Last Part of this History shall most Faithfully relate The End of the Second Part. THE AMOURS OF PHILANDER AND SILVIA Being the Third and Last Part OF THE Love-Letters Between a NOBLE-MAN AND HIS SISTER LONDON Printed and are to be Sold by most Book-Sellers 1687. TO THE LORD SPENCER My Lord WHEN a New Book conies into the World the first thing we consider is the Dedication and according to the Quality and Humour of the Patron we are apt to make a Iudgment of the following Subject If to a States-man we belive it Gravâ— and Politick if a Gown-man Law or Divinity if to the Young and Gay Love and Gallantry By this Ride I believe the gentle Reader who finds your Lordship's Name prefix'd before this will make as many various Opinions of it as they do Characters of your Lordship whose youthful Sallies have been the business of so much Discourse and which according to the Relator's Sence or good Nature is either aggravated or excused though the Womans Quarrel to your Lordship has some more reasonable Foundation than that of your own Sex for your Lordsâ—ip being Form'd with all the Beauties and Graces of Man-kind all the Charms of Wit Youth and Sweetness of Disposition derived to you from an Illustrious Race of Hero's adapting you to noblest Love and Softness they cannot but complain on that mistaken Conduct of â—ours that so lavishly deals out those agreeable Attractions Squandering away that Youth and Time on many which might be more advantageously dedicated to some one of the Fair and by a Liberty which they call not being Discreet enough robb 'em of all the Hopes of Conquest over that Heart which they believe can fix no where they cannot carress you into Tameness or if you sometimes appear so they are still upon their Guard with you for like a Young Lyon you are ever apt to leap into your Natural Wildness the Greatness of your Soul disdaining to be conâ—ined to lazy Repose tho the Delicacy of your Person and Constitution so absolutely require it your Lordship not being made for Diversions so rough and fatigueing as those your active Mind would impose upon it Your Lordship is placed in so Glorious a Station the Son of so Great a Father as renders all you do more perspicuous to the World than the Actions of common Men already the advantages of your Birth have drawn all Eyes upon you and yet more on those coming Greatnesses to which you were born if Heaven preserves your Lordship amidst the too vigorous Efforts and too dangerous Adventures which a too brisk Fire in your Noble Blood a too forward desire of gaining Fame daily exposes you to and will unless some force confine your too impatient Bravery shorten those Days which Heaven has surely designed for more Glorious Actions for according to all the Maxims of the Iudging Wise the little Extravagancies of Youth accomplish and perfect the Riper Years 'T is this that makes indulgent Parents permit those Sparks of Fire that are Gleaming in Young Hearts to kindle into a Flame knowing well that the Consideration and Temperament of a few more Years will regulate it to that just degree where the noble and generous Spirit should â—ix it self And for this we have had the Examples of some of the greatest Men that ever adorned History My Lord I presume to lay â—t your Lordship's Feet an Illustrious Youth the unhappy Circumstances of whose Life ought to be Written in lasting Characters of all Languages for a President to succeeding Ages of the Misfortune of â—eedless Love and â— too Early Thirst of Glory for in him your Lordship will find the fatal Effects of great Courage without Conduct Wit without Discretion and a Greatness of Mind without the steady Vertues of it so that from a Prince even ador'd by all by an imprudence that too often attendss the Great and Young and from the most exhalted Height of Glory mis-led by false notions of Honour and falser Friends fell the most pityed Object that ever was abandoned by Fortune I hope no One will imagine I intend this as a Parallel between your Lordship and our mistaken brave Vnfortunate since your Lordship hath an unquestioned and hereditary Loyalty which nothing can deface born from a Father who has given the World so evident Proofs that no fear of threatned danger can separate his useful Service and Duties from the Interest of his Royal and God-like Master which he pursues with an undaunted Fortitude in disdain of Phanatical Censures and those that want the Bravery to do a just Action for fear of future Turns of State And such indeed is your true Man of Honour and as such I doubt not but your Lordship will acquit your self in all times and on all occasions Pardon the Liberty my Zeal for your Lordship has here presumed to take since among all those that make Vows and Prayers for your Lordship's Health and Preservation none offers them more devoutly than My LORD Your Lordships Most Humble and Obedient Servant A. B. THE AMOURS OF PHILANDER and