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majestical presence, although her behaviour was easy and free, and a severe countenance, yet modest and pleasing, and great skill in the art, keeping her measures just to the notes of music, moving smoothly, evenly, easily, made her astonish all the company.
The Viceroy sent to enquire who she was, and what she was, and from whence she came, and where she lived, but the enquirer could learn nothing. But as soon as the masque was done, she was sought about for, and enquired after, but she was gone not to be heard of: whereupon many did think she was a vision, or some angel which appeared, and then vanished away;for she had done as her uncle had commanded her, which was, to convey herself as soon away as she could, covering herself close. So home they went, and her uncle was very much pleased to see the sparks of her beauty had set their tinder hearts on fire. But as they went home, she enquired of her uncle[,] of the company; pray Sir, said she, was the Duke or Duchess there?
I cannot tell, said he, for my eyes were [so] wholly taken up in observing your behaviour, that I never considered nor took notice who was there.
Who was he that first took me out to dance? said she.
I cannot tell that neither, said he, for I only took the length of your measure; and what through a fear you should be out, and dance wrong, and with joy to see you dance well, I never considered whether the man you danced with moved or no, nor what he was: but now I am so confident of you, that the next assembly I will look about, and inform you as much as I can: so home they went. But her beauty had left such stings behind it, especially in the breast[s] of the Viceroy and the Duke, that they could not rest. Neither was she free, for she had received a wound, but knew not of it; her sleeps were unsound, for they indeed were slumbers rather than sleeps; her dreams were many, and various: but her lovers, that could neither slumber nor sleep, began to search, and to make an enquiry; but none could bring tidings where she dwelt, nor who she was. But the Viceroy cast about to attain the sight of her once again; so he made a great ball, and provided a great banquet, to draw an assembly of all young ladies to his court. Whereupon her uncle understanding, told his niece she must prepare to show herself once again; for I will, said he, the next day after this ball, remove to our new house.
Sir, said she, I must have another new gown.
As many as thou wilt, said he, and as rich; besides, I will buy you jewels.
No Sir, said she, pray spare that cost, for they are only to be worn at such times of assemblies which I shall not visit often for fear I tire the courtly spectators, which delight in new faces, as they do new scenes. So her uncle left her to order herself; whodressed herself this time all in white satin, all embroidered with silver.
When her uncle saw her so dressed, now by my troth thou lookest like a Heaven stuck with stars, but thy beauty takes off the gloss of thy bravery; now, said he, you shall not go veiled, for thy beauty shall make thy way; besides, we will not go too soon, nor while they are in disorder, but when they are all placed, you will be the more prospectious. 6
But the cavaliers, especially the Duke and the Viceroy, began to be melancholy for fear she should not come; their eyes were always placed at the doors like sentinels, to watch her entrance; and when they came to the court, all the crowds of people, as in a fright, started back, as if they were surprised with some divine object, making a lane, in which she passed through; and the keepers of the doors were struck mute, there was no resistance, all was open and free to enter. But when she came in into the presence of the lords and ladies, all the men rose up, and bowed themselves to her, as if they had given her divine worship; [excepting] only the Duke, who trembled so much, occasioned by the passion of love, that he could not stir: but the Viceroy went to her.
Lady, said he,
The Viceroy sent to enquire who she was, and what she was, and from whence she came, and where she lived, but the enquirer could learn nothing. But as soon as the masque was done, she was sought about for, and enquired after, but she was gone not to be heard of: whereupon many did think she was a vision, or some angel which appeared, and then vanished away;for she had done as her uncle had commanded her, which was, to convey herself as soon away as she could, covering herself close. So home they went, and her uncle was very much pleased to see the sparks of her beauty had set their tinder hearts on fire. But as they went home, she enquired of her uncle[,] of the company; pray Sir, said she, was the Duke or Duchess there?
I cannot tell, said he, for my eyes were [so] wholly taken up in observing your behaviour, that I never considered nor took notice who was there.
Who was he that first took me out to dance? said she.
I cannot tell that neither, said he, for I only took the length of your measure; and what through a fear you should be out, and dance wrong, and with joy to see you dance well, I never considered whether the man you danced with moved or no, nor what he was: but now I am so confident of you, that the next assembly I will look about, and inform you as much as I can: so home they went. But her beauty had left such stings behind it, especially in the breast[s] of the Viceroy and the Duke, that they could not rest. Neither was she free, for she had received a wound, but knew not of it; her sleeps were unsound, for they indeed were slumbers rather than sleeps; her dreams were many, and various: but her lovers, that could neither slumber nor sleep, began to search, and to make an enquiry; but none could bring tidings where she dwelt, nor who she was. But the Viceroy cast about to attain the sight of her once again; so he made a great ball, and provided a great banquet, to draw an assembly of all young ladies to his court. Whereupon her uncle understanding, told his niece she must prepare to show herself once again; for I will, said he, the next day after this ball, remove to our new house.
Sir, said she, I must have another new gown.
As many as thou wilt, said he, and as rich; besides, I will buy you jewels.
No Sir, said she, pray spare that cost, for they are only to be worn at such times of assemblies which I shall not visit often for fear I tire the courtly spectators, which delight in new faces, as they do new scenes. So her uncle left her to order herself; whodressed herself this time all in white satin, all embroidered with silver.
When her uncle saw her so dressed, now by my troth thou lookest like a Heaven stuck with stars, but thy beauty takes off the gloss of thy bravery; now, said he, you shall not go veiled, for thy beauty shall make thy way; besides, we will not go too soon, nor while they are in disorder, but when they are all placed, you will be the more prospectious. 6
But the cavaliers, especially the Duke and the Viceroy, began to be melancholy for fear she should not come; their eyes were always placed at the doors like sentinels, to watch her entrance; and when they came to the court, all the crowds of people, as in a fright, started back, as if they were surprised with some divine object, making a lane, in which she passed through; and the keepers of the doors were struck mute, there was no resistance, all was open and free to enter. But when she came in into the presence of the lords and ladies, all the men rose up, and bowed themselves to her, as if they had given her divine worship; [excepting] only the Duke, who trembled so much, occasioned by the passion of love, that he could not stir: but the Viceroy went to her.
Lady, said he,
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