa∣luo, whom nothing in all Spain might equal; his Person and Wit had something in them so admirable, that it seem'd Heaven had made him differ from the rest of Man-kind.

Some important Reasons had obliged him to quit the Court of Leon; and the sensible Displeasures he had there received, induced him to the Designe of leaving Spain, and to retire into some solitary Place. He came into the remotest Parts of Catalonia, with intention to ship himself in the first Vessel he should find bound for any of the Grecian

Ilands: The careless Disposition he was in, made him often neglect the Roads he had been shewn; so that, instead of passing the River Elbe at Tortose, as he had been direc∣ted, he followed the Course of the River al∣most to the Place where it disembogues it self into the Sea; there he perceived he had lost his Way: He inquires if there were ne∣ver a Barque there? 'Twas told him, That in that Place, there would be none to be found; but that, if he pleased to go to a little Port not far off, he might find some that would carry him to Tarragone; He goes to this Port, lights off his Horse, and asked of some Fisher-men he met with, If there were not any Shallop ready to put to Sea?

As he was talking to them, A Man, that was walking pensively by the Shore-side, being surprized with his Beauty and good Meine, stood still to consider him; and, having over-heard what he asked of those Fisher-men, he made Answer, That all the Barques were sayled for Tarragon, and that they would not return untill the next Day; and that he could not Embarque until the next Day after. Gonsaluo, who at first did not perceive him, turning his Head towards that Voyce, was as much surprized with the good Aspect of this unknown Man, as the Stranger had been with his. He saw in him

something of Great and Noble, and full of Handsomness; though he might easily per∣ceive, that he was passed the Prime of his Youth. Though Gonsaluo's Mind was filled more with his own Thoughts than any thing else; yet, the sight of this Stranger in such a forlorne Place, gave him some Attention: He thanked him for giving him Information of what he desired to know; and then as∣ked the Fisher-men, If there were no Con∣veniency in the Neighbourhood, where he might Lodge that Night? There is no other but these Hutts you see (Replyed the Stran∣ger,) where you cannot have any conveni∣ent Entertainment. Nevertheless (sayes Gonsaluo) I must go thither to seek some Rest; for, I have travelled some Dayes without any; and I find my Body has need of more, than my troubled Thoughts will allow it. The Stranger was touched with the sad manner of his pronouncing these Words; and was now convinced, that it was some unfortunate Man. The Confor∣mity that seemed to be in their Fortunes, gave him that kind of Inclination for Gon∣saluo, which we use to have for Persons, whose Dispositions we believe to be like ours.

You will not find here (sayes the Stran∣ger) any Place worthy of your Retreat;

but, if you please to accept of one that I offer you hard by here, you will be Lodg∣ed there more commodiously, than in these Cabanes. Gonsaluo had such an Aversion for the Society of Men, that he presently refused the offer which the Stranger made him; but at last, being over-come with his Importunities, and his great need of taking some Rest, he was forced to accept of it.

He therefore followes him; and, after walking a little while, he discovers a House, some-what low, built with no great Cost; yet Neat and Regular. The Court was shut in only with a Row of Pomgranat Trees, and the Garden was fenced with the like, which was separated from a high Wood by a small Brook: If Gonsaluo had been capable of taking any Delight, the agreeable Scitua∣tion of this Dwelling, might have given him some Pleasure. He asked the Stranger, If this Place were his constant Abode, and whether Chance, or his own Choyce, had led him thither? I have lived here this four or five Years (Replyed the Stranger;) I never stir out but only to walk upon the Sea-Shore; and, I can assure you, that since I have taken up my Habitation here, I ne∣ver saw any Rational Man in this Place, but your self: Foul Weather often casts away Vessels upon this Coast, which is dan∣gerous

enough: I have saved the Lives of some poor Wretches, whom I have enter∣tained here: But all those whose ill For∣tune brought hither, were Strangers; with whom I could have no Conversation, though I had sought for it. You may judge by the Place of my Abode, that I look for none; yet I must confess, I am much pleased to see a Man like your self.

