that doth not presently desire to be a King but because it is too difficult t s become one hope is not moved and so this desire is no sooner horn but dyeth no body shall ever make me believe that Love can Reign without hope how then shall an Old man love if he have nothing in him that may make him hope to be loved and consequently to obtain what he loveth and desireth let us begin with wisdome which is the thing that doth Old men the most honour and let us see if she be capable of making them hope any thing from love if I discourse with one of them he will doubtless tell me that it is the greatest folly a man can do to become in love in his Old Age by this then it is plain that an Old man cannot hope much since he is assured to go for a Fool to love at his age Besides they know but too well how Odious the name of Old Age is to all that are beautiful in the world and how they change both Voices and Countenances at the sight only of gray hairs I might have here a fair field to enlarge upon but to you that can devine the half of what I would say I must not relate all let us observe Old Folks another way and we shall find that being far enough from hope nothing is so natural to them as to fear whether it be that it proceedeth from their own weakness or from the experience they have that the world is but a cheat How can we make it appear afier this that they love if they are in continual apprehensions to be deceived I remember something to this purpose which one of my Friends told me not long ago that an Old man might love a person much inferiour to him and of an indifferent Beauty that may make him hope to be loved again by reason she is not amiable enough to be loved of another but who is it that seeth not that there is more of wit than truth in this reason because it is first necessary that Love cometh either from choice or destiny as for example destiny causeth that two hearts love each other when it hapneth that they are both born under the same ascendant or that the same Planet ruleth the life of both it is certain that these two Persons love intirely Again we may love by dcstiny when there is a resemblance of humors as Physicians argue and in many others which I could tell You If it were requisite to tell you all the opinions they have upon this Subject we cannot say that these good Old Grandsires are capable of this love when they chose a Mistress for they are not assured that she they shall take for the Object of their desires hath a humor like them that she hath the same Ascendant or that she is born under the same Planet they are I say no more assured than to know how to bring themselves to it If we will now that love cometh to an Old man by choice since in effect he seeketh her whom he thinketh easiest to win I say that love comporteth himself to all that are good or fair or that seem so If it be thus I pray tell me what reason is there to believe that an Old man can be in love if he seeketh that which is less amiable it is rather a token of Choler and Hatred which he hath against himself than a signe of love it seemeth as though he would punish himself for the smalness of his merit or that he hath despight for not knowing how to aspire to something better composed We also see that most of your Gray beards address themselves commonly to none but persons that are made unhappy by the way of Fortune or to those that have not too much wit to be succesful in their deregulate affections But yet this cannot be called love for the reason I have already mentioned since considering these two evil qualities in them it is impossible they can have any love no more than esteem If the Object they chose be in misery they believe as in effect it is true that it is the Estate they love in them and not their person that they would have no love for them did they not buy it and that they courted them for nought but to pick their pockets In the mean time as in this thing they are most sensible and since they behold their Mistresses like so many Harpies I believe they cannot have any love for them And for the last Reason I conclude that an Old man is incapable of love because he thinketh himself not loved again But should there be found in the world Women with so little sense as to love men of their Age. I say that notwithstanding they would have no love for them judging themselves unworthy to be loved by people like them I am c. All these Reasons said d'Armenton after the Baron had ended reading of his Letter are good but they make nothing against what I have said and I am likewise of that Opinion with the rest of the world that one must be a Fool indeed to love at that Age after the manner of Young people but one must likewise be wise indeed to Love after the manner I say but it doth not belong to a Young man There is nevertheless said the Count a famous Author among the Greeks who saith that the less time we have to live the more we ought to give to love and that a man who hath gray hairs may Court a young Lass with as good Grace as we may joyn the â—oses with the Lillies to make a fair Nose-gay I believe he understood not that love only of the mind but that which causeth us to fall into an agreeable weakness of mind to be the more tender of what we love This Author was doubtless Old replyed the Abbot and we must not wonder at it if concerning Love he hath mentioned things of so little sense I remember I heard Madamoisella d'Armond diverting her self in this Garden with a Song not long since which is not a little pertinent to our present Discourse and I hope she will vouchsafe this Company the goodness of obliging them with it now She after a smal modest refusal thus began SONG 'T is folly to think old Men can enjoy the sprightly Pleasures of Youth their desires are frozen and Youth will not toy with Ice on an odd perish'd Tooth t' enjoy the sweet pleasures of love in due time 'T is fittest to tast 'em when we are in our prime Age may desire and wish but wants power To love but in fancy alone The effect of which Love 's like a winter shower Or the work of a feeble Drone T' enjoy c. How rudely are the young Rose-buds embrac'd When kist by a cold North-wind So Youth seemeth nipp'd with a bitter Frost When enjoy'd by a gray-haird Friend T' enjoy c. Beauty was never design'd for Old Age By Nature
severe and treat him illy and send him away that he may not see her more On the contrary answered her the Count I would only have her to give him an answer whose discreet coldness might give him to understand that she taketh no pleasure in those sorts of Liberties and if he be a Gentleman that knoweth how to carry himself with her and who mentioneth not his passion to her but in modest termes and under a hidden sense which is the way that witty perfons use I believe that it may be very easie for this Fair-one to rid her out of trouble and that she may give to his words what signification she pleaseth as if she understood nothing and turn the discourse upon another matter that if it so hapneth that she cannot but give what he saith the true meaning she might convert it all into Railery and attribute it to a certain custome which witty persons have when they are in company with Ladies that they make it a necessity to praise them and to tell them that they love them there is more safety that way when a Lady hath the readiness to use it ingeniously You speak said the Cavaleer as if all men were deceivers and pray tell me to what torments should you not condemn a brave Gentleman that were truly in Love with a Lady if they all followed your Maxims should you be contented continued he to be in his place and to be reduced to those afflictions which this passion is accustomed to make unfortunate Lovers suffer when they find themselves with those that are insensible or given to Railery which implyeth proceeded he that if the Women would believe you they shall esteem the services and tears of their Lovers as if they were meer trifles and a subjection more assiduous more careful and more earnest than that of slaves shall be for persons who shall disdein and laugh at us you give in truth such counsels that are but little humane you should beware how you instruct this Sex in new injustices for this is not truly just and we commonly see them but too full of Cruelty You are too soon moved answered the Count to him smiling I have not yet spoken precisely of those that truly Love but only in general of those who speak of Loving and say they love Here are many that say it too well to do it 't is commonly those who love most that speak it less the eyes and silence speak in love and one ever saith enough to those that rejoyce to understand us if I must speak the truth I believe that it is very difficult to give certain rules upon what You now demand of