said too much both for himself and her He told her he had declar'd nothing with his Pen that he wou'd not make good with his Sword Hold Sir said she and do not imagine from the freedom you have taken in owning your passion to Philander that I shall allow it here what you declare to the world is your own Crime but when I hear it 't is no longer yours but mine I therefore conjure you my Lord not to charge my Soul with so great a sin against Philander and I confess to you I shall be infinitely troubl'd to be oblig'd to banish you my sight for ever He heard her and answer'd with a sigh for she went from him to the Table and seal'd her Letter and gave it him to be inclos'd to Philander and left him to consider on her last words which he did not lay to heart because he fancy'd she spoke this as women do that will be won with industry he in standing up as she went from him saw himself in the great glass and bid his person answer his heart which from every view he took was reinforc'd with new hope for he was too good a judge of Beauty not to find it in every part of his own Amiable person nor cou'd he imagine from Silvia's eyes which were naturally soft and languishing and now the more so from her fears and jealousies that she meant from her heart the rigours she exprest Much he allow'd for his short time of Courtship much to her Sexes modesty much from her quality and very much from her Love and imagin'd it must be only time and assiduity opportunity and obstinate passion that was only capable of reducing her to break her faith with Philander he therefore indeavour'd by all the good dressing the advantage of lavish gayety to render his person agreeable and by all the Arts of Gallantry to charm her with his conversation and when he cou'd handsomly bring in love he fail'd not to touch upon it as far as it wou'd be permitted and every day had the vanity to fancy he made some advances for indeed every day more and more she found she might have use for so considerable a Person so that one may very well say never any past their time better than Silvia and Octavio tho with different ends all he had now to fear was from the answer Philanders Letter shou'd bring for whom he had in spight of Love so intire a friendship that he even doubted whether if Philander cou'd urge reasons potent enough he shou'd not chuse to dye and quit Silvia rather then be false to friendship one Post past and another and so eight successive ones before they receiv'd one word of answer to what they sent so that Silvia who was the most impatient of her Sex and the most in Love was raving and acting all the extravagance of despair and even Octavio now became less pleasing yet he fail'd not to Visit her every day to send her rich presents and to say all that a fond Lover or a faithful friend might urge for her relief at last Octavio receiv'd this following Leter Philander to Octavio YOu have shew'd Octavio a freedom so generous and so beyond the usual Measures of a Rival that 't were almost injustice in me not to permit you to love on if Silvia can be false to me and all her vows she is not worth preserving if she prefer Octavio to Philander then he has greater merit and deserves her best but if on the contrary she be just if she be true and constant I cannot fear his Love will injure me so either way Octavio has my leave to Love the Charming Silvia alas I know her power and do not wonder at thy fate for 't is as natural for her to Conquer as 't is for youth to yield oh she has fascination in her Eyes a spel upon her tongue her Wit 's a Philter and her air and motion all snares for heedless hearts her very faults have Charmes her pride her peevishness and her disdain have unresisted power Alass you find it every day and every Night she sweeps the Toore along and shews the Beauty she inslaves the Men and Rivals all the Women how oft with Pride and Anger I have seen it and was the inconsidering Coxâ—ombe then to rave and rail at her to curse her Charms her fair inviting and perplexing Charmes and bullyed every Gazer by Heaven I cou'd not spare a smile a look and she has such a lavish freedom in her humour that if thou chance to love as I have done 't wil surely make thee mad if she but talkt aloud or put her little affectation on to shew the wondering crowd what she cou'd do if she design'd to shew the force of Beauty oh God! how lost in rage how mad with jealousie was my fond breaking heart my eyes grew fierce and Clamorous my Tongue and I have scarce contain'd my self from hurting what I so much ador'd but then the subtil Charmer had such Arts to slatter me to peace again to clasp her lovely arms about my neck to sigh a thousand dear confirming vows into my Bosom and kiss and smile and swear and talk away my rage and then Oh my Octavio no humane fancy can present the joy of the dear reconciling moment where little quarrels rais'd the rapture higher and she was always new These are the wondrous pains and wondrous pleasures that Love by turns inspires till it grows wise by time and repetition and then the God assumes a serious gravity injoyment takes off the uneasie keeness of the passion the little jealous quarrels raise no more quarrels the very Feathers of Loves darts that send 'em with more swiftness to the heart and when they cease your transports lessen too then we grow reasonable and consider we love with prudence then as Fencers fight with foyls a sullen brush perhaps sometimes or so but nothing that can touch the heart and when we are arriv'd to love at that dull easie rate we never die of that Disease then we 've recourse to all the little Arts the aids of flatterers and dear dissimulation that help meet to the luke warme Lover to keep up a good Character of constancy and a right understanding Thus Octavio I have ran thro' both the degrees of Love which I have taken so often that I am grown most learn'd and able in the Art My easie heart is of the Constitution of those whom frequent sickness renders apt to take relapses from every little cause or wind that blows too fiercely on 'em it renders it self to the first effects of new surprizing Beauty and finds such pleasure in beginning passion such dear delight of fancying new injoyment that all past loves past Vow and obligations have power to bind no more no pitty no remorce no threatning danger invades my amorous course I scowre along the slow'ry plains of Love view all the charming prospect at a distance which represents it self all
the lessen'd Love Philander had for her and to have proposed to him the suffering Octavio to share her Embraces for so good an Interest since no Returns could be had from France nor any Signs of an Amendment of their Fortunes any other way But still she fear'd he had too much Honour to permit such a Cheat in Love to be put even upon an Enemy This Fear deferred her speaking of it or offering to sacrifice Octavio as a Cully to their Interest tho' she wished it nor knew she long how to deceive both the Business was to put Philander off handsomly if possible since she fail'd of all other Hopes These were her Thoughts while Philander was dressing and rais'd by his asking for some more Pistols from her Cabinet which she found would quickly be at an end if one Lover deminished daily and the other was hindered from increasing But Philander was no sooner dress'd but he left her to her Repose and Octavio who had a Grison attending the Motions of Philander all that Morning 〈◊〉 had brought him word he was gone from Silvia went to visit her and entered her Chamber all changed from what he was before and Death sate in his Face and Eyes maugre all his Resolves and art of Dissembling She not at first perceiving it as she lay she stretch'd out her Arms to receive him with her wonted Caresses but he gently put her off and sighing cry'd No Silvia I leave those Ioys for happier Lovers She was a little surpriz'd at that but not imagining he had known her Guilt reply'd Then those Caresses were only meant for him for if Silvia could make him happy he was sure of being the Man and by force compell'd him to suffer her Kisses and Imbraces while his Heart was bursting without any sense of the Pleasure of her Touches Ah Silvia says he I can never think myself Secure or Happy while Philander is so near you every absent Moment alarms me with ten thousand Fears in Sleep I dream thou â—art false and gives thy Honour up all my absent Nights and all day thy Vows And that he was sure should she again suffer herself to see Philander he should be abandoned and perhaps she again undone For since I parted with you continued he I heard from Clarinau that he saw Philander yesterday come out of your Lodgings How can I bear this when you have vow'd not to see him with Imprecations that must damn thee Silvia without severe Repentance At this she offered to swear again but he stop'd her and begg'd her not to swear till she had well considered then she confess'd he made her a Visit but that she us'd him with that Pride and Scorn that if he were a Man of Honour he could never bear and she was sure he would trouble her no more In fine she flattered fawn'd and gilted so as no Woman common in the Trade of sinful Love could be so great a Mistriss of the Art He suffered her to go on in all that could confirm him she thought him an errant Coxcomb and all that could render her the most contemptible of her Sex He was pleas'd because it made him dispise her and that was easier than adoring her yet tho' he heard her with Scorn he heard her with too much Love When she was even Breathless with eager Protestation he cry'd Ah Indiscreet and Vnadvised Silvia how I pity thee Ah said she observing him speak this with a scornful Smile is it possible you should indeed be offended for a simple Visit which neither was by my Invitation or Wish Can you be angry if I treat Philander with the Civility of a Brother Or rather that I suffer him to see me to receive my Reproaches Stop here said he thou fair deluding Flatterer or thou art for ever ruin'd Do not charge thy Soul yet farther do not delude me on all yet I can forgive as I am dying but should I live I could not promise thee Add not new Crimes by cozening me anew for I shall find out Truth tho' it lie hid even in the bottom of Philander 's Heart This he spoke with an Air of Fierceness which seeing her grow pale upon he sunk again to Compassion and in a soft Voice cry'd Whatever Injuries thou hast done thy Honour thy Word and Faith to me and my poor Heart I can perhaps forgive when you dare utter Truth There is some Honesty in that She once more embracing him fell a-new to protesting her ill Treatment of Philander how she gave him back his Vows and assur'd him she would never be reconcil'd to him And did you part â—o Silvia reply'd the dying Octavio Vpon my Honour said she just so Did you not kiss at parting said he faintly Iust kiss'd as Friends no more by all thy Love At this he bursts into Tears and cry'd Oh! why when I repos'd my Heart with thee and lavished out my very Soul in Love could I not merit this poor Recompence of being fairly dealt with Behold this Sword I took it from your Toylet view it it is Philander 's myself this Morning took it from your Table No more since you may guess the fatal rest I am undone and I am satisfied I had a thousand Warnings of my Fate but still the Beauty charmed and too good Nature yielded Oft you have cozen'd me and oft I saw it and still Love made me willing to forgive the foolish Passion hung upon my Soul and sooth'd me into Peace Silvia quite confounded not so much with the Knowledge he had of the unlucky Adventure as at her so earnest denying and forswearing any Love had pass'd between 'em lay still to consider how to retrieve this lost Game and gave him leisure to go on Now said he thou art silent would thou had'st still been so Ah hapless Maid who hast this Fate attending thee To ruin all that love thee Be dumb be dumb for ever let the false Charm that dwells upon thy Tongue be ended with my Life Let it no more undo believing Man least amongst the Number some one may conquer thee and deaf to all thy Wit and blind to Beauty in some mad Passion think of all thy Cozenings should fall upon thee and forget thy Sex and by thy Death revenge the lost Octavio At these Words he would have rose from her Arms but she detain'd him and with a pitious Voice implor'd his Pardon but he calmly reply'd Yes Silvia I will pardon thee and wish that Heaven may do so to whom apply thy early Rhetorick and Penitence for it can never never charm me more My Fortune if thou ever want'st Support to keep thee Chast and Vertuous shall still be commanded by thee with that usual Frankness it has hitherto served thee but for Octavio he is resolved to go where he will never more be seen by Woman or hear the name of Love to ought but Heaven Farewel one parting Kiss and then a long Farewel As he bow'd to kiss her she
even by the languisher himself to be exprest but the returning light brought a short slumber on its Wings which was interrupted by my attoneing Boy who brought Two Letters from my adorable Silvia He wak'd me from Dreams more agreeable than all my watchful hours cou'd bring for they are all tortur'd And even the softest mixt with a Thousand despairs difficulties and disappointments but these were all love which gave a loose to joys undeny'd by Honour and this way my charming Silvia you shall be mine in spight of all the Tyrannies of that cruel hinderer Honour appears not my Silvia within the close drawn Curâ—ains in shades and gloomy light the fantôm frights not but when one beholds its blushes when it s attended and adorn'd and the Sun sees its false Beauties in silent Groves and grotto's dark Alcoves and lonely recesses all its formalities are laid aside 't was then and there methought my Silvia yielded with a faint struggle and a soft resistance I heard her broken sighs her tender whispering Voice that trembling cry'd Oh can you be so cruel Have you the heart Will you undo a Maid because she loves you Oh will you ruine me because you may My faithless My unkind then sigh't and yielded and made me happier than a Triumphing God! but this was still a Dream I wak'd and sigh't and found it vanish all But oh my Silvia your Letters were substantial pleasure and pardon your Adorer if he tell you even the disorder you express is infinitly dear to him since he knows it all the effects of Love Love my soul which you in vain oppose pursue it Dear and call it not undoing or else explain your fear tell me what your soft your trembling heart gives that cruel title to is it undoing to Love and love the Man you say has Youth and Beauty to justifie that Love a man that adores you with so submissive and perfect a resignation a man that did not only Love first but is resolv'd to dy in that agreeable flame in my Creation I was form'd for Love and destin'd for my Silvia and she for her Philander And shall we can we disappoint our Fate no my soft Charmer our souls were toucht with the same shafts of Love before they laid a being in our Bodies and can we contradict Divine Decrees Or is 't undoing Dear to bless Philander with what you must some time or other sacrifice to some hated loath'd object for Silvia can never love again and are those Treasures for the dull conjugal Lover to rifle was the beauty of Divine shape created for the cold Matrimonial imbrace and shall the eternal joys that Silvia can dispence be return'd by the clumsey Husband 's careless forc'd insipid duty 's oh my Silvia shall a Husband whose insensibility will call those Raptures of joy those Heavenly Blisses the drudgery of life shall he I say receive ' em While your Philander with the very thought of the excess of pleasure the least possession wou'd afford saints o're the Paper that brings you here his eternal Vows Oh where my Silvia ly's the undoing then my Quality and Fortune are of the highest rank amongst men My Youth gay and fond my Soul all soft all Love and all Silvia's I adore her I languish for her I am sick of Love and sick of Life till she yields she is all mine You say my Silvia I am Married and there my happyness is Shipwreck'd but Silvia I deny it and will not have you think it no my Soul was Married to yours in its first Creation and only Silvia is the Wife of my sacred my everlasting Vows of my solemn considerate thought of my ripen'd Judgment my mature considerations The rest are all repented and forgot like the hasty folly 's of unsteady Youth like Vows breath'd in Anger and dy Perjur'd as soon as vented and unregarded either of Heav'n or Man Oh why shou'd my Soul suffer for ever why eternal pain for the unheedy short-liv'd sin of my unwilling Lips besides this fatal thing call'd Wife this unlucky Sister this Mertilla this stop to all my Heav'n that breeds such breeds such fatal differences in our 〈◊〉 Affairs this Mertilla I say first broke her Marriage Vows to me I blame her not norâ— is it reasonable I shou'd she saw the young Cesario and Lov'd him Cesario whom the envying World in spight of prejudice must own has unresistable Charms that Godlike form that sweetness in his face that softness in his Eyes and delicate Mouth and every Beauty besides that Women 〈…〉 and Men envy That lovely composition of Man and Angel with the addition of his eternal Youth and Illustrious Birth was form'd By Heav'n and Nature for universal Conquest and who can love the charming Hero at a cheaper rate than being undone And she that wou'd not venture Fame Honour and a Marriage Vow for the Glory of the young Cesario's heart merits not the noble Victim oh wou'd I cou'd say so much for the young Philander who wou'd run a Thousand times more hazards of life and Fortune for the Adorable Silvia than that amorous Hero ever did for Mertilla though from that Prince I learn't some of my disguises for my thefts of Love for he like Iove courted in several shapes I saw 'em all and suffer'd the delusion to pass upon me for I had seen the lovely Silvia yes I had seen her and I lov'd her too But Honour kept me yet Master of my Vows but when I knew her false when I was once confirm'd When by my own Soul I found the dissembl'd Passion of â—er's when she cou'd no longer hide the blushes or the paleness that seiz'd at the approaches of my disorder'd â—ival when I saw Love dancing in her eyes and her false heart beat with nimble motions and soft trembling seize every 〈◊〉 at the approach or touch of the Royal Lover then I thought my self no longer oblig'd to conceal my flame for Silvia nay e're I broke silence e're I discover'd the hidden Treasure of my heart I made her falshood plaineâ— yet Even the time and place of the deaâ— assignations I discover'd certainty happy certainty broke the dull heavy chain and I with joy submitted to my shameful freedome and caress'd my generous Rival nay and by Heav'n I lov'd him for 't pleas'd at the resemblance of our Souls for we were secret Lovers both but more pleas'd that he Lov'd Mertilla for that made way to my passion for the adorable Silvia Let the dull hot-brain'd jealous fool upbraid me with cold Patience Let the fond Coxcomb whose Honour depends on the frail Marriage Vow reproach me or tell me that my Reputation depends on the feeble constanâ—y of â— Wife perswade me 't is Honour to fight for 〈◊〉 and unvalâ—â—'d Prize and that because my Rival has taken leave to Cucâ—old me I shall give him leave to kill me too Unreasonable nonsense grown to custome No by Heav'n I had rather 〈◊〉 shou'd be false as she
my eager joys my raging flame while you too make an experiment worth the Tryal what 〈◊〉 makes Silvia deny her Impatient Adorer PHILANDER My Page is Ill and I am oblig'd to trust Bâ—ill jard with these to the dear Cottage of their Rendevouz send me your opinion of his fidelity and 〈◊〉 I dy to see you To Philander NOt yet Not yet oh ye dull tedious Hours when will you glide awaâ— and bring that happy moment on in which I shall at least hear from my Philander Eight and Forty teadious ones are past and I am here forgotten still forlorn impatient restless every where not one of all your little moments ye undiverting hours can afford me repose I drag ye on a heavy Load I count ye all and bless ye when you 'r gone but tremble at the approaching ones and with a dread expect you and nothing will divert me now my Couch is tiresome and my â—lass is vain my Books are dull and conversation insupportable the Grove affords me no relief nor even those Birds to whom I have so often breath'd Philander's name they sing it on their perching Boughts no nor the reviewing of his dear Letters can bring me any ease Oh what face's reserv'd for me for thus I cannot live noâ— surely thus I shall not by Perhaps Philander's making a tryal of Vertue by this Silence Pursue it call up all your reason my lovely Brother to your aid let us be wise and silent let us try what that will do towards the cure of this too infectious flame let us oh let us my Brother sit down here and pursee the crime of Loving on no further Call me Sister Swear I am so and nothing but your Sister and forbear oh forbear my Charming Brother to pursue me farther with your soft bewitching Passion let me alone let me be ruin'd with Honour if I must be ruin'd For oh were much happyer I were no more than that I shou'd be more then Philander's Sister or he than Silvia's Brother Oh let me ever call you by that cold name till that of Lover be forgotten Ha! Methinks on the suddaiâ— a fit of Vertue informs my Soul and bids me ask you for what sin of mine my Charming Brother you 〈◊〉 persue a Maid that cannot fly Ungenerous and unkind why did you take advantage of those Freedoms I gave you as a Brother I smil'd on you and sometimes kist you too But for my Sisters sake I play'd with you suffer'd your Hands and Lips to wander were I dare not now all which I thought a Sister might allow a Brother and knew not all the while the Treachery of Love Oh none but under that intimate title of a Brother cou'd have had the opportunity to have ruin'd me that that betray'd me I play'd away my Heart at a Game I did not understand no knew I when ' â—was lost by degrees so subtil and an authority so lawful yoâ— won me out of all Nay then too even when all was lost I wou'd not think it Love I wonder'd what my sleepless Nights my walking eternal thoughts and slumbring Visions of my lovely Brother meant I wonder'd why my Soul was continually fill'd with wishes and new desires and still concluded 't was for my Sister all till I discover'd the cheat by jealousie for when my Sister hung upon your neck kist and â—aâ—rest that face that I ador'd oh how I found my colour change my Limbs all trembled and my blood inrag'd and I cou'd scarce forbear reproaching you Orcrying out Oh why this fondness Brother Sometimes you perceiv'd my concern at which you 'd smile for you who had been before in Love a curse upon the fatal time cou'd guess at my disorder then wou'd you turn the wanton play on me When sullen with my jealousie and the cause I fly your soft imbrace yet wish you wou'd pursue and overtake me which you ne're fail'd to do where after a kind quarrel all was pardon'd and all was well again While the poor injur'd innocent my Sister made her self sport at our delusive Wars Still I was ignorant till you in a most fatal hour inform'd me I was a Lover Thuâ— was it with my heart in those blest days of innocence thus it was won and lost nor can all my Stars in Heaven prevent I doubt prevent my ruine Now you are sure of the fatal conquest you scorn the trifling Glory you are silent now oh I am inevitably lost or with you or without you And I find by this little silence and absence of yours that 't is most certain I must either dy or be Philander's SILVIA If Dorillus come not with a Letter or that my Page whom I have sent to his Cottage for one bring it not I cannot support my Life for oh Philander I have a Thousand wild distracting fears knowing how you are involv'd in the Interest you have espous'd with the young Caesario how danger surrounds you how your life and Glory depends on the frail secresie of Villains and Rebels Oh give me leave to fear eternally your fame and life if not your Love if Sâ—lvia cou'd command Philander shou'd be Loyal as he 's Noble and what generous Maid wou'd not suspect his Vows to a Mistress who breaks 'em with his Prince and Masters Heav'n preserve you and your Glory To Philander ANother Night oh Heav'ns and yet no Letter come Where are you my Philander What happy place contains you if in Heav'n why do's not some posting Angel bid me hast after you if on Earth why do's not some little God of Love bring the grateful tidings on his painted Wings if sick why does not my own fond heart by sympathy inform me but that 's all active vigorous wishing impatient of delaying silence and busie in imagination if you are false if you have forgotten your poor believing and distracted Silvia why do's not that kind Tyrant Death that meager welcome Vision of the desparing old and wretched approach in dead of Night approach my restless Bed and tole the dismal tidings in my frighted listning ears aâ—d strike me for ever file â—t lay me for ever quiâ—t lost to the world lost to my faithless Charmer But if a sense of Honour in you has made you resolve to prefer mine before your Love made you take up a noble fatal resolution never to tell me more of your Passion this were a Trial I fear my fond heart wants courage to bear or is 't a trick a cold fit only assum'd to try how much I Love you I have no Arts Heav'n knows no guile or double meaning in my soul 't is all plain native simplicity fearful and timerous as Children in the Night trembling as Doves pursu'd born soft by Nature and made tender by Love what oh what will become of me then Yet wou'd I were confirm'd in all my fears For as I am my condition is yet more deplorable for I 'm in doubt and doubt is the worst torment of the mind Oh
Charity and Honour he as little excels as in Gratitude Obedience and Loyalty What then my dear Philander is it his weakness Ah there 's the Argument You all propose and think to govern so soft a King But believe me oh unhappy Philander nothing is more ungovernable than a Fool nothing more obstinate willful conceited and cunning and for his gratitude let the world judge what he must prove to his Servants who has dealt so ill with his Lord and Master how he must reward those that present him with a Crown who deals so ungraciously with him who gave him Life and who set him up an happyer object than a Monarch No no Philander he that can cabal and contrive to dethrone a father will find it easie to discard the wicked and hated Instruments that assisted him to mount it decline him then oh fond and deluded Philander decline him early for you of all the â—â—est ought to do so and not to set a helping hand to load him with Honours that chose you out from all the World to load with infamy remember that remember Mertilla and then renounce him do not you contribute to the adoring of his unfit head with a Diadem the most glorious of Ornaments who unadorn'd yours with the most inglorious of all reproaches Think of this oh thou unconsidering Noble Youth lay thy hand upon thy generous heart and tell it all the fears all the reasonings of her that loves thee more than life a Thousand Arguments I cou'd bring but these few unstudyed falling in amongst my softer thoughts I beg thou wilt accept of till I can more at large deliver the Glorious Argument to your Soul let this suffice to tell thee that the like Cassandria I rave and prophesie in vain this Association will be the eternal ruine of Philander for let it succeed or not either way thou art undone if thou pursu'st it and I must infallibly fall with thee if I resolve to follow thy good or ill Fortune for you cannot intend Love and Ambition Silvia and Caesario at once No perswade me not â—he Title to one or t'other must be laid down Silvia or Caesario must be abandon'd this is my fixt resolve if thy too powerful Arguments convince not in spight of reason for they can do 't thou hast the tongue of an Angel and the Eloquence of a God and while I listen to thy Voice I take all thou say'st for wondrous sense Farewell about Two hours hence I shall expect you at the Gate that leads into the Garden Grove Adieu remember SILVIA To Silvia HOw comes my charming Silvia so skill'd in the Mysteries of State where learnt her tender heart the Notions of rigid business where her soft Tongue form'd only for the dear Language of Love to talk â—f the concerns of Nations and Kingdoms 't is true when I gave my Soul away to my dear Councellor I reserv'd nothing to my self not even that secret that so concern'd my Life but laid all at her Mercy my generous Heart cou'd not Love at a less rate than to lavish all and be undone for Silvia 't is Glorious ruine and it pleases me if it advance once single joy or add one demonstration of my Love to Silvia 't is not enough that we tell those we Love all they love to hear but one ought to tell 'em too every secret that we know and conceal no part of that Heart one has made at present to the person one Loves 't is a Treason in Love not to be Pardon'd am sensible that when my story 's told and this happy one of my Love shall make up the greatest part of my History that those that Love not like me will be apt to blame me and charge me with weakness for revealing so great a trust to a Woman and amongst all that I shall do to arrive at Glory that will brand me with seaâ—less but Silvia when Lovers shall read it the men will excuse me and the Maids bless me I shall be a fond admir'd president for them to point but to their remiss reserving Lovers who will be reproached for not persuing my example I know not what opinion Men generally have of the weakness of Women but 't is sure a vulgar error for were they like my adorable Silvia had they her wit her vivacity of spirit her Courage her generous fortitude her command in every graceful look and Action they were most certainly fit to rule and Reign and Man was only born robust and strong to secure 'em on those Thrones they are form'd by Beauty Softness and a Thousand Charms which men want to possess Glorious Woman was born for command and Dominion and though custom has usurpt us the name of Rule over all we from the beginning found our selves in spight of all our boasted prerogative slaves and Vassals to the Almighty Sex Take then my share of Empire ye Gods and give me Love let me toyl to gain but let Silvia Triumph and Reign I ask no more no more than the led slave at her Chariot Wheels to gaze on my Charming Conqueress and wear with joy her Fetters oh how proud I shou'd be to see the dear Victor of my Soul so elevated so adorn'd with Crowns and Scepters at her feet which I had won to see her smiling on the adoring Crown distributing her Glories to young waiting Princes there dealing Provinces and there a Coronet Heavens methinks I see the lovely Virgin in this State her Chariot slowly driving through the multitude that press to gaze upon her she drest like Venus richly gay and loose her Hair and Robe blown by the flying Winds discovering a Thousand Charms to view thus the young Goddess look't then when she drove her Chariot down descending Clouds to meet the Love-sick God in cooling Shades and so wou'd look my Silvia ah my soft lovely Maid such thoughts as these fir'd me with Ambition For me I swear by every power that made me Love and made thee wondrous fair I design no more by this great enterprize than to make thee some glorious thing elevated above what we have seen yet on Earth to raise thee above Fate or Fortune beyond that pity of they duller Sex who understand not thy Soul nor can never each the flights of thy generous Love no my Soul's joy I must not leave thee lyable to their little natural Malice and scorn to the impertinence of their reproaches No my Silvia I must on the great design must move forward though I abandon it 't will advance and 't is already too far to put a stop to it and now I 'm enter'd 'tis in vain to retreat if we are prosperous 't will to all Ages be call'd a Glorious enterprize but if we failâ— 't will be base horrid and infamous for the world judges of nothing but by the success that cause is always good that 's prosperous that is ill that 's unsuccessful Shou'd I now retreat I run many hazards but to go on
shames thou 'st brought him to and will not be the last shall loath and hate thee For though youth fansie it have a mighty race to run of pleasing vice and vanity the course will end the goal will be arriv'd to at the last where they will sighing stand look back and view the length of pretious time they 've fool'd away when travers'd o'er with honour and discretion how glorious were the journey and with what joy the weâ—ried traveller lies down and basks beneath the shades that ends the happy course Forgive dear Child this advice and persue it 't is the effect of my pity not anger nor could the name of rival ever yet have power to banish that of sister from my soul farewell remember me pray Heaven thou hast not this night made a forfeit of thy honour and that this which comes from a tender bleeding heart may have the fortune to inspire thee with grace to avoid all temptations for the future since they must end in sorrow which is the eternal prayer of Dearest Child Your affectionate Sister To Philander ASk me not my dearest Brother the reason of this sudden change ask me no more from whence proceeds this strange coldness or why this alteration it is enough my destiny has not decreed me for Philander Alas I see my errour and looking round about me find nothing but approaching horrour and confusion in my pursuit of love Oh whither was I going to what dark paths what everlasting shades had smiling love betray'd me had I pursu'd him farther but I at last have subdu'd his force and the fond Charmer shall no more renew his arts and flatteries for I 'm resolv'd as Heaven as fixt as fate and death and I conjure you trouble my repose no more for if you do regardless of my honour which if you lov'd you wou'd preserve I 'll do a deed shall free me from your importunities that shall amaze and cool your vitious flame no more remember you have a noble wife companion of your vows and I have honour both which are worth preserving and for which though you want generous love you 'll find neither that nor courage wanting in Silvia To Silvia YES my adorable Silvia I will pursue you no farther only for all my pains for all my sufferings for my tormenting sleepless nights and thoughtfull anxious days for all my faithless hopes my fears my sighs my prayers and my tears for my unequall'd and unbound passion and my unwearied pursuits in love my never dying flame and lastly for my death I only beg in recompense for all this last favour from your pity That you will deign to view the bleeding wound that pierc'd the truest heart that ever fell a sacrifice to love you 'll find my body lying beneath that spreading Oak so sacred to Philander since 't was there he first took into his greedy ravish'd soul the dear the soft confession of thy passion though now forgotten and neglected all make what haste you can you 'll find there stretch'd out the mangled carcass of the lost Philander Ah! Silvia was it for this that I was sent in such haste away this morning to Cesario did I for this neglect the world our great affair and all that Prince's interest and fly back to Bellfont on the wings of Love were in lieu of receiving a dear blessing from thy hand do I find never see me more good Heaven but with my life all my complaints are ended only 't would be some ease even in death to know what happy Rival 't is has arm'd thy cruel hand against Philander's heart To Philander STay I conjure thee stay thy sacrilegious hand for the least wound it gives the Lord of all my wishes I 'll double on my breast a thousand fold stay then by all thy vows thy love and all the hopes I swear thou hast this night of a full recompence of all thy painâ— from yielding Silvia I do conjure thee stay for when the news arrives thou art no more this poor this lost abandon'd heart of mine shall fall a victim to thy cruelty no live my Philander I conjure thee and receive all thou canst ask and all that be given by Silvia To Philander OH my charming Philander how very ill have you recompenc'd my last soft commands which were that you should live and yet at the same moment while you were reading of the dear obligation and while my Page was waiting your kind return you desperately expos'd your life to the mercy of this innocent Rival betraying unadvisedly at the same time my honour and the secret of your love and where to kill or to be kill'd had been almost equally unhappy 't was well my â—age told me you disarm'd him in this rancounter yet you he says are wounded some sacred drops of blood are fallen to earth and lost the least of which are pretious enough to ransom captive Queens oh haste Philander to my arms for cure I dy with fear there may be danger haste and let me bath the dear the wounded part in floods of tears lay it to my warm lips and bind it with my torn hair oh Philander I rave with my concern for thee and am ready to break all laws of decency and duty and fly without considering to thy succour but that I fear to injure thee much more by the discovery which such an unadvis'd absence would make pray Heaven the unlucky adventure reach not Bellfont â—oscario has no reason to proclaim it and thou art too generous to boast the conquest and Silvio was the only witness and he 's as silent and as secret as the grave but why Philander was he sent me back without reply what meant that cruel silence say my Philander will you not obey me will you abandon me can that dear tongue be perjâ—â—â—'d and can you this night disappoint your Silvia what have I done oh obstinately cruel irreconcilable what for my first offence alittle poor resentment â—nd no more a little faint care of my gâ—sping honourâ—â—ou'd that displease so much besides I had â— cause which you shall see a Letter that wou'd cool loveâ— hoâ—â—â—st fires and turn it to devotion by Heaven 't was such a check such a surprise but you your self shall judge if after that I cou'd say lâ—ss than bid eternally farewell to love at least to thee but I recanted soon one sad dear word one soft resenting linâ— from thee gain'd love the day again and I despis'd the censures of the duller world yes yes and I confess'd you had o'recome and did this merit no reply I asked the Boy a thousand times what you said how and in what manner you received it chid him and laid your silent fault on him till he with tears convinc'd me and said he found you hastning to the Grove and when he gave you my commands you look'd upon him with such a stedfast wild and fixt regard surveying him all o're while you were opening it as
dear arts you us'd life remember how you kiss'd and press'd my face remember what dear charming words you spoke and when I did recover how I ask'd you with a feeble doubtfull voice Ah Silvia will you still continue thus thus wondrous soft and fond will you be ever mine and ever true what did you then reply when kneeling on the carpet where I lay what Silvia did you vow how invoke Heaven how call its vengeance down if e're you lov'd another man again if e're you touch'd or smil'd on any other if e're you suffer'd words or acts of love but from Philander both Heaven and Hell thou did'st awaken with thy oaths one was an angry listener to what it knew thou'dst break the other laugh'd to know thou woud'stâ— be perjur'd while only I poor I was all the while a silent fond believer your vows stopt all my language as your kisses did my lips you swore and kiss'd and vow'd and clasp'd my neck oh charming flatterer oh artfull dear beguiler thus into life and peace and fond security you charm'd my willing Soul 'T was then my Silvia certain of your heart and that it never cou'd be giâ—en away to any other I press'd my eager joys but with such tender caution such fear and fondness such an awfull passion as overcame your faint resistance my reasons and my arguments were strong for you were mine by love by sacred vows and who cou'd lay a better claim to Silvia how oft I cried Why this resistance Silvia my charming dear whose are you not Philander's and shall Philander not command his own you must ah cruel then a soft struggle follow'd with half breath'd words with sighs and trembling hearts and now and thâ—n ah cruel and unreasonable was softly said on both sides thus strove thus argued till both lay panting in each others arms not with the toil but rapture I need not say what after follow'd this what tender showers of strange indearing mixtures 'twixt joy and shame 'twixt love and new surprise and ever when dried your eyes with kisses unable to repeat any other language than oh my Silvia oh my charming Angel while sighs of joy and closely grasping thee spoke all the rest while every tender word and every sigh was Echo'd back by thee you press'd me and you vow'd you lov'd me more than ever yet you did then swore anew and in my bosome hid your charming blushing face then with excess of love wou'd call on Heaven be witness oh ye powers a thousand times ye cried if ever Maid e're lov'd like Silvia punish me strangely oh eternal powers if e're I leave Philander if e're I cease to love him no force no art not interest honour wealth convenience duty or what other necessary cause shall never be of force to make me leave thee thus hast thou sworn oh charming faithless flatterer thus 'twixt â—ach ravishing minute thou wou'dst swear and I as fast believ'd and lov'd thee more hast thou forgot it all oh fickle charmer hast thou hast thou forgot between each awfull ceremony of love how you cried out farewell the world and mortal cares give me Philander Heaven I ask no more hast thou forgot all this did all the live-long night hear any other sound but those my mutual vows of invocations broken sighs and soft and trembling whispers say had we any other business for the tender hours oh all ye host of Heaven ye Stars that shone and all ye powers the faithless lovely Maid has sworn by be witness how she 's perjur'd revenge it all ye injur'd powers revenge it since by it she has undone the faithfullest Youth and broke the tenderest heart that ever fell a sacrifice to love and all ye little weeping Gods of love revenge your murther'd victim your Philander To Philander In the Leaves of a Table-Book OH my Philander how dearly welcome and how needless were thy kind reproaches which â—'ll not endeavour to convince by argument but such a deed as shall at once secure thy fears now and for the future I have not a minute to write in place my dear Philander your Chariot in St. Vincent's Wood and since I am not able to six the â—â—our of my flight let it wait there my coming 't is but a little mile from Bâ—llfont Dorillus is suspected there remove thy self to the high-way-gate Cottage there I 'll call on thee 't was lucky that thy fears or love or jealousie brought thee so near me since I 'd resolv'd before upon my flight Parents and honour interest and fame farewell I leave you all to follow my Philâ—nder haste the Chariot to the thickest part of the Wood for I 'm impatient to be gone and shall take the first opportunity to fly to my Philander Oh love me love me love me Vnder pretence of reaching the Iesamin which shades my Window I unperceiv'd let down and receive what Letters you send by the honest Weeder by her send your sense of my flight or rather your direction for 't is resolv'd already To Silvia My lovely Angel So carefull I will be of this dear mighty secret that I will only say Silvia shall be obey'd no more nay I 'll not dare to think of it lest in my rapture I shou'd name my joy aloud and busie winds shou'd bear it to some oâ—ficious listener and undo me no more no more my Silvia extremes of joy as grief are ever dumb Let it suffice this blessing which you proffer I had design'd to ask as soon as you 'd convinc'd me of your faith yes Silvia I had ask'd it though 't was a bounty too great for any Mortal to conceive Heaven shou'd bestow upon him but if it do that very moment I 'll resign the world and barter all for love and charming Silvia Haste haste my life my arms my bosome and my Soul are open to receive the lovely fugitive haste for this moment I am going to plant my self where you directed 〈◊〉 To Philander After her Flight AH Philander how have you undone a harmless poor unfortunate alas where are you why wou'd you thus abandon me is this the soul the bosome these the arms that shou'd receive me I 'll not upbraid thee with my love or charge thee with my undoing 't was all my own and were it yet to do I shou'd again be ruin'd for Philander and never find repentance no not for a thought a word or deed of love to the dear false for sworn but I can dy yes hopeless friendless leâ—t by all even by Philander all but resolution has abandon'd me and that can lay me down whene're I please in safe repose and peace But oh thou art not false or if thou be'st oh let me â—ear it from thy mouth see thy repented love that I may know there 's no such thing on earth as faith as honesty as love or truth however be thou true or be thou false be bold and let me know it for thus to doubt is torture worse