For my part (sayes Gonsaluo) I shunn all Men; and I have such just Reasons to shun them, that, if you knew them, you would not think it strange, that I accepted with so much Reluctancy, the offer which you made me: To the contrary, you would judge, after the Misfortunes which they have created me, that I ought for ever to re∣nounce all Humane Society. If the cause of your Complaint proceeds only from o∣ther Men (sayes the Stranger,) and that you have nothing where-with to reproach your self; there are others more unhappy than you, and you are less unfortunate than you imagine your self to be. The Com∣plement of Misfortunes (cryes he) is to have reason to complain of ones self; This is to dig a Pit for ones self to be drowned in: This is to be unjust, unreasonable: This is to have been the Source of ones own Mi∣series. I perceive (answered Gonsaluo) that

you have a sensible Feeling of what you speak; But, How different are they from those we feel, when without deserving it, we are deceived, betrayed, and abandoned by all that was most dear to us. Foras∣much as I can perceive (sayes the Stranger) you forsake your Country, to flye some Per∣sons that have betrayed you, and are the cause of your Discontent: But, judgewhat torment it would be to you, to be obliged alwayes to keep Company with those that create the Mis∣fortunes of your Life; Believe it, this is my Condition: I have made my own Life unhappy; and yet, I cannot separate from my self, for whom I have so much Hor∣ror, and so just a cause of Hatred; not on∣ly for my own particular Sufferings; but al∣so, for the Misfortunes of those I loved a∣bove all things in this World.

I should never complain (sayes Gonsaluo) if I had none to complain of but my self: You think your self unhappy, because you have reason to hate your self; but, if you had been answered with an equal Flame, by the Person you adored, Would not you believe your self happy? You have, per∣haps, lost her by your own Fault; but still you have the satisfaction, to think, that she loved you; and would do so still, if you had not done something that might have

displeased her: You are not acquainted with Love, if this Thought alone be not capable of keeping you from believing your self unhappy; and you love your self bet∣ter than your Mistress, if you had rather have cause to complain of her, than of your self. Doubtless, the little share you have in your own Misfortunes (sayes the Stran∣ger) hinders you from comprehending how great an Addition of Grief it would have been to you, to have contributed to them; But believe it, by the Experience I have of it, that to lose what we love by our own Fault, is a kind of Affliction, which makes more sensible Impressions upon us, than any other what-ever.

As they made an end of these Words, they came into the House, which Gonsaluo, found as pritty within, as it appeared with∣out. He passed the Night with much dis∣quiet; in the Morning, a Feavour seized him; and, in the following Dayes it grew so violent, that his Life was thought in dan∣ger. The Stranger was sensibly afflicted, and his Affliction encreased by the pitty and admiration, all Gonsaluo's Actions and his Words caused in him: He conceived an earnest desire to know who this Man should be, that appeared so extraordinary to him: He asked several Questions of him, that ser∣ved

him; But the Servants Ignorance of his Master's Name and Quality, could not sa∣tisfie his Curiosity: He only told him, That he caused himself to be called Theodoric, and that he believed, that was not his right Name. At last, after his Feaver had con∣tinued several Dayes, the Remedies, and his Youth, drew Gonsaluo out of danger. The Stranger strove to divert him from those sad Thoughts, with which he saw him per∣plexed: He staid alwayes by him; and though they spoke but of indifferent Things, because they were not yet acquainted; yet, they surprized one another by the greatness of their Witt.

This Stranger had concealed his Name and Quality, during his Residence in this solitary Retreat; but he was very willing Gonsaluo should know it: He told him, He was of the Kingdom of Navarr, that his Name was Alphonso Xymenes; and that his bad Fortune had obliged him to find out a Retreat, where he might with more Free∣dome, regret what he had lost. Gonsaluo was surprized at the Name of Xymenes, know∣ing it to be one of the most Illustrious Names of Navarr; and was highly sensible of the Confidence Alphonso shewed him. What Reasons soever he had to hate all Men, he could not keep himself from having a Friend∣ship

for him, beyond what he believed him∣self any more capable of.

