Manley, Delarivier (c. 1670-1724)

The Secret History of Queen Zarah

London

1705

"Madam, answer'd he, if all the Passion Man can have for a Woman is not capable to justifie the Crime I committed against you, you ought to Pardon me at least, having suffer'd that for you which still fills my Soul with Grief and Confusion, tho' yet to serve you I will not spare the doing my self any Violence I am capable of; and if I have wrong'd you, I know how to punish my self for it, attempting to go."

While Salopius being sensible of the Favour he had bestow'd on Zarah so lately, resolv'd she shou'd serve his Ends in a Proposal that included as much Treachery in it as that he had transacted, and therefore purpos'd immediately to go and see her that Night in Disguise. He had not Patience to stay long, but as soon as 'twas Night he went away in such a Disguise as prov'd like that Aranio was to come in, and being come to the Apartment, he found only an Old Moor at the Door, whom he sent to Zarah to tell her a Particular Friend of her Acquaintance desired to speak with her in the Chamber of Repose; he made Choice of this Chamber as the most proper for his Design; the Old Moor innocently told her there was a Particular Friend of her Acquaintance desired to speak with her in the Chamber of Repose; Zarah hearing of this, made no Question at all but Aranio was the Man, and without farther enquiring what Kind of Man he was, or any other Consideration, she goes to the Place of Assignation: Had she made the least Reflection on the Message she cou'd not have been so deceiv'd, nor have exposed her self so easily. It was not the Custom of her Gallant to use her thus, or to see her usually in this Chamber. But those who are in Love as Zarah was, are subject to greater Oversights than these; she knew Aranio was not to see her till Late at Night, yet she apprehended nothing in this Amorous Expectation, which tantaliz'd her extreamly, and kept her in a Mortal Inquietude; whether he came or came not, there needed no Help to hurry her away when the Time drew near. Women who have been in Love will easily confess there is nothing so hard as to be prudent on such Occasions; and that the Name of their Love when expected has made them start up for Joy, and run to meet him, e'er they know whether he were come. The passionate Zarah, having given up her self to be led Blindfold where she thought Love waited for her, borrow'd Wings of that God to carry her the sooner into that Chamder where the Moor had first Conducted Salopius ; there was not any Light there, but this did not Surprize her, it not being usual to place any there when Aranio came. Our Gallant, who waited for her took her by the Hand, and led her to the farther End of the Chamber, where he was so loth to lose time for making Use of the Occasion, that embracing her with some Transport, he had almost put it out of her Power to defend herself. Zarah thinking this Action too violent to be Aranio's, began to mistrust, and having given him his Liberty till then, she did the utmost in her Power to resist him. This Resistance she made after the Kindness she exprest at the first was observ'd by Salopius, and made him then sensible he was taken for some other; so that having no Hopes to succeed any other Ways, or at least not venturing to Fortune, without further dallying he made his last Efforts, and rendred those of Zarah so useless that she lay at his Mercy. But it was not long e'er this Transported Lover had allay'd his Passion, when he wou'd have withdrawn without saying a Word: But the Lady who was resolv'd to know who had been so bold with her Honour, held him fast, and refus'd to let him go till he discover'd himself, when Salopius spoke; Madam, said he, I hope you don't Regret this happy Moment I have had, tho' I own it equal to the Hazard of my Life and Honour, both which I ventured to oblige you. At these Words Zarah trembled, partly from the Confusion of what had happen'd, and partly from the Words that were spoken, fearing lest Salopius had made a Discovery of her Intelligence; however, she resolv'd to dissemble it a little further, that he might not think she understood him in this Hurry of her Spirit. For God's Sake, whoe'er you are, answer'd she, don't continue to fright a helpless Woman, whom you have thus injur'd by Surprize! I thought, Madam, said he, with all the Softness Love cou'd inspire him with, to sooth her up for the Violence he had offer'd; I am happier than e'er you design'd me, tho' I have ever been your Lover; I am now your Slave, your devoted Salopius; accept therefore, I beseech you, Madam, the Sacrifice I here make you. Bless me! Cries Zarah, is this you, my Lord? And cou'd you find no other Way to wrest a Favour from me but this unpresidented one! Madam, answer'd he, if all the Passion Man can have for a Woman is not capable to justifie the Crime I committed against you, you ought to Pardon me at least, having suffer'd that for you which still fills my Soul with Grief and Confusion, tho' yet to serve you I will not spare the doing my self any Violence I am capable of; and if I have wrong'd you, I know how to punish my self for it, attempting to go. I should be heartily sorry, said she, so extraordinary a Person as you shou'd part with an ill Opinion of me, and that I know not how to Value your Friendship. Salopius extreamly Surpriz'd at this Answer, so full of Respect, cry'd out, I Love you, Madam, and Love you with a Passion as tender as it is lasting: And tho' I committed an Innocent Treason, it was the Power of your Charms provok'd me to it. However, I am more in Love than any Man Living, and what will become of me unless you pity me? This Dialogue continued for some Time, till Zarah recover'd her Surprize so far as to make Enquiries after what was doing afresh at Court, while Salopius was fond to discover to her all that was consulted; he told her the King resented the last Discovery so Heinously, that he was resolv'd to oblige Albania to discard her, else to forfeit his Displeasure, and so incur the Danger of being thought a Publick Enemy to the State, by Countenancing one that had Betray'd it. This Nettled Zarah so it disturbed all the Pleasure she cou'd otherwise have taken in Salopius's Company at that Time, since he was a Person so likely to be serviceable to her in her future Designs.
(I, pp. 85-94)

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At least 15 entries in the ESTC (1705, 1708, 1711, 1712, 1713, 1743, 1745, 1749).

Joseph Browne [ascribed to Delariviere Manley], The Secret History of Queen Zarah, and the Zarazians; Being a Looking-glass for In the Kingdom of Albigion. Faithfully Translated from the Italian Copy now lodg'd in the Vatican at Rome and never before Printed in any Language (Albigion [i.e. London]: Printed in the year 1705). <Link to ECCO>

06/21/2013