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 heavenly Bridegroom which had been promised her, to separate herself from the Embraces of a Spouse, to whom she was united by the most sacred Ties, and endeared by the tenderest Affection.
The young King who had been extremely uneasy for some Days at this misterious Behaviour, grew highly offended, when upon asking the Queen to comply with his Affection, he was repulsed, under the Pretence of imaginary Dispositions, from which she was known to be entirely free. However, so far from taking the Denial, it only made him more urgent; at which the Queen to free herself from what she call'd her Consort's Importunities, sent him Word, and confirm'd it herself, that an incurable Disorder had rendered her unfit for the conjugal Functions.
The Monarch was Thunderstruck at this. It threw him into such a Melancholy, that he kept his Chamber for three Days. Even Hunting, which had always been his favourite Diversion, seem'd to be banished from his Thoughts. He never appeared in the Drawing-Room, and the most distinguished Courtiers were oblig'd to put on a sorrowful Appearance whenever they approached him. Jeflur exulted at the Success of his Scheme. He brib'd one of the Lords of the Bed-Chamber, whom the King honoured with a particular Confidence, and having inform'd him what the Arrow was which had pierced the King's Heart, he made him large Promises if he could pluck it out.
Kelirieu, for so was this Lord called, readily embraced the Proposal, and sought for an Opportunity of being alone with his Master. Nor was he long without it. One Day as Zeokinizul was negligently leaning upon a Sopha, involv'd in melancholy Thoughts on the Alteration of his Spouse, the Lord came towards him, throwing himself at his Feet.