In the mean time, Gonsaluo begun to re∣cover his Strength; and when he found himself pretty well to Embarque, he found he could not leave Alphonso without Diffi∣culty; he acquaints him with their separa∣tion, and the design he had to seek out some solitude; Alphonso was much afflicted at it: He had so used himself to the sweet∣ness of Gonsalvo's Conversation, that he could not think of the loss of it without grief; he told him he was not yet in a con∣dition to depart, and endeavoured to per∣swade him not to look for any other soli∣tude then that whither chance had conduct∣ed him.

I dare not hope, sayes he, to make this abode less tedious to you, but me thinks that in a retreat so far distant, as that you look for, there is some satisfaction not to be altogether alone: My misfortunes were not capable of receiving any comfort; I be∣lieve, notwithstanding I should find some Consolation, if at certain times I could have some body to whom I might make my moan; you shall find here the same solitude you are going to look for else-where, and you will have the conveniency to speak when you please, to a Person that has an extraordinary

esteem for your merit, and a feeling sence of your misfortunes, equal to that he has of his own.

Alphonso's discourse did not presently per∣swade Gonsalvo, but by degrees it began to work upon his reason, and the consideration of a recess remote from all Company, to∣gether with the friendship he had already for him, made him resolve to stay in that House; the only thing that gave him trou∣ble, was his apprehension of being known. Alphonso re-assures him by his own exam∣ple, and tells him, that this place was so far distant from all commerce, that for so ma∣ny years past that he had lived there, he had never seen any that could know him. Gonsalvo yielded to his reasons, and after having said to one another all the obliging things that the best-bred men in the World, who resolve to live together, could say, he sent a parcel of his Jewels to a Merchant at Tarragon, who was to return him for them, all such necessaries as he had occasion for. Thus you see Gonsalvo established in this solitude, whence he resolves never to depart: Here he is giving himself up to the sad contemplation of his misfortunes, where the only Consolation he finds, is, his be∣lief, that here he is at Covert from all that Malice can contrive; but Fortune made it

appear, that she can reach even in the most wilde Deserts, those she has resolved to persecute.

About the latter end of Autumn, when the winds begin to grow formidable at Sea, he went out to walk earlier than usual, there was a terrible Storm the night before, and the Sea that was yet agitated, gave his ra∣ving fancy a pleasant diversion; he for a time considered the inconstancy of this E∣lement, with the same reflexions he used to make upon his own condition. After this, coming nearer to the Strand, he saw several pieces of the Wracks of a Shallop, and casting his eyes about, to see if he could find no man that might yet want his help, he saw something glittering in the Sun newly rising, that he could not presently distinguish what it might be, which gave him the curiosity to look a little nearer, and coming to it, he found it was a Woman richly attired, lying all her length upon the Sand, as if the Sea had thrown her up there; she lay so, that he could not see her face: He raised her up to see if she had any life left in her; but how great was his astonish∣ment, when he perceived, even through the horrors of death, the greatest Beauty his eyes had ever beheld; this Beauty in∣creased his compassion, and made him de∣sire

that she might yet be in a condition to receive some relief at his hands. At that very time Alphonso, who by accident had followed that way, came to him, and put his helping hand to succour her; their pains were not in vain, for they found she was not yet dead, but they judged she had need of more powerful assistance then they could give her in that place; therefore, being not far off from the House, they resolved to carry her thither: As soon as they had brought her thither, Alphonso sent for some Cordi∣als and Women to assist her: As soon as these Women laid her in her Bed, Gon∣salvo came again into her Chamber, and began to contemplate this unknown with more attention than before; he was sur∣prised with the lineaments of her Face, and the sweetness of her Countenance; he view∣ed with astonishment the delicateness of her Mouth, the whiteness of her Neck; and he was so charmed with what he saw of excel∣lency in this Stranger, that he was ready to fancy that she was not a mortal; he passed a great part of the night without being able to go from her: Alphonso advised him to go take some rest, but he answered, that he was so little used to find any, that he was glad of an occasion to be kept from looking for it in vain.

