Lover if not his Heart and thinks it easie to vanquish the Whole if she pleases and triumphs over me in her secret Imaginations Remember Damon that while you act thus in the Company and Conversation of other Beauties that every Look or Word you give in favour of 'em is an Indignity to my Reputation and which you cannot suffer if you love me truly and with Honour And assure yourself so much Vanity as you inspire in her so much Fame you rob me of for whatever Praises you give another Beauty so much you take away from mine Therefore if you Dine in Company do as others do Be generally Civil not applying yourself by Words or Looks to any particular Person Be as gay as you please Talk and laugh with all for this is not the Hour for Chagrin The Permission My Damon tho' I stint your Love I will not stint your Appetite That I would have you still improve By every new and fresh Delight Feast till Apollo hides his Head Or drink the am'rous God to Thetis Bed Be like yourself All witty gay And o're the Bottle bless the Board The listening round will all the Day Be charm'd and pleas'd with every Word Tho' Venus Son inspire your Wit 'T is the Selenian God best utters it Here talk of ev'ry thing but me Since ev'ry Thing you say with Grace If not dispos'd your Humour be And you 'd this Hour in silence pass Since something must the Subject prove Of Damon's Thoughts let it be me and Love But Damon this enfranchis'd Hour No Bounds or Laws will I impose But leave it wholly in your Pow'r What Humour to refuse or chuse I Rules prescribe but to your Flame For I your Mistress not Physician am Three a Clock Visits to Friends DAmon my Watch is juster than you imagine it would not have you live retired and solitary but permits you to go and make Visits I am not one of those that believe Love and Friendship cannot find a Place in one and the same Heart And that Man would be very unhappy who as soon as he had a Mistress should be obliged to renounce the Society of his Friends I must confess I would not that you should have so much Concern for them as you have for me for I have heard a sort of a Proverb that says He cannot be very fervent in Love who is not a little cold in Friendship You are not ignorant that when Love establishes himself in a Heart he reigns a Tyrant there and will not suffer even Friendship if it pretend to share his Empire there Cupid Love is a God whose charming Sway Both Heaven and Earth and Seas obey A Power that will not mingled be With any dull Equality Since first from Heaven which gave him Birth He rul'd the Empire of the Earth Jealous of Sov'raign Power he rules And will be Absolute in Souls I should be very angry if you had any of those Friendships which one ought to desire in a Mistress only for many times it happens that you have Sentiments a little too tender for those Amiable Persons and many times Love and Friendship are so confounded together that one cannot easily discern one from t'other I have seen a Man flatter himself with an Opinion that he had but an Esteem for a Woman when by some Turn of Fortune in her Life as Marrying or Receiving the Addresses of Men he has found by Spight and Jealousies within that that was Love which he before took for Complaisance or Friendship Therefore have a Care for such Amities are dangerous Not but that a Lover may have Fair and Generous Female-Friends whom he ought to visit and perhaps I shou'd esteem you less if I did not believe you were valued by such if I were perfectly assured they were Friends and not Lovers But have a Care you hide not a Mistress under this Veil or that you gain not a Lover by this Pretence For you may begin with Friendship and end with Love and I shou'd be equally afflicted shou'd you give it or receive it And though you charge our Sex with all the Vanity yet I often find Nature to have given you as large a Portion of that Common Crime which you wou'd shuffle off as asham'd to own and are as fond and vain of the Imagination of a Conquest as any Coquet of us all though at the same time you despise the Victim you think it adds a Trophy to your Fame And I have seen a Man dress and trick and adjust his Looks and Mien to make a Visit to a Woman he lov'd nor ever cou'd love not as for those he made to his Mistress and only for the Vanity of making a Conquest upon a Heart even unworthy of the little Pains he has taken about it And what is this but buying Vanity at the Expence of Sence and Ease and with Fatigue purchase the Name of a Conceited Fop besides that of a Dishonest Man For he who takes Pains to make himself Belov'd only to please his curious Humour tho' he should say nothing that tends to it more than by his Looks his Sighs and now and then breaking into Praises and Commendations of the Object by the Care he takes to appear well drest before her and in good order he lyes in his Looks he deceives with his Mien and Fashion and cheats with every Motion and every Grace he puts on He cozens when he Sings or Dances he dissembles when he Sighs and every thing he does that wilfully gains upon her is Malice propense Baseness and Art below a Man of Sence or Vertue And yet these Arts these Coz'nages are the common Practices of the Town What 's this but that damnable Vice of which they so reproach our Sex that of Jilting for Hearts And 't is in vain that my Lover after such foul Play shall think to appease me with saying He did it to try how easie he cou'd Conquer and of how great Force his Charms were And why shou'd I be angry if all the Town lov'd him since he lov'd none but Iris Oh foolish Pleasure How little Sence goes to the making of such a Happiness And how little Love must he have for one particular Person who wou'd wish to inspire it into all the World and yet himself pretend to be insensible But this Damon is rather what is but too much practised by your Sex than any Guilt I charge on you tho' Vanity be an Ingredient that Nature very seldom omits in the Composition of either Sex and you may be allow'd a Tincture of it at least And perhaps I am not wholly exempt from this Leaven in my Nature but accuse myself sometimes of finding a secret Joy of being ador'd tho' I even hate my Worshipper But if any such Pleasure touch my Heart I find it at the same time blushing in my Cheeks with a guilty Shame which soon checks the petty Triumph and I have a Vertue at soberer Thoughts that I find surmounts
was then if I may say so in real Agonies for your Departure 'T is a wonder a Woman so violent in all her Passions as I did not forgetting all Prudence all Considerations fly out into absolute Commands or at least Entreaties that you would give me a Moment's time longer I burst to speak with you to know a thousand things but particularly how you came to be so barbarous as to carry away all that cou'd make my Satisfaction You carry'd away my Letter and you carry'd away Lycidas I will not call him mine because he has so unkindly taken himself back 'T was with that Design you came for I saw all night with what reluctancy you spoke how coldly you entertain'd me and with what pain and uneasiness you gave me the only Conversation I value in the World I am asham'd to tell you this I know your peevish Vertue will mis-interpret me But take it how you will think of it as you please I am undone and will be free I will tell you you did not use me well I am ruin'd and will rail at you Come then I conjure you this Evening that after it I may shut those Eyes that have been too long waking I have committed a thousand Madnesses in this but you must pardon the Faults you have created Come and do so for I must see you to Night and that in a better Humour than you were last Night No more obey me as you have that Friendship for me you profess and assure your self to find a very welcome Reception from Lycidas Your Astrea LETTER III. WHEN shall we understand one another For I thought dear Lycidas you had been a Man of your Parole I will as soon believe you will forget me as that you have not remember'd the Promise you made me Confess you are the teazingest Creature in the World rather than suffer me to think you neglect me or wou'd put a slight upon me that have chosen you from all the whole Creation to give my entire Esteem to This I had assur'd you Yesterday but that I dreaded the Effects of your Censure to Day and though I scorn to guard my Tongue as hoping 't will never offend willingly yet I can with much adoe hold it when I have a great mind to say a thousand things I know will be taken in an ill sence Possibly you will wonder what compells me to write what moves me to send where I find so little Welcome nay where I meet with such Returns it may be I wonder too You say I am chang'd I had rather almost justifie an Ill than Repent maintain false Arguments than yield I am i' th' Wrong In fine Charming Friend Lycidas whatever I was since you knew me believe I am still the same in Soul and Thought but that is what shall never hurt you what shall never be but to serve you Why then did you say you wou'd not sit near me Was that my Friend was that the Esteem you profess Who grows cold first Who is chang'd and Who the Aggressor 'T is I was first in Friendship and shall be last in Constancy You by Inclination and not for want of Friends have I plac'd highest in my Esteem and for that Reason your Conversation is the most acceptable and agreeable of any in the World and for this Reason you shun mine Take your course be a Friend like a Foe and continue to impose upon me that you esteem me when you flie me Renounce your false Friendship or let me see you give it entire to Astrea LETTER IV. I Had rather dear Lycidas set my self to write to any Man on Earth than you for I fear your severe Prudence and Discretion so nice may