pasles and give your Letters to Octavio for none else shall know where I am or how to send to me Be careful of Silvia and observe her with diligence for possibly I should not be extravagantly afflicted to find she were inclin'd to love me less for her own ease and mine since Love is troublesome when the height of it carries it to jealousies little quarrels and eternal discontents all which beginning Lovers prize and pride themselves on every distrust of the fond Mistress since 't is not only a demonstration of love in them but of power and charmes in us that occasion it but when we no longer find the Mistress so desirable as our first wishes form her we value less their opinion of our persons and only endeavour to render it agreeable to new Beauties and adorn it for new Conquests but you Briljard have been a Lover and understand already this Philosophy I need say no more then to a man who knows so well my Soul but to tell him I am His constant Friend Philander This came as Briljards Soul cou'd wish and had he sent him word he had been chosen King of Poland he cou'd not have receiv'd the news with so great joy and so perfect a welcom How to manage this to his best advantage was the business he was next to consult after returning an answer now he fancied himself sure of the lovely prize in spight of all other oppositions For says he in reasoning the case if she can by degrees arrive to a coldness to Philander and consider him no longer as a Lover she may perhaps consider me as a Husband or shou'd she receive Octavio 's addresses when once I have found her feable I will make her pay me for keeping of every secret So either way he entertain'd a hope tho never so distant from Reason and probability but all things seem possible to longing Lovers who can on the least hope resolve to out wait even Eternity if possible in expectation of a promis'd blessing and now with more than usual care he resolv'd to dress and fet out all his Youth and Beauty to the best advantage and being a Gentleman well born he wanted no Arts of dressing nor any advantage of shape or Mein to make it appear well Pleas'd with this hope his art was now how to make his advances without appearing to have design'd doing to And first to act the Hypocrite with his Lord was his business for he consider'd rightly if he should not represent Silva's sorrows to the life and appear to make him sensible of 'em he shou'd not after be credited if he related any thing to her disadvantage for to be the greater Enemy you ought to seem to be the greatest Friend This was the policy of his heart who in all things was inspir'd with phanatical notions In order to this being alone in his Chamber after the defeat he had in that of Silvia's he writ this Letter Briljard to Philander My Lord YOu have done me the honour to make me your Confident in an affair that does not a little surprize me Since I believ'd after Silvia no mortal Beauty cou'd have touch'd your heart and nothing but your own excuses cou'd have suffic'd to have made it reasonable and I only wish that when the fatal news shall arrive to Silvia's ear as for me it never shall that she may think it as pardonable as I do but I doubt 't will add abundance of grief to what she is already possest of if but such a fear shou'd enter in her tender thoughts But since 't is not my business my Lord to advise or counsel but to obey I leave you to all the success of happy Love and will only give you an account how affairs stand here since your departure That Morning you left the Brill and Silvia in Bed I must disturb your more serene thoughts with telling you that her first surprise and griefs at the news of your departure were most deplorable where raging madness and the softer passion of Love complaints of grief and anger sighs tears and cries were so mixt together and by turns so violently seiz'd her that all about her wept and pitty'd her 't was sad 't was wonderous sad my Lord to see it Nor cou'd we hope her Life or that she wou'd preserve it if she cou'd for by many ways she attempted to have releas'd her self from pain by a violent Death and those that strove to preserve that cou'd not hope she wou'd ever have return'd to sense again sometimes a wild extravagant Raving wou'd require all our aid and then again she would talk and rail so tenderly and express her resentment in the kindest softest words that ever madness utter'd and all of her Philander till she has set us all a weeping round her sometimes she 'd sit as calm and still as death and we have perceiv'd she liv'd only by sighs and silent Tears that fell into her bosom then on a suddain wildly gaze upon us with Eyes that even then had wonderous Charms and frantickly survey us all then cry aloud where is my Lord Phillander Oh bring me my Phillander Brilljard Oh Antonett where have you hid the Treasure of my Soul then weeping floods of Tears wou'd sink all fainting in our Arms. Anon with trembling words and sighs she 'd cry but Oh my dear Phillander is no more you have surrendered him to France Yes yes you 've given him up and be must dye Publickly dye be led a sad Victim thro the joyful crowd reproacht and fall ingloriously Then rave again and tear her ' lovely hair and Act such wildness so moving and so sad as even infected the pittying beholders and all we cou'd do was gently to perswade her grief and sooth her raveing Fits but so we swore so heartily we vow'd that you were safe that with the aid of Octavio who came that day to visit her we made her capable of hearing a little reason from us Octavio kneel'd and beg'd she wou'd but calmly hear him speak he pawn'd his Soul his honour and his life Philander was as safe from any injury either from France or any other Enemy as he as she or Heaven it self in sine my Lord he Vow'd he swore and pleaded till the with patience heard him tell your Story and the necessity of your absence this brought her temper back and dry'd her Eyes then sighing answer'd him that if for your safety you were fled she wou'd forgive your cruelty and your absence and indeavour to be her self again But then she wou'd a thousand times conjure him not to deceive her faith by all the friendship that he bore Philander not to possess her with false hopes then wou'd he swear a new and as he swore she wou'd behold him with such charming sadness in her Eyes that he almost forgot what he wou'd say to gaze upon her and to pay his Pitty But if with all his power of Beauty and of Rhetorick he
new desire Sometimes I even overtook her and fearing to fright her and cause her to make some noise that might alarm the sleeping Dormina I slackt my pace till in a Walk at the end of which she was oblig'd to turn back I remain'd and suffer'd her to go on 't was a Walk of Grass broad and at the end of it a little Arbour of Greens into which she went and sate down looking towards me and methought she look't full at me so that finding she made no noise I softly approach'd the door of the Arbour at a convenient distance she then stood up in great amaze as she after said and I kneeling down in an humble posture cry'd Wonder not oh Sacred Charmer of my Soul to see me at your Feet at this late hour and in a place so inaccessible for what attempt is there so hazardous despairing Lovers dare not undertake and what impossibility almost can they not overcome remove your fears oh Conqueress of my Soul for I am an humble Mortal that Adores you I have a thousand Wounds a thousand pains that proves me flesh and Blood if you wou'd hear my story Oh give me leave to approach you with that Awe you do the sacred Altars for my Devotion is as pure as that which from your Charming Lips ascends the Heavens With such Canâ—and stuff as this which Lovers serve themselves with on occasion I lessen'd the terrors of the frighted Beauty and she soonâ— saw with Joy in her Eyes that I was both a mortal and the same â—he had before seen in the outward Garden I rose from my knees then and with a Joy that wander'd all over my body trembling and panting I approach'd her and took her hand and kâ—â—t it with a transport that was almost ready to lay me fainting at her Feet nor did she answer any thing to what I had said but with sighs suffer'd her hand to remain in mine her Eyes she cast to Earth her Breast heav'd with nimble motions and we both unable to support our selves sate down together on a Green Bank in the Arbour where by that Light we had we gaz'd at each other unable to utter a syllable on either side I confess my dear Octavio I have felt Love before but do not know that ever I was possest with such pleasing pain such agreeable languishment in all my life as in those happy moments with the fair Calista And on the other I dare answer tor the soft Fair One she felt a passion as tender as mine which when she â—ou'd recover her first transpâ—rt the exprâ—st in such a manner as has wholly Charm'd me For with all the Eloquence of young Angels and all their innocence to â—â— she said she whisper'd she â—ight the soâ—test things that ever Lover heard I told you before she had from her infancy been bred in a Monastery kept from the fight of men and knew no one art or subtilty of her Sex But in the very purity of her innocence she appear'd like the first born Maid in Paradice generously giving her Soul away to the great Lord of all the new form'd man and nothing of her hearts dear thoughts did she reserve but such as modest Nature shou'd conceal yet if I touch't but on that tender part where Honour dwelt she had a sense to nice as 't was a Wonder to find so vast a store of that mixt with so soft a passion Oh what an excellent thing a perfect Women is e're man has taught her Arts to keep her Empire by being himself inconstant all I cou'd ask of Love she freely gave and told me every sentiment of her heart but 't was in such a way so innocently she conâ—est her passion that every word added new flames to mine and made me raging mad at last she sufferr'd me to kiss with caution but one begaâ— another that a Number And every one was an advance to happiness and I who knew my advantage lost no time but put each Ninute to the properest use now I imbrace Clasp her Fair Lovely Body close to mine which nothing parted but her shiâ—t and Gown my busie hands find passage to her Breasts and give and take a thousand nameless Joys all but the last I reapt that heaven was still deny'd tho she were fainting in my trembling Arms still she had watching sense to guard that Treasure Yet in spight of all a thousand times I brought her to the very point of yielding but oh she begs and pleads with all the Eloquence of love tells me that what she had to give she gave but wou'd not violate her Marriage Vow No not to save that life she found in danger with too much Love and too extream desire she told me that I had undone her quite she sight and wisht that she had seen me sooner e're Fate had render'd her a Sacrifice to the imbraces of old Clarinau she weept with Love and answer'd with sob to every Vow I made thus by degrees she wrought me to undoing and made me mad in Love 'T was thus we past the Night we told the hasty hours and curst their coming we told from ten to three and all that time seem'd but a little Minute Nor wou'd I let her go who was as loath to part till she had given me leave to see her often there I told her all my story of her Conquest and how I came into the Garden She ask'd me pleasantly if I were not afraid of old Clarinau I told her no of nothing but of his being happy with her which thought I cou'd not bear she assur'd me I had so little reason to envy him that he rather deserv'd my compassion for that her aversion was so extream to him his person years his temper and his diseases were so disagreeable to her that she cou'd not dissemble her disgust but gave him most evident proofs of it too frequently ever since she had the misfortune of being his Wife but that since she had seen the Charming Philander for so we must let her call him too his Company and Conversation was wholly insupportable to her and but that he had ever us'd to let her have four Nights in the Week her own wherein he never disturb'd her repose she shou'd have been dead with his nasty entertainment She vow'd she never knew a soft desire but for Philander she never had the least concern for any of his Sex besides and till she felt his touches took in his kisses and suffer'd his dear imbraces she never knew that Woman was ordain'd for any Joy with man but fancy'd it design'd in its Creation for a poor Slave to be opprest at pleasure by the Husband dully to yield obedience and no more But I had taught her now she said to her Eternal ruin that there was more in Nature than she knew or ever shou'd had she not seen Philander she knew not what dear name to call it by but something in her Blood something that panted in
is than wish and languish for the happy occasion the Sin 's the same only the Act 's more generous Believe me my Silvia we have all false notions of Vâ—rtue and Honour and surely this was â—aken up by some despâ—ring Husband in Love with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wiâ—â— and then I â—ardon him â— shouâ—d have done as much for only 〈◊〉 that has my Soul can only ingage my Sword she that I love and my self only commands and keeps my stock of Honour For Silviâ— the Charming the distracting Silvia I cou'd sight for a glance or smile expose my heart for her dearer fame and wish no recompence but breathing out my last gasp into her soft white delicate bosome But for a Wife that stranger to my Soul and whom we Wed for â—nterest and necessity A Wife a light loose unregarding Property who for a momentary Apetite will expose her fame without the noble end of loving on she that will â—buse my Bed and yet return again to the loath'd conjugal imbrace back to the Armes so hated that even strong fancy of the absent Youth belov'd cannot so much as render supportable Curse on her and yet she kisses fawnes and dissembles on hangs on his Neck and makes the Sot believe Damn her Brute I 'll whistler off and let her down the Wind as Othella says No I adore the Wife that when â—he heart is gone boldly and nobles persues the Conâ—queror and generously owns the Whore Not poorly adds the nauâ—ious sin of Jilting to 't That I cou'd have born at least commended but this can never Pardon at worst then the world had said her Passion had undone her she lov'd and Love at worst is pity No no Meâ—tilla I forgive your Love but never can your poor dissimulation One drives you but from the heart you value not but t'other to my eternal contempt One deprives me but of thee Merâ—illa but t'other intitles me to a Beauty more sâ—â—prâ—sing renders thee no part of me and so leaves the Lover free to Silvia without the Brother Thus my excellent Maid I have sent you the sense and truth of my Soul in an affair you have often hinted to me and I take no pleasure to remember I hope you will at least think my â—version reasonable and that being thus undisputably freed from all obligations to Mertilla as a Husband I may be permitted to lay claim to Silvia as a Lover and marry my self more effectually by my everlasting Vows than the Priest by his common method cou'd do to any other Woman less belov'd there being no other way at present left by Heav'n to render me Silvia's Eternal happy Lover and PHILANDER 〈…〉 To Silvia WHen I had seal'd the inclos'd Brilljard told me you were this Morning come from Belfont and with infinite impatience have expected seeing you here which defer'd my sending this to the old place and I am so vain on Adorable Silvia as to believe my fancy'd silence has given you disquiets but sure my Silvia cou'd not charge me with neglect no she knows my Soul and lays it all 〈…〉 or some strange accident she knows no business cou'd divert me No were the Nation sinking the great Senate of the world confounded our Glorious Designs betray'd and ruin'd and the vast City all in flame like Nero unconcern'd I 'd sing my everlasting Song of Love to Silvia which no time or Fortune shall untune I know my Soul and all its strength and how it 's fortify'd the charming Idea of my young Silvia will for ever remain there the original may fade time may render it less fair less blooming in my Arms but never in my Soul I shall find thee there the same gay glorious creature that first surpris'd and inslav'd me believe me Ravishing Maid I shall Why then oh why my cruel Silvia are my joys delay'd why am I by your rigorous commands kept from the sight of my Heav'n my eternal bliss an Age my fair Tormentor's past Four tedious live long days are numâ—er'd o're since I beheld the â—bject of my lasting Vows my eternal wishes how can â—ou think oh unreasonable Silvia 〈◊〉 I cou'd live so â—ong without you and yet I am live I 〈◊〉 it by my pain by â—â—rments of fears and jealouâ—â—es insupportable I languish 〈◊〉 go downward to the â—â—arth where you will shortly see me lay'd without your recalling mercy 't is true I move about this unregarded world appear every day in the great Senate-House at Clubs Caballs and private consultations for Silvia knows all the business of my Soul even its politicks of State as well as Love I say I appear indeed and give my Voice in publick business but oâ— my Heart more kindly is imploy'd that and my thoughts are Silvia's Ten Thousand times a day I breath that name my busie fingers are eternally tracing ouâ— those Six mystick Letters a Thousand ways on every thing I touch form words and make 'em speak a Thousand things and all are Silvia still my melancholy change is evident to all that see me which they interpret many mistaken ways our Party fancy I repent my League with 'em and doubting I 'le betray the Cause grow jealous of me till by new Oaths new Arguments I confirm 'em then they smile all and cry I am in Love and this they would believe but that they see all Women that I meet or converse with 〈◊〉 indifferent to me and 〈◊〉 can fix it no where 〈…〉 thus while I dare not tell my Soul no not even to Cesario the stifled flame burns inward and torments me so that unlike the thing I was I fear Silvia will lose her Love and Lover too for those few Charmes she said I had will â—ade and this fatal distance will destroy both Soul and Body too my very reason will abandon me and I shall â—ave to see thee restore 〈…〉 restore me then to Bellfont happy Bellfont still best with Silvia's presence permit me oh permit me into those â—acred Shades where I have been so often too innocently blest let me survey again the dear characters of Silvia on the smooth Birch oh when shall I sit beneath those Boughs gazing on the young Goddess of the Grove â—earing her sigh for Love touching her glowing small white hands beholding her killing eyes languish and her Charming bosome rise and fall with short-breath'd uncertain breath breath as soft and sweet as the restoring breeze that glides or the newblown flowers But oh what is it what Heav'n of Perfumes when it inclines to the raviâ—hâ— Philander and whispers Love it dares not name aloud What power withholds me then from rushing on thee from pressing thee with Kisses folding thee in my transported Armes and following all the dictates of Love without respect or Awe What is it oh my Silvia can dâ—tain 〈◊〉 Love so violent and raving and so wild admit me sacred Maid admit me again to those soft delights that I may find if possible what Devinity envious of my bliss checks
can do is to deceive the deceiver Well then give me my Scrutore says she so sitting down she writ this not without abundance of of guilt and confusion for yet a certain Honour which she had by birth check'd the cheat of her Pen. Silvia to Octavio THe price Octavio which you have set upon your secret I more generous than you will give your merit to which alone 't is due if I shou'd pay so high a price for the first you wou'd believe I had the less esteem for the last and I wou'd not have you think me so poor in spirit to yield on any other terms If I valued Philander yet after his confirm'd inconstancy I wou'd have you think I scorn to yield a Body where I do not give a Soul and am yet to be perswaded there are any such Brutes amongst my Sex but as I never had a wish but where I lov'd so I never extended one till now to any but Philander yet so much my sense of shame is above my growing tenderness that I cou'd wish you wou'd be so generous to think no more of what you seem to pursue with such earnestnest and haste But least I shou'd retain any sort of former love for Philander whom I am impatient to race wholly from my Soul I grant you all you ask provided you will be discreet in the management Antonett therefore shall only be trusted with the secret the outward gate you shall find at twelve only shut too and Antonett wait you at the Stairs foot to conduct you to me come alone I blush and guild the Paper with their reflections at the thought of an incounter like this before I am half enough secur'd of your heart And that you may be made more absolutely the master of mine send me immediately Philanders Letter inclos'd that if any remains of shagrien possess me they may be totally vanquisht by twelve a Clock Silvia She having with much difficulty writ this read it to her trusty confident for this was the only secret of her Ladys she was resolv'd never to discover to Briljard and to the end he might know nothing of it she seal'd the Letter with Wax But before she seal'd it she told her Lady she thought she might have spar'd abundance of her blushes and have writ a less kind Letter for a word of invitation or consent wou'd have serv'd as well To which Silvia replyed her anger against him was too high not to give him all the defeat imaginable and the greater the Love appear'd the greater wou'd be the revenge when he shou'd come to know as in time he shou'd how like a false friend she had treated him This reason or any at that time wou'd have serv'd Antonett whose heart was set upon the new adventure and in such haste she was the night coming on a pace to know how she shou'd dress and what more was to be done that she only went out to call the Page and meeting Briljard who watcht every bodies motion on the Stair-Case he ask'd her what that was and she said to send by Octavio's Page You need not look in it said she when he snatcht it hastily out of her hand For I can tell you the contents and 't is seal'd so it must be known if you unrip it Well well said he if you tell it me it will satisfie my curiosity as well therefore I 'le give it the Page She returns in again to her Lady and he to his own Chamber to read what answer the dear Object of his desire had sent to his forg'd one So opening it he found it such as his Soul wisht and was all joy and extasie he views himself a hundred times in the glass and set himself in Order with all the Opinion and pride as iâ— his own good parts had gain'd him the blessing he inlarg'd himself as he walkt and knew not what to do so extreamly was he ravisht with his coming Joy he blest himself his Wit his Stars his Fortune then read the dear obliging Letter and kist it all over as if it had been meant to him and after he had forc'd himself to a little more serious consideration he bethought himself of what he had to do in Order to this dear appointment He finds in her Letter that in the first place he was to send her the Letter from Philander I told you before he took Octavio's Letter from the Page when he understood his Lord was going five Leagues out of Town to the Prince Octavio cou'd not avoid his going and write to Silvia in which he sent her the Letter Philander writ wherein was the first part of the confession of his love to Madam the Countess of Clarinau Generously Octavio sent it without terms but 〈◊〉 slid his own forg'd one into Antonetts hand in Lieu of it and now he read that from Philander and wonder'd at his Lords inconstanâ—â— yet glad of the opportunity to take Silvia's heart a little more off from him he soon resolv'd she shou'd have the Letter but being wholly mercenary and fearing that either when once she had it it might make her go back from her promis'd assignation or at least put her out of humour so as to spoil a great part of the entertainment he design'd He took the pains to counterfeit another Billet to her which was this To Silvia Madam SInce we have began to chaffer you must give me leave to make the best of the advantage I find I have upon you and having violated my Honour to Philander allow the breach of it in some degree on other occasions not but I have all the obedience and Adoration for you that ever possest the Soul of a most passionate and languishing Lover But fair Silvia I know not whether when you have seen the secret of the false Philander you may not think it less valuable than you before did and so defraud me of my due Give me leave oh wonderous Creature to suspect even the most perfect of your Sex and to tell you that I will no sooner approach your presence but I will resign the paper you so much wish if you send me no answer I will come according to your Directions if you do I must obey and wait tho with that impatience that never attended a suffering Lover or any but Dâ—vine Creature your Octavio This he seal'd and after a convenient distance of time carried as from the Page to Antonett who was yet contriving with her Lady to whom she gives it who read it with abundance of impatience being extreamly angry at the rudeness of the stile which she fancy'd much alter ' from what it was and had not her rage blinded her she might easily have perceiv'd the difference too of the Character tho it come as near to the like as possible so short a practice cou'd produce She took it with the other and tore it in pieces with rage and swore she woud be reveng'd but after calmer thoughts she took
