and enjoyned this whole Family not to publish thy folly What pleasing promises have I received from thee that all should be amended Philocles undeserving love rejected and those Suiters entertained whose fortunes might raise thy preferment And what reâ—quit all hast thou given thy Mother for her care too â—â—nder care on thee conferred by her Now it is in vaine to stay the tongue of Rumour the whole Countrey resounds with the report of Doricleâ— and he wandring Lover And how gladly would I be to still this report to â—ecover thy repute Well there appeares yet a little hope which relyes on this one and oâ—ly helpe As good fortune was all this time Mardâ—nes h 'as been abroad and so farre remote from us by reason of his occasions elsewhere calling him as this report of your â—traying course may happily yet be concealed from him Let then that love which you so lately pretended be continued Once againe let a Mothers teares or threats prevaile so farre with you as to estrange your thoughts from him whom you must not affect Be perswaded Girle let not poverty come in at one doore while love goes out at th' other Let not your fame receive a blemish from your indiscreet choice with our blessing you cannot enjoy him timely then relinquish him I will not have too strict an hand over you so tenderly presuming am I of you An hard and harsh task were it for me to enjoyne you ought that might deservingly beget your discontent Tender then a Mothers care and prevent her feare her care to procure your good her feare lest you should prevent her 〈…〉 only reâ—eeme the time you have lost but regaine our esteeme with the ample interest of our love which you have so strangely forfeited as it resteth in your obedience only to repaire it CHAP. XXIIII Doriclea labours to free her Mother from all jealousie touching her love to Philocles pretending that he had voluntarily made himselfe a banished man to his Countrey through feare of theâ—â— fury and enmity NO sooner had Euryclea thus expostulated the cause with her Daughter then Doriclea desirous out of a pious duty to satisfie her Mother whose passion tempered by a naturall affection seemed something allayed labours to free her Mother from all jealousie whereof she had received too inducing motives touching her love to Philocles and that her defence might appeare groundâ—d upon sufficient reasons she proceeds in this manner Deare mother I must confesse and with teares of pious sorrow I lament it that my indisâ—reet affection h 'as exceeded those bounds which maiden modesty should have â—ept by giving too free scope to my own fancy but let not these be any motives to decline your good opinion from me There is no offence so great which repentance may not exteâ—â—ate And now to remove all occasion of jealousie believe it Mother that never any arguments of love shall be continued betwixt us hereafter For the feare of your fury hâ—as diverted our fancy and made discontented Philocles a banished man and that by voluntary censure to his native Countrey It is true our amity begot your enmity our love your hate But now believe the true relation of a Daughter that ayre which he here breathed grew distastefull to him through the distaste you conceived against him A voluntary exule is he become and h 'as constantly vowed to entertaine that condition which shall free his youthfull minde from light affection Indeed had not mâ— Fathers seasonable comming prevented what our resolves had mutually intended Neither might he without my consent have enjoyed that liberty nor my selfe been so freely at your dispose as now I am But since the Fates would have it so I shall not only study to obey your commands in whatsoever you may be pleased to impose but infinitely rejoyce in performing whatsoever your Parentall awe shall enjoyne Philocles appeared no such 〈◊〉 to my fancie that might any way make me to foreslow the discharge of my dutie Yet must I needs confesse deare Mother such was his vertuous love as I could not lesse expresse my selfe then tender him a gratâ—full requitall for such ample testimonies of his constant affection Then with your favour be it that I reteine so thankfull a memory of his professed fancie as for the present to affiance my selfe to none love though 〈◊〉 be countermanded it cannot for the present be extinguished Meane time as your tender care h 'as been and continues ever for my future advancement and that Maâ—â—â—nes must be the man whom you hold â—â—tingst for my choice so far shall my Countnance appeare free from strangenesse my entertainment of him from nicenesse as he shall finde no cause of dis-respect from me nor ought that may dishearten his hopes in pursuit of me Nay so entire shall be my obedience as were the disposition of Mardanes like that of Margites of whom it is said that he never plowed nor digged planted nor reaped nor in private affaires advised nor discreetly conversed nor did any thing all his life long that might tend unto goodnesse but wholly unprofitable to the world I should with a free embrace receive him because your commendations did present him and your obedience enjoyne me to love him This ingenuous acâ—nowledgement of her offence and expression of her obedience infinitely over-joyed her Mother but above all others the relâ—tion of the travell of her Lover imagining that all occasions now were removed and no feare at all that their loves should be here after reâ—ued But whatsoever Doriclea pretended old love could not be so banished Love she must but seeme to dis-affect her Philocles Haâ—e she must but seeme to affect Mâ—rdâ—nes And so far from coynesse must she seem as she must have a smile in readines whensoever he comes in presence And the freedome which her Mother gave her being now secure of Philocles ministred occasion to Doriclea to invent many quaint devices to ingage more strongly her distasted Lover Mardanes to her pretended affection Whereof he perswaded himselfe to be so firmly possest as nothing had power to alien her love from him so as he began to be so far presuming thereof as the very least distaste which she might seeme to offer him received a very harsh construction from him This might appeare by one occasion which hapned casually and it was thus Doriclea to allay those pressing discontents which surprized her amorous thoughts would make it her pleasing task now and then to play with fancie and to discover sundry apparent arguments of her unfeined good-will towards Mardanes the better to expedite those desires of loveâ—â—nwreathed Mellidâ— and to â—â—teine that constant zeale which she religiously professed to her Philâ—cles diverse private meetings accompanied with some of her more familiar Consorts would she purposely appoint to passe an houre or two away and tedious had the passage of those houres been had not some merriment allaid it with her late-created Servant Mardaâ—es And one time above the
willed her Maid to keepe the Curtaines ever closely drawne saying that nothing weakned her eyes more then light Mellida who knew best next to her own breast what most disquieted her when she was at any time sure that none could over-heare them whether it were to cheere her or to impart her own griefs unto her would use in this manner to converse with her Good Mistresse rouse up your spirits do you think lying in Bed will serve the turne But if you will not be so much a friend to your selfe I pray you befriend your selfe for my sake Alas all this time while you lye sobbing and fighing here my Suit to Mardanes growes cold And I must tell you a secret too Mistresse but none must know of it for if they should it might be a great blemish to my credit Truth is as truth ever goes farthest that since you fell into this distemper I became mine own Solliciter but I made bold still with your name And in very deed this you may think to be an immodest part but I am sure it came from a loving heart I sought in my Letter directed in your name to know the time when he would make me his own Fye Girle answered Doriclea thou hast spoiled all proffer'd love had never yet good savour And in the meane time thou hast brought me upon the stage in a dainty fashion by making Mardanes believe that I am liberall enough of my reputation But pray thee Wench what answer receivedst thou Nay Mistresse said Mellida you shall know all but I pray you impute it to my too much love if my love h 'as wronged your name But the harshest answer did I receive from him that ever poore Wench received from any one loving so dearly as I did And with that opening her bosome she pull'd forth a Paper which she reached to her Mistresse containing this Answer DOriclea after this manner to importune me suits not with Maiden-modesty I shall close in an equall-line sorting with our joynt desires when I shall see mine own time and may meet best both with your occasion and mine owne Meane time trust me this importunity â—ather duls then sharpens fancy So reâ—â—s he who will ever reteâ—ne a true estimate of your honour Dericlea could not chuse but smile though her heart were ill at ease to heare this insulting humour of deluded Mardanes but at first â—he knew not well whether to be angry at her Maids forwardnesse or to pitty her weaknesse so as raising her selfe a little in her â—ed she used these words unto her Surely Mellida thou caust not possibly be so simple as thou makest thee Thou hast now made a 〈◊〉 hand of it to make thy own Sweet-heart beleeve that without his love I cannot live Thou hast brought mine honour unto the Stake and I must in hope to get thee an Husband be thought nay be rumour'd that I beg one Nay it is very likely that he will now out of his Pesantly condition flight my affection because too freely offered or conceipt strangely of my modesty with much easinesse cashiere me and what then will become of thee All wayes then are stopped all meanes prevented when I my selfe who sought by pretending love to him to match thee to him shall be so contemned by him as he shall hold me unworthy of him Alas Mistresse answered Mellida pardon my kinde heart that could hold no longer then it could Had I lov'd lesse my modesty had been more But truly Mistresse I am so troubled with phantasies sleeping and waking that if I have him not I shall not be long mine own woman Yet rather Mistresse then you receive any dishonour by my indiscreet love I shall write in your name how my mind is altered and that I never bore him so much love as now I beare him hate I care not I will do it rather then displease you though it should break my heart Doriclea pitied much â—he Girles humour willing her by no meanes to discover the leaâ— token or semblance towards Mardanes oâ— displeasure And that so soone as she should be able to leave her Bed she would spare nâ— labour nor profession of favour to purchase her desires But she held it fit to use some small intermissions to make him sharper for such Haggards said she are soone cloyed they must then see their Game seldome and by rare and easie flights become sharpned Hawks full gorg'd will stoope to no Lure nor seaze on no Prey No more will thy ancient Sweet-heart if he finde thee too playable to his Call Nothing cheered Mellida so much as to heare her Mistresse so well appeased resolving to be only directed by her what issue soever should befall of her love But as they were thus diseoursing the Parents of Doriclea came into the Chamber bringing with them one Esâ—â—â—â—es an Artist of knowne experience approved judgement and in his Profession of such honest imployment as his chiefest 〈◊〉 was his Patients cure scorning nothing more then to spin out time or to practise Plobotomy upon his Patients 〈◊〉 or to magnifie his Cures with Mounâ—â—bank Bils Such an one was this judicious Physitian whoÌ„ they brought to their Daughter as to his Profession he was an honour and to his Countrey under God a soveraigne succour Him therefore they besought to apply his best receipts and to exercise the height of â—is Art in a case of such extremity as they â—â—ould be ready to gratiâ—ie his care her cure with an ample expression of their love But promises of rewards were the lowest of his â—otives his greatest gaine was in his accompt to do good And because delay might prejudice his cure drawing neare to her Bed-side and taking her gently by the wrest of her 〈◊〉 felt her pulse which though for want of naturall rest discovered some distemper yet â—ould not he gather either by Pulse Urine or any Symptome that she could be seased on by any violent Fever Imagining then and his imagination hit right that there was some other private distemper which wrought extreamely on her and purposing to search out the quality of her disease if either Art or industry could effect it he requests her Parents absence with the rest that were in the roome pretending that he was to try an experiment wherein the privacy of his Art would not so fitly comply with their presence And now the Room being voyded Eschites taking herby the hand said thus unto her Mistresse if I have any judgement as my long experience should teach me some you may be a Physitian to your selfe if you please Nay it is in your own hand to kill or cure I do not know your meaning answered Doriclea but surely Sir you have no such strange conceipt of me as to think my selfe so much my own foe as not to cure my selfe if I could I have not Mistresse said he but my skill failes me if you may not do much if you would I pray you let me ask you one
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
