brest she receiv'd his Complaints and with what constancy shee reteyned them shall appeare hereafter by those impressive effects which were wrought in her and derived from her by them CHAP. IX The intercursive Letters passing betwixt Philocles and Doriclea and how shee begunne to impart by penne what she had before conceited in thought and how she desired nothing so much as the accomplishment of their Love so privacy might give leave GOod newes when they come unexpected are ever with the best welcome entertained This our Love-perplexed Philocles well understood when after so many cold sweats and distemper'd passions which the height and heat of his unfained love had brought him to he begun now at last to perceive that a storme may beget a Calme and that the frowne of a Mistris may arise from the brow without least privity or intention of the heart Which pleasant and unexpected overture not to trifle out time nor delude the conceipt of our amorous Reader who no doubt longs to heare of so faire a Conclusion to such unpromising premises happened thus Philocles who had never all his time before entred into such a league of familiarity or acquaintance with love and now fully resolved to bid adieu to all such dis-passionate treaties as make fooles of the wisest men after a melancholy turne or two in a solitary walke which since the first presentment of his love to Doriclea at retired hours he usually frequented entring his Chamber and casting his eye aside hee might finde a paper close by his deske wherein were these words contained Doricleas first Letter to Philocles Sir THe very last time I saw you me thought you wore your band more like a Scholler then a compleate Lover which imply'd that you were lov'd and knew not Now I would not that you made too large a construction of this I am not she that will tell you she loves you and if perhaps I did you would not believe me For I have given you no cause as yet to conceit so Nay reflect upon your person and profession and if you be any good Sophister you cannot chuse but conclude from such apparent premises that it is impossible I should love you And yet I would be loath to be accounted such a foole as to speake all that I thinke Trust me Sir I was once resolv'd never to love but if I did never to love you now what have you done that could alter me Must I believe you because you told me you did love mee Be all your proâ—ests Maxims that I should hold them for authenticke And yet Schollers have ever beene accounted simple were it not a sinne then not to believe you That experienced Sage could stile you Foxes in the Schoole but Sheepe in the world Aâ—d shall I hold you a dissembler No I am perswaded you speake as you thinke but what is all this to me or wherein may this beget hope in you seeing you must not have all you love Well God forgive you I will not dissemble whatsoever you do Let me heare you once againe treate of love and you shall see how I will sleight you If your discourse like me trust me I will not be angry howsoever it shall not so much offend me as to make me accuse you to any such wherewith I formerly threatned you To conclude though Love be seldome grounded on Reason returne me but reason why I should love and why I should make you the object of that love and as I live Philocles shall finde me a loyall constant Doriclea Never did hopelesse Prisoner receive more content from the glad report of an unexpected reprive after the heavy sentence of death pronounced then revived Philocles did in the perusall of this Letter He now recollects his dispersed and dispacarled spirits and bethinks with himselfe what were best to bee done upon so faire an opportunity offered Hee resolves therefore to prevent jealous eyes to addresse his minde to her in writing to this effect Philocles answer to Doricleas first Letter Mistris HOw much those lines sweetned with your character have transportedme my indearedst thoughts cannot impart unto you To give you a reason why you should love mee I can give you no other but that my heart tels me I deserve you that humanity injoynet you to love me seeing I hold my life an easie sacrifice to injoy you Be it your goodnesse to believe mee I will sooner surcease to live then from expressing those loyall arguments of love which your vertues deserve and which I with no lesse constancy shall observe I could never yet dictate either by tongue or penne what I first conceiv'd not in heart I told you that your selfe was my booty the portion I expected your vertuous beauty and if you pleased but to crowne my hopes with your consent our mutuall choice which should never admit change might make us both equally happy To tell you that either my Fortunes or descent did deserve you were to labour and that fruitlesly to delude you But let me become an Abject in the eyes of fame an Object of contempt to the world if my faithfull devotion observance supply not that deficience For my descent as I will not boast of it yet whensoever your parents after passion digested shall examine it they will finde it neither so ignoble as to despise it nor so meanely strengthened as to reject it But what are these compared to the purity of that affection which combines hearts and hands And with a sacred cement so knits and contracts mindes As those who were before divided by meanes of this holy league became so united as nothing so much as their presence could content them then which nothing before did more distaste them were my fortunes never so poor yet seeing my fancy appeares so pure account him worthy to deserve you who will hold himselfe unworthy of that life which shall not be imployed to serve you These are all the reasons of Love which you can expect from Your loyall PHILOCLES Thus became Love a present and pregnant Secretary This object of fancy made the taske easy Letters know not how to blush which cause them commit to paper what a bashfull tongue could not so well deliver Besides this diverted all occasion of jealousie in a meare-looking family Which they before all others most doubted fearing to be prevented now when their loves begunne to be ripened and setled which would so perplexe the Sceane as this Comicke introduction might casually close with a fearefull Conclusion Albeit so free from the least suspition of any light or ungrounded affection which Doriclea might any way harbour were her Parents as many times they would give their daughter liberty to ride abroad and visit her friends In all which freedomes she expressed such modesty as Envy could nothatch the least occasion of jealousie from so compos'd a behaviour Yet a greater desire shee reteyn'd to stay at home since her affection begunne to be setled on Philocles
of allyance portion or any other respect then the pure effects of love GRiefes never come unseconded love-surpriz'd Philocles could never lament more the inequality of his fortunes which made him unworthy the embraces of his endeared Mistresse in the opinion of her Parents then this division from him whom she so entirely lov'd troubled the dis-passionate minde of Doriclea Her unsociable disposition now discover'd her affection Dark-shady Launes agreed best with her humour where in some private Spinet conversing with her own thoughts she used to discourse of the effects of her love in this manner How far art thou divided from thy selfe Doriclea Are all passages now stopt up of partaking his society to whom I have ingag'd my heart Can Children esteeme this for tender love which deprives them their sight whom they only love Alas do they hold it a matter of such indifferency to dispense with fancy Admit I have made choice of him for my dearest Lover whom my Parents provided for my Schoolemaster must this deserve such strict censure as to divide me from the presence of my Tutor This were to make a Truant of a Scholer Must none marry but with their equals None rich match with poore fortunes What will become then of poore vertue She may live a single life and never partake in the society of love Silken vice be it never so deformed must be honoured she cannot want preferment nor choice of Suiters nor variety of Admirers because wealth h 'as advanc'd her above the rank of inferiours Our Wooers now adayes must be rich or our Parents will entertaine them with a frowne Meane time what discontent attends such hopelesse marriages where fortunes make up the match while their affections never meet Doâ—es Loves essence consist in outward substance Was it this that made Leander crosse Hellespont and intombe his dying hopes in the waves Was it this that