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
shames thou 'st brought him to and will not be the last shall loath and hate thee For though youth fansie it have a mighty race to run of pleasing vice and vanity the course will end the goal will be arriv'd to at the last where they will sighing stand look back and view the length of pretious time they 've fool'd away when travers'd o'er with honour and discretion how glorious were the journey and with what joy the weâ—ried traveller lies down and basks beneath the shades that ends the happy course Forgive dear Child this advice and persue it 't is the effect of my pity not anger nor could the name of rival ever yet have power to banish that of sister from my soul farewell remember me pray Heaven thou hast not this night made a forfeit of thy honour and that this which comes from a tender bleeding heart may have the fortune to inspire thee with grace to avoid all temptations for the future since they must end in sorrow which is the eternal prayer of Dearest Child Your affectionate Sister To Philander ASk me not my dearest Brother the reason of this sudden change ask me no more from whence proceeds this strange coldness or why this alteration it is enough my destiny has not decreed me for Philander Alas I see my errour and looking round about me find nothing but approaching horrour and confusion in my pursuit of love Oh whither was I going to what dark paths what everlasting shades had smiling love betray'd me had I pursu'd him farther but I at last have subdu'd his force and the fond Charmer shall no more renew his arts and flatteries for I 'm resolv'd as Heaven as fixt as fate and death and I conjure you trouble my repose no more for if you do regardless of my honour which if you lov'd you wou'd preserve I 'll do a deed shall free me from your importunities that shall amaze and cool your vitious flame no more remember you have a noble wife companion of your vows and I have honour both which are worth preserving and for which though you want generous love you 'll find neither that nor courage wanting in Silvia To Silvia YES my adorable Silvia I will pursue you no farther only for all my pains for all my sufferings for my tormenting sleepless nights and thoughtfull anxious days for all my faithless hopes my fears my sighs my prayers and my tears for my unequall'd and unbound passion and my unwearied pursuits in love my never dying flame and lastly for my death I only beg in recompense for all this last favour from your pity That you will deign to view the bleeding wound that pierc'd the truest heart that ever fell a sacrifice to love you 'll find my body lying beneath that spreading Oak so sacred to Philander since 't was there he first took into his greedy ravish'd soul the dear the soft confession of thy passion though now forgotten and neglected all make what haste you can you 'll find there stretch'd out the mangled carcass of the lost Philander Ah! Silvia was it for this that I was sent in such haste away this morning to Cesario did I for this neglect the world our great affair and all that Prince's interest and fly back to Bellfont on the wings of Love were in lieu of receiving a dear blessing from thy hand do I find never see me more good Heaven but with my life all my complaints are ended only 't would be some ease even in death to know what happy Rival 't is has arm'd thy cruel hand against Philander's heart To Philander STay I conjure thee stay thy sacrilegious hand for the least wound it gives the Lord of all my wishes I 'll double on my breast a thousand fold stay then by all thy vows thy love and all the hopes I swear thou hast this night of a full recompence of all thy painâ— from yielding Silvia I do conjure thee stay for when the news arrives thou art no more this poor this lost abandon'd heart of mine shall fall a victim to thy cruelty no live my Philander I conjure thee and receive all thou canst ask and all that be given by Silvia To Philander OH my charming Philander how very ill have you recompenc'd my last soft commands which were that you should live and yet at the same moment while you were reading of the dear obligation and while my Page was waiting your kind return you desperately expos'd your life to the mercy of this innocent Rival betraying unadvisedly at the same time my honour and the secret of your love and where to kill or to be kill'd had been almost equally unhappy 't was well my â—age told me you disarm'd him in this rancounter yet you he says are wounded some sacred drops of blood are fallen to earth and lost the least of which are pretious enough to ransom captive Queens oh haste Philander to my arms for cure I dy with fear there may be danger haste and let me bath the dear the wounded part in floods of tears lay it to my warm lips and bind it with my torn hair oh Philander I rave with my concern for thee and am ready to break all laws of decency and duty and fly without considering to thy succour but that I fear to injure thee much more by the discovery which such an unadvis'd absence would make pray Heaven the unlucky adventure reach not Bellfont â—oscario has no reason to proclaim it and thou art too generous to boast the conquest and Silvio was the only witness and he 's as silent and as secret as the grave but why Philander was he sent me back without reply what meant that cruel silence say my Philander will you not obey me will you abandon me can that dear tongue be perjâ—â—â—'d and can you this night disappoint your Silvia what have I done oh obstinately cruel irreconcilable what for my first offence alittle poor resentment â—nd no more a little faint care of my gâ—sping honourâ—â—ou'd that displease so much besides I had â— cause which you shall see a Letter that wou'd cool loveâ— hoâ—â—â—st fires and turn it to devotion by Heaven 't was such a check such a surprise but you your self shall judge if after that I cou'd say lâ—ss than bid eternally farewell to love at least to thee but I recanted soon one sad dear word one soft resenting linâ— from thee gain'd love the day again and I despis'd the censures of the duller world yes yes and I confess'd you had o'recome and did this merit no reply I asked the Boy a thousand times what you said how and in what manner you received it chid him and laid your silent fault on him till he with tears convinc'd me and said he found you hastning to the Grove and when he gave you my commands you look'd upon him with such a stedfast wild and fixt regard surveying him all o're while you were opening it as
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
a pain and pleasure from fair eyes or the transporting Joyes of Beauty Pity a youth undone by Love and ambition those powerful conquerours of the young Pity oh Pity a youth that dies and will ere long no more complain upon your Rigours Yes my Lord he dies without the force of a terrifying Sentence without the grim reproaches of an angry Judg without the soon consulted Arbitrary Guilty of a severe and hasty Jury without the ceremony of the Scaffol'd Ax and Hang man and the clamours of inconsidering Crowds All which melancholy ceremonies render death so terrible which else wou'd fall like gentle slumbers upon the eye-lids And which in field I wou'd incounter with that joy I wou'd the sacred thing I Love But oh I fear my fate is in the lovely Silvia and in her dying eyes you may read it in her languishing face you 'le see how near it is aproacht Ah! will you not suffer me to attend it there by her dear side I shall fall as calmly as flowers from their stalks without regret or pain Will you by forcing me to dy from her run me to a madness To wild distraction Oh think it sufficient that I dy here before half my race of youth be run before the light be halfâ—burnt out that might have conducted me to a world of Glory Alas she dies The Lovely Silvia clies she is sighing out a soul to which mine is so intirely fixt that they must go upward together Yes yes she breaths it sick into my bosom and kindly gives mine its disease of death let us at least then dy in silent quitted and if it please Heaven to restore the languish'd Charmer I will resign my self up to all your Rigorous honour only let me bear my treasure with me while we wander o're the world to seek us out a safety in some part of it where pity and compassion is no crime Where men have tender hearts and have heard of the God of Love where Politicks are not all the business of the powerful but where civillity and good nature reign Perhaps my Lord you 'l wonder I plead no weightier Argument for my stay than Love or the griefs and tears of a languishing Maid But oh they are such tears as every drop wou'd ransom lives and nothing that proceeds from her charming eyes can be valu'd at a less rate In Pity to her to me and your Amorous youths let me bear her hence For shou'd she look abroad as her own Sex shou'd she appear in her natural and proper beauty alas they were undone Reproach not my Lord the weakness of this confession and which I make with more Glory than cou'd I boast my self Lord of all the Universe if it appear a fault to the more grave and wise I hope my youth will plead something for my excuse Oh say at least 't was Pity that Love had the ascendant over Phillanders soul say 't was his Destiny but say withal that it put no stop to his advance to Glory rather it set an edg upon his Sword and gave wings to his ambition Yes try me in your Councells prove me in your Camps place me in any hazard But give me Love and leave to wait the life or death of Silvia and then dispose as you please My Lord Of Your unfortunate Philander Octavio to Philander My Lord I Am much concern'd that a Request so reasonable as you have made will be of so little force with these arbitrary Tyrants of State and tho you have addrest and appeal'd to me as one of that grave and rigid number tho without one grain of their formalities and I hope age which renders us less Gallant and more envious of the joys and liberties of youth will never reduce me to so dull and thoughtless a member of State yet I have so small and single a portion of their power that I am asham'd of my incapacity of serving you in this great affair I bear the Honour and the name 't is true of Glorious sway but I can boast but of the worst and most impotent part of it the Title only but the busie absolute mischievious Politician finds no room in my Soul my humour or constitution And Ploding restless power I have made so little the business of my gayer and more careless youth that I have even lost my right of rule my share of Empire amongst them That little power whose unregarded losse I never bemoan'd till it render'd me uncapable of serving Phillander I have stretch'd to the utmost bound for your stay insomuch that I have receiv'd many reproaches from the wiser Coxcombs have had my youths little debauches hinted on and Judgments made of you disadvantagious from my Friendship to you a Friendship which my Lord at first sight of you found a being in my soul and which your wit your goodness your greatness and your misfortunes has improv'd to all the degrees of it Tho I am infinitey unhappy that it proves of no use to you here and that the greatest testimony I can now render of it is to warn you of your aproaching danger And hasten your departure for there is no safety in your stay I just now heard what was decreed against you in councel which no pleading nor Eloquence of Friendship had force enough to evade Alass I had but one single voyce in the number which I sullenly and singly gave and which unregarded past Go then my Lord haste to some place where good breeding and humanity reigns Go and preserve Silvia in providing for your own safety and believe me till she be in a Condition to persue your Fortunes I will take such care that nothing shall be wanting either to recovery here in order to her following after you I am alas but too sensible of all the pains you must indure by such a separation for I am neither insensible nor uncapable of love or any of its violent effects Go then my Lord and preserve the lovely Maid in your flight since your stay and danger will serve but to hasten on her death Go and be satisfied she shall find a protection sutable to her Sex her innocence her Beauty and her quality and that where-ever you fix your stay she shall be resign'd to your Arms by my Lord Your Eternal Friend and humble Servant Octavio Least in this sudden remove you shou'd want Mony I have sent you several Bills of Exchange to what place soever you arrive and what you want more make no scruple to use me as a friend and command After this Letter finding no hopes but on the contrary a dire necessity of departing he told Briljard his misfortune and ask'd his Counsel in this extremity of affairs Brilljard who of a Servant was become a Rival you may believe gave him such advice as might remove him from the object he ador'd But after a great deal of dissembl'd trouble the better to hide his joy he gave his advice for his going with all the arguments
give him she found him charming without having a tenderness for him she found him young and amorous without desire towards him she found him great rich powerful and generous without designing on him and tho she knew her Soul free from all Passion but that for Philander nevertheless she blusht and was angry that he had thoughts no more advantagious to the power of those charmes which she wisht might appear to him above her Sex It being natural to Women to desire Conquests tho they hate the conquer'd to glory in the tryumph tho they despise the Slave And believ'd while Octavio had so poor a sense of her beauty as to believe it cou'd be forsaken he would adore it less And first to satisfie her pride she left the softer business of her heart to the next tormenting hour and sent him this careless answer by his Page believing if she appear'd too angry it might look as if she valu'd his opinion and therefore dissembled her thoughts as women in those cases ever do who when most angry seem the most Galliard especially when they have need of the friendship of those they flatter Silvia to Octavio IS it indeed Octavio that you believe Philander cold or wou'd you make that a pretext to the declaration of your own passion we French Ladies are not so nicely ty'd up to the formalities of vertue but we can hear Love at both ears and if we receive not the addresses of both at least we are perhaps vain enough not to be displeas'd to find we make new conquests But you have made your attacque with so ill conduct that I shall find force enough without more aids to repulse you Alas my Lord did you believe my heart was left unguarded when Philander departed No the careful charming Lover left a thousand litgods to defend it of no less power than himself Young Deities who laugh at all your little arts and treacheries and scorn to resign their Empire to any feable Cupids you can draw up against ' em Your thick foggy air breeds Loves too dull and heavy for noble slights nor can I stoop to them The Flemish Boy wants arrows keen enough for hearts like mine and is a Bungler in his Art too lasie and remiss rather a heavy Bacchus than a Cupid a Bottle sends him to his Bed of Moss where he sleeps hard and never dreams of Venus How poorly have you paid your self my Lord by this pursuit of your discover'd Love for all the little friendship you have rendred me How well you have explain'd you can be no more a Lover than a Friend if one may judg the first by the last Had you been thus obstinate in your passion before Philander went or you had believ'd me abandon'd I should perhaps have thought that you had lov'd indeed because I should have seen you durst and should have believ'd it true because it ran some hazards for me the resolution of it would have reconcil'd me then to the temerity of it and the greatest demonstration you cou'd have given of it woud have been the danger you wou'd have ran and contemned and the preferance of your passion above any other consideration This my Lord had been generous and like a Lover but poorly thus to set upon a single Woman in the disguise of a Friend in the dark silent melancholy hour of absence from Philander then to surprise me then to bid me deliver to pad for hearts it was not like Octavio That Octavio Philander made his Friend and for whose dear sake my Lord I will no further reproach you but from a goodness which I hope you will merit I will forgive an offence which your ill timing has render'd almost inexcusable and expect you will for the future consider better how you ought to treat SYLVIA As soon as she had dismist the Page she hasted to her business of Love and again read over Philanders Letter and finds still new occasion for fear she had recourse to pen and paper for a relief of that heart which no other way cou'd find it and after having wip'd the tears from her eyes she writ this following Letter Silvia to Philander YEs Philander I have received your Letter and but I found my name there shou'd have hop'd it was not meant for Silvia Oh! 't is all cold Short Short and cold as a dead Winters day It chill'd my blood it shiver'd every vein Where oh where hast thou lavish'd out all those soft words so natural to thy Soul with which thou us'd to charm so tun'd to the dear musick of thy voice What is become of all the tender things which as I us'd to read made little nimble pantings in my heart my blushes rise and tremblings in my bloud adding new fire to the poor burning Victim Oh where are all thy pretty flatteries of Love that made me fond and vain and set a value on this trifling Beauty Hast thou forgot thy wondrous Art of loving Thy pretty cunings and thy soft deceivings Hast thou forgot 'em all Or hast forgot indeed to love at all Has thy industrious passion gather'd all the sweets and left the rifled flower to hang its wither'd head and die in shades neglected for who will prize it now now when all its perfumes fled Oh my Philander oh my charming Fugitive wa st not enough you left me like false Theseus on the shore on the forsaken shore departed from my fond my clasping Arms where I believ'd you safe secure and pleas'd when sleep and night that favour'd you and fuin'd me had render'd 'em incapable of their dear loss Oh was it not enough that when I found 'em empty and abandon'd and the place cold where you had lain and my poor trembling bosom unpossest of that I dear load it bore that almost expired with my first fears Oh if Philander lov'd he wou'd have thought that cruelty enough without the sad addition of a growing coldness I wak'd I mist thee and I call'd aloud Philander my Philander But no Philander heard then drew the close drawn Curtains and with a hasty and busie veiw survey'd the Chamber over but Oh! in vain I veiw'd and call'd yet louder but none appear'd to my assistance but Antonet and Briljard to torture me with dull excuses urging a thousand feign'd and frivolous reasons to satisfie my fears But I who lov'd who doated even to madness by nature soft and timerous as a Dove and fearful as a Criminal escap'd that dreads each little noise fancy'd their eyes and guilty looks confest the treasons of their hearts and tongues while they more kind than true strove to convince my killing doubts Protested that you would return by night and feign'd a likely story to deceive Thus between hope and fear I languisht out a day Oh Heavens a tedious day without Philander who wou'd have thought that such a dismal day shou'd not with the end of its reign have finish'd that of my life but then Octavio came to visit me