me for as many as there be of men as many wayes are there to love the Proverb confirmeth it enough that saith Let every one love according to his Guise How shall I tell you then the cautions a Lady ought to have upon this without first examining the different wayes of making Love that which is most true and ought to pass as a general Maxime is that a Lady ought not to make it known that she loveth before she hath had great experiences of her Lover and to wait till he discovereth it because it is ever dangerous for a Lady to have discovered her fire whereas the men make it their glory to have declared their passion I perceive said the Baron that You will speak for the Married Women for the Maidens I believe not that the most severe carriage can keep them from disclosing a thing so natural as is that to love and to say that one loveth especially to those of whose fidelity and love they are perswaded if it were so the Love might return and continue in the place from whence it sprung there is no man that would engage himself to Love in that manner unless it were to hate himself I know not what would become of us I speak answered him the Count of all Women and much more for the Maids than the Married Women to whose Vertue these sorts of Engagements cannot but do much prejudice What You aver there replied d'Arignan to him is very austere not to permit the Married Women to love as well as the others I will assure You there are but few would Marry were it so we must leave these things to a Preacher or to those that deny love to the world that they may have the better part There are continued he so many unfortunate Women who without reason are so illy used by their Husbands so mamy others whom their Parents have Married to old jealous heads to Brutes to peevish Coxcombs that make them live in so strange a manner if a Divorce was permitted for these Women and that they could deliver themselves from their Tyrants I would not pardon their weakness in loving else-where as long as they remained with them But when by the effects of some bad star or when their destiny will have it so that in the bed where they should meet the pleasures of Love and Peace they have these cruel Hang-men to torment them and with whom they must perforce live if we may call the time they pass with them life Would You have these poor Ladies deprive themselves of the only pleasure they have to oblige a Gallant Gentleman which an Owl of an Husband hath not only in disdain but horror I agree added de Arignan that a Woman who hath a Husband that understandeth Reason and who knoweth how to live should rather dye than do him any Injury But for the unfortunate Ones I forgive them all and they would do themselves wrong if they knew of a sure way to be revenged of their Domestick Enemies and should not do it The Ladies all laughed at the opinion of d'Arignan and the Dutchess told him that he spoke as one Interessed and that if he had been a Woman and a VVoman of Honour he would have had other Opinions she added further that it was a naughty revenge to ruine her self to do her Enemy a displeasure and that a Civil Lady had her actions to answer to others more than her Husband however it is said the Count to come to the Married persons I say that it being a thing that doth not alwaies depend upon us not to love I would that when this misfortune hapneth to any of them and that the Injustice of her Husband or the desire she hath for another bringeth her to some inclination I would I say have her make no other agreement with him than for a tender friendship and esteem and never to give him such certain tokens of what she suffereth for him whereby the Cavaleer might make it his glory There is no man said the Cavaleer but would Appeal from this sentence before the VVomen themselves But after You have taught such a strange humor and such severe maxims to those that are Married will You at least not grant something more mild to those that are to Marry and will You not let them have
with nothing but a multitude of troubles Love is no more love if we disarm him and take away his arrows A man cannot be termed Lover except he suâ—â—ereth and I say answered the Cavaleer that this mixture of bitters with sweets spoileth the pleasure of Love and that Love is so wel love without them that it ought to produce nothing but sweetness so that if I was capable of establishing Laws I would condemn these Cruel and Ingrateful Ones to the same place of Exile where you have sent the false Lovers The Ladies have not a Heart different from Ours they are not Insensible and though our Sex cannot make show of so much passion and tenderness as this they nevertheless do not forbear to have as we have or to be capable as we are Why all these Rigours then why this affected severity and why not to manifest their desires sometimes as much as we would it not be better that there were none but happy Lovers and sensible Mistresses that tenderness governed every where that nothing was done but in Love and that it were the chief of all things as by the Law of Nature it ought Can one doubt that a Gentlewoman would not be glad to see her self loved by an accomplished Gentleman and more if she loved him and gave way to her Inclination to act and would she not much more if she rendred him happy and could say that she wished it wherefore de Armenton you must confess that you are not in the right and that VVomen being sensible of love joy and grief as of all other passions do themselves a most horrible Injustice to torment themselves to cause our trouble and that they should follow other Laws than those the Count hath prescribed them VVhatsoever you can say replied the Dutchess we are Obliged to the Count for having taught the VVomen an honest method of loving and to render the thing alike some Lady in the Company should show the same to the men I believe Madam answered her the Baron it is the Women only must be taught the art to Love because there are but few that know it they esteem it a point of Honour to be marble-hearted and the Count authorizeth them in these Opininions but for the men they know but too well how to love and the beauty of VVomen is a great Master to teach them one thing they should show us is the manner to make them love us VVell let us see then said Madam de Armand to him what you can say upon it You who have been so succesful in two or three places wherein You have continued You would perhaps Madam answered her the Baron make me believe that I have not been unhappy in Love to engage me to tell You what I desire to know and that the Evils I have suffered make me discern that I am altogether Ignorant of it I am none of those who convert all into mildness far from that I am of those sort of people to whom a little evill spoileth all the Fortune in the world Judge then if it be easie to be perswaded to what You say I that in all my Life have enjoyed so little felicity and so many Evils to endure so it is those Gentlemen do said the Countess d'Ancire that would go for discreet and give a good Opinion of their Carriage But happy or unhappy You shall however tell us which is the shortest way a Gentleman can take to cause himself to be loved by a Lady Reason would replyed the Baron that in serving Ladies we should obtain their good Opinions But we must first know of themselves after what manner they desire to be served to the end we may Oblige them accordingly for some will after one manner and others after another and there are some that desire things so particular that a man would be very much troubled to Divine and that they sometimes know not themselves It is for this Reason added he in regarding the Marchioness of Sindal that You must do it who knoweth all things that can please the persons of Your Sex It is You I say that must take upon You the trouble to tell us the manner of serving Ladies to Ones advantage It would be a lesson of great profit for men and those of the Company would be particularly Obliged to You for it You may Your self replied the Marchioness still take this care for You know well enough the cautions that must be observed Nevertheless since You desire it I will tell You that generally with all the world he that desires to be loved must love and that this quality sufficeth a gallant Gentleman to keep himself from being hated by his Mistress Now if without making You blush continued she in smiling I may say in Your presence that You have passed for one aimable enough and I will add further that You would be loved more if You did not love in so many places for that cannot be called Love Rivers divided into so many places do at length become small Brooks a heart divided among so many persons cannot have much Love for one only Object In the mean time You send out your