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 wnadring 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 susiereth not it self to slacken into Repenrance 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 refideth 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 well 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 think 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 alâ—aies in grief Well Sir said the Baron to him â—…ve you after this delicate manner that we my 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 a 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 non 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 be proof 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 which 〈◊〉 King receiveth that doth not presently desire to be a King but because it is too difficult is become one hope is not moved
Indulgence for those whom we may call true Lovers If a Young Lady answered the Count must love a man it must be those with whom she hopeth to be Married and then I should not condemn her although she showed him some tokens of esteem Nevertheless I would have it be with so much reservedness that her Vertue might find nothing wherewith to reproach her heart I will assure You a Lady cannot be too cautious upon this Article and that the men have now so much presumption of themselves and are so much accustomed to promise themselves all from their own merit that the least favour flattereth them and maketh them withdraw from their duty The Count interrupted the Abbot seemeth to be Feed by the VVomen to speak against the Men as was Monsieur d'Armenton the other day to tel untruths in favour of these Fair-ones I thought said the Marchioness that Mr. Abbot had no more to say against us but now his desire to be chastised is come again Courage Sir added she in smiling the Brave Ones like You are not amazed at stripes You used me too illy said she Abbot the first time for me to dare to adventure any more But however were it necessary for me to expose my Life for the Truths sake I would maintain it well that there hath been nothing said on Your behalf in all there hath hitherto been spoken Stay replied the same Lady to him til Monsieur d'Armenton be in a humor to answer You for I believe he is preparing notwithstanding he hath been so long silent I Madam answered her d'Armenton I swear I have not such a thought because that all that the Count hath spoken I find so just and reasonable that they must be Void of Sense who are not for him and who dare to contradict him For my part replyed the Count I expose here neither party and I only speak what belongeth to Reason and a good custom against abuse and salfe appearances But to return where I was there are I know not how many VVomen who desire nothing more than to be esteemed handsome to have at their Train a multitude of Lovers of which they make a Trophy and who serve as a Triumph to their Beauty they employ all meanes for these Conquests and make no difficulty to make advancements to their ruine and these proceedings contribute to satisfie their Vanity they stray from that modesty and bashfulness to which their Sex engageth them they enoure certain discourses they permit some languishing Glances in sweetly closing the eye-sid and keeping it half shut by which they think that sweetness must enchant all those that dare to behold them in a word they are knowing in the art we call Gossiping but these are weaknesses unworthy those VVomen we speak of It is true also that I am not for thosenice ones who are more than Savages and who bring their Vertue even to a point of delicacy that for the least word they will discountenance people I think there is a Medium to be kept and which I would counsel an understanding VVoman to follow I say that a Ladie merit is much greater when the Conquests she maketh are meerly due to her own Vertue and when the good Behaviour and Grace she hath in all her actions draweth hearts to her Love is much more solid when it is grounded upon esteem than when it is upheld by Beauty alone Esteem may ever continue and Beauty fadeth and a Lover who is tyed to particular Features is subject to very many accidents and cannot Love but in Fear whereas he that suffereth himself to be enclined to Vertue loveth without molesiation and ceaseth not to love till death a man who shall love a Lady as I say will be satisfied with the least regard he receiveth from her A simple civility shall in his mind pass for a considerable favour I know not said the Baron who these men are who think their services well requited in so small a matter and I know not said d'Arignan whether there are many VVomen in the world so good House-wives of their Favours I believe answered the Countess d'Ermond that You see none here who give You not a very true Example I avow said the cavaleer that what the Count said is not so extraordinary but some of it is practised by many VVomen But it is also true that he is something scrupulous in certain matters and that there is even injustice in it not to permit a Mistress to give some manner of Hope to a poor Lover that shall languish for her that one day at least he may be Loved I have seen VVomen added he whom Beauty rendred them perhaps something too proud who at the only words of Love would seem to be extreamly angry but in the end these Obstinate Beauties have if not submitted at least grown very mild and the services importunities sighs and tears have worked so upon them that they have also taken delight to love such a one were the most rigorous person in the world that could resist at the sight of a languishing Lover whom she sees upon his knees to her A heart though Obstinate is not insensible and it is a difficult thing to escape loving when one is perswaded of a persons merit there is nothing sometimes that in endreth truer Love than Obstinacy when Overcome and those Hearts which are the difficultest to win are those which are most moved You