Towards break of Day, they perceived that this unknown Lady began to come to her self: She opened her Eyes; and, as the Light was at first troublesome to her sight, she turned it languishingly towards Gonsaluo, and gave him to see a pair of large black Eyes; of a Beauty so particular to themselves, that it should seem they were made of purpose to dart at once, both Respect and Love. A little while aftter, they found she began to recover her Senses, and to distinguish Ob∣jects: At the first, she was amazed at those she saw. Gonsaluo could not by Words, express his Admiration for her: He would make Alphonso look, and consider her Beau∣ty, with that kind of Earnestness which we use to have for what surprizes and charms us.

But still she wanted the use of her Speech; Gonsaluo judging, that she might yet remain for sometime in that Condition, with-drawes himself into his own Chamber. He could not forbear making Reflexions upon this Adventure. I wonder, said he, that For∣tune should offer a Woman to my sight, in the only State wherein I could not avoid her; wherein, on the other side, Compas∣sion obliges me to take care of her: I e∣ven admired her Beauty; but, as soon as she is Recovered, I will not look upon her

Charms any other way, then as I would upon a thing of which she would make use of to betray more Hearts, and make more Men wretched. Great Gods! How many will she ruine? And how many has she already, perhaps, undone! What Eyes! What Looks! How I pitty those that can be inflamed by them? And, How happy am I in my un∣happiness, who by the cruel Experience I have had of Women, that I am sufficiently fortified against all their Charms? After these words, he had some difficulty to fall asleep; and that was but short too. He goes to see in what State the unknown La∣dy was: He found her much better; but she had not yet recovered the use of her Speech; and that Night, and the next Day passed, before she could pronounce one word. Alphonso could not forbear ma∣king Gonsaluo to understand, how much he admired his great care, and concern, for this Woman: Gonsaluo himself, began to wonder at it too; but he found it was impossi∣ble for him to stay from this fair Creature: He believed still, that she should have some considerable Change in her Distemper, to the worse, when he was not with her. As he stood by her, she pronounced some Words; at which, he selt a Gladness, and a Trouble: He came nearer to understand

what she would say, while she was yet speak∣ing; and was surprized, to hear her speak a Language, that was unknown to him: He at first perceived by her Habit, that she was a Forreiner; But, as it had some re∣semblance to that of the Moorish Women, and that they spoke the Arabian Tongue, he made no doubt, but to be able to make himself to be understood: He spoke to her in that Language; and was yet more surprized, to see she did not understand it: He spoke Spanish and Italian to her; but in vain: He judged by her attentive and troubled Aire, that she did not comprehend him any better: Yet she continued talk∣ing; and would stop now and then, as if she expected to be Answered. Gonsaluo hearkened to all her Words, thinking that he might understand something of her Mean∣ing. He caused all that would, to come nearer to her, to find if none could under∣stand what she said: He brought a Spanish Book, to see if she could read that Charac∣ter; he found that she knew the Charac∣ter, but could not understand the Language. She was sad and unquiet; and her Sadness added to Gonsaluo's Melancholly.

They were in this Posture, when Alphon∣so came into the Room, leading a very fair Person, dressed in the same kind of Habit,

which the unknown Lady wore: As soon as they saw one another, they embraced with great Demonstrations of Kindness; she that Alphonso brought in, pronounced very of∣ten the name of Zayde, which gave them to understand that, that was the name of the unknown Lady; and Zayde pronounced as often the name of Felime, by which they found that to be the name of that La∣dy that came in last. After they had for some time discoursed together, Zayde fell a weeping with all the marks of a great affliction, and made signes with her hand they should all go out. After they had left the room, Gonsalvo went along with Al∣phonso to be informed where he found that other Stranger; Alphonso told him that the Fisher-men of their Neighbouring Cabbins had found her the same day in the like condition as he had found her Companion; they will have some satisfaction, said Gon∣salvo, to be together: But Alphonso, what think you of these two Ladys? if we guess by their Garbe, they are of a rank above the Vulgar: But how came they to expose themselves to the hazards of the Sea in such small Vessels, for it was no great Ship they were cast away in? She you led to Zayde, has told her some News that afflicts her much; in fine, there must be something of

extraordinary in their fates; I believe so, said Alphonso, I am equally surprized with their adventure and beauty: You have not perhaps observed that of Felime, it is ad∣mirable, and you had happily been sur∣prised with it if you had not seen Zayde.

