and proftrating himfelf before the Emperor, If nothing, O facred Ruler of the Muffulmen, faid he, prevents your commanding the Death of this Offender, but the Promife you have made him, that while you live he shall not die, let him be ftrangled while you fleep.

Sleep is a Privation of Life, and thus may you execute your Pleafure without Breach of Faith. Solyman was charm'd with this Sophiftry, took the Advice of his Counsellor; and the fame Night the Execution was performed.

I SHOULD never wifh for the Grandeurs of the Porte, faid Camilla, fince one is so liable to pay for them fo dear, but nothing is more amazing to me, than that these Mo. riarchs have any Subjects. It is not in the Ottoman Court alone, replied Urania, that high Fortunes are to be fear'd; we have the Examples of the Falls of Favourites in almoft all the Kingdoms of the Universe.

TRUE, faid Florinda, and to live without Fear, 'tis highly neceffary to be without Ambition: but for those who are favour'd by their Mafter, they cannot be too circumfpect. There muft not be the leaft Ground for Accufation; and 'tis not to be wonder'd at,. that when Princes raise their Subjects for no other Reason shan their own partial Indulgence, they should on the aft falfe Step as fuddenly remove them.

THAT makes good my Argument, refumed Thela→ mont, that a Prince cannot be guilty of a greater Weak nefs, than to give Pofts of Trust to thofe whofe Fidelity he has not experienced, A Subject fhould be proved before he be rewarded; and when it is otherwise, it, for the inoft Part, becomes dangerous to the one, and fatal to the other; and fometimes involves the whole Kingdom in Confufion.There are many Reflections one might be capable of making on this Theme; but I perceive, by the Silence of the Ladies, that Repose ould at this Time be more agreeable than a long Converfation. With thefe Words, taking Leave of the Company, every one retired to their own Apartment, preparing themselves, by the Refreshment which Sleep af ford, for the Amufements of the enfuing Day.

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TWELFTH DAY.

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ELICIA rifing fomething more early than ordinary, went into the Garden, where the found Florinda walking in a melancholy posture; they both adjourn'& to the Chamber of Uranic, who being

yet in Bed, defired they would fit down by her, glad of this Opportunity to ask Florinda fome Questions which he thought it improper to do when the Company was all together. Explain to us my dear Florinda, faid he, the Motive which made you fpeak in the Manner you did Yefterday, on the Difficulty of Anding a faithful Heart. A Woman of your Wit fpeal s nothing without a Meaning, and the tender Friendship I have for you, gives me a Curiofity of which I am not Mifrefs; I am certain you are very dear to Felicia, and I believe he is enough fo to you, to give her this Proof of your Confidence.

Ir is neither the want of Confidence nor Friendship, reply'd the, blufhing, which has obliged me thus long to make a Mystery of my Misfortunes: But there are fome Particulars which one conceals from one's Friends, only because one would wish to be ignorant of the

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ene's felf.--When we find our Glory interested in the Secret, we chufe rather to fuffer in Silence than recont what will redound to our Dishonour; and such is the Nature of the Affair you would have me reveal: Eut to let you fee my Friendship is abfolutely without reierve, I will inform you of that which none but Ca milla has the leaft Notion of. Impute not the. Difcovery I am about to make, however, to Want of Refolution, nor to the Indifcretion which efcap'd me Vefterday, nor to your Perfuafions to Day, but my Inclinations to let you into it.-A Dream which I have had this Night, and which renews my Misfortunes, made me reiolve to feek from you that Consolation which all other Remedies have fail'd to give me.

THESE Expreffions fo movingly deliver'd, augment ed the Impatience of Urania; and because he would have no Interruption in what fhe fo much defir'd to know, fhe prayed Thelamont, who came that Moment into the Room, to go and entertain the reft of the Company, while fhe heard the Adventures of Florinda. This tender Hufband, who thought no Employment ffweet as that which was obliging to his charming Wife, departed that Moment, only charging her in a gallant Manner, not to fwear to Florinda an inviolable Secrecy, for he expected not to be depriv'd of the Pleafure of knowing their Entertainment. Florinda made him a confenting Nod; and as foon as he was gone, Urania and Felicia renewed their Entreaties that fhe would begin her Recital. There is little in it worth your Attention, replied that amiable Lady, except the Pains it will give me to find Words to excufe my Faults. The two Friends eafily perceiv'd the Troubles fhe was in; fhe bluff'd, the turn'd pale, fhe open'd her Mouth to fpeak, and as often fhut it again without being able to bring forth one Syllable: But after many Efforts, The at laft addrefs'd her Difcourfe to Urania, in these Terms.

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