imagine said the Marchioness to him every one to be like your Religious Ladies Not so answered her the Cavaleer but you will confess that if all VVomen were as the Count would make them they would not bevery amiable and very few wne men would love them Perhaps said the Count to him that all people would not be of your Opinion as You are not of mine but however if You took notice I said not that a Mistress should bring a poor Lover to despair I am not for such Barbarous Counsels I avoid Extremities in all things and my Opinion in this was that a Lady ought to grant no other than a tender Friendship and Esteem and it is with this a Gentleman may rest satisfied from such a Lady I spoke of It is true continued he that in Love the Pallates are as different as there are difference in Beauties and that one cannot Regulate all Lovers to one and the same point there are of them who seeing a Lady of a humor something serious and who is accustomed not to do any thing but what seemeth very civil will be taken with a certain respect for her that they scarcely dare bring their desires to love they will rather love another whose languishings words and glances may give them leave to hope I also know others who care little for the Artifices and all the outward appearances of certain Beauties who ignorize nothing of Gallantry they will sooner engage themselves to a Fair-one whose humor seemeth full of sincerity and who they find without art and
the Men. But once more Mr. Abbot 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 weapous 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 there 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 Mr. Turner 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 sot a Fancy made and Reason such a slave Where resolution is forgot To struggle wih 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 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
send him more tender ones If we knew You not said the Countess d'Ancyce we would interpret the things litterally and show you little Favour but I believe there is a mystery in this Letter and that You are not willing to partake of the Honour your self in the manner it is turned for my part said the Dutchess I comprehend nothing and I confess that I want as great an esteem as I have for Madamoiselle d'Armand not to condemn her but tell us however continued she in addressing her self to that Lady what You smile at and what there is we understand not in this Letter for I have no mind to change the Opinion I have of You. Madamoiselle d'Armand after she had thanked the Dutchess for what she had thus Obligingly said related to her that being sometime since with one of the chiefest Ladies of the Court where a great number of Noble Gentlemen did ordinarily meet They had proposed a question which had been very wittily handled viz. to know whether it was more troublesome for a Lover to make a Declaration to his Mistress than for the Mistress to receive it and that she had maintained the Lovers part and that it was less difficult for a man to say he loved than for a Lady to suffer it and that the Baron d' 〈◊〉 who was Author of this Letter having undertook the contrary the company thought sit that for the rarity of the act that the Baron should represent the person of a Mistress and she that of the Lover that they might have the pleasure of seeing how this business would pass she assured them that this Gallantry had given way to such witty things as well in Prose as Verse that thousands of Persons have been divertized by it and that she did also in the like manner so that this Letter must not be read as coming from a Gallant but as from a sensible Mistress and that the truth was that they both of them had ill represented their Personages because that the Baron had too soon submitted himself and that for he part she did not use those Cares and Endeavours as passionate Lovers use The Cavaleer would willingly that Madamoiselle d'Armand had not justified her self so well and that they had but doubted of what she said But the rest of the Company had too good thoughts of her not to render her that Justice as was her due They found this Gallantry very pleasing and capable of giving much diversion They enlarged no further upon this to obtain time for the reading the other Letter but before they read them the Dutchess pulled this Song out of her pocket and gave it to Madamoiselle d'Armond who she desired to sing the Treble part of it and the Cavaleer d'Estapes she desired to sing the Base with her which they did in the manner following SONG I. B. Bear witness now you silver streams pleasing shady groves whose harmony and solitude can sweeten harmless Loves How lowd the Ecchoes of my sighs do ring for her whose scorns can me no comfort bring Ye powers above grant she may love and feel those pangs which I already know Chorus For if Love once dwell in her breast for if Love once dwell in her breast such pleasing relief will drown all my grief make me a lover that 's bleft Fly Eccho's fly And in your gentle murm'ring whispers bear My languishing and deep Complaints to my dear Phillis ear Tell her Oh tell her 't is for her I dye And ask her when shee 'l leave off cruelty Oh powerful Love Come from above And in her chaste heart go take up thy seat Chorus For if Love once dwell c. After this Song had been most harmonioufly Sung by these two Persons they returned again to their Letters and the Second was for the Baron d'Espare with whom Madam â—…lus observed the same Ceremonies as with the rest and she had without trouble the permission to let the Company hear it See here what it did contain SIR THe Question You propose me would better have been your Business than mine I should have been willing to have heard how You would come off in it You who never fail to prosper in these witty sorts of Gallantry Nevertheless since I am not permitted to refuse You any thing and as your Friendship desires of me