SILVIA OCTAVIO the Brave the Generous and the Amorous having left Silvia absolutely resolv'd to give her self to that doting fond Lover or rather to sacrifice her self to her Revenge that unconsidering Unfortunate whose Passion had expos'd him to all the unreasonable Effects of it return'd to his own House wholly transported with his happy Success He thinks on nothing but vast coming Joys Nor did one kind Thought direct him back to the evil Consequences of what he so hastily pursu'd he reflects not on her Circumstances but her Charms not on the Infamy he should espouse with Silvia but of those ravishing Pleasures she was capable of giving him he regards not the Reproaches of his Friends but wholly abandon'd to Love and youthful Imaginations gives a Loose to young Desire and Fancy that deludes him with a thousand soft Ideas He reflects not that his gentle and easy Temper was most unfit to joyn with that of Silvia which was the most haughty and humorous in Nature for tho' she had all the Charms of Youth and Beauty that are conquering in her Sex all the Wit and Insinuation that even surpasses Youth and Beauty yet to render her Character impartially she had also abundance of disagreeing Qualities mixt with her Perfections She was Imperious and Proud even to Insolence Vain and Conceited even to Folly she knew her Vertues and her Graces too well and her Vices too little she was very Opinionated and Obstinate hard to be convinced of the falsest Argument but very positive in her fancied Judgment Abounding in her own Sense and very critical on that of others Censorious and too apt to charge others with those Crimes to which she was her self addicted or had been guilty of Amorously inclin'd and indiscreet in the Management of her Amours and constant rather from Pride and Shame than Inclination fond of catching at every trifling Conquest and lov'd the Triumph tho' she hated the
done this but for somebody's Sake to whom I am more enjaged than I am aware of and when you pass'd your Parole for my Liberty I am not so vain to think it was for my Sake therefore pray inform me Sir how I can pay this Debt and to whom and who it is you require should be bound for me to save you harmless Madam cry'd Sebastian tho' there need no greater Security than your own Innocence yet least that Innocence should not be sufficient to guard you from the Outrage of a People approaching to Savages Iâ— bâ—ggâ— for your own Security not mine that you will make this House your Sanctuary my Power can save you from impending Harms and all that I call mine you shall command At this she blushing bow'd but durst not make Reply to contradict him She knew at least that there she was safe and well free from Fear of the Tyranny of the rest or any other Apprehension 'T is true she found by the Shyness of Octavio towards her before his Uncle that she was to manage her Amour with him by stealth till they could contrive matters more to their Advantage She therefore finding she should want nothing but as much of Octavio's Conversation as she desired she begg'd he would give her Leave to write a Note to her Page who was a faithful sober Youth to bring her Jewels and what things she had of Value to her which she did and received those and her Servants together who â—ound a perfect Welcome to the old Lover but Antonett had like to have lost her Place but that Octavio pleaded for her and she herself confessing 't was Love to the false Brilljard that made her do that foolish thing in which she vow'd she thought no harm tho' it was like to have cost so dear she was again received into Favour So that for some Days Silvia found herself very much at her Ease with the old Gentleman and had no want of any thing but Octavio's Company But she had the Pleasure to find by his Eyes and Sighs he wanted hers more He dy'd every day and his fair Face faded like falling Roses Still she was gay for if she had it not about her she assumed it to keep him in Heart she was not displeased to see the old Man on Fire too and fancied some Diversion from the Intrigue But he concealed his Passion all he could both to hide it from his Nephew and because he knew not what he ail'd A strange change he found a wonderous Disorder in Nature but could not give a Name to it nor Sigh aloud for fear he should be heard and lose his Reputation especially for this Woman on whom he had rail'd so lavishly One day therefore after a Night of Torment very incommode to his Age he takes Octavio into the Garden alone telling him he had a great Secret to impart to him Octavio guessing what it might be put his Heart in as good order as he could to receive it He at least knew the worst was but for him at last to steal Silvia from him if he should be weak enough to doat on the young Charmer and therefore resolv'd to hear with patience But if he were prepared to attend the other was not prepared to begin and so both walked many silent