glorious temptations of your Beauty yet you wound a thousand wayes besides your touches inflame me and your voice has musick in 't that strikes upon my Soul with ravishing tenderness your Wit is unresistable and peircing your very sorrows and complaints have charms that make me soft without the aid of Love But Pity joyn'd with Passion raises a â—lame too mighty for my conduct And I in transports every way confess it Yes yes Upbraid me Call me Traytor and ungrateful Tell me my friendships fals But Sylvia yet be just and say my love was true Say only he had seen the charming Sylvia and who is he that after that wou'd not not excuse the rest in one so absolutely born to be undone by Love as is Her destin'd Slave Octavio Postscript Madam Among some Rarities I this Morning saw I found these Trifles Florio brings you which be cause uncommon I presume to send you Sylvia notwithstanding the seeming severity of her Commands was well enough pleas'd to be disobey'd and Women never pardon any fault more willingly than one of this nature where the Crime gives so infallable a demonstration of their power and Beauty nor can any of their Sex be angry in their hearts for being thought desirable and 't was not with pain that she saw him obstinate in his passion as you may believe by her answering his Letters nor ought any Lover to despair when he recâ—ives denial under his Mistresses own hand which she sent in this to Octavio Silvia to Octavio YOu but ill judge of my Wit or Humour Octavio when you send me such a Present and â—uch a Billet if you believe I either receive the one or the other as you design'd In obedience to me you will no more tell me of your Love and yet at the same time you are breaking your word from one end of the Paper to the other Out of respect to me you will see me no more and yet are bribing me with presents believing you have found out the surest way to a Womans heart I must needs confess Octavio there is great eloquence in a pair of Bracelets of five thousand Crowns 'T is an Argument to prove your Passion that has more prevailing reason in 't than either Seneca or Tully cou'd have urg'd nor can a Lover write or speak in any Language so significant and very well to be understood as in that 〈◊〉 one of presenâ—ing The maâ—icious World has along time agreed to reproach poor Women with cruel unkind insensible and dull when indeed 't is those men that are in sault who want the right way of addressing the true and secret Arts of moving sovereign Remedy against disdain 'T is you alone my Lord like a young Columbus that have found the direct unpractic'd way to that little and somuch desir'd World the favour of the Fair nor cou'd Love himself have pointed his Arrows with any thing more successful for his conquest of hearts But mine my Lord like Scaeva's Sheild is already so full of Arrows shot from Philanders eyes it has no room for any other darts Take back your presents then my Lord and when you make 'em next be sure you first consider the Receiver for know Octavio Maids of my Quality ought to find themselves secure from addresses of this nature unless they first invite You ought to have seen advances in my freedoms consenting in my eyes or that usual vanity of my Sex a thousand little triâ—ling Arts of affectatioâ—n to furnish out a conquest a forward complysance to every Gawdy Coxcombe to fill my train with amorous Cringing Captives this might have justified your pretensions but on the contrary my Eyes and thoughts which never stray'd from the dear man I love were always bent to earth when gaz'd upon by you and when I did but fear you lookt with love I entertain'd you with Phillanders praise his wondrous Beauty and his wondrous Love and left nothing untold that might confirm you how much impossible it was I e're shou'd love again that I might leave you no room for hope and since my story has been so unfortunate to alarm the whole world with a conduct so fatal I made no scruple of telling you with what joy and pride I was undone if this incourage you if Octavio have sentiments so meanly poor of me to think because I yielded to Philander his hopes shou'd be advanc'd I banish him for ever from my sight and after that disdain the little service he can render the Never to be alter'd Silvia This Letter she sent him back by his Page but not the Bracelets which were indeed very fine and very considerable at the same time she threatned him with banishment she so absolutely expected to be disobey'd in all things of that kind that she drest her self that day to advantage which since her arrival she never had done in her own habits what with her illness and Philanders absence a careless negligence had seiz'd her till rous'd and waken'd to the thoughts of Beauty by Octavio's Love she began to try its force and that day drest While she was so imployâ—d the Page hastes with the Letter to his Lord who chang'd Colour at the sight of it e're he receiv'd it noâ— that he hop'd it brought love 't was enough she wou'd but answer tho she rail'd let her said he in opening it vow she hates me Let her call me Traytor aud unjust so she take the pains to tell it this way for he knew well those that argue will yield and only she that sends him back his own Letters without reading â—m can give dispair He read therefore without a sigh nor complained he on her rigours and because it was too early yet to make his Visit to shew the impatience of his Love as much as the reality and resolution of it he bid his Page wait aâ—d sent her back this answer Octavio to Silvia FAir angry Silvia how has my Love oâ—â—ended Has its excess betray'd the least part of that respect due to your Birth and Beauty Tho I am young as the Gay rudy Morning and vigorous as the guilded Sun at Noon and Amorous as that God when with such hasâ—e he chas'd young Daphne o're the slowrr'y Plain it never made me guilty of a thought that Silvia might not â—itty and allow Nor came that triâ—ling present to plead for any wish or mend my Eloquence which you with such disdain upbraid me with the Bracelets came not to be rafl'd for your Love nor Pimp to my desires Youth scorns those common aids No let dull Age pursue those ways of merchandize who only buy up hearts at that vain price and never make a Barter but a Purchase Youth has a better way of trading in Loves Markets and you have taught me too well to judge of and to value Beauty to dare to bid so cheaply for it I found the toy was gay the work was neaâ— and fancy new and know not any thing they wou'd so well
tell you my hearts sad Story But she reply'd with a sigh it is not generously done Octavio thus to pursue a poor unguarded Maid left to your Care your promises of Friendship Ah will you use Philander with such treachery Silvia said he my Flame 's so just and reasonable that I dare even to him pronounce I love you and after that dare love you on And wouâ—d you said she to satisfie a little short liv'd passion forfeit those vows you 've made of Friendship to Philander That heart that loves you Silvia he replyed cannot be guilty of so base a thought Philander is my Friend and as he is so shall know the dearest secrets of my Soul I shou'd believe my self indeed ungrateful continued he where eâ—re I lov'd shou'd I not tell Philander he told me frankly all his Soul his loves his griefs his Treasons and escapes and in return I 'le pay him back with mine and do you Imagine said she that he wou'd permit your love how shou'd he hinder me reply'd he I do believe said she he 'd forfeit all his safety and his friendship and fight ye then I 'd defend my self said he if he were so ungrateful While they thus argued Silvia had her thoughts a part on the little stratagems that Women in love sometimes make use of and Octavio no sooner told her he would send Philander word of his Love but she imagin'd that such a knowledge might retrieve the heart of her Lover if indeed it were on the wing and revive the dying Embers in his Soul as usually it does from such occasions and on the otherside she thought that she might more allowably receive Octavio's addresses when they were with be perâ—mission of Philander if he â—ou'd love so ill as to permit it and if he cou'd not she shou'd have the joy to undeceive her fears of his inconstancy tho she banisht for ever the agreeable Octavio so that on Octavio's farther urging the necessity of his giving Philander that sure mark of his friendship she permitted him to write which he immediately did on her Table where there stood a little Silver Scrutore which contain'd all things for his purpose Octavio to Philander My Lord SInce I have vow'd you my Eternal friendship and that I absolutely believe my self honour'd with that of yours I think my self oblig'd by those powerful tyes to let you know my heart not only now as that friend from whom I ought to conceal nothing but as a Rival too whom in honour I ought to treat as a generous one perhaps you will be so unkind as to say I cannot be a friend and a Rival at the same time and that almighty love that sets the world at odds chases all things from the heart where that reigns to establish it self the more absolutely there but my Lord Iavow mine a Love of that good Nature that can indure the equalsway of friendship where like two perfect Friends they support each others Empire there nor can the glory of one Eclipse that of the other but both like the notion we have of the Deity tho two distinct passions make but one in my Soul and tho friendship first enter'd 't was in vain I call'd it to my aid at the first soft invasion of Silvia's power and you my charming friend are the most oblig'd to pitty me who already knows so well the force of her beauty I wou'd fain have you think I strove at first with all my reason against the irrisistible lustre of her eyes And at the first assaults of Love I gave him not a welcome to my bosome but like slaves unus'd to fetters I grew sullen with my chains and wore 'em for your sake uneasily I thought it base to look upon the Mistress of my friend with wishing eyes but softer Love soon furnisht me with arguments to justifie my claim since Love is not the choice but the face of the Soul who seldom regards the object lov'd as 't is but as it wishes to have it be and then kindfancy makes it soon the same Love that Almighty Creator of something from nothing forms a Wit a Hero or a Beauty Vertue good Humour Honour any excellence when oftenimes there 's neither in the Object but where the agreeing world has fixt all these and 't is by all resolv'd whether they love or not that this is she you ought no more Philander to upbraid my Flame than to wonder at it it is enough I tell you that 't is Silvia to justifie my passion nor is 't a Crime that I confess I love since it can never rob Philander of the least part of what I 've vow'd him or if his nicer Honour will believe me guilty of a fault let this attone for all that if I wrong my friend in loving Silvia I right him in despairing for oh I am repuls'd with all the Rigour of the coy and fair with all the little Malice of the wity Sex and all the Love of Silvia to Philander There there 's the stop to all my hopes and happiness and yet by Heaven I love thee oh thou favour'd Rival After this frank Confession my Philander I shou'd be glad to hear your sentiment since yet in spight of Love in spight of Beauty I am resolv'd To dy Philanders Constant Friend Octavio After he had writ this he gave it 〈◊〉 Silvia See Charming Creature said he in delivering it if after this you either doubt my Love or what I dare for Silvia I neither receive it said she as a proof of the one or the other but rather that you believe by this frank Confession to render it as a piece of Gallantry and diversion to Philander for no Man of sense will imagine that love true or arriv'd to any height that makes a publique confession of it to his Rival Ah Silvia answer'd he how malicious is your Wit and how active to turn its pointed mischief on me had I not writ you wou'd have said I durst not and when I make a declaration of it you call it only a slight piece of Gallantry but Silvia you have wit enough to try it a thousand ways and power enough to make me obey use the extremity of both so you recompence me at last with a confession that I was at least found worthy to be numbred in the crow'd of your adorers Silvia reply'd he were a dull Lover indeed that wou'd need instructions from the Wit of his Mistress to give her proofs of his passion what ever opinion you have of my sense I have too good a one of Octavio's to believe that when he 's a Lover he 'le want aids to make it appear till then we 'le let that argument alone and consider his address to Philander She then read over the Letter he had writ which she lik'd very well for her purpose for at this time our young Dutch Hero was made a property of in order to her revenge on Philander She told him he had
Beauty He is I 'le not indure it aid me Antonett Oh where 's the perjur'd Traytor Antonett who was waiting on her seeing her rise on the suddain in so great a fury wou'd have staid her hasty turns and ravings beseeching her to tell her what was the occasion and by a discovery to case her heart but she with all the fury imaginable flung from her Arms and ran to the Table and snatching up a Penknife had certainly sent it to her heart had not Antonett stept to her and caught her hand which she resisted not but blushing resign'd with telling her she was asham'd of her own Cowardize for said she if I had designâ—d to have been brave I had sent you off and by a Noble resolution have freed this Slave within striking her Breast from a Tyranny which it shou'd disdain to suffer under With that she rag'd about the Chamber with broken words and imperfect threatnings unconsider'd imprecations and unheeded Vows and Oaths at which Antonett redoubl'd her Petition to know the cause and she reply'd Philander the dear the soft the fond and Charming Philander is now no more the same Oh Antonett said she didst thou but see this Letter compar'd to those of heretofore when Love was gay and young when new desire drest his soft Eyes in tears and taught his tongue the Harmony of Angels when every tender word had more of passion then Volumes of this forc'd this triffling business Oh thou woud'st say I were the wretch'dst thing that Nature ever made Oh thou wou'dst curse as I do Not the dear Murderer but thy Frantick self thy mad deceiv'd believing easie self if thou wert so undone Then while she wept she gave Antoneâ—t liberty to speak which was to perswade her her fear were vain she urg'd every argument of Love she had been Witness too and cou'd not think it possible he cou'd be false To all which the still weeping Silvia lent a willing ear For Lovers are much inclin'd to believe every thing they wish Antonett having a little calm'd her continu'd telling her that to be better convinc'd of his Love or his persidy she ought to have Patience till Octavio shou'd come to visit her For have you forgotten Madam said she that that generous Rival has sent him word he is your Lover For Antonett was waiting at the reading of that Letter nor was there any thing the open hearted Silvia conceal'd from that Servant and Women who have made a breach in their Honour are seldom so careful of their rest of Fame as those who have a Stock intire and Silvia believ'd after she had trusted the Secret of one Amour to her discretion she might conceal none See Madam says Antonett here is a Letter yet unread Silvia who had been a great while impatient for the return of Octavio's answer from Philander expecting from thence the confirmation of all her doubts Hastily snatch'd the Letter out of Antonetts hand and read it hoping to have found something there to have eas'd her Soul one way or other a Soul the most raging and haughty by Nature that ever possest a Body the Words were these Octavio to Silvia AT least you 'l pity me Oh Charming Silvia when you shall call to mind the cruel services I am oblig'd to render you to be the Messenger of love from him whom Beauty and that God plead so strongly for already in your heart If after this you can propose a torture that yet may speak my passion and obedience in any higher measure command and try my fortitude for I too well divine Oh rigorous Beauty the business of your love sick Slave will be only to give you proofs how much he does adore you and ne're to taste a joy even in a distant hope like Lamps in Urns my lasting Fire must burn without one kind material to supply it Ah Silvia if e're it be your wretched fate to see the Lord of all your Vows given to anothers Arms When you shall see in those soft eyes that you adore a languishment and joy if you but name another Beauty to him When you behold his blushes fade and rise at the approaches of another Mistress Hear broken sighs and unassur'd replys when e're he answers some new conqueress tremblings and pantings seizing every part at the warm touch as of a second Charmer Ah Silvia do but do me justice then and sighing say I pitty poor Octavio Take here a Letter from the blest Philander which I had brought my self buâ— cannot bear the torment of that joy that I shall see advancing in your eyes when you shall read it o're no 't is too much that I imagine all yet bless that patient fondness of my Passion that makes me still Your Slave and Your Adorer Octavio At finishing this the jealous fair One redoubl'd her tears with such violence that 't was in vain her Woman strove to abate the flowing Tide by all the reasonable arguments she cou'd bring to her aid and Silvia to increaâ—e it read again the latter part of the ominous Letter which she wet with the tears that stream'd from her bright eyes Yes yes cry'd she laying the Letter down I know Octavio this is no Prophesie of yours but a known truth alas you know too well the fatal time 's already come when I shall find these changes in Philander Ah Madam reply'd Antonett how curious are you to search out torments for your own heart and as much a Lover as you are how little do you understand the Arts and Politicks of Love Alas Madam continu'd she you your self have arm'd my Lord Octavio with those Weapons that wound you The last time he writ to my Lord Philander he found you possest with a thousand fears and jealousies of these he took advantage to attaque his Rival for what man is there so dull that wou'd not assault his Enemy in that part where the most considerable mischief may be done him 't is now Octavio's Int'rest and his business to render Philander false to give you all the umbrage that is possible of so powerful a Rival and to say any thing that may render him hateful to you or at least to make you love him less Away reply'd Silvia with an uneasi-smile how foolish are thy reasonings for were it possible I cou'd Love Philander less is it to be imagin'd that shouâ—d make way for Octavio in my heart or any after that dear deceiver No doubt of it reply'd Antonett but that very effect it wou'd have on your heart for Love in the Soul of a witty person is like a scain of Silk to unwin'd it from the Bottom you must wind it on another or it runs into confusion and becomes of no use and then of course as one lessens the other increases and what Philander loses in Love Octavio or some one industrious Lover will most certainly gain Oh reply'd Silvia you are a great Phylosopher in Love I shouâ—d be Madam cry'd Antonett had I but had
from the most unfornate of men whom you have reduc'd to this miserable Extremity of losing either the Adorable Object of his Soul or his Honour If you can preser a little curiosity that will serve but to afflict you before either that or my repose What esteem ought I to believe you have for the unfortunate Octavio and if you hate me as 't is evident if you compel me to the extremity of losing my repose or honour what reason or argument have I to perfer so careless a Fair One above the last 'T is certain you neither do nor can love me now and how much below that hope shall the expos'd and abandon'd Octavio be when he shall pretend to that Glory without his Honour Believe me Charming Maid I wou'd Sacrifice my life and my intire Fortune at your least command to serve you but to render you a devoyr that must point me out the basest of my Sex is what my temper must resist in spight of all the violence of my Love and I thank my happyer Stars that they have given me resolution enough rather to fall a Sacrifice to the last then be guilty of the breach of the first This is the last and present thought and pleasure of my Soul and least it shou'd by the force of those Divine Ideas which Eternally surround it be sooth'd and slatter'd from its Noble Principles I will to morrow put my self out of the hazard of Temptation and divert if possible by absence to the Compagne those soft importunate betrayers of my Liberty that perpetually solicit in favour of you I dare not so much as bid you adieu one sight of that bright Angels face wou'd undo me unfix my Nobler resolutions and leave me a despicable Slave sighing my unrewarded Treason at your insensible Feet My Fortune I leave to be dispos'd by you but the more useless necessary I will for ever take from those lovely Eyes who can look on nothing with joy but the happy Philander If I have denied you one satisfaction at least I have given you this other of securing you Eternally from the trouble and importunity of Madam your Faithful Octavio This Letter to any other less secure of her own power than was our fair Subject wou'd have made them impatient and angry But she found that there was something yet in her power the dispensation of which cou'd soon recal him from any resolution he was able to make of absenting himself Her Glass stood before her and every glance that way was an assurance and security to her heart she cou'd not see that Beauty and doubt its power of perswasion She therefore took her Pen and writ him this answer being in a moment furnisht with all the Art and subtilty that was necessary on this occasion Silvia to Octavio My Lord THo I have not Beauty enough to command your heart at least allow me sense enough to oblige your belief that I fancy and resent all that the letter contains which you have deny'd me and that I am not of that sort of Women whose want of youth or Beauty renders so constant to pursue the Ghost of a departed Love It is enough to justifie my Honour that I was not the first Agressor I find my self persu'd by too many Charmes of Wit Youth and Gallantry to bury my self beneath the willows or to whine away my youth by murmuring Rivers or betake me to the last refuge of a declining Beauty a Monastary no my Lord when I have reveng'd and recompenc'd my Self for the injuries of one inconstant with the joys a thousand imploring Lovers offer it will be time to be weary of a world which yet every day presents me new joys and I swear to you Octavio that it was more to recompence what I ow'd your passion that I desir'd a convincing proof of Philanders false-hood than for any other reason and you have too much Wit not to know it for what other use cou'd I make of the Secret if he be false he 's gone unworthy of me and impossible to be retriev'd and I wou'd as soon dye my sullied Garments and wear them over again as take to my imbraces a reform'd Lover the Native first Luster of whose passion is quite extinct and is no more the same no my Lord she must be poor in Beauty that has recourse to shifts so mean if I wou'd know the Secret by all that 's good it were to hate him heartily and to dispose of my Person to the best advantage which in honour I cannot do while I am unconvinc'd of the falseness of him with whom I have exchang'd a thousand Vows of fidellity but if he unlink the Chain I am at perfect liberty and why by this delay you shou'd make me lose my time I am not able to conceive unless you fear I shou'd then take you at your word and expect the performance of all the Vows of Love you have made me If that be it My Pride shall be your security or if other recompence you expect set the Price upon your Secret and see at what rate I will purchase the liberty it will procure me possibly it may be such as may at once infranchize me and revenge me on the perjur'd ingrate than which nothing can be a greater Satisfaction to Silvia She Seals this Letter with a wafer and giving it to Antonett to give the Page believing she had writ what wou'd not be in vain to the quick sighted Octavio Antonett takes both that and the other which Octavio had sent and left her Lady busie in dressing her head and went to Briljard's Chamber who thought every moment an Age till she came so vigorous he was on his new design That which was sent to Octavio being seal'd with a wet Wafer he neatly opens as 't was easie to do and read and Seal'd again and Antonett deliver'd it to the Page After receiving what pay Briljard cou'd force himself to bestow upon her some flatteries of dissembl'd love and some cold Kisses which even imagination cou'd not render better She return'd to her Lady and he to his Stratagem which was to counterfeit a Letter from Octavio She having in hers given him a hint by bidding him set a price upon the Secret which he had heard was that of a Letter from Philander with all the Circumstances of it from the faithless Antonett whom Love had betray'd and after blotting much paper to try every Letter through the Alphabet and to produce them like those of Octavio which was not hard for a Lover of ingenuity he fell to the business of what he wou'd write and having finisht it to his liking his next trouble was how to convey it to Her for Octavio always sent his by his Page whom he cou'd trust He now was certain of love between ' em For tho he often had perswaded Antonett to bring him Letters yet she cou'd not be wrought on till now to betray her trust And what he long apprehended
