Incognita

W >> William Congreve >> Incognita


He went into Don Mario's Garden, and walk'd round with much Caution and
Circumspection; for the Moon was then about to rise, and had already
diffused a glimmering Light, sufficient to distinguish a Man from a Tree.
By Computation now (which is a very remarkable Circumstance) Hippolito
entred this Garden near upon the same Instant, when Aurelian wandred into
the Old Monastery and found his Incognita in Distress. He was pretty
well acquainted with the Platform, and Sight of the Garden; for he had
formerly surveyed the Outside, and knew what part to make to if he should
be surpriz'd and driven to a precipitate Escape. He took his Stand
behind a well grown Bush of Myrtle, which, should the Moon shine brighter
than was required, had the Advantage to be shaded by the Indulgent Boughs
of an ancient Bay-Tree. He was delighted with the Choice he had made,
for he found a Hollow in the Myrtle, as if purposely contriv'd for the
Reception of one Person, who might undiscovered perceive all about him.
He looked upon it as a good Omen, that the Tree Consecrated to Venus was
so propitious to him in his Amorous Distress. The Consideration of that,
together with the Obligation he lay under to the Muses, for sheltering
him also with so large a Crown of Bays, had like to have set him a
Rhyming.

He was, to tell the Truth, naturally addicted to Madrigal, and we should
undoubtedly have had a small desert of Numbers to have pick'd and
Criticiz'd upon, had he not been interrupted just upon his Delivery; nay,
after the Preliminary Sigh had made Way for his Utterance. But so was
his Fortune, Don Mario was coming towards the Door at that very nick of
Time, where he met with a Priest just out of Breath, who told him that
Lorenzo was just breathing his last, and desired to know if he would come
and take his final Leave before they were to administer the Extream
Unction. Don Mario, who had been at some Difference with his Nephew, now
thought it his Duty to be reconciled to him; so calling to Leonora, who
was coming after him, he bid her go to her Devotions in the Chappel, and
told her where he was going.

He went on with the Priest, while Hippolito saw Leonora come forward,
only accompanied by her Woman. She was in an undress, and by reason of a
Melancholy visible in her Face, more Careless than usual in her Attire,
which he thought added as much as was possible to the abundance of her
Charms. He had not much Time to Contemplate this Beauteous Vision, for
she soon passed into the Garden of the Convent, leaving him Confounded
with Love, Admiration, Joy, Hope, Fear, and all the Train of Passions,
which seize upon Men in his Condition, all at once. He was so teazed
with this Variety of Torment, that he never missed the Two Hours that had
slipped away during his Automachy and Intestine Conflict. Leonora's
Return settled his Spirits, at least united them, and he had now no other
Thought but how he should present himself before her. When she calling
her Woman, bid her bolt the Garden Door on the Inside, that she might not
be Surpriz'd by her Father, if he returned through the Convent, which
done, she ordered her to bring down her Lute, and leave her to her self
in the Garden.

All this Hippolito saw and heard to his inexpressible Content, yet had he
much to do to smother his Joy, and hinder it from taking a Vent, which
would have ruined the only Opportunity of his Life. Leonora withdrew
into an Arbour so near him, that he could distinctly hear her if she
Played or Sung: Having tuned her Lute, with a Voice soft as the Breath of
Angels, she flung to it this following Air:

I.

Ah! Whither, whither shall I fly,
A poor unhappy Maid;
To hopeless Love and Misery
By my own Heart betray'd?
Not by Alexis Eyes undone,
Nor by his Charming Faithless Tongue,
Or any Practis'd Art;
Such real Ills may hope a Cure,
But the sad Pains which I endure
Proceed from fansied Smart.

II.

'Twas Fancy gave Alexis Charms,
Ere I beheld his Face:
Kind Fancy (then) could fold our Arms,
And form a soft Embrace.
But since I've seen the real Swain,
And try'd to fancy him again,
I'm by my Fancy taught,
Though 'tis a Bliss no Tongue can tell,
To have Alexis, yet 'tis Hell
To have him but in Thought.

