of making his Mistress forget the young Bassa by Presents, and other Endearments, he made Use of his Prerogative, by sending him away on an honourable Pretence. He also took sure Measures to deprive him of the melancholy Comfort of taking his Leave of her, and to prevent those two Lovers from maintaining their mutual Affections by a Correspondence of Letters, which would confirm Nasica (for so was this adorable Lady called) in rejecting his Passion. At hearing of the Bassa's Departure, her Heart immediately became a Prey to Grief, Jealousy and Resentment; and imputing his Conduct to his Indifference, she resolv'd to banish him from her Remembrance, or if this was impossible, yet, at least, she would appear to have done so. Zeokinizul, was soon informed of the disorder'd State of her Mind. Few Confidents are to be found, who can withstand the Solicitations of a King. She whom Nasica had chosen, was one of the weakest. She discover'd to the King, the Rise, Increase, and several other Circumstances of her Mistress's Love for the young Bassa, and gave him a full Account of the Grief and Resentment she had shewn at his unexpected Departure.
In order to give these Emotions Time to arrive at such a Height, as to subdue Love, Zeokinizul very carefully avoided speaking one Word to Nasica of his Passion for her. However, as often as he
happen'd to see her, he never fail'd passing a Compliment upon her Beauty, but it was always with such Calmness and Moderation, as was so far from being thought to proceed from Love, that it was only accounted a proper Complaisance in the Prince, who was willing to do Justice to such a celebrated Beauty. The young Bassa, being ignorant that his Letters were intercepted, had wrote several in so soft and persuasive a Style, as to alarm Zeokinizul, and make him redouble his Precautions to prevent any of them from falling into the Hands of those to whom they were directed. But the Confidence he had of his Mistress's Affection, not allowing him to suspect that Nasica could prove faithless, began to think that some third Person interposed in their Correspondence. After having long consider'd who could be this jealous Rival who thus deprived him of his only remaining Comfort, his Suspicions fell upon his Master. When he called to Mind the Suddenness of his being sent away in an Affair which required no such Haste, it was but too evident, and his Doubts increased to a Certainty. His whole Dangers and Misfortunes immediately presented themselves to his View. He was not ignorant that it was an unpardonable Crime to be a Rival to his Monarch, had his Love been unsuccessful; what then could be expected, when his Happiness was the sole
Obstacle to his Sovereign's Love? However, not valuing his Disgrace, provided his Mistress continued faithful, he wrote her a Letter in the most moving Terms, representing to her, that a Crown ought to come in no Competition with Love; that it was the Heart only which ought to engage a Lady, who has a true Sense of that delicate Passion; that upon this Principle he yielded the Preference to Zeokinizul, if his Love was more pure, more respectful, or more perfect than his own. This Letter was committed to an old Servant, in whom he placed the greatest Confidence; but the Misfortune was, that this Slave's good Qualities were mixed with several Vices, and particularly Drunkenness. Being come to a Place where he was to change his Horse, he resolved to rest himself a while, and empty some Bottles. This was the very Place where the Spies of his Master's Rival used to intercept his Letters. They knew by his Habit, that he belonged to the young Bassa, which was enough to make them mistrust him. They went up to him, and after some Excuses for their Freedom, invited him to drink of their Liquor. One of them offer'd to bear him Company as far as Kofir, as he was going to that City. The Slave overjoy'd at meeting with a Fellow Traveller, and relying on the Swiftness of his Horse, staid here longer than he ought. The Wine overpower'd him, and his artful
Companion plying him with Bumpers, soon disabled him from going any farther. The Sot fell asleep, his Pockets were searched, and the Letter was known by the Direction to be one of those which they were order'd to intercept. One of them immediately set out to carry it to him who had appointed the Ambuscade, and he flew to deliver it to Zeokinizul. As the young Bassa appeared to know who was his Rival, suitable Measures were to be taken, and such an Answer sent to him as might throw him into Despair, and make him abandon a Passion which was now become dangerous. That it might have the better Effect, Nasica's Hand was exactly imitated, and every discouraging Argument forcibly urged. This counterfeited Letter gave him to understand, in the Name of his Mistress, that a crowned Lover being more acceptable to her than a private Subject, she strictly commanded him never to write, or speak one Word more of his presumptuous Passion.
This little Artifice proved of very happy Consequence to Zeokinizul. The young Bassa, who had a most respectful Regard for him, thought it became him to return Contempt for Contempt. His Answer was carefully deliver'd to the King, who could not but be highly pleased that the Credulity of his Rival should promote his Love. To complete his Satisfaction, he ordered a Letter to be writ to Nasica, in
which her Lover freely exhorts her to take him for a Patern, and make another Choice. All these Batteries being so well disposed, Zeokinizul began to think of disclosing himself. He gave a Ball to his whole Court, in order to favour his Design, at which all the Ladies having an Opportunity of entertaining themselves with their favourite Diversions were highly delighted, and full of Gaiety. Nasica alone, seem'd insensible in the midst of all these Entertainments. She retired at a Distance to avoid the Conversation of the gallant Nobility. The soft Languor of her Eyes sufficiently declar'd the Sorrow of her Heart, and that the proper Person was wanting to dissipate it. Zeokinizul, chose this Time to begin his Addresses. Charming Nasica, says he, his Eyes sparkling with Love, what Disquietudes are those to which you seem to abandon yourself. Is there any Mortal so happy as to cause them? I do not think, Sire, return'd she, that what your Highness calls Disquietudes in me, can Interest you so far as to ask me the Occasion of them.—— Ah, Gods! not be interested, replied the transported Monarch, can you doubt of it, have not my Countenance, my Eyes, even my very Silence, which I have respectfully observ'd till now, have not all these informed you, that my Happiness entirely depends on your Repose and Contentment. Let not the charming Nasica be angry, continued he, perceiving,
that she heard him with Resentment, I love you indeed, but my Passion is so pure, so submissive, that it can give no just Offence to your severe Vertue. I little imagined, interrupted she, that all these splendid Entertainments of the Court concealed any Design of throwing me into such alarming Apprehensions. Alarming Apprehensions! replied the King, is it then Matter of Grief to the loveliest Person now present, that her Charms have captivated her Sovereign? Yes, Sire, replied Nasica, resolutely, your Highness can only offer me a guilty Passion, and I would incur your utmost Displeasure, I would die, rather than condescend to it. Judge yourself, Sire, whether I have not Cause to be alarmed. But no, my Fears are too hasty. The great Zeokinizul is too just and generous to harbour a Thought of disgracing a Family which has always served him with Zeal and Honour, and it was merely to try his Subject, that he has demean'd himself to offer such Discourse to her. Immediately making a respectful Courtesy, she returned to the Circle of the Ladies.
Zeokinizul, was not a little piqued at the Manner in which Nasica had received the Declaration of his Love. He expected that Modesty and Reservedness would have been her only Defence, and that, at least, she would have spared reproaching him with such disagreeable Truths. After having for a long Time watched all Opportunities
of seeing and speaking to her, finding himself disappointed and rejected, he lost all Patience, so as not to care whether his Addresses to her were heard by the whole Court, or not. One Day, as she was talking with the Ladies of Honour in the Queen's Anti-Chamber, he came to her. A proper Respect made them all withdraw, and the Monarch laid hold of this Occasion to renew his Protestations. But all his ardent Entreaties had no more Success than his first Declaration. Nasica's Modesty disengaged her with Honour from so delicate a Situation. Zeokinizul admired her Constancy, and tho' he despair'd of ever gaining her, yet he could not prevail upon himself to give over seeing her.