dear safety which will be as soon as I am able to rise for most fortunately my dear Silvia quitting the Chariot in the thicket for fear of being seen with it and walking down a shaded path that sâ—â—ted with the melancholy and 〈◊〉 of unsuccess in thy adventure I went so far as e're I cou'd return to the place where I left the Chariot 't was gone iâ— seems with thee I know not how you mist me but possess'd my self with a Thousand false fears sometimes that in thy flight thou mightest be puâ—sued and overtakâ—â— seiz'd in the Chariot and return'd back to Bellfont or that the Chariot was found and seiz'd on upon suspicion though the Coach-man and Brilljard were disguis'd pâ—st knowledge or if thou wert gone alas I knew not whither but that was a thought my doubts and fears would not suâ—â—er me to ease my Soul with no I as jealous lovers do imagin'd the most tormenting things for my own repose I imagin'd the Chariot taken or at least so discover'd as to be forc'd away without thee I imagin'd that thou wert false Heaven forgive me false my Silvia and hadst chang'd thy mind mad with this thought which I fansied most reasonable and fixt it in my soul I rav'd about the Wood making a thousand vows to be reveng'd on all in order to it I left the Thicket and betook my self to the high road of the Wood where I laid me down amongst the fern close hid with my Sword ready waiting for the happy Bridegroom whom I knew it being the wedding eve wou'd that way pass that Evening pleas'd with revenge which now had got â—ven the place of love I waited there not above a little hour but heard the trampling of a horse and looking up with mighty joy I found it Foscario's alone he was and unâ—ttended for he 'd ouâ—strip'd his equipage and with a lover's haste and full of joy was making towards Bellfont but I now fir'd with rage leap'd from my covert cried stay Foscario e're you arrive to Silvia we must adjust an odd account between us at which he stopping as nimbly alighted in fine we â—ought and many wounds were given and received on both sides till his people coming up parted us just as we were fainting with loss of blood in each others arms his Coach and Chariot were amongst his equipage into the first his Servants liâ—â—ed him when he cried out with a feeble voice to have me who now lay bleeding on the ground put into the Chariot and to be safely convey'd where ever I commanded and so in haste they drove him towards Bellfont and me who was resolv'd not to stir far from it to the Village within a mile of it from whence I sent to Paris for a Surgeon and dismist the Chariot ordering in the hearing of the Coachman a Litter to be brought me immediately to convey me that night to Paris but the Surgâ—on coming found it not safe for me to be removed and I am now willing to live since Silvia is mine haste to me then my lovely Maid and fear not being discover'd for I have given order here in the Cabaret where I am if any enquiry is made after me to say I went last night for Paris Haste my love haste to my arms as feeble as they are they 'll grasp thee a dear wellcome I 'll say no more nor prescribe rules to thy love that can inform thee best what thou must do to save thâ— life of thy most passionate adorer Philander To Philander I Have sent Brilljard to see if the Coast be clear that we may come with safety he brings you instead of Silvia a young Cavalier that will be altogether as wellcome to Philander and who impatiently waits his return at a little Cottage at the end of the Village To Silvia From the Bastill I Know my Silvia expected me at home with her at dinner to day and wonders how I cou'd live so long as since morning without the eternal joy of my Soul but know my Silvia that a trivial misfortune is now fallen upon me which in the midst of all our Heaven of joys our softest hours of life has so often chang'd thy smiles into fears and sighings and ruffled thy calm Soul with cares Nor let it now seem strange or afflicting since every day for this three months we have been alarm'd with new fears that have made thee uneasie even in Philander's arms we knew some time or other the storm wou'd fall on us though we had for three happy months sheltred our selves from its threatning rage but Love I hope has arm'd us both for me let me be depriv'd of all joys but those my charmer can dispence all the false worlds respect the dull esteem of Fools and formal Coxcombs the grave advice of the censorious wise the kind opinion of ill judging Women no matter so my Silvia remain but mine I am my Silvia arrested at the suit of Monsiâ—ur the Count your Father for a Rape on my lovely Maid I desire my Soul you 〈◊〉 immediately take Coach and go to the Prince Ceâ—ario and he will bail me out I fear not a fair trial and Silvia thefts of mutual love were never counted Felony I may dy for Love my Silvia but not for loving go haste my Silvia that I may be no longer detain'd from the solid pleasure and business of my Soul haste my lov'd deaâ— haste and relieve Come not to me lest there should be an order to detain my dear Philander To Philander I Am not at all surpriz'd my Philander at the accident that has befallen thee because so long expected and love and that has so well fortified my heart that I support our misfortune with a courage worthy of her that loves and is belov'd by the glorious Philander I am arm'd for the worst that can befall me and that is my being rendâ—ed a publick shame who havâ— been so in the private whispers of all the Court for near these happy three months in which I have had the wondrous satisfaction of being retir'd from the World with the charming Philander my Father too knew it long since at least he cou'd not hinder himself from guessing it though his fond indulgence suffer'd his Justice and his anger to sleep and possibly had still slept had not Mertilla's spight and rage I shou'd say just resentment but I cannot rouz'd up his drowsie vengeance I know she has ply'd him with her softning eloquence her prayers and tears to win him to consent to make a publick business of it but I am entred love has arm'd my Soul and I 'll pursue my fortune with that height of fortitude as shall surprise the world yes Philander since I have lost my honour fame and friends my interest and my Parents and all for mightier love I 'll stop at nothing now if there be any hazards more to run I 'le thank the spighâ—full fates that bring 'em on and will even tire them out
with my unwearied passion Love on Philander if thou darst like me let 'em pursue me with their hate and vengeance let Prisons poverty and tortures seiâ—e me it shall noâ— takâ— one grain of love away from my resolv'd heart nor make me shed a tear of penitence for loving thee no Philander since I know what a ravishing pleasure 't is to live thine I will never quit the glory of dying also thy â—esario my dear is coming to be you Bail with Monsâ—eur the Count of I dy to 〈…〉 your suffering so Silvia Silvia To Silvia BElieve me charming Silvia I live not those hours I am absent from thee thou art my life my Soul and my eternal felicity while you believe this truth my Silvia you will not entertain a thousand fears if I but stay a moment beyond my appointed hour especially when Philander who is not able to support the thought that any thing should afflict his lovely Baby takes care from hour to hour to satisfie her tender doubting heart My dearest I am gone into the City to my Advocates my Tryal with Monsieur the Count your Father coming on to morrow and 't will be at least two tedious hours e're I can bring my adorable her Philander To Silvia I Was call'd on my dearest Châ—ld at my Advocates by Cesario there is some great business this evening debated in the Cabal whicâ— is at 〈◊〉 in the City 〈…〉 Count your Father for my Silvia I dy if yoâ— are taken lest the fright shou'd 〈…〉 I would have 〈…〉 this evening from those Lodgings lest the people who are of the Royal party shou'd be induc'd through malice or gain to discover thee I dare not come my self to wait on thee lest my being seen shou'd betray thee but I havâ— sent Brilljard whose zeal for thee shall be rewarded to conduct thee to a little house in the Fauxburgh S. Germans where lives a pretty Woman and Mistress to Chevalier Tomaso call'd Belinda a Woman of wit and discreet enough to understand what ought to be paid to a Maid of the quality and character of Silvia she already knows the stories of our loves thither I 'll come to thee and bring Cesario to supper as soon as the Cabal breaks up oh my Silvia I shall one day recompenso all thy goodness all thy bravery thy love and thy suffering sor thy eternal Lover and Slave Philander To Philander SO hasty I was to obey Philander's commands that by the unwearied care and industry of the faithfull Brilljard I went before three a clock disguis'd away to the place whither you order'd us and was well receiv'd by the very pretty young Woman of the house who has sense and breeding as well as beauty But oh Philander this flight pleases me not alas what have I done my fault is only love and that sure I shouâ—d boast as the most divine passion of the Soul no no Philander 't is not my love 's the criminal no nor the placing it on Philander the crime but 't is thy most unhappy circumstances thy being married and that was no crime to Heaven till man made laws and can laws reach to damnation if so curse on the fatal hour that thou wert married curse on the Priest that joyn'd ye and curst be all that did contribute to the undoing ceremony except Philander's Tongue that answer'd yes oh Heavens was there but one dear man of all your whole Creation that could Charm the Soul of Silvia and cou'd ye oh ye wise allâ— seeing Powers that knew my Soul cou'd ye give him away how had my innoceâ—c offended ye our hearts you did create for mutual love how came the dire mistake another wou'd have pleas'd the indifferent Mertilla's Soul as well but mine was fitted for no other man only Philander the ador'd Philander with that dear form that shape that charming face that hair thosâ— lovely speaking eyes that wounding softness in his tender voice had power to conquer Silvia and can this be a sin Oh Heavens can it must laws which man contriv'd for mere conveniency have power to alter the divine decrees at our Creation perhaps they argue to morrow at the bar that Mertilla was ordain'd by Heaven for Philander no no he mistook the Sister 't was pretty near he came but by a fatal errour was mistaken his hasty Youth made him too negligently stop before his time at the wrong Woman he shou'd have gaz'd a little farther on and then it had been Silvia's lot 't is fine divinity they teach that cry Marriages are made in Heaven folly and madness grown into grave custome shou'd an unheedy youth in heat of blood take up with the first convenient she that offers though he an heir to some grave Politician great and rich and she the outcast of the common stews coupled in height of wine and sudden lust which once allay'd and that the sober morning wakes him to see his errour he quits with shame the Jilt and owns no more the folly shall this be call'd a Heavenly conjunction were I in height of youth as now I am forc'd by my Parents oblig'd by interest and honour to marry the old deform'd diseas'd decrepid Count Antonio whose person qualities and principles I loath and rather than suffer him to consummate his Nuptials suppose I shou'd as sure I shou'd kill myself 't were blasphemy to lay this fatal marriage to Heavens charge curse on your nonâ—ense ye imposing Gown-men curse on your holy cant you may as well call Rapes and Murthers Treason and Robbery the acts of Heaven because Heaven suffers 'em to be committed is it Heavens pleasure therefore Heaven's decree a trick a wise device of Priests no more to make the nauseated tir'd out pair drag on the carefull business of life drudg for the dull got family with greater satisfaction because they 'r taught to think marriage was made in Heaven a mighty comfort that when all the joys of life are lost by it were it not nobler far that honour kept him just and that good nature made him reasonable provision daily experience proves to us no couple live with less content less ease than those they cry Heaven joins who is 't loves less than those that marry and where love is not there is hate and loathing at best disgust disquiet â—oise aâ—d repentance No Philander that 's a heavenly match when two Souls toucht with equal passion meet which is but rarely seen when willing vows with serious consideration are weigh'd and made when a true view is taken of the Soul when no base interest makes the hasty bargain when no conveniency or design of drudge or slave shall find it necessary when equal judgments meet that can esteem the blessings they possess and distinguish the good of eithers love and set a value on each others merits and where both understand to take and pay who find the beauty of each others minds and rate 'em as they ought whom not a formal ceremony binds
with which I 've nought to do but dully give a cold consenting affirmative but well considered vows from soft inclining hearts utter'd with love with joy with dear delight when Heaven is call'd to witness She is thy Wife Philander He is my Husband this is the match this Heaven designs and means how then oh how came I to miss Philander or he his Silvia Since I writ this which I design'd not an invective against Marrâ—age when I began but to inform thee of my being where you directed but since I writ this I say the House where I am is broken open with Warrants and Officers for me but being all undrest and ill the Officer has taken my Word for my appearance tomorrow it seems they saw me when I went from my Lodgings and pursued me haste to me for I shall need your Counsel To Silvia MY eternal joy my affliction is inexpressible at the news you send me of your being surpriz'd I am not able to wait on thee yet not being suffer'd to leave the Cabal I only borrow this minute to tell thee the sense of my Advocate in this case which was if thou shod'st be taken there was no way no Law to save thee from being ravisht from my arms but that of marrying thee to some body whom I can trust this we have often discours'd and thou hast often vow'd thou ' lt do any thing rather than kill me with a separation resolve then oh thou charmer of my Soul to do a deed that though the name wou'd fright thee only can preserve both thee and me it is and though it have no other terrour in it than the name I saint to speak it to marry Silvia yes thou must marry though thou art mine as fast as Heaven can make us yet thou must marry I 've pitch'd upon the property 't is Brilljard him I can only trust in this affair it is but joining hands no more my Silvia Brilljard's a Gentleman though a Cadet and may be supposed to pretend to so great a happiness and whose only crime is want of fortune he 's handsome too well made well bred and so much real esteem he has for me and I 've so oblig'd him that I 'm confident he 'll pretend no farther than to the honour of owning thee in Court I 'll tie him from it nay he dares not do 't I 'll trust him with my life but oh Silvia is more think of it and this night we will perform it there being no other way to keep Silvia eternally Philander's To Silvia NOw my adorable Silvia you have truly need of all that heroick bravery of mind I ever thought thee Mistriss of for Silvia coming from thee this morning and riding â—ull speed for Paris â— was met stopt and seiz'd for high Treason by the King's messengers and possibly may fall a sacrifice to the anger of an incens'd Monarch my Silvia bear this last shock of â—ate with a courage worthy thy great and glorious Soul 't is but a little separation Silvia and we shall one day meet again by Heaven I find no other sting in death but parting with my Silvia and every parting wou'd have been thâ— same I might have died by thy 〈◊〉 thou might'st have grown weary of thy Philander have lov'd another and have broke thy vows and tortur'd me to death these crueller ways but fate is kinder to me and I go blest with my Silvia's love for which Heaven may do much for her dear sake to recompence her faith a Maid so innocent and true to sacred love expect thâ— best my lovely dear the worst has this comfort in 't that I shall die my charming Silvia's Philander To Philander I 'LL only say thou dear supporter of â—y Soul that if Philander dies he shall not go to Heaven without his Silvia by Heaven and earth I swear 〈…〉 cannot live without thee nor 〈◊〉 thou die without thy Silvia To Silvia SEE see my adorable Angel what cares the powers above take of divine innocence true love and beauty oh see what they have done for their darling Silvia cou'd they do less Know my dear Maid that after being examined before the King I was found guilty enough to be committed to the Bastile from whence if I had gone I never had return'd but to my death but the Messenger into whose hands I was committed refusing other Guards being alone with me in my own Coach I resolv'd to kill if I cou'd no other way oblige him to favour my escape I tried with Gold before I shew'd my dagger and that prevail'd a way less criminal and I have taken sanctuary in a small Cottage near the Sea shore where I wait for Silvia and though my life depend upon my flight nay more the life of Silvia I cannot go without her dress your self then my dearest in your Boys cloaths and haste with Brilljard whither this Seaman will conduct thee whom I have hir'd to set us on some shore of safety bring what news you can learn of Cesario I wou'd not have him die poorly after all his mighty hopes nor be conducted to a scaffold with shouts of joy by that uncertain beast the Rabble who us'd to stop his Chariot wheels with fickle adorations whene're he look'd abroad by Heaven I pity him but Silvia's presence will chase away all thoughts but those of love from Philander I need not bid thee haste La Fin. Love Letters FROM A NOBLE MAN TO HIS SISTER Mixt With the HISTORY OF THEIR ADVENTURES The Second Part by the same Hand LONDON Printed for the Author and are to be sold by the Booksellers of London 1685. TO Lemuel Kingdon Esq SIR I Beg you will give me leave to express my gratitude in some measure for the favours I have receiv'd of you and to make an acknowledgment where I cannot pay a debt 'T is only what was long since design'd you when possibly it might have found something a better wellcome by its having made as then it must 〈◊〉 done a voyage to have kist your hands and might perhaps then have contributed in some small degree to 〈◊〉 diversion in a place where there is found so little In order to it I sent you the first part by one of your Officers of which this is a continuation But being oblig'd to lay it by for other more material business it has had the misfortune not to approach you till now and to which honour it has nothing to intitle it but that of bearing your Name before it which will put a value upon it to the World And since I never was of a nature to hord any good to my peculiar use 't is with great satisfaction I am by this short character of you distributing a blessing to that part of Mankind who have not that of knowing you For there is an unspeakable pow'r and pleasure in obliging and 't is a pain to the good nâ—tur'd to conceal any thing whose communication may gratify the world
adorn as Silvia's lovely hands I say if after this I should have been the mercenary fool to have dunn'd you for return you might have us'd me thus Condemn me e're you find me sin in thought that part of it was yet so far behind 't was scarce arriv'd in wish You shou'd have staid till it approacht more â—ear before you damn'd it to eâ—ernal silence To love to sigh to weep to pray and to complain why one may be allow'd it in Devotion but you nicer than Heaven it self makes that a Crime which all the powers Divine have ne're decreed one I will not plead nor ask you leave to love Love is my right my business and my Province the Empire of the young the vigorous and the bold and I will claim my share the Air the Groves the Shades are mine to sigh in as well as your Philanders the Eccho's answer me as willingly when I complain or Name the cruel Silvia Fountains receive my Tears and the kind Springs reflection agreeably â—latters me to hope and makes me vain enough to think it just and reasonable I shou'd pursue the Dictates of my Soul Love on in spight of opposition because I will not lose my Priviledge you may forbid me naming it to you in that I can obey because I can but not to love not to adore the fair and not to languish for you were as impossible as for you not to be lovely not to be the most charming of your Sex But I am so far from a pretending fool because you 've been possest that often that thought comes cross my Soul and checks my advancing Love and I wou'd buy that thought off with all most all my share of future bliss Were I a God the first great Miracle shou'd be to form you a Maid again For oh what ever reasons flattering Love can bring to make it look like just the World the World fair Silvia still will censure and say you were too blame but 't was that fault alone that made you mortal we else shou'd have ador'd you as a Deity and so have lost a generous race of young succeeding Hero's that may be born of you yet had Philander lov'd but half so well ' as I he wou'd have kept your glorious Fame intire but since alone for Silvia I love Silvia let her be false to honour false to Love wanton and proud ill natur'd vain fantastique or what is worse let her pursue her Love be constant and still doâ—e upon Philander Yet still she 'l be the Silvia I adore that Silvia born eternally to inslave Octavio This he sent by Florio his Page at thâ— same time that she expected thâ—e Visit of â—his Lord and blusht with a little anger and concern at the disappointment however she hasted to read the Letter and was pleas'd with the haughty resolution he made in spight of her to love on as his right by birth and she was glad to find from these positive resolves that she might the more safely disdain or at least assume a Tyranny which might render her vertue Glorious and yet at the same time keep him her slave on all occasions when she might have need of his service which in the circumstances she was in she did not know of what great use it might be to her she having no other design on him bating the little Vanity of her Sex which is an ingredient so intermixt with the greatest vertues of Women kind that those who indeavour to cure 'em of that disease robs 'em of a very considerable pleasure and in most 't is incurable Give Silvia then leave to share it with her Sex since she was so much the more excusable by how much a greater portion of Beauty she had than any other and had sense enough to know it too as indeed whatever other Knowledge they want they have still enough to set a price on beauty tho they do not always rate it for had Silvia done that she had been thâ— hapiest of her Sex but as she was she waited the coming of Octavio but not so as to make her quit one sad thought for Philander Love and vanity tho they both reign'd in her Soul yet the first surmounted the last and she grew to impatient ravings when ever she cast a thought upon her fear that Philander grew cold and possibly pride and vanity had as great a share in that concern of hers as Love it self for she wou'd oft survey her self in her Glass and cry Gods can this Beauty be despis'd this Shape this Face this Youth this Air and what 's more obliging yet a heart that adores the sugitive that languish and sighs after the dear Run away Is it possible he can find a Beauty added she of greater perfection Bnt oh 't is fancy sets the rate on Beauty and he may as well love a third time as he has a Second For in Love those that once break the rules and Laws of that Deity set no bounds to their Treasons and disobedience Yes yesâ— wou'd she cry he that cou'd lâ—ave Mertilla the fair the young the Noble Chast and fond Mertilla what after that may he not do to Silvia on whom he has less tyes less obligations Oh wretched Maid what has thy fondness done he 's satiated now with thee as before with Mertilla and carries all those dear those charming joys to some new Beauty whom his looks have Conquer'd and whom his soft bewitching Vows will ruin with that she ravâ—d and stampt and cry'd aloud Hell Fiers Tortures Dagers Racks and Poyson-come all to my relief Revenge me on the perjur'd lovely Divel But I 'le be brave I will be brave and hate him This she spoke in a tone less fierce and with great Pride and had not paws'd and walk'd above a hasty turn or two but Octavio as impatient as love cou'd make him enter'd the Chamber so drest so set out for Conquest that I wonder at nothing more than that Silvia did not find him altogether Charming and fit for her revenge who was form'd by Nature for Love And had all that cou'd render him the Dotage of Women but where a heart is prepossest all that is Beautiful in any other Man serves but as an ill comparison to what it loves and even Philanders likeness that was not indeed Philander wanted the secret to charm At Octavio's enterance she was so sixt on her Revenge of Love that she did not see him who presented himself as so proper an Instrument till he first sighing spoke Ah Silvia shall I never see that Beauty easie more Shall I never see it reconcilâ—d to content and a soft calmness fixt upon those Eyes which were form'd for looks all tender and serene or are they resolv'd continued he sighing never to appear but in storms when I approach Yes replyed she when there 's a Calm of Love in yours that raises it Will you conâ—ine my Eyes said he that are by Nature soft May not their silent Language
a good Memory for I â—ad a young Church man once in love with me who has read many a Philosophical Lecture to me upon Love among the rest he us'd to say the soul was all compos'd of Love I us'd to ask him him then if it were form'd of so soft Materials how it came to pass that we were no oftner in love or why so many were so long before they lov'd and others who never lov'd at all No queston but he answer'd you wisely said Silvia carelessly and sighing with her thoughts but half attentive Marry and so he did cry'd Antonett at least I thought so then because I loved a little He said Love of it self was unactive but 't was inform'd by Object and then too that Object must depend on fancy for Souls tho all love are not to love all now fancy he said was sometimes nice humourous and fantastick which is the reason we so often love those of no merit and despise those that are most excellent and sometimes fancy guides us to like neither he us'd to say Women were like Misers tho they had always love in store they seldom car'd to part with it but on very good int'rest and security Cent per Cent most commonly heart for heart at least and for security he said we were most times too unconscionable we ask'd Vows at least at worst Matrimony Half angry Silvia cry'd and what 's all this to my loving against Oh Madam reply'd Antonett he said a Woman was like a Gamester if on the winning hand hope int'rest and vanity made him play on besides the pleasure of the play it self if on the losing then he continu'd throwing at all to save a stake at last if not to recover all so either way they find occasion to continue the game But oh said Silvia sighing what shall that Gamester set who has already play'd for all she had and lost it at a cast Oh Madam reply'd Antonett The young and fair find Credit every where there 's still a prospect of a return and that Gamester that plays thus upon the tick is sure to lose but little and if they win 't is all clear gains I find said Silvia you are a good manager in love you are for the frugal part of it Faith Madam said Antonett I am indeed of that opinion that love and int'rest always do best together as two most excellent ingredients in that rare Art of preserving of Beauty Love makes us put on all our Charms and int'rest gives us all the advantage of dress without which Beauty is lost and of little use Love wou'd have us appear always new always gay and magnificent and money alone can render us so and we find no Women want Lovers so much as those who want Petticoats Iewels and all the necessary trifles of Gallantry Of this last opinion I find you your self to be for even when Octavio comes on whose heart you have no design I see you dress to the best advantage and put on many to like one Why is this but that even unknown to your self you have a secret joy and pleasure in gaining Conquests and of being ador'd and thought the most Charming of your Sex That is not from the inconstancy of my heart cry'd Silvia but from the little vanity of our Natâ—res Oh Madam reply'd Antonett there is no friend to Love like Vanity it is the falsest betrayer of a Womans heart of any Passion or humour she can be guilty of not Love it self betrays her sooner to Love than Vanity or Pride and Madam I wou'd I might have the pleasure of my next wish when I find you not only list'ning to the love of Octavio but even approving it too Away reply'd Silvia in frowning your mirth grows rude and troublesome Go bid the Page wait while I return an answer to what his Lord has sent me So sitting at the Table she dismist Antonett and writ this following Letter Silvia to Octavio I Find Octavio this little Gallantry of yours of shewing me the Lover stands you in very great stead and serves you upon all occasions for abundance of uses amongst the rest 't is no small obligation you have to 't for furnishing you with handsom pretences to keep from those who importune you and from giving 'em that satisfaction by your Council and Conversation which possibly the unfortunate may have need of sometimes and when you are prest and oblig'd to render me the friendship of your Visits this necessary ready love of yours is the only evasion you have for the answering a thousâ—nd little questions I ask you of Philander whose heart I am afraid you know much better than Silvia does I cou'd almost wish Octavio that all you tell me of your passion were true that my commands might be of force sufficient to compel you to resolve my heart in some doubts that oppress it and indeed if you wou'd have me believe the one you must obey me in the other to which end I conjure you to hasten to me for something of an unusual coldness in Philanders Letter and some ominous divinations in yours have put me on a rack of thought from which nothing but Confirmation can relieve me this you dare not deny if you value the repose Of Silvia She read it over and was often about to tear it fancying it was tooo kind But when she consider'd 't was from no other inclination of her heart than that of getting the secrets out of his she pardon'd her self the little levity she found it guilty off all which considering as the effects of the violent Passion she had for Philander she found it easie to do and sealing it she gave it to Antonett to deliver to the Page and set herself down to ease her soul of its heavy weight of grief by her complaints to the dear Author of her pain for when a Lover is insupportably afflicted there is no ease like that of writing to the person lov'd And that all that comes uppermost in the Soul for true love is all unthinking artless speaking incorrect disorder and without Method as 't is without bounds or rules such were Silvia's unstudy'd thoughts and such her following Letter Silvia to Philander OH my Philander how hard it is to bring my Soul to doubt when I consider all thy past tender vows when I reflect how thou hast lov'd and sworn Methinks I hear the Musick of thy voice still whispering in my bosom methinks the Charming softness of thy words remain like lessening Eccho's on my Soul whose distant Voyces by degrees decay till they be heard no more Alas I 've read thy Letter o're and o're and turn'd the sense a thousand several ways and all to make it speak and look like Love Oh I have flatter'd it with all my Art Sometimes I fancy'd my ill reading spoil'd it and then I tun'd my Voice to softer Notes and read it o're again but still the words appearâ—d too rough and harsh for any
him all the Vows that could secure an Inâ—idel in Love she made him all the indearing Advances a Heart could wish wholly given up to tender Passion insomuch that he believes and is the gayest Man that ever was blest by Love And the Messenger who was present all this while found that this Caballing with the French Spies was only an innocent Design to give himself away to a fine young Lady And therefore fully convinc'd he was guilty of no other Crime he gave them all the Freedom they desired and which they made use of to the most Advantage Love could direct or Youth inspire This Suffering with Octavio begot a Pity and Compassion in the Heart of Silvia and that grew up to Love for he had all the Charms that could inspire it and every Hour was adding new Fire to her Heart which at last burnt into a Flame such Power has mighty Obligation on a Heart that has any grateful Sentiments And yet when she was absent anights from Octavio and thought on Philander's Passion for Calista she would Rage and Rave and find the Effects of wondrous Love and wondrous Pride and be even ready to make Vows against Octavio But those were Fits that seldomer seiz'd her now and every Fit was like a departing Ague still weaker than the former and at the sight of Octavio all would vanish her Blushes would rise and discover the soft Thoughts her Heart conceived for the approaching Lover and she soon found that vulgar Error of the Impossibility of Loving more than once It was four days they thus remained without being call'd to the Councel and every day brought its new Joys along with it They were never asunder never interrupted with any Visit but once for a few Moments in a day by Octavio's Uncle and then he would go into his own Apartment to receive him He offered to baile him out but Octavio who had found more real Joy there than in any part of the Earth besides evaâ—â—d the Obligation by telling his Uncle he would be oblig'd to nothing but his Innocence for his Liberty So would get rid of the fond old Gentleman who never knew a Passion but for his darling Nephew and return with as much Joy to the Lodgings of Silvia as if he had been absent a Week which is an Age to a Lover there they sometimes would play at Cards where he would lose considerable Summs to her or at Hazard or be studying what they should do next to pass the Hours most to her Content not but he had rather have lain eternally at her Feet gazing doating and saying a thousand fond things which at every View he took were conceived in his Soul And tho' but this last Minute he had finish'd saying all that Love could Dictate he found his Heart oppress'd with a vast store of new Softness which he languish'd to unload in her ravishing Bosom But she who was not arrived to his pitch of Loving diverts his softer Hours with Play sometimes and otherwhile with making him follow her into the Gallery which was adorn'd with pleasant Pictures all of Hempskerk's hand which afforded great Variety of Objects very Drole and Antique Octavio finding something to say of every one that might be of Advantage to his own Heart for whatever Argument was in dispute he would be sure to bring it home to the Passion he had for Silvia it should end in Love however remotely begun So strange an Art has Love to turn all things to the Advantage of a Lover 'T was thus they pass'd their time and nothing was wanting that lavish Expence could procure and every Minute he advances to new Freedoms and unspeakable Delights but still such as might hitherto be allow'd with Honour he sighs and wishes he languishes and dies for more but dares not utter the Meaning of one Motion of Breath for he lov'd so very much that every Look from those fair Eyes that charm'd him aw'd him to a Respect that rob'd him of many happy Moments a bolder Lover would have turn'd to his Advantage and he treated her as if she had been an unspotted Maid with Caution of Offending he had forgot that general Rule That where the sacred Laws of Honour are once invaded Love makes the easier Conquest All this while you may imagine Brilljard indured no little Torment he could not on the one side determine what the States would do with him when once they should find him a false Accuser of so great a Man and on the other side he suffered a thousand Pains and Jealousies from Love he knew too well the Charms and Power of Octavio and what Effects Importunity and Opportunity have on the Temper of feeble Woman He found the States did not make so considerable a matter of his being Impeach'd as to confine him strictly and he dies with the Fears of those happy Moments he might possibly enjoy with Silvia where there might be no Spies about her to give him any kind Intelligence and all that could afford him any glimps of Consolation was That while they were thus confin'd he was out of Fear of their being married Octavio's Uncle this while was not Idle but taking it for a high Indignity his Nephew should remain so long without being heard he mov'd it to the Councel and accordingly they sent for him to the State-House the next Morning where Brilljard was brought to confront him whom as soon as Octavio saw with a scornful Smile he cry'd 'T is well Brilljard that you who durst not fight me fairly should find out this nobler way of ridding your self of a Rival I am glad at least that I have no more honourable a Witness against me Brilljard who never before wanted Assurance at this Reproach was wholly Confounded for it was not from any Villainy in his Nature but the absolute Effects of mad and desperate Passion which put him on the only Remedy that could relieve him and looking on Octavio with modest Blushes that half pleaded for him he cry'd Yes my Lord I am your Accuser and come to charge your Innocence with the greatest of Crimes and you ought to thank me for my Accusation when you shall know 't is regard to my own Honour violent Love for Silvia and extream Respect to your Lordship has made me thus sawcy with your unspotted Fame How reply'd Octavio shall I thank you for accusing me with a Plot upon the State Yes my Lord reply'd Brilljard and yet you had a Plot to betray the State and by so new a way as could be found out by none but so great and brave a Man Heavens reply'd Octavio inrag'd this is an Impudence that nothing but a Traytor to his own King and one bred up in Plots and Mischiefs could have invented I betray my own Country Yes my Lord cry'd he more briskly than before seeing Octavio colour so at him to all the Loosness of unthinking Youth to all the Breach of Laws both Human and Divine if all the Youth
Life reply'd Silvia for when it was proved in Court that I was married to Brilljard as at last I was and innocently Beded this Lady came and brought her Children to me and falling at my Feet wept and implor'd I would not own her Husband for only she had right to him we all were foâ—ced to discover to her the truth of the Matter and that he had only married me to secure me from the Rage of my Parents that if he were her Husband she was still as intirely possest of him as ever and that he had advanc'd her Fortune in what he had done for she should have him restored with those Advantages that should make her Life and that of her Children more Comfortable and Philander making both her and the children considerable Presents sent her away very well satisfied After this before People we used him to a thousand Freedoms but when alone he retain'd his Respect intire however this us'd him to something more Familiarity than formerly and he grâ—w to be more a Companion than a Servant as indeed we desired he should and of late have found him more presumptious than usual And thus much more I must confess I have reason to believe him a most passionate Lover and have lately found he had Designs upon me as you well know Iudge now oh dear Octavio how unfortunate I am yet judge too whether I ought to esteem this a Marriage or him a Husband No reply'd Octavio more briskly than before nor can he by the Laws of God or Man pretend to such a Blessing and you may be divorc'd Pleas'd with this Thought he soon assum'd his native Temper of Joy and Softness and making a thousand new Vows that he would perform all he had sworn on his part and imploring and pressing her to renew those she had made to him she obeys him she makes a thousand grateful Returns and they pass the Evening the most happily that ever Lovers did By this time Supper was served up noble and handsome and after Supper he led her to his Closet where he presented her with Jewels and other Rareties of great Value and omitted nothing that might oblige an Avaritious designing Woman if Silvia had been such nor any thing that might beget Love and Gratitude in the most insensible Heart And all he did and all he gave was with a peculiar Grace in which there lies as great an Obligation as in the Gift it self The handsom way of giving being an Art so rarely known even to the most Generous In these happy and glorious Moments of Love wherein the Lover omitted nothing that could please Philander was almost forgotten for 't is natural for Love to beget Love and Inconstancy its Likeness or Disdain And we must conclude Silvia a Maid wholly insensible if she had not been touch'd with Tenderness and even Love it self at all these extravagant marks of Passion in Octavio and it must be confess'd she was of a Nature soft and apt for Impression she was in a word a Woman She had her Vanities and her little Fevibleses and lov'd to see Adorers at her Feet especially those in whom all things all Graces Charms of Youth Wit and Fortune agreed to form for Love and Conquest She naturally lov'd Power and Dominion and it was her Maxim That never any Woman was displeased to find she could beget Desire 'T was thus they liv'd with uninterrupted Joys no Spies to pry upon their Actions no false Friends to censure their real Pleasures no Rivals to poyson their true Content no Parents to give Bounds or grave Rules to the distruction of nobler lavish Love but all the Day was past in new Delights and every Day produc'd a thousand Pleasures and even the Thoughts of Revenge were no more remembred on either side it lessen'd in Silvia's Heart as Love advanced there and her Resentment against Philander was lost in her growing Passion for Octavio And sure if any Woman had Excuses for Loving and Inconstancy the most Wise and Prudent must allow 'em now to Silvia and if she had Reason for Loving 't was now for what she paid the most deserving of his Sex and whom she managed with that Art of Loving if there be Art in Love that she gain'd every Minute upon his Heart and he became more and more her Slave the more he found he was belov'd In spight of all Brilljard's Pretention he would have married her but durst not do it while he remain'd in Holland because of the Noise Brilljard's Claim had made and he fear'd the Displeasure of his Uncle but waited for a more happy time when he could settle his Affairs so as to remove her into Flanders tho' he could not tell how to accomplish that without ruining his Interest These Thoughts alone took up his time whenever he was absent from Silvia and would often give him abundance of Trouble for he was given over to his Wish of possessing Silvia and could not live without her he lov'd too much and thought and consider'd too little These were his eternal Entertainments when from the lovely Object of his Desire which was as seldom as possible for they were both unwilling to part tho' Decency and Rest required it a thousand soft things would hinder him and make her willing to retain him and tho' they were to meet again next Morning they grudge themselves the parting Hours and the Repose of Nature He longs and languishes for the blessed Moment that shall give him to the Arms of the ravishing Silvia and she finds but too much yielding on her part in some of those silent lone Hours when Love was most prevailing and feeble Mortals most apt to be overcome by that insinuating God so that tho' Octavio could not ask what he sigh'd and dy'd for tho' he resolv'd he would not press her tho' for the Safety of his Life for any Favours and tho' on the other side Silvia resolv'd she would not grant no tho' mutual Vows had passed tho' Love within pleaded and almost unresistible Beauties and Inducements without tho' all the Powers of Love of Silence Night and Opportunity tho' on the very Point a thousand times of yielding she had resisted all But oh one Night let it not rise up in Judgment against her you bashful modest Maids who never yet try'd any powerful Minute nor you chast Wives who give no Opportunities One night they lost themselves in Dalliance forgot how very near they were to yielding and with imperfect Transports found themselves half dead with Love clasp'd in each others Arms betray'd by soft Degrees of Joy to all they wished ' â— would be too Amorous to tell you more to tell you all that Night that happy Night produc'd let it suffice that Silvia yielded all and made Octavio happier than a God At first he found her weeping in his Arms raving on what she had unconsideringly done and with her soft Reproaches chiding her ravished Lover who lay sighing by unable to reply
