Still the frightfull noyse increased , and the Shepheards their feare ; till one more heartie then his fellowes , taking a Box out of his Scrip , with Flint and Steele soone kindled the Tinder , and lighted some shrubbe sprigges , though wet , by reason of Raine that fell , and bidding his companions follow him , taking their Slings and Sheepe-hookes , they m●rched downe the Hils side , and with their lighted Stickes ( seruing them for Lanternes ) guided toward the dolefull sound : Soone they approached , where in an intricate thicket of Bushes and Bryers , they might heare a voice wrapped vp , as it were in sighes , bringing them so fearefully on , that though they drew neere , they made a pawse ; till hearkening more wistly to the sad complaints , they plainely ghessed them to proceed from some wretched creature , and the rather , since they might heare the Author of that sorrow , craue aide and fauour of iust and compassionate Heauen : Whereupon ( laying all feare aside ) they rushed through the rude Bushes , and bushy Trees , at one of whose strong Trunkes ( by the helpe of their lighted shrubbes ) they might behold a ( dead as it were ) dismayed Youth laid on the withered Grasse , his face pale and wanne , his teeth fast closed , and his eyes eclipsed , onely now and then with a dolefull sigh he would accompany his mortall pangs , which springing from a wofull cause , and in the dead of night , might doubtlesse occasion the fearefull effect here related .

The sad spectacle stirred vp the poore mens compassion , which they shewed and celebrated with their pittying teares . The wounded partie had dyed the neere thicke grasse with his bloud , in which the rage and torment he felt , made him furiously welter , his paine seeming to bee such , that after each grone , they expected his lifes end . The Beholders , though they intreated him of his disaster , could know nothing , for much losse of bloud had made the partie quite senselesse ; so that seeing it bootelesse to satisfie their desires , they sought , if it were possible , to helpe his hurts , to which purpose they began gently to vncloath him : and vnbuttoning a thinne Tyssue Doublet he wore , perceiued two wounds in his brest , which ( though bloudy , deepe ) yet appeared not to be mortall ; besides which , he had other three ( lesse dangerous ) in seuerall parts of his body : by all which , they might perceiue , that the Authors of them were most willing , not to haue left their worke vnfinished . Their best and wholesomest purpose was to cut down boughs , which tying and fitting together , as well as the shortnesse of time would permit them , they made a carriage like a Beere , on which as the compassionate Swaines were about to haue laid the dismaid body , so to haue conueyed him to a neighbouring Village their habitation , the trampling and neighing of a Horse , that seemed to be neere , stayed them ; and being as yet scarce free from their former feare , a smal matter was sufficient to affright them : for imagining some came backe to dispatch the bloudlesse Corps , without expecting the certaintie ; cold in their commenced charitie , they swiftly tooke them to their flight . But the same effect , which the Horses noise caused in them , frighted the same Horse , who yet had not forsaken his wounded Master , till now that they with their lights flew thorow the thicket , so amazed the swift Beast , that he ( like winde ) making contrary speed , they soone lost sight of him , which made them thinke , that hee whom they left among the Trees , was some person of qualitie , and owner of that Horse , which made them afresh desirous to put their pious intent in execution : and so turning back , and not once suffering the wounded person to come to himselfe out of a deepe Trance in which he lay ▪ putting him vpon the Boughy Coffin , and rearing him on their strong shoulders , they went toward their Village .

In this manner they marched through the intangling Wood , till such time , as ( skilfull ) they got out of it , and willing to take a narrower path , which serued them as a shorter cut to the neighbouring Village , somewhat out of the rode way , they might heare great cryes , humming of Slings , barking of Dogs , such a noise as made them thinke verily all the Mountainous Inhabitants were vp in Armes .

But first let mee shew the cause of this notable Vproare , which , though needlesse , suffice proceeded from those rude and barbarous Mountainers .