After this discourse, they separate, Gon∣salvo sound himself more afflicted than usual, and felt that the cause of his sadness pro∣ceeded from his not being able to make himself to be understood by this Stranger; but sayes to himself, what have I to say to her? or what is it that I would know from her? Is it out of a design to inform her of my misfortunes, or a desire to learn hers? Can any Curiosity find place in a Man as wretched as I am? What interest can I take in the sad destiny of a person I know not? Why should I grieve to see her sad? Is it the evil that I have suffered that instructs me to commiserate those of others? No doubtless, it is this still and solitary retreat wherein I am, that gives me atten∣tion for such extraordinary adventures, which would not long take up my thoughts, if they bad been diverted by any other ob∣jects.

In spight of this reflection, he passed all that night without sleep, and part of the day in much disquiet, because he could not

see Zayde. Toward the Evening, they brought him word that she was up, and gone toward the Sea-side; he followes her, and finds her sitting upon the Shore with her eyes all drowned in tears: When he came near her, she rose and advanced to∣wards him with much civility and sweetness; he was surprised, to find as many charmes in her Stature and Deportment, as he had before observed in her Countenance: She pointed to a little Barque she saw upon the Sea, and named Tunis several times, as if she meant to insinuate her desires, to be transported thither: He made signes to her, shewing her the Moon, that she should be obeyed when that Planet (which then did shine out) had twice finished her course a∣bout the Universe. She seemed to compre∣hend what he said, and then gave her self up again to her tears.

The next day she was ill, and was not to be seen: He had not felt a day since his Abode in this solitude, longer, nor more tedious to him than this.

The next day (without knowing himself why) he left off that negligent dress which he had put on ever since his coming to that place; and as he was one of the Men of the World, the best shap'd, an ordinary plain dress set him forth more to the advantage,

than rich and magnificent Cloaths would do others. Alphonso met him in the Wood, and was astonished to find him in so diffe∣rent a garbe from what he used to wear; he could not refrain smiling, and telling him, that he was glad to find by his Habit, that his afflictions begun to grow less, and that he found in these Desaits some ease to his grief.

I understand you Alphonso, replied Gon∣salvo; you believe that the sight of Zayde is that comfort I find to my Misfortunes, but you are mistaken; I have only for Zayde, that compassion which is due to her Disasters, and her Beauty: I have also a compassion for you and her, replied Al∣phonso; I pitty her, and would be glad to be able to comfort her; but I am not so assiduous about her, I am not so observant of her; I am not so much concerned that I do not understand her; I have not so much mind to speak to her; I have been no more afflicted yesterday than I used to be, be∣cause she was not to be seen; and I am not to day less negligent in my dress then I have accustomed to be: In fine, since I am as susceptible of compassion as you are, and yet that there is so much difference be∣twixt us; it followes, that you must aile something more than I do.

Gonsalvo did not interrupt Alphonso, but seemed to examine himself upon these par∣ticulars, to find whether they were true or no. As he was upon the point of return∣ing his Answer, one came to tell him, ac∣cording to the directions he gave, that Zayde was gone out of her Chamber, and she was walking towards the Sea-side; then with∣out considering that he was going to con∣firm Alphonso's suspicion of him, he leaves him to go after Zayde: He saw her at a distance, sitting by Felime, in the same place where he found her two days before; he had a particular curiosity to observe their actions, hoping thereby to dive into the knowledge of their Fortunes: He observed that Zayde wept, and Felime seemed to en∣deavour to comfort her; that Zayde did not hearken to her, but looked still towards the Sea, with such jestures, as made Gonsalvo imagine that she lamented for some body that might have been cast away with her: he had formerly found her weeping in that place; but as she had done nothing that might instruct him in the cause of her tears, he believed she had only wept for being so far distant from her Country; he then began to fancy, that those tears she shed, were for the loss of a Lover that might be drowned, and that it was to follow him (perhaps) that

she had exposed her self to the dangers of the Sea. Lastly, He fancied to know, as sure as if she had told him, that Love was the cause of her tears.