make an ill Judgment of what I say Yet you bid me not dissemble and you need not have caution'd me who so naturally hate those little Arts of my Sex that I often run on freedoms that may well enough bear a Censure from People so scrupulous as Lycidas Nor dare I follow all my Inclinations neither nor tell all the little Secrets of my Soul Why I write them I can give no account 't is but fooling my self perhaps into an Undoing I do but by this soft Entertainment rook in my Heart like a young Gamester to make it venture its last Stake This I say may be the Danger I may come off unhurt but cannot be a Winner Why then shou'd I throw an uncertain Cast where I hazard all and you nothing Your stanch Prudence is Proof against Love and all the Bank's on my side You are so unreasonable you wou'd have me pay where I have contracted no Debt you wou'd have me give and you like a Miser wou'd distribute nothing Greedy Lycidas Unconscionable and Ungenerous You wou'd not be in Love for all the World yet wish I were so Uncharitable Wou'd my Fever Cure you or a Curse on me make you Bless'd Say Lycidas Will it I have heard when two Souls kindly meet 't is a vast Pleasure as vast as the Curse must be when Kindness is not equal and why shou'd you believe that necessary for me that will be so very incommode for you Will you Dear Lycidas allow then that you have less Good-nature than I Pray be Just till you can give such Proofs of the contrary as I shall be Judge of or give me a Reason for your Ill-nature So much for Loving Now as you are my Friend I conjure you to consider what Resolution I took up when I saw you last which methinks is a long time of seeing no Man till I saw your Face again and when you remember that you will possibly be so kind as to make what haste you can to see me again Till then have Thoughts as much in favour of me as you can for when you know me better you will believe I merit all May you be impatient and uneasie till you see me again and bating that may all the Blessings of Heaven and Earth light on you is the continued Prayers of Dear Lycidas Your True Astrea LETTER V. THough it be very late I cannot go to bed but I must tell thee I have been very Good ever since I saw thee and have been a writing and have seen no Face of Man or other Body save my own People I am mightily pleas'd with your Kindness to me to Night and 't was I hope and believe very innocent and undisturbing on both sides My Lycidas says He can be soft and dear when he please to put off his haughty Pride which is only assum'd to see how far I dare love him ununited Since then my Soul's Delight you are and may ever be assur'd I am and ever will be yours befall me what will and that all the Devils of Hell shall not prevail against thee Shew then I say my dearest Love thy native sweet Temper Shew me all the Love thou hast undissembl'd then and never till then shall I believe you love and deserve my Heart for
on with diligence and before it was Day were a considerable way off from the Town As soon as Day began to break she surveyed those that encompassed her without so much as knowing one of them and seeing that her Cries and Prayers were all in vain with these deaf Ravishers she satisfied herself with imploring the Protection of Heaven and abandon'd herself to its Conduct While she sate thus overwhelmed with grief uncertain of her Destiny she saw a Body of Horse advance towards the Troop which conducted her the Ravishers did not shun them thinking it to be Don Alvaro but when he approached more near they found it was the Prince of Portugal who was at the Head of 'em and who without foreseeing the occasion that would offer itself of serving Agnes was returning to Coimbra full of her Idea after having performed what he ought in this Expedition Agnes who did not expect him changed now her Opinion and thought that it was the Prince that had caused her to be stolen away Oh Sir said she to him having still the same Thought Is it you that have torn me from the Princess and could so cruel a Blow come from a Hand that is so dear to her what will you do with an Vnfortunate Creature who desires nothing but Death and why will you obscure the Glory of your Life by an Artifice unworthy of you This Language astonish'd the Prince no less than the Sight of Agnes had done he found by what she had said that she was taken away by force and immediately passing to the height of Rage he made her understand by one only Look that he was not the base Author of her Trouble I tear you from Constantia whose only Pleasure you are replied he What Opinion have you of Don Pedro No Madam though you see me here I am altogether innocent of the Violence that has been done you and there is nothing I will refuse to hinder it He then turned himself to behold the Ravishers but his Presence had already scattered 'em he ordered some of his Men to pursue 'em and to seize some of 'em that he might know what Authority it was that set 'em at work During this Agnes was no less confus'd than before she admir'd the Conduct of her Destiny that brought the Prince at a time when he was so necessary to her Her Inclinations to do him Justice soon repair'd the Offence her Suspicions had caus'd she was glad to have escap'd a Misfortune which appear'd certain to her but this was not a sincere Joy when she consider'd that her Lover was her Deliverer and a Lover worthy of all her Acknowledgments but who ow'd his Heart to the most amiable Princess in the World While the Prince's Men were pursuing the Ravishers of Agnes he was left almost alone with her and tho' he had always resolv'd to shun being so yet his Constancy was not Proof against so fair an Occasion Madam said he to her is it possible that Men born amongst those that obey us should be capable of offending you I never thought my self destin'd to revenge such an Offence but since Heaven has permitted you to receive it I will either perish or make them repent it Sir replied Agnes more concern'd at this course than at the Enterprize of Don Alvaro those who are wanting in their Respect to the Princess and you are not oblig'd to have any for me I do not in the least doubt but Don Alvaro was the Undertaker of this Enterprize and I judg'd what I ought to fear from him by what his Importunities have already made me suffer He is sure of the King's Protection and he will make him an Accomplice in his Crime but Sir Heaven conducted you hither happily for me and I owe you for the liberty I have of serving the Princess yet longer You will do for Constantia replied the Prince what 't is impossible not to do for you your Goodness attaches you to her and my Destiny engages me to you for ever The modest Agnes who fear'd this Discourse as much as the Misfortune she had newly shunned answer'd nothing but by down-cast Eyes and the Prince who knew the trouble she was in left her to go speak to his Men who brought back one of those that belong'd to Don Alvaro by whose Confession he found the Truth He pardon'd him thinking not fit to punish him who obey'd a Man whom the weakness of his Father had render'd powerful Afterwards they conducted Agnes back to Coimbra where her Adventure began to make a great noise The Princess was ready to die with Despair and at first thought it was only a continuation of the Design this fair Maid had of retiring but some Women that serv'd her having told the Princess that she was carried away by Violence Constantia made her Complaint to the King who regarded her not at all Madam said he to her let this fatal Plague remove itself who takes from you the Heart of your Husband and without afflicting your self for her Absence bless Heaven and me for it The Generous Princess took Agnes's part with a great deal of Courage and was then disputing her defence with the King when Don Pedro arriv'd at Coimbra The first Object that met the Prince's Eyes was Don Alvaro who was passing through one of the Courts of the Palace amidst a Croud of Courtiers whom his favour with the King drew after him This Sight made Don Pedro rage but that of the Princess and Agnes caus'd in him another sort of Emotion He easily divin'd that it was Don Pedro who had taken her from his Men and if his Fury had acted what it would it might have produc'd very sad effects Don Alvaro said the Prince to him is it thus you make use of the Authority which the King my Father has given you Have you receiv'd Employments and Power from him for no other end but to do base Actions and to commit Rapes on Ladies Are you ignorant how the Princess interests herself in all that concerns this Maid And do you not know the tender and affectionate Esteem she has for her No replied Don Alvaro with an Insolence that had like to have put the Prince past all Patience I am not ignorant of it nor of the Interest your Heart takes in her Base and treacherous as thou art replied the Prince neither the Favour which thou hast so much abused nor the Insolence which makes thee speak this should hinder me from punishing thee wert thou worthy of my Sword but there are other ways to humble thy Pride and 't is not fit for such an Arm as mine to seek so base an Imployment to punish such a Slave as thou art Don Pedro went away at these words and left Alvaro in a Rage which is not to be express'd despairing to see himself defeated in an Enterprize he thought so sure and at the Contempt the Prince shew'd him he promised himself to sacrifice all to his Revenge Tho'