tell you how much he loves you who first read that Lesson to you But were there transparent Lights in his Bosome you might easily discerne and consequently affirme that there were something in him who deserved your affection Deserved my affection answered Doriclea Surely I doubt not but my Fathers care has provided a better Jointure then a Schoolehouse for his Daughter Trust me Sir if this be your Guerdon which you expect for your care and serious instruction I am very likely for my part to prove unthankfull still your motion falling so farre short of all hope of promotion Nay I must tell you Sir that you have so deceived my opinion as where before I bore your person all respect as to a serious and industrious Master your uncivile presumption for a better title I cannot bestow of it shall henceforth teach me to dispense with that respect and if you seasonably desist not make my Father acquainted with your boldnesse In such scorn I hold your Motion as I can finde no passion strong enough to encounter with your indiscreet affection With which words as one seemingly above all measure irreconcileably incensed she departed leaving her disconsolate Philocles to converse with the Aire or like a melancholy Scholer to enter parley with his own sullen Saturnine thoughts But so strangely became he divided from himself as the very Organs of his Tongue had lost the faculties of speech his eyes as if affrighted with some Meteor stood staring without distinguishing the Object they fixt upon All was out of order with this amorous Scholer till at last taking a little breath he vented his dis-passionate griefs in this manner Is it so unhappie Philocles Must thy true affectionate care of her honour receive so harsh an answer Will she shew no lesse height of hate then thou reteines heat in thy love And whence the ground of her disdaine Thou taught'st her the Rule to love but shee never means to practise that Lesson Thou hast that Cloud of a Scholer hanging over thee Philocles which darkens the height of love They must be accommodated in all parts that shall merit her love Camillus she could not brook though young and rich because he was a Foole. Mardanes shee could not endure though wise and rich because he was too old And Philocles she will discard though neither too old nor altogether a Foole because he is not rich Well Doriclea my desire shall ever be that thou maist prosper and enjoy in any complete Gallant whom thou shalt affect more then thou canst in the society of a Scholer Yet me thinks that name should not be of such contempt that the very tender of my affection should beget thy discontent It is a strange requitall to render hatred for love câ—vill respects deserve freer courtesies My hopes are not yet so desperate nor my studies hitherto so unfortunate that they should expose me to such neglect Why then should shee bestow on my affectionate devotion no better title then Vncivill presumption seeing privacie freed me from the one and my humilitie from the other But all this sufficeth her not her inraged passion mounts yet higher above the banks She has denounced on thee a sentence if thou deâ—â—st not from thy suit Her Father must be made acquainted and consequently thy future hopes derived from his favour expired And herein have you charm'd me Doriclea I shall surcease to expresse what my thoughts shall ever reteifie Nay I will turne dissembler with mine own heart and learne to decline from what I love most You shall have no cause hereafter to tax me of boldnesse in the company of those you better love I shall hold my distance Rejoice when you are pleased in the presentment of a deserving Suâ—ter and heartily wish your mindes may close in one harmonious Consort together And if this will not expiate my offence I will go further to regaine my peace An Academick life shall receive me which may in time restore to me that liberty which since this my occasionall reside in the Countrey becomes unhappily estranged from me This said he retired bearing the clearest countenance that so troubled a minde could bring forth resolving never to renew his Suit but if he could not weare out those impressions of love which had writ such deepe Characters in his heart to remove the occasion by dividing himselfe from the Object of his affection and exchanging a Countrey love with an Academicall life CHAP. VII The discourse Doriclea used next day at Table being encouraged by her Parents indulgence alledging by way of Argument that she wondred how Julia Augustus his Daughter could detract so much from her Princely descent as to entertaine least thought of loving Ovid and how a Schoolemaster durst attempt the Sollicitancy of an Emperours Daughter PErplexed Philocles could not conceive more passion in Doriclea's disesteeme then Doriclea apprehended motives of content from the affection Philocles had profest Yet to cloath fancy with policy both of these must stand at equall distance and expresse not so much as the least beamling of their true zeale in presence For Philocles he durst not being already charm'd with her threâ—ts and for Doriclea she would not to try what temper hee was made of A dangerous hazard I nust confesse it is to tâ—ifle thus with love and by playing with the flame to endanger the fndging of their wings but so well composed was Doriclea so vertuously loyall her affection and that winged with such continent desres as they ever impaled themselves within tle lists of modesty Yea she would not stick sometimes to give liberty to the quicknesse of her conceit by making choice of some discourse purposely to amate Philocles and shadowingly pretend a discovery of his late proffer'd and professed fancy As it chanced one day when her Parents and her selfe were at Table together where through a native tender indulgence which they had ever shown to their Daughter she had liberty to expresse her conceit upon any Subject By means of this liberty which she alwaies used with much modesty she took occasion to enter into a discourse by way of argument touching the familiarity which appeared betwixt Augustus his Daughter and the Poet Ovid wherein she proceeded in this manner Amongst all other occasionall Subjects wherein my small Reading has informed me there is nothing that occurres unto me more strangely then that boldnesse which I finde in that ingenious Ovid with the Emperour Augustus his Daughter How a Poet whoÌ„ even that wisest of Philosophers Plato himselfe had long since banished his Common-wealth and whose height of fancy some of our ancient Sages have esteemed a meere phrensie holding Poetry to be the Devils wine and a Poeticall Dimension such a distraction as it infatuated the understanding and deluded the conceipt with deceiving shadowes of opinion How he I say durst attempt an assay of such importance by imparting his love where he ought so much of duty or conceipt himselfe worthy the
whom hee held so deere make the least discovery of what had passed betwixt him and her It behoved him therefore to apply himselfe to another designe and recant his familiarity with love which might both endanger his fortunes and deprive him all hopes of aspiring higher Thus as the precious stone Diocletes though it have many rare and excellent soveraignties in it yet it loseth them all if it bee put into a dead mans mouth fared it with Philocles who though he were excellently indowed richly qualified and for elocution generally approved yet all these disheartned by want of hope lost all that lustre which they formerly reteined For though at retired houres and at such times as he found his Muse most propitious he composed diverse amorous Poems apt motives to stir up fancy Yet so much was he discouraged as what his resolves were sometimes addressed to present his latter thoughts ever retracted Howsoever his melancholly walkes affecting nothing more then privacy discovered to his Mistresse the effects of his fancy who was so farre from disclosing what might redound to his dishonour as those arguments whereof she sometimes took occasion to treat were only urged to affright him but in no case to prejudice him being so tender of his welfare as whatsoever appeared nothing was by her intended to decline his choice or to give him just cause of change For so full of vertuous remorse was Doricleas pious heart as it was more affectionately disposed then by any appearance was yet discovered For as the Juniper tree maketh the hottest coale and the coolest shadow of any tree For the coale is so hot that if it be rak't up in ashes of the same it continueth unextinquishable by the space of a whole yeare So this divinely sented creature to hold nearer resemblance with the Juniper though the heate of her affection had beene long smothered in embers and discovered no visible flame yet did it reteine her vigour still and by so much more violent when iffuing by how much longer before it came to appearing For love inwardly shewes his heat most when outwardly discerned least And such was Doricleas case though she restrained her eye from fixing on that Object which it desired and her heart to entertaine that guest which of all others she most priz'd yet could not her discretion make such a foole of love as wholly to bury her thoughts from more discerning eyes Truth is though no profession seem'd more contemptible then that which he held yet in her conceipt no vocation more pleasing being profest by one to her own thoughts so loving with her owne desires so complying Little then needed Philocles to feare that she would discover any thing to her Parents to his prejudice seeing she so inwardly affected and equally approved what he had propounded as nothing did more infinitely content her then at vacant hours to recollect those words which he had delivered to her Neither was it her desire to tyrannize over her late-captiv'd and inchained Servant whose freedome lay it in her power should be confirm'd with as ample and authentick a Charter as true love and constant devotion could enjoyne her But all this little allay'd those incessant cares and feares of poore Philocles who every day expected a discharge when he should be deprived of the place he bore and consequently of all future hopes of renuing his suit or enjoying that prize which hee so infinitely valued as the sacrifice of his life he held at a low rate to seaze him of the incomparable purchase of her love This mov'd him one day after a sad recollection of his thoughts to meditate of his present condition and of the ground of his distemper in this pensive manner How is it Philocles how fares it with thy distracted thoughts most miserable of all others is thy condition meriting most yet can partake no compassion Shouldst thou discover thy griefes thou exposest thy selfe to danger and by concealing what thou seelest with fresh fuell thou feedst thy distemper unhappy then art thou in suffering what thou darest not disclose and no lesse unhappy in making those thy enemies on whom thou depends by discovering what thy intimate thoughts desire to make knowne How sweet and safe was thy condition when Philosophy was thy mistresse and and the Liberall Arts those brave Competitoâ—s which contested with thee for preeminence Light-feather'd Love was then no Lure to catch thee nor beauty no baite to ensnare thee Nor all those amorous delights which fancy tenders motives to delude thee Spare commons became profest foes to light affections Lectures of Philosophy admitted no Audience to loves treaty But such is the muâ—able disposition of the mind that no condition relisheth worse then what it presently injoyes For could man value an Academicke life when he partakes it at that estimate which hee holds it when he foregoes it hee would not make exchange of that present state with the treasures of the age nor lose an houres contemplation for the injoyment of an Empire O unhappy Philocles and by so much more unhappy in being once happy In those prime slourishing dayes wherein knowledg was the height of thy ambition thou couldst freely without anxiety and though rationally with much liberty discourse of a disdainefull Mistris Sleight the frownes of an imperious Dame and make it a wonder how a little painted Earth more purely refined then other inferiour mou'd should surprize a Conceiving soule by making the miserable sufferer present himselfe a true Malecontent with an hat without a band over-brimming his eyes an unfashionable habit as if he scorn'd to suit with time and that unbrush'd an head as if newly fetterd with Medusa's locks and that unkemb'd This made me put on the Countenance of Demâ—critus and weaken my lungs with laughter And must I play the mad-mans part and discover my selfe to be the very same personall Actor well Philocles herein thou maist read a Lecture of humility unto others by disvaluing thy owne strength and submitting thy selfe to others Censure who formerly wert so forward to taxe others of the same Error Meane time what powerfull effects have all these fruitlesse passions wrought Increase of disdaine decrease of esteeme and feare in thy selfe of discovering thy ayme Well Doriclea did you but know as your discretion hath sufficiently inform'd and improv'd your knowledge what your unworthy Servant unhappy Philocles has lost in offering his Sacrifice of love unto you you would suffer the worst of extreames rather then suffer him to perish whose life freedome and fortune depend all upon your affection But be it your lot to soveraignize over me while with resolved patience and a minde better composed then for any affliction to shake I embrace my owne ruine with a smile while you close the period of my hopes in a frowne All this unknowne to him did his Doriclea heare who had much to doe upon the relation of his unhappinesse to hold her peace But with what an open and affectionate
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