You heard how the three Shepheards with their fearfull flight , frighted the swift Horse , who by his Masters hard fortune , was there loose , grazing in the Desart Mountaine . It hapned next , as these charitable mens 〈◊〉 luckes would haue it , that the furious speed of the swift Beast awoke certaine Keepers , that belonged to the Woods , to looke to the Game , and such recreations as were committed to their charge ▪ who straight stood on their Guard , supposing somewhat else to bee the cause and breaker of their rest : when ( 〈◊〉 risen from the ground , and looking what way the bloudlesse body was brought toward them ) seeing so many lights , ( 〈◊〉 doubtlesse their feare made them seeme flaming Aetna's to them ) and not knowing what might bee the cause , or who should walke in that vnseasonable time and manner , full of astonishment , and , like mad-men , ( though wanting courage to expect the issue ) not staying one for another , they ranne to the neerest Village to cry out for help : and this with such howling and strange clamour , that they raised all the neighbourhood and adioyning Farmers vp in Armes : and the hurry was so much the greater , at what time ( crying out for help ) the fearefull name of the King and his Iustice was interposed ; for then , Men , Women and Children , some with Halberts , others with Launces or Swords , ( at the Bels ringing ) ranne which way the Keepers affirmed there were some setting the King his Woods on fire ; who conducting the troupes , brought them speedily to the place , from whence the poore carelesse Shepheards were walking faire and softly in prosecution of their charitable office ; sometimes exchanging their burdens , otherwhiles resting vpon the bare and naked Rockes , so that ere they could get to the Village , these cruell people were ready to encounter them : and these were the cries and noises the secure Shepheards heard , vpon their sally from the inclosed Mountaine . No sooner saw the Sauage Crue those strange lights , when straight ( as by aime ) they discharged a thicke showre of stones , making the hollow Valley resound with their wouen Slings : wherefore the poore men ( seeing themselues so hardly intreated , and that though they cryed out to the others to hold their hands , 't was but in vaine , since they could not bee heard ) left their burden , and fell to their defence , at what time it grew to bee toward day-breake .

againe restore ; and , so with some comfortable remedies the Surgeon applide , the Gentleman came a little to himselfe ; onely for feare of the worst it was ordained , that none should trouble him with speaking to him , till hee might more strongly recouer his Sences , without which he remained most part of that day . When hee grew at last to be better , and considered in how different a place he now was , from that , where hee receiued his wounds , he could not but extremely wonder , and ( calling to minde his misfortunes ) grew somewhat passionate , and addressing himselfe to the Noble Gentleman , that neuer so much as once parted from his beds-head , requested him to tell him , in what place hee was , or how brought thither : In which , the Noble Leriano ( for so was the compassionate Gentleman called ) louingly satisfide him , desiring him withall not to grieue himselfe with the thought of any thing saue health , which hee and his seruants were as carefull of as their owne . At which the vnfortunate Gentleman was somewhat more couragious , and yeelding his due thankes , thought fit to be silent , and so as much as his wounds would permit him , rested ioyfull , seeing his lost and dead hopes of recouering new life , so much bettered .

It pleased Heauen after to restore him wholly , reseruing him to other innumerable vnfortunate accidents and misfortunes ; and now within some few dayes hee vnderstood more largely from Leriano in what manner hee found him ; who told him likewise , that himselfe was a Branch of that Ancient Stocke of the Noble Perafanes de R●bera , and borne in the Royall Citie of Seuil ( Spaines Babylon ) from whence he was trauelling about certaine Law suites to the Citie and Court of Valladolid , which voyage he now more willingly deferred out of the care of his health , then vndertooke , that hee might be feasted and welcomed by his kindred and friends : Heere the vnknowne Youth was as thankefull , as contented at such true and faithfull professions , thinking now his miseries and wounds well inflicted , since by their sad occasion , they acquainted him with so worthy a friend .

Not long after , he was able to rise , but not so boldly , as to venter out of his Chamber , where hee wanted nothing to entertaine time with , or diuert Melancholly , which by fits exceedingly afflicted him : and at one time amongst the rest in Lerianos absence ( who was walked into the Towne ) falling into his sad Dumpes , and willing to beguile his fancy , he called for a Lute , ( which cunningly tuned ) with a cleere Voice and pleasing Dittie he mustered vp his lifes former passages , in the insuing Verses .

Whil'st he was yet euen in the middle of his Song , Leriano entred , but loth to interrupt him , staid , till by a scorching sigh , with which his Song had end , he knew the Musicke had wrought in him , her accustomed effect of sadnesse ; so he came neerer , where he found him laid on his bed , and his eyes distilling teares : which in vaine he sought to hide from his deare friend , who comming toward him with open armes , said ; There is no reason , gentle Sir , that from a stranger , and one that shewed so much good will as my selfe , you should conceale that griefe , which , by what now , and at other times you haue demonstrated , I conceiue to be very great : and if I , till now , haue not beene very earnest to demand the cause , you may know it was not willingly to reduce such pittifull accidents to your memory , as might happely haue endangered your health , in which you are now so forward . You must not but satisfie me , and let mee know withall , who , and whence you are : For I vow to Heauen and you , that bee it necessarie for your sake and reuenge , I will hazzard Honour , Life , and Fortune . I rest fully assured ( replide the concealed Youth . ) Noble friend Leriano , of the pure affection you haue shewed me , mouing you to saue my life , by restoring it , and giuing me the being I now enioy , which , next Heauen , I owe to your selfe ; and though the remembrance of my past disasters be most grieuous to me ; yet in respect of my engagements to your selfe , and because I would you should perceiue how much I desire to fulfill your commands , though I renue old sores , vnrip auncient wounds , I will satisfie your wish , giuing a short account of my inward thoughts , youthfull dayes , and yong imployments , as forerunners of my present stormes and shipwracke .

