The Amours of Zeokinizul, King of the Kofirans Part 1

The Amours of Zeokinizul, King of the Kofirans.

by Claude Prosper Jolyot de Crebillon.

PREFACE.

_The Bookseller, who has taken upon him to print this little Work, having absolutely insisted upon my introducing it with a _Preface,_ I was unwilling to refuse him so easy a Matter; and the rather as the Omission might greatly prejudice it. He urged his Request, by saying, that a _Preface_ was no less essential to a Book, than an _Exordium_ to a Sermon. As few read the one, as listen to the other; however, if either be wanting, the Performance is defective, and, is not so much as thought worthy to be read in order to be censured. Nevertheless, what can be said with Regard to a useless Discourse? Why, really, I think, it is best to say nothing at all. This little Work places Truth in so just a Light, that no Characters are wanting to point it out. But perhaps, the real Truth may be amplified in it, and there may be Applications made of it as false as injurious. This is what ought strongly to be guarded against; and to this Purpose I sincerely declare, that I have intermix'd nothing of my own in the Amours of _Zeokinizul:_ But, like a faithful Translator, I have constantly kept close to _Krinelbol's_ Ma.n.u.script. I have related the Facts just as he himself says they were told him by the _Kofiran_ n.o.bility. This sincere Protestation, is all that I can do, In order to remove any Suspicion of Interpolations. The _Arabian_ Ma.n.u.script is still in my Possession, and if desired, shall be printed. But I own, with Concern, that it is quite beyond my Power, to procure such a Number of Types as will be requisite to give this Satisfaction; therefore, let those who are willing and equal to such an Expence, set the Printer to work. I promise to deliver him the Ma.n.u.script on Demand. I cannot help thinking, but that the Malice of the World is at its highest Pitch. Formerly People were overjoy'd at the Certainty of the Antipodes; and to hear that the Inhabitants of those Climates came nearest to us in Industry, and the Love of Arts and Sciences; and that the Sun approached to, and receded from them, as it does with Regard to us. In fine, that their Temperature, their Seasons, their Manners, and Inclinations, were the same as our own. Yet, in this my Endeavour to verify such a Resemblance, by Proofs extracted from their own History, demonstrating by notorious and certain Facts that they think and act just like ourselves, I shall be branded for an Imposture; or some, who affect to be more sharp-sighted, will suspect that under fict.i.tious Names, I have represented Persons for whom my Heart is filled with the most respectful Sentiments. Let this suffice, as the shorter a _Preface_ is the better it is liked._

THE AMOURS OF _ZEOKINIZUL_,

King of the Kofirans.

After all the Labours and Attention of our best Academicians to form just Plans, and draw complete Maps of the whole Terraqueous Globe, there are many large Empires and powerful Nations, which their Enquiries have not reached; so that they are not only ignorant of their Position, but even of their Existence. Of this Number are the vast Dominions of the King of the _Kofirans_, of which hitherto we have had not the least Idea; and which probably would ever have continued unknown to us had not an _Arabic_ Ma.n.u.script of the famous Traveller _Krinelbol_ luckily fallen into my Hands.

This ill.u.s.trious Enquirer, of whom we have several Works, which ostentatious Translators, on Account of their Excellency, have published as their own, that he might not be misled by the various geographical Descriptions of the Globe, determined to ground his Knowledge upon his own Experience. With this rational View he left _Arabia Felix_, his native Country, and travelled all over both _Asia_ and _Africa_. Always careful to take an accurate View of every Thing which was worth being seen or known, and making a judicious Collection of what was most remarkable in the Customs and History of the Countries which he visited.

But a very small Part of his Collection has reached us. That we are so unhappy as to have only mutilated and unsatisfactory Fragments of an Author of such Veracity, and in such curious Matters, must be imputed to the want of Printing in most of the eastern Nations, and the Ignorance of this Traveller's Heirs.

An Acquaintance of mine, who is extremely fond of Travelling, thinking it would be a very acceptable Present, brought me these Sheets from _Ispahan_, where they cost him twelve _Tomans_, that is between twenty and thirty Pounds Sterling. I have translated it without either diminis.h.i.+ng, augmenting, or altering it in any one Particular. Only, for the Reader's Convenience, I have expressed the Names of Posts and Dignities in our Language, which in the Original were in _Arabic_, keeping to it in the Appellations of Persons and Nations, out of regard to historical Exactness. I do not in the least claim any Thanks or Acknowledgements for my Trouble; the several Works of this Nature which I have published producing in me an habitual Pleasure of employing my Pen, for the Instruction and Entertainment of polite Readers.