against me Have I at any time dishonoured their temples or cloathed my vices with pretended vertues Have I violated my faith or where I professed love proved false Have I â—â—boured to delude a simple lover or gloried in the conquest of my inferiour Hâ—ve I not perform'd those sacred vowes which piety enjoyn'd me or neglected that office which charitie exacted of me Were my professions of love directed for lucre wanton dalliance or pursuit of honour or have I fashion'd my habit to the fancy of the time to please mine own humour Did I ever cast out any light lures to catch a cock-brain'd lover or exprest my selfe to the deservingst Suiter too liberall of mine honour Have I made the publique street my Gallery or desir'd unlawfull looks to seaze on my beauty H 'as my example given others liberty of offending or afforded least hope to a light wandring eye of purchasing Have I accompanied any presence with disdaine or requited any pious office with neglect Did I ever wish any ones hurt or requite true love with undeserved hate Yes yes Doriclea herein hast thou offended Hadst thou lov'd Mardanes he had never betaken himselfe to unjust practises And must I either then love where I cannot affect or make those I reject practise what humantiy would detest Injurious Mardanes Hadst thou none to exercise thy spels nor inchantments on but such an one who is not her own This is impiety above president What were it to enjoy where thou canst never partake any joy or inforce her thine whom Magick incantation no sincere affection hâ—as confirmed thine And this were thy case Mardanes in enjoying me It is no sorcery can beget true fancy Where indirect meanes procure love tragick events produce hate Desist then unhappie man from these assaults which shall redound to thy shame and clâ—athe thee with infamy in succeeding times Those hellish consorts with whom thou conveâ—sest nay miserably contractest are soone discomfited when a more commanding Power shall countermand it Pittifull practises where should the innocent'st soule finde succour or a succourlesse Maide harbour should these receive effect to the desire of their Author So limited then is their power as they can practise nothing that is impure upon a soule divinely pure Practise then Mardanes what thou canst thou shalt never enjoy what thou wouldest I am better fortifi'd then to be so surprized stronger fenced then so foiled Nor shall I cease to render thankes to him by whom I am and by whom I am so well prepared next under him to that devout man by whom I am so well informed Nor need I feare to be subdued being so supported nor relinquished being so supplyed Nor were her resolves with lesse constancie seconded Early and late offer'd she up the sacrifice of her Prayers Constant was she in her care to prevent all insuiug harme Those â—sefull directions which she received from that old Hermit she freshly reteined Which so farre prevailed as by her devout morning Exercise being the season which the Inchantresse most commonly used ever hoping to take her unprovided those odious fruitlesse Spels became ever frustrated All which Spurcina the Spell-woman afterwards confessed when after her conviction for offences of more high and hainous quality she publiquely attested that though by the procurement of Mardanes she had sought early and late to practise upon something received from her yet could she never effect her own desires though she had matter enough to work on because Doriclea signed her selfe every morning in her going abroad with the signe of the Crosse which that ancient Hermit whose name the Sorceresse could not endure to heare had prescribed for a soveraigne receipt against her Charme Thus lived Doriclea every way assailed and assaulted but never vanquished nor discouraged Farre more did she feare the welfare of her deare restrained Philocles then the subtilty of these inchantments His liberty she preferred before her own safety Yet so farre was she from procuring what she so intirely desired as the continued jealousie of her Parents declinedâ— her hopes from ever effecting what she so much labour'd For to intercede her selfe for his liberty she durst not leâ—t it should increase their suspition and to intruâ—â— any other in that suit she had found it so fruitlesse as it made her despaire of all successe To a private retired walke inclosed with sweet breath'd Sycomours twice a day she usually repaired where divided from the noise of the world she would passionately converse with her own thoughts and propose sundry devices for the freedome of her Philocles Wherewith her fancy became so infinitely pleased that though none of these took effect yet iâ— contented her to imagine how she might by such meanes procure his liberty whereof he remain'd deprived for his loyalty And in thiâ— retired shade oâ— Elysian Grove for Art and Nature had exprest their distinct workmanships in it sometimes should she chance to finde the Witch Spurcina which confirmed what the Hermit had affirmed but beinâ— demanded by Doriclea what occasion she had there her excuses would appeare nâ— lesse lame than her selfe Sometimes pretending that shee came thither to gather some Hearbes or Sallets or else perceiving Dâ—â—â—clea to be walking there she came to beg somâ— reliefe at her charitable hands But neither of these was her errand but to practise what she intended by some linnen or wollen thaâ— might fall from her which though she no lesse maliciously then opportunately received and by them practised yet were her Spels ever defeated her Charmes frustrated by the inceâ—â—ancy of her devotion as hath been formerly related Thus Love's exposed to a twofold harme A Parents fury and a Witches Charme The first she cures by giving way to time The last she frustrates with an Holy Signe THe incomparable Baâ—clay in his Mirror of Mindeâ— câ—p 8. discovering Norway to be a rude Nation and with most men who have convers'd or commerâ—â—d with them held infamous for Witchcraft They by report saith he can sell Windes which those that saile from thence doe buy equalling by a true prodigy the â—abulous story of Vlisses Aeâ—â—us And these â—enell Pâ—ggs have affirmed the like upon their owne Confession CHAP. XV. How Doriclea practised with Mellida her Maide for her escape How she sought to delude her Mother Her prevention and how Androgeus her Father became inraged upon the discovery of her affection LOng had Doricleas languishing thoughts breathed after the sight of her restrained Philocles but her Parents jealousie of the one side and the distance of miles which divided him from her on the other side so disheartned her hopes as what she one houre intended the next houre she reversed But yet this would not so content her love cannot be so satisfied She findes her selfe divided from her selfe so long as she becomes removed from her Philocles On then she must though all difficulties shold oppose her friends disswade her no hope of obtaining her purpose encourage her And now to
discovered to her how infinitely she stood bound to her Mistresse for her love For discreet Doriclea perceiving the passionate affection of Mellida and desiring nothing more then to bring her in a way of enjoying of what she was so eagerly pursuing resolved of a course that might expedite this designe and this was to expresse all showes of affection to Mardanes as if she intended nothing more then to reteine him her constant servant whom she had formerly rejected and to redeeme that neglect with such arguments of love that the world might take notice that he and none but he was the man whom she affected Which relation so ready is fame to disperse her selfe upon every occasion no sooner vented it selfe abroad then her Parents supposing her love to be now declining from Philocles infinitely rejoyced Nor was insnared Mardanes lesse transported hoping e're long to enjoy what his desires had so long pursued But with this was jealous Mellida no lesse afflicted imagining that no hopes could accompany her suit where her Mistresse affection had taken place Thus in this Comedy of Errors were all things confusedly carried and by as doubtfull an issue attended Mardanes loves Doriclea and he is loved by Mâ—llida and Mellida thinks Mardanes lov'd by Doriclea when all her taske is how she may espouse Mardâ—nes unto Mellida Againe Doriclea's Parents think that their Daughter h 'as relinquisht Philocles and solely fixt her affection on Mardanes whereas the show of love she pretends to Mardanes is only to prepare a way for her enjoyment of Philocles But this little contents distressed Mellida she collects by what she sees the aime of what she most feares Her poore simple heart is so farre from dissembling as she verily thinkes these Love-signes and tokens of her Mistresses cannot but proceed from the heart and what hope then left for her to enjoy her Sweet-heart The meditâ—tion of these drove her into such extreames as in the most disconsolate manner that ever accompanied perplexed Lover she discovered her discontent with as much privacie as the retirednesse of the place could afford that the Aire might be only witnesse of her griefe while she became her own relater Unhappy Mellida hadst thou none to make choice of but one who doth despise thee None to impart thy thoughts to but one who will deceive thee Alas thy fortunes must not aspire to such happinesse as to enjoy the imbraces of Mardanes One of higher state prevents thy suit He and thy selfe have now got one Mistresse Poore rejected Mellida What Sanctuary maist thou retire to Or what affectionate friend maist thou impart thy minde to It was not done like a loving Mistresse to promise her poore Maide assistance and to betray her trust where she reposed most confidence She might have disswaded thee from thy choice by acquainting thee how she meant to enjoy him her selfe and so discouraged thy hopes at the first rather then thus delude thee at the last I should have quickly desisted though the losse of my love had shortned the line of my life had I but knowne how she stood affected But under so faire a semblance to shroud a dissembling count'nance and make a shew of affection when it is guilded with treason should I freely remit it Loves Soveraigâ—e would not so easily pardon it ' Las what a poore conquest h'as Doriclea got in her competition with Mellida who had never attempted what she now affecteth had not Doriclea first rejected whom she now esteemeth The ground of Mellida's loving was Doriclea's leaving And can she now have the heart to love whom she did sometimes leave because what she did so scornefully leave Mellida begins now faithfully to love Did her distaste beget my love and must my love now beget her distaste Well this do'es meanely requite me if she would remember what fidelity she h'as found in me There was no night so dark no task so hard which with a free bosome I entertain'd not so she might enjoy what she had not Philocles then was the only man in her eye and I her Agent which she wrought by Proper parts were the Adamants of her affection and these she found in none so well to life portrayed as in her Philocles Mardanes was then a rough-hewen Swaine whose presence she so much hated as she estranged her selfe from that place which he frequented And must he be now entertained because he is by poore Mellida affected Well I am glad that the love of her Maide h 'as chang'd her minde and advanc'd him to the choice of a Mistresse Let my losse be his gaine my deprivall of what I desire most the enjoyment of her whom he expected least The ruine of a poor Maide is all that she can have which cannot redound much to her honour seeing she on whom she so much relyed and to whom her secret'st counsels were imparted became the only instrument to undoe her Doriclea having over-heard some of these distemper'd passions of love-sick Mellida could containe her selfe no longer but interrupting her in this manner resolved by a contrary cure to allay the extremity of this distemper How now Mellida h 'as love so distracted you or too much liberty of enjoying your own desires so much entranced you as to become thus forgetfull of what you are whom you serve or whose affections you so highly deserve Must my endevours addressed for your good be so interpreted My desire of your advancement so recompensed Is your conceipt so meane of me that these expressions of my love and familiar respect to Mardanes proceeds meerely from my own affection without relation to your selfe Or that I did purposely leave him with a resolution that whensoever you made choice of him I would love him Trust me Mellida this distemper'd fancie tastes of a frenzie These humours will make your constant'st friends your profest foes Shake off this jealousie lest it become thy mortall enemy I am the same I have professed nor will I faile in ought I have professed so thy ill-grounded suspicion divert not my aime which effect is it produce blame thy selfe I know well there is no way for thee to attaine thy desires but by this meanes He must first take knowledge of their love who love him not before ever thou canst enjoy him who loves thee not Doriclea must take upon her the person of Mellida and Mellida be taken for Doriclea before ever Mardanâ—â— make his Bride of Mellida What I intend I will not yet discover only let me advise thee to restraine 〈◊〉 indiscreet humour perswading thy selfe that Mardanes had never received a gracefull count'nance from Doriclea but in hope of advancing Mellida And that my better thoughts are so farre from domineering in thy ruine which were a poore conquest indeed as it shall be my principall aiâ—e to prevent it so thy indiscretion crosse not my designe Let it suffice thee that though it concerne thee most thou maist be seene in it least So present I am in others affaires
captives care like an habituate prisoner whose long restraint seldome makes him better thou picks a quarrell before offence be offered and hatchest suspicion where none can be justly grounded For tell me pray thee tell me deare Philocles wherein have I ever given thee occasion to tax me of inconstancy or in my bosome desired to lodge any one beside thee Have I not neglected all my fortunes nay my zeale to those whom I preferre before all fortunes to bestow my selfe upon a Scholers fortunes If either rich youth or age could have wrought on Doriclea's fancy she might long before this have prevented all grounds of jealousie and been a Mistresse of an ample Family And yet you are cunning Philocles you will not plainly say you suspect me for that were to tax you of too palpable jealousie but you must shadow all under a dreame and make visions your arguments of feare where you imaginarily see Old-age courting me a rich fortune besieging me my too easie Fort sore straitned by his golden battry Well Philocles God forgive you you have hither to had sufficient experience how much my disposition hath scorned to be taken up by such prostitute affection If Gold would have done it your loyall Doriclea might before this have enjoy'd it No no these were no motives to me to inchaine my fancy or with a yeelding hand but a dissembling heart to engage my person to such a subject of folly O disburden your selfe Philocles of these conceipts they so ill become you as nothing makes Philocles so unlike himselfe nor chils my affection more towards him who is my second-selfe I have not begged much at your hands since the time we so firmely united our hearts all I intreat of you is this and it will redound to your own hearts-ease as well as mine to discard these injurious conceipts towards your own by reflecting on her who can be no lesse then yours if her own And trust me deare Sir you may thank God that you remaine seazed of such a heart which is not apt to take offence where such good occasion is offered Some cautious Girles if they had but perceived the least inclination to jealousie in their amorous Suiters which your own Character h 'as sufficiently discovered in