same Destiny and was astonish'd at an Order which ought to have excepted him The next day Constantia appear'd but so alter'd that 't was not difficult to imagine what she had suffer'd Agnes was the most impatient to approach her and the Princess could not forbear weeping They were both silent for some time and Constantia attributed this Silence of Agnes to some Remorse which she felt and this unhappy Maid being able to hold no longer Is it possible Madam said she that two Days should have taken from me all the Goodness you had for me What have I done And for what do you punish me The Princess regarded her with a languishing look and return'd her no Answer but Sighs Agnes offended at this Reserve went out with very great Dissatisfaction and Anger which contributed to her being thought criminal The Prince came in immediately after and found Constantia more disorder'd than usual and conjur'd her in a most obliging manner to take care of her Health The greatest good for me said she is not the Continuation of my Life I should have more Care of it if I lov'd you less but She could not proceed and the Prince excessively afflicted at her trouble sigh'd sadly without making her any Answer which redoubled her Grief Spight then began to mix itself and all things perswading the Princess that they made a Sacrafice of her she would enter into no Explanation with her Husband but suffer'd him to go away without saying any thing to him Nothing is more capable of troubling our Reason and consuming our Health then secret Notions of Jealousie in Solitude Constantia who us'd to open her Heart freely to Agnes now believing she had deceiv'd her abandon'd herself so absolutely to Grief that she was ready to sink under it she immediately fell sick with the violence of it and all the Court was concern'd at this Misfortune Don Pedro was truly afflicted at it but Agnes more than all the World beside Constantia's Coldness towards her made her continually sigh and her Distemper created meerly by Fancy caus'd her to reflect on every thing that offer'd itself to her Memory so that at last she began even to fear herself and to reproach herself for what the Princess suffer'd But the Distemper began to be such that they fear'd Constantia's Death and she herself began to feel the Approaches of it This Thought did not at all disquiet her she look'd on Death as the only Relief from all her Torments and regarded the Despair of all that approach'd her without the least concern The King who lov'd her tenderly and who knew her Vertue was infinitely mov'd at the Extremity she was in And Don Alvaro who lost not the least Occasion of making him understand that it was Jealousie which was the Cause of Constantia 's Distemper did but too much incense him against Criminals worthy of Compassion The King was not of a Temper to conceal his Anger long You give fine Examples said he to the Prince and such as will render your Memory illustrious and the Death of Constantia of which you are only to be accus'd of is the unhappy Fruit of your guilty Passion Fear Heaven after this and behold yourself as a Monster that does not deserve to see the Light If the Interest you have in my Blood did not plead for you what ought you not to fear from my just Resentment But what must not Imprudent Agnes to whom nothing ties me expect from my hands If Constantia dyes she who has the Boldness in my Court to cherish a foolish Flame by vain Hopes and make us lose the most Amiable Princess whom thou art not worthy to possess shall feel the Effects of her Indiscretion Don Pedro knew very well that Constantia was not ignorant of his Sentiments for Agnes but he knew also with what Moderation she receiv'd it He was very sensible of the King's Reproaches but as his Fault was not voluntary and that a commanding Power a fatal Star had forc'd him to love in spight of himself he appear'd afflicted and confus'd You condemn me Sir answered he without having well examin'd me and if my Intentions were known to you perhaps you would not find me so criminal I would take the Princess for my Judge whom you say I sacrifice if she were in a condition to be consulted If I am guilty of any Weakness her Justice never reproach'd me for it and my Tongue never inform'd Agnes of it But suppose I have committed any Fault why wou'd you punish an Innocent Lady who perhaps condemns me for it as much as you Ah Villain interrupted the King she has but too much favour'd you You would not have lov'd thus long had she not made you some Returns Sir reply'd the Prince pierced with Grief for the Outrage that was committed against Agnes you offend a Vertue than which nothing can be purer and those Expressions which break from your Choler are not worthy of you Agnes never granted me any Favours I never asked any of her and I protest to Heaven I never thought of any thing contrary to the Duty I owe Constantia As they thus argued one of the Princess's Women came all in Tears to acquaint Don Pedro That the Princess was in the last Extremities of Life Go see thy fatal Work said the King and expect from a too-long-patient Father the Vsage thou deserv'st The Prince ran to Constantia whom he found dying and Agnes in a swoon in the Arms of some of the Ladies What caus'd this double Calamity was that Agnes who could suffer no longer the Indifferency of the Princess had conjur'd her to tell her what was her Crime and either to take her Life from her or restore her Friendship Constantia who found she must die could no longer keep her secret Affliction from Agnes and after some Words which were a Preparative to the sad Explanation she shew'd her that fatal Billet which Elvira had caus'd to be written Ah! Madam cry'd out the fair Agnes after having read it Ah Madam How many cruel Inquietudes had you spar'd me had you open'd your Heart to me with your wonted Bounty 'T is easy to see that this Letter is counterfeit and that I have Enemies without compassion Cou'd you believe the Prince so Impudent to make use of any other hand but his own on an occasion like this And do you believe me so Simple to keep about me this Testimony of my Shame with so little Precaution You are neither betray'd by your Husband nor me I attest Heaven and those Efforts I have made to leave Coimbra Alas my dear Princess how little have you known her whom you have so much honour'd Do not believe that when I have justify'd myself I will have any more Communication with the World No no there will be no Retreat far enough from hence for me I will take care to hide this unlucky Face where it shall be sure to do no more Harm The Princess touch'd at this
Youth continu'd she with a tender Tone to the Cruelty of Don Alvaro Live Sir live and let the unhappy Agnes be the only Sacrifice Alas cruel Maid interrupted Don Pedro why do you command me to live if I cannot live with you Is it an effect of your Hatred No Sir replyed Agnes I do not hate you and I wish to God that I cou'd be indifferent that I might be able to defend myself against the Weakness with which I find myself possess'd Oblige me to say no more Sir You see my Blushes interpret them as you please but consider yet that the less Aversion I find I have for you the more culpable I am and that I ought no more to see or speak to you In fine Sir if you oppose my Retreat I declare to you that Don Alvaro as odious as he is to me shall serve for a Defence against you and that I will sooner consent to marry a Man I abhor than to favour a Passion that cost Constantia her Life Well then Agnes reply'd the Prince with looks all languishing and dying follow the Motions which barbarous Vertue inspires you with take those Measures you judge necessary against an unfortunate Lover and enjoy the Glory of having cruelly refus'd me At these Words he went away and as troubled as Agnes was she would not stay him Her Courage combated with her Grief and she thought now more than ever of departing 'T was difficult for her to go out of Coimbra and not to defer what appear'd to her so necessary she went immediately to the Apartment of the King notwithstanding the interest of Don Alvaro the King receiv'd her with a Countenance severe not being able to consent to what she demanded You shall not go hence said he and if you are wise you shall enjoy here with Don Alvaro both my Friendship and my Favour I have taken another Resolution answer'd Agnes and the World has no part in it You will accept Don Pedro reply'd the King his Fortune is sufficient to satisfie an Ambitious Maid But you will not succeed Constantia who lov'd you so tenderly and Spain has Princesses enough to fill up part of the Throne which I shall leave him Sir reply'd Agnes piqu'd at this Discourse If I had a disposition to Love and a design to Marry perhaps the Prince might be the only Person on whom I would fix 'em And you know if my Ancestors did not possess Crowns yet they were worthy to wear ' em But let it be how it will I am resolv'd to depart and to remain no longer a Slave in a place to which I came Free This bold Answer which shew'd the Character of Agnes anger'd and astonish'd the King You shall go when we think fit reply'd he and without being a Slave at Coimbra you shall attend our Orders Agnes saw she must stay and was so griev'd at it that she kept her Chamber several days without daring to inform herself of the Prince and this Retirement spar'd her the Affliction of being visited by Don Alvaro During this Don Pedro fell sick and was in so great Danger that there was a general Apprehension of his Death Agnes did not in the least doubt but it was an Effect of his Discontent she thought at first she had strength and resolution enough to see him die rather than to favour him but had she reflected a little she had soon been convinc'd to the contrary She found not in her Heart that cruel Constancy she thought there so well establish'd she felt Pains and Inquietude shed Tears made Wishes and in fine discover'd that she Lov'd 'T was impossible to see the Heir of the Crown a Prince that deserv'd so well