moved love-seazed Orpheus to encounter all hazards for his captiv'd Eurydice Was it this which expos'd long-divorced Ithacus to all adventures for his constant Penelope Was it this which ingaged trusty Telamon to such perils for his Hesione O no! It was true love which drew them to those extreames And yet did these rarely ground their affections upon equality of descents or fortunes Their choice was better planted and therefore continued longer For alas what will honour do to a discontented heart She that is so matched receives small joy from the Title of a Lady when this naked style h 'as bestow'd her on One she cannot fancy Ungrounded are these affections and so weakly to be weighed as I shall ever choose to inveigh against them who hold it sufficient glory to enjoy precedency meane time discontent becomes their Chamberlaine seeing neither style nor estate can reconcile an enforced love to a loathed bed O consider you this reverend Parents who enjoyne your Children to live where they cannot love This it is beleeve it which makes modest mindes too often transgresse by conforting with unlawfull loves and mixing with those whom sensuall affection h 'as made choice of in exchange Enforced loves beget straying eyes They finde nothing at home worth affecting which makes them with Dinah to go abroad and with too prepared a boldnesse to impaune their honour O retract then your too severe commands who enjoyne your Children such Tasks as affection cannot beare nor freedome of minde embrace without a resolved distaste It is better seasonably to forgoe what we cannot like then seemingly to approve what we cannot effect and then repent too late For my resolves I hope they shall never close in any other period then this That it shall be my constant scorne to measure affection by strength of allyance which to divided hearts can afford small asâ—istance or portion which without a love-inducing proportion begets the enjoyer nought but affliction nor any other respect be it never so gracious or specious to the eye but that only which conveyes pure and effectuall love to the heart Never let Parents think that any other affection can prosper seeing it is not grounded on that foundation which tenders the minde true solace and contentment Albeit such who make their choice by the eye receive only direction by sense and such a love neither deserves approvement nor to offer it selfe to others for a president But where reason and affection meet there such a sweet union and communion of mindes close in the enjoyment of one the other as nothing can dissolve that individuall tye save only the discharge of that debt we owe to Nature Yea but will provident Parents say there is more required in solemnizing a marriage then only bare love It is true yet where love is truly grounded it will ever finde a state competent to the minde or a minde competent to the state It is impure love that proves poore Affection cannot want a very little sufficeth where love reigneth Whereas greatest meanes prove meane fortunes where affectionate mindes are wanting to mannage those fortunes O let mee then enjoy my choice and it is not in the world that shall make me desire to change Rich am I above comparison enjoying the freedome of my affection Miserably poore above relation being deprived of loves fruition Either then give me liberty to live where I love and to become seaz'd where I have ingag'd mine heart or let me bee restrain'd for ever rather then so espous'd where I needs must hate O my dearest Parents reflect upon your owne condition when your unriper yeares gave first motives to your glowing thoughts of affection Did you only value meanes Was portion the on-only lure Could nothing work so strongly on fancy as fortune or outward ability Yes yes more purely were your undefiled loves grounded and more successively graced then with the refuse of Earthy Oare to be only guilded Look then down upon us we are of the same mould if our temper were impuâ—er we should lesse deserve the priviledge of your favour Since we resemble you in our desires second what we desire and accompt of us as you shall value the estimate of our deserts Howsoever Doriclea be it thy assay to reteine the good opinion thou hast purchas'd from thy Philocles his constancie h 'as deserv'd thee his demeriting parts every way equall with those fortunes thy friends may conferre on thee Meane time endure the aversenesse of thy Parents with patience so may the effect crowne thy hope and minister thee seasonable reliefe when all visible meanes denie helpe Thus conversed Doriclea with her own thoughts thus with much privacie discovered she her owne passions Resolved to endure whatsoever fate or fortune might inflict rather then forgoe the choice of her Philocles whom shee before all others did affect But how much shee became deprived of all meanes to expresse the love shee professed and which remained so constantly fixed as nothing but death could divide it the Chapter ensuing will declare where you shall finde nothing so constant an attendant to
she more discreet in her love then he perswasive in his line for now you must suppose him estranged from his Countrey divided from all thoughts of fancy and if you will believe his own hand such a strict Convert as Doriclea may have small hope to make him 〈…〉 CHAP. XXV Philocles writes a Letter to Androgeus as directed from beyond the Seas wherein he humbly craves pardon for his too bold attempting his Daughters affection How his present austere penitentiall life shall witnesse to the World his repudiation of all light love How his devotions now were reserved for Heaven and had no communion with Earth And that the choice he had now made should during life admit no change PHilocles must bee now accompted a forrainer to his Countrey a stranger exposed to winds and waves and divided froÌ„ his friends Nay since his supposed arrivall he pretends his induction into so strict a profession as it proclaimes him to the World an Alien to all youthfull affection But what Harbour received him or what place this was which harbour'd him or what Profession it was that admitted him appeares not fully by any Relator howbeit what he was and what he resolved to continue may appeare sufficiently by his own Letter Philocles Letter to Androgeus FOr exiled Philocles to write a Letter to incensed Androgeus and this to be directed from beyond the Seas may seem strange and yet know noble Sir that this is true He even he who sometimes affected irregular love h 'as now betaken himselfe to a regular life and in this his poore mendicant proâ—ession humbly craves pardon and be it your generous pity to encline to his suit for his too bold attempting your Daughters affection It was lâ—â—e and that seasoned with as much vertuous constancy as youth could afford But know now deare Sir that his present austere peâ—itentiall life shall witnesse to your selfe whom he h'as so highly offended and to 〈◊〉 whole world wherein he h'as too long youthfully sojoâ—rned his repudiation of all ligl â— love And too long Heavens know too long h 'as he there lived where true discretion could finde nothing worthy to be entirely loved For what shall man finde there but a Tragick Theatre hung about with Arras presenting a numerous confluence of feares and cares All complete Actors but their Play-bill beares no better style then A Comedy of Errors To see a Man turne himselfe into all shaâ—es like a Camâ—lion or as Proteus transforming himselfe into every prodigious forme to act twenty parts at once for his advantage to temporize and vary like Mercury the Planet good with good bad with the bad to forme himselfe to all religions humours inclinations to fawne like a Spaniell rage like a Lion bark like a Curre fight like a Dragon sting like a Serpent as meek as a Lâ—mbe â—nd â—et againe grim like a Tyger weepe like a Crocodile insult over others and yet others insult over him here to command there crouch tyrannize in one placâ— be bâ—ffled in another a wise man at home a foole abroad to make others merry Then to reflect upon the indignity of the Age. To see a Scholer crouch and creepe to an illiterate Pesant for a meales meat For there is nothing from which Learning receives more dishonour then to have her freedome ingaged to anothers Trencher A Scrivener better paid for an Obligation then for a studied Sermon a Faulkner receive better wages then a Student a Lawyer get more in a day then a Philosopher in a yeare better rewarded for an houre then a Scholler for a yeares study He that can paint Thais play on