Yes, Sire, replied Nasica, resolutely, your Highness can only offer me a guilty Passion, and I would incur your utmost Displeasure, I would die, rather than condescend to it. Judge yourself, Sire, whether I have not Cause to be alarmed. But no, my Fears are too hasty. The great Zeokinizul is too just and generous to harbour a Thought of disgracing a Family which has always served him with Zeal and Honour, and it was merely to try his Subject, that he has demean'd himself to offer such Discourse to her. Immediately making a respectful Courtesy, she returned to the Circle of the Ladies.
Zeokinizul, was not a little piqued at the Manner in which Nasica had received the Declaration of his Love. He expected that Modesty and Reservedness would have been her only Defence, and that, at least, she would have spared reproaching him with such disagreeable Truths. After having for a long Time watched all Opportunities of seeing and speaking to her, finding himself disappointed and rejected, he lost all Patience, so as not to care whether his Addresses to her were heard by the whole Court, or not. One Day, as she was talking with the Ladies of Honour in the Queen's Anti-Chamber, he came to her. A proper Respect made them all withdraw, and the Monarch laid hold of this Occasion to renew his Protestations. But all his ardent Entreaties had no more Success than his first Declaration. Nasica's Modesty disengaged her with Honour from so delicate a Situation. Zeokinizul admired her Constancy, and tho' he despair'd of ever gaining her, yet he could not prevail upon himself to give over seeing her.
In the mean Time, the young Bassa's Resentment began to subside, and he became sensible, that what he had mistaken for Indifference, was only Love disguised and agitated with the most cruel Disquietude for the Fate of his dear Nasica. This State of Anxiety grew insupportable, he would be informed of the Truth at any Rate, and being at a Loss whom to trust, since the most faithful of his Slaves had fail'd of reaching Nasica's House, he resolv'd to go thither in Person. All the Dangers which he ran in disobeying his Sovereign's Orders, were too weak a Check for his Passion, and he set out with a Willingness to perish, provided he could once more throw himself at the Feet of the Object of his Love. After many Hazards of being known and stopp'd, tho' under a Disguise, he happily arrived at Kofir.
But after a few Days employ'd in contriving Means for an Interview with his Mistress, whom he had informed of his Arrival, by a Letter convey'd to her by an old Governess, which contain'd a Vindication of himself as well as his Surprise at her Behaviour, he was known, and immediately surrounded by the Spies, placed by the King to watch him, and whose Diligence was to be highly rewarded. He stood upon his Defence, but being over-power'd, he was carried to one of the Court Prisons. Zeokinizul, whose Passion had stifled his natural Sentiments of Humanity, was pleased to hear that his Rival lay in Chains. His Disobedience to the Royal Orders afforded a specious Pretence for putting him to Death, and the King's Heart was immediately inclined to such a cruel Expedient; but how was he struck, when Nasica, being inform'd of the dreadful Condition of her Lover, threw herself at his Feet all in Tears, conjuring him that the same Stroke might put an End to both their unfortunate Lives. Let him live, Sire, cried she, mournfully, or order that Death may unite us both in the Grave. If your Highness be offended at the Refusal of my Heart, it was no longer mine, Love having disposed of it in Favour of the unhappy Bassa, who is now to fall your Victim. But his Views were honourable, nor were mine less innocent. Let your Highness pronounce the Decree of his Destiny, mine is inseperably annexed to it whatever it be.