touch her Breast a Blessing he had never before arriv'd to with any body above the Quality of his own Servant-Maid To all which she makes the best Resistance she can under the Circumstances of one who was to deceive well and while she loaths she seems well pleas'd while the gay Jewels sparkled in her Eyes and Octavio in her Heart so fond is Youth of Vanities and to purchase an addition of Beauty at any Price Thus with her pretty Flatteries she wrought upon his Soul and smil'd and look'd him into Faith loth to depart she sends him pleas'd away and having her Heart the more inclin'd to Octavio by being Persecuted with his Uncles Love for by Comparison she finds the mighty Difference she sets herself to write him the Account of what I have related this Nights Adventure and Agreement between his Uncle and herself She tells him that to Morrow for now 't was almost Day she had promised him to go to his Villa She tells him at what rate she has purchased the Blessing expected and lastly leaves the management of the rest to him who needs not be instructed This Letter he receiv'd the next Night at the old place and Silvia with it lets down a Velvet Night Bag which contain'd all the Jewels and things of Value she had receiv'd of himself his Uncle or any other After which he retired and was pretty well at ease with the imagination he should ere long be made Happy in the Possession of Silvia In order to it the next Morning he was early up and dressing himself in a great course Campagne-Coat of the Gardeners puting up his Hair as well as he could under a Country-Hat he got on a Horse that suited his Habit and rides to the Villa whither they were to come and which he knew perfectly well every Room of for there our Hero was born He went to a little Caberet in the Village from whence he could survey all the great House and see every Body that pass'd in and out He remain'd fix'd at the Window fill'd with a thousand Agitations this he had resolv'd not to set upon the good old Man as a Thief or Robber nor could he find in this Heart or Nature to injure him tho' but in a little afrighting him who had given him so many anxious Hours and who had been so unjust to desire that Blessing himself he would not allow him and to believe that a Vertue in himself which he exclaim'd against as so great a Vice in his Nephew nevertheless he resolv'd to deceive him to save his own Life And he wanted that nice part of Generosity as to satisfy a little unnecessary Lust in an old Man to ruin the eternal Content of a young one so nearly allied to his Soul as was his own dear proper Person While he was thus considering he saw his Uncle's Coach coming and Silvia with that doting Lover in it who was that day dressed in all the Fopperies of Youth and every thing was young and gay about him but his Person that was Winter it self disguised in artificial Spring and he was altogether a meer Contradiction But who can guess the Disorders and Pantings of Octavio's Heart at the Sight and tho' he had resolved before he would not to save his Life lay violent Hands on his old Parent yet at their Approach at their presenting themselves together before his Eyes as two Lovers going to betray him to all the Miseries Pangs and Confusions of Love going to possess her the dear Object and certain Life of his Soul and she the Parent of him to whom she had disposed of herself so intirely already he was provok'd to break from all his Resolutions and with one of those two Pistols he had in his Pockets to have sent unerring Death to his old amorous Heart But that Thought was no sooner born than stifled in his Soul where it met with all the Sence of Gratitude that ever could present the tender Love and dear Care of a Parent there and the Coach passing into the Gate put him upon new Designs and before they were finished he saw Silvia's Page coming from the House after seeing his Lady to her Apartment and being show'd his own where he laid his Vallice and Riding-things and was now come out to look about a Country where he had never been before Octavio goes down and meets him and ventures to make himself known to him And so infinitely glad was the Youth to have an Opportunity to serve him that he vow'd he would not only do it with his Life on Occasion but believ'd he could do it effectually since the old Gentleman had no sort of Jealousie now especially since they had so prudently manag'd Matters in this time of his Ladies remaining at Sebastian's House So that Sir it will not be difficult says the generous Boy for me to convey you to my Lodging when it is dark He told him his Lady cast many a longing Look out towards the Road as she pass'd for you I am sure my Lord for she had told both myself and Antonett of her Design before least our Surprize or Resistance should prevent any Force you might use on the Road to take her from my Lord Sebastian She sigh'd and look'd on me as she alighted with Eyes my Lord that told me her Grief for your Disappointment You may easily imagine how transported the poor Octavio was he kiss'd and imbrac'd the Amiable Boy a thousand times and taking a Ring from his Finger of considerable Value gave it the dear Reviver of his Hopes Octavio already knew the Strength of the House which consisted but of a Gardener whose Wife was House-keeper and their Son who was his Fathers Servant in the Garden and their Daughter who was a sort of Maid-servant And they had brought only the Coach-man and one Foot-man who were likely to be mirrily imploy'd in the Kitchin at Night when all got to Supper together I say Octavio already knew this and there was now nothing that opposed his Wishes So that dismissing the dear Boy he remained the rest of the tedious Day at the Caberet the most impatient of Night of any Man on Earth And when the Boy appear'd it was like the Approach of an Angel He told him his Lady was the most Melancholy Creature that ever Eyes beheld and that to conceal the Cause she had feigned herself Ill and had not stir'd from her Chamber all the day That the old Lover was perpetually with her and the most concern'd Doatard that ever Cupid inslav'd That he had so wholly taken up his Lady with his disagreeable Entertainment that it was impossible either by a Look or Note to inform her of his being so near her whom she considered as her present Defender and her future Happiness But this Evening continued the Youth as I was waiting on her at Supper she spy'd the Ring on my Finger which my Lord your Bounty made me Master of this Morning She
fallow for want of industry you rust your stock of hoaâ—ded love while you gaze only and return a single sigher believe me Friend if you continue to fight at that single weapon there will be no great store of wounds given or taken on either side you must speak and write if you wou'd be happy since you can do it so infinitely to purpose who can be happy without Love for me I never numbred those dull days amongst those of my life in which I had not my Soul fill'd with that soft passion to Love why 't is the only secret in nature that restores Life to all the felicities and charms of living and to me there seems no thing so strange as to see people walk about laugh do the acts of Life and impertinently trouble the world without knowing any thing of that soft that noble passion or without so much as having an inâ—â—treague or an amusement as the French call it with any dear she no real Love or Cocettre perhaps these Letters may have the good fortune to rouse and make you look into your heart turn o're your store and lavish out a little to divert the toils of life you us'd to say that even the fatigues of love had a vast pleasure in 'em Philander was of your mind and I who advise you like that friend you have honour'd me with the title of have even preserv'd all the torments of love before dully living without it live then and love thou gay thou glorious young-man whom Heav'n has blest with all the sweets of life besides live then and love and what 's an equal blessing â—ive and be belov'd by some dear Maid as nobly born as Silvia as witty and as gay and soft as she to you who know no other want no other blessing this is the most advantageous one he can wish you who is Sir Your obliged and most humble Servant c. The ARGUMENT IN the time of the Rebellion of the true Protestant Hugonots in Paris under the conduct of the Prince of Condy whom we will call Caesario mâ—ny illustrious persons were drawn into the Association amongst which there was one whose Quality and Fortune join'd with his Youth and Beauty rendred him more elevated in the esteem of the gay part of the World thâ—n most of that Age. In his tender yeâ—rs unhappily enough he chancâ—d to fall in Love with a Lady whom 〈◊〉 will call Mertilla who â—ad châ—rms enough to engage any heart she hâ—d 〈◊〉 the advantages of Youth and Nature a Shape excellâ—nt a most agreeable stature not too tall and far from low delicately proportion'd her fâ—ce a little inclined to round soft smooth and white her Eyes were blew a little languishing and full of Love and Wit a Mouth curiously made dimpled and full of sweetness Lips round soft plump and red white teeth firm and even her Nose a little Roman and which gave a noble grace to her lovely Face her Hair light brown a Neck and Bosome delicately turn'd white and rising her Arms and Hands exactly shap'd to this a vivacity of Youth ingaging a Wit quick and flowing a Humour gay and an Air unresistably charming and nothing was wanting to compleat the joys of the young Philander so we call our amarous Hero but Mertilla's heart which the illustrious Caesario had before possess'd however consulting her Honour and her Interest and knowing all the arts as Women do to fâ—ign a tenderness she yields to 〈◊〉 him while Philander who scorn'd to owe his happiness to the commands of Parents or to chaffer for a Beauty with her consenâ— steals her away and marries her but see how transitory is a violent passion after being satiated he slights the prize he had so dearly conquer'd some say the change was occasion'd by her too visibly continued Love to Caesario but whatever 't was this was most certain Philander cast his Eyes upon a young Maid Sister to Mertilla a Beauty whose early bloom promis'd wonders when come to perfection but I will spare her Picture here Philander in the following Epistles will often enough present it to your view He lov'd and languish'd long before he durst discover his pain her being Sister to his Wife nobly bâ—rn and of undoubted fame rendred his passion too criminal to hope for a return While the young lovely Silvia so we shall call the noble Maid sight out her hours in the same pain and languishment for Philander and knew not that 't was Love till she betraying it innocently to the o'erjoy'd Lover and Brother who soon taught her to understand 't was Love he persues it she permits it and at last yields when being discover'd in the criminal intrigue she flies with him he absolutely quits Mertilla lives some time in a Village near Paris call'd St. Denice with this betray'd unâ—fortunate till being found out and like to be apprehended one for the Rape the other for the flight she is forc'd to Marry a Cadet a creature of Philander's to bear the name of Husband only to her while Philander had the intire possession of her Soul and Body Sâ—â—ll the League went forward 〈◊〉 all things were ready for a War in Paris but 't is not my business here to mix the rough relation of a War with the soft affairs of Love let it suffice the Hugonots were defeated and the King got the day and every Rebel lay at the mercy of his Sovereign â—hilander was taken Prisoner made his escape to a little Cottage near his own Palace not far from Paris writes to Silvia to come to him which she doâ—s and 〈◊〉 spight of all the industry to resâ—ize him he got away with Silvia After this flight these Letters were found in their Cabinets at their house at St. Denice where they both liv'd together for the space of a year and they are as exactly as possible plâ—c'd in the order they were sent and were those supposed to be written towards the latter end of their Amours LETTERS To Silvia THough I parted from you resolv'd to obey your impossible commands yet know oh charming Silvia that after a Thousand conflicts between Love and Honour I found the God too mighty for the Idol reign absolute Monarch in my Soul and soon banish't that Tyrant thence That cruel Councellor that would suggest to you a Thousand fond Arguments to hinder my noble pursute Silvia came in view her unresistable Idea with all the charmes of blooming youth with all the Attractions of Heavenly Beauty loose wanton gay all flowing her bright hair and languishing her lovely eyes her dress all negligent as when I saw her last discovering a Thousand ravishing Graces round white small Breast's delicate Neck and rising Bosome heav'd with sighs she wou'd in vain conceal and all besides that nicest fancy can imagine surprising Oh I dare not think on lest my desires grow mad and raving let it suffice oh adorable Silvia I think and know enough to justifie that flame in me which our
weak alliance of Brother and Sister has render'd so criminal but he that adores Silvia shou'd do it at an uncommon rate 't is not enough to sacrifice a single heart to give you a simple Passion your Beauty shou'd like it self produce wondrous effects it shou'd force all obligations all laws all tyes even of Natures self You my lovely Maid were not born to be obtain'd by the dull methods of ordinary loving and 't is in vain to presâ—ribe me measures and oh much more in vain to urge the nearness of our Relation What Kin my charming Silvia are you to me No tyes of blood forbid my Passion and what 's a Ceremony impos'd on man by custome what is it to my Divine Silvia that the Priest took my hand and gave it to your Sister what Alliance can that create why shou'd a trick devis'd by the wary old only to make provision for posterity tye me to an eternal slavery No no my charming Maid t is nonsense all let us born for mightier joys scorn the dull beaten road but let us love like the first race of men nearest allied to God promiscuously they lov'd and possess'st Father and Daughter Brother and Sister met and reap'd the joys of Love without controul and counted it Religious coupling and 't was encourag'd too by Heav'n it self Therefore start not too nice and lovely Maid at shadows of things that can but frighten fools Put me not off with these delays rather say you but dissembl'd Love all this while than now 't is born to let it dy again with a poor fright of nonsense A fit of Honour a fantome imaginary and no more no no represent me to your soul more favourably think you see me languishing at your feet breathing out my last in sighs and kind reproaches on the pityless Silvia reflect when I am dead which will be the more afflicting object the Ghost as you are pleas'd to call it of your Murder'd Honour or the pale and bleeding one of The lost Philander I have liv'd a whole day and yet no Letter from my Silvia To Philander OH why will you make me own oh too importunate Philander with what regret I made you promise to preferr my Honour before your Love I confess with blushes which you might then see kindling in my face that I was not at all pleas'd with the Vows you made me to endeavour to obey me and I then even wisht you wou'd obstinately have deny'd obedience to my just commands have pursu'd your criminal flame and have left me raving on my undoing For when you were gone and I had leasure to look into my heart alas I â—ound whether you oblig'd or not whether Love or Honour were prefer'd I unhappy I was either way inevitably lost Oh what pityless God fond of his wondrous power made us the objects of his Almighty vanity oh why were we two made the first presidents of his new â—ound revenge for sure no Brother ever lov'd a Sister with so criminal a flame before At least my unexperienc'd innocence ne're met with so fatal a story And 't is in vain my too charming Brother to make me insensible of our Alliance to perswade me I am a stranger to all but your eyes and Soul Alas your fatally kind Industry is all in vain You grew up a Brother with me the title was fixt in my heart when I was too young to understand your subtle distinctions and there it thâ—iv'd and spread and 't is now too late to transplant it or alter its Native Property Who can graâ—t a flower on a contrary stalk The Rose will bear no Tulips nor the Hyacinth the Poppy no more will the Brother the name of Lover O spoil not the natural sweetness and innocence we now retain by an endeavour fruitless and destructive no no Philander dress your self in what Charms you will be powerfull as Love can make you in your soft argument yet oh yet you are my Brother still But why oh cruel and eternal Powers was not Philander my Lover before you destin'd him a Brother or why being a Brother did you malicious and spightful powers destinâ— him a Lover oh take either title from him or from me a life which can 〈…〉 since your cruel laws permit it not for Philander nor his to bless the now Unfortunate Silvia Wednesday Morning To Philander AFter I had dismist my Page this morning with my Letter I walk'd fill'd with sad soft thoughts of my Brother Philander into the Grove and commanding Mâ—linda to retire who only attended me I threw my self down on that bank of grass where we last disputed the dear but fatal business of our souls Where our prints that invited me still remain on the prest greens There with Ten Thousand sighs with remembrance of the tender minutes we past then I drew your last Letter from my Bosome and often kist and often read it over but oh who can conceive my Torment when I came to that fatal part of it where you say you gave your hand to my sister I found my soul agitated with a Thousand different passions but all insupportable all mad and raving sometimes I threw my self with fury on the ground and prest my panting heart to the cold earth then rise in rage and tear my hair and hardly spare that face that taught you first to love then fold my wretched Arms to keep down rising Sighs that almost rend my breast I traverse swiftly the conscious Grove with my distracteâ— show'ring eyes directed in vain to pityless Heaven the lovely â—ilent shade favouring my complaints I cry alowd oh God! Philander's Married the lovely charming thing for whom I languish is Married That fatal word 's enough I need not add to whom Married's enough to make me curse my Birth my Youth my Beauty and my eyes that first betray'd me to the undoing object Curse on the Charms you 've flatter'd for every fancy'd Grace has help'd my ruine on now like flowers that wither unseen and unpossest in shades they must dy and be no more they were to no end created since Philander's Married Married oh fate oh Hell oh torture and confusion tell me not 't is to my Sister that addition's needless and vain To make me eternally wretched there needs no more than that Philander's Married than that the Priest gave your hand away from me to another and not to me tir'd out with life I need no other pasport than this Repetition Philander's Married 't is that alone is sufficient to lay in her cold Tomb The wretched and despairing SILVIA Wednesday night Bellfonâ— To Silvia TWice last night oh unfaithful and unloving Silvia I sent my Page to the old place for Letters but he return'd the object of my rage because without the least remembrance from my fickle Maid In this Torment unable to hide my disorder I suffer'd my self to be laid in bed where the restless torments of the night exceeded those of the day and are not
is than wish and languish for the happy occasion the Sin 's the same only the Act 's more generous Believe me my Silvia we have all false notions of Vâ—rtue and Honour and surely this was â—aken up by some despâ—ring Husband in Love with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wiâ—â— and then I â—ardon him â— shouâ—d have done as much for only 〈◊〉 that has my Soul can only ingage my Sword she that I love and my self only commands and keeps my stock of Honour For Silviâ— the Charming the distracting Silvia I cou'd sight for a glance or smile expose my heart for her dearer fame and wish no recompence but breathing out my last gasp into her soft white delicate bosome But for a Wife that stranger to my Soul and whom we Wed for â—nterest and necessity A Wife a light loose unregarding Property who for a momentary Apetite will expose her fame without the noble end of loving on she that will â—buse my Bed and yet return again to the loath'd conjugal imbrace back to the Armes so hated that even strong fancy of the absent Youth belov'd cannot so much as render supportable Curse on her and yet she kisses fawnes and dissembles on hangs on his Neck and makes the Sot believe Damn her Brute I 'll whistler off and let her down the Wind as Othella says No I adore the Wife that when â—he heart is gone boldly and nobles persues the Conâ—queror and generously owns the Whore Not poorly adds the nauâ—ious sin of Jilting to 't That I cou'd have born at least commended but this can never Pardon at worst then the world had said her Passion had undone her she lov'd and Love at worst is pity No no Meâ—tilla I forgive your Love but never can your poor dissimulation One drives you but from the heart you value not but t'other to my eternal contempt One deprives me but of thee Merâ—illa but t'other intitles me to a Beauty more sâ—â—prâ—sing renders thee no part of me and so leaves the Lover free to Silvia without the Brother Thus my excellent Maid I have sent you the sense and truth of my Soul in an affair you have often hinted to me and I take no pleasure to remember I hope you will at least think my â—version reasonable and that being thus undisputably freed from all obligations to Mertilla as a Husband I may be permitted to lay claim to Silvia as a Lover and marry my self more effectually by my everlasting Vows than the Priest by his common method cou'd do to any other Woman less belov'd there being no other way at present left by Heav'n to render me Silvia's Eternal happy Lover and PHILANDER 〈…〉 To Silvia WHen I had seal'd the inclos'd Brilljard told me you were this Morning come from Belfont and with infinite impatience have expected seeing you here which defer'd my sending this to the old place and I am so vain on Adorable Silvia as to believe my fancy'd silence has given you disquiets but sure my Silvia cou'd not charge me with neglect no she knows my Soul and lays it all 〈…〉 or some strange accident she knows no business cou'd divert me No were the Nation sinking the great Senate of the world confounded our Glorious Designs betray'd and ruin'd and the vast City all in flame like Nero unconcern'd I 'd sing my everlasting Song of Love to Silvia which no time or Fortune shall untune I know my Soul and all its strength and how it 's fortify'd the charming Idea of my young Silvia will for ever remain there the original may fade time may render it less fair less blooming in my Arms but never in my Soul I shall find thee there the same gay glorious creature that first surpris'd and inslav'd me believe me Ravishing Maid I shall Why then oh why my cruel Silvia are my joys delay'd why am I by your rigorous commands kept from the sight of my Heav'n my eternal bliss an Age my fair Tormentor's past Four tedious live long days are numâ—er'd o're since I beheld the â—bject of my lasting Vows my eternal wishes how can â—ou think oh unreasonable Silvia 〈◊〉 I cou'd live so â—ong without you and yet I am live I 〈◊〉 it by my pain by â—â—rments of fears and jealouâ—â—es insupportable I languish 〈◊〉 go downward to the â—â—arth where you will shortly see me lay'd without your recalling mercy 't is true I move about this unregarded world appear every day in the great Senate-House at Clubs Caballs and private consultations for Silvia knows all the business of my Soul even its politicks of State as well as Love I say I appear indeed and give my Voice in publick business but oâ— my Heart more kindly is imploy'd that and my thoughts are Silvia's Ten Thousand times a day I breath that name my busie fingers are eternally tracing ouâ— those Six mystick Letters a Thousand ways on every thing I touch form words and make 'em speak a Thousand things and all are Silvia still my melancholy change is evident to all that see me which they interpret many mistaken ways our Party fancy I repent my League with 'em and doubting I 'le betray the Cause grow jealous of me till by new Oaths new Arguments I confirm 'em then they smile all and cry I am in Love and this they would believe but that they see all Women that I meet or converse with 〈◊〉 indifferent to me and 〈◊〉 can fix it no where 〈…〉 thus while I dare not tell my Soul no not even to Cesario the stifled flame burns inward and torments me so that unlike the thing I was I fear Silvia will lose her Love and Lover too for those few Charmes she said I had will â—ade and this fatal distance will destroy both Soul and Body too my very reason will abandon me and I shall â—ave to see thee restore 〈…〉 restore me then to Bellfont happy Bellfont still best with Silvia's presence permit me oh permit me into those â—acred Shades where I have been so often too innocently blest let me survey again the dear characters of Silvia on the smooth Birch oh when shall I sit beneath those Boughs gazing on the young Goddess of the Grove â—earing her sigh for Love touching her glowing small white hands beholding her killing eyes languish and her Charming bosome rise and fall with short-breath'd uncertain breath breath as soft and sweet as the restoring breeze that glides or the newblown flowers But oh what is it what Heav'n of Perfumes when it inclines to the raviâ—hâ— Philander and whispers Love it dares not name aloud What power withholds me then from rushing on thee from pressing thee with Kisses folding thee in my transported Armes and following all the dictates of Love without respect or Awe What is it oh my Silvia can dâ—tain 〈◊〉 Love so violent and raving and so wild admit me sacred Maid admit me again to those soft delights that I may find if possible what Devinity envious of my bliss checks
Philander be mercyful and let me know the worst do not be cruel while you kill do it with pity to the wretched Silvia oh let me quickly know whether you are at all or are the most impatient and unfortunate SILVIA'S I rave I dy for some Relief To Philander AS I was going to send away this enclos'd 〈◊〉 came with Two Letters oh you cannot think Philander with how much reason you call me fickle Maid for cou'd you but imagine how I am tormentingly divided how unresolv'd between violent Love and cruel Honour You would say 't were impossible to fix me any where or be the same thing for a moment together There is not ashore hour past through the swift hand of time since I was all despairing raging Love jealous fearful and impatient and now now that your fond Letters have dispers'd those Damons those tormenting Councellors and given a little respit a little tranquility to my Soul like States luxurious grown with ease it ungratefully rebells against the Soveraign power that made it great and happy and now that Traytor Honour heads the mutiners within Honour whom my late mighty fears had almost famisht and brought to nothing warm'd and reviv'd by the new protested flame makes War against Almighty Love and I who but now nobly resolved for Love by an inconstancy natural to my Sex or rather my fears am turn'd over to Honour's side So the despairing man stands on the Rivers Bank design'd to plunge into the rapid stream till coward fear seizing his timerous soul he views around once more the flow'ry Plains and looks with wishing eyes back to the Groves then sighing stops and cry's I was too rash forsakes the dangerous shore and hasts away Thus indiscreet was I was all for Love fond and undoing Love but when I saw it with full Tide flow in upon me one glance of Glorious Honour makes me again retreat I will I am resolv'd And must be brave I can't forget I'm Daughter to the great Beralti and Sister to Mertilla a yet unspotted Maid fit to produce a race of Glorious Hero's and can Philander's Love set no higher value on me than base poor prostitution is that the price of his heart Oh how I hate thee now or wou'd to Heav'n I cou'd Tell me not thou charming Beguiler that Mertilla was to blame was it a fault in her and will it be vertue in me and can I believe the crime that made her lose your heart will make me Mistress of it No if by any action of her's the noble House of the Beralti be dishonour'd by all the Actions of my Life it shall receive Additions of Luster and Glory nor will I think Mertilla's vertue lessen'd for your mistaken opinion of it and she may be as much in vain pursu'd perhaps by the Prince Caesario as Silvia shall be by the young Philander the envying world talks loud 't is true but 〈◊〉 if all were true that busie babler says ◠what Lady has her fame What Husband is not Cuckold Nay and a friend to him that made him so and 't is in vain my too subtil Brother you think to build the trophies of your Conquests on the ruine of both Mertilla's fame and mine oh how dear wou'd your inglorious passion cost the great unfortunate house of the Beralti while you poorly ruine the fame of Mertilla to make way to the heart of Silvia Remember oh remember once your Passion was as violent for Mertilla and all the Vows Oaths Protestations tears and Prayers you make and pay at my feet are but the faint repetitions the feeble eccho's of what you sigh't out at hers Nay like young Paris fled with the fair Prize your fond your eager Passion made it a Rape Oh Perfidious Let me not call it back to my remembrance Oh let me dy rather than call to mind a time so fatal when the lovely false Philander vow'd his heart his faithless heart away to any Maid but Silvia Oh let it not be possible for me to imagine his dear Arms ever grasp'd any body with joy but Silvia's And yet they did with transports of Love yes yes you lov'd by Heav'n you lov'd this false this perfidious Mertilla for false she is you lov'd her and I 'll have it so nor shall the Sister in me plead her Cause She 's false beyond all Pardon for you are beautiful as Heav'n it self can render you a shape exactly form'd not too low nor too tall but made to beget soft desire and everlasting wishes in all that look on you but your face your lovely face inclining to round large piercing languishing black eyes delicate proportion'd Nose charming dimpl'd Mouth plump red Lips inviting and swelling white Teeth small and even fine complexion and a beautiful turn all which you had an Art to order in so ingaging a manner that it charm'd all the beholders both Sexes were undone with looking on you and I have heard a witty man of your Party swear your face gain'd more to the League and Association than the Cause and has curst a Thousand times the false Mertilla for preferring Caesario less beautiful to the adorable Philander to add to this Heav'n how you spoke when e're you spoke of Love in that you far surpast the young Caesario as young as he almost as great and Glorious Oh Perfidious Mertilla Oh false oh foolish and ingrate that you abandon'd her was just she was not worth retaining in your heart nor cou'd be worth defending with your Sword But grant her false Oh Philander how does her perfidy intitle you to me false as she is you still are Married to her inconstant as she is she 's still your Wife and no breach of the Nuptial Vow can unty the fatal knot and that 's a Mystery to common sense sure she was Born for mischief and Fortune when she gave her you design'd the ruine of us all but most particularly The Unfortunate SILVIA To Silvia My Souls eternal joy my Silvia what have you done and oh how durst you knowing my fond Heart try it with so fatal a stroke what means this severe Letter and why so eagerly at this time o' th' day is Mertilla's Vertue so defended is it a question now whether she is false or not oh poor oh frivolous excuse you love me not by all that 's good you love me not to try your power you have flatter'd and feign'd oh Woman false Charming Woman you have undone me I rave and shall commit such extravagance that will ruine both I must upbraid you fickle and inconstant I must and this distance will not serve 't is too great my reproaches lose their force I burst with resentment with injur'd Love and you are either the most faithless of your Sex or the most malicious and tormenting Oh I am past tricks my Silvia your little arts might do well in a beginning slame but to a lettled Fire that is arriv'd to the highest degree it does but damp its
my courage and passion when even this deplorable prospect cannot defend me from the resolution of giving you admittance into my Apartment this Night nor shall ever drive you from the Soul of your SILVIA To Silvia I Have obey'd my Silvia's dear commands and the dictates of my own impatient Soul as soon as I receiv'd 'em I immediately took Horse for Bellfont though I knew I shou'd not see my Adorable Silvia till Eight or Nine at Night but oh 't is wondrous pleasure to be so much more near my eternal joy I wait at Dorillus his Cottage the tedious approaching Night that must shelter me in its kind shades and conduct me to a pleasure I faint but with imagining 't is now my Lovely Charmer Three a Clock and oh how many tedious hours I am to languish here before the blessed one arrive I know you Love my Silvia and therefore must guess at some part of my to â—ment which yet is mixt with a certain trembling joy not to be imagin'd by any but Silvia who surely loves Philander it there be truth in Beauty â—aith in Youth she surely loves him much and much more above her Sex she 's capable of Love by how much more her Soul 's form'd of a softer and more delicate composition by how much more her Wits refin'd and elevated above her duller Sex and by how much more she is oblig'd if Passion can claim Passion in return sure no Beauty was ever so much indebted to a slave as Silvia to Philander none ever Lov'd like me Judg then my pains of Love my Joys my â—ears my impatience and desires and call me to your sacred presence with all the speed of Love and as soon as ' â—is duskish imagine me 〈◊〉 the Meadow behind the Grove 'till when think me imploy'd in eternal thoughts of Silvia restless and talking to the Trees of Silvia sighing her charming Name circling with foldedâ— Arms my panting heart that beats and trembles the more the nearer it approaches the happy Bellfont and fortifying the â—eeble trembler against a â—ight â—oo Ravishing and surprising I fear to be sustain'd with Life but if I faint in Silvia's Arms it will be happyer far than all the Glories of Life without her Send my Angel something from you to make the Hours less tedious consider me Love me and be as impatient as I that you may the sooner find at your feet your everlasting Lover PHILANDER From Doâ—illus's Cottage To Philander I Have at last recover'd sense enough to tell you I have receiv'd your Letter by Dorillus and which had like to have been discover'd for he prudently enough put it under the Strawbery's he brought me in a Basket fearing he shou'd get no other opportunity to have given it me and my Mother seeing 'em look so fair and fresh snatcht the Basket with a greediness I have not seen in her before while she was calling to her Page for a Porcellane Dish to put 'em out Dorillus had opportunity to hint to me what lay at the bottom â—eaven's had you seen my disorder and confusion what shou'd I do Love had not one invention in store and here it was that all the subtilty of Women abandon'd me Oh Heaven's how cold and pale I grew lest the most imporâ—ant 〈◊〉 of my Life shou'd be betray'd and ruin'd but not to terrâ—fy you longer with feâ—rs of my danger the Dish came and ouâ— the Strawberries were powr'd and the Basket thrown aside on the Bank where my Moâ—her sat for we were in the Garden when we met accidentally Dorillus first with the Basket there were some leaves of Fern put at the bottom between the Basket and the Letter which by good fortune came not out with the strawberries and after a Minute or two I took up the Basket and walkig carelesly up and down the Garden Gather'd here and there a flower Pinks and Jessamine and filling my Basket sat down again till my Mother had eat her fill of the Fruit and gave me an opportunity to retire to my apartment where opening the Letter and finding you so near and waiting to see me I had certainly sunk down on the floor had not Melinda supported me who was only by something so new and till now so strange seiz'd me at the thought of so secret an interview that I lost all my senses and Life wholly departing I rested on Melinda without breath or motion the violent effects of Love and Honour the impetuous meeting tides of the extreams of joy and fear rushing on too suddainly over-whelm'd my senses and 't was a pretty while before I recover'd strength to get to my Cabinet where a second time I open'd your Letter and read it again with a Thousand changes of Countenance my whole mass of Blood was in that moment so discompos'd that I chang'd from Ague to Feaver several times in a Minute oh what will all this bring me to and where will the raging fit end I dy with that thought my guilty pen slackens in my trembling hand and I Languish and fall over the unimploy'd Paper Oh help me some Divinity Or if you did I fear I shou'd be angry Oh Philander a Thousand Passions and distracted thoughts crowd to get out and make their soft complaints to thee but oh they lose themselves with Mixing they are blended in a confusion together and Love nor Art can divide 'em to deal 'em out in order sometimes I wou'd tell you of my Joy at your Arrival and my unspeakable transports at the thought of seeing you so soon that I shall hear your charming Voice and find you at my feet making soft Vows a now With all the Passion of an impatient Lover with all the eloquence that sighs and Cryes and tears from those lovely eyes can express and sure that's enough to conquer any where and to which course vulgar words are dull The Rhetorick of Love is half-breath'd interrupted words languishing Eyes flattering Speeches broken Sighs pressing the â—and and falling Tears Ah how do they not perswade how do they not charm and conquer 't was thus with these soft easie Arts that Silvia first was wonâ— for sure no Arts of speaking cou'd have talk'd my heart away though you can speak like any God! oh whether am I driven what do â— say 't was not my purpose nor my business here to give a character of Philander no not to speak of Love but oh like Cowley's Lute my Soul will found to nothing but to Love talk what you will begin what discourse you please I end it all in Love because my Soul is ever fixt on Philander and insensibly its byas peads to that subject no I did not when I began to Write think of speaking one word of my own weakness but to have told you with what resolv'd Courage Honour and Vertue I expect your coming and sure so sacred a thing as Love was not made to ruine these and therefore in vain my lovely Brother you will attempt it
in can you secure me my Lover your protestations you may but not the dear Protestor Is it not enough oh Philander for my eternal unquiet and undoing to know you are Married and cannot therefore be intirely mine is not this enough oh cruel Philander but you must espouse a fatal cause too more pernicious than that Matrimony and more destructive to my repose oh give me leave to reason with you and since you have been pleas'd to trust and afflict me with the secret which honest as I am I will never betray yet yet give me leave to urge the danger of it to you and consequently to me if you pursue it when you are with me we can think and talk and argue nothing but the mightier business of Love and 't is â—it I that so fondly and fatally love you shou'd warn you of the danger Consider my Lord you are born Noble from Parents of untainted Loyalty blest with a Fortune few Princes beneath Sovereignty are Masters of blest with all gaining Youth commanding Beauty Wit Courage Bravery of mind and all that renders men esteem'd and ador'd what wou'd you more what is it oh my Charming Brother then that you set up for is it Glory oh mistaken lovely Youth that Glory is but a glittering light that flashes for a moment and then it disappears 't is a false â—â—avery that will bring an eternal blemâ—â— upon your honest â—ame and house render your honourable name hated detested and abominable in story to after Ages a Traytor the worst of Titles the most inglorious and shameful what has the King our good our Gracious Monarch done to Philander how disoblig'd him or indeed what injury to Mankind who has he opprest where play'd the Tyrant or the Ravisher what one cruel or angry thing has he committed in all the time of his fortunate and peaceable Reign over us Whose Ox or whose Ass has he unjustly taken What Orphan wrong'd or Widows Tears neglected but all his Life has been one continu'd Miracle all Good all Gracious Calm and Merciful and this good this Godlike King is mark'd out for slaughter design'd a Sacrifice to the private revenge of a few ambitious Knaves and Rebels whose pretence is the publick good and doom'd to be basely Murder'd A Murder even on the worst of Criminals carries with it a Cowardise so black and infamous as the most abject Wretches the meanest pirited Creature has an abhorrence for what to Murder a Man unthinking unwarn'd unprepar'd and undefendedâ—â— oh barbarous oh poor and most unbrave what Villainâ—â— is there so lost to all humanity to be found upon the face of the Earth that wherâ—â— done dares own so hellish a deed as the Murder of the meanest of his Fellow-Subjects much less the sacreâ—â— Person of the King Thâ—â— Lords Anointed one whose awful face 't is impossible to look without that reverence wherewith one wou'd be hold a God! for 't is mosâ—â— certain that every Glancâ—â— from his piercing wondrâ—â— eyes begets a trembling A do ration for my part I Swâ—â—â— to you Philander I never approach His Sacred Person but my Heart beats my Blood runs cold about me and my Eyes o'reflow with Tears of joy while an awful confusion seizes me all over and I am certain shou'd the most harden'd of your Bloody Rebels look him in â—â—he face the devilish instrument of Death wou'd drop from his sacrilegious hand and leave him confounded at the feet of the Royal forgiving Sufferer his eyes have in 'em somthing so fierce so Majestick commanding and yet so good and merciful as wou'd soften Rebellion it self into repenting Loyalty and like Cajus Marius seem to say who is 't dares hurt the King They alone like his Guardian Angels defend his Sacred Person oh what pity 't is unhappy young man thy Education was not near the King 'T is plain 't is reasonable 't is honest Great and Glorious to believe what thy own sense if thou wilt but think and consider wilt instruct thee in that Treason Rebellion and Murder are far from the Paths that lead to Glory which are as distant as Hell from Heav'n What is it then to advance since I say 't is plain Glory is never this way to be atchiev'd is it to add more Thousands to those Eâ—â—rtune has already so lavishly bestow'd on you oh my Philander that 's to double the 〈◊〉 crime which reaches already to Damnation wou'd your Honour your Conâ—â—cience your Christianity or â—ommon humanity suffer you to inlâ—â—ge your Fortunes at the price of anothers ruine and make the spoyls of some honest Noble Unfortunate Family the rewards of your Treachery wou'd you build your fame on such a Foundation Perhaps on the destruction of some friend or Kinsman Oh Barbarous and mistaken Greatness Thieves and Robbers wou'd scorn such outrages that had but souls and sense Iâ— iâ— for addition of Titles what elevation can you have much greater than where you now stand fixt if you do not grow giddy with your fancy'd false hopes and fall from that glorious height you are already arriv'd to and which with the honest addition of Loyalty is of far more value and luster than to arrive at Crowns by Blood and Treason This will last to Ages last in story last While t'other will be ridicul'd toâ—â— all posterity short liv'd and reproachful here infamous and accurs'd to all eternity Is it to make Caesario King oh what is Caesario to my Philander If a Monarchy you design then why not this King this great this good this Royal Forgiver This who was born a King and born your King and holds his Crown by right of Nature by right of Law by right of Heav'n it self Heav'n who has preserv'd him and confirm'd him ours by a Thousand miraculous escapes and sufferings and indulg'd him ours by Ten Thousand acts of mercy and indear'd him to us by his wondrous care and conduct by securing of Peace plenty ease and luxurious happiness o're all the fortunate limits of His Blessed Kingdoms and will you wou'd you destroy this wonderous gift of Heaven this Godlike King this real good we now possess for a most uncertain one and with it the repose of all the happy Nation to establish a King without Law without right without consent without Title and indeed without even competent parts for so vast a trust or so Glorious a rule One who never oblig'd the Nation by one single Act of Goodness or Valour in all the course of his Life and who never signaliz'd either to the advantage of one man of all the Kingdom A Prince unfortunate in his Principles and Morals And whose sole single Ingratitude to his Majesty for so many Royal Bounty's Honours and Glories heap'd upon him is of its self enough to set any honest generous heart against him what is it bewitches you so is it his Beauty then Philander has a greater Title than Caesario and not one other merit has he since in Piety Chastity Sobriety