a Fidle curle haire c. sooner get preferment then a Philosopher or a Poet. And is not this a dainty Theatre to win the heart of a discreet Spectator where Love and Hate are like the two ends of a Perspective-glasse one multiplies the other makes all things lesse O how rightly did that moderne Stoick invey against those inhumane qualities in Man which if he did but see into himselfe he should finde so unmanly as they made him altogether unlike himself How shall I know thee to be a Man said that Golden-mouth'd Divine wheâ— thou kickest like an Asse neighest like an Horse after Women ravest in lust like a Bull ravenest like a Beare stingest like a Scorpion rakest like a Wolse as subtile as a Fox as impudent as a Dâ—g shall I say thou art a Mâ—n that h 'as all the symptomes of a Beast How shall I know thee to be a Man by thy shape that affrights me more when I see a Beast in likenesse of a Man And what did poore Philocles encounter withall so long as he conversed with the World but Creatures of this condition Well then might mine eye my strangely deluded eye be made the sense of sorrow because the sense of sinne Nought could I see but did wound me no pleasing Object but did pollute me Only my thoughts deare Sir were so free from harbouring one light conceipt of your vertuous Doriclea as I saw in her that goodnesse as disheartned any loose attempt And may your Age receive that comfort in her as those easie errors which too deservingly bred your distaste may be redeemed by a fuller furplusage of content My desire shall be only this that you would not decline your affection from her for her sometimes bestowing so much undeserving respects on me Divided am I now from her and all the World and who knowes but that I was thus prevented in my love to the end I might be weined in my love from the World Admit then my Plea and let it receive place seeing my devotions are now reserved for Heaven and reteine no communion with Earth Love was never to converted Philocles so familiar as it is now a stranger It now reâ—ts that my best prayers ever accompany you and that my teares wash off those wrongs I have done you Be it your piety to have mercy and to look on Philocles resolve who h'as set up his rest upon this stake that the choice he h'as now made shall during life admit no change Philocles This good Androgeus expounded to be that new course of life or religion or whatsoever else he had so lately professed but constant Philocles had another meaning which he ever expected time would bring to perfection Howsoever Androgeus was not a little cheered in the perusall of this Letter the Contents whereof so well freed his suspitious thoughts from this mortified Lover as hee could not containe himselfe from expressing the joy he conceived which to this effect he discovered Well done Philocles In this course thou hast taken thou procurest thy selfe peace and us rest Thou hast done rightly to disesteeme fancie and to preferre thy private Study before such a vanitie There is no comparison betwixt pure devotion and light affection Content is of ampler extent then the whole Continent And if my serious care prevented thy indiscreet love be it thy love in
then before many times pretending an indisposition of health or some other minted excuse to prevent her journey by remaining there where shee had planted her fancy But so tender were her Parents of their daughter being as shee was indeed naturally tender as they desired she should change the ayre fearing much that her long stay or retirednesse at home might enfeeble her health And this their resolve now and then closed well with her liking having Philocles assign'd her for her conduct whose society out of a modest policy though she seemed with all indifferency to admit yet how much that cheered her heart I appeale to all such constant and affectionate Lovers whose fancy h 'as beene crowned with such opportunity and whose Iourneyes have beene so incomparably sweetned with the Society of a Mistris whose conference had power enough to shorten the houre allay the difficulty of a troublesome way and to entertaine every object with such occasionall delight as nothing could more cheerefully nor intentively worke on the Conceit But howbeit Philocles had sometimes the happinesse to attend his Mistris He was injoyned to a short returne which could not but beget an equall proportion of passion in them both In him to be divided from her presence whom he so intirely affected In her to be dispossest of those unvaluable joyes which her affection had in his Society treasured But their personall absence was ever supplied by other remonstrances not onely to renue what was already begun but to prepare way for accomplishment of that which with joynt consent they desired might be solemnely done Intercursive Letters were ever passing betwixt them and that in so quaint and cunning a Character as interception though seconded with a nimble construction could hardly extract ought that might discover what they intended or apply ought that might occasionally prevent what their grounded affections had resolved For sometimes he would write in the person of another Suiter to free his lines from suspition sometimes he would feague under the title of that imaginarie Suiter that he was rejected by her which to prevent he would revive those protests of love hee had formerly professed And to instance these and display the subtilty of a Lover peruse this Letter which under the faigned Name of some dis-esteemed Suiter hee thus addressed to her Philocles second Letter to Doriclea DEarest let the presentment of these lines renue my suite and in the perusall of my passions let this be your maxim that it rests in your affection or rejection to make me happy or unhappy in my state your Zeale to goodnesse amongst these many gusts of extreames assures me your pious and well-disposed heart cannot but entertaine remorce to a Servant so loyall as hee holds the intyrest tender of his life an easy purchase to time but an easier sacrifice to fate to purchase your love Let me joy in enjoying you and let me be deprived of all joy if in every subject I close not in your content to make our mutuall joyes more truly absolute Amidst these hope and feare doe equally encounter me it is in your discreet brest to banish the one by returning assurance of the other and by checking the latter with a frowne to give encouragment to the former with a smile Your yeare of mourning is now expir'd receive him into your bosome who will hold you so deare as your comfort shall never expire My long neglect of attending you proceeded from the discouragement I received from you at my last being with you but I am perswaded that assurance your owne hand hath plighted me will induce you to recollect your thoughts and revive those sacred tyes which are so firmely united as by death onely to be dissolved Let but one line redart one small beameling of love and winged speed shall enliven my desires for those parts and style me in the fruition of you Your long trusty now happy Servant How much these plaide nay pleas'd the imagination of Doriclea it is not easy to conceive Smyling with her selfe at the Conceit of Philocles in seeming to feare what he feared not and pretending the affection of a Suiter whom he knew not Nor was Doriclea lesse prompt in addressing her affectionate thoughts to Philocles but still after his Copy for either would she make bold with subscribing Mellida's name to her owne Letter or counterfaiting some other Character to expresse the intimacy of her desires and constancy of her vowes to her selectedst Lover Nor would she inlarge herselfe too much lest by some Circumstance or other she might discover what her private thoughts would not have disclosed for the true and unvaluable estimate of her honour Yet did not her penne drop lesse love for the contractednesse of her line Each Sillable had his Emphasis as may appeare by this amongst others which shee sometimes wrote unto him to solace his pensivenesse Doricleas second Letter to Philocles FAile not faint not feare not I am ever the same I have professed constant No line can limit my love no distance divide my heart Meane while lodge these lines in thy bosome till I see thee Cold North hot South cleare East wet West Shall ne're divide me from thy brest On this then Dearest set thy rest I am the same that I 've profest Meane time sweet fancy use thy charme Till sleepe enfold us arme in arme No day past without some memoriall of this kinde A strong motive to love re-conveying to the memory what