I cannot sufficiently expresse Leriano's gratitude , to heare his friends willingnesse to the thing he so heartily desired , and thinking each minute an Age till he began the promised Discourse , he commanded his seruants to ●●ue them , and with a cheerefull countenance and still attention gaue eare to what followeth .

My name , worthy Friend , is Gerardo : The great and famous Village of Madrid ( most worthy Mansion of our Catholike Monarks ) my loued Country , the common generall Mother of different people , and remote Nations . Neere her high-reared walles , by whose ruines her ancient strength is yet seene , is the house of my Ancestors , ennobled as well by their births , as it 's owne Antiquitie ; there was I borne , there first bred . It were needlesse to enlarge my Discourse , by recounting the tender exercises of my infancie , therefore I will begin from my yeer's of fifteene , which accomplished , I was forced to obey my Father , by accompanying him to one of the best places of Gouernment in Castile , which his Maiesty had as then newly bestowed on him . My elder Brother Leoncio went also along with vs , a valiant yong fellow of towardly hopes ; all of vs were most iocund with our Fathers new fortunes , our iourney was short , for in foure dayes we arriued , where ( according to custome ) we were solemnely welcomed . My Father tooke possession of the Gouernment , and to the general satisfaction went on in his Triennium .

This was the famous City of Tal●ora , one of the best & most populous in the Kingdome of Toledo ; whose situation is fructified with the siluer streames of gold-bearing Tagus , and makes it one of the most pleasant and delightfullest vpon all his Bankes : the Inhabitants are louing , courteous , and affable , particularly the Gentry ( of the best qualified houses of Spaine ) most worthy Pillars to so ancient a foundation .

Here ( me thought ) I was euer at home , with friends of mine owne Age and ranke : our exercises for the most part were riding , running at Buls , at the Ring , Maskes , Barryers and the like , with ( which delighting the multitude ) wee made our selues cunning practitioners . In the field , Hawking and Hunting were our sports , for both which that Country is plentifully prouided . These , & the others , that took vp our whole times , were my chiefe delights , to a heart yet vntouched by loues flames : which made me as contented , as free ; as satisfied in my selfe , as by others enuied . Yet not long could I so boast , not long was I thus ioyfull : how soone from a freeman became I a bondslaue ? From merry to melancholly ; from tractable , to the contrary ; from happy , to vnfortunate ? Sooner then I could with ( deare Leriano ) shall you heare the change . Amongst many other shewes and Triumphs we vsually had , one drew neere , appointed by our Citie in honour and commemoration of the blessed Virgin Maries happy Nuptials , much celebrated throughout all Castile , at which time , an infinite number of common people , and great concourse of Gentry resort thither , as well from the Court and the Citie of Auila , as the Imperiall Toledo , and other parts of the Kingdome . The wished day came on , being the sixe and twentieth of Aprill , duskish and cloudy , a season naturall to that Climate , or belike Phoebus knew his beames might well bee spared , where so many , so beautifull lights would appeare . We were two and thirty Gentlemen , that in seuerall colours entred the Market-place : my selfe performed the office of Stickler betwixt my Father and Brother Leoncio . The sport began , the Bulles were let loose and chased , the whole solemnitie , to the generall good liking and applause of the Spectators , ended in a well-ordered skirmish of Canes on Horsebacke , there hauing hapned no disaster or mischance at all , saue mine , which considering the state it hath now brought me too , was the greatest could arriue .

At my first passing ouer the place on horsebacke , my carelesse eyes chanced to glance at a Bay-window , ( where certaine Gentlewomen strangers were placed ) they pawsed a little as being attracted , no lesse by the noueltie , then the goodly presence : Backe I went with some other friends and Gentlemen , that I might re-enioy a suller sight of ●hose beauties , and faire and softly , as prauncingly as our Horses could pace , we drew neere , passing to and fro , with more turnes and windings , then doth a poore prisoners restlesse imagination in a loathsome dungeon . Neither had we ( thinke I ) till this time quitted the place , had not the Gentlewomen , seeing all ended , raised themselues vp to goe downe to their Coaches that attended them beneath . Heere my foundation failed , and from this instant beganne the ruines of my fiered Troy .

