and I am uneasie wâ—en a good man is not as well understood by every body as by myself and I boast that honour here with more vanity than of any other happyness Tho I know I shall be censur'd by your lovers for saying so littlâ— where so much is due But since I write to the number that do not know you rather than those that do this will at least suffice to shew how fine a thing man can be so qualify'd and set out by nature for eternal esteem For Sir there is in you something besides the common vertues of your Sex so ingaging some Art in Nature so peculiar to your self so insinuating into the soul that there is not found any thing so dull in Human-kind as not to love Honour and value you Nor is that man born that is your Enemy no not even amongst those Phanatical dispositions whose principles and opinions are so distant from those Honest and Generous ones of yours at least they love the Man tho they raile at his notions esteem the person tho they abominate the loâ—allist nor can I reflect on the excellency of your temper but I think you born to put the ill natur'd world in to good Humour You are all ways easie without affectation merry without extravigance generous liberal and good without vanity sedate and even without constraint cheerful and calme as innocence tho the World storm and reel with mad confusion still from the serenity of your looks we read the fair weather in your mind which times or seasons can never discompose while all goes well with your King and Country You have a greatness of Soul which it seemes as if fate durst not oppress and he who is so truly magnificent within needs not trouble the World for elbow room and who is aâ—bitions of more than you possess does but purchase an empty name at the expence of his repose and sense and lessens his Glory by equalling it to a Title The Sun at noon is no wonder but to see as great an Illumination in a Star tho of the first magnitude we gaze at with admiration Title that trifle which you can command when you please and which 't is far greater to merit than to wâ—ar serves rather to render vice more apparent than to elivate the vertues â—eavâ—n has made you more truly happy and has set no blessing at too vast a distance for your reach but has subdued even all your wishes to your pow'r and left you almost nothing to ask having suted your fame and fortune to the greatness of your mind How soon at the choice of the most glorious Senate that ever blest the Land was your vallu'd name snatch'd by every glad and giving voice and made the Musick of the happy day when black exclusioners were justly damn'd from the field and only such untainted Supporters of the Royal cause thought worthy to bear apart in so glorious a Concerne as Giving Caesar his due Here Sir you appear'd in your proper sphere dispersing that darling vertue of your Soul lavishly giving generously disposing and dealing out according to your mighty mind and had the glory even of obliging a Monarch than which nothing could be a greater satisfaction to you But Sir you do all things with a perfect good grace and even business that toyle of Life you render soft and easie and as if you alone were created to manage the concernes of the World you make business your pleasure and diversion and laugh at those that fatâ—gue them selves with mighty affairs and who assume like Trincilo a dull Gravity to be esteem'd greâ—t wise and busie while you discover only the best and noblest part of business the effects of it the rest the Gentleman so handsomly conceals we perceive it no more than Fairy Huswifry which is still acted in the shades and silence of the night when Mortals are a sleep and who find all fair and clean in the morning but cannot guess at the invisible hand that did it I am so good a subject that I wish all his Majesties work done by such hands heads and heart so effectual and so faithful and than we shall fear no more Rebellions but every man shall bask securely underâ— his own Vine that has one For my part I have only escap'd fleaing by the Rebels to starve more securely in my own native Province of Pâ—etry tho I am as well pleas'd at our late Victory and the Growing Glories of my King as he that has got a Commission by it if I may have this happyness added to it of still retaining the Honour of your friendship and â—e still number'd in the Crowd of SIR Your most Oblig'd humble Seâ—vant A. B. LETTERS FROM A NOBLE MAN TO HIS SISTER The Second Part by the same Hand The ARGVMENT AT the end of the first Part of these Letters we leâ—t Philander impatiently waâ—â—ng on the Sea shore for the approach of the lovely Silvia who accordingly came to him drest like a youth to secure her self from a discovery They staid not long to caress each other but he taking the welcome Maid in his Arms with a transported joy bore her to a small Vessel that lay ready near the Beach where with only Brilljard and two Men Servants they put to Sea and past into Holland landing at the nearest Port where after having refresht themselves for two or three days they past forward towards the Brill Silvia still remaining under that amiable disguise but in their passage from Town to Town which is sometimes by Coach and other times by Boat they chanc'd one day to incounter a young Hollander of a more than Ordinary Gallantry for that Country so degenerate from good manners and almost common Civility and so far short of all the good qualities that made themselves appear in this young Noble Man He was very handsom well made well drest and very well attended and whom we will call Octavio and who young as he was was one of the States of Holland he spoke admirable good French and had a vivacity and quickness of Wit unusual with the Natives of that part of the World and almost above all the rest of his Sex Philander and Silvia having already agreed for the Cabin of the Vessel that was to carry them to the next Stage Octavio came too late to have any place there but amongst the common crow'd which the Master of the Vessel who knew him was much troubl'd at and addrest himself as civilly as he cou'd to Philander to beg permission for one Stranger of quality to dispose of himself in the Cabin for that day Phillander being well enough pleas'd so to make an acquaintance with some of power of that Country readily consented and Octavia enter'd with an address so graceful and obliging that at first sight he inclin'd Phillanders heart to a friendship with him and on the other side the lovely person of Phillander the quality that appear'd in his face and mein oblig'd
clasp him fast when he threw himself into her soft white bosom and smother him with kisses No he cou'd not bear it now and almost lost his respect when he beheld it and grew sawcy unperceiv'd And ' â—was in vain that he look'd back upon the reward he had to stand for that necessary Cypher a Husband in vain he consider'd the reasons why and the occasion wherefore he now seeks for presidents of usurp'd dominion and thinks she is his Wife and has forgot that he 's her creature and Phillanders Vâ—ssal These thoughts disturb'd him all the night and a certain jealousie or rather curiosity to listen to every motion of the Lovers Whileâ— they were imploy'd after a different manner Next day it was debated what was best to be done as to their conduct in that place or whether Silvia shou'd yet own her Sex or not but she pleas'd with the Cavalier in her self beg'd she might live under that disguise Which indeed gave her a thousand charmes to those which nature had already bestow'd on her Sex and Philander was well enough pleas'd she shou'd contiâ—ue in that agreable dress which did not only add to her beauty but gave her a thousand little Priviledges which otherwise woud have been deny'd to Women Tho in a Country of much Freedom Every day she apear'd in the Toure she fail'd not to make a conquest on some unguarded heart of the fair Sex nor was it long ere she receiv'd Billet Deux from most of the most accomplish'd who could speak and write French This gave them a pleasure in midst of their unlucky exile and she fail'd not to boast her conquests to Octavio who every day gave all his hours to Love under the disguise of Friendship and every day receiv'd new wounds both from her conversation and beauty and every day confirm'd him more in his first belief that she was a Woman and that confirm'd his Love But still he took care to hid his passion with a gallantry that was natural to him and to very few besides and he manag'd his eyes which were always full of Love so equally to both that when he was soft and fond it appear'd more his natural humour than from any particuler cause and that you may believe that all the arts of gallantry and graces of good managment were more peculiarly his than anothers his Race was illustrious being descended from that of the Princes of Orange and great birth will shine through and shew it self in spight of education and obscurity but Octavio had all those additions that render a man truly great and brave and this is the character of him that was next undone by our unfortunate and fatal Beauty At this rate for sometime they liv'd thus disguis'd under feign'd names Octavio omitting nothing that might oblige 'em in the highest degree and hardly any thing was talk'd of but the new and beautiful Strangers whose conquest in all places over the Ladys are well worthy both for their rarity and comody to be related intirely by themselves in a Novel Octavio every day saw with abundance of pleasure the little revenges of Love on those Womens hearts who had made before little conquests over him and strove by all the gay presents he made young Fillmond for so they call'd Silvia to make him appear unresistable to the Ladies and while Silvia gave them new wounds Octavio fail'd not to receive 'em too among the crow'd till at last he became a confirm'd slave to the lovely unknown and that which was yet more flrange she captivated the Men no less than the Women who often gave her Serinades under her Window with Songs fitted to the Courtship of a Boy all which added to their diversion but fortune had smil'd long enough and now grew weary of obliging she was resolved to undeceive both Sexes and let 'em see the Errors of their love for Silvia fell into a Feaver so violent that Phillander no longer hop'd for her recovery in so much that she was oblig'd to own her Sex and take Women Servants out of decency this made the first discovery of who and what they were and for which every body languisht under a secret grief But Octavio who now was not only confirm'd she was a Woman but that she was neither wife to Phillander nor cou'd in almost all possibility ever be so That she was his Mistress gave him hope that she might one day as well be conquer'd by him and he found her youth her Beauty and her quality merited all his pains of lavish Courtship And now there remains no more than the fear of her dying to oblige him immediately to a discovery of his passion too violent now by his new hope to be longer conceal'd but decency forbids he shou'd now persue the dear design he waited and made Vows for her recovery visited her and found Phillander the most deplorable object that despair and love cou'd render him who lay eternally weeping on her bed and no Counsel or perswasion cou'd remove him thence but if by chance they made him sensible 't was for her repose he wou'd depart to ease his mind by new torments he wou'd rave and tear his delicate hair sigh and weep upon Octavio's bosome and a thousand times begin to unfold the story already known to tha generous Rival despair and hopes of pitty from him made him utter all and one day when by the advice of the Physitian he was forc'd to quit the Chamber to give her rest he carried Octavio to his own and told him from the beginning all the story of his Love with the charming Silvia and with it all the story of his Fate Octavio sighing tho glad of the opportunity told him his affairs were already but too well known and that he fear'd his safety from that discovery since the States had oblig'd themselves to harbour no declar'd Enemy to the French King At this news our young unfortunate shew'd a rsentment that was so moving that even Octavio who felt a secret joy at the thoughts if his departure cou'd no longer refrain from pity and tenderness even to a wish that he were less unhappy and never to part from Silvia but soon love grew again triumphant in his heart and all he cou'd say was that he wou'd afford him the aids of all his power in this incounter which with the acknowledgments of a Lover whose life depended on it he receiv'd and parted with him who went to learn what was decreed in Councel concerning him While Phillander return'd to Silvia the most dejected Lover that ever Fate produc'd where he had not sigh'd away above an hour but he receiv'd a Billet by Octavio's Page from his Lord he went to his own apartment to read it fearing it might contain something too sad for him to be able to hold his temper at the reading of and which wou'd infallibly have dissturb'd the repose of Silvia who shar'd in every cruel thought of Phillanders when he was alone
Glory and that he thought he had never lost time but when he was a little while Constant But now he was fix'd to all he would ever possess whilst he had Breath and that she was both his Mistress and his Wife his eternal Happiness and the end of all his Loving 'T is there he said he would remain as in his first state of Innocence That hitherto his Ambition had been above his Passion but that now his Heart was so intirely subdu'd to this fair Charmer for so he call'd and thought her that he could be content to live and die in the Glory of being hers alone without wishing for Liberty or Empire but to render her more Glorious A thousand things tender and fond he said to this purpose and the result of all ended in most solemn Vows That if ever Fortune favoured him with a Crown he would fix it on her Head and make her in spight of all former Ties and Obligations Queen of France This was sufficient to appease her Sighs and Tears and she remain'd intirely satisfied of his Vows which were exchanged before Madam the Countess and confirm'd by all the binding Obligations Love on his side could invent and Ambition and Subtilty on hers When I came at any time to visit him which by stealth a-nights I sometimes did to take Orders from him how I should act in all things tho' I lay conceal'd like himself he would tell me all that had passed between him and Hermione I suppose not so much for the reposing the Secret in my Breast as out of a fond Pleasure to be relating Passages of his Doaâ—age and repeating her Name which was ever in his Mouth I saw she had reduc'd him to a great degree of Slavery and could not look tamely on while a Hero so young so gay so great and so hopeful lay idling away his precious Time without doing any thing either in order for his own Safety or Ambition 'T was my Lord a great pity to see how his noble Resolution was changed and how he was perfectly effeminated into soft Woman I indeavoured at last to rouse him from this Lethargy of Love and argued with him the little Reason that in my Opinion he had to be so charm'd I told him Hermione of all the Beauties of France was esteemed one of the meanest and that if ever she had gain'd a Conquest as many she was infamously fam'd for it was purely the force of her Youth and Quality but that now that Bloomâ— was past and she was one of those which in less quality we call'd Old At these Reproaches of his Judgment I often perceiv'd him to blush but more with Anger than Shame Yet because according to the Vogue of the Town he found there was Reason in what I said and which he could only contradict by saying however she was she appeared all otherwise to him He blam'd me a little kindly for my hard Words against her and began to swear to me he thought her all over Charm He vow'd there was absolute Fascination in her Eyes and Tongue 'T is confess'd said he she has not much of Youth nor of that which we agree to call Beauty but she has a Grace so Masculine an Air so Ravishing a Wit and Humour so absolutely made to charm that they all together sufficiently recompense for her want of Delicacy in Complexion and Feature And in a word my Tomaso cry's he imbracing me she is tho' I know not what or how a Maid that compels me to adore her she has a natural Power to please above the rest of her dull Sex and I can abate her a Face and Shape and yet vie her for Beauty with any of the celebrated ones of France I found by the manner of his saying this that he was really charm'd and past all Retrieve bewitch'd to this Lady I found it vain therefore to press him to a Separation or to lessen his Passion but on the contrary told him there was a time for all things if Fate had so ordain'd it that he must love But I besought him with all the Eloquence of perfect Duty and Friendship not to suffer his Passion to surmount his Ambition and his Reason so far as to neglect his Interest and Safety and for a little Pleasure with a Woman suffer all his Friends to perish that had woven their Fortunes with his and must stand or fall as he thriv'd I implor'd him not to cast away the Good Cause which was so far advanc'd and that yet notwithstanding this Discourse might all be retrieved by his Conduct and good Management That I knew however the King appeared in outward shew to be offended that it was yet in his Power to calm the greatest Tempest this Discovery had raised That 't was but casting himself at his Majesty's Feet and begging his Mercy by a Confession of the Truth of some part of the Matter and that it was impossible he could fail of a Pardon from so indulgent a Monarch as he had offended That there was no Action could wholly raze out of the Kings Heart that Tenderness and Passion he had ever expressed towards him and his Peace might be made with all the Facility imaginable To this he urged a very great Reluctancy and cry'd he would sooner die than by a Confession expose the Lives of his Friends and let the World see their whole Design before they had power to effâ—ct it And not only so but put it past all their Industry ever to bring so hopeful a Plot about again At this I smil'd and asking his Highness Pardon told him I was of another Opinion as most of the Heads of the Hugonots were That what he said to his Majesty in Private could never possibly be made Publick That his Majesty would content himself with the Knowledge of the Truth without caring to satisfy the World so greatly to the Prejudice of a Prince of the Blood and a Man so very dear to him as himself He urg'd the Fears this would give those of the Reformed Religion and alarm 'em with a thousand Apprehensions that it would discover every Man of 'em by unraveling the Intrigue To this I reply'd That their Fears would be very short liv'd for as soon as he had by his Submission and Confession gained his Pardon he had no more to do but to renounce all he had said leave the Court and put himself into the Protection of his Friends who were ready to receive him That he need but appear abroad a little time and he would see himself address'd to again by all of the Hugonot Party who would quickly put him into a Condition of fearing nothing My Councel with the same Perswasion from all of Quality of the Party who came to see him was at last approved of by him and he began to say a thousand things to assure me of his Fidelity to his Friends and the Faction which he vow'd never to forsake for any other Interest but to stand
in all his prosperous Course in the mean time the Royal Army was not Idle which was composed of Men very well Disciplined and conducted by several Princes and Men of great Quality and Conduct But as it is not the Business of this little History to treat of War but altogether Love leaving those rougher Relations to the Chronicles and Historiographers of those Times I will only hint on such things in this Enterprize as are most proper for my purpose and tell you that Cesario omitted nothing for the carrying on his great Design he dispersed his Scandals all over France tho' they met with an obstruction at Paris and were immediately suppress'd it being proclaim'd Death for any person to keep one in their Houses and if any should by chance come to their Hands they were on this Penalty to carry them to the Secretary of State and after the Punishment had past on Two or Three Offenders it deterred the rest from medling with those edge Tools I must tell you also that the title of King which Cesario had taken so early upon him was much against his Inclinations and he desired to see himself at the Head of a more satisfiable Army before he would take on him a Title he found in the condition he was in he should not defend but those about him insinuated into him that it was the Title that would not only make him more Venerable but would make his Cause appear more just and awful and beget him a perfect Adoration with those People who liv'd remote from Courts and had never seen that glorious thing called a King So that believing it would give Nerves to the Cause he unhappily took upon him that which ruined him for he had often sworn to the greatest part of those of any Quality of his interest That his design was Liberty only and that his end was the publick good so infinitely above his own private interest that he desired only the Honour of being the Champion for the opprest Parisians and People of France that if they would allow him to lead their Armies to fight and spend his dearest Blood for them 't was all the Glory he aim'd at 'T was this pretended Humility in a person of his high rank that first cajol'd the Mobile who look on him as their God their Deliverer and all that was sacred and dear to them but the wiser sort regarded him only as one that had most power and pretension to turn the whole Affairs of France which they disliking were willing at any Price to reduce to their own conditions and to what they desired not imagining he would have laid a claim to the Crown which many of them fancy'd themselves as capable of as himself rather that he would perhaps have set up the King of Navarr This Cesario knew and understanding their Sentiments was unwilling to hinder their joyning with him by such a Declaration which he knew would be a means to turn abundance of Hearts against him as indeed it fell out and he found himself Master of some few Towns only with an Army of Fifteen or Sixteen thousand Peasants ill Armed unus'd to War Watchings and very ill Logding in the Field very badly Victuall'd and worse Paid For from Paris no Aids of any Kind could be brought him the Roads all along being so well guarded and secured by the Royal Forces and wanting some great Persons to espouse his Quarrel made him not only dispair of Success but highly resent it of those who had given him so large promises of Aid Many as I said and most were disgusted with his Title of King but some waited the success of his first Battle which was every day expected tho' Cesario kept himself as clear of the Royal Army as he could a long time marching away as soon as they drew near hoping by these means not only to tire them out but watch an advantage when to engage but gather still more Numbers So that the greatest mischief he did was teazing the Royal Army who could never tell were to have him so dexterous he was in marching off They often came so near as to have Skirmishes with one another by small Parties where some few Men would fall on both sides And to say truth Cesario in this Expedition show'd much more of a Souldier than the Politician His Skill was great his Conduct good expert in Advantages and indfatigable in Toils And I have heard it from the Mouth of a Gentleman who in all that undertaking never was from him that in Seven or Eight Weeks that he was in Arms he never absolutely undrest himself and hardly slept an Hour in the Four and twenty and that sometimes was on his Horse's back in a Chariot or on the ground suffering even with the meanest of his Souldiers all the fatigues of the Enterprize This Gentleman told me he would in those Hours he should sleep and wherein he was not taking Measures and Councils which were always held in the Night that he would be eternally speaking to him of Hermione and that with the softest concern 't was possible for Love and tenderest Passion to express That he being the only Friend he could repose so great a weakness in and who sooth'd him to the degree he wish'd the Prince was so well pleas'd with him as to establish him a Collonel of Horse for no other merit than that of having once served Hermione and now would flatter his disease agreeably And tho' he did so he protested he was ashamed to hear how Poor this fond concern render'd this great Man and he has often pity'd what should have been else admir'd but who can tell the force of Love back'd by Charms supernatural and who is it that will not sigh at the Fate of so Illustrious a Young-man whom Love had render'd the most miserable of all those numbers he led But now the Royal Army as if they had purposly suffered him to take his Toore about the Country to Ensnare him with the more Facility had at last by new Forces that came to their assistance daily so incompas'd him that it was impossible for him to avoid any longer giving them Battle however he had the benefit of Posting himself the most advantageously that he could wish he had the rising Grounds to place his Cannon and all things concur'd to give him success His Numbers exceeding those of the Royal Army not but he would have avoided a set Battle if it had been possible till he had made himself Master of some places of stronger hold for yet as I said he had only subdued some inconsiderable places which were not able to make defence and which as soon as he was march'd out surrender'd again to their lawful Prince and pulling down his Proclamation put up those of the King but he was on all sides so embaras'd he could not come even to parly with any Town of Note so that as I said at last being as it were block'd up tho' the Royal
Philander be mercyful and let me know the worst do not be cruel while you kill do it with pity to the wretched Silvia oh let me quickly know whether you are at all or are the most impatient and unfortunate SILVIA'S I rave I dy for some Relief To Philander AS I was going to send away this enclos'd 〈◊〉 came with Two Letters oh you cannot think Philander with how much reason you call me fickle Maid for cou'd you but imagine how I am tormentingly divided how unresolv'd between violent Love and cruel Honour You would say 't were impossible to fix me any where or be the same thing for a moment together There is not ashore hour past through the swift hand of time since I was all despairing raging Love jealous fearful and impatient and now now that your fond Letters have dispers'd those Damons those tormenting Councellors and given a little respit a little tranquility to my Soul like States luxurious grown with ease it ungratefully rebells against the Soveraign power that made it great and happy and now that Traytor Honour heads the mutiners within Honour whom my late mighty fears had almost famisht and brought to nothing warm'd and reviv'd by the new protested flame makes War against Almighty Love and I who but now nobly resolved for Love by an inconstancy natural to my Sex or rather my fears am turn'd over to Honour's side So the despairing man stands on the Rivers Bank design'd to plunge into the rapid stream till coward fear seizing his timerous soul he views around once more the flow'ry Plains and looks with wishing eyes back to the Groves then sighing stops and cry's I was too rash forsakes the dangerous shore and hasts away Thus indiscreet was I was all for Love fond and undoing Love but when I saw it with full Tide flow in upon me one glance of Glorious Honour makes me again retreat I will I am resolv'd And must be brave I can't forget I'm Daughter to the great Beralti and Sister to Mertilla a yet unspotted Maid fit to produce a race of Glorious Hero's and can Philander's Love set no higher value on me than base poor prostitution is that the price of his heart Oh how I hate thee now or wou'd to Heav'n I cou'd Tell me not thou charming Beguiler that Mertilla was to blame was it a fault in her and will it be vertue in me and can I believe the crime that made her lose your heart will make me Mistress of it No if by any action of her's the noble House of the Beralti be dishonour'd by all the Actions of my Life it shall receive Additions of Luster and Glory nor will I think Mertilla's vertue lessen'd for your mistaken opinion of it and she may be as much in vain pursu'd perhaps by the Prince Caesario as Silvia shall be by the young Philander the envying world talks loud 't is true but 〈◊〉 if all were true that busie babler says ◠what Lady has her fame What Husband is not Cuckold Nay and a friend to him that made him so and 't is in vain my too subtil Brother you think to build the trophies of your Conquests on the ruine of both Mertilla's fame and mine oh how dear wou'd your inglorious passion cost the great unfortunate house of the Beralti while you poorly ruine the fame of Mertilla to make way to the heart of Silvia Remember oh remember once your Passion was as violent for Mertilla and all the Vows Oaths Protestations tears and Prayers you make and pay at my feet are but the faint repetitions the feeble eccho's of what you sigh't out at hers Nay like young Paris fled with the fair Prize your fond your eager Passion made it a Rape Oh Perfidious Let me not call it back to my remembrance Oh let me dy rather than call to mind a time so fatal when the lovely false Philander vow'd his heart his faithless heart away to any Maid but Silvia Oh let it not be possible for me to imagine his dear Arms ever grasp'd any body with joy but Silvia's And yet they did with transports of Love yes yes you lov'd by Heav'n you lov'd this false this perfidious Mertilla for false she is you lov'd her and I 'll have it so nor shall the Sister in me plead her Cause She 's false beyond all Pardon for you are beautiful as Heav'n it self can render you a shape exactly form'd not too low nor too tall but made to beget soft desire and everlasting wishes in all that look on you but your face your lovely face inclining to round large piercing languishing black eyes delicate proportion'd Nose charming dimpl'd Mouth plump red Lips inviting and swelling white Teeth small and even fine complexion and a beautiful turn all which you had an Art to order in so ingaging a manner that it charm'd all the beholders both Sexes were undone with looking on you and I have heard a witty man of your Party swear your face gain'd more to the League and Association than the Cause and has curst a Thousand times the false Mertilla for preferring Caesario less beautiful to the adorable Philander to add to this Heav'n how you spoke when e're you spoke of Love in that you far surpast the young Caesario as young as he almost as great and Glorious Oh Perfidious Mertilla Oh false oh foolish and ingrate that you abandon'd her was just she was not worth retaining in your heart nor cou'd be worth defending with your Sword But grant her false Oh Philander how does her perfidy intitle you to me false as she is you still are Married to her inconstant as she is she 's still your Wife and no breach of the Nuptial Vow can unty the fatal knot and that 's a Mystery to common sense sure she was Born for mischief and Fortune when she gave her you design'd the ruine of us all but most particularly The Unfortunate SILVIA To Silvia My Souls eternal joy my Silvia what have you done and oh how durst you knowing my fond Heart try it with so fatal a stroke what means this severe Letter and why so eagerly at this time o' th' day is Mertilla's Vertue so defended is it a question now whether she is false or not oh poor oh frivolous excuse you love me not by all that 's good you love me not to try your power you have flatter'd and feign'd oh Woman false Charming Woman you have undone me I rave and shall commit such extravagance that will ruine both I must upbraid you fickle and inconstant I must and this distance will not serve 't is too great my reproaches lose their force I burst with resentment with injur'd Love and you are either the most faithless of your Sex or the most malicious and tormenting Oh I am past tricks my Silvia your little arts might do well in a beginning slame but to a lettled Fire that is arriv'd to the highest degree it does but damp its
Charity and Honour he as little excels as in Gratitude Obedience and Loyalty What then my dear Philander is it his weakness Ah there 's the Argument You all propose and think to govern so soft a King But believe me oh unhappy Philander nothing is more ungovernable than a Fool nothing more obstinate willful conceited and cunning and for his gratitude let the world judge what he must prove to his Servants who has dealt so ill with his Lord and Master how he must reward those that present him with a Crown who deals so ungraciously with him who gave him Life and who set him up an happyer object than a Monarch No no Philander he that can cabal and contrive to dethrone a father will find it easie to discard the wicked and hated Instruments that assisted him to mount it decline him then oh fond and deluded Philander decline him early for you of all the â—â—est ought to do so and not to set a helping hand to load him with Honours that chose you out from all the World to load with infamy remember that remember Mertilla and then renounce him do not you contribute to the adoring of his unfit head with a Diadem the most glorious of Ornaments who unadorn'd yours with the most inglorious of all reproaches Think of this oh thou unconsidering Noble Youth lay thy hand upon thy generous heart and tell it all the fears all the reasonings of her that loves thee more than life a Thousand Arguments I cou'd bring but these few unstudyed falling in amongst my softer thoughts I beg thou wilt accept of till I can more at large deliver the Glorious Argument to your Soul let this suffice to tell thee that the like Cassandria I rave and prophesie in vain this Association will be the eternal ruine of Philander for let it succeed or not either way thou art undone if thou pursu'st it and I must infallibly fall with thee if I resolve to follow thy good or ill Fortune for you cannot intend Love and Ambition Silvia and Caesario at once No perswade me not â—he Title to one or t'other must be laid down Silvia or Caesario must be abandon'd this is my fixt resolve if thy too powerful Arguments convince not in spight of reason for they can do 't thou hast the tongue of an Angel and the Eloquence of a God and while I listen to thy Voice I take all thou say'st for wondrous sense Farewell about Two hours hence I shall expect you at the Gate that leads into the Garden Grove Adieu remember SILVIA To Silvia HOw comes my charming Silvia so skill'd in the Mysteries of State where learnt her tender heart the Notions of rigid business where her soft Tongue form'd only for the dear Language of Love to talk â—f the concerns of Nations and Kingdoms 't is true when I gave my Soul away to my dear Councellor I reserv'd nothing to my self not even that secret that so concern'd my Life but laid all at her Mercy my generous Heart cou'd not Love at a less rate than to lavish all and be undone for Silvia 't is Glorious ruine and it pleases me if it advance once single joy or add one demonstration of my Love to Silvia 't is not enough that we tell those we Love all they love to hear but one ought to tell 'em too every secret that we know and conceal no part of that Heart one has made at present to the person one Loves 't is a Treason in Love not to be Pardon'd am sensible that when my story 's told and this happy one of my Love shall make up the greatest part of my History that those that Love not like me will be apt to blame me and charge me with weakness for revealing so great a trust to a Woman and amongst all that I shall do to arrive at Glory that will brand me with seaâ—less but Silvia when Lovers shall read it the men will excuse me and the Maids bless me I shall be a fond admir'd president for them to point but to their remiss reserving Lovers who will be reproached for not persuing my example I know not what opinion Men generally have of the weakness of Women but 't is sure a vulgar error for were they like my adorable Silvia had they her wit her vivacity of spirit her Courage her generous fortitude her command in every graceful look and Action they were most certainly fit to rule and Reign and Man was only born robust and strong to secure 'em on those Thrones they are form'd by Beauty Softness and a Thousand Charms which men want to possess Glorious Woman was born for command and Dominion and though custom has usurpt us the name of Rule over all we from the beginning found our selves in spight of all our boasted prerogative slaves and Vassals to the Almighty Sex Take then my share of Empire ye Gods and give me Love let me toyl to gain but let Silvia Triumph and Reign I ask no more no more than the led slave at her Chariot Wheels to gaze on my Charming Conqueress and wear with joy her Fetters oh how proud I shou'd be to see the dear Victor of my Soul so elevated so adorn'd with Crowns and Scepters at her feet which I had won to see her smiling on the adoring Crown distributing her Glories to young waiting Princes there dealing Provinces and there a Coronet Heavens methinks I see the lovely Virgin in this State her Chariot slowly driving through the multitude that press to gaze upon her she drest like Venus richly gay and loose her Hair and Robe blown by the flying Winds discovering a Thousand Charms to view thus the young Goddess look't then when she drove her Chariot down descending Clouds to meet the Love-sick God in cooling Shades and so wou'd look my Silvia ah my soft lovely Maid such thoughts as these fir'd me with Ambition For me I swear by every power that made me Love and made thee wondrous fair I design no more by this great enterprize than to make thee some glorious thing elevated above what we have seen yet on Earth to raise thee above Fate or Fortune beyond that pity of they duller Sex who understand not thy Soul nor can never each the flights of thy generous Love no my Soul's joy I must not leave thee lyable to their little natural Malice and scorn to the impertinence of their reproaches No my Silvia I must on the great design must move forward though I abandon it 't will advance and 't is already too far to put a stop to it and now I 'm enter'd 'tis in vain to retreat if we are prosperous 't will to all Ages be call'd a Glorious enterprize but if we failâ— 't will be base horrid and infamous for the world judges of nothing but by the success that cause is always good that 's prosperous that is ill that 's unsuccessful Shou'd I now retreat I run many hazards but to go on
lookt pale with anger and disdain and but that she had already given her Honour up it wou'd have been something more surprising But she was us'd to questions of that Nature and therefore receiv'd this with so much the less concern nevertheless 't was sufficient to fill her Soul with a thousand agitations but when she wou'd be angry the consideration of what she had writ to him to incouragâ— him to this boldness stop'd her rage When she wou'd take it ill she consider'd his knowledge of her lost fame and that took off a great part of her resentment on that side and in midst of all she was raving for the knowledge of Philanders secret She rose from the Bed and walk'd about the room in much disorder full of thought and no conclusion she is asham'd to consult of this affair with Antonett and knows not what to fix on The only thing she was certain of and which was fully and undisputably resolv'd in her Soul was never to consent to so false an Action never to buy the secret at so dear a rate she abhors Octavio whom she regards no more as that fine thing which before she thought him and a thousand times she was about to write her despight and contempt but still the dear secret staid her hand and she was fond of the torment At last Antonett who was afflictted to know the cause of this disorder ask'd her Lady if Octavio wou'd not come No replyed Silvia blushing at the Name nor never shall the ungrateful man dare to behold my face any more Iesu replyed Antonett what has he done Madam to deserve this severity For he was a great benefactor to Antonett and had already by his gifts and presents made her a Fortune for a Burgomaster He has said Silvia câ—mmitted such an impudence as deserves death from my Hand This she spoke in rage and walk'd away cross the Chamber Why Madam cry'd Antonett does he denie to give you the Letter No replyed Silvia but askes me such a price for it as makes me hate my self that am reduc'd by my ill conduct to Addresses of that Nature Heavens Madam what can he ask you to afflict you so the presumptuous man said she in rage has the impudence to ask what never man but Philander was ever possest of At this Antonett laught Good Lord Madam said she and are you angry at such desires in men toward you I believe you are the first Lady in the World that was ever offended for being desirable Can any thing proclaim your Beauty more or your youth or Wit marry Madam I wish I were worthy to be ask'd the question by all the fine dancing dressing Song-making Fops in Town And you wou'd yield replyed Silvia not so neither replyed Antonett but I wou'd spark my self and value my self the more upon 't Oh said Silvia she that is so fond of hearing of Love no doubt but will find some one to practice it with That 's as I shou'd find my self inclin'd replyed Antonett Silvia was not so intent on â—â—tonett's rail'ery but she imploy'd all her thought the while on what she had to do and those last words of Antonett's jogg'd a thought that ran on to one very advantagious at least her present and first apprehension of it was such And she turn'd to Antonett with a face more gay than it was the last minute and cry'd Prithee good Wench tell me what sort of man wou'd soonest incline you to a yielding if you command me Madam to be free with your Lordship reply'd Antonett I must confess there are too sorts of men that wou'd most villainouâ—ly incline me the first is he that wou'd make my fortune best The next he that wou'd make my pleasure the young the handsome or rather the well bread and good humour'd But above all the Man of Wit But what wou'd you say Antonett replyed Silvia if all these made up in one man shou'd make his Addresses to you Why then most certainly Madam replyed Antonett I shou'd yield him my Honour aftâ—r a reasonable siege This tho' the wanton young maid spoke possibly at first more to put her Lady in good humour than from any inclination she had to what she said yet after many arguments upon that subject Silvia cunning enough to pursue her design brought the business more home and told her in plain terms that Octavio was the man who had been so presumptious as to ask so great a reward as the possession of her self for the secret she desir'd and after a thousand little subtilties having made the forward Girle confess with blushes she was not a Maid she insinuated into her an opinion that what she had done already without any other motive than that of Love as she confest in which int'rest had no part wou'd make the trick the easier to do again especially if she brought to her Arms a person of Youth Wit Gallantry Beauty and all the Charming qualities that adorn a man and that besides she shou'd find it turn to good account and for her secresies she might depend upon it since the person to whose imâ—races she shou'd submit her self shou'd not know but that she her self was the Woman so that says Silâ—ia I will have all infamy and you the reward every way with unblemisht Honour while she spoke the willing Mâ—id gave an inward pleasing attention tho at first she made a few faint modest scruples Nor was she less joy'd to hear it shou'd be Octavio whom she knew to be rich and very handsome and she immediately found the humour of inconstancy cease her and Briljard appear'd a very Husband Lover in comparison of this new Brisker man of quality so that after some pro's and Con's the whole matter was thus concluded on between these two young persons who neither wanted Wit nor Beauty and both cro'd over the contrivance as a most diverting piece of little Malice that shou'd serve their present turn and make 'em sport for the future The next thing that was consider'd was a Letter which was to be sent in answer and that Silvia being to write with her own hand begot a new doubt in so much as the whole business was at a stand For when it came to that point that she her self was to consent she found the project look with a face so foul that she a hundred times resolv'd and unresolv'd But Philander fill'd her Soul revenge was in her view and that one thought put her on new resolves to pursue the design let it be never so base and dishonourable Yes cry'd she at last I can commit no action that is not more just excusable and honourable than that which Octavio has done to me who uses me like a common Mistris of the Town and dares ask me that which he knows he durst not do if he had not mean and abject thoughts of me his buseness deserves death from from my hand if I had courage to give it him and the least I
rich and gay as a young Bridegroom lovely and young as the Morning that flattered him with so fair and happy a Day at last he saw two Gentlemen alight at the Door and giving their Horses to a Page to walk a while they ran up into the Chamber where Octavio was waiting who had already sent his Page to prepare the Priest in the Village Church to marry them You may imagine with what Love and Joy the â—avished Youth approach'd the Idol of his Soul and she who beholds him in more Beauty than ever yet she thought he had appear'd pleas'd with all things he had on with the gay Morning the flowry Field the Air the little Journey and a thousand diverting things made no Resistance to those fond Imbraces that prest her a thousand times with silent Transport and falling Tears of eager Love and Pleasure but even in that moment of Content she forgot Philander and receiv'd all the Satisfaction so soft a Lover could dispence While they were mutually thus exchanging Looks and almost Hearts the Messenger came into the Room and as civilly as possible told Octavio he had a Warrant for him to secure him as a Traytor to the State and a Spy for France You need not be told the Surprize and Astonishment he was in however he obey'd The Messenger turning to Silvia cry'd Sr. Tho' I can hardly credit this Crime that is charged to my Lord yet the finding him here with two French Gentlemen gives me some more Fears that there may be something in it and it would do well if you would deliver your selves into my Hands for the farther clearing this Gentleman The foolish grave Speech of the Messenger had like to have put Octavio into a loud Laughter he addressing himself to two Women for two Men But Silvia reply'd Sir I hope you do not take us for so little Friends to the gallant Octavio to abandon him in his Misfortune no we will share it with him be it what it will To this the generous Lover blushing with kind Surprize bow'd and kissing her Hand with Transport calling her his charming Friend and so all three being guarded back in Octavio's Coach they return to the Town and to the House of the Messenger which made a great Noise all over that Octavio was taken with two French Jesuits plotting to fire Amsterdam and a thousand things equally Ridiculous They were all three lodg'd together in one House that of the Messenger which was very fine and fit to entertain any Persons of Quality while Brilljard who did not like that part of the Project bethought him of a thousand ways how to free her from thence for he design'd as soon as Octavio should be taken to have got her to have quitted the Town under pretence of being taken upon Suspicion of holding Correspondence with him because they were French but her delivering herself up had not only undone all his Design but had made it unsafe for him to stay While he was thus bethinking himself what he should do Octavio's Uncle who was one of the States extreamly affronted at the Indignity put upon his Nephew and his sole Heir the Darling of his Heart and Eyes commands that this Informer may be secur'd and accordingly Brilljard was taken into Custody who giving himself over for a lost Man resolves to put himself upon Octavio's Mercy by telling him the Motives that induc'd him to this violent and ungenerous Course It was some days before the Council thought fit to call for Octavio to hear what he had to say for himself in the mean time he having not had Permission yet to see Silvia and being extreamly desirous of that Happiness he bethought himself that the Messenger having been in his Fathers Service might have so much Reâ—â—â—t for the Son as to allow him to speak to that fair Charmer provided he might be a Witness to what he should say He sends for him and demanded of him where those two fair Prisoners were lodg'd who came with him in the Morning he told him in a very good Apartment on the same Floor and that they were very well Accommodated and seem'd to have no other Trouble but what they suffered for him I hope my Lord added he your Confinement will not be long for I hear there is a Person taken up who has confest he did it for a Revenge on you At this Octavio was very well pleased and asked him who it was and he told him a French Gentleman belonging to the Count Philander who about six Months ago was obliged to quit the Town as an Enemy to France He soon knew it to be Brilljard and comparing this Action with some others of his lately Committed he no longer doubts it the Effects of his Jealousie He ask'd the Messenger if it were impossible to gain so much Favour of him as to let him visit those two French Gentlemen he being by while he was with them The Keeper soon granted his Request and reply'd There was no Hazzard he would not run to serve him and immediately putting back the Hangings with one of those Keys he had in his Hand he opened a Door in his Chamber that led into a Gallery of fine Pictures and from thence they past into the Apartment of Silvia As soon as he came in he threw himself at her Feet and she received him and took him up into her Arms with all the Transports of Joy a Soul more than ever possest with Love for him could conceive and tho' they all appear'd of the Masculine Sex the Messenger soon perceiv'd his Error and beg'd a thousand Pardons Octavio makes hast to tell her his Opinion of the cause of all this Trouble to both and she easily believ'd when she heard Brilljard was taken that it was as he imagin'd for he had been found too often faulty not to be suspected now This Thought brought a great Calm to both their Spirits and almost reduc'd them to their first soft Tranquillity with which they began the day For he protested his Innocence a thousand times which was wholly needless for the generous Maid believed before he spoke he could not be guilty of the Sin of Treachery He renews his Vows to her of eternal Love and that he would perform what they were so unluckily prevented of doing this Morning and that tho' possibly by this unhappy Adventure his Design might have taken Air and have arrived to the Knowledge of his Uncle yet in spite of all Opposition of Friends or the Malice of Brilljard he would pursue his Glorious Design of marrying her tho' he were forc'd for it to wander to the farthest parts of the Earth with his lovely Prize He begs she will not disesteem him for this Scandal on his Fame for he was all Love all soft Desire and had no other Design than that of making himself Master of that greatest Treasure in the World that of the possessing the most charming the all ravishing Silvia In return she paid
therefore without Delay assist me to contrive your Escape or I shall die and leave you to the Ravage of his Love who holds thee from me the very Thoughts of that is worse than Death I die alas I die for an intire Possession of thee Oh let me grasp my Treasure let me ingross it all here in my longing Arms. I can no longer languish at this Distance from my eternal Ioy my Life my Soul But oh I Rave and while I should be speaking a thousand useful things I am telling you my Pain a Pain that you may guess and confounding myself between those and their Remedies am able to fix on nothing Help me to think oh my dear charming Creature help me to think how I shall bear thee off Take your own Measures flatter him with Love sooth him to Faith and Confidence and then oh pardon me if there be Baseness in the Action then Cozen him Deceive him any thing for he deserves it all that thinks that lovely Body was form'd for his Imbraces whom Age has rendered fitter for a Grave Form any Plots use every Stratagem to save the Life of Your Octavio He writ this in Hast and Disorder as you may plainly see by the Stile and went to the Window with it where he found Silvia leaning expecting him The Shashes were up and he toss'd it in the Haâ—â—kerchief into her Window She read it and writ an Answer back as soft as Love could form to send him pleased to Bed wherein she commanded him to hope all things form her Wit and industrious Love This had partly the Effects she wished and after kissing his Hand and throwing it up towards Silvia they parted as silent as the Night from Day which was now just dividing so long they stay'd tho' but to look at each other so that all the Morning was pass'd in Bed to make the Day seem shorter which was too tedious to both This Pleasure he had after Noon towards the Evening that when Silvia walked as she alwaies did in the Garden he could see her thorow the Glass of his Window but durst not open it for the old Gentleman was ever with her In this time Octavio fail'd not however to essay the good Nature of the Gardener in order to Silvia's Flight but â—ound there was no dealing with him in this Affair and therefore durst not come right down to the Point The next Night he came under the beloved Window again and found the sacred Object of his Wishes leaning in the Window expecting him To whom as soon as she heard his Tread on the Gravel she threw down a Handkerchief again which he took up and toss'd his own with a soft complaining Letter to entertain her till his Return for he hasted to read hers and swep'd the Garden as he pass'd as swift as Wind so impatient he was to see the Inside which he found thus Silvia to Octavio I Beg my charming Friend you will be assur'd of all I have promised you and to believe that but for the Pleasure of those dear Billets I receive from you I could as little support this cruel Confinement as you my Absence I have but one Game to play and I beseech you not to be surpriz'd at it 't is to promise to marry Sebastian He is eternally at my Feet and either I must give him my Vow to become his Wife or give him hope of other Favours I am so intirely yours that I will be guided by you which I shall Flatter him in to gain my Liberty for if I grant either he has proposed to carry me to his Country-House two Leagues from the Town and there Consummate whatever I design to bless him with and this is it that has wrought my Consent that we being to go alone only my own Servants you may easily take me thence by Force upon the Road or after our Arrival where he will not guard me perhaps so strictly as he does here For that I leave it to your Conduct and expect your Answer to Your Impatient Silvia He immediately sate down and writ this Octavio to Silvia HAVE a Care my Charming Fair how you play with Vows and however you are forc'd for that Religious End of saving your Honour to deceive the poor old Lover whom by Heaven I pity yet rather let me die than know you can be guilty of Vow-Brâ—ach tho' made in jest I am well pleased at the Glimpse of Hope you give me that I shall see you at his Villa and doubt not but to find a way to secure you to myself Say any thing promise to sacrifice all to his Desire but oh do not give away thy dear thy precious self by Vow to any but the Languishing Octavio After he had writ this he hast'd and throws it into her Window and return'd to Bed without seeing her which was no small Affliction to his Soul He had an ill Night of it and fancied a thousand tormenting things That the old Gentleman might thâ—â— be with her and if alone what might he not perswade by force of rich Presents of which his Uncle was well stored And so he guess'd and as he guess'd it proved as by his next Nights Letter he was inform'd that the old Lover no sooner saw Silvia retire but having a mind to try his Fortune in some Critical Minute for such a Minute he had heard there was that favoured Lovers but he goes to his Closet and taking out some Jewels of great Value to make himself the more welcome he goes directly to Silvia's Chamber and entered just as she had taken up Octavio's Letter and clap'd it in her Bosom as she heard some body at the Door but was not in a little Confusion when she saw who it was which she excused by telling him she was surpriz'd to find herself with a Man in her Chamber That there he fell to pleading his cause of Love and offered her again to settle his Estate upon her and implor'd she would be his Wife After a thousand faint Denials she told him she could not possibly receive that Honour but if she could she would have look'd upon it as a great Favour from Heaven at that he was Thunder-struck and look'd as gastly as if his Mothers Ghost had frighten'd him and after much Debate Love and Grief on his side Design and Dissimulation on hers she gave him Hopes that Aton'd for all she had before said insomuch that before they parted an absolute Bargain was struck up and he was to settle part of his Estate upon her as also that Villa to which he had resolved in two days to carry her in earnest to this he presents her a Necklace of Pearl of good Value and other Jewels which was the best Rhetorick he had yet spoke to her and now she appear'd the most Complaisant Lady in the World she suffers him to talk wantonly to her nay even to kiss her and rub his grizly Beard on her divine Face grasp her Hands and
touch her Breast a Blessing he had never before arriv'd to with any body above the Quality of his own Servant-Maid To all which she makes the best Resistance she can under the Circumstances of one who was to deceive well and while she loaths she seems well pleas'd while the gay Jewels sparkled in her Eyes and Octavio in her Heart so fond is Youth of Vanities and to purchase an addition of Beauty at any Price Thus with her pretty Flatteries she wrought upon his Soul and smil'd and look'd him into Faith loth to depart she sends him pleas'd away and having her Heart the more inclin'd to Octavio by being Persecuted with his Uncles Love for by Comparison she finds the mighty Difference she sets herself to write him the Account of what I have related this Nights Adventure and Agreement between his Uncle and herself She tells him that to Morrow for now 't was almost Day she had promised him to go to his Villa She tells him at what rate she has purchased the Blessing expected and lastly leaves the management of the rest to him who needs not be instructed This Letter he receiv'd the next Night at the old place and Silvia with it lets down a Velvet Night Bag which contain'd all the Jewels and things of Value she had receiv'd of himself his Uncle or any other After which he retired and was pretty well at ease with the imagination he should ere long be made Happy in the Possession of Silvia In order to it the next Morning he was early up and dressing himself in a great course Campagne-Coat of the Gardeners puting up his Hair as well as he could under a Country-Hat he got on a Horse that suited his Habit and rides to the Villa whither they were to come and which he knew perfectly well every Room of for there our Hero was born He went to a little Caberet in the Village from whence he could survey all the great House and see every Body that pass'd in and out He remain'd fix'd at the Window fill'd with a thousand Agitations this he had resolv'd not to set upon the good old Man as a Thief or Robber nor could he find in this Heart or Nature to injure him tho' but in a little afrighting him who had given him so many anxious Hours and who had been so unjust to desire that Blessing himself he would not allow him and to believe that a Vertue in himself which he exclaim'd against as so great a Vice in his Nephew nevertheless he resolv'd to deceive him to save his own Life And he wanted that nice part of Generosity as to satisfy a little unnecessary Lust in an old Man to ruin the eternal Content of a young one so nearly allied to his Soul as was his own dear proper Person While he was thus considering he saw his Uncle's Coach coming and Silvia with that doting Lover in it who was that day dressed in all the Fopperies of Youth and every thing was young and gay about him but his Person that was Winter it self disguised in artificial Spring and he was altogether a meer Contradiction But who can guess the Disorders and Pantings of Octavio's Heart at the Sight and tho' he had resolved before he would not to save his Life lay violent Hands on his old Parent yet at their Approach at their presenting themselves together before his Eyes as two Lovers going to betray him to all the Miseries Pangs and Confusions of Love going to possess her the dear Object and certain Life of his Soul and she the Parent of him to whom she had disposed of herself so intirely already he was provok'd to break from all his Resolutions and with one of those two Pistols he had in his Pockets to have sent unerring Death to his old amorous Heart But that Thought was no sooner born than stifled in his Soul where it met with all the Sence of Gratitude that ever could present the tender Love and dear Care of a Parent there and the Coach passing into the Gate put him upon new Designs and before they were finished he saw Silvia's Page coming from the House after seeing his Lady to her Apartment and being show'd his own where he laid his Vallice and Riding-things and was now come out to look about a Country where he had never been before Octavio goes down and meets him and ventures to make himself known to him And so infinitely glad was the Youth to have an Opportunity to serve him that he vow'd he would not only do it with his Life on Occasion but believ'd he could do it effectually since the old Gentleman had no sort of Jealousie now especially since they had so prudently manag'd Matters in this time of his Ladies remaining at Sebastian's House So that Sir it will not be difficult says the generous Boy for me to convey you to my Lodging when it is dark He told him his Lady cast many a longing Look out towards the Road as she pass'd for you I am sure my Lord for she had told both myself and Antonett of her Design before least our Surprize or Resistance should prevent any Force you might use on the Road to take her from my Lord Sebastian She sigh'd and look'd on me as she alighted with Eyes my Lord that told me her Grief for your Disappointment You may easily imagine how transported the poor Octavio was he kiss'd and imbrac'd the Amiable Boy a thousand times and taking a Ring from his Finger of considerable Value gave it the dear Reviver of his Hopes Octavio already knew the Strength of the House which consisted but of a Gardener whose Wife was House-keeper and their Son who was his Fathers Servant in the Garden and their Daughter who was a sort of Maid-servant And they had brought only the Coach-man and one Foot-man who were likely to be mirrily imploy'd in the Kitchin at Night when all got to Supper together I say Octavio already knew this and there was now nothing that opposed his Wishes So that dismissing the dear Boy he remained the rest of the tedious Day at the Caberet the most impatient of Night of any Man on Earth And when the Boy appear'd it was like the Approach of an Angel He told him his Lady was the most Melancholy Creature that ever Eyes beheld and that to conceal the Cause she had feigned herself Ill and had not stir'd from her Chamber all the day That the old Lover was perpetually with her and the most concern'd Doatard that ever Cupid inslav'd That he had so wholly taken up his Lady with his disagreeable Entertainment that it was impossible either by a Look or Note to inform her of his being so near her whom she considered as her present Defender and her future Happiness But this Evening continued the Youth as I was waiting on her at Supper she spy'd the Ring on my Finger which my Lord your Bounty made me Master of this Morning She
conquered as well as to make a Conquest And she was capable of receiving Impressions as well as to give 'em And it was believed by some who were very near the Prince and knew all his Secrets then that this young Lady pitied the Sighs of the Royal Lover and even then rewarded 'em And tho' this were most credibly whispered yet methinks it seems impossible he should then have been happy and after so many Years after the Possession of so many other Beauties should return to her again and find all the Passions and Pains of a beginning Flame But there is nothing to be wondered at in the Contradictions and Humours of Man's human Nature But however inconstant and wavering he had been Hermione retain'd her first Passion for him and that I less wonder at since you know the Prince has the most charming Person in the World and is the most perfectly Beautiful of all his Sex To this his Youth and Quality adds no little Lustre and I should not wonder if all the softer Sex should languish for him nor that any one should love on who hath once been touch'd with Love for him 'T was this last Assurance the Prince so absolutely depended on that notwithstanding she was far from the Opinion of his Party made him resolve to take Sanctuary in those Arms he was sure would receive him in any Condition and Circumstances But now he makes her new Vows which possibly at first his Safety obliged him to while she return'd 'em with all the Passion of Love He made a thousand Submissions to Madam the Countess who he knew was fond of her Daughter to that degree that for her Repose she was even willing to behold the Sacrifice of her Honour to this Prince whom she knew Hermione loved even to Death so fond so blindly fond is Nature And indeed after a little time that he lay there conceal'd he reap'd all the Satisfaction that Love could give him or his Youth could wish with all the Freedom imaginable He only made Vows of renouncing all other Women what Ties or Obligations soever he had upon him and to resign himself intirely up to Hermione I know not what new Charms he had found by frequent Conversation with her and being uninterrupted by the sight of any other Ladies but 't is most certain my Lord he grew to that excess of Love or rather Doatage if Love in one so young can be call'd so that he languishes for her even while he possessed her all He dy'd if oblig'd by Company to retire from her an Hour at the end of which being again brought to her he would fall at her Feet and sigh and weep and make the most pitious Moan that ever Love inspir'd He would complain upon the Cruelty of a Moments Absence and vow he could not live where she was not All that disturbed his Happiness he reproach'd as Enemies to his Repose and at last made her feign an Illness that no Visits might be made her and that he might possess all her Hours Nor did Hermione perceive all this without making her Advantages of so glorious an Opportunity but with the usual Cunning of her Sex improved every Minute she gave him She now found herself sure of the Heart of the finest Man in the World and of one she believed would prove the greatest being the Head of a most powerful Faction who were resolved the first Opportunity to order Affairs so as to come to an open Rebellion and to make him a King All these things how unlikely soever in Reason her Love and Ambition suggested to her so that she believed she had but one Game more to play to establish herself the greatest and most happy Woman in the World She consults in this weighty Affair with her Mother who had a share of Cunning that could carry on a Design as well as any of her Sex They found but one Obstacle to all Hermione's rising Greatness and that was the Prince's being married and that to a Lady of so considerable Birth and Fortune so eminent for her Vertue and all Perfections of Woman-kind and withal so excellent for Wit and Beauty that 't was impossible to find any Cause of a Separation between ' em So that finding it improbable to remove that Lett to her Glories she grew very Melancholy which was soon perceived by the too Amorous Prince who pleads and sighs and weeps on her Bosom Day and Night to find the Cause But she who found she had a difficult Game to play and that she had need of all her little Aids pretends a thousand little frivillous Reasons before she discovers the true one which serv'd but to oblige him to ask anew as she design'd he should At last one Morning finding him in the softest fit in the World and ready to give her whatever she could ask in return for the Secret of her Disquiet she told him with a Sigh how Unhappy she was in loving so violently a Man who could never be any thing to her more than the Robber of her Honour And at last with abundance of Sighs and Tears bewail'd his Marriage He taking her with all the Joy imaginable in his Arms thank'd her for speaking of the only thing he had a thousand times been going to offer to her but durst not for fear she should Reproach him He told her he look'd upon himself as married to no Woman but herself to whom by a thousand solemn Vows he had contracted himself and that he would never own any other while he liv'd let Fortune do what she pleas'd with him Hermione thriving hitherto so well urged his easy Heart yet farther and told him Tho' she had left no Doubt remaining in her of his Love and Vertue no suspicion of his Vows yet the World would still esteem the Princess his Wife and herself only as a Prostitute to his Youthful Pleasure and as she conceiv'd her Birth and Fortune not to be much inferior to that of the Princess she should die with Indignation and Shame to bear all the Reproach of his Wantonness while his now Wife would live esteem'd and pitied as an injured Innocent To all which he reply'd as mad in Love That the Princess he confess'd was a Lady to whom he had Obligations but that he esteem'd her no more his Wife since he was married to her at the Age of twelve Years an Age wherein he was not capacitated to chuse Good or Evil or to answer for himself or his Inclinations And tho' she were a Lady of absolute Vertue of Youth Wit and Beauty yet Fate had so ordain'd it that he had reserv'd his Heart to this Moment intirely for herself and that he renounc'd all Pretenders to him except herself that he had now possess'd the Princess for the space of twenty Years that Youth had a long Race to run and could not take up at those Years with one single Beauty That hitherto Ravage and Destruction of Hearts had been his Province and
several persons on either Hand throwing Ducal Crowns and Coronets among the Rabble who scuffle and strive to catch at them after a great shout of Joy Thunder and Lightning again shook the Earth at which they seemed all amaz'd when a thick black Cloud descended and covered the whole Scene and the Rock clos'd again and Fergusano let fall his Wand The Prince seeing the Ceremony end here rises in a rage and crys out I charge ye to go on remove the Veil and let the Sun appear advance your mystick Wand and show what follows next I cannot Sir replyed the trembling Wizard the Fates have clos'd the everlasting Book forbiding farther search Then damn your scanted Art replyed the Prince a petty Iuggler could have done as much Is 't not enough replyed the German Rabbi that we have show'd you Crown'd and Crown'd in France it self I find the Infernals themselves are bounded here and can declare no more Oh they are pretty Powers that can be Bounded replyed the Prince with scorn They strove with all their Art to reconcile him laying the fault on some mistake of theirs in the ingredients of the Charm which at another time they 'd strive to prevent they sooth him with all the hope in the World that what was left unreveal'd must needs be as gloriousâ— and fortunate to him as what he had seen already which was absolutely to be depended on thus they brought him to the open Garden again where they continued their Instructions to him telling him that now was the time to arrive to all the Glories he had seen they presented to him the State of Affairs in France and how much a greater interest he had in the Hearts of the People than their proper Monarch arguing a thousand Fallacies to the deluded Hero who blind and mad with his Dreams of Glory his Visions and Prospects listen'd with reverence and attention to all their false perswasions I call 'em false Madam for I never had Faith in these sort of People and am sorry so many great Men and Ladies of our times are so bewitch'd to their Prophecies They there presented him with a List of all the considerable of the Reformed Religion in Paris who had assured him Aids of Men and Money in this Epedition Merchants rich Trades-men Magistrates and Gown-men of the reformed Church and the Law Next to this another of the Contribution of pious Ladies all which Sums being named amounted to a considerable supply so that they assur'd him Hell it self could not with these Aids obstruct his Glory but on the contrary should be compell'd to render him assistance by the help of Charms to make him invincible so that wholly o'er-come by them he has given order that all Preparations be forthwith made for the most secret and speedy conveyance of himself and Friends to some Sea-port in France he has order'd abundance of Letters to be writ to those of the Hugonot Party into all parts of France all which will be ready to assist him at his Landing Fergusano undertakes for the management of the whole affair to write to speak and to perswade and you know Madam he is the most subtle and insinuating of all his Non-conforming Race and the most malignant of all our Party and sainted by 'em for the most pious and industrious Labourer in the Cause all that he says is Oracle to the Crowd and all he say's Authentick and 't is he alone is the great Engin that sets the great Work a turning Yes replyed Silvia and makes the giddy World Mad with his damnable Notions Pernicious as he is replyed Brilljard he has the sole management of affairs under Hermione he has power to treat to advise to raise Money to make and name Officers and lastly to draw out a Scenâ— of fair Pretences for Cesario to the Crown of France and the lawfulness of his Claim for let the Conquest be never so sure the People require it and the Conquerer is oblig'd to give some better reason than that of the strength of his Sword for his Dominion over them This Pretension is a Declaration or rather a most scandalous pernicious and treasonable Libel if I may say so who have so great an Interest in it pen'd with all the Malice Envy can invent the most unbred rude piece of Stuff as makes it apparent the Author had neither Wit or common good Manners besides the hellish Principles he has made evident there My Lord would have no hand in the Approbation of this gross piece of Villainous Scandal which has more unfasten'd him from their interest than any of their other dâ—signs and from which he daily more and more declines or seems disgusted with tho he does not wholly intend to quit the Interest Having no other probable means to make good that fortune which has been so evidently and wholly destroy'd by it I am extream glad said Silvia that Philander's Sentiments are so Generous and am at nothing so much amaz'd as to hear the Prince could suffer so gross a thing to pass in his Name I must said Brilljard do the Prince right in this point to assure you when the thing was first in the rough draught show'd him he told Fergusano that those accusations of a Crown'd Head were too Villainous for the thoughts of a Gentleman and giving it him again cry'd No let it never be said that the Royal Blood that runs in my Veins could dictate to me no more noble ways for its defence and pretensions than the mean Cowardice of Lyes and that to attain to Empire I should have recourse to the most detestable of all shifts No no my too zealous Friend continued he I will with only my Sword in my Hand at the head of my Army proclaim my right and demand a Crown which if I win is mine if not 't is his whose Sword is better or Lucklier and tho the future World may call this unjust at least they 'll say it was brave At this the Wizard smil'd and reply'd Alas Sir had we hitherto acted by rules of Generosity only we had not brought so great advantages to our Interest You tell me Sir of a Speech you 'll make with your Sword in your Hand that will do very well at the head of an Army and a handsome Declaration would be proper for men of Sense but this is not to the Wise but to the Fools on whom nothing willâ— pass but what is pen'd to their Capacity and who will not be able to hear the Speeches you shall make to an Army this is to rouse 'em and find 'em wherever they are how far remote soever from you that at once they may be incited to assist you and espouse your Interest This is the sort of Gospel they believe all other is too fine believe me Sir 't is by these gross devices you are to perswade those Sons of Earth whose Spirits never mounted above the Dunghill whence they grew like o're-ripe Pumpkins Lyes are the Spirit
the fair Youth and is ready to ask his Pardon for a Fault but imagin'd suffering by his silence the little Pratler to discourse and laugh at him at his pleasure Come said Silvia smiling I find the naming a Beauty to you has made you Melancholy possibly when you see her she will not appear so to you we do not always agree in one Object Your Iudgment reply'd Alonzo is too good to leave me any hope of Liberty at the sight of a fine Woman if she be like your self I read my destiny in your charming Face Silvia answered only with a Smile and calling again for Antonett he ask'd if his Sister were in a condition of being seen she told him she was not but all undrest and in her Night-clothes Nay then said Silvia I must use my Authority with her And leaving Alonzo trembling with Expectation she ran to her dressing Room where all things were ready and slipping off her Coat put on a rich Night-Gown and instead of her Peruke fine Night-Clothes and came forth to the Charm'd Alonzo who was not able to approach her she look'd with such a Majesty and so much dazling Beauty he knew her to be the same he had seen in the Toure She seeing he only gazed without Life or Motion approaching him gave him her Hand and cryed Sir possibly this is a more old acquaintance of yours than my Face At which he blush'd and bow'd but could not speak At last Silvia laughing out-right cryed Here Antonett bring me again my Peruke for I find I shall never be acquainted with Don Alonzo in Peticoats At this he blush'd a Thousand times more than before and no longer doubting but this Charmer and the lovely Youth were one he fell at her Feet and told her he was undone for she had made him give her so undisputable Proofs of his Dulness he could never hope she should allow him capable of eternally adoring her Rise cry'd Silvia smiling and believe you have not commited so great an Errour as you imagine the mistake has been often made and Persons of a great deal of Wit have been deceiv'd You may say what you please replyed Alonzo to put me in Countenance but I shall never forgive my self the Stupidity of that happy Night that laid me by the most glorious Beauty of the World and yet afforded me no kind Instinct to inform my Soul how much I was blest Oh pity a wretchedness Divine Maid that has no other excuse but that of Infatuation a thousand times my greedy ravish'd Eyes wander'd o're the dazling brightness of yours a thousand times I wish'd that Heaven had made you Woman and when I look'd I burnt but when I Kiss'd those soft those lovely Lips I durst not trust my Heart for every touch begot wild Thoughts about it which yet the Course of all my Fiery Youth through all the wild Debauches I had wandered had never yet betray'd me to and going to Bed with all this love and fear about me I made a solemn Oath not to approach you least so much Beauty had o'er-come my Vertue But by this new discovery you have given me a Flame I have no power nor virtue to oppose 't is just 't is natural to adore you and not to do it were yet a crime greater than my Sin of Dulness and since you have made me lose a Charming Friend it is but just I find a Mistriss give me but your permission to Love and I will give you all my life in Services and wait the rest I 'll watch and pray for coming happiness which I will buy at any price of Life or Fortune Well Sir replyed our easie fair One If you believe me worth a Conquest o're you convince me you can love for I 'm no common Beauty to be won with petty suddain Services and could you lay an Empire at my Feet I should dispise it where the Heart were wanting You may believe the Amorous Youth left no Argument to convince her in that point unsaid and 't is most certain they came to so good an understanding that he was not seen in Bruxells for eight days and nights after nor this rare Beauty for so long a time seen on the Toure or any publick Place Brilljard came every day to visit her and receive her commands as he us'd to do but was answer'd still that Silvia was Ill and kept her Chamber not suffering even her Domesticks to approach her This did not so well satisfy the Jealous Lover but he soon imagined the cause and was very much displeas'd at the ill Treatment if such a design had been carried on he desired to have the management of it and was angry that Silvia had not only deceived him in the promise he had made for her to Octavio but had done her own business without him he spoke some hard words so that to undeceive him she was forced to oblige Alonzo to appear at Court again which she had much ado to incline him to so absolutely she had Charm'd him however he went and she suffered Brilljard to visit her perswading that easie Lover as all Lovers are easie that it was only indisposition that hindered her of the happiness of seeing him and after having perfectly reconcil'd herself to him she ask'd him the news at Hermone's to whom I had forgot to tell you she sent every day a Page with a Complement and to let her know she was Ill or she would have waited on her She every day received the Complement from her again as an unknown Lady Brilljard told her that all things were now prepar'd and in a very short time they should go for France but that whatever the matter was Philander almost publickly disown'd the Prince's Interest and to some very considerable of the Party has given out he does not like the Proceedings and that he verily believed they would find themselves all mistaken and that instead of a Throne the Prince would meet a Scaffold so bold and open he has been Something of it has arriv'd to the Prince's Ear who was so far from believing it that he could hardly be perswaded to speak of it to him and when he did it was with an assurance before hand that he did not credit such reports So that he gives him not the pain to deny them For my part I am infinitely afraid he will disoblige the Prince one day for last night when the Prince desired him to get his Equipage ready and to make such Provision for you as was necessary he coldly told him he had a mind to go to Hungary which at that time was besieg'd by Solyman the Magnificent and that he had no inclination of returning to France this surpriz'd and angered the Prince but they parted good Friends at last and he has promised him all things So that I am very well assur'd he will send me where he supposes you still are and how shall we manage that affair Silvia who had more cunning and
it was prodigious to consider the unequal numbers and the advantage all on the Princes part it was miraculous to behold the order on his side and surprize on the other which of it self had been sufficient to have confounded them yet notwithstanding all this unpreparedness on this side and the watchfuluess and care on the other so well the General and Officers of the Royal Army managed their scanted Time so bravely disciplin'd and experienced the Souldiers were so resolute and brave and all so well mounted and armed that as I said to a Miracle they fought and 't was a Miracle they won the Field tho that fatal Night Cesario did in his own Person wonders and when his Horse was kill'd under him he took a Partizan and as a common Souldier at the head of his Foot acted the Hero with as much courage and bravery as ever Caesar himself could Boast Yet all this avail'd him nothing he saw himself abandoned on all sides and then under the Covert of the Night he retired from the Battle with his Sword in his hand with only one Page who fought by his side A thousand times he was about to fall on his own Sword and like Brutus have finish'd a life he could no longer sustain with Glory But Love that coward of the Mind and the Image of Divine Hermione as he esteemed her still gave him Love to life and while he could remember she yet lived to charm him he could even look with contempt on the loss of all his Glory at which if the repin'd it was for her sake who expected to behold him return cover'd o'er with Laurels in these sad thoughts he wandered as long as his wearied Legs would bear him into a low Forest far from the Camp where over-prest with Toil all over pain and a Royal Heart even breaking with Anxiety he laid him down under the shelter of a Tree and found but his length of Earth left to support him now who not many hours before beheld himself the greatest Monarch as he imagined in the World Oh who that had seen him thus which of his most mortal Enemies that had view'd the Royal Youth adorn'd with all the Charms of Beauty Heaven ever distributed to Man Born great and but now ador'd by all the crowding World with Hat and Knee now abandon by all but one kind trembling Boy weeping by his side while the Illustrious Hero lay Gazing with melancholy weeping Eyes at those Stars that had lately been so cruel to him Sighing out his great Soul to the Winds that whistled round his uncovered head breathing his Griefs as silently as the sad fatal Night past away Where nothing in nature seemed to pity him but the poor wretched Youth that kneeled by him and the sighing Air I say who that beheld this would not have scorn'd the World and all its fickle Worshipers have curst the Flatteries of vain Ambition and priz'd a Cottage far above a Throne a Garland wreath'd by some fair innocent hand before the restless Glories of a Crown Some Authors in the Relation of this Battle affirm That Philander quitted his Post as soon as the Charge was given and sheer'd off from that Wing he commanded but all Historians agree in this Point that if he did it was not for want of Courage for in a Thousand Incounters he has given sufficient proofs of as much Bravery as a Man can be capable of But he disliked the Cause disapproved of all their Pretenâ—ions and look'd upon the whole Affair and Proceeding to be most unjust and ungenerous And all the fault his greatest Enemies could charge him with was That he did not deal so gratefully with a Prince that loved him and trusted him and that he ought frankly to have told him he would not serve him in this Design and that it had been more Gallant to have quited him that way than this but there are so many Reasons to be given for this more Politick and safe Deceit than are needful in this place and 't is most certain as it is the most justifiable to Heaven and Man to one born a Subject of France and having Sworn Allegiance to his proper King to abandon any other Interest so let the Enemies of this great Man say what they please if a Man be oblig'd to be false to this or that Interest I think no body of common Honesty Sense and Honour will dispute which he ought to abandon and this is most certain that he did not forsake him because Fortune did so as this one Instance may make appear When Cesario was first Proclaimed King and had all the Reason in the World to believe that Fortune would have been wholly partial to him he offer'd Philander his choice of any Principality and Government in France and to have made him of the Order of Sanct Espréet all which he refused tho' he knew his great Fortune was lost and already distributed to Favourites at Court and himself Proscribed and Convicted as a Traytor to France Yet all these refusals did not open the Eyes of this credulous great young Man who still believed it the sullenness and Generosity of his Temper No sooner did the day discover to the World the horrid Business of the preceding Night but a diligent search was made among the infinite number of dead that covered the Face of the Earth for the Body of the Prince or New King as they called him But when they could not find him among the dead they sent out Parties all ways to search the Woods the Forests and the Plains nor was it long they sought in vain for he who had laid himself as I said under the shelter of a Tree had not for any consideration removed him but finding himself seiz'd by a common Hand suffered himself without Resistance to be detained by one single Man till more advanced when he could as easily have kill'd the Rustick as speak or move an Action so below the Character of this truly brave Man that there is no reason to be given to excuse this easie submission but this That he was Stupified with long Watching Grief and the Fatigues of his daily Toyl for so many Weeks before For 't is not to be imagin'd it was carelessness or little regard for Life for if it had been so he would doubtless have lost it Nobly with the Victory and never have retreated while there had been one Sword left advanced against him or if he had disdained the Enemy should have had the Advantage and Glory of so great a Conquest at least when his Sword had been yet left him he should have died like a Roman and have scorn'd to have added to the Triumph of the Enemy But Love had unman'd his great Soul and Hermione pleaded within for Life at any Price even that of all his Glory the thought of her alone blacken'd this last Scene of his Life and for which all his past Triumphs could never atone nor excuse Thus taken he
I run but one by the first I shall alarm the whole Cabal with a jealousie of my discovering and those are persons of too great sense and courage not to take some private way of revenge to secure their own stakes and to make my self uncertainly safe by a discovery indeed were to gain a refuge so ignoble as a Man of Honour wou'd scorn to purchase Life at nor wou'd that baseness secure me But in going on oh Silvia when Three Kingdoms shall ly unpossest and be expos'd as it were amongst the raffling Crowd who knows but the chance may be mine as well as any others who has but the same hazard and throw for'â— if the strongest Sword must do 't as that must do 't why not mine still why may not mine still Why may not mine be that fortunate one Cesario has no more right to it than Philander 't is true a few of the Rabble will pretend he has a better title to it but they are a sort of easy Fools lavish in nothing but noise and nonsense true to change and inconstancy and will abandon him to their own fury for the next that crys Haloo Neither is there one part of fifty of the Fools that cry him up for his Interest though they use him for a Tool to work with he being the only great Man that wants sense enough to find out the cheat which they dare impose upon Can any body of reason believe if they had 〈◊〉 him good they would let him bare fac'd have own'd a party so opposite to all Laws of Nature religion Humanity and Common gratitude when his Interest if design'd might have been carry'd on better if he had still dissembled and stay'd in Court no believe me Silvia the Politicians show him to rendersâ— him odious to all men of tolerable sence of the Party for what reason soever they have who are disoblig'd or at least think themselves so to set up for Liberty the world knows Cesario render himself the worst of Criminals by it and has abandon'd an interest more Glorious and Easy than Empire to side with and aid People that never did or ever can oblige him and he is so dull as to imagine that for his sake who never did us service or good unless Cuckolding us be good we should venture life and fame to pull down a true Monarch to set up his Bastard over us 〈◊〉 must 〈◊〉 me if I think his Politicks are shallow as his Parts and that his own Interest has undone him for of what advantage soever the design may be to us it really shocks ones nature to find a son engag'd against a Father and to him such a Father Nor when time comes shall I forget the ruine of Mertilla But let him hope on and so will I as do a thousand more for ought I know I set out as fair as they and will start as eagerâ—y if I miss it now I have Youth and Vigor sufficient for another Race and while I stand on Fortunes Wheel as she rouls it round it may be my turn to be o' th top for when 't is set in motion believe me Silvia 't is not easily fixt however let it suffice I 'm now in past a retreat and to urge it now to me is but to put me into inevitable danger at best it can but set me where I was that 's worse than death when every fool is aiming at a Kingdom what man of tollerable Pride and Ambition can be unconcern'd and not put himself into a posture of catching when a Diadem shall be thrown among the Croud 't were Insensibility stupid Dulness not to lift a hand or make an effort to snatch it as it flys though the glorious falling weight should crush me 't is great to attempt and if fortune do not favour Fools I have as fair a Grasp for 't as any other adventurer This my Silvia is my sense of a business you so muâ—h dread I may rise but I cannot fall therefore my Silvia urge it no more Love gave me Ambition and do not divert the Glorious effects of your wonderous Charms but let 'em grow and spread and see what they will produce for my Lovely Silvia the advantages will most certainly be hers But no more how came my Love so Dull to entertain thee so many minutes thus with reasons for an affair which one soft hour with Silviâ— will convince to what she wou'd have it beliâ—ve me it will I will sacrifice all to her repose nay to her least Command even the Life of My Eternal Pleasure Your PHILANDER I 〈◊〉 no longer patiâ—â—ce I must â—e coming towards the Grove though 't will do me no good more than knowing I am so much nearer my Adorable Creature I conjure you burn this for writing in haste I have not counterfeited my hand To Silvia Writ in a pair of Tablets MY Charmer I wait your Commands in the Meadow behind the Grove where I saw Dorinda Dorilus his Daughter entring with a Basket of Cowslips for Silvia unnecessarily offering sweets to the Goddess of the Groves from whence they with all the rest of their gaudy â—ellows of the Spring assume their Ravishing Odours I take every opportunity of telling my Silvia what I have so often repeated and shall be ever repeating with the same joy while I live that I Love my Silvia to Death aâ—d Madness that my soul is on the Wrack till she send me the happy advancing word And yet believe me Lovely Maid I could grow old with waiting here the blessed moment though set at any distance within the compass of Life and impossible to be till than arriv'd to but when I am so near approach't it Love from all parts rallies and hastens to my heart for the mighty incounter till the poor panting overloaded Victim dies with the pressing weight No more You know it for 't is and will be eternally Silvia's POSTSCRIPT Remember my Adorable 't is now seven a Clock I have my Watch in my hand waiting and looking on the slow paâ—'d Minutes Eight will quickly arrive I hope and then 't is dark enough to hide me hinkwhere I am and who I am twaiting near Silvia and her Philaâ—der I think my dear Angel you have the other Key of thesâ— Tablets if not they are easily broke open you have an hour good to write in Sâ—lvia and â— shall wait unimployed by any thing but thought Send me word how you were like to have been surpriz'd it may possibly be of advantage to me in this nights dear adventure I wonder'd at the Superscription of my Letter indeedâ—â—f whâ—ch Doriâ—us could give me no other account than that you were surpriz'd and he receiv'd it with difficulty give me the story now do iâ— in charity my Angel Besides â— would imploy all thy moments for I am jealous of every one that is not dedicated to Silâ—ia's Philander To Philander I Have receiv'd your Tablets of which I have the key and heaven only knows