The Song ended grieved Hippolito that it was so soon ended; and in the
Ecstacy he was then rapt, I believe he would have been satisfied to have
expired with it. He could not help Flattering himself, (though at the
same Time he checked his own Vanity) that he was the Person meant in the
Song. While he was indulging which thought, to his happy Astonishment,
he heard it encouraged by these Words:

'Unhappy Leonora (said she) how is thy poor unwary Heart misled? Whither
am I come? The false deluding Lights of an imaginary Flame, have led me,
a poor benighted Victim, to a real Fire. I burn and am consumed with
hopeless Love; those Beams in whose soft temperate warmth I wanton'd
heretofore, now flash destruction to my Soul, my Treacherous greedy Eyes
have suck'd the glaring Light, they have united all its Rays, and, like a
burning-Glass, convey'd the pointed Meteor to my Heart--Ah! Aurelian, how
quickly hast thou Conquer'd, and how quickly must thou Forsake. Oh Happy
(to me unfortunately Happy) Juliana! I am to be the subject of thy
Triumph--To thee Aurelian comes laden with the Tribute of my Heart and
Glories in the Oblation of his broken Vows.--What then, is Aurelian
False! False! alass, I know not what I say; How can he be False, or
True, or any Thing to me? What Promises did he ere make or I receive?
Sure I dream, or I am mad, and fansie it to be Love; Foolish Girl, recal
thy banish'd Reason.--Ah! would it were no more, would I could rave, sure
that would give me Ease, and rob me of the Sense of Pain; at least, among
my wandring Thoughts, I should at sometime light upon Aurelian, and
fansie him to be mine; kind Madness would flatter my poor feeble Wishes,
and sometimes tell me Aurelian is not lost--not irrecoverably--not for
ever lost.

Hippolito could hear no more, he had not Room for half his Transport.
When Leonora perceived a Man coming toward her, she fell a trembling, and
could not speak. Hippolito approached with Reverence, as to a Sacred
Shrine; when coming near enough to see her Consternation, he fell upon
his Knees.

'Behold, O Adored Leonora (said he) 'your ravished Aurelian, behold at
your Feet the Happiest of Men, be not disturb'd at my Appearance, but
think that Heaven conducted me to hear my Bliss pronounced by that dear
Mouth alone, whose breath could fill me with new Life.

Here he would have come nearer, but Leonora (scarce come to her self) was
getting up in haste to have gone away: he catch'd her Hand, and with all
the Endearments of Love and Transport pressed her stay; she was a long
time in great Confusion, at last, with many Blushes, she entreated him to
let her go where she might hide her Guilty Head, and not expose her shame
before his Eyes, since his Ears had been sufficient Witnesses of her
Crime. He begg'd pardon for his Treachery in over-hearing, and confessed
it to be a Crime he had now repeated. With a Thousand Submissions,
Entreaties, Prayers, Praises, Blessings, and passionate Expressions he
wrought upon her to stay and hear him. Here Hippolito made use of his
Rhetorick, and it proved prevailing: 'Twere tedious to tell the many
ingenious Arguments he used, with all her Nice Distinctions and
Objections. In short, he convinced her of his Passion, represented to
her the necessity they were under, of being speedy in their Resolves:
That his Father (for still he was Aurelian) would undoubtedly find him in
the Morning, and then it would be too late to Repent. She on the other
Hand, knew it was in vain to deny a Passion, which he had heard her so
frankly own; (and no doubt was very glad it was past and done;) besides
apprehending the danger of delay, and having some little Jealousies and
Fears of what Effect might be produced between the Commands of his Father
and the Beauties of Juliana; after some decent Denials, she consented to
be Conducted by him through the Garden into the Convent, where she would
prevail with her Confessor to Marry them. He was a scrupulous Old Father
whom they had to deal withal, insomuch that ere they had perswaded him,
Don Mario was returned by the Way of his own House, where missing his
Daughter, and her Woman not being able to give any farther Account of
her, than that she left her in the Garden; he concluded she was gone
again to her Devotions, and indeed he found her in the Chappel upon her
Knees with Hippolito in her hand, receiving the Father's Benediction upon
Conclusion of the Ceremony.

It would have asked a very skilful Hand, to have depicted to the Life the
Faces of those Three Persons, at Don Mario's Appearance. He that has
seen some admirable Piece of Transmutation by a Gorgon's Head, may form
to himself the most probable Idea of the Prototype. The Old Gentleman
was himself in a sort of a Wood, to find his Daughter with a Young Fellow
and a Priest, but as yet he did not know the Worst, till Hippolito and
Leonora came, and kneeling at his Feet, begg'd his Forgiveness and
Blessing as his Son and Daughter. Don Mario, instead of that, fell into
a most violent Passion, and would undoubtedly have committed some
extravagant Action, had he not been restrained, more by the Sanctity of
the Place, than the Perswasions of all the Religious, who were now come
about him. Leonora stirr'd not off her Knees all this time, but
continued begging of him that he would hear her.