personall absence might raze forth without revivall This it was which wrought so strongly on the enlivened spirit of Marke Antonie as there was nothing that made him so great a stranger to armes which he naturally affected nor estranged his affection more from his Octavia to whom by conjugall love he stood obliged nor divided him more from the care of securing himselfe then one line comming from the hand of his Cleopatra Though her majestick state begot an admiration in her beholders a strong impression in the wounded hearts of her lovers Though her eye reteyned a power to command love and subdue the commandingst Conquerour with a look All these soveraigniz'd not halfe so much on Antonies affection as those amorous lines he received from her writ in Christall Amber Amethist and Ivory Not a line but contained a loves charme No modell which ever fancy devis'd or the imagination stampt which subtile Cleopatra presented not to make a Commander her Thrall a Conquerour her Slave Those secret delights of love which modest eares would scarcely have received nor shamefast eyes perused were into his conceipt freely instilled to decline his affection from those whom hee ought to have loved best and to ingage his heart to her whose embraces hee should have dis-relished most Thus did she cast forth her lines for lures to seaze on one of the highest flyers that ever perch'd Roman stemme becomming her own witty Secretary to ensnare the fancy of her deluded Antony But more modest were the lines of
our two Lovers and farre more vertuous their aimes Reason became no captive unto sense Neither did the conceipt of a Nuptiall night so much transport them as to deprive their apprehension of the end for which honourable rites were first ordained This Philocles sufficiently expressed when at such time as after Doricleas returne home having no good opportunity to impart his thoughts more freely to her he commended these lines to paper which he privately conveyed into her pocket Philocles third Letter to Doriclea DEare One what I sometimes professed shall be ever in my loyall love to you faithfully expressed What though opportunity for the present barre us from conference our eyes shall witnesse that unfeined love that is betwixt us And in approvement of it subscribe under these few lines but these words I will be ever your faithfull Consort And you shall perceive ere long that a faire opportunity shall give freedome of enjoyment of our loves Where we way freely and vertuously enjoy one the other and with continuall comforts partake the benefit of our lawfull loves to Gods honour Meane time write these words under this my dearest choice so shall my constant love pronounce me yours without change The Match is made with joynt consent Onely subscribe I am content Where nought but Death shall e're divide Your dearest consort from his Bride Nor need you doubt but Doriclea upon perusall of these lines was as ready to sâ—bscribe as hee to propose So loyall were their chaste loves so constantly united their minds Yet were they no such Novices in the Schoole of Love nor so uncapable of those effects which pure love might bring forth as not to aspire to some higher degree then yet they had attain'd Yea even vertuous Doriclea who never heard any light discourse without a modest blush nor had given harbour to a wandring thought without a seasonable reproofe desired nothing more then the accomplishment of their love so privacy might give leave For that tender filiall zeale which shee bore to her Parents made her resolves more doubtfull and time more protractive then her desires were she her owne Guardian could freely give way to Howsoever to free her faithfull Philocles of all feare and to confirme him in that which he did most desire with as much convenient speed as the opportunity of that time would allot with a prepared hand and an affectionate heart shee subscribed to whatsoever his vertuous requests had propounded CHAP. X. What Plots Doriclea devised to partake in private Meetings and Treaties with her Philocles and how by the jealousie of Euryclea her Mother she was prevented SHort restraints seeme long where hearts are divided from those Objects which they love Though at times of repast and some other houres of the day Doriclea might enjoy the presence of her Philocles yet through the intercourse of her sundry Suiters who now like golden showers came daily falling distilling into our Danaës Lap they were barred that freedome of discourse their bequeathed hearts so much affected Nor could it doe lesse then perplexe the troubled thoughts of Philocles to see his Doriclea so daily courted ample promises of high preferment with other titles of honour dangerous baits to catch a Woman proffered so as if she were not all the constanter howsoever she had largely protested he was verily perswaded her Maiâ—en Castle could not long hold out Eâ—ery kisse was a killing to him and by that judge how often he might be killed every day He many times thought of that Poeticall Proverbe Lâ—â—s are Loves-portels to sly Wooers known Which once surpriz'd the Fort is quickly wonne Yet patient Philocles he must say nothing whatsoever hee think His eyes must partake in the sight of their wooing dalliance glad he may do so to prevent the worst And sometimes these silken Suiters will vouchsafe him that honour to supply a place in their amorous pastimes as in making Gooselings in the fire or drawing of gloves or such like harmelesse toyes to passe the night away Nay sometimes they imploy'd him further in returning a message to Doriclea a task which suited best with his liking but no doubt would loose much of his spirit in carrying For to be a second Porter of Bellerophons Letters could not sort with his disposition who had casten his lot and found one equally closing with him â—n affection But all these servile imployments as he conceived were imposed him purposely to humble him Albeit such trials needed little being one of such temper as his thoughts were farre above an inferiour Spheare For as hee beheld nothing in this Theatre of Earth worthy affecting but his Doriclea so hee conceipted so well of his choice as he rested confident such an excellent piece could not finde a brest to entertaine a change And his opinion was truly grounded for howsoever his Doriclea might seeme out of a desire to give her Parents content to converse with these jolly Wooers and to leave them in suspense lest an absolute rejection of them might procure their distaste wee have ever made it a constant Maxim Where the eye is there the minde is which might well appeare by the behaviour of this constant Maid who though she seemed amorously to converse with these had her eye ever fixed on her Philocles But all this was not sufficient to her unlesse she might enjoy the presence of her Dearest from whom to be divided even in private treaties or parliance was no small affliction Suppose her then contriving sundry plots to partake in what she did so infinitely desire Love is ingenious in devising but many times not so prosperous in succeeding Private meetings purposely to relate their affections with meanes of preventing of what her Parents for ought that she knew might be intending was her aime further she aspired not for so pure and undistained were her thoughts as they hated to mixe themselves with any irregular desire Now to bring to passe what she sought many evenings would she pretend some one businesse or other to stay below behinde her Mother but so light was her occasion as her Mother perceived that it made her more jealous of her excuses Seeing then these would not do she made use of a Trap-doore within her Chamber intending to come downe by it and so enjoy the benefit of time But none of these plots would hold for Euryclea who by some private intelligence or what other ill office I know not receiving notice of her Daughters practise one night when Doriclea suspecting no harme was to come downe by the Trap-doore as she had formerly done was received below by her Mother instead of her Lover Which how it perplexed this unfortunate Doriclea exceeds the art of any Pen to expresse being not only deprived of that beneficiall opportunity with an evening treaty to crowne their fancy but ingaged to a just censure or opinion of jealousie Which her Mother had good cause to conceive seeing what private advertisements had informed she found