even at the point of Death without a general Affliction The People who lov'd him pass'd whole days at the Palace-gate to hear News of him The Court was all overwhelm'd with Grief Don Alvaro knew very well how to conceal a malicious Joy under an Appearance of Sadness Elvira full of Tenderness and perhaps of Remorse suffer'd also on her side The King altho' he condemn'd the Love of his Son yet still had a Tenderness for him and cou'd not resolve to lose him Agnes de Castro who knew the Cause of his Distemper expected the end of it with strange Anxieties In fine after a Month had pass'd away in Fears they began to have a little Hopes of his Recovery The Prince and Don Alvaro were the only Persons that were not glad of it But Agnes rejoyc'd enough for all the rest Don Pedro seeing that he must live whether he wou'd or no thought of nothing but passing his days in Melancholly and Discontent As soon as he was in a condition to walk he sought out the most solitary Places and gain'd so much upon his own Weakness to go every-where where Agnes was not but her Idea follow'd him always and his Memory faithful to represent her to him with all her Charms render'd her always dangerous One day when they had carry'd him into the Garden he sought out a Labyrinth which was at the farthest part of it to hide his Melancholly during some hours there he found the sad Agnes whom Grief little different from his had brought thither the sight of her whom he expected not made him tremble She saw by his pale and meagre Face the remains of his Distemper his Eyes full of Languishment troubled her and tho' her desire was so great to have fled from him an unknown Power stopt her and 't was impossible for her to go After some Moments of Silence which many Sighs interrupted Don Pedro rais'd himself from the place where his Weakness had forc'd him to sit he made Agnes see as he approached her the sad Marks of his Sufferings and not content with the Pity he saw in her Eyes 〈◊〉 have resolv'd my Death then Cruel Agnes said he my desire was the same with yours but Heaven has thought fit to reserve me for other Misfortunes and I see you again as unhappy but more in love than ever There was no need of these Words to move Agnes to Compassion the Languishment of the Prince spoke enough And the Heart of this fair Maid was but too much dispos'd to yield itself She thought then that Constantia ought to be satisfied Love which combated for Don Pedro triumphed over Friendship and found that happy Moment for which the Prince of Portugal had so long sighed Do not reproach me for that which has cost me more than you Sir reply'd she and do not accuse a 〈◊〉 which is neither Ingrateful nor Barbarous and I must tell you that I love you But now I have made you that Confession what is it farther that you require of me Don Pedro who expected not a Change so favourable felt a double Satisfaction and falling at the Feet of Agnes he express'd more by the Silence his Passion created than he could have done by the most eloquent Words After having known all his good Fortune
every Hour you will find written what you ought to do during its Course and every Half-hour is marked with a Sigh since the quality of a Lover is to sigh day and night Sighs are the Children of Lovers that are born every hour And that my Watch may always be just Love himself ought to conduct it and your Heart should keep Time with the Movement My Present's delicate and new If by your Heart the Motion 's set According as that 's false or true You 'll find my Watch will answer it Every hour is tedious to a Lover separated from his Mistress and to shew you how good I am I will have my Watch instruct you to pass some of them without Inquietude that the force of your Imagination may sometimes charm the Trouble you have for my Absence Perhaps I am mistaken here My Heart may too much Credit give But Damon you can charm my Fear And soon my Error undeceive But I will not disturb my Repose at this time with a Jealousie which I hope is altogether frivolous and vain but begin to instruct you in the Mysteries of my Watch Cast then your Eyes upon the Eighth Hour in the Morning which is the Hour I would have you begin to wake You will find there written Eight a Clock Agreeable Reverie DO not rise yet you may find Thoughts agreeable enough when you awake to entertain you longer in Bed And 't is in that hour you ought to recollect all the Dreams you had in the Night If you have dream'd any thing to my Advantage confirm yourself in that thought but if to my Disadvantage renounce it and disown the injurious Dream 'T is in this Hour also that I give you leave to reflection all that I have ever said and done that has been most obliging to you and that gives you the most tender Sentiments The Reflection Remember Damon while your mind Reflects on things that charm and please You give me Proofs that you are kind And set my doubting Soul at ease For when your Heart receives with Joy The thoughts of Favours which I give My Smiles in vain I not imploy And on the Square we love and live Think then on all I ever did That e're was charming e're was dear Let nothing from that Soul be hid Whose Griefs and Joys I feel and share All that your Love and Faith have sought All that your Vows aad Sighs have bought Now render present to your Thought And for what 's to come I give you leave Damon to flatter your self and to expect I shall still pursue those Methods whose remembrance charms so well But if it be possible conceive these kind Thoughts between Sleeping and Waking that all my too forward Complaisance my Goodness and my Tenderness which I confess to have for you may pass for half Dreams for 't is most certain That though the Favours of the Fair Are ever to the Lover dear Yet lest he should reproach that easie Flame That buys its Satisfaction with its Shame She ought but rarely to confess How much she finds of Tenderness Nicely to guard the yielding part And hide the hard-kept Secret in her Heart For let me tell you Damon though the Passion of a Woman of Honour be never so innocent and the Lover never so discreet and honest her Heart feels I know not what of Reproach within at the Reflection of any Favours she has allow'd him For my part I never call to mind the least soft or kind Word I have spoken to Damon without finding at the same instant my Face cover'd over with Blushes and my Heart with sensible Pain I sigh at the Remembrance of every Touch I have stol'n from his Hand and have upbraided my Soul which confesses so much guilty Love as that secret desire of Touching him made appear I am angry at the Discovery though I am pleas'd at the same time with the Satisfaction I take in doing so and ever disorder'd at the remembrance of such Arguments of too much Love And these unquiet Sentiments alone are sufficient to perswade me that our Sex cannot be reserv'd too much And I have often on these occasions said to my self The Reserve Though Damon every Vertue have With all that pleases in his Form That can adorn the Just and Brave That can the coldest Bosom warm Though Wit and Honour there abound Yet the Pursuer's ne'r pursu'd And when my Weakness he has found His Love will sink to Gratitude While on the Asking Part he lives 'T is she th' Obliger is who gives And he that at one throw the Stake has won Gives over Play since all the Stock is gone And what dull Gamester ventures certain Store With Losers who can set no more Nine a Clock Design to please no Body I Should continue to accuse you of that Vice I have often done that of Laziness if you remain'd past this Hour in Bed 't is time for you to rise my Watch tells you 't is Nine a Clock Remember that I am absent therefore do not take too much pains in dressing your self and setting your Person off The Question Tell me What can he design Who in his Mistress absence will be fine Why does he Cock and Comb and Dress Why is the Cravat-string in print What does th' Embroyder'd Coat confess Why to the Glass this long Address If there be nothing in 't If no new Conquest is design'd If no Beauty fill his Mind Let Fools and Fops whose Talents lie In being neat in being spruce Be drest in vain and tawdery With Men of Sence 't is out of use The only Folly that Distinction sets Between the noisie flutt'ring Fools and Wits Remember Iris is away And sighing to your Valet cry Spare your Perfumes and Care to day I have no business to be gay Since Iris is not by I 'll be all negligent in Dress And scarce set off for Complaisance Put me on nothing that may please But only such as may give no Offence Say to your self as you are Dressing Would it please Heaven that I mightsee Iris to day But oh 't is impossible Therefore all that I shall see will be but indifferent Objects since 't is Iris only that I wish to see And sighing wisper to your self The Sigh Ah! Charming Object of my wishing Thought Ah! Soft Idea of a distant Bliss That only art in Dreams and Fancy brought To give short Intervals of Happiness But when I waking find thou absent art And with thee all that I adore What Pains what Anguish fills my Heart What Sadness seizes me all o're All entertainments I neglect Since Iris is no longer there Beauty scarce claims my bare Respect Since in the Throng I find not her Ah then How vain it were to dress and show Since all I wish to please is absent now 'T is with these Thoughts Damon that your Mind ought to be employed during your time of Dressing And you are too knowing in Love to be ignorant That