Possibly the whole Universe could not afford a more tranquil, happy Kingdom than that of the _Kofirans_, would their Princes equitably sit down contented with the Honours and Prerogatives with which they were invested at their Inst.i.tution, and not falsly imagine, that their Grandeur and Glory consist in the Oppression of their Subjects; and would they be watchful to entail the Harmony and due Subordination betwixt the several Orders in their Government. Whereas for several Centuries past, they have been labouring to erect an Arbitrary Power; and the two last have taken large Steps towards this execrable End.

_Zeoteirizul_, the First of the Two, was Son to the greatest King that ever govern'd the _Kofirans_. Being scarcely eight Years old when the Crown devolv'd to him by his Father's Death, his Mother seiz'd the Reins of Government. This Princess who was a _Neitilene_ by Birth, was related to the King of _Jerebi_. Secret History relates that, prompted by her Ambition, she entered into a private Treaty with her Relation, her Husband's most inveterate Enemy, and contrived his Murder, which was unfortunately executed, to the great Loss and Grief of all true _Kofirans_. What aggravates the Guilt is, that this worthy Prince was stabb'd on the very Day of her Coronation, at a Juncture when he was giving this flagitious Wretch the highest Mark of his Affection.

No sooner was the Queen declared Regent of the Kingdom, but she bent all her Endeavours to establish her Power by protracting the King's Minority, as long as possible. She constantly amused the young Prince with Toys and Triffles; she kept him in such Awe that he trembled at her Appearance, and durst not refuse paying a blind Obedience to those whom she had placed near him. But so short-sighted is human Artifice, that what she imagined would be the Basis of her Power, was the very Thing which overthrew it. A crafty _Mollak_ having insinuated himself into her Confidence, made Use of it to gain that of the young King; and being too sagacious a Politician not to foresee what he had to fear from this enraged Woman, if he left her any Degree of Power or Opportunity of hurting him, he compelled her to leave the Kingdom in a disgraceful Manner; and by this successful Boldness, he became Master of the young King, and the Depository of his Authority. His Pride, the general Vice of his Order, made him take a Pleasure in humbling the n.o.bility. He brought all Employments to depend upon the Court, and by this Means the Persons of Quality to court the Minister's Favour, which effectually exalted the Sovereign as much above them as he himself affected in all Things to appear beneath him.

This Management soon brought upon him the Hatred of the whole Nation; but notwithstanding such a declared and general Hatred, he was succeeded by another _Mollak_. He had the same Views as his Predecessor, tho' he acted on different Maxims. And the former having succeeded in reducing the first Order nearer the second, he was for bringing them both to an Equality, and raising the third to a Level with them, by making all Employments and Dignities venial; and, without any Regard to Merit, constantly bestowing them on the highest Bidder. Thus, as the same Posts and Honours were equally attainable by the Citizen and Gentleman, there was no material Distinction betwixt them. The Government which had flourished as Monarchical, was become an absolute Despotism. And whereas the King in all important Transactions, was dependant on the a.s.sembly of the States, who were look'd upon as the Defenders and Interpreters of the Laws; both Laws and States were now only mere Phantoms, which he could raise or annihilate at his Pleasure. It is true, that this has made the King of the _Kofirans_ the most powerful Monarch in the Universe; but perhaps, it also makes the People the most miserable; tho' an abject Veneration for their Kings will not permit them to own their Slavery, or lament their Grievances.

In order to the better Understanding of what I shall relate concerning this Monarchy, it will not be an useless Digression to say something of its Foundation, and gradual Increase to that Pitch of Glory to which it was raised by the King who proceeded _Zeokinizul_.

I am apt to believe, that when the divine Missionary offered up Paradise to Men, as the Reward of their Belief and Obedience, he drew his Idea from the Country of the _Kofirans_. The many Rivers which intermix their Streams, maintain a perpetual Verdure in the Meadows; the Soil produces all Sorts of Corn, useful Herbs and Fruits; and is so well cultivated, that there are no more Woods than are necessary for Fewel and other Uses. Its exquisite Wines, are little inferior to those of _Ghinoer_; if it has but few Gold or Silver Mines, the Defect is abundantly compensated by those of Iron, Copper, Tin, and the valuable Quarries of Porcelaine, which abound throughout almost all the Provinces of this delicious Kingdom. The Women are sprightly, witty, and chearful. The Men, brave, industrious, laborious and addicted to Learning. Its Situation is so very advantageous, that it is reckoned one of Nature's Master-pieces. Its steep and lofty Clefts towards the Sea, secure this charming Country from the Invasions of the King of the Island _Alniob_.

