The Amours of Zeokinizul, King of the Kofirans | Page 9

she soon makes her Way to the Heart,
and since the Queen has been pleased to return me mine, which I had so
affectionately given her, I will be always upon my Guard to keep it free
and insensible.
And at the same Time he changed the Discourse, and soon after
dismissed his Confident, who was impatient till he had related his
Progress to Jeflur. The Mollak, embracing him a thousand Times, cried,
thy Services are inestimable, neither shall I be ungrateful. Liamil, Wife
to the Bassa of the same Name, is she whom you are to propose to
Zeokinizul. Kelirieu could not conceal his Surprise at her Name.
How, says he to the Minister, can you conceive that he is to be
captivated by a Person of her Age? Would your Holiness but reflect on
the Nature of Zeokinizul's Scruples. It must be some enchanting Beauty
which can transport him to commit an Infidelity which he accounts no
small Crime. And you are for seducing him by Liamil, who has as few
Charms as any Court Lady, and who, besides, is under conjugal
Engagements. How shocking will the Idea of this complicated Guilt
appear to the Prince, who cannot bear the Thoughts of a single
Infidelity? Ah! learned Mollak, you require of me what is beyond my
Power, and out of the Course of Nature. Furnish me with a proper
Instrument, let the Person to be recommended be young, gay,
handsome, and artful, and then I will be answerable for the Success.
Surely you must be very little acquainted with Zeokinizul, interrupted
the Minister, is it not apparent that this Prince, who has been used to an
antiquated Beauty, and was so excessively fond of her, will think
nothing lovely but as it resembles his Spouse? Besides, he will have no
Time to attend to the Suggestions of his Scruples. And Liamil's small
Share of Beauty will prevent any Mistrust in him. I rely more upon her

Wit than on her personal Charms, in which she has few Equals, and
that is the Talent by which I suppose she shall commence the Intrigue;
Opportunity will forward it. Besides, do you think that I am so blind to
mine own Interest, as to provide Zeokinizul with a young ambitious
Mistress, who will be for monopolizing the royal Favour, and never be
satisfied till she has grasp'd the Disposal of all Offices and Honours?
No, no, my dear Kelirieu, Liamil is the Woman for the King, 'tis she
whom you must bring him to like, if you value my Friendship, and
whose Friendship can equal mine? Any other than she would give me
too much Umbrage for me to bear with it long. There is a Bill for a
Thousand Tomans, go and receive them at the Treasury. A thousand
more shall recompense your Success.
Jeflur was quite void of true Liberality, but this Matter concerned him
too nearly to lose such a dexterous Manager, who had taken it into his
Hands, by an unseasonable Parsimony. Kelirieu appear'd the next Day
at the King's Levee, who took him into his Closet, and renewing their
last Conversation; what a feeble Remedy, says he, do you propose for
my violent Agitations! Such Sufferings as mine require something
more than Words. I know a Person, replied Kelirieu, whose
Conversation is so charming, that I am sure your Highness upon a
Tryal, will be so delighted with it, that it would recover your former
Chearfulness. The King seeming to question it, the Lord flew away to
the Queen's Apartment, to tell Liamil, that the King had sent for her.
Liamil, full of Joy, as having already been instructed, made no less
Haste thither. But how was she surprised and mortified, when
Zeokinizul, having ask'd her what she wanted, view'd her for some
Time without speaking a Word more. Tho' she was prepared to act her
Part, she could not forbear blushing, tho' more out of Spite than
Bashfulness. And as she could not presume to speak first, after staying
about a Quarter of an Hour in the Apartment, she made a low Courtesy,
and withdrew, full of Confusion and Rancour.
The Mollak, who was waiting for her Return, used his utmost to
appease her. Believe me, says he to her, Zeokinizul is smitten, only
allow him Time to get the better of some troublesome Scruples, and

every Thing will be according to our Desires. And indeed, she was
scarce out of Sight, but Zeokinizul was sorry for the cold Reception he
had given her. He blamed himself for his Incivility; and, to make her
some Amends, he went to the Queen's Apartment. Now was the critical
Instant, the decisive Moment for this Princess. Could she have
suspended her excessive Devotion to receive the King her Husband in