you they would in time have prevented that mischiefe which might have incurred and collected what domineering jealous Husbands they would have showne themselves being once married having exprest themselves such suspicious Batchlers when they were unbestowed But love findes an easie shroud for the highest crimes nor can Doriclea interpret Philocles Dreame any otherwise then an unbounded affection breaking into extreames which when it cannot with sufficient freedome impart her strength by day borrowes of the night to discover in a dreame And who can blame such vigilant love when the eyes though they sleepe the heart keepes true Centinell lest fancy should take her opportunity and make her escape Free leave then do I give thee Philocles to dreame still of me but so that thy dreames do not suspect me For so might thy deluded imagination which is seldome attended on by reason present to thee what is false for what is true and make thee credulously beleeve that inconstancy may accompany true love Surcease then from these as I shall sooner cease to live then withdraw my love from Philocles Thus discoursed constant Doriclea with her Philocles in the absence of her Philocles But least she might forget her selfe by neglecting what her dearest choice expects after such time as she had rewarded the Messenger who brought her that Letter and that to his apparant danger had not the late conceipt which Doriclea's Parents conceived of their Daughters declining her affection from Philocles secured him and given him freer accesse unto her She I say prepares to second her Philocles desire by accommodating her selfe with all conveniencies and addressing her course to that place whereto Philocles in his Letter had given her directions to repaire Defist then she must for the present from spinning Mellida's love-threed that she might weave up her own the better for though the furtherance of Mellida's suit was deare unto her desiring much to have her seazed of those ample fortunes of her undeserving Lover yet her own case must be first preferr'd being urged by such importunity as she held it fitting then or never to discover those true effects of fancy By the advice then and assistance of Mellida whose wits were ever more pregnant in devising for her Mistresse then her selfe and to whose vertuous love she wished no lesse successe then to her selfe Doriclea gets from her Keepers being then more secure of their charge then before in regard her Parents became lesse jealous of her love to Philocles then before Dark was the night which promised her more security but an inconvenience she findes in it for in this her flight by night she loseth her way Up and downe she wand'reth and wandring wooeth the Stars that they would afford a distressed Maide some small beamelings of their light to guide her to that place where chaste â—ove had treasured her richest prize But many by-paths she took ever travelling but little nearer approaching the place at which she aym'd which deeply perplexed her love-inflamed minde Till at last so propitious were the Stars to their vertuously-grounded loves comming by chance to the Hermits house she took that night there her repose Next morning early for little power had sleepe upon her fancy she acquainted this aged Father with the whole passage of her intendments Fâ—râ—t how she had received knowledge of Philocles liberty with what desire she had to observe the time which he had limited with the place which he had proposed for her to repaire to humbly craving of him that as she had been formerly directed by him he would be pleased to continue his care by affording her his best advice in a case of such necessity as the issue made her of all others either most fortunate or most unhappy And that he would not â—mpute this her private departure from her Fathers house to any act of immodesty but to the constancy of her affection which had expos'd her to all extremity The good old man who had ever tender'd her well-fare could not forbeare from shedding teares in hearing her expresse those passionate overtures and passages of her love with what desperate adventures she had encounter'd to partake what her vertuous desires so unfeignedly sought But affection must have a morâ— soveraigne balme applyed to her then any effeminate passion Eyes compassionately wâ—eping without a brain effectually working can bestead poore Doriclea nothing First then he proposeth the way for her to obtaine what she would which he strengthneth with such able directions as being well observed they promised nothing lesse then an happy arrivall at the place whereto she aimed with a prosperous conclusion to their long delayed desires having there arrived And to encourage her the more he applyed these receipts unto
her which so infiniâ—ely cheered her as her confidence readily winged her enlivened fancy with an undoubted assurance of successe Daughter it had been well you had made your Parents command the line to have directed your love But since your affections are so firmely united as not to be divided I hold it an office of piety to effect what vertuous loves so jointly affect Thus long have I had experience of you and I have neithâ—â— seene nor heard any immodest expression fall from you this confirmes me that you are no lesse then what you seeme not pretending to be what you are not but in desiring to approve your selfe what you seeme This those faire out-sides fall short of who affect nothing more than to appeare most what they inwardly professe least For these whos ' ere they be seeme thus to me They be and seem not seem what least they be For goodnesse-sake estrange your better-disposed thoughts from these painted Puppets who may be aptly resembled to the Zibethum which naturally yeelds a sweet perfume to others but reteines a stinking sent to it selfe Let those preciouâ— odours of your vertues not only afford sweetnesse to others in proposing an example worthy imitation but to your owne heart which cannot flye from it selfe but must one day returne as it do'es now reteine of whatsoever it hath receiv'd a true naked impression You have now enter'd the Maine where you shall graple with many contrary winds and surging waves Report like an ill-winde will be quickly raised and this may happily disperse a light faâ—â—e upon all your actions As first this private retire from your Parents and making your selfe carver of your own affections without their consent may beget you a strange opinion in the world Men will judge all is â—ot well more then pure love drove you to â—â—ese courses Waves likewise there will be to menace your ruine Divided passions to perplexe you and inthrall your late-enjoyed freedome to the worst of extreames Yet what of all these The roughest windes of infamy to a pure and undefiled minde can do no injury Nor all those naturall inbred passions which breed distemper'd spirits most disquiets can annoy the rest of that Soule which is fixt on the exercise of piety and makes her triumph over her own affections her highest victory Observe this rule Deare Daughter and these intended Spousals of yours shall finde an happy period and after so many violent windes of infamous tongues so many turbulent waves of swelling passions you shall finde that calmenesse as neither that lownesse of fortune which may hereafter encounter you shall amate you nor all those contemps which injurious disdaine may throw upon you an way disturbe you I have showne you the best roade which if you hold directly you cannot but arrive safely Doriclea having received much comfort fâ—om these instructions of the Hermit and encouraged too with the promise of his conduct to the place which Philocles advised her to after a small repast being enough for a stomack inflamed with love to digest she addressed her selfe to the short remainder of her journey which though short had appear'd long to her longing fancy had not the difficulty of the way been sweetned with the Hermits company by whose happy convoy she soone arrived where her desires were lodged and where she found her Philocles safely reposed CHAP. XX. The great content and joy which these two long-divided Lovers conceived in one of the others presence The relation of their former griefs being an addition to their present joyes NO calme so cheerfull as after a storme no harbour so gratefull as after a rough Sea The least beameling breaking forth of a Cloud appeares like a more full and glorious light This experimentally felt these long-divided Lovers who conceived such infinite joy and content in the sight of one the other as their first encounter for want of expression closed it selfe in silence wanting a tongue to discover what delight their intranced apprehensions took in one anothers presence Looks now were to supply more discursive Organs gladly would their affectionate breasts unfold themselves and relate those many occurrents which their true loves had passed and with comfort vanquished but their desires must be first feasted with eying and intentive looking upon one another This must be the pleasing prelude to a more delightfull Sceane at last affection labouring of too strong a passion to be enjoyned a perpetuall silence broke forth on Philocles behalfe after this manner Ah Doriclea which taking accent so transported him as not an other word for a long space came from him Am I in a Dreame or waking Can I imagine any mortall capable of such joy How pleaâ—ing now is the memory of my restraint My long division from thee my dearest Doriclea whom I preferred before the world For to be ever happy so surfets the conceipt as it dreames of no other state a small storme to him who hath ever enjoy'd a calme seemes like a tempest Whereas my present condition makes me more sensible of my former affliction I was deprived of thee whom I incomparably loved From all civill curt'sies save such as I received from strangers excluded All hopes of future advancement by thy Parents distaste estranged A Grate became my best prospect the World my story where I saw no action of sorrow presented more to life then my own misery O how the relation of our former griefs become an addition to our present joyes Before I had none to converse with but such pittilesse Guardians as rejoyced in my restraint Tedious were the houres of my life because divided from the object of my love Terrors I encounter'd with daily passions I wrastled with hourely No receipt found I to allay my griefe none to impart my woes to but such whose hearts were iron-temper'd like my Grate O what an exchange have I found in being free'd from what did so inthrall me and in being restored to her presence which of all earthly joyes doth only revive me O my Doriclea how many fearfull visions have startled me how many distemper'd Dreames have disquieted me And whence proceeded all these but from that love and feare equally working and no lesse sundry effects producing which had taken such strong possession of me as not to be removed without enjoyment of thee At which Doriclea interrupting him after a more cheerefull recollection of her over-joy'd spirits said unto him O my deare Philocles I am an eye-witnesse of your distemper'd dreames You know well what the Contents of your last Letter discovered trust me I will not chide you for I can finde no such language in my tongue but I would not for a world have you think waking what you suspect dreaming Philocles calling to min dethe purport of that paper of Verses he had writ unto her and how much his too affectionate feare had made him transgresse desiring her pardon by imputing that error to report acknowledged his fault and condemned that
too liberall relation of erring fame What relation might that be my endeared Philocles answered Doriclea H 'as fame reported to you that since your heavie restraint I have been too liberall of mine honour or admitted too much freedome to an intrusive Suiter Have I slighted you in any discourse or preferred any other in your place So indeed report went replyed Philocles that your sometimes rejected suiter rich Mardanes had obtain'd your affection and that your marriage was to be shortly solemnized What Mardanes answered Doriclea Nay then me thinkes you should have holden your selfe safe enough for of all men to engage my fancy to an Earth-worme whose ambition consists in having but never in enjoying and who prefers this poore rubbish of Earth before the treasure of a divine minde my firme resolution hath been ever so farre divided as I should loathe my selfe to be so matched Panarchus sometimes propounded a Riddle and it was this How a man and no man can with a stone and no stone kill a bird and no bird sitting upon a tree and no tree And Athenaeus makes the answâ—r â—â—at an â—â—uch is the man and a 〈…〉 is the bird Fennell is the tree Surely I had rather contract my selfe with the first and with modesty I speak it content my selfe with the second and make Apollâ—'s bird of the third then tye my 〈◊〉 to such a barrâ—â— trâ—â— And howsoever thâ— wise Siâ—onides truly concluded being one day asked whether vertue or riches were oâ— more reputation that the vertuous did more frequent the doores of the rich 〈◊〉 the rich of the vertuous meaning that vertues constant attendant was poverty many times enforced to beg reliefe at the gâ—te of a vicious but rich family For thy 〈◊〉 Philocles did I chuse thee other poore respects were so far from working on my fancy as they never received entertainment in my thoughts I have ever accompted poverty a sweet companion where conâ—ent was the Guardian piety her Darling Vice 〈◊〉 she never so richly â—ndowed dyes poore whereas vertue be she never so much impoverished appeares rich O how much then did my deare Philocles fall short in the merit of his opinion in imagining his betrothed Doriclea could weane her affection where she loved so much to plant it on one whom she valued so little But Doriclea h 'as an excuse in store for ' her beloved Philocles I know Deare one it was thy unfeinâ—d love which begot this feare Had not thy thoughts been fixed on me waking I had been least in thy thoughts when thou werâ— sleeping Thus did these two loving Turtles rejoyce in their meeting wherein the Hermit took no lesse content observing how their loves were grounded on vertuous ends which could produce nothing lesse then prosperous effects With many pleasâ—nt stories did hâ— delight the eares of these two affectionate Lovers describing the happy successe