complaints and give Your self over to weeping and to reproaches against most of those VVomen that You have served and that have known you better than the others as if they were Obliged to love You better than You can do there are some that You have too well perswaded not quite to forsake You I pitty them especially one of my acquaintance and who to act her part better would have You seemingly Court a Lady her Neighbour but I know not who would be the most abused If it should happen that You became really in Love with this Neighbour for without speaking false she is too Fair to serve for a pretence what You say there Madam replied the Baron is the unjustest thing in the world and it would be no great trouble to me to let you see the contrary If I might be believed when I speak the truth it is a terrible thing for a man when the VVomen are once set to his disadvantage I do all I can to please the person of whom the Marchioness speaketh I spare neither care nor paines I render her more Visits than ever I did to any in this world before I love her more than one can love and yet you will have it only a pretence I believe unless I dyed for her I should not be believed I may well complain your Complaints themselves interrupted the Marchioness make it appear that there is Artifice in your proceeding or at least that You love her but little since You desire of her what she would not have You against the first law of Love which Ordaineth that we must not desire but what the person desireth whom we love Alas said the Baron I desire but too well what she desireth and if I complain it is of her Cruelty and that she will not grant me that I
Love which those take whose riper Years hath learned them to know them This being supposed as it is most certain I say that it hapneth otherwise to those Persons who are come to the age by me before-mentioned This ardour which Time hath layed asleep in them re-kindleth at the sight of a Beauty for whom they breathe sighs which are guided by a choice that is reasonable which detaineth them from wandring they approach her and enjoy her without any confusion their design is pure and the effect of it is nought but Felicity the bridle of Reason who reproveth the folly of the Senses sufâ—ereth not it self to slacken into Repentance they have what they desire and without any trouble they relish the pleasures they seek A man I say arrived to those Years wherein I am for I may well place my self here and who is not transported with this violent ardour beholdeth Beauty and knoweth it as much as can be he findeth wherewithall to be charmed in the face of a Woman That just proportion of so many parts that agreeable accord of the Fairest coulours that lustre that shadow so well ordered so many marvels which he discerneth there to glister which do both astonish and Enchant him causeth him to consider matters more than he can express But is he not dazled in such a manner as to make him forget what he is Reason resisteth the Enchantment his Soul is too discreet to be deceived and alahough she doth extreamly desire this Beauty her desires give her nothing but a sweet unquietness In fine she enjoyeth this Beauty but she is so jealous of the pleasure she taketh that she would not communicate it to the Body It is in the highest part of the Soul that this pleasure resideth where the senses have no Intelligence Truly it were an offence to Beauty and a thing beneath her she the only pretious thing in the world to design it for the Body and who being made to rule over what is most high in man to subject her self to what is most beneath her there is nought but the Soul which can aspire to this sweet Union because there is none but she that understandeth the happiness you will doubtless say that the Soul doth not also make it difficulty to desire when she is in the depth of this possession It is true but it is always to possess Beauty and for fear of losing it whereas the Young people desire quite another thing than that which they have possessed because their desires are not contented with so short a pleasure which they lose in the moment they have it for which reason they are never without grief nor without loathing it is not beyond Reason than to say that the persons who are something advanced in Age are those who are the most fit to love We must be assuredly Old said the Baron to him to comprehend this Love well and we must be more than you are to content our selves I know not in good Faith what you could answer if as Old as you are we should freely ask You to know of You if you loved in no other manner than as you say d'Armenton answered him but with a laugh whom the rest of the company did also Imitate and a little after the Cavaleer taking up the word said that d'Armenton had reason to attribute this love to Old-Folks for it must have been in Old Times for now whether they are undeceived by these Lovers in Idea or whether they love in quite another manner and even those who are Older than we must have found that in that whatsoever d'Armenton can say we are more reasonable than they since those that concern themselves therein act just like us It is certain said d'Arignan that Love requireth something that is more sensible and that as the Soul and Body entreth into communion with the Evils of this Nature they ought also to partake of the sweets this is so true that the Soul cannot well conceal the pleasures of Love and taste them in a retreat she cannot do it so wel but the senses must take part in these pleasures they presently discern mirth seated in the Visage the Eyes sparkle there is sweetness and raptures found all these speak so well of this admirable Intelligence that it is only by that that the Soul is judged to rest contented therefore it is a vain thing to make a love apart for the Soul and another for the Body the Interest is the same their sufferings and enjoyments are together they act and repose for one and the same reason and it is by the means of the Senses that the Soul knoweth Love she can also not be without them in tasting the pleasures of Love Since you never were in Love answered him d'Armenton after the manner I mean I must not thnk it strange that You know not its sweetness The Soul is so well capable of tasting the pleasures of Love alone without the Bodies participation that the pleasures are not true ones as soon as that partaketh but pleasures soaked in Tears which begin and end alwaies in grief Well Sir said the Baron to him love you after this delicate manner that we may not envy you and leave us in the error in which we are and where we will continue that Love having Charmes for the Body as well as the Souls the joy may spread all over But to come to Age I received a Letter not long since from the same Friend that writ to me concerning Jealousie who maketh me discern that not only an Aged man ought not to Love but that if he would he cannot if the Company please they shall hear it There was none but desired to hear this Letter even to d'Armenton who entreated him to defer no longer the doing them this pleasure it contained these words Dear Sir IF you were more aged or less witty than You are I am apt to believe that your own interest or curiosity might perhaps Oblige You to demand of me how it is that You do if Aged Folks can love but knowing You to be a Person of Vnderstanding and knowing also that You have no reason to complain of time I imagine that your design is to be revenged on some Old Person and that you will make use of my Weapon lest yours might not beproof I shall tell You then that Love is a Young Infant whom long beards affright and that he is not only a thing loathsome to our Fathers but that at that Age one cannot love there are many reasons which perswade it me the first is as you may better know than I that that which supporteth and nourisheth Love is the hope we have one day to possess that which we love and certainly if that were not Beauty might well have the power to introduce desire into the Soul of him that seeth it but not to make any impression or continue there long who is he who considering those blisses and honours whichoâ— King receiveth