for Lovers cannot unless they lov'd like Silvia and her Philander what pains and Pantings my heart sustain'd at every thought that brought me of thy near approach every moment I â—tart and am ready to faint with joy â—ear and something not to be expreâ—t thâ—t sâ—izes me To add to this I have busied my self with dressing my Apartment up with Flowers 〈◊〉 that I â—ancy the Câ—rmonious business of the night looks like the preparations foâ— the dear joy of the Nuptial Bed that too is so adorn'd and deck'd with all that 's sweet and gay all which possesses me with so ravishing and solemn a Confusion that 't is even approaching to the most profound sadness it self Oh Philander I find I am fond of being undone and unless you take a more than mortal care of me I know this night some fâ—tal mischief will befall me what 't is I know not either the loss of Philander my Life or my Honour or all together which a discovery only of your being alone in my Apartment and at such an Hour will most certainly draw upon us Death is the least we must expect by some surprise or other my Father being rash and extreamly jealous and the more so of me by how much more he is fond of me and nothing would inrage him like the discovery of an enterview like this though you â—ave Liberty to range the house of Bâ—llfont as a son and are indeed at home there but when you come by stealth when he shall find his Son and Virgin Daughter the Brother and the Sister so retir'd so entertain'd What but death can insue or what 's worse eternal shame eternal confusion on my honour What Excuse what Evasions Vows and Protestations will convince him or appease Mertila's Jealousy Mertilla my Sister and Philander's Wife Oh God! that cruel thought will put me into ravings I have a thousand streams of killing reflection that flow from that original Fountain Curse on the Alliance that gave you a welcome to Bellfont Ah Philander could you not have stay'd ten short years longer Alas you thought that was an Age in Youth but 't is but a day in Love Ah could not your eager youth have led you to a thousand diversions a thousand times have baited in the long journey of life without hurrying on to the last Stage to the last retreat but the Grave and to me seem as Irrecoverable as impossible to retrieve thee Could no kind Beauty stop thee on thy way in charity or pity Philander saw me then and though Mertila was more â—it for his Careâ—â—es and I but capable to please with Childish prattle Oh could he not have seen a promising â—loom in my Face that might have â—â—retold the future Conquests I was born to make Oh was there no Prophetick Charm that could bespeak your heart ingage it and prevent that fatal Marriage You say my Adorable Brother we were destin'd from our Creation for one another that the Decrees of Heaven or Fate or both design'd us for this mutual passion Why then oh why did not Heaven â—ate or Destiny do the mighty work when first you saw my infant Charms But oh Philander why do I vainly rave why call in vain on time that 's fled and gone why idly wish for Ten years retribution That will not yield a Day an Hour a Minute No no 't is past 't is past and flown for ever as distant as a thousand years to me as irrecoverable Oh Philander what hast thou thrown away Ten glorious years of Raâ—ishing Youth of unmatch'd Heavenly Beauty on one that knew not half the value of it Silvia was only born to 〈◊〉 a Rate upâ—n't was alone capable of Love such love as might deserve it Oh why was that charming face ever laid on any bosom that knew not how to sigh anâ— pant and heave at every â—ouch oâ— so much distracting Bâ—â—uty Oâ— why were those dear Arms whosâ— soft pressings that ravish where they circle destin'd for a Body Cold and Dull that could sleep insensibly there and not so much as dream the while what the transporting pleasure signified but unconcern'd receiv'd the wondrous blessings and never knew its Price or thank'd her stars She has thee all the day to gaze upon and yet she lets thee pass her careless sight as if there were â—o Miracles in view she does not see the little Gods of Love that play eternally in thy Eyes and since she never receiv'd a Dart from thence believes there 's no Artillery there She plays not with thy Hair nor Weaves her snowy fingers in thy Curles of Jett sets it in order or adores its Beauty The Fool with flaxen Wigg had done as well for her a dull white Coxcomb had made as good a Property a Husband is no more at best no more Oh thou Charming object of my eternal wishes why wert thou thus dispos'd Oh save my life and tell me what indifferent impulse oblig'd thee to these Nuptials had Mertila been recommended or forc'd by the Tyranny of a Father into thy Arms or for base Lucre thou hast chosen her this had excus'd thy Youth and Crime obedience or vanity I could have Pardon'd But oh 'T was Love Love my Phiander thy raving Love and that which has undone thee was a Rape rather than a Marriage you fled with her Oh Heavens mad to possess you stole the unloving Prise Yes you lov'd her false as you are you did perjur'd and faithless Lov'd her Hell and confusion on the VVorld 't was so Oh Philander I am lost This Letter was found in pieces torn To Monsieur the Count of My Lord THese Pieces of Paper which I have put together as well as I could were writ by my Lady to have been sent by Dorinda when on a sudden she roâ—e in rage from her seat tore first the Paper and then her Robes and Hair and indeed nothing has escap'd the violence of her Passion nor could my Prayers or Tears retrieve them or calm her 't is however chang'd at last to mighty passions of weeping in which imployment I have left her on her repose being commanded away I thought it my duty to give your Lordship this account and to send the pieces of Paper that your Lordship may guess at the occasion of the sudden storm which ever rises in that fatal quarter but in putting 'em in order I had like to have been surpriz'd by my Lady's Father for my Lord the Count having long sollâ—cited me for favours and taking all opportunities of entertaining me found me alone in my Chamber imployed in serving your Lordship I had only time to hide the Papers and to get rid of him have given him an Assignation to night in the Garden Grove to give him the hearing to what he says he has to propose to me Pray Heaven all things go right to your Lorships wish this Evening for many ominous things happen'd to day Madam the Countess had like to have taken a â—etter writ for
your Lordship to day for the Dutchess of coming toâ— make her a visit came on a sudden with her into my Lady'â— Apartment and surpriz'd her writing in her Dressing Room giving her only time to slip the Paper into her Comb-box The first Ceremonies being past as Madam the Dutchess uses not much she fell to Commend my Lady's dressing Plate and taking up the Box and opening it found the Letter and Laughing cry'd Oh have I found you making Love At which my Lady with an infinite confusion would have retriev'd it But the Dutchess not quitting her hold Cry'd Nay I am resolv'd to see in what manner you write to a Lover and whether you have a Heart tender or cruel at which she began to read aloud My Lady to blush and change Colour a Hundred times in a minute I ready to dye with fear Madam the Countess in infinite amazement my Lady interrupting every word the Dutchess read by Prayers and Intreaties which heighten'd her Curiosity and being young and airy regarded not the Indecency to which she prefer'd her Curiosity who still Laughing cry'd she was resolv'd to read it out and know the constitution of her heart when my Lady whose wit never fail'd her Cry'd I beseech you Madam let us have so much complisance for Melinda to ask her consent in this affair and then I am pleas'd you should see what Love I can make upon occasion I took the hint and with a real confusion Cry'd I implore you Madam not to discover my weakness to Madam the Dutchess I would not for the World Be thought to love so passionately as your Ladyship in favour of Alexis has made me profess under the name of Silvia to Philander This incourag'â—â— my Lady who began to say a thousand pleasant things of Alexis Dorâ—llus his Son and my Lover as your Lordship knows and who is no inconsiderable fortune for a Maid inrich'd only by your Lordships Bounty My Lady after this took the Letter and all being resolv'd it should be read she her self did it and turn'd it so prettily into Burlesque Love by her manner of reading it that made Madam the Dutchess laugh extreamly who at the end of it cry'd to my Lady VVell Madam I am satisfied you have not a heart wholly insensible of Love that could so well express it for another Thus they rallied on â—â—ill careful of my Lovers repose the Dutchess urg'd the Letter might be immediately sent away at which my Lady readily folding up the Letter writ For the constant Alexis on the out-side I took it and beg'd I might 〈◊〉 leave to retire to write it over in my own hand they permitted me and I carried it after sealing it to Dorillus who waited for it and wondering to find his Sons name on it Cry'd Mistress Mâ—linda I doubt you have mistook my present business I wait for a Letter from my Lady to my Lord and you give m◠〈◊〉 from your self to my Son Alexis 't will be very welcome to Alexis I confess but at this time I had rather oblige my Lord than â—my Son I Laughing reply'd he was mistaken that Alexis at this time meant no other than my Lord which pleas'd the good man extreamly who thought it a gooâ— omen for his Son and so went his way 〈◊〉 as every body was except the Countess who fancy'd something more in it than my Lady's inditing for me and after Madam the 〈…〉 〈…〉 I am confident she will not depart to night and will possible set Spies in every corner at least 't is good to fear the worst that we may prevent all things that would hinder this nights assignation As soon as the Coast is clear I 'll wait on your Lordship and be your Conductor and in all things else am ready to show my self My Lord Your Lordships most humble and most obedient Servant MELINDA Silvia has order to wait on your Lordship as soon as all is clear To Melinda OH Melinda what have you told me Stay me with an immediate account of the recovery and calmness of my Adorable weeping Silvia or I shall enter Belfont with my Sword drawn bearing down all before me 'till I make my way to my Charming Mourner Oh God! Silvia in a rage Silvia in any Passion but that of Love I cannot bear it no by Heaven I cannot I shall do some outrage either on my self or at Bellfont Oh thou dear Advocate of my tenderest Wishes thou Confident of my never dying flame thou kind administring Maid send some relief to my breaking heart Hast and tell me Silvia is calm that her bright Eyes spaâ—kle with smiles or if they languish say 't is with Love with expecting joys that her dear hands are no more imployed in exercises too rough and unbecoming their native softness Oh eâ—â—ternal God! taring perhaps her Divine Hair brighter than the Suns reâ—lecting Beams injuring the heavenly Beauty of her Charming Face and Bosom the joy and wish of all Mankind that look upon her Oh charm her with Prayers and Tears stop her dear Fingers from the rude assaults bind her fair hands Repeat Philander to her tell her he 's fainting with the news of her unkindness and outrage on her lovely self but tell her too I dye adoring her tell her I rave I tear I curse my self For so I do tell her I would break out into a violence that should set all Bellfont in a â—lame but for my care of her Heaven and Earth should not restrain me No they should not But her least frown should still me tame me and make me a calm Coward say this say all say any thing to charm her rage and tears Oh I am mad stark mad and ready to run on that frantick business I dye to think her guilty of tell her how 't would grieve her to see mee torn and mangled to see that hair she loves ruffl'd and diminisht by rage violated by my insupportable grief my self quite bereft of all sense but that of Love but that of Adoration for my charming cruel Insensible who is possest with every thought with every imagination that can render me unhapy born away with every fancy that is in disfavour of the wretched Philander Oh Melinda write immediately or you will behold me enter a most deplorable object of Pity When I receiv'd yours I fell into such a passion that I forc'd my self back to Dorillus his House lest my transports had hurry'd me to Bellfont where I should have undone all but as I can rest no where I am now returning to the Meadow again where I will expect your aid or dye From Dorillus his Cottage almost nine a Clock To Philander I Must own my Charming Philander that my Love is now arriv'd to that excess that every thought which before but discompos'd me now puts me into a violence of rage unbecoming my Sex or any thing but the mighty occasion of it Love and which only had power to calm what it had before ruffled into
in thy composition that ever mingled with humanity the very words fall so gently from thy tongue are utter'd with a Voice so ravishingly soft a tone so tender and so full of Love 't would charm even frenzy calm rude distraction and wildness wou'd become a silent Listener there 's such a sweet serenity in thy face such innocence and softness in thy eyes should desart Savages but gaze on thee sure they would forget their native forest wildness and be inspir'd with easy-Gentleness Most certainly this God-like power thou hast Why then Oh tell me in the Agony of my soul why must those charms that bring Tranquility and peace to all make me alone a wild unseemly raver Why has it contrary effects on me Oh! all I act and say is perfect madness Yet this is the least unaccountable part of my most wretched Story Oh! I must ner'e behold thy Lovely face again for if I should sure I should blush my soul away no no I must not nor ever more believe thy dear deluding Vows Never thy charming perjur'd Oaths after a violation like to this Oh Heauen what have I done Yet by that Heaven I swear I dâ—re not ask my soul lest it inform me how I was to blame unless that fatal Minute would instruct me how to revenge my wrongs upon my heart my fond betraying heart Despair and Madness seize me darkness and horror hide me from humane sight after an easiness like this What to yield To yield my Honour Betray the secrets of my Virgin wishes My new desires my unknown shameful flame Hell and Death Where got I so much confidence Where learnt the harden'd and unblushing folly To wish was such a fault as is a crime unpardonable to own to shew desire is such a sin in vertue as must deserve reproach from all the world but I unlucky I have not only betray'd all these but with a transport void of sense and shame I yield to thy Armes I 'll not indure the thought By Heaven I cannot there 's something more than rage that animates that thought some Magick Spell that in the midst of all my sense of Shame keeps me from true repentance this angers me and makes me know my Honour but a fantom Now I could curse again my Youth and Love but Oh! when I have done alas Philander I find my self as guilty as before I cannot make one firm resolve against the or if I do when I consider thee they weigh not all one lovely Hair of thine 'T is all in vain the Charming Cause remains Philander's still as lovely as before 't is him I must remove from my fond Eyes and heart him I must banish from my touch my smell and every other sense by Heaven I cannot bear the mighty pressure I cannot see his Eyes and touch his Hands smell the perfume every Pore of his breaths forth tast thy soft kisses hear thy Charming Voice but I am all on flame NO 't is these I must exclaim on not my Youth 't is they debauch my soul no natural propensity in me to yield or to admit of such destructive fires Fain I would put it off but 't will not do I am the Aggressor still else why is not every living Maid undone that does but touch or see thee Tell me why No the fault 's in me and thou art innocent Were but my Soul less delicate were it less sensible of what it loves and likes in thee I yet were dully happy but Oh there is a nicety there so charm'd so apprehensive of thy Beauties as has betray'd me to unrest for ever Yet something I will do to tame this lewd Betrayer of my right and it shall plead no more in thy behalf no more no more disperse the joys which it conceives through every 〈◊〉 cold and insensible by nature to kindle new desires there No more shall fill me with unknown curosity no I will in spight of all the Perfumes that dwell about thee in spight of all the Arts thou hast of Looking of Speaking and of Touching I will I say assume my native temper I will be calm be cold and unconcern'd as I have been to all the world But to Philander The Almighty Power he has is unaccountable By yonder breaking day that opens in the East opens to see my shame I swear By that great ruler of the day the Sun by that Almighty power that rules them both I swear I swear Philander Charming Lovely Youth Thou art the first e're kindl'd soft desires about my soul thou art the first that ever did inform me that there was such a sort of wish about me I thought the vanity of being belov'd made up the greatest parâ— of the satisfaction 't was joy 〈◊〉 see my Lovers sigh about me adore and praise me and increase my Pride by every look by every word and action and him I fancy'd best I favour'd most and he past for the happy fortune him I have suffer'd too to kiss and press me to tell me all his Tale of Love and sigh which I would listen to with Pride and Pleasure permitted it and smil'd him kind returns nay by my life then thought I lov'd him too thought I could have been content to have past my life at this gay rate with this fond hoping Lover and thought no farther than of being great having rich Coaches showing Equipage to pass my hours in dressing in going to the Opera's and the Tower make Visits where hist be seen at Balls and having still the vanity to think the men would Gaze and Languish where I came and all the Women envy me I thought no farther on But thou Philander hast made me take new measures I now can think of nothing but of thee I loath the sound of Love from any other voice and Conversation makes my soul impatient and does not only dull me into Melancholly but perplexes me out of all humour out of all patient sufferance and I am never so well pleas'd when from Philander as when I am retir'd and curse my Character and Figure in the world because it permits me not to prevent being visited one thought of thee is worth the worlds injoyment I hate to dress I hate to be agreable to any Eyes but thine I hate the noise of Equipage and Crowds and would be more content to live with thee in some lone shaded Cottage than be a Queen and hinder'd by that Grandure one moments conversation with Philander Maist thou despise and loath me a Curse the greatest that I can invent if this be any thing but real honest truth No no Philander I find I never lov'd till now I understood it not nor knew not what those Sighs and Pressings meant which others gave me yet every speaking glance thy Eyes put on inform my soul what 't is they plead and languish for If you but touch my hand my breath grows faint and short my blood glows in my face and runs with an unusual warmth through every
vein and tells my heart what 't is Philander ailes when he falls sighing on my Bosom oh then I fear I answer every look and every sigh and touch in the same silent but intelligible Language and understood I fear to well by thee 'Till now I never fear'd Love as a Criminal Oh tell me not mistaken Foolish Maids true Love is innocent ye cold ye dull ye unconsidering Lovers though I have often heard it from the Grave and Wise and preacht my self that Doctrine I now renounce it all 't is false by Heaven 't is false for now I Love and know it all a fiction yes and love so as never any Woman can equal me in Love my soul being all compos'd as I have often said of softer Materials Nor is it fancy sets my Rates on Beauty there 's an intrinsick value in thy Charms which surely none but I am able to understand and to those that view thee not with my judging Eyes ugliness facy'd wou'd appear the same and please as well If all could love or judge like me why does Philander pass so unregarded by a thousand Women who never sigh'd for him What makes Mertilla who possesses all looks on thee feels thy Kisses hears thee speak and yet wants sense to know how blest she is 't is want of judgment all and how and how can she that judges ill Love well Granting my passion equal to its object you must allow it infinite and more in me than any other Woman by how much more my Soul is compos'd of tenderness and yet I say I own for I may own it now Heaven and you are Witness of my shame I own with all this love with all this passion so vast so true and so unchangeable that I have Wishes new unwonted Wishes at every thought of thee I find a strange disorder in my blood that pants and burns in every Vein and makes me blush and sigh and grow impatient asham'd and angry but when I know it the effects of Love I 'm reconcil'd and wish and sigh anew but when I sit and Gaze upon thy Eyes thy Languishing thy Lovely dying Eyes play with thy soft white hand and lay my glowing Cheek to thine Oh God! What Language can express my transport all that is tender all that is soft desire seizes every trembling Limb and 't is with pain conceal'd Yes yes Philander 't is the fatal truth since thou hast found it I confess it too and yet I love thee dearly long long it was that I essay'd to hide the guilty flame if Love be guilt for I confess I did dissemble a coldness which I was not Mistress of there lyes a Womans Art there all her boasted Vertue it is but well dissembling and no more But mine alas is gone for over fled this this feable guard that should secure my Honour thou hast betray'd and left it quite defenceless Ah what 's a Womans Honour when 't is so poorly guarded No wonder that you conquer with such ease when we are only safe by the mean arts of base dissimulation an ill as shameful as that to which we fall Oh silly refuge What foolish nonsence fond custom can perswade yet so it is and she that breaks her Laws losâ—â— her fame her honour and esteem Oh Heavens how quickly lost it is Give me ye Powers my fame and let me be a fool let me retain my vertue and my Honour and be a dull insensible But Oh where is it I have lost it all 't is irrecoverably lost yes yes ye charming perjur'd man 't is gone and thou hast quite undone me What though I lay extended on my Bed undrest unapprehensive of my fate my Bosom loose and easie of excess my Garments ready thin and wantonly put on as if they would with little force submit to the fond straying hand What then Philander must you take the advantage Must you be perjur'd because I was tempting 'T is true I let you in by stealth by night whose silent darkness favour'd your Treachery but Oh Philander were not your Vows as binding by a glimmering Taper as if the Sun with all his Awful light had been a looker on I urg'd your Vows as you prest on But Oh I fear it was in such a way so faintly and so feebly I upbraided you as did but more advance your perjuries Your strenght encreas'd but mine alas declin'd till I quite fainted in your Arms left you triumphant Lord of all No more my faint denials do perswade no more my trembling hands resist your force unguarded lay the treasure which you toil'd for betray'd and yielded to the Lovely Conqueror But Oh tormenting When you saw the store and found the Prise no richer with what contempt yes false dear man with what contempt you view'd the â—nvalu'd Trophy What! despis'd was all you call a Heaven of Joy and Beauty expos'd to view and then neglected Were all your Prayers heard your wishes granted and your toiles rewarded the trembling Victim ready for the sacrifice and did you want Devotion to perform it and did you thus receive the expected blessing Oh By Heaven I 'll never see the more and 't will be charity to thee for thou hast no excuse in store that can convince my opinion that I am hated loath'd I cannot bear that thought Or if I do it shall only serve to fortify my fixt resolve never to see thee more And yet I long to hear thy false excuse let it be quickly then 't is my disdain invites thee To strengthen which there needs no more than that you let me hear thy poor defence But 't is a tedious time to that flow hour wherein I dare permit thee but hope not to incline my soul to love No I 'm yet safe if I can stop but here but here be wise resolve and be my self SILVIA To Philander AS my Page was coming with the inclos'd he met Alexis at the gate with yours and who would not depart without an answer to it to go or stay is the Question Ah Philander why do you press a heart too ready to yield to Love and you alas I fear you guess too well my answer and your own Soul might save me the blushing trouble of a reply I am plung'd in past hope of a retreat and since my fate has pointed me out for ruine I cannot fall more gloriously Take then Philander to your dear Arms a Maid that can no longer resist who is disarm'd of all defensive power She yields she yields and does confess it too and sure she must be more than mortal that can hold out against thy charms and vows Since I must be undone and give all away I 'll do it generously and scorn all mean reserves I will be brave in Love and lavish all nor shall Philander think I Love him well unless I do Take charming Victor then what your own merits and what Love has give you take take at last the dear reward of all your sighs and
tears your vows and sufferings But since Philander 't is an Age to night and till the approach of those dear silent hours thou knowst I dare not give thee admittance I do conjure thee go to Cesario whom I find too pressing not to believe the concerns great and so jealous I am of thy dear safety that every thing alarms my fears oh satisfie 'em then and go 't is early yet and if you take horse immediately you will be there by eight this morning go I conjure you for though 't is an unspeakable satisfaction to know you are so near me yet I prefer your safety and honour to all considerations else You may soon dispatch your affairs and render your self time enough on the place appointed which is where you last night waited and 't will be at least eight at night before 't is possible to bring you to my arms Come in your Chariot and do not heat your self with riding have a care of me and my life in the preservation of all I love Be sure you go and do not my Philander out of a punctilio of Love neglect your dear safety Go then Philander and all the Gods of Love preserve and attend thee on thy way and bring thee safely back to Silvia To Silviaâ— OH thou most charming of the Sex thou lovely dear delight of my transported Soul thou everlasting treasure of my heart what hast thou done given me an over joy that fails but very little of performing what griefs excess had almost finish'd before Eternal blessings on thee for a goodness so divine Oh thou most excellent and dearest of thy sex I know not what to do or what to say I am not what I was I do not speak nor walk nor think as I was wont to do sure the excess of joy is far above dull sense or formal thinking it cannot stay for ceremonious method I rave with pleasure rage with the dear thought of coming exâ—asie Oh Silvia Silvia Silvia my soul my vital bloud and without which I could as well subsist Oh my adorable my Silvia methinks I press thee kiss thee hear thee sigh behold thy eyes and all the wondrous beauty of thy face a solemn joy has spread it self through every vein through every sensible artery of my heart and I can think of nothing but of Silvia the lovely Silvia the blooming flowing Silvia and shall I see thee shall I touch thy hands and press thy dear thy charming body in my arms and taste a Thousand joys a thousand ravishments oh God! shall I oh Silvia say but thou hast said enough to make me mad and I forgetting of thy safety and my own shall bring thy wild adoring slave to Bellfont and throw him at thy feet to pay his humble gratitude for this great condescention this vast bounty Ah Silvia how shall I live till night and you impose too cruelly upon me in conjuring me to go to Cesario alas does Silvia know to what she exposes her Philander whose joy is so transporting great that when he comes into the grave Cabal he must betray the story of his heart and in lieu of the mighty business there in hand be raving still on Silvia telling his joy to all the amazed listeners and answering questions that concern our great affair with something of my love all which will pass for madness and undoe me no give me leave to rave in silence and unseen among the trees they 'll humour my disease answer my murmuring joy and Echo's flatter it repeat thy name repeat that Silvia's mine and never hurt her fame while the Cabals business and noisie Town will add confusion to my present transport and make me mad indeed no let me alone thou sacred lovely creature let me be calm and quiet here and tell all the insensibles I meet in the woods what Silvia has this happy minute destin'd me Oh let me record it on every bark on every Oak and Beech that all the world may wonder at my fortune and bless the generous maid let it grow up to Ages that shall come that they may know the story of our loves and how a happy youth they call'd Philander was once so blest by Heaven as to possess the charming the ador'd and lov'd by all the glorious Silvia a Maid the most divine that ever grac'd a story and when the Nymphs would look for an example of love and constancy let them point out Philander to their doubted Swains and cry ah love but as the young Philander did and then be fortunate and then reap all your wishes and when the Shepherd would upbraid his Nymph let him but cry see here what Silvia did to save the young Philander but oh there never will be such another Nymph as Silvia Heaven form'd but one to shew the world what Angels are and she was form'd for me yes she was in whom I wou'd not quit my glorious interest to reign a monarch here or any bosted gilded thing above take all take all ye Gods and give me but this happy coming night Oh Silvia Silvia by all thy promis'd joys I am undone if any accident should ravish this night form me this night no not for a leaâ—e of years to all eternity would I throw thee away Oh! I am all flame all joyfull fire and softness methinks 't is Heaven wheree'er I look around me air where I tread and ravishing Musick when I speak because 't is all of Silvia let me alone oh let me cool a little or I shall by a too excess of joyfull thought lose all my hop'd for bliss Remove a little from me go my Silvia you 're so excessive sweet so wondrous dazling you press my senses even to pain away let me take air let me recover breath oh let me lay me down beneath some cooling shade near some refreshing crystal murmuring spring and fan the gentle air about me I suffocate I faint with this close loving I must allay my joy or be undone I 'll read thy cruel Letters or I 'll think of some sad melancholy hour wherein thou hast dismiss'd me desparing from thy presence or while you press me now to be gone with so much earnestness you have some Lover to receive and entertain perhaps 't is only for the vanity to hear him tell his nauseous passion to you breath on your lovely face and daub your Garments with his fulsome imbrace but oh by Heaven I cannot think that though and thou hast sworn thou canst not suffer it if I shou'd find thee false but 't is impossible oh shou'd I find Foscario visit thee him whom thy Parents favour I shou'd undo you all by Heaven I shou'd but thou hast sworn what need Philander more yes Silvia thou hast sworn and call'd Heaven's vengeance down whene'er thou gavest a look or a dear smile in love to that pretending Fop yet from his mighty fortune there is danger in him what makes that thought torment me now begon for Silvia loves me
and will preserve my life I am not able my adorable Charmer to obey your commands of going from the sight of happy Bellfont no let the great wheel of the vast design roul on or for ever stand still for I 'll not aid its motion to leave the mightier business of my love unfinish'd no let fortune and the duller Fools toil on for I 'll not bate a minute of my joys with thee to save the world much less so poor a parcell of it and sure there is more solid pleasure ev'n in these expecting hours I wait to snatch my bliss than to be Lord of all the universe without it then let me wait my Silvia in those melancholy shades that part Bellfont from Dorillus his farm perhaps my Silvia may walk that way so unattended that we might meet and and lose our selves for a few moments in those intricate retreats Ah Silvia I am dying with that thought Oh Heavens what cruel destiny is mine whose fatal circumstances do not permit me to own my passion and lay claim to Silvia to take her without controul to shades or Palaces to live for ever with her to gaze for ever on her to eat to loll to rise to play to sleep to act o'er all the pleasures and the joys of life with her But 't is in vain I rave in vain employ my self in the fools barren business Wishing this thought has made me sad as death Oh Silvia I can ne'r be truly happy adieu employ thy self in writing to me and remember my life bears date but only with thy faith and Love Philander Try my Adorable what you can do to meet me in the Wood 〈◊〉 afternoon for there I 'll live 〈◊〉 day To Philander OBstinate Philander I conjure you by all your vows by all your sacred love by those dear hours this happy night design'd in favour of you to go without delay to Cesario 't will be unsafe to disobey a Prince in his jealous circumstances The fatigue of the journey cannot be great and you well know the torment of my fears oh I shall never be happy or think you safe till you have quitted this fatal interest Go my Philander and remember whatever toiles you take will be rewarded at night in the Arms of Silvia To Silvia WHatever toiles you take shall be rewarded in the arms of Silvia By Heaven I am inspired to act wonders Yes Silvia yes my adorable Maid I am gone I fly as swiâ—t as lightning or the soft darts of love shot from thy charming eyes and I can hardly stay to say adieu To the Lady Dear Child LONG foreseeing the misery whereto you must arrive by this fatal correspondence with my unhappy Lord I have often with tears and prayers implor'd you to decline so dangerous a passion I have never yet acquainted our parents with your misfortunes but I fear I must at last make use of their Authority for the prevention of your ruine 'T is not my dearest Child that part of this unhappy story that relates to me that grieves me but purely that of thine Consider oh young noble Maid the infamy of being a Prostitute and yet the act it self in this fatal Amouâ— is not the greatest sin but the manner which carries an unusual horrour with it for 't is a Brother too my Child as well aâ— a lover one that has lain by thy unhappy Sister's side so many tender years by whom he has a dear and lovely off-spring by which he has more fixt himself to thee by relation and blood Consider this oh fond heedless girl and suffer not a momentary joy to rob thee of the eternal fame me of my eternal repose and fix a brand upon our noble house and so undoe us all Alas consider after an action so shamefull thou must obscure thy self in some remote corner of the world where honesty and honour never are heard of No thou canst not shew thy face but 't will be pointed at for something monstrous for a hundred ages may not produce a story so leudly infamous and loose as thine Perhaps fond as you are you imagin the sole joy of being belov'd by him will attone for those affronts and reproaches you will meet with in the censuring world But Child remember and believe me there is no lasting faith in sin he that has broke his Vows with Heaven and me will be again perjur'd to Heaven and thee and all the world he once thought me as lovely lay at my feet and sigh'd away his soul and told such pityous stories of his sufferings such sad such mournfull tales of his departed rest his broken heart and everlasting Love that sure I thought it had been a sin not to have credited his charming perjuries in such a way he swore with such a grace he sigh'd so artfully he mov'd so tenderly he look'd Alas dear Child then all he said was new unusual with him never told before now 't is a beaten road 't is learn'd by heart and easily addrest to any fond believing woman the tatter'd worn-out fragments of my Trophies the dregs of what I long since drain'd from off his fickle heart then it was fine then it was brisk and new now pall'd and dull'd by being repeated often Think my Child what your victorious beauty meâ—â—â—s the victim of a heart unconquer'd by any but your eyes Alas he had been my captive my humble whining slave disdain to put him on your fetters now alas he can say no new thing of his heart to thee 't is love at second hand worn out and all its gaudy luster tarnish't besides my Child if thou hadst no religion binding enough no honour that could stay thy fatal course yet nature should oblige thee and give a check to the unreasonable enterprise The griefs and dishonour of our noble Parents who have been eminent for vertue and piety oh suffer 'em not to be regarded in this censuring world as the most unhappy of all the race of old nobility thou art the darling child the joy of all the last hope left the refuge of their sorrow for they alas have had but unkind stars to influence their unadvis'd off-spring no want of vertue in their education but this last blow of fate must strike 'em dead Think think of this my Child and yet retire from ruine haste fly from destruction which pursues thee fast haste haste and save thy parents and a sister or what 's more dear thy fame mine has already receiv'd but too many desperate wounds and all through my unkind Lord's growing passion for thee which was most fatally founded on my ruine and nothing but my ruine could advance it and when my Sister thou hast run thy race made thy self loath'd undone and infamous as hell despis'd scorn'd and abandoned by all lampoon'd perhaps diseas'd this faithless man this cause of all will leave thee too grow weary of thee nauseated by use he may perhaps consider what sins what evils and what inconveniences and
yet shoud'st thou tell me truth that thou art false by Heaven I do adore thee so I still shou'd love thee on shou'd I have seen thee clasp him in thy arms print kisses on his cheeks and lips and more so fondly and so doatingly I love I think I shou'd forgive thee for I swear by all the powers that pity frail mortality there is no joy no life no Heaven without thee Be false be cruel perjur'd infamous yet still I must adore thee my soul was form'd of nothing but of love and all that love and all that soul is Silvia's but yet since thou hast fram'd me an excuse be kind and carry it on to be deluded well as thou canst do 't will be the same to innocence as loving I shall not find the cheat I 'll come then and lay my self at thy feet and seek there that repose that dear content which is not to be found in this vast world besides though much of my heart's joy thou hast abated and fixt a sadness in my soul that will not easily vanish Oh Silvia take care of me for I am in thy power my life my fame my soul are in thy hands be tender of the victims and remember if any action of thy life shou'd shew a fading love that very moment I perceive the change you shall find dead at your feet the abandoned Philander Sad as death I am going towards the Meâ—dow in order to my approach to Silvia the World affording no â—â—poâ—e to â—e but when I am where the dear Charmâ—r is To Philander in the Meadow AND can you be jealous of me Philander I mean so poorly jealous as to believe me capable of falshood of vow-breach and what 's worse of loving any thing but the adorable Philander Oh I cou'd not once believe so cruel a thought cou'd have entred into the imaginations of a soul so intirely possest with Silvia and so great a judge of Love Abandon me reproach me hate me scorn me whenever I harbour any thing in mine so destructive to my repose and thine Can I Philander give you a greater proof of my passion of my faithful never-dying passion than being â—nd one for you have I any other prospect in all this soâ—t adventure but Thame dishonour reproach eternal infamy and everlasting destruction even of soul and body I tremble with fear of future punishment but oh Love will have no devotion mixt with his ceremonies to any other Deity and yet alas I might have lov'd another and have been sav'd or any Maid but Silvia might have possess'd without damnation But 't is a Brother I pursue it is a Sister gives her honour up and none but Cannace that ever I read in story was ever found so wretched as to love a Brother with so criminal a flame and possibly I may meet her fate I have a Father too as great as Aeolus as angry and revengefull where his honour is concern'd and you found my dearest Brother how near you were last night to a discovery in the Garden I have some reason too to fear this night's adventure for as ill fate would have it loaded with other thoughts I told not Melinda of your adventure last night with Monsieur the Count who meeting her early this morning had like to have made a discovery if he have not really so already she strove to shun him but he cried out Melinda you cannot fly me by light as you did last night in the dark she turn'd and beg'd his pardon for neither coming nor designing to come since she had resolv'd never to violate her vows to Alexis not coming cried he not returning again you meant Melinda secure of my heart and my purse you fled with both Melinda whose honour was now concern'd and not reminding your escape in her likeness blushing she sharply denied the fact and with a disdain that had laid aside all respect left him nor can iâ— be doubted but he fansied if she spoke truth there was some other intrigue of love carried on at Bellfont Judge my charming Philander if I have not reason to be fearfull of thy safety and my fame and to be jealous that so wise a Man as Monsieur did not take that parly to be held with a spirit last night or that 't was an apparition he courted But if there be no boldness like that of love nor courage like that of a lover sure there never was so great a Heroine as Silvia Undaunted I resolve to stand the shock of all since 't is impossible for me to leave Philander any doubt or jealousie that I can dissipate and Heaven knows how far I was from any thought of seeing Foscatio when I â—â—rg'd Philander to depart I have to clear my innocence sent thee the Letter I received two hours after thy absence which falling into my Mothers hands whose favourite he is he had permission to make his visit which within an hour he did but how received by me be thou the judge whene're it is thy fate to be oblig'd to entertain some Woman to whom thy soul has an intire aversion I forc'd a complaisance against my nature endur'd his wrecking courtship with a fortitude that became the great heart that bears thy sacred image â—s Martyrs do I suffer'd without murmuring or the least sign of the pain I endur'd 't is below the dignity of my mighty passion to justifie it farther let it plead its own cause it has a thousand ways to do 't and those all such as cannot be resisted cannot be doubted especially this last proof of sacrifieing to your repose the never more to be doubted Silvia About an hour hence I shall expect you to advance To the Lady Madam 'T IS not always the divine graces wherewith Heaven has adorn'd your resplendent beauties that can maintain the innumerable conquests they gain without a noble goodness which may make you sensibly compassionate the poor and forlorn captives you have undoneâ— But most fair of your Sex 't is I alone that have a destiny more cruel and severe and find my self wounded from your very frowns and secur'd a slave as well as made one the very scorn from those triumphant stars your eyes have the same effects as if they shin'd with the continual splendour of ravishing smiles and I can no more shun their killing influence than their all-saving aspects and I shall expire contented since I fall by so glorious a Fate if you will vouchsafe to pronounce my doom from that store-house of perfection your mouth from lips that open like the blushing rose strow'd o're with morning dew and from a breath sweeter than holy incense in order to which I approach you most excellent beauty with this most humble petition that you will deign to permit me to throw my unworthy self before the Throne of your mercy there to receive the sentence of my life or death a happiness though incomparably too great for so mean a Vassal yet with that reverence and
