such But to return the Clouds who had now shak'd their droping Wings withdrew The dismal Curtain furl'd up and Heaven show'd a smiling Countenance as if a Sacrifice of so many Lives had asswag'd its hungry fury Eolus sounded a retreat to the raving Winds who grumbling retir'd to their hated Prison and Neptune reliev'd from his old Disturber slept as if the past toils had forc'd him to a Peace The joyful Birds came fluttering from their Nests sprung through the Air and trod the Boughs again then Sung and mounting spread their matted Wings In fine every thing seem'd at liberty but Sirena my grief for what I had seen sunk my Soul into a demi-trance and left me not the power to move I consider'd the quality of that inconstant Element the Cause of Winds and Rains how far Chance the gods and Nature shar'd in what befel us and if Heaven which we paint all Goodness and Mercy could have a hand in the destruction of so many Creatures which it self had made or took a certain pleasure in the punishment of Offenders whose Actions were so inconsiderable and seemingly below the notice of the Almighty Mind Thus my Soul travers'd a Labyrinth of mysterious Problems my Reason exerted its Power and almost shook off the Yoak of Imposition searching into the truth of things which believ'd bring no ill consequences if not a real happiness and if rejected or discredited give Nature her sway and set the World loose break the hinges of humane Society and set up an Insurance Office for Villanies and Bloodshed At last Night approach'd and I was oblig'd to abandon my solitary Tent. But oh kind Heavens how was I surpris'd when on the Sand two Shipwrackt Bodies lay in fast embraces lockt as if the dead Clay had retain'd a perfect remembrance of that Union which was between their Souls Coming nearer their Cloaths inform'd me they were of Quality and I stood sometime motionless and gaz'd upon the moving Object where the ruines of so many Beauties so sweet appear'd you 'd thought death had been a gentle sleep and cruel Waves been soft as Summer dews In this juncture the Duke who had dreaded the effects of the past Storm appear'd and tho' naturally hardy and of a rough disposition his Soul melted at the sight and his Eyes confess'd the trouble of his Mind He presently order'd his Servants to convey the dead to his House and having seated our selves in the Coach drove straight home Some hours after one of my Maids came running into my Closet and with gladness told me that the Lady whom I found on the shoar was yet alive that her Soul was loath to abandon so fair a body and they had some hopes of her recovery But the Man was lost beyond redemption for not one sign or Symptom of coming Life appear'd This news banish'd that grief which had lately possest me for the unfortunate Fair and I flew between hopes and fears to give that assistance in my power When I enter'd the sick one lifted up her Eyes look'd fix'dly upon every Object mov'd her Lips as if she had strove to speak then sigh'd and fainting shut them both again The Dutchess us'd her utmost Art and drove back the posting Soul when almost gone But having spent the greatest part of the Night in this Charitable Imployment we withdrew leaving the care of our Charming guest to my Mother's Maids and mine The joyful Birds had scarce usher'd in the coming day when I arose I had dreamt of this unfortunate fair One all Night and my wishes for her safety became the imployment of my anxious Soul Nor did I Petition Heaven in vain for when I enter'd the Room she mo'vd her Head from the Bed and in an almost-dying accent begg'd Pardon for that trouble she had given me thank'd me for my assistance then ask'd me the place and time in which I found her if I had seen her Husband on the Shoar for now all her fears were for him and if he was lost no Art no Argument or Cause could save her Life her Soul was incorporate and mix'd with his and both should wander in the other World if not united there like Bodies here That tenderness her loss inspir'd drew Tears from my Eyes and I faintly answer'd I had seen none such that she alone had reach'd that part of the Shoar where I had been but that orders should be given to enquire of all the straggling Shepherds and watchful Fishermen for him she wanted that Heaven no doubt had preserv'd him and she would soon be happy The distress'd Fair One sigh'd conjur'd me to use my utmost diligence in the search and to remember her life depended on the success In the mean time the Duke order'd the dead Body to be interr'd according to the custom of our Country where nothing was wanting which Quality have bestow'd upon them as the last mark of Honour For by that account which the Fair One gave of him we perfectly knew him for her Husband The Dutchess whose grief upon this occasion was in nothing inferiour to mine advis'd me to acquaint the ignorant Widow with her state to prevent a double pain which the certain knowledge of her Circumstances would doubtless give I obey'd and in the Evening enter'd her Chamber with a Golden Cross beset with â—mall Diamonds in my hand The mourning Fair no sooner espy'd me than starting she cry'd is he alive Has he sent me this pledge which has cost me so many Tears Am I happy Or must I dye