that excellent Dame Her Lessons say Youth with Youth must engage Since there is most fire and flame T' enjoy the sweet pleasures of Love in due time T' is fittest to tast 'em whon we are in our prime This Sung with so Divine and sweet a Voice as was that of this Ladies did not a little divert them after they had all spent their thoughts upon it they returned to their former discourses I would know said the Cavaleer what might be said of an Old Woman that might be in Love since a man ought not to love nor cannot at that Age For the Women answered him the Baron insomuch that it is to be imagined that they ought never to Love unless they are loved we may conclude that because there are no Old Women beautiful they ought not to be in Love since they cannot inspire it There are notwithstanding enough said the Abbot who forbear not to Love and I believe I swerve not from the truth if I assure you that there are Ten Old-Women Lovers to one Old Man that is in Love But at what time interrupted him the Marchioness Mr. Abbot do you think that the Women are Old I believe answered her the Abbot that as to what concerneth Love they are Old enough at Forty Alass you are too rigorous replyed the Countess d'Ermond to him smiling and you will bring a great many Folks against you to condemn the Women from loving after that Age. It is true added Madamoiselle d'Armond that you will do your self an ill turn by it for I know a Lady who hath passed Forty Years and who nevertheless shall dispute her Beauty with all the handsome Women in the Universe No no said the Dutchess the Abbot is not just in that for even as the hard-favoured Women are Old when they are first born even so on the ontrary the Fair-ones conserve their handsome Features even almost to the last and their Autumn hath this priviledge of being more pleasing and more agreeable than the Spring of the others There are some Women who in their Fiftieth Year have such beautiful remnants that they are capable to move the passions at first sight why should it not be permitted to them to love what they may find amiable Madam replyed the Abbot you may say what you please but Age effaceth all that is amiable in your Sex and I would willingly advise all VVomen to imitate the Empress Poppea who prayed to the Gods that it would please them to let her dye before she saw Old Age with which her Looking-glass did already threaten her You have declared your self so much an enemy to VVomen said the Marchioness to him that although Your Counsels might be wholsome yet we should make difficulty to follow them we must agree with you that there are but few Beauties that are able to resist time But are none aamiable but those that are beautiful and a vertuous Soul doth she never borrow a recommendation for the Body as a pretious stone doth for the Mettle that Environeth it I know not answered her the Abbot what would become of the VVomen if their beauty were not the cause that we seek them and that we shun â—he Deformed Ones Again it seldom hapneth that a fair and spotless Soul Inhabiteth in an ugly Body The Exte ior Beauty is commonly a Token of the Inward Goodness it is a character by which the Soul is known and in which Physiognomists make their whole Art consist In a word Deformity is so much an enemy to Happiness that me-thinks it is a Scare Crow to all that meet it I had proceeded the Abbot a Song given me not long ago by a Friend wherein is displayed how unfit it is for hard-favoured VVomen to Inhabit amongst Mortals so pulling it out of his pocket he read it as followeth and after desired Madamoiselle d'Armond to sing it SONG Mr. Robert Smith A woman that 's homely is ne're Alamode She 's a sight intollerable she 's fit for no place but Pluto's abode or a place that is more damâ•Œnaâ•Œble She 's able to turn the day into night Her Features are detestable The Devil himself she 'l put in a fright Her Charms are abominable But yet for all this she cannot forbear To think her self amiable And with laces and hair to deck her with care She 's another Confusion of Bable And truly of Nature she need not speak ill As not being favourable Her Face it hath power enough for to kill And is most insufferable The Abbot spoke with so much ardour and action that the Company could not forbear laughing he ought not to have apprehended that any one would take the deformed Womens parts for although there were none here but what were extream Beautiful there are none but flatter themselves on this score The Conversation dured a while it was a matter which was large and which would have produced more But I perhaps begin to tire the Readers patience and since this Illustrious Company did here Conclude I shall also do the like FINIS ERRATA Page 2. Line 6. for Ancore read d'Ancyre p. 2. l 8. Spirit r. merit p. 4. l. 30. the Lady r. this Lady p. 6. l. 26. d'Exorc'r r. d'Eparc p. 10. l. 11. amicable r. amiable page 12. l. 24. will r. which and give r. gives p. 16. l. 18. d' Exaxe r. d'Eparc page 18. l. 21. too much r. so much and l. 26. that r. than l. 29. set upon r. let you p. 19. l. 31. there r. these p. 20. l. 8. had r. have l. 10. Administer r. administred p. 22. l. 3. Gentleman r. Gentlemen page 24. l. 25. so much r. too much l. 28. this r. his p. 24. l. 10. thereof r. than p. 33. l. 24 then r. thou and l 28. r. thou hast been .30 their words r. these words p. 42. Woman r. VVomen p. 41. l. 2. Critheans r. Eritheans page 58. l. 14. seditiousness r. perfideousness p. 59. l. 18. conceived r. perceived p. 74. l. 31. me r. the p. 76. l. 16. her sake r my sake
do not urge me where you may see me in a humor to entertain the company afresh If sufficeth that you are convinced in your mind maugre all your subtleties that the women are capable of as much perfection as the men That they have done them Honour and that the advantages they have reaped by them are considerable If there are now none of these Queens that went formerly to Conquer strange Countries that build Towns that raise Piramids and who busied themselves about other works of the like nature as a Thomyris Queen of Scytia Artemisa Zenobia Semiramis Cleopatra there are also but few men like Cesar Alexander Scipio Lucullus and so many other Famous Romans Say not said Mr. Abbot to him smiling that there are now no more like Cleopatra and Semiramis it is true that they have not Common-wealths nor Kingdoms as these Illustrious Queens had but they are not less bent to their pleasure The Ladies who heard Mr. Abbot speak in this manner and who immediatly comprehended his meaning and that he might go no farther they put themselves in a posture to assault him for the second time Mr. Abbot was terribly amazed and said with an air not a little pleasant that if Monsieur d' Armenton overcame him it was not with reason but because he had more force and that they used weapons against him which were forbidden in conversation The fear and the manner that Mr. Abbot turned these words made the Duke laugh heartitily Monsieur d'Armenton answered him that if there were women like unto a Cleopatra and Semiramis there were notwithstanding many more Sardanapales whose character was much more infamous What you say there replied the Abbot is doubtless contrary to what you think for there is no Body but knoweth that the women have ever been less reserved than the men but if that were not who can say that there is not an extream difference You know that by the miscarriage of one woman a thousand misfortunes follow whereas by the disorder of one man thete happens nothing or very little These are very strong arguments said Monsieur d'Armenton to him in raillery I wonder you have been so long on thinking of nothing else but that to say to me But yet I pray why would not you have Vice to be as much and more condemnable in men than women since it is from them that most Vertue is expected Let us us speak the truth continued he and confess that this Tyrannical Empire which we have usurped over them authorizeth our Crimes and that the same actions which in us are esteemed Honourable were they in them we would condemn them to death or at least to an Eternal Infamy The Abbot answered him nothing because he feared that if he should adventure to say any thing too bitter against these Ladies he should bring some new misfortune upon him but they discerned in his face the violence he did to hinder him from speaking his thoughts which gave a very pleasant subject of Laughter At length when they had done their mirth the Company intreated Madamoiselle d' Armand to give them a Song which she did in the ensuing words with much skill and judgement SONG O Love how all the World 's inclin'd by love how led aâ•Œstray that though the God himself be blind we dare not disâ•Œoâ•Œbey Laws for our hearts to be betrayd the God of Passions gave that such a set a Fancy made and Reason such a slave Where resolution is forgot To struggle with the flame It does the judgement quite besot And makes the reason tame For when our blind desires have sped And to ill fate we are given It will at last be poorly said It was decreed in Heaven Thrice happy he whom conquering Love Has eas'd his very Soul And in that Agony can prove His power to controul That Mortal did I once but know I 'de more than Love admire That could as easily forgo As entertain the fire Mr. Turner After which and the due applauses the company gave Madamoiselle d'Armond for