Its Ports are numerous, but so well fortified, as to be of the greatest Advantage to the _Kofirans_. Another Side of this Country has inaccessible Mountains, as a Fence against the King of _Jerebi_, and the _Kam_ of _Vosae_. The River _Nhir_ is its Barrier against the formidable Power of the Emperor of the _Maregins_. And, lastly, many Cities of almost impregnable Strength, seem to defy the Attacks of the _Junes_ Provinces, and the _Bapasis_. Such is the Situation and Quality of the Kingdom of the _Kofirans_, being also blessed with a temperate Climate, and an healthful Air.

The People who are at present seated in this luxuriant Country, are not its original Possessors. The first Colony settled here after the Deluge, were so contented with the spontaneous Produce of its Fertility, that they forbore to cultivate and improve it. This Moderation which, since the Sin of _Sultan Adam_, has ceased to be a Virtue, so enervated their Courage, that they became slothful and timorous. The _Manoris_, tho'

their own Country, wanted for nothing, envied the more fruitful Possessions of their Neighbours, and invaded them Sword in Hand. The _Goilaus_, who at that Time inhabited it, and whose Pleasures were heightened by Liberty, made some Efforts to preserve that valuable Blessing; but being not so vigorous as the Juncture required, they were unsuccessful, and the Consequence of their Inactivity was Slavery. After some Shews of Resistance, in which their Mult.i.tudes were easily defeated by an handful of _Manoris_, they underwent the Fate of several other Nations, whom this fierce People had reduced.

However, by an Intercourse with the _Manoris_, they became sensible of their wretched and disgraceful Condition. After they had been conquer'd, they learned the Art of War from their Conquerors; who, also in a short Time, declined from the Love of Glory, and a martial Spirit, that they were no longer formidable but by their Numbers. They grew intoxicated with Luxury, and run into Extremes opposite to their original Ferosity, so as to become more despicable than those they had conquered.

It was at this Time, that the _Nodais_, the _Guernonies_, the _Duesois_, and the _Sokans_ issuing from the North of _Africa_, over-run their finest Provinces. A Body of these Barbarians fell upon the Territories of the _Goilaus_, and having forced them to share this delightful Country, settled themselves there under the Name of _Kranfs_. These new Conquerors were for some Time molested by the _Manoris_, but as Luxury had brought their flouris.h.i.+ng Empire to Decay, the _Kranfs_ forced them to desist, and remained in quiet Possession of the _Goilaus_:

I shall omit the first rude Ages, when these Conquerors train'd up to the Licentiousness of War, were under no Regulation or Law, and whose Towns, like those of other Nations, were only a confused a.s.semblage of Huts. It is true, that there were Kings among them from their first Settlement, but the Men thus dignified, were in Reality only Generals elected out of the Troops, and whose Prerogative was limited to Military Affairs. These Chiefs, whose Savageness was rather augmented by the Power with which they were invested, made no Scruple to dispatch a neighbouring Compet.i.tor with the Sword or Poison, and their History is full of unnatural Instances, of Brothers stabbing Brothers, Subjects poisoning their Sovereigns to usurp their dangerous Stations.

The Religion of _Suesi_, which the fifth of their Kings embraced, tho'

its Maxims are far from countenancing Ambition and Murder, but entirely adapted to the Welfare of Society; yet have been so perverted by the Depravity of the _Faquirs_ and the _Imans_, as to be alledged in Vindication of them, and have besides, set on Foot so many Cheats and Errors, that the holy Books, _Bileb_ and _Liegnelau_ in their Purity, as dictated by the divine Spirit to the Legislators, has been treated by them with Contempt, as mutilated and inconsistent. In Defence of their respective Notions, these People have engaged in furious Wars with each other, and out of a Zeal for Religion, have a.s.sa.s.sinated several of their Kings. The Times seem now more tranquil, and without any Apprehension of such shocking Crimes. Their Faith is very different from what it was, and the lower Sort of People, who alone adhere to the Tenets of _Suesi_, are entirely recovered from that stupid Obedience formerly paid to the _Pepa_, who, having made the World believe, that the Keys of Paradise were in his Hands, required an implicit Compliance with his Decrees, and be ready to second any Scheme of his Revenge or Ambition, with their Lives and Fortunes.