Tears rush'd into my Eyes and sudden grief deny'd me the use of Words I stood some minutes silent and at last confess'd him dead At this unwelcome sound the unhappy Fair with a Countenance pale as death leant her declining Head upon the Pillow lifted up her hands and cry'd O! Unhappy Delia thou hast lost and then fainted I apply'd those Remedies commonly us'd on such occasions and by the force of Spirits deny'd a flight to hers Oh Gods when she lifted up her Eyes again how my Soul sorrowed for her So dying Roses covered o're with dew look gay and fresh and tempting to the sight yet move the Heart because their sweets are flying Ah! Madam cry'd she Pardon this undecent but just grief let not my Tears disturb your Peace for a few hours will give me rest for ever My Soul murmurs at its tedious imprisonment rouzes and shakes it self beneath this load of Clay longs to be gone and flutters in its Cage 't is now a traveller wrapt in contemplation surveys the happy state of separate Beings Chalks out the way to Heaven through open Air and longs and seeks Valentio as it mounts Oh my Husband Oh unfortunate surviving Delia This said she sigh'd as if her heaving Breasts had prest her rising Soul and I now a sharer in her sufferings wept and in my silence exprest the pains that rackt my easie Heart She who amidst her own troubles forgot not mine conjur'd me to
Resolutions found she lov'd him more than ever When she retir'd to her Closet to consult her Judgment what to do e're she was aware she writ him this Answer Erinthus DAnger adds to Pleasure and Fears endear the Blessing when enjoy'd Meet me in your Coach to morrow's Night precisely at eight in the King's walk beyond the Garden E e. The happy young Man receiv'd it and fail'd not to obey When the hour came he appear'd upon the place with all the longings of a Lover as yet he saw not one Woman there and was almost assur'd of a disappointment when a lovely Youth approach'd his Chariot Erinthus believ'd him sent from the Dutchess and bid the Coach-man stop and you may think him happily surpris'd when he found the handsom Youth was no other than the Dutchess of Entheon The Duke shortly after by chance drove the same way and as he past Eriphile gave him a low Bow as other strangers did You may assure your self they stay'd not long in the Walk there were greater sweets to be found in a Bed-Chamber than in the open Fields and they forgot all those hazards they had lately past At ten they parted and the Dutchess got home with all that ease and security she desir'd Her two faithful Maids stood at the Gate to receive her and as she enter'd inform'd her that Entheon was at home that he had enquir'd after her but that they had told him she was indispos'd and begg'd his Grace's pardon Had Fortune continued this kindness all had been well but Albisinda you 'll confess 't was hard that e're she had fairly enter'd the Room and ready to undress the impatient Duke knock'd at the Door Eriphile with a Voice seemingly faint askt who it was and knowing too soon that 't was the Duke you may easily think she was startl'd with the sudden apprehension of her danger But not so confus'd as to neglect her own safety she told his Grace she was so very ill she could not yet come to the Door without difficulty Entheon who lov'd her to distraction fear'd that her indisposition might indeed be dangerous and unable to live one minute from her sight gently forc'd it open and found her in the same dress in which she had bless'd her Lover her Wig and Sword lay obvious on the Table and not one sign of indisposition appear'd The great Entheon became dumb with sorrow and the charming Eriphile knew not what to say for her self At last the Duke broke silence and calmly but with trouble told her That if she was not really sick she ought to have been so seeing his Honour had again been stab'd and hers was truly dead This generous Man Albisinda said no more he lov'd her even yet and griev'd her weakness He ey'd her a while and in spite of all his Courage his Heart melted But willing to hide his softness he feign'd another Passion show'd anger in his looks and yet in Tears withdrew When he was gone Eriphile threw her self upon the Bed wept her own Misfortune and wish'd she could yet be sensible of Entheon's merit and when with pain she view'd him noble as when first he saw her Erinthus leapt between her and the lovely form and she could think of nothing else but him In the mean time the Duke sent for the Earl of Cisala and acquainted him with all that past since that Night she and Fidelia went to the Play-house The old Man was infinitely surpris'd with what he heard and thankt him for that moderation he had shown in an affair where so many provoking causes were given and told him that Eriphile's Education had ne're taught her to dishonour his House and again bless'd him for not exposing to the World the disgrace of his seduc'd Daughter Eriphile yet lay upon the Bed and was perfectly mad with grief when she saw her Husband and her Father enter She was too in that dress which betray'd the Secret and weeping as she rose to receive them Ah my Lord said she to Cisala I own my guilt load me not with reproaches but rob me of my Life for I deserve not to live