upon for a future love or use he wou'd have rusht in and have made the guilty Night a Covert to a Scene of Blood but even yet he had an awe upon his Soâ—l for the perjur'd Fair One tho at the same time he resolv'd she shou'd be the the object of his hate for the Nature of his honest Soul abhor'd an Action so treacherous and base He begins in a moment from all his good thoughts of her to think her the most Jilting of her Sex he knew if int'rest cou'd oblige her no man in Holland had a better pretence to her than himself who had already without any return even so much as hope presented her the vallue of eight or ten thousand pound in fine Plate and Jewels If it were looser desire he fancy'd himself to have appear'd as capable to have serv'd her as any man but oh he considers there is a fate in things a destiny in Love that elevates and advances the most mean deform'd or abject and debases and contemns the most worthy and magnificent Then he wonders at her excellent art of dissembling for Philander he runs in a minute over all her Passions of rage jealousie tears and softness and now he hates the whole Sex and thinks 'em all like Silvia than which nothing cou'd appear more despicable to his present thought and with a smile while yet his heart was insensibly breaking he fancies himself a very Coxcomb a Cully an impos'd on Fool and a conceited Fop Valâ—e's Silvia as a common fair Jilâ— whose whole design was to deceive the World and make her self a Fortune at the price of her Honour one that receives all kind bidders and that he being too lavish and too modest was reserv'd the Cully on purpose to be undone and Jilted out of all his fortune This thought was so perfectly fixt in him that he recover'd out of his excess of pain and fancy'd himself perfectly cur'd of his blind passion resolves to leave her to her beastly entertainment and to depart but before he did so Silvia who had conducted the Amorous Spark to the Bed where the expecting Lady lay drest rich and sweet to receive him return'd out of the Chamber and the light being a little more favourable to his â—yes by his being so long in the darkâ— he perceiv'd it Antonett at least such a sort of figure as he fancy'd her and to confirm him saw her go into that Chamber where he knew she lay he saw her perfect dress and all confirm'd him this brought him back almost to his former confusion but yet he commands his passion and descended the Stairs and got himself out of the Hall into the Street and Silvia having forgot the street door was open went and shut it and return'd to Antonett's Chamber with the Letter which Briljard had given to Antonett as she lay in the Bed believing it Silvia for that trembling Lover was no sooner enter'd the Chamber and approacht the Bed side but he kneel'd before it and oâ—â—er'd the price of his happiness this Letter which she immediately gave to Silvia unperceiv'd who quitted the Room and now with all the eager hast of impatient love she strikes a Light and falls to reading the sad contents but as she read she many times fainted over the Paper and as she has since said 't was a wonder she ever recover'd having no â—ody with her by that time she had â—â—nisht it she was so ill she was not able to get her self into Bed but threw her self down on the place where she sate which was the side of it in such agonies of grief and despair as never any Soul was possest of but Silvia's wholly abandon'd to the violence of Loves and despair it is iâ—possible to paint a torment to express hers by and tho' she had vow'd to Antonett it shou'd not at all effect her being sâ— prepossest before yet when she had the confirmation of her fears and heard his own dear soft words addrest to another object saw his transports his impatience his languishing industry and indeavour to obtain the new desire of his soul she found her resentment above â—age and given over to a more silent and less supportable torment brought her self into a high Fever where she lay without so much as calling for Aid in this extremity not that she was afraid the cheat she had put on Octavio would be discover'd for she had lost the remembrance that any such prank was plaid and in this multitude of thoughts of more concern had forgot all the rest of that Nights action Octavio this while was traverâ—ing the street wrapt in his Cloke just as if he had come from Horse for he was no sooner gone from the door but his resenting passion return'd and he resolv'd to go up again and disturb the Lovers tho it cost him his life and fame But returning hastily to the door he found it shut at which being inrag'd he was often about to break it open but still some unperceivable respect for Silvia prevented him but he resolv'd not to stir from the door till he saw the fortunate rogue come out who had given him all this torment at first he câ—rst himself for being so much concern'd for Silvia or her actions to waste a minute but flattering himself that it was not love to her but pure curiosity to know the man who was made the next fool to himself tho the morâ— happy one he waited all Night and when he began to see the day break which he thought a thousand years his Eye was never off from the door and wonder'd at their confidence who wou'd let the day break upon them but the Close drawn Curtains there cry'd he favours the happy Villainy Still he walk'd on and still he might for any Rival that was to appear for a most unlucky accident prevented Briljard's coming out as he doubly intended to do first for the better carrying on of his cheat of being Octavio and next that he had challeng'd Octavio to fight and when he knew his Error design'd to have gone this morning and ask'd him pardon if he had been return'd but the Amorous Lover over Night ordering himself for the incounter to the best advantage had sent a Note to a Doctor for something that wou'd incourage his spirits the Doctor came and opening a little Box wherein was a powerful Medicine He told him that a Dose of those little flies wou'd make him come off with wonderous Honour in the Battail of Love and the Doctor being gone to call for a glass of Sack the Doctor having laid out of the Box what he thought requisite on a piece of Paper and leaving the Box open our Spark thought if such a Dose wou'd incourage him so a greater wou'd yet make him do greater Wonders and taking twice the quantity out of the Box puts 'em into his pocket and having drunk the first with full directions the Doctor leaves him who was no sooner gone but he
had indeed discover'd the truth of the matter she knew since that was all she cou'd easily reconcile him by a plain confession and giving him new hopes she therefore writes this answer to him which she sent by his Page who waited for it Silvia to Octavio I Own too angry and too nice Octavio the Crime you charge me with and did believe a person of your Gallantry Wit and Gayety wou'd have past over so little a fault with only reproaching me pleasantly I did not expect so grave a reproof or rather so serious an accusation youth has a thousand follies to answer for and cannot Octavio pardon one sally of it in Silvia I rather expected to have seen you early here this morning pleasantly rallying my little perfidy than to find you railing at a distance at it calling it by a thousand names that does not merit half this malice And sure you did not think me so poor in good Nature but I cou'd some other coming hour have made you amends for those you lost last Night possibly I cou'd have wisht my self with you at the same time and had I perhaps follow'd my inclination I had made you happy as you wisht but there were powerful reasons that prevented me I conjure you to let me see you where I will make a confession of my last nights sin and give you such arguments to convince you of the necessity of it as shall absolutely reconcile you to love hope and SILVIA It being late she only sent this short Billet And not hoping that Night to see him she went to bed after having inquir'd the health of Briljard whom she heard was very ill and that young defeated Lover finding it impossible to meet Octavio as he had promis'd not to fight him but to ask his pardon for his mistake he made a shift with much ado to write him a Note which was this My Lord I Confess my yesterdays rudeness and beg you will give me a Pardon before I leave the World for I was last Night taken violently ill and am unable to wait on your Lordship to beg what this most earnestly does for Your Lordships most Devoted Servant Briljard This Billet tho it signifi'd nothing to Octavio it serv'd Silvia afterwards to very good use and purpose as a little time shall make appear And Octavio receiv'd these two Notes from Briljard and Silvia at the same time the one he flung by regardless the other he read with infinite pain scorn hate indignation all at once storm'd in his heart he feâ—t every passion there but that of Love which caus'd 'em all if he thought her false and ungrateful before he now thinks her fall'n to the lowest degree of lewdness to own her Crime with such impudence he fancies now he 's cur'd of Love and hates her absolutely thinks her below even his scorn and puts himself to bed believing he shall sleep as well as before he saw the Light the foolish Silvia But oh he boasts in vain the Light the foolish Silvia was Charming still still all the Beauty appear'd even in his slumbers the Angell dawn'd about him and all the Fend was laid He sees her lovely Face but the false heart is hid he hears her Charming Wit but all the cunnings husht he views the motions of her delicate Body without regard to those of her mind he thinks of all the tender words she has given him in which the Jilting part is lost and all forgotten or if by chance it crost his happier thought he rowls and tumble in his Bed he raves and calls upon her charming Name till he have quite forgot it and takes all the pains he can to deceive his own heart Oh 't is a tender part and can indure no hurt he sooths it therefore and at the worst resolves since the vast blessing may be purchas'd to revel in delight and cure himself that way These flattering thoughts kept him all night waking and in the Morning he resolves his Visit but taking up her Letter which lay on the Table he read it o're again and by degrees wrought himself up to madness at the thought that Silvia was possest Philander he cou'd bear with little patience but that because before he lov'd or knew her he cou'd allow but this This wrecks his very Soul and in his height of fury writes this Letter without consideration Octavio to Silvia SInce you profess your self a common Mistress and set up for the Glorious trade of sin send me your price and I perhaps may pâ—rchase Damnation at your rate may be you have a Method in your dealing and I 've mistook you all this while and dealt not your way Instruct my youth great Mistress of the Art and I shall be obedient tell me which way I may be happy too and put in for an adventurer I have a stock of ready youth and mony pray name your time and sum for hours or Nights or months I will be in at all or any as you shall find leasure to receive the Impatient Octavio This in a Mad moment he wrâ—t and sent it e're he had consider'd farther and Silvia who expected not so course and rough a return grew as mad as he in reading it and she had much aâ— do to hold her hands off from beating the innocent Page that brought it To whom she turn'd with fire in her Eyes â—lames in her Cheeks and Thunder on her Tongue and cry'd Go tell your Master that he is a Villain and if you dare approach me any more from him I 'le have my Footmen whip you and with a scorn that discover'd all the indignation in the World she turn'd from him and tearing his Note threw it from her and walk'd her way And the Page thunderstruck return'd to his Lord who by this time was repenting he had manag'd his passion no better and â—t what the Boy told him was wholly convinc'd of his Error he now consider'd her Character and quallity and accus'd himself of great indiscretion and as he was sitting the most dejected melancholly man on Earth reflecting on his misfortune the Post arriv'd with Letters from Philander which he open'd and laying by that which was inclos'd for Silvia he read that from Philander to himself Philander to Octavio THere is no pain my dear Octavio either in Love or friendship like that of doubt and I confess my self guilty of giving it you in a great measure by my silence the last Post but having business of so much greater concern to my heart than even writing to Octavio I found my self unable to pursue any other and I believe you cou'd too with the less impatience bear with my neglect having affairs of the same nature there our circumstances and the business of our hearts then being so resembling methinks I have as great an impatience to be recounting to you the story of my Love and Fortune as I am to receive that of yours and to know what advances you have made in
the heart of the still charming Silvia tho there will be this difference in the relations mine when ever I recount it will give you a double satisfaction first from the share your friendship makes you have in all the pleasures of Philander and next that it excuses Silvia if she can be false to me for Octavio and still advances his design on her heart but yours when ever I receive it will give me a thousand pains which 't is however but just I should feel since I was the first breaker of the solemn League and Covenant made between us which yet I do by all that 's sacred with a regret that makes me reflect with some repentance in all those moments wherein I do not wholly give my soul up to Love and the more beautiful Calista yes more because new In my last my dear Octavio you left me pursuing like a Knight Errant a Beauty inchanted within some invisible Tree or Castle or Lake or any thing inaccessable or rather wandering in a Dream after some glorious disappearing fantom and for some time indeed I knew not whether I slept or wak'd I saw daily the good old Count of Clarinau to whom I durst not so much as ask a civil question towards the satisfaction of my soul the Page was sent into Holland with some Express to a Brother in Law of the Counts of whom before I had the intelligence of a fair young wife to the old Lord his Master and for the rest of the Servants they spoke all Spanish and the devil a word we understood each other so that 't was impossible to learn any thing farther from them and I found I was to owe all my good Fortune to my own industry but how to set it a working I cou'd not devise at last it happen'd that being walking in the Garden which had very high Walls on three sides and a large fine apartment on the other I concluded that 't was in that part of the house my fair new Conqueress resided but how to be resolv'd I cou'd not tell nor which way the Windows lookt that were to give the light forwards that part o' th' Garden there was none at last I saw the good old Gentleman come trudging through the Garden fumbling out of his Pocket a Key I stept into an Arbor to observe him and saw him open a little door that led him into another Garden and locking the door after him vanisht and observing how that side of the Apartment lay I went into the street and after a large compass found that which fac'd that Garden which made the fore part of the Apartment I made a story of some occasion I had for some upper rooms and went into many houses to find which fronted best the Apartment and still dislik'd something till I met with one so directly to it that I cou'd when I got a story higher look into the very Rooms which only a delicate Garden parâ—ed from this by street there ' was I fixt and learnt from a young Dutch woman that spoke good France that that was the very place I lookt for the Apartment of Madam the Countess of Clarinau She told me too that every day after Dinner the old Gentleman came thither and sometimes a nights and bewail'd the young Beauty who had no better entertainment than what an old wither'd Spaniard of threescore and ten cou'd give her I found this young woman apt for my purpose and having very well pleas'd her with my conversation and some little presents I made her I left her in good humour and resolv'd to serve me on any design and returning to my lodging I found old Clarinau return'd as brisk and gay as if he had been carest by so fair and young a Lady which very thought made me rave and I had abundance of pain to withold my rage from breaking out upon him so jealous and envious I was of what now I lov'd and desir'd a thousand times more than ever since the relation my new young female friend had given me who had wit and beauty sufficient to make her judgment impartial however I contain'd my jealousie with the hopes of a suddain revenge for I fancy'd the business half accomplisht in my knowledg of her residence I feign'd some business to the old Gentleman that wou'd call me out of town for a week to consult with some of our party and taking my leave of him he offer'd me the Complement of Money or what else I should need in my affair which at that time was not unwelcome to me and being well furnisht for my enterprise I took Horse without a Page or Footman to attend me because I pretended my business was a secret and taking a turn about the Town in the Evening I left my horse without the gates and went to my secret new quarters where my young Friend receceiv'd me with the joy of a Mistress and with whom indeed I cou'd not forbear entertaining my self very well which ingag'd her more to my service with the aid of my liberallity but all this did not allay one spark of the fire kindled in my Soul for the lovely Calista and I was impatient for Night against which time I was preparing an Ingine to mount the Battlement for so it was that divided the Garden from the Street rather than a Wall All things fitted to my purpose I fixt my self at the Windowâ— that lookt directly towards her Sashes and had the satisfaction to see her leaning there and looking on a Fountain that stood in the midst of the Garden and cast a thousand little streams into the Air that made a melancholly noise in falling into a large Alablaster Cistern beneath Oh how my heart danc'd at the dear sight ' to all the tunes of Love I had not power to stir or spâ—ak or to remove my eyes but languisht on the window where I leant half dead with Joy and transport for she appear'd more Charming to my view undrest and fit for Love Oh my Octavio such are the pangs which I believe thou felt at the approach of Silvia so beats thy heart so rise thy sighs and Wishes so trembling and so pale at every view as I was in this lucky Amorous moment and thus I fed my Soul till Night came on and left my Eyes no Object but my heart a thousand dear Idea's And now I sally'd out and with good success for with a long engine which reacht the top of the Wall I fixt the end of my Ladder there and mounted it and sitting on the top brought my Lader easily up to me and turn'd it â—over to the other side and with abundance of ease descended into the Garden which was the finest I had ever seen for now as good luck wou'd have it who was design'd to savour me The Moon begun to shine so bright as even to make me distinguish the Colours of the Flowers that drest all the Banks in ravishing order but these were not the Beauty
acquainted her with the short History of his Passion for Silvia and order'd her to give her attendance on the treasure of his Life he bid her prepare all things as magnificent as she could in that Apartment he design'd her which was very rich and gay and towards a fine Garden The Hangings and Beds all glorious and fitter for a Monarch than a Subject the finest Pictures the World afforded Flowers in-laid with Silver and Ivory guilded Roofs carved Wainscot Tables of Plate with all the rest of the moveables in the Chambers of the same all of great value and all was perfumed like an Altar or the Marriage-Bed of some young King Here Silvia was design'd to lodge and hither Octavio conducted her and setting her on a Couch while the Supper was getting ready he sits himself down by her and his heart being ready to burst with Grief at the thought of the Claim which was laid to her by Brilljard he silently views her while Tears were ready to break from his fix'd Eyes and Sighs stopt what he would fain have spoke While she wholly confounded with Shame Guilt and Disappointment for she could not imagine that Brilljard could have had the Impudence to have claim'd her for a Wife fix'd her fair Eyes to Earth and durst not behold the languishing Octavio They remain'd thus a long time silent she not daring to defend herself from a Crime of which she knew too well she was guilty nor he daring to ask her a Question to which the Answer might prove so fatal he fears to know what he dies to be satisfied in and she fears to discover too late a Secret which was the only one she had conceal'd from him Octavio runs over in his Mind a thousand Thoughts that perplex'd him of the Probability of her being married he considers how often he had found her with that happy young Man who more freely entertain'd her than Servants use to do He now considers how he has seen 'em once on a Bed together when Silvia was in the Disorder of a yielding Mistress and Brilljard of a ravish'd Lover he considers how he has found 'em alone at Cards and Dice and often entertaining her with Freedoms of a Husband and how he wholly managed her Affairs commanded her Servants like their proper Master and was in full Authority of all These and a thousand more Circumstances confirms Octavio in all his Fears A thousand times she is about to speak but either fears to lose Octavio by a clear Confession or to run herself into farther Error by denying the matter of Fact stops her Words and she only blushes and sighs at what she dares not tell and if by chance their speaking Eyes meet they would both decline 'em hastily again as afraid to find there what their Language could not confess Sometimes he would press her Hand and sigh Ah Silvia you have undone my Quiet to which she would return no Answer but Sigh and now rising from the Couch she walk'd about the Chamber as sad and silent as Death attending when he should have advanced in speaking to her tho' she dreads the Voice she wishes to hear and he waits for her Reply tho' the Mouth that he adores should deliver Poyson and Daggers to his Heart While thus they remained in the most silent and sad Entertainment that ever was between Lovers that had so much to say the Page which Octavio only trusts to wait brought him this Letter Brilljard to Octavio My Lord I am too sensible of my many high Offences to your Lordship and have as much Penitence for my Sin committed towards you as 't is possible to conceive but when I implore a Pardon from a Lover who by his own Passion may guess at the violent Effects of my dispairing Flame I am yet so vain to hope it Antonett gave me the Intelligence of your Design and raised me up to a Madness that hurried me to that Barbarity against your unspotted Honour I own the baseness of the Fact but Lovers are not my Lord always guided by Rules of Iustice and Reason or if I had I should have kill'd the fair Adultress that drew you to your Vndoing and who merits more your Hate than your Regard and who having first violated her marriage Vow to me with Philander would sacrifice us both to you and at the same time betray you to a Marriage that cannot but prove fatal to you as it is most unlawful in her so that my Lord if I have injured you I have at the same time saved you from a Sin and Ruin and humbly implore that you will suffer the Good I have rendered you in the last to atone for the Ill I did you in the first If I have accused you of a Design against the State it was to save you from that of the too subtil and too charming Silvia which none but myself could have snatcht you from 'T is true I might have acted something more worthy of my Birth and Education but my Lord I knew the Power of Silvia and if I should have sent you the Knowledge of this when I sent the Warrant for the Security of your Person the haughty Creature would have prevail'd above all my Truths with the Eloquence of Love and you had yielded and been betray'd worse by her than by the most ungenerous Measures I took to prevent it Suffer this Reason my Lord to plead for me in that Heart where Silvia Reigns and shews how powerful she is every where Pardon all the Faults of a most unfortunate Man undone by Love and by your own guess what his Passion would put him on who aims or wishes at least for the intire Possession of Silvia tho' it was never absolutely hop'd by the most unfortunate Brilljard At the beginning of this Letter Octavio hoped it contained the Confession of his Fault in claiming Silvia he hop'd he would have own'd it done in order to his Service to his Lord or his Love to Silvia or any thing but what it really was but when he read on and found that he yet confirm'd his Claim he yeilded to all the Grief that could sink a Heart over-burthen'd with violent Love he fell down on the Couch were he was sate and only calling Silvia with a dying Groan he held out his Hand in which the Letter remain'd and look'd on her with Eyes that languished with Death Love and Dispair while she who already feared from whom it came received it with Disdain Shame and Confusion And Octavio recovering a little Cry'd in a faint Voice See Charming Cruel Fair see how much my Soul adores you when even this cannot extinguish one spark of that Flame you have kindled in my Soul At this she blush'd and bow'd with a graceful modesty that was like to have given the lie to all the Accusations against her She reads the Letter while he greedily fixes his Eyes upon her Face as she read observing with curious Search every Motion there all killing