The Destruction of the Empire of the _Kofirans_, seems morally impossible in its present confirm'd State. It has. .h.i.therto withstood several violent Shocks from the Kings of _Jerebi and Alniob_, and the Emperor of the _Maregins_, who were all its professed Enemies.

Especially the King of _Alniob_, who, taking Advantage of the Frenzy of one of its Sovereigns, made such a Progress, as to wrest the Sceptre out of his Hands; but the great _Zokitarezoul_, having compelled him to renounce even the very t.i.tle, has brought all the others into Subjection so as to acknowledge his Superiority over all the Sovereigns of _Africa_. It is to this ill.u.s.trious Monarch, that the Kingdom of the _Kofirans_ owes its unparalleled Riches and Grandeur. His Courage and good Fortune have reduced all his Enemies, his Liberality and Wisdom has established Commerce, his good Sense has civilized it, and his Successors must attribute the ardent Loyalty and Love of the _Kofirans_ towards them, to the Plans and Labours of this Prince for the Happiness and Glory of his Subjects. After having driven from the Throne of _Jerebi_, a Family which had been an Enemy to his, placing one of his Grandsons on it, he died covered with Glory, and left the Crown to his great Grandson _Zeokinizul_, who is the particular Hero of this History.

This young Prince being the only Remains of a numerous Royal Family, was the Darling of the great _Zokitarezoul_, who apprehending that he might fall a Victim to the same untimely Fate which had laid so many of his Descendants in their Graves, was not wanting to secure him by all possible Precautions. Being persuaded, that the People loved him too well to suffer any Infractions of his last Disposals, he made a Will; in which he deprived the _Kam_ of _Anserol_, his Nephew, whose Ambition he dreaded, of the Regency, in Favour of the _Kam_ of _Meani_, his natural Son. The _Kam_ of _Anserol_ was highly exasperated at the Injury done him; but being the greatest Politician of his Time, he took Care that nothing should escape him at such a Crisis, which might increase the Suspicions, and consequently the Precautions of his Enemies. It was not till after the Death of _Zokitarezoul_, that he a.s.serted his Claim.

Attended by a Mult.i.tude of his Adherents, he went to the _Pemenralt_, which is a Phantom of the antient States. There feigning to submit his Destiny to the Arbitration of that ill.u.s.trious Senate, he set forth, and urged his Claim with such a persuasive Eloquence, that the whole a.s.sembly unanimously annulled a Will, which deprived him of an Honour that was his incontestable Right, and of a Trust for which he was unexceptionably qualified. This so enraged his Enemies, that they forged the vilest Scandals, in order to render him odious. They gave out, that after having poisoned the chief Persons of the royal Blood, his chief Aim was to take off his Pupil. Under pretence of such an Apprehension, they proposed that the Lady of the _Ba.s.sa_ of _Ourtavan_ should take care of the King, and taste of every kind of Food which was brought to his Table. And soon after they were not wanting to alarm the People with Reports, that his Victuals had been several Times poisoned. The great Men of the Kingdom, whose Abilities the Regent never consulted, as being himself equal to all the Difficulties of Government, enter'd into a League against him, under Pretence of Concern for _Zeokinizul_, whose Life they declar'd was in Danger. But the _Kam_ of _Anserol_, who was too vigilant to be surprized, soon discovered the Plot, and having secur'd the Leaders, he quench'd the Rebellion in the Blood of its Contrivers.

He did not give himself the Trouble of verbally refuting the Calumnies, and Invectives, with which he was daily loaded, but took Care to disprove them by his Conduct. The publick Finances had been quite exhausted, during the last Years of the great _Zokitarezoul_, and he took upon himself to restore them. It is true, that his Scheme ruined some Families; but besides that their Number was but small, and their Ruin rather owing to their inconsiderate Greediness, such a desperate Distemper could not have been well removed by a softer Remedy.

No sooner was _Zeokinizul_ of Age, but the _Kam_ delivered up to him the Government of the Kingdom, which by his Care and Munificence, was the Abode of the polite Arts, of which he had declared himself the Protector. Nay more, he induced the young King to chuse himself a Consort; and thus he refuted the base Views which his Enemies had fathered on him.