in thy suit might work strange effects He is rich who is thy Corrivall and Women must love to live aswell as live to love Thy impoverish'd quality is a mighty eye-sore to fancy Wealth is a good salve for age and though she cannot affect him as he is she may hug him for what he h'as Marriages go not altogether by joyning of hearts but hands His store will so highly improve her state as it will enforce fancy and raise her to what thy fortunes may not aspire the title of a Lady And yet me thinkes all this should little moye the constant and loyall brest of Doriclea Heavens cannot chuse but frowne on breach of faith which is ever attended by an heavie fate Yea but admit she be compelled what meanes may she finde to resist it Parents will is a command and as she h'as ever borne the modesty of a Maide so h'as she reteined the duty of a Daughter and obedience of a childe Parents command then might far prevaile with her seeing obedience was ever so much preferred by her as all feares had been before this time prevented had not this parentall sacrifice restrain'd her Well be it so Patience shall be my Crowne my prayers for her successe No griefe shall so much surprize me as the desire of her happinesse shall delight me Meane time I will suspend my judgement and expect better then I heare but if the issue second this report I hope soone after that an everlasting retire from Earth shall cure my care Thus passed Philocles the lingring night estranged from nothing more then the thought of rest At last perceiving Aurora's dishevell'd tresses dispersing her golden beames through every corner of his restlesse roome he leaps out of bed and having made himselfe ready and performed those morning vowes which his devotion had enjoyned him He sets Pen to Paper and like a poeticall Lover in an amorous manner addresseth his last nights supposed vision to his â—oriclea making a dreame of love by shadowing those jealous feares for the losse of his love in a Dreame Philocles supposed Dreame of Doriclea WHat sacred Spels my throbbing heart surprize Sweet dew of sleepe hath quite forsook mine eyes Some startling dreams I have which more appall My Soulâ— then if I had no sleepe at all Sometime I dreaming see and sigh to see A Sable-sullen cloude hang over me And menacing a storme thou full of fâ—ares This to prevent resolves to pearled teares But more thou weep'st the more provok't thouart The fight whereof wounds my relenting hart Now do I see my Danä in a tower Tempted untainted with a golden shower Now my faire Semele feeding loves-flame In her pure brest consumed with the same Which visions were but shadows of thine Or meere conceptions of Prometheus shrine Which once enlivened by an heav'nly fire Might to a numerous Family aspire Sometimes me thought Isickles sought to sip Ambrosean Nectar from thy roseat lip And this I check't and did incensed seeme Telling Old-age frost would not suit with greene Which just reproofe me thought thou entertain'd With a sweet smile the gole at which I aim'd Whence over-joy'd I cull'd thee where thou stood But like Ixion I embrac'd a cloud My sacred Genius succour me and keepe My waking thoughts froÌ„ such an ominous sleep Yet in these Dreams more comfort did I take Fed with conceit then when I did awake For dreaming I enjoy'd thee but that blisse By waking vanish'd while I breath'd out this The Dorian straine was once th' best melodie Had I Doriclea now 't were so with me But since t' imbrace thee dreaming still I seeme O that my life were a continued Dreame But this dreaming veine did not hold long with him he resolves to acquaint her in an other straine and tell her truly that he was waking when he wrote it And the Character of this Letter must expresse the benefit of his freedome signifying unto her how his late restraint was now changed into liberty which priviledge he had rather for ever lose then be deprived of the continuance of her fancy To expedite this affectionate designe he directs his Letter by the conduct of a faithfull Messenger though to his apparent danger acquainting Doriclea with his delivery and assigning her a place whereto she might safely repaire if she could possibly make escape Delay he holds dangerous he accompts opportunity the sweetest companion to fancy desiring nothing more then that she would continue what she h'as professed confirme what she h'as vowed consummate what both divine decree and their own united hearts have sealed closing his Letter with an amorous â—assion after this manner Infranchis'd Philocles to restrained Doriclea DEare signe this with your hands else in a word I saile aye me for Ireland with my Lord Where sayles are righes Seas teares while th' friendly winde Shall bring you word I left mine heart behinde But if you shall me for your Consort take Iâ—le march through ranks of Furies for your sake Returne me answer then as may become you Pistols nor Poniards shall not keep me froÌ„ you This was a strong Resolution which 〈◊〉 windes up with as loving a Subscription This Tearme from travell am I staid To make my Consort of a Maid Confirme then Deare-one Heav'ns decree And make exchange of hearts with me Which done this Posie shall he thine Which is and must be ever mine To live and have no heart were strange Yet have I none but by exchange Thus writ passionate Philocles which came shortly after to the hand of his Mistresse who how joyfully she received the report of his liberty but how passionately those imaginary grounds of his jealousie shall appeare in the progresse of our Story CHAP. XIX Doriclea by the advice and assistance of Mellida gets from her Keepers and in her flight by night loseth her way but comming by chance to the Hermits house where she took that night her repose as she had formerly beene directed by him she received much comfort from him being conducted to the place which Philocles advised her to WHen Doriclea had perused this Letter directed to her by her dearest Philocles it is not easie to expresse what infinite joy she conceived in the delightfull perusall of those lines which signified unto her the happy occasion of his liberty yet could she not chuse but bite the lip when she read those dreaming fancies of his shadowing forth his jealousie The comfort the conceived in the former was made bitter by relation of the latter which enforced from her this just ground of complaint which she breathed forth in this manner How is it Philocles that the Heavens should thus look on thee in freeing thee from restraint and thou unthankfull for so great a benefit thus to abuse the priviledge of thy liberty During thy restraint for ought that ever I heard thou harbour'd not the least conceipt of jealousie and now when thou enjoyest the freedome of ayre and stands disâ—ingaged from a
faire conclusion to their resistlesse affection and to become a witnesse himselfe of the consummation of that Rite which these two Lovers had in such strong pursuit accompanied â—ith an eager but a chaste delight Nay this discreet Hermit imployed his conceipt a little further contriving a course how and where to place them for the present till the storme were over-blowne and a calmer season might promise some respite to their feares For that private Graunge wherein they then sojourned could neither be so secure as to priviledge them from search nor so remote from jealous eyes as to keâ—p them any long time unknowne And a neare Ally unto Androgeus dwelled not far off who upon the least notice of Doricleas retire to that place would soone acquaint her Father and prevent their enjoyment by a speedy surprize So serious was the poore Heâ—mits care as these two Lovers could not be more faithfull in their fancy thâ—n he was carefull for their safety Nor was it 〈◊〉 that his 〈◊〉 should have beene either lesser or his advice weaker amidst such perilloâ—◠〈…〉 you shall understand hereafter CHAP. XXII How these constant Lovers were hindred upon the very point of solemnization of their marriage by the intelligence and pursuit of her incensed Father Androgeus who with a strong prepared Troupe ent'red the House where these two unfortunate Lovers sojourned And how by the Hermits device Philocles to prevent his fury was privately conveyed NO nights longer then those of Lovers and of those none grievouser then that preceding night to their Nuptials Right pleaâ—ing was the Hermits advice unto them which next morning long before any Canonicall houre they addressed themselves to put in practise Those hearts which had been so long 〈◊〉 expected now nothing more then to see those Rites accomplished and which they 〈◊〉 Heavens would propitiously look upon though her Parents dissented Hourely they expected the man that should performe it who at last there