thousand Pounds and immediately left the Town after receiving some Letters that came last Night by the Post one of which was from Philander and indeed this new Grief upon Octavio's Soul made him the most Dejected and Melancholy Man in the World insomuch that he who never wept for any thing but for Love was often found with Tears rowling down his Cheeks at the remembrance of an Accident so deplorable and of which he and his unhappy Passion was the Cause tho' Innocently Yet could not the dire Reflection oft hat nor the loss of so tender a Parent as was Sebastian lessen one Spark of that Fire for Silvia whose unfortunate Flame had been so Fatal While They were safe out of danger the Servants of Sebastian admired when Ten Eleven and Twelve a Clock was come they saw neither the Old Lord nor any of the New Guests But when the Coachman mist his Coach and Horses he was in a greater maze and thought some Body had stollen 'em and accusing himself of Sluggishness and Debauchery that made him not able to hear when the Coach went out he forswore all Drinking But when the House-keeper and he met and discoursed about the Lady and the rest they concluded that the Old Gentleman and she were agreed upon the matter and being got to Bed together had quite forgot themselves and made a Thousand Roguish remarks upon ' em They believed the Maid and the Page too were as well imploy'd since they saw neither But when Dinner was ready she went up to the Maids Chamber and found it empty as also that of the Page her Heart then presaging something she ventures to knock at her Lord's Chamber door but finding it Lock'd and none Answer they broke it open and after doing the same by that of Silvia they found the Poor Sebastian stretch'd on the Floor and Shot in the Head the Toylet pull'd almost down and the Lock of the Pistol hanging in the point of the Toylet intangled and the Muzzle of it just against the Wound At first when they saw him they fancy'd Silvia might kill him for either oâ—fering to come to Bed to her in the Night or for some other Malicious end But when they saw how the Pistol lay they fancy'd it Accident in the Dark For said the Woman I and my Daughter have been up ever since Day-break and I 'm sure no such thing happen'd then nor coâ—ld thâ—y since escape And it being natural in Holland to cry Lope Schellum that is Run Rogue to him that is alive and who has kill'd another and for every Man to set a helping Hand to bear him out of Danger thinking it too much that one 's already dead I say this being the Nature of the People they never pursu'd the Murderers or fled Persons but suffered Sebastian to lie till the Coroner sat upon him who found it or at least thought it Accident and there was all for that time But this with all the reasonable Circumstances did not satisfie the States Here is one of their High and Mighties killed a fair Lady fled and upon inquiry a fine Young Fellow too the Nephew All knew they were Rivals in this fair Lady all knew there were Animosities between 'em all knew Octavio was absconded some Days before so that upon Consideration they concluded he was Murder'd by Compact and the rather because they wish'd it so in spight to Octavio and because both he and Silvia were fled like Guilty Persons Upon this they make a Seizure of both his and his Uncle's Estate to the use of the States Thus the best and most glorious Man that ever grac'd that part of the World was undone by Love While Silvia with Sighs and Tears would often say That sure she was born the Fate of all that Ador'd her and no Man ever thriv'd that had a Design upon her or a Pretension to her Thus between excess of Grief and excess of Love which indeed lay veil'd in the first they arriv'd at Bruxells where Octavio having News of the proceedings of the States against him resolving rather to lose his Life than tamely to surrender his Right he went forth in order to take some Care about it And in these extreams of a troubled Mind he had forgot to read Philander's Letters but gave 'em to Silvia to peruse till he return'd beseeching and conjuring her by all the Charms of Love not to suffer herself to be afflicted but now to consider she was wholly his and she could not and ought not to rob him of a Sigh or Tear for any other Man For they had concluded to marry as soon as Silvia should be delivered from that part of Philander of which she was possess'd Therefore beholding her intirely his own of whom he was so fondly tender he could not indure the Wind should blow on her and kiss her lovely Face Jealous of even the Air she breath'd he was ever putting her in mind of whose and what she was and she ever giving him new Assurances that she was only Octavio's The last part of his ill News he conceal'd from her that of the Usage of the States He was so intirely careful of her Fame that he had two Lodgings one most magnificent for her another for himself and only visited her all the live-long Day And being now reâ—red from her she whose Love and Curiosity grew less every day for the false Philander open'd his Letter with a Sigh of departed Love and read this Philander to Octavio SVRE of your Friendship my dear Octavio I venture to lay before you the History of my Misfortunes as well as those of my Ioys equally Extream In my last I gave you an Account how triumphing a Lover I was in the Possession of the adorable Calista and how very near I was being surpriz'd in the Fountain where I had hid myself from the Rage of old Clarinau and escaped wet and cold to my Lodging And tho' indeed I escaped it was not without giving the old Husband a Iealousy which put him upon an Inquiry after a stricter mannâ—r as I heard the next day from Calista but with as ill Success as the Night before notwithstanding it appears by what after happened that he still retain'd his Iealousy and that of me from a thousand little Inquiries I had from time to time made form my being now absent and most of all from my being as now he fancied that Vision which Calista saw in the Garden All these Circumstances wrought a thousand Canundrums in his Spanish politick Noddle And he resolves that Calista's Actions should be more narrowly watch'd This I can only guess from what insu'd I am not able to say by what good Fortune I escap'd several happy Nights after the first but 't is certain I did so for the old Man carrying all things fair to the lovely Countess she thought herself secure in her Ioys hitherto as to any Discovery However I never went on this dear Adventure but I was well
Pillows for two Persons This gave them the Curiosity to search farther which they did with their Swords under the Bed in every Corner behind every Curtain up the Chimney felt all about the Wainsâ—ot and Hangings for false Doors or Closets survey'd the Floor for a Trap-door At last they found my fringed Gloves in the Window and the Shash a little up and then they concluded I had made my Escape out at that Window This Thought they seem'd confirm'd in and therefore ran to the Garden where they thought I had descended and with my Gloves which they bore away as the Trophies of their almost gained Victory they searched every Hedge and Bush Arbour Grotto and Tree but not being able to find what they â—ought they concluded me gone and told all the Town how very near they were to seizing me After this the very Porter and Page believed me escaped out at that Window and there was no farther Search made after me But the Countess was amazed as much as any of the Souldiers to find which way I had convey'd myself when I came down and undeceiv'd her but when she saw from whence I came she wondered more than before how I could get up so high when trying the trick again I could not do it if I might have won never so considerable a Wager upon it without pulling down the Sconce and the Teaster also After this I remain'd there undiscovered the whole time the Prince was at Hermione's till his coming to Court when I verily believed he would have gained me my Pardon with his own but the King had sworn my final Destruction if he ever got me in his Power and proclaiming me a Traytor seiz'd all they could find of mine 'T was then that I believed it high time to take my Flight which as soon as I heard the Prince again in Disgrace I did and got safely into Holland where I have remained about six Weeks But oh what is Woman The first News I heard and that was while I remain'd at the Countess's that my Mistriss for whom I had taken such Care and who had professed to love me above all things no sooner heard I was â—led and proscrib'd but retiring to a Friends House for her own was seized for mine and the Officers imagining me there too they came to search and a young Cavalier of a noble Aspect great Wit and Courage and indeed a very fine Gentleman was the Officer that entered her Chamber to search for me who being at first sight surprized with her Beauty and melted with her Tears fell most desperately in Love with her and after hearing how she had lost all her Money Plate and Jewels and rich Furniture offered her his Service to retrieve 'em and did do it and from one Favour to another continued so to oblige the fair fickle Creature that he won with that and his handsom Mien a Possession of her Heart and she yielded in a weeks time to my most mortal Enemy And the Countess who at my going from her swounded and bathed me all in Tears making a thousand Vows of Fidelity and never to favour Mankind more This very Woman Sir as soon as my Back was turn'd made new Advances to a young Lord who believing her to be none of the most Faithful would not trust her under Matrimony He being a Man of no great Fortune and she a Mistriss of a very considerable one his standing off on these Terms inflames her the more and I have Advice that she is very much in Love with him and 't is believed will do what he desires of her So that I was no sooner abandoned by Fortune but fickle Woman followed her Example and â—led me too Thus my Lord you have the History of my double Unhappiness And I am waiting here a Fate which no Human Wit can guess at The Arrival of the Prince will give a little Life to our Affair and I yet have Hope to see him in Paris at the Head of forty thousand Hugonots to revenge all the Insolences we have suffered After discoursing of several things and of the Fate of several Persoâ—s it was Bed-time and they taking Leave each Man departed to his Chamber Philander while he was undressing being alone with Brilljard began to discourse of Silvia and to take some care of letting her know he was arrived at Bruxells who even yet retained some unaccountable Hope as Lovers do of one day being happy with that fair one and believing he could not be so with so much Facility while she was in the Hands of Octavio as those of Philander whould never tell his Lord his Sentiments of her Conduct nor of her Love to Octavio and those other Passages that had occur'd in Holland He only cry'd he believ'd she might be overcome being left to herself and by the Merits and good Fashion of Octavio but would not give his Master an absolute Fear or any account of Truth that he might live with her again if possible as before and that she might hold herself so obliged to him for his Silence in these Affairs as might one day render him happy These were the unweighed Reasons he gave for deluding his Lord into a Kind Opinion of the fickle Maid But ever when he named Silvia Philander could perceive his Blushes rise and from 'em believ'd there was something behind in his Thought which he had a mind to know He therefore pressed him to the last degree and cry'd Come confess to me Brilljard the reason of your Blushes I know you are a Lover and I was content to suffer you my Rival knowing your Respect to me This tho' he spoke smiling raised a greater Confusion in Brilljard's Heart I own my Lord said he that I have in spight of that Respect and all the force of my Soul had the daring to love her whom you lov'd but still the consideration of my Obligations to your Lordship surmounted that sawcy Flame notwithstanding all the Incouragement of your Inconstancy and the Advantage of the Rage it put Silvia in against you How cry'd Philander does Silvia know then of my Falsness and is it certain that Octavio has betray'd me to her With that Brilljard was forc'd to advance and with a design of some Revenge upon Octavio whom he hoped would be challenged by his Lord where one or both might fall in the Rancounter and leave him Master of his Hopes he told him all that had passed between 'em all but real Possession which he only imagined but laid the whole Weight on Octavio making Silvia act but as an incensed Woman purely out of high Revenge and Resentment of so great an Injury as was done her Love He fâ—rther told â—im how in the Extravagancy of her Rage she had resolv'd to marry Octavio and how he prevented it by making a publick Declaration she was his Wife already and for which Octavio procured the States to put him in Prison but by an Accident that happened to the Uncle
Lodgings to know if any Accident had prevented her coming but that when he came tho' he had been with her but an Hour before she was gone away with Philander never more to return The Youth not being able to carry this sad news to his Lord when he came home offered at a hundred things to conceal the right but the impatient Lover would not be so answered but all inraged commanded him to tell that Truth which he found already but too apparently in his Eyes The Lad so commanded could no longer defer telling him Silvia was gone and being asked again and again what he meant with a Face and Voice that every Moment altered to dying the Page assured him she was gone out of Bruxells with Philander never more to return which was no sooner told him but he sunk on the Couch where he lay and fainted He farther told him how long it was and with what Difficulty he was recovered to Life and that after he was so he refused to speak or see any Visitors could for a long time be neither perswaded to eat nor sleep but that he had spoke to no body ever since and did now believe he could not procure him the Favour he beg'd That nevertheless he would go and see what the very Name of any that had but a relation to the Family of Silvia would produce in him whether a storm of Passion or a calm of Grief Either would be better than a Dulness all silent and sad in which there was no understanding what he meant by it Whoever spoke he only made a short sign and turn'd away as much as to say Speak no more to me But now resolv'd to try his Temper hasted to his Lord and told him that Brilljard full of Penitence for his past Fault and Grief for the ill Condition he heard he was in was come to pay his humble Respects to him and gain his Pardon before he went to his Lord and Silvia without which he had nor could have any peace of Mind he being too sensible of the baseness of the Injury he had done him At the Name of Philander and Silvia Octavio show'd some signs of listening but to the rest no regard and starting from the Bed where he was laid Ah! what hast thou said cry'd he The Page then repeated the Message and was commanded to bring him up who accordingly with all the signs of Submission cast himself at his Feet and Mercy and tho' he were an Enemy the very thought that he belonged to Silvia made Octavio caress him as the dearest of Friends He kept him with him two or three days and would not suffer him to stir from him but all their Discourse was of the faithless Silvia of whom the deceived Lover spoke the softest unheard tender things that ever Passion utter'd He made the amorous Brilljard weep a hundred times a-day and ever when he would have sooth'd his Heart with Hopes of seeing her and one day injoying her intirely to himself he would with so much peace of Mind renounce her as Brilljard no longer doubted but he would indeed not more trust her fickle Sex At last the News arrived that Cesario was in Bruxells and Brillijard was obliged the next Morning to take Horse and to go to his Lord And to make himself the more acceptable to Silvia he humbly besought Octavio to write some part of his Resentment to her that he might oblige her to a Reason for what she had so inhumanly done This flattered him a little and he was not long before he was overcome by Brilljard's Intreaties who having his Ends in every thing believed this Letter might contain at least something to asist in his Design by giving him Authority over her by so great a Secret The next Morning before he took Horse he waited on Octavio for his Letter and promised him an Answer at his Return which would be in a few days The Letter was open and Octavio suffered Brilljard to read it making him an absolute Confident in his Amour which having done he besought him to add one thing more to it and that was to beg her to forgive Brilljard which for his sake he knew she would do He told him he was obliged as a good Christian and a dying Man one resolved for Heaven to do that good Office and accordingly did Brilljard taking Post immediately arrived to Philander where he found every thing as he wished all out of Humour still on the Fret and ever peevish He had not seen Silvia as I said since she went from Holland and now knew not which way to approach her Philander was abroad on some of his usual Gallantries when Brilljard arrived and having discoursed a while of the Affairs of his Lord and Silvia he told Antonett he had a great desire to speak with that dissatisfied fair one assuring her he believed his Visit would be welcome from what he had to say to her concerning Octavio She told him with infinite Joy that she did not doubt of his Pardon from her Lady if he brought any News from that gallant injured Man and in all hast tho' her Lady saw no body but refused to rise from her Couch she ran to her and besought her to see Brilljard for he came with a Message from Octavio the Person who was the Subject of their Discourse Night and Day when alone She immediately sent for Brilljard who approach'd his Goddess with a trembling Devotion he kneel'd before her and humbly besought her Pardon for all that was past But she who with the very Thought that he had something to say from Octavio forgot all but that and hastily bid him rise and take all he ask'd and hope for what he wished In this Transport she imbraced his Head and kiss'd his Cheek and took him up That Madam said Brilljard which your divine Bounty alone has given me without any Merit in me I durst not have had the Confidence to have hop'd without my Credential from a nobler Hand This Madam said he And gives her a Letter from Octavio The dear hand she knew and kiss'd a hundred times as she opened it and having increated Brilljard to withdraw for a Moment that he might not see her Concern at the reading it she sate her down and found it this Octavio to Silvia I Confess oh faithless Silvia that I shall appear in writing to you to show a Weakness ever below that of your Infidelity nor durst I have trusted myself to have spoken so many sad soft things as I shall do in this Letter had I not try'd the Strength of my Heart and found I could upbraid you without talking myself out of that Resolution I have taken but because I would dy in perfect Charity with thee as with all the World I should be glad to know I could forgive thee for yet thy Sins appear too black for Mercy Ah! why charming Ingrate have you left me no one Excuse for all your Ills to me Why have