the same it being late and the Dutchess fearing the Dukes sitting up too long the Conversation ended the Company parted with the usual Ceremonies and each took their way to their Lodging CHAP. III. THis day passed no less pleasantly than the others there were Playes Dances and many other Diversions to entertain the Company with from the morning that they were dressed till eight of the clock in the Evening that they went to Supper after Supper they failed not to go into the Garden where they fetched some turns in the walks and afterwards resorted to the Arbour where the Circle was kept The Abbot had been so evil treated the day before that he had no mind to renew the dispute It was the Dutchess that began the discourse and who said to the Count de Lorme that the Lady whose Picture he had given was a perfectly fair and civil Woman but that there were notwithstanding persons in the company who think that for a Court-Lady as he would have made her there was something yet wanting and that he should make an end I know not said the Baron d'Epare what may be said of the Counts Lady but in my opinion a Lady cannot be made better qualified and that is all can be desired in a Woman However you shall see answered him the Dutchess that if he pleaseth he will give her new perfections and that he will add to this piece some Features above the rest that shall not spoil her I know not Madam said the Count what there yet is wanting in this work but for my part I confess that a Lady like her would please me very well and he that is not contented with her let him leave her to me I know very well where to bestow her The pleasant Air with which the Count pronounced these words made the Company to laugh But what said the Countess d' Ancyre would you not teach a person so accomplished how she ought to behave her self in matters of Love for I imagine you would not have her incapable of those sentiments and beautiful as you have made her it is at least impossible for her not to inspire it Tell us then continued this Lady how she ought to comport her self with a Gallant Person that doth sincerely love her It is true said the Lady Sindal that these are two things which a Court-Lady ought not to be ignorant of especially the last because it oftner hapneth that the men make show of Love than to Love in reality he must first tell us said Madamoiselle d'Armond with what Air a Woman must receive a declaration of Love and whether she must not dissemble with all Lovers or answer some of them We must first said the Count rather learn a Lady to know Lovers to know how to distinguish the true from the false As for answering or not answering their Love I believe in that she ought to take her own counsel this then added the Dutchess
hope You will not take it Ill if I go to know of Your Sister her self if this be the reason that Obligeth her to treat me thus after that I shall continue with You no longer time than for to bid You adieu and in saying that he ran towarde the Fair afflicted one whom he overtook just as she was entring into the Monastery What 's the matter Madam said he to her quite out of breath that You fly me say rather perfideous answered she him that I should not see thee but at length thy Treacheries are discovered and thou sha t deceive me no more for while I live I 'll never see thee more After these words she went in shut the door upon her and left the sad-hearted Cavaleer in the pittifullest condition a man could be reduced to he will tell You himself that he was a hundred times ready to kill himself and that he would have said a thousand Injuries against her could she have heard them his Conscience reproached him not of any Infidelity he though he had done nothing against his duty in thiâ— assignation since he had given her notice by a Letter and he knew very well that his hear towards this Fair-one did not deserve thâ— name of Perfideous So rude a treatment madâ— him take a resolution to be gone without staying any longer hoping that time would make his Mistress know the wrong she was in oâ— that despite and absence would cure him oâ— his Love The Abbess who had followed him close to have hindred an explanation came in the same instant he accosted her in a manner which testified his despair and scarce beholding her what you told me Madam said he to her is more true than ever I thought and the air with which I am here treated is so strange that it maketh my wonder so much the greater for that I know not the reason of it there is no other way left for me then not to remain a minute longer in a place where I am so ill received Just so answered him the Abbess all Traytors ought to be recompenced for their perfideousness It is now no time replied the Cavaleer to her to ask you what reason you have to call me by this name because I must now be gone and deliver you from a man who is more than importunate to you Iâ— is enough for you to remember that it was You that caused me to come hither to day I came according to my promise and you have permitted and perhaps also called your Sister to come hither whom you charged me so much to keep ignorant of this Enterview Yes Traytor answered she him all overcome by her passion and it is in what thy base heart hath failed Tell me base one whether thou didst not write what I desired thee to conceal The Cavaleer was so strangely surprized at this that he remained confused and did effectively believe that his Mistress had revealed the Letter he had sent her Nevertheless not to fall into a greater confusion if it should come to a clearer Evidence he would break off upon this occasion I know not very well Madam said he to her very unconcernedly what it is you mean but if all these reproaches and all these injuries tend only to drive me from hence I assure you you give your self a trouble without cause and that there need not so much to deprive me of the desire of ever setting my foot here again I am going to take my leave of You continued he in going to leave her and Madam Farewell for ever The Abbess stayed him and told him after she had become something milder that whatever reason they had to act although worse with him than yet they had done they would not let him go at the hour it was Whether You have reason or not replied the Cavaleer to her abruptly I am so little accustomed to be received thus wherever I go that I very impatiently can bear all the minutes I abide here to get out of the trouble I am in I pray Madam permit me proceeded he in endeavouring to get loose from her to make use of the time that yet remains But I will not let You go to night said the Abbess to him and if You think I have yet some power over You to oblige You to do any thing for my sake You will make it appear in this I have somewhat to say to You and it will be time enough to morrow to do your pleasure The Cavaleer prayed her not to stay any longer if she had any thing to say to him and that on any other occasion he would testifie to her the respect he had for her but that he could in no wise stay We will see that said she and they separated the one from the other in this manner The Abbess was like those unfortunate Lovers who in their despaires know not what they would have she who but a moment before would have been glad not only to banish the Cavaleer from her presence but to ruine him had not the power to see him leave her What a weak thing is Choler against an Object that hath known how to charm us How illy can a heart be revenged on what it loveth It is commonly the Lover only that suffereth and one seldom punisheth that which is loved She gave order to stop the Cavaleers Horses but something too late for he was ready to be gone and he seeing the meanes they used to hind him and that he must yet have some time to make up his baggage he chose rather to leave his man behind him and to go and lie the same Evening about a league from the Mâ—nastery where he was to meet him the next morning The Abbess heard of this departure with a sensible displeasure she in words misused those whom she had sent to stay him because they let him go she knew not what to become nor do she was informed that his man was left behind she sent for him and by force of presents pumped out of him all she desired to know her trouble was half diminished when she knew that her Lover lay but a mile from her her passion which would have made her try all meanes at this instant furnished her with a design which in a Religious Lady was not pardonable unless one would pardon all things in Love This little god is never accustomed to Inspire any thing too just nor to consult Reason there is nothing that he will not make any one do when he designs any thing The Maid of whom I have already spoken who was her particular Confident entred into her Chamber just as she was thinking on this and seeing her in a profound study she believed she was busie and would have excused her self for coming to interrupt her privacies No no my dear Companion said the Abbess to her for thus she called her You come in a better time than You think I wanted You and I may say that there is