It is not to be exprest what Gonsalvo's thoughts produced in his mind, and the trou∣ble which Jealousie caused in a Heart where Love had not yet declared it self: He had been in Love formerly, but had never been Jealous; this passion (that till then) had been unknown to him, made him feel its first effects with so much violence, that he believed himself struck with a grief that no other man ever had felt or known but himself. He passed (as he thought) through all the misfortunes that attended Man's life, and yet now he feels something more in∣tolerable than any thing he had ever indured before. He has no freedom of reason left, he leaves the place where he stood to come nearer to Zayde, with resolution to ask her the cause of her affection; and though he was assured she could not Answer him, yet he forbears not to ask her. She was far from comprehending what he would say; she wipes away her tears, and walks along with him: The pleasure of seeing her, and being seen by her fair eyes, did calme the agitation wherein he was; he perceived the disorder he was in, and settled his counte∣nance

the best he could. She named Tu∣nis again very often to him, and shew'd a great desire to be transported thither; he understood but too well what she demanded of him; the thought of seeing her depart, began already to give him most sensible strokes of grief, and it was only by the pains which Love creates, that he perceives he is in Love, and his jealousie and fear of her absence, torments him before he knows that he is fallen in Love: He would believe that she should have just cause to complain of his ill Fate, if he did but find in himself an incli∣nation to Love; but to find himself at one and the same time, not only in Love, but Jealous, neither to understand, nor be un∣derstood by her he Loved, to know nothing of her but her Beauty, to have a prospect of nothing else but of an eternal absence, were so many evils together, that it was im∣possible to resist them.

While he made these sad reflexions, Zayde continued walking with Felime; and after, having walked a pretty while, she went a∣gain to sit down upon the Beach, and be∣gun to weep a fresh, looking upon the Sea, and shewing it to Felime, as if she accused it of the misfortune which made her shed so many tears. Gonsalvo, to divert her, shewed her some Fisher-men which were not

far off. In spight of the affliction and trou∣ble of this new Lover, the sight of her he loved, gave him a satisfaction and joy which restored him to his former Beauty; and as he was less careless of himself than he used to be, he might deservedly draw upon him the looks and eyes of all the World. Zayde began to look upon him first with attention, then with astonishment; and after having a good while considered him, she turns to her Companion, and made her observe, Gonsalvo saying something to her. Felime looked upon him, and an∣swered her with an action that shew'd she approved of what Zayde said to her: Zayde eyed him again, and spoke something to Felime; Felime did the like; in fine, by this manner of theirs, Gonsalvo judged that he might resemble some body they knew: this, though at first made no impression up∣on him, but found Zayde so taken up with this resemblance, that it was apparent to him, that amidst all her sadness, she took some content to look upon him, that he was con∣vinced that he was like that Lover whom she lamented.

All the remainder of that Day, Zayde shewed divers signes, that confirmed this his Suspicion: Towards Night, Felime and she, went to search amongst the Remaines

of their Loss; and they looked so diligent∣ly, that Gonsalvo observed such Marks of Dis-satisfaction in them, when they could not find what they sought after, that he had new Causes of Disquiet. Alphonso took no∣tice of the Dis-order he was in; and, after he had Conducted Zayde to her Appart∣ment, he staid in Gonsalvo's Chamber.