fickle Humour cannot inform thee why thou hast betray'd me but thou hast done it Silvia and may it never rise in Iudgment on thee nor fix a Brand upon thy Name for ever greater than all thy other Guilts can load thee with Live fair Deceiver live and charm Philander to all the Heights of his beginning Flame maist thou be gaining Power upon his Heart and bring it to Repâ—ntance for Inconstancy may all thy Beauty still maintain its Lustre and all thy Charms of Wit be new and gay maist thou be chast and true and since it was thy Fate to 〈◊〉 undone let this at least excuse the hâ—pless Maid 't was Love alone betâ—ay'd her to that Ruin and it was Philander only had that Power If thou had'st sinn'd with one as Heaven 's my Witness after I had plighted thee my sacred Voâ—s I do not think thou did ' st may all the Powers above forgive thee Silvia and those thou hast committed since those Vows will need a world of Tears to wash away 'T is I will weep for both 't is I will go and be a Sacrifice to atone for all our Sins 't is I will be the pressing Penitent and watch and pray and weep till Heaven have Mercy and may my Penance be accepted for thee Farewelâ— I have but one Request to make thee which is that thou wilt for Octavio's Sake forgive the faithful Slave that brings thee this from thy Octavio Silvia whose Absence and ill Treatment of Octavio had but served to raise her Flame to aâ—much greater degree had no sooner read this Letter but she suffered herself to be distracted with all the different Passions that possess dispairing Lovers sometimes raveing and sometimes sighing and weeping 'T was a good while she continued in these Disorders still thinking on what she had to do next that might redeem all Being a little come to herself she thought good to consult with Brilljard in this Affair between whom and Octavio she found there was a very good Understanding And resolving absolutely to quit Philander she no longer had any Scruples or Doubt what Course to take nor car'd she what Price she paid for a Reconciliation with Octavio if any Price would purchase it In order to this Resolve fix'd in her Heart she sends for Brilljard whom she careses anew with all the Fondness and Familiarity of a Woman who was resolv'd to make him her Confident or rather indeed her next Gallant I have already said he was very handsome and very well made and you may believe he took all the care he could in dressing which he understood very well He had a good deal of Wit and was very well fashion'd and bred With all these Accomplishments and the addition of Love and Youth he could not be imagined to appear wholly indifferent in the Eyes of any body tho' hitherto he had in those of Silvia whose Heart was doating on Philander but now that that Passion was wholly extinguished and that their eternal Quarrels had made almost a perpetual Separation she being alone without the Conversation of Men which she lov'd and was used to and in her Inclination naturally addicted to love she found Brilljard more agreeable than he used to be which together with he Designs she had upon him made her take such a Freedom with him as wholly transported this almost hopeless Lover She discourses with him concerning Octavio and his Condition and he failed not to answer so as to please her right or wrong she tells him how uneasy she was with Philander who every day grew more and more insupportable to her she tells him she had a very great Inclination for Octavio and more for his Fortune that was able to support her than his Person she knew she had a great Power over him and however it might seem now to be diminished by her unlucky Flight with Philander she doubted not but to reduce him to all that Love he once profess'd to her by telling him she was forc'd away and without her Knowledge being carried only to take the Air was compell'd to the fatal Place where she now was Brilljard sooths and flatters her in all her Hope and offers her his Service in her Flight which he might easily assist unknown to Philander It was now about fix a Clock at Night and she commanded a Supper to be provided and brought to her Chamber where Brilljard and she supp'd together and talk'd of nothing but the new Design the hope of effecting which put her into so good Humour that she frankly drank her Bottle and show'd more signs of Mirth than she had done in many Months before In this good Humour Brilljard look'd more amiable than ever she smiles upon him she caresses him with all the assurance of Friendship imaginable she tells him she shall behold him as her dearest Friend and spoke so many kind things that he was imbolden'd and approach'd her by degrees more near he makes Advances and the greatest Incouragement was the Secret he had of her intended Flight He tells her He hop'd she would be pleased to consider that while he was serving her in a new Amour and assisting to render her into the Arms of another he was wounding his own Heart which languished for her that he should not have taken the Presumption to have told her this as such a time as he offered his Life to serve her but that it was already no Secret to her and that a Man who lov'd at his rate and yet would contrive to make his Mistriss happy with another ought in Justice to receive some Recompence of a Flame so constant and so submissive While he spake he found he was not regarded with the Looks of Scorn or Disdain he knew her haughty Temper and finding it calm he pressed on to new Submissions he fell at her Feet and pleaded so well where no Opposers were that Silvia no longer resisted or if she did it was very feebly and with a sort of Wish that he would pursue his Boldness yet farther which at last he did from one degree of Softness and gentle Force to another and made himself the happiest Man in the World tho' she was very much disordered at the Apprehension of what she had suffered from a Man of his Character as she imagined so infinitely below her but he redoubled his Submissions in so cunning a manner that he soon brought her to her good Humour and after that he used the kind Authority of a Husband whenever he had an Opportunity and found her not displeased at his Services She considered he had a Secret from her which if reveal'd would not only prevent her Design but ruin her for ever she found too late she had discovered too much to him to keep him at the Distance of a Servant and that she had no other way to attach him eternally to her Interest but by this means He now every day appear'd more fine and well dressed and omitted nothing that might
by these Arts to Cesario and above all strove by these amusements to engage Philander whom she perceiv'd to grow cold in the great concern daily treating him with Variety of Beauty so that there was no Gaity no Gaâ—lantry or Play but at Hermione's whither all the Youth of both Qualities repaired and 't was there the Governours Nephew was every Evening to be found Possibly Madam I had not told you this if the Princes Bounty had not taken me totally off from Philander so that I have no other dependance on him but that of my Respect and Duty out of perfect Gratitude After this to gain Brilljard intirely she assur'd him if his Fortune were suitable to her Quality and her way of Life she believed she should devote herself to him and tho what she said were the least of her thoughts if fail'd not to flatter him agreeably and he sigh'd with Grief that he could not ingage her all he could get was little enough to support him fine which he was always as any Person of quality at Court and appear'd as Graceful and might have had some happy Minutes with very fine Ladies who thought well of him To salve this defect of want of Fortune he told her he had received a command from Octavio to come to him about settling of a very considerable Pension upon her and that he had at his investing put Money into his Aunt 's Hands who was a Woman of considerable quality to be dispos'd of to that Charitable Use and that if she pleas'd to maintain her rest of Fame and live without receiving Love Visits from Men she might now command that which would be a much better and nobler support than that from a Lover which would be Transitory and last but as long as her Beauty or a less time his Love To this she knew not what to answer but ready money being the joy of her Heart and the support of her Vanity she seems to yield to this having said so much before and she considering she wanted a thousand things to adorn her Beauty being very expensive she was impatient till this were performed and deferr'd the sending to Don Alonzo tho her thoughts were perpetually on him She by the advice of Brilljard writes a Letter to Octavio which was not like those she had before written but as an humble Penitent would write to a Ghostly Father treating him with all the respect that was possible and if ever she mention'd love it was as if her Heart had violently and against her will burst out into softness as still she retain'd there and then she would take up again and ask pardon for that Transgression she told him it was a passion which tho she could never Extinguish for him yet that it should never warm her for another but she would leave Philander to the World and retire where she was not known and try to make up her broken Fortunes with abundance of things to this purpose which he carried to Octavio he said he could have wish'd she would have retir'd to a Monastery as all the first part of her Letter had given him hope and resolved and retir'd as he was he could not read this without extream confusion and change of Countenance He ask'd Brilljard a thousand times whether he believ'd he might trust her or if she would abandon those ways of shame that at last lose all He answered he verily believ'd she would However said Octavio 't is not my business to Capitulate but to believe and act all things for the interest and satisfaction of her whom I yet adore and without farther delay writ to his Aunt to present Silvia with those Sums he had left for her and which had been sufficient to have made her happy all the rest of her Life if her Sins of Love had not obstructed it However she no sooner found herself Mistriss of so considerable a Sum but in lieu of retiring and ordering her affairs so as to render it for ever serviceable to her the first thing she does is to furnish herself with new Coach and Equipage and to lavish out in Cloth and Jewels a great part of it immediately and was impatient to be seen on the Toure and in all publick Places nor could Brilljard perswade the contrary but against all good Manners and Reason she â—lew into most violent passions with him till he had resolved to give her way it hap'ned that the first day she show'd on the Toure neither Philander Cesario nor Hermione chanc'd to be there so that at Supper it was all the news how glorious a young Creature was seen only with one Lady which was Antonet very well drest in the Coach with her every Body that made their Court that Night to Hermione spoke of this new Vision as the most extraordinary Charmer that had ever been seen all were that day undone with Love and none could learn who this fair destroyer was for all the time of Silvia's being at Bruxells before her being big with Child had kept her from appearing in all publick places so that she was wholly a new Face to all that saw her and it is easie to be imagined what Charms that delicate Person appear'd with to all when dress'd to such advantage who naturally was the most beautiful Creature in the World with all the Bloom of Youth that could add to Beauty Among the rest that day that lost their Hearts was the Governour 's Nephew who came into the presence that Night wholly Transported and told Hermione he dy'd for the lovely Charmer he had that day seen so that she who was the most curious to gain all the Beauties to her side that the men might be so too indeavour'd all she could to find out where this Beauty dwelt Philander now grown the most Amorous and Gallant in the World grew passionately in love with the very description of her not imagining it had been Silvia because of her Equipage He knew she lov'd him at least he thought she lov'd him too well to conceal herself from him or be in Bruxells and not let him know it so that wholly ravish'd with the Description of the imagined new fair One he burnt with desire of seeing her and all this Night was pass'd in discourse of this Stranger alone the next day her Livery being discrib'd to Hermione she sent two Pages all about the Town to see if they could discover a Livery so remarkable and that if they did they should enquire of them who they belonged to and where that Persons Lodging was This was not a very difficult matter to perform Bruxells is not a large place and it was soon survey'd from one end to the other At last they met with two of her Foot-men whom they saluted and taking notice of their Livery ask'd them who they belong'd to these Lads were strangers to the Lady they serv'd and newly taken and Silvia at her first coming resolv'd to change her Name and was called Madam
De a Name very considerable in France which they told the Pages and that she liv'd at such a place This news Hermione no sooner heard but she sends a Gentlemen in the Name of the Prince and herself to complement her and tell her she had the Honour to know some great Persons of that name in France and did not doubt but she was related to them She therefore sent to offer her her Friendship which possibly in a strange place might not be unserviceable to her and that she should be extream glad to see her at Court that is at Cesario's Palace The Gentleman who deliver'd this message being surpriz'd at the dazling Beauty of the fair Stranger was almost unassur'd in his Address and the manner of it surpriz'd Silvia no less to be invited as a strange Lady by one that hated her she could not tell whether it were real or a Plot upon her however she made answer and bad him tell Madam the Princess which Title she gave her that she receiv'd her Complement as the greatest Honour that could arrive to her and that she would wait upon her Highness and let her know from her own Mouth the Sense she had of the Obligation The Gentleman returned and delivered his message to Hermione but so altered in his Look so sad and unusual that she took notice of it and ask'd him how he liked the new Beauty He blushed and bow'd and told her she was a Wonder This made Hermione's Colour rise it being spoke before Cesario for tho' she were assured of the Hero's Heart she hated he should believe there was a greater Beauty in the World and one universally Adored She knew not how so great a Miracle might work upon him and began to repent she had invited her to Court In the mean time Silvia after debating what to do in this Affair whether to visit Hermione and discover her self or to remove from Bruxells resolved rather upon the last but she had fixed her Design as to Don Alonzo and would not depart the Town To her former beginning Flame for him was added more Fuel she had seen him the Day before on the Toure she had seen him gaze at her with all the impatience of Love with madness of Passion in his Eyes ready to fling himself out of the Coach every time she past by and if he appeared Beautiful before when in his Riding dress and harass'd for Four Nights together with Love and want of Sleep What did he now appear to her Amorous Eyes and Heart She had wholly forgot Octavio Philander and all and made a Sacrifice of both to this new young Lover She saw him with all the advantages of Dress magnificent as Youth and Fortune could invent and above all his Beauty and his Quality warmed her Heart a new and what advanced her Flame yet farther was a Vanity she had of fixing the dear Wanderer and making him find there was a Beauty yet in the World that could put an end to his Inconstancy and make him languish at her Feet as long as she pleased Resolv'd on this design she defers it no longer but as soon as the Persons of Quality who used to walk every Evening in the Park were got together she accompanied with Antonett and Three or Four strange Pages and Foot-men went into the Park Mask'd drest in perfect Glory She had not walked long there before she saw Don Alonzo richer than ever in his Habit and more Beautiful to her Eyes than any thing she had ever seen he was gotten among the Young and Fair caressing laughing playing and acting all the little Wantonnesses of Youth Silvia's Blood grew disordered at this and she found she loved by her Jealousie and longs more than ever to have the glory of vanquishing thaâ— Heart that so boasted of never having yet been conquer'd She therefore uses all her Art to get him to look at her she passed by him often and as often as she did so he view'd her with Pleasure her Shape her Air her Mien had something so Charming as without the Assistance of her Face she gained that Evening a Thousand Conquests but those were not the Trophies she aimed at it was Alonzo was the mark'd out Victim that she destin'd for the Sacrifice of Love She found him so ingag'd with Women of great Quality she almost dispair'd to get to speak to him her Equipage who stood at the Entrance of the Park not being by her he did not imagine this fine Lady to be her he saw on the Toure last Night yet he look'd at her so much as gave occasion to those he was with to rally him extreamly and tell him he was in Love with what he had not seen and who might notwithstanding all that delicate appearance be ugly when her Mask was off Silvia however still past on with abundance of sighing Lovers after her some daring to speak others only languishing to all she would vouchsafe no word but made signs as if she were a stranger and understood 'em not at last Alonzo wholly impatient breaks from these Ralliers and gets into the Crowd that pursued this lovely unknown her Heart leaptâ— when he approach'd her and the first thing she did was to pull off her Glove and not only show the fairest Hand that ever Nature made but that Ring on her Finger Alonzo gave her when they parted at the Village The Hand alone was enough to invite all Eyes with Pleasure to look that way but Alonzo had a double Motive he saw the Hand with Love and the Ring with Jealousie and Surprize and as 't is natural in such Cases the very first Thought that possest him was that the young Bellumere for so Silvia had call'd herself at the Village was a Lover of this Lady and had presented her this Ring And after his Sighings and little Pantings that seized him at this thought would give him leave he bowing and blushing cry'd Madam the whole piece must sure be Excellent when the Pattern is so very fine And humbly beging the Favour of a nearer view he took her Hand and kiss'd it with a passionate Eagerness which possibly did not so well please Silvia because she did not think he took her for the same person to whom he show'd such signs of Love last Night In taking her Hand he survey'd the Ring and cry'd Madam would to Heaven I could lay so good a claim to this fair Hand as I think I once could to this Ring which this Hand Adorns and Honours How Sir replied Silvia I hope you will not charge me with Fellony I am afraid I shall reply'd he sighing for you have attack'd me on the King's High-way and have robbed me of a Heart I could never have robbed a Person said Silvia who could more easily have parted with that Trifle the next fair Object will redeem it and it will be very little the worse for my using Ah Madam reply'd he sighing that will be according as you will
subtlety than all the rest of her Sex thought it best to see Philander and part with him on as good terms as she could and that it was better he should think he yet had the absolute possession of her than that he should return to France with an ill opinion of her Vertue as yet he had known no guilt of that kind nor did he ever more than fear it with Octavio so that it would be easie for her to cajole him yet a little longer and when he was gone she should have the World to range in and possess this new Lover to whom she had promised all things and received from him all assurances imaginable of inviolable Love In order to this then she consulted with Brilljard and they resolved she should for a few days leave Antonett with her Equipage at that House where she was and retire herself to the Village where Philander had left her and where he still imagined she was She desired Brilljard to give her a days time for this preparation and it should be so He left her and going to Hermione's meets Philander who immediately gave him order to go to Silvia the next Morning and let her know how all things went and to tell her he would be with her in two days In the mean time Silvia sent for Alonzo who was but that Evening gone from her He flies on the Wings of Love and she tells him she is oblig'd to go to a place six or seven days Journey off whither he could not conduct her for reasons she would tell him at her return whatever he could plead with all the force of love to the contrary she gets his consent with a promise wholly to devote herself to him at her return and pleas'd she sent him from her when Brilljard returning told her the commands he had and 't was concluded they should both depart next Morning accompanied only by her Page I am well assur'd she was very kind to Brilljard all that Journey and which was but too visible to the amorous Youth who attended them so absolutely had she deprav'd her reason from one degree of Sin and Shame to another and he was happy above any imagination while even her Heart was given to another and when she could propose no other interest in this looseness but security that Philander should not know how ill she had treated him In four days Philander came and finding Silvia more â—air than ever was anew pleas'd for she pretended to receive him with all the joy imaginable and the deceived Lover believed and express'd abundance of Grief at the being obliged to part from her a great many Vows and Tears were lost on both sides and both believed true But the Grief of Brilljard was not to be conceived he could not perswade himself he could live when absent from her Some Bills Philander left her and was so plain with her and open-hearted he told her that he went indeed with Cesario but it was in order to serve the King that he was weary of their Actions and foresaw nothing but ruin would attend 'em that he never repented him of any thing so much as his being drawn into that Faction in which he found himself so greatly involved he could not retire with any credit but since Self-Preservation was the first principle to Nature he had resolved to make that his aim and rather prove false to a party who had no Justice and Honour on their Side than to a King whom all the Laws of Heaven and Earth obliged him to serve however he was so far in the power of these People that he could not disingage himself without utter ruin to himself but that as soon as he was got into France he would abandon their Interest Let the censuring World say what it would who never had right notions of things or ever made true Judgments of mens Actions He lived five or six days with Silvia there in which time she fail'd not to assure him of her constant Fidelity a thousand ways especially by Vows that left no doubt upon his Heart and it was now that they both indeed found there was a very great Friendship still remaining at the bottom of their Hearts for each other nor did they part without manifest proofs of it Brilljard took a sad and melancholy leave of her and had not the freedom to tell it aloud but obliged to depart with his Lord they left Silvia and posted to Bruxells where they found the Prince ready to depart having left Hermione to her Women more than half dead I have heard there never was so sad a parting between Two Lovers a Hundred times they swounded with the apprehension of the separation in each other's Arms and at last the Prince was forced from her while he left her dead and was little better himself He would have returned but the Officers and People about him who had espous'd his Quarrel would by no means suffer him And he has a Thousand times told a person very near him That he had rather have forfeited all his hop'd for Glory than have left that Charmer of his Soul After he had taken all care imaginable for Hermione for that name so dear to him was scarce ever out of his Mouth he suffer'd himself with a heavy Heart and Pace to be conducted to the Vessel And I have heard he was hardly seen to smile all that little Voyage or his whole Life after or do any thing but sigh and sometimes weep which was a very great discouragement to all that followed him they were a great while at Sea tost to and fro by stress of Weather and often driven back to the Shore where they first took Shiping and not being able to Land where they first designed they got a-shore in a little Harbour where no Ship of any bigness could Anchor so that with much ado getting all their Arms and Men on shore they sunk the Ship both to secure any from flying and that it might not fall into the Hands of the French Cesario was no sooner on the French shore but numbers came to him of the Hugonot Party for whom he had Arms and who wanted them he furnish'd as far as he could and immediately Proclaimed himself King of France and Navarr while the dirty Croud rang him Peals of Joy But tho' the under World came in great Crowds to his Aid he wanted still the main supporters of his Cause the men of more substantial Quality If the Ladies could have compos'd an Army he would not have wanted one for his Beauty had got them all on his side and he Charm'd the fair wheresoever he rode He march'd from Town to Town without any opposition Proclaiming himself a King in all the places he came to still gathering as he march'd till he had compos'd a very formidable Army He made Officers of the Kingdom Fergusano was to have been a Cardinal and several Lords and Dukes were nominated and he found no opposition