arrived to solemnize what they expected Nothing was wanting that so private a place could afford them The Hermit must personate her Father to bestow her on Philocles her dearest Lover No Clarks they needed their own naked breasts would confirme whatsoever the Priest should pronounce But heare O heare yee dis-passionate Lovers and hearing resolve your eyes into teares Then even then when theâ— should hand in hand go up to that sacred place which admitted no â—eet but thosâ— of peace they might heare resounding in their eares nothing but allarms an noise of war This pittifully affrighted that small assembly howbeit so strongly steeled with resolution was Philocles fancy as with much confidence he willed the Minister to go on and if any were to incurre censure he would be the man who would interpose himselfe betwixt death and danger But by this time had a strong Guard enterâ—d the House the noise of whose â—ury so increased the poore mans Palâ—â—y as he could go on no further for a world Thus were these constant Lovers hindred upon the very point when their Marriage-Rites should be solemnized which came to passe by the intelligence and pursuit of her incensed Father Androgeus who with a strong prepared Troupe well-armed against any one that should make resistance in a furious invasive manner ent'red the House Hymens dishonou'd house where those two unfortunate Lovers resided An unhappy so journall where such Comicall hopes become wholly Tragicall And mount will Androgeus with all his company there is no remedy Which Philocles perceiving as one resolved rather to imbrace death then ingage his fame to an ignoble life or to accompany that miserable life with discontent on he intends to go against all assailants in the presence of his Doriclea against the daringst Combatant bid defiance He esteemes him unworthy the purchase of such a prize who will suffer his thoughts to be seaz'd on by any Panick feare Death he knowes to be the companion of mortality and to be affraid of that which he must necessarily endure he holds worthy of no better name then a cowardly care He observes how fortune h'as been ever his profest foe valour then must be his friend And armed with this spirit downe he resolves to go but is staid by Doriclea who was now become all Niobe Limbecks were her eyes of teares a Furnace was her brest of scalding sighes a constant Fever surpriz'd her joynts yet with these did her sweet condition enforce a smile and with this mixed with a pearled â—eare did she beg this Boone of her deare Philocles Do not oh do not dearest Love cast your selfe away by exposing your life to such apparant nay inevitable danger One iâ— enough to perish and let me be that one to secure my Philoaltes If not let me become an Advocate for my Philocles A Fatherâ— hand will spare his Daughter and perchance for her sake pardon her Lover Trust me Phiâ—ocles you shall not bouge a foot your wrastling is in vaine with Doriclea perish with me you may without me you cannot The whole World would exclaime against me and tax me of a key-cold fancie should I suffer you even before mine eyes to oppose your selfe against my Fathers fury Be advised then my dearest Philocles you shall not go trust me you shall not go Death and danger with naked breast will I sooner encounter then ingage your safety to the remorselesse hand of my Father Retire then and let me be your Advocate wherein should I faile my extreamest fate can be no worse then I expect it With which words leaping forth of his armes with a virile spirit she went downe staires where she met her furious Father comming up Who upon the very sight of her was so incensed as scarce any perswasion could 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 him as to hold his 〈◊〉 hand form inflicting too seveâ—e 〈◊〉 punishment on his Daughter Who aâ—pearing as one nothing at 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 above all others to have her 〈◊〉 Philocles secured which she conceived by protracting time in this 〈◊〉 expostulation with her Father to be best effected in a composed modest manner after such time as with 〈◊〉 humble knee she had begged pardon to beget more compassion an equall hearer she in this sort addressed her selfe to her inraged Father Deare Sir look on me or I am lost for ever It is true I have justly incurred your displeasure and I am sorry for it and with the sacrifice of my dearest life would I seek to redeeme it I have transgressed those religious bounds of ohildelike obedience and not only ingaged my selfe but One whose welfare I prefer before my selfe to infinite dangers Yet cast me not off for this If you would have me live let me enjoy him whom I love Let me but partake in your blessing I shall expect no other portion the free fruition of my fancy shall be unto me an ample fortune Alas what comfort would a Father reape in the matching of his Daughter when an enforced uniting of hands should beget a dividing of
hearts and make her such a miserable Bride as she shall wish her Bed changed into a Grave That Bridall feast her Funerall to invite a mournfull guest And this were Doricleas case to impaune her virgin-state to such a curse O then by these unfeined teares this humble-bended knee your poore distressed Daughters prayers look on me and make me his who do'es so entirely love me And lesse deare Sir you cannot make me since my faith h 'as confirm'd me his which cannot be dispensed by me For such Sacred Vowes are too strong tyes to be loosed being recorded in Heaven where such contracts can never be cancelled Injoyne me what you please so you injoyne me not to leave Philocles for sooner may Doricles leave from being her selfe then leave his love whom choice without changeh'as confirm'd my second selfe If the true obedience of your lowly Daughter may expiate this offence and alas this offence is only love that Task shall not be by a Father imposed which shall not be by a Daughter freely embraced This Speech wrought more remorce in her auditory then in her Father as may appeare by his discontented answer Doriclea but my Doriclea I shall never accompt thee tell me canst thou look on thy Father thy dishonoured Father and not blush at so egregious an errour Shall my Family receive an ignorminious brand from my Countrey through thy loose and irregular liberty Is there no remedy but my gray-haires must be brought with sorrow to their grave Have I bred thee Viper-like to destroy me Go on and see the issue of it Prefer the love of Philocles before the blessing of Androgeus Disclaime that obedience thou doest owe me bestow thy selfe on him who of all others is most contemned by me Thou canst not contract this unhappily spun threed of life before the Destinies will Meane time expect revenge for believe the indignation of a Father who intends to take a full revenge of this licentions affection of that inconsiderate Philocles and make him glad to relinquish his suit by entertaining the meanest state to secure his life â—eserve then those knees for whom thou reservest thy selfe those easie-enforced tears for him who thou preferrest beforethy self those undevout prayers to continue his love whom thou meanest to make thy second-selfe But this fruitlesse expostulation foreslowes my revenge I will see if I may finde the trace of this bold Libertine whose pleasing oratory h 'as so deluded thee whom having found I shall shortly divert the current of your fancy and by a legall course deprive him of future liberty And presently upon these words neither Doricleas â—â—â—yers nor teares nor the perswasion of his entirest friends could so farre prevaile with him as to keepe him from ascending the staires But â—uch good opportunity had these passionate debates below given to that discreet Hermit above as by his device Philocles to prevent his funy was privately conveyed so as what Androgeus expected coâ—ld not be pursued None findes he above but the old Hermit and that intended agent for solemnizing their Nuptials who was as full offear as Androâ—eus was of fury but wisely pretending himself to be one of the Family he passed by him without much inquiry So unexpectedly was this pleasing Morne darkned with a sullen Cloud Two friends then which none more dearer must be divided all occasion of recourse one to another henceforth debarred this faithfull Hermit who addressed his discreet care for their cure to his Cell confined Thus must me leave all things dis-joynted and out of orders a discontented Father contesting with his Daughter a dis-passionate Daughter labouring to appease her Father