Scarce was this important Affair finished, when the _Kam_ of _Anserol_, as if this World could afford no Addition to his Glory, died suddenly, as he had always desired. His Enemies laid hold of this Circ.u.mstance, to revile him, even in his Grave. They spread a Report, that his Intention was to poison the King, by a Liquor which he was to drink along with him, but that by a fortunate Mistake of the Cups, he had fallen the Victim of his own Contrivance. The young King could not hear such atrocious Insults without Horror. He threatened the severest Punishments to any one who should dare to blacken the Character of this great Prince, and he himself never mentioned his Name but with Words of the highest Esteem, and the warmest Acknowledgment.

The joyful _Kofirans_ promised themselves, from the hopeful Inclinations of _Zeokinizul_, a Reign no less happy than the preceding; but by a Fatality, not uncommon amongst them, the young Monarch was so fond of an old _Mollak_, formerly his Tutor, of a very insinuating but hypocritical Humility, that he entirely remitted to him the whole Management of his Kingdom. This old Wretch, whose predominate Pa.s.sion was Avarice, loaded the People with Taxes. And as a War would not allow him to embezzle at will the public Treasures, he never would enter into one unless utterly impossible to be avoided. And then, with so much n.i.g.g.ardliness, and so little Conduct, that he became the Scorn both of the Generals and the Officers of State. Happy if he could have saved those vast Sums, or have expended them in a manner suitable to the Honour of the Prince, and the unbounded Zeal of his Subjects. But they were all in a short Time squandered away, among Foreigners, who made him their constant Dupe.

Indeed, the best Schemes miscarried thro' his Sordidness, and yet with all these Faults, he maintain'd his Ascendency over the Prince, so that no Courtier dared utter any Complaint against him.

_Zeokinizul_, whose whole Life was devoted to his Consort and his Hunting, of both which he was equally fond, had only the t.i.tle and Pomp of a King, for the _Mollak Jeflur_ had engrossed all the Authority, by which Means he aggrandized his Family, promoted and enriched his Creatures, and supplied the enormous Profusion of his Mistress the Princess of _Ginarkan_, Spouse to a Prince of the Blood of _Vosae_.

His selfish Love of Peace, could not, however, hinder his being involved in an unavoidable War.

_Sicidem_, grand _Kam_ of _Katenos_, among the Provinces of the _Neitilanes_, dying without Issue, the Emperor of the _Maregins_ laid Claim to his Succession. This Prince was already too powerful for the King of the _Kofirans_ not to oppose this Addition to his Greatness. And thus this ecclesiastical Statesman _Jeflur_, was brought under a Necessity of employing his Master's Troops, in order to deprive him of so rich an Inheritance. About this Time also, the Throne of _Goplone_, of which his Father-in-Law had been dispossess'd, became vacant, and _Zeokinizul_'s Honour required, that he should lay hold of this Opportunity to restore him. After a fruitless Trial of all the peaceable Ways of Bribery and Negotiation to compa.s.s his End, the _Mollak_ was at last oblig'd to order the _Kofiran_ Troops to march. The first Body marched towards the _Nhir_, to oppose the Emperor of the _Maregins_, the second towards the Kingdom of _Goplone_, to impose upon them their former Sovereign, and the third hastened into the Provinces of the _Neitilanes_, to make sure of the Dominions of _Sicidem_.

As this War was carried on only in _Zeokinizul_'s Name, and he did not personally act in it, I shall omit its various Events, in Order to come the sooner to what immediately relates to this young King. After the loss of two Battles, and a strong City taken by the _Kofirans_, the Emperor of the _Maregins_ was very glad to accept of a Peace, upon such Conditions as were alone detrimental to his Allies. As a Satisfaction to _Zeokinizul_'s Father-in-law for his Kingdom, which he relinquish'd to another, he was allowed to retain the t.i.tle of King, and was made actual Sovereign of the Province of _Reinarol_, which after his Death, was by the Treaty to be annexed to the Kingdom of the _Kofirans_, and the _Kam_ in exchange for this Cession, was invested with the Dominions of _Sicidem_. Tho' this was an advantageous Peace to the Conquerors, yet it was very short of what they might reasonably have expected, or at least, if _Zeokinizul_ was so moderate as to be contented with such small Matters, it behov'd his Minister to insist upon more important and honourable Terms. However, the Glory of his Arms, was the continual Topic to him; and this Prince by hearing of the Exploits of his Soldiers so frequently extoll'd, began to give Signs of a martial Disposition.