suffered himself to be led away tamely by common Hands without resistance A Victim now even fallen to the pity of the Mobile as he past and so little imagined by the better Sort who saw him not they would not give a credit to it every one affirming and laying Wagers he would die like a Hero and never surrender with Life to the Conqueror But his submission was but two true for the repose of all his Abettors nor was his mean surrender all but he shew'd a dejection all the way they were bringing him to Paris so extreamly unworthy of his Character that 't is hardly to be credited so great a a change could have been possible And to show that he had lost all his Spirit and Courage with the Victory and that the great strings of his Heart were broke the Captain who had the charge of him and commanded that little Squadron that conducted him to Paris related to me this remarkable Passage in their Journey he said That they Lodged in an Inn where he believed both the Master and a great many Strangers who that Night Lodg'd there were Hugonots and great lovers of the Prince which the Captain did not know till after the Lodgings were taken However he ordered a File of Musqueteers to guard the Door and himself only remained in the Chamber with the Prince while Supper was getting ready The Captain being extreamly weary with Watching and Toyling for a long time together laid himself down on a Bench behind a great long Table that was fast'ned to the Floor and had unadvisedly laid his Pistols on the Table and tho he duâ—st not Sleep he thought there to stretch himself into a little ease who had not quited his Horse-back in a great while The Prince who was walking with his Arms across about the Room musing in a very dejected posture often casting his Eyes to the door at last advances to the Table and takes up the Captains Pistols the while He who saw him advance fear'd in that moment what the Prince was going to do he thought if he should rise and snatch at the Pistols and miss of 'em it would express so great a distrust of the Prince it might provoke him to do what by his generous submitting of 'em might make him escape and therefore since it was too late he suffered the Prince to arm himself with two Pistols who before was disarmed of even his little Pen-knife He was he said a thousand times about to call out to the Guards but then he thought before they could enter to his relief he was sure to be shot Dead and it was possible the Prince might make his party good with four or five common Souldiers who perhaps lov'd the Prince as well as any and might rather assist than hinder his flight all this he thought in an instant and at the same time seeing the Prince stand still in a kind of consideration what to do looking turning and viewing of the Pistols he doubted not but his thought would determine with his Life and tho he had been in the heat of all the Battle and had look'd Death in the Face when he appeared most horrid he protested he knew not how to fear till this moment and that now he trembled with the apprehension of unavoidable Ruin he curst a thousand times his unadvisedness now it was too late he saw the Prince after he had viewed and reviewed the Pistols walk in a great thoughtfulness again about the Chamber and at last as if he had determined what to do came back and laid them again on the Table at which the Captain snatch'd 'em up resolving never to commit so great an over-sight more He did not doubt he said but the Prince in taking them up had some design of making his escape and most cerâ—ainly if he had but had Courage to have attempted it it had not been hard to have been accomplish'd At worst he could but have dy'd but there is a Fate that over-rules the most lucky minutes of the greatest men in the World and turns even all advantages offered to misfortunes when it designs their ruin While they were on their way to Paris he gave some more signs that the misfortune he had suffered had lessened his Heart and Courage He writ several the most submissive Letters in the World to the King and to the Queen Mother of France wherein he strove to mitigate his Treason with the poorest Arguments imaginable and as if his good Sense had declined with his Fortune his Stile was alter'd and debased to that of a common Man or rather a School-Boy filled with Tautologies and Stuff of no Coherence in which he neither showed the Majesty of a Prince nor Sense of a Gentleman as I could make appear by exposing those Copies which I leave to History all which must be imputed to the disorder his Head and Heart were in for want of that natural rest he never after found When he came to Paris he fell at the Feet of his Majesty to whom they brought him and with a Showre of Tears bedewing his Shooes as he lay prostrate besought his Pardon and ask'd his Life perhaps one of his greatest weaknesses to imagine he could hope for mercy after so many Pardons for the same fault and which if he had had but one grain of that Bravery left him he was wont to be Master of he could not have expected nor have had the confidence to have implor'd and he was a poor Spectacle of pity to all that once adored him to see how he petitioned in vain for Life which if it had been granted had been of no other use to him but to have past in some corner of the Earth with Hermione dispis'd by all the rest and tho he fetch'd Tears of Pity from the Eyes of the best and most merciful of Kings he could not gain on his first resolution which was never to forgive him that Scurillous Declaration he had dispersed at his first Landing in France that he took upon him the Title of King he could forgive that he had been the cause of so much Blood-shed he could forgive but never that unworthy Scandal on his unspoted Fame of which he was much more nice than of his Crown or Life and left him as he told him this prostrate on the Earth when the Guards took him up and conveyed him to the Bastile As he came out of the Loure 't is said he look'd with his wonted Grace only a Languishment sat there in greater Beauty than possible all his gayer looks ever put on at least in his Circumstances all that beheld him imagined so all the Parisians were crowded in vast numbers to see him Andâ— oh see what Fortune is those that had vow'd him Allegiance in their Hearts and were upon all occasions ready to rise in Mutiny for his least Interest now saw him and suffered him to be carried to the Bastile with a small Company of Guards and never offer'd
he open'd it and read this Octavio to Phillander My Lord I Had rather dy then be the ungrateful messenger of news which I am sensible will prove so fatal to you and which will be best exprest in fewest words 't is decreed that you must retire from the United Provinces in Four and Twenty hours if you will save a life that is dear to me and Silvia there being no other security against your being render'd up to the King of France Support it well and hope all things from the assistance of From the Council Wednesday Your Octavio Phillander Phillander having finisht the reading of this remain'd a while wholly without life or motion when coming to himself he sigh'd and cryd Why farewel trifling life If of the two extreames one must be chosen rather then I 'le abandon Silvia I 'le stay and be deliver'd up a Victim to incensed France 'T is but a life At best I never Vallu'd thee And now I scorn to preserve thee at the Price of Silvias teares Then taking a hasty turn or two about his chamber he pawsing cryd But by my stay I ruine both Silvia and my self her life depends on mine and 't is impossible hers can be preserv'd when mine is in danger by retiring I shall shortly again be blest with her sight in a more safe security by staying I resign my self poorly to be made a publick scorn to France and the cruell Murderer of Silvia now 't was after an hundred turns and pawses intermixt which sighs and raveings that he resolv'd for both their safeties to retire and having a while longer debated within himself how and where and a little time ruminated on his hard persuing fate grown to a calm of grief less easy to be born than rage he hastes to Silvia whom he sound something more cheerful than before but dares not aquaint her with the commands he had to depart But silently he views her while teares of Love and grief glide unperceivably fram his fine eyes his soul grows tenderer at every look and pity and compassion joyning to his Love and his despairs set him on the wrack of Liâ—e and now believing it less pain to dy than to leave Silvia resolves to disobey and dare the worst that shall befall him he yet had some glimmering hope as Lovers have that some kind chance will prevent his going or being deliver'd up he trusts much to the Friendship of Octavio whose power joyn'd with that of his Unkle Who was one of the States also and whom he had an ascendant over as his Nephew and his heir might serve him he therefore ventures to move him to compassion by this following Letter Phillander to Octavio I Know my Lord that the Exercise of Vertue and Justice is so innate to your soul and so fixt to the very Principle of a generous Commonwealths man that where those are in competition 't is neither birth wealth or Glorious merit that can render the unfortunate condemn'd by you worthy of your pity or pardon your very Sons and fathers fall before your justice and 't is crime enough to offend tho innocently the least of your wholsom laws to fall under the extremity of their rigor I am not ignorant neither how flourishing this necessary Tyranny this lawful oppression renders your State howsafe and glorious how secure from Enemies at home those worst of foes and how fear'd by those abroad pursue then Sir your justifiable method and still be high and mighty retain your ancient Roman vertue and still be great as Rome her self in her height of glorious Commonwealths rule your stubborn Natives by her excellent examples and let the height of your ambition be only to be as severely just as rigidly good as you please but like her too be pitiful to Strangers and dispence a Noble Charity to the distress'd compassionate a poor wandring young Man who flies to you for refuge lost to his Native home lost to his fame his fortune and his Friends and has only left him the knowledge of his innocence to support him from falling on his own Sword to end an unfortunate life persu'd every where and safe no where a Life whose only refuge is Octavio's goodness nor is it barely to preserve this life that I have recourse to that only as my Sanctuary and like an humble Slave implore your pity Oh Octavio pity my Youth and interceed for my stay yet a little longer Your self makes one of the illustrious Number of the Grave the Wise and mighty Councel your Unkle and Relations make up another considerable part of it and you are too dear to all to find a refusal of your just and compassionate application Oh! what fault have I committed against you that I shou'd not find a safety here as well as those charg'd with the same Crime with me tho of less quality Many I have incounter'd here of our unlucky party who find a safety among you is my birth a Crime Or does the greatness of that augment my guilt Have I broken any of your Laws committed any outrage Do they suspect me for a spie to France Or do I hold any Corrispondence with that ungrateful Nation Does my Religion Principle or Opinion differ from yours Can I design the subversion of your Glorious State Can I plot cabal or mutiny alone Oh charge me with some offence or your selves of injustice Say why I am deny'd my length of â—arth amongst you if I dy Or why to breath the open Air if I live since I shall neither oppress the one nor infect the other but on the contrary am ready with my sword my youth and Blood to serve you and bring my little aids on all occasions to yours and shou'd be proud of the Glory to dy for you in Battle who wou'd deliver me up a Sacrifice to France Oh! where Octavio is the glory or vertue of this Punctilio for 't is no other There are no Laws that bind you to it no obligatory Article of Nations but an unnecessary complyment made a nemini contradicente of your Senate that argues nothing but ill nature and cannot redound to any one advantage An Ill nature that 's levell'd at me alone for many I found here and many shall leave under the same circumstances with me 't is only me whom you have mark'd out the victime to atone for all Well then my Lord if nothing can move you to a safety for this unfortunate at least be so mercyful to suspend your cruelty a little yet a little and possible I shall render you the body of Phillander tho dead to send into France as the trophy of your fidellity to that Grown Oh yet a little stay your cruel sentence till my lovely Sister who persu'd my hard fortunes declare my Fate by her life or death Oh my Lord if ever the soft passion of Love have touch'd your soul if you have felt the unresistable force of young charms about your heart if ever you have known
that appear'd reasonable enough to Philâ—ander And at every period urg'd that his life being dear to Silvia and on which hers so immediately depended he ought no longer to debate but haste his flight to all which councell our Amorous Hero with a soul ready to make its way thro' his trembling body gave a sighing unwilling assent 'T was now no longer a dispute but was concluded he must go but how was only the question How shou'd he take his farewel how shou'd he bid adieu and leave the dear object of his soul in an estate to hazardous he formâ—d a thousand sad Ideas to torment himself with fancying he shou'd never see her more that he shou'd hear that she was dead tho now she appear'd on this side of the Grave and had all the signs of a declining disease He fancy'd absence might make her cold and abate her passion to him that her powerful beauty might atract adorers and she being but a Woman and no pâ—rt Angel but her form 't was not expected she shou'd want her Sexes frailties Now he cou'd consider how he had won her how by importunity and opportunity she had at last yielded to him and therefore might to some new Gamster when he was not by to keep her heart in continual play Then 't was that all the despair of jealous love the throbs and piercing of a violent passion seiz'd his timorous and tender heaâ—t he fancy'd her already in some new Lovers Arms and ran o're all the soft enjoyments he had had with her and fancy'd with tormenting thought that so another wou'd posses her till rackt with tortures he almost fainted on the Repose on which he was set But Brilljard rous'd and indeavour'd to convince him Told him he hop'd his fear was needless and that he wou'd take all the watchful care imaginable of her conduct be a spy upon her vertue and from time to time give him notice of all that shou'd pass Bid him consider her quality and that she was no common Mistriss whom hire cou'd lead astray and that if from the violence of her passion or her more severe fate she had yeilded to the most Charming of men he ought as little to imagine she cou'd be again a Lover as that she cou'd find an object of equal beauty with that of Phillander In fine he sooth'd and Flatter'd him into so much ease that he resolves to take his leave for a day or two under pretence of meeting and consulting with some of the rebell party and that he wou'd return again to her by that time it might be imagin'd her feaver might be abated and Silvia in a condition to receive the news of his being gone for a longer time and to know all his affairs While Brilljard prepar'd all things necessary for his departure Phillander went to Silvia From whom having been absent two tedious hours she caught him in her Arms with a transport of joy reproach'd him with want of Love for being absent so long But still the more she spoke soft â—ighing words of Love the more his Soul was seiz'd with melancholy His sighs redoubl'd and he cou'd not refrain from leting fall some tears upon her bosom Which Silvia perceiving with a look and a trembling in her voyce that spoke her fear she cry'd oh Phillander these are unusual marks of your tenderness Oh tell me tell me quickly what they mean He answer'd with a sigh and she went on 'T is so I am undone 't is your lost vows your broken faith you weep Yes Phillander you find the flower of my beauty faded and what you lov'd before you pity now and these be the effects of it Then sighing as if his Soul had been departing on her neck he cry'd by heaven by all the powers of Love thou art the same dear charmer that thou wert then pressing her body to his bosom he sigh'd a new as if his heart were breaking I know says she Phillander there 's some hidden cause that gives these sighs their way and that dear face a paleness Oh tell me all for she that cou'd abandon all for thee can dare the worst of Fate if thou must quit me Oh Phillander if it must be so I need not stay the lingering death of a feable Feaver I know a way more noble and more sudden Pleas'd at her resolution which all most destroy'd his jealousie and fears a thousand times he kist her mixing his grateful words and thanks with sighs and finding her fair hands which he put often to his mouth to increase their fires and her pulse to be more high and quick fearing to relapse her into her abating feaver he forc'd a smile and told her he had no griefs but what she made him feel no torments but her sickness nor sighs but for her pain and left nothing unsaid that might confirm her he was still more and more her Slave and concealing his design in favour of her health he ceas'd not vowing and protesting till he had settled her in all the tranquillity of a recovering beauty And as since her first Illness he had never departed from her Bed so now this night he strove to appear in her Arms with all that usual Gayety of Love that her condition wou'd permit or his circumstances cou'd feign and leavign her a sleep at day-break with a force upon his Soul that cannot be conceiv'd but by parting Lovers he stole from her Arms and retiring to his chamber he soon got himself ready for his flight and departed We will leave Silvia's ravings to be exprest by none but her self and tell you that after about Fourteen days absence Octavio receiv'd this Letter from Phillander Phillander to Octavio BEing saâ—ely arriv'd at Collen and by a very pretty and lucky adventure lodg'd in the house of the best quallity in the Town I find my self much more at ease then I thought it possible to be without Silvia from whom I am nevertheless impatient to hear I hope absence appears not so great a Bugbear to her as 't was imagin'd For I know not what effects it wou'd have on me to hear her griefs exceeded a few sighs and tears Those my kind absence has taught me to allow and bear without much pain but shou'd her Love transport her to extreams of rage and despair I fear I shou'd quit my safety here and give her the last proof of my Love and my compassion throw my self at her Feet and expose my life to preserve hers Honour wou'd oblige me to 't I conjure you my dear Octavio by all the Friendship you have vow'd me and which I no longer doubt let me speedily know how she bears my absence for on that knowledg depends a great deal of the satisfaction of my life carry her this inclos'd which I have writ her and soften my silent departure which possibly may apear rude and unkind plead my pardon and give her the story of my necessity of offending which none can so well relate