Turns about the Garden Sebastian had a-mind to ask a thousand Questions of his Nephew who he found maâ—gre all his Vows of deserting Silvia had no power of doing it He had a-mind to urge him to marry the Widow but durst not now press it tho' he used to do so least he should take it for Jealousy in him nor durst he now forbid him seeing her least he should betray the Secrets of his Soul He began every Moment to love him leâ—s as he loved Silvia more and beholds him as an Enimy to his Repose nay his very Life At last the old Man who thought if he brought his Nephew forth under pretence of a Secret and said nothing to him it would have look'd ill began to speak Octavio said he I have hitherto found you so just in all you have said that â—were a Sin to doubt you in what relates to Silvia You have told me she is nobly Born and you have with infinite Imprecations convinced me she is Vertuous and lastly you have sworn she was not Married At this he sigh'd and paus'd and left Octavio trembling with Fear of the Result A thousand times he was like to have denyed all but durst not defame the most sacred Idol of his Soul Sometimes he thought his Uncle would be generous and think it fit to give him Silvia but that Thought was too Seraphick to remain a Moment in his Heart Sir reply'd Octavio I own I said so of Silvia and hope no Action she has committed since she had a Protection under your Roof has contradicted any thing I said No said Sebastian sighing and pausing as loath to speak more Sir said Octavio I suppose this is not the Secret you had to impart to me for which you separate me to this lonely Walk fear not to trust me with it whatever it be for I am so intirely your own that I will grant submit prostrate myself and give up all my Will Power and Faculties to your Interest or Designs This incouraged the old Lover who reply'd Tell me on Truth Octavio which I require of you and I will desire no more Have not you had the Possession of this fair Maid You apprehend me Now it it was that he fear'd what Design the Amorous old Gentleman had in his Head and Heart and was at a loss what to say whether to give him some Jealousy that he had known and possess'd her and so prevent his Designs on her or by saying he had not to leave her Defenceless to his Love But on second Thoughts he could not resolve to say any thing to the Disadvantage of Silvia tho' to save his own Life and therefore assured his Uncle he never durst assume the Boldness to ask so rude a Question of a Woman of her Quality And much more he spoke to that purpose to convince him That 't is true he wou'd have Marry'd her if he cou'd have gain'd his consent maugre all the Scandal that the malicious World had thrown upon her But since he was positive in his command for the Widow he wou'd bend his Mind to Obedience In that replied Sabastian you are Wise and I am glad all your Youthful Fires are blown over and having once fixt you in the World as I design I have resolved on an Affair At this again he paused I am says he in Love I think it is Love or that which you call so I cannot eat nor sleep nor even pray but this fair Stranger interposes or if by chance I slumber all my Dreams are of her I see her I touch her I imbrace her and find a Pleasure even then that all my waking Thoughts cou'd never procure me If I go
very Wall and thinking from our Wounds we could noâ— escape far they searching the Houses found me dressing Calista's Wound which I kist a Thousand times But the matchless Courage of the fair Virago the Magnanimity of Calista's Soul nothing of foolish Woman harâ—our'd there nothing but softest Love for while I was raving mad tearing my Hair and cursing my Fate in vain she had no concern but for me no pain but that of her fear of being taken from me and being delivered to Old Clarinau whom I fear'd was not dead nor could the very seizing her daunt her Spirits but with an unmatch'd Fortitude she bore it all she only wish'd she could have escaped without Bloodshed We were both led to Prison but none knew who we were for those that seized us had by chance never seen me and Calista's Habit secur'd the discovery While we both remained there we had this Comfort of being well Lodg'd together for they did not go about to part us being in for one Crime And all the satisfaction she had was that she should she hop'd die concealed if she must die for the Crime and that was much a greater Ioy than to think she should be render'd back to Clarinau who in a few days we heard was upon his Recovery this gave her new fears but I confess to you I was not afflicted at it nor did I think it hard for me to bribe Calista off for the Master of the Prison was very Civil and Poor so that with the help of some few of Calista's Iewels he was wrought upon to let her escape I offering to remain and bear all the brunt of the Business and â—o pay whatever he could be Fined for it These Reasons with the ready