all whcih have power enoughâ— to perplexe a Family and beget rumouâ— in a Countrey as you may heare hereafter CHAP. XXIII Androgeus brings back his Daughter the entertainment given her by her Mother VNwilling was Doricleas mind but unwinged must not be her speed to depart Leave her Philocles she must without taking leave For having laboured as was formerly expressed to appease her incensed Father but all in vaine she before she could come into the roome that sorrowfull roome wherein she had left her Philocles by the device of that discreet Hermit to prevent Androgeus fury which admitted no treaty was he conveyed and with that privacy as he became priviledg'd from discovery Along now must Doriclea go with her Father who desiring nothing so much as to surprize her conveyed Lover but prevented of what he most expected he holds himselfe for the present sufficiently content with the reskue of his Daughter Whom he hoped to reclaime from this madding affection for so he conceipted by one meanes or other A dayes journey at the most they had scarcely travelled till Androgeus with his Company arrived where he defired and bringing his perplexed Daughter in his hand to her Mother to this effect he recommended that charge unto her Euryclea I have brought back at last your dainty Daughter and prevented what her wilde fancy was incurring she desired much to be our late Pedant Philocles his Bride all things were prepared to accomplish what they intended and had not timely intelligence â—â—ustrated this designe she had to both our discomforts beene unworthily married It was my aime to have intercepted Philocles who since his escape from prison hath beene more forward in the pursuit of his desires then before but how or by what way conveyed I know not him I could not finde so ready was some fâ—â—end of his to expedite his escape Now must I recommend this charge to you Euriclea as you tender our honour and the reputation of your Daughter to reteine a more circumspect eye of her Walkes then you have hitherto done Let such attend her as will not be deluded by her Mellida h 'as been too much her friend whose indiscreet counsell had it succeeded had made her selfe her only foe Abridge not her liberty so you be consident of her company Too much privacy may hurt her health as too much liberty revive her love Time may weare out these prints of youthfull fancy Imployment or delightfull company being such as may suit with virgin modesty may finde power to discampe these dangerous Assailants which so mainly work upon the inward quiet of hte minde I make little doubt Euryclea but your kinde heart will be too tender to inflict onâ— her any heavie censure Be it as you please seeing to your charge care and cure â—â—â—cely recommend her So tender-hearted was Euryclea that at the very first sight of her Daughter she could not refraine from teares oft did she feine anger and with a furrowed brow foreshow a tempest but her teares were in earnest her anger in jeast Yet desirous to schoole her and in such manner as her discretion conceiv'd would leave the deepest impression in her she receives no other entertainment but this from her Mother Disobedient Girle what faire fruits have our deceiving hopes produced How often have I colour'd thy private escapes
and passionate voice in this sort O Euryclea how well have we deserved to suffer this affliction in neglecting Philocles and his honest affection Admit his fortunes were poore his conversation was vertuous his life blamelesse and his love to our Daughter loyall and religious Were we to contemne him because Fortune had not so freely imparted her selfe to him Was love only to be weighed by meanes without respect to those inward endowments which conferre the best beauty on man What comfort might wee have reaped in seeing them live in constancy of love and composing their mindes to their state to bestow the residue of their dayes in content Aâ— must not be neglected whom Fortune h 'as not favoured It is blinde love that is directed by such a deity And too tyrannâ—â—â— are those Parents to their Children who labour to enforce their affection It may be said Euryclea that her distemper for all this opinion of her Doctors râ—ceives ground from some other griefe For I verily think Doriclea could not so dissemble with us as to pretend love to Mardanes and reteine such a constant remembrance of Philocles Let us call forth then if you please her Maid Mellida who knowes her minde best and we shall perceive by her whether her fancy continue towards Philocles or no. Mellida who sorrowed no lesse for her Mistresse sicknesse then any for her distemper wholly declined her hopes from enjoying her Mardâ—nes acquainted them how those little short sleepes she had were full of distractions and how ever and anon she called upon Philocles Which so confirmed them as they presently gathered that his absence had begot this distemper in their languishing Daughter which highly aggravated their sorrow Gladly would they recall him so they might regaine him but they finde no hope of reliefe to their weak Daughter seeing the meanes of her cure the sole cordiall of her care was reported to have enter'd a Regular Order No hope then remain'd for her recovery being so deprived of the Object of her fancy While they were thus discoursing and descanting of their griefe one below called for Mellida which was a Messenger indeed from Mardanes with a Letter directed to Doriclea the issue of whose motion her Parents desired much to partake So aâ— presently upon Mellida's going in to her Mistresse to deliver this Letter they went in after her but with that privacy as upon the delivery and perusall of the Letter Doriclea knew not they were there The Contents of this amorous Scroule were these DOriclea you may expect that these lines should have been prevented by â—y personall attendance and trust me so they had could I have dispensed with one occasion which requires present dispatch Let not the least conceipt of disloyalty pre-possesse you I will sooner perchance then your own opinion can assure you seâ— you to consummate our joyes which by how much the longer delayed in our fruition will be more sweetned Alas good Man said Doriclea how he troubles his braines to no purpose As if his personall presence could do me any good or procure me ease No no unlesse he were transformed into Philocles and then the enjoyment of his feature would do me an infinite pleasure Surely said Mellida I could with with all my heart that we had them both in their own proper shapes I know who would be the more pretious pearle in my eye Well replyed Doriclea God send thee much good of him when thou shalt have him And if I recover my health whereof as yet I finde small hope I should make little doubt but by a device I have to possesse thee of him I pray God you may have your health restored you soon said Mellida for I am sure you cannot suffer more in your Fever then I my selfe do till I be made happy by the free enjoyment of Mardanes favour This discourse seemed strange to Doriclea's Parents for they little knew what their Daughter intended by that device howsoever they now perceived that the love she pretended to Mardanes was not reall but dissembling and that Philocles was the Man who was only interessed in her heart and that without him she despaired of health Which could not chuse but strangely perplexe her affectionate Parents who now so they might become confident of their Daughters recovery would easily incline to Philocles fancy But they were out of all hope to procure her health by this meanes seeing retired Philocles was now to his Countrey a stranger and had enter'd a strict religious Order which assured them that he had now disclaimed the title of a Lover CHAP. XXVIII Eschites undertakes upon promise of their acceptance to use his best endeavour for calling Philocles homeward and that he is resolved how Philocles time of Probation will bee quickly relinquish'd when he shall beare least hope of enjoying his Doriclea's affection WEakned daily became constant Doriclea by meanes of this her languishing distemper For now her stomack by feeding on those fancies which her loyall love to Philocles usually suggested was so sated as other nourishment she could admit none unlesse such Julips or Cordials as required no strong digestion so well became Nature sustained with the very conceipt of affection Nor is this much to be admired for if that Maide of Pâ—iâ—tiers could abstaine so many yeares from all sustenance and be surprized by no such fancy what may we