now and then seems to warn the Insolent and Ambitious. After having led her Favorites to the Altars to be worshipped like petty Deities, she afterwards drags them thither to be sacrificed like fatened Victims.
This Woman, who lately saw the most illustrious among the Kofirans cringe at her Feet, and practise the basest Submission to obtain only a single Look, now sees herself exposed to the contemptuous Insults of the very Meanest; the whole Nation combining to plant Daggers in her Heart by their Reproaches and Shouts at her Downfal. It having been whispered among the Country Folks, that Lenertoula had occasioned the King's Illness, and they being possess'd of a Notion, propagated by her Enemies, that she had been bribed to poison the King, crowded all the Roads in her Way, loading her with Curses and Invectives, threatning to tear her to Pieces, had they not thought it would be a more galling Punishment to her Pride, to let her pass on amidst the same Hisses and Outrages of their Fellows, for above eighty Leagues successively. It was next to a Miracle that she escaped with her Life, for she was put to all Manner of Shifts and Precautions to deceive these furious Clowns who vowed to revenge their King; whenever she came near any Town, she stopp'd above half a League off, whilst one of her Out-riders went before to take fresh Horses, and observe the Bye-roads, that thus she might avoid the Tumults of the Inhabitants. At last she reach'd Kofir, which she found disposed to
receive her in the same rough Manner as the Country had done. The whole Nation appeared determined against her. One Day she happened, a little indiscretely, to take the Air in her Chariot, while the Streets were full of People, who were celebrating the happy Recovery of their King with all Kinds of Sports and Rejoicings. Possibly she might flatter herself, that the easy Kofirans seeing her appear Abroad to join in the publick Festivity, would relinquish the Suspicions they had harbour'd against her. But they were too inveterate, and the Event was quite different, for had it not been for the Dexterity of her Coachman, and the Swiftness of her Horses, she had infallibly fallen a Victim to the Fury of the Populace. This hazardous Experience of their Malice, brought her to lead a Life at Kofir very different to her Inclinations, being ashamed to shew herself in any Assembly, where she must have been their Jest and Scorn, and much less daring to appear in the public Walks. When she was not shut up in her Palace, she used to amuse herself for a while in a Garden, which, tho' one of the finest in all Kofir was the least frequented. Here it was that such a mortifying Accident befel her, as exceeded all the rest, and which sensibly shewed her how low she was fallen from her former Grandeur.
It was as follows: An Officer who, tho' her Relation, had not felt the happy Influences of her Favour, because he never made himself known to her, which renders his Impoliteness, I may even say, his Brutality inexcusable,
resolving to give the finishing Stroke to her Anguish.
According to the gallant Custom of the Kofirans, he politely approached towards Lenertoula, who was taking an Evening Walk, in Company with her melancholy Sister, and wished for nothing more than for a third Person to join them, whose Chearfulness might help to dissipate the continual Gloominess of her Temper. After the first Compliments, which are not short among this ceremonious People, the Gentleman entertain'd the Ladies with the most refined Gallantry. He expressed himself in so graceful and charming a Manner, that they were both infinitely taken with his Conversation. Lenertoula, that he might talk more at Ease, desired him to sit down by her upon a Bank of Turf, and after some Questions on the Condition of his Fortune, offered him her Services, if needful, for its Improvement. This Person, of all Men the most rude and brutish, for he was insulting over the Disgrace of an unfortunate Woman, who was extremely desirous of obliging him, and had made him an Offer of an unusual Generosity. He gave her a full Answer to the first Article. "I was a general Officer in the King's Army, said he to her, where I served honourably for twenty Years. But having been injured by the Ministry, I retired to my Estate, with which and some small Marks of Distinction, which could not be denied my long Services, I live contented." "But my Lord," interrupted Lenertoula, who was for knowing
how she stood in the Thoughts of People of Quality, "I am surprized that you never address'd yourself to the Favourite, in order to obtain, by Means of her Interests, the just Reward of your Services. She took a Pleasure in countenancing Merit, and certainly such as yours would have engag'd her Favour." "I, Madam," replied the Officer, with Indignation, "should I make a Prostitute my Refuge? I am her Relation, and it is the only Blot that I know of in our Family. I am too tender in Point of Honour, to hold any Thing from the Hands of a Woman, who has so notoriously trampled it under her Feet." At this Lenertoula was indeed as one thunder-struck. She endeavoured several Times to make some Reply to this ungrateful Officer; but her Voice failed her. He left them, and her Sister was obliged to call her Slaves to lead her to her Chariot, in order to carry her back to her Palace.
Zeokinizul, in the mean Time, had crowned his Campaign, by taking the important Fortress he had besieged. His Soldiers encouraged by his Presence, had at once surmounted Nature, Art, a severe Season, and the Efforts of a numerous and brave Garison. Having now nothing to do but repose himself under his Laurels, he returned towards his Capital. Then it was that his Subjects, in an Extacy of Loyalty, were seen to prepare him a Reception answerable to their Love, and present the most affecting and pleasing Sight to the Eyes of a Monarch,
who aimed more at reigning over their Hearts, than subduing them by Fear. If the News of his Sickness had dispirited them, the News of his Approach rejoiced them. But when they came to see him, their Transports were beyond all Description, their Eyes overflowed with Tears of Joy and Affection, whilst the Sky rung with their Acclamations. How happy is such a King amidst such a People, and how formidable when he heads them against their Enemies! Zeokinizul stayed three Days at Kofir, as a Testimony of his Regard for this cordial People, who also to shew their Sense of so much Condescension, and to celebrate his Return, invented Variety of polite Entertainments. The King and People seemed to strive who should be kindest, for he gave Orders, that all the Inhabitants without Exception, should have Admittance into his Presence, that they might feast themselves with the delightful Sight which they had so affectionately desired. It is affirmed, that the Idea of his late Danger, from which he was often told, that nothing less than a Miracle delivered him, being still strong upon his Mind, he had a real Tenderness for the Queen, whom he had restored to all her Rights. They were more than once surprized in such Attitudes as clearly shewed their Reconciliation.
But how frail are Vows drawn from us only by Danger, how soon effaced by Safety and Temptation! Scarce was Zeokinizul returned to the Hurry, Brilliancy, and Diversions