since I 've dishonour'd you and wrong'd so good a Husband Oh Entheon continued she I cannot ask forgivness you have been too kind and I too ingrateful yet e're I dye let me receive your Pardon Whether she truly repented or not Albisinda is not to be doubted for she ne're saw Entheon but she lov'd him But when he and Erinthus were both absent her Heart inclin'd to the latter and own'd him much the happier Man But Madam why should I detain you longer upon this Adventure since I 've already promis'd a speedy Conclusion In a word then the Duke lov'd too well and she was too charming Her new dress gave her a thousand Graces expos'd the tenderness and delicacy of her shape and show'd so much of softness in her Air 't was enough to have charm'd the most insensible of Human Kind for even when in the Grove she lay and show'd by chance what else had been conceal'd her Limbs appear'd not to the vanquish'd Youth with half those Beauties which he now discover'd Cisala too interceded for her and 't was morally impossible for the Duke not to be reconcil'd to so fair an offender Things being thus setled they liv'd for some time in a seeming Union How far their Hearts were engag'd in this peace I shall not offer to determine but by what has follow'd it appears the Dutchess kept not to Articles on her side Erinthus it seems had too many Charms to be with ease forgot and even in Entheon's Arms she sigh'd and wish'd for him The Duke some Months after was oblig'd to go into the Country where he stay'd a considerable time He trusted much to Eriphile's Promises and confident of her future conduct left her with that ease and peace of mind which happy Husbands know of virtuous Wives possess'd In his absence 't was impossible for Eriphile to be constant to her Vows Erinthus attacqu'd her with Letters and all the Arts of a cunning Lover knowing that where a Woman once has yielded 't is rarely found she can deny again In a word the Lover was again happy and the witty fair Eriphile again was faulty The continued absence of Entheon gave them all that security they could desire and frequent meetings made the Crime at last so obvious that all the World took notice on 't Every Servant in the House knew it and tho' they lov'd the Dutchess yet hated the happy Lover He often stay'd all Night and 't is known that two of the Maids at a certain time peeping throw the Key-hole saw them in Bed together the Curtain at foot being open and next morning could perceive the marks of impious Love and signs of Honour lost Nay the Intrigue grew so notorious that Erinthus's Friends enquir'd for him no where but at the Duke of Entheon's and Fidelia one day before many witnesses by way of
was that mov'd your anger and I rely upon your goodness only for a pardon I could for ever think on the innocent Pleasures of that day in which you mention'd the Story in Pharamond your obliging Compliment and that discovery of my flame which immediatly follow'd the Encouragement The remembrance of these things make me truly Melancholy and I am forc'd to end Oh Albisinda I 'll say no more then but if you can remember the Man who has often subscrib'd himself Marcomire FINIS LOVE AFTER ENJOYMENT OR FATAL CONSTANCY Written by Mr. D. Cr rd Gent. LONDON Printed for Job Austin in Fleet-Street and sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster 1700. LOVE after ENJOYMENT c. Timandra to the Charming Sirena Madam THE few Accidents afforded in the History of my Life or rather my Love are such as modesty sometimes forbids me the recital and assure your self that were it not I had a more than common esteem of her who lays this Command upon me I should no doubt conceal a great part of what I design to write But the promise you have made me of a return in the same kind prevails most upon me this I am easily induc'd to confess because you know me naturally curious in Affairs of Love and I 'm perswaded the number of your Adorers has render'd you the Mistress of a great many Adventures I am not accustomed to write Letters of this length and therefore I cannot hope to avoid Tautologies nor can I produce the story in due form because in the first place my Judgment may be often disorder'd with the Remembrance of Pleasures past in the second my memory can't answer the design of an Historian nor a Man of Monsieur Scuddery's Imployment My Style will be purely natural and every thing deliver'd in the same dress and with as little of Art as if you had the Story immediately from my Mouth without Premeditation MY Father Marquess of Huayna dy'd in the fourth year of my Age I remember some things of his Burial but nothing else that concern'd him He left me all the Estate he had having none but my self to succeed him I shall pass over in silence my Education and whatever Accidents might happen in our Family and tell you that I was in a very few years taken notice of by all the Young Gentlemen in the City of Capac where I then resided and whether it was the effect of that small Beauty I possess or the largeness of my Fortune I shall not determine But before I had reach'd my twelfth Year I cou'd see several sigh for me I was yet so very Young that I scarce believ'd any such Passion as Love had been incident to Mortals I had never felt