'Ah! Ungrateful and Undutiful Wretch (cry'd he) 'how hast thou requited
all my Care and Tenderness of thee? Now when I might have expected some
return of Comfort, to throw thy self away upon an unknown Person, and,
for ought I know, a Villain; to me I'm sure he is a Villain, who has
robb'd me of my Treasure, my Darling Joy, and all the future Happiness of
my Life prevented. Go--go, thou now-to-be-forgotten Leonora, go and
enjoy thy unprosperous Choice; you who wanted not a Father's Counsel,
cannot need, or else will slight his Blessing.

These last Words were spoken with so much Passion and feeling Concern,
that Leonora, moved with Excess of Grief, fainted at his Feet, just as
she had caught hold to Embrace his Knees. The Old Man would have shook
her off, but Compassion and Fatherly Affection came upon him in the midst
of his Resolve, and melted him into Tears, he Embraced his Daughter in
his Arms, and wept over her, while they endeavoured to restore her
Senses.

Hippolito was in such Concern he could not speak, but was busily employed
in rubbing and chafing her Temples; when she opening her Eyes laid hold
of his Arm, and cry'd out--Oh my Aurelian--how unhappy have you made me!
With that she had again like to have fainted away, but he took her in his
Arms, and begg'd Don Mario to have some pity on his Daughter, since by
his Severity she was reduced to that Condition. The Old Man hearing his
Daughter name Aurelian, was a little revived, and began to hope Things
were in a pretty good Condition; he was perswaded to comfort her, and
having brought her wholly to her self, was content to hear her Excuse,
and in a little time was so far wrought upon as to beg Hippolito's Pardon
for the Ill Opinion he had conceived of him, and not long after gave his
Consent.

The Night was spent in this Conflict, and it was now clear Day, when Don
Mario Conducting his new Son and Daughter through the Garden, was met by
some Servants of the Marquess of Viterbo, who had been enquiring for
Donna Leonora, to know if Juliana had lately been with her; for that she
was missing from her Father's House, and no conjectures could be made of
what might become of her. Don Mario and Leonora were surprized at the
News, for he knew well enough of the Match that was design'd for Juliana;
and having enquired where the Marquess was, it was told him, That he was
gone with Don Fabio and Fabritio toward Aurelian's Lodgings. Don Mario
having assured the Servants that Juliana had not been there, dismissed
them, and advised with his Son and Daughter how they should undeceive the
Marquess and Don Fabio in their Expectations of Aurelian. Hippolito
could oftentimes scarce forbear smiling at the old Man's Contrivances who
was most deceived himself; he at length advised them to go all down
together to his Lodging, where he would present himself before his
Father, and ingenuously confess to him the truth, and he did not question
his approving of his Choice.

This was agreed to, and the Coach made ready. While they were upon their
way, Hippolito pray'd heartily that his Friend Aurelian might be at the
Lodging, to satisfie Don Mario and Leonora of his Circumstances and
Quality, when he should be obliged to discover himself. His Petitions
were granted; for Don Fabio had beset the House long before his Son was
up or Incognita awake.

Upon the arrival of Don Mario and Hippolito, they heard a great Noise and
Hubbub above Stairs, which Don Mario concluded was occasioned by their
not finding Aurelian, whom he thought he could give the best account of:
So that it was not in Hippolito's power to disswade him from going up
before to prepare his Father to receive and forgive him. While Hippolito
and Leonora were left in the Coach at the Door, he made himself known to
her, and begg'd her pardon a thousand times for continuing the deceit.
She was under some concern at first to find she was still mistaken; but
his Behaviour, and the Reasons he gave, soon reconciled him to her; his
Person was altogether as agreeable, his Estate and Quality not at all
inferiour to Aurelian's; in the mean time, the true Aurelian who had seen
his Father, begg'd leave of him to withdraw for a moment; in which time
he went into the Chamber where his Incognita was dressing her self, by
his design, in Woman's Apparel, while he was consulting with her how they
should break the matter to his Father; it happened that Don Mario came up
Stairs where the Marquess and Don Fabio were; they undoubtedly concluded
him Mad, to hear him making Apologies and Excuses for Aurelian, whom he
told them if they would promise to forgive he would present before them
immediately. The Marquess asked him if his Daughter had lain with
Leonora that Night; he answered him with another question in behalf of
Aurelian. In short, they could not understand one another, but each
thought 'tother beside himself. Don Mario was so concern'd that they
would not believe him, that he ran down Stairs and came to the Door out
of Breath, desiring Hippolito that he would come into the House quickly,
for that he could not perswade his Father but that he had already seen
and spoke to him. Hippolito by that understood that Aurelian was in the
House; so taking Leonora by the Hand, he followed Don Mario, who led him
up into the Dining-Room, where they found Aurelian upon his Knees,
begging his Father to forgive him, that he could not agree to the Choice
he had made for him, since he had already disposed of himself, and that
before he understood the designs he had for him, which was the reason
that he had hitherto concealed himself. Don Fabio knew not how to answer
him, but look'd upon the Marquess, and the Marquess upon him, as if the
Cement had been cool'd which was to have united their Families.