as your self And from a mouth so eloquent to a Maid so full of Love will soon reconcile me to her heart With her Letter I send you a Bill to pay her 2000 Patacons which I have paid Vander Hanskin here as his Letter will inform you as also those Bills I receiv'd of you at my departure having been supply'd by an English Merchant here who gave me credit 'T will be an Age till I hear from you and receive the news of the health of Silvia Than which two blessings nothing will be more wellcom to Collen Generous Octavio Your PHILANDER Direct your Letters for me to your Merchant Vander Hanskin Philander to Silvia THere is no way left to gain my Silvia's pardon for leaving her and leaving her in such circumstances but to tell her 't was to preserve a life which I believ'd intirely dear to her but that unhappy crime is too severely punisht by the cruelties of my absence Believe me Lovely Silvia I have felt all your pains I have burnt with your feaver and sigh'd with your oppressions Say has my pain abated yours Tell me and hasten my health by the assurance of your recovery or I have fled in vain from those dear Arms to save a life of which I know not what account to give you till I reecive from you the knowledg of your perfect health the true state of mine I can only say I sigh and have a sort of a being in Collen where I have some more assurance of protection than I cou'd hope from those int'rested Bruits who sent me from you yet Bruitish as they are I know thou art safe from their Clownish outrages For were they sensless as their Fellow Monsters of the sea they durst not prophane so pure an excellence as thine the sullen Boors wou'd jouder out a wellcom to thee and gape and wonder at thy awful beauty tho they want the tender sense to know to what use 't was made Or if I doubted their Humanity I cannot the Friendship of Octavio since he has given me too good a proof of it to leave me any fear that he has not in my absence persu'd those generous sentiments for Silvia which he vow'd to Philander and of which the first proof must be his relating the necessity of my absence to set me well with my adorable Maid Who better than I can inform her and that I rather chose to quit you only for a short space than reduce my self to the necessity of losing you eternally Let the satisfaction this ought to give you retrieve your health and beauty and put you into a condition of restoring to me all my joys That by persuing the dictates of your Love you may again bring the greatest happyness on earth to the Arms of Your PHILANDER My affairs here are yet so unsettl'd that I can take no order for your coming to me but as soon as I know where I can fix with safety I shall make it my business and my happyness Adieu Trust Octavio with your Letters only This Letter Octavio wou'd not carry himself to her who had omitted no day scarce any hour wherein he saw not or sent not to the charming Silvia but he sound in that which Philander had writ to him an Aire of coldness altogether unusual with that passionate Lover and infinitely short in point of tenderness to those he had formerly seen of his and from what he had heard him speak so that he no longer doubted and the rather because he hop'd it but that Philander found an abatement of that heat which was wont to inspire at a more Amorous rate this appearing declension he cou'd not conceal from Silvia at least to let her know he took notice of it for he knew her Love was too quick sighted and sensible to pass it unregarded but he with reason thought that when she shou'd find others observe the little slight she had put on her her pride which is natural to women in such cases wou'd decline and lessen her Love for his Rival He therefore sent his Page with the Letters inclos'd in this from himself Octavio to Silvia Madam FRom a little necessary debauch I made last night with the Prince I am forc'd to imploy my Page in those duties I ought to have perform'd my self He brings you Madam a Letter from Philander as mine which I have also sent you informes me I shou'd else have doubted it 't is I think his character and all he says of Octavio confesses the Friend but where he speaks of Silvia sure he disguises the Lover I wonder the mask shou'd be put on now to me to whom before he so frankly discover'd the the secrets of his Amorous heart 'T is a mistery I wou'd sain perswade my self he finds absolutely necessary to his interest and I hope you will make the same favorable constructions of it and not impute the lessen'd zeal wherewith he treats the charming Silvia to any possible change or coldness since I am but too fatally sensible that no man can arrive at the Glory of being belov'd by you that had ever power to shorten one link of that dear chain that holds him and you need but survey that adorable face to confirm your tranquillitie set a just value on your charmes and you need no arguments to secure your everlasting Empire or to establish it in what heart you please this fatal truth I learnt from your fair eyes e're they discover'd to me your Sex and you may as soon change to what I then believ'd you as I from adoring what I now find you if all then Madam that do but look on you become your Slaves and languish for you love on even without hope and die what must Phillander pay you who has the mighty blessing of your Love your Vows and all that renders the hours of amorous Youth sacred glad and Triumphant But you know the conquering power of your charmes too well to need either this daring confession or a defence of Phillanders vertue from Madam Your obedient Slave Octavio Silvia had no sooner read this with blushes and a thousand fears and trembling of what was to follow in Phillander's Letters both to Octavio and to her self but with an Indignation agreeable to her haughty Soul she cry'd How slighted and must Octavio see it too By Heaven if I shou'd find it true he shall not dare to think it then with a generous rage she broke open Phillanders Letter and which she soon perceiv'd did but too well prove the truth of Octavio's suspition and her own fears She repeated it again and again and still she found more cause of greif and anger Love occasion'd the first and Pride the last And to a Soul perfectly haughty as was that of Silvia 't was hard to guess which had the assendant She consider'd Octavio to all the advantages that thought cou'd conceive in one who was not a Lover of him she knew he merited a heart tho she had none to
adorn as Silvia's lovely hands I say if after this I should have been the mercenary fool to have dunn'd you for return you might have us'd me thus Condemn me e're you find me sin in thought that part of it was yet so far behind 't was scarce arriv'd in wish You shou'd have staid till it approacht more â—ear before you damn'd it to eâ—ernal silence To love to sigh to weep to pray and to complain why one may be allow'd it in Devotion but you nicer than Heaven it self makes that a Crime which all the powers Divine have ne're decreed one I will not plead nor ask you leave to love Love is my right my business and my Province the Empire of the young the vigorous and the bold and I will claim my share the Air the Groves the Shades are mine to sigh in as well as your Philanders the Eccho's answer me as willingly when I complain or Name the cruel Silvia Fountains receive my Tears and the kind Springs reflection agreeably â—latters me to hope and makes me vain enough to think it just and reasonable I shou'd pursue the Dictates of my Soul Love on in spight of opposition because I will not lose my Priviledge you may forbid me naming it to you in that I can obey because I can but not to love not to adore the fair and not to languish for you were as impossible as for you not to be lovely not to be the most charming of your Sex But I am so far from a pretending fool because you 've been possest that often that thought comes cross my Soul and checks my advancing Love and I wou'd buy that thought off with all most all my share of future bliss Were I a God the first great Miracle shou'd be to form you a Maid again For oh what ever reasons flattering Love can bring to make it look like just the World the World fair Silvia still will censure and say you were too blame but 't was that fault alone that made you mortal we else shou'd have ador'd you as a Deity and so have lost a generous race of young succeeding Hero's that may be born of you yet had Philander lov'd but half so well ' as I he wou'd have kept your glorious Fame intire but since alone for Silvia I love Silvia let her be false to honour false to Love wanton and proud ill natur'd vain fantastique or what is worse let her pursue her Love be constant and still doâ—e upon Philander Yet still she 'l be the Silvia I adore that Silvia born eternally to inslave Octavio This he sent by Florio his Page at thâ— same time that she expected thâ—e Visit of â—his Lord and blusht with a little anger and concern at the disappointment however she hasted to read the Letter and was pleas'd with the haughty resolution he made in spight of her to love on as his right by birth and she was glad to find from these positive resolves that she might the more safely disdain or at least assume a Tyranny which might render her vertue Glorious and yet at the same time keep him her slave on all occasions when she might have need of his service which in the circumstances she was in she did not know of what great use it might be to her she having no other design on him bating the little Vanity of her Sex which is an ingredient so intermixt with the greatest vertues of Women kind that those who indeavour to cure 'em of that disease robs 'em of a very considerable pleasure and in most 't is incurable Give Silvia then leave to share it with her Sex since she was so much the more excusable by how much a greater portion of Beauty she had than any other and had sense enough to know it too as indeed whatever other Knowledge they want they have still enough to set a price on beauty tho they do not always rate it for had Silvia done that she had been thâ— hapiest of her Sex but as she was she waited the coming of Octavio but not so as to make her quit one sad thought for Philander Love and vanity tho they both reign'd in her Soul yet the first surmounted the last and she grew to impatient ravings when ever she cast a thought upon her fear that Philander grew cold and possibly pride and vanity had as great a share in that concern of hers as Love it self for she wou'd oft survey her self in her Glass and cry Gods can this Beauty be despis'd this Shape this Face this Youth this Air and what 's more obliging yet a heart that adores the sugitive that languish and sighs after the dear Run away Is it possible he can find a Beauty added she of greater perfection Bnt oh 't is fancy sets the rate on Beauty and he may as well love a third time as he has a Second For in Love those that once break the rules and Laws of that Deity set no bounds to their Treasons and disobedience Yes yesâ— wou'd she cry he that cou'd lâ—ave Mertilla the fair the young the Noble Chast and fond Mertilla what after that may he not do to Silvia on whom he has less tyes less obligations Oh wretched Maid what has thy fondness done he 's satiated now with thee as before with Mertilla and carries all those dear those charming joys to some new Beauty whom his looks have Conquer'd and whom his soft bewitching Vows will ruin with that she ravâ—d and stampt and cry'd aloud Hell Fiers Tortures Dagers Racks and Poyson-come all to my relief Revenge me on the perjur'd lovely Divel But I 'le be brave I will be brave and hate him This she spoke in a tone less fierce and with great Pride and had not paws'd and walk'd above a hasty turn or two but Octavio as impatient as love cou'd make him enter'd the Chamber so drest so set out for Conquest that I wonder at nothing more than that Silvia did not find him altogether Charming and fit for her revenge who was form'd by Nature for Love And had all that cou'd render him the Dotage of Women but where a heart is prepossest all that is Beautiful in any other Man serves but as an ill comparison to what it loves and even Philanders likeness that was not indeed Philander wanted the secret to charm At Octavio's enterance she was so sixt on her Revenge of Love that she did not see him who presented himself as so proper an Instrument till he first sighing spoke Ah Silvia shall I never see that Beauty easie more Shall I never see it reconcilâ—d to content and a soft calmness fixt upon those Eyes which were form'd for looks all tender and serene or are they resolv'd continued he sighing never to appear but in storms when I approach Yes replyed she when there 's a Calm of Love in yours that raises it Will you conâ—ine my Eyes said he that are by Nature soft May not their silent Language
you injured me to that degree that I with all the mighty stock of Love I had hoarded up together in my Heart must dy reproaching thee to my last Gasp of Life which had'st thou been so merciful to have ended by all the Love that 's breaking off my Heart that yet even yet is soft and charming to me I swear with my last Breath I had bless'd thee Silvia But thus to use me thus to leave my Love distracted raving Love and no one Hope or Prospect of Relief either from Reason Time or faithless Silvia was but to stretch the Wretch upon the Rack and screw him up to all degrees of Pain yet such as do not end in kinder Death Oh thou unhappy Ruiner of my Repose Oh fair Vnfortunate if yet my Agony would give me leave to argue I am so miserably lost to ask thee yet this woful Satisfaction to tell me why thou hast undone me thus Why thou shouldest chuse out me from all the Crowd of fond admiring Fools to make the World's Reproach and turn to redicule How could'st thou use that soft good Nature so that had not one ungrateful sullen Humour in it for thy Revenge and Pride to work upon No Baseness in my Love no dull Severity for Malice to be busie with but all was gay and kind all lavish Fondness and all that Woman vain with Youth and Beauty could wish in her Adorer What could'st thou ask but Empire which I gave not My Love my Soul my Life my very Hâ—nour all was resign'd to thee that Youth that might have gain'd me Fame abroad was dedicated to thy eternal Service laid at thy Feet and idly past in Love Oh charming Maid whom Heaven has form'd for the Punishment of all whose Flames are Criminal why could'st not thou have made some kind distinction between those common Passions and my Flame I gave thee all my Vows my honest Vows before I asked a Recompence for Love I made thee mine before the sacred Powers that witness every secret solemn Vow and fix 'em in the eternal Book of Fate if thou had'st given thy Faith to any other as oh too sure thou hast what Fault was this in me who knew it not why should I bear that sin I took thee to me as a Virgin Treasure sent from the Gods to charm the Ills of Life to make the tedious Iourney short and joyful I came to make atonement for thy Sin and to redeem thy Fame not add to the detested Number I came to guild thy Stains of Honour over and set so high a Price upon thy Name that all Reproaches for thy past Offences should have been lost in future Crowds of Glory I came to lead thee from a world of Shame approaching Ills and future Miseries from noisy Flatterers that would sacrifice thee first to dull Lust and more unthinking Wit possess thee then traduce thee By Heaven I swear it was not for myself alone I took such pains to gain thee and set thee free from all those Circumstances that might perhaps debauch thy worthier Nature and I believed it was with pain you yielded to every buying Lover No 't was for thy Sake in pity to thy Youth Heaven had inspired me with Religious Flame and when I aim'd at Silvia 't was alone I might attain to Heaven the surest way by such a pious Conquest Why hast thou ruin'd a Design so glorious as saving both our Souls Perhaps thou vainly thinkest that while I am pleading thus I am arguing still for Love or think this way to move â—hee into Pity No by my hopes of Death to ease my Pain Love is a Passion not to be compell'd by any force of Reason's Arguments 'T is an unthinking Motion of the Soul that comes and goes as unaccountably as changing Moons or Ebbs and Floâ—s of Rivers only with far less certainty It is not that my Soul is all over Love that 〈◊〉 beget its Likeness in your Heart Had Heaven and Nature added to that Love all the Perfections that adorn our Sex it had avail'd me nothing in your Soul There is a Chancâ— in Love as well as Life and oft the most unworthy are preferred and from a Lottery I might win the Prize from all the venturing Throng with as much Reason as think my Chance should favour me with Silvia it might perhaps have been but 't was a wonderous Odds against me Beauty is more uncertain than the Dice and tho' I ventured like a forward Gamester I was not yet so vain to hope to win nor had I once complain'd upon my Fate if I had never hop'd but when I had fairly won to have it basely snatch'd from my Possession and like a bafled Cully see it seiz'd by a false Gamester and look tamely on has show'd me such a Picture of myself has given me such Idea's of the Fool I scorn to look into my easy Heart and loath the Figure you have made me there Oh Silvia what an Angel thou had'st been had'st thou not sooth'd me thus to my Vndoing Alass it had been no Crime in thee to hate me it was not thy Fault I was not Aimable if thy soft Eyes could meet no Charms to please 'em those soft those charming Eyes were not in Fault nor that thy Sense too delicate and nice could meet no proper Subject for thy Wit thy Heart thy tender Heart was not in fault because it took not in my tale of Love and sent soft Wishes back Oh! no my Silvia this tho' I had dy'd had caused you no Reproach but first to fan my Fire by all the Arts that ever Subtle Beauty could â—â—vent to give me Hope nay to â—issemble Love yes and so very well â—issemble too that not one tender Sigh was breath'd in vain All that my love-sick Soul was panting for the subtle Charmer gave so well so very well she could dissemble Oh! what more Proofs could I expect from Love what greater Earnest of eternal Victory Oh! thou had'st raised me to the height of Heaven to make my Fall to Hell the more precipitate Like a fallen Angel now I howl and roar and curse that Pride that taught me first Ambition 't is a poor Satisfaction now to know if thou could'st yet tell Truth what Motive first seduced thee to my Ruin Had it been Interest by Heaven I would have bought my wanton Pleasures at as high Rates as I would gratify my real Passions at least when Silvia set a price on Pleasure nay higher yet for Love when 't is repaid with equal Love it saves the Chafferer a great Expence Or were it wantonness of Youth in thee alass you might have made me understood it and I had met you with an equal Ardor and never thought of loving but quench'd the short liv'd Blaze as soon as kindled and hoping for no more had never let my hasty Flame arrive any higher than that powerful Minutes Cure But oh in vain I seek for Reasons from thee perhaps thy own fantastick
make him if possible and absolute Master of her Heart which he vow'd he would defend with his Life from even Philander himself and that he would pretend no other Empire over her nor presume or pretend to ingross that fair and charming Person which ought to be universally adored In fine he fail'd not to please both her Desire and her Vanity and every day she loved Philander less who sometimes in two or three together came not home to visit her At this time it so happened he being in Love with the young Daughter of an Advocate about a League from his own Lodgings and he is always eager on the first Address till he has compleated the Conquest so that she had not only time to please and revenge herself with Brilljard but fully to resolve their Affair and to provide all things against their Flight which they had absolutely done before Philander's Return who coming home received Brilljard very kindly and the News which he brought and which made him understand he should not have any long time to finish his new Amour in but as he was very Conquering both in Wit and Beauty he left not the Village without leaving some Ruins behind of Beauty which ever after bewail'd his Charms and since his departure was so necessary and that in four or five days he was oblig'd to go they deferr'd their flight till he was gone which time they had wholly to themselves and made as good use of it as they could at least she thought so and you may be sure he also whose Love increas'd with his possession But Silvia longs for Liberty and those necessary Gallantries which every day diminish'd she lov'd rich Cloths gay Coaches and to be lavish and now she was stinted to good Housewifery a Penury she hated The time of Philander's departure being come he took a very careless leave of Silvia telling her he would see what Commands the Prince had for him and return in Ten or Twelve days Brilljard pretended some little Indisposition and beg'd he might be permitted to follow him which was granted and the next day tho Brilljard pleaded infinitely for a continuation of his happiness two or three days more she would not grant it but oblig'd him by a thousand kind promises of it for the future to get Horses ready for her Page and Woman and her Coach for her self which accordingly was done and they left the Village whose Name I cannot now call to mind taking with her what of value she had left They were three days on their journey Brilljard under pretence of care of her Health the weather being Hot and for fear of overtaking Philander by some accident on the Road delay'd the time as much as was possible to be as happy as he could all the while and indeed Silvia was never seen in a Humour more Gay She found this short time of hope and pleasure had brought all her banish'd Beauties back that Care Sickness and Grief had extreamly tarnisht only her Shape was a little more inclining to be Fat which did not at all however yet impare her fineness and she was indeed too Charming without for the deformity of her indiscretion within but she had broke the bounds of Honour and now stuck at nothing that might carry on an Interest which she resolved should be the business of her future life She at last arriv'd at Bruxells and caus'd a Lodging to be taken for her in the remotest part of the Town as soon as she came she oblig'd Brilljard to visit Octavio but going to his Aunt 's to enquire for him he was told that he was no longer in the World he stood amaz'd a while believing he had been dead when Madam the Aunt told him he was retir'd to the Monastery of the Order of St. Bernard and would in a day or two without the Probationary Year take Holy Orders This did not so much surprize him as the other knowing that he discours'd to him when he saw him last as if some such retirement he meant to resolve upon with this News which he was not altogether displeas'd at Brilljard return'd to Silvia which soon chang'd all her good Humour to Tears and Melancholy She inquir'd at what place he was and believ'd she shou'd have power to withdraw him from a resolution so fatal to her and so contradictive to his Youth and Fortune and having consulted the matter with Brilljard he had promised her to go to him and use all means possible to withdraw him This resolv'd she writ a most insinuating Letter to him wherein she excus'd her flight by a surprize of Philander's and urg'd her condition as it then was for the excuse of her long silence and that as soon as her Health would give her leave she came to put her self eternally into his Arms never to depart more from thence These Arguments and Reasons accompanied with all the iâ—dearing tenderness her artful Fancy was capable of framing she sent with a full assurance it would prevail to perswade him to the World and her fair Arms again While she was preparing this to go Philander who had heard at his arrival what made so much noise that he had been the occasion of the Worlds loss of two of the finest Persons in it the Sister Calista by Debauching her and the Brother by Ravishing his Mistriss from him both which were entring without all possibility of prevention into Holy Orders He took so great a Melancholy at it as made him keep his Chamber for two Days maugre all the urgent affairs that ought to have invited him from thence he was consulting by what power to prevent the Misfortune he now ran back to all the Obligations he had to Octavio and pardons him all the injuries he did him he loves him more by loving Silvia less and remembred how that generous Friend after he knew he had dishonoured his Sister had notwithstanding sent him Letters of Credit to the Majestrates of Cologne and Bills of Exchange to save him from the Murder of his Brother-in-Law as was likely to have been He now charges all his little faults to those of Love and hearing that old Clarinau was dead of the wound Octavio had given him by mistake which increased in him new hope of Calista cou'd she be retriev'd from the Monastery he resolv'd in order to this to make Octavio a Visit to beg his Pardon and beg his Friendship and his Continuation in the World He came accordingly to the Monastery and was extream civilly received by Octavio who yet had not the Habit on Philander told him he heard he was leaving the World and could not suffer him to do so without indeavouring to gain his Pardon of him for all the injuries he had done him that as to what related to his Sister the Countess he protested upon his Honour if he had but imagined she had been so he wou'd have suffer'd death sooner than his Passion to have approach'd her indiscreetly and