awe I shall receive it as I wou'd the sentence of the Gods and which I will no more resist than I wou'd the Thunderbolts of Iove or the revenge of angry Iuno For Madam my immense passion knows no medium between life and death and as I never had the presumption to aspire to the glory of the first I am not so abject as to fear I am wholly depriv'd of the glory of the last I have too long lain convicted extend your mercy and put me now out of pain You have often wreck'd me to confess my Promethian siâ— spaâ—e the cruel Vâ—lture of despair take him from my heart in pity and either by killing wordâ— or blasting Lightning from those refulgent eyes Pronounce the death of Madam Your admirng slave Foscariâ— To Silvia My everlasting Charmer I Am convinc'd and pleas'd my fears are vanish't and a Heaven of solid joy is open'd to my view and I have nothing now in prospect but Angel-brightness glittering Youth dazling Beauty charming Sounds and ravishing Touches and all around me ecstasies of pleasure unconceivable transports without conclusion Mahomet never fansied such a Heaven not all his Paradise promis'd such lasting felicity or ever provided there the recompense of such a Maid as Silvia such a bewitching Form such soft such glorious Eyes where the Soul speaks and dances and betrays Loves-secrets in every killing glance a Face where every motion every feature sweetly languishes a Neck all-tempting and her lovely Breast inviting presses from the eager Lips such Hands such clasping Arms so white so soft and slender no nor one of all his Heavenly enjoyments though promis'd years of fainting in one continued cestasie can make one moments joy with Charming Silvia Oh I am wrap't with bare imagination with much a vaster pleasure than any other dull appointment can dispence Oh thou blessing sent from Heaven to ease my toâ—ls of life thou sacred dear delight of my fond doating heart oh whither wilt thou lead me to what vast heights of Love into extremes as â—atal and as dangerous as those excesses were that rendred me so cold in your opinion Oh Silvia Silvia have a care of me manage my o'rejoy'd Soul and all its eager passions chide my fond heart be angry if I faint upon thy Bosom and do not with thy tender voice recall me a voice that kills outright and calls my fleeting Soul out of its habitation lay not such charming Lips to my cold Cheeks but let me lie extended at thy feet untouch'd unsigh't upon unpress'd with kisses Oh change those tender trembling words of Love into rough sounds and noises unconcern'd and when you see me dying do not call my Soul to mingle with thy sighs yet shoud'st thou bate one word one look or tear by Heaven I shou'd be mad oh never let me live to see declension in thy love no no my Charmer I cannot bear the least suppos'd decay in those dear fondnesses of thine and sure none e're became a Maid so well nor ever were receiv'd with adorations like to mine Pardon my adorable Silvia the rashness of my passion in this rancounter with Foscario I am satisfied he is too unhappy in your disfavour to merit the being so in mine but 't was â—ufficient I then saw a joy in his face a pleas'd gayety in his looks to make me think my rage reasonable and my quarrel just by the style he writes I dread his Sense less than his Person but you my lovely Maid have said enough to quit me of my sears for both the night comes on I cannot call it envious though it rob me of the light that shou'd assist me to finish this since it will more gloriously repay me in a happier place come on then thou blest retreat of Lovers I forgive thy interruptions here since thou wilt conduct to the Arms of Silvia the adoring Philander If you have any commands for me this Weeder of the Gardens whom I met going in thither will bring it back I wait in the Meadow and date this from the dear Primrose bank where 〈◊〉 have sat with Silvia To Philander After the happy Night 'T IS done yes Philander 't is done and after that what will not Love and grief oblige me to own to you Oh by what insensible degrees a Maid in love may arrive to say any thing to her Lover without blushing I have known the time the blest innocent time when but to think I lov'd Philander wou'd have cover'd my face with shame and to have spoke it wou'd have fill'd me with confusion have made me Tremble Blush and bend my guilty Eyes to Earth not daring to behold my Charming Conquerour while I made that bashfull confession though now I am grown bold in Love and I have known the time when being at Court and coming from the Presence being offer'd some officious hand to lead me to my Coach I have shrunk back with my aversion to your Sex and have conceal'd my hands in my Pockets to prevent their being touch'd a kiss wou'd turn my stomack and amorous looks though they wou'd make me vain gave me a hate to him that sent 'em and never any Mid resolv'd so much as I to tread the paths of honour and I had many precedents before me to make me carefull Thus I was armed with resolution pride and scorn against all Mankind but alas I made no defence against a Brother but innocently lay expos'd to all his attacks of Love and never thought it criminal till it kindled a new desire about me Oh that I shou'd not dy with shame to own it yeâ— see I say how from one soft degree to another I do not only confess the shamefull truth but act it too what with a Brother Oh Heavens a crime so monstrous and so new but by all thy Love by those surprising joys so lately experience'd I never will no no I never can repent it Oh incorrigible passion oh hardned love at least I might have some remorse some sighing after my poor departed honour but why shou'd I dissemble with the Powers divine that know the secrets of a Soul doom'd to eternal Love Yet I am mad I rave and tear my self traverse my guilty chamber in a disorder'd but a soft confusion and often opening the conscious curtains survey the print where thou and I were last night laid surveying it with a thousand tender sighs and kiss and press thy dear forsaken side imagin over all our solemn joys every dear transport all our ravishing repeated blisses then almost fainting languishing cry Philander oh my charming little God! then lay me down in the dear place you press'd still warm and fragrant with the sweet remains that thou hast left behind thee on the Pillow oh my Soul's joy my dear eternal pleasure what softness hast thou added to my heart within a few short hours but oh Philander if as l 've oft been told possession which makes Women fond and doting shou'd make thee cold and grow
indifferent if nauseated with repeated joy and having made a full discovery of all that was but once imaginary when fancy rendred every thing much finer than experience oh how were I undone for me by all the inhabitants of Heaven I swear by thy dear charming self and by thy vows thou so transcend'st all fancy all dull imagination all wondring idea's of what Man was to me that I believe thee more than humane some charm divine dwells in thy touches besides all these thy charming look thy love the beauties that adorn thee and thy wit I swear there is a secret in Nature that renders thee more dear and fits thee to my Soul do not ask it me let it suffice 't is so and is not to be told yes by it I know thou art the man created for my Soul and he alone that has the power to touch it my eyes and fancy might have been diverted I might have favour'd this above the other prefer'd that face that wit or shape or air but to concern my Soul to make that capable of something more than love 't was only necessary that Philander shou'd be form'd and form'd just as he is that shape that face that height that dear proportion I wou'd not have a feature not a look not a hair alter'd just as thou art thou art an Angel to me and I without considering what I am what I might be or ought without considering the fatal circumstances of thy being married a thought that shockâ— my Soul when e're it enters or whate're other thought that does concern my happiness or quiet have fixt my Soul to Love and my Philander to love thee with all thy disadvantages and glory in my ruine these are my firm resolves these are my thoughts But thou art gone with all the Trophees of my love and honour gay with the spoils which now perhaps are unregarded The mysâ—ery's now reveal'd the mighty â—ecret's known and now will be no wonder or surprize But here my vows by all on which my life depends â— swear if ever I perceive the least decay of love in thee if eâ—re thou break'st an Oath a vow a word if e're I see repentance in thy face or coldness in thy eyes which Heaven divert by that bright Heav'n I 'll dy you may believe me since I had the courage and durst love thee and after that durst sacrifice my fame lose all to justifie that love will when a change so fatal shall arrive find courage too to die yes dy Philander assure thy self I will and therefore have a care of Silvia To Philander OH where shall I find repose where seek a silent quiet but in my last retreat the Grave I say not this my dearest Philander that I do or ever can repent my love though the fatal source of all For already we are betray'd our race of joys our course of stoln delight is ended e're begun I chid alas at morning's dawn I chid you to begon and yet Heaven knows I grasp'd you fast and rather would have died than parted with you I saw the day came on and curst its busie light and still you cried one blessed minute more before I part with all the joys of life and hours were minutes then and day grew old upon us unawares 't was all abroad and had call'd up all the houshould spies to pry into the secrets of our loves and thou by some tale-bearing flatterer wert seen in passing through the Garden the news was carried to my Father and a mighty consult has been held in my Mother's apartment who now refuses to see me while I possest with Love and full of wonder at my new change lull'd with dear contemplation for I am alter'd much since yesterday however thou hast charm'd me imagining none knew our theft of love but only Heaven and Mâ—linda But oh alas I had no sooner finish'd this inclos'd but my Father enter'd my Cabinet but 't was with such a look as soon inform'd me all was betray'd to him a while he gaz'd on me with fierceness in his eyes which so surpriz'd and frighted me that I â—ll pale and trembling threw my â—â—lf at his feet he seeing my disorder took me up and fixt so stedfast and so sad a look on me as wou'd have broken any heart but mine supported with Philander's image I sigh'd and wept and silently attended when the storm shou'd fall which turn'd into a shower so soft and piercing I almost died to see it at last delivering me a paper here cried he with a sigh and trembling interrupted voice read what I cannot tell thee Oh Silvia cried he thou joy and hope of all my aged years thou object of my Dotage how hast thou brought me to the Grave with sorrow so left me with the Paper in my hand Speechless unmov'd a while I stood till he awak'd me by new sighs and cries for passing through my Chamber by chance or by design he cast hâ—s melancholy eyes towards my Bed and saw the dear disorder there unusual then cried Oh wretched Silvia thou art lost and left me almost fainting the Letter I soon found was one you'd sent from Doriâ—â—â—â— his 〈◊〉 this morning after you had parted from me which has betray'd us all but how it came into their hands I since have understood for as I said you were seen passing through the Garden from thence to be confirm'd they dog'd you to the Farm and waiting there your motions saw Dorillus come forth with a Letter in his hand which though he soon conceal'd yet not so soon but it was taken notice of when hasting to Bellfont the nearest way they gave an account to Monsieur my Father who going out to Dorillus commanded him to deliver him the Letter his Vassal durst not disobey but yielded it with such dispute and reluctancy as he durst maintain with a man so great and powerfull before Dorillus return'd you had taken horse so that you are a stranger to our misfortune What shall I do where shall I seek a refuge from the danger that threatens us a sad and silent grief appears throughout â—eâ—â—font and the face of all things are chang'd yet none knows the unhappy cause but Moâ—sieur my Father and Madam my Mother Melinda and my self Melinda and my Page are both dismist from waiting on me as supposed confidents of this dear secret and strangers creatures of Madam the Countess put about me Oh Philander what can I do thy advice or I am lost but how alas shall I either convey these to thee or receive any thing from thee unless some God of Love in pity of our miseries shou'd offer us his aid I 'll try to corrupt my new Boy I see good nature pity and generosity in his looks he 's well-born too and may be honest Thus far Philander I had writ when Supper was brought me for yet my Parents have not deign'd to let me come into their presence those that serve me tell me Mertilla is this
Afternoon arriv'd at Bellfoâ—t all 's mighty closely carried in the Countesses apartment I tremble with the thought of what will be the result of the great consultation I have been tempting of the Boy but I perceive they are strictly charg'd not to obey me he says against his will he shall betray me for they will have â—im search'd but he has promis'd me to see one of the weeders who working in the Garden into which my Window opens may from thence receive what I shall let down if it be true I shall get this fatal knowledge to you that you may not only prepare for the worst but contrive to set at liberty the unfortunate Silvia This was Writ in the Cover to both the foregoing Letters to Philander PHilander all that I dreaded all that I fear'd is fallen upon me I have been arraign'd and convicted three Judges severe as the three infernal ones â—ate in condemnation on me a Father a Mother and a Sister the fact alas was too clearly prov'd and too many circumstantial truths appear'd against me for me to plead Not guilty But Oh Heavens had you seen the tears and heard the Prayers threats reproaches and upbraâ—dings these from an injur'd Sister those my â—heart-broken Parents a tender Mother here a railing and reviling Sister there an angry Father and a guilty conscience thou woud'st have wondred at my fortitude my courage and my resolution and all from Love For surely I had died had not thy love thy powerfull love supported me through all the accidents of life and fate that can and will support me in the midst of all their clamours and their railings I had from that a secret and a soft repose within that whisper'd me Philander loves me still discarded and renoune'd by my fond Parents Love still replies Philander still will own thee thrown from thy Mother's and thy Sister's arms Philander's still are open to receive thee And though I rave and almost dy to see them grieve to think that I am the fatal cause who makes so sad confusion in our Family for oh 't is pitious to behold my Sister's sighs and tears my Mother's sad despair my Father's raging and his weeping by melancholy turns Yet even these deplorable objects that wou'd move the most obdurate stubborn heart to pity and repentance render not mine relenting and yet I 'm wondrous pitifull by nature and I can weep and faint to see the sad effects of my loose wanton love yet cannot find repentance for the dear charming sin and yet shoud'st thou behold my Mother's languishment no bitter words proceeding from her lips no tears fall from her down-caft eyes but silent and sad as death she sits and will not view the light shoud'st thou I say behold it thou woud'st if not repent yet grieve that thou hadst lov'd me Sure love has quite confounded nature in me I cou'd not else behold this fatal ruine without revenging it upon my stubborn heart a thousand times a-day I make new vows against the God of Love but 't is too late and I 'm as often perjur'd Oh shou'd the Gods revenge the broken vows of Lovers what Love-sick man what maid betray'd like me but wou'd be damn'd a thousand times for every little love-quarrel every kind resentment makes us swear to love no more and every smile and every flattering softness from the dear injurer make us perjur'd Let all the force of vertue honour interest joyn with my suffering Parents to perswade me to cease to love Philander yet let him but appear let him but look on me with those dear charming eyes let him but sigh or press me to his fragrant cheek fold me and cry ah Silvia can you quit me no you must not you shall not nay I know you cannot remember you are mine there is such eloquence in those dear words when utter'd with a voice so tender and so passionate that I believe 'em irresistable alas I find 'em so and easily break all the feebler vows I make against thee yes I must be undone perjur'd forsworn incorrigible unnatural disobedient and any thing rather than not Philander's turn then my Soul from these domestick melancholy objects and look abroad look for forward for a while on charming prospects look on Philander the dear the young the amorous Philander whose very looks infuse a tender joy throughout the Soul and chase all cares all sorrows and anxious thoughts from thence whose wanton play is softer than that of young fledg'd Angels and when he looks and sighs and speaks and touches he is a very God Where art thou oh thou miracle of youth thou charming dear undoer now thou hast gain'd the glory of the conquest thou slightest the rifled captive What not a line two tedious days are past and no kind power relieves me with a word or any tidings of Philander and yet thou mayst have sent but I shall never see it till they raise up fresh witnesses against me I cannot think thee wavering or forgetfull for if I did surely thou knowst my heart so well thou canst not think 't wou'd live to think another thought Confirm my kind belief and send to me There is a Gate well known to thee through which thou passest to Bellfont 't is in the road about half a league from hence an old Man opens it his Daughter weeds in the Garden and will convey this to thee as I have order'd her by the same messenger thou may'st return thine and early as she comes I 'll let her down a string by which way unperceiv'd I shall receive 'em from her I 'll say no more nor instruct you how you shall preserve your Silvia To Silvia That which was left in her hands by Monsieur her Father in her Cabinet My adorable Silvia I Can no more describe to thee the torment with which I part from Bellfont than I can that Heaven of joy I was rais'd to last night by the transporting effects of thy wondrous love both are to excess and both killing but in different kinds Oh Silvia by all my unspeakable raptures in thy arms by all thy charms of beauty too numerous and too ravishing for fancy to imagin I swear by this last night by this dear new discovery thou hast increas'd my love to that vast height it has undone my peace all my repose is gone this dear dear night has ruin'd me it has confirm'd me now I must have Silvia and cannot live without her no not a day an hour to save the world unlesâ— I had the intire possession of my lovely Maid Ah Silvia I am not that indifferent dull Lover that can be rais'd by one beauty to an appetite and satisfie it with another I cannot carry the dear flame you kindle to quench it in the imbraces of Mertilla no by the eternal powers he that preâ—ends to love and loves at that course rate needs fear no danger from that passion he ne're was born to live or by for love Silvia Mertilla
and a thousand more were all the same to such a dull insensible no Silvia when you find I can return back to the once lâ—ft matrimonial 〈◊〉 despise me scorn me swear as then thou justly may'st I love not Silvia Let the hot brute drudge on he who is â—â—r'd by Nature not by Love whom any bodies kisses can inspire and â—ase the necessary heats of youth Love's is a nobler fire which nothing can allay but the dear she that rais'd it no no my purer stream shall ne're run back to the fountain whence 't is parâ—ed nay it cannot it were as possible to love again where one has ceas'd to love as carry the desire and wishes back by Heaven to me there 's nothing so unnatural no Silvia it is 〈◊〉 I must possess you have completed my undoing now and I must dy unless you give me all but oh I am going from thee when are we like to meet oh how shall I support my absent hours thought will destroy me for 't will be all on thee and those at such a distance will be insupportable what shall I do without thee if after all the toils of dull insipid life I cou'd return and lay me down by thee Herculean labours wou'd be soft and easie the harsh fatigues of war the dangerous hurries of affairs of state the business and the noise of life I cou'd support with pleasure with wondrous satisfaction cou'd treat Mertilla too with that respect that generous care as wou'd become a Husband I cou'd be easie every where and every one shou'd be at ease with me now I shall go and find no Silvia there but sigh and wander like an unknown thing on some strange foreign shore I shall grow peevish as a new â—wean'd child no toys no bauble of the gaudy world will please my wayward fancy I shall be out of humour rail at every thing in anger shall demand and sullenly reply to every question ask'd and answer'd and when I think to â—ase my Soul by a retreat a Thousand soft desires a Thousand wishes wreck me pain me to raving till beating the senseless floor with my feet I cry aloud my Silvia thus thus my charming dear the poor Philander is employ'd when banish'd from his Heaven if thus it us'd to be when only that bright outside was ador'd judge now my pain now thou hast made known a thousand graces more oh pity me for 't is not in thy power to guess what I shall now endure in absence of thee for thou hast charm'd my Soul to an excess too mighty for a patient suffering Alas I dy already I am yet at Dorillus his Farm lingring on from one swift minute to the other and have not power to go a thousand looks all languishing I 've cast from eyes all drown'd in tears towards Bellfont have sight a thousand wishes to my Angel from a sad breaking heart Love will not let me go and Honour calls me alas I must away when shall we meet again ah when my Silvia oh charming Maid thou'lt see me shortly dead for thus I cannot live thou must be mine or I must be no more I must away farewell may all the softest joys of Heaven attend thee adieu fail not to send a hundred times a day if possible I 've order'd Alexis to do nothing but wait for all that comes and post away with what thou send'st to me again adieu think on me and till thou call'st me to thee imagin nothing upon earth so wretched as Silvia's own Know my Angel that passing through the Garden this Mâ—rning I met Erasâ—o I 〈◊〉 he saw me 〈◊〉 enough to know me and wiâ—l give an acâ—ount of iâ— let me know what happens adieu half dead juâ—t ta king â—orse to go from Silvia Philander To Philander Written in a Leaf of a Table-book I Have only time to say on Thursday I am destin'd a Sacrifice to Foscario which day finishes the life of Silvia To Silvia From Dorillus his Farm RAving and mad at the News your Billet brought me I without considering the effects that wou'd follow am arriv'd at Bellfont I have yet so much patience about me to suffer my self to be conceal'd at Dorillus his Cottage but if I see thee not to night or find no hopes of it by Heaven I 'll set Bellfont all in a flame but I will have my Silvia be sure I 'll do 't What to be married Silvia to be married and given from Philander Oh never think it thou forsworn fair Creature What give Foscario that dear charming Body shall he be grasp'd in those dear naked Arms taste all thy kisses press thy snowy Breasts command thy joys and rifle all thy Heaven Furies and Hell environ me if he do Oh Silvia faithless perjur'd charming Silvia and can'st thou suffer it hear me thou fickle Angel hear my vows oh faithless Ravisher that fatal moment that the daring Priest offers to join your hands and give thee from me I 'll sacrifice your Lover by Heaven I will before the Altar stab him at your feet the holy place nor the numbers that attend ye nor all your prayers nor tears shall save his heart look to 't and be not false yet I 'll not trust thy Faith no she that can think but falsely and she that can so easily be perjur'd for but to suffer it is such a sin such an undoing sin that thou art surely damn'd and yet by Heaven that is not all the ruin shall attend thee no lovely Mischief no you shall not scape till the damnation-day for I will rack thee torture thee and plague thee those few hours I have to live if spightfull Fate prevent my just revenge upon Foscario and when I 'm dead as I shall quickly be kill'd by thy cruelty know thou fair Murtherer I will haunt thy sight be ever with thee and surround thy bed and fright thee from the Ravisher fright all thy loose delights and check thy joys Oh I am mad I cannot think that thought no thou shalt never advance so far in wickedness I 'll save thee if I can Oh my adorable why dost thou torture me how hast thou sworn so often and so loud that Heaven I am sure has heard thee and will punish thee how did'st thou swear that happy blessed night in which I saw thee last clasp'd in my arms weeping with eager love with melting softness on my bosome remember how thou swor'st oh that dear night let me recover strength and then I 'll tell thee more I must repeat the story of that night which thou perhaps oh faithless hast forgot that glorious night when all the Heavens were gay and every favouring power look'd down and smil'd upon our thefâ—s of love that gloomy night the first of all my joys the blessed'st of my life trembling and â—ainting I approachâ— your chambâ—r and while you met and grasp'd me at the door taking my trembling body in your arms remember â—ow I fainted at your feet and what
than death What accident thou dear dear man has hapned to prevent thee from pursuing my directions and staying for me at the gate where have I miss'd thee thou joy of my soul by what dire mistake have I lost thee and where oh where art thou my â—harming Lover I sought thee every where but like the languishing abandon'd Mistress in the Canticles I sought thee but I found thee not no bed of Roses wou'd discover thee I saw no print of thy dear shape nor heard no amorous sigh that cou'd direct me I ask'd the wood and springs complain'd and call'd on thee through all the Groves but they confess'd thee not nothing but Echo's answer'd me and when I cried Philander cried Philander thus search'd I till the coming night and my increasing fears made me resolve for flight which soon we did and soon arriv'd at Paris but whither then to go Heaven knows I cou'd not tell for I was almost naked friendless and â—orlorn at last consulting Brilljard what to do after a thousand revolutions he concluded to trust me with a sister he had who was Married to a 〈◊〉 of the Guard de Core he chang'd my name and made mepass for a â—ortune he had stolâ— but oh no welcomes nor my saâ—e retreat were sufficient to repoâ—e me all the insuing night for I had no news of Philander no not a dream inform'd me a thousand fears and jealousies have kept me waking and Brilljard who has been all night in pursuit of thee is now returnâ—d succesless and distracted as thy Silvia for duty and generosity has almost the same effects in him with love and tenderness and jeâ—lousie in me and since 〈◊〉 affords no news of thee which sure it wou'd if thou wert in it for oh the Sun might hide himself with as 〈◊〉 ease as great Philander he is râ—solv'd to search St. 〈◊〉 Wood and all the adjacent Cottages and Groves he thinks that you not knowing of my escape may yâ—t be waiting thereabouts since quitting the Chaâ—â—ot for fear of being seen you might be so far advanc'd into the Wood as not to â—â—nd the way back to the Thickeâ— where thâ— Charioâ— waited 't is thus 〈…〉 and flatters my poor 〈◊〉 that fain wou'd think 〈…〉 or if thou be'st not but curst be all such thoughts and far from Silvia's Soul no no thou art not false it cannot be thou art a God and art unchâ—ngeable I know by some mistake thou art attending me as wild and impatient as I perhaps thou think'st me false and think'st I have not courage to pursue my love and fly and thou perhaps art waiting for the hour wherein thou think'st I 'll give my self away to Foscâ—rio Oh cruel and unkind to think I lov'd so lightly to think I wou'd attend that fatal hour no Philander no faithless dear inchanter Last night the Eve to my intended Wedding-day having repos'd my Soul by my resolves for flight and only waiting the lucky minute for escape I set a willing hand to every thing that was preparing for the ceremony of the ensuing morning with that pretence I got me early to my Chamber tried on a thousand dresses and ask'd a thousand questions all impertinent which wou'd do best which look'd most gay and rich then drest my Gown with Jewels deck'd my apartment up and left nothing undone that might secure 'em both of my being pleas'd and of my stay nay and to give the less suspiâ—ion I undress'd my self even to my under Peticoat and Night-gown I wou'd not take a Jewel not a Pistol but left my Women finishing my work and carelesly and thus undrest walkâ—d towards the Garden and while every one was busie in their office getting my self out of sight I posted o're the Meadow to the Wood as swift as Dapâ—ne from the God of day till I arriv'd most luckily where I found the Chariot waiting attended by Brilljard of whom when I all fainting and breathless with my swift flight demanded his Lord he lifted me into the Chariot and cried a little farther Madam you will find him for he for fear of making a discovery took yonder shaded path towards which we went but no dear vision of my Love appear'd and thus my charming Lover you have my kind adventure send me some tidings back that you are found that you are well and lastly that you are mine or this that shou'd have been my wedding day will see it self that of the death of Silvia Paris Thursday from my Bed for want of Cloaths or rather news from Philander To Silvia MY life my Silvia my eternal joy art thou then safe and art thou reserv'd for Philander am I so blest by Heaven by love and my dear charming Maid then leâ— me dy in peace since I have liv'd to see all that my Soul desires â—n Silvia's being mine perplex not thy soft heart with fears or jealousies nor think so basely so poorly of my love to need more oaths or vows yet to confirm thee I wou'd swear my breath away but oh it needs not here take then no carâ— my lovely dear turn not thy charming eyes or thoughts back on afflicting objects oh think not on what thou hast abandoned but what thou art arriv'd to look forward on the joys of love and Youth for I will dedicate all my remaining life to render thine serene and glad and yet my Silvia thou art so dear to me so wondrous pretious to my Soul that I in my extravagance of love I fear shall grow a troublesome and wearying Coxcomb shall dread every look thou givest away from me a smile will make me rave a sigh 〈◊〉 touch make me commit a murtheâ— on the happy slave or my own jealous heart but all the world besides is Silvia's all but another Lover but I rave and run too fast away ages must pass a tedious term of years before I can be jealous or â—onceive thou canst be weary of Philander I 'll be so fond so doating and so playing thou shalt not have an idle minute to throw away a look in or a thought on any other no no I have thee now and will maintain my right by dint and force of love oh I am wild to see thee but Silvia I am wounded do not be frighted though for 't is not much or dangerous buâ— very troublesome since it permits me not to fly to Silvia but she must come to me in order to it Brilljard has a Bill on my Goldsmith in Paris for a thousand Pistols to buy thee something to put on any thing that 's ready and he will conduct thee to me for I shall rave my self into a â—eaver if I see thee not to day I cannot live without thee now for thou' rt my life my everlasting charmer I have order'd Brilljard to get a Chariot and some unknown Livery for thee and I think the continuance of passing for what he has already rendred thee will do very well till I have taken farther care of thy
a pain and pleasure from fair eyes or the transporting Joyes of Beauty Pity a youth undone by Love and ambition those powerful conquerours of the young Pity oh Pity a youth that dies and will ere long no more complain upon your Rigours Yes my Lord he dies without the force of a terrifying Sentence without the grim reproaches of an angry Judg without the soon consulted Arbitrary Guilty of a severe and hasty Jury without the ceremony of the Scaffol'd Ax and Hang man and the clamours of inconsidering Crowds All which melancholy ceremonies render death so terrible which else wou'd fall like gentle slumbers upon the eye-lids And which in field I wou'd incounter with that joy I wou'd the sacred thing I Love But oh I fear my fate is in the lovely Silvia and in her dying eyes you may read it in her languishing face you 'le see how near it is aproacht Ah! will you not suffer me to attend it there by her dear side I shall fall as calmly as flowers from their stalks without regret or pain Will you by forcing me to dy from her run me to a madness To wild distraction Oh think it sufficient that I dy here before half my race of youth be run before the light be halfâ—burnt out that might have conducted me to a world of Glory Alas she dies The Lovely Silvia clies she is sighing out a soul to which mine is so intirely fixt that they must go upward together Yes yes she breaths it sick into my bosom and kindly gives mine its disease of death let us at least then dy in silent quitted and if it please Heaven to restore the languish'd Charmer I will resign my self up to all your Rigorous honour only let me bear my treasure with me while we wander o're the world to seek us out a safety in some part of it where pity and compassion is no crime Where men have tender hearts and have heard of the God of Love where Politicks are not all the business of the powerful but where civillity and good nature reign Perhaps my Lord you 'l wonder I plead no weightier Argument for my stay than Love or the griefs and tears of a languishing Maid But oh they are such tears as every drop wou'd ransom lives and nothing that proceeds from her charming eyes can be valu'd at a less rate In Pity to her to me and your Amorous youths let me bear her hence For shou'd she look abroad as her own Sex shou'd she appear in her natural and proper beauty alas they were undone Reproach not my Lord the weakness of this confession and which I make with more Glory than cou'd I boast my self Lord of all the Universe if it appear a fault to the more grave and wise I hope my youth will plead something for my excuse Oh say at least 't was Pity that Love had the ascendant over Phillanders soul say 't was his Destiny but say withal that it put no stop to his advance to Glory rather it set an edg upon his Sword and gave wings to his ambition Yes try me in your Councells prove me in your Camps place me in any hazard But give me Love and leave to wait the life or death of Silvia and then dispose as you please My Lord Of Your unfortunate Philander Octavio to Philander My Lord I Am much concern'd that a Request so reasonable as you have made will be of so little force with these arbitrary Tyrants of State and tho you have addrest and appeal'd to me as one of that grave and rigid number tho without one grain of their formalities and I hope age which renders us less Gallant and more envious of the joys and liberties of youth will never reduce me to so dull and thoughtless a member of State yet I have so small and single a portion of their power that I am asham'd of my incapacity of serving you in this great affair I bear the Honour and the name 't is true of Glorious sway but I can boast but of the worst and most impotent part of it the Title only but the busie absolute mischievious Politician finds no room in my Soul my humour or constitution And Ploding restless power I have made so little the business of my gayer and more careless youth that I have even lost my right of rule my share of Empire amongst them That little power whose unregarded losse I never bemoan'd till it render'd me uncapable of serving Phillander I have stretch'd to the utmost bound for your stay insomuch that I have receiv'd many reproaches from the wiser Coxcombs have had my youths little debauches hinted on and Judgments made of you disadvantagious from my Friendship to you a Friendship which my Lord at first sight of you found a being in my soul and which your wit your goodness your greatness and your misfortunes has improv'd to all the degrees of it Tho I am infinitey unhappy that it proves of no use to you here and that the greatest testimony I can now render of it is to warn you of your aproaching danger And hasten your departure for there is no safety in your stay I just now heard what was decreed against you in councel which no pleading nor Eloquence of Friendship had force enough to evade Alass I had but one single voyce in the number which I sullenly and singly gave and which unregarded past Go then my Lord haste to some place where good breeding and humanity reigns Go and preserve Silvia in providing for your own safety and believe me till she be in a Condition to persue your Fortunes I will take such care that nothing shall be wanting either to recovery here in order to her following after you I am alas but too sensible of all the pains you must indure by such a separation for I am neither insensible nor uncapable of love or any of its violent effects Go then my Lord and preserve the lovely Maid in your flight since your stay and danger will serve but to hasten on her death Go and be satisfied she shall find a protection sutable to her Sex her innocence her Beauty and her quality and that where-ever you fix your stay she shall be resign'd to your Arms by my Lord Your Eternal Friend and humble Servant Octavio Least in this sudden remove you shou'd want Mony I have sent you several Bills of Exchange to what place soever you arrive and what you want more make no scruple to use me as a friend and command After this Letter finding no hopes but on the contrary a dire necessity of departing he told Briljard his misfortune and ask'd his Counsel in this extremity of affairs Brilljard who of a Servant was become a Rival you may believe gave him such advice as might remove him from the object he ador'd But after a great deal of dissembl'd trouble the better to hide his joy he gave his advice for his going with all the arguments
that appear'd reasonable enough to Philâ—ander And at every period urg'd that his life being dear to Silvia and on which hers so immediately depended he ought no longer to debate but haste his flight to all which councell our Amorous Hero with a soul ready to make its way thro' his trembling body gave a sighing unwilling assent 'T was now no longer a dispute but was concluded he must go but how was only the question How shou'd he take his farewel how shou'd he bid adieu and leave the dear object of his soul in an estate to hazardous he formâ—d a thousand sad Ideas to torment himself with fancying he shou'd never see her more that he shou'd hear that she was dead tho now she appear'd on this side of the Grave and had all the signs of a declining disease He fancy'd absence might make her cold and abate her passion to him that her powerful beauty might atract adorers and she being but a Woman and no pâ—rt Angel but her form 't was not expected she shou'd want her Sexes frailties Now he cou'd consider how he had won her how by importunity and opportunity she had at last yielded to him and therefore might to some new Gamster when he was not by to keep her heart in continual play Then 't was that all the despair of jealous love the throbs and piercing of a violent passion seiz'd his timorous and tender heaâ—t he fancy'd her already in some new Lovers Arms and ran o're all the soft enjoyments he had had with her and fancy'd with tormenting thought that so another wou'd posses her till rackt with tortures he almost fainted on the Repose on which he was set But Brilljard rous'd and indeavour'd to convince him Told him he hop'd his fear was needless and that he wou'd take all the watchful care imaginable of her conduct be a spy upon her vertue and from time to time give him notice of all that shou'd pass Bid him consider her quality and that she was no common Mistriss whom hire cou'd lead astray and that if from the violence of her passion or her more severe fate she had yeilded to the most Charming of men he ought as little to imagine she cou'd be again a Lover as that she cou'd find an object of equal beauty with that of Phillander In fine he sooth'd and Flatter'd him into so much ease that he resolves to take his leave for a day or two under pretence of meeting and consulting with some of the rebell party and that he wou'd return again to her by that time it might be imagin'd her feaver might be abated and Silvia in a condition to receive the news of his being gone for a longer time and to know all his affairs While Brilljard prepar'd all things necessary for his departure Phillander went to Silvia From whom having been absent two tedious hours she caught him in her Arms with a transport of joy reproach'd him with want of Love for being absent so long But still the more she spoke soft â—ighing words of Love the more his Soul was seiz'd with melancholy His sighs redoubl'd and he cou'd not refrain from leting fall some tears upon her bosom Which Silvia perceiving with a look and a trembling in her voyce that spoke her fear she cry'd oh Phillander these are unusual marks of your tenderness Oh tell me tell me quickly what they mean He answer'd with a sigh and she went on 'T is so I am undone 't is your lost vows your broken faith you weep Yes Phillander you find the flower of my beauty faded and what you lov'd before you pity now and these be the effects of it Then sighing as if his Soul had been departing on her neck he cry'd by heaven by all the powers of Love thou art the same dear charmer that thou wert then pressing her body to his bosom he sigh'd a new as if his heart were breaking I know says she Phillander there 's some hidden cause that gives these sighs their way and that dear face a paleness Oh tell me all for she that cou'd abandon all for thee can dare the worst of Fate if thou must quit me Oh Phillander if it must be so I need not stay the lingering death of a feable Feaver I know a way more noble and more sudden Pleas'd at her resolution which all most destroy'd his jealousie and fears a thousand times he kist her mixing his grateful words and thanks with sighs and finding her fair hands which he put often to his mouth to increase their fires and her pulse to be more high and quick fearing to relapse her into her abating feaver he forc'd a smile and told her he had no griefs but what she made him feel no torments but her sickness nor sighs but for her pain and left nothing unsaid that might confirm her he was still more and more her Slave and concealing his design in favour of her health he ceas'd not vowing and protesting till he had settled her in all the tranquillity of a recovering beauty And as since her first Illness he had never departed from her Bed so now this night he strove to appear in her Arms with all that usual Gayety of Love that her condition wou'd permit or his circumstances cou'd feign and leavign her a sleep at day-break with a force upon his Soul that cannot be conceiv'd but by parting Lovers he stole from her Arms and retiring to his chamber he soon got himself ready for his flight and departed We will leave Silvia's ravings to be exprest by none but her self and tell you that after about Fourteen days absence Octavio receiv'd this Letter from Phillander Phillander to Octavio BEing saâ—ely arriv'd at Collen and by a very pretty and lucky adventure lodg'd in the house of the best quallity in the Town I find my self much more at ease then I thought it possible to be without Silvia from whom I am nevertheless impatient to hear I hope absence appears not so great a Bugbear to her as 't was imagin'd For I know not what effects it wou'd have on me to hear her griefs exceeded a few sighs and tears Those my kind absence has taught me to allow and bear without much pain but shou'd her Love transport her to extreams of rage and despair I fear I shou'd quit my safety here and give her the last proof of my Love and my compassion throw my self at her Feet and expose my life to preserve hers Honour wou'd oblige me to 't I conjure you my dear Octavio by all the Friendship you have vow'd me and which I no longer doubt let me speedily know how she bears my absence for on that knowledg depends a great deal of the satisfaction of my life carry her this inclos'd which I have writ her and soften my silent departure which possibly may apear rude and unkind plead my pardon and give her the story of my necessity of offending which none can so well relate