where they were and that he had been two hours about them without hearing of them that he was come to acquâ—int him and that he was going again to see if he could find them because he knew very well that they could not be lost and that no Body had been that way I could never tell the Abbesse's designe whether what she did was dexterously to confound this Enterprize or whether she really desired to supply her Sisters place but I will tell you that as soon as she had heard what the man had said concerning the Horses she re-entred the Garden and shut to the door after her Never was man surprized like this poor Lover he could scarce believe what he saw that his Fair-one should leave him in this manner and that which seemed more strange to him that she should shut the door upon him I believe there is none but he that could truly represent what one might think in an Adventure so cruel and so extraordinary He knocked five or six times at the door he called his Mistress he complained of Love and destiny â—wore cursed threatned to kill his m n an in fine there was no rage like his while the Abbess returned to her Companion loaden with joy for what she had done and to hear the Cavaleer cry out in that manner she was not yet come to the Arbour before-menâ—ioned but she heard the noise of some body who walked with much eagerness and who according to all likelihood could be none but her Sister as she doubted it not and went before her very slowly the same way she came this poor Lady who had not all the assurance in the world and who besides the horror which accompanieth all actions of this nature walked musing upon a thousand Obstacles which she might meet in her way had no sooner cast her eyes upon the Abbess but she believed it was a Ghost and sadly trembling with fear she began to make a dreadful shreek and to run as as she was able towards the Monastery The Abbess did most agreeably requite all the cruel displeasures which her Sister had given her she let her run to come again to her Companion who waited for her with extream impatience being furiously troubled to be thus alone in the middle of a Garden exposed to all the noises she heard which assaulted her with fear she related to her all she had done since she had left her and how she had deceived the Cavaleer and how her Sister was frighted which made them both to laugh with much Joy they stayed a little longer to see if she would return but in vain the fright of this Lady was such that she was like to dye and she kept her bed a very long time at length they retired and used good meanes that no body might go forth of the Monastery in having double locked the door Here is said Madam d'Eyrac in concluding this History the greatest particularities I know of the Adventure of these Ladies with the Cavaleer he may now tell you what is not come to my knowledg I will only add that it was no sooner day but the Abbess sent for her man and asked him where he had been the lasâ— night and why he came not to the door where she had ordered him to wait for her thâ— Young man told her how her Farmer had had no Horses at home and that at his return he found two Cavaleers who were going into thâ— Garden and whom he dare not approach for fear of making himself known that he went away and that being returned half an hour after to the same place he had found the door locked By the report of this man the Abbess was well and clearly satisfied in what she desired throughly to know she did not further doubt but the Horses they used belonged to the Cavaleer she gave Order to this Servant to let them out of the Garden and to let them wander in the fields but in such manner however that they may be found Madam d'Eyrac said no more and turning her self to the Cavaleer it belongeth to You said she to recount to us what You know more the rest of the company did likewise entreat him most obligingly insomuch that he could not refuse Mndam d'Eyrac proceeded he hath told you so much that I see my self constrained to satisfie you to the end you must know then that after I was separated from the Abbess and had left her in the Garden in the manner you have been told I went to prepare all things for my departure but before I writ a Note to Egidia which was near these termes MADAM I Know not what I have done to You to use me thus cruelly as You do Madam the Abbess had demanded an Interview with me and although she had expresly forbid me to let You know any thing I did not forbear to give You Intelligence by a Letter which my Servant should have delivered to You Is this betraying of You I see very well that You desire my death Madam You shall be contented but You shall not have the pleasure of it before Your Eyes for I am going hence immediatly and You shall soon learn what success Your unjust proceeding will have If the death of the most faithful of Your Servants is capable of moving a heart like Yours I can well promise to my self that in a small time You may repent for having given it me Adieu thou too cruel Creature for the last time Adieu When I had done writing the Abbess Servants came who after they had entreated me as from her to stay this Evening would truly have hindred my departure Nevertheless when they saw I began to be angry with them they made no more Opposition but my man carried too long and I feared that the Abbess might come herself to Oblige me to stay So that I saw my self constrained in the impatience I was to depart this place and to leave it with my Baggage I gave him this Letter with Ordrâ— to give it into her own Hands and to bring me an answer if she would send one In this manner then I forsook a place which since more than a Year was the dear Object of my pleasures and I abandoned it so filled with different troubles that all the way from the Monastery to the place where I was to Lodge I was without coming to my self immoveable and almost bereft of my Senses and lost as I may say in sorrow You may think that when I came there I demanded neither Meat nor Drink True Loveâ—s at the time they are reduced to the condition I was in feed upon nothing but Tears and sleep is their mortal Enemy It was in the strongest of these cruel moments that I was advertized that a Servant waited to speak with me I bid them to send him into my Chamber and saw that it was my dear Egidia's who I embraced with my whole heart and who after having Saluted me as from his Mistress
that she might not render an account to Heaven I will assure you Madam answered the Cavaleer to her that she hath also done it and that it is no more than a Brotherly Friendship to which in truth I had much difficulty to reduce my self but she would have it and at length I brought my self to it I pray tell us a little said the Marchioness de Sindal how you afterwards did with the Abbess and in what manner you put her off I believe proceeded the Cavaleer that the Abbess rebuked me furiously since the last Evening and that what she heard while I was in the Arbour with her Sister finished heâ— Cure I ever avoided being alone with her during the small time I remained in the Abbey and when I departed I took my leave of her before five or six Ladies her Friends who were in her Chamber with her Here the Cavaleer ended his Story and the Dutchess Invited the Company to take a small turn in the Garden before they retired they were all the rest of the time entertaining each other about this Adventure and divers were their Opinions but having done talking according to their usual custome when each dayes Conversation was ended they applied themselves to Madamoiselle d'Armand for a Song and she gave them this SONG By yonder purling Brook by chance sleeping away all Care I saw a thousand Cuâ•Œpids dance Leâ•Œvalâ•Œtoes in the Air but Venus in a Cloud descended and with the boyes seem'd much offended but Venus in a Cloud descended with the boy seem'd much offended At length my Cloris bright I found Near to a pleasing Grove I saw her too receive a wound From the Young God of Love But Venus c. I slumbring bless'd my self in mind For what the Boyes had done Must she who was so coy prove kind And can she then be won With that my thoughts Venus ascended Then smil'd and seem'd no more offended At length the Hour being come to go to Rest the Dutchess took her leave of the Company and the remainder of the time was spent by every one in taking their repose CHAP. V. THe Fifth day although it was the obscurest was not the less recreative on the