a blind Obedience I shall tell You I 'll or Well what my Opinion is in what You demand of me You would know whether ajealous man may be termed a Lover Whence jealousie proceeds and what difference there is in matter of Love between Fear and Jealousie I First must tell You that I believe not that a Jealous Man Loveth but on the contrary say that he hateth with a terrible hatred as it is easie to discern by his Actions and therefore it were very improper to give him the title of Lover since he deserveth it not I must according to the Order of things First tell You whence jealousie springeth For my part it is my Opinion that a man is not Jealous but then when he believeth himself unworthy to possess the Esteem of his Mistress And I dare my Self believe that one that is Jealous doth not imagine himself Loved for else he would not afflict himself as he doth 'T is folly to say as many do that this Viper Love is but a meer Fear to lose what one Loveth a Jealous man would proceed aster another fashion Fear is an unprossitatable Passion which truly molesteth the Soul and causeth it to apprehend the Evils that may disturb him but it never bringeth a man into despair as doth Jealousie because that it breedeth in us thse things which may come to pass and yet not happen neither A searful man doth not altogether lose his hope he endeavours to prevent by all the meanes possible the misfortunes which he apprehendeth to the end he may escape the storm I say further that the Fear in Love is a sort of Vertue between the two extreams it is easily discerned that Jealous men are not possessed with this Fear but rather with a Rage which causeth them to believe that they have absolutely lost what they adored let us but take the pains to examineone of these Fools we shall see that he acteth not like a man that feareth nor like a Lover that desireth to be loved but like a desperate and declared Enemy Every one naturally hateth that which giveth them displeasure and what greater displeasure can one imagine than to think ones self forsaken and slighted by that which one esteemeth and loveth more than Ones life A Jealous man who is perswaded that he is thus evilly treated by his Mistress cannot love her more hatred must succeed this love and oftentimes Fury What trouble to this unhappy man in the time of this alteration What Combat is there in his mind I believe there is nothing more terrible and that the least Councel his mind suggests to him is to have recourse to
same request to her but she answered that they must address themselves to Madam d'Eyrac who was a witness of part of these Adventures The Cavaleer was confused the Ladies laughed and the Dutchess told him that instead of troubling himself he ought to be glad of this Rencounter of â—…nding some body that can relate a History which would not seem so well in his mouth as in anothers she consequently engaged Madam d'Eyrac to take upon her the trouble of relating it This Lady did it very obligingly she first smiling asked the Cavaleers permission and she afterwards began in this manner Since the Cavaleer said she hath had the discression not to name the persons of whom he spoke I believe you will not require more of me than you did of him a thousand Reasons forbid it me and it would be no great addition to the History nor augment the pleasure in any thing which you will have to hear that which I am going to tell you There is perhaps no Body here but knoweth it is now two Years since the misfortune that hapned upon my Family which obliged Monsieur d'Eyrac my Husband to absent himself from the Court. In this great subject of affliction I went to one of my Friends who was a Nun in the Monastery of which we speak to seek such Consolation as I might find by a retreat from the sight of all things that might cause any trouble I'llnot tell you whether what the Cavaleer hath told you be true or no because he had known these Ladies above a Year when I came thither and to speak the truth what I have understood is not much unlike what he hath related to You but I will warrant you for the truth of what I shall relate to you in what passed in my time I was very lovingly received in this Monastery there was no civility which the Abbess shewed me not and every day they would strive who could oblige me most it was almost a month that the Cavaleer had not been there I had heard speak of him sometimes as a very civil Gentleman for whom the Abbess had a great esteem and from whom she often received Letters he came a few dayes after me I presently perceived that this esteem had something of much tenderness in it and that this Friendship had some resemblance of Love The Abbess who was endued with much goodness and who put much confidence in me would conceal nothing from me she would exceedingly commend her Cavaleer to me she would rank him above the pitch of all men and would not only have had me to applaud him but to have judged her not indiscreet in these Concernes so long as things seemed to me not to go too far I dissembled but when I came to know that this friendship wrought the same effects as Love and that it excited jealousie in the two Sisters that it caused sighings and languishings that they let fall Tears I could not for bear declaring my thoughts to the Abbess and to represent to her that this Engagement might one day do her a prejudice and that an Amorous affair ought not to enter into a Monastery She outwardly seemed to take friendly the freedom I used to her but in truth this good advise caused her to carry her self but more coldly to me she could have desired something more of Complaisance from my Friendship her Disease being almost without remedy she could have desired at least that I would have supported her in it this occasioned my having less correspondence with her and that I saw her no more than by duty because I would not altogether break off with a person who hath command where I lived and to whom I had already been