most certainly now render'd the most glorious Palace in the Christian World And had our late Gracious Soveraign of blessed Memory had no other Miracles and Wonders of his Life and Reign to have immortaliz'd his Fame of which there shall remain a Thousand to Posterity this Noble Structure alone this Building almost Divine would have eterniz'd the great Name of Glorious Charles the Second till the World moulder again to its old Confusion its first Chaos And the Paintings of the famous Vario and Noble Carvings of the unimitable Gibon shall never die but remain to tell succeeding Ages that all Arts and Learning were not confin'd to ancient Rome and Greece but that England too could boast its mightiest Share Nor is the In-side of this Magnificent Structure immortaliz'd with so many eternal Images of the Illustrious Charles and Katherine more to be admir'd than the wondrous Prospects without The stupendious Heighth on which the famous Pile is built renders the Fields and Flowery Meads below the Woods the Thickets and the winding Streams the most delightful Object that ever Nature produc'd Beyond all these and far below in an inviting Vale the venerable College an Old but Noble Building raises itself in the midst of all the Beauties of Nature high-grown Trees fruitful Plains purling Rivulets and spacious Gardens adorn'd with all Variety of Sweets that can delight the Senses At farther distance yet on an Ascent almost as high as that to the Royal Structure you may behold that famous and noble Clifdon Rise a Palace erected by the illustrious Duke of Buckingham Who will leave this wondrous Piece of Architecture to inform the future World of the Greatness and Delicacy of his Mind it being for its Situation its Prospects and its marvellous Contrivances one of the finest Villa's of the World at least were it finish'd as begun and would sufficiently declare the magnifick Soul of the Hero that caus'd it to be built and contriv'd all its Fineness And this makes up not the least part of the beautiful Prospect from the Palace-Royal while on the other side lies spread a fruitful and delightful Park and Forest well stor'd with Deer and all that make the Prospect charming fine Walks Groves distant Valleys Downs and Hills and all that Nature could invent to furnish out a quiet soft Retreat for the most Fair and most Charming of Queens and the most Heroick Good and Just of Kings And these Groves alone are fit and worthy to divert such Earthly Gods Nor can Heaven Nature or Humane Art contrive an Addition to this Earthly Paradise unless those great Inventors of the Age Sir Samuel Morland or Sir Robert Gorden cou'd by the Power of Engines convey the Water so into the Park and Castle as to furnish it with delightful Fountains both useful and beautiful These are only wanting to render the Place all Perfection without Exception This Damon is a long Digression from the Business of my Heart but you know I am so in Love with that charming Court that when you gave me an Occasion by your being there now but to name the Place I could not forbear transgressing a little in favour of its wondrous Beauty and the rather because I wou'd in recounting it give you to understand how many fine Objects there are besides the Ladies that adorn it to employ your vacant Moments in and hope you will without my Instructions pass a great part of your idle Time in surveying these Prospects and give that Admiration you shou'd pay to living Beauty to those more venerable Monuments of everlasting Fame Neither need I Damon assign you your waiting Times your Honour Duty Love and Obedience will instruct you when to be near the Person of the King and I believe you will omit no part of that Devoir You ought to establish your Fortune aud your Glory For I am not of the Mind of those Critical Lovers who believe it a very hard Matter to reconcile Love and Interest to adore a Mistress and serve a Master at the same time And I have heard those who on this Subject say Let a Man be never so careful in these double Duties 't is Ten to One but he loses his Fortune or his Mistress These are Errors that I condemn And I know that Love and Ambition are not incompatible but that a brave Man may preserve all his Duties to his Soveraign and his Passion and his Respect for his Mistress And this is my Notion of it Love and Ambition The Nobler Lover who wou'd prove Vncommon in Address Let him Ambition joyn with Love With Glory Tenderness But let the Vertues so be mixt That when to Love he goes Ambition may not come betwixt Nor Love his Power oppose The vacant Hours from softer Sport Let him give up to Int'rest and the Court. 'T is Honour shall his Bus'ness be And Love his Noblest Play Those two should never disagree For both make either gay Love without Honour were too mean For any gallant Heart And Honour singly but a Dream Where Love must have no part A Flame like this you cannot fear Where Glory claims an equal Share Such a Passion Damon can never make you quit any part of your Duty to your Prince And the Monarch you serve is so gallant a Master that the Inclination you have to his Person obliges you to serve him as much as your Duty for Damon's Loyal Soul loves the Man and adores the Monarch for he is certainly all that compels both by a charming force and Goodness from all Mankind The King Darling of Bellona's Care The second Deity of War Delight of Heaven and Joy of Earth Born for great and wondrous things Destin'd at his Auspicious Birth T' out do the num'rous Race of long-past Kings Best Representative of Heaven To whom its chiefest Attributes are given Great Pious Stedfast Just and Brave To Vengeance slow but swift to save Dispencing Mercy all abroad Soft and Forgiving as a God! Thou Saving Angel who preserv'st the Land From the Just Rage of the Avenging Hand Stopt the dire Plague that o'er the Earth was hurl'd And sheathing thy Almighty Sword Calm'd the wild Fears of a distracted World As Heaven first made it with a sacred Word But I will stop the low Flight of my humble Muse who when she is upon the Wing on this Glorious Subject knows no Bounds And all the World has agreed to say so much of the Vertues and Wonders of this great Monarch that they have left me nothing new to say though indeed he every day gives us new Themes of his growing Greatness and we see nothing that equals him in our Age. Oh how happy are we to obey his Laws for he is the greatest of Kings and the best of Men You will be very unjust Damon if you do not confess I have acquitted myself like a Maid of Honour of all the Obligations I owe you upon the account of the Discretion I lost to you If it be not valuable enough
of his Eyes which were sometimes stedfastly fix'd on the Ground then lifted up to her or Heaven for he cou'd see nothing more Beautiful on Earth she made use of the Privilege of her Sex and began the Discourse first to this effect Has any thing happen'd Sir since our retreat hither to occasion that Disorder which is but too visible in your Face and too dreadful in your hitherto continu'd silence Speak I beseech you Sir and let me know if I have any way unhappily contributed to it No Madam reply'd he my Friendship is now likely to be the only cause of my greatest Misery for to morrow I must be guilty of an unpardonable Crime in betraying the generous Confidence which your noble Father has plac'd in me To morrow added he with a pitious Sigh I must deliver you into the Hands of one whom your Father hates even to death instead of doing my self the Honour of becoming his Son-in-Law within a few Days more But I will consider and remind my self that I give you into the hands of my Friend of my Friend that Loves you better than his Life which he has often expos'd for your sake and what is more than All to my Friend whom you Love more than any Consideration on Earth And must this be done she ask'd Is it inevitable as Fate Fix'd as the Laws of Nature Madam reply'd he Don't you find the Necessity of it Ardelia continu'd he by way of Question Does not your Love require it Think you are going to your Dear Antonio who alone can merit you and whom only you can love Were your last words true return'd she I shou'd yet be unhappy in the Displeasure of a Dear and Tender Father and infinitely more in being the cause of your Infidelity to him No Don Henrique continu'd she I cou'd with greater Satisfaction return to my miserable Confinement than by any means disturb the Peace of your Mind or occasion one moment's interruption of your Quiet Wou'd to Heaven you did not sigh'd he to himself Then addressing his words more distinctly to her cry'd he Ah Cruel Ah Unjust Ardelia These Words belong to none but Antonio why then wou'd you endeavour to persuade me that I do or ever can merit the Tenderness of such an Expression Have a care pursu'd he Have a care Ardelia your outward Beauties are too powerful to be resisted even your Frowns have such a sweetness that it attracts the very Soul that is not strongly prepossess'd with the noblest Friendship and the highest Principles of Honour Why then alas did you add such Sweet and Charming Accents Why Ah Don Henrique she interrupted why did you appear to me so Charming in your Person so great in your Friendship and so Illustrious in your Reputation Why did my Father e'er since your first Visit continually fill my Ears and Thoughts with Noble Characters and Glorious Idea's which yet but imperfectly and faintly represent the Inimitable Original But what is most severe and cruel why Don Henrique why will you defeat my Father in his Ambition of your Alliance and me of those glorious Hopes with which you had bless'd my Soul by casting me away from you to Antonio Ha! cry'd he starting What said you Madam What did Ardelia say That I had bless'd your Soul with Hopes That I wou'd cast you away to Antonio Can they who safely arrive in their wish'd for Port be said to be Shipwrack'd Or Can an Abject Indigent Wretch make a King These are more than Riddles Madam and I must not