of such who preferred vertue before wealth and how love could not want where there was no want of love Yes reverend Faâ—â—er said Doriclea there may be a want in the eye of a worldling Yea Daughter replyed he but that worlding cannot be properly said to love Amphiaraus loved Eriphile Eriphile Amphiaraus but what moved Amphiaraus to loue Eriphile but lucâ—â— what induced Eriphile to love Amphiaraus but hope of honour Now how could these continue long being so irregularly planted where either the ambitious style of a Lady or desire of money gave first conceptions to their fanoie Who makes the object of his fancy Gold Growes cold in fancy when his mony 's told And she who faignes to love to live a Lady Is honours 〈◊〉 I know not what she may be Nor is the purity of love to be stained with any earthly thought many pretend love but they clâ—athe it with an undeserving name 〈◊〉 declines from that purity wherewith it 〈◊〉 endowed by exposing it selfe to an immodest liberty from which it should be â—tranged Love should have staid eyes to affâ—â—t nothing lesse then wandering A discreet â—are to hâ—are nothing that may to lightnesse be inclining Achasâ—â— touch to embrace noting that may be wantonly moving A modest speech to deliver nothing that may be any way corrupting And in every part to well composed so gracefully disposed as â—n inâ—â—â—d 〈◊〉 love to piety may be cleerely 〈◊〉 This deserves well the title of love whatsoever transgresseth these bounds admits no such appâ—llation but rather to be disâ—layed by that badge which may best set her forth to her greatest dishonoâ—â— and imputation This 〈◊〉 rightly weighed who labouring to debâ—azon love and lust in their proper and distâ—nct liveries descanteth thâ—s upon them entitling his Poem Loves Description Love what 's thy name a phâ—ensie whence thy birth From Heaven how comes it then â—hoâ— lives on Earth I live not there yet e'ch usâ—â—ps thy name 'T is true indeâ—â— but hence râ—dounds their shame I live not there â—y Natâ—râ—'s pure and jâ—st But lust lives there and love's a foe to lust It was great pitty said Philocles that you Father who can discourse so contemplatively of so divine a subject would never yet actively practiâ—e it So Scholastically to reason of love and be never a Scholer in the Schoole of Love begets in me admiration O I confesse and with trickling teares said the Hermit that my youthfull follies exceeded all number so long as I sojourn'd in the world and became there a wanderer I could not walke in any street but I encounter'd many mistresses for pride trickt and trim'd up in a gorgeous habit infinitely took me Licentious liberty peep'd in at my window when I was at stâ—dy and she surprized mâ— Luscious fare prepared me delicious viandâ— and these estrang'd me from sobriety Sloth whisper'd to me in my bed the sluggardâ— Lullabe with yet a little and yet a little and this belulled me Wrath sparkled in my veinâ—â— and spurr'd me on to revenge and made me apt enough to forget ought that did most concerne me but to imprint in my memory the thought of an injury Envie revenged her selfe justly on me and made me pine away at the very sight of an others prosperity And Covetousnesse that age-benummed sinne made me desire most when I needed least and so besotted me Nor could I shake off these till I shak'd off my self by leaving the world which harbour'd these But within one halfe Apprentiship I blushed at those vanities I formerly affected and by a private retire from the world found what the world was while I was in it Many were the conflicts I must freely confesse which I suffered before I could wholly leave it Yea delights above conceipt presented themselves to my fancy solliciting me to love it And with these I long contested and at last conquered but with such difficulty as I many times failed and had been quite 〈◊〉 had not a more assisting hand guided me in the â—ignt and crowned me in the Conqueâ—â— Since which time I have ever in a contented privacy
rest she had prefixed him time and place for giving him a more private meeting but by what occasion I know not or whether it was not purposely done to delude him or to try his temper but he either mistook the Signe where they should meet or she appointed a place where there was no such Signe but meet they did not upon which disappointment being infinitely netled and presuming whatsoever he writ unto her would be accepted in this domineering way he declared his spirit Mardanes Letter to Doriclea Mistresse HOw injuriously you have showne your selfe to me in this your last dayes faile my lines can hardly deliver much lesse expresse that irreparable Discontent which I suffer Boyes might be easily without offence deluded as I was by your Signe the like whereof was never yet there founded But you reply you were there but I was gone Trust me Mistresse I stayd there till seven oth Cloâ—k which was a whole â—oure beyond the time limited and finding no such Signe as you named you may imagine if I were sensible of so apparant wrong it could not chuse but work strongly on me By this I seriously vow you have lost that Love who would have sooner ceased to live then fall short in ought that might have conduced to your love This is the resolution of your dis-esteemed Friend An other of the same stampâ— bearing the like style and state was this wherein though in a milder temper he takes occasion to tax her of neglect in this manner Dearest EIther were your occasions so many as they did strangely perplex you or else I was strangely slighted by you Trust me Deare One your own businesse could not more trouble you then your neglect of his service and true affection distasted him who so firmely dedicates himselfe to you Believe it this was an unexcusable â—rrour not to deigne 〈◊〉 iâ— so much 〈◊〉 as to 〈…〉 him with your place of aboâ—â— the time of your stay in Towne nor where â—e might with conveniency wait on you to accommodate your affaires with his besâ— advice and assistance You cannot possibly conceive lesse then that this was a greaâ— tryall of patience To appeare there disesteemed where he stood most fixed Admit hee bee aged grave yeares beautiâ—iâ—e with gray haires are more to be honoured then neglected nor may your privacies be with lesse alacrity seconded then if they were with more youthfull blood inflamed Let your more serious eye look upon these and I appeale to the justice of your selfe without any other Referre whether these have not sensibly and strongly wrought to your own bosome I say I leave it upon your truly approved and affectionate Servant This was Mardanes Letter to Doriclea which she might rather have taken for some Challenge then any Love-present But this wrought no great alteration upon Doriclea's thoâ—ghts The losâ—e of his love with which he threatned her could not much perplex her seeing his hatâ— closed best with her desires for of all men whatsoever she pretended Mardanes she most hated but in the pursuit of her aymes she surceased not to discover all expressions of fancie that might any way promise him successe that what she intended for Mellida might be sooner brought to passe Neither was his spleen so much incensed nâ—r his spirit so inraged but at their next meeting those furrowes which before appeared on Mardanes brow for his disappointment was quickly smoothed One smile that Heaven â—â—owes enforced had power enough to clame that storme and beget in his amorous thoughts a longing desire to please Many brave presents would he send her sundry rich gifts would he bestow on her All which she returned unto Mellida for happy presages of what was to ensue And in giving her these Tokens she would usually say How now Mellida This is no leane love Happy were my poor Mistresse if she might receive but the least of these remembrances from her Servant But alas Mine is too far divided from me diâ—tance of place barres us all hope of recourse Why Mistresse In what better case am I then your selfe I love one and he loves me not â—nd you love one who hates you not I may every day see mine but I am never any whit the nearer enjoying him You though you may not see him in your desires you enjoy him and partake in more freedome of love with your Philocles then ever I expect to do with my Mardanes Never expect Wench replyed Doriclea Why pray thee what accomplish'd parts doest thou see in him that thy love should not deserve him Didst thou ever heare any one so highly taken with him but thy selfe That 's no matter said Mellida but I am sure a neaâ—er personage is there not in mine eye in all the World And how far would poore Mellida goe to receive one pleasing smile from him That were an excellent precious Pilgrimage answered Doriclea Surely Wench thou wouldest gladly play Pilgrim to undertake a journey for such a Lossell But thou doest weil to be constant nor shall I ever perswade thee to change thy choice Change my choice said Mellidaâ— No may I sooner change to Earth Alas my desires are not great nor my ambition high Might I but be entertained to be his Handmaid to attend him though as his unworthy Consort I might never enjoy him this would in some measure content me yea quoth Doriclea but this perchance would in time beget in thee discontent Discontent said Mellida and be in the presence of my Mardanes how could that be By seeing other Creatures of the same Sex answered Doriclea received while thou were 't rejected Indeed said Mellida I should hardly endure to see that No earthly crosse may halfe so bitter prove As to admit Corrivals in our love And yet me thinks I should never love him worse seeing I could conceive no other cause of their too much love but his perfection And were it reason that I should hate him because others love him or fall short in my esteeme because others did so highly prize him And yet I must confesse I could not well suffer another to become too familiar with him Patience could beare no more then it could and a breast I have ready to embrâ—ace any injury rather then digest such apparant grounds of jealousie Thus privately used these two to bestow some houres of the day in discourse wherein Doriclea ever reteined so admirable a temper as no extremity of passion was ever seen outwardly to work upon her Love she could and constantly forego the presence of her love she could and modestly Expectance in this only made her happy this combate with contrary fortune would not hold out still she at last hop'd to obtaine a victory and therein more glorious in that her bickrings were more grievous A suspicious sigh must not leape from her nor an amorous â—eare betray her her own heart must be the treasurâ— of her care till patience crown her hopes wiâ—h a more soveraign cure Neither was
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
thy private devotions to remember my care Thou â—aist thou hast now set up thy rest and in this thou hast done right Wordly love and Heavenly contemplation suit ill together Thou could'st not here enjoy whom thou lovedst with our consent thou didst well then to relinquish her love the purchase whereof might beget thy ensuing discontent How happy had many bin if they had been so prevented for so had they never tasted those miseries which they so unfortunately incurred As Androgeus was thus privately discoursing of Philocles late profession which he conceived to be so sincere as all occasion of further renuall of his Daughters love and his was wholly removed Euryclea came to him to whom he read the Letter which he had received from Philocles Wherein they equally joyed while Euryclea related to her Husband the free entertainment which their Daughter upon her direction had given to Mardanes and how she feared not if they gave approvement to it but that would be very shortly a Match And though said she there be a disparity in their yeares that will beget our Daughter more esteeme And a good life with an Husband exceeds all youthfull â—ove And yet I must tell you Husband said Eâ—ryclea if his harsh disposition should either â—â—get in him a jealousie or any other unbeseeming quality I should chuse rather to go to her Buriall then her Bridall For poore Girle her good condition would brook so ill that surly humour as it would discourage her for ever And I have heard his disposition was none of the best and what were it then to enjoy all his estate and want the comfort of a contented life Our care h 'as neither been so weak nor Gods providence so small as that the Portion we intend to conferre on her may not procure her such a Match as may suit with her desires both for competency of estate and equality of yeares And for my part Husband said she I never knew any Match made up for wealth only that ever begot comfort to the party And you your selfe know Husband that when at first I preferred you in my choice the very least thing that wrought upon my affection was your wealth and yet have we had ever enough so much the more in regard we thought love in those dayes to be enough How is it Euryclea said Androgeus that you â—lead so much in defence of poverty and would not admit of Philâ—cles who was none of those who had superfluity One must make a vertuâ— of necessiâ—y replyed Euryclea I know Philocles to be poore enough and to love Doriclea enough But our Daughter was not to ground her love on every poore Lover for that might have madâ— her a poore Liver but so to plant her fancie as neither the undeservingnesse of the maâ— might beget in her a neglect of duty nor a coldnesse of affection by meanes of poverty To divert then the current of her love I made choice of one for her who had sufficient whereon to live That by comparing the want of a Scholler with the wealth of a wordly improver she might the sooner diâ—cerne her errour and betwixt these two 〈◊〉 out one whom she might both approve and love and expresse himselfe worthy her choice by his faire and affable temper Yea said Androgeus but it was dangerous to give opportunity to fancie which it seemes you have done to Mardanes already Alas good Old Man answered Euryclea there is small doubt but his yeares have so tempered him as in affaires of love his moderate desires rather aimâ— at a Consort then a Play-fellow one to cheere and comfort him then with light dalliance to solace him And could you then endure one in the prime of her youth whose posterity should be the comfort of your age to close in such unequall imbraces and by living where the does not love make her grieve that ever she did