You have not yet told me, said he, all your past Misfortunes; but, you must ac∣knowledge those that Zayde begins to bring upon you: A Man so deep in Love as you seem to me, alwayes takes Delight to speak of his Love; and though your Evil be great, yet, perhaps, my Help, and my Counsel, may not be unserviceable to you. Ah my dear Alphonso (cryed Gonsalvo) How unhap∣py am I! How great is my Frailty? and, How unsupportable is my Despair! How wise were you, that could see Zayde, and not be in Love with her? I well perceiv∣ed (Replyed Alphonso) that you were in Love with her, though you would not own it. I knew it not my self (answered Gonsalvo:) It is Jealousie alone, that made me sensible I was engaged in Affection. Zayde laments some lost Lover; which makes her every Day return to the Beach, to bemoan her Love, in the same Place she believes he was cast a∣way. It is true, I am in love with Zayde;

and Zayde is Enamoured of some other: This, of all my Misfortunes seems the most terrible to me; which I believed my self most free from. I did flatter my self, that, perhaps, her Grief was for no Lover; but I find her Affliction too great, to doubt of it. I am more-over perswaded, that what she so carefully looked for, was some thing that might come from that happy Lover: And, what seems to me more Cruel than all I have told, is, That I resemble him for whom she burns: She perceived it as we were walking: I saw Joy in her Eyes, when she saw any thing that might make her remember him; she shewed me twenty times to Felime, and made her take particular Notice of all my Features. What shall I say more? She looked upon me all the Day long; But, it was not I she saw, nor of whom she thinks: When she casts her Eyes upon me, I put her in mind of what I would fain have her to for∣get: I am, likewise, deprived of the Plea∣sure of seeing her fair Eyes glancing upon me; and she can no longer behold me, without tormenting my Heart with Jealou∣sie.

Gonsalvo spoke all this so fast, that Al∣phonso could not interrupt him; but he gave over speaking. Is it possible, said he, that what you tell me, can be true; and that

the Affliction to which you have used your self, does not represent to you this Idea of so extraordinary a Calamity? No Alphonso, I am not deceived (said Gonsalvo;) Zayde laments a Person she loves, and I put her in mind of him. My Fortune will not let me fancy to my self Evils beyond those she heaped upon me. She out-runs what-e∣ver I could imagine: She finds our those Afflictions for me, that are unknown to the rest of Mankind: And, if I had told you the whole course of my Life, you would be obliged to acknowledge, that I had Rea∣son to maintain, That I was more unfortu∣nate than you. I dare not tell you (said Alphonso,) that if you had not some impor∣tant Reason to conceal your self from me, you would give me all the Joy imaginable, in acquainting me with what you are; and what those Misfortunes are, which you con∣ceive to be greater than mine. I know, it is not just to ask you, What I do; without telling you likewise, what my Misfortunes are. But, pardon an unlucky Man, who has not concealed from you neither his Name nor Birth; nor would hide from you his Adventures, if it would avail you to know them; or if it were in his Power to declare them, without renewing Afflictions, which

many Years begin now with difficulty, to blot out of his Memory.

I will never press you (sayes Gonsalvo) to any thing that may give you trouble; but, I must blame my self, for not telling you who I am; Although I had taken a Reso∣lution, never to discover my self to any Body, the extraordinary Merit I find in you, and the Gratitude I owe you for your Kind∣ness, and your Care of me, obliges me to tell you that my true Name is Gonsalvo; and, that I am the Son of Nugnes Fernan∣do, Count of Castile; whose Reputation, undoubtedly, has reached your Ear. Can it possible be (cryes Alphonso) that you should be that Gonsalvo, that was so Fa∣mous, even in his first Campagne, by the Defeat of so many Moors, and by such glo∣rious Atchievements, as has made you to be admired by all Spain? I know the Rudi∣ments of so Noble a Life; and when I re∣tired into this Desert, I had already learnt, not without Astonishment, that in the re∣markable Defeat, which the King of Leon gave Ayda, the bravest Captain the Moors had, you alone turned the Scale of that Vic∣tory to the Christians side: And that in mounting the first Man, the Breach of Za∣mora, you were the cause that Town was taken; which obliged the Moors to beg a

Peace. The Solitude in which I have since that time lived, kept me ignorant of the Sequel of such Heroick and Glorious Be∣ginnings; but I question not, but that they agree in all Parts. I did not believe (Re∣plyed Gonsalvo) that my Name was known to you; and I esteem it a Happiness, that you are so prepossessed to my Advantage, by a Reputation I have not perhaps deser∣ved. Alphonso then setled himself, with At∣tention to hear; and Gonsalvo begun thus: