Selected quad for the lemma: friend_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
friend_n	appear_v	love_n	love_v	792	5	6.1776	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A29291	The circle: or Conversations on love & gallantry; originally in French. Now Englished. And since augmented with several new songs, illustrated with musical notes, both treble & bass. By Nath. Noel, Gent. Licensed May the 5th. 1675. R. L'Estrange; Cercle. English.	Montfort, François Salvat, sieur de.; Noel, Nathaniel.; Villedieu, Madame de, d. 1683, attributed name.; Brémond, Gabriel de., attributed name.	1676 (1676)	Wing B4345B; ESTC R214743	121,686	275

and so this desire is no sooner born but dyeth no body shall ever make me believe that Love can Reign without hope how then shall an Old man love if he have nothing in him that may make him hope to be loved and consequently to obtain what he loveth and desireth let us begin with wisdome which is the thing that doth Old men the most honour and let us see if she be capable of making them hope any thing from love if I discourse with one of them he will doubtless tell me that it is the greatest folly a man can do to become in love in his Old Age by this then it is plain that an Old man cannot hope much since he is assured to go for a Fool to love at his age Besides they know but too well how Odious the name of Old Age is to all that are beautiful in the world and how they change both Voices and Countenances at the sight only of gray hairs I might have here a fair field to enlarge upon but to you that can devine the half of what I would say I must not relate all let us observe Old Folks another way and we shall find that being far enough from hope nothing is so natural to them as to fear whether it be that it proceedeth from their own weakness or from the experience they have that the world is but a cheat How can we make it appear after this that they love if they are in continual apprehensions to be deceived I remember something to this purpose which one of my Friends told me not long ago that an Old man might love a person much inferiour to him and of an indifferent Beauty that may make him hope to be loved again by reason she is not amiable enough to be loved of another but who is it that seeth not that there is more of wit than truth in this reason because it is first necessary that Love cometh either from choice or destiny as for example destiny causeth that two hearts love each other when it hapneth that they are both born under the same ascendant or that the same Planet ruleth the life of both it is certain that these two Persons love intirely Again we may love by destiny when there is a resemblance of humors as Physicians argue and in many others which I could tell You If it were requisite to tell you all the opinions they have upon this Subject we cannot say that these good Old Grandsires are capable of this love when they chose a Mistress for they are not assured that she they shall take for the Object of their desires hath a humor like them that she hath the same Ascendant or that she is born under the same Planet they are I say no more assured than to know how to bring themselves to it If we will now that love cometh to an Old man by choice since in effect he seeketh her whom he thinketh easiest to win I say that love comporteth himself to all that are good or fair or that seem so If it be thus I pray tell me what reason is there to believe that an Old man can be in love if he seeketh that which is less amiable it is rather a token of Choler and Hatred which he hath against himself than a signe of love it seemeth as though he would punish himself for the smalness of his merit or that he hath despight for not knowing how to aspire to something better composed We also see that most of your Gray beards address themselves commonly to none but persons that are made unhappy by the way of Fortune or to those that have not too much wit to be succesful in their deregulate affections But yet this cannot be called love for the reason I have already mentioned since considering these two evil qualities in them it is impossible they can have any love no more than esteem If the Object they chose be in misery they believe as in effect it is true that it is the Estate they love in them and not their person that they would have no love for them did they not buy it and that they courted them for nought but to pick their pockets In the mean time as in this thing they are most sensible and since they behold their Mistresses like so many Harpies I believe they cannot have any love for them And for the last Reason I conclude that an Old man is incapable of love because he thinketh himself not loved again But should there be found in the world Women with so little sense as to love men of their Age. I say that notwithstanding they would have no love for them judging themselves unworthy to be loved by people like them I am c. All these Reasons said d'Armenton after the Baron had ended reading of his Letter are good but they make nothing against what I have said and I am likewise of that Opinion with the rest of the world that one must be a Fool indeed to love at that Age after the manner of Young people but one must likewise be wise indeed to Love after the manner I say but it doth not belong to a Young man There is nevertheless said the Count a famous Author among the Greeks who saith that the less time we have to live the more we ought to give to love and that a man who hath gray hairs may Court a young Lass with as good Grace as we may joyn the Foses with the Lillies to male a fair Nose-gay I believe he understood not that love only of the mind but that which causeth us to fall into an agreeable weakness of mind to be the more tender of what we love Thus Author was doubtless Old replyed the Abbot and we must not wonder at it if concerning Love he hath mentioned things of so little sense I remember I heard Madamoisella d'Armond diverting her self in this Carden with a Song not long since which is not a little pertinent to our present Discourse and I hope she will vouchsafe this Company the goodness of obliging them with it now She after a smal modest refusal thus began SONG 'T is folly to think old Men can enjoy the sprightly Pleasures of Youth their desires are frozen and Youth will not toy with Ice on an odd perish'd Tooth t' enjoy the sweet pleasures of love in due time 'T is fittest to tast 'em when we are in our prime Age may desire and wish but wants power To love but in fancy alone The effect of which Love 's like a winter shower Or the work of a feeble Drone T' enjoy c. How rudely are the young Rose-buds embrac'd When kist by a cold North-wind So Youth seemeth nipp'd with a bitter Frost When enjoy'd by a gray-haird Friend T' enjoy c. Beauty was never design'd for Old Age By Nature that excellent Dame Her Lessons say Youth with Youth must engage Since there is most fire and flame T' enjoy the

secret and were there not often many VVomen that often oblige us to this weakness I know not how we could excuse our selves it would be a very delightful matter replied Madam d'Eyrac for some of us to relate why there are so few men discreet It shall be d'Armenton said the Abbot for he is much enclined to speak for you against the men and here is a subject will cost him little It shall be rather You replyed Madamoiselle d'Armond for You have been long silent and we will see a little if after you have placed the Women so much beneath the men You can retire the men from so naughty a walk to place them only opposite to the Women I know too little answered the Abbot what belongeth to Love to know how to resolve You how to keep an amarous mistery secret and I will tell You no more upon that than what I have read in Ovid. Ovid Sir interrupted the Countess d'Ancyre You quote to us a very pleasant Author Is it not he that counselleth Lovers to feign themselves in drink when they are with their Mistresses that all the liberties they take with them may the more easily be excused and in another place he proposeth a fine manner of declaring Love he saith that if we find an Opportunity to be with our Mistress at any Banquet we must when we hold the glass in our hand dip our finger in the Wine and afterwards upon the Table write down our Love for her I heard these from a Gentleman that had read Ovid very much but would not imitate him If this custome replyed the Abbot seemeth now rediculous to You it was not perhaps in the dayes of Ovid It is because the men said d'Arignan are now more knowing in Love and I believe that if it were possible for Ovid to rise again he would cry up Maxim's which he would expose to the Publick that would now sute with none but Serving-Maids Let vs leave Ovid then said the Marchioness and let us observe what the Abbot will tell us upon the Question proposed since You will not answered the Abbot let me use this Author I must tell You what I my self conceive upon this matter First I believe that diseretion consisteth in avoiding all things that may breed disturbance and make a noise and on the other side beware that in endeavouring to be too discreet You be not at all There are some Lovers who will not make use of any one in their Loves out of fear of trusting a secret with any one that may deceive them But in all the Mysteries of this Nature a confident is so necessary that You cannot be without a man in Love is daily pressed with his passion he is ever desirous to speak write to or see his Mistress and to ease this eagerness which bereaveth him of his repose He standeth often in need of a person that is of his Intelligence and endeavouring to do all we ruine and destroy all This Passion which transporteth us and whose aim is only at satisfaction is not accustomed to be over-cautious it looks neither to the right nor to the lest but only before it and so that there be not any thing to hinder her course it seemeth not concerned at those that follow it by sight There is nothing the world taketh so much paines in than to discover the proceedings of an Inclination they are all curious to know the secret of an Intrigue and as soon as they discover the glimps of any thing they will penetrate to the bottom It is but suspecting a a man in Love with a woman to have a desire to know the truth of what passeth a he or she confident of whose fidelity one is assured save a Lover from this danger they manage a business better than he they proceed with more care and besides their supplying with Counsels and with the Favour they have with a Mistress they help many failings which a Lover would have committed I extend a little upon this matter for that there are many people who think themselves very expert in Love and who make it one of their most principal points in discretion not to let any one know of their Intrigue and to make use of no body but to do all things by themselves In the mean time You see that these nice spirits abuse themselves so grosly I say that it is most certain that an assured confident is the most Important matter in an amorous commerce To this let us add the pleasure there is in telling a faithful friend the sweets one hath tasted with a Mistress the charms of that amiable Creature the joy one hath to love her for these are certain things which lie heavy upon the heart of a Lover when he hath not the satisfaction to tell it to some Body Do You not Observe said the Dutchess Interrupting him how the Abbot will prove himself unskulful in Love-affairs however all that he hath sayd even hitherto is a subtil Gallantry I know not replied the Countess d'Ermand whither all that he hath hitherto said be so gallant but I find it not very near the matter The Question is to know the Reason why the men are so Indiscreet and the Cautions that are to be Observed to practice this Vertue and he goeth and telleth us the necessity there is to have a Confident as if that had any Analogy with discretion Yes Madam replied the Abbot to her assnredly it hath and You shall see if You will grant me that Favour to hear me that I wander not so much from my Subject I would bring the matter to the actions which they should not do publickly for besides that something of it hath already been said It were needless to give Lessons for defaults in which there are none but block-heads and people full of Vanity that can fall into them I chose rather to use a subject something more delicate and to make it appear that that was not to be discreet to desire to be too much and that a man cannot be accused of Indiscretion that confides his Secret in a Friend who can serve him in that affair and because of that I have let You see of what Importance a Consident was This is well justified said the Dutchess and although the Abbot did not directly answer the Question proposed I find that what we Treat of is not too far from the matter That to declare that not only one may but must have a Confident in Love We must have been in Love proceeded the Abbot to know how many occasions are fit for afriend as I say in an Intrigue of Affection and the necessity there is to have one to whom one might communicate all things The Abbot said the Cavaleer will at length perswade us maugre him that he hath been in Love for my part I am of his Opinion and I hold that is the safest way of loving to make use of a third person and that we are less subject to

before the day ends he may recant or that hee 'l repent Ladies answered the Abbot if you have no greater an adversary than me you have no reason to fear I shall perhaps be obliged to keep my word if I am urged to it Rut it shall be to say nought against you than what I cannot forbear to relate VVe shall see that said Madam d'Elus to him however it is not of so small a Consequence as not 〈◊〉 deserve the pains to think a little upon it I counsel you proceeded she as a Friend to betake your self to a place of safety in time for you know it is natural to us to love revenge As the Abbot was going to answer her a great dogg that crost the VValk chacing a Fowl run against him with such violence that the fright of it had like to have made him fall all along it is to be imagined how the Ladies laughed the Lady Sindal whose Lodging was not far came at this noise and asked what the matter was see you not answered Madamoiselle d'Armand still laughing without measure Mr. Abbot there against whom the whole Universe is set since he hath declared himself against us a dogg but even now had like to have devoured him and I believe that it was upon out account that he hath spared him for my part said the Lady Sindal I am pleased that Mr. Abbot is still of one mind and to see him resolute for in lieu of a few injuries which he will invent against us we shall receive from Monsieur d'Armenton a thousand praises and I die with desire already to hear this dispute The Chevalier d'Estapes and the Baron d'Exaxe upon this came to the Abbot and added to the conversation But it continued not long because the Duke sent to them to know if they would be for Hunting that the weather was fair and that they had nought to do but to get themselves ready The Ladies had a desire to be of the number they were most agreeably received nought else was thought on but breakfast the Horses and Hounds were soon in a readiness insomuch that in less than two hours breakfast was done they mounted on Horse-back and into the spacious Fields they went Dayes are not alwaies fortunate nor always proper for Hunting however this was and they relished the pleasure so well that they returned not till the Evening to Supper our Hunters were almost starved The Ladys had good stomacks and there wanted not wherewith to content them for the Table was so sumptuously adorned that I can hardly believe Paris can shew better chear they begun with little or no discourse because every one did his endeavour to feed well about the middle of Supper some discourse passed concerning Hunting But at the last they fell upon the dispute that should serve for the conversation this Eveniug Mad●moiselle d'Armand failed not to set hpon Mr Abbot nor he to defend himself well The Duke took extream delight in it and observing that not only the Ladys were against the Abbot but some of the men also he told him that he must needs have a good opinion of his own strength to hope to resist so many Enemies It is not now Sir answered him the Abbot that the Women have seduced the men and that these unfortunate Creatures have turned their own Weapons against themselves to please their Enemies for so it is continued he we should call the Women since truth makes it appear that they bring upon us the greatest part of our misfortunes But when by their allurements they should get the whole Universe to themselves none should never perswade me but that the men are far more perfect than the Women and that he had that saith VVoman doth but name a work which Nature had forgot to nnish The Duke which had a desire to see how the dispute would pass upon so gallant a subject between two persons that had as much wit as any in the world beside intreated the company for this time to continue with him you may believe that there was none but who did willingly consent to the Dukes desire so that when the Table was taken up they sat round him as in the form of a Circle and Madamoiselle d'Armand who had ever the Office of Lieutenant to the Dutchess told Mr. Abbot that it was time to begin if he had any thing to say against them and that Monsieur d'Armenton was prepared for their defence the advantage is already large enough on my side answered her the Abbot and I 'le willingly resign that priviledg to Monsieur d'Armenton if I once begin I shall be troubled to make an end and there is too much to be said in favour of my party that he will not know what to say nor answer Triumph not so much before-hand replyed his Adversary lest you be overcome two manner of wayes I am to make it appear that the men are not more perfect that the women as you pretend they are and without amusing my self with any more Ceremonies Since you will have me begin I am going to set upon see it and will place the VVomen and carry their Glories even to a degree of perfection which the men shall hardly be able to attain to This perfection continue ●he that you will give the Men above the VVomen must be remarkable either in body or mind and I 〈◊〉 that in either the VVomen at least do equalize the Men they have in truth the Body more strong more light more expert and more capa●le of hardship than the VVomen but you your self will own that this quality is no perfection since among men themselves they who have strength in a higher degree than other are not the more esteemed for that as to what toucheth the mind it is constant that what a man understandeth a woman understands or can understand and that the apprehension is equal in both After he had said this he kept silence to hear Mr. Abbot's answer but because he made none he proceeded in this manner You know said he that there is an argument maintained in Phylosophy that these are the delicatest bodies who are lookt upon to have the promptest VVits and in this manner the VVomen ought to have the most esteem wi●h their delicacy since it is a ma●k of their liveliness But let us forbear Philosophy and hold in if you will with experience I know there have been Philosophers enemies to women who said that Nature ever endeavouring to make ●hings more perfect if she could produce none but men and that it was through e●ror she brought VVomen into the VVorld but you must confess that there were poor Philosophers and that Nature will bring forth a VVoman when she produceth something because it is a subject so necessary to the end she tends to which is to conserve the kind We need not read any History either ancient or modern to know that there have been VVomen that have waged VVar and that have

I would fain desire him to explain to us the Nature of this paine and for my part since I am not infected with the Vice of insensibility as many people are I might give him some ease if it lay in the Circuit of my power Nothing could be more gallantly and favourably said on my behalf than this was and I was just now going to answer her according to her desire had not a sudden look which Egidia cast upon me put me in mind of my promise which made me silent not knowing what to say This admirable Lady perceived my trouble and took up the word very well for the purpose it is true said she that there are certain sorts of Distempers that for their recovery the parties afflicted must have Recourse to those persons that caused them but the Cavaleer is not sick in such manner however it is continued she I acknowledg my self so sensible of all that concerneth him that I hould not willingly suffer him to relate his pain before me nay though I might be capable of giving him ease For your part Madam said she in speaking to her Sister if you are in that mind you may give your self that content but you shall give me leave to retire then if you please And after she had said these words she went away insomuch that I remained alone with the Abbess who thinking she had triumphed told me with a Joy she had much to do to conceal that she saw well that her Sister had resigned up my heart since she quitted the party and that it was she that must cure my Distemper but that this was not yet all she would know of my own self after what manner she was established in this heart and how much beyond her Sister that she had given me time enough to consider on it and that one part I must take which was either to despair the obtaining any thing of tenderness from me or else to resolve not to divide a thing which she desired the entire possession of that she would grant me a small tender esteem for her Youngest Sister but for the heart she only must have it and that she knew how to use it after she had said all these things with much Gallantry she was silent to hear my answer but I answered nothing and I believe that my silence alone spoke enough to be understood by her and that she took it as an evil Omen some moments after she seeing me prepare to speak as one that had been musing what to speak she did it before me to hinder me from explaining my meaning thinking it would not have been very favourable on her behalf Oh Heaven said she how little reason have I to be satisfied now Were I not in an Humor to forgive you every thing and had I not some pity to see you thus melancholy Go into your Chamber and there repose your self that 's all the head-ake requires I 'll take care that none shall trouble you I retired with this permission but confused like a man that knew not what to say but I was no sooner got to her Chamber door then she called me back again and said with an air full of sweetness Sir Cavaleer hark you I will meet you this Evening at Eight in the Arbor that is in the last Walk I shall expect you there with one of my Friend if you love me you will not fail What do I say replied she presently if you did not love me you are too gallant to miss a Rendezvouz that I appoint you there 's nothing that I know of can make you dispence with it Adieu and do not fail then in ending these words she smiled and entred into her Closet there to hide from me a small blush which did instantly ascend her Visage but for what I 'll not tell you but in this manner said the Cavaleer endrd this conversation which I so much dreaded I believed nevertheless that I was rid of this incumbrance better than I did think I should and that I had avoided very much trouble in not being constrained to explain my mind before these two Ladies upon the choice my Heart should have made of them But yet I could not forbear to fear the Evening-meeting I apprehended her designe by it and to be the last act of Grace however since I must and since I was resolved to hide nothing from her through unworthy Equivocations I thought it better to make use of this occasion when I should see her alone to disabuse her wholly than to stay any longer The Honours and Favours I received from her augmented daily and rendred my ingratitude the greater I determined than upon this Declaration and was the remainder of the day after Dinner preparing my self for it in my Chamber they went to Supper a little after six of the clock that they might have the more time to walk in the fresh aire I seemed less Melancholy at the Table than I did in the morning Egidia took notice of it and she who had sought me a very great while with extream patience for to demand of me how the case stood with me and her Sister judged not well on her own behalf seeing me in another humor and did effectively believe that I had betrayed her I took notice how discomposed she seemed and how little she eat this thought so perplexed her she had ever her eyes upon the Abbess or me to endeavour to surprize our looks and penetrate into our hearts to see whether we had no intelligence one with another to deceive her she had not the patience to rise from the Table with the rest but at length upon a light pretence she left us and retired into her Chamber from whence she sent one of her Friends who quitted her self very handsomly of that Commission to tell me that she stayed to speak with me as soon as I had supped I failed not and took so good a time that the Abbess who was entertaining two or three Ladies that came to Visit her did not in the least perceive it I found this Lady in a very melancholy posture leaning upon a Table who presently told me that I was not a little obliged to her for having helped me out of trouble at her Cost and that she doubted not but her Sister had reaped the advantage but that for my sake she would not repent it and when it was for my Repose she would sacrifice all things even to her heart it self and afterwards suddenly changing her discourse but by what Charme said She or to speak better through what engagement hath Madam the Abbess rendred You your Jovial humor for me-thinks you seem to be very pleasant this after-noon Alas you were so melancholy this morning have You some gage of her heart that gives You so much Joy speak Cavaleer and conceal nothing from me You have betrayed me and doubtless You knew not how to save your self from the hands of my Adversary but in this

abcording to the Law you say that she loveth me not It belongeth to him replied the Marchiones that beginneth to love first to be also the first to desire to please and accomodate himselfe wholly to the humor of the person he condereth he must govern himself to please her will and make his desires to be the slaves of hers his Soul it self ought to Obey her in all things and never to be transformed into any thing but her if it were possible and make it his last Felicity True Lovers ought to do thus My felicity replied the Baron would doubtless be to have one will to be mistress of her heart and mine but how shall this accord be made if she never doth any thing for me while I do all things for her if she doth not something slacken this great severity to give me at least some hope The Baron was there when a Page came to tell the Dutchess that there was a great company of Persons of Quality newly arrived for which reason the Circle was broke up and this Question went no farther that they might follow the Dutchess who went before to meet those that came to Visit her The rest of the Evening passed in indifferent discourses or in small matters without any particular Enter tainment except the ensuing Song which Madamoiselle d'Armand gave the Company SONG I heard a Nymph that sat alone beneath a shady Hill in doleful Notes her Fate bemoan and th' air therewith thus fil A╌lass said she wo wo is me that live under loves tiranny since nought but falsness I descry in men I 'le lay me down and die the Wood-Nymphs shall carry me to the woods and bury me and o' th top of my grave they shall strow Chaplets of Flowrs and make pretty Bow'rs to honour loves Arrow Bow To honour Loves Arrow and Bow I. B. CHAP. VI. THe Sixth day the Dutchess gave the Company an Entertainment which I cannot relate here without making a long digression of something very Noble But I believe it is better not to trouble the Readers patience for nothing troubleth it more than digressions that I say only in passing that they had a Ball and a Play and towards the Evening marvellous artificial Fire-works after which they returned to form the Circle and to propose new Questions Madamoiselle d'Armand addressed her self first to d'Arignan to make the breach for a noble conversation and he thus began I remember said he that the Count hath instructed the Ladies how to receive a Declaration of Love but to body hath yet said in what manner it must be done for in ●ine added he what must we hope from the fidelities cares and services which we do to these Fairo●…es if they know not upon what design we do them There are many things answered Madamoiselle d'Armand that speak but too much what a man feels when he is in Love even to silence all things speak in Love that is certain replied d'Arignan But how many Mistresses are there that seem blind to all the respects which the Lovers have for them and show them to all that sighes may make them understand so that all these advancements being without effect or at least without exchange a miserable Lover is at length constrained to complain and from Complaint to pass to a Declaration I would then desire some body to learn me the secret if there be any one to explain ones self to a Mistress without going in danger to displease her Methinks proceeded he that it would very well agree with Madamoiselle d'Armand to do it If she would have the goodness to tell us any thing as I am not in a humor answered this Lady to receive a Declaration of this nature in what manner soever I cannot tell You any but would displease me I will truly tell you that to be loved or not to be loved is not so indifferent to me but I could desire it it is a desire too natural to our Sex but I would if it were possible for me very much to hinder a man from entertaining me of his Love if through hazard he had any for me so much relating to me and for the rest I would ever counsel a friend not to speak till the last extremity and to have done all things before he cometh to these words I love You and it must also be done with so much discretion and so properly that he must consider of it often before he saith it If it be so troublesome a thing said the Abbot smiling to say that one loveth it must be in writing on the contrary replied Madamoiselle d'Armand to him if he be a man that is discreet and understandeth Heroical Gallantry he will not use this means You say there is less trouble in it but there is also more danger in it and one is rarely succesful because the liberty is greater and that a Lady much sooner excuseth a word escaped from ones mouth than what is writ to her I know not replied the Baron but if I be not deceived whatever grimaces these Ladies make to us when we declare to them the passion we have for them since according to the confession of Madamoiselle d'Armond her self they are glad to be loved I believe not in the end that they will be displeased with one for telling it to them In truth You are deceived replyed the Marchioness to him and the most part of Lovers do but ill to trust to that Opinion What must they do then replied the Duke on a sudden if it be me You ask said the same Lady to him I will tell You my mind A Lover who hath a desire to proceed to a Declaration ought to do it with a most respectful Carriage and in the same moment so discreetly that his words may insensibly dispose the mind of his Mistress favourably to receive what he will say to her and that they may have a double meaning by which meanes he may deliver himself from trouble if he seeth her in a humor to give him attention for else it were to ruine him a Lady that had been accustomed to live familiarly with him and to treat him like a friend of esteem and tenderness would be no more so but very reserved as soon as he hath declared himself her Lover and would deprive him of all the civil friendship which she had granted him before by reason of the tenderness she had for him it is because of this that those Lovers who are thus carried away by their passion scarce ever have good success because that the VVomen seeke above all things to have respect showed them and they think that to make a publick declaration of Love to them is to bereave them of what is their due I know no discreet VVoman at least but would be Offended at it although she might have a strong inclination for him that might speak to her of his love It is certain added the Countess d'Ancyre that we shali see

no understanding VVoman that would not blush upon a like occasion That is true replied d'Arignan but I pray tell me by what motion is it they blush for I imagine it is not alwaies for anger However it is replied the Marchioness smiling at the demand of d'Arignan it is my Opinion that a Gentleman should make his actions and his sighs speak before he speaketh himself there are many said d'Armenton as hath already been said that contribute to the revealing of a Lovers designs and inclination a sigh and a service rendred in due season a small fear some respects on a certain occasion all these things in their proper season are oftentimes more effectual and better understood than the smoothest Rhetorick in the world there is no body but may apprehend the Eyes meaning those are the faithful Messengers that bring the news of what passeth in the heart and they have quite another power than the tongue insomuch that they discover the most hidden thoughts and penetrate sometimes even to the heart of the persons loved and cause in them the same ardour with which they themselves are inflamed Do you believe that a Mistress how deaf so ever she seemeth doth not understand what the eyes tell her when she seeth how pittifully they turn towards her how they fix tpon hers as if they were made fast to them and turn away again as if they were dazled It is true it is good to Husband this Language and to beware the discovering ones passion to those from whom it should be the most concealed We seldome love without Jealoutie or without a Rival who continually observes the motion of these innocent Interpreters especially from persons who are most to be suspected A Lover hath but two Eyes and a Jealous Husband hath four he seeth before and behind for which reason a Judicious man ought to govern himself wisely and to behave himself according to time and place and when he hath cause to fear to deprive himself of so sweet a pleasure the more secretly a Love is kept I mean of these Loves which are not permitted and which are now notwithstanding very much Alamode the sweeter it is and we know to how many evil Consequences the least inclination is subject to when it is revealed and I said the Cavaleer I believe that the great secret is not to make it so much a mistery We believe that an inclination doth nor proceed so far that they need to give themselves the trouble to conceal it and the world is now so much upon one matter that they take the most amorous things for simple Gallantry when they are done in company whereas they that take the other part are in continual Alarms because indeed the least appearance to them is a deaths wound they imagine very often that there is more than they see and more than there is and it is a pleasure to them to tell it because they believe it not to be known How many Women are there who live with a Familiarity without example with their Gallants even before their Husbands who perhaps would suspect all things if they did otherwise I know one whose Husband is moe jealous than any man who could never endure that any one saw her except one of my friends because she treateth him familiarly before his face and yet it is the only One that ever hath obtained the good-will of this Lady These things happen seldom replied d'Armenton and for my part I hold that the surest way is to love in private and that one cannot be too cautious before those that are interessed We must dissemble say that we least think of and use constraint constantly or else we may be in danger to lose all I believe replyed de Arignan that these maxims are good but so difficult to Observe that they are almost impossible for a passionate Lover We have not alwayes an occasion to find a Mistress without a witness and there are some that are never to be seen but in company and if we must always practice what you say we run the danger of being long before we do our business and never to receive content We must love in tranquility that it may not appear a little when we see the person we love Those that know how to love as they should do replyed de Armenton find Expedients for all things and meanes to make them to be understood although they have little Intelligence without being understood by others and without amuzing me to particularize all those small secrets to you since you cannot have been in love for not to have known much your self I will only tell you what hapned a few dayes since in a company where I was two Lovers whom the jealousie of a Husband did for some time hinder them from seeing each other having in an assembly entertained each other most tenderly by the side of a Table and which seemed most indifferent there was none but I in the whole company that did suspect their discourse to be of Love they were to expect as to use some indifferent matter to entertain each other aloud before the company and from time to time when they talked of the most inward other softly And this scene continued above two hours without seeming to look one on another and as persons that had the least acquaintance together there are yet many other pleasant wayes upon which time places and the persons must give a Discreet Lover counsel for it would be impossible to form certain Rules In truth the matter is too large replyed the Baron it is love that must instruct us in that he who is the Father of Inventions and who alwayes favoureth a Lover when he hath recourse to him But the thing which I would at present know and which is not less important in Gallantry than it is to be discreet in publick and to love in private It is the manner how to conserve our selves in our Mistresses favour for it is the chiefest thing we fail in and of many Lovers who can perfectly gain the esteem of a Lady I see but very few that know how to conserve it which is a great defect and which causeth us to enjoy the happiness to be loved when we love but a little time I believe that after so many pretty matters as hath been proposed this here may deserve the pains of a continued conversation It is this that doth evidence the mens inconstancy I am certain at least that we often-times need to seek no other cause than their unquiet spirit which is weary of a Happiness as soon as they possess it whatever trouble it hath cost them to Obtain it From thence you may judge whether the Women have no reason not to engage themselves so far in Love and never to submit if they can avoid it We may also replyed the Cavaleer accuse the Women of Inconstancy but that is not the thing and I believe that the same meanes that are used to obtain