第14章 The Letter.(2)

I would not have the Reader now be impertinent,and look upon this to be force,or a whim of the Author's,that a Woman should proceed so far in her Approbation of a Man whom she never saw,that it is impossible,therefore ridiculous to suppose it.Let me tell such a Critick,that he knows nothing of the Sex,if he does not know that Woman may be taken with the Character and Description of a Man,when general and extraordinary,that she may be prepossess'd with an agreeable Idea of his Person and Conversation;and though she cannot imagine his real Features,or manner of Wit,yet she has a general Notion of what is call'd a fine Gentleman,and is prepar'd to like such a one who does not disagree with that Character.Aurelian,as he bore a very fair Character,so was he extreamly deserving to make it good,which otherways might have been to his prejudice;for oftentimes,through an imprudent Indulgence to our Friends merit,we give so large a Description of his excellencies,that People make more room in their Expectation,than the Intrinsick worth of the Man will fill,which renders him so much the more despicable as there is emptyness to spare.'Tis certain,though the Women seldom find that out;for though they do not see so much in a Man as was promised,yet they will be so kind to imagine he has some hidden excellencies;which time may discover to them,so are content to allow,him a considerable share of their esteem,and take him into Favour upon Tick.Aurelian as he had good Credit,so he had a good Stock to support it,and his Person was a good promising Security for the payment of any Obligation he could lie under to the Fair Sex.

Hippolito,who at this time was our Aurelian,did not at all lessen him in appearing for him:So that although Leonora was indeed mistaken,she could not be said to be much in the wrong.I could find in my Heart to beg the Reader's pardon for this Digression,if Ithought he would be sensible of the Civility;for I promise him,I do not intend to do it again throughout the Story,though I make never so many,and though he take them never so ill.But because I began this upon a bare Supposition of his Impertinence,which might be somewhat impertinent in me to suppose,I do,and hope to make him amends by telling him,that by the time Leonora was dress'd,several Ladies of her acquaintance came to accompany her to the place designed for the Tilting,where we will leave them drinking Chocholate till 'tis time for them to go.

Our Cavaliers had by good Fortune provided themselves of two curious Suits of light Armour,finely enammelled and gilt.Hippolito had sent to Poggio Imperiale for a couple of fine led Horses which he had left there with the rest of his Train at his entrance into Florence.

Mounted on these and every way well Equipt,they took their way,attended only by two Lacqueys,toward the Church di Santa Croce,before which they were to perform their Exercises of Chivalry.

Hippolito wore upon his Helm a large Plume of Crimson Feathers,in the midst of which was artificially placed Leonora's Handkerchief.

His Armour was gilt,and enammell'd with Green and Crimson.Aurelian was not so happy as to wear any token to recommend him to the notice of his Mistress,so had only a Plume of Sky-colour and White Feathers,suitable to his Armour,which was Silver enammelled with Azure.I shall not describe the Habits of any other Cavaliers,or of the Ladies;let it suffice to tell the Reader they were all very Fine and very Glorious,and let him dress them in what is most agreeable to his own Fancy.

Our Gallants entred the Lists,and having made their Obeysance to his Highness,turned round to salute and view the Company.The Scaffold was circular,so that there was no end of the Delightful Prospect.

It seem'd a Glory of Beauty which shone around the admiring Beholders.Our Lovers soon perceived the Stars which were to Rule their Destiny,which sparkled a lustre beyond all the inferiour Constellations,and seem'd like two Suns to distribute Light to all the Planets in that Heavenly Sphere.Leonora knew her Slave by his Badge and blushed till the Lilies and Roses in her cheeks had resemblance to the Plume of Crimson and White Handkerchief in Hippolito's Crest.He made her a low bow,and reined his Horse back with an extraordinary Grace,into a respectful retreat.Aurelian saw his Angel,his beautiful Incognita,and had no other way to make himself known to her,but by saluting and bowing to her after the Spanish mode;she guess'd him by it to be her new Servant Hippolito,and signified her apprehension,by making him a more particular and obliging return,than to any of the Cavaliers who had saluted her before.

The Exercise that was to be perform'd was in general a running at the Ring;and afterwards two Cavaliers undertook to defend the Beauty of Donna Catharina,against all who would not allow her preheminence of their Mistresses.This thing was only designed for show and form,none presuming that any body would put so great an affront upon the Bride and Duke's Kinswoman,as to dispute her pretentions to the first place in the Court of Venus.But here our Cavaliers were under a mistake;for seeing a large Shield carry'd before two Knights,with a Lady painted upon it;not knowing who,but reading the Inscription which was (in large Gold Letters)Above the Insolence of Competition.