One there was amongst those Ladies , that till the present still masked , discouered so rare a beauty in so yong a body , that wee were all suddenly astonished . Me thought ( vnaccustomed to such brunts ) the faire creature euen tore and parted my heart , to make it part of her tender owne : For sure I am , by the effect , any one might iudge how ill I was wounded , so powerfull piercing was the soueraigne glaunce of her eyes . At her rising vp , shee approached so neere the iron window , that s●eing her lay her faire hands on the fore-part of the Bay , ● was bold to tell her , The hardnes of those barres ( faire Mistris ) is not safe , from being softned by those snowy hands , if happely they partake with the vertue of your scorching eyes , since with their rayes , you melt the most obdurate flinty-hearts .

These , and such amorous flashes , I imperfectly blundered out : she onely answered with a gracious smile , and paying our salutations with a Curtsie , followed her company .

At entring her Coach , I alighted to haue held the Boote , to which , neither her selfe , nor another Dame ( I knew since to bee her Aunt ) would by any meanes consent : onely as they entred , I passed a complement , and they returned thankes . I asked them whence they were ? They told me of Auila : had it not beene for being noted , I should haue knowne their lodging , the end and limit of their Voyage . I could scarce take leaue , that Angell had so transported me : but seeing there was no remedy , was forced to patience . They were gone , and left me so amazed , that I had scarce memory to get to Horse , or to perceiue that my friends expected me . Yet vp I got , and gaue order to a seruant , to watch where the Coach stopped , and to learn truely who they were that went in it . This done , wee gaue a turne about the ioyful City , though the distemper , ( caused by the late accident , I felt within me ) made me weary of my friends irkesome company , of whom ( faining my selfe not well ) I tooke leaue . By the time I got home it was night ; so I shifted cloathes , and ( my minde brooking no delaies ) went into the street , and Senabria with me , so was the seruant priuy to my secrets , called ; him I willed to direct me to the house of my beloued stranger , and likewise to tell mee what hee had heard of her qualitie : who said , she lay in one of the richest mens houses in the Citie , whose Neece she was , and that she , who accompanied her in the Coach , was her Aunt , that they were within two dayes vpon a iourney of Deuotion , to the Monasterie of Guadalupe . So that now thinking I had relation enough for my purpose , I would needs fetch a turne in the street , hoping that the very sight of those walles that concealed my Sun from mee , might giue me some comfort . But one of my neerest friends preuented mee , who hearing I was not well , came to visit me : wee straight saluted , imbracing , as if 〈◊〉 long time wee had not seene each other . Hee wondred at the noueltie , and hauing power of commanding friendship on his part , soone forced from mee the cause of my malady .

Fernando ( so was my best friend called ) was glad in his soule , that my sicknesse was no other then what I made knowne ; and indeuour with his best perswasions to diuert me from my purpose , telling me by what I had let him know of the sudden departure of those Dames , how small hope there was to obtaine my desire . But finding me fixed , it behooued him to giue way : so together wee went to the street and house of which Senabria had informed me ; and passing vnder the windowes , I might see at one of them , being the lower-most , the North-Starre that guided mee ; her eyes contending to giue light with those rayes that shewed in the still night : She and another Dame of like stature , and ( in likelihood ) yeeres , were discoursing together : that partie was knowne by Fernando , to be Francisca , Daughter to Segundo Octauio , owner of the house , whose qualitie was before mentioned .

Faine would I at the instant haue spoken ; but Fernando thought it not fit too suddenly to affright the game ; so wee drew neerer by degrees , onely so long , till we thought wee might be discouered by the Moones light : and they seeing vs make a stand , would haue broken off their Discourse , clapped to the windowes , and retired , had not Fernando ( as hauing more freedome ) stayed them , by saying , Let not our boldnesse ( hauing so good a discharge as the ●ight of your beauties ) interrupt your pleasing Conference ; or if this may not serue for an excuse , you may punish vs , as you would houshold seruants .

Francisca , a little frighted , thus answered ; If it were lawfull for vs to make longer stay , wee should not greatly complaine of your boldnesse ; the rather , since your humilitie hath thus satisfide ; onely the growing late , makes vs of force retire . Nay , but said I ( remouing with this occasion ) you cannot but leaue vs doubtfull of your displeasure , which I shall esteeme as my greatest vnhappinesse .