give him she found him charming without having a tenderness for him she found him young and amorous without desire towards him she found him great rich powerful and generous without designing on him and tho she knew her Soul free from all Passion but that for Philander nevertheless she blusht and was angry that he had thoughts no more advantagious to the power of those charmes which she wisht might appear to him above her Sex It being natural to Women to desire Conquests tho they hate the conquer'd to glory in the tryumph tho they despise the Slave And believ'd while Octavio had so poor a sense of her beauty as to believe it cou'd be forsaken he would adore it less And first to satisfie her pride she left the softer business of her heart to the next tormenting hour and sent him this careless answer by his Page believing if she appear'd too angry it might look as if she valu'd his opinion and therefore dissembled her thoughts as women in those cases ever do who when most angry seem the most Galliard especially when they have need of the friendship of those they flatter Silvia to Octavio IS it indeed Octavio that you believe Philander cold or wou'd you make that a pretext to the declaration of your own passion we French Ladies are not so nicely ty'd up to the formalities of vertue but we can hear Love at both ears and if we receive not the addresses of both at least we are perhaps vain enough not to be displeas'd to find we make new conquests But you have made your attacque with so ill conduct that I shall find force enough without more aids to repulse you Alas my Lord did you believe my heart was left unguarded when Philander departed No the careful charming Lover left a thousand litgods to defend it of no less power than himself Young Deities who laugh at all your little arts and treacheries and scorn to resign their Empire to any feable Cupids you can draw up against ' em Your thick foggy air breeds Loves too dull and heavy for noble slights nor can I stoop to them The Flemish Boy wants arrows keen enough for hearts like mine and is a Bungler in his Art too lasie and remiss rather a heavy Bacchus than a Cupid a Bottle sends him to his Bed of Moss where he sleeps hard and never dreams of Venus How poorly have you paid your self my Lord by this pursuit of your discover'd Love for all the little friendship you have rendred me How well you have explain'd you can be no more a Lover than a Friend if one may judg the first by the last Had you been thus obstinate in your passion before Philander went or you had believ'd me abandon'd I should perhaps have thought that you had lov'd indeed because I should have seen you durst and should have believ'd it true because it ran some hazards for me the resolution of it would have reconcil'd me then to the temerity of it and the greatest demonstration you cou'd have given of it woud have been the danger you wou'd have ran and contemned and the preferance of your passion above any other consideration This my Lord had been generous and like a Lover but poorly thus to set upon a single Woman in the disguise of a Friend in the dark silent melancholy hour of absence from Philander then to surprise me then to bid me deliver to pad for hearts it was not like Octavio That Octavio Philander made his Friend and for whose dear sake my Lord I will no further reproach you but from a goodness which I hope you will merit I will forgive an offence which your ill timing has render'd almost inexcusable and expect you will for the future consider better how you ought to treat SYLVIA As soon as she had dismist the Page she hasted to her business of Love and again read over Philanders Letter and finds still new occasion for fear she had recourse to pen and paper for a relief of that heart which no other way cou'd find it and after having wip'd the tears from her eyes she writ this following Letter Silvia to Philander YEs Philander I have received your Letter and but I found my name there shou'd have hop'd it was not meant for Silvia Oh! 't is all cold Short Short and cold as a dead Winters day It chill'd my blood it shiver'd every vein Where oh where hast thou lavish'd out all those soft words so natural to thy Soul with which thou us'd to charm so tun'd to the dear musick of thy voice What is become of all the tender things which as I us'd to read made little nimble pantings in my heart my blushes rise and tremblings in my bloud adding new fire to the poor burning Victim Oh where are all thy pretty flatteries of Love that made me fond and vain and set a value on this trifling Beauty Hast thou forgot thy wondrous Art of loving Thy pretty cunings and thy soft deceivings Hast thou forgot 'em all Or hast forgot indeed to love at all Has thy industrious passion gather'd all the sweets and left the rifled flower to hang its wither'd head and die in shades neglected for who will prize it now now when all its perfumes fled Oh my Philander oh my charming Fugitive wa st not enough you left me like false Theseus on the shore on the forsaken shore departed from my fond my clasping Arms where I believ'd you safe secure and pleas'd when sleep and night that favour'd you and fuin'd me had render'd 'em incapable of their dear loss Oh was it not enough that when I found 'em empty and abandon'd and the place cold where you had lain and my poor trembling bosom unpossest of that I dear load it bore that almost expired with my first fears Oh if Philander lov'd he wou'd have thought that cruelty enough without the sad addition of a growing coldness I wak'd I mist thee and I call'd aloud Philander my Philander But no Philander heard then drew the close drawn Curtains and with a hasty and busie veiw survey'd the Chamber over but Oh! in vain I veiw'd and call'd yet louder but none appear'd to my assistance but Antonet and Briljard to torture me with dull excuses urging a thousand feign'd and frivolous reasons to satisfie my fears But I who lov'd who doated even to madness by nature soft and timerous as a Dove and fearful as a Criminal escap'd that dreads each little noise fancy'd their eyes and guilty looks confest the treasons of their hearts and tongues while they more kind than true strove to convince my killing doubts Protested that you would return by night and feign'd a likely story to deceive Thus between hope and fear I languisht out a day Oh Heavens a tedious day without Philander who wou'd have thought that such a dismal day shou'd not with the end of its reign have finish'd that of my life but then Octavio came to visit me
and who till then I never wisht to see but now I was impatient for his coming who by degrees told me that you were gone I never ask'd him where or how or why that you where gone was enough to possess me of all I fear'd your being apprehended and sent into France your delivering your self up your abandoning me all all I had an easie faith for without consulting more than That Thou wert gone that very word yet strikes a terrour to my Soul disables my trembling hand and I must wait for reinforcements from some kinder thoughts But Oh! from whence shou'd they arrive from what dear present felicity or prospect of a future tho never so distant and all those past ones serve but to increase my pain they favour me no more they charm and please no more and only present themselves to my memory to compleat the number of my sighs and tears and make me wish that they had never been tho even with Philander Oh say thou Monarch of my panting Soul How hast thou treated Silvia to make her wish that she had never known a tender joy with thee Is 't possible she shou'd repent her loving thee and thou shou'dst give her cause Say dear false Charmer is it But O there is no lasting Faith in sin Ah What have I done How dreadful is the Scene of my first debauch and how glorious that never to be regain'd prospect of my Virgin innocence where I fate inthron'd in awful vertue crown'd with shining honour and adorn'd with unsullied reputation till thou O Tyrant Love with a charming usurpation invaded all my glories and which I resign'd with greater pride and joy than a young Monarch puts 'em on Oh why then do I repent as if the vast the dear expence of pleasures past were not enough to recompence for all the pains of Love to come But why O why do I treat thee as a Lover lost already Thou art not canst not no I le not believe it till thou thy self confess it Nor shall the omission of a tender word or two make me believe thou hast forgot thy vows Alas it may be I mistake thy cares thy hard fatigues of Life thy presant ill circumstances and all the melancholy effects of thine and my misfortunes for coldness and declining Love Alas I had forgot my poor my dear Philander is now oblig'd to contrive for Life as well as Love thou perhaps fearing the worst art preparing Eloquence for a Council Table and in thy busie and guilty imaginations haranguing it to the grave Judges defending thy innocence or evading thy guilt Feeing Advocates excepting Juries and confronting Witnesses when thou shou'dst be giving satisfaction to my fainting love-sick heart Sometimes in thy labouring fancy the horrour of a dreadful Sentence for an ignominious death strikes upon thy tender Soul with a force that frights the little God from thence and I am perswaded there are some moments of this melancholy nature wherein your Silvia is even quite forgotten and this too she can think just and reasonable without reproaching thy heart with a declining passion especially when I am not by to call thy fondness up and divert thy more tormenting hours But Oh for those soft minutes thou hast design'd for Love and hast dedicated to Silvia Philander shou'd dismiss the dull formalities of rigid business the pressing cares of dangers and have given a loose to softness Cou'd my Philander imagine this short and unloving Letter sufficient to atone for such an absence And has Philander then forgotten the pain with which I languish'd when but absent from him an hour how then can he imagine I can live when distant from him so many Leagues and so many days while all the scanty comfort I have for life is that one day we might meet again but where or when or how thou hast not love enough so much as to divine but poorly leavest me to be satisfied by Octavio committing the business of thy heart the once great importance of thy Soul the most necessary devoires of thy life to be supply'd by another Oh Philander I have known a blessed time in our reign of Love when thou wou'dst have thought even all thy own power of too little force to satisfie the doubting Soul of Silvia Tell me Philadner hast thou forgot that time I dare not think thou hast and yet O God I find an alteration but Heaven divert the Omen Yet something whispers to my Soul I am undone Oh where art thou my Philander Where 's thy heart And what has it been doing since it begun my Fate How can it justifie thy coldness and thou this cruel absence without accounting with me for every parting hour My Charming Dear was wont to find me business for all my lonely absent ones and writ the softest Letters Loading the Paper with fond Vows and Wishes which e're I had read o're another wou'd arrive to keep Eternal warmth about my Soul nor â—wert thou ever wearied more with writing than I with reading or with sighing after thee but now Oh! there 's some Mystery in 't I dare not understand Be kind at least and satisfie my fears for 't is a wonderous pain to live in doubt if thou still lov'st me swear it o're a new and curse me if I do not credit thee But if thou art declining or shou'dst be sent a shameful Victim into France Oh thou deceiving Charmer yet be just and let me know my Doom By Heaven this last will find a welcome to me for it will end the torment of my doubts and fears of losing thee another way and I shall have the Joy to dye with thee dye belov'd and dye Thy SILVIA Having read over this Letter she fear'd she had said too much of her doubts and apprehensions of a change in him for now she flies to all the little Stratagems and artifices of Lovers she begins to consider the worst and to make her best of that but quite abandon'd she cou'd not believe her self without flying into all the rage that disappointed Women cou'd be possest with she calls Briljard shews him his Lords Letters and told him while he read her doubts and fears he being thus instructed by her self in the way how to deceive her on like Fortunetellers who gather peoples Fortune from themselves and then return it back for their own Divinity tells her he saw indeed a change glad to improve her fear and feigns a sorrow almost equal to hers 'T is evident says he 'T is evident that he 's the most ungrateful of his Sex Pardon Madam continued he bowing If my Zeal for the most Charming Creature on Earth make me forget my duty to the best of Masters and Friends Ah Brilljard cry'd she with an Air of languishment that more inflam'd him have a care least that mistaken Zeal for me shou'd make you prophane a Vertue which has not but on this occasion shew'd that it wanted Angels for its guard Oh Brilljard if he
glorious temptations of your Beauty yet you wound a thousand wayes besides your touches inflame me and your voice has musick in 't that strikes upon my Soul with ravishing tenderness your Wit is unresistable and peircing your very sorrows and complaints have charms that make me soft without the aid of Love But Pity joyn'd with Passion raises a â—lame too mighty for my conduct And I in transports every way confess it Yes yes Upbraid me Call me Traytor and ungrateful Tell me my friendships fals But Sylvia yet be just and say my love was true Say only he had seen the charming Sylvia and who is he that after that wou'd not not excuse the rest in one so absolutely born to be undone by Love as is Her destin'd Slave Octavio Postscript Madam Among some Rarities I this Morning saw I found these Trifles Florio brings you which be cause uncommon I presume to send you Sylvia notwithstanding the seeming severity of her Commands was well enough pleas'd to be disobey'd and Women never pardon any fault more willingly than one of this nature where the Crime gives so infallable a demonstration of their power and Beauty nor can any of their Sex be angry in their hearts for being thought desirable and 't was not with pain that she saw him obstinate in his passion as you may believe by her answering his Letters nor ought any Lover to despair when he recâ—ives denial under his Mistresses own hand which she sent in this to Octavio Silvia to Octavio YOu but ill judge of my Wit or Humour Octavio when you send me such a Present and â—uch a Billet if you believe I either receive the one or the other as you design'd In obedience to me you will no more tell me of your Love and yet at the same time you are breaking your word from one end of the Paper to the other Out of respect to me you will see me no more and yet are bribing me with presents believing you have found out the surest way to a Womans heart I must needs confess Octavio there is great eloquence in a pair of Bracelets of five thousand Crowns 'T is an Argument to prove your Passion that has more prevailing reason in 't than either Seneca or Tully cou'd have urg'd nor can a Lover write or speak in any Language so significant and very well to be understood as in that 〈◊〉 one of presenâ—ing The maâ—icious World has along time agreed to reproach poor Women with cruel unkind insensible and dull when indeed 't is those men that are in sault who want the right way of addressing the true and secret Arts of moving sovereign Remedy against disdain 'T is you alone my Lord like a young Columbus that have found the direct unpractic'd way to that little and somuch desir'd World the favour of the Fair nor cou'd Love himself have pointed his Arrows with any thing more successful for his conquest of hearts But mine my Lord like Scaeva's Sheild is already so full of Arrows shot from Philanders eyes it has no room for any other darts Take back your presents then my Lord and when you make 'em next be sure you first consider the Receiver for know Octavio Maids of my Quality ought to find themselves secure from addresses of this nature unless they first invite You ought to have seen advances in my freedoms consenting in my eyes or that usual vanity of my Sex a thousand little triâ—ling Arts of affectatioâ—n to furnish out a conquest a forward complysance to every Gawdy Coxcombe to fill my train with amorous Cringing Captives this might have justified your pretensions but on the contrary my Eyes and thoughts which never stray'd from the dear man I love were always bent to earth when gaz'd upon by you and when I did but fear you lookt with love I entertain'd you with Phillanders praise his wondrous Beauty and his wondrous Love and left nothing untold that might confirm you how much impossible it was I e're shou'd love again that I might leave you no room for hope and since my story has been so unfortunate to alarm the whole world with a conduct so fatal I made no scruple of telling you with what joy and pride I was undone if this incourage you if Octavio have sentiments so meanly poor of me to think because I yielded to Philander his hopes shou'd be advanc'd I banish him for ever from my sight and after that disdain the little service he can render the Never to be alter'd Silvia This Letter she sent him back by his Page but not the Bracelets which were indeed very fine and very considerable at the same time she threatned him with banishment she so absolutely expected to be disobey'd in all things of that kind that she drest her self that day to advantage which since her arrival she never had done in her own habits what with her illness and Philanders absence a careless negligence had seiz'd her till rous'd and waken'd to the thoughts of Beauty by Octavio's Love she began to try its force and that day drest While she was so imployâ—d the Page hastes with the Letter to his Lord who chang'd Colour at the sight of it e're he receiv'd it noâ— that he hop'd it brought love 't was enough she wou'd but answer tho she rail'd let her said he in opening it vow she hates me Let her call me Traytor aud unjust so she take the pains to tell it this way for he knew well those that argue will yield and only she that sends him back his own Letters without reading â—m can give dispair He read therefore without a sigh nor complained he on her rigours and because it was too early yet to make his Visit to shew the impatience of his Love as much as the reality and resolution of it he bid his Page wait aâ—d sent her back this answer Octavio to Silvia FAir angry Silvia how has my Love oâ—â—ended Has its excess betray'd the least part of that respect due to your Birth and Beauty Tho I am young as the Gay rudy Morning and vigorous as the guilded Sun at Noon and Amorous as that God when with such hasâ—e he chas'd young Daphne o're the slowrr'y Plain it never made me guilty of a thought that Silvia might not â—itty and allow Nor came that triâ—ling present to plead for any wish or mend my Eloquence which you with such disdain upbraid me with the Bracelets came not to be rafl'd for your Love nor Pimp to my desires Youth scorns those common aids No let dull Age pursue those ways of merchandize who only buy up hearts at that vain price and never make a Barter but a Purchase Youth has a better way of trading in Loves Markets and you have taught me too well to judge of and to value Beauty to dare to bid so cheaply for it I found the toy was gay the work was neaâ— and fancy new and know not any thing they wou'd so well
tell you my hearts sad Story But she reply'd with a sigh it is not generously done Octavio thus to pursue a poor unguarded Maid left to your Care your promises of Friendship Ah will you use Philander with such treachery Silvia said he my Flame 's so just and reasonable that I dare even to him pronounce I love you and after that dare love you on And wouâ—d you said she to satisfie a little short liv'd passion forfeit those vows you 've made of Friendship to Philander That heart that loves you Silvia he replyed cannot be guilty of so base a thought Philander is my Friend and as he is so shall know the dearest secrets of my Soul I shou'd believe my self indeed ungrateful continued he where eâ—re I lov'd shou'd I not tell Philander he told me frankly all his Soul his loves his griefs his Treasons and escapes and in return I 'le pay him back with mine and do you Imagine said she that he wou'd permit your love how shou'd he hinder me reply'd he I do believe said she he 'd forfeit all his safety and his friendship and fight ye then I 'd defend my self said he if he were so ungrateful While they thus argued Silvia had her thoughts a part on the little stratagems that Women in love sometimes make use of and Octavio no sooner told her he would send Philander word of his Love but she imagin'd that such a knowledge might retrieve the heart of her Lover if indeed it were on the wing and revive the dying Embers in his Soul as usually it does from such occasions and on the otherside she thought that she might more allowably receive Octavio's addresses when they were with be perâ—mission of Philander if he â—ou'd love so ill as to permit it and if he cou'd not she shou'd have the joy to undeceive her fears of his inconstancy tho she banisht for ever the agreeable Octavio so that on Octavio's farther urging the necessity of his giving Philander that sure mark of his friendship she permitted him to write which he immediately did on her Table where there stood a little Silver Scrutore which contain'd all things for his purpose Octavio to Philander My Lord SInce I have vow'd you my Eternal friendship and that I absolutely believe my self honour'd with that of yours I think my self oblig'd by those powerful tyes to let you know my heart not only now as that friend from whom I ought to conceal nothing but as a Rival too whom in honour I ought to treat as a generous one perhaps you will be so unkind as to say I cannot be a friend and a Rival at the same time and that almighty love that sets the world at odds chases all things from the heart where that reigns to establish it self the more absolutely there but my Lord Iavow mine a Love of that good Nature that can indure the equalsway of friendship where like two perfect Friends they support each others Empire there nor can the glory of one Eclipse that of the other but both like the notion we have of the Deity tho two distinct passions make but one in my Soul and tho friendship first enter'd 't was in vain I call'd it to my aid at the first soft invasion of Silvia's power and you my charming friend are the most oblig'd to pitty me who already knows so well the force of her beauty I wou'd fain have you think I strove at first with all my reason against the irrisistible lustre of her eyes And at the first assaults of Love I gave him not a welcome to my bosome but like slaves unus'd to fetters I grew sullen with my chains and wore 'em for your sake uneasily I thought it base to look upon the Mistress of my friend with wishing eyes but softer Love soon furnisht me with arguments to justifie my claim since Love is not the choice but the face of the Soul who seldom regards the object lov'd as 't is but as it wishes to have it be and then kindfancy makes it soon the same Love that Almighty Creator of something from nothing forms a Wit a Hero or a Beauty Vertue good Humour Honour any excellence when oftenimes there 's neither in the Object but where the agreeing world has fixt all these and 't is by all resolv'd whether they love or not that this is she you ought no more Philander to upbraid my Flame than to wonder at it it is enough I tell you that 't is Silvia to justifie my passion nor is 't a Crime that I confess I love since it can never rob Philander of the least part of what I 've vow'd him or if his nicer Honour will believe me guilty of a fault let this attone for all that if I wrong my friend in loving Silvia I right him in despairing for oh I am repuls'd with all the Rigour of the coy and fair with all the little Malice of the wity Sex and all the Love of Silvia to Philander There there 's the stop to all my hopes and happiness and yet by Heaven I love thee oh thou favour'd Rival After this frank Confession my Philander I shou'd be glad to hear your sentiment since yet in spight of Love in spight of Beauty I am resolv'd To dy Philanders Constant Friend Octavio After he had writ this he gave it 〈◊〉 Silvia See Charming Creature said he in delivering it if after this you either doubt my Love or what I dare for Silvia I neither receive it said she as a proof of the one or the other but rather that you believe by this frank Confession to render it as a piece of Gallantry and diversion to Philander for no Man of sense will imagine that love true or arriv'd to any height that makes a publique confession of it to his Rival Ah Silvia answer'd he how malicious is your Wit and how active to turn its pointed mischief on me had I not writ you wou'd have said I durst not and when I make a declaration of it you call it only a slight piece of Gallantry but Silvia you have wit enough to try it a thousand ways and power enough to make me obey use the extremity of both so you recompence me at last with a confession that I was at least found worthy to be numbred in the crow'd of your adorers Silvia reply'd he were a dull Lover indeed that wou'd need instructions from the Wit of his Mistress to give her proofs of his passion what ever opinion you have of my sense I have too good a one of Octavio's to believe that when he 's a Lover he 'le want aids to make it appear till then we 'le let that argument alone and consider his address to Philander She then read over the Letter he had writ which she lik'd very well for her purpose for at this time our young Dutch Hero was made a property of in order to her revenge on Philander She told him he had
gay and glorious and long to lay me down to stretch and bask in those dear joys that fancy makes so ravishing nor am I one of those dull whining slaves whom quallity or my respect can awe into a silent Cringer and no more no Love Youth and ost success has taught me boldness and Art desire and cunning to attaque to search the feeble side of femal weakness and there to play Loves Engines for Women will be won they will Octavio if Love and wit find any opportunity Perhaps my friend you 're wondring now what this discourse this odd discovery of my own inconstancy tends to Then since I cannot better pay you back the secret you have told me of your Love than by another of my own take this confession from thy Friend I love I languish and am dying for a new Beauty To you Octavio you that have liv'd twenty dull tedious years and never understood the Mystery of Love till Silvia taught you to adore this change may seem a wonder you that have lasily run more than half your youths gay course of life away without the pleasure of one nobler hour of mine who like a Miser hoord your sacred store or scantily have dealt it but to one think me a lavish prodigal in love and gravely will reproach me with inconstancy but use me like a friend and hear my story It happen'd in my last days journey on the road I overtook a man of quality for so his Equipage confest we joyn'd and fell into discourse of many things indifferent till from a Chain of of one thing to another we chanc'd to talk of France and of the Factions there and I soon found him a Caesarian for he Grew hot with his concern for that Prince and fiercely own'd his int'rest this pleas'd me and I grew familier with him and I pleas'd him so well in my Devotion for Coesario that being arriv'd at Collen he invites me home to his Pallace which he beg'd I would make use of as my own during my stay at Collen Glad of the opportunity I obey'd and soon inform'd my self by a Spanish Page that waited on him to whom I was oblig'd he told me it was the Count of Clarinau a Spaniard born and of quality who for some disgust at Court retir'd hither that lie was a person of much gravity a great polititian and very rich and tho well in years was lately married to a very Beautiful young Lady and that very much against her consent A Lady whom he had taken out of a Monastery where she had been pentioned from a Child and of whom he was so fond and jealous he never wou'd permit her to see or be seen by any Man and if she took the Air in her Coach or went to Church he oblig'd her to wear a Veil Having learnt thus much of the Boy I dismiss'd him with a present for he had already inspir'd me with curiosity that prologue to love and I knew not of what use he might be hereafter a curiosity that I was resolv'd to satisfie tho I broke all the laws of hospitality and even that first Night I felt an impatience that gave me some wonder in fine three days I languisht out in a disorder that was very near alied to that of Love I found my self magnificently lodg'd attended with a formal Ceremony and indeed all things were as well as I cou'd imagine bating a kind opportunity to get a sight of this young Beauty now half a Lover grown I sight and grew opprest with thought and had recourse to Groves to shady walks and Fountains of which the delicate Gardens aforded variety the most resembling nature that ever Art produc'd and of the most Melancholly recesses fancying there in some lucky hour I might incounter what I already so much ador'd in Idea Which still I form'd just as my fancy wisht there for the first two days I walkt and sight and told my new born passion to every gentâ—e Wind that play'd among the boughs for yet no Lady bright appear'd beneath 'em no Visionary Nymph the Groves afforded but on the third day all full of Love and Stratagem in the cool of the Evening I past into a Thicket near a little Rivulet that purl'd and murmur'd thro the gald and past into the Meads this pleas'd and fed my present Amorous humour and down I laid my self on the shady brink and listen'd to its melancholly glidings when from behind me I heard a sound more ravishing a Voice that sung these Words Alas in vain you Powers above You gave me youth you gave me Charms And every tender sense of Love To destin me to old Phileno's Arms Ah how can youths gay spring allow The chilling kisses of the Winter's Snow All Night I languish by his side And fancy of joys I never taste As men in Dreams a Feast provide And waking find with grief they fast Either ye Gods my Youthful fires alay Or make the old Phileno young and Gay Like a fair flower in shades obscurity Tho every sweet adorns my head Ungather'd unadmir'd I lie And wither on my silent gloomy Bed While no kind aids to my relief appear And no kind Bosom makes me Triumph there By this you may easily guess as I soon did that the Song was sung by Madam the Countess of Clarinau as indeed it was at the very beginning of her Song my joyful Soul divin'd it so I rose and advanc'd by such flow degrees as neither alarm'd the fair Singer nor hinder'd me the pleasure of hearing any part of the Song till I approacht so near as behind the shelter of some jesimin that divided us I unseen compleated those wounds at my Eyes which I had receiv'd before at my Ears Yes Octavio I saw the lovely Clarinau leaning on a Pillow made of some of those Jesimins which favour'd me and serv'd her for a Canopy But Oh my Friend how shall I present her to thee in that Angel form she then appear'd to me all young all ravishing as new born light to lost benighted Travellers her Face the fairest in the World was adorn'd with Curls of shining jett ty'd up I know not how all carelessly with Scarlet Ribbon mixt with pearls her Robe was gay and rich such as young Royal Brides put on when they undress for joys her Eyes were black the softest Heaven e're made her mouth was sweet and form'd for all delight so red her Lips so round so grac'd with dimples that without one other Charm that was enough to kindle warm desires about a frozen heart a sprightly air of Wit compleated all increas'd my Flame and made me mad with love endless it were to tell thee all her Beauties Nature all o're was lavish and 〈◊〉 let it suffice her face her shape her mien had more of Angel in 'em than humanity I saw her thus all Charming thus she lay a smiling melancholly drest her Eyes which she had sixt upon the Rivulet near which I found her
but reassuming her Courage she open'd it and read this Philander to Silvia AH Silvia Why all these Doubts and Fears Why at this distance do you accuse your Lover when he 's uncapable to fall before you and undeceive your little jealousies Oh Silvia I fear this first reproaching me is rather the effects of your own guilt than any that love can make you think of mine Yes yes my Silvia 't is the Waves that roul and glide away and not the steady shore 'T is you begin to unfasten from the Vows that hold you and sloat along the flattering Tide of Vanity 'T is you whose Pride and Beauty scorning to be confin'd gives way to the admiring Croud that sigh for you Yes yes you like the rest of your fair glorious Sex love the admirer tho you hate the Coxcomb 'T is vain 't is great and shews your Beauties Power Is 't possible that for the safety of my Life I cannot retire but you must think I 'm fled from Love and Silvia or is it possible that piâ—ying tenderness that made me uncapable of taking leave of her shou'd be interpreted as false And base and that an absence of thirty days so forc'd and so compell'd must render me inconstant lost ungrateful as if that after Silvia heaven e're made a Beauty that cou'd Charm me You charge my Letter with a thousand faults 't is short 't is cold and wants those usual softnesses that gave 'em all their welcom and their Graces I fear my Silvia loves the flatterer and not the Man the Lover only not Philander And she considers him not for himself but the gay glorious thing he makes of her Ah! too self int'resâ—ed Is that your Jusâ—ice You ne'r allow for my unhappy circumsâ—ances you never think how care oppresses me Nor what my Love contributes to that care How business danger and a thousand ills takes up my harass'd mind by every power I love thee still my Silvia but time has made us more familiar now and we begin to leave off Ceremony and come to closer joys to joyn our int'rest now as people fixt resolv'd to live and die together to weave our thoughts and be united stronger At first we shew the gayest side of Love dress and be nice in every word and look set out for conquest all spread every Art use every Stratagem but when the toyl is past and the dear Victory gain'd we then propose a little idle rest a little easie slumber We then embrace lay by the Gawdy shew the Plumes and guilded Equipage of Love the trappings of the Conqueror and bring the naked Lover to your Arms we shew him then uâ—cas'd with all his little disadvantages perhaps the flowing hair those Ebon Curles you have so often comb'd and drest and kist are then put up and shew a fiercer Air more like an Antique Roman than Philander and shall I then because I want a Grace be thought to love you less because the embroider'd Coat the Point and Garniture's laid by must I put off my Passion with my Dress No Silvia love allows a thousand little freedoms Allows me to unbosom all my Secrets tell thee my wants my Fears complaints and dangers and think it great relief if thou but sigh and pitty me And oft thy Charming wit has aided me but now I find thee adding to my pain Oh where shall I unload my weight of cares when Silvia who was wont to sigh and weep and suffer me to ease the heavy Burden now grows displeas'd and peevish with my moans and calls 'em the effects of dying love instead of those dear smiles that fond bewitching prattle that us'd to calm my roughest storm of Grief she now reproaches me with coldness want of concern and Lovers Rethorick And when I seem to beg relief and shew my Souls resentâ—ment 't is then I 'm false 't is my aversion or the effects of some new kindling Flame Is this fair dealing Silvia can I not spare a little sigh from love but you must think I rob you of your due If I omit a tender Name by which I us'd to call you must I be thought to lose that passion that taught me such indearments And must I ne're reflect upon the ruin both of my fame and Fortune but I must run the risk of losing Silvia too Oh cruelty of Love Oh too too fond and jealous Maid what Crimes thy innocent passion can create when it extends beyond the bounds of reason Ah too too nicely tender Silvia that will not give me leave to cast a thought back on my former glory yet even that loss I cou'd support with tameness and content if I believ'd my suâ—â—ering reach'd only to my heart but Silvia if she love must feel my torments too must share my loss and want a thousand Ornaments my sinking Fortune cannot purchase her believe me Charming Creature if I shou'd love you less I have a sense so just of what you 've suffer'd for Philander I 'd be content to be a Galley Slave to give thy Beauty Birth and Love their due but as I am thy Faithful Lover still depend upon that Fortune Heaven has left me which if thou canst as thou hast often sworn then thou wou'dst submit to be cheerful still be gay and confident and do not judge my heart by little words my heart too great and fond for such poor demonstrations You ask me Silvia where I am and what I do all I can say is that at present I am safe from any fears of being deliver'd up to France and what I do is sighing dying grieving I want my Silvia But my Circumstances yet have nothing to incourage that hope when I resolve where to settle you shall see what haste I will make to have you brought to me I am impatient to hear from you and to know how that dear pledge of our soft hours advances I mean what I believe I left thee possest of a young Philander Cherish it Silvia for that 's a certain Obligation to keep a dying fire alive be sure you do it no hurt by your unnecessary grief tho there needs no other tie but that of Love to make me more intirely Your Philander It Silvia's Fears were great before she open'd the Letter what were her pains when all those fears were confirmed from that never failing mark of a declining Love the coldness and alteration of the Stile of Letters that first Symptom of a dying flame Oh where said she where Oh perjur'd Charmer is all that ardency that us'd to warm the Reader where is all that Natural Innocence of Love that cou'd not even to discover and express a Grace in Eloquence force one soft word or one Passion Oh continued she he is lost and gone from Silvia and his Vows some other has him all Clasps that dear body hangs upon that face gazes upon his Eyes and listens to his Voyce when he is looking sighing swearing dying lying and damning of himself for some new
moving Air which way so e're I chang'd which way so e're I question'd it of love it answer'd in such Language as others wou'd perhaps interpret love or something like it but I who 've heard the very God himself speak from thy wondrous Lips and known him guide thy Pen when all the eloquence of moving Angels flow'd from thy Charming Tongue when I have seen thee fainting at my feet whil'st all Heaven open'd in thy glorious face and now and then sigh out a trembling word in which there was contain'd more love more Soul than all the Arts of speaking ever found What sense Oh what reflections must I make on this decay this â—trange this suddain alteration in thee But that the cause is fled and the effect is ceas'd the God retir'd and all the Oracles â—ilenc'd Confess oh thou eternal Conqueror of my Soul whom every hour and every tender joy renders more dear and lovely Tell me why if thou still lov'st me and lov'st as well does love not dictate to thee as before Dost thou want words Oh then begin again repeat the old ones o're ten thousand times such repetitions are loves Rethorick how often have I ask'd thee in an hour when my fond Soul was â—oating on thy Eyes when with my Arms clasding thy yielding Neck my lips imprinting kisses on thy cheeks and taking in the breath that sight from thine how often have I ask'd this little but important question of thee Does my Philander Love me then kiss thee for thy Yes and sighs and ask again and still my Soul was ravisht with new joy when thou woud'st answer Yes I love thee dearly and if I thought you spoke it with a tone that seem'd less soft and servent than I wisht I ask'd so often till I made thee answer in such a voice as I wou'd wish to hear it all this had been impertinent and foolish in any thing but love to any but a Lover But oh give me the impertinence of love talk little nonsense to me all the day and be as wanton as a playing Cupid and that will please and Charm my love sick heart better than all fine sense and reasoning Tell me Philander what new accident what powerful misfortune has befallen thee greater than what we have experienc'd yet cou'd drive the little God out of thy heart and make thee so unlike my soft Philander What place contains thee or what pleasures ease thee that thou art now contented to live a tedious day without thy Silvia How then the long long Age of forty more and yet thou liv'st art patient tame and well thou talk'st not now of ravings or of dying but lookst about thee like a well pleas'd Conqueror after the toyls of Battel Oh I have known a time but let me never think upon it more it cannot be remembred without madness What think thee â—allen from love to think that I must never hear thee more pouring thy Soul out in soft sighs of love A thousand dear expressions by which I knew the Story of thy heart and while you tell it bid me â—eel it panting Never to see thy Eyes fixt on my face till the soft showres of joy wou'd gently fall and hang their shining dew upon thy looks then in a Transport snatch me to thy bosom and sigh a thousand times e're thou cou'dst utter Ah Silvia how I love thee Oh the dear Eloquence those few short words contain when they are sent with Lovers accents to a Soul all languishing but now alass thy love is more familiar grown Oh take the other part o' th' Proverb too and say 't has bred contempt for nothing less than that your Letter shews but more it does and that 's indifference less to be born than hate or any thing At least be just and let me know my doom do not deceive the heart that trusted all thy Vows if thou be'st generous if thou let'st me know thy date of Love is out for love perhaps as life has dates and equally uncertain and thou no more canst stay the one than t'other yet if thou art so kind for all my honour lost my youth undone my Beauty tarnisht and my lasting vows to let me fairly know thou art departing my worthless Life will be the only loss But if thou still continuest to impose upon my easie Faith and I shou'd any other way learn my approaching Fate Look to 't Philander She that had the courage t' abandon all for Love and faithless thee can when she finds her self betray'd and lost Nobly revenge the ruin of her fame and send thee to the other World with Silvia She having writ this read it over and fancy'd she had not spoke half the sense of her Soul Fancy'd if she were again to begin she cou'd express her self much more to the purpose she design'd than she had done She began again and writ two or three new ones but they were either too kind or too rough the first she fear'd wou'd shew a weakness of Spirit since he had given her occasion of jealousie the last she fear'd wou'd disoblige if all those jealousies were false she therefore tore those last she had writ and before she seal'd up the first she read Philanders Letter again but still ended it with fears that did not lâ—ssen those she had first conceiv'd still she thought she had more to say as Lovers do who never are weary of speaking or writing to the dear object of their Vows and having already forgotten what she had said just before and her heart being by this time as full as e're she began she took up her complaining Pen and made it say this in the Covert of the Letter Oh Philander Oh thou eternal Charmer of my Soul how fain I wou'd repent me of the cruel thoughts I have of thee when I had finisht this inclos'd I read again thy chilling Letter and strove with all the force of Love and soft imagination to find a dear occasion of asking Pardon for those fears which press my breaking heart but Oh the more I read the more they strike upon my tenderest part something so very cold so careless and indifferent you end your Letter with I will not think of it by Heaven it makes me rave and hate my little power that cou'd no longer keep thee soft and kind Oh if those killing fears bred by excess of Love are vainly taken up in pity my adorable in pity to my tortur'd Soul convince 'em Redress the torment of my jealous doubts and either way confirm me be kind to her that dyes and languishes for thee â—â—turn me all the soâ—â—ness â—â—at first Charm'd me or frankly tell me my approaching Fate Be generous or be kind to the unfortunate and undone Silvia She thought she had ended here but here again she read Philanders Leter as if on purpose to find new torments out for a heart too much prest already a sowre that is always mixt with the sweets of Love a pain that ever
