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leaping up into her face； yet shame enforcing teares from her eyes；
with words broken and halfe confused； at last she began to deliver her
minde in this manner。
Honourable Lord； and my deerely respected Friend； being so wise a
man as you are； it is no difficult matter for you to know； what a
frayle condition is imposed both on men and women； yet （for divers
occasions） much more upon the one； then the other。 Wherefore
desertfully； in the censure of a just and upright judge； a fault of
divers conditions （in respect of the person） ought not to bee censured
with one and the same punnishment。 Beside； who will not say； that a
man or woman of poore and meane estate； having no other helpe for
maintainance； but laborious travaile of their bodies； should
worthily receive more sharpe reprehension； in yeelding to amorous
desires； or such passions as are incited by love； then a wealthy
Lady whose living relieth not on her pains or cares； neither wanteth
any thing that she can wish to have： I dare presume； that you your
selfe will allow this to be equall and just。 In which respect； I am of
the minde； that the fore…named allegations； ought to serve as a
sufficient excuse； yea； and to the advantage of her who is so
possessed； if the passions of love should over…reach her： alwayes
provided； that shee can pleade in her owne defence； the choice of a
wise and vertuous friend； answerable to her owne condition and
quality； and no way to be taxt with a servile or vile election。
These two speciall observations； allowable in my judgement； and
living now in mee； seizing on my youthfull blood and yeeres； have
found no mean inducement to love； in regard of my husbands far
distance from me； medling in the rude uncivill actions of warre；
when he should rather be at home in more sweet imployment。 You see
Sir； that these Oratours advance themselves here in your presence；
to acquaint you with the extremity of my over…commanding agony： and if
the same power hath dominion in you； which your discretion
（questionlesse） cannot be voide of； then let me entreate such advice
from you； as may rather helpe； then hinder my hopes。 Beleeve it then
for trueth Sir； that the long absence of my husband from me； the
solitary condition wherein I am left； il agreeing with the hot blood
running in my veines； and the temper of my earnest desires： have so
prevailed against my strongest resistances； that not onely so weake
a woman as I am； but any man of much more potent might； （living in
ease and idlenesse as I do） cannot withstand such continuall assaults；
having no other helpe then flesh and blood。
Nor am I so ignorant； but publike knowledge of such an error in mee；
would be reputed a shrewd taxation of honesty： whereas （on the other
side） secret carriage； and heedfull managing such amorous affaires；
may passe for currant without any reproach。 And let me tel you；
noble Count； that I repute love highly favourable to mee； by guiding
my judgement with such moderation； to make election of a wise； worthy；
and honorable friend； fit to enjoy the grace of a farre greater Lady
then I am； and the first letter of his name； is the Count D'Angiers。
For if error have not misled mine eye； as in love no Lady can be
easily deceived： for person； perfections； and all parts most to bee
commended in a man； the whole Realme of France containeth not your
equall。 Observe beside； how forward Fortune sheweth her selfe to us
both in this case； you to bee destitute of a wife； as I am of an
husband； for I account him as dead to me； when he denies me the duties
belonging to a wife。 Wherefore； in regard of the unfained affection
I beare you； and compassion which you ought to have of a Royall
Princesse； even almost sicke to death for your sake； I earnestly
entreat you； not to deny mee your loving society； but pittying my
youth and fiery affections （never to be quenched but by your
kindnesse） I may enjoy my hearts desire。
As shee uttered these words； the teares streamed aboundantly downe
her faire cheekes； preventing her of any further speech： so that
dejecting her head into her bosome； overcome with the predominance
of her passions； she fell upon the Counts knee； whereas else shee
had falne uppon the ground。 When he； like a loyall and most honourable
man； sharpely reprehended her fond and idle love： And when shee
would have embraced him about the necke to have kissed him； he
repulsed her roughly from him； protesting upon his honourable
reputation； that rather then hee would so wrong his Lord and
Maister； he would endure a thousand deaths。
The Ladie seeing her desire disappointed； and her fond expectation
utterly frustrated： grew instantly forgetfull of her intemperate love；
and falling into extremity of rage； converted her former gentle and
loving speeches； into this harsh and ruder language。 Villaine （quoth
she） shall the longing comforts of my life； be abridged by thy base
and scornefull deniall？ Shall my destruction be wrought by thy most
currish unkindenesse； and all my hoped joyes be defeated in a
moment？ Know Slave； that I did not so earnestly desire thy sweete
embracements before； but now as deadly I hate and despise them；
which either thy death or banishment shall deerely pay for。 No
sooner had she thus spoken； but tearing her haire； and renting her
garments in peeces； she ranne about like a distracted Woman； crying
out alowd； Helpe； helpe； the Count D'Angiers will forcibly dishonour
mee； the lustfull Count will violate mine honour。
D'Angiers seeing this； and fearing more the malice of the
over…credulous Court； then either his owne Conscience； or any
dishonourable act by him committed； beleeving likewise； that her
slanderous accusation would be credited； above his true and
spotlesse innocency： closely he conveyed himselfe out of the Court；
making what hast he could； home to his owne house； which being too
weake for warranting his safety upon such pursuite as would be used
against him； without any further advice or counsell； he seated his two
children on horsebacke； himselfe also being but meanly mounted； thus
away thence he went to Calice。
Upon the clamour and noise of the Lady； the Courtiers quickly
flocked thither； and； as lies soone winne beleefe in hasty opinions；
upon any silly or shallow surmise： so did her accusation passe for
currant； and the Counts advancement being envied by many； made his
honest carriage （in this case） the more suspected。 In hast and madding
fury； they ran to the Counts houses； to arrest his person； and carry
him to prison： but when they could not finde him； they raced his
goodly buildings downe to the ground； and used all shamefull
violence to them。 Now； as ill newes sildome wants a speedy
Messenger； so； in lesse space then you will imagine； the King and
Dolphin heard thereof in the Campe；…and were therewith so highly
offended； that the Count had a sodaine and severe condemnation； all
his progeny being sentenced with perpetuall exile； and promises of
great and bountifull rewards； to such as could bring his body alive or
dead。
Thus the innocent Count； by his overhasty and sodaine flight； made
himselfe guilty of this foule imputation： and arriving at Callice with
his children； their poore and homely habites； hid them from being
knowne； and thence they crossed over into England； staying no where
untill hee came to London。 Before he would enter into the City； he
gave divers good advertisements to his children； but especially two
precepts above all the rest。 First； with patient soules to support the
poore condition； whereto Fortune （without any offence in him or
them） had thus dejected them。 Next； that they should have most
heedfull care； at no time to disclose from whence they came； or
whose children they were； because it extended to the perill of their
lives。 His Sonne； being named Lewes； and now about nine yeares old；
his Daughter called Violenta； and aged seaven yeares； did both observe
their fathers direction； as afterward it did sufficiently appeare。 And
because they might live in the safer securitie； hee thought it for the
best to change their names； calling his Sonne Perotto； and his
Daughter Gianetta； for thus they might best escape unknown