it my self and consequently laugh'd at all those who told me they cou'd Die for me I liv'd at ease and only felt those Cares Which wait on Mortals in their younger Years I view'd securely men in Tempests tost Saw unconcern'd the busie Mortals lost Laugh'd at the Hurricane and scorn'd all care Shrink'd up in quiet cause I was not there Ah happy time if then our Bliss we knew When from a-far the distant World we view We dwell with lovely Innocence and Joy Nor feel those Passions which our ease Destroy Know no dissembling Arts nor dream of Love To which in Riper Age so soon we move But ah this Charming Scene posts quick away And a long Night succeeds the short-liv'd Day Unlook't for ills our rowling Years pursue Ages of Pain our hours of Pleasure few And still old troubles giving way to new He who first found out the way to please me was one whom Nature meant for the undoing of our Sex To see him and not to love him were things inconsistent He was second Son to the Earl of Rucana his eldest Brother being then abroad and not having for some years acquainted his Relations with the place of his abode the young Adrastus for that 's his Name was look'd upon by all the Ladies in Town as the sole Heir of so ancient a Family he was Handsome to a wonder of good Shapes did every thing with a singular Grace was mighty Complaisant and knew perfectly how to please the greatest Criticks in matter of Gallantry He had easie access to our House his Father was something related to my Mother and being a Widdower had made some advances in Courtship to her the better to introduce his Son whom he design'd for me upon this small Relation the young Adrastus pretended a more than common Interest in our Family He very often came to see me and wou'd sometimes stay the best part of the Day my Mother was pleas'd to see him desirous of my Company she was perfectly in Love with the Father and forgot nothing that conduc'd to the happiness of his Son the old Man assuring her 't was the greatest Mark she cou'd give him of her Affection she commended the young Lover upon all occasions whose bewitching behaviour was enough to move the most insensible I seem'd to hear her however with indifferency and often gave her those Answers that suited nothing with my real thoughts This made her often despair of making me sensible for a Man she design'd her Son at any rate and therefore at last perswaded the then innocent Adrastus who hitherto had never spoke of Love to me to try his Fortune himself He often observ'd me very cold towards him tho' it proceeded from nothing but that tenderness I had for him because I was afraid he might perceive it and fears much how to set about it he doubts a perpetual Banishment might ensue upon a Discovery of this Nature And this he argu'd from my precedent seeming Aversion while he yet remain'd in a state of Friendship and often let slip those opportunities which made for his Advantage This vex'd me sensibly and I cou'd have wish'd him less fearful for I knew he lov'd or my self more indifferent However being hourly in my Company he was at last inspir'd with more Courage and one day as we were in a Balcony that hung over the Garden Wall I chanc'd to Commend a row of Cypress Trees then next our view as the most pleasant because of a Grove at one end full of curious Springs and some Artificial Water-works he laid hold of this tho' he had neglected better occasions and looking confus'dly upon me Madam said he I have often observ'd your choice of this Walk which methinks is the most solitary in the Garden those I hated a few Months ago but of late the most retir'd places best fit my humour and I cou'd wish your Inclinations to 'em had the same cause with that of mine Here he stopt and I believe equally fear'd my taking notice of what he had said and my neglecting on 't I soon perceiv'd his aim and willing to make him believe I did not I know not said I looking coldly upon him what may be the cause of your Melancholy nor have I hitherto
distress For six Months had scarce elaps'd when my Husband began to droop sigh when he lookt upon me frequent the solitary Walks and languish under a Disease unknown This gave me a thousand Fears I lov'd as when first the Priest saluted me a Wife and wish'd me happy in a marry'd State and that melancholy which possest my dear Valentio became Epidemick the Servants lookt like Ghosts of Men and I seem'd the reverse of Woman or something on this side or beyond Humanity my curl'd Locks hang'd loosely in the Air no smiles adorn'd my brow my Beauties fled and Love seem'd just a dying A thousand times I askt the Cause and with Tears in my Eyes conjur'd him to lay open his Heart to hide none of his thoughts from Delia whose very Soul he knew devoted his that if he lov'd me not why would he not tell me so and make me happy when he meant me ill for the killing sound would reach my fore-boding Heart and like sudden Thunder fright and strike me dead He still swore he lov'd me that his melancholy proceeded from some indisposition of his Body and begg'd I 'd inquire no further into the Cause with Tears in my Eyes I left him and all my looks spoke my Soul uneasie In the mean time my poor Valentio became a shadow his Heart was in perpetual agitation