hopes for thee and in lieu of all found only the accusation of all the good the hate of all the Virtuous the reproaches of her kindred the scorn of all chast Maids and curses of all honest Wives and in requital had only thy false Vows thy empty love thy faithless imbraces and cold dissembl'd kisâ—es My only comfort was ah miserable comfort to fancy they were true now that 's departed too and I have nothing but a brave revenge lest in the room of all in vvhich I 'le be as merciless and irreligious as even thou hast been in all thy Actions and there remains about me only this sense of Honour yet that I dare tell thee of my bold design a bravery thou hast never shew'd to me who takest me unawares stab'st me without a warning of the blow so wou'd thou serve thy King hadst thou but power and so thou serv'st thy Mistress vvhen I look back even to thy infancy thy liâ—e has been but one continu'd race of treachery and I destin'd thy evil genius was born for thy tormenter for thou hast made a very Fiend of me and I have Hell within all rage all torment fire distraction madness I rave I burn I tear my self and faint am still a dying but can never fall till I have graspt thee with me Oh I shou'd laugh in flames to see thee howling by I scorn thee hate thee loath thee more than ever I have lov'd thee and hate my self so much for ever loving thee to be reveng'd upon the filthy Criminal I will expose my self to all the World Cheat Jilt and slatter all as thou hast done and having not one sense or grain of Honour left will yield the abandon'd body thou hast rifl'd to every asking Fop Nor is that all for they that purchase this shall buy it at the price of being my Bravos And all shall aid in my revenge on thee all merciless and as resolv'd as I as I The injur'd Silvia Having shot this flash of the lightning of her Soul and finisht her rant she found her self much easier in the resolves on revenge she had fix'd there she scorn'd by any vain indeavour to recal him from his passion she had wit enough to have made those eternal observations that love once gone is never to be retriev'd and that it was impossible to cease loving and then again to love the same person one may believe for sometime ones love is abated but when it comes to a tryal it shews it self as vigorous as in its first shine and finds its own Error but when once one comes to love a new Object it can never return with more than pity compassion or civility for the first This is a most certain truth which all Lovers will find as most Wives may experience and which our Silvia now took for granted and gave him over for dead to all but her revenge Tho Fits of softness weeping raving and tearing wou'd by turns seize the distracted abandon'd Beauty in which extremities she has recourse to scorn and Pride too feeble to aid her too often The first thing she resolv'd on by the advice of her reasonable Councellor was to hear Love at both her ears no matter whether she regard it or not but to hear all as a remedy against loving one in particular for 't is most certain that the use of hearing Love or of making Love tho' at first without design either in Women or men shall at last unfix the most confirm'd and constant resolution And since you are assur'd continued Antonett that sighs nor tears brings back the wander'd Lover and that dying for him will be no revenge on him but rather a king assurance that you will no more trouble the man who is already weary of you you ought with all your power industry and Reason rather to seek the preservation of that Beauty and fine humour to serve you on all occasions either for revenge or love than by a foolish and insignificant Concern and Sorrow reduce your self to the condition of being scorn'd by all or at best but pitty'd How pity'd cry'd the haughty Silvia is there any thing so insupportable to our Sex as pity No surely reply'd the Servant when 't is accompany'd by Love Oh what blessed comfort 't is to hear people cry She was once Charming once a Beauty is any thing more grating Madam At this rate she ran on and leâ—t nothing unsaid that might animate the Angry Silvia to love a new or at least to receive and admit of love for in that Climate the Air Naturally breeds Spirits avaritious and much inclines 'em to the Love of Mony which they will gain at any price or hazard and all this discourse to Silvia was but to incline the revengeful listening Beauty to admit of the Addresses of Octavio because she knew he wou'd make her fortune Thus was the unhappy Maid left by her own unfortunate conduct incompass'd in on every side with distraction and she was pointed out by fate to be made the most wretch'd of all her Sex nor had she left one faithful friend to advise or stay her youth in its hasty advance to ruin she hears the perswading Eloquence of the flattering Maid and finds now nothing so prevailent on her Soul as revenge and nothing soo hsit more and amongst all her Lovers or those at least that she knew ador'd her none was â—ound so proper an instrument as the Noble Octavio his youth his Wit his Gallantry but above all his fortune pleads most powerful with her so that she resolves upon the Revenge and fixes him the man whom she now knew by so many Obligations was oblig'd to serve her turn on Philander Thus Silvia found a little tranquillity such as it was in hope of revenge while the passionate Octavio was wreck'd with a thousand pains and torments such as none but Jilted Lovers can imagine and having a thousand times resolv'd to hate her and as oâ—ten to love on in spight of all after a thousand arguments against her and as many in favour of her he arriv'd only to this knowledge that his love was extream and that he had no power over his heart that Honour Fame Int'rest and whatever else might oppose his Violent flame were all too weak to extinguish the least spark of it and all the Conquest he cou'd get of himself was that he suffer'd all his torment all the Hell of raging Jealousie grown to Confirmation and all the pangs of absence for that whole day and had the Courage to live on the Rack without easing one moment of his Agony by a Letter or Billet which in such cases discharges the burthen and pressures of the love sick heart and Silvia who drest and suffer'd her self wholly to be carry'd away by her Vengeance expected him with as much impatience as ever she did the coming of the once adorable Philander tho with a different passion but all the live long day past in expectation of
should follow your Example you would betray Posterity it self and only mad Confusion would abound In short my Lord that Lady who was taken with you by the Messenger was my Wife And going to wards Silvia who was struck as with a Thunderbolt he seiz'd her Hand and Cry'd while all stood gazing on This Lady Sir I mean she is my Wife my lawful married Wife At this Silvia could no longer hold her Patience within its Bounds but with that other Hand he had left her she struck him a Box on the Ear that almost stagger'd him coming unawares and as she struck she cry'd aloud Thou liest base Villain and I 'll be reveng'd and flinging herself out of his Hand she got on the other side of Octavio while the whole Company remained confounded at what they saw and heard How cry'd out old Sebastian Uncle to Octavio a Woman this By my Troth sweet Lady if you be one methought you were a very pretty Fellow And turning to Brilljard he cry'd Why what Sir then it seems all this Noise of betraying the State was but a Cuckold's Dream Hah and this wonderful and dangerous Plot was but one upon your Wife Sir hah was it so Marry Sir at this rate I rather think 't is you have a Design of betraying the State you cuckoldly Knaves that bring your handsome Wives to seduce our young Senators from their Sobriety and Wits Are these the Recompences reply'd Brilljard you give the Injured and in lieu of restoring me my Right am I reproach'd with the most scandalous Infamy that can befal a Man Well Sir reply'd Sebastian this is all you have to charge this Gentleman with At which he bow'd and was silent and Sebastian continu'd If your Wife Sir have a mind to my Nephew or he to her it should have been your Care to have forbid it or prevented it by keeping her under Lock and Key if no other way to be secured and Sir we do not sit here to relieve Fools and Cuckolds if your Lady will be Civil to my Nephew what 's that to us Let her speak for herself What say you Madam I say reply'd Silvia that this Fellow is mad and raves that he is my Vassal my Servant my Slave but after this unworthy of the meanest of these Titles This she spoke with a Disdain that sufficiently show'd the Pride and Anger of her Soul La you Sir reply'd Sebastian you are discharg'd your Ladys Service 't is a plain case she has more mind to the young Count than the Husband and we cannot compel People to be honest against their Inclinations And coming down from the Seat where he sate he imbraced Octavio a hundred times and told the Board he was extreamly glad they found the mighty Plot but a Vagary of Youth and the Spleen of a Jealous Husband or Lover or whatsoever other malicious thing and desired the angry Man might be discharged since he had so just a Provocation as the loss of a Mistriss So all laughing at the Jest that had made so great a Noise among the Grave and Wise they freed 'em all And Sebastian advised his Nephew that the next Cuckold he made he would make a Friend of him first that he might hear of no more Complaints against him But Octavio very gravely reply'd Sir you have infinitely mistaken the Character of this Lady she is a Person of too great Quality for this Raillery at more Leisure you shall have her Story While he was speaking this and their Discharges were making Silvia confounded with Shame Indignation and Anger goes out and taking Octavio's Coach that stood at the Gate went directly to his House for she resolved to go no more where Brilljard was After this Sebastian fell seriously to good Advice and earnestly besought his Darling to leave off those wild Extravagancies that had so long made so great a Discourse all the Province over where nothing but his splendid Amours Treats Balls and Magnificences of Love was the Business of the Town and that he had forborn to tell him of it and had hitherto justified his Actions tho they had not deserved it and he doubted this was the Lady to whom for this six or eight Months he heard he had so intirely dedicated himself He desires him to quit this Lady or if he will pursue his Love to do it discreetly to love some unmarried Woman and not injure his Neighbours to all which he blushed and bowed and silently seem'd to thank him for his grave Councel And Brilljard having received his Discharge and Advice how he provoked the Displeasure of the States any more by accusing of great Persons he was ordered to ask Octavio's Pardon but in lieu of that he came up to him and challenged him to fight him for the Injustice he had done him in taking from him his Wife for he was sure he was undone in her Favour and that Thought made him mad enough to put himself on this second Extravagancy However this was not so silently managed but Sebastian perceived it and was so inraged at the young Fellow for this second Insolence that he was again confined and sent back to Prison where he swore he should suffer the utmost of the Law And the Council breaking up every one departed to his own Home But never was Man Ravished with excess of Joy as Octavio was to find Silvia meet him with extended Arms on the Stare-Case whom he did not imagine to have found there nor knew he how he stood in the Heart of that Charmer of his own since the Affront she had received in the Court from those that however did not know her for they did not imagine this was that Lady Sister to Philander of whose Beauty they had heard so much and her Face being turn'd from the Light the old Gentlemen did not so much consider or see it Silvia came into his House the back way through the Stables and Garden and had the good Fortune to be seen of none of his Family but the Coach-man who brought her home whom she conjur'd not to speak of it to the rest of his Servants and unseen of any body she got into his Apartment for often she had been there at Treats and Balls with Philander She was all alone for Antonett stay'd to see what became of her false Lover who after he was seized again retired to her Lodging the most disconsolate Woman in the World for having lost her Hopes of Brilljard to whom she had ingaged all that Honour she had But when she missed her Lady there she accused herself with all the Falshood in the World and fell to repent her Treachery She sends the Page to inquire at Octavio's House but no body there could give him any Intelligence so that the poor amorous Youth returning without Hope indur'd all the Pain of a hopless Lover for Octavio had anew charm'd his Coach-man And calling up an ancient Woman who was his House-keeper who had been his Nurse he
arm'd against any Mishaps of Poniard Sword and Pistol that Grab of a right Spaniard Calista had been marriâ—d above two years before I beheld her and had never been with Child But it so chanced that she conceived the very first Night of our Happiness since which time not all her Flatteries and Charms could prevail for one Night with the old Count For whether from her seeming Fondness he imagined the Cause or what other Reason he had to withstand her Desire and Caresses I know not But still he found or feigned some Excuses to put her off so that Calista's Fears and Love increased with her growing Belly And tho' almost every Night I had the fair young Charmer in Bed with me without the least Suspicion on Dormina's side or else in the Arbours or on flowery Banks in the Garden Till I am confident there was not a Walk a Grove an Arbour or Bed of Sweets that was not conscious of our stollen Delights Nay we grew so very bold in Love that we often suffered the Day to break upon us and still escaped his Spyes who by either watching at the wrong Door or part of the vast Garden or by Sleepiness and Carelessness still let us pass their View Four happy Months thus bless'd and thus secur'd we liv'd when Calista could no longer conceal her growing Shame from the Iealous Clarinau or Dormina She fear'd with too much Reason that 't was Iealousy which made him refrain her Bed tho' he dissembled well all Day And one Night weeping in my Bosom with all the tenderness of Love she said That if I loved her as she hoped I did I should be shortly very miserable For oh cry'd she I can no longer hide this dear Effect of my stollen Happiness and Clarinau will no sooner perceive my Condition but he will use his utmost Rigour against me I know his jealous Nature and find I am undone With that she told me how he had killed his first Wife for which he was obliged to fly from the Court and Country of Spain And that she found from all his Severity he was not chang'd from his Nature In sine she said and lov'd so much that I was wholly charm'd and vow'd myself her Slave or Sacrifice either to follow what she could propose or fall a Victim with her to my Love After which 't was concluded neither having a mind to leave the World when we both knew so well how to make our selves happy in it that the next Night I should bring her a Suit of Mans Cloths and she would in that Disguise fly with me to any part of the World For she vow'd if this unlucky Force of Flying had not happened to her she had not been longer able to have indured his Tyranny and Slavery But had resolved to break her Chain and put herself upon any Fortune So that after the usual Indearments on both sides I left her resolved to follow my Fortune and she me to sacrifice all to her Repose That Night and all next Day she was not idle but put up all her Iewâ—ls of which she had the richest of any Lady in all those Parts for in that the old Count was over lavish And the next Night I brought her a Suit which I had made that day on purpose as gay as could be made in so short a time and scaleing my Wall well arm'd I found her ready at the Door to receive me and going into an Arbour by the aid of a Dark-Lanthorn I carried she dress'd her in a lac'd Shirt of mine and this Suit I had brought her of blew Velvet trim'd with rich Loops and Buttons of Gold a white Hat and white Feather a fair Peruke and scarlet Breeches the rest suitable And I must confess to you my dear Octavio that never any thing appear'd so Ravishing and yet I have seen Silvia But even she a Baby to this more noble Figure Calista is tall and fashioned the most divinely the most proper for that Dress of any of her Sex And I own I never saw any thing so Beautiful all over from Head to Foot and viewing her thus carrying my Lanthorn all about her but more especially her Face her wondrous Charming Face Pardon me if I say what does but look like Flattery I never saw any thing more resembling my dear Octavio than the lovely Calista Your every Feature your very Smile and Air so that if possible that increas'd my Adoration and Esteem for her Thus compleated I Armed her and buckl'd on her Sword and she would needs have one of my Pistols too that stuck in my Belt and now she appeared all lovely Man 'T was so late by that time we had done that the Moon which began to shine very Bright gave us a Thousand little Fears and disposing her Iewels all about us safe we began our Adventure with a Thousand dreadful Apprehensions on Calista's side And going up the Walk towards the place where we were to mount the Wall just at the end of it turning a Corner we encounter'd Two Men who were too near us to be prevented Oh cry'd Calista to me who saw 'em first My dear Philander we are undone I look'd and saw 'em and replied My Charmer do not fear they are but two to two whoe're they be for Love and I shall be of force enough to Encounter ' em No my Philander replied she briskly 't is I will be your Second in this Rancounter At this approaching 'em more near for they hasted to us nor could we fly from them we soon found by his hobling that Old Clarinau was one and the other a Tall Spaniard his Nephew I clapt my Hair under my Hat and both of us making a stand we resolv'd if they durst not venture on us to let 'em pass but Clarinau who was on that side which faced Calista cry'd Ah Villain have I caught thee and at the same instant with a Poniard stabbed her into the Arm for with a sudden turn she evaded it from her Heart to which it was designed At which repaying his Complement she shot of her Pistol and down he fell crying out for a Priest while I at the same time laid my Tall Boy at his Feet I caught my dear Virago in my Arms and hasted through the Garden with her and was very hasty in mounting my Ladder putting my fair Second before me without so much as daring yet to ask her if she were wounded least it should have hinder'd our flight if I had found her hurt Nor knew I she was so till I felt her warm precious Blood streaming on my Face as I lifted her over the Wall but I soon conveyed her into my new Lodgings yet not soon enough to secure her from those that pursu'd us For with their bauling they alarm'd some of the Servants who looking narrowly for the Murderers track'd us by Calista's Blood which they saw with their Flambeaus from the Place where Clarinau and his Nephew lay to the
with her wonted Grace and Sweetness and but for some Answers that she made mal a propo and Sighs that against her Will broke from her Heart she should not have found an Alteration but this being unusual made her Inquisitive and the faint Denial she met with made her importune and that so earnestly and with so many Vows of Fidelity and Secrecy that Calistas's Heart even breaking within poured it self for Ease into the faithful Bosom of this young Devotee and having told her all the Story of her Misfortune she began with so much Courage and bravery of Mind to make Vows against the charming Betrayer of her Fame and with him all Mankind and this with such Consideration and Repentance as left no room for Reproach or Perswasion and from this Moment resolved never to quit the Solitude of the Cloysters She had all her Life before her Marriage lived in one and wished now she never had seen the World or departed from a Life so pure and Innocent She looked upon this fatal Accident now a Blessing to bring her back to a Life of Devotion and Tranquillity and indeed is a Miracle of Piety Sometime after this she was brought to Bed but commanded the Child should be removed where she might never see it which accordingly was done after which in due time she took the Habit and remains a rare Example of Repentance and Holy-living This new Penitent became the News of the whole Town and it was not without some Pleasure that Octavio heard it as the only Action she could do that could reconcile him to her the knowledg of which and a few soft Days with Silvia made him chase away all those Shiverings that had seized him upon several Occasions But Silvia was all Sweetness all Love and good Humour and made his Days easy and his Nights intirely Happy While on the other side there was no Satisfaction no Pleasure that the fond lavish Lover did not at any Price purchase for her Repose for it was the whole Business of his Life to study what would charm and please her And being assured by so many Vows of her Heart there was nothing rested to make him perfectly Happy but her being delivered of what belong'd to his Rival and in which he had no part he was at perfect Ease This she wishes with an Impatience equal to his whose Love and Fondness for Octavio appeared to be arrived to the highest Degree and she every Minute expected to be freed from the only thing that hinder'd her from giving herself intirely to her impatient Lover In the midst of this Serenity of Affairs Silvia's Page one day brings 'em News his Lord was arriv'd and that he saw him in the Park walking with some French Gentlemen and undiscovered to him came to give her Notice that she might take her measures accordingly in spight of all her Love to Octavio Her Blushes flew to her Cheeks at the News and her Heart panted with unusual Motion she wonders at her self and Fears and doubts her own Resolution she till now believ'd him wholly indifferent to her but she knows not what Construction this new Disorder will bear and what confounded and perplext her more was That Octavio beheld all these Emotions with unconceivable resentment he swells with Pride and Anger and even bursts with Grief and not able longer to contain his complaint he reproaches her in the softest Language that ever Love and Grief invented while she weeps with Shame and divided Love and demands of him a Thousand Pardons she deals thus kindly at least with him to confess this Truth that 't was impossible but at the approach of a Man who taught her first to love and for which Knowledge she had paid so infinitely dear she could not but feel unusual Motions that that Tenderness and Infant Flame he once inspired could not but have left some warmth about her Heart and that Philander the once charming dear Philander could never be absolutely to her as a common Man and beg'd that he would give some grains of allowance to a Maid so soft by Nature and who had once lov'd so well to be undone for the dear Object and tho' every kind word she gave his Rival was a Dagger at his Heart nevertheless he found or would think he found some reason in what she said at least he seem'd more appeased while she on the other side dissembled all the ease and repose of Mind that could flatter him to Calmness You must know that for Silvia's Honour she had Lodgings by her self and Octavio had his in another House at an Aunts of his a Widow and a Woman of great Quality and Silvia being near her Lying-in had provided all things with the greatest Magnificence imaginable and past for a Young Widow whose Husband died at the Siege of Octavio only visited her daily and all the Nights she had to her self For he treated her as one whom he design'd to make his Wife and one whose Honour was his own but that Night the News of Philander's Arrival was told her she was more than ordinary impatient to have him gone pretending Illness and yet seem'd loth to let him go and Lovers the greatest Cullies in Nature and the aptest to be deceived tho' the most quick-sighted do the soonest believe and finding it the more necessary he should depart the more ill she feign'd to be he took his Leave and left her to her Repose after taking all care necessary for one in her Circumstances But she to make his Absence more sure and fearing least he should suspect something of her Design being herself Guilty she orders him to be call'd back and Caresses him anew tells him she was never more unwilling to part with him and all the while is complaining and wishing to be in Bed And says he must not stir till he sees her laid This obliges and cajoles him anew and he will not suffer her Women to undress her but does the grateful Business himself and reaps some dear Recompence by every Service and pleases his Eyes and Lips with the ravishing Beauties of the loose unguarded suffering Fair one She permits him any thing to have him gone which was not till he saw her laid as if to her Rest But he was no sooner got into his Coach but she rose and slip'd on her Night-Gown and some other loose things and got into a Chair commanding her Page to conduct the Chair-men to all the great Cabarets Where she believed it most likely to find Philander which was accordingly done and the Page entering enquires for such a Cavalier describing his Person and fine remarkable black Hair of his own But the first he entered into he saw Brilljard bespeaking Supper For you must know that that Husband-Lover being left as I have said in Prison in Holland for the Accusation of Octavio the unhappy young Noble Man was no sooner fled upon the unlucky Death of his Uncle but the States set Brilljard at
conquered as well as to make a Conquest And she was capable of receiving Impressions as well as to give 'em And it was believed by some who were very near the Prince and knew all his Secrets then that this young Lady pitied the Sighs of the Royal Lover and even then rewarded 'em And tho' this were most credibly whispered yet methinks it seems impossible he should then have been happy and after so many Years after the Possession of so many other Beauties should return to her again and find all the Passions and Pains of a beginning Flame But there is nothing to be wondered at in the Contradictions and Humours of Man's human Nature But however inconstant and wavering he had been Hermione retain'd her first Passion for him and that I less wonder at since you know the Prince has the most charming Person in the World and is the most perfectly Beautiful of all his Sex To this his Youth and Quality adds no little Lustre and I should not wonder if all the softer Sex should languish for him nor that any one should love on who hath once been touch'd with Love for him 'T was this last Assurance the Prince so absolutely depended on that notwithstanding she was far from the Opinion of his Party made him resolve to take Sanctuary in those Arms he was sure would receive him in any Condition and Circumstances But now he makes her new Vows which possibly at first his Safety obliged him to while she return'd 'em with all the Passion of Love He made a thousand Submissions to Madam the Countess who he knew was fond of her Daughter to that degree that for her Repose she was even willing to behold the Sacrifice of her Honour to this Prince whom she knew Hermione loved even to Death so fond so blindly fond is Nature And indeed after a little time that he lay there conceal'd he reap'd all the Satisfaction that Love could give him or his Youth could wish with all the Freedom imaginable He only made Vows of renouncing all other Women what Ties or Obligations soever he had upon him and to resign himself intirely up to Hermione I know not what new Charms he had found by frequent Conversation with her and being uninterrupted by the sight of any other Ladies but 't is most certain my Lord he grew to that excess of Love or rather Doatage if Love in one so young can be call'd so that he languishes for her even while he possessed her all He dy'd if oblig'd by Company to retire from her an Hour at the end of which being again brought to her he would fall at her Feet and sigh and weep and make the most pitious Moan that ever Love inspir'd He would complain upon the Cruelty of a Moments Absence and vow he could not live where she was not All that disturbed his Happiness he reproach'd as Enemies to his Repose and at last made her feign an Illness that no Visits might be made her and that he might possess all her Hours Nor did Hermione perceive all this without making her Advantages of so glorious an Opportunity but with the usual Cunning of her Sex improved every Minute she gave him She now found herself sure of the Heart of the finest Man in the World and of one she believed would prove the greatest being the Head of a most powerful Faction who were resolved the first Opportunity to order Affairs so as to come to an open Rebellion and to make him a King All these things how unlikely soever in Reason her Love and Ambition suggested to her so that she believed she had but one Game more to play to establish herself the greatest and most happy Woman in the World She consults in this weighty Affair with her Mother who had a share of Cunning that could carry on a Design as well as any of her Sex They found but one Obstacle to all Hermione's rising Greatness and that was the Prince's being married and that to a Lady of so considerable Birth and Fortune so eminent for her Vertue and all Perfections of Woman-kind and withal so excellent for Wit and Beauty that 't was impossible to find any Cause of a Separation between ' em So that finding it improbable to remove that Lett to her Glories she grew very Melancholy which was soon perceived by the too Amorous Prince who pleads and sighs and weeps on her Bosom Day and Night to find the Cause But she who found she had a difficult Game to play and that she had need of all her little Aids pretends a thousand little frivillous Reasons before she discovers the true one which serv'd but to oblige him to ask anew as she design'd he should At last one Morning finding him in the softest fit in the World and ready to give her whatever she could ask in return for the Secret of her Disquiet she told him with a Sigh how Unhappy she was in loving so violently a Man who could never be any thing to her more than the Robber of her Honour And at last with abundance of Sighs and Tears bewail'd his Marriage He taking her with all the Joy imaginable in his Arms thank'd her for speaking of the only thing he had a thousand times been going to offer to her but durst not for fear she should Reproach him He told her he look'd upon himself as married to no Woman but herself to whom by a thousand solemn Vows he had contracted himself and that he would never own any other while he liv'd let Fortune do what she pleas'd with him Hermione thriving hitherto so well urged his easy Heart yet farther and told him Tho' she had left no Doubt remaining in her of his Love and Vertue no suspicion of his Vows yet the World would still esteem the Princess his Wife and herself only as a Prostitute to his Youthful Pleasure and as she conceiv'd her Birth and Fortune not to be much inferior to that of the Princess she should die with Indignation and Shame to bear all the Reproach of his Wantonness while his now Wife would live esteem'd and pitied as an injured Innocent To all which he reply'd as mad in Love That the Princess he confess'd was a Lady to whom he had Obligations but that he esteem'd her no more his Wife since he was married to her at the Age of twelve Years an Age wherein he was not capacitated to chuse Good or Evil or to answer for himself or his Inclinations And tho' she were a Lady of absolute Vertue of Youth Wit and Beauty yet Fate had so ordain'd it that he had reserv'd his Heart to this Moment intirely for herself and that he renounc'd all Pretenders to him except herself that he had now possess'd the Princess for the space of twenty Years that Youth had a long Race to run and could not take up at those Years with one single Beauty That hitherto Ravage and Destruction of Hearts had been his Province and
or fall in its Defence and that he was resolved to be a King or Nothing and that he would put in Practice all the Arts and Stratagems of Cunning as well as Force to attain to this Glorious End however crooked and indirect they might appear to Fools However he conceived the first necessary Step to this was the getting his Pardon to gain a little time to manage things anew to the best Advantage That at present all things were at a stand without Life or Motion wanting the sight of himself who was the very Life and Soul of Motion the Axel-tree that could turn the Wheel of Fortune round again And now he had talk'd himself into Sense again he cry'd Oh my Tomaso I long to be in Action my Soul is on the Wing and ready to take its Flight through any Hazzard But sighing on a suddain again he cry'd But oh my Friend my Wings are impt by Love I cannot mount the Regions of the Air and thence survey the World but still as I would rise to mightier Glory they â—â—ag to humble Love and fix me there Here I am charm'd to lazy soft Repose here 't is I smile and play and love away my Hours But I will rouse I will my dear Tomaso nor shall the winged Boy hold me inslav'd Belive me Friend he shall not He sent me away pleased with this and I left him to his Repose Supper being ready to come upon the Table tho' Philander were impatient to hear the Story out yet he would not press Tomaso till after Supper in which time they discoursed of nothing but the Miracle of Cesario's Love to Hermionâ— He could not but wonder a Prince so young so amorous and so gay should return again after almost fifteen Years to an old Mistress and who had never been in her Youth a celebrated Beauty One whom it was imagined the King and several after him at Court had made a Gallantry with On this he paused for some time and reflected on his Passion for Silvia and this fantastick Intrigue of the Prince's inspired him with a kind of Curiosity to try whether fleeting Love would carry him back again to this abandoned Maid In these Thoughts and such Discourse they passed away the time during Supper which ended and a fresh Bottle brought to the Table with a new Command that none should interrupt 'em The impatient Philander obliged Tomaso to give him a farther Account of the Princes Proceedings which he did in this manner My Lord having left my Prince as I imagined very well resolved I spoke of it to as many of our Party as I could conveniently meet with to prepare 'em for the Discovery I believed the Prince would pretend to make that they should not by being alarm'd at the first News of it put themselves into Fears that might indeed discover 'em Nor would I suffer Cesario to rest but daily saw him or rather nightly stole to him to keep up his Resolution And indeed in spight of Love to which he had made himself so intire a Slave I brought him to his own House to visit Madam his Wife who was very well at Court maugre her Husbands ill Conduct as they call'd it The King being as you know my Lord extreamly kind to that deserving Lady often made her Visits and would without very great Impatiency hear her plead for her Husband the Prince and possibly it was not ungrateful to him All this we daily learn'd from a Page who secretly brought Intelligence from Madam the Princess So that we conceived it wholly necessary for the Interest of the Prince that he should live in a good Understanding with this prudent Lady To this end he feigned more Respect than usual to her and as soon as it was dark every Evening made her his Visits One Evening among the rest he happened to be there just as the Proclamation came forth of four thousand Crowns to any that could discover him and within half an Hour after came the King to visit the Princess as every Night he did her Lodging being in the Court The King came without giving any Notice and with a very slender Train that Night so that he was almost in the Princess's Bed-chamber before any body inform'd â—her he was there so that the Prince had no time to retire but into Madam the Princess's Cabaret the Door of which she immediately locking made such a Noise and Bustle that it was heard by his Majesty who nevertheless had passed it by if her Confusion and Blushes had not farther betray'd her with the unusual Address she made to the King Who therefore asked her who she had conceal'd in her Closet She endeavoured to put him off with some feign'd Replies but 't would not do the more her Confusion the more the King was inquisitive and urged her to give him the Key of her Cabaret But she who knew the Life of the Prince would be in very great Danger should he be taken so and knew on the other side â—hat to deny it would betray the Truth as much as his Discovery would and cause him either to force the Key or the Door fell down at his Feet and wetting his Shooes with her Tears and grasping his Knees in her trembling Arms implor'd that Mercy and Pity for the Prince her Husband whom her Vertue had rendered dear to her however Criminal he appear'd to his Majesty She told him his Majesty had more peculiarly the Attributes of a God than any other Monarch upon Earth and never heard the Wretched or the Innocent plead in vain She told him that herself and her Children who were dearer to her than Life should all be as Hostages for the good Conduct and Duty of the Prince's future Life and Actions And they would all be obliged to suffer any Death tho' never so ignominious upon the least breaking out of her Lord That he should utterly abandon those of the reformed Religion and yield to what Articles his Majesty would graciously be pleased to impose quitting all his false and unreasonable Pretensions to the Crown which was only the Effects of the Flattery of the Hugonot Party and the Male-Contents Thus with the Vertue and Goodness of an Angel she pleaded with such moving Eloquence mix'd with Tears from beautiful Eyes that she fail'd not to soften the royal Heart who knew not how to be deaf when Beauty pleaded Yet he would not seem to yield so suddenly least it should be imagined he had too light a Sense of his Treasons which in any other great Man would have been punished with no less than Death Yet as she pleaded he grew calmer and suffered it without Interruption till she waited for his Reply and obliged him by her Silence to speak He numbers up the Obligations he had heaped on her Husband how he had by putting all Places of great Command and Interest into his Hands made him the greatest Prince and Favourite of a Subject in the World and infinitely happier
of Octavio for which he was forced to fly the States released him when he came to his Lord How â—ry'd Philander and is the Traytor Octavio fled from Holland and from the reach of my Chastisement Yes reply'd Brilljard and not to hold you longer from the Truth has forced Silvia away with him At this Philander grew into a violent Rage sometimes against Octavio for his Treasons against Friendship sometimes he felt the old Flame revive rais'd and blown by Jealousy and was raving to imagine any other should posses the lovely Silvia He now beholds her with all those Charms that first fired him and thinks if she be Criminal 't was only the Effects of the greatest Love which always hurries Women on to the highest Revenges In vain he seeks to extinguish this returning Flame by the Thought of â—alista yet at that Thought he starts like one awakened from a Dream of Honour to fall asleep again and dream of Love Before 't was Rage and Pride but now it was Tenderness and Grief softer Passions and more insupportable New Wounds smart most but old ones are most dangerous While he was thus rageing walking pausing and loving one knock'd at his Chamber-Door It was Silvia's Page who had waited all the Evening to speak to him and could not till now be admitted Brilljard was just going to tell him he was there before when he arrived now again Philander was all unbutton'd his Stockings down and his Hair under his Cap when the â—age being let in by Brilljard ran to his Lord who knew him and imbraced him And 't was a pretty while they thus caressed each other without the Power of speaking he of asking a Question and the Boy of delivering his Message at last he gave him Silvia's Billet which was thus To Philander FAlse and perjured as you are I languish for a Sight of you and conjure you to give it me as soon as this comes to your Hands Imagine not that I have prepared those Instruments of Revenge that are so justly due to your Perfidy but rather that I have yet too tender Sentiments for you in spight of the Outrages you have done my Heart and that for all the Ruine you have made I still adore you And tho' I know you now anothers Slave yet I beg you would vouchsafe to behold the Spoils you have made and allow me this Recompence for all to say Here was the Beauty I once esteem'd tho' now she is no more Philander's Silvia How cry'd he out No more Philander ' s Silvia By Heaven I had rather be no more Philander And at that word without considering whether he were in order for a Visit or not he advancing his joyful Voice cry'd out to the Page Lead on my faithful Boy lead on to Silvia In vain Brilljard beseeches him to put himself into a better Equipage in vain he urges to him the indecency of making a Visit in that Posture he thought of nothing but Silvia however he ran after him with his Hat Cloak and Comb and as he was in the Chair dress'd his Hair and suffered the Page to conduct him where he pleas'd Which being to Silvia's Lodgings he ran up Stairs and into her Chamber as by Instinct of Love and found her laid on her Bed to which he made but one step from the Door and catching her in his Arms as he kneeled upon the Carpet they both remain'd unable to utter any thing but Sighs And surely Silvia never appear'd more charming she had for a Month or two liv'd at her Ease and had besides all the Advantage of fine Dressing which she had purposly put on in the most tempting Fashion on purpose to ingage him or rather to make him see how fine a Creature his Perfidy had lost him She first broke Silence and with a thousand violent Reproaches seem'd as if she would fain break from those Arms which she wish'd might be too strong for her Force while he endeavours to appease her by swearing and lying as Lovers do protesting a thousand times that there was nothing in that History of his Amour with Calista but Revenge on Octavio who he knew was making an Interest in her Heart contrary to all the Laws of Honour and Friendship for he had learn'd by the Reproaches of the Lady Abbess that Calista was Sister to Octavio he has had the daring to confess to me his Passion said he for you and could I do less in Revenge than tell him I had one for his Sister I knew by the violent Reproaches I ever met with in your Letters tho' they were not plainly confess'd that he had play'd me foul and discover'd my â—eign'd Intrigue to you and even this I suffered to see how far you could be prevail'd with against me I knew Octavio had Charms of Youth and Wit and that you had too much the Ascendant over him to be deny'd any Secret you had a mind to draw from him I knew your Nature too curious and your Love too inquisitive not to press him to a sight of my Letters which seen must incense you and this Tryal I designedly made oâ— your Faith and as a Return to Octavio Thus he flatters and she believes because she has a mind to believe and thus by degrees he softens the listening Silvia Swears his Faith with Sighs and confirms 〈◊〉 with his Tears which bedew'd her fair Bosom as they fell from his bright dissembling Eyes and yet so well he dissembled that he scarce knew himself that he did so And such Effects it wrought on Silvia that in spight of all her Honour and Vows engaged to Octavio and horrid Protestations never to receive again the Fugitive to her Arms she suffers all he ask's gives herself up again to Love and is a second time undone She regards him as one to whom she had a peculiar Right as the first Lover She was married to his Love to his Heart and Octavio appeared the intruding Gallant that would and ought to be content with the Gleanings of the Harvest Philander should give him the opportunity to take up And tho' if she had at this very time been put to her sober Choice which she would have abandoned it would have been Philander as not in so good Circumstances at that time to gratify all her Extravagancies of Expence but she could not indure to think of loosing either She was for two Reasons covetous of both and swore Fidelity to both protesting each the only Man and she was now contriving in her Thoughts how to play the Jilt most Artificially a Help meet tho' natural enough to her Sex she had not yet much essay'd and never to this purpose She knew well she should have need of all her Cunning in this Affair for she had to do with Men of Quality and Honour and too much Wit to be grosly imposed upon She knew Octavio lov'd so well it would either make her loâ—e him by Death or resenting Pride if she should ever be