live No Androgeâ—s no replyed Euryclea my desires are that she may live where just grounds of discontent may never give her occasion to grieve And this I think she very hardly will finde in Mardanes for as 〈◊〉 richest treasure closed in a Chest affords 〈◊〉 small comfort to the Owner when to his â—wn he becomes a Prisoner so all outward substance be it heaped up in never so much â—bundance can scarcely minister the least portion of content to a minde ingaged to all heaâ—inesse But our Girle shewes no such thing for if she dissemble not and I verily think her condition will not admit it since my direction she h'as profest more love to Mardaâ—â—s then any other that ever suited her excepting Philocles Nay she will not stick sometimes to say that her unmannaged youth â—ands in need of such a Tutor and that since Philocles absence and reliction reverend age was the most taking Object to her affection If it be so said Androgeus the Girle shall have her minde but I am perswaded when fresh youth comes in the presence of age though she pretend râ—verence to age she will â—incline rather to imbrace youth Thus discoursed her Parents of their Daughters love but were farre from diving into her heart to search out for whom she reserved her constant love But love she must for tender is their care to bestow her where both person and fortune may give her content But all is not Gold that glisters nor all winners that are Wooers For though she have an enforced smile for Mardanes she reteines an heart full of care for the safety of her Philocles CHAP. XXVI Doriclea fals or seemingly fâ—ls into a Fever each day seemes to increase her distemper Eschites an experienc'd Physician is sent for to apply his best art in a case of such extremity but he an intimate friend to Philocles makes show as if he despair'd of her recovery And that no Malady arising from fancy could without enjoyment of the Object loved receive remedy WHo knowes not how to dissemble he knowes not how to live But if that Art 〈◊〉 receive approvement Love and no other Objâ—ct should be the instrument This 〈…〉 who now 〈◊〉 or seemingly fals into a Fever Long is it now since Philocles absence but longer to her conceipt then any other having not as yet heard from him since his departure from her From the benefit then of fresh aire which could not chuse but infinitely cheere her she retires making her selfe a stranger to those Groves and Gardens wherein she walked and betakes her selfe to her Bed where she privately expostulates with fancie recalling to minde wherein soever she had suffered A violent Fever within some few dayes after strongly seazed on her which whether it was seeming or so indeed I will not here dispute but each day to the great griefe of her Parents seemed to increase her distâ—mper Sleepe was a stranger to her eyes meat distastefull to her palat and loathing to her stomack A great desire she had to be private pretending that much talk distemper'd her braine and
thing Mistresse are you not strongly troubled with imaginations I have a phantasie quoth she as others have and that must needs according to the nature of it be discursively wandring here and there but never fixed on any one Object I will burne my Books said Eschites if that prove so Come Mistresse I must be round with you your minde h 'as begot in your body this distemper your blood had never beene infected had not your minde beene first to love affected Be then so much a friend to your selfe as either labour to forget him or by imparting your thoughts more freely to your Parents to enjoy him This is the best receipt that Art can apply to you which if you reject dye and who will pitty you Doriclea wondred much how Eschites art could possibly so soone make him of her Cabbinet counsell as so quickly to discover her infirmity Bâ—t long it was before her modesty would admit any such discovery At last with a winning kinde of reluctancy after a Vermillion blush which plaid the shamefast Harbinger to prepare way for what should come after she disclosed her griefe freely to Eschites in this manner Sir so presuming am I of your secrecy as a poore Patient intends to make her Physitian her Secretary nor am I lesse confident of your care then your cure of your care to keepe my counsell then of your desire to cure my Malady I shall here relate to you what I meant to have buried with me It is true Sir there is one that I have lodged neare my heart and remove him I cannot and enjoy him I may not Nor will I conceale from you any thing the Man who h 'as taken this place is Philocles now a banished man to his Countrey which censure he h'as voluntarily incurred and cheerefully imbraced to decline my Parents fury And his absence it is Sir that h 'as begot in me this infirmity No sooner did Eschites hear Philocles named then he rejoyced much to have so faire an occasion offered him both in respect of his Patient whom he desired to recover as likewise for the advancement of his friend Philocles whose former acquaintance had ingag'd his respects more then any other To palliat all things then with more art he intends to work a cure without applying any medicinall receipt and this must be by Argument for otherwise he knowes not how to effect it And now a fit opportunity is given him for this perswasive receipt must not be ministred to his Patient but her Parent Who desirous to heare what the Physitians opinion was touching their Daughter came in the very instant which prevented Doriclea from imparting her mind any more at that time to Eschites Androgeus beckning oft to the Physitian demanded of him what he thought of his Daughter and whether he had hope to recover her or no. Eschites withdrawing himselfe a little from her bed side and taking her Parents aside begun freely to discover his opinion of her in this manner Sir as it h'as never beene my use in the whole course of my profession to delude my Patient with vaine hope where I found my receipts could afford no helpe so I must ingenuously tell you what I think without flattering you in cases of this extremity I finde small hope of recovery unlesse her youth be a meanes to repell the malignity of this humour Nature is much weakned in her Her sleepe which is the very dew of the braine h 'as left her Nourishment will she take none and if she did yet by reason of obstructions in the Orifice of her stomack it would not digest with her So as should I apply purgative or ligative medicines unto her yet would they work small effect by meanes of those indispoed humours which have got dominion over her Shall I tell you my minde freely It is not in the vertue of hearbs that may returne her remedy her malady proceeds from fancy which must receive 〈◊〉 from the Object it loves or no hope of recovery Having delivered his opinion in this sore he took Androgeus and Euryclea by the hand desiring to know of them whether their Daughter had not at any time professed love to some Gentleman or other in those parts or whether she had not discovered so much unto them yes answered Androgeus â—he doted too much upon one Philocles whom I here reteined for her Schoolemaster one of knowing parts but weak fortunes Then it seemes said Eschites you crossed her in her desires We did indeed answered Androgeus for we conceived that such a marriage would 〈◊〉 highly to her dishonour to marry a poore private Scholler and therefore sought to decline her affection that way Which like an obedient childe she h'as since that time done and observed our directions with that care as an ancient Gentleman and one whom you well know whose rising fortunes may highly advance her h 'as lately renued his suit unto her whom she with all faire respect entertaines So as her former indiscreet fancy seemes wholly banished and consequently her Malady if it should proceed from any such occasionall fancy perfectly cured Alas replyed Eschites what your Daughter may pretend is one thing but what she intends is another Affection I must tell you will be hardly forced whatsoever her filiall obedience may enjoyne her love reteines too much soveraignty to be so countermanded or to extinguish that heat which it first cherished Thus he though he professed no such matter but as an Artist should in delivering his opinion touching their Daughter expressed himselfe an intimate Friend to Philocles by making show as if he despaired of her recovery closing his judgement with this Maxime That no Malady arising from fancy could without enjoyment of the Object loved receive remedy Which much perplexed her sorrowfull Parents conceiving by Eschites relation that the image of Philocles had stamped so deep an impression in their Daughters affection as the ground of her distemper arose from being so imperiously divided from her Lover CHAP. XXVII The Parents of Doriclea conceive incessant griefe for their distemper'd Daughter they â—emoane their neglect of Philocles and dis-esteeme of his love But they finde no hope of reliefe to their languishing Daughter seeing the meanes of her cure was reported to have enter'd a Regular Order DOriclea could not more passionately suffer in this her amorous distemper then her Parents did for their daughter Tender was their love and incessant was the griefe they did conceive No meanes was left unassaid no cure unpractised to regaine her health whom they so dearely loved But all experiments were in vaine the more they laboured them ore she languished So as little could be expected but that this her encreasing distemper would bring her e're long to pay her debt to nature This moved Androgeus and Euryclea the tender affectionate Parents of sick Doriclea to bemoane their neglect of Philocles and dis-esteeme of his love which her Father one day discovered with a pensive heart
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
him if I should see him and yet every night I infinitely love him and could chuse to live with him if he be flesh and blood as I hope he is for else I should not for all the world endure him Doriclea could not chuse but smile within her selfe to heare this simple Countrey Girle discover her imaginary love in this manner While an other as simple as the former but a more reall and substantiall lover stept forth and as one angry that her fellow should spend so much time in discovery of a Dreame or a dreaming fancy she proceeded in this sort Sister what makes you thus trouble Mistresse Doriclea's eares with a story of a Cock and a Bull Dreames are but fanciâ—s of the braine and a thousand nights have I had such Dreames and me thought took great delight in such a yongsters company that I carâ—d not a Chip for next morning But I pray you Mistresse Doriclea heare my Fortune for I love in good earnest and if he be a just Man of his word he loves me too Climenes is the Man I am not ashamed of my choice a proper Dapper Youth and h 'as wonne the best prizes from Admetus Melintus Palemon and the activest Youths of all our Parish at our Summer-Games two yeares together And my Father good Man h 'as promised him that if hee come away with the prizes next yeare againe he will bestow me on him And I could wish with all mine heart that I were his now for a whole yeare will be too long to languish in love But one thing now above all others there is Mistresse that grieves me and it is this Our Neighbours say he will never have a Beard and what a rivell'd Russeting will he look when he comes to age But if Nature will not be so bountifull to him if there be a Beard-maker in all our Countrey I will want of my will but he shall furnish him Your case is happy in comparison of mine said the third Girle one of you loves and you know not whom another loves and may enjoy whom she loves but my Fortune is harder for AEgon profest as much love to me as ever Suiter did to Woman and I knew nothing but that he thought as he spake and would performe what he had promised But â—waines can dissemble as well as greater Men for going th' other day to our Parish Church â— might heare the Banes of Marriage publiquely asked betwixt AEgon and Leucippe so as all those professions of love wherein he â—ood ingaged to his Mâ—tilda must now be renounced and a new love entertained And yet Mistresse Doricleâ— I were a Foole to lay that to my heart which another lyes to his heele A disloyall Man should never break the heart of a wise Maid He that can so easily leave his old Love may stand in need of the least graine of it if he live Meane time I hope if I live to enjoy one who shall more constantly love Thus discoursed these Countrey Girles and much content took Doriclea in this relation of their simple loves But her Father and Mother comming in prevented all further discourse for that time Their Daughter they found still languishing small or no hope of recovery ministred least comfort unto them Many times they wished that they had not opposed her affection but inclined to her will for so they might have enjoyed what now by all probability is very likely to be taken from them And as they were thus bemoaning their sick Daughter who daily grew weaker in strength but stronger in her distemper Eschites came into the Chamber enquiring how it was with her Drawing nearer and nearer to her end answered her Father Small hope of amends appeares yet Nor will any probably appeare to my judgement said Eschites No cure can be possibly effected till the cause be removed And though the cause of her distemper be too far removed as the case now stands the cause must be restored or no recovery to be expected Androgeus desiring to know what he meant requested him to explaine himselfe To whose satisfaction he willingly inclined and in a grave demure manner imparted his minde freely to them discovering both the grounds first introducing and receipts most soveraigne for curing her distemper Sir you may remember how forth of experienc'd grounds of Art I sometimes told you which they shall finde true that have neare relation to you That no Malady arising from fancy could without enjoyment of the Object loved receive remedy And though love rarely work such effects in these dayes yet too neare an instance you have here of your owne who confirmes what powerfull nay incurable distempers the quality of love produceth not only in the affections but constitutions of such who have received such deepe impressions of love as they must seaze on the person they effect or cease to live Too long have you deceived your selves with flattering hopes expecting that either by strength of Nature which you may perceive much enfeebled in her or by Physicall means which I told you could smally benefit her she might recover health And now you see how farre she is from seconding your hopes as every day promiseth nothing but a decline from worse to worse To prevent this if you expect ever to see her in health againe give way to my directions let her enjoy what she h'as so unfeignedly desired It is Philocles that must performe this Cure or effectlesse is our Art fruitlesse our Care Let him then be called home whose returne gives me assured hope of her health Alas answered Androgeus if that were possible to be done we should easily encline to such a motion but as he is not only divided from us but enter'd a strict-austere Order there is small hope that ever his purpose is to returne hither For since his departure hence I received a passionate Letter from him wherein he not only humbly craved my pardon for his indiscreet pursuit of my Daughters affection but advertised me of his late Conversion And how that course which he had now embraced had aliened his thoughts from all light love and that the choice he had now made should during life admit no change Very like said Eschites But I pray you how expound you that Clause His Choice no doubt which he meant by was your Daughter which he never intended to change Come Sir Discourses in affaires of this nature should be used as preparatives of what may succeed after you desire your Daughters health and you perceive the meanes to effect it but out of a scrupulous feare you doubt the way is diverted What say you unto him that shall expedite the way and make you happy if nature be not too much debilitated in her recovery We shall be defective in nothing that may further it nor ungratefull to whomsoever shall labour in it said her Parents With which words Eschites who tender'd nothing more then the advancement of his affectionate Philocles became so