think to Expound ' em No said she Let it alone Don Henrique I 'll ease you of that trouble and tell you plainly that I Love you Ah! cry'd he now all my Fears are come upon me How ask'd she Were you afraid I shou'd Love you Is my Love so dreadful then Yes when misplac'd reply'd he but 't was your Falshood that I fear'd Your Love were what I wou'd have sought with utmost hazard of my Life nay even of my Future Happiness I fear had you not been Engag'd strongly oblig'd to Love else where both by your own Choice and Vows as well as by his dangerous Services and matchless Constancy For which said she I do not Hate him though his Father kill'd my Uncle Nay perhaps continu'd she I have a Friendship for him but no more No more said you Madam cry'd he But tell me Did you never Love him Indeed I did reply'd she but the Sight of You has better instructed me both in my Duty to my Father and in causing my Passion for you without whom I shall be eternally miserable Ah then pursue your honourable Proposal and make my Father happy in my Marriage It must not be return'd Don Henrique my Honour my Friendship forbids it No she return'd your Honour requires it and if your Friendship opposes your Honour it can have no sure nor solid Foundation Female Sophistry cry'd Henrique But you need no Art nor Artifice Ardelia to make me Love you Love you pursu'd he By that bright Sun the Light and Heat of all the World You are my only Light and Heat Oh Friendship Sacred Friendship now assist me Here for a time he paus'd and then afresh proceeded thus You told me or my Ears deceiv'd me that you Lov'd me Ardelia I did she reply'd and that I do Love you is as true as that I told you so 'T is well But wou'd it were not so Did ever Man receive a Blessing thus Why I cou'd wish I did not Love you Ardelia But that were impossible At least unjust interrupted she Well then he went on to shew you that I do sincerely consult your particular Happiness without any regard to my own to morrow I will give you to Don Antonio and as a Proof of your Love to me I expect your ready Consent to it To let you see Don Henrique how perfectly and tenderly I Love you I will be sacrific'd to morrow to Don Antonio and to your Quiet Oh Strangest Dearest Obligation cry'd Henrique To morrow then as I have told your Father I am to bring you to see the Dearest Friend I have on Earth who dare not appear within this City for some unhappy Reasons and therefore cannot be present at our Nuptials for which cause I cou'd not but think it my Duty to one so nearly related to my Soul to make him happy in the Sight of my Beautiful Choice e're yet she be my Bride I hope said she my Loving Obedience may merit your Compassion and that at last e're the Fire is lighted that must consume the Offering I mean the Marriage-Tapers alluding to the old Roman Ceremony that you or some other pitying Angel will snatch me from the Altar Ah No more Ardelia Say no more cry'd he we must be Cruel to be Just to our selves Here their Discourse ended and they walk'd into the House where they sound the Good Old Gentleman and his Lady with whom he stay'd till about an Hour after Supper
when he return'd to his Friend with joyful News but a sorrowful Heart Antonio was all Rapture with the Thoughts of the approaching Day which though it brought Don Henrique and his Dear Ardelia to him about Five a clock in the Evening yet at the same time brought his last and greatest Misfortune He saw her then at a She-Relations of his about three Miles from Sevil which was the Place assign'd for their fatal Interview He saw her I say but Ah! how strange how alter'd from the Dear Kind Ardelia she was when last he left her 'T is true he flew to her with Arms expanded and with so swift and eager a motion that she cou'd not avoid nor get loose from his Embrace till he had kiss'd and sigh'd and dropt some Tears which all the strength of his Mind cou'd not restrain whether they were the effects of Joy or whether which rather may be fear'd they were the Heat-drops which preceded and threaten'd the Thunder and Tempest that shou'd fall on his Head I cannot positively say yet all this she was then forc'd to endure e're she had liberty to speak or indeed to breathe But as soon as she had freed her self from the Loving Circle that shou'd have been the dear and lov'd Confinement or Centre of a Faithful Heart she began to dart whole showers of Tortures on him from her Eyes which that Mouth that he had but just before so tenderly and sacredly kiss'd seconded with whole volleys of Deaths cramm'd in every Sentence pointed with the keenest Affliction that ever pierc'd a Soul Antonio she began you have treated me now as if you were never like to see me more and wou'd to Heav'n you were not Ha! cry'd he starting and staring wildly on her What said you Madam What said you my Ardelia If you like the Repetition Take it reply'd she unmov'd Wou'd to Heav'n you were ne'er like to see me more Good Very Good cry'd he with a Sigh that threw him trembling into a Chair behind him and gave her the opportunity of proceeding thus Yet Antonio I must not have my Wish I must continue with you not out of Choice but by Command by the strictest and severest Obligation that ever bound Humanity Don Henrique your Friend Commands it Don Henrique the Dearest Object of my Soul Enjoins it Don Henrique whose only Aversion I am will have it so Oh Do not wrong me Madam cry'd Don Henrique Lead me Lead me a little more by the Light of your Discourse I beseech you said Don Antonio that I may see your Meaning for hitherto 't is Darkness all to me Attend therefore with your best Faculties pursu'd Ardelia and know That I do most sincerely and most passionately Love Don Henrique and as a Proof of my Love to him I have this Day consented to be deliver'd up to you by Him not for your sake in the least Antonio but purely to sacrifice all the Quiet of my Life to his Satisfaction And now Sir continu'd she addressing her self to Don Henrique Now Sir if you can be so cruel execute your own most dreaded Decree and join our Hands though our Hearts ne'er can meet All this to Try me It 's too much Ardelia said Antonio And then turning to Don Henrique he went on Speak Thou if yet thou' rt not Apostate to our Friendship Yet Speak however Speak though the Devil has been Tampering with Thee too Thou art a Man a Man of Honour once And when I forfeit my just Title to that interrupted Don Henrique may I be made most miserable May I lose the Blessings of thy Friendship May I lose Thee Say on then Henrique cry'd Antonio And I charge thee by all the Sacred Tyes of Friendship say Is this a Trial of me Is 't Elusion Sport or shameful murtherous Truth O! my Soul burns within me and I can bear no longer Tell Speak Say on Here with folded Arms and Eyes fix'd stedfastly on Henrique he stood like a Statue without motion unless sometimes when his swelling Heart rais'd his o'er-charg'd Breast After a little Pause and a hearty Sigh or two Henrique began Oh Antonio O my Friend prepare thy self to hear yet more dreadful Accents I am pursu'd he unhappily the Greatest and most Innocent Criminal that e'er till now offended I Love her Antonio I Love Ardelia with a Passion strong and violent as Thine Oh summon all that us'd to be more than Man about thee to suffer to the end of my Discourse which nothing but a Resolution like Thine can bear I know it by my self Though there be Wounds Horror and Death in each Syllable interrupted Antonio yet prithee now go on but with all haste I will return'd Don Henrique though I feel my own Words have the same cruel effects on me I say again my Soul Loves Ardelia And how can it be otherwise Have we not Both the self-same Appetites the same Disgusts How then cou'd I avoid my Destiny that has decreed that I shou'd Love and Hate just as you do Oh hard Necessity that oblig'd you to use Me in the Recovery of this Lady Alas Can you think that any Man of Sense or Passion cou'd have seen and not have Lov'd her Then how shou'd I whose Thoughts are Unisons to Yours evade those Charms that had prevail'd on you And now to let you know 't is no Elusion no Sport but serious and amazing woful Truth Ardelia best can tell you whom she Loves What I've already said is true by Heav'n cry'd she 'T is you Don Henrique whom I only Love and who alone can give me Happiness Ah wou'd you wou'd With you Antonio I must remain Unhappy Wretched Curs'd Thou art my Hell Don Henrique is my Heaven And Thou art mine return'd he which here I part with to my Dearest Friend Then taking her Hand Pardon me Antonio pursu'd he that I thus take my last Farewell of all the Tasts of Bliss from your Ardelia at this moment At which words he kiss'd her Hand and gave it to Don Antonio who receiv'd it and gently press'd it close to his Heart as if he wou'd have her feel the Disorders she had caus'd there Be Happy Antonio cry'd Henrique Be very Tender of her To morrow early I shall hope to see thee Ardelia pursu'd he all Happiness and Joy surround Thee May'st thou ne'er want those Blessings thou canst give Antonio Farewell to Both added he going out Ay cry'd she Farewell to all Joys Blessings Happiness if you forsake me Yet do not go Ah Cruel continu'd she seeing him quit the Room But you shall take my Soul with you Here she swooned away in Don Antonio's Arms who though he was happy that he had her fast there yet was oblig'd to call in his Cousin and Ardelia's Attendants e're she cou'd be perfectly recover'd In the mean while Don Henrique had not the power to go out of sight of the House but wander'd to and fro about it distracted in his Soul and not being able