His Genius now display'd itself, and instead of reigning ingloriously only by a Minister, he shewed, that he would be in all Respects the King. His Courtiers, who had always with Reluctance paid Obedience to the Order of the haughty _Mollak_, applauded this generous Resolution, while the crafty _Jeflur_ had the Mortification to see, that his Ministry was going to be overturned, by the very Thing which he fancied would have prolonged it.

As this was a fatal Blow, so was he not wanting in his Endeavours to ward it off. Accordingly he set all his Springs at Work, nor minded the Guilt of any Measure if it had a promising Aspect. I question if an Instance of such an h.e.l.lish Contrivance, and so detestable a Scandal, can be found in any History. A Man to whom a whole Kingdom had committed its only Hope, a Man who had been chosen to rectify and refine the Morals of its King, endeavours by all Means to corrupt them; and, as a Return for the vast Favours received from him, he draws him in to forfeit his Innocence, the Love of his Consort, and the Esteem of his Subjects.

_Zeokinizul_, as has been said, was pa.s.sionately fond of the Queen his Spouse, which guarded him against those Irregularities which stain'd the Memory of the preceding Kings of the _Kofirans_. Yet these People being of a volatile and fickle Humour, could not think, that a settled Love afforded any Pleasure, and were continually wis.h.i.+ng that their Sovereign would commence an Intrigue with some Court Beauty. This unbecoming Wish was pretended to proceed from a Regard for the Welfare and Glory of the Nation. What, says they, shall our King always be tutor'd by _Mollaks_?

What signifies this Peace, which is only owing to the Weakness and Pusillanimity of this set of Men, for we are oppressed with Taxes as much as if we were engaged in a War with all the Powers of _Africa_?

Why does not our King shew some Spirit, and give into an Intrigue? An ambitious Mistress would break these scandalous Fetters, and when he is once his own Master, instead of this enervating Idleness, he would soon find such Work for our Forces, as would enhance our Reputation, and enlarge his Dominions.

At this Rate the _Kofirans_ used to talk, and _Jeflur_ was no stranger to it. But a clearer Insight into human Nature, made him conclude, that tho' their Wishes were answered, it would be so far from producing the desired Effect, that he laid it down as a Certainty, that a new Amour would more and more indispose _Zeokinizul_ to State Affairs, and he would quickly lay them aside as Embarasments, in order the more freely to indulge his Pa.s.sion. With this View, so far from censuring this popular Desire, tho' it had neither Religion nor Laws on its Side, he bent all his Thoughts to accomplish it.

It was not any Beauty in the Queen which had attach'd her Consort to her. For tho' she had not been one third older than himself, there was nothing in her Face to strike the Affections of a Prince constantly encircled with numberless Beauties, and whose Love they would have accounted the highest Honour. The exact Return which he made to her Duty and Tenderness, entirely flowed from this Prince's generous and grateful Temper, and from his good and religious Heart. He had such a delicate Sense of conjugal Duty, that he never fail'd shewing his Displeasure to any Courtiers, who presumed to expatiate on the Charms of some _Houris_ in his Capital, and once when _Kigenpi_, one of the _Methers_, or Lords of his Bed-Chamber began to talk to him of a Person of incomparable Beauty, he gave him no Answer, only asking him in a dry and scornful Manner, whether she was handsomer than the Queen?

This Coldness rendered it no easy Matter for the _Mollak_ to alienate the Affections of _Zeokinizul_ from the Queen. But what are Churchmen uncapable of? He changed his Measures, and determined to make the Queen an Instrument to remove from herself a Spouse who loved her most tenderly. He managed it in the following Manner.