are meere shadowes to loyall fancy They cannot strike that heart which is truly struck with love And I appeale to thee Doriclâ—a if mine be not truly wounded Be my â—eturne then for thy safety and I shall hold my desirâ—s crowned in perishing for thee This said in a private disguise he addresseth himselfe for his returne to the end he might with lesse suspicion repaire to his firme friend Eschites and upon further conference with him be satisfied whether the Coast were cleare or no. And in short time might he make his returne seeing whatsoever he pretended his distance was not great by meanes of his retire For as yet he had not crost the Seas nor taken any other Order then the constant profeâ—â—ion of a Lover who had made Doriclea his Saint to whom he was so devoted as wheresoever he sojourned his engaged hearâ— could not be divided from that object whereâ—â—t was so inseparably united But the wayes of love when they promise most smoothnesse are ever encounter'd with sundry difficulties This our Philocles felt who in his returne walking one evening on the Sea-shore to refresh his spirits with the aire of the Sea was had in suspicion by some Seafaring-men for a Spy and restrain'd that night by command with a purpose next morning to bring him before a Justice who had given direction upon notice thereof that he should be safely guarded and early next morne he would take examination of him and upon what occasion he took such serious survey of that Coast and Vessels within the Roade Philocles as it fortuned having been formerly acquainted with this Gentleman who should examine him for they had been Cöacademicks and fearing much lest these delayes might either be interpreted in him a coldnesse of fancy or towards his approved Eschites an opinionate jealousie to hasten his departure thence he prepared his way to this Justice in these lines Sir L Awes which should be lines of life to direct to support and steere the course of an injuried Supplicant are for most part become Spiderwebs to eâ—wreathe and enwarp the smaller to give more liberty to a powerfull Offender See the misery of time But to recall my selfe this is not the errour of time but of man Where a direct eye becomes squinted by respect or bleared by receipt or quite put out by a prejâ—dicate conceipt Dangerous aymes are these to a well-governed State Where Religion shapes it selfe to Policy and candid pretences cloze with impiety As you are Man observe that Golden-meane which returnes the best Character of Man The fairest path that conducts man to immortality is ever on this Theatre of Earth to remember his mortality And the nearest resemblance that Man can have to his Maker is to mixe Justice with Mercy and to reduce them to â—n equall temper by exhibiting them to all in a proportionable â—easure â—ilies among Thornes are Beauteous Objects Be you the same in this World of Weeds So shall your name flourish and have a report behinde you better meriting praise then emiâ—ency of state or precedenâ—y of place These Paper Presents are but weak reflexions of stronger affections yet being the best Sacrifice of a friend and no Spy unlesse it be in the scrutiny of his own heart they deserve the higher place in your esteeme Meane time expresse your selâ—e what your Countrey expects from you the State requires of you and for which all good men will love you which shall be the most assidâ—ate and affectionate wish of him who remaines the constant honourer of your vertues Philocles This Letter infinitely pleased the Gentleman but when he found it subscribed to by Philocles the Character pleased him so much the better In a word so farre was he from entertaining him as a Spy as he familiarly embraced him in the armes of a friend His Guarders were soone discharged desiring nothing more then to heare the relation of his fortunes Which done after his earnest invitation to stay longer with him he accommodated him with whatsoever might necessarily befit him with a friendly dismission wished him all happy successe in his love-assay The next evening he privately came to his constant friend Eschites his house with whom he freely conversed being satisfied by him that all things were very like to second his expectation and how nothing was more desired then his speedy and happy arrivall Yet he told him withall that he held it fitting that he should not presently approach the presence of his Mistresse least she who was not as yet wholly recovered by being overjoyed by his presence might make relapse into her sicknesse which to prevent he intended to prepare her by degrees to the end his unexpected comming to her might through an immoderate passion of joy lesse occasion her distemper Meane time while this approved Artist was preparing way for his securer accesse to his Mistresse he neglects not that office which amity enjoynes him to performe to his Friend For having heard where his faithfull friend Euphilus lodged whom he so intimately loved and that for his cause he was there arrived he could not chuse but expresse those loyall devotions which his love so much deserved and what his travaile for his sake had so well confirmed It is not easie to relate what incredible joy and comfort the one conceived in the others presence wherewith Philoâ—les seemed so intranced as in the end not able to containe himselfe any longer but out of the affluence of his joy he burst forth in this manner Deare Euphilus I now perceive well that the influence of those Divine Powers whose eyes are ever fixed on us knowes best how to attemper our greatest discomforts with rayes of solace Long it is not since we were divided yet during that small distance of time never did poore mortall encounter with more extreames nor taste lesse of hope nor partake lesse in helpe Injoyned I was to live where I did most loathe and to be estranged from that place where I did most love Divided I was not only from my fancy but restrained of my liberty Those whom I honoured most for her deare sake whom I loved best publish'd themselves my profest foes desiring nothing more then to have me in pursuit yea and if the Lawes would extend so farre to bring me within the compasse of my life to recompence the constancy of my love Yet behold how by the Divine Clemency this storme is cleared these menacing Clouds dispelled these foggy vapours dispersed poore Philocles released his captivity to liberty reduced what he least expected now freely offered and that humane comforts might come linked as my former discomforts came not singled behold a double blessing invirons me The presence of a firme Friend with the fruition of a faire Mistresse Euphilus no lesse rejoyced in the enjoyment of his Philocles to whom after he had related the occasion of his repaire to those parts and mutually solaced themselves in the repetition of their former pleasures and studies A Messenger
discreet love answered Philocles those who truly love make it the least of their feares how they may afterwards live But if that be the only let I shall easily supply that want I have not prized your love at so low an estimate as to accompt you worthy so neare a gage as Brotherhood and then exclude you from shaâ—ing in my estate My Uncles providence shall be unto us an equall purchase Be not so unadvisedly modest as to refuse it you shall accept it with her love to boot who may deserve it And when your rising hopes shall better furnish you then may your modesty requite it This free and friendly offer forced Euphilus to reply with silence which Philocles observing What said he do you take this curtsie so strangely as if it were not an inherent office of amity for friends to have dependance one of an other in cases of necessity Trust me Euphilus were you in my case I should make bold upon the same tearmes to become a sharer with you in whatsoever fortune with a more bounteous hand had bestowed on you Neither shall your desires be foreslowed for with your Parents leave my deare Doriclea within few dayes shall our speed be winged homeward to consummate that which you and my Sister have so long wished and from which my aged Father hath not much declined Delay answered the Page breeds danger and marriages are the merriest when they come together Pretty Wagge replyed Philocles but where must we finde a Bride The least feare of a thousand answered the Page no doubt but if my Master will finde a Bridegroome and you prove as good as your word the Page shall finde one to make a Bride Wherewith Valeria who was supposed to be Euphilus Page discover'd her selfe to be Philocles Sister with this excuse how it was fancy with a feare for so report told her of a forraigne Intruder both which put upon her that disguise and prest her to that adventure and no immodesty though too inlarg'd a love may weare that Livery that first put that habit upon her A generall joy was conceived upon this discovery For Philocles could not rejoyce so much at the sight of his Sister as his Sister did in the enjoyment of her Brother nor Doriclea in this mutuall joy of them both more then amazed Euphilus in this strange Metamorphosis of his Page to his Lover The relation whereof cheered not a little the old Couple Androgeus and Euriclea who provided a new Festivall for this unexpected Nuptiall For with Phllocles consent to their incomparable content was â—oyall Euphilus married to his loving Sister being long before privately affianc'd to her This occasionall Solemnity made a second dayes private Jubilee in the whole family For the night we leave it to the free and lawfull embraces of these affectionate Lovers wâ— admit no light lines to disclose the freedome of Loves Lawes If Phidias had a Curtaine for his Picture well might these livelylovely features shroud their delights from the too inquisitive eye of a wanton censure CHAP. XXXII The occasion of this private Solemnization and how Mellida by advice of her Mistresse Doriclea assuming her name and habit writ to Mardanes how she preferr'd him in the choice of affection before any other acquainting him how in a private disguise to prevent danger and her Parents displeasure she would meet him when and where in a lawfull Nuptiall way he might enjoy her YOu may imagine there was some occasion of the privacy of this Solemnization and you shall heare the cause which induced it Happy Doriclea for now h'as she attained the height of her desires was not altogether forgetfull of poore Mellâ—da's distresse in the seazure of her own happinesse Something must be done or this foolish-enâ—mour'd Girle is quite undone For you may be confident Mellida could not play well the Bridemaid but she must sigh how to be made a Bride Teares are too sweet a food for afflction And none ever felt it in an higher degree then she did who rather then she would be deprived of that aged Object of her grounded love could chuse with all her heart to surcease to live But live she must and enjoy her love or her faithfull Mistresse must faile in her designe Which the better to prepare Doriclea now possest of what she affected most becomes stronger in her fancy in regard her conceipt was not now to work for her selfe for that love-task was done but for her perplexed Maid who desired nothing more then to enjoy what her Mistresse had done And protraction is a forture to affection Her aime is to expedite her Maids desire left too much thought of love should weaken the effects of love The Plot then must be thus carried and thrice happy Mâ—llida if not miscarried for if it prosper Mardanes must enjoy Mellida Mellida those embraces aged God wot but to her more pleasing then the copletest Lover For never was Woman taken more with the affection of such a feature nor ever favoured any object more that presented lesse fâ—vour But Lovers are blinde or a blinde God could not so easily wound them Mount then must our amorous Mellida to the height of her affections and in them to an unexpected growth of fortunes by her Mistresse meanes which she accommodates thus Mellida by the advice of her Mistresse Doriclea by whom she must be directed or all her aimes are distracted assuming her name and habit writes to her endeared Mardanes whom never before beauty lookt upon much lesse doted on and his reverend age which now grew hottest in love when he grew coldest in blood she thus encounters Mellidas Letter to Mardanes SIr Lines cannot blush so â—s modesty admits â— freedome to our Pen which would be taxed immodesty being delivered by the tongue I appeale to your selfe for your privatest thoughts canot be lesse then conscious of my love if I have not preferr'd you in the choice of affection before any other closing with your desires in all things that might not touch mine honour But it is the Evening crowâ—es the Day confirme then what you have professed those vowes wherein I stand ingaged shall not be neglected Should I tell you as much as I write to you I could not chuse but blush I love you and if you lose no time may live with you But Parents I have and their command must be obeyed nor do I finde them so well affected towards our loves what soever they formerly professed Sir I must freely tell you lose no opportunity if you hold me an Object worthy of your fancy To prevent then prying eyes affections dangerous spyes let me acquaint you nor is it to be conceipted immodesty but strength of fancy that thus directs me how in a private disguise to prevent danger and my Parents displeasure whose constant aime is to bestow me upon an other I shall meet you when and where you please in a lawfull Nâ—ptiall way to accomplish both our desires and divert