Iewels mollified the needy Rascal and tho' loath she were to leave me yet she being assured that all they could do was but to sine me and her stay she knew was her inevitable Ruine she at last submitted leaving me sufficient in Iewels to satisfie for all that could happen which were the value of a Hundred thousand Crowns She is fled to Bruxells to a Nâ—nnery of Augustin's where the Lady Abbess is her Aunt and where for a little time she is secure till I can follow her I beg of you my dear Octavio write to me and write me a Letter of Recommendation to the Magistrates here who all being concern'd when any one of 'em is a Cuckold are very severe upon Criminals in those Cases I tire you with my Melancholy Adventure but 't is some ease in the Extreams of Grief to receive the tender Pity of a Friend and that I 'm sure Octavio will afford his unhappy Philander As cold and as unconcern'd as Silvia imagin'd she had found her Heart to Philander's Memory at the reading of this Letter in spight of all the Tenderness she had for Octavio she was possest with all those pains of Love and Jealousie which heretofore tormented her when Love was Young and Philander appeared with all those Charms with which he first Conquer'd she found the Fire was but hid under those Embers which every little blast blows off and makes it Flame a new 'T was now that she forgetting all the past Obligations of Octavio all his vast Presents his Vows his Sufferings his Passion and his Youth abandon'd herself wholly to her Tenderness for Philander and drowns her fair Cheeks in a Shower of Tears And having eas'd her Heart a little by this natural Relief of her Sex she opened the Letter that was design'd for her self and read this To Silvia I Know my lovely Silvia I am accused of a Thousand Barbarities for unkindly detaining your Lover who long ere this ought to have thrown himself at your Feet imploring a Thousand Pardons for his tedious Six Months absence tho' the affliction of it is all my own and I am affraid all the Punishment but when my dearest Silvia I reflect again it is in order to our future Tranquillity I depend on your Love and Reason for my Excuse I know my absence has procur'd me a Thousand Rivals and you as many Adorers and fear Philander appears grown Old in Love and worn out with Sorrow and Care unfit for the soft Play of the Young and Delicate Silvia new Lovers have new Vows and new Presents and your fickle Sex stoop to the lavish Prostrate Ill luck unkind Fate has riâ—â—'d me and of a shining Fortune left me even to the Charity of the stingy World and I have no new Complement to maintain the esteem in so great a Soul as that of Silvia but that old repeated one of telling her my dull my trifling Heart is still her own But oh I want the presenting Eloquence that so perswades and charms the Fair and am reduced to that fatal Torment of a generous Mind rather to ask and take than to bestow Yet out of my contemptible stock I have sent my Silvia something towards that dangerous unavoidable hour which will declare me however a happy Father of what my Silvia bears about her 't is a Bill for a Thousand Patacoons I am at present under an easie restraint about a little Dispute between a Man of Quality here and my self I had else been at Bruxells to have provided all things for your coming Ilness but every day expect my Liberty and then without delay I will take Post and bring Philander to your Arms. I have News that Caesario is arrived at Bruxells I am at present a Stranger to all that passes and having a double Obligation to haste you need not fear but I shall do so This Letter raised in her a different Sentiment from that of the Story of his Misfortune and that taught her to know that this he had writ to her was all false and dissembl'd Which made her in concluding the Letter cry out with a vehement Scorn and Indignation Oh how I hate thee Traytor who hast the Impudence to continue thus to impose upon me as if I wanted common Sense to see thy Baseness For what can be more Base and Cowardly than Lyes that poor Plebeian Shift contemn'd by Men of Honour or of Wit This she spoke without reminding that this most contemptible Quality she herself was equally guilty of tho' infinitely more excusable in her Sex there being a thousand little Actions of their Lives liable to Censure and Reproach which they would willingly excuse and colour over with little Falsities but in a Man whose most inconstant Actions pass oftentimes for innocent Gallantries and to whom 't is no Infamy to own a thousand Amours but rather a Glory to his Fame and Merit I say in him whom Custom has favoured with an Allowance to commit any Vice and boast it 't is not so brave And this Fault of Philander's cur'd Silvia of her Disease of Love and chaced from her Heart all that Softness which once had so much favoured him Nevertheless she was fill'd with Thoughts that fail'd not to make her extreamly