All was silent, and Don Mario for his part took it to be all Conjuration;
he was coming forward to present Hippolito to them, when Aurelian spying
his Friend, started from his Knees and ran to embrace him--My dear
Hippolito (said he) what happy chance has brought you hither, just at my
Necessity? Hippolito pointed to Don Mario and Leonora, and told him upon
what terms he came. Don Mario was ready to run mad, hearing him called
Hippolito, and went again to examine his Daughter. While she was
informing him of the truth, the Marquess's Servants returned with the
melancholy News that his Daughter was no where to be found. While the
Marquess and Don Fabritio were wondering at, and lamenting the Misfortune
of her loss, Hippolito came towards Don Fabio and interceded for his Son,
since the Lady perhaps had withdrawn her self out of an Aversion to the
Match. Don Fabio, though very much incens'd, yet forgot not the Respect
due to Hippolito's Quality; and by his perswasion spoke to Aurelian,
though with a stern Look and angry Voice, and asked him where he had
disposed the cause of his Disobedience, if he were worthy to see her or
no; Aurelian made answer, That he desired no more than for him to see
her; and he did not doubt a Consequence of his Approbation and
Forgiveness--Well (said Don Fabio) you are very conceited of your own
Discretion, let us see this Rarety. While Aurelian was gone in for
Incognita, the Marquess of Viterbo and Don Fabritio were taking their
leaves in great disorder for their loss and disappointment; but Don Fabio
entreated their stay a moment longer till the return of his Son. Aurelian
led Incognita into the Room veil'd, who seeing some Company there which
he had not told her of, would have gone back again. But Don Fabio came
bluntly forwards, and ere she was aware, lifted up her Veil and beheld
the Fair Incognita, differing nothing from Juliana, but in her Name. This
discovery was so extreamly surprizing and welcome, that either Joy or
Amazement had tied up the Tongues of the whole Company. Aurelian here
was most at a loss, for he knew not of his Happiness; and that which all
along prevented Juliana's confessing her self to him, was her knowing
Hippolito (for whom she took him) to be Aurelian's Friend, and she feared
if he had known her, that he would never have consented to have deprived
him of her. Juliana was the first that spoke, falling upon her Knees to
her Father, who was not enough himself to take her up. Don Fabio ran to
her, and awakened the Marquess, who then embraced her, but could not yet
speak. Fabritio and Leonora strove who should first take her in their
Arms; for Aurelian he was out of his wits for Joy, and Juliana was not
much behind him, to see how happily their Loves and Duties were
reconciled. Don Fabio embraced his Son and forgave him. The Marquess
and Fabritio gave Juliana into his hands, he received the Blessing upon
his Knees; all were over-joy'd, and Don Mario not a little proud at the
discovery of his Son-in-Law, whom Aurelian did not fail to set forth with
all the ardent Zeal and Eloquence of Friendship. Juliana and Leonora had
pleasant Discourse about their unknown and mistaken Rivalship, and it was
the Subject of a great deal of Mirth to hear Juliana relate the several
Contrivances which she had to avoid Aurelian for the sake of Hippolito.

Having diverted themselves with many Remarks upon the pleasing surprize,
they all thought it proper to attend upon the Great Duke that Morning at
the Palace, and to acquaint him with the Novelty of what had pass'd;
while, by the way, the two Young Couple entertained the Company with the
Relation of several Particulars of their Three Days Adventures.