a removal to his own House All their Care and Diligence was however ineffectual for she languish'd even to the least hope of Recovery till immediately after the first Visit of Don Henrique which was the first he made in a Month's time and that by Night incognito with her Father her Distemper visibly retreated each day yet when at last she enjoy'd a perfect Health of Body her Mind grew sick and she plung'd into a deep Melancholy which made her entertain a positive Resolution of taking the Veil at the end of her Novitiate which accordingly she did notwithstanding all the Entreaties Prayers and Tears both of her Father and Lover But she soon repented her Vow and often wish'd that she might by any means see and speak to Don Henrique by whose help she promis'd to her self a Deliverance out of her voluntary Imprisonment Nor were his Wishes wanting to the same effect though he was forc'd to flie into Italy to avoid the Prosecution of Antonio's Friends Thither she pursu'd him nor cou'd he any way shun her unless he cou'd have left his Heart at a distance from his Body Which made him take a fatal Resolution of returning to Sevil in Disguise where he wander'd about the Convent every Night like a Ghost for indeed his Soul was within while his Inanimate Trunk was without till at last he found means to convey a Letter to her which both surpriz'd and delighted her The Messenger that brought it her was one of her Mother-in-Laws Maids whom he had known before and met accidentally one night as he was going his Rounds and she coming out from Ardelia with her he prevail'd and with Gold oblig'd her to Secrecy and Assistance which prov'd so successful that he understood from Ardelia her strong desire of Liberty and the continuance of her Passion for him together with the Means and Time most convenient and likely to succeed for her Enlargement The Time was the Fourteenth Night following at Twelve a clock which just compleated a Month since his return thither at which time they Both promis'd themselves the greatest Happiness on Earth But you may observe the justice of Heaven in their Disappointment Don Sebastian who still pursu'd him with a most implacable Hatred had trac'd him even to Italy and there narrowly missing him posted after him to Toledo so sure and secret was his Intelligence As soon as he arriv'd he went directly to the Convent where his Sister Elvira had been one of the Profess'd ever since Don Henrique had forsaken her and where Ardelia had taken her Repented Vow Elvira had all along conceal'd the Occasion of her coming thither from Ardelia and though she was her only Confident and knew the whole Story of her Misfortunes and heard the Name of Don Henrique repeated an hundred times a day whom still she Lov'd most perfectly yet never gave her Beautiful Rival any cause of suspicion that she Lov'd him either by Words or Looks nay more when she understood that Don Henrique came to the Convent with Ardelia and Antonio and at other times with her Father yet she had so great a command of her self as to refrain seeing him or to be seen by him nor ever intended to have spoken or writ to him had not her Brother Don Sebastian put her upon the cruel necessity of doing the last who coming to visit his Sister as I have said before found her with Donna Ardelia whom he never remembred to have seen nor who ever had seen him but twice and that was about Six Years before when she was but Ten Years of Age when she fell passionately in Love with him and continu'd her Passion till about the Fourteenth Year of her Empire when the unhappy Antonio first began his Court to her Don Sebastian was really a very desirable Person being at that time very Beautiful his Age not exceeding Six and twenty of a sweet Conversation very Brave but Revengeful and Irreconcileable like most of his Countrey-men and of an Honourable Family At the sight of him Ardelia felt her former Passion renew which proceeded and continu'd with such Violence that it utterly defac'd the Idea's of Antonio and Henrique No wonder that she who cou'd resolve to forsake her God for Man shou'd quit one Lover for another In short she then only wish'd that he might Love her equally and then she doubted not of contriving the means of their Happiness betwixt ' em She had her Wish and more if possible for he Lov'd her beyond the thought of any other present or future Blessing and fail'd not to let her know it at the second Interview when he receiv'd the greatest Pleasure he cou'd have wish'd next to the Joys of a Bridal Bed For she confess'd her Love to him and presently put him upon thinking on the means of her Escape but not finding his Designs so likely to succeed as those Measures she had sent to Don Henrique she communicates the very same to Don Sebastian and agreed with him to make use of 'em on that very Night wherein she had oblig'd Don Henrique to attempt her Deliverance the Hour indeed was different being determin'd to be at Eleven Elvira who was present at the Conference took the Hint and not being willing to disoblige a Brother who had so hazarded his Life in Vindication of her either durst not or wou'd not seem to oppose his Inclinations at that time However when he retir'd with her to talk more particularly of his intended Revenge on Don Henrique who he told her he knew lay somewhere absconded in Toledo and whom he had resolv'd as he assur'd her to sacrifice to her injur'd Honour and his Resentments she oppos'd that his vindictive Resolution with all the forcible Arguments in a Virtuous and Pious Lady's Capacity but in vain so that immediately upon his retreat from the Convent she took the opportunity of writing to Don Henrique as follows the fatal Hour not being then Seven Nights distant Don HENRIQUE MY Brother is now in Town in pursuit of your Life nay more of your Mistress who has consented to make her Escape from the Convent at the same Place of it and by the same Means on which she had agreed to give her self entirely to you but the Hour is Eleven I know Henrique your Ardelia is dearer to you than your Life but your Life your dear Life is more desir'd than any thing in this World by Your Injur'd and Forsaken ELVIRA This she deliver'd to Richardo's Servant whom Henrique had gain'd that Night as soon as she came to visit Ardelia at her usual Hour just as she went out of the Cloister Don Henrique was not a little surpriz'd with this Billette however he cou'd hardly resolve to forbear his accustom'd Visits to Ardelia at first but upon more mature Consideration he only chose to converse with her by Letters which still press'd her to be mindful of her Promise and of the Hour not taking notice of any Caution that he
fine my adorable Iris this Case shall be as near as I can like those delicate ones of Filligrin Work which do not hinder the Sight from taking a View of all within You may therefore see through this Heart all your Watch. Nor is my Desire of preserving this inestimable Piece more than to make it the whole Rule of my Life and Actions And my chiefest Design in these Cyphers is to comprehend in them the principal Vertues that are most necessary to Love Do not we know that Reciprocal Love is Justice Constant Love Fortitude Secret Love Prudence Though 't is true that Extream Love that is Excess of Love in one Sense appears not to be Temperance yet you must know my Iris that in Matters of Love Excess is a Vertue and that all other Degrees of Love are worthy Scorn alone 'T is this alone that can make good the glorious Title 'T is this alone that can bear the true Name of Love and this alone that can bear the true Name of Love and this alone that renders the Lovers truly happy in spight of all the Storms of Fate and Shocks of Fortune This is an Antidote against all other Griefs This bears up the Soul in all Calamity and is the very Heaven of Life the last Refuge of all Worldly Pain and Care and may well bear the Title of Divine The Art of Loving well That Love may all Perfection be Sweet Charming to the last Degree The Heart where the bright Flame does dwell In Faith and Softness shou'd excel Excess of Love shou'd fill each Vein And all its sacred Rites maintain The tend'rest Thoughts Heav'n can inspire Shou'd be the Fuel to its Fire And that like Incense burn as pure Or that in Vrns shou'd still endure No fond Desire shou'd fill the Soul But such as Honour may controul Jealousie I will allow Not the amorous Winds that blow Shou'd wanton in my Iris Hair Or ravish Kisses from my Fair. Not the Flowers that grow beneath Shou'd borrow Sweetness of her Breath If her Bird she do caress How I grudge its Happiness When upon her Snowy Hand The Wanton does triumphing stand Or upon her Brest she skips And lays her Beak to Iris Lips Fainting at my ravisht Joy I cou'd the Innocent destroy If I can no Bliss afford To a little harmless Bird Tell me O thou dear lov'd Maid What Reason cou'd my Rage perswade If a Rival shou'd invade If thy charming Eyes shou'd dart Looks that sally from the Heart If you sent a Smile or Glance To another tho' by Chance Still thou giv'st what 's not thy own They belong to me alone All Submission I wou'd pay Man was born the Fair t' obey Your very Look I 'd understand And thence receive your least Command Never your Justice will dispute But like a Lover execute I wou'd no Vsurper be But in claiming sacred thee I wou'd have all and every part No Thought shou'd hide within thy Heart Mine a Cabinet was made Where Iris Secrets shou'd be laid In the rest without Controul She shou'd triumph o're the Soul Prostrate at her feet I 'd lie Despising Power and Liberty Glorying more by Love to fall Than rule the Vniversal Ball. Hear me O you sawcy Youth And from my Maxims learn this Truth Wou'd you great and powerful prove Be an humble Slave to Love 'T is nobler far a Joy to give Than any Blessing to receive THE LADYs ' Looking