contrary the Sun is never more pleasant in the Summer than when he showeth himself with less pomp than ordinary and under the thick Vale of some Clouds which he cannot penetrate with his beams the season was very proper to take a walk in The Dutchess used it to give some Visits to some of her Neighbours and she was accompanied by this illustrious and most gallant company and they returned not till about the Evening to take a magnificent Treat which the Duke had prepared for them in the same Arbour where the Circle was kept things were no sooner taken away but they had some agreeable discourse of Railery as a prelude to something better and which served only to dispose their minds to furnish a most agreeable matter of Entertainment the Dutchess who would give the Honour to the Countess d'Ermond entreated her to propose some Question she excused it with a very good Grace and immediatly asked her that they might continue to do as they had begun and not to have these particular regards that when it should come to her turn she would speak as the rest The Dutchess urged her no farther and left this care to Madamoiselle d'Armond who was ever in the charge of Lieutenant this Lady said that it was not necessary to seek new subjects of Entertainment since there were already two upon the board the gallantest of the world and wherein she for her particular was too much interessed to let it pass by I have not forgot continued she how two dayes since it was proposed to us to learn how to discover the false and true Lovers and how a Lady might receive a declaration of Love and I remember still very well added she that the Count took upon him to tell us these two things which are important in the world and wherein he will not fail to be succesful after he hath had some time of consideration The Dutchess said that in effect these were the two subjects of Conversation which they did not continue and she prayed the Company to give it attention I avow to You answered the Count that although I had prepared my self as hath said Madamoiselle deArmond for a matter like this with which I should entertain You I find it so difficult that I shall still have trouble enough to come off with the success I should do but be it in what manner it will I will notwithstanding perform what You desire of me and prefer the honour of obeying You before the shame of being unsuccesful in my Enterprize The first Counsel I pretend to give to a Lady like that whose Picture I drew three dayes ago is not lightly to believe that she is loved and to be the last to say it there are I know not how many Women in the World who do not only believe all the protestations the men make them but it rejoyceth them to hear what they will say to them when they sigh and complain by them they endure with an artificial Vanity all the praises they give them or if they defend themselves it is so weakly and in a certain manner that they may see it is not what they hate and that maugre all their Grimaces that the secret to please them is to flatter them My Opinion is that a Lady should alwaies let them see that these sorts of Discourses molest them that she loveth not that way to let them gain her esteem that she knowerh her self and whether she be Fair or not that she knoweth it without giving any one the trouble to tell it her she ought to imagine that a man hath not much esteem for her who dares to speak to her publickly of Love that true Love rendreth people respectful and that they must at least have sighed long before they come to a declaration All these maxims are Touch-stones for the false sighers and the least resistance sendeth them going and who are not Lovers but when a Lady is so innocent to let her self be perswaded to tendernesses transports to Tears and to sighes of Commrnd they Swear that they alone hav more love than all the met together and they know not what this passion is all their care tendeth only to make them believe what they say but they are not alwaies believed and I dare aver that were all Women reasonable there would be no false Lovers the self-weakness of this Sex draweth upon them all these Treacheries the men would seek to deceive the less did they not find so much Facility in it Now as in former Times there will ever be Traytors and Women abused But what said Madamoiselle de Armand to him interrupting him must a Woman then do when a man is so very bold as to make a declaration of his Love to her must she be
they find without art and fashion I mean without being too witty they will love that simplicity which shall cause her to utter her thoughts in matters as they are there are yet lovers of a character much different from these who would pass for ingenious people and who vainly believe that in Love as in all things else the glory of a Conquest consisteth in the difficulty and resistance they are perswaded that there is no Victory more sweet than to overcome that which others have found inaccessible they will apply themselves to Beauty whose looks words and proud Behaviour menace nothing but Rigours as if there were no advantage more glorious than to reduce a proud heart to love These same men will sometimes love certain Women that use a thousand Artifices and who are often-times more difficult to vanquish than those who are austere by profession they try yet others whose disdainful humour with few words and some smiles seemeth to despise the whole Universe and with whom it is a crime to dare only to behold them I have seen another kind of Lovers who were for the Women-gallants and of great Conversation for those who would show them fair play and whom nothing could shake in a word who love facility and the VVomen that are necessary But when an understanding Lady shall miss of all these sorts of Lovers I 'll not think her unfortunate I know very well that those who are already endued with Vertue and love Discretion desire not such rediculous ones there are for them enough that seek merit as well as beauty who serve the Graces of the mind as well as those of the body and who can love in a much more solid manner than the others these are Lovers who ever give testimonies of a passion as respectful as Violent and think their service well requited with a small affection which a Mistress of the humor I have described shall testifie they would not require a publick declaration from her nor any favour which might touch the rules of Civility Confess said d'Arignan that there is much Tyranny in this Civility 〈◊〉 tf Ii must make this Sex close their Eyes for services respects sighs and for tears in fine for all that a Lover can do it would be the terriblest thing in the world and such an Ingratitude was never heard of before You would then said the Countess d'Ermond to him have as much of Complacency on our side as there is Love on Yours if it be true that Love is the cause of your sighing and weeping what do You think said she that when a Lady hath seen in the Cavaleers eyes that he hath a tenderness for her that she is Obliged to declare to him what she hath for him is it not enough that she separateth him from others that she heareth his sighs and explaineth them as she ought that she loveth to see her self loved that she also pittieth and bewaileth him and in fine that she perhaps desireth what he desireth without coming to what is too difficult to do and too dangerous for a Lady to tell her sufferings in that case It is true said the Abbot in smiling that it would be a very sensible recompence and that the pleasure would be gteat to be made happy in that manner By your leave Madam I pray tell me what sweetness one can suck from a thing that one is ignorant of and how a Lover shall know if he possesseth the happiness he hath so much hoped for and for which he hath done so much service if his Mistress never saith any thing to him and if he knoweth not in what manner he is seated in her mind for my part I should almost as soon love to be hated and I conclude that there is a necessity in Love to declare their minds on both sides Nevertheless with this Order that the men are to begin but the VVomen must second them If any Body be so nice as to think it a thing so very troublesome as to say I love You as the Countess d'Ermond would make us believe let her at least manifest to her Lover sufficient tokens to make him understand the love she hath for him so that according to Mr. Abbot replied the same Countess things must be equally poised and there must be no more difficulty on our part than there is on yours in truâ—h You show your self but a novice in Love-matteâ—s Mr. Abbot said the Cavaleer to her hath not so little reason as you think and if You did what he haâ—h said and that on your parts you would not seem so insensible as you do the e would perhaps be