This Princess being born in a Country where the Religion of _Suesi_ is
directed by the _Pepa_, who stiles himself the Sovereign Arbitrator of
it, had imbibed a strong Prepossession for what in the Kingdom of the
_Kofirans_ is called Bigotry, or misplaced Devotion. The Customs and
religious Notions of this Nation, which were more free and rational than
in the Country of this Princess, had been a Constraint upon her
Inclination, without lessening her mistaken Austerity. It was on this
Side, that _Jeflur_ spread his Snares. He placed near the Queen a
_Dervise_, one of those sly finished Villains, who, being Masters of the
execrable Art of giving Sin an Appearance of Sanctity, instruct the
great ones, whose Favour they purchase at the most infamous Rate, how to
Sin without Guilt. This Traytor perform'd his Commission according to
_Jeflur_'s Desire. He was continually fomenting in the Heart of his over
pious Sovereign, the Excesses and fanatical Rants of his Order. He dwelt
on the inconceiveable Sweetness of an Intimacy with _Suesi_, who was
ever ready to communicate himself to such Souls as detach'd themselves
from sensual Pleasures. He magnified the great Merit of Fastings,
Prayers, and Austerities; and when he had rooted these Things in the
Heart of his credulous Proselyte, he proceeded to declare to her, that
Chastity was a Virtue absolutely necessary to merit the divine Favours;
strongly insisting, that this Chastity must be so refined and
abstracted, as not to be awed, or seduced by human Engagements. The
unhappy Queen, misled by the pathetic Discourse, and the feigned Piety
of the _Dervise_, greedily swallowed the Poison he was administring. She
passed whole Days and Nights in Prayer, and the Austerities of a false
Devotion, according to the Instructions of her infamous Director. Nor
was it long, before she attain'd the Height of that superstitious
Chastity which he required of her, and, imagining there was no stopping
in a Course which was to end so gloriously, she formed a Resolution,
in order to devote herself with the greater Fervour and Purity to the