Glass TO DRESS Herself by OR THE Whole ART OF CHARMING By Mrs. BEHN LONDON Printed by W. Onley for S. Briscoe 1697. THE Lady's Looking-Glass TO DRESS Herself by OR THE ART of Charming HOW long O charming Iris shall I speak in vain of your adorable Beauty You have been just and believe I love you with a Passion perfectly tender and extream and yet you will not allow your Charms to be infinite You must either accuse my Flames to be unreasonable and that my Eyes and Heart are false Judges of Wit and Beauty or allow that you are the most perfect of your Sex But instead of that you always accuse of me Flattery when I speak of your infinite Merit and when I refer you to your Glass you tell me that flatters as well as Damon though one wou'd imagine that shou'd be a good Witness for the Truth of what I say and undeceive you of the Opinion of my Injustice Look and confirm yourself that nothing can equal your Perfections All the World says it and you must doubt it no longer O Iris Will you dispute against the whole World But since you have so long distrusted your own Glass I have here presented you with one which I know is very true and having been made for you only can serve only you All other Glasses present all Objects but this reflects only Iris whenever you consult it it will convince you and tell you how much Right I have done you when I told you you were the fairest Person that ever Nature made When other Beauties look into it it will speak to all the fair Ones but let 'em do what they will 't will say nothing to their Advantage Iris to spare what you call flattery Consult your Glass each Hour of the Day 'T will tell you where your Charms and Beauties lie And where your little wanton Graces play Where Love does revel in your Face and Eyes What Look invites your Slaves and what denies Where all the Loves adorn you with such Care Where dress your Smiles where arm your lovely Eyes Where deck the flowing Tresses of your Hair How cause your Snowy Breasts to fall and rise How this severe Glance makes the Lover die How that more soft gives Immortality Where you shall see what 't is enslaves the Soul Where e'ry Feature e'ry Look combines When the adorning Air o're all the whole To so much Wit and so nice Vertue joyns Where the Belle Taille and Motion still afford Graces to be eternally ador'd But I will be silent now and let your Glass speak THE Lady's Looking-Glass DAmon O charming Iris has given me to you that you may sometimes give your self the Trouble and me the Honour of Consulting me in the great and weighty Affairs of Beauty I am my adorable Mistress a faithful Glass and you ought to believe all I say to you The Shape of IRIS I Must begin with your Shape and tell you without Flattery 't is the finest in the World and gives Love and Admiration to all that see you Pray observe how free and easie it is without Constraint Stiffness or Affectation those mistaken Graces of the Fantastick and the Formal who give themselves Pain to shew their Will to please and whose Dressing makes the greatest part of its Fineness when they are more oblig'd to the Taylor than to Nature who add or diminish as occasion serves to form a Grace where Heaven never gave it And while they remain on this Wreck of Pride they are eternally uneasie without pleasing
any Body Iris I have seen a Woman of your Acquaintance who having a greater Opinion of her own Person than any Body else has screw'd her Body into so fine a Form as she calls it that she dares no more stir a Hand lift up an Arm or turn her Head aside than if for the Sin of such a Disorder she were to be turn'd into a Pillar of Salt the less stiff and fix'd Statue of the two Nay she dares not speak or smile lest she shou'd put her Face out of that order she had set it in her Glass when she last look'd on herself And is all over such a Lady Nice excepting in her Conversation that ever made a ridiculous Figure And there are many Ladies more but too much tainted with that nauseous Formality that old-fashion'd Vice But Iris the charming the all-perfect Iris has nothing in her whole Form that is not free natural and easie and whose every Motion cannot please extreamly and which has not given Damon a thousand Rivals Damon the Young the Am'rous and the True Who sighs incessantly for you Whose whole Delight now you are gone Is to retire to Shades alone And to the Eccho's make his Moan By purling Streams the wishing Youth is laid Still sighing Iris lovely charming Maid See in thy Absence how thy Lover dies While to his Sighs the Eccho still replies Then with the Stream he holds Discourse O thou that bend'st thy liquid force To lovely Tames upon whose Shore The Maid resides whom I adore My Tears of Love upon thy Surface bear And if upon thy Banks thou seest my Fair In all thy softest Murmurs sing From Damon I this Present bring My e'ery Curl contains a Tear Then at her Feet thy Tribute pay But haste O happy Stream away Lest charm'd too much thou shoud'st for ever stay And thou O gentle murm'ring Breeze That plays in Air and wantons with the Trees On thy young Wings where gilded Sun-beams play To Iris my soft Sighs convey Still as they rise each Minute of the Day But whisper gently in her Ear Let not the ruder Winds thy Message hear Nor ruffle one dear Curl of her bright Hair Oh! touch her Cheeks with sacred Reverence And stay not gazing on her lovely Eye But if thou bear'st her Rosie Breath from thence 'T is Incense of that Excellence That as thou mount'st 't will perfume all the Skies IRIS'S Complexion SAY what you will I am confident if you will confess your Heart you are every time you view yourself in me surpriz'd at the Beauty of your Complexion and will secretly own you never saw any thing so fair I am not the first Glass by a thousand that has assur'd you of this If you will not believe me ask Damon he tells it you every Day but that Truth from him offends you and because he loves too much you think his Judgment too little and since this is so perfect that must be defective But 't is most certain your Complexion is infinitely fine your Skin soft and smooth as polisht Wax or Ivory extreamly white and clear though if any Body speaks but of your Beauty an agreeable Blush casts itself all over your Face and gives you a thousand new Graces And then two Flowers newly born Shine in your Heav'nly Face The Rose that blushes in the Morn Vsurps the Lilly's place Sometimes the Lilly does prevail And makes the gen'rous Crimson pale IRIS'S Hair OH the beautiful Hair of Iris It seems as if Nature had crown'd you with a great Quantity of lovely fair brown Hair to make us know that you were born to Rule and to repair the Faults of Fortune that has not given you a Diadem And do not bewail the Want of that so much your Merit 's due since Heaven has so gloriously recompens'd you with what gains more admiring Slaves Heav'n for Sovereignty has made your form And you were more than for dull Empire born O'er Hearts your Kingdom shall extend Your vast Dominion know no end Thither the Loves and Graces shall resort To Iris make their Homage and their Court No envious Star no common Fate Did on my Iris Birth-day wait But all was happy all was delicate Here Fortune wou'd inconstant be in vain Iris and Love eternally shall reign Love does not make less use of your Hair for new Conquests than of all the rest of your Beauties that adorn you If he takes our Hearts with your fine Eyes it ties 'em fast with your Hair and if it weaves a Chain not easily broken It is not of those sorts of Hair whose harshness discovers ill Nature nor of those whose Softness shews us the Weakness of the Mind Not that either of these are Arguments without Exception but 't is such as bears the Character of a perfect Mind and a delicate Wit and for its Colour the most faithful discreet and beautiful in the World such as shews a Complexion and Constitution neither so cold to be insensible nor so hot to have too much Fire that is neither too white nor too black but such a mixture of the two Colours as makes it the most agreeable in the World 'T is that which leads those captivated Hearts That bleeding at your Feet do lie 'T is that the Obstinate converts That dare the Power of Love deny 'T is that which Damon so admires Damon who often tells you so If from your Eyes Love takes his Fires 'T is with your Hair he strings his Bow Which touching but the feather'd Dart It never mist the destin'd Heart IRIS'S Eyes I Believe my fair Mistress I shall dazle you with the Lustre of your own Eyes They are the finest Blue in the World They have all the Sweetness that ever charm'd the Heart with a certain Languishment that 's irresistable and never any look'd on 'em that did not sigh after ' em Believe me Iris they carry unavoidable Darts and Fires and whoever expose themselves to their Dangers pay for their Imprudence Cold as my solid Chrystal is Hard and impenetrable too Yet I am sensible of Bliss When your charming Eyes I view Even by me their Flames are felt And at each Glance I fear to melt Ah how pleasant are my Days How my glorious Fate I bless Mortals never knew my Joys Nor Monarchs guest my Happiness Every Look that 's soft and gay Iris gives me every Day Spight of her Vertue and her Pride Every Morning I am blest With what to Damon is deny'd To view her when she is undrest All her Heaven of Beauty 's shown To triumphing Me alone Scarce the prying Beams of Light Or th' impatient God of Day Are allow'd so dear a Sight Or dare prophane her with a Ray When she has appear'd to me Like Venus rising from the Sea But Oh! I must those Charms conceal All too Divine for vulgar Eyes Shou'd I my secret Joys reveal Of sacred Trust I break the Tyes And Damon wou'd with Envy die Who hopes one Day to be