more sweetness in life than there is found Love would give a tast of his pleasures to both Sexes we should not know the torments and the men would be delivered from an infinity of Evils which they endure for your sakes These Gentlemen said the Dutchess speak for themselves and we must not think it strange that they give us counsels so little reasonable however I would know the opinion of d'Armenton for though he be inte essed in the matter I doubt not but he will speak otherwise I believe answered her d'Armenton that there would assuredly be much sweetness in Love if the Ladies were a little indulgent and if they would pass over some ce tain considerations and submit to our first sighs since in effect it is enough to be loved as one loveth to abstain from being unhappy in Love Modesty certain Observations and I know not what other scruples of the Ladies causeth our sorrows maketh us Ilment from which we should be delivered were it the custome among them to free us from these powerful Obstacles when they see themselves loved But to speak the truth these delights and pleasures would fade and there are many that would not taste them if Love made us not to suffer It is from these cruel effects which this passion produceth in the Soul of a Lover that which pricketh us and makeâ—h us concerned and in a word it is a seasoning of the pleasure we commonly esteem but little a thing that costeth us nothing and a happiness which we possess in quiet we forsake it and leave it without grief for who will take it It is commonly the pain that giveth the price to things it is difficulty which heateth our desires and we should have but cold ones and consequently small pleasures should we take no pains and fuffer a little to possess what we desire A Lover who is a Gentleman and who loveth as he ought shall find more glory and more satisfaction in the Conquest of a heart that hath held out long than in the possession of another that is vanquished with the first A tack the paines it shall have cost him which haâ—h made so much resistance wil make him esteem it Infinitely his love and his pleasure will continue the longer he will never be cloyed and will alwayes fear to lose what he hath obtained
of his love It is certain added the Countess d'Ancyre that we shali see no understanding VVoman that would not blush upon a like occasion That is true replied d'Arignan but I pray tell me by what motion is it they blush for I imagine it is not alwaies for anger However it is repâ—ied the Marchioness smiling at the demand of d'Arignan it is my Opinion that a Gentleman should make his actions and his sighs speak before he speaketh himself there are many said d'Armenton as hath already been said that contribute to the revealing of a Lovers designs and inclination a sigh and a service rendred in due season a small fear some respects on a certain occasion all these things in their proper season are oftentimes more effectual and better understood than the smoothest Rhetorick in the world there is no body but may apprehend the Eyes meaning those are the faithful Messengers that bring the news of what passeth in the heart and they have quite another power than the tongue insomuch that they discover the most hidden thoughts and penetrate sometimes even to the heart of the persons loved and cause in them the same ardour with which they themselves are inflamed Do you believe that a Mistress how deaf so ever she seemeth doth not understand what the eyes tell her when she seeth how pittifully they turn towards her how they fix tpon hers as if they were made fast to them and turn away again as if they were dazled It is true it is good to Husband this Language and to beware the discovering ones passion to those from whom it should be the most concealed We seldome love without Jealousie or without a Rival who continually observes the motion of these innocent Interpreters especially from persons who are most to be suspected A Lover hath but two Eyes and a Jealous Husband hath four he seeth before and behind for which reason a Judicious man ought to govern himself wisely and to behave himself according to time and place and when he hath cause to fear to deprive himself of so sweet a pleasure the more secretly a Love is kept I mean of these Loves which are not permitted and which are now notwithstanding very much Alamode the sweeter it is and we know to how many evil Consequences the least inclination is subject to when it is revealed and I said the Cavaleer I believe that the great secret is not to make it so much a mistery We believe that an inclination doth not proceed so far that they need to give themselves the trouble to conceal it and the world is now so much upon one matter that they take the most amorous things for simple Gallantry when they are done in company whereas they that take the other part are in continual Alarms because indeed the least appearance to them is a deaths wound they imagine very often that there is more than they see and more than there is and it is a pleasure to them to tell it because they believe it not to be known How many Women are there who live with a Familiarity without example with their Gallants even before their Husbands who perhaps would suspect all things if they did otherwise I know one whose Husband is more jealous than any man who could never endure that any one saw her except one of my friends because she treateth him familiarly before his face and yet it is the only One that ever hath obtained the good-will of this Lady These things happen seldom replied d'Armenton and for my part I hold that the surest way is to love in private and that one cannot be too cautious before those that are Interessed We must dissemble say that we least think of and use constraint constantly or else we may be in danger to lose all I believe replyed de Ariguan that these maxims are good but so difficult to Observe that they are almost impossible for a passionate Lover We have not alwayes an occasion to find a Mistress without a witness and there are some that are never to be seen but in company and if we must always practice what you say we run the danger of being long before we do our business and never to receive content We must love in tranquility that it may not appear a little when we see the person we love Those that know how to love as they should do replyed de Armenton find Expedients for all things and meanes to make them to be understood although they have little Intelligence without being understood by others and without amuzing me to particularize all those small secrets to you since you cannot have been in love for not to have known much your self I will only tell you what hapned a few dayes since in a company where I was two Lovers whom the jealousie of a Husband did for some time hinder them from seeing each other having in an assembly entertained each other most tenderly by the side of a Table and which seemed most indifferent there was none but I in the whole company that did suspect their discourse to be of Love they were so expert as to use some indifferent matter to entertain each other aloud before the company and from time to time when they talked of the most inward secrets of their hearts they spoke to each other softly And this scene continued above two hours without seeming to look one on another and as persons that had the least acquaintance together there are yet many other pleasant wayes upon which time places and the persons must give a Discreet Lover counsel for it would be impossible to form certain Rules In truth the matter is too large replyed the Baron it is Love that must instruct us in that he who is the Father of Inventions and who alwayes favoureth a Lover when he hath recourse to him But the thing which I would at present know and which is not less important in Gallantry than it is to be discreet in publick and to love in private It is the manner how to conserve our selves in our Mistresses favour for it is the chiefest thing we fail in and of many Lovers who can perfectly gain the esteem of a Lady I see but very few that know how to conserve it which is a great defect and which causeth us to enjoy the happiness to be loved when we love but a little time I believe that after so many pretty matters as hath been proposed this here may deserve the pains of a continued conversation It is this that doth evidence the mens inconstancy I am certain at least that we often-times need to seek no other cause than their unquiet spirit which is weary of a Happiness as soon as they possess it whatever trouble it hath cost them to Obtain it From thence you may judge whether the Women have no reason not to engage themselves so far in Love and never to submit if they can avoid it We may also replyed the Cavaleer