imagine of Doriclea whose digestive parts were so well satisfied with the thoughts only of her dearest Philocles as no repast could comparably delight or refresh decayed Nature so much as the very conceipt or apprehension of his affectionate feature Her Parents desirous to try all meanes to allay her griefe and to banish the memory of her transplanted friend from her distemper'd minde sent for such neighbouring Maides as formerly kept her company to come to her and to invent one sport or other to passe away the lingring night or to tell Tales to solace her troubled braine which for want of sleepe was much distemper'd And many pleasant pastimes would these Countrey Girles finde out purposely to cheere her While one amongst the rest drawing â—eare the Bed-side and taking Doriclea by the hand Good Lord Mistresse said she what a stirre you make with this love I am sure for my part I am troubled with a thing as like love as can be and whether it be downeright love or no I know not but every night there appeares to my fancy a dainty proper young Man but of what Countrey I know not and to my knowledge waking I never yet saw him But trust me Mistresse I wondrously love him and if he be no Hob-Thrâ—sh nor no Robinâ— Goodfellow I could finde with all my heart to sip up a Silly-bub with him in my Fathers Broome-pasture For I shall on my conscience never love any one halfe so well And yet I know not whether I shall love him when I am waking so well as when I am sleeping nor do I know whether I should know
from Eschites cut off their further discourse for now was Philocles summoned to a more amiable task the delightfull visit of his Doriclea The absolute comfort whereof is more easily conceived then delivered for in discoveries of this nature Imagination ever becomes the best Painter Let it suffice that their first salute closed it selfe in silence discourse was supplyed with long-languishing looks Tongues had theit tyes while affection became sole Prolocutor for the heart One that had seen Philocles would have thought that he had been some professed Artist and that he was gathering the symptomes of her Malady by the motion of her pulse And for Doriclea though she durst not well forget her Fever for feare of her Father yet she found in her selfe no such distemper but she might leave her Bed and admit the style of a Bride so this dissembling love-errour might free her from censure Nor need she much fear her Parents displeasure for so propitious a Genius hâ—as breathed on Philocles as in this his returne home Hymen is ready to pronâ—unce his doome being so well accepted by the Parents for their Sonne in law This so revives their seeming-distemper'd Daughter as her Doctor may safely leave her seeing Philocles presence secures her from danger A silent expression gives the pregnant'st testimony of a deepe grounded affection where every lâ—oâ— darts forth love no other parliance was afforded to these two extasied lovers unlesse a trickling teare drain'd from the exuberance of love stole innocently from Doriclea to discover that passionate impression wrought in her amazed thoughts through affection thus were loves lines legible in both their eyes and their eyes sole intelligencers to their thoughts Much had restored Philocles to speak to Dâ—riclea no lesse had restrained Doriclea to impart to Philocles Joyes had their fresh supplyes as if some golden dreame had imparadis'd their thoughts with some glorious vision the conception whereof could not be delivered till a sacred Rite had really confirmed what their united hearts had mutually vowed Yet like a discreet jealous Girle fearing still a declining of her Parents acceptance which might beget in her a relapse or some further inconvenience she feignes the continuance of her distemper which soone after becomes clearely removed by her Parents cheerefull approvement of their loves as you shall heare hereafter CHAP. XXXI The Marriage is solemnized and with such privacy as knowne to none but their own Family Valeria who was supposed to be Euphilus Page discovers himselfe to be Philocles Sister with whose consent Euphilus marries being long before privately aâ—â—ianc'd to her FAncy which had beene so long in conceiving must now come to her full birth perfection And that which before breathed only in desires must now cheerefully aspire to action Suppose we now Doriclea to have shaken off her Fever left her Chamber to prepare her selfe for those loyall and lawfull embraces of her constant â—over Her Parents to inlarge the extent of her comforts rejoyce no lesse in their Sonne then she in her Spouse All things are provided nothing neglected that may comply with the content of two enlivened spirits so affectionately united Hands could not be wanting where hearts were so joyntly knitting Nor could there want a full Consort to cheere their assistants with complete harmony when these two affectionate Consorts so gracefully appeared in Hymens livery What would you have more to life expressed The memory of their formeâ— discomforts becomes quite exiled by this presentment Here might you see loves Metamorpâ—â—oâ—is lively acted and by such persons as their â—â—â—ractive features bestowed an infinite grace on whatsoever they presented But Love admits no Rhetorick unlesse it be that which the Orator held the sole ornament and accomplishment of an Oration which without any other adjunct completely closed it selfe in Action To make an abstract then of all conceive our late distemper'd Doriclea now recovered and perchance her feigned â—ever discovered her deare Philocles now restoâ—ed and in a new state ready to be invested her distasted Parents now attoned and all things so well composed as this long-desired Marriage is now to be solemnized and with such privacy as knowne to none but their own Family Mellida who every foot no doubt thinks of her own Sweetheart must be the only Bride-maide to her Mistresse and faithfull Euphilus the only choice Consort that must wait on Philocles The way with flowers is privately paved no Guest invited but what their owne Family afforded all things were with much secrecy carried and to good purpose as shall be hereafter declared To the Temple they come where these Nuptials are with all privacy celebrated And here Dorielea's Father takes his Daughter by the hand and playes the best part that joyfull Doriclea could ever receive from a Father Which Rite being thus solemnized and the Married Couple with their few Attendants homeward returned an other occasion of infinite joy unexpectedly arose from this auspicious meeting After dinner Philocles with his dearest Doriclea took along with them in their company his loyall and constant friend Euphâ—lus to recreate their spirits abroad to whom Philocles imparted himselfe in this sort Deare Friend though every minute of time be this day incomparably precious to me being only to be imployed in discourse with my Choice yet must I reserve ever some houres for your selfe from whom I have received not only contentment in my youth when our Studies were communicated together but from that continuate profession and expression of your love all which confirme me yours so long as I have life You have been this day a witnesse of my long-expected happinesse nor could I have one to whom I stood more indeared in all the world to witnesse it And I should hold my wishes highly crowned might I have you seazed of her whom you sometimes so much affected I meane Valeria one who though my Sister preferred you in her conceipt farre above her Brother And I must freely unbosome my selfe to you it did not a little content me to perceive such arguments of mutuall affection betwixt you But perhaps Eâ—philus your disposition becomes now estranged from those thoughts Either her meane fortunes could not content you or some aversenesse in her friends distasted you or some better hopes of preferment have so possessed you as Ualeria h 'as lost that place in your heart which she sometimes had and consequently poore Wench must be content against her will to forego what she so entirely desir'd and leave you to a Choice whom you better deserv'd You reteine a worse opinion of me Philocles then my true zeale and affection to your vertuous Sister ever yet exprest No my noble friend Ualeria never found Euphilus inconstant to this houre I have preferred her in my choice fortified my resolves against a change Nor was it a weaknesse in her fortunes that declined my love but the meane estate of a younger Brother which could not supply us with meanes how to live This was