The Amours of Zeokinizul, King of the Kofirans - Translated from the Arabic of the famous Traveller Krinelbol by Claude Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon
page 32 of 72 (44%)
page 32 of 72 (44%)
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was as easy with Regard to her being admitted as one of the Guests. But
_Zeokinizul_ was not so indifferent about her, for he fell violently in Love with her at her first Appearance. _Lenertoula_ observed him very attentively, and artfully avoided any Steps which might give him Reason to conclude, that she was his own. The Monarch was caught in the Snare, and when she perceived the Force of his Love was equal to her Wish, she declar'd to him the Conditions on which alone she would yield herself up to his Embraces. _Zeokinizul_ could refuse her nothing. Rank, Titles, Riches, all was laid at her Feet; and _Lenertoula_ being now in no Danger of Disappointments, or at least in a Condition to support them, was under no Apprehension of her Intrigues becoming publick. This second Act of Perfidiousness in her Sisters, fill'd _Liamil_ with Rage. As she had imagined the King's Heart to be her Property by right of Prescription, she bitterly reproach'd him for his Inconstancy. But her Reign was over, for _Zeokinizul_ dismissed her coldly, without so much as even debating the Matter with her, and within a few Hours, he notified to her by one of his _Eunuchs_, that she should immediately leave the Court. This was a Step of _Lenertoula_'s Policy. This new Favourite, fearing lest her Sister, than whom none better knew the King's Temper, might lay hold of one of his soft Moments, when he could refuse nothing, to recover her Property. She objected some religious Scruples which could not be satisfied but by removing _Liamil_. This unfortunate Creature, who, after so long a Continuance in so high Favour, had nothing left but the Sorrow for losing it, and the Shame of having purchased it at the Price of her Honour, retired into a _Mosque_, where she is said to have spent the Remainder of her Life in penitential Devotions. I must, for my Part, be of Opinion, that her Grief was much greater for the Loss of her Lover, than for having ever enjoy'd him. However, tho' she had lost _Zeokinizul_'s Love, she felt his Generosity; |
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