While the running at the Ring lasted, our Cavaliers alternately bore
away great share of the Honour. That Sport ended, Marshals were
appointed for the Field, and every thing in great form settled for the
Combat. The Cavaliers were all in good earnest, but orders were given
to bring ’em blunted Lances, and to forbid the drawing of a Sword upon
pain of his Highness’s Displeasure. The Trumpets sounded and they began
their Course: The Ladies’ Hearts, particularly the Incognita and
Leonora’s beat time to the Horses Hoofs, and hope and fear made a mock
Fight within their tender Breasts, each wishing and doubting success
where she lik’d: But as the generality of their Prayers were for the
graceful Strangers, they accordingly succeeded. Aurelian’s Adversary
was unhorsed in the first Encounter, and Hippolito’s lost both Stirrups
and dropt his Lance to save himself. The Honour of the Field was
immediately granted to them, and Don Catharina sent them both Favours,
which she pray’d them to wear as her Knights. The Crowd breaking up,
our Cavaliers made a shift to steal off unmarked, save by the watchful
Leonora and Incognita, whose Eyes were never off from their respective
Servants. There was enquiry made for them, but to no purpose; for they
to prevent their being discovered had prepared another House, distant
from their Lodging, where a Servant attended to disarm them, and
another carried back their Horses to the Villa, while they walked
unsuspected to their Lodging; but Incognita had given command to a Page
to dog ’em till the Evening, at a distance, and bring her word where
they were latest housed.
While several Conjectures pass’d among the Company, who were all gone
to Dinner at the Palace, who those Cavaliers should be, Don Fabio
thought himself the only Man able to guess; for he knew for certain
that his Son and Hippolito were both in Town, and was well enough
pleased with his humour of remaining Incognito till the Diversions
should be over, believing then that the surprize of his Discovery would
add much to the Gallantry he had shown in Masquerade; but hearing the
extraordinary liking that every body express’d, and in a particular
manner, the great Duke himself, to the Persons and Behaviour of the
unknown Cavaliers, the Old Gentleman could not forbear the Vanity to
tell his Highness, that he believed he had an interest in one of the
Gentlemen, whom he was pleased to honour with so favourable a
Character; and told him what reason he had to believe the one to be his
Son, and the other a Spanish Nobleman, his Friend.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account