and heav'd his anxious Breast as if the mighty secret had struggl'd for a Vent I observ'd this with incredible Pain and us'd all the arts which Love inspir'd to extract the hidden Mystery At last when even Nature you 'd thought nodded as if the Globe would have slipt through her Fingers and crush'd our sleeping Antipodes as in Bed we lay I urg'd my griefs again bid him remember how I still had lov'd the joys of that Night when smiling Hymen gave his wish'd consent how I lay fainting in his Arms sick with pleasure yet willing to advance his and wellcoming the new Joy whose fierceness almost drown'd me how eagerly he graspt me how he prest my Lips and set my Soul on fire when past flames had half consum'd its strength He who now consider'd how constantly I shar'd in all his wishes melted into Love laid aside the Heart of stubborn Man took me in his Arms sigh'd and cry'd Ah Delia I am ruin'd Thou undone And curst Valentio is the cause of all 'T is needless Madam to repeat what follow'd besides my strength at present tells me I must be concise He inform'd me of what had past between him and Arates before the Marriage that his Creditors were become uneasie that his Friends had abandon'd him because he had acted in that affair without consent or advice and nothing could secure him but a speedy flight I believ'd my self miserable fall'n low from the height of happiness and spent the tedious Night in Tears while he whose cares were equal to my own conjur'd me by that Love I bore him to undergo patiently that load of Poverty to which his indiscretion had brought me to forget the scenes of past Loves and to rely upon Arates who could not chuse but relent for a return of Fortune Love was the cause and the Crime was easily pardon'd the weight of his griefs lessned the sense of my own and the throbbings of his opprest Heart stunn'd my Soul almost into a Lethargy I embrac'd him a thousand times swore the possession of his Heart repay'd the loss of Wealth and I 'd show the Courage of an Amazon under my new Misfortune begg'd he 'd tender his own safety and remember that when Valentio dy'd his Delia too was lost At last the unwelcome Day appear'd and the afflicted youth seem'd plung'd in an abyss of Despair O gods How often he did clasp me in his Arms gaze upon me and sigh as if he would have sunk into Eternity his rack'd Soul shook his tender frame and in the labour forc'd Tears from his eyes which the manly Youth strove to hide and tost in a Sea of o'rewhelming cares remov'd the signs of weakness from my sight Then starting from my embraces he 'd cry must I leave my Delia Must I be damn'd to the boundless pains of an eternal Banishment Oh can I abandon Heaven in view And shut my self for ever from the joys of Paradise Oh my Guardian Angel take me once more into thy Bosom give a new life to my fainting Heart and teach me to forget my past happiness or at least to be insensible of my coming torment hush my warring Soul to rest and let me dream no more of what I 'm doom'd to suffer But ah my Delia My all Thou better part of divided Valentio I must leave thee the curse of Poverty drives me from thy Arms and the jealous gods have envy'd my past happiness I must wander from my self for if I retain my strength of judgment I carry Hell about me But sure my kind Memory won't in this exigency forsake me she 'll stand the first shock of Fortune's Malice and prompt me on to madness awake me from a Lethargy of sorrow and by presenting thee to my view give a new edge to my Afflictions divide Valentio from the Husband and oppress me with a double load send me raving into the other World cursing my Stars my Fortune nay the gods but most of all my self yet blessing thee In this afflicting juncture my Courage fail'd me I saw misery before me and thought my self already contemn'd and trampl'd upon by every Fool whose Fortune not Merit had bestow'd upon him a larger stock of Wealth than mine for Virtue when o'reclouded with Poverty gains no esteem and he that 's poor may speak like an Oracle yet unregarded while the rich whose wit will hardly allow him the title of a Man speaks weighty Sentences is aplauded by cringing fawning Knaves and bubl'd into a Love of his own ignorance Poor Valentio read my thoughts in my Eyes and after a deep sigh that exprest sorrow to the life he fell into a new Delirium exclaim'd against just Heaven and wish'd for Thunder from the gods incens'd to drive his tortur'd Soul unto the shades that the Centre would open and swallow down his Body or falling Mountains hide his guilty Head Then reflecting on what he had said he begg'd Heaven's pardon for himself and protection for his weeping Delia took me into his Arms laid my Head to his beating Heart and conjur'd me in the name of all the gods to forgive him to Love him much or else forget him soon Now divine Sirena let me drop the Curtain and hide a Scene so moving that my frighted Soul starts at the view We lov'd and parted and let that express the whole When he was gone my cares for him increas'd I had forgot a thousand things I had to say to him nor could I tell to what Country he design'd to commit himself My Uncle by Nature cruel smil'd at my misery and I had no comfort but the Tears of my Servants of that