Adventure and how she had got his Writings which would be all her own if she might be suffered to manage the fond Believer But he whose thought 〈◊〉 on the Revenge was threaten'd him cry'd out He has kindly awaken'd me to my Duty by what he threatens 't is I that ought to be reveng'd on his Persidy of shewing you my Letter 's and to that end by Heaven I will defer all the Business in the World to meet him and pay his Courtesy If I had injoy'd his Sister he might suppose I knew her not to be so and what Man of Wit or Youth would refuse a lovely Woman that presents a Heart laden with Love and a Person all over Charms to his Bosom I were to be esteem'd unworthy the Friendship of a Man of Honour if I should But he◠has basely betray'd me every way makes Love to my celebrated Mistriss whom he knows I love and getting Secrets unravels 'em to make his Court and his Access the easier She foresaw the dangerous Consequence of a Quarrel of this nature and had no sooner blown the Fire which she did to the end that Philander should avoid her Lodgings and all places where he might meet Octavio but she hinders all her Designs and fixing him there he was resolv'd to expect him at the first place he thought most likely to find him in She indeavoured by a thousand Intreaties to get him gone urging it all for his Safety but that made him but the more resolv'd and all she could do could not hinder him from staying Supper and after that from going to Bed So that she was forced to hide a thousand Terrors and Fears by feigned Caresses the sooner to get him to meet Cesario in the Morning as he said he was to do And tho' she could not help flattering both while by yet she ever lov'd the absent best and now repented a thousand times that she had told him any thing Early the next Morning as was his Custom Octavio came to inquire of Silvia's Health and tho' he had oftentimes only inquired and no more taking Excuse of ill Nights or Commands that none should come to her till she call'd and had departed satisfied and came again Yet now when he went into Antonett's Chamber he found she was in a great Consternation and her Looks and flattering Excuses made him know there was more than usual in his being to day deny'd he therefore pressed it the more and she grew to greater Confusion by his pressing her At last he demanded the Key of her Lady's Chamber he having he said Business of great Importance to communicate to her she told him she had as great a Reason not to deliver it That is said she fearing she had said too much my Lady's Commands and finding no Perswasion would prevail and rather venturing Silvia's eternal Displeasure than not to be satisfied in the Jealousies she had raised especially reflecting on Philander's being in Town he took Antonett in his Arms and forced the Key from her who was willing to be forced for she admired Octavio's Bounty and car'd not for Philander Octavio being Master of the Key flies to Silvia's Door like Lightening or a jealous Lover mad to discover what seen would kill him He opens the Chamber-door and goes softly to the Bed-side as if he now fear'd to find what he sought and wished to Heaven he might be mistaken he opened the Curtains and found Silvia sleeping with Philander in her Arms. I need make no Discription of his Confusion and Surprize the Character I have given of that gallant honest and generous Lover is sufficient to make you imagine his Heart when indeed he could believe his Eyes Before he thought he was about to draw his Sword and run 'em both through and revenge at once his injured Honour his Love and that of his Sister but that little Reason he had left check'd that Barbarity and he was readier from his own natural sweetness of Disposition to run himself upon his own Sword And there the Christian pleaded and yet he found his Heart breaking his whole Body trembling his Mind all Agony his Cheeks cold and pale his Eyes languishing his Tongue refusing to give Utterance to his Pressure and his Leggs to support his Body and much ado he had to reel into Antonett's Chamber where he found the Maid dying with Grief for her Concern for him He was no sooner got to her Bed-side but he fell dead upon it while she who was afraid to alarm her Lady and Philander least Octavio being found there had accused her with betraying 'em but shuting the Door close for yet no body had seen him but herself she indeavoured all she could to bring him to Life again and it was a great while before she could do so As soon as he was recovered he lay a good while without speaking reflecting on his Fate but after appearing as if he had assum'd all his manly Spirits together he rose up and conjured Antonett to say nothing of what had happen'd and that she should not repent the Service she would do him by it Antonett who was his absolute devoted Slave promised him all he desired and he had the Courage to go once again to confirm himself in the Lewdness of this undone fair one whose Perjuries had rendered her even odious now to him and he beheld her with Scorn and Disdain And that she might know how indifferently he did so when she should come to know it he took Philander's Sword that lay on her Toylet and left his own in the place and went out pleased at least in this that he had commanded his Passion in the midst of the most powerful Occasion for Madness and Revenge that ever was They lay thus secur'd in each others Arms till nine a-Clock in the Morning when Philander received a Note from Brilljard who was managing his Lords Design of getting a Billet delivered to Calista by the way of a Nun whom Brilljard had made some Address to to that end and sent to beg his Lord would come to the Grate and speak to the young Nun who had undertaken for any innocent Message This Note made him rise and hast to go out when he received another from an unknown Hand which was thus To Philander MY Lord I have important Business with you and beg I may speak with you at three of the Clock I will wait you by the Fountain in the Park Yours Silvia who was impatient to have him gone never asked to see either of these Notes least it should have deterr'd him and she knew Octavio would visit her early tho' she knew withal she could refuse him Enterance with any slight Excuse so good an Opinion he had of her Vertue and so absolute an Ascendant she had over him She had given Orders if he came to be refused her Chamber and she was glad to know he had not yet been at her Lodgings A hundred times she was about to make use of
on his panting Bosom nevertheless he got the Courage to reply once again before he yielded himself a shameful Victim to her Flattery and said Ah cruel Silvia is it possible that you can charge the Levity on me Is it I have taken this poor Aid as you are pleased to call it from you Oh! rather blame your own unhappy Easiness that after having sworn me Faith and Love could violate 'em both both where there was no need 'T would better have become thy Pride and Quality to have resented Injuries receiv'd than brought again that scorn'd abandon'd Person fine as it was and shining still with Youth to his forgetful Arms. Alas said she I will not justify my hateful Crime a Crime I loath to think of it was a Fault beyond a Prostitution there might have poâ—ibly been new Ioy in such a Sin but here 't was pall'd and gone sted to Eternity away And but for the dear Cause I did commit it there were no Expiation for my Fault no penitent Tears could wash away my Crime Alas said he if there were any Cause if there be any possible Excuse for such a breach of Love give it my Heart make me believe it and I yet may live and tho' I cannot think thee Innocent to be compell'd by any frivolous Reason 't would greatly satisfy my longing Soul But have a care do not delude me on for if thou dost perswade me into Pardon and to return to all my native Fondness and then again shoula'st play me fast and loose by Heaven by all my sacred Passion to thee by all that Men call Holy I will pursue thee with my utmost Hate forsake thee with my Fortune and my Heart and leave thee wretched to the scorning Crowd Pardon these rude Expressions of a Love that can hardly forgive the Words it utters I blush with Shame while I pronounce 'em true When she reply'd May all you have pronounced and all your injured Love can yet invent fall on me when I ever more deceive you believe me now and but forgive what is past and trust my Love and Honour for the future At this she told him that in the first Visit Philander made her she using him so reproachfully and upbraiding him with his Inconstancy made him understand that he was betray'd by Octavio and that the whole Intrigue with Calista confessed by him was discovered to Silvia Which he said put him into so violent a Rage against Octavia that he vow'd that Minute to find him out and kill him Nor could all the Perswasions of Reason serve to hinder him so that she who as she said lov'd Octavio to Death finding so powerful an Enemy as her Fears made her fancy Philander was ready to have snatch'd from her in one furious Moment all she ador'd she had recourse to all the Flattery of Love to withold him from an Attempt so dangerous And 't was with much ado with all those Aids that he was obliged to stay which she had forced him to do to get time to give him Notice in the Morning for his approaching Danger Not that she feared Octavio's Life had Philander attacked it fairly but he look'd on himself as a Person injured by close private ways and would take a like Revenge and have hurt him when he as little dream'd of it as Philander did of the Discovery he made of his Letter to her To this she swore she weep'd she imbraced and still protested it true adding withal a thousand Protestations of her future Detestation of him and that since the worst was past and that they had fought and he was come off tho' with so many Wounds yet with Life she was resolv'd utterly to defy Philander as the most perfidious of his Sex and assured him that nothing in the World was so indifferent as she in his Arms. In fine after having omitted nothing that might gain a Credit and assure him of her Love and Heart and possess him with a Belief for the future of her lasting Vows He wholly convinc'd and overcome snatches her in his Arms and bursting into a Shower of Tears cry'd Take take all my Soul thou lovely Charmer of it and dispose of the Destiny of Octavio And smothering her with kisses and Imbraces made a perfect Reconciliation When the Surgeons who came to visit him finding him in the disorder of a Fever tho' more Joy was triumphing in his Face than before they imagined this Lady the fair Person for whom this Quarrel was for it had made a great Noise you may believe and finding it hurtful for his Wounds either to be transported with too much Rage Grief or Love besought him he would not talk too much or suffer any Visits that might prejudice his Health And indeed with what had been past he found himself after his Transport very ill and feverish so that Silvia promised the Doctors she would visit him no more in a day or two tho' she knew not well how to be from him so long but would content herself with sending her Page to inquire of his Health To this Octavio made very great Opposition but his Aunt and the rest of the Learned were of Opinion it ought for his Health to be so and he was obliged to be satisfied with her Absence At parting she came to him and again besought him to believe her Vows to be well and that she would depart somewhere with him far from Philander who she knew was obliged to attend the Motions of Cesario at Bruxels whom again she imprecated never to see more This satisfied our impatient Lover and he suffered her to go and leave him to what Rest he could get She was no sooner got home and retired to her Chamber but finding herself alone which now she did not care to be and being assured she should not see Octavio instead of triumpâ—ing for her new gain'd Victory she sent her Page to inquire again of Philander's Health and to intreat that she might visit him At first before she sent she check'd this Thought as base as against all Honour and all her Vows and Promises to the brave Octavio but finding an Inclination to it and proposing a Pleasure and Satisfaction in it she was of a Nature not to lose a Pleasure for a little Punctilio of Honour and without considering what would be the event of such a Folly she sent her Page tho' he had been repulsed before and forbid coming with any Messages from his Lady The Page found no better Success than hitherto he had done but being with much Intreaty brought to Philander's Chamber he found him sitting in his Night-Gown to whom addressing himself he had no sooner named his Lady but Philander did him bee gone for he would hear nothing from that false Woman The Boy would have reply'd but he grew more inraged and reviling her with all the Railings of incensed Lovers he put himself into his Closet without speaking any more or suffering any Answer This Message being delivered
you injured me to that degree that I with all the mighty stock of Love I had hoarded up together in my Heart must dy reproaching thee to my last Gasp of Life which had'st thou been so merciful to have ended by all the Love that 's breaking off my Heart that yet even yet is soft and charming to me I swear with my last Breath I had bless'd thee Silvia But thus to use me thus to leave my Love distracted raving Love and no one Hope or Prospect of Relief either from Reason Time or faithless Silvia was but to stretch the Wretch upon the Rack and screw him up to all degrees of Pain yet such as do not end in kinder Death Oh thou unhappy Ruiner of my Repose Oh fair Vnfortunate if yet my Agony would give me leave to argue I am so miserably lost to ask thee yet this woful Satisfaction to tell me why thou hast undone me thus Why thou shouldest chuse out me from all the Crowd of fond admiring Fools to make the World's Reproach and turn to redicule How could'st thou use that soft good Nature so that had not one ungrateful sullen Humour in it for thy Revenge and Pride to work upon No Baseness in my Love no dull Severity for Malice to be busie with but all was gay and kind all lavish Fondness and all that Woman vain with Youth and Beauty could wish in her Adorer What could'st thou ask but Empire which I gave not My Love my Soul my Life my very Hâ—nour all was resign'd to thee that Youth that might have gain'd me Fame abroad was dedicated to thy eternal Service laid at thy Feet and idly past in Love Oh charming Maid whom Heaven has form'd for the Punishment of all whose Flames are Criminal why could'st not thou have made some kind distinction between those common Passions and my Flame I gave thee all my Vows my honest Vows before I asked a Recompence for Love I made thee mine before the sacred Powers that witness every secret solemn Vow and fix 'em in the eternal Book of Fate if thou had'st given thy Faith to any other as oh too sure thou hast what Fault was this in me who knew it not why should I bear that sin I took thee to me as a Virgin Treasure sent from the Gods to charm the Ills of Life to make the tedious Iourney short and joyful I came to make atonement for thy Sin and to redeem thy Fame not add to the detested Number I came to guild thy Stains of Honour over and set so high a Price upon thy Name that all Reproaches for thy past Offences should have been lost in future Crowds of Glory I came to lead thee from a world of Shame approaching Ills and future Miseries from noisy Flatterers that would sacrifice thee first to dull Lust and more unthinking Wit possess thee then traduce thee By Heaven I swear it was not for myself alone I took such pains to gain thee and set thee free from all those Circumstances that might perhaps debauch thy worthier Nature and I believed it was with pain you yielded to every buying Lover No 't was for thy Sake in pity to thy Youth Heaven had inspired me with Religious Flame and when I aim'd at Silvia 't was alone I might attain to Heaven the surest way by such a pious Conquest Why hast thou ruin'd a Design so glorious as saving both our Souls Perhaps thou vainly thinkest that while I am pleading thus I am arguing still for Love or think this way to move â—hee into Pity No by my hopes of Death to ease my Pain Love is a Passion not to be compell'd by any force of Reason's Arguments 'T is an unthinking Motion of the Soul that comes and goes as unaccountably as changing Moons or Ebbs and Floâ—s of Rivers only with far less certainty It is not that my Soul is all over Love that 〈◊〉 beget its Likeness in your Heart Had Heaven and Nature added to that Love all the Perfections that adorn our Sex it had avail'd me nothing in your Soul There is a Chancâ— in Love as well as Life and oft the most unworthy are preferred and from a Lottery I might win the Prize from all the venturing Throng with as much Reason as think my Chance should favour me with Silvia it might perhaps have been but 't was a wonderous Odds against me Beauty is more uncertain than the Dice and tho' I ventured like a forward Gamester I was not yet so vain to hope to win nor had I once complain'd upon my Fate if I had never hop'd but when I had fairly won to have it basely snatch'd from my Possession and like a bafled Cully see it seiz'd by a false Gamester and look tamely on has show'd me such a Picture of myself has given me such Idea's of the Fool I scorn to look into my easy Heart and loath the Figure you have made me there Oh Silvia what an Angel thou had'st been had'st thou not sooth'd me thus to my Vndoing Alass it had been no Crime in thee to hate me it was not thy Fault I was not Aimable if thy soft Eyes could meet no Charms to please 'em those soft those charming Eyes were not in Fault nor that thy Sense too delicate and nice could meet no proper Subject for thy Wit thy Heart thy tender Heart was not in fault because it took not in my tale of Love and sent soft Wishes back Oh! no my Silvia this tho' I had dy'd had caused you no Reproach but first to fan my Fire by all the Arts that ever Subtle Beauty could â—â—vent to give me Hope nay to â—issemble Love yes and so very well â—issemble too that not one tender Sigh was breath'd in vain All that my love-sick Soul was panting for the subtle Charmer gave so well so very well she could dissemble Oh! what more Proofs could I expect from Love what greater Earnest of eternal Victory Oh! thou had'st raised me to the height of Heaven to make my Fall to Hell the more precipitate Like a fallen Angel now I howl and roar and curse that Pride that taught me first Ambition 't is a poor Satisfaction now to know if thou could'st yet tell Truth what Motive first seduced thee to my Ruin Had it been Interest by Heaven I would have bought my wanton Pleasures at as high Rates as I would gratify my real Passions at least when Silvia set a price on Pleasure nay higher yet for Love when 't is repaid with equal Love it saves the Chafferer a great Expence Or were it wantonness of Youth in thee alass you might have made me understood it and I had met you with an equal Ardor and never thought of loving but quench'd the short liv'd Blaze as soon as kindled and hoping for no more had never let my hasty Flame arrive any higher than that powerful Minutes Cure But oh in vain I seek for Reasons from thee perhaps thy own fantastick
make him if possible and absolute Master of her Heart which he vow'd he would defend with his Life from even Philander himself and that he would pretend no other Empire over her nor presume or pretend to ingross that fair and charming Person which ought to be universally adored In fine he fail'd not to please both her Desire and her Vanity and every day she loved Philander less who sometimes in two or three together came not home to visit her At this time it so happened he being in Love with the young Daughter of an Advocate about a League from his own Lodgings and he is always eager on the first Address till he has compleated the Conquest so that she had not only time to please and revenge herself with Brilljard but fully to resolve their Affair and to provide all things against their Flight which they had absolutely done before Philander's Return who coming home received Brilljard very kindly and the News which he brought and which made him understand he should not have any long time to finish his new Amour in but as he was very Conquering both in Wit and Beauty he left not the Village without leaving some Ruins behind of Beauty which ever after bewail'd his Charms and since his departure was so necessary and that in four or five days he was oblig'd to go they deferr'd their flight till he was gone which time they had wholly to themselves and made as good use of it as they could at least she thought so and you may be sure he also whose Love increas'd with his possession But Silvia longs for Liberty and those necessary Gallantries which every day diminish'd she lov'd rich Cloths gay Coaches and to be lavish and now she was stinted to good Housewifery a Penury she hated The time of Philander's departure being come he took a very careless leave of Silvia telling her he would see what Commands the Prince had for him and return in Ten or Twelve days Brilljard pretended some little Indisposition and beg'd he might be permitted to follow him which was granted and the next day tho Brilljard pleaded infinitely for a continuation of his happiness two or three days more she would not grant it but oblig'd him by a thousand kind promises of it for the future to get Horses ready for her Page and Woman and her Coach for her self which accordingly was done and they left the Village whose Name I cannot now call to mind taking with her what of value she had left They were three days on their journey Brilljard under pretence of care of her Health the weather being Hot and for fear of overtaking Philander by some accident on the Road delay'd the time as much as was possible to be as happy as he could all the while and indeed Silvia was never seen in a Humour more Gay She found this short time of hope and pleasure had brought all her banish'd Beauties back that Care Sickness and Grief had extreamly tarnisht only her Shape was a little more inclining to be Fat which did not at all however yet impare her fineness and she was indeed too Charming without for the deformity of her indiscretion within but she had broke the bounds of Honour and now stuck at nothing that might carry on an Interest which she resolved should be the business of her future life She at last arriv'd at Bruxells and caus'd a Lodging to be taken for her in the remotest part of the Town as soon as she came she oblig'd Brilljard to visit Octavio but going to his Aunt 's to enquire for him he was told that he was no longer in the World he stood amaz'd a while believing he had been dead when Madam the Aunt told him he was retir'd to the Monastery of the Order of St. Bernard and would in a day or two without the Probationary Year take Holy Orders This did not so much surprize him as the other knowing that he discours'd to him when he saw him last as if some such retirement he meant to resolve upon with this News which he was not altogether displeas'd at Brilljard return'd to Silvia which soon chang'd all her good Humour to Tears and Melancholy She inquir'd at what place he was and believ'd she shou'd have power to withdraw him from a resolution so fatal to her and so contradictive to his Youth and Fortune and having consulted the matter with Brilljard he had promised her to go to him and use all means possible to withdraw him This resolv'd she writ a most insinuating Letter to him wherein she excus'd her flight by a surprize of Philander's and urg'd her condition as it then was for the excuse of her long silence and that as soon as her Health would give her leave she came to put her self eternally into his Arms never to depart more from thence These Arguments and Reasons accompanied with all the iâ—dearing tenderness her artful Fancy was capable of framing she sent with a full assurance it would prevail to perswade him to the World and her fair Arms again While she was preparing this to go Philander who had heard at his arrival what made so much noise that he had been the occasion of the Worlds loss of two of the finest Persons in it the Sister Calista by Debauching her and the Brother by Ravishing his Mistriss from him both which were entring without all possibility of prevention into Holy Orders He took so great a Melancholy at it as made him keep his Chamber for two Days maugre all the urgent affairs that ought to have invited him from thence he was consulting by what power to prevent the Misfortune he now ran back to all the Obligations he had to Octavio and pardons him all the injuries he did him he loves him more by loving Silvia less and remembred how that generous Friend after he knew he had dishonoured his Sister had notwithstanding sent him Letters of Credit to the Majestrates of Cologne and Bills of Exchange to save him from the Murder of his Brother-in-Law as was likely to have been He now charges all his little faults to those of Love and hearing that old Clarinau was dead of the wound Octavio had given him by mistake which increased in him new hope of Calista cou'd she be retriev'd from the Monastery he resolv'd in order to this to make Octavio a Visit to beg his Pardon and beg his Friendship and his Continuation in the World He came accordingly to the Monastery and was extream civilly received by Octavio who yet had not the Habit on Philander told him he heard he was leaving the World and could not suffer him to do so without indeavouring to gain his Pardon of him for all the injuries he had done him that as to what related to his Sister the Countess he protested upon his Honour if he had but imagined she had been so he wou'd have suffer'd death sooner than his Passion to have approach'd her indiscreetly and
amongst a thousand of finer value His Name and hers was Ingraven instead of a Poesie in it which was only Philander and Silvia and which he took no notice of and parted from each other in the tenderest manner that two young Gentlemen could possible be imagin'd to do tho it were more than so on her side for she was madly in Love with him As soon as Silvia came to Bruxells she sent in the Evening to search out Brilljard for she had considered if he should come to the knowledge of her being in Town and she should not send to him he would take it so very ill that he might prevent all her designs and rambles the now Joy of her Heart she knew she could make him her Slave her Pimp her any thing for Love and the hope of her Favour and his interest might defend her and she should know all Philander's motions whom now tho she lov'd no more she fear'd She found him and he took her Lodgings infinitely pleas'd at the trust she reposed in him the only means by which he could arrive to happiness She continues her Mans Habit and he supplyed the place of Vallet dress'd her and undress'd her shifted her Linen every day nor did he take all these Freedoms without advancing a little farther upon occasion and opportunity which was the hire she gave him to serve her in more Lucky Amours the Fine she paid to live free and at ease She tells him her adventure which tho it were Daggers to his Heart was however the only way to keep her his own for he knew her Spirit was too violent to be restrained by any means At last she told him her design upon a certain young Man of quality which she told him was the same she Incountered She assures him 't was not Love or Liking but perfectly Interest that made her design upon him and that if he would assist her she would be very kind to him as a Man that had gain'd very greatly upon her Heart This Flattery she urg'd with infinite fondness and art and he over-joy'd believed every word as Gospel so that he promised her the next day to carry a Billet to the young Don In the mean time she caus'd him to Sup with her purposly to give her an account of Philander Cesario and Hermione whom she heard was come to Bruxells and liv'd publickly with the Prince He told her it was very true and that he saw them every day nay every moment together for he verily believed they could not live asunder That Philander was every Evening Caballing there where all the male contents of the Reformed Religion had taken Sanctuary and where the Grand Council was every Night held for some great things were in Agitation and debating how to trouble the repose of all France again with new Broils he told her that all the World made their Court to Hermione that if any Body had any Petitions or Addresses to make to the Prince 't was by her sole Interest she sate in their closest Councils and heard their gravest debates and she was the Oracle of the Board The Prince paying her a perfect Adoration while she whose Charms of Youth were ended being turned of thirty fortifyed her decays with all the Arts her Wit and Sex were capable of and kept her Illustrious Lover as perfectly her Slave as if she had ingag'd him by all those tyes that Fetter the most circumspect and totally subdued him to her Will who was without Exception the most lovely Person upon Earth and tho Madam you know him so perfectly well yet I must tell you my opinion of him He is all the softer Sex can wish and ours admire he is form'd for Love and War and as he is the most amorous and wanton in Courts he is also the most fierce and brave in Field His Birth the most elevated his Age arriv'd to full blown Man adorn'd with all the spreading Glories that Charm the Fair and ingage the World and I have often heard some of our Party say his Person gain'd him more numbers to his side than his Cause or Quality for he understood all the useful Arts of Popularity the gracious smile and bow and all those cheap Favours that so gain upon Hearts and without the expence of any thing but Ceremony has made the Nation mad for his Interest who never otherwise oblig'd 'em and sure nothing is more necessary in the great than Affability nor shows greater marks of Grandure or shall more etternize them than bowing to the Crowd As the Maiden Queen I have read of in England who made herself idoliz'd by that sole Piece of politick Cunning understanding well the stubborn yet good Nature of the People and gained more upon 'em by those little Arts than if she had parted with all the Prerogatives of her Crown Ah! Madam you cannot imagine what little Slights govern'd the whole Universe and how easie 't is for Monarchs to oblige This Cesario was made to know and there is none so poor an Object who may not have Access to him and whom he does not send away well pleased tho' he do not grant what they ask He dispatches quickly which is a grateful Vertue in great Men and none ever espoused his Interest that did not find a Reward and a Protection 'T is true these are all the Tools he is to work with and he stops at nothing that leads to his Ambitionâ— nor has he done all that lies in the Power of Man only to set alâ— France yet in a Flame but he calls up the very Devils from Hell to his Aid and there is no Man fam'd for Negromancy to whom he does not apply himself which indeedâ— is done by the Advice of Hermione who is very much affected with those sort of People and puts a very great Trust and Confidence in ' em She sent at great Expence for a German Conjurer who arrived the other Day and who is perpetually consulting with another of the same sort a Scot by Birth called Fergusano He was once in Holy Orders and still is so but all his Practice is the black Art and excellent in it he is reported to be Hermione undertakes nothing without his Advice and as he is absolutely her Creature so his Art governs her and she the Prince She holds her Mid-night Conferences with him and as she is very superstitious so she is very learned and studies this Art taught by this great Master Fergusano And so far is this glorious Hero bewitched with these Sorcerers that he puts his whole Trust in these Conjurations and Charms and so far they have imposed on him that with an inchanted Oyntment which they have prepared for him he shall be invulnerable tho' he face the very Mouth of a Cannon They have at the earnest Request of Hermione calculated his Nativity and find him born to be a King and that before twenty Moons exspire he shall be crown'd in France And flattering his easie
by these Arts to Cesario and above all strove by these amusements to engage Philander whom she perceiv'd to grow cold in the great concern daily treating him with Variety of Beauty so that there was no Gaity no Gaâ—lantry or Play but at Hermione's whither all the Youth of both Qualities repaired and 't was there the Governours Nephew was every Evening to be found Possibly Madam I had not told you this if the Princes Bounty had not taken me totally off from Philander so that I have no other dependance on him but that of my Respect and Duty out of perfect Gratitude After this to gain Brilljard intirely she assur'd him if his Fortune were suitable to her Quality and her way of Life she believed she should devote herself to him and tho what she said were the least of her thoughts if fail'd not to flatter him agreeably and he sigh'd with Grief that he could not ingage her all he could get was little enough to support him fine which he was always as any Person of quality at Court and appear'd as Graceful and might have had some happy Minutes with very fine Ladies who thought well of him To salve this defect of want of Fortune he told her he had received a command from Octavio to come to him about settling of a very considerable Pension upon her and that he had at his investing put Money into his Aunt 's Hands who was a Woman of considerable quality to be dispos'd of to that Charitable Use and that if she pleas'd to maintain her rest of Fame and live without receiving Love Visits from Men she might now command that which would be a much better and nobler support than that from a Lover which would be Transitory and last but as long as her Beauty or a less time his Love To this she knew not what to answer but ready money being the joy of her Heart and the support of her Vanity she seems to yield to this having said so much before and she considering she wanted a thousand things to adorn her Beauty being very expensive she was impatient till this were performed and deferr'd the sending to Don Alonzo tho her thoughts were perpetually on him She by the advice of Brilljard writes a Letter to Octavio which was not like those she had before written but as an humble Penitent would write to a Ghostly Father treating him with all the respect that was possible and if ever she mention'd love it was as if her Heart had violently and against her will burst out into softness as still she retain'd there and then she would take up again and ask pardon for that Transgression she told him it was a passion which tho she could never Extinguish for him yet that it should never warm her for another but she would leave Philander to the World and retire where she was not known and try to make up her broken Fortunes with abundance of things to this purpose which he carried to Octavio he said he could have wish'd she would have retir'd to a Monastery as all the first part of her Letter had given him hope and resolved and retir'd as he was he could not read this without extream confusion and change of Countenance He ask'd Brilljard a thousand times whether he believ'd he might trust her or if she would abandon those ways of shame that at last lose all He answered he verily believ'd she would However said Octavio 't is not my business to Capitulate but to believe and act all things for the interest and satisfaction of her whom I yet adore and without farther delay writ to his Aunt to present Silvia with those Sums he had left for her and which had been sufficient to have made her happy all the rest of her Life if her Sins of Love had not obstructed it However she no sooner found herself Mistriss of so considerable a Sum but in lieu of retiring and ordering her affairs so as to render it for ever serviceable to her the first thing she does is to furnish herself with new Coach and Equipage and to lavish out in Cloth and Jewels a great part of it immediately and was impatient to be seen on the Toure and in all publick Places nor could Brilljard perswade the contrary but against all good Manners and Reason she â—lew into most violent passions with him till he had resolved to give her way it hap'ned that the first day she show'd on the Toure neither Philander Cesario nor Hermione chanc'd to be there so that at Supper it was all the news how glorious a young Creature was seen only with one Lady which was Antonet very well drest in the Coach with her every Body that made their Court that Night to Hermione spoke of this new Vision as the most extraordinary Charmer that had ever been seen all were that day undone with Love and none could learn who this fair destroyer was for all the time of Silvia's being at Bruxells before her being big with Child had kept her from appearing in all publick places so that she was wholly a new Face to all that saw her and it is easie to be imagined what Charms that delicate Person appear'd with to all when dress'd to such advantage who naturally was the most beautiful Creature in the World with all the Bloom of Youth that could add to Beauty Among the rest that day that lost their Hearts was the Governour 's Nephew who came into the presence that Night wholly Transported and told Hermione he dy'd for the lovely Charmer he had that day seen so that she who was the most curious to gain all the Beauties to her side that the men might be so too indeavour'd all she could to find out where this Beauty dwelt Philander now grown the most Amorous and Gallant in the World grew passionately in love with the very description of her not imagining it had been Silvia because of her Equipage He knew she lov'd him at least he thought she lov'd him too well to conceal herself from him or be in Bruxells and not let him know it so that wholly ravish'd with the Description of the imagined new fair One he burnt with desire of seeing her and all this Night was pass'd in discourse of this Stranger alone the next day her Livery being discrib'd to Hermione she sent two Pages all about the Town to see if they could discover a Livery so remarkable and that if they did they should enquire of them who they belonged to and where that Persons Lodging was This was not a very difficult matter to perform Bruxells is not a large place and it was soon survey'd from one end to the other At last they met with two of her Foot-men whom they saluted and taking notice of their Livery ask'd them who they belong'd to these Lads were strangers to the Lady they serv'd and newly taken and Silvia at her first coming resolv'd to change her Name and was called Madam
accompanies the pleasure Love else were not to be number'd among the passions of men and was at first ordain'd in Heaven for some divine of the Soul till Adam with his loss of Paradise debaucht it with jealousies fears and curiosities and mixt it with all that was afflicting but you 'l say he had reason to be jealous whose Woman for want of other Seducers listen'd to the Serpent and for the Love of change wou'd give way even to a Devil this little Love of Novelty and knowledge has been intail'd upon her daughters ever since and I have known more Women rendered unhappy and miserable from this torment of curiosity which they bring upon themselves than have ever been undone by less villainous Men. One of this humour was our haughty and Charming Silvia whose Pride and Beauty possessing her with a beliefe that all Men were born to dye her Slaves made her uneasie at every action of the LoLover whether belov'd or not that did but seem to slight her Empire but where indeed she lov'd and doated as now on Philander this humour put her on the rack at every thought or fancy that he might break his Chains and having laid the last Obligation upon him she expected him to be her Slave for ever and treated him with all the haughty Tyranny of her Sex in all those moments when softness was not predominate in her Soul She was shagrien at every thing if but displeas'd with one thing and while she gave torments to others she fail'd not to feel 'em the most sensibly her self so that still searching for new occasion of quarrel with Philander she drew on her self most intollerable pains such as doubting Lovers feel after long hopes and confirm'd joys she reads and weeps and when she came to that part of it that inquir'd of the health and being of the pledge of Love she grew so tender that she was almost fainting in her Chair but recovering from the soft reflection and finding she had said nothing of it already she took her Pen again and writ You ask me Oh Charming Philander how the Pledge of our soft hours thrives Alas as if it meant to brave the worst of fate it does advance my sorrows and all your cruelties have not destroy'd that But I still bear about me the destiny of many a sighing Maid that this who will I am sure be like Philander will ruin with his looks Thou Sacred Treasure of my Soul forgive me if I have wrong'd thy love adieu She made an end of writing this just when Antonett arriv'd and told her Octavio was a lighted at the Gate and coming to visit her which gave her occasion to say this of him to Philander I think I had not ended here but that Octavio the bravest and the best of friends is come to visit me The only Satisfaction I have to support my life in Philanders absence pay him those thanks that are due to him from me pay him for all the generous cares he has taken of me beyond a friend almost Philander in his blooming Passion when 't was all new and young and full of duty cou'd not have render'd me his service with a more awful industry sure he was made for love and glorious friendship Cherish him them preserve him next your Soul for he 's a Jewel fit for such a Cabinet His form his parts and every Noble action shews us the Royal Race from whence he sprung and the Victorious Orange confesses him his own in every Vertue and in every Grace nor can the illigitimacy eclips him sure he was got in the first heat of Love which form'd him so a Hero But no more Philander is as kind a Judge as Silvia She had no sooner finisht this and seal'd it but Octavio came in to the Chamber and with such an Air with such a Grace and mien he approach'd her with all the languishment of soft trembling Love in his face which with the addition of the dress he was that day in which was extreamly rich and advantagious and altogether such as pleases the Vanity of Women I have since heard the Charming Silvia say in spight of all her tenderness for Philander she found a a soft emotion in her Soul a kind of pleasure at his approach which made her blush with some kind of anger at her own easiness Nor cou'd she have blusht in a more happy season for Octavio saw it and it serv'd at once to add a Luster to her paler Beauty and to betray some little kind sentiment which possest him with a joy that had the same effects on him Silvia saw it and the care she took to hide her own serv'd but to increase her blushes which put her into a confusion she had much ado to reclaim she cast her Eyes to Earth and leaning her Cheek on her hand she continu'd on her seat without paying him that usual Ceremony she was wont to do While he stood speechless for a moment gazing on her with infinite satisfaction when she to assume a formality as well as she cou'd rose up and cry'd fearing he had seen too much Octavio I have been considering after what manner I ought to receive you and while I was so I left those Civillities unpaid which your quality and my good manners ought to have render'd you Ah Madam reply'd he sighing if you wou'd receive me as I merited and you ought at least you wou'd receive me as the most passionate Lover that ever Ador'd you I was rather believing said Silvia that I ought to have receiv'd you as my Foe Since you conceal from me so long what you cannot but believe I am erxteamly impatient of hearing and what so neerly concerns my repose At this he only answering with a sigh she pursu'd Sure Octavio you understand me Philanders answer to the Letter of your confessing Passion has not so long been the subject of our discourse and expectation but you guess at what I mean Octavio who on all Occasions wanted not wit or reply was here at a loss what to answer Notwithstanding he had consider'd before what he wou'd say but let those in love fancy and make what fine speeches they please and believe themselves furnisht with abundance of eloquent Harangues at the sight of the dear Object they lose 'em all and love teach 'em a dialect much more prevailing without the expence of duller thought And they leave unsaid all they had so sloridly form'd before and sigh a thousand things with more success Love like Poetry cannot be taught but uninstructed flows without painful study if it be true 't is born in the Soul a Noble inspiration not a Science such was Octavio's he thought it dishonourable to be guilty of the meaness of a Lye and say he had no answer He thought it rude to say he had one and wou'd not shew it Silvia And he believ'd it the height of ungenerous baseness to shew it while he remain'd this moment silent Silvia who