those approaching feares which surprize me till you may with all freedome enjoy me by accompting me your own which interest I shall preserve with an unstained fame Nor do I hold any place both for safetâ— and conveniency more proper then that Elme grove adjoyning to Solinus Cell If you approve of this Plot or desire to enjoy Doriclea's love or to prevent a Corrivall in your love or to crowne both our desires in our happy fruition of the effects of love bring one along with you who may consuâ—â—mate that Rite which remaines in viâ—late till death dissolve it yours or not her own Doriclea When Mellida had writ this Letter to her affectionate Lover by the direction of her Mistresse whose pleasure it was that her own marriage the day before should be privately solemnized that it might not be discovered to Mardanes she addressed her selfe in this manner to her Mistresse Alas Mistresse But should Mardanes now heare â—it her of your marriage or take my Mask off to kisse me before he h'as married me what would become of me And you know lip-labour cannot want where true love h 'as once warm'd the heart Doubt not Wench said Dorâ—clea for my marriage it was so privately carried as excepting our own Family none knowes of it which privacy was only intended for thy preferment But if thou hast no power over thy selfe but thou must unmask before the watch-word be given I cannot remedy that Nay Miâ—â—esse replyed Mellida I would do any thing so I might enjoy him but I feare much I cannot hold when I see him but I must have an hearty desire to take a taste of him Thy virgin-modesty answered her Mistresse may dispence with that so thy indiscreet fancy bring thee not to a discovery Solinus I have prepared to second thee whose approved zeale h 'as infinitely ingag'd me to him Only then let me advise thee be wise in this carriage of thy love lefâ— thy own folly bring thee to a losse in the pursuit of him whom thou doest love I am perswaded the Plot will take if it be not spoiled by thy own mistake Thus encouraged Doriclea her perplexed Mellida directing her in every passage what to do and advertising her withall that if she observed but two particulars she could not possibly erre in this Project Silence and concealing of her count'nance And this Mellida promiseth to observe and that she will not kisse him till she h'as married him nor unmask till the Mask be done meaning till the marriage be finished unlesse Mistresse said she too much love make me forget and then I am sure my fame fancy and fortunes shall fare the worse for it Thus is a way prepared for Mellida's happinesse as she accompts it nor is she â—lower in her care to have this Letter delivered then she is in her desire to have her affectionate wishes crowned A Messenger then and such an one whose fidelity promiseth secrecy is provided while every houre seemes a yeare till she heare such an answer as may breathe upon her hopes by affording her that content which she cannot enjoy in a single state Forestall our History we must not the issue of this Plot shall disclose it selfe in this our ensuing and closing discourse which as Comick conclusions suit best with love where vertue drawes the line makes it the least of our meaning to set in a Cloud but to cleare all preceding stormes with a cheerefull calme CHAP. XXXIII The Plot holds Mardanes rejoyces infinitely at his unexpected happinesse thanks his Spurcina for her well-spell'd practise and infeoffes his unknowne Bâ—ide though much against his will in his riches ZEalous was Sâ—linus of the successe of this Device Neither was he lesse serious in effecting then Doriclea was in contriving nor Mellida whom it concerned most in expecting Suppose now Mardanes to have received this Love-letter which his foure eyes are not content with once reading nor revising but examines every love-line Every accent must be crowned with a blessing every period with a gracefull acceptance Inâ—initely rejoyces he at his unexpected happinesse that he should come to enjoy such a Mistresse whom both youth and fortunes suited for their Bride but fell short of their hope Many thankes he gives his Spurcina for her well-spell'd practise and commends his own pate for attempting such an enterprize He holds it not fitting to spin out any needlesse time for effecting his Doriclea's desires He findes too much passion in her lines to counterfeit with the disposition of her heart But there is nothing that makes delay seeme more hatefull to him nor fuller of danger then that some may become competitors in his love and by her Parents choice leave him in the lurch This makes him stirre his stumps and to answer her Letter with such speedy cheerefulnesse as Mellida can expect no lesse then all successe to her desires and to her long-languishing hopes assured happinesse Neither was there any thing which wrought more pleâ—singly upon his deluded thoughts then that witty device as he conceived it of suting herselfe in a disguise to prevent her Parents aimes which confirmed the love she profest and ingagd him to requite her love in that which he esteemed best And that was his substance wherein like a free-hearted Bridegroome he resolves so amply to infeâ—ffe her as her large Dower might appear a manifest argument of the love he bore her But indeed this bounty of his proceeded rather from Sâ—linus advice then his own disposition who cunningly told him that the only way to winne her Parents acceptance after the private consummation of their marriage was to invest her in all his estate before their marriage Which would not only be a means to reconcile them but highly to inlarge their bounty towards him Nothing could be moved whereto Mardanes h'as not assented Neither is it easie to beleeve how he begins to burnish his crazy carkasse afresh His crisping and frizling Irons must be used his bald head with a ruâ—ling Periwig furnished a Pomander to sweeten his earthy savour prepared an Orange stuck with Cloves to restore that breath which was wholly mortified And to publish to the world that he reteines still some colour of love he displayes his light fancy in the lightest colours of loves livery But so improperly suited as his antick habit proclaimes him an unqualified Gallant Infinitely stands he devoted to his Glasse and yet me thinks he should not love it for presenting him a face so neare him which might rather affright him then like him if he were not too much besotted on it for his sake that owes it For so strongly had those amorous lines wrought on his conceipt as he verily thought there was something in him which deserved more love then either his age could promise or the decayes of nature performe Suppose him them with as much speed as his Snaile-like pace may afford him addressing his course towards the place where his Doriclea is to meet him to
consummate those Rites which incomparably transport him And meet him she will but not as a Bride but a Maide to his Bride for they have chang'd their habits to make the Plot passe for currant that the Mistresse in this mysterious disguise might passe for her Maide the Maide for her Mistresse For howsoever Doriclea was sometimes resolved to recommend the whole carriage of this Plot to Solinus who had exprest many faithfull offices betwixt her selfe and her dearest Philocles yet being jealous how Mellida would demeane her selfe in the presence of her Mardanes she desired to become an Agent in the project which no question was better mannaged by her presence then it had beene without her assistance Love-aged Mardanes omits no time nor neglects no meane but provides a Man to accomplish that Rite which so equally complyes with both their desires Who as they enter'd the Elme-grove neighbouring to Solinus Cell they might see two Gentlewomen masked with one ushering them of grave and reverend aspect Whom upon their approach Mardanes saluted but no conference was admitted lest the Plot might be discovered Howsoever great desire had poore-â—namour'd Mellida to bestow a more familiar curtsie on her ancient Bridegroome but he must not as yet be admitted that honour for her Mask without discovery could entertaine no lip-labour To this private Solemnity they go wherein Solinus supplyed the place of a Father to Mellida who was with such observance attended by Doriclea as no Maid could be more officious The Rite thus solemnized and Mardanes seazed of what as he conceived he most affected and Mellida of what she before all the World preferred as the Bridegroome and Bride were lovingly going hand in hand together Mardanes might perceive this Inscription newly indorsed on the rinde of an aged Elme as they were to go forth at the West end of the Grove Love is a witty thing and can devise A thousand tricks to blinde a thousand eyes He loves and weds but weds not where he loves She loves and weds and weds whom she approves Many before this time have oft assaid The Maid forth ' Mistresse Mâ—â— for the Maid If you would know the issue of their love Inquire of Cupids Mask in Venus Grove A Match well made she poore and he is rich But wed't she 's rich he poor gramercy Witch This was ingraven the very morning before by Solinus the perusall whereof did not a little trouble Mardanes But no sooner was his Mellida unmask'd then he needed no Oedipus to expound this Riddle Then but too late he findes himselfe deluded but never too late said Doriclea to be contented vertâ—e must be made of a necessity and a poore vertuous Maid may well deserve your fancy Not altogether so poore replyed Solinus for if she be poore what will become of Mardanes who h'as infeoffed her in all his estate and invested her in all the meanes hee h'as in the world Nay said Mellida he h'as indowed me with the personall estate of himselfe which I preferre before all the world And would you have more answered Doriclea Trust me Mardanes you shall finde more true love in the Maid then ever you could have found in her Mistresse The one could give you an hand but no heart whereas the other gives you both hand and heart The one was ingaged the other free and to your love devoted The one might live with you but never love you the other can both love you and live with you Never then in my opinion did any Witch a better part then in bestowing an old fortune on a young heart A spirit that can dispose it and not scatter it as your care was to provide and gather it The Bridegroome stood as mute as a Fish all this time till at last the Brazen-head spoke saying What must be must be But he vowed iâ— ever it were his fortune againe to match he would never buy a Pig in a poak nor wed a Wench in a Mask But those that were there thought he might save that labour for by course of Nature he had married his executor After they had accompanied them home broke the Bride-cake and brought the unweldy Bridegroome to his bed wishing the Bride good rest being all she could possibly expect and advising her to take a good life of that she had to keep an hank of that she held and to supply the want of youth with the wealth of age they departed thence while Doriclea with many thankes commended Solinus to his Cell neare which her dearest Philocles with his constant Euphilus purposely retired to bring her home who upon relation of these unexpected newes to her Parents and Family rejoyced highly Within some few Moneths after an heavie leave and hearty blessing these two married Couples returned into their Countrey where they were received with great joy by the Gentry who admired much the relation of their amity and whose constancy to this day reteines testimonies of their living memory To close then our History whose ground-colour is truth and consequently deserves to be entertained with more trust as vertue playes her Master-prize in every noble enterprize so by her Princely presence and timely attendance these lived together lovingly loved neighbourly and rejoyced mutually which happy Period is wished to all faithfull Lovers by the Compiler of this History 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS CUrteous Reader let it be an argument of thy Candor to do the Author so much favour to correct these Errors escaped in some Copies Page 128 line 8. for firce reade fierce p. 139 1. 5. for faith r. fate ib. 1. 6. for fate r. faith p. ib. 1 28. for extasied r. extased Doricleas expostulation touching Camillus Mardanes Passion upon his Repuâ—â—e Doricleas Resolution Philocles Speech to Doriclea Philocles Passion Philocles relation of the unhappinesse of his condition The Hermâ—â—â— Speech to Doricleâ— In Mapalia circa oras Penellicollis sito tetorrimae illius regionis venifices convenorunt ubi quò iturse quid perpetraturae statuerunt The Hermits Speech to Doriclea The Hermits discourse of the purity of Love ☞ 〈◊〉 Speech to her Father Our pâ—re Vowes of love are Sign'd above 〈◊〉 Answer to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 speech to her â—other a To prepare a smoother passage to her love-pretended 〈◊〉 She deluded 〈…〉 with a countâ—â—seit Sâ—gne c Châ—yâ— in Hom. 6. in 2. â—p ad Cor. Eschites Speech to Doriclea Deâ—iclea discovers her griefe to Eschues 〈◊〉 opinion of 〈◊〉 Eschites Speech to Androgeus Vâ—lâ—ria in a disguise seconded by a counterâ—eited Letter from Albanâ—â— presents his Servicâ— to Euphilus ☞ a Properly styled Plaâ—tiâ—â—â— Elysian Grove or Erycina's Pa phian Laâ—â—â—
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