This Princess being born in a Country where the Religion of _Suesi_ is directed by the _Pepa_, who stiles himself the Sovereign Arbitrator of it, had imbibed a strong Prepossession for what in the Kingdom of the _Kofirans_ is called Bigotry, or misplaced Devotion. The Customs and religious Notions of this Nation, which were more free and rational than in the Country of this Princess, had been a Constraint upon her Inclination, without lessening her mistaken Austerity. It was on this Side, that _Jeflur_ spread his Snares. He placed near the Queen a _Dervise_, one of those sly finished Villains, who, being Masters of the execrable Art of giving Sin an Appearance of Sanct.i.ty, instruct the great ones, whose Favour they purchase at the most infamous Rate, how to Sin without Guilt. This Traytor perform'd his Commission according to _Jeflur_'s Desire. He was continually fomenting in the Heart of his over pious Sovereign, the Excesses and fanatical Rants of his Order. He dwelt on the inconceiveable Sweetness of an Intimacy with _Suesi_, who was ever ready to communicate himself to such Souls as detach'd themselves from sensual Pleasures. He magnified the great Merit of Fastings, Prayers, and Austerities; and when he had rooted these Things in the Heart of his credulous Proselyte, he proceeded to declare to her, that Chast.i.ty was a Virtue absolutely necessary to merit the divine Favours; strongly insisting, that this Chast.i.ty must be so refined and abstracted, as not to be awed, or seduced by human Engagements. The unhappy Queen, misled by the pathetic Discourse, and the feigned Piety of the _Dervise_, greedily swallowed the Poison he was administring. She pa.s.sed whole Days and Nights in Prayer, and the Austerities of a false Devotion, according to the Instructions of her infamous Director. Nor was it long, before she attain'd the Height of that superst.i.tious Chast.i.ty which he required of her, and, imagining there was no stopping in a Course which was to end so gloriously, she formed a Resolution, in order to devote herself with the greater Fervour and Purity to the heavenly Bridegroom which had been promised her, to separate herself from the Embraces of a Spouse, to whom she was united by the most sacred Ties, and endeared by the tenderest Affection.

The young King who had been extremely uneasy for some Days at this misterious Behaviour, grew highly offended, when upon asking the Queen to comply with his Affection, he was repulsed, under the Pretence of imaginary Dispositions, from which she was known to be entirely free.

However, so far from taking the Denial, it only made him more urgent; at which the Queen to free herself from what she call'd her Consort's Importunities, sent him Word, and confirm'd it herself, that an incurable Disorder had rendered her unfit for the conjugal Functions.

The Monarch was Thunderstruck at this. It threw him into such a Melancholy, that he kept his Chamber for three Days. Even Hunting, which had always been his favourite Diversion, seem'd to be banished from his Thoughts. He never appeared in the Drawing-Room, and the most distinguished Courtiers were oblig'd to put on a sorrowful Appearance whenever they approached him. _Jeflur_ exulted at the Success of his Scheme. He brib'd one of the Lords of the Bed-Chamber, whom the King honoured with a particular Confidence, and having inform'd him what the Arrow was which had pierced the King's Heart, he made him large Promises if he could pluck it out.

_Kelirieu_, for so was this Lord called, readily embraced the Proposal, and sought for an Opportunity of being alone with his Master. Nor was he long without it. One Day as _Zeokinizul_ was negligently leaning upon a _Sopha_, involv'd in melancholy Thoughts on the Alteration of his Spouse, the Lord came towards him, throwing himself at his Feet.

Permit, said he, a faithful Subject, to presume to enquire into the Secrets of your Highness. You know, Sire, my respectful Attachment to your august Person. You also know, that your Glory and Satisfaction are dearer to me than my very Life. Vouchsafe then, Sire, to disclose to me the Cause of that Sorrow which incessantly preys upon you. Let the Heart of a faithful Servant be the Depository of all your Disquietudes.

Possibly Means may be discover'd to mitigate them.--_Kelirieu_, perceiving that his Discourse made no Impression upon the King, who indeed continued in the same Posture, without seeming to give the least Attention to it, proceeded thus. But, Sire, I see my Presumption offends you. I have lost the Confidence of my Sovereign. It is enough, let your Highness speak, and decide the Fate of a Subject, who is become hateful to himself, by being hateful to you.

The Firmness with which _Kelirieu_ p.r.o.nounced these last Words, roused the King from his Lethargy. No, my dear Friend, said he, raising him up, I still love you, and the only Reason why I do not impart my Sorrows to you, is, because they are without Remedy, and you would only have the Trouble of knowing them, without the Power of redressing them.--The Queen.--Ah! enquire no farther? I must either forfeit my everlasting Happiness, or lose the Esteem of my Subjects. But I am fully determined, there is no room for Hesitation, for I am unalterably fixed in my Choice. Withdraw, and leave me to strengthen my Resolutions.