very much Obliged her Sister managed it something better she concealed appearances and although she had no less esteem or tenderness for the Cavaleer than the Abbess she notwithstanding acted before the world like a Maid almost indifferent She had also something more of wit than her Eldest Sister but not so much beauty I 'll begin the recital of these Adventures if the Company think it requisite where the Cavaleer left off Yesterday for what he hath told You to day is but a feeble Crayon of what You shall now hear It was when his Man had taken the Abbess for her Sister and when he had gave her the Letter which he should have given to the other into what a rage and fury did this Fair Lover enter when she had seen the Treason of this Letter the least thing her passion suggested to her was to be revenged on the Traytor to cause him to be killed a Maid in whom she trusted most and who was too Young to take the liberty to give her advise would come every evening before she went to her rest and repeat to me a part of her Follies at which in truth I did but divert my self The Abbess then as the Cavaleer hath told You brought her Sister with her to this Rendezvous where the Gentleman failed not to be at the hour appointed his Surprizal was great as we may imagine to see the two Sisteâ—s together after what the Abbess had writ to him how she would not have any one know of this Enterview more especially her Sister he also remembred what he had writ to the other and the entreaty he made in the Letter he wrote her she should not be concerned at this assignation how nothing should prejudice her he knew not at length what to believe and of a thousand thoughts he had remaining in his Brain in the moment he saw these Ladies there was not one which came near the truth so incredible was it to him to imagine that such an accident should befall him in the midst of that cruel anguish that despight and jealousie made the Abbess to suffer she relished a most extream joy to see the Cavaleers trouble but her Sister was filled with nothing but grief for her part the Violence she used to contain her self was the rudest thing a heart could endure she could abide no longer there she must retire but it was when she had considered him from head to foot with a look full of disdain choler and indignation and without speaking to him the poor Lover who began to waken out of his first surprizal fell into a second much more cruel when he had seen in what manner she looked upon him and had fled from him I know not said he in speaking to the Abbess what I have done to your Siner that in my presence should cause her to flee I expected not this Rigor it is because answered him the Abbess coldly we also expected not to have seen You make so quick a return and because we have little occasion for You here Ha! if it be so as You say Madam replied the Cavaleer to her presently I swear to You You shall not keep me here much longer for I hate above all to incommode people But how ever Madam
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 â—…t Evening and that what she heard while I was in the Arbour with her Sister finished her Cure I ever avoided being alone with her during the small time I remained in the Abbey and when I â—epaâ—…e I took my leave of her before live or six Ladies her Friends who were in her Chambe with her Here the Cavaleer ended his Story and the Dutchess Invited the Company to take a small turn in the Garden before they retured 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 Closis 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 Best 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 was 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 Madamolselle d'Armond who was ever in the charge of Lieutenant this Laâ—y said that it was not necessary to seek new subjects of Entertainment since there were already two upon the board the gallanrest of the world and wherein she for her particular was too much interested to set 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 de Armond 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 knoweth 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 thesâ— maxims are Touch-stones for the false sigherâ— and the least resistance sendeth them going anâ— who are not Lovers but when a Lady is 〈◊〉 innocent to let her self be perswaded to tendernesses transports to Tears and to sighes 〈◊〉 Commâ—nd they Swear that they alone havâ— 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 severe and treat him
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 〈…〉 must make this Sex close their Eyes for services respects signs 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 gâ—eat 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 truth You show your self but a novice in Love-matters Mr. Abbot said the Cavaleer to her hath not so little reason as you think and if You did what he hath said and that on your parts you would not seem so insensible as you do there would perhaps be more sweetness in lise 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 inteâ—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 ceâ—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 â—…ment 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 maketh 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 suffer 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 Aâ—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 with nothing but a multitude of troubles Love is no
