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Incognita; or, Love and Duty Reconcil'd by William Congreve
page 37 of 65 (56%)
Poggio Imperiale for a couple of fine led Horses which he had left there
with the rest of his Train at his entrance into Florence. Mounted on
these and every way well Equipt, they took their way, attended only by
two Lacqueys, toward the Church di Santa Croce, before which they were to
perform their Exercises of Chivalry. Hippolito wore upon his Helm a
large Plume of Crimson Feathers, in the midst of which was artificially
placed Leonora's Handkerchief. His Armour was gilt, and enammell'd with
Green and Crimson. Aurelian was not so happy as to wear any token to
recommend him to the notice of his Mistress, so had only a Plume of Sky-
colour and White Feathers, suitable to his Armour, which was Silver
enammelled with Azure. I shall not describe the Habits of any other
Cavaliers, or of the Ladies; let it suffice to tell the Reader they were
all very Fine and very Glorious, and let him dress them in what is most
agreeable to his own Fancy.

Our Gallants entred the Lists, and having made their Obeysance to his
Highness, turned round to salute and view the Company. The Scaffold was
circular, so that there was no end of the Delightful Prospect. It seem'd
a Glory of Beauty which shone around the admiring Beholders. Our Lovers
soon perceived the Stars which were to Rule their Destiny, which sparkled
a lustre beyond all the inferiour Constellations, and seem'd like two
Suns to distribute Light to all the Planets in that Heavenly Sphere.
Leonora knew her Slave by his Badge and blushed till the Lilies and Roses
in her cheeks had resemblance to the Plume of Crimson and White
Handkerchief in Hippolito's Crest. He made her a low bow, and reined his
Horse back with an extraordinary Grace, into a respectful retreat.
Aurelian saw his Angel, his beautiful Incognita, and had no other way to
make himself known to her, but by saluting and bowing to her after the
Spanish mode; she guess'd him by it to be her new Servant Hippolito, and
signified her apprehension, by making him a more particular and obliging
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