secret and were there not often many VVomen that often oblige us to this weakness I know not how we could excuse our selves it would be a very delightful matter replied Madam d'Eyrac for some of us to relate why there are so few men discreet It shall be d'Armenton said the Abbot for he is much enclined to speak for you against the men and here is a subject will cost him little It shall be rather You replyed Madamoiselle d'Armond for You have been long silent and we will see a little if after you have placed the Women so much beneath the men You can retire the men from so naughty a walk to place them only opposite to the Women I know too little answered the Abbot what belongeth to Love to know how to resolve You how to keep an amarous mistery secret and I will tell You no more upon that than what I have read in Ovid. Ovid Sir interrupted the Countess d'Ancyre You quote to us a very pleasant Author Is it not he that counselleth Lovers to feign themselves in drink when they are with their Mistresses that all the liberties they take with them may the more easily be excused and in another place he proposeth a fine manner of declaring Love he saith that if we find an Opportunity to be with our Mistress at any Banquet we must when we hold the glass in our hand dip our finger in the Wine and afterwards upon the Table write down our Love for her I heard these from a Gentleman that had read Ovid very much but would not imitate him If this custome replyed the Abbot seemeth now rediculous to You it was not perhaps in the dayes of Ovid It is because the men said d'Arignan are now more knowing in Love and I believe that if it were possible for Ovid to rise again he would cry up Maxim's which he would expose to the Publick that would now sute with none but Serving-Maids Let vs leave Ovid then said the Marchioness and let us observe what the Abbot will tell us upon the Question proposed since You will not answered the Abbot let me use this Author I must tell You what I my self conceive upon this matter First I believe that diseretion consisteth in avoiding all things that may breed disturbance and make a noise and on the other side beware that in endeavouring to be too discreet You be not at all There are some Lovers who will not make use of any one in their Loves out of fear of trusting a secret with any one that may deceive them But in all the Mysteries of this Nature a confident is so necessary that You cannot be without a man in Love is daily pressed with his passion he is ever desirous to speak write to or see his Mistress and to ease this eagerness which bereaveth him of his repose He standeth often in need of a person that is of his Intelligence and endeavouring to do all we ruine and destroy all This Passion which transporteth us and whose aim is only at satisfaction is not accustomed to be over-cautious it looks neither to the right nor to the lest but only before it and so that there be not any thing to hinder her course it seemeth not concerned at those that follow it by sight There is nothing the world taketh so much paines in than to discover the proceedings of an Inclination they are all curious to know the secret of an Intrigue and as soon as they discover the glimps of any thing they will penetrate to the bottom It is but suspecting a a man in Love with a woman to have a desire to know the truth of what passeth a he or she confident of whose fidelity one is assured save a Lover from this danger they manage a business better than he they proceed with more care and besides their supplying with Counsels and with the Favour they have with a Mistress they help many failings which a Lover would have committed I extend a little upon this matter for that there are many people who think themselves very expert in Love and who make it one of their most principal points in discretion not to let any one know of their Intrigue and to make use of no body but to do all things by themselves In the mean time You see that these nice spirits abuse themselves so grosly I say that it is most certain that an assured confident is the most Important matter in an amorous commerce To this let us add the pleasure there is in telling a faithful friend the sweets one hath tasted with a Mistress the charms of that amiable Creature the joy one hath to love her for these are certain things which lie heavy upon the heart of a Lover when he hath not the satisfaction to tell it to some Body Do You not Observe said the Dutchess Interrupting him how the Abbot will prove himself unskulful in Love-affairs however all that he hath sayd even hitherto is a subtil Gallantry I know not replied the Countess d'Ermand whither all that he hath hitherto said be so gallant but I find it not very near the matter The Question is to know the Reason why the men are so Indiscreet and the Cautions that are to be Observed to practice this Vertue and he goeth and telleth us the necessity there is to have a Confident as if that had any Analogy with discretion Yes Madam replied the Abbot to her assnredly it hath and You shall see if You will grant me that Favour to hear me that I wander not so much from my Subject I would bring the matter to the actions which they should not do publickly for besides that something of it hath already been said It were needless to give Lessons for defaults in which there are none but block-heads and people full of Vanity that can fall into them I chose rather to use a subject something more delicate and to make it appear that that was not to be discreet to desire to be too much and that a man cannot be accused of Indiscretion that confides his Secret in a Friend who can serve him in that affair and because of that I have let You see of what Importance a Consident was This is well justified said the Dutchess and although the Abbot did not directly answer the Question proposed I find that what we Treat of is not too far from the matter That to declare that not only one may but must have a Confident in Love We must have been in Love proceeded the Abbot to know how many occasions are fit for afriend as I say in an Intrigue of Affection and the necessity there is to have one to whom one might communicate all things The Abbot said the Cavaleer will at length perswade us maugre him that he hath been in Love for my part I am of his Opinion and I hold that is the safest way of loving to make use of a third person and that we are less subject to